“Oh boy!” we are off to Disneyland!  We have annual passes and we aren’t afraid to use them!

As park regulars, each time we go, we try to do something we haven’t done before and usually there is something new to see and do.

When we were last there in September, Big Thunder Mountain Railroad was closed for an extensive refurbishment.  They have apparently made a lot of changes so this will definitely be something we want to ride and experience.  Much of the track has been replaced so it will be a smoother (“yay” says Mum) and faster (“yay” says me) ride.  Many effects have been enhanced and/or are actually completely new.  It sounds like they have given it a complete face lift.

On the downside, Finding Nemo Submarine Voyage will be closed.  When this opened (again) a few years back it was spectacular with the colours popping right out of the lagoon.  Wow, talk about fading fast.  I’m not sure how long they can keep this running, the subs are long gone at Walt Disney World, and it was often thought they wouldn’t return to Disneyland.  They did, but if its costing such a lot for upkeep, maybe its time they went?

There isn’t much else new since we were last there in September but there are still things we haven’t done.  We have never visited Tinkerbell at Pixie Hollow, we haven’t met Anna and Elsa from Frozen either, as the movie wasn’t out on our last visit.

One thing we usually do is put together a must do ride list and/or place to eat for everyone in our group.  This is a great idea if visiting during a busy season or with limited time, make these your priority and then everything else is a bonus.

For me, (and you may get a different answer tomorrow), at Disneyland, for my must do attractions, I pick Big Thunder Mountain Railroad and Pirates of the Carribean (its so much better at Disneyland than Walt Disney World) and for dining Rancho del Zocalo.

At Disney’s California Adventure, for attractions Radiator Springs Racers and Soarin‘.  I also really want to see the neon lights coming on in Cars Land which I wrote about in this blog post.  For dining, I can’t go past the Lucky Fortune Cookery at Pacific Wharf.

When I asked R. he said gave the exact same answers for Disneyland as me, but also added a Pineapple Dole Whip to the meal.   If I’d given him 3 ride options, he would add Star Tours.   For Disney’s California Adventure he said California Screamin‘ and Soarin‘ for his ride choices.  For dining, he also said the Lucky Fortune Cookery but followed with a stop at Ghirardelli for a mint choc chip ice-cream.

Mum said at Disneyland she wants to ride Pirates of the Carribean and Peter Pan and dine at the Hungry Bear.  At Disney’s California Adventure she picked the same two ride choices as me, Radiator Springs Racers and Soarin‘.  For dining at Disney’s California Adventure, we are all in complete agreement with the Lucky Fortune Cookery.

If you are vegetarian, you may like to read this previous post about dining options at Disneyland.   Also for travellers from New Zealand, are you aware of the cheapest park tickets available for Disneyland?