Tips from the Disney Diva

Dinner at Napa Rose at Disney's Grand Californian

2013-05-20T00:00:00.000-05:00

Review by Nick the Disney Devo

On our trip to Disneyland in February, we ate at 2 fabulous fine dining restaurants. One was The Carthay Circle in Disney California Adventure.

The other was at the beautiful Napa Rose at the equally beautiful Disney's Grand Californian Hotel.

Our dining party consisted of Barbie, her cousin Jill, Jill's husband Zach and me.

Barbie, me, Jill, and Zach

As you enter, there is a lounge to the right.

The dining room is warm and inviting, featuring an open kitchen.

Barbie

There is a great wine selection, and Jill and Zach picked an excellent bottle for the table, Foxen Pinot Noir 2010.

For an appetizer, I had the Crepe Filled with Duck Confit and Swiss Chard, Carrot Puree and Pinot Noir Essence, $17.

Barbie had the Bellwether Farms Ricotta "Malfatti" Dumplings, Black Trumpet Mushrooms, Tuscan Kale and Blood Orange Vinaigrette, $17.

Zach had the Slowly Braised Kobe Beef Cheeks, with Parsnip Ravioli and Cabernet Broth, $20.

All of us loved our appetizers. As I was in a ducky mood, I continued with that theme with my even more wonderful entree, the Cedar Roasted Maple Leaf Duck Breast, Truffle Pumpkin Puree, Tree Mushrooms and Brown Butter Vinaigrette, $40.

Barbie and Zach had the Sauteed Sustainable Fish of the Day - Roasted Golden Cauliflower Couscous and Cranberry-Walnut Pesto, $39, the fish that evening was Swordfish. This was Barbie's favorite dish of the entire trip, and that is saying something!

Zach also ordered the Truffled "Mac & Cheese" Orecchiette Pasta, with Parmigiano-Reggiano, $12 which was delicious, which he was kind enough to share, and it was delicious.

Jill had the Herb Roasted Colorado Rack of Lamb, Jalapeno Cheddar Pop-over, Roasted Root Vegetables and Sangiovese Jus, $44.

This was all outstanding. And I thought, "How could it get better?" Then, came the desserts!

Our Signature "Best Ever Hot Chocolate", Rich Scharffen Berger and Valrhona Manjari Chocolates with Fresh Doughnuts. $15 They even wrote Happy Anniversary on it, as Barbie and I were celebrating our wedding anniversary early. Three months early, but still, celebrating none the less!

And yes, this may have been the best hot chocolate ever!

Warm Butterscotch Bread Pudding, Caramel Praline Ice Cream, Butterscotch Creme Anglaise. $12

They also brought this dessert out for our anniversary, a lovely surprise.

And speaking of lovely surprises, Jill and Zach surprised us by picking up the tab! Thank you again Jill and Zach!

Portions of this review were originally posted in The Disney Musings Blog, which Nick co-writes with his wife Barbie.

What Dinning Plan Should I Use

2013-05-19T00:00:00.000-05:00

By: Kid @ Heart Disney Devo
The planning has begun, you know- when you will arrive and depart, the resort you will be staying at, and if you will be flying or driving.

One of the decisions you need to make while you stay at Disney is what restaurants you want to dine at, and if the Disney Dining Plan is going to be offered as free perk for staying at a Disney Resort. If not included in your package, you need to decide what dinning plan do you want to purchase.

Animal Kingdom's Rain Forest Cafe

The plans you have to choose from, including a refill mug, are of the following:

Quick Service Dining: 2 Counter quick service meals and 1 snack
Regular Dining : 1 Counter quick service meal, 1 table service meal, and 1 snack
Deluxe Dining : choice of either 2 quick service or 2 table, 1 quick / 1 table, and 2 snacks

Cost of the plans for 2013 are as follows per person per night:

Quick: Adult ( ages 10+ ) $37.58 / Child ( ages 3-9 ) $14.32
Regular: Adult " $55.59 / Child " $17.62
Deluxe: Adult " $99.97 / Child " $26.84

When using your Disney Dining Plan, you can use it towards these things:

Table Service Credits - used at participating table service restaurants and includes entree, dessert, and non alcoholic drink.
Counter Service Credits - used at participating counter service restaurants and includes entree, non alcoholic drink, and if eating lunch or dinner dessert.
Snack Service Credits - used at many locations including food carts, can get everything from bottle water or soda, ice cream, soft pretzels, and many other snacks.
Refillable Mugs - with your Disney Dining Plan, each guest 3 and older, gets a refillable mug that you can use at your resort only for free refills. If you were to purchase the mug without plan it would cost you $13.

Refillable mug to use at your resort

One thing to keep in mind: If the promotion is going on for the free Disney Dining Plan and you book your vacation at a value resort, you will get the quick service plan. But, you can upgrade to the standard for $20 per adult and $6 per child per night.

If you are planning to do Character dining and / or if you wish to dine at the more expensive restaurants, I recommend purchasing the regular dining plan, if it is not free. This is because it will save you some money attending these events.

Keep in mind paying out of pocket for the dining plan or getting free might not be as good as getting 30% off select resorts. It maybe cheaper and economical to pay for your meals as you go.

Be Our Guest dining hall

The other thing that is not included in the Disney Dining Plan is the gratuity. This peaks out at 18%, but you can leave what ever you can afford and how good your service was.

When we travel to Disney World, we are always fortunate to receive the free dining plan. This is because the resort we stay at has the regular dining plan. We always like to do at least one character dining and if you have young children, character dining is something you definitely would want to consider to create memories.

So as you are planning your next Disney trip, don't forget to consider the dining plans!

Enjoy your vacation.

The Carthay Circle Restaurant at Disney California Adventure

2013-05-18T00:00:00.000-05:00

Author: Nick the Disney Diva

The Carthay Circle Theater (Theatre) was a Los Angeles landmark from 1926 until 1969, where many movies made their theatrical debut, including Walt Disney's "Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs" in 1937.
Now it's been replicated in Disney California Adventure at Disneyland Resort as a fine dining establishment. My wife Barbie, her cousin Jill, and Jill's husband Zach, and I had dinner here on our trip in February.

Left to Right: Zach, Barbie, and Jill

There are several pieces of memorabilia from the premier of "Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs" as you enter.

A lounge is on the right.

Zach and me.

There are photos of Walt Disney with his family and other luminaries throughout the entire restaurant.

There is also a display of original Snow White animation art that hung in Walt Disney's home!

The restaurant is upstairs, and is lovely.

There are illustrations on the ceiling that make you feel as if you were in the forest with Snow White.

There are also private rooms, and we were very pleasantly surprised when we were escorted to the "Hyperion Room"!

And the food? Excellent!

