Disney 2023: Disneyland

We visited Disneyland for Jenn’s birthday last year, and were in the area again this year, so decided to visit again, this time to celebrate our anniversary (28 years, if you’re curious). And just three days at the two parks, instead of five like last year.

First up was Disneyland, on our anniversary.

We were very pleased that the trams were running again; last year, they had suspended the trams due to COVID, so we had to walk the half mile or so from the parking garage to the resort. Which is not much compared to walking around in Disneyland, but not the best way to start or finish the experience:

Tram

Tram

On the tram:

Tram

First thing after entering Disneyland is a photo op below the train station (once again we got the Genie+ service, which includes PhotoPass photos all over the park):

Photo op below train station

David and Jenn

Celebrating their 100 year anniversary:

100 year anniversary

Main street:

Main street

Main street

Main street

Castle:

Castle

No one selfies like Gaston:

No one selfies like Gaston

Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge area:

Star Wars Galaxy's Edge area

Another photo op:

Photo op

Photo op

Photo op

We had a lunch reservation at Oga’s Cantina:

Oga's Cantina

Oga's Cantina

David and Jenn

DJ

DJ

Drinks

Food

Ronto Roasters:

Ronto Roasters

Shops:

Shops

The Mandalorian and Grogu:

The Mandolorian and Grogu

X-Wing

Speeder

We enjoyed the Rise of the Resistance ride (again; we did most of the rides last year too; we used the Genie+ service to snag LightningLanes for most of the rides, where available, to minimize waiting):

Rise of the Resistance ride

Rise of the Resistance ride

Rise of the Resistance ride

Rise of the Resistance ride

Rise of the Resistance ride

Rise of the Resistance ride

Rise of the Resistance ride

Rise of the Resistance ride

Rise of the Resistance ride

Rise of the Resistance ride

Rise of the Resistance ride

Rise of the Resistance ride

Rise of the Resistance ride

Rise of the Resistance ride

Rise of the Resistance ride

Rise of the Resistance ride

Rise of the Resistance ride

Then went immediately to the Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run ride:

Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run

Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run ride

Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run ride

Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run ride

Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run ride

Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run ride

Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run ride

Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run ride

Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run ride

Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run ride

Millennium Falcon

A snack at Docking Bay 7 Food and Cargo:

Docking Bay 7 Food and Cargo

A duck and several ducklings:

Duck and ducklings

Mark Twain Riverboat:

Mark Twain Riverboat

Mark Twain Riverboat

Mark Twain Riverboat and Sailing Ship Columbia:

Mark Twain Riverboat and Sailing Ship Columbia

Sailing Ship Columbia:

Sailing Ship Columbia

Pirates of the Caribbean ride:

Pirates of the Caribbean

Pirates of the Caribbean

Pirates of the Caribbean

Pirates of the Caribbean

Pirates of the Caribbean

Pirates of the Caribbean

Pirates of the Caribbean

Pirates of the CaribbeanPirates of the Caribbean

Pirates of the Caribbean

Pirates of the Caribbean

Pirates of the Caribbean

Pirates of the Caribbean

Pirates of the Caribbean

Pirates of the Caribbean

Splash Mountain ride:

Splash Mountain

Splash Mountain

Splash Mountain

After that, a nice gentle Jungle Cruise was just the thing:

Jungle Cruise

Jungle Cruise

Jungle Cruise

Jungle Cruise

Haunted Mansion:

Haunted Mansion

Haunted Mansion

Haunted Mansion

Haunted Mansion

Haunted Mansion

Haunted Mansion

Haunted Mansion

Haunted Mansion

Haunted Mansion

Haunted Mansion

Haunted Mansion

Star Tours:

Star Tours

Star Tours

Star Tours

Star Tours shop

Then we went on the Mark Twain Riverboat for a cruise around the Rivers of America:

Mark Twain Riverboat

Mark Twain Riverboat

Mark Twain Riverboat

Jenn

Mark Twain Riverboat

A duck on a moose back:

Duck on moose

Mark Twain Riverboat

Mark Twain Riverboat

For our anniversary dinner, we had a reservation at Blue Bayou Restaurant, overlooking the start of the Pirates of the Caribbean ride:

Blue Bayou Restaurant

Here’s the menu:

Menu

Apertizer

Salad

Main

Dessert

Dessert

Castle at night:

Castle at night

Viewing area for the evening Fantasmic! show (included with the dinner package):

Viewing area for Fantasmic!

