Disney 2024: Disneyland

We also spent a day at Disneyland.

The park was festooned with Halloween decorations:

Entrance with Halloween decorations

The train station was looking a little more 2D, being refurbished:

The train station was looking a little more 2D

Castle selfie:

Castle selfie

Marching band:

Marching band

Band and characters

Characters

Lunch:

Lunch

It’s a Small World was closed:

It's a Small World closed

We did the Runaway Railway ride:

Runaway Railway ride

And the Roger Rabbit ride:

Roger Rabbit ride

And Teacups ride:

Teacups ride

Jenn during the teacup ride:

Jenn during the teacup ride

Jungle Cruise ride:

Jungle Cruise ride

Stormtroopers:

Stormtroopers

Blue milk snack:

Blue milk

The Haunted Mansion was (of course) Halloween and Nightmare Before Christmas themed, with a special virtual queue to access:

Haunted Mansion

Haunted Mansion

Haunted Mansion

Haunted Mansion

Haunted Mansion

Haunted Mansion

Haunted Mansion

Haunted Mansion

Haunted Mansion

Haunted Mansion

Haunted Mansion

Pumpkin and castle:

Pumpkin and castle

Disney 2024: Disney California Adventure

We visited Disneyland in California last year, and Disney World in Florida in April this year… so of course when back in California we visited the Disney parks again. We seem to be somewhat Disney adults.

This time, we only spent one day in each of the two parks, starting with Disney California Adventure.

We visited in October, when the parks had Halloween decorations:

Entrance with Halloween decorations

Halloween decorations

Halloween decorations

Fancy churros:

Fancy churros

We spent most of our time in our favorite area, Cars Land:

Cars Land

We did the Radiator Springs Racers ride:

Radiator Springs Racers

Radiator Springs Racers

Halloween decorations

Halloween decorations

Halloween decorations

Halloween decorations

Halloween decorations

Halloween decorations

Halloween decorations

Halloween decorations

Spiderman:

Spiderman

Guardians of the Galaxy Mission Breakout ride:

Guardians of the Galaxy  Mission Breakout

Pym Test Kitchen for lunch:

Pym Test Kitchen

Pym Test Kitchen

The San Francisco area has been rebranded as San Fransokyo:

San Fransokyo

San Fransokyo:

San Fransokyo

Back out of the park, where there were long lines waiting for an evening event:

Entrance with Halloween decorations

Disney World: Animal Kingdom

Finally, we spent a day at Disney’s Animal Kingdom park, which is part theme park, part zoo.

Entrance

The central Tree of Life:

Tree of Life

Characters

Avatar land:

Avatar land

Avatar land

Avatar land

Avatar land

Avatar land

Avatar land

Avatar land

Avatar land

Avatar land

Africa:

Africa

Africa

Africa

Africa

Africa

Jenn likes collecting the pressed pennies:

Africa

African safari:

Africa

Africa

Africa

Africa

Africa

Africa

Africa

Africa

Africa

Africa

Africa

Africa

Africa

Africa

Africa

Africa

Africa

Africa

Africa

Africa

Lunch:

Africa

Africa

Asia

Asia

Asia

Asia

Asia

Train:

Train

Train

Snack:

Snack

Tortoise:

Tortiose

Fishy thing

Aussies

The Tree of Life; if you look closely, it’s covered with animal sculptures:

Tree of Life

Tree of Life

The backside of water:

Backside of water

Tree of Life

Tree of Life

Asia

Asia

Asia

Asia

Dinosaur

Dinosaur ride

Donald Duck

Leaving Animal Kingdom

One day was enough to see everything we were interested in at this park. Worth a visit, but probably not a re-visit.

Disney World: Hollywood Studios

We also visited Hollywood Studios in Disney World a couple of times.

