Trip Report The Rain Rain Rain Came Down Down Down Trip Report!

[Quacky4Donald]

Hello, everybody:

I recently visited Disneyland (12/07/09-12/10/09) and enjoyed myself tremendously. It rained off and on during my time at "The Happiest Place On Earth," but I didn't let it get me down. I actually LOVE Disneyland in the rain. It gives the resort an entirely different "feel".

With that said, I will be posting photos from my trip over the course of the next few days. (I took quite a few!)

Without further delay here are photos from the first day of my trip.

12/07/2009

I stayed at the Howard Johnson Anaheim Resort via the A/P 20% discount rate. The staff was very friendly and the price couldn't be beat! Here are a few photos of my room and its view:





The View


Once settled into my room and all rested I went on my merry way to Disneyland! It was raining a bit, but nothing too serious.

Soon To Be In Yesterland


Paula Cole's newest hit, "Where Have All The People Gone?"


New Orleans Railroad Station




A Random Texture As Seen Aboard The Disneyland Railroad


A Few Shots Of Moi Aboard The Disneyland Railroad






The Tree!








Back To New Orleans Square's Beauty








Got Ammo?


Ahhhhhhh...The Castle!


Due To Budget Cuts This Year's New Christmas Parade
(Just kidding...the rain made the parade route too slick for the parade to perform safely. This was the back-up plan.)





Random Camera Software Fun






.................................

Tomorrow's continuation of my trip will include The Little Mermaid and World of Color construction photos, as well as photos of the actual holiday parade, A Christmas Fantasy Parade.

- Joe

[Coheteboy]

Re: The Rain Rain Rain Came Down Down Down Trip Report!

Cool stuff!

[Polar_Bear]

Re: The Rain Rain Rain Came Down Down Down Trip Report!

Great pics. I love seeing Disneyland in the rain.

[RPDigger]

Re: The Rain Rain Rain Came Down Down Down Trip Report!

Nice TR so far....keep those photos coming!

[goldenstate5]

Re: The Rain Rain Rain Came Down Down Down Trip Report!

Great pics. I love seeing Disneyland in the rain.

Seeing it is cool, being there is miserable. No lines, yes. Maybe it's just me, but I don't like being drenched from head-to-toe by merely just walking from ride to ride. That's what Grizzly River Run is for...

[Quacky4Donald]

Re: The Rain Rain Rain Came Down Down Down Trip Report!

Great pics. I love seeing Disneyland in the rain.

As do I. Like I said before the rain gives Disneyland a completely different "feel" to it. I love it!

Nice TR so far....keep those photos coming!

Thanks! More to come in tomorrow's update.*

Seeing it is cool, being there is miserable. No lines, yes. Maybe it's just me, but I don't like being drenched from head-to-toe by merely just walking from ride to ride. That's what Grizzly River Run is for...

I try not to get too drenched from the rain if I'm at the parks while it's raining. During intense rain I use it as a good time to have a nice meal or even just recap everything I've done that day or the day before, or even what I want to do during the rest of my trip.

-------------------

*The posting will be VERY photo heavy. Lots of construction photos, lots of parade photos, and a small review of the Cast Member party that I was invited to thanks to FutureImagineer183!

...Joe...

[penguinsoda]

Re: The Rain Rain Rain Came Down Down Down Trip Report!

Great start!! Disneyland in the rain is a different place!

[MickeyMousePal]

Re: The Rain Rain Rain Came Down Down Down Trip Report!

Great trip report thanks for sharing.

[Dan - Tasmic!]

Re: The Rain Rain Rain Came Down Down Down Trip Report!

Due To Budget Cuts This Year's New Christmas Parade
(Just kidding...the rain made the parade route too slick for the parade to perform safely. This was the back-up plan.)

I LOVE the Mickey's Rainy Day Cavacade!!!

[Sorcerer's Apprentice]

Re: The Rain Rain Rain Came Down Down Down Trip Report!

Disneyland at night in the rain at Christmas-time! :yea:

[Quacky4Donald]

Re: The Rain Rain Rain Came Down Down Down Trip Report!

The continuation of "The Rain Rain Rain Came Down Down Down Trip Report!"

The next day (12-08-09) I woke up from having a great time the day before. I had gone to Disneyland in the rain, gone to The Cheesecake Factory at Anaheim Garden walk with my friend Sara, and had a chance to take a few photos for fellow Guests who were there with their children.

