Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
longed shopping, or lengthy breaks. One-day touring can be fun and rewarding, but
allocating two days per park, especially for Disneyland Park, is always preferable if
possible.
Successful touring of Disneyland Park or Disney California Adventure hinges on
three rules:
1. DETERMINE IN ADVANCE WHAT YOU REALLY WANT TO SEE
What rides and attrac-
tions most appeal to you? Which additional rides and attractions would you like to
experience if you have any time left? What are you willing to forgo?
To help you establish your touring priorities, we have described every attraction
in detail. In each description, we include the author's critical evaluation of the attrac-
tionaswellastheopinionsofDisneylandResortguestsexpressedasstarratings.Five
stars is the highest (best) rating possible.
Finally, because Disneyland Resort attractions range in scope from midway-type
ridesandhorse-drawntrolleystocolossal,high-techextravaganzasspanningtheequi-
valent of whole city blocks, we have developed a hierarchy of categories for attrac-
tions to give you some sense of their order of magnitude:
SUPER-HEADLINERS
The best attractions that the theme park has to offer. They are
mind-boggling in size, scope, and imagination and represent the cutting edge of mod-
ern attraction technology and design.
HEADLINERS
Full-blown, multimillion-dollar, full-scale, themed adventure experien-
ces and theater presentations. They are modern in their technology and design and
employ a full range of special effects.
MAJOR ATTRACTIONS
Themed adventure experiences on a more modest scale but in-
corporating state-of-the-art technologies, or larger-scale attractions of older design.
MINOR ATTRACTIONS
Midway-type rides, small-scale dark rides (spook house-type
rides), minor theater presentations, transportation rides, and elaborate walk-through
attractions.
DIVERSIONS
Exhibits, both passive and interactive. Also includes playgrounds, video
arcades, and street theater.
Though not every attraction fits neatly into the above categories, the categories
provide a relative comparison of attraction size and scope. Remember, however, that
bigger and more elaborate does not always mean better. Peter Pan's Flight, a minor
attraction, continues to be one of the park's most beloved rides. Likewise, for many
small children, there is no attraction, regardless of size, that can surpass Dumbo.
