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Visit Date: 12/14/12
Steps: 16,372
Parks Miles: 6.2
Time in Parks: 9

 
Trip Log:

Arrived at the Disneyland Resort around lunchtime. Was greeted by a closed Mickey and Friends Garage so ended up having to circle around to get into the garage. After parking hopped on a tram to the parks. Walked into Disneyland and started to read the time schedule for the day. Realized that the times were not lining up with our agenda so made a quick u-turn and walked across to DCA. Strolled down Buena Vista Street and eventually made our way out to the Wharf for a lunch. After lunch wandered through Cars Land and back to Buena Vista Street. Walked down Hollywood Blvd and circled the Backlot area before walking through Bugs Land and then Cars Land again. Crossed the parade route near the Little Mermaid and walked around GRR. Made my way to the Grand Californian Lobby and caught some of the Dickens Carolers set. After their performance walked through Downtown Disney and back to the Esplanade to pick up my Candlelight wristband for the evening. Then returned to Disneyland. The Christmas Fantasy Parade was making it way down the street, they had the backstage walkway on the west side of the street open so went that way to avoid the crowd. Wandered around the hub a bit then walked through the Castle to Fantasyland and then down the Big Thunder Trail to the Jamboree. Realized I still had half an hour till the Billies so continued on down the trail and around the Rivers of America to New Orleans Square. Doubled back through Frontierland to the Jamboree and watched the Holiday Hillbillies. After their set stopped by the Village Haus for dinner then spent some time near Small World and a quick walk through Toontown as the rain wsa now falling. Walked around the Matterhorn and through Tomorrowland to get to Main Street. Tried to figure out a dry way to take some pictures then headed for the front of the park to line up for the 7:30 Candlelight. Was seated in the fourth row for the show, a different perspective than usual for me. The show started about 15 minutes late but once it did went off without any rain issues. After the show made a quick trip to the Emporium and then headed for the tram, garage, car, and home as the rain began to fall again.

Other Interesting Stats:
* Moderate Walking Stats (meaning over 2.5mph): 9,823 steps, 89 minutes.


For Comparisons to other trips or more park miles click here to visit our park Miles Section.

Note: These totals may be skewed because the pedometer is zero'd when we start and then left alone and read when we leave. So attractions, and other things may cause extra "steps" to be counted. The pedometer that we use basically measures up/down motion as a step, so if your standing in line and moving up and down it may be counting steps, etc.. so the total distances traveled and steps may be off.. so use these as rough distance comparisons between trips and they may not be accurate in terms of actual distance traveled.
Pictures & Video From this Trip:


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My Thoughts & Observations:

Hello all,

Friday was a cool and damp day at the Disneyland Resort. The main objective was to attend the Candlelight since I had won tickets in the Annual Passholder lottery and to stay out of the rain. The crowds were mild, probably because of the weather. Temperatures peaked at just over 60 degrees and it was overcast much of the day. Come sun down a light rain began to fall and we had scattered showers the rest of the evening.

Jason

Trip logs and mileage reports are in the Park Miles section.

Thoughts and Observations:

  • I arrived at the parks from the South this trip and found the Mickey and Friends garage entrance blocked off by Anaheim PD and only open to oversized and ADA guests. I really did not want to park outside in the Toy Story lot because of the anticipated rain so I looped around and the by pass happened to be open so I ended up in the garage. This came in handy as I was leaving and it was raining, much nicer to work inside the garage than out in the rain. I understand why they do this to avoid traffic jams later in the evening but on the other hand it really bothers me that those that come earlier have to deal with the headaches.

  • I had a near record breaking visit to Disneyland. Walked in, made it as far as the tunnel under the train tracks and was reading the time schedule then turned around to head for DCA since that seemed a more efficient use of the afternoon.

