Disneyland 2005 - A year in pictures

[sir clinksalot]

So instead of doing a whole trip report from all of our Disney trips this year, I figured I would just do a little recap of goings on at Disneyland.

May, 2005 -

It had been a good 9 months since our last visit to Disneyland. Our longest absence from the park in about 5 years. (We usually go once a month at least). The park was all decked out for the 50th and was looking better than it had in some time. It was really awesome to see.

New Orleans Square, decked out:


The Mark Twain:


The Jungle Cruise got a BIG makeover this year:


And added some Piranha's:


The Main St. Vehicles got some gold paint as well:


The Lamp-posts representing the 50th:


Our daughter got her first ride on Maliboomer (S&S Space Shot):


Buzz Lightyear Astro-Blasters opened in Tomorrowland:


Nothing better than an empty Disneyland:


They have lots of cool picture opportunities in the "Golden" Vehicles:




Awesome new shirt:


June 2005 -

Back in June to check out Block Party Bash at DCA and more random fun.

Josh is Surfin':


Before Screamin' got butchered (More on that later):


Had to get a picture of this bee-hive:


Block Party Bash is an awesome show:


Kristi getting yelled at by the green army dudes (She's trying not to laugh):


More BPB Pictures:




TOT is still awesome:


Our main reason for this trip ... The new Fireworks show!!!


















September 2005 - (Kristi and I go solo to ride the new Space Mtn)

Main Street:


The new Space Mtn:




SCARY:




New subs are coming in 2007 (that's next year now)


October 2006 -

We come to the park with our good friend Justin. Haunted Mansion Holiday is open and everybody else wants to ride the new Space Mtn. Justin also hasn't seen the fireworks show.

Nice pic in front of the castle:


The castle in detail:


Haunted Mansion Holiday:






I got SOAKED on Splash Mtn:


We all loved "Pace Mou":


The Disneyland Hub:


The best picture I have EVER taken ... and it was a total accident:


Stay tuned later for November (Christmas time) and New Years Eve at Disneyland:

[Bubba Z]

Rub it in , Looking at those for the third time makes me want to leave today.  Can't wait for the New Year's Eve Photos and more of "Pace Mou"
 I also finally decided to use your toontown photo as my screen saver.

[Robert T Ackerman]

Thanks for the pictures Greg... I really can't wait until March now. I missed Disney last year... and the last time I was there they were only testing TOT, so I really look forward to that.
Nice Bee Hive by the way LOL


Rob

[chilled182]

i REALLY want to ride the haunted mansion holiday.
I looveeee nightmare before christmas.

[sir clinksalot]

The rest of the update:

November 2005:

We were supposed to be at WDW the week of Thanksgiving this year but those plans fell through. So we figured we would just spend the 3 days before Thanksgiving at the park, thinking that it may not be too busy.

WRONG!!!

It's Christmas Time at Disneyland:




City Hall looks amazing:


Chicken Little Invaded DCA:


The DCA Christmas Tree:


Tower of Terror at night:


The Disneyland Tree at night:


Small World Holiday:


The kids waiting for the parade:


(insert non-blurry parade photo's here ... )

Day Two:

Arrived at the park for opening. Busier than the day before. We had a big day planned today. Lunch at Blue Bayou, Fantasmic, Fireworks, etc. Unfortunately Kristi got sick and we didn't do any of it. She spent the rest of the trip in the hotel ... so it's probably a good thing we didn't go to WDW.

Big Thunder Mountain:


5 minutes until Kristi doesn't feel good:


The DCA tree at night:


Kristi tries to be a trooper and comes back to the park:


Day Three:

The kids and I go back to the park for the morning to hopefully get some rides in. Fat chance. All of the Fantasyland rides had 30 minute waits at park opening due to early entry. We did ride a few things at DL and at DCA. Left the park about 11:30.

