A BICOASTAL SOLO Adventure: Nov&Dec2010 @ VGC & AKV... 2 UPDATES 3/6 Post #85 & 86

Now, wait a minute, my friend...do you mean to tell me that my DH and I are teleported to yesteryear every Saturday night when we go to DL to listen to the swing bands. I mean those old couples are still out there, maybe we are being teleported back in time. But I mean to tell you the bands are still there Saturday nights. And I'm pretty sure a few of those old couples were dancing when you were last there;) Saturday nights = Swing band night = date night for us. But don't count on seeing us old fogies out there:lmao: My DH does a mean toe tap and I'm usually dancing with my grand daughter or swaying if she's with us.

Are you seriously saying that they've restarted the swing bands on Saturday nights year-round now? I know that in the last couple summers, the Disney All-American Band (only performing from mid-June to mid-August) comes in and does a swing set on Saurday night. And don't poo poo their quality as too young for that style msuic-many of the members of DAMB are experienced Big Band Musicians, though still in college earning their chops (including DS).
 
The pictures are great, Stopher. So familiar, yet so different.
Disneyland is certainly on our "must do" list, but we're holding out until Cars Land opens in a few years.

2012. Carsland opens in 2012. Start planning Barry - I'd say 2013. Evan will love it, I'm sure. Heck, I'll love it!

Loving it
I really need to go over to that side of the "World"
Looking forward to More :surfweb:

:) Yes you do! Do you still have the map I drew for you? If so, I'd love it if you would scan it and email it to me - it might come in handy later on...


Wow, I've really fallen behind on your TR's! Sorry about that. I'm working on catching up.

First of all, I think the GC hotel looks amazing. Can't wait to see it in person someday. And I'm glad you could meet up with old friends.

Secondly, I'm with Barry in that it's probably best for us to wait till Radiator Springs opens up before going to DL. But I'm really intrigued by all the ways it differs from WDW. Thanks for posting all of the pictures. WOC looks like an awesome show!

No need to apologize Mark - glad you could stop by at all. :) The Grand IS amazing. Wow. I love it so much. I'm ready to go back now...
 
Part IV: Disneyland After Dark

Following the conclusion of World of Color at DCA, it was now about 10:45ish, and DCA was closed...but Disneyland was open until Midnight. Across the esplanade I went. Being a Sunday evening, with school the next day, I knew it would not be super crowded during that last hour, and I was very correct. I got to enjoy a LOT of the park in that short time. Here are some of my adventures.

The Partners statue

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Sleeping Beauty's Winter Castle, by night

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A close-up of one corner

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I love how it wraps around to the back side more this year

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Of course being much smaller than Cinderella's Castle at the MK, there is no restaurant upstairs, but there is the Castle Walkthru with the Sleeping Beauty Diorama. Very nice. Sedate. Classic. And these cool murals on each side of the inside of the castle breezeway.

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It's A Small World Holiday. This is hands-down my favorite aspect of Christmas at Disneyland.

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I was literally able to ride everything in Fantasyland, plus I went over and enjoyed Big Thunder Mountain before working my way back down Main Street, U.S.A.. Had some fun conversations with the cast members while I was at it.

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Back in to Town Square, first the Opera House, home of Great Moments with Mr. Lincoln

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The Emporium

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The Fire Station, with Walt's apartment above

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City Hall

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And the Train Station

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and then looking back after passing through the tunnels, and headed for the exit

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Since it's such a nice short walk from the main gate back to the Grand, I was literally in my room in less than 10 minutes (I lingered in the lobby enjoying the fire place for 2 or 3 minutes first).

The next day was check-out from VGC, but more time in the park, before I had to head off to the work portion of my trip...but that doesn't mean at all that it was the last time in the parks that week by any means. :confused3 Hmmm. More about that later.
 


How cool is that...It's a Small World for the holidays. Love it.

Loving your trip report. Maybe I'll have to incorporate your strategy into my next California trip.

Thanks for sharing. :goodvibes
 
How cool is that...It's a Small World for the holidays. Love it.

Loving your trip report. Maybe I'll have to incorporate your strategy into my next California trip.

Thanks for sharing. :goodvibes

Thanks & Welcome!

Oh yeah, not only is it decked out both outside and in, but the music is changed too. It's the same overall theme, but "Deck the Halls" and "Jingle Bells" is worked in. It's much more enjoyable, IMO than the traditional version. This was the 14th or 15th year they've done the holiday overlay for IASW now, and it is such a crowd pleaser.
 
