I did originally say no trips to Disney parks until 2012 (huge updates at both parks), but earlier this year Disney announced that they were giving free tickets to folks who volunteer. I signed up through the Hands On Network and completed my obligation. In addition, I went back to the same place once more after that and plan to go again when there are openings (it is a very popular opportunity). So next was to plan when to go.
I LOVE the Disney parks at Halloween time. In fact, Halloween may be my favorite holiday–it’s candy based! It’s fall, my favorite season! It is less than a month from my birthday! There’s candy! Wait, I said that once. I do like candy. But anyway, Disney doesn’t half-ass at the holidays. However, because of my Halloween Disney parks love I’ve never seen the Haunted Mansion as it was originally intended. I planned accordingly. I was to go the 25-29 of August. The Haunted Mansion (among other rides) closed 8/30. Plus, the LA Derby Dolls were playing a game on the 28th. Good timing!
There was a last minute emergency and some confusion about whether or not I’d be going alone or meeting up with others there, but that’s a long story for another time.
Here’s the flickr album. There aren’t many pics because I was kind of enjoying the whole thing.
So here are some bullets:
- Before I left my dog took off on a run. This 12 year old dog who can’t even get on the couch or up the stairs at my house ran off like a little puppy when he got the chance. No kidding–this was within five minutes of me leaving my house to get to my airport.
- It was decided to skip most of Hollywood and instead hit the park a day early. Best decision ever.
- The Haunted Mansion as it was originally intended was worth seeing. Nightmare Before Christmas is fine, but the overlay has always looked kind of cheap to me. But hey, I saw it as intended and I’d like to go around Halloween again to see the Space Mtn overlay which is supposed to be AMAZING.
- If you plan to see World of Color go for the picnic meal. That way you don’t have to fight for the Fastpasses or jockey for position. The meal is nice, the bag is a neat souvenir. We also had the dining experience at Ariel’s Grotto which also netted World of Color passes. GREAT viewing position. Still, the picnic is just fine.
If you’re thrifty and don’t care to do either of the dining options, you can go for the Fastpasses which are free with park admission. They did not go very quickly when I was there, the machines were still dispensing them close to noon time (park opened at 10 I believe). I don’t know where your viewing area will be, but just know they don’t go within 10 seconds of opening in less busy times.
And a note: you will get wet. Not Splash wet, but wet.
- Speaking of Splash, on the ride I had to explain what “Br’er” meant to the kids in our boat. It’s a great ride, but this really reminded me how younger folks just don’t get it, since the source material isn’t readily available. I understand Disney’s decision to not release Song of the South, so having the ride is just weird.
- Due to great planning (not on my part, of course) I ended up seeing the fireworks TWICE. Once from main street in front of the castle.
- I was in the Voluntear Cavalcade parade which was cool. I’d never been in a parade before that. I got my button when I redeemed my free ticket certificate, but wasn’t told anything. Luckily I’d read a few things on the internet so I went to town hall and got my button and was told where to be. Well, I was told the wrong time for where to be, so the first day nothing happened. The second day i was there at the right time and was picked. I looked like an over eager child, but I was in the parade!
- Nuns at California Adventure!
- I got sick. I think it was the air conditioner in the room. I lost my voice and felt horribly run down, and something I ate the day before didn’t agree with me. It dampened my time in Hollywood. Joan’s on Third had great omelets, but I just couldn’t eat it all due to, you know, being sickish. In addition, my eye started hurting and got red. No, not pink eye, it was never runny, just pressure and redness. I threw my contacts out just in case, but up until that point they had been wonderful to have.
When we tried to get to Griffith Observatory my phone’s GPS instead led us to a cul-de-sac in the Hollywood Hills. Assuming that it wasn’t in some dude’s backyard we decided to get there by finding the Greek and THEN going from there (more successful). We had to park so far away and walk but it was worth it. Some come for the science, I come for the thrill of seeing where Rebel Without a Cause was partially filmed.
- We caught the first half of the LA Derby Dolls. If we had stayed for the second half we would’ve seen a tied game with overtime tiebreaker as well as several ejections. However, it was hard to see from our GA standing room area.
- In N Out Burger again. Long story, but still don’t get the appeal. Terrible fries, fine shakes, ok burgers. I like Five Guys better. Well, i like a few local joints best, but if we’re talking chains…
- If you end up at the Hollywood Farmer’s Market you can’t go wrong getting a boureka at Moishe’s. Most amazing ever.
- Lastly, Disney makes these amazing little grab bags with different park icons in them. You get three, but you don’t know which three (the point of a grab bag, right?). I love them. I buy them when I am in the parks, and I love the randomness of them. I’m at the World of Disney store picking up a few of these (as well as Vinylmation) when two girls ran up and started fondling the HELL out of some of the bags. I gathered from their conversation that they were looking for Jack Skellington and were feeling the packages up for “tall” figures.
I waited until I got home to open mine. Guess who I got in one of them without molesting the packages? Jack Skellington.
Today we got the news that Rue McClanahan passed away. It was not a surprise; it was reported some months ago that she was not doing well. Still, it’s some sad news. For those of you who didn’t watch the Golden Girls (and I like to think if you’re reading this then you did, or at least have a passing familiarity) she played the Southern sexpot Blanche (Elizabeth Hollingsworth Devereaux). I’ve never met her, nor have I met Beatrice Arthur or Estelle Getty. Still, their deaths affected me. 





















