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Visit Date: 11/22/19
Steps: 22,580
Parks Miles: 10.6
Time in Parks: 8

 
Trip Log:

Arrived at the Disneyland Resort just after lunch and found no delays to enter the parking structure, but then traffic slowed to a crawl on the ramp up to the level and into a spot in the last row toward the far corner of the Goofy level. Took a look at the construction and then headed for security and a tram to the parks. First stop today Disneyland. Walked quickly up Main Street and took a quick look around before heading into Frontierland and the Golden Horseshoe, arriving a few minutes before the 1:30pm performance of the new Showdown at the Golden Horseshoe show. After the show took a look around Frontierland, the the hub and Tomorrowland projects before making my way out to it's a small world holiday for a cruise. Once back on shore walked around the Matterhorn and into Tomorrowland before returning to Main Street USA. Headed out to Downtown Disney to see the Let it Glow displays in the day time. Walked out to the West ide then back to the parks. Entered Disney California Adventure and headed for Smokejumpers for some food. After eating found a spot in Carthay Circle for the Mickey's Happy Holiday. Walked down Hollywood Blvd then Sunset to take a look at the Avengers Campus work then circled back and walked the parade route to Paradise Garden Park. Walked out to Pixar Pier and took a look at the Pal-A-Round queue, which was too long, then walked back to Paradise Park. Caught some of a performance by the Sound then the Holiday Toy Drummers. Walked through Grizzly Recreation area and out to the Grand Californian. Took a look at the gingerbread house and other Christmas decorations before walking across Disneyland Drive to the Paradise Pier Hotel. Walked through the lobby then over to the Disneyland Hotel taking a look at the Frontier and Fantasy towers. Strolled through Downtown Disney checking out the Let it Glow displays after dark and other Christmas decorations. Returned to Disney California Adventure and walked out to Paradise Gardens to find a spot for Viva Navidad Street Party. Then circled back to Paradise Park for the Phat Cat Swinger Holiday Concert. After their performance strolled through the Wharf and into Cars Land. Took Cross Street to Route 66 then back to the parade route. Returned to Disneyland and took a look around Main Street USA then Adventureland before making my way out toward it's a small world. Walked around the Matterhorn and into Tomorrowland. Stopped by the Holiday Dance party and then decided to call it an early night and headed back to Main Street, out to a tram and back to my car.

Other Interesting Stats:
* Moderate Walking Stats (meaning over 2.5mph): 15,547 steps, 136 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 everyone!

I was not planning on visiting the parks today after just returning from Paris on Wednesday and an early football game on Saturday but with the 10 day forecast showing a lot of rain figured I should take advantage of the nice weather and head to Anaheim. The skies were clear and temps reached the low 70s before cooling off to the lower 60s by the time I left. Crowds were on the moderate side in the early afternoon and built as the day went on.

Thoughts and Observations:

  • Arrived at the Mickey and Friends parking structure to find the overpass closed, as is the new normal, and no waits at the toll booths. Once again I had bad luck and inched up the ramp and into the last row of cars. I still do not understand why they do not divide up the flow of cars to keep them moving. They already have CMs on the next level so it is not a staffing issue. This would keep things flowing and less frustration for those of us arriving.

  • The tram stop projects are slowly wrapping up. Only a couple fences left. The metal mesh installation is progressing with the first big section looking complete. The new elevator for Mickey and Friends did not have a lot of visible progress.

  • My first stop today was to see the 1:30 performance of the new Showdown at the Golden Horseshoe! I was looking forward to seeing live music again in the Golden Horseshoe and this shoe did not disappoint. I had a good time and thought the mix of tunes performed by the two pianists was entertaining. The range of pieces they played ranged from what you would expect in Frontierland including Welcome to the Golden Horseshoe to classic Disney films. Plus a visit to Star Wars and some Disney attractions too. The story line of the show was a little different from what I expected. It centered around one performer auditioning for the other for a job. I was thinking more a friendly rivalry of some sort with the title and description of dueling pianos. It will be interesting to see how this show evolves and if the performers will have latitude for ad-libs and different music. I would have liked to have seen some Christmas included for the holiday season for example.

  • The Tomorrowland Entrance/Hub renovation project has finished its first phase. the walkways are widened and new planters are set up. Currently the planters just have grass in them and one does not even have railing yet. I really liked the open look with the grass and quite a few guests seemed to be enjoying the lawn to sit on and relax. It was a very different feel for the area and worked well. The grass was being trampled already and railing installation preparation was under way so the look will not last long. There is a piece of concept art up on one of the few walls remaining.

  • Downtown Disney features a new holiday display this year entitled Let it Glow. It consists of neon trees, black lights, and other plantings throughout. Overall I thought it was a mixed bag. Some of the installs looked really good, others not so good. At night they looked better than the day time, but by daylight they were not horrible. Wonder if there is more to come with the display or if this is the final product. This modern feel is a long way from the Christmas Village and traditional ice skating rink of years past.

  • Disney's Grand Californian Hotel features its traditional Christmas decorations. A large gingerbread house in the lobby, a central tree with garlands and lights around the lobby and outside. The gingerbread house features Chip and Dale and some new hidden Mickey's this year but is built on the same structure as always so from a distance looks the same.

  • Disney's Paradise Pier hotel features the same central tree and a couple smaller trees as in recent years. It works for the lobby. I am surprised they have not added a gingerbread display.

  • The Disneyland Hotel Frontier Tower features the same trees and decorations as recent years. The Fantasy Tower has a new entrance sign with it's a small world on it. It is a nice backdrop by not nearly as impressive as the gingerbread castle of years past.

  • I was able to spend some time enjoying the Festival of Holidays Entertainment this evening. I had the proper time and attended the Phat Cat Swinger holiday concert. They put on a great show as always. It is too bad they can not hold off on some of the World of Color viewing area preparation. It really make for an unwelcoming viewing experience for the concert. Cast members setting up ropes, asking you to avoid areas, etc.. as the show goes on it become harder to find your way down to the viewing area too as they close off almost all paths. Wonder if a 6:00 or 6:30 show time instead of 7:00 would allow for a better environment.

  • Matterhorn way was closed due to the evening firework preparations at Disneyland so I detoured through Tomorrowland Terrace and as I did the Aristocats were on the dance floor at the Holiday Dance Party. They held an impromptu dance off amongst the three of them that was great to see. The music playing was anything but holiday, but the characters were great to watch having fun and interacting with each other and guests.

Here are some recent posts to the Geek's Blog:

Geek's Blog Postings Recap October 22-November 11, 2019

Disney Related Press Releases

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

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

Send comments, questions, any other email to: disneygeek@disneygeek.com
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