Disneyland Resort: 2013

Sunday 28th April

My first trip to the "original" Magic Kingdom! I had the most wonderful time there and whilst I spent the week telling myself this would probably be my one and only visit, needless to say as soon as I got home I started thinking about my next trip. For the most part, I'll let the photos speak for themselves in this trip report.

I'd decided my first stop would be Adventureland and Indiana Jones Adventure, as this was a totally new ride for me. And for my first ride on it I decided to skip the Single Rider line in order to experience the queue area. 

This was followed up by Jungle Cruise, given that the ride was due to be closed for most of my trip. As I think I may have mentioned in previous reports, this is the attraction I remember seeing on TV when I was a child and wishing I could visit one of the Disney parks (back then I doubt I realised there was more than one). Even though you can now see real animals at Disney's Animal Kingdom, I still love seeing their animatronic counterparts.

Next stop: Fantasyland. Whilst I appreciate not everyone welcomed the new additions to "it's a small world", I was looking forward to seeing the Disneyland version and have to say, I really didn't find the Disney characters to be in any way intrusive.

Merida has yet to make it to Disneyland Paris (as far as I'm aware, certainly not the last I visited) so of course I had to meet her - and her brothers!

Meeting Fawn and Tinker Bell at Pixie Hollow.

Off to Mickey's Toontown.

I'll admit to feeling a bit teary when I first saw Sleeping Beauty Castle. Compared to the Paris version and Cinderella Castle in Orlando it seems so tiny (relatively!) but the setting is so beautiful, this was definitely my favourite castle to photograph.

Lunch at Carnation Cafe.

Iron Man Tech Exhibition at Innoventions in Tomorrowland.

Huge line for the Finding Nemo Submarine Voyage - would have to make that a first visit on another day.

One of my favourite views of Fantasyland.

Great long lines for the Matterhorn Bobsleds, which I managed to by-pass thanks to the Single Rider line. I have to admit as being somewhat underwhelmed by the ride, finding it uncomfortable more than anything else, but still went back for another ride later in my trip.

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Wandering across to Frontierland (via Toontown).

When I visited Walt Disney World last March, Big Thunder Mountain was closed for repairs. Same story here.

A ride on the Sailing Ship Columbia.

Just enough time to meet Pooh and friends in Critter Country before heading back to Main Street to wait for Mickey's Soundsational Parade.

I will never have enough photos of "Partners"! Cue my usual moan that the Disneyland Paris version isn't in front of the Castle.

The new Fantasy Faire/Royal Hall area.

I had to try the much celebrated fried chicken at the Plaza Restaurant!

After another viewing of the parade, my first day at Disneyland was drawing to a close and of course there's no better way to end a Disney day than fireworks!

Monday 29th April

As much as I was excited to visit the only Disney park that Walt actually set foot in, I also could not wait to finally see Cars Land at Disney's California Adventure. Hotel guests had already entered the park and there was a (very) long line to collect Fastpass tickets for Radiator Springs Racers. I decided to get in the line, then figured I'd waste so much time queuing there that I might as well take my chance with the Single Rider line.

Whilst waiting for the park to open properly, I realised that I could not see the Storytellers statue anywhere. How could I miss it? It turned out to be hidden - at first I was told that there had been some filming going on, other cast members said it was being cleaned up. Whatever the reason, whilst I heard other guests complaining about the lack of Big Thunder Mountain and Space Mountain, I was horrified at the thought that I might not get to see the statue! But I had the whole week ahead of me for it to make an appearance so I wasn't (too) concerned. Yet.

I headed over to Radiator Spring Racers (the photo below shows the waiting time) and...walked straight on! Thank you Single Riders! So of course I went straight back on again (slightly longer wait that time). Whilst I didn't have to spend ages queuing for the ride, it was still a relief that the ride was so enjoyable. The only downside is that I never managed to be in a winning car...

Next up, one of the rides I was most looking forward to riding/photographing - Monsters, Inc: Mike & Sulley to the Rescue! Definitely my new favourite dark ride.

Red Car News Boys performing on Buena Vista Street.

I had an early lunch reservation booked at Carthay Circle.  I think it was at this point that I officially abandoned any thought of maintaining my diet while I was on holiday!

Despite the hot weather, I didn't venture on to Grizzly River Run!

Off to Paradise Pier.  I think I may have ended up riding Ariel's Undersea Adventure more than any other ride during my trip - there never seemed to be a queue.  Will be interesting to see how this compares when I visit New Fantasyland later in the year.  Then it was off to California Screamin'.  Despite helping to run Neil Patrick Harris Fan, I have to say I would be driven mad if I had to listen to that barker's spiel all day!  Awesome ride though. 

