Disneyland Resort: 2014
Tuesday, 14th October 2014
When I made my first trip to Disneyland, in April last year, I spent most of the time trying to convince myself that it was going to be my one and only time there. Needless to say, I'd barely got home before I was planning my next trip. I had a trip booked to Walt Disney World during the Christmas season later that year so, as I'd yet to experience Halloween at one of the U.S. parks, decided that would be focus for my next visit to Disneyland.
Aside from the obvious excitement of returning to the Resort, I finally had enough airmiles to upgrade to Upper Class on the flight there and back. I doubt it will ever happen, but it was great to experience it!
Aside from the obvious excitement of returning to the Resort, I finally had enough airmiles to upgrade to Upper Class on the flight there and back. I doubt it will ever happen, but it was great to experience it!
So, an eleven hour flight and what seemed like an eternal drive from the airport later, I finally arrived at the Fairfield Inn around 5pm. I already had a ticket for Mickey's Halloween Party later in the week however, perhaps somewhat foolishly, I'd decided to extend my park time by buying another ticket for that evening's party. Jet lag does not exist within the boundaries of a Disney resort!
First off, I have to comment on the amazing costumes I saw guests wearing. Needless to say, there were countless Annas, Elsas and Maleficents. Whilst not the most elaborate, I think my favourite might have been the couple dressed as Linguini and Colette from Ratatouille, with Remy's silhouette under the hat!
First off, I have to comment on the amazing costumes I saw guests wearing. Needless to say, there were countless Annas, Elsas and Maleficents. Whilst not the most elaborate, I think my favourite might have been the couple dressed as Linguini and Colette from Ratatouille, with Remy's silhouette under the hat!
After a meet and greet with Belle, Aurora and Tiana, I headed over for my first rides on Haunted Mansion Holiday and Big Thunder Mountain, the latter having been closed when I visited last year. My sister and I visited Walt Disney World for the first time back in November 2004 and I was so disappointed when I realised the Nightmare Before Christmas overlay only happened in Anaheim. So this ride was a long time coming! My only regret was that I hadn't managed to get many photos of the "real" Haunted Mansion on my last trip and obviously it looked a little different this time around! It really is incredible to see the ride totally transformed. Big Thunder Mountain has always been one of my favourite attractions and I would definitely put this version at the top of the list.
The Cadaver Dans floating down the Rivers of America.
After watching Mickey's Costume Party Cavalcade and Halloween Screams, it was time for another Disneyland first for me - Space Mountain: Ghost Galaxy. The ride was closed during my last visit so this was my first experience of it in any form. And again, the Disneyland version jumps to the top of my list! I find the Walt Disney World version too tame, whilst the Disneyland Paris ride, once one of my absolute favourites, has simply become too painful to ride! The Disneyland version was just so much fun, with the Halloween overlay an added bonus.
I'd read mixed reviews about the party beforehand but I was pleased to have booked an extra ticket. Having watched the "main" events I knew I could just wander around taking it all in when I came back on Friday.
I'd read mixed reviews about the party beforehand but I was pleased to have booked an extra ticket. Having watched the "main" events I knew I could just wander around taking it all in when I came back on Friday.
Wednesday, 15th October 2014
OK, I'll admit it. The first thing I did was join the crowd of people rushing to find the line for Frozen Meet & Greet Fastpass tickets. And then I saw the line, stretching back towards Big Thunder Mountain, and quickly abandoned that idea! So I headed to New Orleans Square for a ride (or two!) on Haunted Mansion Holiday. I pretty much walked on to the ride both times - upon exiting the ride for the second time I discovered it had been closed. After that, each time I walked past the line just seemed to get longer and longer...so that was it for me and the Pumpkin King.
After a ride on Pirates of the Caribbean I wandered back over to Fantasyland to get some photos of my favourite Disney castle (are you sensing a pattern? Disneyland has a LOT of my favourite things!). A showing of Rapunzel was about to start at Fantasy Fayre, a great opportunity to sit down for a bit and these shows are a lot of fun.
I headed out to Trader Sam's at the Disneyland Hotel for lunch and then visited Innoventions. The Thor meet and greet has to be one of the most elaborate I've experienced!
I headed out to Trader Sam's at the Disneyland Hotel for lunch and then visited Innoventions. The Thor meet and greet has to be one of the most elaborate I've experienced!
Above: Examples of the amazing carved pumpkins on display at Big Thunder Ranch. View more here.
The first time I visited Disneyland I felt under pressure to "do this ride and that". Whilst I still haven't experienced every ride the resort has to offer (and I still haven't seen Fantasmic! - which no doubt would be another on the "Disneyland has the best..." list), having already ridden all those I really wanted to, this trip I was much more inclined to simply wander around the parks. The only things really dictating what I did were my many dining reservations! I wanted to try and visit some different restaurants from my first trip but how could I resist Napa Rose or Carthay Circle?
Below: Dinner at Napa Rose.