For this day I decided to start off at Disney's California Adventure (DCA). (I truly do like DCA, but I am also happy that Disney is taking the time (and money) to upgrade it from what it once was (practically nothing).)

(Later in the day I had a chance to see A Christmas Fantasy Parade and attend the Cast Member party at Disneyland. Those updates/photos will be posted much later as I took more photos than I thought I did. (I don't want to bog you guys down with too many photos right away.)

With that said...I arrived at DCA at around opening time and made my way from Soarin' Over California to Grizzly River Run to Paradise Pier. I had a chance to take some photos of a bit of everything in those areas. Enjoy!

Sunshine Plaza




Soarin' Over California Entrance


It's NOT A Wolf! It's A BEAR!


Ariel's New Home Is Constructed








Paradise Park Coming Along...








World of Color Coming Together!








Best Of Both Worlds...
(Don't worry...Hannah Montana isn't here.)






Joe Enjoys The "Fun!"




Did Minnie Mouse Go To Jail?


A Little Bit Of Random


















.........................

Coming up later today/tomorrow:

• A Bug's Land
• Umbrella fiasco
• A Christmas Fantasy Parade
• Cast Member Party review

Coming up in a few days:

• More Disneyland!
• Disneyland Paris commercial shoot!
• Umbrella fiasco Pt. II
• More!

Enjoy for now!

- Joe

[Rocker]

Re: The Rain Rain Rain Came Down Down Down Trip Report!

Great job on your Trip Report, Joe. It looks like you really had a great time and enjoyed yourself quite a bit.

[Quacky4Donald]

Re: The Rain Rain Rain Came Down Down Down Trip Report!

After stopping by Pacific Warf Cafe for some lunch I headed off to A Bug's Land. I watched It's Tough To Be A Bug!, rode a few rides, and of course took photos!

Enjoy!

Welcome To A Bug's Land!


The Land's Residents

Dim


Heimlich


Francis


Rosie


Gypsy


Slim


Hopper (Booooooooooooo!!!!)


Flik Welcome's You To His "Fun Fair!"










Heimlich's Chew Chew Train






Tuck & Roll's Drive 'Em Buggies


Francis' Ladybug Boogie


A Magical MOOment!
(Okay, technically these guys are in Bountiful Valley Farm, but I love them so I'm posting them here.)


A Little Bit Of Random - Again








.....................

Up next:

• The Umbrella Saga!
• A Christmas Fantasy Parade!
• Cast Member Party review!
• And more!
  

And later:

• More Disneyland!
• The Umbrella Saga...Pt. II!
• Disneyland Paris commercial shoot!
• And more!

- Joe

[my7dwarves]

Re: The Rain Rain Rain Came Down Down Down Trip Report!

Nice pictures!! Looking forward to the rest...

[princessariel]

Re: The Rain Rain Rain Came Down Down Down Trip Report!

I'm left in suspense! The umbrella-ella saga? Can't wait to find out!

[Quacky4Donald]

Re: The Rain Rain Rain Came Down Down Down Trip Report!

After I had fun becoming a bug and learning all about what it's like to be a bug I decided it was time to head over to Hollywood Pictures Backlot. I fell in love with the wreaths the elephants were holding up and found the color scheme to be absolutely beautiful!

Hollywood Pictures Backlot


I first decided to ride on Monsters Inc.: Mike & Sully To The Rescue. I had a pleasant ride and was even told by Roz that I was cute or adorable or some flattering comment. We exchanged airborne kisses and I went on my way. (Sorry, no photos of Monsters Inc.)

I then decided it was time to go see Muppet Vision 3D because I hadn't watched it in a long while. I thoroughly enjoyed myself and hope Disney decides to keep this show. While it is showing its age I believe a nice refurbishment may be all it would take to help breathe new life into this show.

Muppet Vision 3D Queue






This photo was taken **BEFORE** the show started


After watching Muppet Vision 3D I decided to then go on Tower of Terror.

Falkore, Is That You?!


As I began walking toward the attraction I realized I was carrying one LESS item than before. It was then I realized my trusty umbrella, the one who kept me dry just the day before, was GONE!

And so The Umbrella Saga began!

.............................

Coming up:

• The Umbrella Saga continues!
• A Christmas Fantasy Parade!
• Cast Member Party review!

And later:

• The Umbrella Saga...Pt. II!
• Disneyland Paris commercial shoot!
• And more...!

