My family is always excited to spend a few days at Disneyland for our traditional family vacation, but this summer was a little extra special. With all the hype surrounding Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge (or Star Wars Land, as we call it), we couldn't wait to go! We were also slightly nervous about how busy the parks would be, but as you'll see below, Disneyland was actually pleasant, just like it used to be about 8 or so years ago. Although I will have some pictures of Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge in this trip report, you can follow this link to see my full, in-depth review of the new land.
Here's our report in pictures:
We checked into our room at the Del Sol on June 20th around 5:00 pm. The kids love the bunk bed! We spent the rest of our first half day at Downtown Disney looking in the shops, walking to the Disneyland Hotel, and trading pins.
There is always so much excitement as we head to Disneyland on our first day! We try to get to Disneyland about 30 minutes before it opens because the first couple of hours are the least crowded.
It's not cheap these days for a family of 7, buying 4-day park hopper tickets...
If you had an 8:00 am reservation for Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge (this was still during the reservation period), you were granted admittance to Disneyland a little early so you could make your way over to Star Wars Launch Bay to check in. Our reservation wasn't until 11:00 am.
There's nothing like walking down Main Street USA towards Sleeping Beauty Castle on the first day while the Main Street area music plays over the speakers.
Peter Pan is our traditional first ride every year at Disneyland, and remains one of my favorite attractions. It is Peter Pan and rides like it that separate Disneyland from all of it's competitors - the story telling, creativity, and imagination.
It is always fun to see the live entertainment at Disneyland. After riding a few of the Fantasyland attractions, we headed over to...
Adventureland!! The new sign had been put up just a couple of weeks before our visit, although the tiki hut is still missing on the right. Rumor has it that the tiki hut is going in as I write this trip report...
My favorite attraction is the Jungle Cruise, and since we had time for one more ride before we headed over to line up to get into Galaxy's Edge, we decided to check out the wildlife.
We got in line for our 11:00 reservation around 10:40 and the line started just past the Hungry Bear Restaurant.The only way in to Galaxy's Edge for the majority of the 3 week reservation period was through Critter Country.
Here we are heading under the Disneyland Railroad...almost there... The most popular thing in Galaxy's Edge was Oga's Cantina. In fact, it was so popular, a cast member held up a pole with a red cloth attached to the top of it and announced that she would lead people to the Cantina, for those who wanted to go there.
I got in line to make a reservation for the Cantina (they only allowed 1 person per group to be in the reservation line) while my family explored a little and then went to Docking Bay 7 to get something to eat. Our reservation to return to the Cantina ended up being at 1:50.
After eating some lunch at Docking Bay 7 (the Yip Tip was delicious!) we headed over to Smuggler's Run (the Millennium Falcon ride).
Seeing a life sized Millennium Falcon in person was amazing! As we entered the queue for the attraction, I was excited to see what I would encounter next!
The queue wraps around the Falcon and you are able to get some great views of it.
It was fun to be able to see the top of the Millennium Falcon as well. Disney sure put a lot of detail into this ship!
The best part of the attraction was being able to actually go inside the Millennium Falcon (or a set that looked like the Falcon) and see the immense details and familiar surroundings that I had seen in the movies. The ride itself, wasn't very good. Star Tours is far better. But the details surrounding the experience were second to none.
After our experience piloting the Millennium Falcon, we decided that it was time to try some blue and green milk at the milk stand.
Pretty expensive for the small plastic cup we received...but after getting held upside down and having all of my money shaken out of my pockets, as Disney has been doing to it's guests lately, we decided to give it a try...
We were split on which one tasted better. Jenna and Liz liked the green milk better...
...while Shelby, Trey, Lizi, and Judi liked the blue milk better. I'm still undecided. I think I liked sips of the blue milk better but as an overall drink, I think I liked the green milk better...Neither were delicious, but they were fun to try.
Next we headed over to the Droid Depot because all the kids wanted to build a droid.
After paying for the droids ($100 each!) we were given a basket and guided over to a conveyor belt where the droid parts were located. We could build either an R2 unit or a BB unit with a variety of different color options.
Once we had collected all the droid parts we needed, we waited for a spot at the assembly table to open up so we could assemble our droids and have them activated.
Here we are trying to assemble our droids.
The video below is of a cast member activating one of our R2 units:
The finished product!
After making our droids, it was time for our reservation at the Cantina. Once we gave our reservation slip to a cast member, we were given this card.
We then waited in this line and handed our card to the cast member at the entrance. Although our reservation was for 1:50, we got in line at 2:00 and were in the Cantina by 2:10.
