Bob Sehlinger - The Unofficial Guide to Disneyland 2015

INTRODUCTION

WHY UNOFFICIAL?

DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE

THE AUTHORS AND RESEARCHERS OF THIS GUIDE specifically and categorically declare that they are and always have been totally independent of the Walt Disney Company, Inc., of Disneyland, Inc., of Walt Disney World Company, Inc., and of any and all other members of the Disney corporate family.

The material in this guide originated with the authors and researchers and has not been reviewed, edited, or in any way approved by Walt Disney Company, Inc., Disneyland, Inc., or Walt Disney World Company, Inc.

This guidebook represents the first comprehensive critical appraisal of Disneyland. Its purpose is to provide the reader with the information necessary to tour the theme parks with the greatest efficiency and economy and with the least amount of hassle and standing in line. The researchers of this guide believe in the wondrous variety, joy, and excitement of the Disney attractions. At the same time, we realistically recognize that Disneyland is a business, with the same profit motivations as businesses all over the world.

With no obligation to toe the Disney line, we represent and serve you, the reader. The contents were researched and compiled by a team of evaluators who are completely independent of the Walt Disney Company, Inc. If a restaurant serves bad food, if a gift item is overpriced, or if a ride isnt worth the wait, we say so. And in the process, we hope to make your visit more fun, efficient, and economical.

DANCE TO THE MUSIC

A DANCE HAS A BEGINNING AND AN END. But when youre dancing, youre not concerned about getting to the end or where on the dance floor you might wind up. In other words, youre totally in the moment. Thats the way you should be on your Disneyland vacation.

You may feel a bit of pressure concerning your vacation. Vacations, after all, are very special events, and expensive ones to boot. So you work hard to make your vacation the best that it can be. Planning and organizing are essential to a successful Disneyland vacation, but if they become your focus, you wont be able to hear the music and enjoy the dance.

So think of us as your dancing coach. Well teach you the steps to the dance in advance, so when youre on vacation and the music plays, you will dance with effortless grace and ease.

THE IMPORTANCE OF BEING GOOFY

HERMAN FENSTER, Disneylands director of Character Reconciliation and Promotion for Brand Synergy (CRaP/BS), had just snuggled into bed beneath his Buzz Lightyear blanket when the red Mickey Mouse phone on his bed stand began to buzz.

Boss, weve got a big problem, uttered the voice of his assistant, Roger. You better get down here quick!

What is it this time? Fenster wondered woozily. Frozone and Elsa didnt ice over Nemos lagoon again, did they? Stick the clown fish in our break-room microwave; just remember to use DEFROST mode this time.

No boss, we have much bigger fish to fry! Roger replied. Remember that inter-brand party you asked me to organize for tonight?

Sure, another brilliant team-building exercise I learned from reading Michael Eisners autobiography, Fenster smiled smugly. With all these intellectual properties the company has acquired lately, we need a way to introduce and integrate all our new characters. What better way than an informal meet-and-mingle mixer?

Insightful as always, boss, Roger brownnosed. But our simple soire seems to have turned a bit, um unseemly.