Attending Some Of The Disneyland Resort 24 Hour Party To Kick Off the 60th Diamond Anniversary Celebration

Attending the 24 hour party that starts the kick-off of Disneyland's 60th anniversary.
Because I knew how busy the Resort will get, I tired to get there as early as I could.

I wasn't one of those who waited overnight, as I home, sleeping comfortably in my bed.
Woke up at 4:30 a.m., got ready, and walked out the door at 5:00 a.m.

Getting to the Resort, bag check was a breeze.
And as I entered the Main Entry Plaza, this is what I saw...


Long lines to get into Disney California Adventure


But no lines to get into Disneyland.
But don't let that fool you.


As I entered Main Street, I was greeted with a humongous crowd


The sun rose and created day light
After some low level fireworks, Disneyland was open for the 24 hour party.


Everyone was forced into the street. And it made getting through really slow


Of course, it didn't help that film crews were there recording and people would stop and wave


This is not the time to get in your 15 minutes... or I should say "seconds" of fame


These were not the only costumed Guests in the Resort.
Quite a few people dressed up.
Some just in their pajamas


Sleeping Beauty Castle with the 60 emblem on



First stop... Matterhorn


Walking down the parade route, the line was going towards "it's a small world"
Matterhorn (not pictured) is on the left side and Alice in Wonderland (not pictured) would be to the right


A fun Matterhorn photo op






The line to ride the Matterhorn was all the way towards "it's a small world"
I am going to be behind the Glow With The Show mouse ears the whole way



Makeshift switchbacks in the back of the mountain



Heading towards the station


Now heading back towards Tomorrowland Terrace


Now along the fence of the Matterhorn.
So many people



Look at all those happy people








And the line keeps going


I can see the sign at least







It took about an hour from the moment I stepped in line to the moment I stepped into the bobsled



The second time I decided to do the Single Rider.
Although it felt just as long, ha ha






There are already videos of the abominable snowman in action courtesy of Disneyland
But man, Matterhorn was scary.
These new effects really got me.
I enjoyed it very much






The omnibus got the "D"
Although a bit tiny


But size doesn't matter










Pinocchio's facade refurbishment completed and looks pretty




New mine car popcorn bucket


SSSSSssssssmmmmmmoooooooooookkkkkkkkkkkkeeeeeeeeeeee


New stroller parking signs




Mickey balloon shaped popcorn bucket


Crowds are pouring in like New Years




The Peter Pan display window at the Emporium was revealed












The treasure map that was drawn on part of the father's tuxedo










What if Disneyland kept this stage and used it for special themed atmosphere events


The Opera House was closed for Guests
Will have to check out this new exhibit another day

Inside the Disneyana...




This style reminds me of the park map inside the souvenir guide from the early 80's
































Just call me Mickey Jackson




Now you can say "Goodnight Walt" with your very own Walt's Apartment art piece


And look ... a glass slipper






The Disney Showcase was where one could get 60th merchandise






Single Rider for Indiana Jones




New projection mapping on the chamber doors






That was cool


What's this line for that reaches beyond Town Square?


Oh, to purchase the Cinderella popcorn bucket.
Some said that line was taking about an hour to get through
Oh man!


And I though the Fantasy in the Sky firework poster was bad.
At least, that poster was temporary.
This Disneyland Forever poster is going to be up for some time.

Oh well


More diamond celebration decoration









I gotta get out of Disneyland for a bit.
The crowds were driving me crazy


Awww... look at the entrance to Disney California Adventure


Kind of reminds me of the design from above the Carthay Circle Restaurant marquee








Hey, that gentleman is taking pictures of us!


















