A spooky Halloween 2021 DLR solo trip! Lots of treats, and a few tricks...(COMPLETED 9/6/22!)

[GDubDIS]

So much done right away! I'm headed to Disneyland for the first time in March so really enjoying following along with this report. Sounds like Web Slingers was actually more fun than I would have expected. Looking forward to hearing about the rest of the trip!

 

[Disneyhanna]

So much done right away! I'm headed to Disneyland for the first time in March so really enjoying following along with this report. Sounds like Web Slingers was actually more fun than I would have expected. Looking forward to hearing about the rest of the trip!

You are going to have a blast! I liked web slingers, I wouldn’t wait a long time but I could say that about any ride as I’m not big on lines It’s certainly better than Smugglers Run by far!

 

[Disneyhanna]

Day Three - Part Two: More HMH and Mickey Beignets!

Sorry for the EXTREME delay, I admit I completely forgot I was writing this TR. Since this Halloween Disneyland trip, I went to WDW twice, lol! No more masks in the parks, Genie+ is a thing now, so much has changed. But I have plenty of notes so I am able to finish this TR (if anyone even cares to read it, ha!)

We left off after a Fantasyland rope drop, and I wanted to hit up Haunted Mansion Holiday and then Jungle Cruise before the lines got too long.

I got into the HM line at 8:57 and standby was already 40 minutes!

The queue was long and wrapped around in the overflow queue outside but I didn’t think it would get any shorter so I stuck it out. I looked at the app and JC was only 25 minutes, I was starting to think I made the wrong choice. Oops!

It was 5 minutes before I even made it into the actual queue inside the gates.

Ready for a snack, I mobile ordered some Mickey beignets for $6 at Mint Julep. I overheard the couple behind me doing the same!

I was thinking about Bengal BBQ again as an early lunch and then perhaps a second later lunch in DCA. I spent a lot of time thinking about food on this trip, just solo things!

I love the music in this queue, it just hits different in October.

I made it to the stretching room about 9:15, so under a 20 minute wait compared to the 40 minutes posted. Nice!

The Holiday stretching room voiceover is just so fantastic, I do wish they did this overlay at WDW.

I was onto the ride about 9:18 and had a very frightfully merry time.

I love the little Sally at the end.

The posted wait was up to 75 minutes by the time I got off, so I was glad I rode it so early.

I waited a few minutes for my beignets, they were chocolate strawberry flavored.

These were delicious, they had a strawberry powder and I honestly couldn’t taste any chocolate which was fine with me.

Mickey was a little oblong that day!

They are really warm and crispy, I guess they aren’t that “authentic” but I enjoy them. I’ve had the Ralph Brennan ones which are supposedly more authentic, but those are much greasier and the Mickey ones are better for a light snack that won’t knock you out.

Some pirates came out to entertain us as I was eating!

I got powdered sugar everywhere, and easily ate all three beignets. Highly recommend this seasonal flavor that probably isn’t being served right now since I’m writing this over half a year later!

I headed to Jungle Cruise next, getting in line at 9:42 and the standby was only 40 minutes. While waiting in line, I placed my Bengal BBQ order. I checked the app and it looked like Snow White was open so I thought I’d try to do that next. I made it onto my boat at 10:11 so about a 30 minute wait. I will say the JC line is pretty boring!

I had a really good skipper, I forgot how different the DL version is from WDW.

I checked Indy and still no single rider, so I skipped it as it was listed at 55 and I was not in the mood. Instead I headed to Snow White and got in line at 10:25, posted 15 minutes. The sun popped out and the line was outside the queue, it was way more crowded in fantasyland than during rope drop.

After a few minutes in line, standby jumped to 40 minutes. Uh oh!

Lots of random stuff gets thrown in the display…

I finally made it on at 10:56, phew. The new version better be worth it!

Luckily there was still a scary creepy witch scene, though not as many as before.

The ending scene is so pretty, I love all the sparkles.

I suppose it is more kid-friendly now, I bet they got a lot of complaints from parents with crying children before, ha!

I passed by the Matterhorn to check single rider but the CM said it was even longer than the regular line so I passed, I must have not been in the mood to wait that day. The weather was so pleasant and not so hot but I guess I was just really impatient! I guess I passed by Big Thunder as well, which was not open sadly.

The nice part of solo trips is you can wander aimlessly as much as you want, and there’s no one to complain!

Continued in Day Three - Part Three: My Mouth Is On Fire!​

 

[Disneyhanna]

Day Three - Part Three: My Mouth Is On Fire!

