Trip Report Solo: A Disneyland Story - My first trip by myself!

Alright, I won't get too into it, but there's been a lot of rough stuff in my life the last several years. Depression, anxiety, family member deaths, family members battling (and surviving) cancer, issues with school. A bunch of stuff.

But, I'm graduating soon. I have, with plenty of therapy and counseling, gotten too a very liveable and manageable point with my mental health. Family member health is stable and safe.

Life was dark for a while, but I've made it out the other end and things are looking bright.

After saving up for about a year, I've finally got to the point where I can take my dream solo trip to Disneyland! My first time since 2005 when I was nine years old.

It's gonna be a real budget trip, but I'm so excited! I made it work and I can do it!

I'm in the airport now ready to fly across the country!

Today is a travel day, then I have four park days, then a travel day to take me back home!

Next time I see the sun, I'm be in the air!

 

[Pi on my Cake]

Well rested and ready to go! Found out that the McDonald's breakfast stuff is like three times more expensive here, but Denny's isn't. And I can call in a to go order. Gonna have fries and a grilled cheese to go on my way in (breakfast of champions) for under $5. Slightly after park open getting into the park, but where yesterday was so light on crowds and it was expected to be the busiest day, I'm not worried. Just gonna have a relaxed, fun time

 

[Pi on my Cake]

Gaurdians of thw Galaxy may not be the best ride Disney has ever built, and it definitely is not the best thematic fit they've ever done, but that might be the most FUN I've ever had on a Disney ride. It's a blast. Did it twice while line was only 10-15 minutes. Now doing it a third time with a fastpass

 

[Pi on my Cake]

Cars Land is amazing. About to get on Luigi's, but took some time to explore and wander through the land first.

 

[Pi on my Cake]

Cars Land is slightly underwhelming, but this could be similar to Pandora at night where it had been talked up so much that it had a lot to live up to. I also personally tend to be less excited by recreations of places from movies as lands compared to new areas. That being said, I still absolutely adore tgis land and can't wait to see it at night

 

[Pi on my Cake]

Cars Land is slightly underwhelming, but this could be similar to Pandora at night where it had been talked up so much that it had a lot to live up to. I also personally tend to be less excited by recreations of places from movies as lands compared to new areas. That being said, I still absolutely adore tgis land and can't wait to see it at night

In contrast to this, Radiator Springs Racers did not disappoint in the slightest. If anything it exceeded my high expectations

 

[spacemt354]

Cars Land is amazing. About to get on Luigi's,

5 mins later

Cars Land is slightly underwhelming,

Luigi's is that bad?

 

[Pi on my Cake]

5 mins later

Luigi's is that bad?

Luigi's wasn't as exciting as hoped, but still fun lol.it was more of a "short story: amazing. Long story: amazing but not as amazing as people made it sound" type situation haha

 

[spacemt354]

Luigi's wasn't as exciting as hoped, but still fun lol.it was more of a "short story: amazing. Long story: amazing but not as amazing as people made it sound" type situation haha

If you have time try to go back to Cars Land at night - I remember the first time we walked through it in the day (back in in like 2012/2013) I was so hyped that it was tough to live up to expectations. At night to me it was much better -- very similar to WDW's Tomorrowland in that sense

 

[Pi on my Cake]

If you have time try to go back to Cars Land at night - I remember the first time we walked through it in the day (back in in like 2012/2013) I was so hyped that it was tough to live up to expectations. At night to me it was much better -- very similar to WDW's Tomorrowland in that sense

Definitely planning to end my day there!

 

[Pi on my Cake]

#infamous

 

[Pi on my Cake]

Incredicoaster and Pixar Pier are both a lot better than I expected! Their problems are things that are obvious and baffling, but they have a much smaller effect on the overall experience than I expected based in pictures and stuff

 

[mmelka]

Gaurdians of thw Galaxy may not be the best ride Disney has ever built, and it definitely is not the best thematic fit they've ever done, but that might be the most FUN I've ever had on a Disney ride. It's a blast. Did it twice while line was only 10-15 minutes. Now doing it a third time with a fastpass

Unpopular opinion alert - I enjoy Guardians much more than ToT. I agree it may not be the best ride, but I never don't get off smiling from ear to ear. I do enjoy the rotation of songs/scenes that make each ride feel "fresh" even if it truly is the same thing over and over. My wife totally disliked ToT but loves Guardians. So, its a winner in my books.

 

[Pi on my Cake]

Unpopular opinion alert - I enjoy Guardians much more than ToT. I agree it may not be the best ride, but I never don't get off smiling from ear to ear. I do enjoy the rotation of songs/scenes that make each ride feel "fresh" even if it truly is the same thing over and over. My wife totally disliked ToT but loves Guardians. So, its a winner in my books.

Gaurdians was great. It's tough to top the whole build up fo the walk down sunset boulevard and the whole experience in Florida. But gaurdians I very close even without the great build up of the whole land.


Also, Pixar Ferris Wheel (I refuse to the name they chose) is easily, by far, the most terrifying ride Disney has ever built.