- Joe

[Quacky4Donald]

Re: The Rain Rain Rain Came Down Down Down Trip Report!

After realizing my umbrella was gone I retraced my steps to where my little companion could have gone off to. I had remembered watching It's Tough To Be A Bug! with him, so I knew he hadn't wandered off before then.

Then I thought I had brought him with me into Hollywood Pictures Backlot to experience the greatness of the Muppets. After all, wouldn't an umbrella AS a Muppet be grand? (I think so!) No luck.

After having gone on Tower of Terror without Mr. 'Bella I decided it was time to leave DCA. I then headed to the Lost & Found Department in the hopes that somehow my little buddy had found his way there within the short amount of time. (I felt so horrible becoming disconnected after all the protection this little guy gave me during the rain.)

Upon arrival I was greeted by a VERY nice Cast Member.* (I'll call him Xavier to protect his identity.) Xavier was polite, professional, and extremely helpful in helping me get a claim form completed. After submitting my lost & found claim for my protector I thanked Xavier for his time and went on my way to Disneyland in the hopes no rain would come that day. (Thankfully none did.)

I decided it was time to ride Space Mountain. I enjoyed my galactic adventure (this time without a ghost galaxy chasing after me!) immensely. The line was a very short 10-15 minute wait at about 2:00/2:30PM.

The Next New Tomorrowland Attraction: Ghost PeopleMovers!


After enjoying my time in Tomorrowland I went on towards Fantasyland where I decided to wait for and watch A Christmas Fantasy Parade!

(During my time in Disneyland I was still hopeful my companion and I would be reunited.)

....................

Coming up:

• A Christmas Fantasy Parade!
• Sleeping Beauty Castle lights up!
• Cast Member Party review!

And later:

• The Umbrella Saga...Pt. II!
• Disneyland Paris commercial shoot!
• And more!

- Joe

* A letter regarding "Xavier" has been mailed to Disneyland Guest Communications. A copy of this letter will be posted on MiceChat at a later time.

[FI183]

Re: The Rain Rain Rain Came Down Down Down Trip Report!

Wow, I never knew how much of a good photog you are! Great TR! Can't wait to see more! Oh and it was great meeting you!

[Quacky4Donald]

Re: The Rain Rain Rain Came Down Down Down Trip Report!

Once I got to an open spot near it's a small world to watch A Christmas Fantasy Parade I decided it was time to eat a Mickey pretzel with cheese! (Those things are SOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO good!)

Anyway, as I was eating my pretzel and waiting for the parade to start I noticed a fellow Guest in front of me drop his beverage on a lady sitting below him! Before I could start to help the poor, drenched lady a Custodial Cast Member, who I'll call "Barney"* to protect his identity, came and started cleaning up the mess and helping the female Guest get cleaned up. "Barney" was very efficient and very helpful. He even came back later to check on the situation to ensure everything was fine. Even though I did not have any direct contact with "Barney" I still found his spirit to be wonderful.

After the beverage fiasco was resolved the music for A Christmas Fantasy Parade began! Everybody got excited and began clapping and dancing. I took lots of photos of the parade and made sure to photograph every float.

Due to the amount of photos I'm simply going to post the photos without too much commentary. Enjoy!

"A Christmas Fantasy" Parade






DONALD!












SO CUTE!


Christmas Peek-A-Boo?














Even Evil Celebrates Christmas!












Where's Gadget?


















"Are You Ready For Some Reindeer Games?!"


His Name is Claus, Santa Claus


Can You Find The "Hidden Mickey"?


The End!


After thoroughly enjoying the parade I decided to make my way towards "The Hub" to grab a spot for Believe...In Holiday Magic!

(I still wanted to "believe" I'd be reunited with my trusty friend, Mr. 'Brella, soon.)

...........................

Coming up:

• Sleeping Beauty's Winter Castle/Believe...In Holiday Magic!
• Cast Member Holiday Party!

And later:

• The Umbrella Saga...Pt. II!
• Disneyland Paris commercial shoot!
• A "Disney Mission" I chose to accept!
• And more...!

...........................

* A letter regarding "Barney" has been sent to Disneyland Guest Communications. A copy of this letter will be posted on MiceChat at a later date.

[Alice's Wonderland]

Re: The Rain Rain Rain Came Down Down Down Trip Report!

Disneyland in the rain is beautiful!! Great shots! Thanks for sharing!