Comments on: The Quick 10: 10 Magic Kingdom Attractions and Their Secrets

By: SoCalGal

SoCalGal — Wed, 22 Oct 2008 20:15:00 +0000

I grew up in Orange County, CA. For years, the main entrance to Disneyland was across the street from a place called Melodyland, some type of church. Anyway, there was a very simple entrance to Disneyland and a scrollwork sign that said “Gateway to Happiness.” The employees called it the “Gateway to Hell.” You drove under that sign and directly in front of you was handicap parking, to the right was employee parking and to the left was general parking. All this is where the tram stop is now. The main entrance was moved south down Harbor sometime in the 90s. Melodyland was eventually demolished after the church moved to another building, and now where it stood is a restaurant and hotel.

By: Bug

Bug — Fri, 03 Oct 2008 00:15:53 +0000

Castle preference has to be based on exposure and what you knew as a kid. As an east coaster I grew up going to Disney World, so as an adult living in SoCal, the first time I went to Disneyland, I laughed at the teeny tiny castle and wondered how anyone could prefer it. I think if you go to Disneyland first, you’ll like it. But I didn’t like it at all, after having seen Disney World!

By: GTT

GTT — Thu, 02 Oct 2008 16:42:39 +0000

@ STACY: thanks for the tip! Actually our HM starts right before Christmas and weÂ´re going away for two weeks so that might be perfect! :)

THANKS!

By: ella blue

ella blue — Thu, 02 Oct 2008 16:13:11 +0000

Disney is a fun place and “magical” but antiDisney has every right to post their opinion here as much as anyone else. Sure it is not sugar coated like everything in WDW, but speaking your mind is rarely a Disney attraction.

By: stacy

stacy — Thu, 02 Oct 2008 15:51:04 +0000

@GTT – if you can hold off til January, it pretty much dies as of January 3rd or so. No lines for ANYTHING.

By: Bill

Bill — Thu, 02 Oct 2008 15:39:42 +0000

I like all of the above save Antidisney really like WDW and everything about it. Unfortunately I live in NJ and when I go to FLA it’s to visit relatives so my family has never had a chance to do a WDW vacation. I’m looking forward to the time that I can bring both of my kids there for an extended stay.

My wife and I did stay at Disney before my first son was born. We were there at the beginning of November and he was born at the beginning of August….you do the math.

By: GTT

GTT — Thu, 02 Oct 2008 15:35:27 +0000

I LOVE DISNEY WORLD!! My favorite rides were always: Big Thunder Mnt Railroad, the Haunted Mansion and Pirates of the Caribbean.

I want to go back! I was thinking about going (for at least a day or two) while on my honeymoon but December is really ultra-peak season so I dont know if I will. My fiance has never been so I dont want him to remember his first time as intolerably long lines, huge crowds, etc. When do you all think is a good time to go?

By: Mary

Mary — Thu, 02 Oct 2008 15:16:59 +0000

I thank my parents for my Disney obession. We visited MK in October of 71, school field trip to Epcot in Dec 81, seasonal passes when MGM opened. That’s one of the benefits of living within an hour.
For other events, don’t forget Grad Nite. And has everyone registered their birthday yet? I have already informed work I will be off on June 22, 2009 cause I’m going to Disney World!!!!
Actors in attractions that have been taken away, Robin Williams and Rhea Perlman in the Time Traveler that used to be next to Buzz Lighyear in Tomorrowland. the old American the Beautiful in CircleVision 360.

By: Ted

Ted — Thu, 02 Oct 2008 14:58:50 +0000

Another ani-disney person here. Disney is great when you are 7, after that it’s pretty useless. The so called coasters go slower than old “snowbirds” that plague Florida ever winter. The fake buildings and cheesey design loose there magic once you realize its all fake. Anyway my point is that to like disney as kid is fine but to continue to go there and like it as an adult is akin to being 30 and saying Barney or the Wiggles is your favorite TV show.

By: Ashley

Ashley — Thu, 02 Oct 2008 14:09:08 +0000

Stacy, as a fan of both the haunted mansion and Mr. Toad’s wild ride, you should like the following tidbit:

When you exit the Haunted mansion, look for the pet Cemetery which will be by the handicapped entrance to the ride to your left. You will see a bevy of tombstones for critters, but if you look closely, in the upper left hand side of the cemetary, the very top row, there is a tombstone for Mr. Toad’s Wild Ride!