Intro and a couple questions

[kellymom]

Greetings all. I have done a couple posts but thought I would do a little intro. I am Jeannie and used to live in Huntington Beach and of course we were annual passholders. My daughter (who will be 4 in May) and I were there at least twice a week, sometimes more. It never got old or lost it's magic. For us, it was just like a normal park and we were literally there hundreds of times the first 2 years of her life.

Now 2 years ago my husband's job re-located us to Texas. FAR from our favorite place. We have not been back since but now the time has come.

We leave May 10th and going for 10 days for my daughter's 4th birthday . Not all Disneyland sadly, since all our family is still in the Orange Country area we must spend time with them as well.

We plan to be there for at least 2 full days and 2 Friday nights for fireworks and such. And any other times I can sneak it in. We want to do all the touristy stuff that we never took the time to do since we were there all the time.

So my questions are: What new things in the past 2 years are there that we should not miss out on? I know Monster's for sure. What else?

Also, is the little petting zoo still behind Thunder Mountain?
Any place online to buy an autograph book with picture slots before we leave so she can have it first thing when we walk in?

Thanks!

 

[tinkerbelt]

I'm not sure about online, but World of Disney sells the autograph books, so you can pick one up on your way in.

Check out the Princess Fantasy Faire! It is so much fun, and there are lots of fun things to do. The princesses don't come out in front of the castle anymore; they do the FF now, so that is your best bet for meeting them. It's over in the Fantasyland Theater (where Snow White used to be).

 

[HydroGuy]

In May 2005 DLR premiered the Remember Dreams Come True fireworks show, of which you are aware. They also premiered the Parade of Dreams at that time, which I think your DD would like.

Space Mtn was re-opened in July 2005, which is for adults and bigger kids. Buzz Lightyear Astro Blasters was opened in Spring 2005. Not sure if you had a chance to do that when you lived in HB.

There is the Princess Fantasy Fair already mentioned, and the Jedi Training Acedemy at DL, both opened over the last year.

The POTC ride was modified in 2006 to include Captain Jack Sparrow and movie elements, and the HM ride was modified in 2006 to make the story a little more coherent.

After your trip in May they will have Tom Sawyer Island re-opened with the Pirate Lair theme (on June 1), and then the Nemo Sub ride opening June 11.

At DCA you have Monsters, Inc, opened in 2006, and Turtle Talk With Crush in the Animation Studios (opened in Spring 2005 I believe - again not sure if you saw that before leaving).

They opened Block Party Bash in summer 2005 I believe, and they now have a new show I have yet to see based on High School Musical.

 

[kellymom]

What about the petting zoo? Is that still there?

 

[hlbtimes2]

They use that area for various things. Sometimes the animals are out, other times not. At Christmas time they have Santa and his deer back there- along with some crafts, cookie decorating, etc. They have the Thanksgiving Turkeys that the president pardons in pens back there. You'll just have to see when you are there what is going on back there.