We started with Carthay Signature Fried Biscuits - Stuffed with White Cheddar, Bacon, and Jalapeno, Served with Apricot Honey Butter, $11 and Ginger Pork Satay - Green Papaya Slaw and Mango Raita. $16.

The biscuits were very good...

...but the Ginger Pork was outstanding!

For entrees my wife and I both ordered the Short Rib Raviolis Sauteed in Sage Brown Butter - Winter Squash, Portobello Mushrooms and Sprouts, $27. Very nice, and while the portion looked small when first served, they filled me up!

Jill had the Skuna Bay Salmon with Hot Almond Dried Cranberry Couscous and Lemon thyme vinaigrette, $30. She really enjoyed this.

Zach had the Santa Maria Braised Pork Pot Roast with Sour Cream Smashed Potatoes, and Dried Cherry Zinfandel Sauce, $31.
He said the pork roast was even better than the ginger pork satay, which means I will have to get this if it's still offered on our next trip.

We were all pretty full, but we managed to split a dessert, which, even though I can't recall the name or cost, was delicious.

As I've already said, this was an excellent dinner, and we are already looking forward to our next trip so we can enjoy another fantastic meal here.

This article was originally posted on the Disney Musings Blog, which Nick co-writes with his wife.

CD Review: The Music of Cars Land

2013-05-17T00:00:00.000-05:00

Author: Nick the Disney Devo

Direct from Cars Land at Disney California Adventure at Disneyland Resort. My wife and I loved the atmosphere, and we loved the music. So, it was a no-brainer to pick up "The Music of Cars Land" CD.

Remove the CD for a picture of the Cozy Cone.

The music is broken down into areas and attractions around the park.

Downtown Radiator Springs:
"Route 66", by Chuck Berry, "Welcome to Radiator Springs" and "Radiator Rock" by Joe Louis Walker

Luigi's:
"Mambo Italiano" by Rosemary Clooney. Luigi's is a flying tire ride!

Flo's V8 Cafe:

"Stop in the Name of Love" by The Supremes. Flo's was our go to spot for many meals while at the Disneyland Resort.

Stanley's Oasis:
Riding in My Car (Car Car Song) by Woody Guthrie. Stanley's Oasis can be found in the queue for Radiator Springs Racers.

Ramone's House of Body Art:
"Low Rider (Espanol Fantasma Mix)" by War. Ramone's is a shop next to the entrance/ exit of Radiator Springs Racers.

The primary reason we bought this CD was the songs by Larry the Cable Guy as Tow Mater, for the ride Mater's Junkyard Jamboree. The songs are: "Junkyard Jamboree, Big Bull Dozer, Tow Mater (The One You Want to Call), 'Mater's Square Dance"and "Let's Go Driving."

Finally we have a complete ride through of Radiator Springs Racers, one of the best themed rides ever by Disney. The additional song "Behind the Clouds" by Brad Paisely can be heard briefly in the ride as you cruise through downtown Radiator Springs.

This is a great souvenir, and I suggest picking it up if you are ever in Radiator Springs!

Nick is co-writer of the Disney Musings Blog with his wife Barbie.

Finding Nemo the Musical at Animal Kingdom

2013-05-16T00:00:00.000-05:00

By Dopey Diva

I don't normally see any of the shows the Animal Kingdom has to offer, mostly because I have a 2 yr old who doesn't particularly like sitting still for longer than 20 minutes. However, on our last trip to Disney World, we did go see Finding Nemo the Musical. It is shown in the Theater In The Wild located in the DinoLand USA area in Animal Kingdom.

One of the great things about this show is that it's air conditioned, so it makes for a nice break from the heat. The seats are wooden benches with backs and guests may remain in their wheelchairs or motorized scooters for this show.

Basically what Disney has done is turn a non musical movie, Finding Nemo, into a Broadway-style musical stage show. All the Nemo characters make an appearance and the lights and costumes are great. Some of the puppets are as large as cars! You can get so involved with the show you forget there are puppeteers moving the characters around the fish tank and sea.

This show lasts approximately 30 minutes and there is a new show usually every hour. Make sure to check your Times Guide for Animal Kingdom park for show times, as they are subject to change.

Even though this show is for all ages, my 2 yr old was very antsy, so I would recommend sitting close to an exit if you have a child who may disrupt the show or just want to leave. All in all it was a very good performance and it was definitely nice to have a place to cool off while at the Animal Kingdom.

Snow White's Scary Adventures- Disneyland

2013-05-15T00:00:00.000-05:00

By D'land Diva

Snow White's Scary Adventures, located in Fantasyland, was not originally designed to be a dark ride. Oh, it was designed to be a dark ride in terms of being a ride that is indoors with physical darkness. The original ride, however, was not dark in it's storytelling. One of the few rides left in Disneyland that was there on opening day, Snow White's Scary Adventures was originally called Snow White and Her Adventures. The idea was that you, the guest, was Snow White and then the ride took you through her story. Both the earlier version and the modern day version are based on Disney's Snow White film from 1937. The transition to the darker storytelling came with the Fantasyland renovations in the early 1980's.

Diva Tip: Find the apple on the book stand at the start of the cue. It's magical! Above the ride, be sure to check out the moving curtains and you might catch a glimpse of the Evil Queen.

On the way to the ride, the guest pass through a castle and right by a dungeon. This is somewhat of warning of what is about to come. Guests are loaded onto mine cars, as the beginning of Snow White's journey is quite jolly. The mine cars seat four guests and are all named after one of the Seven Dwarfs. Quickly, guests find themselves in the dwarf's cottage and are treated to a sight of precious gems that they are mining.

It is just around the corner, however, that the story becomes darker. The mine car heads through a dark, creepy forest. The trees seem to come alive, and the car heads through a magic chamber and dungeons with skeletons. The evil queen even tries to present you, the guest, with a poisoned apple!

The ride then shifts as the queen falls from a cliff. The next room proclaims that they all live happily ever after.

If the ride seems to present a disjointed story, it's because it does. It starts out jolly, then is scary and then is jolly and all within a two and half minute time period.

The D'land Diva family finds this ride entertaining, but it is not one of our favorites. Perhaps this is because it focuses so much on the dark storytelling, when Disney is focused on happier things.

The scare factor on this ride is a good solid 5, simply because it can be menacing in spots- and young children might be frightened of the skeletons. The mine car is not fast moving or particularly jerky, it is more the content in the ride that makes it scary for some.

Wheelchair and Electric Vehicles enter through the exit of the ride and are assisted onto the vehicles.

Diva Tip: Visit this ride in the evening. The wait times are far shorter.

My Mickey Bathroom

2013-05-14T00:00:00.000-05:00

Author: Pirate Diva

So, I decided that our new house needed a little extra Mickey. After all, you can never get too much of the mouse, right? My latest Mickey project was the second floor bath that my niece and I share. The bathroom is very spacious for a guest bath, but was painted the most hideous colors when we moved in. The tub and sink area were a sort of dark royal blue and the toilet area was a rather unfortunate brown. The colors were definitely not me!

