Trip Report: Disneyland Resort 2017

Disneyland Resort

Thursday, 9th November 2017

So excited to be back at Disneyland after a couple of years away. As much as I loved staying at the Disneyland Hotel I'd decided I had to try the Grand California Hotel & Spa at least once, if only for its proximity to the parks. My room was right along from the restaurants and entrance to DCA so really couldn't have asked for more.

Friday, 10th November 2017

Officially kicking off my trip with Mickey waffles from White Water Snacks.

My main attraction priority for this trip was Guardians of the Galaxy - Mission: BREAKOUT. Tower of Terror is one of my favourite rides and yes, I miss that wonderful dusty hotel interior. Whilst the Fortress is tucked around a corner, aesthetically it jars with neighbouring Buena Vista Street (conversely, I like the view from "a bug's land" which has its own alien qualities). That aside, I loved the new ride. As expected, the theming is amazing (there are so many things to look out for in the Collector's Library) and the music just adds to the atmosphere on the ride itself. So yes, on more than one morning I headed back straight back in line!

Guardians of the Galaxy - Mission: BREAKOUT

It was the first day of the Holiday celebrations and Mickey was in his Christmas finest on Buena Vista Street.

Mickey Mouse

Having taken advantage of the Extra Magic Hour at DCA it was time to head over to Disneyland Park to meet up with my friends Paulina and Kristina. As much as I enjoy my solo trips to the Disney resorts, it was so wonderful to share the day with them - and thanks to Kristina I finally made it across to Tom Sawyer Island. Our biggest challenge of the day (avoiding 3 hour + queues for it's a small world aside) was trying to synchronise our MaxPass times!

With the combination of the start of the Holiday season and Veterans' Day the Park was, of course, incredibly busy but despite that I think we managed to have quite a relaxed day and accomplished quite a lot (WiFi issues aside, MaxPass was definitely worth the price). First up was a sail on the Columbia then Paulina went to save a space for the parade while Kristina and I ventured over to Tom Sawyer Island.

Rivers of America

Tom & Huck's Treehouse, Tom Sawyer Island

Tom Sawyer Island

We ended up with a great spot for the first "A Christmas Fantasy" Parade of the season, right by the Christmas Tree on Main Street.

"A Christmas Fantasy" Parade

We were joined by Lisette for our Fantasmic Dining Package meal at Cafe Orleans - this was my first time viewing the Disneyland version of the show. No Mark Twain finale, but a great evening nonetheless.

This was also my first time seeing Sleeping Beauty Castle decorated for Christmas as it retained the 60th Anniversary overlay (with added garlands) on my previous trip.

Shrimp and Grits @ Cafe Orleans

Maleficent Dragon Dessert @ Cafe Orleans

Sleeping Beauty Castle

Fantasmic!

Sleeping Beauty Castle

Fantasmic!

Putting MaxPass to good use on Space Mountain, Star Tours and it's a small world.

Star Tours- The Adventures Continue

"it's a small world" Holiday

Finally back to the hotel where the finishing touches were still being added to the Gingerbread House in the Great Lobby.

Grand Californian Hotel & Spa Gingerbread House

Saturday, 11th November 2017

No MaxPass today so taking advantage of Extra Magic Hour.

Disneyland Railroad

Alice in Wonderland

Buzz Lightyear's Astro Blasters

Alice in Wonderland

Buzz Lightyear's Astro Blasters

Dumbo the Flying Elephant

Casey Jr Circus Train

Big Thunder Mountain

Below: Construction continues on the eagerly awaited Star Wars expansion, Galaxy's Edge. The following week it was confirmed that the planet featured in the new land will be called Batuu.

Big Thunder Mountain

Moana

Following lunch at Tortilla Jo’s in Downtown Disney it was back to DCA.

Red Car Trolley News Boys

Guardians of the Galaxy: Awesome Dance Off! debuted in May as part of DCA's Summer of Heroes. I have to admit I found it ridiculously entertaining and watched it several times!

Guardians of the Galaxy: Awesome Dance Off!

Couldn't resist the Thor themed Lightning Pop with Mjölnir Glow Cube from Award Weiners.

Lightning Pop with a Thor's Hammer Glow Cube

Cars Land

A preview of the latest Pixar movie, Coco, was playing at the It's Tough To Be A Bug theater.

Coco Sneak Peak

Elsa & Anna

Thor

Minnie Mouse

Loki

I just made it out of a very slow moving line to meet Loki (joined halfway through by Thor) in time to catch the last performance of the day of Frozen - Live at the Hyperion. Mission: BREAKOUT aside, this was my other must see of my trip. The hugely popular Aladdin was always going to be a hard act to follow. I don't think the show has quite the repeat value of its predecessor but the quality of the production is undeniable. View more photos here.

Frozen - Live at the Hyperion

Paradise Pier was home to Festival of Holidays, featuring music and dance performances, food marketplace and merchandise.