Just like the rest of Galaxy's Edge, the detail in Oga's Cantina was great!
There is a bar area, standing tables, and sitting booths to choose from - and actually when we went we weren't given a choice, rather we were led to what was available
The standing table was adequate for our family, although we had to share it with another group of 2 people. There aren't very many sitting booths in the Cantina.
We tried 2 drinks. This is the Jabba Juice which we all loved!
This is a Cliff Dweller. I bought it for the souvenir mug seen here, but none of us could stomach the drink.
The former Star Tours droid, R-3X, has found a new job as a DJ for the Cantina.
This is a look at the marketplace in Galaxy's Edge. Again, really cool detail.
After our reservation period (from 11:00-3:00) we headed back to our hotel for lunch and naps. We do this every day because we find it more important to be at the park first thing in the morning to beat the crowds, and we stay until midnight for the night time shows and because the parks are also less crowded late at night. So the extra 2 hours of sleep in the middle of the day when the park is the busiest and the weather is the hottest really helps us stay energized! Not to mention that cooking our meals at home and freezing them so we can heat them up in the microwave at the hotel saves us plenty of shekels.
Once darkness starts setting over the park, the lights start coming on which transforms Disneyland into something even more magical!
Many people don't even know about the "Time Castle" (a time capsule) that has been placed near Sleeping Beauty Castle, to be opened July 17, 2035.
Our second day at Disneyland! It's not often that you get the Castle to yourself for a picture! This was still during the reservation period for Galaxy's Edge, so people that didn't get a reservation, decided not to come to Disneyland at all, making the reservation period very comfortable at Disneyland. As a side note, Liz made our shirts. Every year we have the kids decide what Disney character they want on their shirts and then we make them . It's fun to go back and see what characters were selected from years past.
Here's a look at the inside of Toad Hall, part of the dark ride, "Mr. Toad's Wild Ride," a childhood favorite of mine.
The Alice in Wonderland attraction is one of my favorites, and it goes perfectly with Shelby's shirt!
Judi poses by the White Rabbit's home.
Time for a run on the Matterhorn Bobsleds!
We always take time to stop a cast member with a lanyard to trade pins.
Time to get wet! Splash Mountain is a family favorite.
Here's a look at Brer Rabbit on the front of the boat. For the first few years of operation, they had a different, removable Brer Rabbit on the front of the logs. As a Disney collector, when I had a chance to obtain 2 of them, I didn't let the opportunity pass me by!
The Tiki Room is another of our family favorites. It is traditionally the last attraction we visit before leaving.
I like to be the last one out so I can get some good pictures of the show room.
I hadn't remembered seeing these tables before as I exited the Tiki Room. They must be a new addition since adding the adjacent Tropical Hideaway eating pavilion.
Although I'm not a Haunted Mansion fan (pause for the collective gasp from the Disney faithful to end...) I do have an appreciation for its history. Some of the great Imagineers worked on this attraction. For this reason, we decided to go on it.
Perfect timing! We happened to be riding the Disneyland Railroad just as the Small World Parade was happening.
Here's a look down Main Street USA after disembarking the Disneyland Railroad. As you can see, despite the reservation period for Galaxy's Edge, Disneyland isn't empty, but it is comfortable.
Again, after naps, we were recharged and decided to head over to California Adventure. The middle of the day is a good time to go to California Adventure because this is when Disneyland is typically the most crowded and CA Adventure is never too busy.
The first thing we did was Ariel's Undersea Adventure.
Here's a look at the new Inside Out Emotional Whirlwind. It opened a week after we were there. A little interesting tidbit of unnecessary information, this attraction used to be Flick's Flyers at the now defunct Bug's Land, but it was re-themed into this.
Time for the Pixar Pal-A-Round. There is a swinging or a non-swinging gondola option. I prefer the non-swinging option so I can get a peaceful, relaxing view of California Adventure.
Here's a birds-eye view of Pixar Pier.
And another birds-eye view of Radiator Springs Racers.
King Triton's Carousel was re-themed into Jessie's Critter Carousel to better go with the theming of the area. It had just opened before we got there so this was our first time riding it.
I snapped a quick shot of what will be the Spider Man attraction, opening summer of 2020 as a part of a new "Avengers Campus."
Here's a look at the Monsters Inc dark ride. Despite being tucked into the corner of a sleepy area of California Adventure, it is a cute, well themed attraction.
"Always watching..."