I headed back to Bengal BBQ at 11:12 for my early lunch, and waited about 10 minutes for my food. I was quite pleased as I had heard horror stories of people waiting 40 minutes at Bengal BBQ but I did not experience that at all.

I had the banyan beef, pork belly, and a veggie skewer for about $21. It’s pricey for the amount of food but it’s SO fresh and delicious and very worth it.

The beef keeps shrinking but I love the spicy sauce and it’s a little chewy but not tough. There’s a tiny bit of pink inside which I appreciate. I like my steak almost moo-ing these days!

The pork belly is covered in some slaw, and the acidity pairs well with the fatty pork. Here you can see it without the slaw, and you can easily pick the cilantro right off if that’s not your thing:

This was my first time trying the pork and I really enjoyed this! I actually eat a fair amount of pork belly at home as I’ve started cooking a lot of Korean dishes. If you haven’t had it before, it’s like a slab of super fatty bacon, but less smoky/salty. It’s definitely indulgent. The hoisin sauce compliments it well, sort of sweet like a teriyaki bbq. Probably the most adventurous of the skewers and definitely filling.

My favorite skewers is probably the veggie, if it were cheaper I’d get multiple. I do miss the potatoes on it, but the eggplant is quite nice! I could probably eat 10 of these!

I finished around 11:45 and decided to get a bag of chips (how was I still hungry??) and then wait around for the noon boarding group drop since I missed RotR that morning. I got a bag of cheetos that was like $4, desperate times! The pineapple spears looked really good but alas the cheetos won me over.

I restarted my phone to give me the best chance at a boarding group and I should have done that last time, my data speeds went from 2GB to 25GB after restarting. Woohoo, I got BG 165 with an estimated return time of 3PM.

Feeling much better after a meal, I headed to Indy and got in the standby line at 12:02 with a posted wait of 45. The queue wrapped around outside.

I made it to the inside portion of the queue after about 10 minutes, it was so dark after being outside! I was to the video room by 12:19 and the group in front of me pulled out a loaf of bread that turned out to be PB & J sandwiches, smart!

To my luck I was front row this time, it is so much better being in the front on dark rides. I never hold on as I love being thrown around on this ride! The guy next to me afterwards was like I can tell you’ve ridden this before because you weren’t holding on for dear life, lol! When I got off the Indy standby was up to 65 and HM was up to 90, it was definitely getting busier.

All the lines in DL were pretty long at this point so I decided to hit up the shops on Main Street and then park hop at 1. It was nice being able to park hop after lunch time, instead of waiting until 2 at WDW!

Nothing caught my eye on Main Street as I have so much merch at this point and I am really picky now. I think the shops were lacking a bit as there were supply issues at that time.

I was in line at 12:53 to get into DCA and the line was quite long. The gates opened at 12:54 and they started scanning people in. I picked a really slow line, typical! I made it in around 1:00 and made a beeline to Guardians since it closed at 2 to switch over to Monsters After Dark.

The guardians standby was only listed 35 minutes at 1:05, and the queue outside was very short.

I was into my seat at 1:28, middle front row again, the best spot! We got Born to Be Wild, love that version.

It’s funny seeing everyone in masks in this photo, that feels so long ago when they were required, and I got so few photos this trip since they didn’t always link to my app if there were people not wearing them!

Somehow hungry again, I headed to the Studio Catering Co truck to try the seasonal ghost pepper tots for $11. It was over by where Captain Marvel meets, I don’t think I had seen this area before, very cool!

These tots had a ghost pepper cheese sauce and some bacon bits and jalapenos. I love spicy food and ghost pepper so I was very excited.

I also stopped by Pym’s for another Regulator, $17. (Patrón Silver Tequila and Golden Road Mango Cart Wheat Ale, with Mango and Habanero Syrups, and Mango Flavor-filled Boba)

The drink was just as good as the day before, I got a straw this time so I could mix it up a bit. The tots were so good, the sauce was SO spicy so not for the faint of heart. If you think jalapenos are even remotely spicy, skip anything that involves ghost pepper. I was glad I had my drink to sip on!

I sat enjoying my snack and caught some of the Dora Milaje show from behind. My mouth was starting to really burn at this point, definitely the slow burn! The sauce didn’t taste like much other than spice. The bacon bits were nice and I would definitely get this again if it is offered. I love that Disneyland has truly spicy options.

It was almost time for the 2:00 Spider-man show, this time it was a much shorter show than the one I saw the day before, Spidey didn't’ do any somersaults over the creates. I wonder if it varies a lot? The animatronic is just so realistic, I heard that it crashed the other day and I imagine some people watching would think it was real!

