Single Rider and Rider Switch Pass

Single Rider and Rider Switch passes allow parents to enjoy rides when they have children to little to ride the attraction. You get your single rider or baby swap pass from the Cast Member that stands at the beginning of the line, at the exit or in the FastPass area. With both of these options one parent watches the toddler while the other rides, then they switch off.
Rider Switch is definately recommended if you have two adults that definately want to ride an attraction and there is no single rider offered.

Rider Switch Pass

Rider Switch Pass is available on every attraction at Disneyland and Disney's California Adventure. With a rider switch the first person, after getting their rider switch pass, will actually stand in the queue (either the FastPass or the standby line). After the first person has completed the ride, the pass is then given to the non-rider who will enter through the exit to enjoy the attraction without having to wait in line. The benefit of rider switch, in addition to being available on all attractions, is that with this pass a second person can ride each time. If you have an older child he or she can ride the attraction with both parents.

If you’re traveling with a baby then you need to know about the Baby Care Center at the end of Main Street. Moms I spoke with call it a calm place in the middle of the Disneyland storm. It has private rooms for breast feeding and potty training toilets. You can buy diapers or other supplies. They also have a microwave where you can heat up food. There’s no charge to get it, only for certain supplies.

Single Rider

Single Riders enter the attraction through the exit or through a special single rider queue. (The Cast Member can direct you.) When you reach the area where they load the ride you will wait until they need someone to fill an empty seat. This can be very quick, or it can take a longer time, but usually shorter than the FastPass line.  We feel this is the best option if there are just 2 adults and a small child. Unfortunately there are a limited number of rides that have single rider lines.

Attractions that offer Single Rider in Disneyland and California Adventure

Splash Mountain- to use the single rider option on this attraction, you will go through the exit. You will take the stairs over the water and next to the regular line at the loading area, will be a single rider line. Anytime they need 1 person to fill a log, they will pull from the single rider line.  It is a great way to enjoy the ride quickly and get back to your child.  For the waiting parent, The Winnie the Pooh ride and the characters from Winnie the Pooh are right by Splash Mountain.

Grizzly River Run- this attraction only offers the single rider option when there is a long wait for the normal queue. To use single rider here, check with the Cast Member at the beginning of the line. This person will let you know if single rider is available at that time, and if so, give you a pass. Once you get your single rider pass, you go up the stairs at the exit. Continue heading through the exit until you reach the boarding area. When you are needed, the loading Cast Member will give you a raft color or number and you are all set.  Just outside of Grizzly River Run is Redwood Creek Challenge Trail.

Soarin' Over California- for single rider, check with the Cast Member at the entrance of the Fastpass queue for a single rider pass. Once obtained you use the FastPass entrance. Some people recommend using FastPass instead of single rider on this very popular attraction.  There are no rides for small children while waiting for this ride.

Maliboomer- for this attraction, you will find a special line to the left of the main queue entrance.

California Screamin’- for single rider you get a pass from the Cast Member in the Fastpass distribution area. There is a special entrance for Single Riders. A Cast Member will send you in groups of 4 or 5 people to wait for a single seat. There is no line here, it is primarily a free for all, so don’t stand there and wait to be told to sit. Instead, when you hear a call for a single rider, start moving.

Mullholland Madness- check with a cast member at the start of the line.  There are plenty of rides for small children while waiting.

Check with Guest Services online or at the parks for additional locations and for height requirements.

*It is important to say that if we abuse the system you may not have a great time at the park.  There is a lot of talk that abusing the system may lead Disney to remove this option entirely.  Make sure to use these recommendations when needed.  It is still fun to wait in line and meet people, experience the magic and search for hidden Mickey's.*

Disney California Adventure "Summer Nightastic"

Disney California Adventure (Name Changed earlier this summer) has added a bunch of new elements to the Summer season with the addition of World of Color and Glow Fest.  The concept started last year with Disneyland adding a new fireworks show and the re-launch of Fantasmic! and The Electrical Parade at California Adventure.  Here are some tips to get you through the busy summer season and still have some sanity. 

"World of Color"

Guests who want to maximize their day of fun at the park AND make plans to enjoy “World of Color” that night in Disney's California Adventure have some new options. To see the show, guests will obtain a special FASTPASS for “World of Color” or they can select from several Dining and Picnic packages that include reserved viewing. In addition, a new immersive “Summer Nightastic!” party, “Glow Fest,” will bring added evening excitement for Disney's California Adventure guests of all ages. “Glow Fest” will be filled with dancing, music and fun, highlighted by special color, sound and light effects, starting in the Sun Plaza at 6:00 pm nightly and continuing in Hollywood Pictures Backlot until park closing.