A much overlooked attraction in California Adventure is the Sorcerer's Workshop. The kids loved it.
Here's a look at the Beast's Library in the same building.
We headed back to Disneyland and went on Pirates of the Caribbean
King Arthur's Carousel at night.
Sleeping Beauty Castle from Fantasyland.
The entrance to Tomorrowland from the Hub. The "french fry" rocks on either side of the Astro Orbitor are being removed as I'm typing this trip report. The rocks have clogged up the entrance to Tomorrland ever since they were added in 1998, particularly during parade times.
Time to head back to the hotel for the night, but not before one last picture of the entrance.
On our third day, we decided to start off in California Adventure. I believe this was our first time ever going on Radiator Springs Racers without a fastpass.
It's race time!
It is so fun to see when cast members do these little extra things to bring a smile to people's faces.
Back over to Disneyland, and it's time for the Davey Crocket Explorer Canoes.
The kids always have a fun time on this attraction and it's also a great way to get a view of the area around the Rivers of America.
Here's the Gullywhumper - one of the two Mike Fink Keel Boats. These Keel boats were an attraction up until the 1990's when one capsized and dumped the guests aboard into the Rivers of America. They never returned.
Here's a look at New Orleans Square from the Canoes.
The Mark Twain Riverboat is another great place to get a good view of things around the Rivers of America, from an elevated view.
The Golden Horseshoe in Frontierland. We love eating here once a visit. This, along with the Mark Twain, are two of the attractions that actually operated before opening day for Walt Disney personal events.
A look back towards the dock.
The entrance to Pirates of the Caribbean, as seen from the Mark Twain.
Here's New Orleans Square from the Mark Twain...
...and the Davey Crocket Explorer Canoes' dock.
I love the rock work, waterfall, and trestle that were added when the Rivers of America were shortened for the construction of Galaxy's Edge.
This little beaver seems intent to wreak havoc on the new trestle.
Here's a look at the Indian village.
The railroad track you see here is left over from the old Mine Train Through Nature's Wonderland attraction that was replaced by Thunder Mountain Railroad in 1979.
Here are a couple of looks at some of the inside of the Mark Twain...
Next, it was on to Thunder Mountain. This is a look at part of the queue.
Get ready for "the wildest ride in the wilderness!"
As we were headed around the Rivers of America, we saw this maintenance crew working on something for Fantasmic!
I love the Casey Jr Circus Train! Along with the Storybook Land Canal Boats, this area has such amazing detail!
One of Judi's favorite attractions is Dumbo...
We quickly headed over to California Adventure to catch the World of Color show. Then it was back to Disneyland...
The castle is so beautiful at night.
Something that is overlooked is the Sleeping Beauty Castle walk through. Here is a look at the inside of the Castle...
Disneyland is so pretty at closing time. I enjoy taking pictures of attractions after they have closed. Here's a look at Dumbo.
Our last day at Disneyland was the first day that Galaxy's Edge didn't require reservations. No one knew quite what to expect. You can see many Disney managers on the right side of this picture ready to help with the crowds, should they materialize. It was a busy day at Disneyland that day, but definitely not the zoo that I expected. We headed to Galaxy's Edge right when we got to Disneyland because we were worried that we might not be able to get in later before we left.
Here's a look at the marketplace...
There is a water tank next to the restrooms with a Dianoga in it (the creature from the trash compactor scene in Star Wars).
Ever wonder what a sarlacc looks like? (The creature in Return of the Jedi that eats Boba Fett). In Dok Ondar's Den of Antiquities they have this display.
Speaking of Dok Ondar, here he sits behind a desk in his shop.
Here are a few last looks at Galaxy's Edge before we head back to the rest of Disneyland.
This is the entrance to the Rise of the Resistance attraction which will open January 17, 2020.
Here's anther look at Rise of the Resistance.
We decided to go on a few more rides before the 6 hour drive home. Here's a look at Autopia.
I really like the wraps Disney has put on the Monorail, as long as they don't cover the windows too much and obstruct the view out.
I love Snow White's Grotto for the nostalgia. I have many pictures here with my Mom.
Jenna and Lizi look down the wishing well.
It was lunch time and where better to eat then the Golden Horseshoe.
A rare view of an empty downstairs eating area.
A view from our traditional balcony location.
It was time to head home, so we headed to our last attraction, the Tiki Room, and indulged in a Dole Whip.
We had a great time this year. The anticipation leading up to the trip, with Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge just opening made the experience even better. It's fun to be able to make memories with my kids the same way and at the same place my Mom made memories with me.
