What are your Disneyland credentials?

[Walt Fan]

First Time at Disneyland:
Sometime mid to late '70s. I grew up in Garden Grove. Became an AP holder in '88 ($99 for what would now be known as the "premium.") In H.S. my best friend and I used to ride our bikes to the park and do our homework at the Hungry Bear.

How far away from DL now:
432 miles I now go once or twice a year. In fact I'll be there this weekend!!

Disneyland books:
Disneyland The First Quarter Century (still my favorite book)
Disneyland Then, Now, and Forever
The Disneyland songbook collection (for guitar)
From Plantation To Theme Park
Birnbaum's Disneyland '92, '02, '05 and '11
5 copies of different "E-Ticket's"
Jason's Disneyland Almanac
Mouse tales and More MTs
2 different Walt Bios

Disneyland Music:
The 50th boxset
Walt Disney Takes you To DL
The Music of DL, WDW and Epcot Center
America Sings
Great Moments With Mr. Lincoln
Haunted Mansion (also a five disc collection with everything and every ride)
Pirates of the Caribbean

Favorite Attraction:
Matterhorn, DL Railroad, Mark Twain
Extinct:
Peoplemover, Skyway, Fort Wilderness
Least Favorite:
Capt Eo

Other facts:
My mom worked with the sister of Mark Maples for many years.
I have my original Indy decoder card and I was there on opening day for it!
I was hired in the summer of '93 as a sweeper but turned the job down due to the fact that I couldnt get a week off in August for a family vacation.
Was at the park on the 40th birthday and still have my birthday party hat.
Was also there for the 50th and I have 2 sets of gold mickey ears with the July 17th dates on them as well as the "I was There" pin.

Last bit: I have been to the First Aid center a total of three times. First time I was very little (5-6ish) and as we were leaving, I tripped on a brick on Main St and had to have a bandage on my chin. Second time was when I was a teenager and on TSI. I jumped from a rock to another, missed and smashed my knee into a rock. Blood everywhere, torn pants but I got to take the raft back to the mainland in a wheelchair and got to go behind the scenes on my way to First Aid. They patched me up and wanted to call my parents for a ride home but my brother and I said "no way, we're staying." It was around 2 in the afternoon. I got some weird looks throughout the day as I was kinda limping around. This a blood soaked pant leg.
Third time was for aspirin for a headache.

Favorite souvenier:
The plastic wrapper from an exploded shell of a DL firework. My friend and I were watching the fireworks near Its A Small World and during the show I spotted something floating down from the sky. When it landed it was warm and had singe marks all around it. It still somewhat smells like sulfer to this day. This was around '94-'95

Thats all for now.

[brianpinsky]

First Time: I can't remember. We lived just a few blocks away and my Dad being a former CM we had passes to the parks. I hear my parents telling stories about me bouncing in Goofy's Bonce House for hours until 2am and they security escorted us out; and I would fall asleep on his shoulders. Disneyland is in my blood work.

My love story: What really got me hocked was the 50th Anniversary and mostly VMK. We also took a Panama Disney Cruise from port LA to WDWR and I got to experience that. Disney Quest was the best part of the trip. I have been an AP my whole life and I am thinking of saying yes to becoming a CM. I am also currently involved on the Open Street Map Project and continually working on and updating the map. (Check it out at osm.org)

I live currently only 12 miles away from the park and visit the park around 50 times a year…

Favorite Attraction: Pirates of the Caribbean, Haunted Mansion, it’s a small world, Matterhorn, Space Mountain, Big Thunder Mountain, Jungle Cruise, Star Tours, Soarin’ (does need an update though), Monorail, Railroad…I can’t choose you decide.

Last Visit: This week…

What rumor I am excited about: The new People Mover…

[KellyMcG86]

First time in Disneyland:
Sometime around 1992 or 1993, shortly after my family moved to AZ. I don't remember exactly when since I was around 6 years old.

How far away do you live:
I grew up in Chandler, AZ which is about a 6.5 hours drive. I now live in Glendale, AZ, which is about an hour closer.

Disneyland Books:
I recently bought the Poster Art book which I absolutely adore... I plan to use the post art to inspire my future kids' nurseries! I also have the Hidden Mickey book

Disneyland Music:
I have the ride sountrack for Disneyland. I can't remember the actual title of it, but it's a 2 disc set that I think may have been released for the 50th anniversary? Anyway, I listen to it constantly while I drive (Indiana Jones soundtrack makes driving especially exciting)

Visiting the Parks:
I visited usually once a year or so in my teens and early adulthood. My husband and I bought our first APs this past September and have made several trips since then.