“World of Color” will be presented twice nightly throughout the Disneyland Resort “Summer Nightastic!” season, June 11 through August 29 (except June 16-17 when Disney's California Adventure will be closed for Grad Nights). Guests will stand during the shows – at 9:00 and 10:15 pm – and they may bring strollers into the viewing area.

 
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VA4iRV_52_A
 
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yOnaKB2tfUM

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=62RyhNop4R0

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gyN_XfuYNCI

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BRGQlxmytow

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UZKOkVzwMRQ

A Few Tips To Help You Secure a Spot and Enjoy The World of Color:

• Seating is extremely limited. If you arrive without a plan, you aren't like to secure a spot.
  
• Option 1 - Make a WoC dining package reservation ($36.99 per person at Ariel's Grotto or $39.99 per person at Wine Country Trattoria), you'll get dinner and a viewing spot for the show. Call 714-781-3463 to secure your World of Color dining package.
  
• Option 2 - Book a Box lunch reserved spot. Buy a box lunch and receive reserved seating for World of Color (1st show of the night). Boxed lunch can be purchased online, Disneyland Resort | Welcome To The Magic! You may be able to buy a limited number of the picnic lunch boxes at the park on the day of the show which come with reserved tickets to the 2nd showing of the night. Walk-up purchase can be made at the Sonoma Terrace of the Golden Vine Winery for $14.99 (special passholder rate is $12.99). The World of Color picnic boxes offer an assortment of options:
  
  
  
  

  All American:
  
  

  • Cold-honey stung fried chicken
  • Green and red cabbage cole slaw with apple cider dressing
  • Old fashioned potato salad with sweet onions and dill relish
  • Apple pie
  • Choice of bottled Coca-Cola® product or Dasani® water

  European Antipasto:
  
  

  • Cured meats, regional cheese, pepperoncini, artichoke heart and sun-dried tomatoes
  • Carr's® water crackers, balsamic vinegar and extra virgin olive oil
  • Caprese salad skewers, fresh mozzarella and baby heirloom tomatoes
  • Chocolate-dipped tiramisu
  • Choice of bottled Coca-Cola® product or Dasani® water

  Taste of Asia
  
  

  • Chilled miso-glazed salmon, Asian greens, soy-rice wine dressing
  • Vegetable spring roll with Thai mango sauce
  • Soba noodle salad and julienne vegetables with sesame dressing
  • Mandarin orange cake
  • Choice of bottled Coca-Cola® product or Dasani® water

  Mediterranean Vegetarian:
  

  • Marinated grilled vegetables in a whole wheat wrap with roasted garlic hummus
  • Raw zucchini and squash spaghettini with first-press lemon-infused olive oil
  • Vegetable couscous with toasted coriander vinaigrette
  • Lemon layer cake
  • Choice of bottled Coca-Cola® product or Dasani® water

  Here is the All American lunch.  You get a nice re-usable tote bag and the food was very tasty.
  
  
  
• Option 3 - The FASTPASS for “World of Color” will be available each morning at the Grizzly River Run FASTPASS terminals. Guests can insert their park tickets into the terminal to obtain a FASTPASS ticket for the show, and they will be assigned a specific show time. As with other FASTPASS attractions, a limited number of passes are available for “World of Color.” When all of the day’s “World of Color” FASTPASS allotment has been distributed, Grizzly River Run terminals will convert back to distributing the Grizzly River Run FASTPASS tickets. Guests arriving before park opening to line up for the “World of Color” FASTPASS may park in the Pumba parking lot on Disney Way and, beginning at 7:00 am, gather at the Main Entrance to Disney's California Adventure. When Disney's California Adventure opens to the public, guests lined up for FASTPASS will be walked into the park and over to the FASTPASS terminals.
  
• Option 4 - If you don't mind a severely limited view, wait for the 2nd or 3rd showing and attempt to watch the show from the bridge near Ariel's Grotto Restaurant. You might also watch the show from behind near Midway Mania, the Sun Wheel, or even on the side by Silly Symphony Swings. You won't see as much or experience the show as it was intended, but you will get a sense of the size and scope of the show and see some pretty fountains. 
• Spots nearest the Golden Zephyr offer the most restricted viewing experience. Gravitate toward the water play fountain in the center of the stadium or even up toward the upper levels of the stadium. Boardwalk viewing is more immersive and WET (especially toward the right hand side of the boardwalk - as you are facing the lagoon)
  
• Be prepared to queue up in the Hollywood Pictures Backlot for hours before your show time. This will also be the location for a special glow party, so you will be entertained and food will be available for purchase.
  
• Although only 2 shows may be on the schedule, keep your ears open for an added 3rd show. It will be added on busy nights and may be your best shot at viewing the show.
  