Entrance:

Entrance

Main street:

Main street

Us in front of the Millennium Falcon in Star Wars Galaxy’s Edge:

Millennium Falcon

Star Wars Galaxy's Edge

Star Wars Galaxy's Edge

Star Wars Galaxy's Edge

Star Wars Galaxy's Edge

Smugglers Run ride:

Star Wars Galaxy's Edge

Star Wars Galaxy's Edge

Star Wars Galaxy's Edge

Star Wars Galaxy's Edge

Star Wars Galaxy's Edge

Star Wars Galaxy's Edge

Star Wars Galaxy's Edge

Star Wars Galaxy's Edge

Drinks and snacks at Oga’s Cantina:

Star Wars Galaxy's Edge

Star Wars Galaxy's Edge

Star Wars Galaxy's Edge

Star Wars Galaxy's Edge

Star Wars Galaxy's Edge

Star Wars Galaxy's Edge

Uh oh:

Star Wars Galaxy's Edge

Star Wars Galaxy's Edge

Star Wars Galaxy's Edge

Lunch:

Star Wars Galaxy's Edge

 

Star Wars Galaxy's Edge

Rise of the Resistance ride:

Star Wars Galaxy's Edge

Star Wars Galaxy's Edge

Star Wars Galaxy's Edge

Star Wars Galaxy's Edge

Star Wars Galaxy's Edge

Star Wars Galaxy's Edge

Star Wars Galaxy's Edge

Star Wars Galaxy's Edge

Star Wars Galaxy's Edge

Star Wars Galaxy's Edge

Muppets:

Muppets

Muppets

Runaway Railway:

Runaway Railway

Signatures

Runaway Railway

Runaway Railway

Runaway Railway

Runaway Railway

Runaway Railway

Runaway Railway

Runaway Railway

Runaway Railway

Hollywood Tower of Terror:

Hollywood Tower of Terror

Hollywood Tower of Terror

Hollywood Tower of Terror

Hollywood Tower of Terror

Hollywood Tower of Terror

Hollywood Tower of Terror

Video:

Mickey ice cream:

Mickey ice cream

Toy Story Mania:

Toy Story Mania

Toy Story Mania

Alien Swirling Saucers:

Alien Swirling Saucers

Alien Swirling Saucers

Alien Swirling Saucers

Toy Story characters

We went to the Brown Derby restaurant for dinner:

Brown Derby restaurant

Brown Derby restaurant

Brown Derby restaurant

Brown Derby restaurant

Brown Derby restaurant

Brown Derby restaurant

Brown Derby restaurant

Brown Derby restaurant

Brown Derby restaurant

Brown Derby restaurant

Brown Derby restaurant

Brown Derby restaurant

Neon:

Neon

Neon

Neon

Another day:

Entrance

Pond

Back to our favorite part, Star Wars Galaxy’s Edge:

Star Wars Galaxy's Edge

Star Wars Galaxy's Edge

Star Wars Galaxy's Edge

Star Wars Galaxy's Edge

Star Wars Galaxy's Edge

Star Wars Galaxy's Edge

Star Wars Galaxy's Edge

Star Wars Galaxy's Edge

Star Wars Galaxy's Edge

Star Wars Galaxy's Edge

Star Wars Galaxy's Edge

Star Wars Galaxy's Edge

Star Wars Galaxy's Edge

Star Wars Galaxy's Edge

Star Wars Galaxy's Edge

Transition from Galaxy’s Edge:

Transition from Galaxy's Edge

… to freeway tunnel:

... to freeway tunnel

We had dinner at the Sci-Fi Dine-In Theater restaurant:

Sci Fi Dine In

Sci-Fi Dine-In reastaurant

Sci-Fi Dine-In Theater restaurant

Sci-Fi Dine-In Theater restaurant

Sci-Fi Dine-In Theater restaurant

Sci-Fi Dine-In Theater restaurant

Sci-Fi Dine-In Theater restaurant

Sci-Fi Dine-In Theater restaurant

Sci-Fi Dine-In Theater restaurant

Sci-Fi Dine-In Theater restaurant

Sci-Fi Dine-In Theater restaurant

Sci-Fi Dine-In Theater restaurant

Sci-Fi Dine-In Theater restaurant

Neon:

Neon

The Fantasmic! show, better than in Disneyland as they have actual seating:

Fantasmic!

Fantasmic!

Fantasmic!

Fantasmic!

Fantasmic!

Fantasmic!

Fantasmic!

Fantasmic!

Fantasmic!

Fantasmic!

Fantasmic!

Fantasmic!

Fantasmic!

