The lovely Disneyland Resort is the subject of In The Parks today. Summer rolls onward and the spectacular Diamond Celebration for Disneyland’s 60th Anniversary is going full steam ahead. This breezy pictorial from the park offers a glimpse of things to come.  In Disneyland we see that a brand new photo opportunity has popped up along Big Thunder Trail.  We also wait with great anticipation on the return of the quintessential Disneyland dark ride, Peter Pan’s Flight.  Innoventions in Tomorrowland continues its nebulous descent into the renovation zone.  We then offer up some helpful suggestions on how to enjoy the park when it’s a hot and crowded summer day.  Finally we stop in at Disney California Adventure for an update on the projects through the week including the imminent arrival of Ant Man at the It’s Tough to be a Bug theater and the protracted wait for the Luigi’s Flying Tires replacement.  Here we go!

We begin the update today just as any visit to Walt’s original park would begin, in Town Square.  Main Street hustles and bustle surrounds their tranquil oasis of flora and patriotism.

 

Approaching the castle we are blinded by the afternoon sun’s reflection from all of the dazzling diamonds.

Tomorrowland

Darting into Tomorrowland we notice that the planters are particularly colorful today.  A bed of edible plant life  including marigolds, artichoke, and grapefruit trees flank the entrance.

Innoventions

Arriving at Innoventions we see that exterior work is noticeable but easy to ignore.  Looking closely we see that not much has changed from last week.  We do note the irony in artwork for Disney’s most recent box office flop, Tomorrowland, decorating the construction walls of what is arguably a failed attraction that was supposed to portray a sunny view of future innovations.

 

Fantasyland

Strolling through Fantasyland we take in the psychedelic colors of the Mad T Party.  Even in the day, under a canopy of vines, this attraction pops with vibrant color and energy.

Peter Pan’s Flight
In just a few short weeks we will be returning to Neverland!  Peter Pan’s Flight is set to return on Wednesday, July 1st if everything goes as planned.

Frontierland

Now onto Frontierland. There is plenty new to see in this corner of the park with a brand new photo op and lovely new decorations in Big Thunder Ranch.

Big Thunder Photo Op

What I thought was going to become FastPass machines for Fantasmic actually just turned out to be the foundation for a brand new 60th Anniversary Photo Op.

 

Big Thunder Ranch

Along Big Thunder Trail we see that the red, white, and blue colors have taken hold and the park is ready to celebrate the 4th of July.

 

What to do when Disneyland is hot and crowded

The summer months at the park can be an awesome time of fun, family, rides, food, fireworks, and shows.  It can also be a miserable mess if you don’t know how to cope with sweltering heat and relentless crowds. As high heat returns to the resort this week, we suggest some ways to enjoy the park despite these minor obstacles.

Davey Crockett Explorer Canoes

With a wait that rarely exceeds a half hour, this intimate, riparian excursion is a fun way to see a familiar area of the park. What’s more, it’s on the water and it’s cool.  Don’t get us wrong, you don’t want that nasty green water on you, but this classic attraction is a great diversion. Gliding around the Rivers of America from this vantage point is both relaxing and unlike anything else you can experience in the park.

Pirate’s Lair on Tom Sawyer Island

Want to get away from the ebb and flow of humanity?  Take a raft over to the island.  Here you can find cool, dark caves to explore or just find a shady spot under a tree and people watch.

Splash Mountain

Odd that we would include this on the list.  But this is one of only four water rides in the entire resort.  There are ways to get on this ride with a minimal wait and it cools you down on a hot summer day.  Before waiting in the long line to get on the ride, check the FastPass return time.  It’s directly across from the entrance to the Hungry Bear restaurant.  If the return time is reasonable, hit the two people eaters on that side of the park, Pirates of the Caribbean and Haunted Mansion.  Both are long, cool attractions too. If you time it right, you can hit those two attractions and then return for a ride into the watery briar patch.

