[Question] "overlooked"attractions ?

[BeatingtheOdds]

Hi, everyone. I'm new to the forum so I hope this is in the correct place.

My husband and I are planning a trip to Disneyland soon with our infant daughter. We've always been the type to kind of "rush" through the parks to get the big rides and head home after we're done riding what we want to ride. Now, with the addition of our little one I'm looking forward to slowing down and kind of "taking it all in" at our next trip. I know we'll still take her on the rides that we're able to hold her on but I'm also wondering what are the "overlooked" attractions that we've probably been missing out on at Disneyland and California Adventure? Thanks in advance!

[calsig31]

Re: "overlooked"attractions ?

Mr. Lincoln.

[fifthrider]

Re: "overlooked"attractions ?

A good question but a hard one to answer since what's considered obvious to one person's eye is lost to another. ( As a kid I went to Disneyland a dozen times before I even considered that the Tiki Room was an attraction, I thought it was just a juice bar. ) I'd be happy to share my list but some of these may be things others feel are too obvious. I consider them just tucked away enough that you might not know they're there.

1) The Enchanted Tiki Room
2) Big Thunder Ranch and petting zoo
3) Princess Fantasy Faire ( people rarely walk up that way unless they're getting on/off the train )
4) Taking the train all the way around the park, including the tunnel between Tomorrowland and Main Street USA.
5) Breakfast at the Carnataion Cafe on Main Street, the only place you can have a nice sit-down breakfast while celebrity chef Oscar Martinez ( been at DL for 55 years! ) serves you.
6) Tom Sawyer Island ( or Pirate Island if you wish )
7) The Golden Horseshoe Review
8) Sleeping Beauty Castle walk-through tour
9) Innoventions (yawn) But hey, it's kind of neat to see the treehouse
10) Tarzan's Treehouse, also a treehouse
11) Main Street Cinema

[ohmyjustin]

Re: "overlooked"attractions ?

The one that really stands out in my mind are the Explorer Canoes. I don't know if infants are allowed on it for obvious safety reasons, but it would be a nice way to take in some scenery.

[HiddenMickeyBook]

Re: "overlooked"attractions ?

A good question but a hard one to answer since what's considered obvious to one person's eye is lost to another. ( As a kid I went to Disneyland a dozen times before I even considered that the Tiki Room was an attraction, I thought it was just a juice bar. ) I'd be happy to share my list but some of these may be things others feel are too obvious. I consider them just tucked away enough that you might not know they're there.

1) The Enchanted Tiki Room
2) Big Thunder Ranch and petting zoo
3) Princess Fantasy Faire ( people rarely walk up that way unless they're getting on/off the train )
4) Taking the train all the way around the park, including the tunnel between Tomorrowland and Main Street USA.
5) Breakfast at the Carnataion Cafe on Main Street, the only place you can have a nice sit-down breakfast while celebrity chef Oscar Martinez ( been at DL for 55 years! ) serves you.
6) Tom Sawyer Island ( or Pirate Island if you wish )
7) The Golden Horseshoe Review
8) Sleeping Beauty Castle walk-through tour
9) Innoventions (yawn) But hey, it's kind of neat to see the treehouse
10) Tarzan's Treehouse, also a treehouse
11) Main Street Cinema

This is an excellent list. I might add the Mark Twain as a relaxing way around the Island. Depending on the baby's age, maybe Winnie the Pooh way back in Critter Country.

[Chesire]

Re: "overlooked"attractions ?

Mike and Sulley to the Rescue.

Great ride.

[4th Gen Disney Fan]

Re: "overlooked"attractions ?

The one that really stands out in my mind are the Explorer Canoes. I don't know if infants are allowed on it for obvious safety reasons, but it would be a nice way to take in some scenery.

Babies are allowed on the Explorer Canoes. I was surprised to learn this on our most recent trip. As we were walking past the queue to go to Hungry Bear, the CM's asked if we wanted to ride. I had my 11 month old son in my arms and asked if he could go on. They said all ages are welcome. After lunch we did in fact go on the canoes and all my kids had a blast.

[AvidTurtleTalker]

Re: "overlooked"attractions ?

The Animation building in California Adventure: It has Turtle Talk with Crush which is a really funny show and very enjoyable for kids.
Redwood Creek Challenge Trail: A nice way for hyper or over excited kids to blow off some energy, but a massive workout for adults
Mickey's Fun Wheel: Despite it's massive size, the entrance is nothing but a simple arch in a somewhat busy area so you don't realize you pass it.
Storybook Land Canal Boats and Casey Jr. Circus Train: Both lack proper signage and a large, welcoming entrance

[BlAcKoUt510]

Re: "overlooked"attractions ?

The two I can think of is Mark Twain and the Storybookland Canals.

Riding the Mark Twain is just so relaxing and really does take you out of the park. And when the park hits its customer peak around the afternoon, hitting a ride like this is just bliss.

Storybookland Canals is a very cute relaxing ride as well. Always hit it every few years.


