Internet Info 1994 March/Internet Info CD-ROM (Walnut Creek) (March 1994).iso/answers/rec/disney-faq/disneyland

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From: [e-mail] (Tom Tanida)
Newsgroups: rec.arts.disney,rec.parks.theme,rec.answers,news.answers
Subject: Disneyland FAQ
Followup-To: rec.arts.disney
Date: 10 Mar 1994 00:31:36 GMT
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Summary: FAQ for Disneyland
Keywords: FAQ, Disneyland, Disney
Archive-name: disney-faq/disneyland
Last-modified: 05 Jan 1994

Originator: [e-mail]
Xref: bloom-beacon.mit.edu rec.arts.disney:25200 rec.parks.theme:691 rec.answers:4408 news.answers:16202

                  Disneyland Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
                        (Last update January 5, 1994)


     This document is Copyright (c) 1994, by Walt Hoffman.  It is intended
for public use, and may be redistributed freely in its original form.

CHANGES SINCE LAST POSTING:  Updated operating hours, prices, entertainment,
 attraction refurbishment schedule and closures, and What's New? information.

HOW DO I FIND OUT MORE?
--   Contact Disneyland Guest Relations at [phone], [phone] or
     visit Disneyland's City Hall.  The address for Disneyland is 1313 Harbor
     Boulevard, P.O. Box 3232, Anaheim, CA 92803-3232.
--   For Walt Disney World (WDW) and other Disney information, see the larger
     Disney FAQ posted regularly from Tom Tanida.  Contact him directly at
     [e-mail] and request the DisneyFAQ.

HOURS OF OPERATION:   Here is the schedule information from an updated Disney
calendar.  Everything is subject to change.

     B:   8 am to midnight
     C:   9 am to midnight
     E:   9 am to 10 pm
     G:   9 am to 7 pm
     H:   8 am to 7 pm
     I:  10 am to 6 pm
     J:   9 am to 6 pm

This posting is a list of answers to frequently asked questions (FAQ) about
visiting Disneyland.  All reasonable efforts have been made to make sure this
information is accurate, but I cannot be held responsible for errors or
schedule changes.  This FAQ list is maintained by Walt Hoffman based upon the
original list from [e-mail].  For more general Disney information see
the Disney FAQ, which includes park information, film, movies, television, and
other Disney facts, maintained by Tom Tanida.  The Disneyland FAQ is updated
periodically.  Send suggestions and comments on *this* Disneyland FAQ to
[e-mail].


Jan '94                                1C
         2E   3I   4I   5I   6I   7I   8C
         9E  10I  11I  12I  13I  14I  15C
        16E  17G  18I  19I  20I  21I  22C
        23E  24I  25I  26I  27I  28I  29C
        30E  31I

Feb '94            1I   2I   3I   4I   5C
         6E   7I   8I   9I  10I  11G  12C
        13E  14I  15I  16I  17I  18G  19C
        20C  21E  22I  23I  24I  25G  26C
        27E  28I

Mar '94
                   1I   2I   3I   4C   5C
         6E   7I   8I   9I  10I  11C  12C
        13E  14G  15G  16G  17G  18C  19C
        20C  21G  22G  23G  24G  25C  26C
        27C  28C  29C  30C  31C

Apr '94
                                  1C   2C
         3C   4C   5C   6C   7C   8C   9C
        10E  11J  12J  13J  14J  15C  16C
        17E  18J  19J  20J  21J  22C  23C
        24E  25J  26J  27J  28J  29C  30C

May '94
         1E   2J   3J   4J   5J   6C   7C
         8E   9J  10J  11J  12J  13C  14B
        15E  16G  17G  18G  19G  20C  21B
        22E  23G  24G  25G  26G  27C  28B
        29B  30E  31G

CURRENT CONSTRUCTION AND REFURBISHMENT:  (Call [phone] for latest info)
Construction:
o A new "Indiana Jones"-themed attraction in Adventureland to open in 1995.
  This will not be a roller coaster like EuroDisneyland's but a unique ride
  simulator on a moving track housed in a 4-story building.

