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Continuing to love your report and photography!
TRIP REPORT: Our first family Disney adventure - Disneyland and LA April 2026
- Thread starter RachelleBeaney
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Where'sPiglet?
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Oh, the joy in their faces with the bubble show and the Disneyland rides.
I loved the comments about the castle being bigger....once you got closer to it!
Also, his comment about the ride itself being better than the ride videos... that's great that he verbalized that.
I also really like that outdoor portion of the Alice in Wonderland ride.
I loved the comments about the castle being bigger....once you got closer to it!
Also, his comment about the ride itself being better than the ride videos... that's great that he verbalized that.
I also really like that outdoor portion of the Alice in Wonderland ride.
RachelleBeaney
PrincessShelle
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Thank you so much - that means a lot.
Thanks - yes it was so precious seeing their joy. Matthew is a very high strung and emotional kid, so we do get the tantrums and lots of the big emotions from him - but we also get over the top excitement and joy, so it's great as well as tough to parent!Oh, the joy in their faces with the bubble show and the Disneyland rides.
I loved the comments about the castle being bigger....once you got closer to it!
Also, his comment about the ride itself being better than the ride videos... that's great that he verbalized that.
I also really like that outdoor portion of the Alice in Wonderland ride.
He's also incredibly smart, and his observations and memory are incredible.
Hehe yes, it looks very big, when you are walking under it
. It's the only part of Disneyland that I agree Disney World has an edge on. The first few times Jared and I visited Disneyland we prioritised the bigger rides and skipped the dark rides in Fantasyland. The first time we did them I was so surprised how much I loved them, particularly Alice, Peter Pan and Snow White (I tend to skip Pinnochio and Toad). But yes that little outdoor downhill bit is a little like a junior junior rollercoaster
RachelleBeaney
PrincessShelle
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Day 6 - Part 2 - Fantasy Fun, Space Horror
By this point, with our first two rides under our belt, a Lightning Lane for Space Mountain booked for 8:20 - 9:20am and two very happy boys I had relaxed and started to go with the flow a bit better. Everything was going great, and I was excited for Matthew to try his first "big boy" ride - Space Mountain.
This was our first experience using rider switch, so we had to ask a Cast Member for guidance on how it works if you have a Lightning Lane booked. Basically we scanned all our Lightning Lanes at the first entry, and then the tickets of the two people who would re-enter the ride and switch out were also scanned. Those park tickets would be scanned upon re-entry and the two people returning would use the Lighning Lane line. It worked the same way without Lightning Lane, except the first two people scanned park tickets rather than Lightning Lane and used the standby queue, and the two return riders tickets were scanned a second time for return through the Lightning Lane. Jared was staying with Daniel out the front of Space Mountain, and he was having a great time watching the spinning fountain ball, and Matthew and I set off for Space Mountain.
He was very excited, as you'll see from the photos he insisted I take in the queue.
He did not remain excited though. I'll admit I was too busy Woohooing (as was everyone else) for me to hear him freaking out on the ride. At the end however he stated categorically "I didn't like that, I don't ever want to do it again". Not impressed:
I was really surprised he freaked out on Space Mountain. He has been on faster and more intense coasters with no issues in the past. What I didn't count on was him freaking out because of the darkness, and the fact he didn't know which was he was going. He insisted it was the fastest scariest rollercoaster he'd ever been on, even though it definitely wasn't. This was the first of many rides I thought he'd be fine going on (and he'd been excited to do after watching videos) that he choose to pass up (well not repeat in this case). I was a little bummed about this as it meant I got to go on those rides less too.
Anyway, after his freak out he needed a minute so I told Jared I'd stay with the boys while he used the rider switch to ride, but just as Jared went to redeem it the ride went down (sigh). So we headed over to something much less intense that both the boys could enjoy - the tea cups (or to use their correct name, which no one does, Mad Hatter's Tea Party).
The boys LOVED the ride. It's no different from the many other tea cup rides they'd experience before but there is something about the atmosphere, the floating lanterns and the views from this version that make it special and so much more fun for me. Of course they both wanted to spin faster and faster but thankfully their little hands weren't too good at moving the wheel yet. We only waited 5 minutes for the tea cups so that was great.
Snow White had been down for most of the morning, which is why we hadn't done it before Space Mountain, but we discovered it was up again after we got off the tea cups and the wait was 20 minutes, so we headed that way. Again, the boys absolutely loved it - as they did all the dark ride. Excuse the awful pictures - video screen shots again.
We made a Lightning Lane for Tiana's Bayou Adventure for 9:10 - 10:20am at some point in between tea cups and Snow White, so we headed that way next. As you may have guessed, Matthew freaked out looking at the big drop and refused to ride, so I went while Jared took the boys onto Winnie the Pooh. I scanned all our Lightning Lanes, Jared having decided he couldn't be bothered to re-ride, when I entered the ride. That way I could book our next one for Mickey and Minnie's Runaway Railway, which was for 10:45 - 11:45am.
The boys had the best time on Winnie the Pooh, and I really enjoyed my first trip on Tiana's Bayou Adventure. I was in the back, which was fantastic and I had a number of large men in front of me (whom I asked to block the water - jokingly, but it seems to have worked). I think Tiana's is really well done. I do see what people mean regarding the space between scenes being a little dark and unappealing, but I honestly didn't mind that, there was still forrested areas and the original Splash Mountain had those dark breaks too (just perhaps not as frequently). I love the Princess and the Frog soundtrack so I didn't really miss the Splash Mountain one, that was until the final scene. I don't know if it was because it was a new song I didn't know, or if I just didn't like the finale song of the ride, but I found myself wishing to hear Zip-a-dee-doo-dah. I know the song had many controversies, and I understand why Splash Mountain was updated and have no issue with it, but I would have loved a catchier song for the ending. One really big improvement for me though was the slow lift hill up to the main drop, with the light drawing you in and Mama Oodie and her beautiful coloured glass telling you to "make a splash" at the party. It's the antithesis of the "something goes wrong" trope normally used on a Disney ride, where the most intense part of the ride is some sort of chase or escape or problem to be solved. The whole things was fun and lighthearted and I really enjoyed that aspect of it.
I got my phone out and braved this one photo at the end of the attraction.
The boys were cracking it a little at this point, so a snack break and pram rest were definitely on the cards.
They both cheered up once we reached Toontown, the location of our next Lightning Lane - Mickey and Minnie's Runaway Railway. The boys had both been very excited to try this ride, and Matthew was very excited to have a Lightning Lane (he was starting to understand that meant a much shorter wait).
We all loved Mickey and Minnie's Runaway Railway - it's cleverly done and makes good use of the trackless technology, though for me some of the scenes fell a little flat (particularly the second last scene in the factory where you seem to be getting "squished" only to escape at the last minute). The 2D/ 3D thing worked mostly, but there were some points where some of the characters looked flat out odd or too small in the environment. My favourite part was definitely dancing with Daisy. After riding we briefly stopped at the fountain in front of Toontown for the boys to splash about.
The boys were definitely ready for lunch after this and we hadn't booked a reservation for the first day (the only day we didn't) so we headed over to the Rose Tavern and mobile ordered burgers and nuggets for lunch. I was a little dismayed to find spicy sriracha sauce on my buger (I don't do spice well) so my lunch was chips (aka french fries) and coke. Oh well there are no calories at Disneyland right! The boys do struggle sitting still at a table, and Daniel was in fine form this particular day.
Oh seeing Daniel's hoodie reminds me, the weather had been pretty bad (for Anaheim at least) up until about 10:30am. It rained (a lot - I swear it's only ever rained one other time in all the times we've been to Disneyland) and we even purchased some ponchos which we wore briefly before the rain dried up. It was overcast most of the day but it did get warmer as the day went on. It was just such different weather from what we are used to from Anaheim!
Matthew joined in the crazy fun.