 

[Pi on my Cake]

Pixar Pier has two main issues.
1. Unthemed, plain bits of just concrete walls and stuff.
2. It can't decide on the aesthetic.

Don't leave so much plain or boring. Make the parts of the incredicoaster that cross paths into decorative archways instead of just the coast supports. Don't leave the last part of the incredicoaster ride so emtpy and nothing. Theme things!

Also, you need to make a choice between a colorful toon town type land or a timeless pier. Because the Pixar toon town stuff is neat. The timeless pier with Pixar characters is neat (the bright yellows and blues look amazing). But having them constantly clashing with each other just doesn't fit. And that's only gonna get worse when you add a giant statue of Jessie and a section of the brain from Inside out. Pick a style and stick to it!

If those two problems were fixed, Pixar Pier would be a really great land! Maybe not a stand out or amazing land. But pretty great!

Also, sell candy in the candy store. And open mostly everything at once rather than six phases for the opening of one fully new attraction that is actually just moved from somewhere else in the park. And Jack Jack on a Stick was a bad idea.

 

[NateD1226]

I like Luigi's! It's not the best ride, but it is fun, short, and has a lot of fun music! I didn't enjoy Indcredicoaster that much but I think it is ok. The last tube is the best tube though. I haven't got on Guardians yet for health reasons but I have seen many videos and hope to try it soon! Pixar Pier is garbage. Can't wait to see what you think about Hollywood Land. That land is sad but also quite fun haha

 

[Pi on my Cake]

I like Luigi's! It's not the best ride, but it is fun, short, and has a lot of fun music! I didn't enjoy Indcredicoaster that much but I think it is ok. The last tube is the best tube though. I haven't got on Guardians yet for health reasons but I have seen many videos and hope to try it soon! Pixar Pier is garbage. Can't wait to see what you think about Hollywood Land. That land is sad but also quite fun haha

Luigi's was a fun ride, my problem is the visuals. There nothing really to look at. Makes it feel a bit like we're just drinking around a parking lot. Especially with it next to the cleared out space Bugs Land used to be being next to it meaning all you have is a fence and then GotG in the distance to look at. Some Florida thinking and adding a fair tent or something over it would have been better. Like, Luigi was setting up for a party. Keeps it out of direct sunlight and gives imagineers a chance to do some fun lighting

Pixar Pier. I don't think I'd go as far as garbage, but it's not great. What kills me is that the main problems could have been so easily fixed or avoided.

Hollywood Land I loved. It reminded me of a little slice of early 2000s MGM which is a personal favorite park/era. It's a shame so much the actual attractions are either under ultilized preview space or kinda lame rides like Monsters Inc. not that monsters Inc is bad, it just is probably my least favorite of the Fantasyland style dark rides. Plus, WAY too much Dialogue to have no mouths move on any figures. Like, I'm finally with simple or even static figures, but if you have that stop making them talk so much!

 

[NateD1226]

Luigi's was a fun ride, my problem is the visuals. There nothing really to look at. Makes it feel a bit like we're just drinking around a parking lot. Especially with it next to the cleared out space Bugs Land used to be being next to it meaning all you have is a fence and then GotG in the distance to look at. Some Florida thinking and adding a fair tent or something over it would have been better. Like, Luigi was setting up for a party. Keeps it out of direct sunlight and gives imagineers a chance to do some fun lighting

Pixar Pier. I don't think I'd go as far as garbage, but it's not great. What kills me is that the main problems could have been so easily fixed or avoided.

Hollywood Land I loved. It reminded me of a little slice of early 2000s MGM which is a personal favorite park/era. It's a shame so much the actual attractions are either under ultilized preview space or kinda lame rides like Monsters Inc. not that monsters Inc is bad, it just is probably my least favorite of the Fantasyland style dark rides. Plus, WAY too much Dialogue to have no mouths move on any figures. Like, I'm finally with simple or even static figures, but if you have that stop making them talk so much!

I agree with Monsters! I think it is time to let Monsters go... It's sad to say but I think the ride has lost it's charm and the queue's theming isn't great.

 

[Pi on my Cake]

I agree with Monsters! I think it is time to let Monsters go... It's sad to say but I think the ride has lost it's charm and the queue's theming isn't great.

I could see Monsters and the nearby seemingly empty (or just used for previews) soundstages all combined for a high capacity omnimover or trackless dark ride. Or two small scale Fantasyland style ones and flat or something.

 

[Pi on my Cake]

Also, California Adventure is Mike the weirdest laid out park either. It's basically three intersecting circles. There's no sense of flow at all. And some areas feel so squished and cramped (pier to mermaid) while others are full or empty space or empty buildings or trees

 

[Pi on my Cake]

Also, California Adventure is Mike the weirdest laid out park either. It's basically three intersecting circles. There's no sense of flow at all. And some areas feel so squished and cramped (pier to mermaid) while others are full or empty space or empty buildings or trees

Though, despite the lack of flow, it is a very relaxed and inviting kind of a lack of flow. Like a place to explore