• Be prepared for VERY busy conditions. This may well prove to be a packed and uncomfortable crowd situation. Pack your best attitude and just go with the flow. There is no use fighting a mob, you'll only succeed in ruining your own evening and possibly that of others. If it isn't important to see the show as soon as it opens, you may wish to wait until later this Summer. 

 

"Glow Fest"
Music, dancing and “drumming down the sun” will launch “Glow Fest” every night through August 29, beginning at 6:00 pm in the Sun Plaza in Disney's California Adventure. After 8:00 pm, this newest addition to the Disneyland Resort “Summer Nightastic!” entertainment lineup will move into Hollywood Pictures Backlot, providing the kind of immersive excitement for adults and children alike that can only be found in a Disney theme park.

Souvenirs and Treats
Guests who prefer a treat or snack, perhaps with a souvenir “World of Color” takeaway, may choose from a number of bright and colorful options available at food locations inside Disney's California Adventure:

·         “Spectrum Splash”: Beverages in light-up souvenir glasses with a colorful choice of flavors – strawberry red, blueberry blue, or sour Granny Smith apple green.

·         “Light-Up Cotton Candy”: White cotton candy with a colorful swirl, on an illuminated wand that lights the cotton candy from inside.

·         Multi-Colored & Flavored Popcorn: A delicious treat that comes in three flavors – red cherry, blueberry and purple grape – and mixed in with regular kettle corn, all served in a Disney California Adventure see-through “World of Color” souvenir popcorn bucket.

·         Tropical Mist Cocktail (for adults): A passion fruit and mango liqueur with coconut rum – and a light-up swizzle stick. Available at the Cove Bar and Ariel’s Grotto restaurant.

·         Even More Fun: Light-Up Balloons – transparent balloons with light-up “World of Color” art inside; Light-Up Bangle Bracelets; and souvenir “World of Color” travel mugs and sipper cups. 

*Reserved Viewing:
Each guest entering the reserved viewing area must have reserved viewing area admission. Children (ages 3-9) must be accompanied by an adult. Guests may only enter the viewing area during designated times and no early or late admission will be allowed. Guests in large parties may not be guaranteed admission within the same reserved viewing area. Separate theme park admission is required.

*World of Color Road Show*
During the month of July Disney took the World of Color Show on the road to four cities in California.  Here are the videos from their presentations.

San Francisco

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bCtw0xOlhd4

Sacramento

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2-2xiEXTK-A

San Diego

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7OXTHpfM_xY

Los Angeles

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t2tlc9NVr1c

Disneyland's Mint Julep

Served at multiple locations in New Orlean's Square, the Mint Julep is a must have while visiting the park and a great recipe to add to your collection.  Very Southern and very good.

Prep Time: 1¼ hours
Total Time: 2 hours
Serving Size: 6 cups

Ingredients:
1 lb granulated sugar
6 cups water
1 1/4 ounces lime juice concentrate
8 1/2 ounces lemonade concentrate
3/4 cup creme de menthe (syrup available at liquor stores. Do not confuse it with creme de menthe liqueur)
*You can find non-alcoholic creme de menthe syrup at this website: http://www.davincigourmet.com/.*

Garnishes
mint leaf
lime slice
maraschino cherry

Instructions:
1. Combine the sugar and water in a 3 quart saucepan. Stir the contents until the sugar is dissolved.

2. Stir in lime and lemonade concentrate next. Continue stirring and bring to boil just below the boiling point (210 degrees.) DO NOT BOIL!

3. Remove pan from heat and chill. Once chilled, add a ratio of 1 part syrup to 5 parts chilled water.

4. Transfer beverage to pitcher.

5. Garnish each serving with mint leaves, lime slice and a maraschino cherry.

6. Enjoy!

Park Maps and Inserts

Each Park offers a map to help you guide your way through the park.  If you are unfamiliar with the park it is a good idea to grab one, establish a meeting location if someone gets lost and take a moment (outside of a walk way) to get to know the park. 

Inside you will find:

- Description of FASTPASS

- Description of PhotoPass

- Newly featured items in the park

- A long list of services and ammenities of the park

- Current Promotions

- Detailed Map of every area in the park (restraunts, rides, parade routes, restrooms, etc.)

Even if you know the park and don't need a map, make sure to grab the inserts that explain what is happening at the park on the day you will be there. 

You will find:
- New experiences at the park
- Times for parades, firework shows, and special events
- Music and performances in each land
- Helful tools for a successful stay in the park

- Disney Character locations (Even though not listed on this flyer, you will almost always find classic characters on Main Street, right as you enter from under the train tracks.)

Mr. Potato Head - Disney Style

One of the most fun souvenirs to buy at the park is the Mr. Potato Head with Disney pieces.  Engine Ears Toys in California Adventure is where you can find a display for Mr. Potato Head pieces that are both traditional and Disney related. 

Here are some tips on how to save some money and make the most of your purchase.