During our lunch break one of my very favourite memories from our first day at Disneyland occured. Matthew needed to go to the toilet for the first time that day, and so I took him over to the Fantasyland bathrooms. As we went, I was explaining to him however much I love the bathrooms at Disneyland, because they always smell so good and that whenever I smell a similar bathroom scent in hotels or on other travels it instantly transports me back to our first trip to Disneyland, and the magic and wonder I felt, even when I went to the loo! Anyway as we walked in he excitedly proclaimed "it does smell really good, this is the best bathroom in the whole world". I don't know why, but having him experience and understand why it's the small things Disney does that make the place so magic for it's guests, including something as small as the bathroom scent, just made me feel so emotional. It was the first time that day I really felt present and had a "I'm here in my favourite place with my kids" moment, and tears came to my eyes. Matthew was also impressed because he was able to use a hand drying machine for the first time. Usually he freaks out by how loud they are, but the ones at Disneyland were very quiet and he was so happy about that!
Continued in Next Post...
By this point, with our first two rides under our belt, a Lightning Lane for Space Mountain booked for 8:20 - 9:20am and two very happy boys I had relaxed and started to go with the flow a bit better. Everything was going great, and I was excited for Matthew to try his first "big boy" ride - Space Mountain.
This was our first experience using rider switch, so we had to ask a Cast Member for guidance on how it works if you have a Lightning Lane booked. Basically we scanned all our Lightning Lanes at the first entry, and then the tickets of the two people who would re-enter the ride and switch out were also scanned. Those park tickets would be scanned upon re-entry and the two people returning would use the Lighning Lane line. It worked the same way without Lightning Lane, except the first two people scanned park tickets rather than Lightning Lane and used the standby queue, and the two return riders tickets were scanned a second time for return through the Lightning Lane. Jared was staying with Daniel out the front of Space Mountain, and he was having a great time watching the spinning fountain ball, and Matthew and I set off for Space Mountain.
He was very excited, as you'll see from the photos he insisted I take in the queue.
He did not remain excited though. I'll admit I was too busy Woohooing (as was everyone else) for me to hear him freaking out on the ride. At the end however he stated categorically "I didn't like that, I don't ever want to do it again". Not impressed:
I was really surprised he freaked out on Space Mountain. He has been on faster and more intense coasters with no issues in the past. What I didn't count on was him freaking out because of the darkness, and the fact he didn't know which was he was going. He insisted it was the fastest scariest rollercoaster he'd ever been on, even though it definitely wasn't. This was the first of many rides I thought he'd be fine going on (and he'd been excited to do after watching videos) that he choose to pass up (well not repeat in this case). I was a little bummed about this as it meant I got to go on those rides less too
.Anyway, after his freak out he needed a minute so I told Jared I'd stay with the boys while he used the rider switch to ride, but just as Jared went to redeem it the ride went down (sigh). So we headed over to something much less intense that both the boys could enjoy - the tea cups (or to use their correct name, which no one does, Mad Hatter's Tea Party).
The boys LOVED the ride. It's no different from the many other tea cup rides they'd experience before but there is something about the atmosphere, the floating lanterns and the views from this version that make it special and so much more fun for me. Of course they both wanted to spin faster and faster but thankfully their little hands weren't too good at moving the wheel yet. We only waited 5 minutes for the tea cups so that was great.
Snow White had been down for most of the morning, which is why we hadn't done it before Space Mountain, but we discovered it was up again after we got off the tea cups and the wait was 20 minutes, so we headed that way. Again, the boys absolutely loved it - as they did all the dark ride. Excuse the awful pictures - video screen shots again.
We made a Lightning Lane for Tiana's Bayou Adventure for 9:10 - 10:20am at some point in between tea cups and Snow White, so we headed that way next. As you may have guessed, Matthew freaked out looking at the big drop and refused to ride, so I went while Jared took the boys onto Winnie the Pooh. I scanned all our Lightning Lanes, Jared having decided he couldn't be bothered to re-ride, when I entered the ride. That way I could book our next one for Mickey and Minnie's Runaway Railway, which was for 10:45 - 11:45am.
The boys had the best time on Winnie the Pooh, and I really enjoyed my first trip on Tiana's Bayou Adventure. I was in the back, which was fantastic and I had a number of large men in front of me (whom I asked to block the water - jokingly, but it seems to have worked). I think Tiana's is really well done. I do see what people mean regarding the space between scenes being a little dark and unappealing, but I honestly didn't mind that, there was still forrested areas and the original Splash Mountain had those dark breaks too (just perhaps not as frequently). I love the Princess and the Frog soundtrack so I didn't really miss the Splash Mountain one, that was until the final scene. I don't know if it was because it was a new song I didn't know, or if I just didn't like the finale song of the ride, but I found myself wishing to hear Zip-a-dee-doo-dah. I know the song had many controversies, and I understand why Splash Mountain was updated and have no issue with it, but I would have loved a catchier song for the ending. One really big improvement for me though was the slow lift hill up to the main drop, with the light drawing you in and Mama Oodie and her beautiful coloured glass telling you to "make a splash" at the party. It's the antithesis of the "something goes wrong" trope normally used on a Disney ride, where the most intense part of the ride is some sort of chase or escape or problem to be solved. The whole things was fun and lighthearted and I really enjoyed that aspect of it.
I got my phone out and braved this one photo at the end of the attraction.
The boys were cracking it a little at this point, so a snack break and pram rest were definitely on the cards.
They both cheered up once we reached Toontown, the location of our next Lightning Lane - Mickey and Minnie's Runaway Railway. The boys had both been very excited to try this ride, and Matthew was very excited to have a Lightning Lane (he was starting to understand that meant a much shorter wait).
We all loved Mickey and Minnie's Runaway Railway - it's cleverly done and makes good use of the trackless technology, though for me some of the scenes fell a little flat (particularly the second last scene in the factory where you seem to be getting "squished" only to escape at the last minute). The 2D/ 3D thing worked mostly, but there were some points where some of the characters looked flat out odd or too small in the environment. My favourite part was definitely dancing with Daisy. After riding we briefly stopped at the fountain in front of Toontown for the boys to splash about.
The boys were definitely ready for lunch after this and we hadn't booked a reservation for the first day (the only day we didn't) so we headed over to the Rose Tavern and mobile ordered burgers and nuggets for lunch. I was a little dismayed to find spicy sriracha sauce on my buger (I don't do spice well) so my lunch was chips (aka french fries) and coke. Oh well there are no calories at Disneyland right! The boys do struggle sitting still at a table, and Daniel was in fine form this particular day.
Oh seeing Daniel's hoodie reminds me, the weather had been pretty bad (for Anaheim at least) up until about 10:30am. It rained (a lot - I swear it's only ever rained one other time in all the times we've been to Disneyland) and we even purchased some ponchos which we wore briefly before the rain dried up. It was overcast most of the day but it did get warmer as the day went on. It was just such different weather from what we are used to from Anaheim!
Matthew joined in the crazy fun.
During our lunch break one of my very favourite memories from our first day at Disneyland occured. Matthew needed to go to the toilet for the first time that day, and so I took him over to the Fantasyland bathrooms. As we went, I was explaining to him however much I love the bathrooms at Disneyland, because they always smell so good and that whenever I smell a similar bathroom scent in hotels or on other travels it instantly transports me back to our first trip to Disneyland, and the magic and wonder I felt, even when I went to the loo! Anyway as we walked in he excitedly proclaimed "it does smell really good, this is the best bathroom in the whole world". I don't know why, but having him experience and understand why it's the small things Disney does that make the place so magic for it's guests, including something as small as the bathroom scent, just made me feel so emotional. It was the first time that day I really felt present and had a "I'm here in my favourite place with my kids" moment, and tears came to my eyes. Matthew was also impressed because he was able to use a hand drying machine for the first time. Usually he freaks out by how loud they are, but the ones at Disneyland were very quiet and he was so happy about that!
Continued in Next Post...
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RachelleBeaney
PrincessShelle
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Day 6 - Part 3 - A Storybook Afternoon
After lunch the boys wanted to head on over to Storybook Land Canal Boats. This ended up being one of their favourite attractions at the park. I really do enjoy to ride too, but once is usually enough for me. The wait was 15 minutes at this point and the boys absolutely loved cruising through the whale, past scenes from Disney movies and into Aladdin's cave. It was probably our most ridden ride of the trip.
I had made another Lightning Lane for Big Thunder Mountain fro 12:35pm - 1:35pm after Mickey and Minnie's Runaway Railway. This was the ride Matthew had most been looking forward to from all the videos he had watched from Disneyland. Which is why I was disappointed when, as we rounded the bend towards Frontierland from Fantasyland, he saw the coaster come around the corner and decided he did not want to go on! I think Space Mountain had freaked him out badly and he wasn't interested in going on another fast ride. So I hopped on over to ride Big Thunder myself, while Jared took the boys back into Fantasyland to ride Dumbo.
