We flew in a day early to get a full day in at the Parks. Josanna was on Galaxy's Edge lockdown from her family, but Amy and I did a quick run through of the land to check it out and buy some blue and green milk. I'm making it a goal to re-watch all Star Wars movies before my next trip because I feel like I'm missing so much. The Main Street Electrical Parade came back to Disneyland for a short appearance, and it's my absolute FAVORITE, so I had no problem parking on a curb to get a front row seat hours before. As soon as it ended we were herded up closer to the castle for the fireworks, which I haven't seen from in front of the castle in a million years, and it's safe to say I was one happy lady!
Day 1 of the Expo we headed to wait with the masses at 6am (spoiler, that was not nearly early enough) to get into the Disney Legends panel, where they induct people into the "hall of fame". The amount of people in this holding room was astonishing, and we knew there was at least one other area where the over-nighters were waiting. Long story short, there was no way we were getting in and we were very irritated they even let us wait knowing we were so far off from getting in, not to mention the thousands of people in line behind us, but we carried on. Day 1 in the expo was lots of lines, shopping and trying to get our bearings. And ended with a trip back into the park, of course, after a visit to Trader Sam's.
Day 2 we were back in the expo early, but not as early ad the day before. We decided to skip waiting in the crazy room on the floor and instead pull up a few comfy chairs in the lobby and just wait until the expo actually opened hours later. This was a much better strategy since there was once again, no hope of getting into the big opening panels. We did get really lucky and a few of Amy's friends that were actually able to get reservations beforehand to some panels (that's a whole other story...) decided they didn't want to go to the 25 years of Disney on Broadway panel so we swapped passes. It was FABULOUS!! 2 hours of Broadway cast members singing 3+ songs from every Disney production over the last 25 years. We loved every minute!! More shopping, exploring and parades and it was another night back in the parks!
Day 3 of the expo and we did a repeat of day 2. Waiting out the lines in the lobby chairs. Just as we were getting ready to head to the main doors for opening, a gentlemen came over to ask if we had any questions. We thought we were busted for working the system, but instead he ended up being the right person to talk to. Miss Amy worked her magic and after sharing some of our disappointments from the first day and the reservation situation, we were soon being escorted into a panel of our choice and sat right in the front row :) . Heroines of the Disney Universes. Soooo all and all a very successful day even with just that! We didn't fly out until that night so we hit the parks again before heading to the airport.
I can't wait to do the expo again in 2 years, and I can't wait to see what changes they make to make things even better! Disney fan level UPPED!
Seeing the "new" castle for the first time
Chewy sighting
When there is no line, you go to Carthay!
Waiting on the parade
Ugh I want to cry even looking at these few pictures! I love it so much!!
This doesn't even come close to showing how many people were in the holding room with us
My favorite of the stores
I held strong, but I really wanted ALL of the Dapper Dan collection!
Who wants to buy this for me? I mean, Charlie?
Amy meeting the official voice of Mickey Mouse, and getting a print signed :)
Costume contest winner! A complete FULL replica of the Haunted Mansion! I guess two years ago she won with being Big Thunder Mountain
I had to take these for Kendall. She really loved Bugs Land and cried before we left the week it closed
So many Pixar balls!
My happy place within my happy place
Gosh I love this ride!
Checking out the new snacks at Tangara Terrace - YUM
Front row seats!
Mickey himself again
My first ride since the Incredicoaster opened
Oops I did it again....
And now just a teeny bit of the showroom
Disney is entering children's hospitals, hoping to make things less stressful for the kids. Play room waiting rooms, character gowns, packages to decorate their rooms, character pillow cases... and so much more. We got to make a few care bags each day for the kids.
Lines!
Jelly belly art
New Marvel land coming next year!
Thomas Kinkade booth for Auntie Reen
