Trip Report!! ABD Disneyland Resort & Southern CA - 4/20 - 4/25/25 Updated 1/2/26

[peppers]

Day 4: Adventure Awaits - Disney California Adventure Park

Today's meetup was in the Lobby of the Grand Californian at 7:45 am to walk as a group over to California Adventure for breakfast at Pym Test Kitchen at the Avengers Campus. It's a cute quick-service place. The breakfast menu is pretty limited, but everyone seemed to find something to eat, and it *was* tasty! They have an EXTREMELY over-sized pretzel there that is bigger than a person's head. I had the Impossible Quantum Garden Breakfast (plant-based folded omelet with Impossible™ Breakfast Sausage, crispy potato bites and focaccia toast). I've had Impossible "meat" before, and I find it enjoyable. The focaccia toast was super yummy.

Since I had not been actually *in* either of the Parks since just prior to Covid, this whole Avengers Campus area was new to me.

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After breakfast, we had a couple of photo ops on our way over to Web Slingers: A Spider-Man Adventure.

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I am usually pretty BAD at these shooting gallery/video-game type rides. But I think because all you have to do is gesture with your hands vs. actually aiming something and pulling a trigger, I did pretty well on this one! (While not fabulous, if I remember correctly, I got the second-highest score of our group!)

Another photo op!

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Our next stop was riding Radiator Springs Racers. Always a fun time, and our car won!

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Ah, the hair!!

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Next was our backstage experience. We were taken on a tour of the Radiator Springs Racer's maintenance garage. It was a very, very cool place. Even as a strictly backstage area, it was nicely themed! We had a cast member explain to us how the maintenance of the racers works, and how they monitor them and extract/re-enter them into the ride and stuff like that. So interesting!

After our backstage experience, Dean took us out to get a treat off one of the carts on the Mouse (most of us got Mickey bars!) and then we were set loose for the rest of the day. We had been given several multi-lightning lanes, so it made it relatively easy to get on many of the rides (plus it was not a super busy day).

Folks split up, and I made plans to meet up with the Grifdogs later in the day over in Disneyland. The objective: check out Galaxy's Edge and most specifically, ride Rise of the Resistance! I had never been to the Galaxy's Edge in Disneyland. The one in WDW was one of the last places I went just before the shutdown in early 2020, so I had ridden on Rise of the Resistance back then, right after it first opened. They were still doing the virtual queue, which you were lucky to get in (generally only by being physically in the park exactly as the park & the queue opened in the morning and praying a lot!) I *did* make it in, and got through with no mechanical issues. It is, hands down, one of THE most fabulous rides I've ever been on. Between the tech and the visuals and the cast member interactions, I just utterly ADORED it. But back then, you were only allowed to ride it once per day, and I was only in Hollywood Studios for the one day. So I'd only had that one ride since 2020. So it left me LONGING to ride it again!!

In the meantime, I rode a couple of rides at DCA. Soarin' (always a favorite!), The Little Mermaid, Monster's, Inc. I think. I also spent some time watch shopping because my watch (which I'd had the works replaced on!) was acting up. But I didn't find anything I wanted at a price I was willing to pay! I really wasn't hungry enough for an actual meal at that point, so I grabbed some popcorn, and decided to head to Disneyland. I have to admit, DCA is my least favorite park of all the ones I've been to (and I've been to them all! I'm not a fan of a lot of the rides there, and I just don't care for the atmosphere. There, I said it!

At Disneyland, I did a bit more watch shopping, but they didn't have anything different than what the shops at DCA did. So I headed over to New Orleans Square, as I really wanted to ride Tiana's Bayou Adventure, which I'd never been on.

I was a bit dismayed to find people in line in ponchos. I did not realize you could get *that* wet on it! This was April, and it was really not warm enough yet to get really wet. Fortunately, I was able to get in the back, and had a hoodie on, so I managed to escape getting too wet!

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I do like the new theming! It's still a fun ride!

Continued in next post.

How interesting - when I went on this trip with my dad, we got bottles of water after the backstage experience, and THEN we headed back to Disneyland for an exclusive roped-off area to see the afternoon parade. We got some snacks at the Jolly Holiday Bakery for free, and THEN we were on our own the rest of the day. Truly enjoying your reports!

 

[sayhello]

How interesting - when I went on this trip with my dad, we got bottles of water after the backstage experience, and THEN we headed back to Disneyland for an exclusive roped-off area to see the afternoon parade. We got some snacks at the Jolly Holiday Bakery for free, and THEN we were on our own the rest of the day. Truly enjoying your reports!