Piece of History:
My first "real" roller coast was Thunder Mountain. Also, I remember waiting hours for Indiana Jones when it first opened and thinking it was the most amazing thing I'd ever seen in my life!

Recent Disney Memory:
Riding the Lilly Belle was one of my favorite experiences in the park so far. My husband and I got to do this in October. Also, taking three of my coworkers and getting to play tour guide made me see the parks from a new perspective. It was fantastic! Also getting my husband to ride Screamin' on our last trip... he does NOT do roller coasters, and that was his first ever loop. He wanted to ride it again and again!!

Favorite ride:
This is a tough one... Either Star Tours, Haunted Mansion, or Indiana Jones... Probably whatever ride I'm about to get on is my favorite at that moment!

[Barbaraann]

This makes for great reading with my morning cup of tea, and I thank all who have taken the time to reply with their own personal statistics.

I'd love to read more. I recognize some of you from your previous posts.

I live 1/2 way across the country, so I didn't grow up with Disneyland. I only saw it on television, when Walt Disney would talk about it, or the Mickey Mouse Club would feature it on their program.

I never experienced any of those yesterland attractions, but I love hearing other people's experiences about them.

Your experiences at the Disneyland resort form who you are, and how you post here at MiceChat, and that gives me a lot of insight.

I thank you.

[Asylim]

I like this topic. Some interesting reads.

Anyways, in 2008, my wife and I spent two days at the resort. One day each in Disneyland (awesome) and California Adventure (less so). This was our first ever trip to the resort. As it was our Honeymoon and we were in the middle of a road trip we stayed at the Super 8 on Katella next to the Garden Walk.

Short trip but it was enough to make us fall in love with the place.

2009 came. My wife's grandmother passed away and left my mother-in-law with a sizeable amount of money. One caveat was that she was to spend it on an extensive holiday with the extended family.

2010 brought us back to the resort for three days as part of the trip. My mother-in-law insisted that we bring my parents on the trip which means I got to fill a dream of going to Disneyland with my folks. By this time we had our first child, Nicholas with us. He was 6 months old and we found out during this trip that we were expecting our second child, Emma.

We stayed in the Disneyland Hotel (in the somewhat early stages of it's amazing transformation) and went to Goofy's Kitchen for our first ever character meal. This was the trip we experienced the Haunted Mansion for the first time and I recall my mother discovering the use of the electric scooters. (My mother has sever back, knee, ankle and foot pain and uses two canes to hobble around, so renting the scooter once we found out they were available from an offsite vendor who would deliver to the hotel was an absolute must for her.)

I will always remember the very candid and at times heated discussion my father and I had in the Small World gift shop about his refusal to even consider looking into buying one for her when they got home. Needless to say, she now has two. A big one for getting out and enjoying the weather and a smaller one for the malls.

This trip also enlightened us to the existance of the Disney Vacation Club. My mother-in-law decided that if I felt it was worthwhile that she had no problem spending the money to buy into it. By the time the dust settled we owned 270 points in the Villas at the Grand Californian.

2011 rolled around and we used the first three years of our points to get a three bedroom villa for a week long stay at the resort. This time we brought my brother thus finally completing a dream he and I have had since we were little of going to Disneyland together. I did a trip report of this so I don't need to add to it.

And finally in September 2012 we stayed in a two bedroom villa for a week. Just before we left for this trip we found out we are expecting our third child sometime in April. Another girl.

We own every Pixar movie on DVD and Bluray and are slowly picking up the classics on Bluray. We own some music CD's for the kids in the car.

Disney Junior is by far the most watched TV channel in our house and the kids (now 3 and 2) are always asking to look at the photos from the trips we've taken.

Sadly, with our finances facing a huge dip due to my wifes pregnancy (she's currently on sick leave until she delivers and then will be on maternity leave) we will not be making a return trip to the resort for a few years.

We are also in danger of having to sell our vacation club membership as we cannot afford the annual dues and the annual increases but for now my mother-in-law is looking after those and wants us to at least make a trip out to Walt Disney World and a trip to Disneyland at Christmas time. So we're talking about that. WDW trip will probably happen in early 2015 in order to preserve our points.

Disneyland is part of who I am and even though we were just there in September I find myself wishing I could just hop in the car and go again. But we live in metro Vancouver. It's a two day drive and a 2.5 hour flight so it's not an easy thing to do.

