Cilla said:
Aloha all!
It's been 20 years since I've been to DL...our family of five will be coming on 7/30-8/3...a friend suggested CCI so may stay there. Guess a city pass for a 3-day park hopper bonus would be the way to go...did not understand why other threads mentioned a need to upgrade?
I only remember Space Mountain any other great rides you can suggest? Kids ages are 15 and twins at 13. My daughter loves Narnia, any Narnia stuff for her?
Here is a map to local hotels:
http://www.geocities.com/ashpsyche/DisneylandLinkMap.html
We stayed at Best Western Park Place Inn twice last year, Howard Johnsons in 2003, and the DL hotel in 2000. We like the BWPPI because of location - shortest walk to the DL gates, and the walking adds up if you take afternoon breaks.
Take the time to learn about a line reservation system DLR began in 1999, I believe, called
FastPass. I wrote up an exhaustive topic on it last summer. If you use FP effectively, it will double the number of rides you can get on in your three days. Here is a link:
Getting the Most Out of FastPass During High Season
http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=885132
Also read the link in my FastPass thread by Darkbeer
http://mousepad.mouseplanet.com/showthread.php?t=43193
If you get really bored, you can read my lengthy trip report which will give you a lots of tips and strategies we used for touring, shows, parkhopping, etc. Here is a link:
http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=886607
If you want help scheduling rides I would recommend you take a look at RideMax (
www.ridemax.com). See my writeup here:
http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=885134
OK, to your question. My kids last summer were 13, 12, 10 and 9, a little younger than yours but thrill ride fans. Here is a good starting list for them:
At DL
1. Indiana Jones - do not miss this - use FastPass (FP)
2. Splash Mtn - use FP
3. Space Mtn - use FP - very popular, just reopened in 2005 after 2.5 year refurb that really improved it, IMO
4. Big Thunder Mtn Railroad - has FP, but you often do not need it
5. Haunted Mansion - still fun
6. Pirates of the Caribbean - still fun - reopening in June with ride redesign
7. Buzz Lightyear - use FP
8. Matterhorn - still fun - go early morning or late at night if possible
9. Star Tours - a Star Wars simulator - go early morning or late at night if possible
There are a host of others you might like, including old reliable Tiki Room, Small World, the FanstasyLand rides, etc.
At DCA
1. Soarin Over California - use FP and
do not miss this ride - very original
2. California Screamin (roller coaster) - use FP
3. Grizzley River Run - use FP - prepare to get wet
4. Tower of Terror - use FP
Depending on your kids, they may like Animation Studios, including Turtle Talk with Crush which will have you scratching your head and saying "how did they do that?".
You will probably want to do the new Monsters Inc ride, which just opened.
Now for shows:
1. Remember Dreams Come True (at DL) - fireworks/laser/special effects extravaganza - jawdroppingly fabulous - don't miss it, it is not just another fireworks display - see it from the hub if at all possible - you will need to arrive 60 minutes early to get a decent spot - you need to have a clear view of the castle because most of the special effects are there.
2. Fantasmic! (at DL) - another "not to miss" - fabulous show on the Rivers of America in front of Pirates of The Caribbean. There should be two shows each night you are there - go the second one, it is less crowded and easier to get a good seat. If you try hard, you can do both Remember and Fantasmic! on the same night if you go to the late Fantasmic! We did it last August.
3. Aladdin (at DCA) - broadway quality show that is excellent - inside a nice air-conditioned theatre. If you have time, do not miss this show.
4. Parade of Dreams - I would not rate this "not to miss", but it is good and you should do it if you have time
Others you may want to do: Electrical Parade at DCA and Snow White at DL. Both fine shows.
