Trip Report Tu in ‘25

Ever just the same
Ever a surprise
Ever as before
Ever just as sure
As the sun will rise
Tu in ‘25

These lyrics came to mind when I thought about my trip reporting. (I also thought, Here we go AGAIN but the above sounds much more poignant.) It’s now that time of year when my Disney trips are frequent. And this Disney Senior loves sharing her visits with y’all because your engagement makes it fun!

Yes, there will be stuff that’s the same. Yes, there will be surprises (too soon for the reveals). And yes, there will be sun rises!

Spring break countdown is at 4 days.

Since this intro needs a picture, here are Tu.

 

[Tony the Tigger]

Ok train experts - which train is this?

The Disneyland Railroad. (It’s right on the side!)

 

[Tuvalu]

Friday, con’t

We took a brief interruption of our grand circle tour to utilize LL#4.

The New Orleans Square station is adjacent to Haunted Mansion, so it was a quick hop off/hop on once we were through the attraction.

 

[Captain Barbossa]

Ok train experts - which train is this?

More pictorial clues for the train experts.

That’s the Holiday Blue consist, which features DL’s Lilly Belle, which is a parlor car, not a locomotive, unlike WDW’s Lilly Belle. The Lilly Belle was originally the Grand Canyon observation coach that was a part of the opening day/original Retlaw 1 consist, which was the passenger train that only serviced Main Street Station. Retlaw 2 was the “freight train” consist that only serviced what was then Frontierland Station. In 1974, all 6 of the Retlaw 1 passenger cars were retired, except for the Grand Canyon. It was briefly taken out of service to be converted into the new Lilly Belle parlor car and re-entered service in 1975. Fortunately, the other 5 Retlaw 1 cars are still around. 4 are at the Pacific Coast Railroad in Santa Margarita and 1 is at Walt’s Carolwood Pacific Barn in Griffith Park.

 

[Tuvalu]

That’s the Holiday Blue consist, which features DL’s Lilly Belle, which is a parlor car, not a locomotive, unlike WDW’s Lilly Belle. The Lilly Belle was originally the Grand Canyon observation coach that was a part of the opening day/original Retlaw 1 consist, which was the passenger train that only serviced Main Street Station. Retlaw 2 was the “freight train” consist that only serviced what was then Frontierland Station. In 1974, all 6 of the Retlaw 1 passenger cars were retired, except for the Grand Canyon. It was briefly taken out of service to be converted into the new Lilly Belle parlor car and re-entered service in 1975. Fortunately, the other 5 Retlaw 1 cars are still around. 4 are at the Pacific Coast Railroad in Santa Margarita and 1 is at Walt’s Carolwood Pacific Barn in Griffith Park.

See, I knew you would know. And I hoped you would answer first.

 

[ajrwdwgirl]

The Lilly Belle (train car) is fun to ride in. We were able to ride a few years ago and it was just us and a train conductor in the car. He told us some stories about it and since we were the only passengers we felt like VIP's as the car has been used for many other VIP's. It used to be first come first served on Lilly Belle tickets in the morning (with a return time) but I don't think they do the rides in it like they used to. Rides were only in the morning or in mild temp weather too.

 

[Tuvalu]

Friday, con’t

And we're back on the MPB.

It was fun to experience the "back side" of It's a Small World.

As our train departed from Mickey's Toontown station the conductor said, "Next stop, Tomorrowland. But don't worry, we'll get there today!"

The Tomorrowland to Main Street leg enabled Em and me to see the Grand Canyon/dinosaurs dioramas for again. No pics this time.

Once we pulled in to the Main Street station our grand circle goal was complete! Then we had a tiny scavenger hunt for something I had read about - a Jewish mezuzah symbol, the only year-round religious item in Disneyland. Though I am not Jewish, I have family and friends who are and I am very interested in Jewish culture and history. We found the mezuzah on a doorpost next to the Crystal Arcade.

A mezuzah is a small parchment scroll with specific Hebrew verses from the Torah placed in a decorative case and affixed in a slanted position. This particular mezuzah was installed in 1995 by Disneyland President Paul Pressler who wanted a place to celebrate Hanukkah at the park. It hangs on the door frame of the office of Dr. Benjamin Silverstein, a fictional doctor.

 

[Tuvalu]

Em and I had two unused MELLs from yesterday that a kind CM at City Hall was able to switch over to today. We used the first MELL (LL#5) here.

