Originally Posted By Sparrow I visit the parks fairly often (at least once a month) and I’m always looking for a new experience every time I go. A show I haven’t seen, a ride I haven’t ridden, a treat I haven’t tried. I’m running out of little hidden gems to make each trip unique. What are your favorite things to do/eat/see at the Resort that maybe somebody who only goes once a year wouldn’t think to do. What things are/were on your Disneyland Resort Bucket List? My last goal was to try the colored popcorn they had when they were promoting World Of Color but they don't sell it anymore...
Originally Posted By gadzuux A year ago I might have suggested when they feed the fish in the koi pond outside DLH. But you can forget that now. They made it fun, selecting a child to step through the gate and onto a small platform over the pond. The fish, which were large and colorful, were hip to the game and would quickly swarm around the platform. They'd provide a few food pellets to the child who would then dip their hand into the water while the fish ate directly from her hand. It wasn't spectacular, but it was a fun "little" thing that would happen daily. Who knows - maybe they'll be another koi pond when the DLH rehab gets completed.
Originally Posted By tashajilek Sadly if you are looking for a new ride you have to wait every 5 years or longer lol. Some things i like to do is relax on pirates layer, check for new stuff at the shops, monorail rides, train rides etc. Have you found all the Hidden Mickeys???
Originally Posted By Sparrow I never really set out to make it a goal to find all the Hidden Mickeys but maybe I'll have to do just that! I forgot about the monorail. Haven't done that in a while.
Originally Posted By DlandDug I assume you have ridden in the Lily Belle, piloted the Mark Twain, and traveled in the nose cone of the Monorail... right?
Originally Posted By Dabob2 Have you tried the (relatively few compared to what they used to have) old-time machines in the Penny Arcade? Hand-crank movies for (literally) a penny, and some others. And I think they still have a few of the old machines from the Pirates Arcade in the Pieces of Eight shop (like the fortune teller, "Fortune Red"), though I'm not sure. They're fun too.
Originally Posted By cheesybaby ^^The same way you get to ride in the monorail nose cone or the Lily Belle. (You just ask.)
Originally Posted By oneyepete There is also the tinder box ride on selected trains. Just ask a conductor.
Originally Posted By Kar2oonMan Have you watched the flag retreat ceremony on Main Street? I'd never heard of it until my son and a friend's daughter were selected during the Million Dreams promotion to help with it. It's really a great little hidden treasure worth checking out.
Originally Posted By amazedncal2 ^^^LOVE the Flag Retreat! Look in the windows of all the stores on Main Street. They change seasonally. The candy store and (can't think of the name now but the one where they've been selling costumes, across from the Emporium) have upper nooks that also change seasonally. Have you seen the Pirate flag above Pirates of the Caribbean? You need to be at just the right angle to see it. The ride on The Mark Twain is a great way to see the flag. We also love to try anything new at the resort
Originally Posted By cerise667 We had a great time watching the waters leap at Triton's Garden... Last time sat for a while watching characters signing autographs and enchanting kids and adults, it was great...
Originally Posted By gadzuux I used to enjoy playing the 'Indiana Jones' pinball machine in the retail shop across from the 'Indy' entrance. Don't know if it's still there - years later.
Originally Posted By DlandDug >>How do you get to pilot the MT?<< Specifically, make sure you are in the first wave that enters the boat, then head up to the top deck where the doors to the wheelhouse are located. Knock (loudly but politely) and wait for the pilot. Ask if it is possible to ride in the wheelhouse. Unless someone is already scheduled, they will usually say yes. Up to three adults can go up into the wheelhouse. And do be sure to note Walt's favorite nap spot-- the small bed at the bottom of the stairs. >>There is also the tinder box ride on selected trains.<< That is the "Tender Run." Yes, go to Main Street Station and ask about the Tender Run. One adult and one child (or two adults) can ride on the front of the tender (immediately behind the engine) and talk with the engineer and fireman during a complete circle tour of the park. There's no extra charge, but it's not offered every day.
Originally Posted By oneyepete When we did the wheel house, we asked the conductor at the loading dock if we could ride and he/she made the arrangements. Sorry Dug, all I could remember was tinder. I will now call it by it's proper name.
Originally Posted By Kar2oonMan Another cool thing about the wheelhouse of the Mark Twain is that you sign the log book and get a certificate as a keepsake of your trip. Truly, a hidden gem of an experience.
Originally Posted By DlandDug >>Sorry Dug, all I could remember was tinder. I will now call it by it's proper name.<< Hey, I'm glad you remembered to include this! I was amused by the mental image of the "Tinder Box Ride" on the Disneyland Railroad...!
Originally Posted By SingleParkPassholder My wife and I got to ride in the wheelhouse within the last couple of months and we didn't ask to do it, we were approached. It was a Sunday around noon and a very nice young girl came up to us as we were sitting in the chairs at the front of the boat. She asked us if we'd like to ride in the wheelhouse and of course we said yes. Once we were there, we made some small talk and as it turns out, the cast member hadn't heard the story about Lillian Disney sweeping the decks of the Mark Twain before the opening in 1955 before. If she had heard it, she was a very good actress. Anyway, we weren't invited to "steer" the boat or ring the bells or blow the horn while we were up there, but we had a very good time and it was something we had never done before at Disneyland.
Originally Posted By friendofdd One of our favorite things is to be at coke corner around 2-3 pm. Alice and the Hatter play musical chairs with children. Very entertaining.
