Adventureland Tropical Hideaway

I’m very excited about this portion of Adventureland being used again. It’s been used sporadically and for different purposes over the years and it’s amazing to have a future.

When I was young, coming to Disneyland with my family, I remember having reservations at Aladdin’s Oasis. It was a small stage show with actors coming out of the Cave of Wonders, included lunch in its exotic tiered outdoor patio and even had a magic lamp built into every table that when you rubbed, had smoke come out. 

In 2008, to coincide with the release of the Crystal Skull, they had a small, short lived, Indiana Jones Stunt Show.

The personal excitement for this new space comes mostly from it being located in Adventureland. The feeling of the area and theming of Adventureland totally embodies all that makes Disneyland so special. Looking forward to something more in this amazing land is truly exciting and I anticipate how totally reimagined this longtime abandoned area . Its also very sad as a longtime visitor to Disneyland to see a part of the park that was magical for me lay dormant for so many years.

Concept Artwork ©Disney

Based on the official information from Disney about what this space will offer, it’s going to be unique and fun to hang out. My favorite element is seating that overlooks Jungle Cruise and on a portion of the porch of the Tiki Room. 

On the surface, it’s just seating and snacks, but by expanding the land into a previously unused corner, it’s going to make a big difference for the better!

Halloween Time is Coming to Disneyland Resort!

On September 7th, Disneyland Resort is changing over to Halloween time – one of our favorite times of year. If you’ve never experienced the Disneyland Resort during this special season, we HIGHLY recommend it. And just to entice you further, here’s what to expect from Halloween Time this year:

1.     Decorations

Main Street USA will be lined with carved jack-o-lanterns and themed buntings. A giant Mickey lantern will sit by the flag pole for photos. Everywhere you look there will be spooky touches, especially in Cars Land (where they really go all-out), New Orleans Square (more on that later), and Buena Vista Street. Also keep an eye out for your favorite Disney characters in their Halloween costumes!

2.     FOOD

If you thought Disneyland had a huge array of snacks and treats before, just wait until Halloweentime. Special flavors will be offered for churros, pumpkin beignets from New Orleans Square, new ice cream offerings, and all kinds of new treats at the Jolly Holiday café and Buena Vista street. We’re especially excited about the new pumpkin shake coming to Flo’s V8 Café.

3.     Haunted Mansion Holiday

Starting in the Halloween season and running through the Holidays, the Haunted Mansion is transformed into Jack Skellington’s Halloweentown, and the difference between this new ride overlay and the original Haunted Mansion is pretty staggering. You’ll definitely have to enjoy this attraction more than once to take in the whole thing.

4.     Cars Land

Cars Land decorated for Halloween for the first time last year and no expense was spared. There are themed jack-o-lanterns everywhere you turn, a giant spider tractor, and even Mater’s Tow Truck Jamboree and Luigi’s Festival of the Dance get a Halloween-themed overlay.

5.      Space Mountain: Ghost Galaxy

Space Mountain is an already great ride, but when Halloween Time comes around, they add in an overlay that is legitimately kindof scary that makes the ride that much more fun. Definitely don’t miss this one.

6.     Mickey’s Halloween Party

Mickey’s Halloween Party is a separately-ticketed event that you’ll need to reserve tickets for (and good luck if you haven’t yet, because those go FAST). The up side is there are fun activities that Disneyland only has on these select nights, but the down side is that the parks close early for regular visitors, and you have to deal with the Halloween Party crowds.

If you couldn’t tell, we’re super excited for Halloween Time to get here as fast as possible, and we highly recommend everyone visiting the parks during this great time of year!

Things We'll Miss about A Bug's Land

A Bug’s Land is closing forever very soon (September 4th in fact), and with that closing, we’d like to take a moment to remember all of the things we loved about this underrated little land.

1.     Heimlich’s Chew Chew Train

Heimlich’s Chew Chew was such a stupid ride that it became legendary (we’re going to miss it so much that we made a shirt to remember it forever). It hardly ever had a line (because it lasted approximately 2 seconds), but was a delightful train ride aboard everyone’s favorite caterpillar through the scents and aromas of quickly-designed giant food props. The smell of the animal crackers will be in our hearts forever!

2.     The Talking Bathrooms

The first time we used the restroom and randomly heard Heimlich and Flik talking over the soundsystem, we were surprised. It was such a miniscule Disney touch that made a huge difference (even though those bathrooms were always a hot mess).

3.     It’s Tough to Be a Bug

We sing ‘We’re Pollinators’ at least once a week, and the Bug’s Life Theater was a great way to beat the heat on a hot summer day – a long show in a dark theater with plenty of air conditioning and fun visual effects? Yes please. Not having this show around is going to force us to seriously re-evaluate our summer day DCA break options.

4.     Shade

Speaking of hot summer days,  one of the things that made Bug’s Land great was the fact that it had plenty of shade! Those giant clover leaves made the whole land feel less hot than the rest of the park – especially CarsLand, cause wow, that land is SWELTERING. Shade is always a bit tough to come by in DCA, so it was great that Bug’s Land had so much of it.

5.     The Theming

The little bugs that lit up at night, the old popsicle stick benches, the lights that looked like little smiling worms, the exit through an old cereal box – Bug’s Land was a great example of the theming that Disneyland Resort is known for.

So so long, Bug’s Land! We’ll miss you!