Insider's Guide to Disney

July 3, 2006 2:31 PM

Disneyana Filter: What parts of Disneyland are suitable for Senior Citizens? And how do we get "behind the scenes"?

I need an INSIDER'S GUIDE TO DISNEY. My boyfriend's parents are coming to visit us in Southern California. They want to go to Disneyland; they've never been before. They are over 65 but in pretty good physical condition. They are cosmopolitan people (he a stockbroker, she a boutique owner) living just outside of Manhattan. We're planning to go to the Hall of Presidents, Pirates of the Carribean, and Downtown Disney but who knows what else. I've heard that Disney World does a "behind the scenes tour" which would be IDEAL -- but I don't think that's offered at DisneyLAND. Does anybody know of tours that give history and trivia at Disneyland? Or perhaps how to get into Club 33 (or whatever that secret restaurant is called). Thanks!

posted by GIRLesq to Society & Culture (8 answers total)

Best answer: I have a friend who's been on the waiting list to join Club 33 for several years (and the initiation fee is rumored to run around $7,500), so unless you already know a Club 33 member, that's not an option.

Here's the Unofficial Guide to Disneyland 2006, which seems to have attractions rated based on age groups.
posted by scody at 3:45 PM on July 3, 2006

They do a few tours, including a "behind the scenes" one. Go to the city hall building to the far left after you go under the train tracks on your way in from the main entrance. The best one they had at that time, might have only been a part of the 50th anniversary, was called, a walk in Walt foot steps. (granted things might have changed in the couple of months its been since i was there last)

as for attractions, I'd say a lot really depends on them. If they want to go to disneyland, they clearly are interested in it enough to enjoy most of it. Most of the roller coaster rides there aren't really all that intense in terms of them being physically taxing. I'd probably rate the matterhorn as the worst, due only to the fact that its really bumpy and jerky going around the track. If they can get in and out of the cars themselves, and don't have anything really wrong with them, I'd say everything is really fair game.

You HAVE to go on the Indiana Jones ride.

Otherwise, I'd say just go on/see whatever they seem most interested in.
posted by teishu at 4:19 PM on July 3, 2006

See if you can contact the guys from MiceAge.com. There are independent tours that are run by hardcore Disneyana people. You pay their admission and a small fee, and they'll walk the park with you, pointing out all the cool stuff you won't get on the official guided tours. The MiceAge staff will know what I'm talking about and who to contact.

I used to work at Club 33 back in the late 80s. You won't get in, but you could always try ringing the doorbell and seeing if the girl/guy working the entrance will at least open the door for you. The Club 33 door is right next to the entrance to the Blue Bayou.

You can also see into Club 33 from the outside, a little, if you know which windows are which.

I could show you how to sneak in, of course (it's easier than you think), but you could get escorted out of the park. ;-)
posted by frogan at 5:28 PM on July 3, 2006

I don't know if they do a behind the scenes one at DL, but they do A Walk in Walts Footsteps which takes you up to his apartment above the firehouse and into club 33., but it often sells out. Go to disneyland.com and look for their tours reservations number and book it...totally worth it from what I've heard...Also, they have a special dessert and fantasmic package that gives you private seats up on the balcony at the Disneyland Gallery (above Pirates)

Reg
posted by legotech at 6:04 PM on July 3, 2006

Best answer: You must to take them on Soarin' Over California. They will love it and so will you. It's the best thing in California Adventure. If you need a rest, step into the lobby of the Grand Californian hotel. It's beautiful and comfortable and they have free wifi (I'm typing from there as we speak).
posted by jvilter at 7:09 PM on July 3, 2006

Don't miss the Jungle Cruise - classic old-school Disneyland. On this guided tour through trecherous waters, the real danger is the bad, corny, and sometimes even hilarious jokes delivered by the skipper.

Visitors who aren't rushing from ride to ride or shop to shop should take time to enjoy the incredible landscaping throughout the park.

Club 33 is not such a rare treat now that you can enjoy an an adult beverage and expensive meal at Downtown Disney, so don't worry about it.

If you are lucky, you can get a real behind the scenes look at Disneyland if you get stuck in one of the Haunted Mansion's aging elevators and have to exit "backstage."

Have a good time!
posted by Skychief at 9:18 AM on July 4, 2006

I second the recommendations above and would like to add:

The Disney Gallery which is easy to miss, but really neat.. it's above Pirates of the Caribbean in New Orleans Square. Also, the Haunted Mansion, the Mark Twain Riverboat, and a complete circuit on the Disneyland R.R.

In Adventureland, The Enchanted Tiki Room is made especially fun if viewed while enjoying a Dole Pineapple whip.

I think a lot of the Fantasyland rides can be enjoyed by everyone, but especially "it's a small world" and Storybook Land.

In Tomorrowland, at Innoventions, Honda has a show demonstrating their 'ASIMO' robot several times per day. Also Star Tours is pretty amazing.

Have a great time!
posted by everybody polka at 10:54 AM on July 4, 2006

Second the Disney Gallery, and although you won't get into Club 33, which is nearby, examine its door, and then go on to the Blue Bayou for a nice sit-down meal, in an interior environment which is much more interesting than Club 33.
posted by Rash at 12:37 PM on July 4, 2006