Are you seriously saying that they've restarted the swing bands on Saturday nights year-round now? I know that in the last couple summers, the Disney All-American Band (only performing from mid-June to mid-August) comes in and does a swing set on Saurday night. And don't poo poo their quality as too young for that style msuic-many of the members of DAMB are experienced Big Band Musicians, though still in college earning their chops (including DS).

Now I can't say all through summer as I was up in northern Cal for most of it taking care of my Dad, but my DH and I go to Disneyland two Saturdays a month and listen to the bands. I would say that most Saturday nights there is a swing band. Our favorites are Tim Gill and Doc Anello. There are some bands that we haven't heard yet. I know that earlier this year there was a group of young folks that would "dress" and just dance the night away. Our favorites are a couple that I'm guessing are entertainment CMs. They dance during the Remember fireworks. It's so cool, to see them dance to the firework music in the dark. Very professional.
 


Now I can't say all through summer as I was up in northern Cal for most of it taking care of my Dad, but my DH and I go to Disneyland two Saturdays a month and listen to the bands. I would say that most Saturday nights there is a swing band. Our favorites are Tim Gill and Doc Anello. There are some bands that we haven't heard yet. I know that earlier this year there was a group of young folks that would "dress" and just dance the night away. Our favorites are a couple that I'm guessing are entertainment CMs. They dance during the Remember fireworks. It's so cool, to see them dance to the firework music in the dark. Very professional.


That's interesting info, thanks. I passed it along to DS so he can see what he missed!
 
Across the esplanade I went.
Gesundheit

:rotfl2::lmao:

It's A Small World Holiday. This is hands-down my favorite aspect of Christmas at Disneyland.
That's quite an attraction! How long do they have to shut it down for to put all that up?


The Fire Station, with Walt's apartment above
It's hard to tell from the picture - is that Walt's lamp that it lit up or are there Christmas Lights in the window?
 
That's quite an attraction! How long do they have to shut it down for to put all that up?

I believe, but could be off a bit, that it takes 6 weeks to install, and then 3 or 4 to remove it all afterwards. It's up and ready to go when the Christmas season kicks off once Halloween moves out.

They do similarly with the Haunted Mansion Holiday (Nightmare Before Christmas overlay), but that one covers both Halloween and Christmas, so it's ready to go by Labor Day. That too takes several weeks to prep, and then 2 or 3 to remove. So yeah, both attractions are down for a good chunk of time twice per year.


It's hard to tell from the picture - is that Walt's lamp that it lit up or are there Christmas Lights in the window?

Yeah, sorry, my camera doesn't do the best with nighttime shots. But you can't expect much from many point and shoots, or the operator for that matter. :rotfl:

There's a mini Christmas tree up there behind the window. It's a lamp on a table most of the year, then a small tree during the Christmas season.
 
I've always wanted to do the Pro Bowl in Hawaii followed by the Superbowl. Maybe a Trifecta is better (Aluani, VGC, SSR)?
 
The night shots are great! Even if it is a point-and-shoot. :thumbsup2

Whoever came up with the idea of making the icicle lights for the castles was a genius.

Oh yeah, not only is it decked out both outside and in, but the music is changed too. It's the same overall theme, but "Deck the Halls" and "Jingle Bells" is worked in. It's much more enjoyable, IMO than the traditional version. This was the 14th or 15th year they've done the holiday overlay for IASW now, and it is such a crowd pleaser.

IASW with Christmas lights and less annoying music? Sounds like something I might actually try. :rotfl2:
 
Hey Stoph! Those pictures of Small World all decked out for Christmas are so pretty, I might actually get Mr Muush to ride it!
 
Beautiful, Beautiful

Stopher....You are so right I just have to get out there at Christmas especially to see the Holiday Small World.

Thanks a bunch for the great pictures ;)
 
Thanks & Welcome!

Oh yeah, not only is it decked out both outside and in, but the music is changed too. It's the same overall theme, but "Deck the Halls" and "Jingle Bells" is worked in. It's much more enjoyable, IMO than the traditional version. This was the 14th or 15th year they've done the holiday overlay for IASW now, and it is such a crowd pleaser.

