Billy Hill and the Hillbillies channel Charlie Daniels in their Halloween show in Disneyland Park. The bluegrass band takes the stage six times a day during the Halloween Carnival at Big Thunder Ranch Jamboree. The carnival is new this year. it opened Friday and runs through Oct. 31. In the 15-minute set, the band plays cheerful Disney songs such as "Zip-A-Dee-Doo-Dah" and, yes, "It's a ...

A group of die-hard Disney fans are fighting to keep their favorite Disneyland attraction from retiring. The loosely organized group, led in part by Orange resident Steve Iversen, is hoping to keep Billy Hill and the Hill Billies alive by writing letters and filling comment cards. See, after 21 years performing their Western-themed music comedy performance at the Big Thunder Ranch in Frontierland, Billy ...

If I've ever been to Disneyland during Halloween, I was a kid, because I don't remember it. However, I do know that for Halloween, like Christmas, the decorators go all out. The equivalent of the giant tree in the Town Square and Mickey shaped wreaths are Mickey shaped jack-o-lanterns, complete with friendly smile and pumpkin ears. The entrance plaza has the "fab five," Mickey and friends, made out of ...

If it was in the West, it's here. The Mark Twain Riverboat docks at the aptly named Mark Twain Landing in Frontierland. The first train ride, apart from the Disneyland Railroad, was the Mine Train Thru Nature's Wonderland, opening in 1960; the Mine Train closed in 1977, and Big Thunder Mountain opened two years later. The two rides could not be more different. The Mine Train was a slow, relaxing ride ...

An overstatement, certainly. But the truth is that every aspect of Disneyland -- from its Fastpass ride system, to its months-in-advance reservations for popular "character meals," to its early-entry admission perks -- rewards organization and discourages instant gratification. Can you have a great time flying seat-of-your-pants at Disneyland? Absolutely. But I guarantee that you'll spend less time ...

In the past, guests who needed sign language interpreters at Disneyland and Disney's California Adventure Park had to call in advance to arrange for the service. Beginning this week, the theme parks will offer the service on a regular basis. No calls needed. Every Monday and Saturday as many as eight interpreters will be available at Disneyland. At California Adventure, the interpreters will be ...

A recent four-night stay at Disneyland proves that this rich, glorious theme park, celebrating its 50th anniversary from now until 2007, is best enjoyed as a planned excursion, not as a whim. Begin with Birnbaum's, an indispensable annual paperback that's available for around twelve dollars. The goal-oriented guide should be read by every visitor to insure unit cohesion. It answers detailed ...

After visiting Disney's California Adventure the previous day, head into the park when it opens at eight for shorter lines at those rides you are dying to get on. Sure, the newest ride in the park the Finding Nemo Submarine Voyage is interesting, but check out some less appreciated aspects of the park. After you have braved the two-hour line (at least) at Nemo, remember to expand beyond the realm of major ...

Could the "Wildest ride in the wilderness" begin streaking through one of the best known ghost towns in the west in early February? Big Thunder Mountain Railroad has been closed since last January for an extensive refurbishment. It was originally scheduled to reopen in the fall, but in October the park announced the downtime had been extended to early 2014. My fingers and toes are crossed the ...

"The Happiest Place on Earth" becomes all the more magical during the Most Wonderful Time of the Year. Tinsel and garland cover almost every inch of the already beautiful park. In 2006 they had a machine that produced many tiny bubbles grouped to make snowflakes. My mother has a picture of me dancing in them, somewhere. When the House of the Future was still there, a large, red ribbon would be placed ...