| Navigating the Magic Kingdom |
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Disneyland -- Anaheim, Calif., June 11, 2002 -- Fireworks light the night sky over Disneyland in Anaheim, Calif. (SHNS photo courtesy Disneyland)
Disneyland -- Anaheim, California, June 11, 2002 -- Disneyland remains the dream destination for young park enthusiasts. Rides such as Star Tours, based on the "Star Wars" movies, have broadened the demographic appeal of the park. (SHNS photo courtesy Disneyland)
Disneyland -- Anaheim, California, June 11, 2002 -- Downtown Disney is an oasis in the middle of the land of hi-hoing dwarfs and cheery mice. Its restaurants provide a nice diversion from the kid-oriented offerings within the parks. (SHNS photo courtesy Disneyland)
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By Rick Bentley
Fresno Bee The clear night sky gives way to twinkling images so colorful they would put any box of Crayolas to shame. Less than a second later, the rumble from the Fantasy in the Sky fireworks display reaches visitors. This nightly show signals the end of another day at the theme park that bills itself "The Happiest Place on Earth." Through decades of change, this show, which started in 1956, has remained a constant. Today, park goers visit a Disneyland very different from the 85-acre attraction Walt Disney opened in 1955. For starters, visitors don't enter just the gates of Disneyland; they now enter the gates of an entertainment mega complex known as The Disney Resort. Although Disneyland is the star attraction of this 150-acre complex, the Downtown Disney shopping area and Disney's California Adventure theme park, both of which opened early last year, also draw crowds. But these aren't the only changes. Parking has improved. New hotels share the same skyline as Space Mountain and the California Screamin' roller coaster. "What we have evolved into is a multiday resort destination," says Bob Deuel, manager of publicity for Disneyland Resorts. "We don't expect you to spend seven days visiting our parks. Three days is proper. But you can come and stay here, go visit the beaches or Hollywood. We are a Southern California destination." If you haven't visited Disneyland in the last year or so, you may not recognize the place. Here's what you need to know -- from finding a place to stay to last call at the park -- to help make your visit to the Magic Kingdom magical. Where to stay. A stained-glass door glides open as a young couple reaches the entrance to Disney's newest hotel, the Grand Californian. The rustic-looking facility is the most convenient place to stay while visiting the parks. Since the hotel sits adjacent to California Adventure and is just a few steps from Disneyland, people who stay here don't have to deal with the hassles of navigating crowded Southern California streets. The 751-room Grand Californian opened February 8, 2001, and is designed to showcase the state's natural wonders. That includes such trees as the dark pines of Monterey and the giant redwoods of the north coast. The hotel's massive foyer opens to a rock-and-timber lobby that's as inviting as Bambi's back yard. The rooms have only a light Disney touch, including a shower curtain featuring a frolicking Bambi and a Cinderella mouse door hang that beckons maid service. Heavy wood headboards help give rooms a rustic feel, but Italian marble adds an elegant touch. The hotel also houses six restaurants and a variety of shops, making it even easier for visitors to spend their entire stay on Disney grounds. Rates vary at all three of the Disney hotels depending on the time of the year, the view and additional services. Generally, a room at the Grand Californian costs a family of four $250 a night. If this fare's too steep, other Disney hotels, the 990-room Disneyland Hotel and the 502-room Paradise Pier Hotel, allow visitors to stay within walking distance, which makes it easier to take breaks from the hustle and bustle of the parks. The Disneyland Hotel charges about $190 per night; the Paradise Pier costs $170. Call 714-635-2300 for more information or to make reservations. If you are on a tighter budget, options off Disney grounds abound. When Disneyland opened in 1955, Anaheim had only five hotels and two motels with a total of 87 rooms. Today, 150 hotels and motels offering more than 18,000 rooms surround the Disney Resort. In the last few years, many hotels that grew in the shadow of the Magic Kingdom began to show their age. A recent effort to refurbish the area around the parks, however, included renovation or replacement of many of the old lodgings, including the Villager Lodge and the Pavilion. And price wise, there's something for every budget. Prices for a night's lodging range from $25 to several hundred dollars. Discount books, available at hotels and fast-food restaurants, and online promotions often offer special rates, even during hectic weekends. For more information on lodging in Anaheim, call 800-449-4701. Parking, parking. Lines of cars wait bumper to bumper to make the north turn onto Harbor Boulevard, which runs alongside Disneyland. The green traffic arrow allows only two cars to make the turn; two