I got a picture by the Avengers sign on my way out, the people before me asked the CM if he could use their phone and he was happy to do so, so I was comfortable asking. It was still deep enough in the pandemic at that point that I generally didn’t ask any CMs to use my phone as I didn’t want them to feel pressured. But since there was no Genie+ I didn’t have photopass, so I didn’t get too many pictures on this trip!

The photopass CM was an older gentleman and he was so funny, he took one picture in portrait mode and showed me and was like “new profile pic!”

I headed to Radiator Springs Racers at 2:30 and there was no single rider line available. I think standby was 65 or 75 minutes so I was prepared for a long wait.

At 2:52 I think they opened up single rider again as I saw people coming through that line. At 3:00 I reached the single rider merge point and the CM put me in it so it was definitely open. The regular line was almost over so I’m not sure it was any faster, and of course I ended up waiting longer in the SR line than I would have in standby!

Not a huge deal, I was on about 3:08 so I still only waited 38 minutes, probably half the posted time. It sure feels longer when you’re solo though. I love the cars ride and it’s a pretty long ride so definitely worth a longer wait.

I passed by the Wharf area and walked through the Boudin bread tour to get my free sourdough sample.

I definitely planned on getting a Mickey sourdough loaf at some point!

Ready for another snack (reading my notes I cannot believe how much I ate this day, lol) I headed to Pixar Pier to try the gluten free incredicookie. I had heard a lot of positive reviews on this.

I got distracted on my way and decided to do single rider for Incredicoaster even though standby was only 25 minutes at 3:40…big mistake! The single rider line is SO confusing, the CM took like 6-7 people at a time to the ride and you go on multiple elevators, it was such an odd experience and I will stick to standby next time. It seemed like a lot of extra work for the CM and I’m not sure why it works that way. I ended up waiting exactly 25 minutes which is probably longer than what I would have waited in standby!

This is a fun coaster, a little rickety but not bad. I don’t remember California Screamin’ well enough to compare them. I think it is more fun at night with all the lights.

I got in line for my cookie and waited a little more than 5 minutes, the CM asked if I really wanted the Incredicookie and not the chocolate chip cookie, a lot of people probably order the wrong thing!

At about $6, the cookie is not very big. It was quite good, I would never know it was gluten free. It’s a nice shortbread, a mix of soft and crisp. I think it tasted more like a sugar cookie than shortbread as it’s not crumbly, and the jam is pretty basic.

I wouldn't go out of my way for it, but it totally tastes like a normal cookie and so it’s probably a great option for GF folks.

No Pixar Parfait for me on this trip, though it’s one of my favorites!

The RotR boarding groups were at 154 so mine was very soon. I skipped Monsters Inc as standby was 45, and I wouldn’t wait more than 10 minutes for that one.

Guardians was posted at 75 so I decided I’d had enough of DCA for the day. People were starting to trickle in wearing costumes as there was Oogie Boogie that night. It was fun seeing the costumes, lots of Wandavision and Loki costumes! It was cooling off as well, a great night for a Halloween party. I wish I could see the parade but I wasn’t quite willing to spend so much money for the party that trip.

I decided to head back to the hotel around 4:45 for a few minutes to grab some more layers and switch shoes. I left my room at the BWPPI to head back to Disneyland at 5:10, it’s seriously so amazing to be so close to the park entrance.

It still wasn’t quite time for my boarding group for Rise, so I decided to have some dinner in Galaxy’s Edge first.

I mobile ordered the Batuuan beef pot roast at Docking Bay for around $20.

I got my food after just a few minutes, it was surprisingly empty with lots of seating even though it was peak dinner time.Disney sure loves garnishing food with slaw!

There were a few random bits of kale hidden underneath the pot roast that were still crunchy and didn’t really go with the meal very well. There were very few mushrooms, so I think any mushroom haters could eat around them. The noodles were really mushy and overcooked, this dish overall was a lot like stroganoff. The beef was very tender and falls apart with the fork.

Despite my criticisms this was overall okay, a bit overpriced but not bad for a theme park meal. Maybe a 3/5? I noticed at 5:45 while I was eating that Rise went down, I actually started watching some vlogs at this point to keep myself entertained as I waited.

Luckily it was not down for long and my group got called around 6:00 as I finished eating. I headed to the restroom first as I always recommend before getting in a potentially long queue! I also checked into my flight, boohoo! I got a middle seat again, since I didn’t pay to select a seat.

Continued in Day Three - Part Four: My Longest Waits Yet​

 

[Disneyhanna]

Day Three - Part Four: My Longest Waits Yet

I canned into Rise at 6:10 and didn’t even recognize the queue, and I realized I had only ridden it at WDW. I’m not sure if they’re even that different but it sure didn’t seem the same to me!