To begin with, I had to remove all of the hardware and fill a ton of holes in the walls. We decided to change out the curved shower curtain rod for a straight one because the door had been slammed into it one time too many. The mirror was missing when we moved in and the light fixtures just weren't the right style, so I took those down, too. And it was a good thing I did; there were no electrical boxed behind the lights and the holes were just knocked into the wall as though with a screwdriver. After installing boxes and a lot of patching, I was ready to paint.

First, I painted on two coats of Kilz on the walls to block the old colors and hide any stains. Then I painted on a pale yellow. It took three coats to get good coverage. Next, I put in the new, fun, bubbly-glass lights. Which was when I realized that the wall color was way too green! Ack! Back to Lowes for more paint. This time, I picked a brighter yellow from Valspar called Chickadee. I got it home, put two coats on the wall, and discovered that it perfectly matched the shoes on my niece's toy Mickey! Exactly what I was looking for!

Next, it was time for mirrors and not just any mirrors would do. I got two 22" round Kolja mirrors from IKEA and two sets of 5 small, round, black-framed mirrors from Kirklands, one 11", two 9", and two 7" (Home Depot has a similar set by Martha Stewart, but they were more expensive.) I hung one large mirror centered over one sink at a height that my niece could use and the other one over the second sink at a perfect height for me. Then I added two 9" mirrors for the ears. Voila! Mickey head mirrors. We used the remaining 11" and 7" mirrors to make smaller Mickey heads on the other walls. My dad offered to make frames for the 22" mirrors so that the look will be more Mickey.

I changed out the faucets as well. The old faucets were the ugly, single lever kind that always seem to break. The new faucets, which were fairly inexpensive at Lowe's, are classic and fit the design well. We really wanted the one's that resemble Mickey hands, but couldn't find any at a reasonable price.

The Mickey touches for the tub/shower were easy. A few months back, Target had a black & white & red Mickey bath set. The shower curtain, rug, and shower curtain rings from this collection were purchased at Target on clearance. The shower curtain rings are Mickey head shaped and spell out Mickey twice. I would have though they would spell out Mickey Mouse with a blank Mickey head in the middle, but no such luck. A second solid black Mickey head rug was purchased at Walmart.

There are a ton of fantastic Mickey accessories available for the bath, and I just had to have a few of them. I even found a cotton ball holder and soap dispenser shaped like Mickey's head! A second solid black Mickey head rug was purchased at Walmart. And while we were down at Disney World last October, we picked up two of the Mickey Glove bath mitts. My niece has a Minnie soap dispenser, also from Target, that came filled with lemonade scented foamy soap. She loves that it's Minnie and I love that you can refill it with any foaming soap, although for us it's got to be Bath & Body Works foaming soap. (I'm a total Bath & Body Works addict.)

The bathroom had lots of storage space already, but the area around the toilet looked unfinished, so I added a couple of Fullen cupboards from IKEA. They are a great place to store extra toilet paper and soaps as well as offering a chance to display pretty bottles of perfume. I also added a medicine cabinet to the left of the sinks. I always think it's a good idea to have one and when I found this one on clearance at Lowe's, I couldn't resist. I planned to add glass shelves over the toilet for some additional Mickey displays, but my sister thought we should put a framed Mickey poster there instead. I thought it would be fun to display some of our ever-growing collection of Vinylmation there, as they were taking over the top of the bookshelves in the living room. In the end, we compromised; we put glass shelves above the cupboards for the Vinylmation and bought a poster to replace the mirror above the toilet. We are also on the lookout for some ceramic Mickey glove shaped knobs to replace the silver ones on the sink cupboards and storage cupboards.

The glass Grundtal shelf under the window is also from IKEA. It's the perfect place to keep plants as the window itself was too small. However, when the plants died, I decided to use it for additional Vinylmations instead. The towel bar on the linen closet door seemed like a good fit due to the white ceramic knobs on the ends, and there really wasn't a good place to add a large towel bar, so, it works. I opted for solid black, yellow, and red towels for the main towels, although we have several Disney character towels as well. I especially like my niece's Minnie Mouse hooded towel. It even has Minnie gloves on the top corners and mouse ears on the hood.

I've had a blast bringing a little more Mickey to this bathroom and really love how it turned out. It was a lot of hard work and took a ton of paint, but it was definitely worth the effort. I hope you like it as much as we do!

Amy, the Pirate Diva, also shares her Disney obsession on the Disney at Heart blog. http:disney-at-heart.blogspot.com

Be Our Guest Lunch

2013-05-13T00:00:00.000-05:00

By Local Diva

We recently took a ladies trip to the magic kingdom to celebrate my daughter and her friend's birthdays. We decided upon arriving at 10 am to run back to "Be Our Guest", not knowing how long the wait would be for an 11:00 opening time. We are SO glad we got in line when we did! Cast members brought around menus for us while we were standing in line, and my friend and I took turns walking the girls around the new Fantasyland to kill some time. To our surprise they opened at 10:40 for us! The line, being very long, moved rather quickly.

Waiting patiently in line

There were plenty of photo ops once we were inside waiting.

First they handed us our "rose" pager. You order off of a touch screen here, and there are separate screens for those paying cash and those paying credit/room key charging. You simply place your magical rose up to the scanner, order your meal, pay, and then bring your rose to any table of your choice.

We were shocked to snag a table against the giant snowing windows!

The rose never buzzes, beeps, or lights up, yet somehow cast members are able to locate your table and bring you your food by sensing it.

This morning my daughter chose the Macaroni (it is a marinara and meat sauce version) and the strawberry cream cheese cupcake. I enjoyed the Croque Monsieur (aka the BEST ham sandwich I have EVER tasted!!!). Our meals came out within minutes despite the rush of guests, and the drink station is located in the dining room for you to enjoy free refills throughout your meal.

I highly recommend Be Our Guest for lunch IF you can get in line early. Word on the street outside was that some were waiting in line for almost two hours starting at noon!

The Budget Diva's Pre Trip Report

2013-05-12T00:00:00.000-05:00

The Budget Diva is heading to Disney World in just a few weeks. This article provides a good example of trip planning for your Disney vacation.

Here is her Disney countdown that she made:

Pre Trip Report:

Day 1-drive 6 hours to our halfway point and stop and check in to our hotel (we learned after driving straight last year that it is best for our family to have a break from the 12 hour drive)

Day 2-check out of hotel by 9 am and head to Orlando, Florida! Check in to hotel around 3 o'clock. Unpack and head to Downtown Disney for dinner at Wolfgang Puck Express. We just love Wolfgang Puck Express and look forward to eating there again.