As you can see the weather was much improved by this point in thed ay.
Anyway, lets head back on over to where my boys were happily flying with Dumbo.
I arrived back just in time to see the boys landing their elephant.
Continued in Next Post...
After lunch the boys wanted to head on over to Storybook Land Canal Boats. This ended up being one of their favourite attractions at the park. I really do enjoy to ride too, but once is usually enough for me. The wait was 15 minutes at this point and the boys absolutely loved cruising through the whale, past scenes from Disney movies and into Aladdin's cave. It was probably our most ridden ride of the trip
.
I had made another Lightning Lane for Big Thunder Mountain fro 12:35pm - 1:35pm after Mickey and Minnie's Runaway Railway. This was the ride Matthew had most been looking forward to from all the videos he had watched from Disneyland. Which is why I was disappointed when, as we rounded the bend towards Frontierland from Fantasyland, he saw the coaster come around the corner and decided he did not want to go on! I think Space Mountain had freaked him out badly and he wasn't interested in going on another fast ride. So I hopped on over to ride Big Thunder myself, while Jared took the boys back into Fantasyland to ride Dumbo.
As you can see the weather was much improved by this point in thed ay.
Anyway, lets head back on over to where my boys were happily flying with Dumbo.
I arrived back just in time to see the boys landing their elephant.
Continued in Next Post...
Last edited:
RachelleBeaney
PrincessShelle
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Day 6 - Part 4 - it's a small cavalcade after all
Jared choose to actually use the rider swap for Big Thunder Mountain, and headed off to do that, while I took the boys on it's a small world.
Matthew had actually requested this ride. In his words he wanted to ride "the boat trip to the different countries". I've never been much of a fan of it's a small world. The dolls are a bit creepy and the song gets on my nerves and, since it's a long ride, I've never really wanted to put up with that more than once per trip. Still, Matthew was genuinely excited so I approached the ride trying to emmulate his joy.
The wait when we arrived (20 minutes) wasn't helping with the whole joy thing, however one thing really did and that was that, when we were in the perfect position within the line, the Disneyland Celebrate Happy Cavalcade came rolling past. The boys were so excited to see all their favourite Disney characters, and I was excited to catch this but not actually have to make time to stop and watch it. A parade it was not, and while it was fun to see the Disney characters and few dancers stroll past I think it would probably have been underwhelming if we'd actually stopped to view it. There were only two floats, along with a number of other walking characters - it really was a small cavalcade after all!
The boys didn't know or care about the difference between it and an actual parade, and they happily waved at the characters and yelled out "oh look, it's snow white" or "there's goofy" excitedly. They also danced along with the incredibly catchy "Celebrate Happy" song that was the theme song of Disneyland's 70th anniversary.
Watching the parade made the queue feel fast (perhaps because we were all so preoccupied watching it that when we actually started moving again there was no one in the line ahead of us, everyone else having stopped to watch too). The wait didn't feel like 20 minutes, but I didn't really time it so I couldn't say for sure.
Two happy boys about to travel the happiest cruise that ever sailed.
These next pictures are all screenshots from the multiple videos I took of the boys loving the attraction. We were probably an annoyance to the other guests in the boat as the boys wanted to know what each displays country was (I couldn't always guess) and got excited pointing out animals and characters they knew. Overall it was a very happy cruise, and somehow, the song didn't annoy me anywhere near as much as it used to. I am going to guess I've been desensitised since having children and listening to some of the kids music out there (baby shark as an example) that it's a small world was almost nice in comparison. The dolls were still creepy though.
Continued in Next Post...
Jared choose to actually use the rider swap for Big Thunder Mountain, and headed off to do that, while I took the boys on it's a small world.
Matthew had actually requested this ride. In his words he wanted to ride "the boat trip to the different countries". I've never been much of a fan of it's a small world. The dolls are a bit creepy and the song gets on my nerves and, since it's a long ride, I've never really wanted to put up with that more than once per trip. Still, Matthew was genuinely excited so I approached the ride trying to emmulate his joy.
The wait when we arrived (20 minutes) wasn't helping with the whole joy thing, however one thing really did and that was that, when we were in the perfect position within the line, the Disneyland Celebrate Happy Cavalcade came rolling past. The boys were so excited to see all their favourite Disney characters, and I was excited to catch this but not actually have to make time to stop and watch it. A parade it was not, and while it was fun to see the Disney characters and few dancers stroll past I think it would probably have been underwhelming if we'd actually stopped to view it. There were only two floats, along with a number of other walking characters - it really was a small cavalcade after all!
The boys didn't know or care about the difference between it and an actual parade, and they happily waved at the characters and yelled out "oh look, it's snow white" or "there's goofy" excitedly. They also danced along with the incredibly catchy "Celebrate Happy" song that was the theme song of Disneyland's 70th anniversary.
Watching the parade made the queue feel fast (perhaps because we were all so preoccupied watching it that when we actually started moving again there was no one in the line ahead of us, everyone else having stopped to watch too). The wait didn't feel like 20 minutes, but I didn't really time it so I couldn't say for sure.
Two happy boys about to travel the happiest cruise that ever sailed.
These next pictures are all screenshots from the multiple videos I took of the boys loving the attraction. We were probably an annoyance to the other guests in the boat as the boys wanted to know what each displays country was (I couldn't always guess) and got excited pointing out animals and characters they knew. Overall it was a very happy cruise, and somehow, the song didn't annoy me anywhere near as much as it used to. I am going to guess I've been desensitised since having children and listening to some of the kids music out there (baby shark as an example) that it's a small world was almost nice in comparison. The dolls were still creepy though
.
Continued in Next Post...
Last edited:
RachelleBeaney
PrincessShelle
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Day 6 - Part 5 - From earth to Galaxy's Far Far Away
After so much fun, Daniel was exhausted, and he timed his nap perfectly, as our next attraction was to be Start Tours, which I had gotten a Lightning Lane for just after Jared checked into Big Thunder Mountain, for 1:30 - 2:30pm.
Jared decided to go on this ride with Matthew first, and I stayed out the front, sitting on the concrete tiles under the shade of the former Peoplemover platform, enjoying a well earned rest to.
After about 20 minutes Matthew and Jared emerged from Star Tours, and Matthew had clearly loved the ride. He couldn't wait to tell me the planet combinations he'd gotten, and was eager to ride again with me.
As we stepped in line I was told that he had been to the red planet (aka Crait) and the water planet with the giant kraken (Kef Bir) and that he also saw Kylo Ren and Lando. He was so excited to ride again he even insisted on photos in the queue!
Ready for his second tour.
While on his first Star Tours Matthew ended up in the sequel universe, on this trip we were in the original trilogy universe. We were stopped by Darth Vadar, only to escape to Hoth, and then we were addressed by Mando and Grogu (which I was super excited about - I love the Mandolorian) and finished up with the battle over Coruscant. Matthew was very excited that every scene was different to his first ride.
From one part of the Star Wars universe we crossed Disneyland to the next, Galaxy's Edge. Our destination, Rise of the Resistance. I was SO excited to finally experience this attraction as I'd seen through videos and reviews how epic and all encompassing the ride was. In addition, the first time we experienced Galaxy's Edge (on our trip in October 2019) the ride hadn't yet opened due to it's postponement while they worked out all the technical kinks. I remember being so disappointed we wouldn't get to experience it at either Walt Disney World or Disneyland on that trip (I think we missed it at Hollywood Studios by about 2 months). That being said, given Matthew's ride reservations this first day, I was worried that he might freak out on it. So as we entered the ride I carefully explained that we were fighters with the resistance, who were trying to defeat the evil First Order. I told him that we would be captured by the First Order, but that we would escape and everything would be ok. We also bought Lightning Lane single passes for this ride, because I did not want to wait an hour.
I needn't have worried about Matthew because as soon as we entered the pre-show building it was clear he was SO excited for the ride, and the concept of "escaping" from some bad guys.
I think hands down this ride has THE best queue of any attraction Disney has ever built (and I'm including the pre-show transport vehicle that gets captured when I say queue). It really made you feel like you were on a secret Star Wars base, then a transport ship, and finally, within a giant Star Destroyer. Matthew was so convinced after the first ride that we'd actually gone to space, and he wanted to know how we had left the planet and come back so quickly.