I have yet to ride on Big Thunder Mountain, or Space Mountain. I haven't climbed up into Tarzan's Treehouse (though I think they should re-theme it back to the Swiss Family Robinson). I haven't spent any time with President Lincoln. And I haven't done half of what can be done over in California Adventure. But I will. One of these days.

[Barbaraann]

Coming back. I always tell myself when I am leaving on the last night of my vacation that I will be coming back. I know it in my heart.

Disneyland is obviously a family place, as many of you have expressed in your posts, but then you knew that, didn't you?

[montanamouse]

When did they first go?

My first trip to Disneyland came in February of 1974, and since I’m a Leap Year baby, I’d assume somewhere around my second birthday. (Tomorrowland looks a little different 40 years later, eh? I do too, I suppose.) Pictured here is Mom – eyes closed on cue and Pops was the photog. (sorry the pic is so big.)



Do they live close, or far away?

I was raised in a military family and was fortunate enough to have lived in southern California for eight of my 18 years of adolescence. I’d say, on average, that we went to Disneyland twice a year though I remember several occasions when we got the park to ourselves on “Military Nights” in which active duty personnel could bring their family to Disneyland after closing …my brother and I, at about 11 and seven, rode Mr. Toad about 20 times in a row on one such night. I now live in Montana and make it to Disneyland once every two years.

Do they read Disneyland books, and listen to Disneyland music?

Favorite lit on the park would have to be Inside Disneyland, it’s a wonderful read. I also really enjoy the old E-Ticket magazines and I read as many cast member/Imagineer books I can get my hands on. As far as music, my ringtones are all Disneyland...to the dismay of many around me.

Do they go the parks alone, and or with friends?

I have never been to Disneyland alone, but when my family was there last May, I woke up early the first morning and went and walked around the esplanade and main gate before the sprinklers were on and the crickets were still chirping…it was pretty awesome.

Credential Bonuses:

Also on the last trip, while my family shopped on Main St., I was wondering around and found something that I thought was pretty cool. I discovered that the mailbox in front of the Emporium has my last name emblazed on its’ side. Now my last name is not very common, so I was super excited – though my fam didn't seem to care – and since then I have started collecting anything to do with said mailbox and yesterday found a picture online of Tom Hanks –as Walt—walking past MY mailbox (it’s kind of like having a window on Main St…kinda.)

Thanks for this writing prompt; I have a euphoric feeling tingling through my fingers as I type.

Best,

Mark

[Ms Cheesy]

First time in Disneyland:
I must have been an infant, since I don't have any memory of losing my Disney virginity. We went very regularly when I was a kid. My grandparents and mom would pull me out of school so go on slow days.

How far away do you live:
I grew up in Los Angeles (5 minutes away from LAX) but I have lived in Arizona for several years now. I'd be an annual passport holder if I still lived there.

Disneyland Books:
I have the Disneyland Poster Art book that came out this year, along with Magic Quizdom by Kevin Yee.

Disneyland Music:
I have the Haunted Mansion ride soundtrack.

Disneyland Posters:
I have a poster with all four stretch pictures, a huge Haunted Mansion hitchhiking ghosts poster (Liberty Square version), and a People Mover poster. I also have a framed mini-posters too.

Visiting the Parks:
My daughter is about 2 and a half, so we are beginning Disney traditions with her. I'm taking the next year off of work, so I plan on getting an annual pass and taking her frequently. I used to have an annual pass when I was in college. This past summer I had the chance to visit Disneyland Paris. LOVE their Haunted Mansion!

Favorite Attraction:
Haunted Mansion

Least Favorite Attraction:
Probably Autopia due to the spastic driving of others.

Other Tidbits:
In my college photography class, I did a project on the downfall of Disneyland. One of my favorite pictures in that series is a black and white photo of what seemed like hundreds of strollers parked in front of Pirates. That would have been around 2003.
I plan on giving my soon to be born daughter a Disneyland inspired name as long as my husband agrees.
I honeymooned at Disneyworld. I've probably been to Disneyworld 5+ times? I've lost track.
I planned my pregnancy around the dates for Gumball Rally. Everyone rolls their eyes. You may too.
My favorite Disneyland memory is walking the track of the Peoplemover. It broke down, and a cast member had to escort us off the ride. I was probably 4 years old at the time.
When I was 14 or 15, my cousin and I rode the Tower of Terror at DHS. When buying our photo, the cast member liked it so much, he printed an additional copy and put it up as a sample. I felt like such a celebrity.

[dlrtalks]

I am new to MiceChat but I am no stranger to Disneyland.

