550 Days Later, My Return to Disneyland...

Who knew that as I was walking out of Disneyland in late January 2020, that it would be over a year and a half until my next visit. I had just experienced the amazing new attraction, Rise of the Resistance at Galaxy's Edge. I was already planning my next visit for mid-March 2020. But as the date got closer, news started spreading about a new virus that was over taking the world, killing people and creating the COVID-19 pandemic we now know today. The rest as you know, is now history...

On April 30th, 2021 Disneyland reopened after being closed for 412 days, the longest it has ever been closed. Immediately attendance demand was high but capacity limits were put into place. A new reservation system was created in order to control attendance. Because of this, reservations were all booked up for May and June. The earliest available reservation dates were for mid July. I quickly booked my reservations for July 23rd thru the 24th. My good friend Anthony would join me for three of the four days of the trip. I would have the 1st day all to myself, to get re-acquainted with all the Disney Magic and to experience the new Web Slinger: A Spider-Man Adventure attraction at the all new Avengers Campus at Disney California Campus.

So on the morning of Friday July 23rd, I was up at 6:45am so that I can try to nab a boarding pass at 7am for the new attraction. Web Slingers can only be accessed via a virtual queue on the Disneyland mobile app, the same way that a boarding pass is required for Disneyland's previous new attraction Rise of the Resistance at Galaxy's Edge. I spent four hours in the rain on the morning of January 17th 2020 to ride this attraction on its opening day. Its interesting that on my prior visit to Disneyland I was experiencing a new attraction and on this trip I was gonna experience a newer attraction. If I did not get a boarding pass at 7am, I could try again at Noon. Luckily I learned a new hack to guarantee a boarding pass. And at 7am I had my boarding pass!!! Maybe in a future post, I'll reveal that trick.

As you can see from my virtual queue, I had 300 minutes (or 5 hours!!) until my reservation time, which should be around noon time. I started to wonder if I would have enough time to ride the attraction and try to get another boarding pass at noon for Rise of the Resistance. Will I be able to pull this off??

After getting my boarding pass, I napped for another hour. I finally made my way to Disney California Adventure by 9am. I was staying at a motel that was a quick 10 minute walk from Disneyland. 

As I entered DCA, I was handed a hard ticket for the weekend. I wondered why, since I had my tickets on the mobile app. Oh Well, just another Disneyland souvenir.

Since I knew I had some time before my ride reservation, I headed over to Pixar Pier to ride Incredicoaster. I did walk pass Avengers Campus and took a few pics.

After Incredicoaster, I made it over to Soarin' becuase it was about a 20 minute wait. It became much shorter when the Cast Member asked for a solo flyer.

It was after riding Soarin' did I finally noticed how empty the park was. Do the parks still have limited capacity? There is no way this could be a Friday at noon-time with so little crowds. Is it because everyone is at Avengers Campus checking out the new attraction and other offerings in this new land? Mind you this new land had just opened on June 4th 2021, so there should be a HUGE demand. I do think the low crowds are due to capacity limits. Which is fine with me, since I can see everything I want without any of the long waits.

Around 10:30am, I made my way back to Avengers Campus. I wanted to get the feel of the new land before riding the new attraction, Here are some pics of my 1st visit:

Don't you love it when you're at Disneyland and you're taking pictures or selfies, then a random person asks "Don you want me to take a pic for you?" These are some of the best moments at Disneyland.

So at 11:03am my boarding pass gets called. I quickly jump in line. I want to experience this attraction and try to get out by noon time so I can grab a pass for Rise of the Resistance.

Here are some pics as I go thru the line queue.

So since this is a new attraction, I figured that this might have a long line before getting to the actual attraction. And sure enough, the line stretched out into the back-stage area of DCA.

And back to the regular line queue...

And FINALLY, the entrance to the attraction...

Here is video of the Web Slinger's pre-show...

Here are some pics after the pre-show but before the actual attraction...

And now a couple pics from the ride vehicle...

What follows next is one of the most AMAZING (get it, get it??) 3D ride experiences I have ever had. The technology is top-notch. It's fast and non-stop. I don't know how my movements were being registered into the attraction. The attraction does keep score of your process. I won't go into the attraction details, I'm sure they are plenty of videos on You Tube. Here is a pic of my final score in red.

After riding Web Slingers it was a few minutes before noon so I tired to get a boarding pass to Rise of the Resistance. And I Got It!!!

So the wait for Rise/Resistance is 6 hours. And I still could not enter Disneyland with my park hopper ticket until 1pm. So I went and grab lunch at one of my take-out eateries, Lucky Fortune Cookery. While I miss the chicken teriyaki bowls they used to have, I LOVE the ramen soup they have now. YUMMY YUMMY!!!!

After lunch, I walked back thru Avengers Campus to ride Guardians of the Galaxy: Mission Breakout. The wait time posted said 50mins but it was more like 30mins, especially with all the fast moving walking. Some people might hate the ride make-over from The Tower of Terror, but it now all makes perfect sense at DCA. 

As I exited the Guardians ride, I saw Loki walking about, trying to fix time-lines.