This is not a ride but the Cinema on Main Street that plays old Mickey cartoons is really awesome too. Went in there on a hot day on my recent trip, found it easy to cool down and relax there with some awesome old school cartoons. You can easily just sit on the floor and take the room in as it isn't that big & air conditioning is always a plus.

[gomezaddams]

Re: "overlooked"attractions ?

Let me add a second vote for the Mark Twain. The best times are either in the morning before 11 a.m. or plan on the last tour of the evening.
In the morning, ridership is usually low. We have even had the main deck to ourselves on occasion. The ducks are spread through out the river and add a nice touch. Sometimes there is a live horse in the corral to the left of the Indian village. The entire park is a bit more quiet and once you turn the bend, you are in entirely different place in a different time.
If you want to avoid the monologue, stand on the top deck at the stern. The steam engines and the paddle wheel will drown out the sound. It is very soothing.
If Fantasmic is not on the schedule, the Twain sometimes goes out on night runs. Even if you've been on it during the day, the night runs are just pretty.
Any way you cut it, the attraction is a wonderful respite from the crowds. There's shade if you need it, and there is always a bit of a breeze.

[DrFink]

Re: "overlooked"attractions ?

Mike and Sulley to the Rescue.

Great ride.

I'm happy someone else mentioned this one. I love it and I think it gets a lot of crap that isn't deserved. It's a great ride.

I did a lot of things with my 5-day Park Hopper in March that I had either never done before or hadn't done since I was a kid and really enjoyed. I would recommend these if you have the time:

1. Great Moments with Mr. Lincoln
2. Mike and Sully to the Rescue
3. The Animation Studio inside California Adventure (Animation Academy, Turtle Talk with Crush, and Sorcerer's Workshop)
4. Boudin Bakery Tour
5. Disneyland Railroad

[swampymarsh]

Re: "overlooked"attractions ?

The two I can think of is Mark Twain
Riding the Mark Twain is just so relaxing and really does take you out of the park. And when the park hits its customer peak around the afternoon, hitting a ride like this is just bliss.

Let me add a second vote for the Mark Twain.

This is a great suggestion. People say they never been on the Mark Twain. A lot of people don't consider it. I'm a littl shocked at this, but some don't even know you can ride it.

S.S. Columbia and the Explorer Canoes are others that people just don't know to ride. I think this is because of thier operations being limited to busy seasons and weekends along with daytime. Maybe people only go in the offseason or when it's so crowded they are only hitting the more famous attractions.

[OCCOBRA]

Re: "overlooked"attractions ?

I would check out the wishing well to the right of the castle and listen in the well. The 7 dwarfs are right there at the water fall.
Triton's Water show which is right behind it. Go at night for best viewing.
Peek your head into the firehouse below Walts apartment and look for the light that is on upstairs.
The Disney Gallery on the other side i always check out as they always showing different exhibits of Disney stuff.
Check out the glass making shop on Main Street.
Have a great time!

[disneylandreport]

Re: "overlooked"attractions ?

Tarzan's treehouse is an often overlooked attraction. It is a more interesting and pleasant attraction than one might expect. The views are spectacular and the great care they took in designing the attraction is evident in the details. The ground floor portion at the end is my favorite part.

At DCA, I always made a point of checking out the Blue Sky Cellar. It's not quite as good as it was when Cars Land was under construction, but it's still pretty great. Right now they are showing a lot of detail about the backstory of how Cars Land was founded. The video is a Maters tall tales short, which is ok, but the real treat is seeing the "artifacts" in the video room and the models etc. in the showroom.

[sbk1234]

Re: "overlooked"attractions ?

Also check out the live entertainment throughout the park, especially the pianist and the Dapper Dans on Main Street.

[disneylandreport]

Re: "overlooked"attractions ?

Also check out the live entertainment throughout the park, especially the pianist and the Dapper Dans on Main Street.

This. The Dapper Dans are very good. The flag retreat ceremony is often very moving, but I'm not sure a baby would quite get it

[Genopeid]

Re: "overlooked"attractions ?

I just love that Disneyland is SO family friendly =) I will also be taking my new baby in 30 days! I can't wait to take him on rides, my 4 yr old son has been making lists of things we have to show him! I'm a huge fan of the art gallery/museum in the front of the park. During Christmas they had a really cool model train exhibit. Also my most favorite thing is getting tickets to ride the Lily Belle caboose! You get a personalized train tour with guide.

Have so much fun, for me there is no place better to be than Disneyland =)

[ParadeDude]

Winnie the Pooh for a young child.

[frollofan]

Re: "overlooked"attractions ?

The 4D attractions (Muppets, Bugs, EO) can be quite overlooked

[disneylandreport]

Re: "overlooked"attractions ?

The 4D attractions (Muppets, Bugs, EO) can be quite overlooked

It's Tough to be a Bug *may* be a bit scary for an infant. It would depend on the...constitution of your child. But I have heard young ones cry from time to time.