Disneyland Resort
Saturday, 14th November 2015
Having stayed off-site for my first two visits, I'd resolved to stay in a resort hotel for my next trip. The Disneyland Hotel won over the Grand Californian for the totally superficial reason that I had to stay in a room with these headboards! Of all the Disney hotels I've stayed in, this was definitely the Disneyest! Of course, this also meant I could finally enjoy Extra Magic Hours.
Sunday, 15th November 2015
Very busy around the Resort due to the Avengers Half Marathon.
On my last trip to Disneyland, I got chatting with Disneyland locals Paulina and Kristina in the queue for the "Marc Davis, Walt Disney's Renaissance Man" book signing, We've stayed in touch and I'm so pleased we were able to meet up again.
We had a day away from the parks but full of Disney history. First stop was Walt's Barn, which was moved from Walt Disney's home in Holmby Hills. The barn is full of memorabilia from Disneyland along side a number of Walt's personal possessions. Other exhibits include the "Retlaw 1 Combine", one of the original coaches from the Disneyland Railroad and Ollie Johnston's Station. I'll be posting more photos from the Barn in a separate gallery.
We had a day away from the parks but full of Disney history. First stop was Walt's Barn, which was moved from Walt Disney's home in Holmby Hills. The barn is full of memorabilia from Disneyland along side a number of Walt's personal possessions. Other exhibits include the "Retlaw 1 Combine", one of the original coaches from the Disneyland Railroad and Ollie Johnston's Station. I'll be posting more photos from the Barn in a separate gallery.
Original train from Mine Train Through Nature's Wonderland
Walt's Barn
Our next stop was the Griffith Park Merry-Go-Round, which is credited as having inspired Walt Disney to create Disneyland.
Griffith Park Merry-Go-Round
One last stop...a great meal at The Tam O'Shanter Restaurant & Pub, which was a regular haunt of Walt Disney. We even managed to sit at Table 31 - the "Disney Table". You can read more about the restaurant at the Disney Food Blog.
Monday, 16th November 2015
My first day in the Parks coincided with the opening day of Season of the Force. Needless to say, just about everyone headed straight for Tomorrowland and Hyperspace Mountain. I have to confess, I was slightly disappointed in the ride as for much of the time there seemed to be audio but no accompanying visuals. I actually enjoyed it more the second time around with lowered expectations. Star Tours has also been updated, featuring appearances from The Force Awakens characters and locations.
With most people's attention focused on Tomorrowland, the rest of the Park was relatively quiet, No wait at Pixie Hollow or Haunted Mansion Holiday! I love the Nightmare Before Christmas overlay but was relieved that the Hatbox Ghost hung around.
No "Ice Castle" overlay this year but the Christmas decorations blended perfectly with the 60th Anniversary display.
Lunch at Cafe Orleans.
I love the Fantary Faire Royal Theatre shows. Even if Frozen Fatigue has long since set in, I'd recommend this..
Hardy Brit that I am, when I left the hotel that morning I was laughing at everyone bundled up in coats and scarves. However, by this point I started to think they had a point and headed back to the hotel to find something with sleeves! I suppose a Christmas parade feels more authentic with a chill in the air!
Braving Tomorrowland again to check out the props on display at the Star Wars Launch Bay, followed by a First Order Speciality Burger at the Galactic Grill.
"Paint the Night" was one of the new anniversary events I was most excited to see and it did not disappoint, The Disneyland Forever Fireworks Spectacular was another highlight of my trip, although it was hard to know where to look with so much going on!
Tuesday, 17th November 2015
First stop - Peter Pan's Flight and the inevitable lengthy queue, even first thing in the morning.
Breakfast at the Galactic Grill - Bantha Blue Milk Bread
Arendelle makes an impressive new addition to Storybook Land.
Having taken advantage of Disneyland's Extra Magic Hour, it was time to head over to Disney California Adventure.
Condor Flats has transformed into Grizzly Peak Airfield since my last visit,
Disney Viva Navidad is a must see over the Christmas season - so much energy and pure fun!
