Disneyland- The best of the best

[dramaqueen]

Ok- with the 50th quickly drawing near, I am wondering if we have nominations for the best of Disneyland, from opening day 1955 to today. What is the best attraction, living or dead, best parade, best show, best place to eat, etc. What, in your opinion has made Disneyland the Happiest Place on Earth?

If you could award your own little Golden Statuette to the mouse, what would it be for?

I am going to refrain from offering my opinion for now since I have only been going to the park since the 80's and I am sure I missed out on a lot.

[Gwyren]

What, in your opinion has made Disneyland the Happiest Place on Earth?

Cheerful Cast Members! It is amazing how much of a diffeence a CM with a smile on their face makes compared to a CM with a frown.

[LSPoorEeyorick]

The following represents the opinion of LSPoorEeyorick and LSPoorEeyorick only. The site is not responsible for opinions different than yours. What we're saying is, it's subjective, yo.

Best opening day dark ride: Peter Pan's Flight
Best recent dark ride: Indiana Jones
Best dark ride in between (and possibly overall): Pirates of the Caribbean

Best land: New Orleans Square

Best restaurant: Blue Bayou
Best inexpesive restaurant: (tie) Bengal BBQ, RRPP

Best store: Disneyana

Best snuggle spot: (tie) Pirates of the Caribbean, Snow White's Grotto

Most underrated attraction: DLRR
Most underrated snack: Hunny corn
Most underrated land: Toon Town

Most missed attraction: Adventure Through Inner Space

Best intangible: detail, theme, and attitude

[Disney Analyst]

I have one thing that I think makes all the difference. The arts at disneyland. There is so much entertainment! The fireworks shows get a silver statue (all of them, you guys try doing a fireworks show :P) The fantasy land theater gets a bronze, but teh gold statue goes to FANTASMIC. It has been playing for so many years, and still gives me tingles! It an amazing show, with so much hard work put into it by cm... It is my all time favourite!

[dramaqueen]

A note to the "old timers" out there- what are some great things about disneyland that we might have missed! Share your wisdom with us youngin's about a time we don't remember. before we were even a twinkle in our Mother's eyes.....
(Tom Chaney, I am thinking of you, but just because I KNOW you were there before any of us

[dsnylndmom]

The following represents the opinion of LSPoorEeyorick and LSPoorEeyorick only. The site is not responsible for opinions different than yours. What we're saying is, it's subjective, yo.

Best opening day dark ride: Peter Pan's Flight
Best recent dark ride: Indiana Jones
Best dark ride in between (and possibly overall): Pirates of the Caribbean

Best land: New Orleans Square

Best restaurant: Blue Bayou
Best inexpesive restaurant: (tie) Bengal BBQ, RRPP

Best store: Disneyana

Best snuggle spot: (tie) Pirates of the Caribbean, Snow White's Grotto

Most underrated attraction: DLRR
Most underrated snack: Hunny corn
Most underrated land: Toon Town

Most missed attraction: Adventure Through Inner Space

Best intangible: detail, theme, and attitude

This is the BEST format~!!!!LSPE you ROCK!! :bow: so I'm cheating and stealing your idea

Best opening day dark ride: Peter Pan's Flight
Best recent ride: Indiana Jones & Space Mountain
Best dark ride in between: (tie) Pirates of the Caribbean& Haunted Mansion

Best land: New Orleans Square

Best restaurant: Blue Bayou
Best inexpesive restaurant: (tie) Bengal BBQ & Rancho(Love those campfire fries)

Best store: Disneyana

Best snuggle spot: (tie) Pirates of the Caribbean & Haunted Mansion
Most underrated attraction: DLRR & Storybook Canal Boats
Most underrated snack: Belgian White Hot Cocoa(although Julep's are my fave)
Most underrated land: Toon Town

Most missed attraction: (tie) People Movers & Adventure Through Inner Space

Best intangible: detail, theme, and attitude

[robotpirates]

I also added most underrated restaurant!!

Best opening day dark ride: Peter Pan's Flight.
Best recent dark ride: Indiana Jones & Space Mountain.
Best dark ride in between (and possibly overall): Pirates of the Caribbean!

Best land: Adventureland/NoS!