To my knowledge, there was no afternoon parade while we were there. So that part may vary based on when you do the trip.

Glad you're enjoying!!

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[Rowlf the Dog]

Thanks for your kind words. I'm sorry about the situation with your parents. The Adventure Guides were super accommodating to my dad who was walking slower and slower (didn't think anything of it at the time other than him slowing down due to being almost 80, but after the diagnosis so many more things made sense to me). They showed him where elevators were to avoid stairs and visited with him while walking - never pressured him to speed up. Maybe you can plan a trip to Disneyland with your parents and do things at your own pace?

While my mum sure would be interested - she already was at Disney World with me for one week and we did the Keys to the Kingdom Tour (with me translating) - but my dad, his walking issues aside, don't like crowds and amusement parks at all, he would really only be interested in the Muppets Studios.
But back to the topic, I really hope when the Muppets Studios settled in their new home, that it will find its way back to the tour.

To my knowledge, there was no afternoon parade while we were there. So that part may vary based on when you do the trip.

Glad you're enjoying!!

Sayhello

Was there also no evening parade? Otherwise it's sad that they cut it.

As I did the tour in October 23, on day 4 after 2 or 3 hours with the group in the morning ending with the backstage-visit, we had time of our own until the evening. There we first had a roped-off area for the parade (just don't know the name anymore) in the early evening in Disneyland Park and a separated viewing area for World of Color in California Adventur after it, our 2 Tourguides (we were a group of 30 or more) split up for this. On day 2 after all groups visited Walts appartement, we also had a viewing area for the evening show on the castle (without fireworks because of the weekday) before having the night for us. Fantasmic was closed during our visit and the days after.
But when you only got World of Color within the tour, I don't like the way they cut down even more. And I cannot understand it, if they cut it down for time of your own. For the parade and the 2 evening shows, our guides just said "if you want, we have a reserved area for xxx. You could find us at point y on hh:mm p.m.", so no pressure at all. We also had a couple who didn't join us there, but this was no problem at all.
I feel so sorry that they cut this for you , but I hope you enjoyed the time in the parks nevertheless...

PS: On our day 5 we also had the night for ourselves after the farewell-dinner but we got tickets for Oogie Boogie Bash at California Adventure for the evening.

 

[sayhello]

While my mum sure would be interested - she already was at Disney World with me for one week and we did the Keys to the Kingdom Tour (with me translating) - but my dad, his walking issues aside, don't like crowds and amusement parks at all, he would really only be interested in the Muppets Studios.
But back to the topic, I really hope when the Muppets Studios settled in their new home, that it will find its way back to the tour.


Was there also no evening parade? Otherwise it's sad that they cut it.

As I did the tour in October 23, on day 4 after 2 or 3 hours with the group in the morning ending with the backstage-visit, we had time of our own until the evening. There we first had a roped-off area for the parade (just don't know the name anymore) in the early evening in Disneyland Park and a separated viewing area for World of Color in California Adventur after it, our 2 Tourguides (we were a group of 30 or more) split up for this. On day 2 after all groups visited Walts appartement, we also had a viewing area for the evening show on the castle (without fireworks because of the weekday) before having the night for us. Fantasmic was closed during our visit and the days after.
But when you only got World of Color within the tour, I don't like the way they cut down even more. And I cannot understand it, if they cut it down for time of your own. For the parade and the 2 evening shows, our guides just said "if you want, we have a reserved area for xxx. You could find us at point y on hh:mm p.m.", so no pressure at all. We also had a couple who didn't join us there, but this was no problem at all.
I feel so sorry that they cut this for you , but I hope you enjoyed the time in the parks nevertheless...

PS: On our day 5 we also had the night for ourselves after the farewell-dinner but we got tickets for Oogie Boogie Bash at California Adventure for the evening.

On Day 3, in the evening, we did Walt's apartment. Day 4, there was really nothing *at* the Parks that I was aware of. No parade, no castle show, no Fantasmic, etc. It didn't really click with me that there was nothing, as it was a weekday (Wednesday). Maybe it was because it was *just* prior to the 70th starting, and they were in some sort of transition? Maybe I just missed them, but I seriously don't remember there being anything on the Parks' schedules, or hearing anything from elsewhere in the park. @Grifdog22 do you remember anything?

