My 2.5 Hour Escape to ... where else? Disneyland

[Disney Dreams]

My last few DL visits have been more "have to" visits: picking up things for friends, meeting people for quick visits, shopping with a specific list, etc.... It has been a little while since I have just gone to the Park and enjoyed.

Last night... I ran away.

I had some things that I absolutely had to get done for work and then, I decided I needed to "recharge." I've been spinning too fast lately and just feeling - blah - . I got everything done that I possibly could at work for the day, my DH was having dinner with business associates, so.... off I ran to my happy place.

In 2 and a half hours, I made it up Main Street (catching half of the Christmas parade), to Small World (in line at 7:45pm, yay! Only time to ride it once, drat!), got snowed on in line (fun no matter how old you are!), got a few amazing photos, back up Main Street (ducking into 1 store before they locked the doors), and leaving the park with less than 20 people on Main Street behind me (just awesome when I can leave the park that way!). Yep, that's it. 2.5 hours... 1 ride, 1/2 a parade, and a giant bucket full of Disney magic to fill my spirit again.

Here's a few moments I thought you might enjoy:

As I entered Main Street, the holiday parade was in full swing! I was just in time to see Mickey & Minnie ice skating!

So pretty, as the parade heads up Main Street...

No clue why, but I LOVE these guys

I got to see their little round snowmen friends too - but the pic is blurry.

Yummy house - so cute!

Aww

And my favorite Disney couple dancing their way up the festive Street

I had a little red rocking horse as a kid... did you?

How cute! A train!

With toys!!!

Oh, oh oh! My favorite solo Disney character! (Think Dopey was laughing at the grown adult who was waving a him? hehe)

HO! HO! HO!

Okay... parade over. Now, how to get to my destination. Oh yeah, I had a plan. But, as pretty as Main Street was - ahh! Look at all those heads! Post-parade on Main Street, and I was SOOO walking upstream. But - picture moment!

- continued in next post -

 

[Disney Dreams]

It wasn't easy. It took some work, but - angels sing - There it is! The sight I have wanted for 8 months! YAY!!! I know some hate it, but just the sight of it made my shoulders relax, the tension in my body from the last week started to slip away, and I realized I had a smile on my face.

I stepped in line, it may be long, but I was in it - 7:45pm. I was going to ride! YAY! Wait? What's that? All the lights just went off! Not my Small World! No! No! No! What? Huh? Oh wow! Yay! S-N-O-W!!!

And so pretty. Almost just magical.

After riding my favorite DL ride (did I mention an 8 month wait???), I exited to a post-closing park. The BEST!

When else can you get a picture like this?

I could have stood and stared at that for a very long time. Except it was "pumpkin time" and there were 4 Disney security who VERY nicely and quietly waited behind the few of us straggling behind. But the silent message was clear, "Time to go."

As I reached the hub, it dawned on me what was behind me. With only maybe 20 some-odd people around, this was the chance so rarely ever available. I turned around and the nice quiet men were still there, but they were very aware of the same opportunity that those of us there were as well. They kindly moved to the side and not a word was said as we clicked quickly - but carefully. How often do you get THIS chance. With no people!

Okay... time to go. Must keep walking. Others are taking pictures. I won't be the last one the nice men are following. As I entered Main Street, I turned to look behind me and saw the coolest photographic opportunity. I HAD to get it!

Okay... to the tram. And as I turned to walk... Wow! That's amazing! There's virtually no one here! 8:40pm. People sure cleared out fast tonight.Maybe just one more...

As I reached the top of Main Street, there were a few people enjoying their final moments of the night. Who could blame them? So pretty. And with so few people around, it is amazing just how big that tree really is!

And as walked toward the archway under the train with my spirits lifted, my mind clearer, and filled once again with the magic that somehow makes the "stuff" in day to day life just a little bit easier, I noticed about 5 people busily working near the train station. They were prepping for the upcoming Candlelight Procession. Always something new brewing at the Happiest Place on Earth.

- Dreams

P.S. The last view I had of Main Street, right before turning right at the Emporium is something I always thought would only be in my dreams.

Peaceful, huh?

Thanks for letting me share.

 

[SeattleTink]

Wow, wow, wow!

Your pictures are perfect, and the narration brought tears to my eyes.

I will be there one week from today and I cannot wait to see all of those sights in person.

Thank you so much for sharing.

It was just BEAUTIFUL!

 

[disneymom23]

Wow, I am so jealous of those who live close enough to DL to be able to go for a few hours. I'm glad you were able to have those few hours to unwind and do exactly what you wanted.

Your pictures are wonderful. I've only been to DL during busy times because we need to go when school is not in session. How amazing it must be to see it almost empty.