After going through many rooms, at 6:46 there was still no end in sight. At WDW I had always been in one of the first BGs of the day and never even went through so much of the queue. My feet were really starting to hurt from so much standing.

I was so glad I ate and went to the bathroom or I would have been in trouble! Finally I was into the pre-show at 7:07, so after about an hour wait. That was very new to me as I was used to just walking on with a BG.

Lot of people were excited in my group, I can only imagine how cool this must be for Star Wars fans!

Meanwhile I can just barely identify the main characters!

I was one of the last onto the ship but the best part is being first off to see the Stormstroopers this way. Such a cool room.

The CMs are so serious!

I was in the back row, but no one was in front of me which gave me a better view.

The Disneyland verison felt bigger and some of the scenes felt different, it could just be my poor memory. I enjoyed it as usual, it’s a great ride and the trackless system is so neat.

Ronto Roasters looks so cool at night.

The theming in Galaxy’s Edge is so well done and is really immersive.

It's hard to believe you're still in Disneyland.

I wasn’t sure how long I was going to last this evening, I was getting really tired. HM was 95 minutes and the Fantasyland rides had long waits as well, ugh. I thought about getting Starbucks and then braving the HM line as I was getting cold. Tons of people were already lined up for the fireworks.

At 7:55, the Starbucks line was crazy long. I got in but after a few minutes it still hadn’t moved, so I decided to mobile order some hot cocoa at Jolly Holiday. I refreshed for a few minutes to secure an immediate mobile order window, there were so many people getting cocoa or coffee!

I secured the cocoa by 8:07, sure beats waiting an hour in the Starbucks line.

It was lukewarm but still gave me a little extra pep on that cold evening. I passed the teacups, so beautiful at night! I didn’t feel like riding alone so I continued on.

Even though it was closed, I took a pic of Small World as it was so pretty at night as well.

I got into the HM line at 8:12, the standby had dropped a bit to 75 because of the fireworks. The line looked about the same as that morning when I rode so I was hoping the wait wouldn't be that bad.

I kind of wished I had popcorn too, oh well! I was so tired and my feet really hurt at that point, but I stayed in line. The queue was fun to see up close in the dark.

Every time I’m in this queue I see different things! I suppose that was a perk of no Maxpass/Genie+, as I got to see queue I had never seen before.

I finally was in the stretching room at 8:58 and onto the ride at 9:04, so it was a pretty long wait, my longest yet for HM at around 50 minutes. It honestly felt longer to me, and I regretted it!

I will say, I enjoyed the ride a lot more at night since my eyes were more adjusted to the dark.

When I got off HM, standby was up to 105 minutes. The NBC overlay really makes the ride popular! It wasn’t too crazy navigating the hub since the fireworks were over at this point.

I was literally so tired at this point, even though it was only 9:30. Disney tired is something else!

I never did get a photo with the giant Mickey pumpkin, the line was always so ridiculously long! I overheard someone saying “omg, we got like 10k steps” which made me chuckle.

Back in my room in under 10 minutes after leaving Disneyland, I showered and packed my bags and was into bed by 10:40. I couldn’t believe the park was still open until 11, I was so exhausted from all my early mornings and long days! For some reason I get so much more tired at Disneyland than at WDW. But writing this TR, hasn’t this just been the longest day ever?!

I decided to skip the awful hotel breakfast the next morning and just check out and stow my luggage at the front desk. My plan was to rope drop PPF, Snow White, and then possibly Indy and HM. I was going to skip a boarding pass since I only had a half day.

My flight boarded at 5:20 so I wanted to be in my Uber by 3:30, which meant I should leave the park around 3. I was sad I couldn’t park hop until 1 which would only leave me two hours in DCA. I was hoping to ride Guardians, possibly RSR if the line wasn’t bad, and then get a Mickey sourdough to take home.

I finally went to bed around 11, with close to 23k steps that day.

Stick around to see how my final plans really went! As the title says, there were a few tricks on this trip...I will try and get my final day posted very quickly, thanks for reading!

Continued in Day Four - Part One: A Productive Last Morning​

 

[Dee MarWil]

Please finish! I’m heading to Disneyland at Halloween and am reading your report to give me ideas and get me excited! You need to finish

 

[Disneyhanna]

Please finish! I’m heading to Disneyland at Halloween and am reading your report to give me ideas and get me excited! You need to finish

I was just thinking about this TR, and how Halloween season is almost upon us. I will finish it very soon! The ending of this trip was pretty traumatic (in a funny way, looking back) which I think is why I keep putting it out of my mind

 

[Disneyhanna]

Day Four - Part One: A Productive Last Morning

Happy Halloween! At least, it was Halloween on this day of the TR, though I am so behind on this one it’s practically Halloween a year later, oops!

