Peter Pan's Flight Articles
How To Actually Be Happy At The Happiest Place On Earth
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School is out, the kids are full of energy and expectations and parents across Utah are making summer plans. Gasoline prices have driven many Utahns to choose Disneyland as their summer destination. Here are five tips and little-known secrets for making your Magic Kingdom visit more memorable.
1. Know when to go
The crowds at Disneyland are often a concern for parents. The serious vacationer ...
Survival In Mauschwitz
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Not for nothing did a grizzled lifer at Disneyland refer to his worksite as "Mauschwitz." In this case, "lifer" means "one condemned to wear a Donald Duck suit, day in and day out, even when it's 110 degrees in the shade, even when he can't see well enough through the eyeholes to make out which kid is kicking him in the nuts, and even when he's so saturated in sweat that his vision is blurry and his ...
A Brief History Of Disneyland, An American Classic
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"The thing will get more beautiful year after year. And it will get better as I find out what the public likes; I can't do that with a picture it's finished and unchangeable before I find out whether the public likes it or not." Walt Disney on Disneyland.
Walt Disney found different reasons to build his seventeen million dollar Magic Kingdom in Anaheim in 1955. The idea had originally stemmed ...
Making Kinect Disneyland Adventures
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Disneyland has remained one of the world's most popular attractions ever since it was built on a 160-acre site near Anaheim, California, in 1955. Love it or loathe it, there is no denying that nearly 16 million people eagerly flock every year to gawp open-mouthed at the Technicolor playground inhabited by Mickey Mouse, Donald Duck and other famous characters. Frontier Developments, the Cambridge-based ...
Storm In A Teacup
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With a boy of his own, Stephen Lacey makes his first visit to the Disneyland of his childhood.
When I was a boy, my idea of Disneyland was pretty sketchy; it was where Mickey and Donald lived. And there was a ride where you sat in a giant spinning teacup.
I knew only one kid who had been, a boy in third class named Brian. He was terribly thin, with bruises all over his body. One day our ...
Disneyland It All Started With A Mouse
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Who wants sugar in their tea? The Mad Hatter asked. Everyone cheered. It is at this moment when I realised the greatest thing for the 'little traveller' was the parks unique way to bring treasured favourites to life, such as a favoured classic, Alice in wonderland.
Many years on from its opening on 17 July 1955, Walt Disney's theme park has sparked the imagination and captured the hearts of thousands ...
Environmental Group Files Suit Against The Happiest Place On Earth
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Minnie's House, the Haunted Mansion and Mr. Toad's Wild Ride are all attractions families may want to avoid during their next Disneyland adventure, according to an environmental group alleging the California theme park is riddled with attractions that can expose children to potentially dangerous levels of lead.
The Mateel Environmental Justice Foundation filed an injunction Tuesday to require the park ...
Harry Potter Day At Disneyland Turns Hope To Tears With The Wave Of A Wand
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This past Sunday, November 6, marked the fifth unofficial Harry Potter Day at the Disneyland Resort in Anaheim, Calif. According to the organizer's website: "Our event draws Potter fans from all over the Southland and far beyond for a day of mirth, mischief and magic! The elves are hard at work putting together this year's festivities, which will include a scavenger hunt (of sorts) the likes of which ...
Five Unique Artifacts From Disneyland's Opening That Remain At The Park
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A lot has changed at Disneyland since the park first opened in 1955.
Over the nearly six decades that have passed since its debut, many things at the Happiest Place on Earth have either been lost over time or met with a wrecking ball during one of the park's many expansions and refurbishments.
We list five original Disneyland artifacts that existed in the park back when Walt walked Main Street, ...
Disney's Do's And Don'ts
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Disneyland is often called "The Happiest Place on Earth". When you break it down, this claim has a lot of validity. Magic comes to life when your favorite childhood characters begin dancing in front of you. Suddenly Belle, Prince Charming and Mickey Mouse come alive in one location, forcing you to discover your pupils aren't big enough to take in the entire scene all at once.
You can fly around in a ...
7 Tips For Tackling Disneyland In A Day
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I've been to Disneyland hundreds of times over the last two decades and have been writing the Funland theme park blog for about four years now. As a result, people are always asking me how to do everything at Disneyland in a single day.