Mariachi Divas

Phat Cat Swinger

Finishing the day at Carthay Circle with a table overlooking the Holiday decorations on Buena Vista Street.

Double Pear Martini at Carthay Circle

Sunday, 12th November 2017

Starting a day of park hopping at DCA for Extra Magic Hour and my first time on Luigi's Rollickin' Roadsters (actually masquerading as Luigi's Joy To The Whirl during the holiday season). It was also quiet enough to risk the regular queue for Radiator Springs Racers for the first time.

Cars Land

Luigi's Joy To The Whirl

Radiator Springs Racers

Mater

Spider-Man

Groot Bread

Princess Elena of Avalor

Over to Disneyland Park for lunch at Carnation Cafe where I had a table perfectly placed to watch the Parade go by,

Loaded Baked Potato Soup at Carnation Cafe

"A Christmas Fantasy" Parade

Star Wars Launch Bay

Kylo Ren

Boba Fett

Back to DCA in time for another showing of Frozen at the Hyperion (and yes, Guardians of the Galaxy: Awesome Dance off!) before another wonderful meal at Napa Rose.

Frozen - Live at the Hyperion

Guardians of the Galaxy: Awesome Dance Off!

Fire Roasted Organic Chicken Meatballs @ Napa Rose

Grilled Red Wattle Pork Chop @ Napa Rose

Warm S'More Truffle Cake @ Napa Rose

Cars Land

Guardians of the Galaxy - Mission: BREAKOUT viewed from "a bug's land"

Finally, back to Disneyland Park.

"Partners"

Sleeping Beauty Castle

Haunted Mansion Holiday

The Star Trader

Grand Californian Hotel & Spa

Gingerbread House at the Grand Californian Hotel & Spa

Monday, 13th November 2017

A quick visit to DCA before heading over to Disneyland Park to watch the taping of the Parade for the Disney Parks Holiday special.

Radiator Springs Racers

Club Mickey Mouse

"A Christmas Fantasy" Parade

Donald & Daisy Duck

Winnie the Pooh

The Blue Bayou

Tiana

Captain America

"A Christmas Fantasy" Parade

The Blue Bayou

Tinker Bell

Captain America

The Country Bears

Having enjoyed the Wishes Dessert Party at Walt Disney World I decided to try the World of Color Dessert Party and whilst the cost of these events is not for everyone, I would highly recommend it.

Lines for Pirates of the Caribbean had been ridiculously long throughout the day but it was a virtual walk-on as park hours drew to a close.

Pirates of the Caribbean

Hearthstone Lounge @ Grand California Hotel & Spa

Tuesday, 14th November 2017

A relatively late start to the day with breakfast at Storyteller's Cafe. Have to admit at being disappointed that Meeko didn't make an appearance but the company was great anyway!

Storytellers Cafe

Dale

Chip

Kenai

Redwood Creek Challenge Trail

Chip & Dale

Mickey's Fun Wheel

View from Mickey's Fun Wheel

Disney ¡Viva Navidad!

Nick Wilde & Judy Hopps

Festival of Holidays

Pluto

Officer Calvin Blue and Donna the Dog Lady

Ralph Brennan's Jazz Kitchen

Bayou Blueberry Smash at Ralph Brennan's Jazz Kitchen

BBQ Shrimp & Grits at Ralph Brennan's Jazz Kitchen

Disneyland Railroad Main Street Station

Daisy Duck

After lunch I headed back to Disneyland Park to kill a couple of hours before meeting Paulina for a drink at Trader Sam's. I wandered down Mail Street just in time to see Idina Menzel perform for the ABC Holiday special. That was an unexpected treat - although sadly I did miss this happening later that same day.

Plaza Inn Yule Log

Pago Pago Cocktail and Panko-Crusted Chinese Long Beans at Trader Sam's Enchanted Tiki Bar

DJ's Dance 'n' Drive

Paradise Pier

Mickey & Minnie Mouse

Pirates of the Caribbean

Wednesday, 15th November 2017

Last day - so time for one more ride on Mission: BREAKOUT!

Guardians of the Galaxy - Mission: BREAKOUT

Brioche Frencgh Toast at Flo's V8 Cafe

Flo's V8 Cafe

Cars Land

I'd been hoping to see Cruz Ramirez all week! This was the first of a few new character meetings for me today.

Cruz Ramirez

Cinderella

Pocahontas

Snow White

Doctor Facilier

Neverland Tea at The Cove Bar

Tri-Trip Sliders at the Cove Bar

Princess Elena's Musical Grand Arrival

Yes, I had to make it back to the hotel in time for my transfer to the airport. However I also had to take the opportunity to meet Olaf and Kristoff. Fortunately I made it just in time.

View more Holiday photos from around the Resort here.

Next stop: Walt Disney World in April 2018!

Clarabelle Cow

Olaf & Kristoff