Entries Tagged 'Mainstreet USA' ↓

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!

Disneyland is known for their incredible rides, charming shops and magical characters.  They are also known for great food and snacks are no different!  If you have a craving for a little snack to tide you over until the next meal, you have a huge number of places and choices to choose from.  Head over to Toontown to grab a quick hot dog at Pluto’s Dog House or a sandwich to go from Clarabelle’s.  Adventureland holds some tasty tropical treats like a tasty chicken teriyaki kabob or a refreshing pineapple spear or pineapple sorbet from the Tiki Juice Bar sponsored by Dole.  As soon as you pass though Mainstreet USA, you will find the red Corn Dog Wagon with the most delicious tasting corndogs you can imagine, hot and crispy on the outside.  Refreshing non-alcoholic mint-juleps and fritters or beignet’s are available at the Mint Julep Bar in New Orleans Square.  For a quick bite on the go, you can taste some hot crispy French fries from Conestoga Fries across the street from Big Thunder Mountain Railroad.  Tomorrowland holds Red Rockett’s Pizza Parlor where you can “fly” in for a quick slice of pizza before you go on your way to fight like Buzz Lightwear or a Storm Trooper.  For those who are searching for a healthier alternative, there are produce stands located in several different spots in the park.  Here you will find a large variety of fruits and vegetables from grapes, apples and strawberries to carrots and celery with ranch dip.  Also available at these stands are the world famous HUGE dill pickles just waiting to be crunched!

Part of the allure and wonderment that embodies the Disney spirit are the parades and live entertainment within both Disneyland and California Adventure.  Held numerous times a day, the parades are full of catchy Disney themed music, lively performers and gorgeous sights and sounds.  Live audience participation are a must, whether it is playing an instrument brought to you by one of the cast members or just clapping your hands along to the rhythm, your energy gives a fun feel to everyone around you.  The parades have several different stops on the parade route.  Sitting anywhere along Mainstreet will insure you have a fantastic view as well as in Fantasyland.  The live shows run all throughout the day at assigned intervals.  There are many different kinds of shows.  Many of them are set to mimic your child’s favorite Playhouse Disney television show; others are a remake of your favorite fairytale.  All of these are done with incredibly talented performers who take the stage to entertain you and your family as though they were going for an academy award.  These live shows and parades are geared to provide entertainment for every age group traveling to Disneyland.  From the old to the young, these shows will bring out the kid in you!

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.