Fantasmic!

Fantasmic!

Fantasmic!

Fantasmic!

Fantasmic!

Fantasmic!

More neon:

Neon

Neon

Entrance

Disney World: Epcot

We visited Epcot within Disney World a couple of times.

Epcot’s Spaceship Earth globe:

Epcot globe

Epcot globe

We dropped off our backpacks at a locker, and marveled at the advanced futuristic technology nearby:

Phones

Spaceship Earth:

Spaceship Earth

Spaceship Earth

Spaceship Earth

Spaceship Earth

Spaceship Earth

A customized video created at the end of the ride.

Spaceship Earth

Topiary:

Topiary

Guardians of the Galaxy Cosmic Rewind ride:

Guardians of the Galaxy

Guardians of the Galaxy

Guardians of the Galaxy

Guardians of the Galaxy

Guardians of the Galaxy Cosmic Rewind.

Guardians of the Galaxy

Topiary

Monorail:

Monorail

Topiary

Lake

Lake

Epcot is arranged in several sections called pavilions, around a central lake. We first visited the Mexico Pavilion:

Mexico area

Mexico Pavilion

Mexico Pavilion

Mexico Pavilion

Mexico Pavilion

Frozen ride:

Frozen ride

Frozen ride

Frozen ride

Frozen ride

United Kingdom Pavilion:

United Kingdom Pavilion

Fish & chips for lunch:

Fish & Chips

United Kingdom Pavilion

United Kingdom Pavilion

United Kingdom Pavilion

United Kingdom Pavilion

France Pavilion:

France Pavilion

Pavilion

France Pavilion

France Pavilion

France Pavilion

France Pavilion

France Pavilion

France Pavilion

France Pavilion

Morocco Pavilion:

Morocco Pavilion

Morocco Pavilion

Morocco Pavilion

Japan Pavilion:

Japan Pavilion

Japan Pavilion

Japan Pavilion

Japan Pavilion

Japan Pavilion

Japan Pavilion

Japan Pavilion

Japan Pavilion

Japan Pavilion

Japan Pavilion

Japan Pavilion

Japan Pavilion

USA Pavilion:

USA Pavilion

Germany Pavilion:

Germany Pavilion

Germany Pavilion

Globe

Flowers

Topiary

Topiary

Topiary

Topiary

Monorail

We had dinner at the Coral Reef Restaurant:

Coral Reef Restaurant

Coral Reef Restaurant

Coral Reef Restaurant

Coral Reef Restaurant

Coral Reef Restaurant

Coral Reef Restaurant

Coral Reef Restaurant

Coral Reef Restaurant

Coral Reef Restaurant

Coral Reef Restaurant

Seas exhibits:

Seas

Seas

Seas

Seas

Seas

Seas

Seas

Seas

Seas

Globe in lights

Globe in lights

Topiary

Mission: Space ride:

Mission: Space

Mission: Space

Mission: Space

Minnie

During our second visit the Flower and Garden Food Festival was underway, so we sampled several of the options:

Flower and Garden Food Festival

Flower and Garden Food Festival

Flower and Garden Food Festival

Flower and Garden Food Festival

Flower and Garden Food Festival

Flower and Garden Food Festival

Flower and Garden Food Festival

Flower and Garden Food Festival

Flower and Garden Food Festival

Flowers and dragon

Journey of Water:

Journey of Water

Journey of Water

Journey of Water

Journey of Water

Journey of Water

Journey of Water

The second day, we had dinner at the Space 220 Restaurant, which simulates a restaurant on a space elevator 220 miles above the Earth:

Space 220 Restaurant

Space 220 Restaurant

Space 220 Restaurant

Space 220 Restaurant

Space 220 Restaurant

Space 220 Restaurant

Space 220 Restaurant

Space 220 Restaurant

Space 220 Restaurant

Space 220 Restaurant

Space 220 Restaurant

Space 220 Restaurant

Space 220 Restaurant

Space 220 Restaurant

Space 220 Restaurant

Space 220 Restaurant

Space 220 Restaurant

Space 220 Restaurant

Space 220 Restaurant

Space 220 Restaurant

Space 220 Restaurant

Space 220 Restaurant

Space 220 RestaurantSpace 220 Restaurant

Spaceship Earth globe:

Spaceship Earth globe

Spaceship Earth globe

Spaceship Earth globe

Spaceship Earth globe

We did the Guardians of the Galaxy Cosmic Rewind ride again:

Guardians of the Galaxy Cosmic Rewind again

Monorail:

Monorail

Monorail

Monorail

Disney World: Magic Kingdom

We spent eight days at the four Walt Disney World theme parks. We took over 3,000 photos during that time… so a bit of a challenge to filter them down to a reasonable number for the blog. (Where “reasonable” is rather subjective.)