- They sell the Mr. Potato Head 'heads' at the store.  Do not purchase it here.  You must fit all your pieces in a small box and the head takes up too much room.  It is a traditional size head so you can purchase it outside the park.  Also, do not purchase the traditional items (ears, nose, mouth, eyes).  Those all come with the purchase outside the park.  Make sure to purchase the hands.  Those are not standard and you will need Disney hands which allow things to be held.

- Pack your box with a lot of thought.  This can be a little tricky.  Take a lot of time making sure you have all the pieces you want and don't be afraid to reach up into the bins to find something you are not seeing in your eye sight. Above are all the items we were able to fit into one box.

- All boxes cost the same.  Check with the store clerk for current prices.  At posting the cost is $19.95.  Items are not sold individually.

- Have fun!  This is one item that will last a very long time and will always remind you of your trip the the "Happiest Place on Earth."

Here are Mr. and Mrs. Potato Head purchased from our local toy store.

 Here are the two decked out in all the items from Disney and from the original pack.

Tigger Tails and Cheshire Cat

Many people who have visited Disneyland are familiar with the Tigger Tails candy sold at the Pooh Corner shop in Critter Country. Tigger Tails are a favorite treat among many Disneyland guests, some of whom would probably like to indulge in this treat once in a while even when they are at home. Tigger Tails are pretty simple to make, so if you'd like to enjoy one at home just follow these steps:

First, gather your supplies together. You will need Wilton orange candy melts, Wilton dark cocoa candy melts, marshmallows, caramels, and 8" lollipop sticks. You will need to melt the caramels as well as each of the colors of candy melts. This is most easily done in the microwave. Follow the directions on the back of the candy bags for directions. The amount of candy melts that you need will depend on how many Tigger Tails you would like to make. One 14 oz. bag of orange candy melts coats approximately six Tigger Tails. It takes about 15 of the dark cocoa candy melts to cover six Tigger Tails in chocolate stripes. About one dozen caramels will be enough for six Tigger Tails.

The way to achieve the bumpy texture of Tigger Tails as you find them at Disneyland, is to use 3 marshmallows per Tigger Tail. You will leave 2 of these marshmallows as they are, however you will need to slice the third marshmallow in half, crosswise. Then simply slide the 4 marshmallow pieces you now have onto one of the lollipop sticks, starting with a halved piece, and then alternating sizes until all 4 pieces are on the stick (refer to photo). Set these on a cookie sheet covered with wax paper. Be sure to slice one of the marshmallows in half. The uneven sizes will produce the bumpy texture found on Tigger Tails.

Once your marshmallows are on the lollipop sticks, simply spoon melted caramel onto the tops. You may need to use the spoon to spread the caramel around enough to cover the tops, as this will create a flat surface. Once the caramel is applied, set the Tigger Tails into the freezer for a couple of minutes to set.

When the caramel is set, the next step is to dip each Tigger Tail into the melted orange candy melts. Set flat back onto the cookie sheet and when all the tails are dipped, set the cookie sheet back into the freezer for about ten minutes to set.

While the orange candy coating is setting, prepare your icing bag with a small round tip, and spoon melted dark cocoa melts into the bag. When the orange coating has set, simply make your stripes on the Tigger Tails.

Allow tails to set again in the freezer for a few minutes.

That's all there is to it. Making Tigger Tails at home like the ones you enjoy at Disneyland is not only easy, but fortunately, also much less expensive than buying them in the park. One dozen Tigger Tails at Disneyland will cost you about $50. Making a dozen Tigger Tails at home costs about $12.50.

Above are The Cheshire Tails that are offered during certain times of the year.  Aren't these so fun?

Geocaching, Disney-Style

During your Disney vacations, you've probably spent some time looking for "Hidden Mickeys," those images of Mr. Mouse that Disney designers have worked into everything from bedspreads to golf courses. But did you know that there's another type of treasure hunt you can play - one that combines high-tech tools with good old fashioned detective work?

The game is called "Geocaching," and although it started only ten years ago, it's already a popular sport in more than 200 countries. In the most basic version of geocaching, one person hides a small container filled with prizes, then posts its geographic coordinates where other people can see them (usually on the geocaching.com web site). When you want to look for a cache, you enter its coordinates into a handheld Global Positioning System (GPS) receiver, and then watch the receiver's display as you move around to zero in on the cache's location. When you discover the cache, you prove that you found it by signing a logbook. If you have something appropriate to exchange, you can also trade for one of the items left by the original cache owner or by other finders.

Sounds simple, doesn't it? Not always! Sometimes you have to solve a puzzle to determine the coordinates, or find information at one place that helps you calculate the final location. Even when you do have the correct coordinates, the cache container may be very tiny. Or it may be disguised as something else, such as a piece of wood, a sprinkler, or a rock. Sometimes even reaching the cache location requires specialized skills, such as technical climbing or SCUBA diving. However, most caches are easily accessible, which makes geocaching a wonderful activity for everyone from kids to grandparents.

