Swingin’ with the Silly Symphony

Posted on April 10, 2016 by Mouse Holiday

Back in 1935, Walt Disney Productions released a little animated feature called The Band Concert. It was the first time audiences got to see Mickey Mouse in color — in this case, he was seething in color as a frustrated conductor, attempting to lead his band through a zany performance in the park.

The Silly Symphony Swings attraction in Disney California Adventure Park is based on this animated short (though, for Disney purists, The Band Concert was not actually part of Disney’s Silly Symphony collection). That aside, the swings are a fun addition to the Paradise Pier boardwalk attractions at the park. The big thrill for the kids is the twisty tornado that rises from the ride’s center column – a nod to the tornado that rips through Mickey’s concert in the film.

Location: Find the Silly Symphony Swings in the Paradise Pier section of Disney California Adventure Park, Disneyland Resort.

Hail a ride on the Red Car Trolley

Posted on March 5, 2016 by Mouse Holiday

Could there be a more stylish and appropriate way to transport the family down Buena Vista Street? Destination Sunset Boulevard and the Hollywood Tower Hotel! The streetcars that hum through the streets of Disney California Adventure were inspired by Pacific Electric Railway carriages from the 1920s but are powered solely on batteries. The overhead wires are all part of the show.

Extra! Extra! Catch the Red Car Trolley News Boys — along with a certain Mickey Mouse — as they hop off their ride in Carthay Circle to perform pep-rally messages of “can-do spirit”. They remind the crowd that with the right attitude, anyone can pursue their dreams. The squad performs six times daily.

Location: Find the Red Car Trolley in the Buena Vista Street section of Disney California Adventure Park, Disneyland Resort.

Discover your “Disney self” in the Beast’s Library

Posted on September 16, 2015 by Mouse Holiday

Hmmm. Now, which Disney character am I most likely to identify with? An occasionally frazzled but fun-loving homemaker with a houseful of kids? (Anita from 101 Dalmatians springs to mind.) A trip to the Beast’s Library in the Sorcerer’s Workshop attraction at Disney California Adventure attempted to provide more insight into who might be my Disney kindred spirit.

After you’ve found your match, head to the grand library and watch it fade to neglect around you. Spot the holographic magic rose losing its petals one at a time on the fireplace mantel. It’s a rare respite from the bustle of the park — hidden away in a hodge-podge of attractions and rarely crowded.

Location: Find the Sorcerer’s Workshop within the Disney Animation Building at Disney California Adventure Park, Disneyland Resort.

Touring Tip: There are three worthwhile attractions within the Sorcerer’s Workshop, are even more to discover inside the Disney Animation Building. Be sure to check out the Animation Academy, Character Closeup, and Turtle Talk with Crush.

Kids Wish: King Triton’s Carousel of the Sea

Posted on July 30, 2015 by Mouse Holiday

Further capitalizing on the adoration of Ariel by preschool girls everywhere, rides on her father’s Carousel are offered on Paradise Pier. Prancing horses have been swapped out for a variety of colorful sea creatures to ride.

Location: King Triton’s Carousel of the Sea is located in the Paradise Pier section of Disney California Adventure Park, Disneyland Resort.

Spot: Toy Story Zoetrope

Posted on June 26, 2015 by Mouse Holiday

After we did the background check and understood what a zoetrope is, we were really looking forward to finding this exhibit in Disneyland’s Animation building. Pixar’s John Lassetter created this zoetrope to better teach how the illusion of animation actually works. Instead of flat drawings spinning, Pixar used 18 3-D sculptures of each Toy Story 2 character. A strobe light flashing on them as they spin creates the impression that Woody, Jessie, Buzz and Bullseye have come to life!

Location: Find the Toy Story Zoetrope in the Disney Animation Building in Disney California Adventure Park, Disneyland Resort.

Character Series: Meet Snow White

Posted on May 7, 2015 by Mouse Holiday

MH snow white germany pavilion Where can you meet the Fairest in the Land? (Let me quick consult my Magic Mirror…) Mirror reports back: Perhaps the easiest spot to meet this princess is at her wishing well in the Germany Pavilion of World Showcase at Epcot. Nestled on the outskirts of the pavilion as you enter going clockwise, Snow White (occasionally with the Prince, and/or Dopey) greets guests at the well several times daily between 11:30am and 6pm. Our photo, taken when our son wasn’t quite three, remains one of my favorite Disney snapshots of all time. Check out the way he’s gazing at Snow White!

It used to be that if you had more patience (or maybe a FastPass+ reservation), you could snag some time with Snow White at Princess Fairytale Hall in the Magic Kingdom. This is how we met the princess in 2013 soon after the new meet-and-greet opened. (June 2014 update: Snow White has been ousted from Princess Fairytale Hall by the Frozen sisters. She will now be greeting guests daily at Town Square Courtyard.)

MH meet snow white If you’re prepared to fork over some major moolah (especially when you’re a family of six!), you might try a princess character meal. Snow White makes appearances at Cinderella’s Royal Table in the Magic Kingdom, Akershus Royal Banquet Hall in Epcot’s Norway Pavilion and, at the Disneyland Resort, during certain meals at Ariel’s Grotto in Disney California Adventure Park. This is how we met Snow White on the West Coast.

