California
Walt Disney, the father of two daughters wanted a park where families could experience the magic together. After attending many carnivals and amusement parks with his daughters he felt there was something missing, so in 1955 on 107 acres of land in Southern California Walt Disney’s dream became a reality. Disneyland is a destination for all ages from toddlers to grandparents. The park contains 8 different lands. Main Street USA is where the Disney magic begins to come to life. In Tomorrowland visit Space Mountain where you can experience a roller coaster ride through the darkness of a galaxy. Fantasyland is home to Sleeping Beauty Castle, It’s a Small World and Dumbo the Flying Elephant. As you journey in to Mickey’s Toon Town it is like walking into a topsy-turvy cartoon world. Be sure to stop by Mickey’s house for a visit. Frontierland depicts the pioneers of America, take a ride on a run away train or enjoy a paddle wheeler cruise on the Mark Twain Riverboat. Critter Country is where you will find the wettest ride in the park, Splash Mountain. In New Orleans Square visit the ghosts at the Haunted Mansion and take an excursion through a bayou with the Pirates of the Caribbean. At Adventureland climb aboard a river boat and venture out on a Jungle Cruise. The perfect way to end your day at Disneyland is by watching the fireworks show that takes place over Sleeping Beauty Castle. “Believe: There’s Magic In The Stars” is a spectacular light show complete with Disney tunes. Be on the look out for Tinker Bell as she flies overhead to the Castle.
Article Published: April 15th, 2004
Welcome to San Diego, natural beauty, exciting theme parks and special surprises await you in the nation’s seventh-largest city and California’s second largest metropolis. Since its settlement in the 1870’s, downtown San Diego has become the county’s center of business and commerce offering tremendous variety of accommodations, shopping and dining. Hop on San Diego’s Old Town Trolley for a fully narrated tour that combines colorful anecdotes, humorous stories and historical facts. You can choose to take the two hour continuous tour or make it an all day experience by getting off at any of the 8 stop and exploring. The stops include Balboa Park, Old Town State Park, the Cruise Ship Terminal, Seaport Village, Downtown, Horton Plaza, Coronado and the World Famous San Diego Zoo where you can take the amazing bus tour, ride the Skyfari aerial tram, and visit the spectacular exhibits like Absolutely Apes, Polar Bear Plunge, Gorilla Tropics or Tiger River. Make your next stop San Diego’s Wild Animal Park, it is as close as you get to an African Safari. Ride the Wgasa Bush Line Railway and see herds of exotic animals roaming the vast savanna or trek through the heart of Africa where you can hand-feed a giraffe. Take a journey to Sea World Adventure Park – a 189-acre marine life parkfeaturing Shamu the killer whale, attractions, shows, marine habitat and aquariums. There is a lot waiting to be discovered at the only park that puts the wonders of the ocean right in the palm of your hand. San Diego has something for everyone to discover and enjoy, both young and old alike. Visit San Diego today
Article Published: July 7th, 2005
It’s party time, on May 5th 2005 the 18-month long Happiest Celebration on Earth began. Walt Disney, the father of two daughters wanted a park where families could experience the magic together. After attending many carnivals and amusement parks with his daughters he felt there was something missing, so in 1955 on 107 acres of land in SouthernCalifornia Walt Disney’s dream became a reality. To honour the fiftieth anniversary of Disneyland, every Disney Park around the globe is joining in the festivities. At Disneyland the new nightly fireworks show –Remember…..Dreams do come true – is a jaw dropping 17 minutes long. In Tomorrowland guest can experience the brand new Buzz Lightyear Astro Blasters, an interactive attraction. Over at California’s Adventure, a new parade keeps the party going. Block Party Bash incorporates many favourite characters from the Disney films – Toy Story, Monsters Inc., The Incredibles, and A Bugs Life. Disney World’s MGM Studio’s adds the new show Lights, Motors, Action! Extreme Stunt Show, Epcot hits new heights with “Soarin” based on the popular attraction at California Adventure and Animal Kingdom has Lucky the Dinosaur greeting guest and signing autographs, the 9-foot tall, 450 pound dino. At Disneyland Tokyo you will find the new stage show “Cinderellabration” and “Raging Spirits” a re-themed version of Indiana Jones. Disneyland Paris welcomes Space Mountain: Mission 2. And finally and most extravagantly, a whole new theme park is opening: Hong Kong Disneyland. OnSeptember 12th the first guest will experience China’s fist Disney Park. There has never been a better time to visit the “Happiest Place of Earth”.
Article Published: July 21st, 2005
In January I had the pleasure of accompanying my daughter Alicia and her friend Jessica (both 16) to Anaheim for a week of non-stop activity. This year Disneyland is celebrating “The year of a millions dreams” a first-of-its-kind event celebrating dream-making magic from the Disney Cast Members. We were able to experience this first hand one day of our visit to Disneyland Park. We received a Dream Fastpass for all the fastpass rides at Disneyland and California Adventure – Fast passes allow you to bypass the regular line-ups for quicker admission to the rides. Disneyland park, is where the magic began! Walt Disney’s original theme park continues to reign as The Happiest Place on Earth where Disney fantasies and Characters are magically brought to life. No matter how many times you’ve explored its eight themed lands ( Main Street USA, Tomorrowland, Fantasyland, Micket’s toontown, Frontierland, Critter Country, New Orleans Square and Adventureland) and been thrilled by its classic attractions, shows and special entertainment, there’s always something new to experience! Next you can Celebrate the fun and adventures of California- Disney style! Located next door to Disneyland park is Disney’s California Adventure Park. Here, Guests will experience California’s spectacular natural beauty, adventuresome spirit, diverse culture, and the glamour of Hollywood in the five areas of the park – Sunshine Plaza, Hollywood Pictures Backlot, Golden State, A Bug’s Land and Paradise Pier. During our week in Anaheim we were able to experience some of the other area attractions – Knotts Berry Farm, Universal Studio’s and SeaWorld San Diego.
