Tag Archives: Journey to the Center of the Earth

Attractions I Wish Disneyland Had

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[Over 2025, the Sip Family will use their Magic Key year passes to attend the Disneyland Resort frequently. Therefore, a fair bit of my content will be Disney based this year, while also presenting a Disney-themed cocktail recipe.]

The grass is always greener on the other side, the saying goes. There are a number of Disney attractions from other parks that I wish could be enjoyed at Disneyland. Some I’ve previously ridden, while others I’ve only seen or heard about. Here are the attractions I’d love to see at Disney’s most western resort:

Expedition Everest

This rollercoaster is like the Matterhorn – perhaps my favourite Disneyland ride – on steroids. I like the backstory they came up with for this attraction, including the lore of the mythical yeti. Sadly, I’ve only been able to enjoy this ride once before, when Mrs. Sip and I finished our 2012 honeymoon at Disney World.

Drink Around the World

Speaking of that honeymoon, I’m not sure Mrs. Sip and I fully appreciated then the whole drinking around the world challenge that many guests attempt when visiting Epcot’s World Showcase. I mean, we did end up drinking around the world that day, but it was not our original intention. Thankfully, a trio of fellow travelers took us under their wing and showed us a whole new world! Working with what we got, Mrs. Sip and I plan to ‘Drink Around California Adventure’ on our next journey to the resort.

Tron Lightcycle Run

Boy Sip’s love of rollercoaster ride videos on YouTube has brought this attraction to my attention and it sure looks like a neat experience. You basially get to race along in one of the lightcycles from the Tron franchise. While I’m not into the Tron universe, I would still like to give this ride a go.

Crush’s Coaster

When Mrs. Sip and I rode this spinning coaster at Disneyland Paris in 2007, we thought it was an amazing thrill ride. Mrs. Sip and I even recently thought of exactly where they could place this ride at Disneyland. If the powers that be removed the Golden Zephyr, Jumpin’ Jellyfish and Silly Symphony Swings from California Adventure, they could plunk Crush’s Coaster right in the place of this trio of less popular attractions, making it an extension of the Pixar Pier land.

Journey to the Center of the Earth

When Mrs. Sip and I rode this at Tokyo DisneySea, we were quite impressed. The whole steam punk-themed land, Mysterious Island, provides quite the experience for the senses. Even though the resort is found in Japan, the land offered some really good Chinese food, which I indulged in each of the days we were in that park.

Seven Dwarfs Mine Train

I’ve heard good things about this Snow White-themed thrill ride found at Disney World and Shanghai Disneyland. So as not to spoil my first time riding it, I refuse to watch any videos of the attraction. What I have seen reminds me of Big Thunder Mountain to a degree and that has always been a favourite of the entire Sip Family.

Twilight Zone: Tower of Terror

We once had this treasure, but it was stripped away from us and replaced with Guardians of the Galaxy – Mission: Breakout! The Florida version is really cool, with a part that has your elevator moving through a hallway before dropping. Even our blessed California edition never had that element. I would trade out the Guardians ride all day, every day.

Monsters, Inc. Ride & Go Seek

This attraction sounds like a lot of fun, as you traverse the streets of Monstropolis, searching for Boo. Using the flashlight device in your ride vehicle, you can activate various targets, similar to a moving shooting gallery. Given the current Monsters, Inc. ride at Disneyland is set for permanent closure in 2026, I’m guessing an update of that to the Ride & Go Seek version is not in the cards. Too bad we didn’t get that attraction from the beginning.

Sugar Rush

This attraction has yet to even debut, set to open in 2026 at Tokyo Disneyland, but I already want to petition for its addition to Disneyland. I’m a Wreck-It-Ralph fan and would love to see Sugar Rush, based on the candy-themed racing game the first movie features, up close. At Tokyo Disneyland, the ride will replace Buzz Lightyear’s Astro Blasters and offer a similar laser gun adventure.

Remy’s Ratatouille Adventure

Another character I’m fond of is the little rat Remy . Perfectly set at Disneyland Paris (while also existing in the French Pavillion Epcot’s World Showcase at Disney World), guests can live the hectic experience of Remy and his friends as a special meal is prepared at the restaurant. The trackless dark ride offers unlimited paths, while also utilizing neat visual and scent effects.

World of Frozen/Frozen Ever After

While I feel the Frozen franchise is a little overrated, it would be cool to step into the fictional kingdom of Arendelle. This land can be found at two resorts, with a third being developed: Hong Kong Disneyland, Tokyo DisneySea and Disneyland Paris. Within this land is the attraction Frozen Ever After, which uses stunning effects to recreate the Frozen story.