The show featured projections on water, fire (but not dragon on fire), fireworks, dancing, etc:

Fantasmic! show

Fantasmic! show

Fantasmic! show

Fantasmic! show

Fantasmic! show

Fantasmic! show

Fantasmic! show

Fantasmic! show

Fantasmic! show

Fantasmic! show

Fantasmic! show

Fantasmic! show

Fantasmic! show

Fantasmic! show

Fantasmic! show

Fantasmic! show

Fantasmic! show

Fantasmic! show

Fantasmic! show

Fantasmic! show

Fantasmic! show

Fantasmic! show

Fantasmic! show

Fantasmic! show

Castle

Shopping

Mickey photo op:

Mickey photo op

Mickey photo op


A couple of days later, we went back to Disneyland a second time.

The Pixar ball at the parking area:

Pixar ball

We bought Magic Bands, which were very useful; they can be used to get into the parks, access fast lanes, link photos, and have bonus interactions, among other things:

Magic Band

Main Street:

Main Street

We used the lockers; a great way to bring in extra clothing, batteries, etc, but not have to lug them around all day:

Lockers

The castle and Disney statue:

Castle and Disney

Castle

First stop was Toontown:

Toontown

Toontown

Toontown

Jenn

A new ride, Mickey & Minnie’s Runaway Railway:

Mickey & Minnie's Runaway Railway ride

Mickey & Minnie's Runaway Railway ride

A video of the fun entrance to the ride:

Mickey & Minnie's Runaway Railway ride

Mickey & Minnie's Runaway Railway ride

Mickey & Minnie's Runaway Railway ride

It was rather dodgy, though; near the end of the ride it shut down, and all the lights came on. We had to wait several minutes before being evacuated:

Mickey & Minnie's Runaway Railway ride

Mickey & Minnie's Runaway Railway ride

Mickey & Minnie's Runaway Railway ride

We were given a credit to come back later, which we did. The ride seemed to go down frequently. And when we went on it the second time, it had long pauses towards the end. Some more debugging needed, I think. Still, it was a mostly fun experience, and fascinating to get a behind-the-scenes peek.

Red Rose Taverne for lunch:

Lunch

Try the grey stuff, it’s delicious (it really is):

Lunch

Captain Hook:

Captain Hook

Finding Nemo Submarine Voyage ride:

Finding Nemo Submarine Voyage

Finding Nemo Submarine Voyage

Finding Nemo Submarine Voyage

Matterhorn mountain:

Matterhorn mountain

Matterhorn mountain

We went for a sail on the Sailing Ship Columbia tall ship:

Sailing Ship Columbia

Sailing Ship Columbia

Sailing Ship Columbia

Below decks:

Sailing Ship Columbia

Sailing Ship Columbia

Sailing Ship Columbia

Sailing Ship Columbia

Canoe

Village

Pirates of the Caribbean, again:

Pirates of the Caribbean

Pirates of the Caribbean

We got Dole whip snacks from the Tiki Juice Bar:

Tiki Juice Bar

Dole whip

Castle:

Castle

Castle

A ride on the King Arthur Carrousel:

King Arthur Carrousel

King Arthur Carrousel

Sword in the Stone

Character

Going for a spin at the Mad Tea Party:

Mad Tea Party

Mad Tea Party

Gotta subject ourselves to the earworm of It’s a Small World:

It's a Small World

It's a Small World

It's a Small World

It's a Small World

Tiny NZ representation:

It's a Small World

“Magic Happens” parade:

Magic Happens parade

Magic Happens parade

Magic Happens parade

Magic Happens parade

Magic Happens parade

Magic Happens parade

Magic Happens parade

Magic Happens parade

Magic Happens parade

Magic Happens parade

Magic Happens parade

Magic Happens parade

Magic Happens parade

Alien Pizza Planet for dinner:

Pizza Planet

Indiana Jones Adventure ride:

Indiana Jones Adventure

Nighttime Jungle Cruise:

Jungle Cruise

Jungle Cruise

Jungle Cruise

Why not another kiddie ride, Winnie the Pooh:

Winnie the Pooh

Winnie the Pooh

Finishing the evening with fireworks:

Fireworks

Fireworks

Fireworks

Fireworks

Fireworks

Fireworks

Fireworks

Fireworks

Fireworks

Fireworks

Fireworks

A fun visit to Disneyland!