Day 3-Hollywood Studio's! No ADR's this day as we want to just enjoy the day with no schedule. We will pack lunches in a cooler. Our kids love Hollywood Studio's, specifically Disney Jr. Live and the Muppet show. A cupcake from Starring Rolls is on my 'must eat' list :)

Day 4-Breakfast at Kona Café at the Polynesian Resort. Can not wait to try some Tonga toast! Head to Epcot after breakfast. Lunch will consist of the many delicious samplings from the Flower & Garden booths! Cannot wait to try to a spiced Dole Whip or two or three. Haha. While my children head back to the hotel for nap time I plan to stay at Epcot and enjoy the Flower & Garden special presentations, topiaries and shops. I am getting excited just thinking about it!

Day 5-Magic Kingdom! We will be heading directly to Fantasyland. My oldest absolutely loves Ariel and can not wait to meet her in person. We are hoping to eat lunch at Be Our Guest (might have the husband wait in line while we ride some rides). After spending the day riding as many rides as possible we have dinner reservations at Tony's Town Square.

Day 6-Pool Day! Spending the day relaxing, sleeping in and renting a cabana by the pool. While the kids nap I am going to the Grand Floridian's newly renovated spa, Senses, for a massage. We are going to cook dinner in our room this night (we have a full kitchen). Might head to Downtown Disney for dessert at Ghirardelli and some shopping.

Day 7-Magic Kingdom! We are going to enjoy the day and have lunch at Casey's Corner. After the kids nap we will cook dinner in our hotel room and then head back to the park for a late night. We plan to stay for our very first Electrical Parade and Wishes fireworks.

Day 8-Magic Kingdom! Planning to dress the kids with their swimsuits underneath their clothes so that they can play in the water area's and get wet. We will have a break and return to our hotel in the afternoon. Then we will drive to the Polynesian for dinner at O'hana! This is our first time to eat here, can't wait to try it out after hearing so many wonderful reviews! Returning to hotel after dinner to pack :(

Day 9-Check out of our hotel and head back home to Virginia. Goodbye Disney World :(

Why Making Dining Reservations Early is a Must

2013-05-11T00:00:00.000-05:00

By Dopey Diva

I have been to Disney World 4 times in the past 4 years. Out of those 4 times we used the Disney Dining Plan for 3 of them. The first time was my honeymoon and we only booked a couple months before our trip. When we went to make our dining reservations, just about everything we wanted was already booked. The second time we booked 4 months in advance and still had problems getting the meals we wanted. The 3rd time we had the same problem. I would get on every day for weeks hoping someone had cancelled and we could get meals where we wanted.

This year, I decided I was NOT waiting! The dining reservations can be made 180 days in advance and as soon as our trip date was 180 days away I began making reservations.

There are 3 ways to make dining reservations. One is to have your travel agent do all the work for you, which would probably be the easiest way to go, but I like to do it myself to make sure the times available work for our daily plans. The second way is to call 407-WDW-DINE. The third way is to do online reservations. This is the way I chose to do mine. Sometimes, however, the Disney website has issues and you may have to call or just keep trying.

The first day was great, I got exactly what I wanted. The second day the website was down, so after trying and trying I finally called, and it turned out their whole system was down. I was bummed I couldn't get a dinner for 'Ohana, so I chose another restaurant. Luckily it turned out 'Ohana had been having an issue of their own so later that night I actually was able to book it.

The next day was fine, got what I wanted. Then I tried to get a Be Our Guest reservation. I was up at 5:45 am, they begin reserving online at 6 am ET. I tried at 5:59, wouldn't let me, tried at 6 am and there were NO reservation times available. This was very disappointing, but we decided we will just do a quick service lunch one day during our trip. The rest of the week worked out and I was able to get a reservation for all of the other restaurants at a time that worked around our daily schedule. Now I know first hand that making your dining reservations 180 days in advance is a MUST!!

Red Car Trolley Vinylmation, Disney California Adventure

2013-05-10T00:00:00.000-05:00

Author: Nick the Disney Devo

On our trip to the Disneyland Resort in February, my wife and I both fell in love with the Red Car Trolley.

With all the wonderful new attractions at Disney California Adventure, why would one of our favorite things be these trolleys?

I know the wonderful design is one of the most appealing things about it to me. Perhaps it's the nostalgic feel? The history?

Just what is the Red Car Trolley, you may ask?!

Back in the days before automobiles became the choice mode of travel for most, trolleys were the premier way to get around in the Los Angeles area.

They were at their peak in the 1920s, when one Walter Elias Disney arrived in Hollywood, and he may very well have used this mode of transport on occasion to get around.

Disney brings us 2 trolleys inspired by the original "Big Red Cars" of the Pacific Electric Railway.

These cars travel the Hollywood Land-Buena Vista Street Line with stops at Carthay Circle, Hollywood Boulevard (Hollywood Tower Hotel Bound only), and Sunset Boulevard, next to the Hollwyood Tower Hotel.

The trolleys are numbered 623, to commemorate the arrival of Walt Disney to Hollywood in the Summer of 1923, and 717, the anniversary of Disneyland, July 7th.

I bought several items featuring the Red Cars, and thought I'd start with this Vinylmation I purchased for $12.95.

I love the graphics on the box, so will be leaving this one unopened.

Mickey's Fun Wheel shares this side with Sebastian from The Little Mermaid- Ariel's Undersea Adventure.

The top of the box features Radiator Springs Racers, one of the best Disney rides. Ever.

I hope you've enjoyed your ride today, and will return for more trips with us in the future.

This article was originally posted on the Disney Musings Blog, which Nick writes with his wife, Barbie.

Theme Park Sun Safety

2013-05-09T00:00:00.000-05:00

By Local Diva

It is without fail that on any given trip to WDW, you will spot some terrible sunburns. A painful sunburn can easily put a damper on your vacation. Here are some tips to stay sun safe in super sunny Florida:

BRING SUNBLOCK and lots of it - my family of four goes through about one spray can of sunblock every two days on our vacations. Between the pools and the parks you are sure to encounter LOTS of sun, and it is always more economical to bring it yourself!
WATERPROOF - this one is very important! Even if you do not plan on spending time at the pool, you are bound to walk through a misting machine, get splashed on a ride, or, quite frankly, change your pool-hating ways once you hit the scorching sun!
KNOW YOUR SPFs - while no amount of SPF truly blocks 100% of UVB rays, an SPF of 45 blocks about 98%, compared to and SPF of 15, which only blocks 92%. Pay attention to your skin, and consider that you will need quite a bit more protection in the Florida sun.
APPLY PRIOR TO SUN EXPOSURE - most sunblocks require time to set into your skin (especially before swimming), so apply your sunscreen about 30 minutes prior to exposure
APPLY CONTINUOUSLY - whether you "feel" the burn or not, re-apply your sunscreen every two hours
KNOW THE FLORIDA SUN - You can get burned at 8am or 7pm, sun shining, or hiding behind the clouds. The Florida sun is powerful and underestimated, and burns are often noticed when it's too late
TEST YOUR LOTION - one of my worst trip memories is when I bought a new baby sunscreen to use on my daughter's face. It caused her to break out and burned her skin for hours at the park. Everyone's skin is different, so swatch the sunscreen on your forearm and your cheek before you pack it.
DON'T FORGET YOUR EARS - a common cry of dermatologists 'round the globe!
PREPARE FOR THE BURN - no matter how much protection you bring, prepare in advance by bringing some aloe gel in case of surprise burn.

