Disneyland 2015 Countdown: Day 71

This week, I'm dreaming of Adventureland. On the final day of Week 11, I'm sharing my favorite ride memories of my favorite ride: Indiana Jones Adventure: Temple of the Forbidden Eye

So, this is the best ride I’ve ever ridden, ever. Period. Yeah, there’s the punchy puns of Jungle Cruise, the exhilarating magic of Peter Pan, and the zooming about recklessly of Big Thunder, and the stunning scenery of Radiator Springs, but at the end of the day, Indy will always have my heart. Honestly, you have to give props to an attraction where the line is as entertaining as the ride is. This is a good thing, of course, as the line can be oppressively long. It does feature a Single Riders line, though, so that can significantly shorten the wait. The last time I visited Disneyland, I was able to ride through twice in about twenty minutes. Considering the ride itself took up about half that time…not too shabby! Another plus of the single-riders line was seeing the ADA entrance area and elevator, but it caused me to miss some of the details in the regular queue. I would definitely recommend the single rider line for all but the wimpiest of riders. Another plus of the SRL is that you get to sit on the edge. That's not a plus in rides like, oh, Radiator Springs Racers, but for Indy? That is prime seating, folks!

It is difficult to identify any one“thing” that makes this my favorite ride. Certainly, the theme is helpful, because I do love me some Indiana Jones. That theme song! (Bum-da-bum-BUM! Bum-da-bummm! Good luck getting that out of your head now.) The ride itself is thrilling- the perfect combination of speed, banks, and bouncing, but with no heart-lurching drops. The effects are also pretty spectacular…the illusion of the rolling ball hurtling towards the trucks will forever amaze me. Each ride experience is both familiar enough to fulfill expectations and nostalgia, and unique enough to keep the ride interesting and exciting. This is the first real "thrill" ride I ever enjoyed, which definitely adds to the love. Any ride that makes me feel brave and fearless is a plus. This is also the only ride I've ever seen my brother be afraid of* and as the bossy older sister, I must consider that a plus.  I'm pretty sure that if I lived in southern Cali, and had an annual visitor's pass, I would go after work and just ride Indy, over and over again.  Seriously....best...ride...ever.


*I have been asked to clarify. He isn't afraid of the ride, he is afraid of the "giant-ass cobra that tries to eat the person in the last seat on the right, as any rational and reasonable human being would be." So, snakes. Why'd it have to be snakes?

Disneyland 2015 Countdown: Day 72

This week, I'm counting down to Disneyland 2015 with memories and anticipation of Adventureland. Today, we're visiting The Jungle Cruise.

I don't remember the Jungle Cruise from 1997. I do, however, remember our visit in 2007. Here’s a rough approximation of how it went:

(Family boards the boat, named something clever like Candy Cane Connie, because it was Christmas.) Hey folks, welcome to The Jungle Cruise- I’ll be your stripper- I mean skipper- today! So, how many of you are riding the Jungle Cruise for the first time? Great so am I! (Family laughs politely.) Let's take a quick poll here. Raise your hand if you were born on your birthday! (Cassandra laughs audibly in the awkward silence of the other passengers, and the skipper gets an evil glint in his eye.)  Okay, well, great! Now hold on to those hats and glasses folks. Cause this here is the WILDEST RIDE IN THE WILDERNESS! (Wait…that’s a joke! Cassandra laughs harder and the family prepares for the worst.) Over there is what we call the Indiana Jones Adventure and the Temple of the Four-Hour Line. (Truth in advertising! Cassandra collapses against her sister, overcome with laughter. Encouraged, the skipper begins targeting puns directly at Cassandra’s family.)  And now, we're approaching the beautiful Schweitzer Falls, named after that famous African explorer, Dr. Albert Falls. (It’s funny because his last name is Schweitzer! Also, because its a waterfall! Now other people on the boat are staring uncomfortably at Cassandra.) This is the backside of Schweitzer Falls, which is a little something I like to call…O-2-H. (Cassandra laughs so hard she falls out of the boat.) Well folks, that concludes our tour! As we approach, please notice that there's a dock on the left, and a dock on the right.  But don't let it confuse you.  It's a paradox. (Cassandra, now back in the boat, continues to laugh in a sopping wet heap on the floor. Other passengers disembark, thankful to be away from that crazypants.) 

The Jungle Cruise, to me, is the perfect example of how Disneyland rolls with the punches, and keeps being amazing. One of the original attractions present at the Disneyland Grand Opening, the ride was initially intended to be educational and informative. The animatronics were installed after zoologists convinced Walt Disney that real animals were a bad idea. (Too bad they missed that memo for Animal Kingdom, and I right?? Anybody?) Anyway. The ride was quickly outdated and surpassed by other higher-tech rides with more flash and appeal. So, rather than removing one of the staples of the park’s history, Disneyland rolled with the punches, and turned the ride into a pun-infested laugh fest, poking fun at themselves.  The ride is one of the few places where cast members break the wall, and acknowledge events from outside Adventureland and poke fun at the Disney Company itself.  It is on my Top Ten Favorite Rides EVER list and definitely a must-hit for 2015.

Disneyland 2015 Countdown: Day 73

This week, I'm counting down to Disneyland 2015 by exploring Adventureland! Today's stop: The Enchanted Tiki Room

In…the…tiki, tiki, tiki, tiki, Tiki Room! In the tiki, tiki, tiki, tiki, Tiki Room! All the birds sing words and the flowers croon- in the tiki, tiki, tiki, tiki, Tiki Room.

Yeah, now that’s an earworm! I don’t know about you, but “The Tiki Room” gets stuck in my head more easily and persistently than “It’s a Small World.” Which is good, because The Enchanted Tiki Room is one of my favorite attractions at Disneyland.  It is a silly little show, but it is indoors, and dark, and cold, and you can enjoy a Dole Whip while you watch the show. This attraction, which opened in 1963, marked the first time that Disneyland used Audio-Animatronics Technology. Though the attraction was heavily upgraded and refurbished in the 1990s, and is a lot shorter (about 12 minutes instead of nearly 18 minutes,) I have to think the same sense of awe and wonder that entranced the early visitors to the show remain today. I’m particularly fond of the Hawaiian War Chant sequence at the end, and the lovely nod to Snow White as guests leave.  Also, the Tiki Room, along with the Jungle Cruise, are the inspiration for my favorite dining experience at Disneyland…but more on that later! (Look for tag, Trader Sams.)

You'd think an Audio-Animatronic show of singing flowers and vaguely racist birds would get old. You would be wrong. We watched the show three times in Disney World. Okay, maybe that had something to do with being an air conditioned space, but it was also because the show is genuinely entertaining! I’ve enjoyed the Tiki Room on every visit to Disneyland, and I’m looking forward to relaxing and enjoying a sing-along with Jose, Pierre, Michael, and Fritz.