Day 5, after the farewell dinner at Lamplight in DCA, we all walked together to a reserved area to watch World of Color together. I don't know if there was anything at Disneyland that evening; again, there wasn't anything during the day that I recall. Day 6 (Friday), I spent an extra day, and there was supposed to be fireworks, but it was too windy, so they were canceled last minute. So we only got the light show "party" that was off the castle and the buildings on Main Street. I don't remember the name. But that was OYO since it was after the ABD was over. I'm assuming it's because it was the off-season and the Parks closed early-ish?

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[Nicnicnic.nic]

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[sayhello]

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I am LOVING your TR

Thanks! So glad you're enjoying it! I guess it's about time for another update!

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[cruisehopeful]

Hi Sayhello! How are you doing? Any updates coming?

 

[sayhello]

Hi Sayhello! How are you doing? Any updates coming?

Hey, doing good. I actually had an update all typed up and ready to add pictures and post, and it got eaten by the website! I should know better! (I used to type it all up in Word and then cut & paste, but I got lazy!!) I'm hoping to have the next bit up soon! Thanks for checking!

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[sayhello]

Day 5: Main Street Memories - Disneyland Park
Well, this day was SUPER early -- meetup at 6:30am!!! -- but totally worth it! We once again met in the lobby of the Grand Californian, at the very incredible rice krispie treat Death Star model!



We all headed off together to Disneyland. Our objective: the fantastic experience of entering a practically empty Disneyland, before it opened to the public, for some really amazing photo ops on Main Street!

Once we went through the Gates, we stopped for a photo op at the floral Mickey head below the train station.



Inside a seriously empty Disneyland.





As our small group headed down Main Street, a lot of us were practically skipping, it was so fun and fabulous! The only folks there besides the 14 of us (11 Adventurers, Dean and our 2 VIP helpers) were a few cast members cleaning up and otherwise prepping the park for it's opening maybe 2 hours later (I forget exactly when the normal opening was).

As we walked, I spent some time looking at the fabulous details of Main Street, including this window for Legend Sam McKim (whose career we'd heard about from his son, Imagineer Matt McKim, at Tam O'Shanter's just 3 days earlier.)



We ended up at the Plaza Hub in front of Sleeping Beauty Castle. I *SO* love this castle! Yes, it's small, but it's beautiful!! And getting photos with nobody else in front of it was pretty special and a whole lot of fun!







I believe this is supposedly a marker for the center of Disneyland when it first opened (the "golden spike") but I'm not sure if that's accurate. I missed it if Dean explained why he took this photo. But it's cool if that's what it is.



My favorite photo I took that morning of the castle.



Continued in next post.

 

[sayhello]

I got someone to take a quick shot of me at King Arthur's sword. Darn it, it didn't budge!





Next our group, still the only folks around, walked directly on to Peter Pan's Flight and Snow White's Enchanted Wish. Heady stuff!







We got some photos at the grotto with the outdoor copies of the Snow White & 7 Dwarves statues, then headed off to the Plaza Inn for our "Private" group Character Breakfast.

Walking past all the folks waiting for rope drop, undoubtably muttering "Who are those folks and how did they get on that side of the ropes????" Yep. It felt good!



Our VIP helpers. (That's probably not their actual title, but it will do).



We had this nice photoshoot before entering!



We went into a private area of the restaurant, got an orientation of the place and then had photos with a few Characters before they opened to the general public.





Continued in next post.

 

[CaliforniaGirl09]

I still remember that morning of our ABD. It was sooo cool being the first people in the park. Love your pics. I've been to all the parks around the world, and the original castle will always be my favorite Looks like they upped the breakfast experience. I don't remember a private room or character experience. I'll have to go back and look at my pics!

 

[sayhello]

I still remember that morning of our ABD. It was sooo cool being the first people in the park. Love your pics. I've been to all the parks around the world, and the original castle will always be my favorite Looks like they upped the breakfast experience. I don't remember a private room or character experience. I'll have to go back and look at my pics!

The private room was off the main area, so separate but not like closed off or anything. But we were the only ones in there. And the Character experience was pretty cool!

I really did love being the first people in the park. I can pretty much guarantee the whole group did!

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[pjacobi]

I still remember that morning of our ABD. It was sooo cool being the first people in the park.

You don't need ABD to get in early. We booked the earliest available breakfast at 8:00 AM with the princesses in the Castle. We showed our reservation and was ushered to the front of the line and let in early. I hated to get up so early, but it was quite an experience to be one of the few people on Main Street at about 7:30 AM.


-Paul