The short answer is you probably can't. It can be a struggle for even hard-core fans with military assault-like strategies. The longer answer is there's lots of ways ...
Grown-Up Gals Have Fun Like Kids But Without Kids At Disneyland
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Disneyland is not just for sugar-soaked kids. Consider, all you grown-up women out there, going for a gals' day out.
That's exactly what my childhood friend Joanna and I, both of us in our 30s, recently did instead of heading to the beach or shopping. Did we channel our inner princesses? Nope. Did we regress to a state of childlike delight and strategically map out rides to conquer? Oh yes. That ...
Fitting In At Disneyland
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The trip to Disneyland was amazing. It had been twenty years since the last trip where I was able to enjoy any of the thrill rides. I was apprehensive and skeptical about my chances of fitting on any of the classics, let alone on the new attractions. But fortunately my worries didn't match reality.
The first ride was the Peter Pan ship, and it is built for three people to ride in. Amazingly, my wife ...
Music is Magic
I don't even remember my first trip to Disneyland as a child. My first trip with my high school band, on the other hand, I do remember, if a little vaguely. Hey, I've been going since I was a kid, and even with my makeshift leash, all the wonderful memories have always tended to blend together. It was when I was a freshman in high school and we were to march down Main Street, something we did every year. ...
Much Has Changed Much Thankfully Remains The Same
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It had been more than seven years since we last visited the Disneyland Resort.
So much has changed since 2006 ... and, thankfully, so much remains the same at Walt Disney's ground-breaking theme park, known universally as The Happiest Place on Earth.
Disney fans who live on the East Coast and spend the majority of their vacation time in Walt Disney World in Florida have a somewhat skewed view of ...
Disneyland Resort Courts Local Residents After Holidays
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Southern California residents can "show their Disney side" in 2014 as the Disneyland Resort once again presents a ticket offer especially for them, with options for two or three days of fun and adventure at the parks -- all at special prices. To explore all there is to do at Disneyland park and Disney California Adventure park, Southern California residents may purchase a 2-day ticket with their choice of ...
5 Rides To Go To First When The Park Opens
When Disneyland in Anaheim first opens its gates every day at eight in the morning, there are a few rides visitors should make a beeline for if they don't want to be standing in line for hours. Since it debuted in 1955, Disneyland has boasted many popular rides and other experiences that capture the magic of the company's extensive list of films and shows, primarily of the fantasy and adventure ...
25 Things You Need To Know About Disneyland's Diamond Celebration
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Disneyland is celebrating 60 years of magic with a Diamond Celebration set to begin May 22. Since opening in 1955, Disneyland has continued to hold a special place in the hearts of children and adults alike. Here are 25 things you need to know if you are planning to celebrate with Mickey.
Diamond Celebration hours
1. Disneyland opens at 6 a.m. on May 22 for a 24-hour kickoff of the Diamond ...
Disneyland Turns 60 Ranking Its Attractions by Land
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Oh, boy! The Disneyland Resort Diamond Celebration begins today!
Disneyland Park opened in Anaheim, Calif., on July 17, 1955, and ever since, it has entertained millions of guests from all over the world. That's no small feat!
"It's amazing to contemplate all that Disneyland has come to mean to so many people around the world," Tom Staggs, COO of the Walt Disney Company, recently told the ...
Peter Pan Flight Reopens At Disneyland
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Visitors can fly over London and Neverland again.
After a seven-month hiatus, an enhanced version of one of Disneyland's original rides is back along with Peter Pan, Tinker Bell, Wendy, Captain Hook and Smee.
The Peter Pan's Flight attraction re-opens today, boasting new special effects and animation.
"Hopefully, it's the type of magical effect you've never seen before and wonder how we did ...
Disneyland Updates Classic Rides Like Haunted Mansion With New Magic For 60th Anniversary
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Guests visiting Disneyland these days will notice intriguing upgrades and changes to several classic, beloved attractions. As part of the park's 60th anniversary celebration, the Haunted Mansion, the Matterhorn and Peter Pan's Flight have all received tweaks, referred to as "New Magic" by Disneyland. The additions to Haunted Mansion and Matterhorn have been open for a few weeks, while Peter Pan re-opens ...
