We did it once before and said never again but they were empty words. When we heard everything that Disneyland was planning to kick off their big 60th anniversary Diamond Celebration, we got a little excited. Okay, maybe more than a little.
A new fireworks show.
A new nighttime parade.
A new World of Color.
The Hatbox Ghost finally back in the Mansion.
A new Harold (the abominable snowman), in a revamped Matterhorn.
A 24 hour event to kick off Memorial. Day. Weekend.
What could possibly go wrong?!
It wasn’t the easiest decision, given the mayhem that was sure to take place, but we bit the bullet and decided to go anyway.
We were fortunate enough to be offered a room at the Grand Californian by a friend who’d booked a room but wasn’t able to make it. We took it as a sign that maybe there would be plenty of sunshine headed our way.
Knowing that people had begun lining up to get in the night before and that Disneyland would bring guests into Main Street at 4:00am, we decided to sleep in until 5:00am in hopes that the congestion would ease up by the official park opening of 6:00am.
We woke to gloomy skies that quashed the excitement of an epic sunrise and made for slow going getting ready for the day. We decided to forego the security checkpoints at the esplanade and used the Grand’s entrance to DCA. It was a brilliant move that got us straight into the park at 6:40am.
We walked briskly through the newly re-themed Grizzly Peak Airfield, taking a few photos along the way. (More on this wonderful new area in an upcoming post!)
Naturally, we had to stop and take a few pictures of Carthay done up in its 60th anniversary decor before heading over to Disneyland.
It seems that no matter where you go at the resort, diamonds will find you. The esplanade flags are no exception.
It only took us 10 minutes from the time we entered Disney California Adventure and photo-walked our way across the esplanade to pass through the turnstiles and into Disneyland. Despite the heavy cloud coverage, it seemed that sunshine was indeed headed our way.
After a couple of stops on Main Street, we headed for Sleeping Beauty Castle to see what she will look like for the next year or two (or three…). The last time we’d visited Disneyland, the castle’s makeover was only halfway completed.
In pictures I’d seen online, the “diamonds” on the castle looked off to me, sort of plastic-y and cheap. In person was a different story, having more an appearance of glass, and they quickly grew on me.
And that is where we will leave you. We’ll return soon with Part 2!