FREE DINING for Walt Disney World in September!

2013-05-08T22:00:00.000-05:00

Get a Quote Today

After much speculation when it came out earlier this week for Disney Visa holders, we can at last announce that FREE DINING is available to everyone for qualifying stays at Walt Disney World resort in Florida in September 2013!

Here the details:

Travel Dates – you must check in between September 2, 2013 - September 25, 2013
A minimum 3 night stay required
A minimum 2 day ticket purchase required

As usual, stays at the Value resorts get the Quick Service Dining Plan for free, and those at the Moderate and Deluxe resorts get the standard or plus Disney Dining Plan for free. This is good for most resorts but there are some exclusions: 3-bedroom villas, standard Little Mermaid rooms at Art of Animation and the campsites at Fort Wilderness are not eligible for the free dining offer.

If you’re in a Value resort and want the regular dining plan, you can pay the difference to upgrade from the free quick service plan to the full dining plan. Similarly, if you’re in a Moderate or Deluxe resort, you can pay to upgrade your free regular dining plan to Deluxe Dining if you choose.

This is the first time we have seen Free Dining in 2013, after having it for several months in 2012. There is no way to predict what we might see in terms of discounts for October, but I strongly suspect Disney will go back to the room and ticket discounts we saw earlier this year. Free Dining was originally intended only to boost park attendance in the month after kids went back to school, and I think Disney is going back to basics in terms of their discount and promotional offerings.

All clients who book a Free Dining package with me will receive a monogrammed tote and may even be eligible for a Disney gift card based on the package total (excluding airfare.) Use the quote form on the Tips from the Disney Diva website or email me at LeslieH@pixievacations.com for a no-obligation quote today! Availability is limited for this most popular discount, so don't delay!

A Ride Through Radiator Springs

2013-05-08T10:00:00.000-05:00

By: Nick the Disney Devo

What can be said about one of the best rides ever to come out of Disney Imagineering, the new Radiator Springs Racers in Cars Land, Disney California Adventure?
I'm sorry the resolution isn't higher, but, unfortunately, this is as high as I could upload to Blogger.

Spoiler Alert! This is a ride through of the whole attraction, so if you want to be surprised, don't watch!

This video was originally posted on the Disney Musings Blog, which Nick co-writes with his wife, Barbie.

Toddler Tip for Animal Kingdom

2013-05-08T00:00:00.000-05:00

By Dopey Diva

The first time I took my youngest son to Disney World he was 17 months old. Yes the trip was fun and we had a great time, but it was exhausting dealing with him, especially in the Animal Kingdom. The Animal Kingdom park is VERY hot and VERY humid and dealing with a toddler on top of that can be challenging. However, I did find a great place to take him that was shaded, somewhat cooler, and was something HE enjoyed doing.

The Boneyard, located in DinoLand U.S.A. was it! This is an open play area that looks like a dinosaur dig site where kids of all ages, especially toddlers and preschoolers, can explore and have fun. There are multi-level slides, hands on musical bones, rope bridges, and a huge dig site where children can look for fossils from a T-Rex or Triceratops. The dig site has a shaded seating area with large fans to help keep cool. So not only was my little guy happy to be out of the stroller and able to run around and play but we were able to cool off in the digging site and relax for a little while.

So if you are looking for something to entertain your younger children or just need to stop and relax for a while the Boneyard is a great place!

Five Tips for Avoiding Meltdowns at Disneyland

2013-05-07T00:00:00.000-05:00

By D'land Diva

Tips from the Disney Diva has offered some great advice about how to deal with meltdowns at Walt Disney World. But, Disneyland is an entirely different park, with some different meltdown triggers. This article is designed to help you spot the meltdown triggers at Disneyland and how to prevent them.

Meltdown Trigger #1
Crowds

I have said it before: there are over one million Disneyland annual passholders. As a result, there is not really a down time of the year to visit. There is a less crowded time. Prepare yourself and your group. Know that there will be crowds and plan accordingly. Take advantage of fastpass. Get to the parks early in the morning. Hit up the most crowded rides and attractions first thing in the day. Eat at times the majority doesn't. Get there before the designated time for shows.

Meltdown Trigger #2
Heat

Back in January, I was watching the weather channel discuss the snow blanketing the majority of the country. Here in Southern California, we were having a ninety-plus degree heat wave week. No joke. The weather at Disneyland can be very, very hot. I'm talking one hundred degrees plus during the summer months, and obviously sometimes this weather even happens in the wintertime. Take precautions for the weather. Wear a hat and sunglasses. Wear sunscreen. Drink a lot of water. Get yourself out of the heat and into the air conditioned stores or attractions periodically. Take advantage of water rides and the water play areas at California Adventure.

Meltdown Trigger #3
Sensory Overload

With the excitement, the crowds, and the heat, everyone can get a little bit of sensory overload. There is a lot going on, and if you have been to both the Magic Kingdom and Disneyland you know that there is a lot going on in a smaller space at Disneyland. To avoid sensory overload, plan on avoiding the parade areas before and after parades. The same goes for fireworks time. Plan on visiting New Orleans Square and Critter Country before 7 p.m. and the masses enter to wait for Fantasmic! on the Rivers of America. When you start to feel your head pound, find an area like the one around the side of the castle where there are not many people hanging out. Sometimes you just need to look at the water and not look at all the people for a few minutes. Another idea is to take a load off at a restaurant and sip on a delicious drink. If all else fails and you are really feeling the need, go to First Aid and get an ice pack and lay down for a few minutes. Don't feel bad. This is not at all uncommon!

Meltdown Trigger #4
Tiredness

Disneyland is often open for twelve hours or more. While you may not stay in the park the entire twelve hours, the longer operating hours mean that you may be in the park longer. Often, the parks are open until midnight in the more crowded months. While this is wonderful news for theme park enthusiasts, it does make for more tiredness. Do your best to get a good night of rest the night before your trip. Take frequent sitting breaks. Take in a show or ride the train around the park if you need an extra half hour to sit down. Allow yourself some down time to recharge the old battery and then get back to the fun.