I noticed a bunch of my photos have disappeared, agh! I host on Blogger, anyone know if this has been happening to others? I will try and fix them but that is so annoying, I have tried multiple photo hosts and have such bad luck! I don't know why it's only some but not all of the photos, so strange!!!

I woke up around midnight this evening feeling inches from death, I had the chills and was actually pretty worried I was coming down with something. I realized it might be the actual temperature of the room, as it did get chilly at night and my room’s AC was still blasting and all I had was a thin sheet. I put on a sweater and used a bathroom towel as a blanket, and switched the noisy fan to heat, which seemed to do the trick. I woke up around a few minutes before 7 feeling totally normal, I am not used to sleeping with so few blankets!

These are the things you deal with when solo traveling…no one to ask “is it just me or is it like 50 degrees in here?”

I missed getting a Rise boarding group again as my app froze, I really had poor luck on this trip.

I skipped the mediocre hotel breakfast and headed to stow my luggage and head straight to the parks, leaving my room at 7:26. The front desk people were all dressed up as Scooby Doo characters, so fun! They were quick and I left the hotel by 7:30, and was through security by 7:35. My feelings are so mixed on the BWPPI, it needs a huge face lift (it is so much more run down than it was in 2019) but the convenience factor is almost enough to ignore the issues.

Pretty small crowd for rope drop at Disneyland again, I chuckled at how many people ended up rope dropping Starbucks.

Just look how close I am to the rope even though I only rolled in 20 minutes before park opening! While waiting for the park to open, I ordered an 8:15 window for Jolly Holiday.

Today the plan was the Fantasyland strategy of PPF, Snow White, Alice, then everything else. Then possibly HM and Indiana Jones. I did much better this morning, and was able to get towards the front of the PPF line.

There were maybe 40-50 people ahead of me and I made it on by 8:07, much faster than my other Disneyland rope drop!

I got in line for Snow White at 8:10 and was on by 8:16, another short wait.

I still miss all the scary parts though!

Alice was next, I was in line at 8:19 and there were only six people ahead of me. I was doing great on time this morning and was on at 8:21.

I love the Disneyland dark rides so much, I want them to build more dark rides that anyone can ride!

I strayed a bit from my plan and decided to do the Storybook Canals at 8:27 since the line can get so long during the day and it is a hot line to wait in. All I had to wait for was the boat!

I had my Zipadeetees Halloweentown sweatshirt on and the CM complimented me and asked where I got it!

A boat arrived very quickly and I was on at 8:31, and I was the last person to fit on that boat luckily. I also noticed Haunted Mansion was not running yet that morning, ahh! The line grew quite a bit after me so I was glad I decided to get in line when I did.

I love this peaceful little boat ride, the CM’s voice on this ride was so soothing.

The details are so fun to look at and rides like this make Disneyland so special to me.

One of the perks of a longer stay is taking the time to look at the landscaping, such as these pretty Swan topiaries!

I headed to Matterhorn next, getting in the standby line at 8:39 as there was no single rider sign out yet. The line was super short and I was on by 8:49. I ended up on the left track which seemed much milder!

It was time to get my mobile order from Jolly Holiday, I requested it at 8:58 and the pickup was very slick and ready almost immediately. I had the croissant breakfast sandwich with fruit and a Matterhorn Macaroon for about $10. I saw the Starbucks line and it looked soooo long, the Starbucks rope droppers are onto something!

The croissant was nice and crisp, this sandwich is such a good deal for breakfast in the parks. It wasn’t overly saucy and the bacon was crispy and the eggs were fluffy. The fruit was totally worth the $1 upcharge.

The Matterhorn Macaroon was denser than I expected. The icing was nice and sweet, the outside had a slight crunch. The only flavor I really got was coconut, similar to coconut flakes and not artificial coconut. It was not my favorite as I would have preferred to taste more pastry than just coconut. It’s larger than it looks and can easily be shared.

While eating I saw HM was back up and at 55 minutes. I decided to go for it, I passed Indy which was only at 20 but I wanted to beat the rush to HM.

I passed under the entrance gate at 9:15 and the line was moving really fast, a good sign that it had probably opened very recently. I was into the stretching room by 9:26, woohoo!!!

I love seeing Jack on the ceiling, and of course a baby cried this time. Really adds to the ambiance.