Gunboats yet? Please? :D
 
Part V: Monday, Monday

Life sure gets in the way sometimes of what you really want to do… updating your Trip Report! My gracious it’s been about 2 months since I last updated this. Bummer for those following along, who’ve probably all but given up on me by now… Christmas is long gone, Valentine’s has come and gone, and the little green leprechauns will be out in force in just a couple more weeks… I’d better get crackin’. “Sherman, turn on the way back machine” – it’s time to go back to the 2010 Christmas season once more…

…here’s where we last were when I last updated…

Since it's such a nice short walk from the main gate back to the Grand, I was literally in my room in less than 10 minutes (I lingered in the lobby enjoying the fire place for 2 or 3 minutes first).

The next day was check-out from VGC, but more time in the park, before I had to head off to the work portion of my trip...but that doesn't mean at all that it was the last time in the parks that week by any means. Hmmm. More about that later.

Here are a few more photos from the lobby of the Grand – to reset the mood for you…

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And some lamps from the lobby too (I love taking shots of architecture, décor, and furnishings, if you haven’t yet figured that out)

This one is from the central lobby area, near the built in sofas

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And this one is from the Registration counter - I love the dragonflies in the glass

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Monday morning arrived, and yes it was check-out day. I would be transferring my gear down to the Crowne Plaza in Irvine for the work portion of this trip. But I didn’t need to check-in in Irvine until that evening… so it was another fun-filled day in the parks. I pretty much had my gear ready to go early, and took it down to the car. Then it was a relatively quick walk back to the Grand for a quick walk-through and entry in to DCA. I took a few shots of the resort on the way. Here are a couple of the outdoor fireplace, wedding lawn area and the pool area.

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Today I wanted to ride the Silly Symphony Swings. And check out the new (to me) exhibit in the Imagineering Blue Sky Cellar – (it was the pending Little Mermaid ride having replaced the World of Color that was there the last time I went in there). So I worked my way over in to the Paradise Pier section of the park. Here I was standing directly in front of Toy Story Midway Mania, with the California Screamin’ loop above.

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And here was my score from TSMM. Not too shabby, but of course lots of room for improvement there.

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And here I turned around and am looking directly north across the Paradise Pier lagoon at the construction of the new Little Mermaid ride.

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It's kind of funny to look back now, at this picture from 3 months ago, when I've been watching the construction progress on two different websites I follow and how much further along it is since this picture was taken. Grand Opening has now been set for early June. I can't wait to ride it...


As you are looking north across the lagoon, to your left as the walk path curves around the lagoon, you find the Silly Symphony Swings. This ride is new, but it is not, in the sense that it replaced the original swing ride from when DCA first opened in 2001 - the Orange Stinger. Let me just say straight off, I LOVE this little ride. Oh my goodness. I never cared for the old version - but this completely rebuilt, redone swing ride is so much better, and way cooler. I love the theming too, of the old Silly Symphony cartoons, especially Mickey’s Band Concert, especially this great topper that was put on. It really is so fun… and the music from the Band Concert cartoon sure helps too.

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And finally a little video of it – it was such fun. I think I mentioned that, didn’t I? Fun. Yeah. I could go for a ride on the swings right now actually. They were fun.

http://s292.photobucket.com/albums/... WDW/?action=view&current=2010-1129-00132.mp4
 
Here are just a few pics of the model for the new Little Mermaid attraction. I looks very immersive and cool. I can't wait for it to open, and some time next year for it's clone to open up in the MK. My DW and I have talked for years about how poor Ariel got the shaft with no ride in Fantasyland like the other princesses did. Finally her day is coming. Needless to say my DD who absolutely ADORES Ariel is pretty stoked about this new attraction.

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Wandering around DCA produced a handful of other pictures as well. The park is under heavy construction thanks to the major renovations, redos and that new little land they are building, Carsland. 2012 and beyond will have a lot of cool new stuff to take pictures of - but for now, a few old standbys.

Here the old Mulholland Madness is behind construction walls as it gets remade in to Goofy's Sky School. Since this was taken the entire track has been repainted blue. Makes sense since the coaster is supposed to be about flight.

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That is of course, the Grand Californian right behind the coaster too.

Mickey's Fun Wheel with California Screamin' behind it

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Part of the viewing area for World of Color - Paradise Park, overlooking the lagoon

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And then here is the lobby of the Twilight Zone Tower of Terror. I miss the 4D room from the WDW version here, but I do like the double stacked elevators. My kids definitely prefer this version to Florida, as they don't like the 4D room. Oh well, to each his own. No matter - I love this attraction, and the immersive environments of the lobby and the library.

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