Meltdown Trigger #5
Hunger

All the walking, excitement and delicious smells at Disneyland will make it seem like you are constantly hungry. Being hungry can lead to grumpiness. Make sure you have a good breakfast coming into the park. Bring in snacks if you can. Make sure you have some snacks with you when you get into lines. The lines at Disneyland during the summer and holiday times can exceed two hours- even at 10 p.m. It pays to have a snack in your pocket when you get into line to prevent a hunger meltdown. Be sure also to not skip meals. It's tempting to skip lunch to get on more rides, but your body may revolt. You need the fuel!

So there you have it folks. These are some surefire strategies for avoiding meltdowns at the Happiest Place on Earth.

Free Dining is Back for Disney Visa Holders in September 2013!

2013-05-06T17:30:00.000-05:00

Disney Visa holders can begin booking Walt Disney World trips for September starting today, May 6th.

Here are the details:

Travel Dates – check in between September 2, 2013 - September 25, 2013
Minimum 3 night stay required
Minimum 2 day ticket purchase required

As usual, Value resorts get the Quick Service Dining Plan for free, and the Moderate and Deluxe resorts get the standard or plus Disney Dining Plan for free. This is good for most resorts but there are some exclusions: 3-bedroom villas, standard Little Mermaid rooms at Art of Animation and the campsites at Fort Wilderness are not eligible for the free dining offer.

All clients who book a Free Dining package with me will receive a monogrammed tote at the and may even be eligible for a Disney gift card based on your package total. Use the quote form on the Tips from the Disney Diva website or email me at LeslieH@pixievacations.com for a no-obligation quote today!

If you’re not a Disney Visa holder, you can still contact me with your travel preferences and be first in line to book when/if this opens up for the general public. I cannot say what will happen, but history would suggest that it’s worth getting in touch and making your wishes known!

Main Street Electrical Light Parade at the Magic Kingdom

2013-05-06T00:00:00.000-05:00

By Dopey Diva

In case you haven't noticed by now...I LOVE PARADES! They are one of my favorite things about Disney World and I try very hard not to miss any of them. The Main St. Electrical Parade is no exception. As I have mentioned with other parades, if you want a good viewing seat you need to find one at least 30 minutes before a parade starts. We like to grab a bite to eat, either a late quick service dinner or a snack, find a nice spot on the curb and enjoy some food while waiting for the parade to start. We normally end up sitting very close to Casey's Corner or Cinderella Castle for this parade but I have heard Frontierland is a good place to sit and is usually not as crowded as the Main Street area.

This nighttime parade is very different from the other Disney parades. While it still has the Disney characters and dancers, this parade consists of glowing, spinning, and gliding floats which are all covered in thousands of lights. The lights are synchronized with a soundtrack which creates an amazing musical spectacle that lasts for 25 minutes!

This parade begins next to Harmony Barber Shop, circles Town Square, heads down Main Street, around the HUB in front of Cinderella Castle, crosses the bridge to Liberty Square then heads to Frontierland where it ends. (There may be times this route is reversed).

During the busy time at DW this parade may run twice a night but during the off peak time it may not run every night so be sure to check your Times Guide at MK for showtimes and routes. Also, since it is outdoors it is subject to cancellation if the weather is bad.

The Electrical Parade truly is one of Disney's magical experiences that can be enjoyed by the entire family so try not to miss it!

Royal Street Veranda at Disneyland

2013-05-05T00:00:00.000-05:00

By Undercover Diva

Located across from the Rivers of America and in between the entrance and exit for Pirates of the Caribbean is a cute little window service restaurant that has some of the best gumbo you will ever eat. Simply walk up to one of the two windows and order from their selection. It's a little different from the typical meal place in the park, but it has a lot of personality. The shop has been around forever, but became pretty popular after the release of The Princess and the Frog in 2009. I guess after watching Tiana make that swamp gumbo, everybody wanted to see what it was like! I know I was one of those people and I was surprised to find my new favorite meal spot!

There isn't much on their menu, but it keeps things simple especially since the line can get long. Also, keep in mind there is almost no seating in that area. Sometimes I've been lucky and someone will be getting up right when I want to sit down, but if you walk towards Cafe' Orleans there are some more tables between there and French Market Restaurant. But, the limited seating is worth it to eat their delicious food. Both their chowder and their gumbo is served on a sourdough bowl which somehow makes it even better.

What's on the menu:

Creamy Clam Chowder $9.25

Steak Gumbo $9.25

Vegetarian Gumbo $9.25

A Trio of New Orleans Fritters $3.69

Soda $2.99 for Regular and $3.49 for Large

Apple Juice, Orange Juice or Low-Fat Milk $1.79

Hot Cocoa or Coffee (regular and decaf) $2.79

or Travel Mug filled with your choice $5.79

Café Mocha Tall $3.59, Grande $4.19
Café Latte Tall $3.49, Grande $3.99
Cappuccino Tall $3.49, Grande $3.99
Espresso Single $2.49 Double $3.19

Iced Café Mocha $4.19
Iced Café Latte $3.99

The clam chowder is pretty typical. I'm a clam chowder fan myself and it wasn't the best I had ever tasted, but it was pretty good. The steak gumbo is also good, but it is actually a little spicy. I can't take spice very well and I was glad it wasn't me who bought it, I just tried some of my friends. My favorite is the vegetarian gumbo. It does have a little bit of a kick to it, but it's perfect for those colder nights and it is just spicy enough to warm you up. I would be wary of giving younger kids the steak gumbo and I recommend if you are going to give them the vegetarian gumbo that you try it first. But, trust me, I know plenty of 3 year-old that have more spice tolerance than me. The hot cocoa is yummy, but it's what you can get anywhere in the park and same with the coffee.

If you are lucky enough to go on a not so crowded day, you might also be able to sit down and enjoy your meal and watch Fantasmic at the same time. There are stairs up to the Disneyland Dream Suite that can get in the way but there is some seating with an unblocked view. This is a nice alternative to sitting on the ground or standing during the show.

The next time you are in New Orleans square, check out the Royal Street Veranda!

Jedi Training Academy at Hollywood Studios

2013-05-04T00:00:00.001-05:00

Author: Pirate Diva

The Jedi Training Academy at Disney's Hollywood Studios can be a lot of fun for children ages 4 to 12. Each 20 minute show will teach 12 Padawans, or Jedi Trainees, the lighsaber skills of the Jedi. During Star Wars Weekends, the number of Padawans increases to 30 per show. Beginning when the park opens, you can signup in front of the ABC Sound Studio. The queue is located across from the Star Tours stage and behind the face painting station near the glass doors. Signups are usually available until noon. (During Star Wars Weekends only, the signup window is very brief, usually from 9-10 AM and is located outside the Indiana Jones Stunt Spectacular.) Children are assigned a number and told to return for a particular show. Once each show has been filled, alternates are also assigned numbers. Children are asked to return 30 minutes prior to their assigned show. Shortly before each show, if there are any spots that haven't been filled, alternates may be chosen. It is recommended that alternates check in 15-20 minutes before any show, and if there's an opening, the lowest alternate number will get to be in the show.