As I walked thru Hollywood Land, I noticed that the next showing of PHILHARMAGIC! was about to begin. This attraction film was just updated with a new scene based on COCO and I knew I wanted to see it so badly. So in I went. As I waited for the attraction doors to open, I was surprised how empty the room is now. I miss all the Muppets stuff that used to be here. I have to say I LOVE the new COCO scene added, it was SO GOOD!!!

After PHILHARMAGIC, I left DCA around 3pm and went back to my motel to freshen up and change into a Star Wars theme t-shirt. I was keeping an eye on my boarding pass to see how soon I had to be back at Disneyland. I saw that boarding groups were not being called, so that must mean that the ride had shut down. It was now before 6pm, the time I thought I would ride Ride/Resistance, so I headed finally into Disneyland and be ready for when they did call my boarding pass.

Here is video of me finally getting into Disneyland...550 days since my last trip!!!

Oh God, how I missed you DISNEYLAND!!!

I did not really get emotional upon entering Disneyland, but I was so HAPPY to be back. Hearing the park music, the crowd noises, the attraction sounds made me feel so good. Thinking about re-visiting Disneyland, I had to decide what my 1st attraction ride would be. That was easy...THE HUANTED MANSION!!! I bee-lined for the attraction since it only had a 20 minute wait. As I pass New Orleans Square, I saw that the Dream Suite was covered in scrims. It must be getting an update for some reason.

The Haunted Mansion looks like it got a fresh coat of paint and I noticed some upgrades in the Pet Cemetery. These would not be the only upgrades made to the attraction.

I saw some new headstones in the cemetery. I could only what new sights are awaiting for me inside the attraction. I knew that the Haunted Mansion had been worked on while Disneyland was closed. Lets see if any upgrades are noticeable.

Master Gracey's portrait seems to be touched up. But as soon as I turned the corner, I saw a few new things. First on the left there is a new iron fence wall to help separate guests from the cast only area and ride controls. 

On the right there is a door that has been enhanced with ghostly sounds and sights.

And just to the left of this door, there is a NEW PROTRAIT!!! Its April-December!!!

Without question, Haunted Mansion is one of ALL TIME FAVE attractions. Maybe it was something to do with both of us being 52 years YOUNG this year.

The soundtrack seems to be upgraded. I did not notice any updates in the Ballroom scene...

Nothing new in the Attic scene either...

Now when we get to the Grave Yard scene I finally notice some updates!!! 

Many of the 999 Ghosts seem to have been re-painted and now glow more clearly. There is one part where the ghosts are drinking on top of the graves and the drinks themselves were glowing so bright. It was so good to see these details thru-out the ride. Haunted Mansion has been lovingly updated.

After riding Haunted Mansion, I saw that my boarding pass for Rise of the Resistance was called. Time to head over to Galaxy's Edge...

I first witnessed Galaxy's Edge and Rise of the Resistance on its opening weekend back in January 2020. I can't get over how well Disney created this land at Disneyland. Its so detailed and impressive. Every Star Wars fan should really check out Galaxy Edge's and its attractions.

One of the highlights of Galaxy's Edge is the Rise of the Resistance attraction. An attraction within an attraction within an attraction. This ride just BLOWS MY MIND AWAY!!!! You actually feel like you are in a Star Wars film. Based on the most recent Star Wars films, you will not be disappointed by this experience. Here is video of the full attraction ride experience. Enjoy!!!

There are so many jaw-dropping sights in this attraction...

After Rise of the Resistance, I headed back to New Orleans Square to ride Pirates of the Caribbean attraction. Here is a pic of the line queue at 7:40pm. On a FRIDAY NIGHT!!! 

It was only a 10min walk to board the attraction. The boat takes off and heads past the Blue Bayou restaurant...

Then my boat makes its way toward the Pirate Captain's Bedroom...and the ride STOPS!!!

So after a 30 minute wait, the ride finally resumed. The rest was smooth sailing thru the ride. 

When I finally got out of the attraction, it was now 8:36pm. 

I then headed over to Big Thunder Mountain to get a ride in. It too was barely a 10min wait.

After riding Big Thunder Mountain it was 9:04pm. The crowds were out for the nightly fireworks and I just was not feeling it tonight. This was the most crowded I saw Disneyland all day or night. So I made my out of the park since my friend Anthony was arriving at our motel by midnight. I wanted to get dinner off-site, freshen up a bit and relax before his arrival.

All in all, it was a great return to Disneyland. I know things might look different and feel different but its still the Disneyland I LOVE. Seeing people enjoy themselves, having a good time on attractions, enjoying their favorite foods or snacks. I know we are living in some crazy times, but its always good to know that MAGIC still exists at The Happiest Place on Earth. It felt good to re-connect with this special place. More now than ever, we just need to have that special place called Disneyland.

John Cardona is a Disney certified travel agent with Magication, Inc. Magication, Inc is a white glove Disney and Universal Studios travel agency. We provide superior services absolutely FREE to you making your vacation even more MAGICAL! Contact us at www.Magication.net to be connected with a travel specialist and to receive a free quote on your next trip!!!