Disneyland Seasonal Adventures Trip Report - Part I

Hello :}



As you all should know by now, Thrillography loooooooves Disney! We've spent more time covering Disney visits than anything else this year!

While we've managed to show you just about all there was to see at Disneyland Resort this past summer, the fall and winter months bring special enjoyments that can't be experienced during any other time of year!

Seasonal attraction overlays are a tradition at Disneyland. One of the newest examples, Hyperspace Mountain, has managed to elevate the attraction to one of the highest levels of popularity in its lifetime. Disney's annual fall and winter attraction overlays bring with them similar degrees of buzz.

The morning monorail ride gives us a great view of our first order of business! DCA!

But first that wonderful trip around Tomorrowland and Fantasyland.

Although there's not much illustrating any changes from the outside, one of today's seasonal adventures is Space Mountain: Ghost Galaxy!

Meanwhile, its a small world in the midst of a total inside-out makeover for its seasonal overlay! (More on that in Part 2)

A parade was in full swing as we hovered by in the Alweg.

The caterpillars inch along. :}

A friendly reminder that oranges were the first residents of Disneyland. :}

Ok! California Adventure time!

Time to finally see Frozen Live!

(I know you all are just thrilled right now)

I think this is my first time to the Hyperion in about 15 years.

Ok, so obviously the Frozen show isn't really a "seasonal" attraction (or, at least no more or less than any other show), but it's new and I obviously needed to see it.

"Elsa, things are difficult and stuff. Please come out."

"NO Anna. The world is a cold, horrible place. Also I have WiFi in here."

Anna: *Wakes up utterly incoherent*

- 2 minutes later -

Anna: *Running around the house singing and looking perfect, despite the apparent lack of coffee or cocaine use*

Elsa: "I can only express my feelings through song."

Anna: "I can only express my feelings through...    INTERPRETIVE DANCE." 

Anna: "My interpretive dance has attracted a suitor."

Elsa: "No, Anna. You are not allowed to be happy."

Seeking relief from the insufferable weight of royal life, Elsa flees her kingdom to pursue her dream of becoming a general contractor.

Elsa's reputation as a contractor is threatened when her first project is condemned due to numerous fire code violations.

Anna: "My sister is somewhere I must find her."

Kristoff: "Dude, who are you? How did you get in my sleigh?"

Anna: "We have crashed."

Kristoff: "This is not ideal."

Sven: *Confused reindeer noises*

Kristoff and Anna are unconscious in the unforgiving winter weather.

The resulting hypothermia has lead to sensations of warmth and various hallucinations.

Hans: "Where is my Anna? Her interpretive dance is my only joy."

Anna and Kristoff have recovered form crash impact, but late stage hypothermia has taken them over. They are seen here attempting to converse with several rocks.

Anna: "I will save you Elsa."

Elsa: "Anna we need to get you to a hospital."

*Thunderous applause*

That was amazing!

So...this is a weird one. "Tower of Terror: Late Check-Out". A "seasonal" attraction "overlay" because work on turning the ride into Guardians of the Galaxy: Mission Breakout has already started but they don't want the ride closed during the holidays. 

It's Tower of Terror but without the...well...anything inside the ride. 

Movie preview! Who's excited for Moana? :}

Gotta hit up Radiator Springs!

Now that I've been to Disney World, I'm comfortable saying that Cars Land is one of Disney's most spectacular achievements. It alone is worth the trip to California!

This stuff is pretty cool too.

I think California Adventure is stronger than any of the non-Magic Kingdom Disney World parks. 

Definitely a great place to be after the sun goes down!

NEW RIDE FOR ME!

Silly Symphony Swings was down for refurb in the spring and didn't exist in 2010. What a cute ride! :D

#PixieDustViews

Back to the Magic Kingdom :}

Still the fav Disney coaster after all these years. :}

Ghost Galaxy Verdict: Cool effects, but not the enrapturing endeavor that is Hyperspace Mountain.

Ok, ok, ok. Here's what you came for. 

Haunted Mansion Holiday: One of the most well-regarded of Disney attractions (seasonal or otherwise).

Every detail inside Haunted Mansion Holiday has been thoughtfully reimagined to the tune of one of Disney's biggest cult classics (via Touchstone Pictures), The Nightmare Before Christmas.

At one point the stop-motion Tim Burton favorite had a concept for its very own ride, but was later reconfigured into Haunted Mansion Holiday.

For whatever reason, Walt Disney World's Haunted Mansion does not partake in a holiday makeover (nor does small world or Space Mountain). However, at Tokyo Disney, Haunted Mansion Holiday is consistently the park's most popular attraction.

These 4 stained glass pieces are Haunted Mansion Holiday's pictures within the stretching room. :}

The hallway to the doom buggies has lots to see!

There are new pictures on the wall, but they, like the originals, are more than meets the eye.

A festive make-over for the Haunted Mansion indeed!

But...perhaps everyone is not so thrilled with this Christmas business?

The busts don't seem to mind.

In some ways, there's more to see in the Holiday edition of Haunted Mansion than the traditional version.

The collision of Halloween and Christmas gives way to some delightful creative touches.

I know some of these shots are not very clear, but this is the best I could do. Bear with me here.

Looks like someone is enjoying the Disney Dining Plan.

At one point our ride stopped in front of the famous curly mountain thing. Here it's covered in snow and jack-o-lanterns. 

I think my only complaint is that the amount of white on the props contributes to the over-illuminating of some of the rooms. The upper walls and ceiling are completely visible in the loading area and in the finale room.

Instead of hitchhiking ghosts we have Oogie's Holiday Tricks and Treats! 

We landed on candy cane snakes!

The Mansion is beautiful with its holiday trimmings. I'm so pleased that I finally rode it! 

We'll be back for another spin tomorrow. ;}

Maybe some Big Thunder Mountain tomorrow too?

Time to hit the road.

BAM! Here we are again!

Obligatory Matterhorn shot.

It's currently quiet along the various Tomorrowland transits 

MATTERHORN TILT SHIFT ACTION!

Single Rider - Tomorrowland Side for life!!

Back for more Haunted Mansion Holiday. :}

Th

This was my first time using HM's FastPass. What a lovely setup!

Big Thunder time! That kid in the front looks bored.

*Ambient train noises*

I've decided that I need to make more of an effort to take selfies with the new camera. How can I not take selfies when there are such lovely faces to photograph?? :}

Mansion time. :}

Ugh common core math is getting crazier by the day.

Haunted Mansion Holiday is definitely worth at least two rides. There's so much to see!

Today was a shorter day. The sun is already starting to set!

Wintertime is just around the corner! Sleeping Beauty's Castle is already dusted with snow.

Back to California Adventure for the evening! 

I greatly enjoyed Soarin' Around the World in WDW. It's just as nice at DCA. :}

Nighttime Radiator Springs Racers!

Everyone wants to ride this at night! Thank goodness for single rider. ;}

Last order of business.

So yeah. Late Check-Out is fun, but its nothing that can't be replicated with an eye mask and some earplugs. 

Riding the vastly superior WDW version has made me even more eager to see this version converted into Guardians of the Galaxy: Mission Breakout! Bring it on!

I just can't get enough of Disneyland during the Holidays. :}



We'll be back for round 2 of Disneyland in a couple weeks! Tomorrow we visit Knott's Berry Farm for a day of nothing but walk-ons, followed by a trip to Primm, Nevada for the elusive Desperado credit!



See you soon! And stay warm. :}