It’s taken me so long to write this TR that I’m sorry if I’m repeating myself/pictures a lot, I don’t remember what I have already written lol!

I love the song where they just go “la la la la la laaaa” and I kept singing it to myself after the ride.

I headed to Winnie the Pooh next at 9:41 since I wasn’t too far, I must not have been wanting to get wet as I wrote “skipped Splash” in my notes, ha!

The WtP queue is so cute, and I love the orchestral theme music. So many people were in costumes for Halloween, a lot of people looked cold as it was a cool morning!

I got front row at 9:45, and as much as I love this ride, I can't wait to do the Tokyo version.

At 9:50 Indy was still listed as 20 minutes, it definitely wasn’t as busy on this day (Sunday) than the day prior (Saturday).

I was into the Indy line by 9:54, the line seemed pretty long outside but I was hoping it was just backed up a bit. A CM came and extended the outdoor queue behind me, so they were definitely expecting it to get longer soon.

I made it into the indoor part of the queue by 10:00.

The queue was moving super fast, thankfully.

There’s so much to look at in this queue, it’s probably one of my favorites.

I made it onto the ride at 10:15, so the 20 minute wait time was spot on!

Everytime I ride Indy I always feel like I’m going to the Chamber of Secrets, even though it’s the same ride as Dinosaur it feels completely different to me. Indy is 100x better!

When I got off the ride, the wait time was up to 55 minutes. I think I rode it at the right time!

Next up I headed to Pirates at 10:28, which had a posted 35 minute wait. The outdoor overflow queue was empty this time and I was onto the ride by 10:37, what a great morning I was having!

One of these days I'll eat at the Blue Bayou! I keep putting it off as I don't want to be disappointed!

This was the first time I noticed the cool trick where the pirate looks different depending on your angle!

I always see new things every time I ride!

This ride always makes me want to rewatch the Pirates movies. Yo ho!

Thanks for sticking with me almost a year later, I hope to finish this final day of the trip report this weekend. You’re in for quite the ending!

Completed in Day Four - Part Two: My Luck Runs Out!​

 

[Disneyhanna]

Omg, all my photos are messed up again! I see a red X...but when I right click and open in a new window it shows the photo...what in the world!

Edit: Wait now they show up! What!!! Let me know if my photos are down again, so strange what is happening...

 

[Wilsonfamily4]

Thanks for getting back to this. Pictures looked great to me

 

[Disneyhanna]

Thanks for getting back to this. Pictures looked great to me

I owe it to you all! And phew! I am doing some dog sitting on Labor Day and so the plan is to finish it then!

 

[Disneyhanna]

Day Four - Part Two: My Luck Runs Out!

Finally, this TR is coming to a close! But hey, I finished it before Halloween 2022!

I decided to check out the castle walkthrough for the first time, it tells the story of Sleeping Beauty and there are lots of pretty displays in the windows to look at.

It was just me and one other couple at the time, I’m not if that’s typical or if it gets busy sometimes.

I spent maybe five minutes walking through and reading the story, very cute!

It’s easy to miss the entrance by the castle, I actually had to look around a bit to find it.

Some of the displays have moving parts and pretty lights!

I checked the app and it looked like the DCA wait times were really low around 11AM so I was very excited to park hop.

While checking wait times, I sat briefly on a bench under this painting on the castle.

A lady with a camera politely asked me if I could move because she wanted to take some pictures of a couple that had clearly hired her and wanted photos on the bench under the painting. Okay…

I passed by Gaston doing a meet and greet, just a photo as proof!

Saw this cool display as well.

I decided on a clam chowder bread bowl from Royal St Veranda, which was about $12. It was quite cool still so it felt like the right choice!

This was super salty but nice and creamy, I added some black pepper to spice it up a bit. The soup was piping hot and hit the spot on the cool day. I got a nice table by the water and enjoyed my final meal at Disneyland. The bread bowl was huge, there actually isn’t much soup but the bread itself is very filling.

On my way out of Disneyland I caught Mickey and Minnie and the band playing Fantasmic music in the hub, perfect timing!

I actually looped around the hub to catch them passing by again!

The wait for Star Tours was low so I popped in line on my way out, standby was 15 and I waited the full time.

I don’t think I’d ever been in the standby queue before, the droids are so funny. I had never really taken in the theming before, I didn’t realize it was literally themed like an airport!

Checking the app again, DCA still had super low waits and Guardians was only 15 minutes. I couldn’t wait to park hop at 1!

I think I actually got a new scene on Star Tours this time, I swear I always get the same ones.