Below: Instant Concert!...Just Add Water.

A quick trip on Soarin' (another Single Rider line) before watching Minnie's Fly Girls Charter Airline.

I love the costumes the Characters wear around Buena Vista Street.

Time for the Pixar Play Parade.  What, no Up?!

I'd heard great things about the Aladdin - A Musical Spectacular and wasn't disappointed.  I ended up seeing it three times and of course, thanks to the improv of the Genies, there's always something new to enjoy. 

Cars Land lookd incredible during the day.  Shortly after my trip, I was watching one of the Cars shorts and realised just how well the Imagineers had captured the look of Radiator Springs.  However, as wonderful as it looks during the day, it looks even better at night.

Having eaten at Carthay Circle, I had a ticket for one of the reserved viewing areas for World of Color.  Another great way to end a Disney day.

Tuesday, 30th April

The day started with one of the highlights of my trip, the "Walk in Walt's Disneyland Footsteps" tour.  Aside from anything else, this meant being able to ride Peter Pan's Flight without queuing!  Of course, even more exciting than that was the opportunity to peek inside Club 33 and to visit Walt's private apartment above the Firehouse on Main Street, USA.  Whilst Disney "nerds" may not learn much from the tour, it still provides a wonderful opportunity to see inside places otherwise off limits to the general public and its a moving experience to listen to Walt's speeches as you walk around the one Disney park he actually spent time in. 

At the end of the tour, the group (15 or so, if I remember correctly) was split in two.  One group went to view Walt's apartment whilst the other had lunch at the Jolly Holiday Bakery.  This enabled me to tick off another "must-do" - a Matterhorn Macaroon!  Whilst at lunch we were also presented with souvenir pin badges.

After lunch, I decided to head over to Disney California Adventure.  I didn't know this until a few days later but Mariah Carey and Nick Cannon were actually in Disneyland Park that evening to renew their wedding vows so this probably turned out to be a very good idea!

I headed to Radiator Springs Racers and whilst this was my longest queue for the ride so far, thanks to the Single Rider line it was still nothing to complain about!  15 minutes, perhaps.  Unfortunately, our car didn't get too far before coming to a stop and the ride being evacuated.  As I hadn't queued for very long, I wasn't too bothered aside from wishing we'd been further along so I could have walked more of the track!  We were given fastpass tickets to use and this worked out well for me as I wanted to do the ride after dark anyway.

I'd made a few dining reservations before my trip and had contemplated Ariel's Grotto but ultimately decided against it.  However, after this meal at the Cove Bar, I began to have second thoughts!

Wednesday, 1st May

As my 5 day pass didn't cover my full week in Anaheim, this was originally going to be my relaxing day off.  However, it didn't take long to decided that there was no way I could spend a day so close to Disneyland and not actually venture to the parks. So I bought a one day pass for Disneyland Park to cover my extra day (having debated whether or not it would be worth buying an annual pass).  But first up today was breakfast at Storyteller's Cafe at the Grand Californian Hotel & Spa.

Delicious food aside, this was a chance to meet some new characters and to catch up with an old favourite!

Once in Disneyland Park it was time to tick off some of the resort's unique rides: Finding Nemo, Storybook Land Canal Boats (yes, Disneyland Paris has a similar ride but Monstro is far more impressive than the Cave of Wonders!), Alice in Wonderland and Mr Toad's Wild Ride.  Heading over to Fantasy Faire, I came across Snow White in her grotto - with absolutely no queue.  By the time I'd taken a couple of photos, that had changed.

Tangled at Fantasy Faire Royal Theatre.  I was really impressed with this and perhaps even more so with Beauty & the Beast.

By this point there was nothing else I felt I "needed to do" (still saving Nemo for an early morning!) so just wandered around the park.  Lots of characters to be found at the park entrance and on Main Street.  This photo of Cinderella is possibly my favourite character photo that I've taken.

After finally braving the queue for a Dole Whip I headed to New Orleans Square to ride Pirates of the Caribbean and Haunted Mansion.

Then a wander around Critter Country, a trip on the Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh and more photo ops with Winnie and friends before heading back to the Grand Californian for dinner at Napa Rose.  Possibly the most expensive meal I've had in my life...but probably one of the best too.  Frankly, the bread basket alone was worth going there for!  I arrived back at Disneyland Park just in time to watch Mickey's Soundsational Parade and enjoy the sights of the park after dark.