Before the show, each child is outfitted with a brown Jedi robe. The children are lined up and taken to the stage in front of the Star Tours ride, where they are given plastic lightsabers. A Jedi Master arrives and teaches the children a series of moves, repeating them, until everyone knows the order. Then, Darth Vader and his Stormtroopers arrive. Each Padawan has a chance to fight Darth Vader, one on one. Once each of the children has had a chance to battle Darth Vader under the watchful eyes of the Jedi Master, they work together to ward off Darth Vader with the power of the Force. The Dark Side is driven away, and each child is presented with a certificate declaring them an official Padawan.

Prior to the show, PhotoPass photographers hand special photopasses to each of the families. During the show, they take photos of all of the children who are participating, which are then added to the cards. After the show, you can take the special photopass to the Darkroom on Hollywood Boulevard where they will add the photos of your child to your regular photopass.

My niece loved being a part of the show and spend the next several days teaching everyone she could what she'd learned at the Jedi Training Academy. If your kids like Star Wars, either the movies or the cartoons, be sure to sign up for Jedi Training Academy. It is available 7 days a week at Hollywood Studios and shows occur twice per hour. So sign up early and enjoy!

As this is an outdoor show, it can be cancelled in inclement weather. This happened to my niece once, but the Cast Members offered a special photo session instead. We were taken into the handicapped access area for Star Tours and all of the children were lined up. A few minutes later, Darth Vader and two Storm Troopers walked in to take photos with each child. My niece, who was sporting pink Darth Maul facepaint, was very excited. We convinced here that she should give Darth Vader a hug. She ran up to him with her arms wide when it was her turn and Darth Vader stepped back and shook his head while the Stormtroopers shook their fingers. The Cast Member said, "There's no hugging on the Dark Side!" My niece spent the rest of the day talking about it!

Amy, the Pirate Diva, also shares her Disney obsession on the Disney at Heart blog. http:disney-at-heart.blogspot.com

Portobello Restaurant Review

2013-05-03T00:00:00.000-05:00

By Memory Maker Diva

Portobello is an Italian restaurant located at Walt DisneyWorld®’s Downtown Disney between the Marketplace and Pleasure Island. The restaurant is open for lunch and dinner and is one table service credit on the Disney Dining Plan for 2013. Reservations are accepted up to 180 days in advance.

I had eaten at Portobello’s years ago, and thoroughly enjoyed it, so on our last trip to Walt Disney World® I wanted to try it again. We had gone to Typhoon Lagoon all day, and made dinner reservations for 7:10 pm. Our plan was to head over to DisneyQuest after dinner for a few hours before bed. Luckily, we had decided to stop in at DisneyQuest before dinner for a few hours, or I am not sure we would have gotten over at all, the service at the restaurant was that slow.

To be fair, there were several tables in our section alone (including ours) that had various types of food allergies, which required the chef to come out each time. But all told we were there for well over two hours – and that long with a 6 year old is over an hour too long! I am not sure if it is always this way, but if it is I definitely wouldn’t recommend going there with kids.

They definitely hit the mark as far as Italian flavor and atmosphere – it felt and tasted like an authentic country Italian trattoria. The meal started off with warm bread served with roasted garlic in olive oil….mmmm good! From there I ordered the Chicken Farfalle. It normally comes with snow peas, asparagus, and tomatoes in a parmigiano cream sauce, but I omitted the snow peas and asparagus. It was a lot of food, but the cream sauce was surprising light.

My husband ordered the Grilled Pork Chop, which was served with polenta, and Florida sweet peppers. For not being a pork chop guy, he really liked it! The restaurant has a pretty extensive menu – including a variety of pasta dishes, fish, chicken, beef, and pork – so there should be something for everyone.

The children’s menu isn’t quite as extensive, but includes the usual suspects – pizza, pastas, and even a chicken and steak. My son went a little rogue and just ordered ziti with butter and some grated cheese, but they were happy to oblige.

Next we were on to dessert – always a hit with our family!! I ordered the White Chocolate Custard – basically an Italian Crème Brule – which was good-to-the-last-scrape-delicious!!

Being ice cream guys, my husband and son both ordered the Gelato Sundaes – which came with chocolate sauce, toffee crunch, whipped cream, and a cherry. I was surprised my son liked the toffee, but he gobbled it up. Maybe he was just excited to be almost done with the meal…so he could go back to DisneyQuest.

Service aside, the meal itself was delightful. If you decide to go, hopefully your meal will not take over two hours to complete – and your wait staff will be a bit more attentive.

Like what you read? Follow Cheryl, the Memory Maker Diva, at magicalmemorymaker.com!

The Muppet Stage 1 Company Store

2013-05-02T00:00:00.000-05:00

Author: Nick the Disney Devo

The Muppet Stage 1 Company Store is located opposite the exit of Muppet Vision 3D at Disney's Hollywood Studios.

It's pretty hard to miss, and you shouldn't pass it by, as it is one of the best themed stores in all of Walt Disney World.

Muppet fans can spend plenty of time just looking at all the great props around the shop, picking out references to favorite Muppet characters.

And there is plenty of Muppet merchandise as well, of course.

Tee-shirts

The sign in the wall says "Look Here....(I didn't say Simon Says)

Hats and stuffed figures.
Look up while there, the whole store is themed as a film set.

The fun continues to the cash register area. Themed like a hotel desk.

"We feature... The Murphy Bed From the Makers of Murphy's Law." and "Please Steal Linen, it's cheaper than having it cleaned".

"Check out time is whenever you like. Patrons wishing to pay will find their money gladly accepted. Patrons wishing to sneak out without paying will find it easier than they think."

So next time you are in the Studios, don't forget to stop in and spend some time enjoying the gags at the Stage 1 Company Store.

Nick is co-writer of the Disney Musings Blog with his wife.

Disneyland Fantasy Faire

2013-05-01T00:00:00.000-05:00

by D'land Diva

We in Southern California have been waiting a long time for the Fantasyland addition at the end of Main Street. It seemed like the construction walls that surrounded the area that used to be known for it's musical performances by day and swing dancing on the weekends, would never come down.

When the new Fantasy Faire was finally revealed it was amazing! There is a new theater for storytelling, a new shop, a new specially designed food cart and perhaps the most important part of the new expansion for many- a new covered area for princess meet and greets!

The theming in this new area is quite elaborate. It is every inch fairytale village, from the Rapunzel tower that stands in the middle of the area to aptly named Maurice's Treats wagon.