Next up I stopped by Space Mountain, single rider was actually open this time. The line is always so confusing for single rider though, you feel like you're in the wrong place!

I only waited four minutes!

Finally, it was time to park hop to DCA.

Bye Mickey Pumpkin that always had too long of a line for a photo!

I left Disneyland at 12:42 and was towards the front of the park hopping line. They started scanning people in at 12:55 and I was in by 12:56.

Of course I walked very quickly to Guardians as my priority!

Standby at 1:00 was only 25 minutes, fingers crossed for a short wait. I think it had the Monsters After Dark overlay all day for Halloween.

This ride fits in so much better now that Avengers Campus is right there. I realized I forgot to get the Alien macaron I wanted to try from Pizza Planet, oh well, next trip!

I was onto the ride by 1:15, I think my shortest wait yet! Loved the ride as usual, standby was up to 45 when I got off.

There were so many characters out for Halloween.

I saw Ant Man, Cap, and Loki.

The lines were long and there weren’t any photopass CMs so I didn’t wait for any of the meet and greets.

Love the theming on the cones for Halloween!

I got in line for single rider for RSR as standby was 55 and the CM was telling everyone that single rider was 5 minutes. Well, I waited 20 minutes, still not bad.

I finally got front row this time and the paint side, I think I got the tire shop on every other ride.

Wanting one last drink before heading back to the airport, I ordered a honey buzz from Pym’s instead of another Regulator. I put my ID in my pocket to have it ready when I picked up my drink.

I stopped by the Pacific Wharf cart but they were out of vampire Mickey sourdough loaves!

I saw in the app that Mortimer’s Market was selling them as well so I headed there. Luckily I was able to buy the last one they had out!

Donald was out in his costume, so cute!

The sun finally popped out to warm things up so I headed back to Pym’s to get my honey buzz drink.

I was walking by Guardian’s back to Pym’s when I pulled my phone out of my pocket to click the “I’m Here” button as I was just steps away. I realized almost immediately that my ID was in the same pocket, and of course I looked down and it was gone!!!

I was walking amongst a big crowd of people and so I knew it had to have fallen to the ground. I retraced my steps and started internally panicking, of course I knew my ID had to be there as I realized maybe 10 seconds after taking out my phone what had happened.

Sadly, my ID was long gone. I imagine someone picked it up as soon as it fell out of my pocket but with everyone moving, they missed seeing me.

I asked all the CMs nearby if anyone turned it in and no such luck. I was starting to get really anxious at this point as I wasn't planning to leave much time to get to the airport before my 6:05 flight since I have precheck. And more importantly, I needed my ID to pick up my $20 drink!

Of course, I was alone and at the end of my trip, so I started to tear up a bit…one of the CMs clearly felt bad for me and was trying to cheer me up. She was about my age and was assuring me she’s forgotten her ID many times and it’s not a problem. Thank you to that kind CM!

I headed to lost and found outside the park to report my ID, it ended up being a pretty big waste of time as obviously my lost ID would not make it there in such a short amount of time.

It’s much faster to just submit your report online, which I did after checking with the CM.

So instead of enjoying my final drink and leisurely heading to the airport, I ended up leaving on the verge of tears at 3:05 PM to make sure I had extra time for TSA.

The hotel was total chaos, there was a lady at the front desk demanding a refund because she decided not to stay at the hotel overnight. She had entered the room so they couldn’t resell her room as they still had a 24 hour between guests policy. I have no idea why this woman thought she could get a full refund on check-in day after entering the room, wild!

I retrieved my bags from the front desk and repacked my carry on to fit my park bag inside and was into my Uber around 3:35. The ride back to the SNA airport was only 15 minutes (compared to an hour during traffic when I arrived!) and only $23.

At the airport, I stress-walked all the way from terminal A to terminal C where the TSA office is. I was sweating and had my big check bag and carry on. Of course, they were closed. I must have looked stressed because a kind worker asked if I needed help as I passed the airport help desk. They were so nice, and assured me I could go through normal security and just let them know I didn’t have an ID and there would be extra screening but no big deal.

I walked all the way back to my terminal and dropped off my bag, I told the bag agent I didn’t have an ID and they just asked to see a credit card. Again, they were super nice about it as well!

I entered regular security at 4:12 and there were only two people in line. SNA is the best airport, avoid LAX at all costs! They asked for two other forms of ID from me, I think I gave them a credit card and health insurance. Or maybe my Costco card since it had a photo of me, I can’t remember. I got a very basic pat down and that was it! The TSA agent was soooo nice to me, I swear everyone at SNA was so calm and friendly. Of course I had sandals on because I thought I was going through precheck so I had to step onto the airport floors in bare feet

Finally I was starting to relax again! I was through my additional screening by 4:20 for my 6:05 flight, piece of cake! At this point I wished I had stayed at the parks a little longer, ha!

