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Thursday, January 2
We slept in a little today - breakfast was at 7...
Then we finished packing up and called a Lyft to take us to our second hotel. We are now in Anaheim!
We got here waaaaay too early to check in, so we did the pre-check-in thing, left our bags in their care, and crossed the street to the Disney complex. We spent the rest of the morning and part of the afternoon at California Adventures - a place none of us has ever been before, starting with the Guardians of the Galaxy ride and mostly wandering around.
The photo on the left shows Kelly and me at the entrance to the Disneyland complex. We still have a couple of blocks to walk before we get to security, then another block to the ticket booths and entrances.
The photo on the right shows the large Christmas tree in the main square of the Disney California Adventure Park.
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The photo on the left shows Carl and Kelly in front of the large Christmas tree in the main square. The center photo shows Kelly and me on one of the streets of Hollywood Land. The photo on the right shows the Guardians of the Galaxy Ride in Hollywood Land. Those who have been to either California Adventures or Disney World's Hollywood Studios (formerly MGM Studios) may recognize the building as having formerly housed the Tower of Terror ride...
The line for the Guardians of the Galaxy ride was fairly long. But, typical Disney, they did make the queue line entertaining. While I joined Carl and Kelly for the queue line, I took the bail out option when we got to the ride itself. Those kinds of rides make my ill...
The photo on the left shows one of the "exhibits" in the Guardians of the Galaxy queue line, supposed part of the collection kept by the villian of the story. The center photo shows a painted backdrop with some fake buildings in front of it and a seasonal Santa with sled in Hollywood Land. The Santa and reindeer resemble the ones we had seen just a few days earlier at The Grove. The photo on the right shows Kelly posing with an oversized Captain America shield.
The photo on the left shows a topiary Mickey (or a bear) made of poinsettias. The center photo shows one of the waterfalls coming off a water ride in Grizzly Peak territory. The photo on the right shows some garlands wound around the dolumns for the mermaid show. The garlands consist of several sea life representations - seaweed, crabs, various shells.
The photo on the left shows an overview of Pixar Pier with its ferris wheel, roller coaster, and various arcade type games. I think it was trying to evoke the Santa Monica Pier, where we were a few days ago. The center photo shows a stained glass window of one of the shops, which features the lamp that's the logo for Pixar Studios. The photo on the right shows the entrance to the Pixar Pier area. The lamp on top of the arch will change positions periodically.
These three photos show a short seasonal parade that we managed to catch between the Pixar Pier and lunch at the Trattoria. The photo on the left features Dale, Goofy, and Pluto dancing down the street. The center photo shows a small band of toy soldier drummers. The photo on the right features Chip, Goofy, Clarabelle, Mickey, and Minnie.
After the parade passed, we continued on to see if the Trattoria had a table available. As we arrived there, we found that the parade (after circling around somewhere) had caught up to us again, so we watched it again! The photo on the left shows Mickey, Pluto, and Clarabelle sancing down the street. The center photo shows some of the Fantastics and Toy Story casts dancing by. The photo on the right shows the patio of the Trattoria where we ate lunch. We had lunch inside. Most of the tables were reserved by people with cell phones who knew to reserve a table in advance..... It was a good lunch anyway, except for the spoiled brats at the next table.
After lunch, we wandered through Grizzly Peak country. The photo on the left shows a mill that's part of the river ride in Grizzly Peak. We passed on this ride. The second photo shows some of the seasonal decorations on a lamppost. We did walk through the Redwood Creek Challange Trail where the next two photos were taken. The third photo above shows a stylized raven at the side of the trail. The photo on the right shows a small creek running through this section of the park.
The photo on the left shows a very large bear in a seasonal sweater, ready for the river raft ride. The center photo shows a bear ready for snowboarding outside of the gift shop. The photo on the right shows three wind socks located over an airplane hanger. I wonder if they're always so seasonal? Looks like Santa lost his hat and green stockings!
These two photos were taken at an overlook of the Grizzly River Run, the water ride. The photo on the left shows a waterfall that's a backdrop to the ride.
The photo on the right shows a geyser erupting alongside the track for the river run. It only erupts between rafts.
Then we crossed the ticket plaza and spent the rest of the day in Disneyland itself. We have 3-day park hopper tickets, so we can bop back and forth between parks, depending on who has the shortest wait lines for the stuff we really want to catch. (Note: we wouldn't return to California Adventures - I think we covered it all...)