In places where placing a physical geocache isn't appropriate, a variation known as "virtual geocaching" is used. A virtual geocache is a place of particular interest or importance. Because there's no logbook, you prove your visit to a virtual cache by taking a photo of yourself at it, or by sending the cache owner certain information that can only be obtained at the cache site.

How did geocaching get started? GPS receivers get their location information from a fleet of satellites developed by the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD). DoD built into the system a way to make civilian GPS receivers less accurate than military receivers. When that "fuzzing" technique was in use, someone using a civilian receiver might see latitude and longitude readouts that were off by as much as 300 feet. Obviously, that didn't make for precise location-finding!

Many years ago, the Department of Defense determined that it could maintain military effectiveness without fuzzing the entire GPS system. (They came up with other ways to degrade GPS signals in selected regions as needed.) DoD realized that allowing civilian GPS receivers to be more accurate would have tremendous benefits to emergency responders, transportation companies, and the general public.

In May of 2000, two days after President Bill Clinton signed an order for DoD to stop signal degradation, a GPS user who was grateful for the improved accuracy of the system hid a container of goodies near Portland, Oregon. He then posted the container's coordinates to a GPS users' group on the Internet. Within days, two people had found the cache, and the "GPS Stash Hunt" - now commonly called geocaching - was off and running. There are now more than 150,000 active geocaches in over 200 countries.

Many geocachers create caches that are themed to their interests. For example, there are caches based on the Lord of the Rings books, the solar system, and train stations. So it isn't surprising that Disney fans who took up geocaching started looking for ways to combine those two passions. That's why there are now geocaches (mostly virtual) at Walt Disney World, Disneyland, and Disneyland Paris. (As of this writing, there are none at Tokyo Disneyland.) In fact, one of those caches makes use of a publicly accessible GPS unit at a Disney park. We aren't telling where that is; you'll have to pick the right geocache to find out!

So, are you ready to try some geocaching, Disney-style? It's easy to get started. Go to geocaching.com, click on "Hide & Seek a Cache," then use one of the search fields to search for caches in the Disney location you plan to visit. For example, you could enter "Disneyland" in the keyword field, or "32830" in the ZIP code field. Be sure to check the Getting Started section of the website, too. It provides the rules for the game, and also offers helpful suggestions for choosing a GPS receiver for geocaching, if you don't already own one.  Click here for a list of benchmarks available in Disney Parks.

Interested in creating your own Disney-themed geocache? You don't need to leave your own hometown to do that! There are currently Disney-themed caches in Quebec, Texas, Arizona, New York, and Denmark, among other places. All you have to do is think up a fun theme (maybe Disneyana in general, or your favorite Disney movie), put a few inexpensive Disney souvenirs in the cache to get things started, and you're on your way. Under the right circumstances, you may even be able to establish a virtual cache at one of the Disney locations. Check the relevant regional Geocaching.com discussion board for more information on this. (For example, the best place to ask questions about Walt Disney World would be the "South and Southeast" forum.)

Next time you take a vacation to a Disney destination, why not try a little geocaching while you're at it? Hunting for the caches will be fun, and you might learn something in the process. Happy caching!

Guided Tours of the Disneyland Resort

The following information is taken from Disneyland's Official "Guided Tours" pamplet.

The image of the Tour Guide became synonymous with the wholesome image of Disneyland.  Through an extensive survey of park Guests, which reflected a desire to be toured around Disneyland with a knowledgeable Tour Guide, the program debuted in September of 1958. 

Tour Guides were Walt Disney's personal representatives and exemplified the standards of excellence for the rest of Disneyland to follow.  Not only were tours informative and entertaining, but proved to be a good value to Guests when experiencing attractions and learning the best way to navigate through their day.

Today, the Guest Relations department takes pride in upholding the standards set for us in 1958.  Although our tours have changed and grown to reflect the growth of the Disneyland Resort, each of our guided tours has something that will appeal to everyone.  Whether you enjoy Disney history, uses of todays technologies, having fun with children or simply wanting to know the best way to experience the Disneyland Resort, we have a tour for you!

Current offerings...

A Walk in Walt's Footsteps
- $64 a Guest; Premium & Deluxe Annual Pass Holders, AAA & Disney Visa Members receive 20% discount.
- Approximately 3.5 hours

• Take a historical look back into Disneyland Park and understand the vision, challenges, and hard work that went into creating everything we associate with Walt Disney.
• Hear Walt Disney talk about Disneyland in is own words.
• Have a peek into the Lobby of the exclusive members-only Club 33.
• Enjoy a private lunch on Main Street, U.S.A.
• Take home an exclusive, collectible tour pin.