Without a doubt my favourite part of the attraction was Lieutenant Beck. This animatronic is EPIC in every sense of the word. His movement was amazing and so believable, and I think being an "alien" worked in his favour, along with the fact the original Mon Calamari in Star Wars were puppets so their movements were less smooth than that of a human. Either way, Matthew and I made a beeline to the front of the ship to catch him in all his animatronic glory. Also I apologise in advance for the 10 gazillion photos I have of him that I will post through this report - I couldn't help photograph him over and over.
Matthew, meanwhile, was listening to Lieutenant Beck very carefully, especially the part about keeping the Resistances secret base from the First Order when we get captured. More on that later though...
As we stepped out into the Star Destroyer hanger I did let out a gasp - it is epic in every sense of the word! Matthew and I waited for the crowds to disperse before going nuts with photos (he was very impressed by the room).
Continued in Next Post...
After so much fun, Daniel was exhausted, and he timed his nap perfectly, as our next attraction was to be Start Tours, which I had gotten a Lightning Lane for just after Jared checked into Big Thunder Mountain, for 1:30 - 2:30pm.
Jared decided to go on this ride with Matthew first, and I stayed out the front, sitting on the concrete tiles under the shade of the former Peoplemover platform, enjoying a well earned rest to.
After about 20 minutes Matthew and Jared emerged from Star Tours, and Matthew had clearly loved the ride. He couldn't wait to tell me the planet combinations he'd gotten, and was eager to ride again with me.
As we stepped in line I was told that he had been to the red planet (aka Crait) and the water planet with the giant kraken (Kef Bir) and that he also saw Kylo Ren and Lando. He was so excited to ride again he even insisted on photos in the queue!
Ready for his second tour.
While on his first Star Tours Matthew ended up in the sequel universe, on this trip we were in the original trilogy universe. We were stopped by Darth Vadar, only to escape to Hoth, and then we were addressed by Mando and Grogu (which I was super excited about - I love the Mandolorian) and finished up with the battle over Coruscant. Matthew was very excited that every scene was different to his first ride.
From one part of the Star Wars universe we crossed Disneyland to the next, Galaxy's Edge. Our destination, Rise of the Resistance. I was SO excited to finally experience this attraction as I'd seen through videos and reviews how epic and all encompassing the ride was. In addition, the first time we experienced Galaxy's Edge (on our trip in October 2019) the ride hadn't yet opened due to it's postponement while they worked out all the technical kinks. I remember being so disappointed we wouldn't get to experience it at either Walt Disney World or Disneyland on that trip (I think we missed it at Hollywood Studios by about 2 months). That being said, given Matthew's ride reservations this first day, I was worried that he might freak out on it. So as we entered the ride I carefully explained that we were fighters with the resistance, who were trying to defeat the evil First Order. I told him that we would be captured by the First Order, but that we would escape and everything would be ok. We also bought Lightning Lane single passes for this ride, because I did not want to wait an hour.
I needn't have worried about Matthew because as soon as we entered the pre-show building it was clear he was SO excited for the ride, and the concept of "escaping" from some bad guys.
I think hands down this ride has THE best queue of any attraction Disney has ever built (and I'm including the pre-show transport vehicle that gets captured when I say queue). It really made you feel like you were on a secret Star Wars base, then a transport ship, and finally, within a giant Star Destroyer. Matthew was so convinced after the first ride that we'd actually gone to space, and he wanted to know how we had left the planet and come back so quickly.
Without a doubt my favourite part of the attraction was Lieutenant Beck. This animatronic is EPIC in every sense of the word. His movement was amazing and so believable, and I think being an "alien" worked in his favour, along with the fact the original Mon Calamari in Star Wars were puppets so their movements were less smooth than that of a human. Either way, Matthew and I made a beeline to the front of the ship to catch him in all his animatronic glory. Also I apologise in advance for the 10 gazillion photos I have of him that I will post through this report - I couldn't help photograph him over and over.
Matthew, meanwhile, was listening to Lieutenant Beck very carefully, especially the part about keeping the Resistances secret base from the First Order when we get captured. More on that later though...
As we stepped out into the Star Destroyer hanger I did let out a gasp - it is epic in every sense of the word! Matthew and I waited for the crowds to disperse before going nuts with photos (he was very impressed by the room).
Continued in Next Post...
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RachelleBeaney
PrincessShelle
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- Jun 12, 2012
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- 1,165
Day 6 - Part 6 - No Matthew will not tell the location of the secret base
Looking very happy to have photos with some Storm Troopers - though it was impossible to get him to stay still for the 1-2 second exposures I was taking!
Eventually we made our way further into the Star Destroyer and were herded to our "cell"
It was here, that upon hearing Kylo Ren say he would get the location of the Resistance secret base from us, Matthew yelled out "no we won't give it to you". He got lots of smiles, giggles and cheers from our cell mates.
The next part of the attraction also flabbergasted me, as part of the wall was suddenly "cut" away, revealing resistances spies who hurry us onto our ride vehicles which will help us "escape" the Star Destroyer. When I say cut, it was clearly not cut but the edges of the opening that appear light up gradually, giving the appearance that something is cutting through the wall. The edges are not square and you really get the feeling that the door has been cut from the wall. Additionally, I could never guess exactly where the "cutting' would occur. Perhaps it's different depending on what cell you are taken to? Anyway who rides regularly who can give me info on that - I'd love to hear it!
Anyway, as we boarded our prisoner transports, set to help us escape, Matthew begun to chat to the droid manning ours.
After every amazing part of the preshow the ride was almost a tiny bit of a letdown. It wasn't really - it's 100% one of the best attractions Disney has ever made, from the incredible life sized AT-ATs to the sensation of seeing a space battle outside the Star Destroyers window, to the final "escape pod" scene where the ride suddenly becomes a simulator. It's completely encompassing and believable, but some of the scenes just fell a tiny bit flat for me - particuarly the ones with animatronics. I think perhaps I'd built it up so much in my head that it couldn't have lived up to those standards, and objectively speaking it's still in my top two Disney rides of all time (tied with Shanghai Disneyland's versions of pirates). I just didn't fell myself being blown away like I was the first time I rode Shanghai's pirates. Perhaps because it's so industrial feeling (which is what the inside of a Star Destroyer is so it's supposed to be that way) but that's the only thing I can tangible point to that explains the way I felt on that first ride. Either way it's an amazing ride and Matthew had the time of his life on it (he was really into it, yelling "oh no" when Kylo saw us, or "don't go that way" if we ran across an obstacle or foe).
Anyway, while Matthew and I were escaping the First Order, Jared had taken Daniel back into Fantasyland to escape nothing on a horse that went round and round. Yes, they enjoyed a trip on King Arthur's Carousel.
Escape made, Matthew and I waited for Jared and Daniel just outside Rise of the Resistance. Matthew couldn't wait to ride again with his Dad, but felt the need to reassure Jared that "though we get capture it's ok, we will escape".
Continued in Next Post...
Looking very happy to have photos with some Storm Troopers - though it was impossible to get him to stay still for the 1-2 second exposures I was taking!
Eventually we made our way further into the Star Destroyer and were herded to our "cell"
It was here, that upon hearing Kylo Ren say he would get the location of the Resistance secret base from us, Matthew yelled out "no we won't give it to you". He got lots of smiles, giggles and cheers from our cell mates.
The next part of the attraction also flabbergasted me, as part of the wall was suddenly "cut" away, revealing resistances spies who hurry us onto our ride vehicles which will help us "escape" the Star Destroyer. When I say cut, it was clearly not cut but the edges of the opening that appear light up gradually, giving the appearance that something is cutting through the wall. The edges are not square and you really get the feeling that the door has been cut from the wall. Additionally, I could never guess exactly where the "cutting' would occur. Perhaps it's different depending on what cell you are taken to? Anyway who rides regularly who can give me info on that - I'd love to hear it!
Anyway, as we boarded our prisoner transports, set to help us escape, Matthew begun to chat to the droid manning ours
.
