I just read your column. My wife and I have repeatedly piloted the Mark Twain river boat, but when we where there in January we were told that they no longer allow guests in the pilot house due to safety issues. (We were told the same thing about riding with the engineers on the steam train as well).

I am guessing the reason for this is due to all the accidents they have had at the park.

I was a little concerned why you were not let into the pilot house in January when my mom was able to go there in February with my brother and sister. So I did a little research. I asked some sources and they thought that the reason you were not let in was because the cast member was just being lazy. It was easier and nicer to tell you that you could not go up because of a safety reason. When you ask, sometimes cast members will say yes and sometimes they’ll say no. It’s a privilege to ride up there and most people don’t get the chance. But I’d suggest that you try again on your next trip and ask really nicely!

Riding on the tender of some of the steam trains is a different story, though. You used to be able to ask an engineer at the Main Street station, and sometimes (not often) you and one other person could ride on the train’s tender (not all of the engines have places to sit there). One of the conductors at the Main Street station told me that they have stopped letting people ride on the tenders because two guests didn’t follow directions to stay on the train and they jumped off. They did not get hurt but they could have, so Disneyland just decided to stop letting people ride up there anymore.

Hope that answered your questions.

I love your articles. You two write very well. I especially liked Jewel’s article about the fast pass system and ride switch. I had a difficult time finding information about ride switch until I read (her) article. Casey, since I am a parent, your article about planning a trip to DL really made me laugh. Then I saw Jewel's page requesting suggestions on future articles.

Now I am really laughing as I send in my two requests:

1. information on what it is really like to travel with a one year old baby to DL.

2. How kids can earn their own snack and spending money for their trip to DL after they have driven their parents beyond crazy and made them decide to take them....LOL.

Thanks guys. Keep up the good work

First, we’re really glad that you like this section of MousePlanet! It’s great that you have gotten good information here as well as some laughs. :)

I have some experience about going to Disneyland with 1-year-old children. My little brother and sisters are now 5 and 4, and they’ve been going ever since they were babies.

I will be perfectly honest with you. First of all, doing anything at the park is a whole lot slower with a baby. I remember going with my little brother and sisters, and it seemed like we stopped at the baby care center every other minute. There are more breaks in one hour with a one year old than in a normal day with an older kid. It can drive an older kid crazy just from all the stopping. If it’s possible, try to get some time to yourself once in a while so that you can go on some of the rides you really like.

But even one-year-olds can have fun at Disneyland and will remember their experiences at the park. My youngest sister talked about Goofy long after the trip when she was a year old. When the twins were one, we found that going to the Royal Courtyard in New Orleans Square gave them a place to toddle around without getting stepped on by the crowds; we still go there when we visit and need a place to get away from everything.

Jewel just wrote a column that talks about great ways that kids can earn money to go to Disneyland, so check out her suggestions!

Well, that’s all for now. C’ya later on MousePlanet