additional drivers defy the red arrow to inch just a little closer to their destination. Streets around Disneyland always have been a honeycomb of activity. And with the opening of Downtown Disney and California Adventure, the hive has become even more busy. A visitor's best bet is to stay within walking distance of the parks to avoid the long lines for free shuttles or a $7 daily parking fee. All is not lost if you're only going for the day or can't afford to stay somewhere that close. Mickey & Friends Parking Structure, the new lot north of Disneyland that opened the same time as Downtown Disney, has 10,000 spaces, which can accommodate drivers even on the busiest days. This new lot replaced the one that once occupied the site where California Adventure now sits. The old lot was just a few paces from the Disneyland entrance. Unfortunately, visitors who need to get a sweater, change shoes or drop off bags full of items purchased on Mainstreet USA just can't trot out to the new lot; instead, they must take the tram to and from the parks. At the best of times, that trip takes 15 minutes. Late in the evening when crowds begin to pour out of the park, however, that trip gets a lot longer. Backups can result in waits as long as an hour. Shop, shop, shop. The monorail zips over the Brisa Courtyard, which lies between the Grand Californian Hotel and Downtown Disney. A recording that sounds like Jiminy Cricket's family reunion is drowned out for a few seconds. The cricket chirps are completely lost in the mix of chatter and music that bounces off the neon-covered walls of Downtown Disney. The rows of shops wedged between Disneyland and California Adventure look like a strip mall created for the movie "Blade Runner." The 19 shops, boutiques and snack stops feature a diverse mix of businesses, including House of Blues, LEGO's Imagination Center, Rainforest Cafe, Build-a-Bear Workshop and Ralph Brennan's Jazz Kitchen. At the center's heart is the World of Disney, the second-largest Disney shop on Earth (its sister store at Disney World in Orlando, Florida, is the largest). About 40,000 square feet of Disney merchandise fills the store. Downtown Disney is an oasis in the middle of the land of hi-hoing dwarfs and cheery mice. Its restaurants provide a nice diversion from the kid-oriented offerings within the parks. And the center's late hours (clubs stay open until 2 a.m.) can help vacationers get the most out of every minute of every day. It's all about the parks. A huge brick-covered plaza separates the entrances to Disneyland and California Adventure. Visitors sporting Mickey Mouse ears and Donald Duck T-shirts rush across the expanse, stopping only long enough to have a photo taken in front of one of the giant letters that spell out "California." Disneyland remains the dream destination for young park enthusiasts. Rides such as Star Tours, based on the "Star Wars" movies, and the Indiana Jones ride, inspired by the adventurous movie archaeologist, have broadened the demographic appeal of the park. The fast-paced design gears rides to older park visitors. But Disneyland's primary design is for children. They can bounce along on the Peter Pan ride or get an autograph from a 6-foot chipmunk. The 55 acres of California Adventure is designed for an older crowd. The themed areas reflect the diversity of the state. The Golden State area features rides and exhibits covering the state's aerial history and woodlands. Paradise Pier is a salute to California's beaches. Hollywood Pictures Backlot uses the television and movie industries as a backdrop. One of the attractions is an in-park version of the television game show "Who Wants to Be a Millionaire." The California Adventure attraction puts park visitors through the question format. The big difference: Park patrons win collectible items such as hats and pins instead of money. Saving a few bucks. A family of four can pay up to $180, figured at four people each older than 9, just for tickets to Disneyland or California Adventure. Then there's the cost of meals, parking, souvenirs and arcade games. There are ways, though, to reduce those costs. Disneyland normally does not offer discounts during summer, says Disney publicist Deuel. But this summer is different. Disney is hoping to encourage people to travel after the events of September 11. For example, for every multiday ticket one adult purchases, one child will get a free ticket for the same days. Disney Resort and local travel agents have details on the special rate. Disney's Grand Plan, on the other hand, is for those looking for a luxurious visit. It includes concierge-level accommodations at a Disneyland Resort hotel, an exclusive preferred viewing opportunity within the Disneyland park, and dinner at Napa Rose, Yamabuki or Granville's Steak House. The cost starts at $494 per person, double occupancy. To purchase packages or for more information, call the Walt Disney Travel Company at 877-700-DISNEY. Disneyland and Disney's California Adventure are open 365 days a year. Info also is available at www.disneyland.com. (Distributed by Scripps Howard News Service, www.shns.com.)
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