Festival of the Flying Tires with Luigi

Posted on April 14, 2015 by Mouse Holiday

MH luigi's flying tires You’ve got a job to do on this attraction! These tires float on a cushion of air and require audience participation to get gliding. This airy dance is referred to in Cars Land circles as the Festival of the Flying Tires!

Update: Though the smart choice would have been to skip this molasses-slow loader and ride Mater’s Junkyard Jamboree instead. We made a mad dash for Cars Land (and specifically Radiator Springs Racers) during an early Extra Magic Hour at California Adventure. We hopped in what was advertised to be a 5-minute line but turned out to be 25 – worth a 3-minute ride spent coaching your preschoolers how to “drive” the giant tire? Debatable.

2015 update: Debatable indeed. Luigi’s Flying Tires closed February 16, 2015.

Location: Find Luigi’s Flying Tires in the Cars Land section of Disney California Adventure Park, Disneyland Resort.

Take a free-mounted ride on Mickey’s Fun Wheel

Posted on February 7, 2015 by Mouse Holiday

Mickey’s Fun Wheel deviates from traditional Ferris wheels in that most of the gondolas slide inwards and outwards as the wheel rotates. And, if you haven’t yet experienced these swinging gondolas, consider yourself warned! We (and “we” refers to two adults and four children 7 years of age and under) were not prepared for the sudden feeling of coming unhinged from the ride! That first slide brought on shrieks from all of us. Swinging in a stiff breeze while suspended over the rippling waters of Paradise Pier Lagoon made the ride memorable enough to justify waiting in such a slow-loading line.

At night, Mickey’s Fun Wheel illuminates in a spectrum of colors and designs. On our upcoming Mouse Holiday Family Spring Break we’re looking forward to playing Mickey’s Fun Wheel Challenge (via mobile device) while waiting for the spectacular World of Color show to begin!

Location: Find Mickey’s Fun Wheel in the Paradise Pier section of Disney California Adventure Park. Disneyland Resort.

Converse with Crush at Turtle Talk with Crush

Posted on February 1, 2015 by Mouse Holiday

We made a great memory several years ago at Epcot when Crush singled out our then-4-year-old daughter to chat with. The attraction does a remarkable job of animating the surfer sea turtle from Finding Nemo in real-time so he can engage you in spontaneous conversation. Our “little dudette” Emily was sitting right up front with her mouse ears on and caught Crush’s eye. Next thing we know we’re fumbling for the camera so we can record her obliging the turtle with a “totally sweet!” right into the microphone!

Suddenly, Crush wants Emily’s mom to show her face. “Taking a break from your parental duties?” he teased me when I got to my feet near the back of the room. (Wouldn’t you know it, I’d chosen that time to hide out and feed the infant.) Crush had the whole room chuckling after I’d listed off Emily’s siblings – she’s only got three of them! – and advised me not to feel the need to compete with Crush’s herd of 65 spawn.

Lamentably, our camera’s audio was malfunctioning at the time. The entire exchange with Crush — sweet, shy preschooler, flustered mom and wave-riding turtle — was lost. I’d love for our family to get the chance to chum it up with Crush again.

Location: Find Turtle Talk with Crush in the Seas with Nemo and Friends Pavilion at Epcot Theme Park, Walt Disney World Resort. A very similar version of the attraction is found in the Disney Animation Building in the Hollywood Land section of Disney California Adventure Park, Disneyland Resort.

“Free fall” at the Twilight Zone Tower of Terror

Posted on January 14, 2015 by Mouse Holiday

MH twilight zone tower of terror I’d like to think I’m not this big chicken when it comes to rides. I don’t mind if they’re breakneck fast, dark, altitudinous or loud. I don’t even mind hanging upside down. Why then, do I shy away from the Twilight Zone Tower of Terror? Every chance I get I’m sending my husband on in claiming I’d better stay behind with the baby.

Therein lies the problem: we’ve been bringing very young children to the Disney parks for more than eight years. There has been exactly one instance where someone else was available to watch the kids while Dad and I hopped a ride together. And this is why I’m reluctant to use the parent switch-off option for Tower of Terror: because I don’t want to fall screaming down that elevator shaft alone! Thus far, I haven’t been able to convince my older kids to ride with me.

Actually, the fall’s not even the worst part. It’s all the dread and suspense leading up to the fall that gets me. Disney does such a fabulous, convincing job with the Tower’s spooky sets and haunting backstory.

This past autumn we convinced our oldest two join us on the Tower of Terror! Yes, that meant that after a 10-year hiatus, I was finally going to give that old service elevator a try. Our 6-year-old daughter came out spooked (and would not discuss the ride further), but our 8-year-old son, Andy, came out a little man obsessed! (“Outstanding!” he rates it.) He and his dad wound up riding the elevator three times back-to-back that afternoon while I took his sisters to the Beauty and the Beast stage show. I was a bit jealous of the boys’ Tower binge — it was a rush returning to the Twilight Zone!

2015 update: I was thrilled to be able to ride the Tower this past fall at Disney California Adventure with my three oldest — Olivia’s (6) first ride!

Location: Find the Twilight Zone Tower of Terror at Disney’s Hollywood Studios, Walt Disney World Resort. A very similar, but not identical version of the attraction can be found at Disney California Adventure Park, Disneyland Resort.