Guest Blog: Disneyland's D23 Anniversary Party

Once again, Samland is fortunate to present a guest blogger - Laura Dahl. As I was having a grand time in Florida, Ms. Dahl was able to attend the first anniversary party held at Disneyland on Wednesday, March 10. The following are her impressions. Thanks Laura!

Check-in

After braving the rush hour traffic, we made it to the Esplanade for check-in around 6pm. The line was pretty long and didn't move too fast, which was strange since all we did was show ID and our D23 membership card, sign a photography waiver and pick up our "welcome packet." The packet was underwhelming since it was a large envelope with two pieces of paper in it - a press release announcing the 2011 Expo and Destination D and a welcoming note from Steven Clark. I was disappointed that there was not any kind of a program or map or bios of the celebrities invited to the party. We also got purple wristbands.

We were advised that we could meet back at the same area and would be let in to the park at 8:45p or if we had park admission, we could go in and when the park closed at 8:00p to show our wristbands and head to the hub.

Pre-Party Dinner at Cafe' Orleans

I decided to have dinner at Cafe' Orleans - a "light" Monte Cristo sandwich so we could save room for dessert. Waddled out of there around 7:30p and shopped around New Orleans Square area and then headed to Main Street, which was open until 9:00p. Around 8:45p we saw lots of D23 members coming into the park. Security checked wristbands around Coke Corner and directed us to the hub and the front of the Castle.



Waiting in the Hub

Lots of excitement waiting in the hub - people were having a good time, lots of photos and videotaping going on. Shortly after nine, they played Walt's welcome speech and fireworks were set off from the castle. We were then welcomed into the castle and into Fantasyland. Since we were off to the side, we were encouraged to enter Fantasyland via the wishing well area. It seemed the large crowd would fill Fantasyland, but we headed beyond the Carrousel towards Dumbo to find lots of dessert and hot drink tables that weren't crowded (Editor's note: Laura has learned the lesson to start in the back and move forward).

Food Tables

There were a large variety of desserts on the tables and Disney staff continued to bring replenishments out whenever they got low. We shared a couple plates of food including chocolate covered Mickey rice crispie bars, chocolate cupcakes, eclairs, fruit tarts, and cookies. (Editor's note: Yum!) The food tables were pretty with jewel tone tablecloths and large silver candelabras and flowers. The drink choices were coffee, hot water for tea and iced water. Alcohol was available for purchase. I had a small $8 glass of chardonnay. There was also a red wine and several bottled beers and soft drinks available for purchase.

Rides

All of the Fantasyland rides wre running with short lines. We rode Casey Junior's train and Peter Pan's flight. A wonderful cast member was operating Peter Pan and she serenaded everyone as they entered their vehicles. We saw her later in the park and she remembered us and sang to us again. The Carrousel was spinning and lit up all night but it wasn't open for riders. The Matterhorn wasn't operating but it's a small world was running with it's new sign. A small sign near the Matterhorn pointed the way to Captain EO and we headed that direction to take a nostalgic trip back to the 80s.

On our wasy to Captain EO, we saw that the AstroOrbitor was also running and also the Star Trader store was open. Captain EO was fun, especially with no wait, although I could live without the theater shaking in time with the music in the finale.

We were amazed how many cast members were needed for the party - besides the ride operators and food delivery people and bartenders, there were a lot of staff guarding closed areas to make sure that the party guests didn't wander where they were not supposed to be.

Cars

The Small World esplanade had a photo opportunity with Mickey Mouse in his bandleader costume and a big car that they use for parading the volunteers. A long line formed for the photos. Also, Walt's electric runabout car - which wasn't available for sitting in, but just looking.

Characters

Lots of different characters were out for photos in Fantasyland and near the Matterhorn. We saw the Three Little Pigs, Alice, Mad Hatter and the White Rabbit, Pinocchio and Jiminy Cricket, Clara Cluck and 3 of the Country Bears. Also running about were the bears from Brother Bear and Malificent. There were also many Imagineers and other Disney celebrities. You know you are at a party with Disney nerds when the line to meet Tony Baxter is longer than the line to see Jiminy Cricket. The people who were meeting and getting autographs and photos from their idols looked ecstatic, especially when meeting Margaret Kerry and Bob Gurr. Everyone seemed very gracious and happy to meet with the fans.

Around 11:45p we slowly headed out of Fantasyland pausing to take photos of the castle and an empty Main Street. We could have chosen to take a double-decker bus or one of the other Main Street vehicles, but we wanted to walk. When we got back to the flagpole, many of the characters were there for one last photo opportunity, which was a nice touch. We couldn't resist a photo with Jiminy and Pinocchio.

It was a great party and one that we hope to do again next year. Happy Birthday D23!