Closures and Refurbishment:
o Golden Horseshoe Jamboree      1/3  to  1/7
o Monorail                       1/3  to  1/7
                                 1/10 to  1/14
o Space Mountain                 1/10 to  1/28
o Casey Jr. Circus Train         1/10 to  2/4
o Storybook                      1/10 to  2/4
o Mark Twain                     1/31 to  3/11
o The Submarine Voyage           1/3  to  3/28
o Disneyland Railroad            1/3  to  4/4
o Jungle Cruise                  1/3  to  4/29
o Star Tours                     1/31 to  4/29
o Swiss Family Treehouse         4/3  to  4/29

o Mission to Mars, Motor Boats, and Town Square Cafe are closed permanently.
o The Main Street bank is no longer sponsored by Bank of America.  It is now
  the Main Street Information Center, which is no longer a function of Carefree
  corner.  However, a variety of banking services can still be found there with
  ATM cash advances, credit card Disney Dollar advances, and foreign currency
  exchanges.  The bank also sells Disneyland passports, gift certificates,
  postage stamps, ticket upgrades/downgrades, and even has a mailbox.  The
  Bank of America Automated Teller Machine is still available outside of
  the park to the left of the Main Entrance.

Recent Miscellaneous Items (What's New?):

MAIN STREET U.S.A.:
o Added a lifesize bronze statue, titled 'Partners', of Walt Disney with Mickey
  Mouse in the hub encircled with smaller bronze statues of classic Disney
  characters.
o Walt Disney mural and mirrored signs added inside the Crystal Arcade shop
  near the stuffed toy wall.
o Penny Arcade has added a large, green, 1000-pound, acrylic elephant statue
  (nicknamed 'Penny') near the entrance.  It was originally designed for the
  Candy Palace at EuroDisneyLand (EDL) but due to a change in color scheme
  of the facility, she now resides at Disneyland.
ADVENTURELAND:
o Closures in the area to provide access for the Indiana Jones attraction,
  and perform extensive refurbishment of the Jungle Cruise attraction.
o 'Aladdin's Oasis', an entertainment restaurant which features magic, music,
  song, and dance with characters from the movie, "Aladdin".  In addition to
  the show, the food offerings are every bit as exotic.  Food includes papadom
  wafers w/chutney (a sort of a chips and salsa), fresh fruit, and main entree
  (beef, chicken, or vegetable), raisin nut pilaf, and a special dessert.
  Dinner menu has larger food portions. Children (11 and under) can choose
  from cheese-filled pasta or chicken strips. Prices for adults/children
  are $19.50/$14.50 for lunch and $24.50/$19.50 for dinner plus tax and
  gratuity (15%).  You must pay for your meal before entering the Oasis.
o Enchanted Tiki Room added a new digital sound system (although the
  soundtrack is still the same.)
o Larger entrance to accommodate crowds from Fantasmic!
FRONTIERLAND:
o Casa Mexicana is no longer sponsored by Lawry's.  Slight changes in decor
  and menu items (Mickey Mouse-shaped flan).
NEW ORLEANS SQUARE:
o Fantasmic! sound system improvements and a new viewing area (New Orleans
  Square Promenade) around the Rivers of America.  Promenade is tiered and
  cobbled at an angle to provide better viewing of Fantasmic!
o Pet Cemetery added to the front yard of The Haunted Mansion.
o Pirates of the Caribbean added portraits of pirates along the walls of the
  indoor queue area.  Added previously were silhouettes of fighting pirates
  located on the right side of the burning city scene.  This scene was taken
  from EuroDisneyland.  Also, additional items were added in the bayou near
  the boat loading area.
FANTASYLAND:
o Sleeping Beauty's Castle walk-through now appears to be permanently open.
o It's a Small World added a new digital sound system complete with a new
  different soundtrack (with more instrumentals) inherited from EDL.
o Fantasia Gardens filled the space left from the removal of the Motor Boats.
o Window near Peter Pan's Flight has children's toys in it with audio of the
  Darling children playing.
TOMMORROWLAND:
o Space Mountain is now sponsored by Federal Express.
o Space Place: Disneyland Birthday Parties on weekends.  Two party plans are
  available which include cake, ice cream, party favors, character photo
  opportunities, lunch (with one of the plans), and park admission.
  Call 714-520-5045 for details on Birthday Parties.
MICKEY'S TOONTOWN:
o Roger Rabbit's Car Toon Spin ride in Mickey's TOONTOWN is now open with the
  Grand Opening on January 26, 1994 (Toontown's one year anniversary).
o Toontown's Jolly Trolley is jolly again.  The trolley now bounces all around
  (like it originally did) during it's trip through Toontown (although only
  one car per trolley instead of two).
OTHER:
o Merchandise Special Events Hotline [phone].
o Low Price Children's menus for $2.99 at most table service and buffeteria
  restaurants.
o Preferred Parking now available, located to the right of the Main Entrance.
o Disneyland Hotel Atari Adventure Video Arcade back to the "underwater"
  location in the marina after refurbishment.