City of Zootopia/Zootopia: Hot Pursuit

There is so much content that could still be created from the world of Zootopia (known as Zootropolis/Zoomania is other markets), thanks to all the districts that exist in the fictional world. I really enjoyed the first movie and am looking forward to seeing the second installment of the franchise later this year. City of Zootopia, found at Shanghai Disneyland, contains Zootopia: Hot Pursuit, which highlights the events of that first film.

Villains Land

Sometimes, it’s fun to be a bad guy… or support the bad guys, in this case. Apparently, Disney World is getting a Villains Land and that has made Mrs. Sip and I totes jelly. There is so much potential for a land of this ilk and I wish Disneyland was getting the same. Instead, our favourite resort is getting the Avatar-themed land, which just doesn’t resonate with me.

Attractions I Wish Disneyland Had: Wishmaker

  • 1 oz Tequila
  • 1 oz Blue Curacao
  • 1 oz Peach Schnapps
  • Top with Lemonade
  • 1 oz Grenadine
  • Garnish with Maraschino Cherries

Given Boy Sip’s previously mentioned love of theme parks and rides, I’m sure we’ll be seeing many of these attractions in the future. He has already vowed to visit every (Disney) theme park he can, so even if these attractions don’t make their way to California, I do hope to experience them.

Chile – Ménage à Trois

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Mine Craft

In 2010 the world was captivated by the story of 33 Chilean miners who were trapped underground for an astonishing 69 days – kind of ironic given the title of today’s cocktail! – before being rescued. That’s three sets of digits I’ve thrown your way already and here’s some more, as we look at the Copiapó mining accident by the numbers:

miner

August 5th – When the mine collapse first occurred, as a result of a cave-in. No souls were ever lost in my mashed potato mine cave-ins, but to this day, gravy is still cursed in the region.

15 Minutes – Duration of the claustrophobic ride to safety inside the rescue capsule… soon to be an attraction at Disneyland: Chile.

17 Days – When the first contact between rescuers and miners was made. The survivors had taped a note to a drill bit that was exploring the mine shaft, hoping to find signs of life. I’m a little surprised endorsement deals weren’t handed out by 3M or other companies claiming it was their tape that was used in the communication.

Foo Fighters - Miners

This was requested by two trapped Australian miners in 2006… whatever the Chilean miners asked for, they asked wrong!

18 Pounds – The average weight each man lost by the time the group was discovered still alive. All you little sippers out there should take note that this is a steadfast way to drop some pounds and get back into shape.

21 Inches – The size in diameter of the rescue capsule. Some might describe the shape of the pod as bullet-like, but others might come to a more phallic conclusion.

24 Hours – How long the entire rescue operation took to extract all the men who had been buried. That sounds about right, as it takes me about 24 hours to get myself out of any hot water with Mrs. Sip.

chilean-miners-media

The 33 – Name of the feature film being made on the entire ordeal. It’s set to star Antonio Banderas and Martin Sheen. Jennifer Lopez was once attached to the project and despite no women being among the trapped, you can bet Lopez would have seen a fair bit of screen time (largely shot from behind!) in some sort of grieving role.

54 Years Old – The age of foreman Luis Urzúa, who is largely credited with leading the group of miners through their ordeal. He was the last man to be raised to the surface. Having a drink with this hombre would be quite the experience.

121 Years Old – The age of the Copiapó copper-gold mine, which lacked proper escape equipment such as ladders in the ventilation shafts and up-to-date maps. To be fair, all 121-year-olds operate without all the necessary faculties.

sex-with-miners

If it wasn’t 33 dudes trapped, I bet it wouldn’t have taken 69 days for a successful rescue!

540 Square Feet – The size of the emergency shelter the miners were forced to occupy. That’s smaller than my apartment and Mrs. Sip and I often get in each other’s way as just two people.

2,300 Feet – How deep the miners were trapped. That’s like Jules Verne’s Journey to the Center of the Earth, one of many books I never quite finished!

$20,000,000 – The cost of the entire rescue operation, which was paid for by private donations, the mine owners, and the government. That $20 million could have gone to funding this site with an endless supply and selection of booze.

October 13th – The rescue effort is deemed a success with the final miner emerging from their tomb. Now let’s drink to their achievement and well-being!

Chile: Ménage à Trois

Ménage à Trois Cocktail

  • 1.5 oz Pisco
  • 2 oz Riesling Wine
  • Splash of Sour Mix
  • Dash of Simple Syrup
  • Garnish with Grapes

Aren’t numbers fun! I feel like the Count from Sesame Street right now… minus the accent, fangs, and cape. I do have the monocle however!

Sip Advisor Bar Notes (3.5 Sips out of 5):
This drink was a mix of sweet and sour thanks to the Riesling Wine/Simple Syrup and Pisco/Sour Mix, respectively. The Grape garnishes were a nice touch and I don’t get to play with them often enough.