Here are some photos from the this newly designed area:

And here is what to look for when you visit!

Royal Theatre
You can see two different entertaining shows here, with multiple show times daily. These shows are surprisingly humorous and quite entertaining. They are also very popular! Diva Tip: Folks will start lining up in the half hour or so before the show. If you want seats you will need to get there early.

The two shows are Beauty and the Beast and Tangled themed. The Tangled show in particular is worth the wait!

Maurice's Treats
This cute little wagon houses some tasty treats including some different "twists" on some sweet and savory twisted bread sticks. The big hit here is the Apple Freeze. Yummy!

Fairytale Treasures
This new shop features many items for your little princess, including dresses and gifts.

The Royal Hall
Finally, the princesses have their own indoor palace at Disneyland! This is a terrific way to meet the princesses, with the queue being covered with cooling fans to keep you cool and a nice air conditioned meeting area inside. The details in the hall are amazing, with rich colors and little touches like chandeliers. Each of the three princesses are in their own private section of the hall. This is a step above the usual meet and greet, with the princesses actively engaging in conversations and pictures. On the day that the D'land Diva family visited the Fantasy Faire, we were greeted by Cinderella, Ariel and Aurora.

So there you have it! The next time you are visiting Disneyland, be sure to check out this charming new section of Fantasyland!

Villains in Vogue

2013-04-30T00:00:00.000-05:00

Author: Nick the Disney Devo

Villains in Vogue is located at Disney's Hollywood Studios on Sunset Boulevard.

I have a confession. I am not a villains fan. I like the good guys.
But I will admit, the villains are often very stylish.
Perhaps that is part of the appeal to fans of the baddies.
Villains in Vogue offers some merchandise to these fans.

Several items of Snow White's Evil Queen.

The Cheshire Cat get's some merch, but I'm not sure I consider him a villain. What do you think?

Various villains artistically presented.

Mixed in with the animation drawings below, you'll see some backpacks with Vinylmation figures printed on them. There is a large selection of Vinylmation here, and there is trading.

There is also a selection of Nightmare Before Christmas merchandise available in one corner.

A set of villains figures, along with Sorcerer Mickey.

You'll also find a nice selection of kitchen items here. Yes, kitchen items.

I assume this is because Villains in Vogue is connected to the snack shop Sweet Spells.

So when you are done taking a walk on the dark side, you can easily indulge your sweet side.

Nick co-writes the Disney Musings Blog with his wife, Barbie.

The Best Disneyland Rides to Go on at Night

2013-04-29T00:00:00.000-05:00

by Undercover Diva

Every ride at Disneyland is a new experience waiting to happen. Whether you are visiting the park for the first time or the one hundred and first time you are in for a treat. Walt Disney himself put special attention into many of the rides at this world-famous park, and while not all of the original rides are there, the ones that are still twinkle with the magic from Disney's vision. If you are lucky enough to have small crowds so that you can experience every ride in one day, do it! But if you need to plan your day out a little more so that you can miss crowds, here are a few suggestions for which rides to do at night.

Matterhorn
This is my number one tip that I share with everyone I can. Watch the line for Matterhorn and judge when you need to get in line, usually 30 minutes before, so that you can be on the ride during the firework display. This is one of my most favorite memories. Matterhorn is great during the day, but it's a little scarier and a lot more beautiful at night. You fly past the openings in the mountain and you can see all of Disneyland lit up along with one of the best firework display's in California. It's definitely not something you can experience during the day! Plus, if you are traveling without little ones it makes for an easier end to the night. Most often the guests with kids will go to either the first showing of Fantasmic or the fireworks (depending on the season) and then they will go home. This leaves more spots open for Fantasmic and you won't have to start saving your spot at 5pm. The line is usually a little shorter at night since most of the crowd is either at one of the two shows or they have already gone home, otherwise the wait for Matterhorn can be pretty long, especially since there is no FASTPASS for this ride. At night the scream factor is maybe a 4.5. I would probably give it a 3.5 during the day but the dark adds some extra surprises you don't get during the day.
Big Thunder Mountain
This is another ride that is great during the day but just a little more exciting at night. Guest have claimed that this ride goes faster the later in the day it gets but there is nothing official to prove this. You can request to go in the back train if you want a wilder ride during any part of the day. Again, this is a great ride to go on during the fireworks display because the line can get pretty long during the day. Luckily this ride does have a FASTPASS so you can cut out a lot of the wait if you want to try it once during the day and once during the night. I would say the scream factor for Big Thunder Mountain is about 4 and goes up to a 4.5 at night.

DIVA TIP: Big Thunder is currently closed and will be reopening in the fall of 2013.
Splash Mountain
If you are a thrill seeker then I highly recommend going on Splash Mountain at night. Even though most of the ride is inside, the finally drop seems just that much scarier when you can't see the whole thing! It's lit up at night so it's not like you are dropping into the dark abyss, but they light it up in a way that highlights the thorns you are dropping into, and so that there are spooky shadows cast to makes you second guess if you really wanted to go on this ride! Of course, I wouldn't recommend riding at night if you go in the middle of winter. Even though California is notorious for not having a real winter, it can get chilly at night and getting soaked and not having the sun to dry you off can make for an unpleasant rest of the night. But in the heat of the summer, anytime is warm enough to want to cool off on this crazy ride. During the day the scream factor would probably be a 3.5. A lot of the scariness comes from the anticipation of the drop rather than anything that is actually scary. At night I would bump it up to a 4.
Haunted Mansion
This ride is fully indoors, but there is definitely an added spook factor when you walk in and out of the Haunted Mansion when it is dark outside. The entire ride seems just a little darker and a lot more hunted because, well, we all know the ghosts like to come out at night. The line for this tends to vary but is not usually the worst wait. I think the worst I've ever seen it is 45 minutes, except for the Holidays when the ride gets a The Nightmare Before Christmas makeover, then it can be well over an hour. The scream factor on this ride is about a 3. It's not too scary of a ride unless you are afraid of the dark. At night I would maybe bump it up to a 3.2.
It's a Small World
I know, you might think I'm crazy for saying this is better at night. But since I don't travel with kids most of the time, this ride is lower on my list of must-do's. I love this ride, I go on it every time I go to Disneyland but I usually go on it as my last ride of the night. Not only can the line for this get very long, especially around nap time, but there is also no FASTPASS so it might be better to plan to use your FASTPASSES during the peak of the day. But I chose to go on it at night because it is a great send off from the park. Walt Disney himself had a big hand in designing this ride. It was originally built for the 1964 World's Fair and moved to Disneyland after the Fair was over. Some people may prefer to go on one of the bigger rides that normally have longer lines for their last ride, but I think there is something really special about this ride and the 5 minute wait is very worth it.