  • Over at DCA nothing too new or interesting to report as I circled the park a bit and grabbed some lunch. Did not see the gingerbread house in the Cafe on Buena Vista Street or Mater out in Flos. Anyone know if there was a problem with them or what happened? Only saw Mater one day and never the other. I did noticed what seemed to be more Cars Land Christmas merchandise which was great to see. In Elias & Co. I came across a fair amount of 2013 items too. I was not as impressed by them, but then again I have not been a fan of the large oversized year merchandise over the years.

  • Made my way to the Grand Californian. Spotted a gingerbread house in the Storyteller Cafe lobby area so stopped for some pictures.

  • Stopped in the lobby to listen to the Dickens Carolers. This afternoon there was a different foursome than last week. They performed in a different manner too. They walked around the lobby stopped at the various seating areas and would perform a song or two. I thought his was a nice way to engage more guests. But I really like the wide open all request format of the group last week. Also having them in one spot meant you could find a place, sit, and listen and did not have to follow them around which seemed a bit awkward.

  • On the way back to Disneyland stopped by the ticket booths to check in for the Candlelight. The process was smooth and when I arrived no lines at all and plenty of cast members to verify your information, scan your pass, and issue a wristband.

  • When I arrived on Main Street A Christmas Fantasy parade was going on. Due to the heavy traffic the backstage alley on the west side was open which made it really easy to get down the street. Was kind of surprised because the park did not seem overly crowded and the sidewalks were flowing. But then again maybe they were flowing because it was open.

  • Headed out for the Jingle Jangle Jamboree to catch the Holiday Hillbillies. I watched the last show of the evening and the lighting was a nice touch. I think this was first time out there after dark this year.

  • After dinner a light rain started which meant I cut back on pictures and tried to keep myself and camera gear as dry as possible while waiting to see if the Candlelight would go on. The 5:30pm show was cancelled. The rain did start to let up and we went to get in line for the 7:30pm show.

  • I thought the idea of an Annual Passholder lottery for tickets was a great idea by Disney. While in line I was surprised that a couple of the groups around me had not known about the ceremony until this year. Guess since has not been publicized much at Disneyland if you do not hit the right weekend or follow the internet odds are you may not have known about the show.

  • We were seated as a very light rain continued to come down. Then it let up and you could actually see a star. The crew for the Candlelight came out and worked to dry the stage area and prepare for the show. There was a 15 minute delay or so but once started it was able to run to completion with no weather problems.

  • I had not had a seat for the Candlelight in years. I want to say pushing 10 now. So I was looking forward to being able to sit and relax and enjoy the show. Fortunately or unfortunately we were not able to pick our seats. They basically walked us in and directed you to a row to be seated. We ended up on the end of the 4th row. I was looking right down the front of the stage almost. This made taking pictures a challenge, but it forced me to enjoy the show more and not even try. The audio from this close was great! And we were up against the trees and protected from the wind a bit too.

  • I thought the passholder lottery execution went off great and we had no challenges. Has everyone else had a similar experience? Only suggestion I would have liked to have received a one page program or something about the ceremony. I remember way back they had one that listed the performing groups. Also since some had not seen the show before it could have given some history. Plus it would have been an cheap keepsake to commemorate the event.

  • Unfortunately from time to time the real world finds its way into the Parks and it is always a challenge on how to handle it. On Friday night during his closing remarks during the Candlelight Ceremony Dennis Haysbert referenced the tragic events that unfolded in Connecticut earlier in the day. I thought he did it in a very dignified and appropriate manner. Here is a video clip of them:

Interesting Web Finds/Notes:
Below are some interesting links, notes, and rumors I found/stumble across/or have been informed of since the last Geekspeaks column.

Be sure to check out the picture update that goes with this Geekspeak column, it can be found in our Disneyland Resort Pictorial Update section

Stop by the Geek's Forum to discuss this and other Disney topics.. click here

Send comments, questions, any other email to: disneygeek@disneygeek.com
Pictures & Video From this Trip:


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