I bought this very sad salad and apples for $19, the same price as my drink I never got to pick up from Pym’s. Can you tell this is still a sore spot for me, over 10 months later?

I made it onto the plane at 5:55 and we were in the air by 6:18. I was flying Sun Country and it was a pretty empty flight again so I was able to move to an aisle seat with no one in the middle seat. I miss those days already!

Still too wound up to do anything like read, I just edited pictures the whole flight because I took so many. Obviously I didn't edit this one, a true depiction my state after this disastrous afternoon.

The flight was only three hours and we landed at 11:23 PM, or 9:23 California time. I was so wiped! I was off the plane by 11:37 and the first thing I noticed was it was so cold, I think like 40 degrees. I missed CA already!

My bag came right away, thank goodness, if my luggage was lost that would have been the last straw.

Ready to head home, I headed to my car which I had parked conveniently in the covered garage attached to the airport so I could get home quickly.

My car key button wasn’t working to unlock my car, strange, but the battery didn’t always work so I thought nothing of it and unlocked my car manually. I hit the unlock button inside the car and that didn’t work either, oh no…the panic was now setting in for a second time that day!

I tried turning on the car and it didn’t start. It was almost midnight at this point and I was beyond tired, so I just sat in my car and stared into space for a while. Could this really be happening to me?!

Funny enough, I didn’t cry. I didn’t have the energy!

Airport security actually drove by at this point, and must have thought it was weird there was this girl sitting alone in her car with no lights on and her luggage sitting outside the vehicle. They asked if I needed anything and I was like “my car won’t start” with probably a really pathetic expression.

They gave me the number to a towing company to get a jump start. Now, I know nothing about cars. Zip, zilch. All I knew was my car wasn’t starting, I didn’t know why.

I called the towing company and they made it to me inside the gigantic airport garage in 15 minutes. Phew. He asked me to pop the hood and I must have given a blank stare, I’ve never done that in my life, you all must be thinking I’m totally helpless at this point (I was). Finally I was able to do that and he somehow started my car, I practically cried in relief at this point.

It was $45 which I gladly paid, I have roadside assistance on all my credit cards but I didn’t want to deal with that and would have paid a million bucks to just get out of there at that point.

Of course I discovered the culprit of my dead battery, I left the dome light on!

I had called my mom about this fiasco and she of course offered to come get me, but it was late and I didn’t want her driving to the airport and back so late nor did I want to have to come back to the airport the next day to deal with my car.

I made it home by 12:45 AM, very exhausted and not ready to work (from home) the next day.

To anyone who made it to the end of this solo trip report, thank you for reading this far and for your patience! As you can imagine I think I just wanted to forget this trip by the end. It is still too fresh in my memory, sadly!

I think all of this would have been funnier if I was with someone, but when you’re traveling alone, it feels like the end of the world! At least I can laugh about my rotten luck now. Happy Halloween! This is almost as bad as Halloween my freshman year of college when I took a Physics and Organic Chemistry midterm and scored 41% on both.

To make things worse, I paid $20 for the drink I never got and was unsuccessful in getting a refund even after contacting Disney. Never click that “I’m Here” button until you are in fact there, with ID in hand if needed. I know from experience that the bartenders do not make your drink until you are in front of them, so I’m still annoyed by this. Lesson learned!

19,600 steps for my very eventful last day at Disneyland Resort.

Thank you again for following along on my adventure! I did get an email that my ID was found a few days later, of course I had already went to the DMV to get a new one. My vampire Mickey made it home in one piece as well, and it was delicious.

I have three upcoming WDW trips, so stay tuned for future trip/dining reports. Hopefully less eventful than this one!​

 

[NashvilleTrio]

I'm so sorry that your trip ended with so much stress! But glad you made it home safely.
We're going to DL/DCA next month and reading your report made me even more excited to see all the Halloween decorations! And getting a Vampire Mickey sourdough bread is at the top of my list!!

 

[Disneyhanna]

I'm so sorry that your trip ended with so much stress! But glad you made it home safely.
We're going to DL/DCA next month and reading your report made me even more excited to see all the Halloween decorations! And getting a Vampire Mickey sourdough bread is at the top of my list!!

Exactly, could definitely have been worse! You’re going to have a great time! If you aren’t doing the party, definitely try and spend time in DCA on a party afternoon to see everyone coming in costume. It’s so cool! Wish I had one of those sourdoughs right now, yum!