Planning a trip to the Happiest Place on Earth this week? (I'll be there Saturday, so be sure to keep an eye out for me. Hint: I'm a white guy… with glasses.) If so, you're in luck because not only does this week kick off Disneyland's official summer season, but it also welcomes the debut of two new rides.
As mentioned before, Star Tours: The Adventures Continue finally opens to the public Friday at Disneyland, but that day also marks the ride debut of The Little Mermaid: Ariel's Undersea Adventure at California Adventure.
Learn more about the ride (and a few new 21-and-over surprises) after the jump.
]
Ariel's Undersea Adventure, which reportedly cost around $100 million dollars to bring to life, is a dark ride that takes guests “under the sea” where they'll meet animatronic characters, including Ariel, Sebastian, Flounder and others.
Here's a quick look at a few Imagineers (and former Disney animators who actually worked on the film back in the eighties) checking out the ride in the process of being built:
Pretty sweet. My favorite part is that crazy Ursula audio-animatronic. Here's another short video just on her.
That looks real! I mean, as real as a monstrous octopus-woman can look, I guess.
So yeah, two new rides this Friday, folks. And while I'm excited to ride each one for the first time, I have to admit that I'm even more excited to check out the new bar at the Disneyland Hotel: Trader Sam's Enchanted Tiki Bar. This Polynesian-themed 21-and-over watering hole features “inventive cocktails in kitschy, tiki-inspired glassware.” Bar creations include:
Krakatoa Punch – This powerful punch that erupts with flavor was discovered when Trader Sam stubbed his toe trying to escape a volcano. Light and dark rums, orange curacao, orgeat syrup, organic agave nectar, and fresh lime juice.
HippopotoMai Tai – Dare to enter this hippo pool with — Bang! Bang! — 2 shots of rum! But beware, you might begin to wiggle your ears! Reserve aged rum and light rum, tropical juices, orgeat (almond) syrup, and hibiscus grenadine.Schweitzer Falls – The back side of soda collides
with a typhoon of tropical fruit juices and Sam's Gorilla Grog in this
colossal, non-alcoholic mix. Named after the famed Dr. Albert Falls,
just stir to see the eighth wonder of the whirl.
Sure, these drinks will cost more than a cube of Red Dog (most things do), but hey, it's Disneyland. If you wanted cheap drinks you'd go to… well, not anywhere in Los Angeles, that's for sure. Kansas, probably.
Speaking of drinks at Disneyland, on July 1st California Adventure will open a new beer kiosk called Bayside Brews which will offer six different types of beer on tap. I'm not exactly sure what kinds of beers will be available, but they promise a mix of both domestic and specialty brews.
Just in time for summer! There's nothing better than taking a break on a hot day in the park with a cold beer… and having to take out a small personal loan to be able to afford it. Thank goodness I get to drink on the company's dime, right?
What's that? I don't? I'm pretty sure it's in my contract.
