4 hours...A VERY mini trip report!
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infinity&beyond · 11-24-2003, 02:10 PM

I'm fortunate enough to head down south frequently enough that it is worth it for me to have an annual pass. On Thursday the 20th, I finished off my work about 3:30, so I headed straight towards the world's largest parking garage for a few hours of enjoyment at the Happiest...err..I mean MERRIEST place on earth (that's the slogan during the holidays!)

The official opening of the holiday theme would be tomorrow, so no snow on Main Street for me on this trip, but the decorations were up and looking beautiful!

I first headed towards California Adventure, since they would be closing at 6pm. The line for California Screamin' was 30 minutes long, so I passed and continued on through Paradise Pier, enjoying the golden holiday decorations everywhere. Maliboomer had a short line, so I thought I'd take a trip and enjoy the view from up top. The cast member was having lots of fun with the guests, teasing us into thinking we were about to be shot up when actually the ride was just getting set to go...then having us count down to one, but sending the ride up at two! Fun but quick!!! Next stop, the other roller coaster. This one has a single rider line, so I jumped right on and had a twisty, mad mouse ride to the bottom with a like minded 12 year old. We both laughed and screamed the whole way down.

I had to go by and see the new Spirit Cave in the Redwood Creek Trail. I was too late to see the new Brother Bear storytelling, but the spirit cave is pretty cool. I put my hand up below the bear paw, and my kindred spirit appeared...the bear! I had to try it again, just to see if the same spirit came up again...I got the eagle the second time. It's a nice new feature to this attraction, and the kids seemed to really be enjoying it.

Well, I thought about Grizzly River Rapids...but it was about 60 degrees out, and not getting warmer, so I passed on that. But Soarin' Over California was calling my name, and with the single rider line I once again hopped right on and had a great seat - front and center! Really a wonderful attraction. I wish that they would do a different movie for the one in they are doing in WDW so that I could have a different experience there.

At about 5:30 I headed across the plaza to Disneyland to beat all the people that would be doing that at 6:00 when DCA closed. Wow, the decorations looked great and I think the tree on Main Street Plaza gets taller every year! The lights and the Mickey Mouse shaped wreaths looked beautiful! And the castle all done up with holiday banners is a sight to see. And it's off to the one thing I wanted to see on this visit more than anything else...It's A Small World Holiday!

I was wondering how it would look this year, since they repainted the attraction facade all in white and gold. It looked great! Every bit of the facade is framed with lights, pinks, greens, blues, reds...really wonderful. And the smiling clock wears a giant Santa hat! The topiaries are covered in twinkling lights...and I haven't even been on the attraction yet!

Each boat has a lovely wreath on the front of it, and you are greeted with the words "Merry Christmas" in several different languages. The soundtrack is completely different, so instead of hearing the same song over and over and over and over and...you hear it intermingled with Jingle Bells, Deck The Halls, and other holiday favorites. And of course the entire attraction is redecorated for the holidays. I think I'll be able to attach a couple of pictures later, but for now...just trust me, it's really fantastic!

I just did a little shopping on my way back down Main Street, buying a couple of pins that I just couldn't resist (Stitch holding a frog and the It's A Small World attraction poster pin), and then I saw the Stitch Santa, with magnetic feet...he needed to be on my refrigerator.

A quick tour through the Disney Store in Downtown Disney, and a stop at the Brea Bakery for my FAVORITE bread...sour chocolate cherry, and it was time to head back to the parking garage.

As I stood waiting for the tram, the fireworks started. I watched them during the entire tram ride, smiling...thanking Walt for a few hours of Disney magic.