The following day we set off into the Magic Kingdom waiting for adventure.
Oddly enough when we arrived, all 3 major attractions, Indiana Jones: Temple of the Forrbiden Eye, Splash Mountain, and Space Mountain. Indiana Jones is often down upon arrival, and Splash Mountain had a mass of mechanics working on it, but Space Mountain was a bit odd. My mom tried to convince me that it was just Disney trying to save money but I think that is totally fake.
At Toy Story Midway Mania!, Mr. Potato Head can litterally have a conversation with guest. He is programmed with a vast number of phrases and can ask questions with guest by calling them out by the clothing they are wearing.
We continued our day and went to Toy Story Mania, which might be my favorite attraction at Disney’s California Adventure. In the ride entrance, guest are greeted by a $1 Million Audio-Animatronic boardwalk barker, Mr. Potato Head. Mr. Potato Head, is an interactive, and fluent animatronic that can even take out is ear!
The ride itself involves ground break technology that creates a video game like sense with a combination of the trains, the spring action shooters, and the screens. The trains consist of 2 cars, each holding 2 back to back rows, each holding about 2 adults. This allows for riders to get a very personal expierence while still keeping the ride capacity very high. The ride begins on a single track but prior to the main games, the track splits into two sections each with the same games, allowing for long stops at each screen and lots of trains on the tack at one time.
Riders pull back on their spring action shooters to launch their ammo. Ammo varies upon the game. The fast you pull your trigger the more ammunition comes out. Hamm and Eggs, Bo Peeps Baaa-loon Pop, Green Army Men Shooting Camp, Flying Tossers, and Woody’s Rootin’ Tootin’ Shootin’ Gallery are the games that riders get to play. Each has there own secret targets that can get you lots of bonus points. My personal favorite game is Buzz’s Flying Tossers because of all the moving elements.
Needless to say that this is absolutely a hit in the park and often has the longest line. Toy Story Midway Mania, is one of the few rides in the park without a height limit so lines become long, I recommend getting to this ride first thing in the morning. With no Fastpasses available, the line can easily hit 60+ minutes in the day.
If you happen to be in Disney’s California Adventure be sure not to miss this great attraction that will serve your competetive needs.
Paradise Bay is currently drained and is rumored to be refilled around Labor Day of this year.
In 2007, the Walt Disney Company announced that Disney’s California Adventure would be recieving a enormus $1.1 Billion make over that would include 2 new major “E-Ticket” attractions, a new land, a new nighttime spectacular, the renovation of two, possibly several areas and more to come.
The Paradise Pier area of the park was the first to recieve treatment from the makeover budget. This included the draining of Paradise Bay to make room for the new Walt Disney’s World of Color nightime spectacular. Featuring hundreds of water jets, flame throwers, and more, this new show promises to inspire aw into the minds of spectators. Set to open in March of 2010, the new show will be the start of a long string of good things to come in Disney’s California Adventure.
Also coming to Paradise Pier is the Little Mermaid: Aierel’s Undersea Adventure. Riders will embark on a beautiful journey that tells the classic story of the Little Mermaid and the adventures she had. Taking over a good chunk of land, construction has already begun on what is set to be a world class attraction. The Little Mermaid: Aierel’s Undersea Adventure is set to open in 2011.
More pictures of Paradise Pier Construction:
Construction walls recently went up around some shops and a restaurant in Paradise Pier to make room for the Little Mermaid, as well as the refurbishment of some of the shops.
Recently completed, Mickey's Fun Wheel gives guest a thrill like no other as this ferris wheel features not only carriages that go around the wheel, but some that swing on a oval track. Below the newly completed wheel, is a glimpse at the current state of Paradise Bay
Grizzly Peak as seen through the very dense trees of the area.
One of the most popular rides in the park is Grizzly River Run. This custom made rapids ride climbs Grizzly Peak before traveling down the treacherous rapids the river has waiting for them. Unlike any other rapids ride, Grizzly River Run features two drops, one of which spins while dropping. Grizzly River Run, or commonly known as GRR, is what I feel is underappreciated in the park. Often I hear Disney fans talk about how lack luster the theming is in Disney’s California Adventure however, I feel that Grizzly River Run is themed beautifully. The idea is, that a group of enthusiastic rafters decide to set up new rafting tours in the Grizzly State Park area. The mountain was once a mining center that has now been abandoned and the rafters being clever, have decided to use some of the tunnels and other equipment to their advantage in their new bussiness.
Grizzly River Run has wonderful landscaping and provides for a very thrilling adventure for the whole family! However be warned, as when it gets hot, the ride’s line will easily surpass 90 minutes on a busy day. While the main line area is shaded, the lines overflow queue does not have this option and exposes you to the hot California sun. My suggestion, get a Fastpass for this first thing in the morning; once you have your Fastpass, come any time after the first number. For example if it says Between 1:00-2:00 it really only means after 1:00. This is because Cast Members do not check the second time, only the first.
The old mining tunnel is now used to store rafts thanks to the clever minds of the young rafters.
A group of rafters concluding their journey splashing down from the final falls on the Grizzly River Run white water adventure.
Later in the day I was lucky enough to grab a great spot for the Pixar Play Parade. This is one of my alltime favorite parades because of the bright vibrant colors and tricks it has to offer. This is a great parade to sit down and just relax and enjoy the high energy, fun filled music and floats with your favorite Disney/Pixar characters!
Cars star Lightning McQueen leads the parade.
The first float is powered by Sully with his good friend Mike looking on in the back.
The Incredibles float passing guest with great energy.
Unexpecting guest are surprised to find a firery Jack-Jack in flames on top of the float.
The super tall chefs tower over spectators.
In the Ratatouille float, rats fall head over heals, literally, for their good friend Remy's delicious food.
Surfs up dude!
The detail that is put into each aspect of the parade is tremendous.
The Bug's Life unit is my favorite in the entire parade. The Heimlich gag is very entertaining, Flick and Atta (I think thats her name?) move in a very nice motion, while the extreme swings provide for a very thrilling sight for both guest and I can imagine the same for the performers!
The Little Green Men are spraying away at the audience.
Member of the Galatic Alliance, Buzz Lightyear has come in for a little play time!
You've got a friend in me...
A performer swinging into the setting sun.
Mater says adios!
Thanks for playing! Until the next part, hasta!