Future Plans and Rumors:

o Westcot Center, a west coast version of WDW Epcot Center, to be built in
  the current Disneyland parking lot.  A multi-level parking structure will be
  constructed to the east.  It will feature dedicated freeway ramps directly
  connected into the parking structure and a peoplemover to transport guests
  over to the parks.  Expansion plans also include multiple hotels and other
  entertainment venues.  Environment impact study completed and approved by
  the City of Anaheim but still battles remain in making Westcot a reality.
  Details about the expansion are available at the Disneyland expansion
  preview center located at the Disneyland Hotel (in the Plaza building,
  above Maize's Pantry) and is open Mondays and Wednesdays from 2pm to 8pm.

CURRENT PRICES:  (US $)  Current as of January 2, 1994
                    1-day 2-day 3-day  Annual  Premium Guided
                    =========================== Annual  Tour
Adults              30.00 55.00 75.00   99.00  199.00  42.00
Children (3-11)     24.00 44.00 60.00   99.00  199.00  32.50
Seniors (60+)       24.00
Adults (MKC)        28.00 51.00 69.00   89.00  189.00
Children (MKC)      22.00 40.00 54.00   89.00  189.00
Parking              6.00/car
                     7.00/vans,campers,RV's
                    12.00 Preferred Parking

****************************************
>From October 15 until June 30,1994, Southern California residents can buy a
special Disneyland passport for just $22 per person ($21 with the MKC card).
Must show proof of California residence within ZIP codes 90000 through 93599.
Passports are good for day of purchase only with a daily limit of 8 Passports
per individual with valid I.D..
****************************************
Annual passes have been changed with new prices.  The Basic Annual Passport
is $99 per person and replaces the Seasonal Passport.  It is valid for 338
days out of the year.  Parking is not included but can be added for $25.  The
cost of a one-day passport used on your visit can be applied towards the
purchase of an annual pass.  The Basic Annual Passport is not valid on these
selected days:

Jan. 1, Feb. 19-20, Mar. 5,12,19,26, Apr. 2,9,16,23,30, May  7,14,21,28,29,
June 4,11,18,25, July 3, Sep. 4, Nov. 26, Dec. 25,30-31

The Premium Annual passport is $199 per person.  Includes admission for all
365 days of the year, preferred parking, one year subscription to Disney News,
10% discount on most merchandise (not good for purchases under $5, Collectible
cels etc., Disney Dollars, and commemorative tickets), 15% discount on
Aladdin's Oasis and Blue Bayou.

Current Seasonal Passports will be upgraded to Basic Annual Passports and
current Annual Passports will be upgraded to Premium Annual Passports. However,
only new or renewed Premium Annual Passports are eligible for the preferred
parking and Disney News subscription benefit.
These Annual Passport offers are available through March 31, 1994.  Annual
passports vouchers are good 6 months after purchase.  If your Annual passport
expires after that, it might be wise to purchase the voucher before the
program ends and redeem the voucher when the pass comes up for renewal.

Magic Kingdom Club (MKC) cardholders get admission discounts of about 7
percent.  The MKC card discounts do NOT apply to merchandise at the park or
the Disneyland Hotel but will provide a 15% discount at Aladdin's Oasis and
the Blue Bayou (2-5pm only).  The card is good at The Disney Stores which
are usually found in shopping malls throughout the world.  Merchandise from
the park or hotel can be ordered by calling 1-800-3-MAIL-33 (1-800-361-4533).

For ticket purchases, Disneyland accepts US. currency, VISA, American Express,
Master Card, traveler's checks, Disney Dollars and personal checks with proper
identification.  For some reason, Discover card is not honored at Disneyland
or the Disneyland Hotel.  A Bank of America ATM is located to the left of the
Main Entrance.  Tickets can also be purchased in advance at a Disney Store
or by mail with a check or money order in the exact amount to Disneyland
Admissions, 1313 Harbor Blvd., P.O. Box 3232, Anaheim, CA 92803-3232.

ENTERTAINMENT:
o 'Fantasmic!' performed on weekends and holidays through Summer 1994.
o 'Aladdin's Royal Caravan' parades down Main Street on weekends and holidays
   starting February 12, and daily for the Easter holidays.
o 'Beauty & The Beast Live' is performed at the Videopolis stage on selected
  weekends and holiday periods starting February 13, 1994.
o 'Aladdin's Oasis' entertainment restaurant open on selected weekends and
  holidays starting February 12.

Entertainment schedules can be changed at any time.  For the actual schedule
for a particular day, contact Disneyland or pick up a 'Disneyland Today'
schedule when you visit the park.