Another option is the Single Rider line.  Yes, Splash Mountain offers a single rider option for folks who don’t mind being split up as a group.  As the cast member at the entrance for Single Rider and they’ll direct you to the line (don’t get in the regular standby line).  Be forewarned though that the single rider line can get pretty long.  Compare the two waits before committing.

Sailing Ship Columbia or the Mark Twain Riverboat

One particularly serene adventure to take if the park is taking a toll on you is the Sailing Ship Columbia and/or the Mark Twain Riverboat.  Each offers a 15 minute cruise around Tom Sawyer island.

Pro Tip: Go grab a Mint Julep if the line is short, or just stop by the popcorn cart and grab a drink and a snack before boarding.  Yes, they let you take it on.

The Sailing Ship Columbia is a fascinating vessel that allows for plenty of exploration while the ride is happening.  While the Columbia doesn’t offer the amount of shade that the Mark Twain Riverboat does, riders can explore below decks, something that often goes overlooked.

There are even a few places to sit and just imagine what it might have been like to cross the Atlantic in a ship like this.  Cool indeed.

Of course, if you go up on deck you can sip your drink, nibble on your popcorn, and watch the scenery go by.

The Golden Horseshoe

If you ever need a good long break from the sun, the Golden Horseshoe is the perfect air conditioned retreat. Plus, you can grab a drink at the bar and relax.  The lines for refreshments inside can get a little out of hand, but if you are just looking for cover from the sun and cool refreshing air conditioning, the line is just an excuse to cool off for a spell.

Pro Tip:  If the lines inside the Golden Horseshoe are too long, go right outside to the Stage Door Cafe and grab the same food, then take it inside.

The Enchanted Tiki Room

Last, but not least, it wouldn’t be a proper list without including the Enchanted Tiki Room.  This attraction is a cool breeze of tropical calm in the midst of a busy park.  For starters, don’t wait in the outside line for a Dole Whip without checking the length of the line from Tiki Room Lanai side. You can sit in the garden of enchantment as long as you like before getting up and going inside to see the cool, dark, rainy, entertaining Enchanted Tiki Room show.

The Gardens of the Park

Snow White’s Grotto has survived as one of the most charming and romantic spots in the entire park.  When there isn’t a character meet and greet, it is calming just to throw a few coins into the well or fountain and listen to the wonderful music from the animated film echo in the air.

The Gardens near Pixie Hollow are another brief respite between adventures.  While not entirely shady, it is still a surprisingly tranquil breather between Fantasyland and Tomorrowland.

 

 

 

Finally, we’d like to mention Big Thunder Trail.  One of the last remaining areas of calm in the park, it is easy to just stop for a minute and look at the small pond across from Big Thunder Mountain.  Mechanical fish jump out of the water every so often, dragonflies buzz about and off in the distance the whistle of the of the Mark Twain Riverboat beckons.

What are some of your favorite ways to beat the crowds and the heat on a hot and crowded summer day at Disneyland?

Let’s dive into DCA and see what’s going on there.  Not much to be honest, but MAN the sweets in the candy shop look pretty good!

Over at Starbucks you can get the Seasonal 60th Cupcake too!

 

Let’s look into Grizzly Peak shall we?

Now onto Radiator Springs.

Luigi’s

The sound of progress can easily be heard daily as Luigi’s is transformed into a brand new attraction behind the construction walls.  You can’t see anything just yet from the outside, but we know that new magic is just around the bend.

A Bug’s Life Theatre to Preview Marvel’s Ant Man Today

In a strangely funny, but thematically horrific move, Disney plans to use another one of its movie-based attractions as a platform to promote a new film.

For a limited time, starting June 19, this special preview will give you an advance look at scenes from the film, presented in 3D with in-theater effects that can only be experienced at Disney Parks. And don’t miss the opportunity to check out the Ant-Man suit from the film, also on display at Bug’s Life Theater.

 

 

That finishes up our update from the Disneyland Resort.  Do you have any tips about beating the heat and crowds this summer inside Disneyland or Disney California Adventure?  We’d love to hear them.  Until next time we will see you In The Parks.

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