After every amazing part of the preshow the ride was almost a tiny bit of a letdown. It wasn't really - it's 100% one of the best attractions Disney has ever made, from the incredible life sized AT-ATs to the sensation of seeing a space battle outside the Star Destroyers window, to the final "escape pod" scene where the ride suddenly becomes a simulator. It's completely encompassing and believable, but some of the scenes just fell a tiny bit flat for me - particuarly the ones with animatronics. I think perhaps I'd built it up so much in my head that it couldn't have lived up to those standards, and objectively speaking it's still in my top two Disney rides of all time (tied with Shanghai Disneyland's versions of pirates). I just didn't fell myself being blown away like I was the first time I rode Shanghai's pirates. Perhaps because it's so industrial feeling (which is what the inside of a Star Destroyer is so it's supposed to be that way) but that's the only thing I can tangible point to that explains the way I felt on that first ride. Either way it's an amazing ride and Matthew had the time of his life on it (he was really into it, yelling "oh no" when Kylo saw us, or "don't go that way" if we ran across an obstacle or foe).
Anyway, while Matthew and I were escaping the First Order, Jared had taken Daniel back into Fantasyland to escape nothing on a horse that went round and round. Yes, they enjoyed a trip on King Arthur's Carousel.
Escape made, Matthew and I waited for Jared and Daniel just outside Rise of the Resistance. Matthew couldn't wait to ride again with his Dad, but felt the need to reassure Jared that "though we get capture it's ok, we will escape".
Continued in Next Post...
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RachelleBeaney
PrincessShelle
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- Jun 12, 2012
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Day 6 - Part 7 - Daniel vs Storm Troopers
While Jared and Matthew re-rode Rise of the Resistance, I decided to take Daniel for a rest in the corner of Galaxy's Edge where you can watch the droids. We stopped off for some refreshments first though (they are stupidly not worth the money but I LOVE the Galaxy's Edge round cokes).
We had to escape Kylo and a few troopers before we could rest though! Perhaps he was mad that my child had been so defiant in refusing to give him the location of the Resistance base. He certainly looked mad at me as I took these photos!
Can't tell if the trooper is waving at me or warning me off!
We very much enjoyed our rest, Daniel was loving his little coke, and watching the droids "talk" to each other (whenever they'd make little beeping noises or move their heads). This was one of my favourite moments of the day with Daniel, spending quality time just soaking in the atmosphere and beauty of Disney's impacable storytelling and detail.
mmm....round coke Tastes better than regular coke!
These are also some of my favourite photos of Daniel from the whole trip - he was just so happy.
You'll notice in that last photo Daniel is pointing. He was also exclaiming and then started waving. I was facing the back wall of the droid area, and couldn't see anything behind us so I thought at first perhaps Jared and Matthew had returned from the ride, however as I turned I could see he was waving at some Storm Troopers passing by (too adorable!).
They saw Daniel waving and together with their attendant came over to us, which considering we were just sitting quite out of the way was incredibly precious. What happened next was even more so. Upon seeing the troopers up close Daniel suddenly became shy and didn't want to approach them. The troopers waited patiently while I talked to him and the attendant and I encouraged him to say hi and eventually he did, with me holding his hands - and we took this adorable photo!
One of the troopers told Daniel he'd made a good resistance spy (perhaps he was secret resistance himself or else he was saying "you'll make a good enemy one day"). They spent the time to let him get comfortable with them and gave him (and me) a memory I will never forget. It's little moments like this that, for me, are the true Disney magic and I walked away from this moment with the hugest smile on my face! This was Daniel's first character meet and greet, and my first glimpse of how much he would love them and how adorable it was (and how much I'd tear up) everytime he met one of his Disney friends in real life.
On our way out of Galaxy's Edge I spotted Mando and Grogu, and I tried to get the boys to go have a photo but they were both a bit done with the day at this point and refused. I got my photo though!
Before heading out of the park for the afternoon we made use of our 6th and final Lightning Lane for the day, Haunted Mansion, which we had grabbed after using Star Tours for 4:10pm - 5:10pm. I wasn't sure if the boys would like this ride, as Matthew had proclaimed it was really scary when he watched the video. However Matthew really loved it, saying that though it was scary he wasn't actually scared on it. Daniel looked a little shaken after we came off but seemed fine within a minute.
On the way out of the park for our hotel rest break and dinner Jared insisted on getting a churro - and really, how could I deny him his Disneyland treat of the day!
After we got back to the hotel, the boys wanted to go sit in the "giant chair" while all I wanted to do was go and rest my feet, so Jared accompanied them while I went and lay down!
We had about a 2 hour rest in the room, and ordered pizza for dinner, but our day was not done yet, as we were all heading back into the park for some nighttime fun and entertainment!
Continued in Next Post...
While Jared and Matthew re-rode Rise of the Resistance, I decided to take Daniel for a rest in the corner of Galaxy's Edge where you can watch the droids. We stopped off for some refreshments first though (they are stupidly not worth the money but I LOVE the Galaxy's Edge round cokes).
We had to escape Kylo and a few troopers before we could rest though! Perhaps he was mad that my child had been so defiant in refusing to give him the location of the Resistance base. He certainly looked mad at me as I took these photos!
Can't tell if the trooper is waving at me or warning me off!
We very much enjoyed our rest, Daniel was loving his little coke, and watching the droids "talk" to each other (whenever they'd make little beeping noises or move their heads). This was one of my favourite moments of the day with Daniel, spending quality time just soaking in the atmosphere and beauty of Disney's impacable storytelling and detail.
mmm....round coke
Tastes better than regular coke!
These are also some of my favourite photos of Daniel from the whole trip - he was just so happy.
You'll notice in that last photo Daniel is pointing. He was also exclaiming and then started waving. I was facing the back wall of the droid area, and couldn't see anything behind us so I thought at first perhaps Jared and Matthew had returned from the ride, however as I turned I could see he was waving at some Storm Troopers passing by (too adorable!).
They saw Daniel waving and together with their attendant came over to us, which considering we were just sitting quite out of the way was incredibly precious. What happened next was even more so. Upon seeing the troopers up close Daniel suddenly became shy and didn't want to approach them. The troopers waited patiently while I talked to him and the attendant and I encouraged him to say hi and eventually he did, with me holding his hands - and we took this adorable photo!
One of the troopers told Daniel he'd made a good resistance spy (perhaps he was secret resistance himself or else he was saying "you'll make a good enemy one day"
). They spent the time to let him get comfortable with them and gave him (and me) a memory I will never forget. It's little moments like this that, for me, are the true Disney magic and I walked away from this moment with the hugest smile on my face! This was Daniel's first character meet and greet, and my first glimpse of how much he would love them and how adorable it was (and how much I'd tear up) everytime he met one of his Disney friends in real life.On our way out of Galaxy's Edge I spotted Mando and Grogu, and I tried to get the boys to go have a photo but they were both a bit done with the day at this point and refused. I got my photo though!
Before heading out of the park for the afternoon we made use of our 6th and final Lightning Lane for the day, Haunted Mansion, which we had grabbed after using Star Tours for 4:10pm - 5:10pm. I wasn't sure if the boys would like this ride, as Matthew had proclaimed it was really scary when he watched the video. However Matthew really loved it, saying that though it was scary he wasn't actually scared on it. Daniel looked a little shaken after we came off but seemed fine within a minute.
On the way out of the park for our hotel rest break and dinner Jared insisted on getting a churro - and really, how could I deny him his Disneyland treat of the day!
After we got back to the hotel, the boys wanted to go sit in the "giant chair" while all I wanted to do was go and rest my feet, so Jared accompanied them while I went and lay down!
We had about a 2 hour rest in the room, and ordered pizza for dinner, but our day was not done yet, as we were all heading back into the park for some nighttime fun and entertainment!
Continued in Next Post...
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Where'sPiglet?
DIS Veteran
- Joined
- Dec 17, 2007
- Messages
- 6,744
You're getting a lot done on your first park day!
Bummer about your disappointing burger at the Rose Tavern.
The pictures of everyone enjoying the rides are great. Daniel & Dad on the carousel is just such a sweet moment, too.
Edit: Your character interactions in Galaxy's Edge were great!
Also - Churro!
Bummer about your disappointing burger at the Rose Tavern.
The pictures of everyone enjoying the rides are great. Daniel & Dad on the carousel is just such a sweet moment, too.
Edit: Your character interactions in Galaxy's Edge were great!
Also - Churro!