When I was a child, and lived in Chicago, my family would come out and go once a year to Disneyland. When we moved out to California in 1994 one of the first things we did was get annual passes. We visited once a month at the very least. When I got out of high school I moved to San Diego for 4 years but I still managed to visit the parks once a year. I have recently been able to renew my pass after a year of not going to the park at all.

Some may consider me a seasoned Disneyland visitor but it has only been in the last year where Disneyland became a big part of my life and a big point of interest for me. For the first time the vast majority of my friends are Disneyland goers and we spend most of our waking life at the parks or talking about the parks. I have made a a hobby out of Disneyland. Reading books, articles, listening music, and learning the history of the park and Walt himself. Disneyland is so amazing to me and Walt has been a true inspiration to my life in the idea that I should pursue my dreams, work hard and one day I can change the world.

I am still wet behind the ears but if I keep my pace (51 visits in 2012) and my nose to the grind stone I can be a Disneyland know it all (not it a bad way either). =P

[Barbaraann]

A fellow Chicagoan. Welcome to MiceChat.

[dlrtalks]

Thanks for the welcome! I will say I miss Chicago, not for the weather but the places and the people.

[KellyMcG86]

I am new to MiceChat but I am no stranger to Disneyland.

When I was a child, and lived in Chicago, my family would come out and go once a year to Disneyland. When we moved out to California in 1994 one of the first things we did was get annual passes. We visited once a month at the very least. When I got out of high school I moved to San Diego for 4 years but I still managed to visit the parks once a year. I have recently been able to renew my pass after a year of not going to the park at all.

Some may consider me a seasoned Disneyland visitor but it has only been in the last year where Disneyland became a big part of my life and a big point of interest for me. For the first time the vast majority of my friends are Disneyland goers and we spend most of our waking life at the parks or talking about the parks. I have made a a hobby out of Disneyland. Reading books, articles, listening music, and learning the history of the park and Walt himself. Disneyland is so amazing to me and Walt has been a true inspiration to my life in the idea that I should pursue my dreams, work hard and one day I can change the world.

I am still wet behind the ears but if I keep my pace (51 visits in 2012) and my nose to the grind stone I can be a Disneyland know it all (not it a bad way either). =P

Welcome to MiceChat!!

[sbk1234]

For the record, I am officially jealous of EVERYONE who said they can visit as often as they wish!


Just saying.

[Barbaraann]

For the record, I am officially jealous of EVERYONE who said they can visit as often as they wish!


Just saying.

I am with you on that one.

[jbean]

First time to Disneyland:

I don't know a date but probably when I was about 2 in 1975. I've been going ever since I can remember.

I was born in Anaheim, raised in Anaheim (watched the fireworks from our backyard) & attended Walt Disney Elementary school (the same school my dad & uncle attended). I have the best memories from those years as Disneyland was a very big part of the school (cafeteria decorated with Disney characters, Disney movies & even had Disneyland "adopt" our school with a special ceremony & characters)!

Where do I live?

In the city of placentia which is About 10 miles away & a 20 minute drive.

Books/music:

I haven't read many books regarding Disneyland. I'm not quite sure why that is since reading and Disney are two things I love...

I have 3 young boys (6, 4 & 1.5 yrs old) they LOVE listening to any music that involves Disney (as do I). We listen to the music from Star Tours, Pirates, Haunted Mansion, Indiana Jones & Small World over & over & over again!

Dland has been such a large part of my life ( I'm turning the big 4-0 this year). I met my first boyfriend there, had my first kiss by the park's exit & my first heartbreak too when the boy dumped me. I spent my teenage years there watching the band "Polo" at the Tomorrowland stage, "scamming" for boys, hanging out at the arcade and the large phone booths in Tomorrowland & dancing at Videopolis (great times)! My mom used to drop me off around 4 & pick me up at 1 AM. That's when you could drive right up to the front of Disneyland...

I visit the parks about 3 times a month now (which is not a lot for me). The hubby doesn't share the same love for the parks like I do (even though he was raised in Anaheim too). My 4 year old does though and I love it!!! We do have a harder time getting to the parks due to school and the boys sports & activities : (

I've had an AP for the most part since 1986 (they were so cheap then)! There was a time in my 20's that I didn't always renew right away but there was always someone to sign us in.

This will be the first year in a long time that I'm seriously considering not renewing due to crowds & cost. The thought depresses me though so I'll probably end up renewing (against my hubby's wishes)! How can I live so close & have it be such a big part of my life to stop going???

Sorry for the rambling! Great topic Barbaraann! I'm loving everybody's stories!!!