SHOW RESERVATIONS:
Reservations for the Golden Horseshoe Jamboree have moved to the counter in
the exit lobby for the Walt Disney Story Featuring Great Moments with Mr.
Lincoln.  Reservations are also taken for the Blue Bayou restaurant and
Aladdin's Oasis, as well as restaurants at the Disneyland Hotel Resort.

WHERE SHOULD WE STAY?
Since I'm a local, I've haven't stayed at many of the hotels in this area.
Here is a summary of the responses received so far.  No guarantees.  For more
information regarding lodging in the Anaheim area, contact the Anaheim Area
Visitor and Convention Bureau at 800 W. Katella Avenue, Anaheim, CA  92802,
or phone [phone].
DISNEYLAND HOTEL:
  Official hotel for Disneyland including many shops and attractions and the
  only hotel with a monorail station for transportation into the Magic Kingdom.
  Since this is a Disney property, it provides the best "Disney experience".
  Hotel guests can have their park merchandise purchases delivered to their
  rooms free of charge.  Call 714-956-MICKEY for room reservations.
PAN PACIFIC:
  Located next to Disneyland Hotel.  Rooms are about half the price of the
  Disneyland Hotel rooms and are large and quiet with comfortable beds but
  somewhat dated decor.  No refrigerators or microwave ovens in the room but
  a restaurant is on-site and room service is available.  A walkway provides
  access to the Disneyland Hotel Resort's shops and restaurants and Monorail
  station for transportation into the Disneyland Park.
ANAHEIM HILTON AND TOWERS:
  "Above average Hilton."  Small bathrooms (at least in non-tower rooms).
MARRIOTT:
  "Typical Marriott."  Nobody said anything particularly good or bad.
BEST WESTERN STARDUST:
  "Very spacious.  Clean comfortable and reasonably priced.  Walking distance,
  but Disneyland shuttle is also available.  No frills."
RESIDENCE INN:
  Very nice, apartment-like suites with complete, full-size kitchens and some
  with fireplaces.  Continental Breakfast included and free Disneyland shuttle
  is available (also goes to the Disneyland Hotel if requested).

>From a Disney handout:  "The Walt Disney Travel Company:  Offers the finest in
family vacation travel.  A `Disney Vacation' is the ideals way to visit the
Magic Kingdom. Contact The Walt Disney Travel Company, P.O. Box 3232, Anaheim,
CA  92803 for information about travel arrangements and packages.  Telephone
[phone]; Telex 655474.

WHAT'S THE BEST WAY TO SEE FANTASMIC!?
  Come in from the Splash Mountain side as soon as they start clearing out
the crowds from the first show.  If you come in from the other side, you'll
be fighting 7,000-10,000 people who are exiting out through Frontierland.  The
show lasts about 23 minutes and the entire area is darkened during the show
making travel through here a little tricky.

HOW DO I BEAT THE CROWDS?
Unlike WDW, Disneyland does not usually open the park early to deal with
incoming crowds.  However, often on weekends Main Street will open 30 minutes
before the rest of the park.  Some tour packages do offer a "Magic Morning"
package which allows participants to enter a themed area (usually Toontown)
one hour prior to opening to the general public.

In general, attendance is highest on Saturday, then Friday, Sunday, and
weekdays.  Monday through Wednesday is probably the best day to visit to avoid
the large crowds.

Space Mountain is long most of the day and into the night, so first thing in
early morning is usually your best bet.  Ditto Rocket Jets.  Star Tours will
shorten significantly in the late evening (when the line is completely inside,
you're in good shape).  Splash Mountain is always busy (avoid it when backed
up beyond the Briar Patch shop) but is OK when it's raining or right before
the park closes.  An early-morning dash might also be a good idea (since it's
at the back of the park).  The Country Bear Jamboree is seldom crowded and it
a good place to visit if you ventured over to Splash Mountain and found a
long line.

After dinner, the rides in Fantasyland shorten a bit, but not much.  Dumbo,
Alice in Wonderland, Peter Pan, and Mr. Toad's Wild Ride will remain
popular throughout the entire day.  Lines are usually short for Snow White's
Scary Adventures, Pinocchio's Daring Journey, and It's a Small World.  If the
line is long at all, skip it and try again later.  Skyway line is almost
always shorter from Fantasyland to Tomorrowland than the other way around.

Matterhorn lines are usually the shortest during the parades.  Normally there
are two separate lines, one for each bobsled run.  But sometimes during the
parades they combine both lines into one and route it away from the parade
area.  This gives the impression the wait is long but is really it is moving
twice as fast.  The line splits up into two later on as you go through the
turnstile.  Usually the bobsled run on the right has the shortest wait since
most people turn to the left as they enter the turnstile area.


