The only time I’d been to Disneyland prior to this past Saturday was for Senior Grad Night in June of 1973, when members of the graduating class of Merced High School entered the park at midnight and partied like it was 1955 (the year Disneyland opened). I remember that Cornelius Brothers and Sister Rose was/were one of the celebrity entertainers. I remember the Haunted Mansion, Pirates of the Caribbean, It’s A Small World, Peter Pan’s Flight, Autopia and the submarine ride. I don’t know why it took over 33 years to get back, but there you go.
Judging from the time stamp on the photo I posted Saturday morning, we arrived at 10:30 in the morning. There were signs all over the parking garage saying that the park would be EXTREMELY busy that day – in fact, the parking lot tram conductor said that the park had SOLD OUT yesterday (whatever that means – I can’t imagine Di$ney Worldwide closing the gates). Little did we know that ABC TV was taping the Christmas Parade that day for broadcast on Christmas Day, with special appearances by Ryan Seacrest (ooh!) and Miley Cyrus as Hannah Montana (who I know on a personal basis – or I know people who know her on a personal basis, at least. In fact, she and her entourage of one – not counting a couple of security guards – walked right behind me while we were buying popcorn. I waved, but I guess she didn’t see me – heh).
Anyway, they were right – it was crowded. We took advantage of the Fast Pass on some of the attractions, which allows you to sort of virtually wait in line while walking around the park waiting in other lines – the ticket gives you a time to come back and stand in a much shorter line. You can only have one Fast Pass at a time, pretty much. The Haunted Mansion was the first ride we went on, standing in the regular stand-by line of about 45 minutes. The ride currently is themed as the Nightmare Before Christma: you know, Jack Skellington and all that over-the-top gothic stuff. I was somewhat disappointed that it wasn’t the regular Haunted Mansion – perhaps the memory of it way back when has grown to monstrous proportions, so to speak, so that it would never be able to match my expectations. Anyway, as with all Disneyland rides, it was over far too quickly to make me forget the long line, but it was okay enough.
We had picked up a Fast Pass for Indiana Jones and the Chamber of Destiny, and we had time to grab a bite to eat. Since we were right there after the Mansion, we ate at the French Market (at which, coincidentally, I had eaten in 1973). All the other places had lines, and that was just for getting a reservation for a couple of hours later! Anyway we both had the fried chicken (looked better than it was), had a bit of trouble finding a place to sit for several minutes. We strolled around, went to Thunder Ranch to see Santa’s reindeer and decorated a gingerbread cookie, saw Pluto and Chip ‘n’ Dale (Chip is the one with the reddish nose).
On the way to Indy Jones, we were able to take in the floor show at the Enchanted Tiki Room. Now this was more like it. It’s pretty much the same as it was when it opened in 1963, down to the cornball jokes at which everyone still manages to laugh uproariously. When the music started I was amazed that the entire audience seemed to be singing along with great gusto – ‘in the tiki, tiki, tiki, tiki, ti – ki roooooom!’ It was fabulous! There’s not much in the park that is a throwback to the old days; I’m glad we got a chance to see it.
The Indiana Jones ride was GREAT! As soon as you’re standing in the line you’re immersed in the ambience, the sounds, the decor of a 1930′s expedition for rare artifacts. The animatronics were very convincing, it was all first rate, really enjoyed it.
We wandered into Fantasyland and stood in the standby line for Peter Pan’s Flight, probably another 45 minutes, during which we were able to see the Sword in the Stone ceremony with Merlin the Magician. We saw the Evil Queen peeking out of her window across the way a few times . The Peter Pan ride was just as I remembered, maybe a little better with some improved lighting techniques that made the sensation of flying even more realistic.
On to Toontown, then back to the car before dinner to grab a jacket, at which point Janelle realized that her wallet was missing. The last time she remembered having it was at the popcorn stand at the end of Main Street. So we decided to check in with Guest Relations when we went back in. Little did we know that she had dropped her wallet outside the car when she got in just a minute or so earlier. Had I not had the bright idea to move the car a little closer to the tram platform, we probably would have seen it and avoided the heartache that followed. More about that next time.
