Entries Tagged 'Fantasy Faire' ↓

Here’s a little Disney trivia for you; did you know that Sleeping Beauty’s castle at Disneyland is not really as tall as it seems?  It is a façade that the Disney creators made where they built the higher parts of the Disneyland castle in smaller pieces making it appear as though it is farther away and higher up than it actually is!  This type of “magical trickery” is displayed all around the parks from Big Thunder Mountain Railroad to the Matterhorn, but it is not quite as awe inspiring than that of Sleeping Beauty’s castle.  This castle is the icon of everything that embodies Disneyland; magic, wonder and fairy tales.  As you pass over the swan swimming moat and through the gates, you are transported into Fantasyland.  Most people were not aware that you can actually go up inside of Sleeping Beauty’s Castle.  Directly to your left as you enter Fantasyland, you will find a small doorway with a narrow set of stairs (not great for those of you with claustrophobia).  If you travel up these stairs, you will pass several small paintings all depicting drawings and verses from the Disney classic, Sleeping Beauty.  Once you reach the top, you can look out the picturesque windows to see the tourists below.  While it is not necessarily the most exciting of Disneyland features, it is one that not many people know about, so you can consider yourself one of the lucky few who can say that you actually went inside of Sleeping Beauty’s castle!

For the first time since Disneyland opened well over 50 years ago, the infamous Pixie, Tinkerbell is able to grace the park.  Before, this precious pixie was only allowed to “fly” at night to light the top of Sleeping Beauty’s castle and start the fireworks show.  Now, as she has become more popular, the folks at Disneyland opened what is now lovingly referred to as “Pixie Hollow”.  Located in Fantasyland nestled next to Alice in Wonderland’s ride, here you will find Tinkerbell and all of her friends, Silvermist, Iridessa, Fawn and Rosetta.  You can find them at the end of a long pathway that winds around the banks of a magical pond.  The clever minds that envelop Disney made everything look ultra big to make the little unsuspecting minds of a child feel as though they have shrunk down to pixie size!  Once you reach the end of your magical journey you will meet all of your favorite pixies who are always eager and ready to have their pictures taken, so snap away!  Fairies are known to be great carriers of secrets, so whisper to them your most deepest wish or desire and you know they will never tell a soul!  Delight every little girl, young and old with a trip to Pixie Hollow.

Ever wondered why the Disney characters in full garb don’t talk?  It’s simple.  They aren’t allowed to!  Disneyland is run like a well oiled machine.  Very rarely does anything go significantly wrong with the way the park is run.  Anyone who is employed at Disneyland or California adventure, whether behind the scenes or on the front line are called “cast members”.  If you have the “honor” and “privilege” of being chosen as a character cast member, be careful what you wish for!  Those who are “real” characters, such as the Disney Princesses or Peter Pan are allowed to talk to their fans as long as they don’t break character.  If you put on a costume that covers you up entirely, like Mickey Mouse, Donald Duck or Goofy, you can be as animated as you want with your body movements, but you are not allowed to talk.  The reason being is that the costumes are not able to have their mouths move and Disney characters have very distinct voices which are very hard to mimic, which if done wrong could mean the jig is up, breaking some children’s hearts.  Classes are taught for non-verbal characters to “talk with their hands”.  It may not be the most exciting job in the world, but when you see the faces of the adoring fans light up, it will all be worth it!

If you have a little princess of your own, make all of her dreams come true with a royal trip to the Disneyland resort.  Besides that loveable little mouse, the princesses are what make Disneyland spectacular.  Begin your day by going into one of the many shops and boutiques in Disneyland (Fantasy Faire Gifts in Fantasyland is the best).  Let your little girl pick out a princess gown.  They have every one of the princess available from Cinderella and Snow White to Tinkerbelle and Alice in Wonderland.  Don’t forget to accessorize!  There are crowns, shoes and magic wands also available in all of these stores.  Once you have loaded your princess up with every royal gift known to man, head on over to Disney’s Princess Fantasy Faire.  This land (located just outside Fantasyland in the wooded area next to the Big Thunder Mountain Railroad) is where the magic happens.  Here, you will be greeted by a royal announcer introducing each of the lovely princesses, who will then make their way around the area signing autographs and posing for pictures.  After you have seen your daughter relish in all of her Princess splendor, make your way back to Fantasyland to have her experience all of the amazing rides modeled after the Disney classic movies.  This day of Disney princess royalty will be one that your own little princess will not soon forget.