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RachelleBeaney
PrincessShelle
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- Jun 12, 2012
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Yep that’s how I Disneyland (and thankfully my sons have the stamina for itYou're getting a lot done on your first park day!
Bummer about your disappointing burger at the Rose Tavern.
The pictures of everyone enjoying the rides are great. Daniel & Dad on the carousel is just such a sweet moment, too.
Edit: Your character interactions in Galaxy's Edge were great!
Also - Churro!
). I’m not a big fan of churros - mostly because I don’t really like donuts - but Jared loved them and had earned one that day
KEK1
Mouseketeer
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- Aug 23, 2017
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- 404
I had lots of similar thoughts to you.
I think the crowds may have been so bad due to the $250 DL 3D ticket deals offered to all of So Cal.. I found the crowds quite shocking and used all of my tricks to try and make it work with the theme park 1st- timer I was with (not sure I /DL made the best impression when she was knocked over with the rush to RD Space, and we were at the front too
)
When compared to HKDL and SHDL I did last year it was a very different experience.
I was also a bit underwhelmed by Rise.. I think it’s hard when it’s been so built up by everything you read for ages and then you finally get to ride it and it’s just a little bit meh. Felt the same about flight of passage at AK.
Luckily we lucked out timing wise to ride it and only waited 30mins.
Am hoping for you Mathew got a bit braver with the rides as your trip went on!
100% agree about missing Zipedeedodah on Splash/Tianas..
I think the crowds may have been so bad due to the $250 DL 3D ticket deals offered to all of So Cal.. I found the crowds quite shocking and used all of my tricks to try and make it work with the theme park 1st- timer I was with (not sure I /DL made the best impression when she was knocked over with the rush to RD Space, and we were at the front too
) When compared to HKDL and SHDL I did last year it was a very different experience.
I was also a bit underwhelmed by Rise.. I think it’s hard when it’s been so built up by everything you read for ages and then you finally get to ride it and it’s just a little bit meh. Felt the same about flight of passage at AK.
Luckily we lucked out timing wise to ride it and only waited 30mins.
Am hoping for you Mathew got a bit braver with the rides as your trip went on!
100% agree about missing Zipedeedodah on Splash/Tianas..
RachelleBeaney
PrincessShelle
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- Jun 12, 2012
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- 1,165
$250 3 day tickets! Wow that's cheap - never thought I'd see Disneyland on sale like that. But yes the crowds were definitely different. To be honest though, given that it's a major attraction in SoCal I suppose it's just amazing that it did have such quiet periods and "off peak times" during the year. Again I think the internet is partly to blame with so many people being told when the "quiet" season is, and going then, just to reverse the trend. Walt Disney World's summers have apparently been much quieter for a while because of this (probably also because no one wants to theme park in Orlando in summer and I can't blame themI had lots of similar thoughts to you.
I think the crowds may have been so bad due to the $250 DL 3D ticket deals offered to all of So Cal.. I found the crowds quite shocking and used all of my tricks to try and make it work with the theme park 1st- timer I was with (not sure I /DL made the best impression when she was knocked over with the rush to RD Space, and we were at the front too
When compared to HKDL and SHDL I did last year it was a very different experience.
I was also a bit underwhelmed by Rise.. I think it’s hard when it’s been so built up by everything you read for ages and then you finally get to ride it and it’s just a little bit meh. Felt the same about flight of passage at AK.
Luckily we lucked out timing wise to ride it and only waited 30mins.
Am hoping for you Mathew got a bit braver with the rides as your trip went on!
100% agree about missing Zipedeedodah on Splash/Tianas..
).I still loved Rise, I didn't feel my underwhelmed feeling was earnt by Disney. And yet it was still there. Objectively speaking it is everything everyone built it up to be. And yet yes, there it was. But you are right, with all the info and advice out there these days we do tend to build things up in our heads. There was less of that when I did Pirates at SHDL in 2017 and possibly why I didn't get that feeling too when I rode that. Upon thinking on it a bit more I think the ride system was the main issue for me on Rise. So much has been made of the "trackless" ride system and it is cool and works well on dark rides but Rise could have used something more dynamic perhaps? Either way Disney did an amazing job with it and it is a great ride but it left me wanting something more (perhaps they've done so well in the past our expectations are too high?? You can see I'm majorly conflicted RE my feelings on this ride
). I agree about Flight of Passage too though. It's a great ride - but it doesn't surpass Soarin in my mind and though the visuals are amazing it is still basically a simulator. I have to say I'm SO excited to see what they do with Disneyland's Avatar ride as I've heard it's going to use the SHDL Pirates boat ride tech.Matthew got a tiny bit braver with one ride on the last day at Disneyland...
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RachelleBeaney
PrincessShelle
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- Jun 12, 2012
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- 1,165
Day 6 - Part 8 - The magic of night at Disneyland
At about 7pm we headed back into Disneyland for the boys first experience of a Disney park at night. Our plan was to find a spot near it's a small world with which to watch the Tapestry of Happiness show on it's a small world, and then view Paint the Night from there. Tapestry of Happiness stared at 8:15 and Paint the Night at 8:30pm and we weren't looking for a prime viewing spot for Paint the Night so I thought we'd have plenty of space available to choose from. This was my first insight into the ways people waiting for shows at Disneyland had changed since 2019. In 2019, staff didn't actually allow people to claim a spot more than 1-1.5 hours in advance. That's when roped off areas would begin appearing. I could not have been more surpised then, when getting to it's a small world at about 7:30 (so an hour before Paint the Night) people were EVERYWHERE and there were very few gaps available. We found one just big enough for us at the front of it's a small world (so not facing it but I figured I could stand up and turn around for that show) but it was probably one of the last gaps available. I was glad I knew that prime spots go hours earlier than the shows before our fireworks viewing night (I chatted with some locals while waiting who gave me the low down on how the roped off areas now appear from 5pm for the 9pm show!!!). Anyway all things considered we had a pretty good viewing spot but man, if you want to get a good spot for viewing any of the shows at Disneyland you now have to wait 2-3 hours in the busier times! It was crazy.
The boys were absolutely enchanted by Disneyland at night. Walking in to the lights of Main Street, with everything lit up in the parks was wonderous for them. Matthew proclaimed it "just like Christmas" which, I agree, it is in some ways. I think that Christmas lights have always held a sense of magic and wonder for me, something that brightens my heart and makes me feel that sense of peace and joy that I got when I celebrate Christmas as a child (for me personally it is a celebration of my savour Jesus birth and everything he did to bring peace and love to the world). I get really emotional whenever I am really able to deeply feel that sense of joy and peace on earth that I always felt at Christmas as a child. That's part of the reason I love Disneyland, because when I see it, and especially at night when I experience the lights, I can again feel that joy, beauty and magic that the world held for me as a child. As we grow, we loose that childhood innocence and sense that everything is right in this world, and it is good to be reminded we can find light in the dark, make something good from the bad and believe again. Very philosophical, but that in a nutshell is what I love about Disney. And actually seeing it through the eyes of my two kids, with their own childhood innocence on display, knowing that they have - so far - had a life of mostly joy, wonder and magic - we have tried hard to give them that, made entering the park at night with them just such a precious moment. I had lost the ability to be in the moment that morning in the stress of capturing the moment, and of wanting the moment to be perfect, so this time I just let it unfold and was present - so there are no photos or videos of it. I hope my memory of the moment helps give you a visual picture though.
Anyway the plan was for us to find a spot, for me to stay in it with the pram, and for Jared and the boys to head off to do some attraction until the Tapestry of Happiness show started. They headed off to (you may have guessed) Storybook Land Canal Boats and Dumbo, and I sat and chatted with people around me - enjoying the comraderie that comes with being Disney fans (not everyone gets it right, so when you get to talk to people who do it's always amazing).
Spinning Dumbos!
I have no photos of the boys enjoying Storybook Land Canal Boats at night but I was told by a very excited Matthew how cool it was at night, as everything was lit up and it was "so different" than during the day. The boys, having got stuck in lines, actually missed the entire Tapestry of Happiness show, and I was a little anxious they wouldn't arrive in time for Paint the Night, but they did.