Discover the Magic
- $59 for the first two tickets, $49 for each additional ticket in the same transaction.
- Premium & Deluxe Annual Pass Holders, AAA & Disney Visa Members receive 20% discount.
- Approximately 2.5 hours.

• Sharpen your sleuthing skills as you work with your guides to discover clues, explore with a treasure map and hunt for hidden treasure!
• Become a part of the magic as your entire party works together to save the day and have a fun-filled experience!
• Enjoy 6 classic Disneyland attractions.
• Receive a delicious frozen treat and a soivenir collectible pin.
• This experience is recommended for kids ages 3-9 and the young at heart!
• Guests under the age of 18 must be accompanied by an adult of legal guardian.

Welcome to the Disneyland Resort!
- $25 a Guest; Premium & Deluxe Annual Pass Holders, AAA & Disney Visa Members receive 20% discount.
- Approximately 2.5 hours

• Get a Disney-style welcome as you journey through Disneyland Park and Disney's California Adventure Park learning fun facts and great tips for making the most of your visit.
• Enjoy priority seating at one of our sensational stage shows and dining locations for any day of your stay (selected locations).
• Utilize Disney's FASTPASS service with instruction and receive two bonus FASTPASS tickets!

Cruzin' Disney's California Adventure Park
- $99 a Guest; Premium & Deluxe Annual Pass Holders, AAA & Disney Visa Members receive 20% discount.
- Approximately 3 hours.

• Embark through Disney's California Adventure Park before it opens and learn behind-the-scenes information as you cruise around on a Segway Personal Transporter.
• Relax and learn the basics of how to ride the Segway while enjoying a light breakfast.
• Take home a complimentary tour photograph and exclusive, collectible pin after your adventure.
• This tour has specific requirements.  Please inquire at the Tour Gardens Kiosk in Disneyland Park or the Ticketing & Reservation Line for further details.

Do you love visiting the Disneyland Resort during the holidays?  Then don't miss out on these seasonal favorites!

Disney's Happiest Haunts
- $64 a Guest; Premium & Deluxe Annual Pass Holders, AAA & Disney Visa Members receive 20% discount.
- Approximately 3 hours.

• Follow your mysterious Guide through the Disneyland Resport at dusk and prepare for a night of chilling tales and eerie, other-worldly attractions, sights, and suprise "treats"!
• Enjoy 4 thrilling attractions and take home a special "rememberance" of your visit.

Holiday Time at Disneyland
- $64 a Guest; Premium & Deluxe Annual Pass Holders, AAA & Disney Visa Members receive 20% discount.
-Approximately 2.5 hours.

• Discover the holiday history of the Disneyland Resport and learn how this season is celebrated around the world.
• Experience 2 classic holiday-themed attractions.
• See our "Christmas Fantasy" parade with reserved seating while enjoying a holiday treat.
• Take home an exclusive, collectible tour pin.

Please call Ticketing & Reservations, go online at http://www.disneyland.com/, or visit the Tour Gardens Kiosk loacted in Disneyland Park for current prices and to book your guided Tour experience!

Ticketing & Reservations
714-781-4400

General Information
714-781-7290

Monte Cristo Sandwich

Here is the "official" recipe from the D23 newsletter.  Enjoy!

BLUE BAYOU MONTE CRISTO SANDWICH

Ingredients:
1 egg
1 3/4 cups plus 2 tablespoons water
1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon baking powder
8 slices egg bread (challah works well), sliced 1/2-inch thick
8 thin slices ham
8 thin slices turkey
8 thin slices Swiss cheese
3 cups canola oil
Confectioners sugar
Blackberry preserves

Directions:
1. Line a cookie sheet with paper towels; set aside.

2. Whisk the egg and water together in a mixing bowl. Add flour, salt, and baking powder and whisk thoroughly for 2 to 3 minutes or until smooth, scraping sides of bowl.

3. On one slice of bread, arrange 2 slices of ham, turkey, and cheese, covering the bread evenly. Place another slice of bread on top and slice each sandwich in half diagonally.

4. Heat oil to between 365 degrees F and 375 degrees F in a 10-inch pan. Do not let the oil reach a higher temperature than this; if the oil starts to smoke, turn the heat down. Dip half of the sandwich into the batter, allowing excess to drain, and very carefully place into the oil.

5. Repeat with the other sandwich half. Cook 3 minutes on each side, or until golden brown. Place the cooked sandwich on the prepared cookie sheet in a warm oven until ready to serve. Repeat with the other three sandwiches. Cook one at a time, and allow the oil to reach the desired temperature between each.