Jack Skellington:


Haunted Mansion Holiday:


The kids and the DCA tree:

[sir clinksalot]

New Years Eve at Disneyland:

We had been wanting to go to DL for NYE for 10 years. We finally decided to go this year. Booked our hotel and we were set. Well for the first time since 2000 it decided to rain on NYE in SoCal. Luckily the rain stopped about 5:00pm and actually kept some people away, at least for a few hours.

The new Hollywood Studios area:


Kristi and Sully:


The Muppets show got a new entrance:


A new Mickey fountain was added:


Mike and Sully to the rescue:


Inside the ride:








We rode CA Screamin: - since the accident they have trimmed the ride in 2 places. Before the loop (which I actually don't mind because I like taking the loop slower) and before the airtime hills. WHICH SUCKS!!!



Placing the Fireworks barges in Paradise Bay:


And the DJ stage:


Watch out for that train:


Heading over to Disneyland:


It was CROWDED (these times are NO WHERE near accurate ... they were about double this, at least):


The Monorail Line:


Then the rain came:


But this cleared out the people. We headed back to DCA for awhile since they have more inside movie type attractions. Saw Muppets, Bugs, did the bread and tortilla tour. We then decided to sit at the cove bar, have a drink and some crab nachos.

Headed back to Disneyland about 4:30 since the rain was slowing down. Met up with some friends and did some rides.

They were giving out party hats and blowers ... but don't scare the reindeer:


Happy New Year Mr. Reindeer:


Waiting for Haunted Mansion Holiday:


The DJ Stage at night:


Paradise Pier at night:


HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!








We could see the fireworks at DCA and Disneyland from where we were sitting:


The Disneyland Finale:

[chilled182]

im so envios.  I have always wanted to do the disney holiday shin dig.

great pictures greg!

[ChuckR]

IS California Screamin really that bad? I am going in March and I hope it isn't tha bad...

[Bubba Z]

Gregg, thanks for the update!  Great pictures and is Monster Inc. any good?

Chuck I have never ridden California Screamin', but things I have heard is the added trim takes away all the air time. The launch is still good, but no air.

Is this correct, Mr. clink?

[sir clinksalot]

The ride is still fun. It's not as good as it was before the accident.

It's definately a "Family Coaster", always has been. It's not the fastest, tallest, etc ... but it's a REALLY fun coaster.

If you never rode it before the trims were added then you won't notice any difference ... obviously.

[Robert T Ackerman]

I loved California Screamin... I rode it pre-trims though... so obviously I'll notice a difference, but I can't imagine it being too bad, the ride before the bunny hills was good anyway... It's probably my 3rd favorite coaster in Cali behind Xcelerator and Riddler.

[blazzinmatt]

Awesome pictures. I really wish I went down to Disney or across to Disney for holiday time but it just wasn't possible. My grandma moved out to Cali so I might be visiting her and the park when I go out there. That was definitely an awesome year in pictures and I look forward to seeing more form you in the near future. Keep up the great work.

[WadeJ]

Ugghhhhhhh  Why did you do this to me Gregg  :x

Now I might have to completely rearrange our 2006 plans around Disneyland LOL

We've been holding off because, well, to be honest, the place looked like crap and by the sounds of it, WAS crap - mostly due to Harris/Pressler.  Attractions were down, paint was peeling, rides were rusting, attractions were dissappearing and safety problems out the butt.

But then, Emmer and Ouimet came on board and things changed BIGTIME.  For the BETTER!  Disneyland is becoming what I remember DisneyWorld being in the 90's and early 00's.  Attention to detail, all attractions open, fresh paint, and just a lively spirit about it.  Now I WANT to go.  And after seeing these pictures, it made me realize just how much nicer the place looks.  That feeling of fantasy and realism is what makes a Disney park different and now its back.

THANKS for sharing this update with us.  I really enjoyed it!

-Wade

[stew560]

Wade, I guess that means you shouldn't look at the pictures Jim Disney from Westcoaster took of DCA's revamped Hollywood Studios section either...