The first time I visited Disneyland I felt under pressure to "do this ride and that". Whilst I still haven't experienced every ride the resort has to offer (and I still haven't seen Fantasmic! - which no doubt would be another on the "Disneyland has the best..." list), having already ridden all those I really wanted to, this trip I was much more inclined to simply wander around the parks. The only things really dictating what I did were my many dining reservations! I wanted to try and visit some different restaurants from my first trip but how could I resist Napa Rose or Carthay Circle?
Below: Dinner at Napa Rose.
Thursday, 16th October 2014
A busy start to the morning, meeting Mickey and Donald on Main Street, photographing lots and lots of pumpkins and riding Space Mountain,. I had no specific plans for breakfast and as I passed Plaza Gardens, I caught a glimpse of Winnie the Pooh inside and, well that was one decision taken care of!
The queue at Pixie Hollow didn't look too long so I stood in that for a while before having a change of heart. Instead, following a chance encounter with Peter Pan, I headed for Adventureland, grabbed a FastPass for Indiana Jones (yeah, another of those "one of my favourites" and the first attraction I rode at Disneyland), went on Jungle Cruise and then passed time before my FastPass slot climbing Tarzan's Treehouse and browsing the Adventureland stores.
The queue at Pixie Hollow didn't look too long so I stood in that for a while before having a change of heart. Instead, following a chance encounter with Peter Pan, I headed for Adventureland, grabbed a FastPass for Indiana Jones (yeah, another of those "one of my favourites" and the first attraction I rode at Disneyland), went on Jungle Cruise and then passed time before my FastPass slot climbing Tarzan's Treehouse and browsing the Adventureland stores.
Time to head to Disney California Adventure and, where else, Radiator Springs Racers where my losing streak finally ended!
Buena Vista Street is such a beautiful area and I love the characters' costumes. I was so pleased with this photo of Mickey and Pluto! Of course there was a new arrival I had to meet - Oswald!
Buena Vista Street is such a beautiful area and I love the characters' costumes. I was so pleased with this photo of Mickey and Pluto! Of course there was a new arrival I had to meet - Oswald!
Above: Not a bad view for lunch at the Cove Bar! Followed up later on by a Halloween cookie at Fiddler, Fifer & Practical Cafe.
Pixar Play Parade
I'd picked up a FastPass for Radiator Springs on entering the park - as it turned out, the ride was shut down for a bit while I was in the queue and it was dark by the time I finally made it the front. As an added bonus, the fireworks from Disneyland Park were going off overhead! On the downside, I was a bit more pushed for time if I wanted to get some night shots of Paradise Pier before it was taken over by World of Color. I made it there just in time and was also able to backtrack to Cars Land to take in the neon before heading for dinner at Steakhouse 55.
Friday, 17th October 2014
Back to Steakhouse 55 at the Disneyland Hotel for a delicious breakfast before heading back to Disneyland Park and another trip on Big Thunder Mountain - my first during the daytime and a chance to take in the queue area.
Whilst I may have ridden all the rides I "had" to, there was one other main attraction which I had yet to experience at Disneyland - Mickey & the Magical Map. This was a must-do for me and it didn't disappoint. View (lots) more photos from the show here.
Below: I got in line for Belle but shortly after it changed to Merida. I was not disappointed! I do miss her wonderful backdrop with her brother bears though.
Below: I got in line for Belle but shortly after it changed to Merida. I was not disappointed! I do miss her wonderful backdrop with her brother bears though.
A day for some thrill rides: "it's a small world" and The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh.
One of my biggest Disneyland dilemmas - was I brave enough to take on the Monte Cristo sandwich? I also REALLY had to try the Pommes Frites. Let's just say that both of these were worth the hype! Cafe Orleans...I will be back! I then went and collapsed on Main Street to watch Mickey's Soundsational Parade.
Time for my second Halloween party. Having seen the Cavalcade and fireworks, this time I focussed on meeting characters. It also suddenly struck me that the Trick or Treat stations meant I could collect free candy to take back home to my hungry co-workers.
I know I'm way behind the times but I'm a recent Phineas & Ferb convert, having only checked the show out so I knew more about the figures in Disney Infinity (sad but true). I knew they were posing for photos in Innoventions but I didn't know where. As you can see, I finally tracked them down (by following a Trick or Treat trail) but one of my initial, unsuccessful, searches resulted in me getting one of my favourite shots from this trip - the Iron Man suits with no other guests in the picture!
Saturday, 18th October 2014
A somewhat different start to the day. Disneyana was hosting a book signing of "Marc Davis: Walt Disney's Renaissance Man" with guests Alice Davis, Don Hahn, Mindy Johnson, Paula Lowery, Marty Sklar and Lella Smith. Now I've been plenty to signings, many of which have involved waiting in queues for a LONG time, and I honestly had no idea what to expect. I'd used my Magic Morning entry on Thursday so just had to get to the park at 8am and hope for the best. Fortunately, the line was still quite short and the time passed quickly once I struck up conversation with the people in front of me, Paulina and Kristina who I'm delighted to have kept in touch with. Obviously it was sheer luck that this event fell on one of the few days I was in Disneyland but how wonderful to meet some true Disney legends.
