Edible Plants in Tomorrowland

Have you ever noticed that most of the decorative plants in Tomorrowland are actually edible plants? It's called Agri-Future! I'm not sure if we'd actually want to eat them, but I've spotted lettuce plants,

dwarf chili plants,

strawberry plants,

cabbage plants, rosemary bushes, sage plants and many more.  I just think that's plain cool and it makes for a great teaching opportunity for the kids while you are waiting in line!

What ones have you spotted while waiting in line for Astro Orbiter, Finding Nemo Submarines or Buzz Lightyear Astro Blasters?

Finding Nemo Ride Waterfall at Night - Wordless Wednesday

A gorgeous night time picture of the waterfall coming out of the Finding Nemo Submarine ride at Disneyland...

Innoventions

Last week the kids and I decided to head out to Disneyland on what was a very busy day. I love visiting Disneyland and yes, even on a busy day. One of the keys to enjoying the Happiest place on earth on a busy day is to head to the attractions that are the least visited. We decided to check out the Jedi Academy and then head over to Innoventions.

Innoventions, is located in Tomorrowland, next to Pizza Port and across from Tomorrowland Terrace. You enter through one of four themed doors to experience a vision of the near future. The kiddos and I walked right up and did not have to wait longer than two minutes to walk in through the doors.

The first floor and your fist stop on your walking and self guided tour is the house of the future. We loved exploring every inch of this area. My kiddos were particulary facinated with one of the kids bedrooms that featured a mirror of the future and which they became obsessed with.

 

They also loved the table of the future that featured a touch screen plate setting. It was a huge hit with the fam!

After we explored the fist floor we headed upstairs to catch Honda's robot attraction and my daughter wanted to play with the different video games and stations. My parents were with me and they loved checking out the different health exhibits and also the video games.

It is a great place to let the kids unwind and take advantage of the air conditioned surroundings. We spent 45 minutes minutes exploring and it can take anywhere from 15 minutes to a couple of hours. It's a great place to visit on a busy day or if you want to get away from the hustle and bustle.

Finding Nemo Submarine Adventure

We've loved this ride since the first day it opened.  Scratch that, since before it was even announced it was going to be there.  I can remember when Finding Nemo first came out in theaters and was a smash hit, thinking that it would make the perfect ride in the (at the time) vacant lagoon in Tomorrowland at Disneyland.  We watched and waited in anticipation for the ride to be completed and yes, you may have guessed it - we waited in line for 3 1/2 hours on the opening day to be some of the first people to ride it.  Yes, then we went back a couple days later and waited another 3 hours.  The kids loved the ride that much.  It really is a cute ride, even after 3 1/2 hours of waiting in line.

It's great for families with kids of all ages (only thing to note is there is one short scene where the lights go out and there's a pretend electrical issue - this could scare some smaller children).  Be prepared to climb down the very narrow curved staircase to enter the boat.  There is also a non-moving special viewing area for handicapped guests.

The technology used is state of the art and is actually tough to figure out how they make certain effects work.  For those curious, there are silk screens with images/videos projected on to them to give the effect of the actual characters moving around and swimming with you under water blended with actual underwater scenes.

We've now been on this ride dozens of times since it opened, but one time that stands out in my mind as just really neat was the time that the fireworks were just beginning as we were loading in to the submarines.  It was a Disney Magic Moment.  Riding Finding Nemo at night time is also a different experience than during the day because in the beginning, the lagoon is lit up with colorful lights and it adds to the magic of the ride.  If you haven't been on the ride at night, try it, you'll see what I mean!

-Katie

Buzz Lightyear Astro Blasters

Buzz Lightyear Astro Blasters is definitely my almost three year old's favorite attraction. If your kiddos love Toy Story this is a must ride attraction.

You and your space ranger will blast off to "infinity and beyond" as you join Buzz Lightyear on his quest to defeat Emperor Zurg. This ride is an interactive dark ride that allows you to compete with your fellow space rangers for the ultimate score. You and your co-pilot will be able to shoot at different targets with your laser blasters. Two people are allowed to ride per space vehicle and one is able to rotate and spin around.

It is so fun to compete as a family. We love comparing our scores and trying to out do each other. It is an amazing family ride.

Buzz Lightyear Astro Blasters is located in the immediate entrance to Tomorrowland from Main Street. It is a popular ride and tends to have somewhat of a wait. I would not wait more than 15 minutes for this ride. If the wait is longer than 15 minutes, go ahead and take advantage of the fast passes and come back without having to wait. Better yet- head over towards the end of the night and you will rarely have more than a 5 minute wait.

Don't forget to stop and email your free picture and score back home as you exit the ride.