Disney Voice Over Actors Bring Theme Park Rides To Life
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Voice-over actors are the hidden artists who provide the audio atmosphere and essential back stories that bring theme parks to life..
From the parking lot tram spiel to park-wide announcements to ride narrations, the best work of voice-over actors often goes unnoticed simply because it blends so seamlessly into the overall theme park experience.
During the upcoming ScareLA convention on Aug. 8 ...
Disneyland And Imagineering Part 4
Last time we left off, we were meeting some of the Imagineers who were responsible for the initial creation of Disneyland. We began to see the park take physical shape and learn about the origins of Main Street USA and Sleeping Beauty's Castle. There were roughly 6 months until the opening. The orange and walnut groves that once existed all to themselves were being transformed into a pear-shaped amusement ...
Disneyland Ride Review Pinocchios Daring Journey Is A Little Wooden
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It's time to take a ride on Pinocchio's Daring Journey at Disneyland, which is based on Walt Disney's second animated feature film, "Pinocchio," which was based on the children's novel "The Adventures of Pinocchio" by Carlo Collodi.
This attraction appeared in 1983, occupying the space that once held the Fantasyland Theater. Above the entrance there is a small figure of Pinocchio on a stage. Passing ...
This Day In History Disneyland Opened 61 Years Ago Today
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Disneyland, the only theme park designed and built under the direct supervision of Walt Disney, opened on Sunday, July 17, 1955. Construction lasted for exactly one year, and cost only $17 million to complete.
The opening was only intended for about 11,000 invited guests and press, though a total of 28,000 attended due to a rush of counterfeit tickets. The event was telecast by ABC, anchored by actors ...
Frozen Stage Show New Rides
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Being a frequent Disneyland visitor, I never figured a day would come that the highlight of a Disney resort visit would be a live-action performance of a cartoon beloved by 8-year-olds everywhere.
But, yes, perhaps hell has "Frozen" over.
Of course, my main motivation in going to Disneyland and California Adventure this year was to see all the "Star Wars" upgrades in Disneyland's Tomorrowland. ...
Disneyland Preps For Halloween As 60th Anniversary Fades Away
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The jack-o'-lanterns started magically appearing this week at Disneyland as the Halloween season grows near.
At the same time, the 60th anniversary decorations were magically disappearing into Yesterland. The large "60" button on the front of Sleeping Beauty Castle was removed, as were most of the related decorations on the lamp posts on Main Street U.S.A. Other elements of the 15-month Diamond ...
Castle Heraldry Shoppe Closing At Disneyland
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The shop where visitors could look up their family crest or purchase a coat of arms at Disneyland is closing.
Disneyland officials confirmed that the Castle Heraldry Shoppe will close Jan. 12.
The shop first opened inside a space within the castle in 1994. It moved to its present location in 2008, when the park re-opened the Sleeping Beauty Castle Walkthrough.
Inside the shop, visitors could ...
Disneyland And Imagineering Part 12
Although Disney had a dislike for the typical carnivals of the time, it wasn't so much the content, but the environment and the lack of attention to detail. Long before the park was built, after one of his frequent visits to Griffith Park with his daughters, he stated, "Things could be done better than this. A park should be designed for total family enjoyment. Besides a merry-go-round, there could be ...
Disneyland And Imagineering Part 13
Disneyland, the idea, came from the mind of Walt Disney, but Disneyland, the theme park, was a collaborative effort. It took a great many men and women to create it. Since all men are created equal, everyone who contributed should be credited. I've known about C.V. Wood for many years, and although he was not an Imagineer, he was a land developer who made significant contributions in terms of sales and ...
Um Disneyland Opening Day In 1955 Sounds Like It Was A Dystopian Hell
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Disney Parks have a reputation for presenting themselves as perfect, flawless places where nothing could ever possibly go wrong.
Some less-than-amazing stuff has allegedly happened inside the parks, but by many accounts, Disney works realllll hard to make it all feel truly magical.
But it turns out, Disneyland was decidedly not the happiest place on earth on its opening day, July 17, 1955*. In ...