Though Peter Pan does not utilize LL, recovery passes are honored by a CM at the exit. This version of the attraction differs slightly from its counterpart in the MK.

The children’s bedroom is much brighter.

My cell did not capture the luminescence in this scene very well, which is a shame because it was very cool.

No Bill Cosby here.

In my opinion, west coast Pan and east coast Pan are equal.

 

[Tuvalu]

Snow White was a walk-on, which Em requested we do next. She said it is her favorite DL dark ride.

7DMT vibes anyone?

Em remembers the Wicked Queen’s transformation from the former MK ride terrifying her.

 

[Tuvalu]

Friday, con’t

We made a critical error while on our way to our next LL.

We forgot to stop at Pirates of the Caribbean! A lost opportunity to experience the superior version of Pirates once more before our vacay was over.

Thankfully we did not make the same mistake with another superior attraction.

LL#6 was BTMRR.

Three rides weren’t nearly enough for us this trip but three BTMRR rides would have to suffice.

 

[muddyrivers]

Em and I had two unused MELLs from yesterday that a kind CM at City Hall was able to switch over to today. We used the first MELL (LL#5) here.

Is this something you can typically do or did you have to stop at City Hall for other reasons and it came up in conversation? When I went last year, I had several MELLs that just went unused because I ran out of time that day.

 

[Tuvalu]

Is this something you can typically do or did you have to stop at City Hall for other reasons and it came up in conversation? When I went last year, I had several MELLs that just went unused because I ran out of time that day.

I went to City Hall that night and said we were leaving and would it be possible to transfer the two MELLs for the next day?

The CM said, “Let’s see what I can do” and added, “It’s a good thing you came in now, because at 11:59 the system clears and LLs cannot be recovered.”

I don’t know if I got lucky or if only MELLs (vs regular LLs) can be transferred.

I just thought it never hurts to ask!

 

[muddyrivers]

I went to City Hall that night and said we were leaving and would it be possible to transfer the two MELLs for the next day?

The CM said, “Let’s see what I can do” and added, “It’s a good thing you came in now, because at 11:59 the system clears and LLs cannot be recovered.”

I don’t know if I got lucky or if only MELLs (vs regular LLs) can be transferred.

I just thought it never hurts to ask!

That was genius! You're right, it never hurts to ask but I usually have anxiety about things like that and don't. However, you miss 100% of the shots you don't take

 

[k8einwdw]

It was fun to experience the "back side" of It's a Small World.

It’s even more magical all lit up for Christmas!

 

[ajrwdwgirl]

It’s even more magical all lit up for Christmas!

small world at Christmas is one of the best things. My husband was a bit of a small world hater and then we rode it at Disneyland at Christmas and the first thing he said to me was "let's do that again!"

@Tuvalu good tip about asking to convert the unused MEPs. I usually just use them to loop Big Thunder a few times but maybe I'll try to save them for another day next time. One time at the end of a night I had four of them and just kept looping Big T, the standby line was still at 30 minutes so I felt like it was worth it.

 

[Tony the Tigger]

Big T

You rang?

 

[Tuvalu]

Friday, con’t

Em and I had not yet seen Galaxy’s Edge at Disneyland (spoiler alert: it’s a replica of Galaxy’s Edge at DHS). Other than Rise of the Resistance, the themed land doesn’t hold much interest for us which is why we’d forgotten about it. The tunnel entrance is very close to BTMRR and my memory was suddenly pricked by a comment Em had made weeks ago - “I think we should ride Rise in California to see the working cannons.”

But she had not mentioned it since and as much as we both enjoy Rise, it isn’t worth waiting for in a 90 minute standby line.

Still, it would be fun to see the cannons working again. And I could hear Woody’s voice, “it’s once in a decade vacation…”

Without telling Em, I immediately booked LLSP for Rise. “I think we should visit Galaxy’s Edge now, “ I said to her. “Got us LLs for Rise - my treat!”

She gave me a big hug and we ventured into the world of Star Wars.

First time ever seeing Grogu in person.

Off to battle for the cause.

As Tuvalad says (in a cute two-year-old voice), “Stormtroopers are scarewee!”

Em and I had a fun, flawless ride. All special effects were working, Kylo was in A-mode, and it was amazing to be darting amongst moving cannons again!

 

[amjt660]

Love Roz!!!
She looked at me and decided that my name is now Clarence!!!


Max