It was Day 2 and back to the same park again. California Adventure had early opening and we had to bag "it's a small world" yesterday as it was closing from today so we didn't really have much choice. Well, we did have a choice, of course - but this park was most likely to be the quieter of the two.
We decided to head for one of my favourites The Haunted Mansion which over Halloween is refitted to have a Nightmare Before Christmas theme. The ride is different to Orlando's version, and with the different theming, it was very good and I still love that ride!
We then went to do a Jungle Cruise and this was still as entertaining as Orlando. Again, slightly different, which is good. Probably prefer the Orlando one if I'm honest, but not much in it.
However Pirates of the Carribean is a much better ride in California than in Orlando. It has a lot more detail and is a longer ride and the special effects are much better. It's pretty creepy during the start of it - very dark - and it's a much better experience all round. Dead men tell no tales!
Tarzan's Treehouse was quite a pleasant climb through the trees to see different scenes from the Tarzan movie and then we stopped for a snack in the Jolly Holiday bakery. I'm a big Mary Poppins fan, so couldn't miss this. We all agreed the baked goods were tasty and we enjoyed sitting on the terrace watched the world go by for a bit.
We then went to look at Sleeping Beauty's Castle. It's not obvious, but there's an entrance to the side where you can actually go into the castle and see scenes from the movie done with models and videos. It's extremely well done - a hidden gem - and well worth seeking out. BTW, if you are used to Cinderella's castle in Orlando this is tiny in comparison!
Next was Pinnochio's Daring Journey. Not very daring, but a journey through the movie nonetheless using models and animatronics. We had an interesting experience on this ride as it broke down towards the end and we had to be escorted out by a cast member. It was all done very well, and we didn't mind as it was practically finished for us anyway - but an interesting experience.
We then went back to Toon Town to ride the coaster there and meet Mickey in his house. Got to be done! Classic photo op!
We headed for a show called Mickey and the Magical Map which was the usual fare of singing and dancing to tunes from popular movies. I'm sure lots of people like this sort of thing, but it's not my cup of tea. It's a bit boring and safe. How about an original show with original songs! C'mon Disney - imagination is what you are famous for - right?
We then did a couple of very tame rides. We rode the Casey Jnr Railroad which was a little train ride and was OK - good for very young children - and then the Story Book Land Canal Boats which is a little boat taking you round models of the Disney movie locations.
We then had a chance encounter with Captain Hook! A little word on character meets. Nothing like Orlando. Characters just randomly turn up in places. There are no schedules, no huge queues, you just keep your eyes peeled and you will spot loads of them just wandering about. Very different, very cool. Not sure it would work in the packed out parks of Orlando, but in these smaller, more local parks, it works very well indeed!
In the evening, we went to Downtown Disney for a Star Wars: The Force Awakens event. Basically, the final trailer was being shown at halftime during the Monday Night Football and Disney had set up a big screen so fans could see it together. It was a great atmosphere down there with lots of people dressed up and waving glowing lightsabers. There was a DJ playing music, warming up the crowd with the previous trailers and documentaries from the recent San Diego Comic Con and such like.
Americans are far less cynical about these things than us Brits so there was lots of whooping and cheering after the trailer was shown and everyone had a good time. It was definitely worth the experience...
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