The Tapestry of Happiness was one of my favourite night time spectaculars of the whole trip. The show was a tribute to Disneyland itself, for the 70th Anniversary, and though I of course love the show based on Disney's movies and stories, I am always more excited about a show that is a tribute to Disneyland itself. The rides, the music and stories of the parks history were on display in this beautiful show projection show. It didn't have the wow moments that World of Color or Wonderous Journey's fireworks had, but it was beautiful in it's simplicity and in it's message, Disneyland has been creating happy memories for people from all around the world for 70 years.
Jared, as said before, hadn't showed up to photograph the show with the proper camera so I did it with my phone, they turned out pretty good actually! See how many classic attractions and shows you can spot in the projection scenes (I had fun with that).
Continued in Next Post...
At about 7pm we headed back into Disneyland for the boys first experience of a Disney park at night. Our plan was to find a spot near it's a small world with which to watch the Tapestry of Happiness show on it's a small world, and then view Paint the Night from there. Tapestry of Happiness stared at 8:15 and Paint the Night at 8:30pm and we weren't looking for a prime viewing spot for Paint the Night so I thought we'd have plenty of space available to choose from. This was my first insight into the ways people waiting for shows at Disneyland had changed since 2019. In 2019, staff didn't actually allow people to claim a spot more than 1-1.5 hours in advance. That's when roped off areas would begin appearing. I could not have been more surpised then, when getting to it's a small world at about 7:30 (so an hour before Paint the Night) people were EVERYWHERE and there were very few gaps available. We found one just big enough for us at the front of it's a small world (so not facing it but I figured I could stand up and turn around for that show) but it was probably one of the last gaps available. I was glad I knew that prime spots go hours earlier than the shows before our fireworks viewing night (I chatted with some locals while waiting who gave me the low down on how the roped off areas now appear from 5pm for the 9pm show!!!). Anyway all things considered we had a pretty good viewing spot but man, if you want to get a good spot for viewing any of the shows at Disneyland you now have to wait 2-3 hours in the busier times! It was crazy.
The boys were absolutely enchanted by Disneyland at night. Walking in to the lights of Main Street, with everything lit up in the parks was wonderous for them. Matthew proclaimed it "just like Christmas" which, I agree, it is in some ways. I think that Christmas lights have always held a sense of magic and wonder for me, something that brightens my heart and makes me feel that sense of peace and joy that I got when I celebrate Christmas as a child (for me personally it is a celebration of my savour Jesus birth and everything he did to bring peace and love to the world). I get really emotional whenever I am really able to deeply feel that sense of joy and peace on earth that I always felt at Christmas as a child. That's part of the reason I love Disneyland, because when I see it, and especially at night when I experience the lights, I can again feel that joy, beauty and magic that the world held for me as a child. As we grow, we loose that childhood innocence and sense that everything is right in this world, and it is good to be reminded we can find light in the dark, make something good from the bad and believe again. Very philosophical, but that in a nutshell is what I love about Disney. And actually seeing it through the eyes of my two kids, with their own childhood innocence on display, knowing that they have - so far - had a life of mostly joy, wonder and magic - we have tried hard to give them that, made entering the park at night with them just such a precious moment. I had lost the ability to be in the moment that morning in the stress of capturing the moment, and of wanting the moment to be perfect, so this time I just let it unfold and was present - so there are no photos or videos of it. I hope my memory of the moment helps give you a visual picture though.
Anyway the plan was for us to find a spot, for me to stay in it with the pram, and for Jared and the boys to head off to do some attraction until the Tapestry of Happiness show started. They headed off to (you may have guessed) Storybook Land Canal Boats and Dumbo, and I sat and chatted with people around me - enjoying the comraderie that comes with being Disney fans (not everyone gets it right, so when you get to talk to people who do it's always amazing).
Spinning Dumbos!
I have no photos of the boys enjoying Storybook Land Canal Boats at night but I was told by a very excited Matthew how cool it was at night, as everything was lit up and it was "so different" than during the day. The boys, having got stuck in lines, actually missed the entire Tapestry of Happiness show, and I was a little anxious they wouldn't arrive in time for Paint the Night, but they did.
The Tapestry of Happiness was one of my favourite night time spectaculars of the whole trip. The show was a tribute to Disneyland itself, for the 70th Anniversary, and though I of course love the show based on Disney's movies and stories, I am always more excited about a show that is a tribute to Disneyland itself. The rides, the music and stories of the parks history were on display in this beautiful show projection show. It didn't have the wow moments that World of Color or Wonderous Journey's fireworks had, but it was beautiful in it's simplicity and in it's message, Disneyland has been creating happy memories for people from all around the world for 70 years.
Jared, as said before, hadn't showed up to photograph the show with the proper camera so I did it with my phone, they turned out pretty good actually! See how many classic attractions and shows you can spot in the projection scenes (I had fun with that).
Continued in Next Post...
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RachelleBeaney
PrincessShelle
- Joined
- Jun 12, 2012
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- 1,165
Day 6 - Part 9 - Let's paint the night
I believe the boys made it back to Paint the Night with about 5 minutes to spare. This was Matthew and Daniel's first every Disney nighttime parade, and they absolutely loved it. The lights, seeing the characters, having characters wave at them, all bought such joy and smiles to their faces. I have to say though, I would have liked to have been sitting comfortably in a pram whilst watching too, would have made for more enjoyable viewing. We were thinking being in the pram at night would maybe encourage them to drift off to sleep when we had late nights in the park (any guess as to if that worked?? ).
I love Paint the Night. I can't tell if it's my favourite of the Disney night parades (I've seen the original Electrical Parade at Magic Kingdom and Tokyo's Dreamlights Electrical Parade, and it's between Dreamlights and this for my favourite). I have only seen Paint the Night at Hong Kong Disneyland before this though and this was an expanded version with more floats and characters, so I really loved that.
Continued in Next Post...
I believe the boys made it back to Paint the Night with about 5 minutes to spare. This was Matthew and Daniel's first every Disney nighttime parade, and they absolutely loved it. The lights, seeing the characters, having characters wave at them, all bought such joy and smiles to their faces. I have to say though, I would have liked to have been sitting comfortably in a pram whilst watching too, would have made for more enjoyable viewing
. We were thinking being in the pram at night would maybe encourage them to drift off to sleep when we had late nights in the park (any guess as to if that worked?? ).I love Paint the Night. I can't tell if it's my favourite of the Disney night parades (I've seen the original Electrical Parade at Magic Kingdom and Tokyo's Dreamlights Electrical Parade, and it's between Dreamlights and this for my favourite). I have only seen Paint the Night at Hong Kong Disneyland before this though and this was an expanded version with more floats and characters, so I really loved that.
Continued in Next Post...
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RachelleBeaney
PrincessShelle
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Day 6 - Part 10 - Dancing colour
Here are Jared beautiful photos of Paint the Night. I have to say I love the soundtrack to Paint the Night. I love Owl City, and the pop-y "When Can I see you again" is so much fun for Paint the Night. Makes me want to dance and sing along!
Daniel was so excited to see (as he calls him) MCQUEEN! (at the volume you'd imagine for all caps too)
Mac always impresses me! He's like an actual truck size!
Buzz waved at the boys - they got soooo excited!
Olaf was a big hit with the boys!
As were the fab five characters at the end of the parade.
Continued in Next Post...
Here are Jared beautiful photos of Paint the Night. I have to say I love the soundtrack to Paint the Night. I love Owl City, and the pop-y "When Can I see you again" is so much fun for Paint the Night. Makes me want to dance and sing along!
Daniel was so excited to see (as he calls him) MCQUEEN! (at the volume you'd imagine for all caps too)
Mac always impresses me! He's like an actual truck size!
Buzz waved at the boys - they got soooo excited!
Olaf was a big hit with the boys!
As were the fab five characters at the end of the parade.
Continued in Next Post...
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Where'sPiglet?
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Paint the Night is a fantastic parade! I'm so glad I got to enjoy it last June. Your pictures of the kids enjoying it are so precious. I also like the projection show on Small World. I think I missed part of it on my trip last year. (Off to YouTube!)
I can't quite wrap my brain around Christmas being in the middle of summer for you. Like, I've had warm Christmases before when living down south and also when on vacation at Disney World in December, but to have it be in the middle of summer just breaks my brain. My brain wants to think it's in July for you, but that's also...not quite right.
I can't quite wrap my brain around Christmas being in the middle of summer for you. Like, I've had warm Christmases before when living down south and also when on vacation at Disney World in December, but to have it be in the middle of summer just breaks my brain. My brain wants to think it's in July for you, but that's also...not quite right.