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Article Published: March 1st, 2007
During our recent trip to California we spent a day at Knott’s Berry Farm in Buena Park. In the 1920’s, Walter Knott and his family sold berries from a roadside stand near the small town of Buena Park. In the 1930’s Walter Knott cultivated the world’s first successful boysenberries, a combination of the red raspberry, blackberry, and loganberry. In 1934’s Knott’s wife Cordelia began serving fried chicken dinners, featuring boysenberry pie for dessert. As Southern California developed, the restaurant’s location was a popular stopping point for drivers making what at the time was a two-hour trip between Los Angeles and the beaches of Orange County. Within a few years, lines outside the restaurant were often several hours long. To entertain the waiting crowds, Walter built a ghost town in 1940, using buildings relocated from real old west towns. Today the park is a favorite attraction for families, it is a 150-acre complex with 100-plus rides and dozens of restaurants and shops. Knott’s Berry Farm is best known for its roster of awesome thrill rides which we rode multiple times. Ghost Rider towers over it all; it’s Orange County’s first wooden roller coaster. Traveling up to 56 mph and reaching 118 feet at its highest point, the coaster is riddled with sudden dips and curves. On the Western-theme Silver Bullet, riders are sent to a height of 146 feet and then back down 109 feet. It’s definitely not for the squeamish. Montezooma’s Revenge, is a roller coaster that goes from 0 to 55 mph in less than five seconds, And our favourite ride the Xcelerator launches you hydraulically into a super steep U-turn, topping out at 205 feet.
Article Published: March 29th, 2007
Our next stop in California was Universal Studio’s Hollywood. It is a fun filled theme park that captures the thrill and glamour of Hollywood.Everything here is related to the moviemaking industry. When Universal City was founded in 1915 the public was invited to visit – special bleachers were constructed at the studio to give the public the chance to observe moviemaking firsthand. Universal Studio’s is the only Southern California theme park that is also part of a working movie studio. Unlike the other theme parks, the rides are not the major attraction. First we headed for the lower lot to Revenge of the Mummy ride – the newest attraction is an indoor roller coaster based on the Mummy movies. Next it was off to Jurassic Park, based on Steven Spielberg’s popular movies, this ride is fantastic but you will get very wet. The main attraction of Universal Studio’s is the Studio Tour, during the 50-minute tour the tram took us around the studios production lot, through a New York City Street, past the Bates Motel and for a visit with King Kong. Terminator 2 – 3D incorporates well-done special effects and live actors and is worth a visit. Another great show is Fear Factor Live – based on the popular TV show, this show tests the courage and strength of participating guest as they compete in extreme stunts. Next we were off to Sea World San Diego to visit with Shamu the killer whale.
Article Published: April 12th, 2007
Sea World in mission beach was the next stop of our winter get away – just north of San Diego and about 90 minutes from Anaheim. It began as an animal park for marine life but now has grown into a theme park that tries to make each of its attractions educational in some way. Sea World offers a number of entertaining attractions. Journey to Atlantis is the newest ride in the park, takes you on a journey to the ancient city of Atlantis aboard a water coaster, past exhibits of black and white dolphins. Shipwreck rapids is Sea Worlds version of the popular rafting rides. At Wild Arctic, we boarded a simulated “jet helicopter” for a flight no one will soon forget through the arctic tundra. With whales, walruses, arctic foxes, seals, and polar bears along the way; you sure won’t want to miss this one-of-a-kind attraction! We also took in some of the great exhibits in the park. At the Forbidden Reef, we got up close and personal with bat rays. At the Penguin Encounter, there were six cold weather species of penguins – absolutely adorable. We visited Rocky Point Preserve, where Alicia and Jessica enjoyed feeding the dolphins. We also watched the three top shows in the park – Dolphin Discovery where the dolphins performed tailwalks, jumps, and back flips, Clyde And Seamore In Deep Deep Trouble was a hilarious sea lion and walrus show and Believe –is the most sensational killer whale show ever. California has so many fabulous attractions you will want to go back again and again.
Article Published: April 26th, 2007
Walt Disney, the father of two daughters wanted a park where families could experience the magic together. After attending many carnivals and amusement parks with his daughters he felt there was something missing, so in 1955 on 107 acres of land in Southern California Walt Disney’s dream became a reality. Disneyland is a destination for all ages from toddlers to grandparents. The park contains 8 different lands. Main Street USA is where the Disney magic begins to come to life. In Tomorrowland visit Space Mountain where you can experience a roller coaster ride through the darkness of a galaxy. Fantasyland is home to Sleeping Beauty Castle, It’s a Small World and Dumbo the Flying Elephant. As you journey in to Mickey’s Toon Town it is like walking into a topsy-turvy cartoon world. Be sure to stop by Mickey’s house for a visit. Frontierland depicts the pioneers of America, take a ride on a run away train or enjoy a paddle wheeler cruise on the Mark Twain Riverboat. Critter Country is where you will find the wettest ride in the park, Splash Mountain. In New Orleans Square visit the ghosts at the Haunted Mansion and take an excursion through a bayou with the Pirates of the Caribbean. At Adventureland climb aboard a river boat and venture out on a Jungle Cruise. The perfect way to end your day at Disneyland is by watching the fireworks show that takes place over Sleeping Beauty Castle. “Believe: There’s Magic In The Stars” is a spectacular light show complete with Disney tunes. Be on the look out for Tinker Bell as she flies overhead to the Castle.