The photo on the left shows the entrance to Disneyland with the train station, train, floral Mickey, and the entrance lanes on the right. The center photo shows Carl hamming it up with Pluto just inside the entrance. The photo on the right shows the large Christmas tree in the center of the square by the entrance.
And we were just in time for the seasonal parade.
The parade started off with two of the bands that had marched in the Rose Parade. The photo on the left shows one of those bands. The center photo shows one of the floats which featured a music box ballerina and an oversized teddy bear on a pile of books. The photo on the right shows a band of wooden soldiers.
These two photos show the front and back of the same large float. The photo on the left shows Minnie and Mickey with a large Christmas tree.
The photo on the right shows Chip and Dale sorting Santa's letters in Santa's Mail Room.
The photo on the left shows some precision snowpeople with "skiers" weaving in and out of their formation. While they're dressed as skiers, complete with ski boots and poles, they are using oversized rollerblades to move around. The center photo shows another skier with a blue and silver Christmas tree. The photo on the right shows some "snowflakes" skating down the parade route. They are using rollerblades.
The photo on the left shows Anna, Olaf (the snowman), and Elsa from the movie Frozen on their float. The center photo shows a line of bakers and gingerbread people dancing down the street. The photo on the right shows Goofy and Pluto constructing a large gingerbread doghouse!
The float shown in these two photos held most of the Disney Princesses and their Princes. The photo on the left shows Snow White and her prince.
The photo on the left shows the float which had four couples on it, including the couple from The Princess and the Frog and Cinderella. More princesses and princes followed the float.
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The photo on the left shows Woody, from Toy Story, riding a rocking horse atop a pile of blocks. The center photo shows Buzz Lightyear, also from Toy Story, riding his rocket ship atop a pile of blocks and accompanied by a bunch of aliens. The photo on the right shows a colorful Christmas tree.
Of course, no seasonal parade would be complete without Santa Claus! The photo on the left shows his elaborate float, preceded by eight huge reindeer.
The photo on the right shows Santa and some of his bag of toys, which includes lots of stuffed animals, like Minnie Mouse, Shrek, and Yoda.
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This afternoon, we spent a big chunk of time waiting in line for Star Tours - they had some minor malfunctions that would occasionally bring the line to a complete halt!
Carl and Kelly tell me that the video portions of the ride have been changed to incorporate elements of the newest Star Wars movie. The only way my stomach would allow me to survive the ride was to close my eyes when the seats were in motion.... I did open them for a couple of calm parts, however, and caught a couple of scenes.
By the time we left Star Tours, the sun had set, so all the lights were on - including the ones incorporated in people's hats and Disney ears.
Speaking of ears - they have more different styles than ever. Amazing! (Note: I found out later that some of the more interesting ones were either made by the people wearing them or purchased through Etsy...)
The photo on the left shows the rocket ride near the entrance to Tomorrowland. The center photo was taken shortly after dinner and shows some of the lights of Tomorrowland by night. The photo on the right shows the Cheshire Cat grinning from a shadowy nock in the rocks near the Mad Teacups (and near the restrooms).
We had a quick dinner at the place across the street from Star Tours (Galactic Grill).
The photo on the left shows some of the pretty lanterns over the Mad Teacups ride. The center photo shows Sleeping Beauty's Castle lit for the evening (before the rest of the lights came on). The photo on the right shows Sleeping Beauty's Castle with all the evening lights turned on. Supposedly, Elsa took over and coated it with ice.
Shortly before we left for the night, they shut off the Main Street lights for a special show involving the castle that ended with lights on the buildings (like those light washes people use for their houses) and "snow" (tiny bubbles) falling on the crowd! Interesting effect!
The photo on the left was taken as we crossed the bridge from the Castle and shows the Castle walls and their reflection in the moat. The center photo shows Sleeping Beauty's Castle from about the middle of the plaza in front of the Castle. The photo on the right shows some of the Mickey Mouse balloons (which light up) and some of the decorations along Main Street.
As we retreated down Main Street, I kept taking photos of the large Christmas tree near the entrance. The photo on the left was taken near the entrance plaza. The center photo shows the train station in the background. The photo on the right was taken from the top of the steps to the train station, which was officially closed, but the Disney worker guarding the steps allowed us to go up just for a couple of photos, but don't tell anyone...
Then we headed back across the street to the hotel to get our room keys and reclaim our bags. We're all more than ready for bed. No, we didn't stay for the fireworks, but we could hear them faintly through the door...
It took a while to get stuff arranged for our usage while here. Then it was lights finally out at 10:30...
More tomorrow!