Hello, my name is Cliff Downey and welcome to my personal web page about the Disney theme parks. Anything DISNEY interests me! I especially like the theme parks and the castles. I visited Disneyland for the first time from June 25-30, 1998, and had an unbelieveably great time out there. (This is a picture of Mickey and me to the left.) I also visited Sea World Adventure Park in San Diego, Universal Studios Hollywood in Los Angeles, and Huntington Beach near Newport. (Click here for more pictures!) I stayed at the Howard Johnson Plaza Hotel in Anaheim along Harbor Blvd. Since returning I've been sharing my experiences with all my family and friends. However, before I left, I gained a lot of information by surfing the net and visiting other people's sites. I just figured now its my turn.
First, you have to see "Fantasmic!". I would advise getting to Frontierland during the end of the first showing and wait to catch the second show. Sit as close as you can along the Rivers of America in front of Tom Sawyer Island. Or if you are willing to spend $35, get tickets for reserved balcony seating and dessert buffet up in The Disney Gallery. Our hostess was Natalie, and the desserts and refreshments were out of this world! Fantasmic! is a show combining fireworks, lasers, waterscreens, film projections, "live" characters, barges and sailing ships, music, and other special effects. The plot is that we enter Mickey's imagination to dream, combat evil forces, and triumph! It's just beyond description. You have to be there to understand.
Second, you need to catch both parades: Hercules Victory Parade and the Mulan Parade, as well as, the "Fantasy in the Sky" fireworks. The two parades are very different (besides one being the afternoon parade and the other being the nighttime parade). The Hercules Victory Parade celebrates all of Hercules accomplishments and is a jovial and entertaining parade. It is like one big long amusement park attraction. There is the merry-go-round of the gods, Hades' House of Horrors, and the "don't feed the hydra" float. The Muses begin the parade, and toward the end is Phil's Gym, and of course, Hercules' Victory float with Herc and Megara. It is all light-hearted fun. I caught this parade both in front of the Penny Arcade and at the Hub. The Arcade afforded me shade, and the Hub let me bask in the sun. The choice is yours. 
I always caught the Mulan Parade from the Hub. I think the lighting there is better, and it surpises you more as it comes around the bend from either Main Street or along the Matterhorn. This parade emphasizes key characters/scenes from the movie, as well as, setting the mood of Chinese culture. The match-maker (and CreeKit) begins the parade and the emperor ends the parade. In between you have Mulan, Fa Zhou, Little Brother, Mushu, Shang, and even Shan-Yu. It also includes jugglers, martial artists, plate spinners, acrobats and others (very Cirque du Soleil). I found it to actually be a relaxing parade, and at the same time very exciting. I especially like the dragon/Great Wall of China. The "Fantasy in the Sky" fireworks are terrific and probably remind everyone of being a kid and watching the opening credits of The Wonderful World of Disney. I know I felt like a kid again, standing there in front of Sleeping Beauty Castle, seeing Tinkerbell fly overhead and watching the fireworks explode behind the castle There are two parts to the fireworks display. The first is set to Disney-theme music, and the second is the patriotic finale. Both are impressive displays.
Third, you have to do "the mountains": Space Mountain, Matterhorn Bobsleds, Big Thunder Mountain Railroad, and Splash Mountain. Space Mountain at Disneyland is slightly better than the one at Walt Disney World because of the added soundtrack and riding totally in the dark. The Matterhorn is cool. The ride and the theming throughout the ride is awesome, especially the Abominable Snowman and splashing down in an alpine lake. Like Space Mountain it is a real thrill ride. Big Thunder Railroad is a fun roller-coaster type ride. I feel the one in Walt Disney World is slightly better. Maybe it was longer, faster, and had more themed areas to pass by. I know it briefly went "over/by" the Rivers of America. However, here you queue through the western town, and there is always the "goat trick". (But when comparing Disneyland to Walt Disney World it's important to remember these are two different theme parks. Disneyland is smaller, but it is also more quaint, charming, and intimate. It's like visiting your grandmother's home with all the nooks and crannies to explore.) Splash Mountain is a good-old-fashioned-fun log-flume ride, only Disney weaves its magic into it to make it better with a 52 foot drop on a 47 degree angle at 40 mph. Some of my other favorite rides are: the Haunted Mansion (love the "metamporphizing" paintings), Pirates of the Caribbean (double the drops), It's A Small World (fantastic outdoor facade and clock), Star Tours (simulated ride), and even Rocket Rods (when it was running) Some of my favorite shows are: The Country Bear Vacation Hoedown, Honey I Shrunk the Audience (this a must-see experience), the Tiki Birds (nice mid-day break), and especially Disneyland Presents Animazement -- the Musical. This show at the Fantasyland Theatre Stage was only in its second week when I saw it. And although there may be a few kinks to work out, (the finale needs to be bigger, brighter, more Disney Magic!) I thought it was very well done. It basically covers characters/movies from The Little Mermaid up to Hercules, performing songs that highlight each movie. There were lots of bubbles and confetti. The kids, as well as adults, loved it. HOWEVER, MY ABSOLUTE ALL TIME FAVORITE RIDE WAS:
| You are Fantasyland, home of the Sleeping Beauty's Castle, Peter Pan's Flight, Pinocchio's Daring Journey, and many more storybook rides! You love all things that have to do with love, romance, fairy tales, and magic! |