Best restaurant: Blue Bayou or the Plaza Inn...
Most underrated restaurant: River Belle Terrace (MMM GOOD)!
Best inexpensive restaurant: Bengal BBQ!

Best store: Pieces of Eight, Disneyana.

Best snuggle spot: Snow White's Grotto, Disneyland Railroad, or anywhere in NoS!

Most underrated attraction: The Railroad or Storybook Land.
Most underrated snack: Can't think of any.. but do they still have fried cheesecake on sticks?
Most underrated land: Toon Town.
Land with best potential: TOMORROWLAND. God. Please do something with THIS.

Most missed attraction: Submarines.

Best intangible: The overeall immersiveness of Disneyland.

Re: immersiveness. Is there any other park that really has great theming and attention to detail that DL has? Like I bet those barrels on the side of the DLRR for "Fire emergencies" are full of water... And all the sounds that we hear, esp in NoS and Main St. are what make the land SO GREAT. Plus awesome CM's. Let's hear it for CMs!

[Malibu Minion]

Best opening day dark ride: Peter Pan's Flight
Best recent ride: Space Mountain
Best dark ride in between: Pirates of the Caribbean

Best land: Fantasyland

Best restaurant: Blue Bayou
Best inexpesive restaurant: Pizza Port or Coke Corner (Yummy Hot Dogs)

Best store: Disneyana, World of Disney in Downtown Disney

Best snuggle spot: By the Rivers of America
Most underrated attraction: The Railroad
Most underrated snack:?
Most underrated land: Toon Town

Most missed attraction: Subs

[Ghostbuster626]

Captain EO

[Tom Chaney]

A note to the "old timers" out there- what are some great things about disneyland that we might have missed! Share your wisdom with us youngin's about a time we don't remember. before we were even a twinkle in our Mother's eyes.....
(Tom Chaney, I am thinking of you, but just because I KNOW you were there before any of us

I suspect that often when we type LOL, we're not really laughing out loud. I assure you that this time, I AM! Have I been elected Official Geezer!? :lol:

As I've stated before, one of my most vivid memories from the "olden days" of Disneyland was the sparkle and and maintenence of the park. It's nice to see this returning. Thank you CM Matt! This, combined with the cheerful castmembers always reinforces the fact that you are somewhere special. There are some things I miss. I SOOOO miss the submarines! How can there be a Disneyland with no submarines? (...and yes, I remember when they were painted grey.) I loved the flying saucers. While floating on a cushion of air, just a slight lean would send you in any direction you wanted. If you crashed into another saucer, you'd soon be spinning a careening off in another direction. I wish the rocket ships were back on top of the gantry where they belong...and painted red & white like the Moonliner, as they should be. It was a thrill to fly around up there...and the view was fabulous. Same with the Skyway. It always scared me a little since I have a fear of heights, but I still enjoyed it. Tomorrowland was always bright, cheerful, fun and kenetic. I hope the new refurbishments take it, once again, in this direction. I miss the Frito Kid dispensing bags of chips in Frontierland. I wish the Teacups would spin a little faster. Are there no more horses on Main Street? There are a lot of good memories in Yesterland, but today's Disneyland is still just as magical. It would be hard for me to choose an all-time favorite ride or attraction. Space Mountain might be it. (I can't wait!!!) But then, I love the Matterhorn, Pirates, HM, Splash Mountain....and on and on. I never miss a chance to share Mr. Toad's Adventures, enjoy a spin on the carousel and always toss a coin into Show White's Wishing Well. One of Disneyland's greatest charms is the abundance of small pleasures. I hope I can prepare to dive once again. I miss being an innocent, wide-eyed kid sometimes, but always know that as soon as I pass through that entrance tunnel where I will leave today and enter the world of yesterday, tomorrow and fantasy, I'll be an innocent, wide-eyed kid once again. I've never seen Uncle Walt in the park, but even today, I know he's just around the corner.