I absolutely LOVE the picture of Walt and Mickey in front of the castle. It is just breathtaking. You should blow it up and sell it!

 

[Sherry E]

Awesome, uncluttered pictures of IASW - I could stand there and stare at those gorgeous lights for hours too! Fantastic pictures of the Castle - especially the one with the Partners silhouette. And what a great picture of the Christmas tree, too! In fact, I love that you got pictures of the actual (fake) snow falling - we never see that in any shots, though I am sure many people try to capture it!

Great job, Disney Dreams! You accomplished a lot in your 2.5 hours! Bravo!!

 

[LavenderPeach]

How fun! And great night time pics too! How nice to not only get the oportunity to take pictures with the park empty but that you have the ability/equipment to take good photos! I think mine would come out all blurry.

Oh and I love the gingerbread men in the parade too. I love that their backs are flat and a little darker around the edges like someone just took them off of a baking sheet.

Thanks for sharing!

 

[arliepooh68]

I am so jealous! that is awesome that you were able to get those shots!! My fav is the toy soldiers. . . the gingerbreads are cute, but the toy soldiers are just magical to me. . .

 

[Whidbey5]

The picture of the partners' statue made me gasp. What an awesome image!

We'll be there in 15 days. Thanks for making me excited for our trip!

 

[bumbershoot]

I love IASW too.

Love that the security guys moved aside.

I don't remember that toy block train from last year!

Wow, I am so jealous of those who live close enough to DL to be able to go for a few hours. I'm glad you were able to have those few hours to unwind and do exactly what you wanted.

I've only been to DL during busy times because we need to go when school is not in session.

Unless you are a teacher, sounds like maybe a quick solo trip should be thought about.

 

[DisneyMomma81]

I have goosebumps! Thanks so much for sharing your get away and fotos ~ our trip is days away, I can't wait!

 

[pixiewings71]

Oh Dreams.....wow!!! Those pics are AMAZING!!!! They had the same effect on me and they were "just" pictures....I'm so happy and relaxed now!! Thank YOU, would you mind at all if I saved a couple of those shots for myself? I know they are yours and if you don't want to share please just tell me, I won't be offended but a few of those would make the BEST desktops!!

 

[godalejunior]

6 days to go and I get to see that beautiful castle!!!!!!!!!

 

[tonaly]

WOW - you got some amazing photos - what lucky timing you had! I love the silhouette of the statue in front of the castle lights. And the parade pictures brought back some great memories of my younger daughters 3rd birthday, I sat and watched that parade with her - well I watched more of her than the parade... she was mesmerized by the entire thing, waving and laughing. I can't wait to watch all 3 of my kids watching the parade in a couple weeks, they are going to be SO surprised!!

Alyson

 

[jory29]

My husband and I thoroughly enjoyed your story and photos. Wow. What an awesome time. Thank you so much for sharing with us all!!

 

[Sherry E]

WOW - you got some amazing photos - what lucky timing you had! I love the silhouette of the statue in front of the castle lights. And the parade pictures brought back some great memories of my younger daughters 3rd birthday, I sat and watched that parade with her - well I watched more of her than the parade... she was mesmerized by the entire thing, waving and laughing. I can't wait to watch all 3 of my kids watching the parade in a couple weeks, they are going to be SO surprised!!

Alyson

OT for just a second-

Alyson - I just noticed in your ticker that you will be at DLR when I am (I don't know how long your trip is, but it looks like it starts on the same day as mine). Look for my LGMH.

 

[lotsofboys]

WOW, your pics are beautiful, but the one with the castle and statue is an award winner! Be sure to enter it in some photo contests, I'm sure you will win something

 

[YellowMickeyPonchos]

Thanks so much for sharing. I would be doing that kind of escape, if we didn't live all the way on the other side of town!

Sherry - We'll try to meet up with you while you are down there in a couple weeks. Not sure if we'll be there Saturday or Sunday.

 

[smeecanada]

Beautiful pics. Thanks so much. Looks like you made some awesome memories. Only 7 more sleeps to go for us. A week today we board the plane to DL and get to see it for ourselves.

 

[SnowWhite09]

What amazing photos! Thanks for sharing with us.

 

[Disneylvrforever]

I don't remember that toy block train from last year!

Are you talking about the Pinocchio floats bc those are new this year, just like how the Toy Story ones were new last year. I was so excited when I saw them. I guess Gepetto wanted to upgrade his toy factory. I was scared that they weren't going to have a panda on the float since I always remembered seeing it ride on the ferris wheel on the old float. But when I looked in the back w/ all the other stuffed bears, the panda was still there! Yay! Gepetto didn't let me down.