I had a wonderful lunch at Carthay Circle and couldn't resist trying the Anniversary Truffles for dessert.
One last viewing of Aladdin, which closes on January 10th. The incoming Frozen show certainly has a hard act to follow.
Speaking of Frozen...
Pictured below is the Cars Land play set display which can be viewed at Sarge's Surplus Hut.
I left DCA early as I was headed for Trader Sam's and was hoping to get a seat inside. Mission accomplished, I settled down to enjoy a couple of their new festive drinks.
Below: Gingerbread castle in the Disneyland Hotel.
Wednesday, 18th November 2015
Extra Magic Hour at DCA. I joined the throng headed for Toy Story Mania - which duly closed just as I was reaching the front of the line!
The Diamond Celebration Cupcake...it had to be done.
Hanging with the Birthday Boy on Buena Vista Street! "Steamboat Willie" debuted on 18th November 1928. I was later (gently) chastised by a cast member for buying a plush Oswald on Mickey's birthday but I'm sure he'd understand.
Below: the Buena Vista Street Community Bell Ringers.
I headed off to Downtown Disney for lunch at Tortilla Jo's before returning to Disneyland Park.
I found the Jingle Jungle Cruise somewhat underwhelming when I experienced it at Walt Disney World a couple of years ago. I don't know whether changes have been made in Orlando but this was definitely an improvement and felt like more effort had been made than just hanging tinsel over the elephants..
Ending the day with dinner at Napa Rose.
Thursday, 19th November 2015
Finally time to take in "it's a small world" holiday!
Back to DCA.
The only previous time I'd been on Mickey's Fun Wheel, it had broken down so I had no idea what the "real" ride was like and how long it lasted. This time I decided to go in a swinging gondola...which I'm pretty sure I won't do again! Still, great views from the ride, which lasted a lot longer than I was expecting.
One off my Disney Bucket List! After numerous trips to Walt Disney World and Disneyland Resort I finally had my first Turkey Leg!
The always entertaining Five & Dime on Buena Vista Street.
No queue for Anna and Elsa!
Back over to Disneyland Park for another viewing of the "A Christmas Fantasy" Parade.
I'd arranged to meet Paulina and Kristina for drinks at the Cove Bar and we ended up with perfect viewing for World of Color - Winter Dreams. A great way to end my last night at Disneyland!
Friday, 20th November 2015
As my flight home wasn't until the evening I still had a relatively full day ahead of me. First stop was Big Thunder Mountain. This is one of my absolute favourite attractions and the Disneyland version tops the lot in my opinion.
Aladdin characters were out in full force although Genie seemed a little camera shy for once!
I didn't brave the queues for Chewbacca or Darth Vader in the Star Wars Launch Bay but I did stumble upon a certain bounty hunter hanging out in the "bar".
Spider-Man has been appearing at Walt Disney Studios Park, Disneyland Paris for some time now but he made his US Disney debut at the new Super Hero HQ on November 16th.
Below: Ant Man costume on display at Super Hero HQ.
Toontown looked particularly festive!
Captain Hook presumably offering some inside advice.
One last visit to Big Thunder Ranch, which closes on 11th January 2016 as Disneyland prepares for "Star Wars" land.
I'd decided to head back to the Cove Bar for lunch. There was a long line but one of the benefits of solo dining is shorter waits for a table to become available.
Below: An example of those small details Disney excels at, a gingerbread version of the Cozy Cone Motel inside the office of the "real" Motel.
Not pictured: another drama filled ride on Heimlich's Chew Chew Train.
Below: a festive edition of the Red Car News Boys. View an extract from the show, featuring the new song added for the 60th Anniversary celebrations, here.
Time for one last photo shoot with Minnie before heading back to the hotel and waiting for my airport transfer.
More photos from my trip can be viewed at the following links:
Disneyland Resort: Christmas 2015
Star Wars: Season of the Force
Disneyland Resort: Christmas 2015
Star Wars: Season of the Force
Videos
