Entries Tagged 'Fantasyland' ↓

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!

When you think of a vacation, do you think of blissful relaxation on a warm, sandy beach with a cabana boy bringing you an endless supply of margaritas?  Well, that may be your idea of a vacation, but your kids have other ideas!  No vacation suits a child more than an exciting stay in the most magical place on Earth…Disneyland!  From toddler-hood to teenager, every “kid” gets a kick out of this park and its neighboring park, California Adventure.  From the moment you pass through the gates, you are magically transported into a different land.  Inside the park you will find an immaculately kept park full of character and wonderment with rides, shows and shops that could make even the grumpiest of dwarves smile a little.  There is something for everyone here at Disneyland.  Little ones will get carried away in Fantasyland where elephants fly and pirate ships sail over Neverland.  Adventureland takes you on a safari through a cruise filled with elephants, tigers and head hunters, where you can swing from vines like Tarzan of the Apes.  Frontierland takes you to the Wild West where you ride on a runaway train on Big Thunder Mountain Railroad and take part in a saloon shoot.  If you’re not into rides, it is sometimes just as enjoyable to grab an ice cream cone, sit under a cool shade tree and people watch.  A trip to Disneyland is just something that you have to do at least once in your lifetime.  Relaxing it is not, but it will definitely be memorable!

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.

The magic of the Disneyland resort starts with the huge variety of sites, sounds and activities geared towards children of any age and adults who are young at heart.  This is no more apparent than when you take a walk through the many “lands” that encompass the Disneyland resort.  Upon entering the gates, you walk into Mainstreet USA which is modeled after an 1800’s All-American town with adorable buildings, a soda fountain and barbershop quartet.  Traveling onward you will be greeted by an old western saloon and can-can dancers in Frontierland.   A little farther ahead you can go on a jungle safari and climb a gigantic jungle tree house made just for Tarzan in Adventureland.  Go sailing down the Bayou on the Pirates of the Caribbean or listen to a jazz band playing as they walk along the streets of New Orleans Square.  Critter Country gives you the characters in the Hundred Acre Woods as well as a thrilling (but darling) ride on Splash Mountain.  Tomorrowland brings out the space traveler in all of us with Star Tours and Space Mountain.  Walking over the bridge and through Sleeping Beauty’s Castle leaves no question to the mind that you have entered Fantasyland.  Here is wear all of your fairytale dreams come true.  Soar over London in Peter Pan’s ride, fight the evil queen on the Snow White ride and fly high on the back of that silly flying Elephant with the big ears, Dumbo.  The end of Fantasyland brings you the all-time favorite ride, It’s a Small World which leads you to your final land in Disneyland, Toontown.  This land is where all of the characters “live” when they’re not working at Disneyland.  You’ll find the homes of Mickey, Minnie, Donald and Goofy as well as some other bright and lively attractions.