I’m doing a separate post for each park, starting with Magic Kingdom.

Us in front of the railway station:

Jenn and David in front of railway station

Main Street USA:

Main street

Cinderella’s Castle:

Castle

Jenn and David in front of castle

Adventureland:

Adventureland

Pirates of the Caribbean:

Pirates of the Caribbean

Something we don’t see in California’s Disneyland: alligators and snakes:

Alligators and snakes

It’s a small world:

It's a small world

The line was inside, vs outside in Disneyland:

Line inside

It's a small world

New Zealand representation:

New Zealand representation

It's a small world

Teacups:

Teacups

Teacups

The new Tron lightcycle ride:

Jenn and David in front of Tron ride

Tron ride

A video:

Lightcycle

Tron ride

Speedway:

Speedway

Carousel of Progress:

Carousel of Progress

Carousel of Progress

Carousel of Progress

Carousel of Progress

Carousel of Progress

Train:

Train

Train

Liberty Belle Riverboat:

Riverboat

Riverboat

Haunted Mansion:

Haunted Mansion

Big Thunder Mountain Railroad:

Big Thunder Mountain Railroad

Alligator Swamp

Indian village

The Dapper Dans:

The Dapper Dans

Haunted Mansion:

Haunted Mansion

Haunted Mansion

Haunted Mansion

Haunted Mansion

Haunted Mansion

Haunted Mansion

Haunted Mansion

Haunted Mansion

Haunted Mansion

Parade:

Parade

Parade

Parade

Skipper Canteen restaurant:

Skipper Canteen restaurant

Skipper Canteen restaurant

Skipper Canteen restaurant

Skipper Canteen restaurant

Skipper Canteen restaurant

Skipper Canteen restaurant

Skipper Canteen restaurant

Skipper Canteen restaurant

Castle

Main street

Main street

Monorail

Back to the campground:

Back to campground

Boat from campground:

Boat from campground

Ferry boats

Monorail:

Monrail

Train station:

Train station

Castle

Castle

Band

Jungle Cruise:

Jungle Cruise

Jungle Cruise

Jungle Cruise

Jungle Cruise

Jungle Cruise

Jungle Cruise

Jungle Cruise

Jungle Cruise

Jungle Cruise

Castle

Seven Dwarfs Mine Train:

Seven Dwarfs Mine Train

Seven Dwarfs Mine Train

Seven Dwarfs Mine Train

A video:

Seven Dwarfs Mine Train

Castle

Fantasyland

Dragon

Dragon

Parade

Rain:

Rain

Rain

Castle

Castle

Tomorrowland:

Tomorrowland

Monsters, Inc. Laugh Floor:

Monsters Inc Laugh Floor

Monsters Inc Laugh Floor

Peoplemover:

Peoplemover

Peoplemover

Peoplemover

Peoplemover

Peoplemover

Peoplemover

Peoplemover

Peoplemover

Peoplemover

Space Mountain:

Space Mountain

Space Mountain

Space Mountain

Space Mountain

Castle

Castle

Castle

Castle

Castle

Castle

Castle

Castle

Main street

Main street

Band

Castle

Castle

Castle

Peter Pan’s Flight:

Peter Pan's Flight

Peter Pan's Flight

Journey of the Little Mermaid:

Journey of the Little Mermaid

Journey of the Little Mermaid

Journey of the Little Mermaid

Journey of the Little Mermaid

Journey of the Little Mermaid

Gaston’s Tavern:

Gaston's Tavern

Gaston's Tavern

Gaston's Tavern

Gaston's Tavern

Castle

Castle

Performance

Performance

Performance

Monorail:

Monorail

Ferry boat:

Ferry boat

Ferry boat

Ferry boat

Parade:

Parade

Parade

Parade

Parade

Parade

Parade

Parade

Parade

Parade

Parade

Parade

Train station

Castle

Universal Studios Florida Theme Park

On the other two days, we visited the Universal Studios Florida Theme Park.

