We arrived late last night, flying into LAX, where we picked up our hire car then drove to Sheraton Park Hotel at the Anaheim Resort where we checked in, unpacked then fell into bed.
We got up fairly early and decided to have breakfast in the hotel restaurant Savor as we were both hungry having not eaten that much really yesterday. My breakfast was huge, not sure if I was going to need to eat again today or while we were away after eating it, it was super tasty though and very much needed.
We decided to walk to Disneyland which was an approximately 20 mins walk, partly to try and walk off some of my breakfast. It’s such an easy walk, across a couple of streets, but on the same side as our hotel.
Our first stop was at Accessibility services to try and get a DAS pass. We had a joint interview – first with a cast member then with a medical professional. I got approved for DAS, Beans didn’t, which actually surprised me, as I would have thought he would have been more likely to get it than I was. We had worried about this interview as since the changes to DAS we have seen so many people, including those with needs more than our own declined DAS and just advised to ask for a return to queue.
Once my DAS pass was set up we headed through the gates and into Disneyland park. Pluto was just inside by the train station and Mickey on was meeting people on Main Street.
We walked up Main Street looking at the windows, stalls and vehicles going past. This first walk up Main Street is always magical, no matter which park you are in. There is so much to take it with the window signs, all leading you to the castle at the end.
Having completed the walk up Main Street we walked to Adventureland, the first shop in Adventureland had Scar ears which we had to purchase for Beans to complete his outfit for Oogie Boogie Bash, once our transition was complete we headed to what for me had to be the first stop which was Haunted Mansion with its NBC overlay. Sadly it was closed due to a breakdown.
Due to the closure we walked to Bayou Country hoping to ride Tiana’s but that too was closed. Trying to to get disheartened that the first two rides we had planned to go on we walked across to The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh which was open so we jumped in the queue. This ride through the Hundred Acre Wood is so pretty. On exiting the ride we saw Pooh and Tigger, both had long queues so we decided not to queue.
Next up was a walk around Galaxy’s Edge, which felt really familiar having been to the one in WDW, which was something we both needed, it really helped us find our feet being somewhere we knew.
I made a lightsaber at Savi’s Workshop, Beans decided as he had done it at WDW he wasn’t going to do it again, but he did come in with me. This is an amazing experience, really well done, definitely worth the cost. Knowing the sober you have made is unique to you is such cool thing.
Feeling peckish and being in Galaxy’s Edge we had a quick lunch of Ronto wraps which were a must on our list as these are so so good. If you’ve never had one you are missing out. I think if Beans had his way we would have lived on them while we were here.
After lunch it was time to head back down Main Street where we were serenaded by the Main Street Quartet before exiting the park to go back to the hotel for a short break and a transformation – me to Russell from Up! And Kit to Scar – the ears completed his costume perfectly.
Deciding not to walk to the parks in our costumes we decided to get an Uber and headed to Disney’s California Adventure for Oogie Boogie Bash. We arrived around 4:30pm, so before the party actually began. On entering we were giving our party wrist bands, party map and trick or treat bags.
We got pictures with the Headless Horseman before taking a stroll around the park, because the party hadn’t officially started Photopass pictures for this were not included with our OBB ticket.
Cars land looked amazing with the different cars decked out for Halloween. It was so fun walking around the land looking at the cars in their spooky finery, before getting a quick picture with Red, who made the most adorable clown.
As the sun set the park really came alive, the neon lights really lit up the park. The spooky atmosphere started to kick in, thankfully it didn’t feel too crowded at thus point.
Before coming we decided to treat ourselves and got tickets for the Oogie Boogie Bash Dessert Party, so we went and found out where that was and checked in, we were shown to our seats and given our food box and had our drink order taken.
The food box contained cheese and crackers and themed desserts. As well as a Dessert Party exclusive FigPin.
Our seats were raised stools, we had a row of tables and chairs in front of us but that didn’t stop us essentially have front row seats for the Frightfully Fun Parade.
The headless horseman lead the parade, followed by Mickey and Minnie in their Halloween finery.
The music, the dancers and the floats were next level, I especially loved the Haunted Mansion float, which isn’t surprising really as I love all things HM.
After the parade finished we made a quick stop into Pandora, where I may have purchased a charm or two, we headed to the Villains Grove for a walk experiencing the essence of the villains aura.
Jet lag sadly started kicking in so we decided to skip the photo opportunities with the Villains and the treat trails, we saw so many people with massive bags full of candy from these trails, if we can do it again in the future we definitely wouldn’t want to have party tickets on our first day.
Walking back towards the exit we stopping in the shop and I got the Oogie Boogie Bash spirit jersey and ears, which were the things I really wanted form the party.
Back at the hotel we watched the fireworks over the park, we had a great view from our room which was excellent.
TTFN, Titch