It is a new year, I have a Disneyland pass and go to school just down the road from Anaheim. I am at school three days a week until one, so there is very little reason for me to not swing by Disneyland after school on Friday to unwind. So my first, of  probably many visits to come was taken on Friday and I’ll share what I saw and experienced with you on a semi-weekly basis. I don’t want to get caught up in heralding this as a consistent “weekly” feature, because I know that I am not great at such things. Which reminds me, have you read this week’s stock report? When you’re done here, go check it out. I think it’s a really cool, and very unique feature!

But I digress. I spent a lot of my visit at Disney’s California Adventure. Now, if you are fairly Disneyland Resort savvy like I am, that should come as a big shock to you. Especially the “A lot” portion of that second sentence of this second paragraph. California Adventure has always been one of those parks where you hit the good rides and bail. But something has changed for me. I actually enjoy spending time in that park. I had a lot of fun walking around the Paradise Pier area, playing the great new midway games, sitting on the Ferris Wheel and watching the lights reflect in the water, going through the Animation Studio and riding Tower of Terror. Even waiting in line for Toy Story Mania was a pleasant experience.

Perhaps this is a sign of even greater things to come. I can only say that I truly hope so. It would be great to see California Adventure rise up as one of the great Disney parks.

On the update side of things, there are walls up for lots of construction going on. Including the trolly instillation in the Hollywood Pictures Backlot, the Little Mermaid ride over by the San Francisco themed street and of course the Cars Land construction that continues to progress. The lagoon has been refilled and the Orange Stinger swing ride is now a skeleton and waiting for its re-theme. That is about all that I would say is new or noteworthy, but I do look forward to these changes quite a bit.

Disneyland was much of the same. The new Disney Gallery was fantastic though. It replaced the Main Street Bank and I would say it is a big improvement. I was not able to catch the Great Moments with Mr. Lincoln show, although I hope to on my next visit. The painting inside the gallery, as well as the models (and concept art for Star Tours 2) was a wonderful way to spend thirty minutes if you’re a Disney fan.

Captain EO was still not open, although it is expected to open within the next week. The Rivers of America are drained, which I can not say is a big loss despite the lack of Fantastmic and the eyesore factor. Other than that, it is business as usual at Disneyland and the rest of the resort. Although when business as usual is as good as it is, who am I to complain?

Thanks for reading, I hope to have a review of Captain EO after my next visit, as well as a review of the Lincoln show.