Thursday, 2nd May

Another day in Disneyland Park. 

I decided to visit Pixie Hollow again.  There was a certain amount of frustration from guests in line as apparently Tinker Bell wasn't there but I was happy to meet a new fairy (Iridessa).  Plus...ducklings!

After getting a Boysen Apple Freeze from Maurice's Treats in Fantasy Faire, I wandered through Adventure Land, including visits to the Enchanted Tiki Room and Tarzan's Treehouse before taking a ride on the Mark Twain Riverboat, followed by lunch at the Blue Bayou Restaurant in New Orleans Square.

I know I've already posted a photo of Merida but this was the most fun I've had at a Character Meet & Greet.  I'd been chatting to a couple of people behind me, part of whose group had gone off to ride "it's a small world".  We were getting closer and closer to the front of the queue and they'd yet to reappear so I jokingly said I'd try and stall Merida to buy them more time.  As it turned out, no stalling was necessary, especially after it was suggested she pose with her bow and arrow!

I'd already met Mickey in his Toontown house on my first day.  Now it was time to catch up with Donald, Goofy and Minnie.  This is another of my favourite character shots.

The very entertaining Beauty & the Beast show in Fantasy Faire. I actually ended up watching two shows in a row - after the first show ended, I headed over to the Royal Hall for some more Princess photos, only to discover that Belle has been posing for photos after the show.  Sadly, she didn't do the same again but it's such a fun show, it was no hardship watching it again.

Large queues at Splash Mountain but I had a fairly short wait using the Single Rider line.  The girl sat in front of me was horrified to realise there were no restraints but she and her Mouse Ears survived the ride!  And then a relaxing stop by the Hungry Bear Restaurant and possibly the most awesome cupcake ever!

One last viewing of Mickey's Soundsational Parade before heading off for something to eat at Trader Sam's.

"Oz The Great & Powerful" costume and prop display at the Wonderground Gallery in Downtown Disney.

Friday, 3rd May

My last day in Disneyland and a wander around the Park playing with my fisheye lens followed by rides on Dumbo and Casey Jr and a late breakfast at Carnation Cafe (couldn't let a holiday pass without a Mickey-shaped waffle!).

Jedi Training Academy.  I figure with J J Abrams directing the next Star Wars movie, we'll get used to seeing lens flares like this (OK, way more impressive than this)...

One more trip on the Matterhorn (not as uncomfortable at the first time!) and a last wander around Fantasyland and Mickey's Toontown before heading off to Disney California Adventure.

The one disappointing aspect of my trip so far was that I hadn't seen "Storytellers" but not only was it finally on view again, there was no one around it save for the Photo Pass photographer.

Goofy helping out Five & Dime.

Lunch from Corn Dog Castle plus a Margarita from Rita's Baja Brewers.  Note to self: California Screamin' isn't quite so much fun after a Margarita!

As I'd really enjoyed my meal at the Cove Bar I decided to make a reservation for Ariel's Grotto, after which it seemed highly unlikely I'd never need to eat again!  I staggered over to Hollywood Land to watch some of the Mad T Party's set before heading back to Buena Vista Street where I caught up with Pluto and Goofy.

I then headed back across to Disneyland Park for a wander around the Disneyland Story before watching Great Moments with Mr Lincoln which had just reopened after a refurbishment of the Opera House.  A relaxing and moving way to end my first trip to Disneyland.

Saturday, 4th May

Sadly, with a mid-day pick-up to head back to the airport there was no way I could justify paying for another day in the parks!  However I could spend a couple of hours wandering around Downtown Disney, visiting the Resort Hotels and buying some final souvenirs.  Whilst I always have a great time at Disney Theme Parks (blisters aside) I really did have the most amazing week at Disneyland Resort. 

It would be hard to select highlights but I suppose things that particularly stand out for me are the amazing sights of Cars Land and visiting Walt Disney's private apartment.  I also had some great meet and greets with characters.  I've only started queuing to take photos of characters in the past coupel fo years (as opposed to just trying to take shots as I walk past) but it's definitely become one of my favourite things to do and I had some wonderful interaction with the characters and castmembers this trip.  I'd also rate the Napa Rose - possibly the best meal I've had and certainly wonderful service, although I had no complaints at any of the resort restaurants I visited.

Fingers crossed for another trip next year, my current plan being to visit during the Halloween season but next up for me is a trip to Walt Disney World in November where I'll catch the last couple of days of the Food & Wine Festival and, of course, Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party!