[Mousekiteer]

Best Opening Day Dark Ride: Peter Pan's Flight
Best Recent Ride: Indiana Jones and the Temple of the Forbidden Eye
Best Dark Ride in Between: Haunted Mansion
Best Land: FantasylandNew Orleans Square

Best Restaurant: Plaza Inn
Best Inexpesive Restaurant: Village Haus

Best Store: The Emporium

Best Snuggle Spot: Snow White's Grotto <3
Most Underrated Attraction: Waly Disney's Enchanted Tiki Room


Most Missed Attraction: Country Bear
Best Intangible: Atmosphere, Detail, Magic

[dramaqueen]

Thanks so much for that great post Tom! (Glad you didn't take offense- I think you are sooooo cool!, not the official geezer, unless you want to be, of course

[Disneychica04]

best firework show: toss up between "Believe....There's Magic in the Stars" and "Believe.......In Holiday Magic"

best land to work in: Adventureland or Frontierland

[MickeyMan]

Tom that was a wonderful post, you truely brought a tear to my eye.

Thanks.

[innerSpaceman]

Best Parade - The American Gazette Parade (circa 1983); Second Place: The Lion King Parade. (yeah, and the Main Street Electrical Parade was not chopped liver either).

Best Fireworks Show - Fantasy in the Sky (post-1986 version); (very) Honorable Mention to Believe It's Holiday Magic.

Best Attraction to Get High On - Space Mountain

Best Attraction to Make You Feel Like You're High - Adventure thru Inner Space

Best Extinct CM Costume - Storybookland Storyteller skirt outfits

Best Hysterical Thing Ever Put in the Area Now Thankfully "Blocked" by the Partners Statue - the Daredevil Globe of Death!

Best New Land Ever - Tomorrowland '67

Worst New Land Ever - Tomorrowland '98

Best Live Entertainment - The Golden Horseshoe Revue

Best Walt Attraction - Pirates of the Caribbean

Best Ever Park Celebration - 30th Birthday 30-Hour Party

Best Thing About Disneyland - all the friends I've made who share my love of it

[Deogge's Mom]

I miss being an innocent, wide-eyed kid sometimes, but always know that as soon as I pass through that entrance tunnel where I will leave today and enter the world of yesterday, tomorrow and fantasy, I'll be an innocent, wide-eyed kid once again.

That says it all. Thank you, Tom.

[DustMeUpTink]

I have one thing that I think makes all the difference. The arts at disneyland. There is so much entertainment! The fireworks shows get a silver statue (all of them, you guys try doing a fireworks show :P) The fantasy land theater gets a bronze, but teh gold statue goes to FANTASMIC. It has been playing for so many years, and still gives me tingles! It an amazing show, with so much hard work put into it by cm... It is my all time favourite!

I second that! I remember while watching the show, I heard a little girl next to me whisper "look mommy! Mickey really has magic!" and I just had to smile!

[PumpkinKing!]

DCA: Show - Animation building with out a doubt )
DCA: Ride - Tower of Terror
DCA: Food - Wine Country Trattoria

--

DL: Show - Fantasmic!
DL: Ride - Indiana Jones and the Temple of The Forbidden Eye
DL: Food - Blue Ribbon Bakery

[almandot]

Best opening day ride: Jungle Cruise
Best dark ride: Superstar Li..owOUCH i'm kidding! Space Mountain.
Best dark ride in between: Haunted Mansion Holiday(original music)

Most underrated attraction: Storybook Land
Most overrated attraction: Enchanted Tiki Room
Most underrated land: Frontierland
Land with best potential: Toontown

Most missed attraction: PeopleMover
Most desired ride from those who never got to: Flying Saucers
Best land: Tomorrowland

Best snuggle spot: Skyway

Best restaurant: Club 33
Most underrated restaurant: Rancho del Zocalo
Most overrated restaurant: Pizza Planet
Best inexpensive restaurant: Monorail Cafe
Most missed restaurant: Monorail Cafe & old Goofy's kitchen breakfast

Best store: Old Disneyland Hotel gift shop(can you tell I miss that place?)

Best intangible: Change
Worst intangible: Change

[Disney Analyst]

I second that! I remember while watching the show, I heard a little girl next to me whisper "look mommy! Mickey really has magic!" and I just had to smile!

you know, thats what makes life magical! When you hear or see something like that! It always makes me smile when you hear stuff like that. I can just imagine, look mommy mickey has real magic! Gives me tingles thinking of it!