RachelleBeaney
PrincessShelle
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Day 6 - Part 11 - Rise of Skywalker
After Paint the Night I told Jared I wanted to head on over to watch the Rise of Skywalker projection show in Galaxy's Edge. We had thought that Jared would take the kids back to the room as they'd be tired but, as hinted earlier, that were the opposite of tired. On a high from the wonder that is Disneyland at night they had no intention of leaving, so he said he'd stay with them and we meet back up after the show. I have no idea what they did, as I didn't write it down, I only know when I returned they were in full on party mode - but more on that later.
Rise of Skywalker was a fun little show. When I arrived about 20 minutes before it was due to start there was hardly anyone waiting for it and the area around the Falcon had completely cleared out, except for the occasional person walking out of Smuggler's Run. It made for some fantastic photos, and it was at this point that I realised I could set my phone camera to RAW to get more out of the pictures when editing them.
I chatted with lovely young girls while waiting for the show (in their early 20s, I felt so old). They were locals but not passholders, but had gotten a 3 day ticket earlier in the year and realised that they had to use their remaining days so had felt like their trip that day was "free". She said it was also a good excuse to come and have some fun.
The show itself was cute - nothing spectacular, and to be honest the projections weren't always that clear (though I could pick a few specific things out from time to time). I did really love the Mandalorian post show (though I dont appear to have photographed it). The best part about the show though was how incredible it made the falcon and Batuu's petrified tree rocks (that's what they were supposed to be right) look!
We start at the begining with Anakin - and a silver C3PO
This Naboo scene was beautiful!
A turn to the dark side.
We moved onto the original triology with Luke and Leia.
This was Dagobah I believe.
Vadar makes an appearance in this "I am your father" moment
It ended with the rise of skywalker (Luke) and his victory over the Empire.
Again, it was a fun show to finish off an evening of wonderful nighttime entertainment. Since we weren't going to be able to fit Rise of the Fire of the Rising Moons show (Galaxy's Edge Fireworks) it was the next best thing.
When I returned the boys had not moved far from where they had started. I think maybe they went on a ride (not sure, I asked and was told but I didn't write it down and now I don't remember). However what I did return to was Matthew and Daniel having a fance party to Wonderous Journey's projection show that was just finishing on it's a small world.
My beautiful tiny dancers.
I was so happy at this point, loving how the Disney music just gave them such joy, and how they felt comfortable to just express that joy in their own way through dance (or an attempt at breakdancing maybe). Jared informed me that they'd been dancing up near it's a small world too for a while as the post show music for Paint the Night continued. They were just having the time of their lives, and we didn't have to be on the most technologically superior ride or the best themed attraction to do it. Just the atmosphere, lights and music was enough to make them love the experience of Disneyland at Night. I will never forget their first night at Disneyland, it was filled with so much joy - just a perfect way to end their first ever day at the Happiest Place on Earth.
We did exit the park after this, and the boys did get to sleep easily once we got back to the hotel (funny that). We had to have a good sleep as we'd be up again tomorrow for our first day at California Adventure.
Continued in Next Post...
After Paint the Night I told Jared I wanted to head on over to watch the Rise of Skywalker projection show in Galaxy's Edge. We had thought that Jared would take the kids back to the room as they'd be tired but, as hinted earlier, that were the opposite of tired. On a high from the wonder that is Disneyland at night they had no intention of leaving, so he said he'd stay with them and we meet back up after the show. I have no idea what they did, as I didn't write it down, I only know when I returned they were in full on party mode - but more on that later.
Rise of Skywalker was a fun little show. When I arrived about 20 minutes before it was due to start there was hardly anyone waiting for it and the area around the Falcon had completely cleared out, except for the occasional person walking out of Smuggler's Run. It made for some fantastic photos, and it was at this point that I realised I could set my phone camera to RAW to get more out of the pictures when editing them.
I chatted with lovely young girls while waiting for the show (in their early 20s, I felt so old). They were locals but not passholders, but had gotten a 3 day ticket earlier in the year and realised that they had to use their remaining days so had felt like their trip that day was "free". She said it was also a good excuse to come and have some fun.
The show itself was cute - nothing spectacular, and to be honest the projections weren't always that clear (though I could pick a few specific things out from time to time). I did really love the Mandalorian post show (though I dont appear to have photographed it). The best part about the show though was how incredible it made the falcon and Batuu's petrified tree rocks (that's what they were supposed to be right) look!
We start at the begining with Anakin - and a silver C3PO
This Naboo scene was beautiful!
A turn to the dark side.
We moved onto the original triology with Luke and Leia.
This was Dagobah I believe.
Vadar makes an appearance in this "I am your father" moment
It ended with the rise of skywalker (Luke) and his victory over the Empire.
Again, it was a fun show to finish off an evening of wonderful nighttime entertainment. Since we weren't going to be able to fit Rise of the Fire of the Rising Moons show (Galaxy's Edge Fireworks) it was the next best thing.
When I returned the boys had not moved far from where they had started. I think maybe they went on a ride (not sure, I asked and was told but I didn't write it down and now I don't remember). However what I did return to was Matthew and Daniel having a fance party to Wonderous Journey's projection show that was just finishing on it's a small world.
My beautiful tiny dancers.
I was so happy at this point, loving how the Disney music just gave them such joy, and how they felt comfortable to just express that joy in their own way through dance (or an attempt at breakdancing maybe). Jared informed me that they'd been dancing up near it's a small world too for a while as the post show music for Paint the Night continued. They were just having the time of their lives, and we didn't have to be on the most technologically superior ride or the best themed attraction to do it. Just the atmosphere, lights and music was enough to make them love the experience of Disneyland at Night. I will never forget their first night at Disneyland, it was filled with so much joy - just a perfect way to end their first ever day at the Happiest Place on Earth.
We did exit the park after this, and the boys did get to sleep easily once we got back to the hotel (funny that). We had to have a good sleep as we'd be up again tomorrow for our first day at California Adventure.
Continued in Next Post...
Last edited:
RachelleBeaney
PrincessShelle
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Paint the Night is a fantastic parade! I'm so glad I got to enjoy it last June. Your pictures of the kids enjoying it are so precious. I also like the projection show on Small World. I think I missed part of it on my trip last year. (Off to YouTube!)
I can't quite wrap my brain around Christmas being in the middle of summer for you. Like, I've had warm Christmases before when living down south and also when on vacation at Disney World in December, but to have it be in the middle of summer just breaks my brain. My brain wants to think it's in July for you, but that's also...not quite right.
Yes I'd imagine it is a strange though. Less strange for us to think of Christmas as in winter as all the postcard and classic images of Christmas you see, even in Australia, are winter scenes. Still I love Christmas being in summer here. It's the begining of our long summer break, so signals in freedom and fun when you are a kid. It's also often swimming weather on Christmas Day and last year we were in the pool with the boys and my parents as we didn't have our large family gathering until dinner which was incredibly relaxing.
Matthew is a July baby, and that means a winter baby here (it's always harder to find a venue for parties because it has to be indoors in case!). I said to another mum who also has a July baby recently we just need to move to the northern hemisphere and then we can have summer parties.
The only downside to Christmas being summer is that it can get hot! We've hit 40 degrees (104 F) many years on Christmas Day and I recall Christmas a few years ago we got to the record top temperature of 43 degrees (109 F). Needless to say we spent that day in the pool or airconditioning! So it is sometimes hard to do outdoor things to, but for the opposite reason of wet and cold.
I don't think Tapestry of Happiness would have been playing when you visited in June. It's a 70th anniversay show so it would have only started after July 17 (the anniversary) or at least I think that's the case.
Where'sPiglet?
DIS Veteran
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LOL at the winter scenes for Christmas, even in Australia.
It can get that hot where I live in the summer, but not on Christmas. (wrong season!)
I also hibernate in those temperatures...so I'm not sure if summer birthdays here have the same issue as winter with needing an indoor option, but for the heat instead of the cold/dark.Hmmm....I'm not sure what projection was playing at Small World last June, but a lot of the 70th stuff did start before July 17th. Like, they had those magical key things to unlock the little stations around the park and then get a pin, but they were sold out while I was there. (Boo hiss, but saved some dollars.)
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