6. Sprinkle with confectioner¹s sugar and serve with blackberry preserves on the side.

Buzz Lightyear Astro Blasters

Wish you could bring Buzz Lightyear Astro Blasters home with you? You can!!! Click here to access Buzz Lightyear Astro Blasters on your home computer.

Want to score more points?  Try these methods!

1) Just keep shooting, every 5 "misses" or so, you get some "pity points". It's so kids don't get a score of 0 even if they didn't hit anything. You'll know you've hit something if the back of your gun flashes white.

2) Aim for these shapes (in order from highest to lowest points): diamond, triangle, square, circle. Targets that are lit up give you more points. Aim for the tiny black hole in the center of the target.

3) There is a hidden target (at least at Disneyland) actually on the Zerg character, in the center of his armor. It's a tiny black hole.

4) There is another hidden target in the dark tunnel.. you'll see one on your left, and one on your right.. but look up! It's worth 100k!

Toy Story Mania

Want to bring "Toy Story Mania!" home with you?  You can!!!  Disney has released a Wii version that you can purchase.  You can also play for free by clicking here. 

Looking for ways to score bigger points at the park?  Click here to see what items are worth and how to get more much bigger scores.

Don't Forget

Be sure to check out the section "Don't Forget..." on the left side of our blog.  You will find a list of items you will want to remember while preparing for your trip.  You can also click on may of the items to read our blog posts on them or be directed to other sources.

Disneyland Discount Tickets

Here are some things you need to know about Disneyland Tickets:

•Children under 3 get in free, and anyone 10 years old or over pays adult admission for Disneyland tickets.

•The lowest-priced, single-day Disneyland tickets are good for only one park. In other words, you can't visit Disneyland in the morning and Disney's California Adventure in the afternoon of the same day.

•Multi-day Disneyland tickets and one-day Hoppers allow you to visit both parks on the same day. Park Hopper Disneyland tickets expire 13 days after the first use, no matter how many days you buy.

•An easy way to get Disneyland tickets and stay out of line at the park is to order online from Kijubi.com. They guarantee a rate as low as you'll get by buying direct, offer online and postal mail delivery.

•If you buy from Disney, you can have them held at Will Call or mailed to your home. You'll pay a shipping fee that varies depending on your location and lead time. These tickets come with a risk - they cannot be replaced if they're lost, even if you have a copy. Checked bags can go astray, so pack them in your carry-on luggage.

•A better option is to order online and opt for eTickets which you can print out at home. This saves shipping costs, but even more important, an eTicket can be replaced if you forget or lose it, as long as the person who bought it is present and has the credit card they used with them. If that happens, just head for Guest Services at the Main Entrance Will Call window with the credit card and a photo ID and they can issue a new ticket.

•Order by telephone at 714-781-4400.

•Once you start your Disneyland visit, lost tickets cannot be replaced, even if you have a copy of them. Keep them safely tucked into a secure pocket while you're in the park.

•Southern California visitors will find discount tickets for Universal Studios and Sea World everywhere they look, from tourist magazines to the paper lining their dinner trays at the local fast food joint, but getting Disneyland discount tickets isn't quite as easy. The good news is that you can still get some Disneyland discount tickets, and you'll do best if you plan in advance.

•All Resort tickets can be upgraded to annual passes.  Present your ticket on the last day of your trip (to get the most days possible on the year pass) and pay the difference from the price of your tickets and the price of the annual pass.  There are a few options for annual passes and remember to consider a parking pass for all passes other than the Premium.  If you are not from Southern California and have someone in your party who does have a Southern California zip code, that person can purchase a Southern California pass for you.  They need to be the ones who pay for the pass.

•Learn about the regular prices before you get started looking for bargains. There's more about visiting Disneyland here, too.

Disneyland Discount Tickets - Options

•Free Admission For Volunteer Service: During 2010, you can get into one Disneyland theme park ticket free for one day as your reward for doing a day of volunteer service. Find out how to do it.

•Southern California CityPass: If you're planning on visiting some of Southern California's other attractions during your trip, this one is your best bet. You can get 3-Day Disneyland Tickets, tickets for one day each at Universal Studios, SeaWorld and your choice of a ticket to the San Diego Zoo OR San Diego Zoo's Wild Animal Park. The total discount is approximately 30%, and you can buy the passes online in advance, or at the gate of any of the participating attractions.  You can also find these at most Costco's.

•ARES Travel offers small discounts on Disneyland California tickets and you can also reserve character breakfasts through them. They deliver by e-mail only. You can order online or by phone at 800-434-7894.

•Buy online not at the ticket booth: You can get Disneyland discount tickets if you buy them online in advance. Prices can be up to $50 per ticket less than what you'd pay at the gate. Print at home or to get them in the mail.

•Disneyland Specials: From time to time, Disney offers special discounts. The most common is adding a couple of extra days to a multi-day ticket for free. See what's available and buy it online.