PARADES
Crossing a parade route is possible but time consuming.  Plan which side of
the park you want to be on during the parade and get there early.  If you must
cross, consider using the Disneyland RR or the Skyway.  Parade crossing zones
north of the Matterhorn are usually less congested than the one at the Hub.
Main Street is tough (though not impossible) to negotiate during popular
parades.


WHAT ABOUT SMALL CHILDREN?
Kids age 2 and under are free.  Strollers may be rented, but some people
prefer to bring their own.  Many attractions have height and age requirements,
with limit signs ('You must be at least this tall...') present at the entrance
to most attractions.  They seem to be fairly picky about this.  If you're an
inch off, they won't let you in.

     Big Thunder Mountain Railroad        40+ inches
     Space Mountain                       40+ inches
     Autopia (alone)                      52+ inches
     Autopia (w/ adult)                    1+ years
     Splash Mountain                       3+ years and 40+ inches
     Star Tours (alone)                    7+ years
     Star Tours (w/ adult)                 3+ years
     Matterhorn Bobsleds (alone)           7+ years
     Matterhorn Bobsleds (w/ adult)        3+ years
     Gadget's Go-Coaster                   3+ years
     Goofy Bounce House                    52 inches or under
     Chip 'N Dale's Treehouse/Acorn Crawl  49 inches or under

Children under 7 are supposed to be accompanied by an adult on other
attractions as well (Snow White's Scary Adventures, The Haunted Mansion, etc.)

HOW DO I GET A MAGIC KINGDOM CLUB (MKC) CARD AND WHAT DOES IT GET ME?
Check with your employer or credit union first, especially if you live near
any Disney attractions.  If not, you can purchase a Gold MKC for $49. The
discounts are the same for both types of MKC cards.  The address is Magic
Kingdom Club Gold Card, PO Box 3850, Anaheim, CA 92803-3850. Charge by calling
[phone].  Gold card members get a 2-year subscription to Disney News
and other paraphernalia. All MKC cards get you discounts at the Disney Stores
(except in the parks), on admission tickets, and on Disney, Delta Airlines,
and National Rent-a-Car packages.

IF I'VE BEEN TO THE MAGIC KINGDOM IN WDW, WHAT PARTS OF DISNEYLAND CAN I SKIP?
There are subtle differences in almost every corner of the park.  If you're a
Disney aficionado, you'll want to check out everything.  If you're pressed for
time, you can skip the following:
o Haunted Mansion
o People Mover (more primitive, but seems to last longer)
o Monorail (unless you want to go to the Disneyland Hotel)
o Submarine Voyage (nearly identical to WDW's except for order of presentation
  and absence of little Jules Verne nuances)
o Skyway (useful for getting around, especially during parades)
o Captain EO (same movie as EPCOT Center)
o Circle Vision 360 (same as at WDW but also shows China film from EPCOT
  during the early part of the day.)
o Autopia
o Small World (biggest difference is the exterior facade, including a special
  presentation of the time every 15 minutes)
o Golden Horseshoe Jamboree (same show, different finale)

Tough calls:  (similar, yet different and worth experiencing)
o Space Mountain
o Big Thunder Mountain Railroad
o Great Moments with Mr. Lincoln (a trimmed down version of the Hall of
  Presidents) and The Walt Disney Story
o Splash Mountain (front/back seating instead of side-to-side, story not as
  narrative.)
o Country Bear Playhouse (different show and DL has 2 theaters,)
o Disneyland Hotel resort complex (accessible from within the park by
  monorail).

Whatever you do, don't miss out on:
o Fantasmic!
o Star Tours (unless you've been on the one in Disney/MGM Studios)
o Matterhorn Bobsleds (2 different tracks, too)
o Jungle Cruise (my DL experiences have far surpassed the one at WDW)
o Pirates of the Caribbean (parts are identical, but DL is better)
o Disney Art Gallery (above Pirates)
o Disneyana Shop on Main Street (features cels and other limited editions)
o Disneyland RR between Tomorrowland & Main Street for Grand Canyon and
  Primeval World dioramas (not quite as impressive as EPCOT's World of Energy
  dinosaurs)
o Mickey's ToonTown (new land)
o Roger Rabbit's Cartoon Spin ride (Toontown)

The Disneyland parade route is different than WDW.  North of Main Street,
Disneyland parades proceed north along the east side of the Castle up to
It's a Small World.  WDW MK parades turn at the Hub, heading through Liberty
Square and Frontierland.

END of FAQ