Universal Orlando

Universal Orlando

Universal Orlando

The Simpsons characters:

Simpsons

Characters

Spongebob Storepants:

Spongebob Storepants

Jenn in a pineapple under the sea:

Jenn in a pineapple under the sea

Coming soon:

Coming soon

Shrek

Springfield:

Springfield

Springfield

Springfield

Springfield

The Wizarding World of Harry Potter:

Harry Potter area

Knight Bus:

Knight Bus

Diagon Alley:

Diagon Alley

Diagon Alley

Diagon Alley

Diagon Alley

Diagon Alley

Diagon Alley

Diagon Alley

Diagon Alley

Diagon Alley

Diagon Alley

Diagon Alley

San Francisco:

San Francisco

New York:

New York

On another day, we started at Starbucks for some coffee:

Starbucks

The Brown Derby Hat Shop:

The Brown Derby Hat Shop

Beverly Hills:

Beverly Hills

Cars

Kings Cross Station:

Kings Cross Station

Diagon Alley:

Diagon Alley

We did the Harry Potter and the Escape from Gringotts ride:

Harry Potter and the Escape from Gringotts

Harry Potter and the Escape from Gringotts

Harry Potter and the Escape from Gringotts

Harry Potter and the Escape from Gringotts

Harry Potter and the Escape from Gringotts

Frozen butterbeer:

Butterbeer

Butterbeer

Diagon Alley dragon:

Diagon Alley dragon

Diagon Alley dragon

Selfie

Back to the Future:

Back to the Future

Back to the Future

Finally, we got some Voodoo Doughnuts on the way out:

Voodoo Doughnut

More fun stuff. We’re not so interested in Universal properties, other than Harry Potter, so we basically went to the parks just for that, but enjoyed exploring the other areas too.

Universal Islands of Adventure Theme Park

While staying in the Orlando area, we spent four days at two of the Universal theme parks. Two of the days were at Universal Islands of Adventure Theme Park.

Universal Orlando

Universal Orlando

Islands of Adventure:

Islands of Adventure

Islands of Adventure

Hogsmeade:

Hogsmeade

Hogsmeade

Hogsmeade

We enjoy the Butterbeer there:

Butterbeer

We did the Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey ride:

Hogsmeade

Hogsmeade

Hogsmeade

We checked out many of the shops, and bought a few souvenirs, including some sweet stuff from Honeydukes:

Honeydukes

Honeydukes

Hogsmeade

Hogsmeade

Dinosaur selfie:

Dinosaur selfie

Comic area:

Comic area

Leaving Islands of Adventure at night:

Islands of Adventure

Another day, we started out with cheese curds and margaritas at Margaritaville:

Margaritaville

Margaritaville

Then went on the Hulk roller coaster, which was the first time we’ve both ever been on a real roller coaster, with inversions and everything. We survived!

Hulk roller coaster

Hulk roller coaster

Hulk roller coaster

Then we went on a much more gentle ride, Storm Force Accelatron:

Storm Force Accelatron

A Hulk popcorn snack:

Hulk popcorn

Spiderman ride:

Spiderman

And Skull Island: Reign of Kong:

Skull Island: Reign of Kong

Natural Selections for another snack:

Natural Selections

Hogsmeade:

Hogsmeade

Hogsmeade

We were going to go on the Flight of the Hippogriff ride, but they had a major delay, so we bailed:

Flight of the Hippogriff

Time for more butterbeer:

Butterbeer

Cat in the Hat and Things:

Cat in the Hat and Things

Caro-Seuss-el:

Caro-Seuss-el

Hat:

Hat

Finally, we enjoyed some Green Eggs and Ham:

Green Eggs and Ham

Green Eggs and Ham

Green Eggs and Ham

Fun times. Tomorrow, the other Universal park.