•Shorten Your Stay: Another way to save money is to spend fewer days in the parks, but this doesn't mean you can't do everything. Normal visitors spend more time in line than doing anything else, but you know better. With an inexpensive subscription to Ridemax software, you can stay out of line and easily do in two days what it takes most people three to four days to cover. In fact, I once used it to do almost all of Disneyland in a single day and had time to spare.

•Stay Away from Auctions: Some people buy 5-Day passes, use two or three days and try to sell the remaining time in online auctions. However, these tickets state in writing, "Not For Sale. Non Transferable, Must be used by the same person, all days," and this practice is not recommended.

•Adults Pay Kids' Price: Some years, Disney offers special pricing for visits from January through early spring, with everyone paying the kids' admission fee

•Southern Californians: If you live in zip codes 90000-93599, Disney offers frequent special deals and discounts for online purchases along with special discounts on annual passes. Your local Costco, Von's or Ralph's store may also offer lower-priced passes.

•California Teachers: Members of ACSA, CTA, CRTA and First Financial Credit Union can get Disneyland discount tickets through TSA Special Services by phone or mail. The excellent discounts they once offered are getting less impressive every year, nearly vanishing when you add their processing fees, and you have to order far enough in advance to allow for mail delivery.

•Southern California University Students: Some area universities offer discounted, one-park, one-day Disneyland discount tickets for their students. Check with your Student Union.

•Employee Discounts: Some large corporations and government agencies in Southern California also offer discounted, one-day, one-park Disneyland discount tickets to their employees. Ask your Human Resources department.

•AAA and CSAA Members: These California automobile clubs sometimes offer discounts, but grab your calculator before you buy. Some of their "packages" cost the same as the individual parts at full price.  Plus, if you buy only tickets to the park, they include fee parking at the Mickey and Friends Parking Structure!  This will save you over $10 a day!

•Some area hotels offer discount Disneyland tickets with a room rental.

•Military Discounts: Active duty, Reserve, National Guard, Retired, and DOD employees can buy Disneyland discount tickets, with the amount depending on the time of year. Check with your base MWR for information. Bring your military ID to show at the gate.

•United Kingdom Residents: Theme Park Direct offers some good discounts, but check the current exchange rate and which way it's heading before you buy. It may be cheaper to buy in U. S. dollars.

•Hotel Points: This isn't exactly a discount, but you can redeem Hilton HHonors Points for Disneyland passes.

Caramel Apples

Caramel apples are a real treat inside and outside Disney Parks.  In Disneyland they can be found at the Candy Palace on Main Street along with Marceline's Confectionery in Downtown Disney and Pooh Corner in Critter Country.  The detail that they give to each apple is amazing!  Check out these beauties we came across on our last visit.

 

So you can have some Disneyland fun at home here is the recipe for some of Disney's Caramel Apples! 

DISNEYLAND GOURMET CARAMEL APPLES

INGREDIENTS
■8 large Granny Smith or Fuji apples
■wooden craft sticks
■2 (14 ounce) packages caramels, unwrapped
■2 tablespoons milk
■milk chocolate chips
■white chocolate chips
■candy for coating

DIRECTIONS

■Dip apples into boiling water briefly, to remove any wax that may be on the apple. Wipe dry, and set aside. Insert sticks into the apples through the cores. (Don’t skip this step as caramel may not stick to apple if there is wax on it.)

■Line a baking sheet with waxed paper and coat with cooking spray. Place the unwrapped caramels into a microwave-safe medium bowl along with 2 tablespoons of milk. Cook on high for 2 minutes, then stir and continue cooking and stirring at 1 minute intervals until caramel is melted and smooth. OR cook in a saucepan on the stove on a medium heat, stirring constantly until the caramels are completely melted.

■Hold apples by the stick, and dip into the caramel to coat. Set on waxed paper; refrigerate for about 15 minutes to set.

■Heat the chocolate with 1 tablespoon of shortening in a microwave-safe bowl until melted and smooth. Dip apples into the chocolate to cover the layer of caramel. (We prefer to only coat half of the apple in the chocolate.) Or you can drizzle the chocolate instead of dipping, if you prefer.

■Add whatever candy toppings you prefer to chocolate layer before it sets.

■Put apples back on waxed paper to set, then enjoy. We cut them into slices and put them on a plate so we can share the different varieties.
 

Here are some of our favorite combinations…

Apple Pie Caramel Apple - dipped in white chocolate and coated in crushed cinnamon graham crackers

Butterfinger Apple – dipped in milk chocolate and coated in crushed butterfinger candy bars

Chocolate Drizzle Apple – with white chocolate and milk chocolate drizzles

Candy Corn Apple – dipped in white chocolate and coated in chopped candy corns