Don Hahn
Alice Davis
Marty Sklar
Paulina and Kristina invited me to have breakfast with them at Carnation Cafe however I had a reservation there the next morning so I went with an alternative (and totally healthy) plan, which was to grab some Pumpkin Mickey Beignets and a Mint Julep. Before that, I was waiting to meet Chip & Dale (love those chipmunks!) when I heard a cast member saying they had to leave for the "Castle show". If I hadn't asked about this I would have missed the Main Street Marching Band.
Pictured above: The Halloween Tree, inspired by Ray Bradbury's novel of the same name,
I had my fisheye lens with me so I wandered around the park taking photos before heading over to DCA. Oswald was out meeting guests and I couldn't resist getting in line for him again!
Paulina had told me I had to try Mater's Junkyard Jamboree in Cars Land - obviously not a headliner, but a fun ride. So that was where I headed first!
Paulina had told me I had to try Mater's Junkyard Jamboree in Cars Land - obviously not a headliner, but a fun ride. So that was where I headed first!
I had lunch at Wine Country Trattoria. My server commented on how it had turned hot again and how I was being sat at her favourite table under the air conditioning - while I secretly sulked that I wasn't sat outside in the blazing sun where my photos would come out better! Lovely meal though. Fortunately, whilst I was sat there, I checked times for my remaining dining reservations as I'd thought my reservation at Carthay Circle was for the following night!
The first time I visited Disneyland I made a conscious effort to check out the Mad T Party. Never mind riding on Hemlich's Chew Chew Train, I think this was the experience, more than any other at the resort, which made me feel old! (OK, maybe squeezing on a dot with a child in Fantasy Fayre - but it's a close thing). This time I figured I'd just wander over and see what I could see. Funnily enough, I probably ended up getting better photos than last time! It's since been announced that the band will play their last set on 30th November.
Finally, off to Carthay Circle for dinner - thank heavens I checked those times!
Finally, off to Carthay Circle for dinner - thank heavens I checked those times!
Sunday, 19th October 2014
My last day in the Parks and I figured what the heck, let's see what the queue is like for Frozen. This time I knew exactly where to go and whilst there was still quite a long queue it looked decidedly manageable. Certainly getting a ticket wouldn't be an issue, my only problem was I had my ADR at the Carnation Cafe at 8.30 - would the queue move fast enough? At first it didn't seem to move at all but I made it! After breakfast, I decided to give Pixie Hollow another go. The queue probably wasn't any shorted than the one I abandoned earlier in the week but this time I decided to stick it out and am so pleased I did as it resulted in one of my favourite character experiences, with Tink posing as assorted Disney heroines. I had time to ride Alice in Wonderland before heading back to the Frozen queue.
Back to DCA and another trip to the Cove Bar for lunch - albeit immediately followed up with a visit to Corn Dog Castle as it was my last day and I HAD to have a corn dog!
I'd been trading text messages with my Twitter friend Yasmin in an attempt to meet up at the Park. She was finally on her way so I left DCA only to come across these two at the Park entrance. Such a change to see Mulan out and about! In fact the people in front of me were convinced she was "unofficial" as there was no sign of an accompanying cast member!
Unfortunately Yasmin and I were unable to find each other in the crowd to watch Soundsational together but we finally caught up with each other outside in Tomorrowland as she headed to watch the Big Hero 6 preview (I'd caught this earlier in the week and it was awesome. Unfortunately we have to wait until the end of January for the film to be released in the UK. I got so used to seeing all the "November 7th" signs around the resort that I never stopped to think we might not be getting it at the same time).
I had no plans for dinner so ended up mooching around Downtown Disney looking for inspiration (and the smallest queues) before settling on the Heathstone Lounge at the Grand Californian. By this time, the cold that had been pestering me all week was really starting to take hold so their Mexican coffee was taken purely for medicinal purposes!
Unfortunately Yasmin and I were unable to find each other in the crowd to watch Soundsational together but we finally caught up with each other outside in Tomorrowland as she headed to watch the Big Hero 6 preview (I'd caught this earlier in the week and it was awesome. Unfortunately we have to wait until the end of January for the film to be released in the UK. I got so used to seeing all the "November 7th" signs around the resort that I never stopped to think we might not be getting it at the same time).
I had no plans for dinner so ended up mooching around Downtown Disney looking for inspiration (and the smallest queues) before settling on the Heathstone Lounge at the Grand Californian. By this time, the cold that had been pestering me all week was really starting to take hold so their Mexican coffee was taken purely for medicinal purposes!
Monday, 20th October 2014
No park ticket but I'd decided to get one last fix by having breakfast at Goofy's Kitchen. This turned out to be an excellent choice - a huge variety of food, lots of character interaction and it was surprisingly quiet (obviously "quiet" is a relative term). A wander back through Downtown Disney and then it was time to wait for my transfer back to LAX.
Needless to say, yes, I am already planning my next trip - Christmas 2015!
Needless to say, yes, I am already planning my next trip - Christmas 2015!
View more Halloween photos from the Resort here.
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