A coincidence?
The Paradise Pier Sunglass Hut is roughly in the same spot as the old Dino Jack's Sunglass Shack once stood




The Diamond celebration Mad T Party










That's how I was starting to feel
Just wanted to get some zzz







Plan is...
To go home, download my photos to the computer.
Recharge my battery
Sleep
Go back to the Resort after the fireworks
(the fireworks will be here for some time so I can wait on grabbing the photos. Plus with all the people already claiming their spots... nope, not gonna do it)
Watch the 1 a.m. Paint the Night parade
Get some night shots and play it by ear after that.




Downtown Disney banners

I get home, do what I needed to do, and get some sleep.
....
I over slept!
I woke up at 11:20 p.m.
Got ready and walked back to the Resort

I get to the Bag Check just a little before midnight.
It was a breeze getting in.
Hardly anyone coming through.
I get to the Main Entry Plaza only to be told that Disneyland is closed and *may* not reopen till after
the second Paint the Night parade at 1 a.m.
Well, there went my plan for the evening.
Was also told by several CM's that Disney California Adventure guests will get priority to re-enter Disneyland, if it reopens.
Suggested to go to Disney California Adventure and they will make an announcement over the speakers mentioning that Disneyland has reopened.

So I go inside Disney California Adventure....








At least I can check out the Mad T Party for a bit while I wait for Disneyland to reopen









It's getting cold.
I'll go inside the Animation Building to warm up a bit.


Yikes!
It's a giant slumber party in here.


Turn off the lights so we can sleep!


Some cool vinyl records










Quite a demand for Smokejumpers Grill
The aroma coming from there smelled good.

Ok, it's crowded here to and I want to be towards the front when Disneyland reopens.
So I waited near the entrance of Disney California Adventure




This was crazy.
Over and over we were told that Disneyland may not reopen for the night and to enjoy Disney California Adventure
Dude! It's crowded and most people have already enjoyed what they can. They just want to go to Disneyland.
So a bunch of Guests are just hanging around the area and behind the rope that was set up to allow people who wanted to exit the park
Cast Members consistently tried to break up any type of crowd that was gathering near the entrance.
We were told about how they have halted people at the bag checks and that no one is being allowed into the area.
A number of people had gotten on social media and the live stream of Disneyland and noticed that the park looked dead. ...or at least manageable.
As time went on, more and more people started to crowd the area, waiting for Disneyland to reopen.
Guests in the area could swear they saw Guests walk right into the main gates of Disneyland.
And questioned why everyone here in Disney California Adventure is constantly being told that Disneyland gates are closed.
A lot of bickering, upset, and angry Guests.
And then around 2.a.m, CM's started to get things in place to get people across the Plaza.
They wanted everyone, who were huddled in the area, to form a single file line behind a few of the turnstiles that were selected.
That isn't gonna happen

I started to get a little worried. Because this sort of felt like Black Friday.
When shoppers are at the door and are ready to charge the minute the door begins to open.
Different scenarios went through my mind
Once the rope I was standing behind was lifted, everyone just lunged forward. And we were all shoulder to shoulder. And little by little we inched out way out through one of the selected turnstiles. Why they just didn't let us funnel through the center gate, between each pair of turnstiles is beyond me.

The cheers of people roared as they crossed the Plaza as though they have been freed and are running to paradise.

Because I already had an agenda, I wasn't in any type of rush while walking across the Plaza.
In fact, I was hoping most of the rush would beat me just so that I wouldn't be in their way when getting into Disneyland


Made it inside Disneyland!!!!




Checking out the Peter Pan window at night












Second star on the right and straight on till morning



































Sleeping Beauty Castle shimmers






Lights embedded in the bejeweled conical spires help shimmer the castle






Many of the big rides were closed for daily maintenance, so anything that was still open worth riding had long waits




Not much else to do but to wait for sunrise




As the sun is waking up, most people are heading out so they can get some sleep




Raising of the flag




I got you!
I got on camera
You're on Candid Camera now!
You ain't know that




New Disneyland Resort balloons






Ok guys
Disneyland is now closed.
The exit is that way.
So please leave.


Everyone heading out


Cast Members giving high 4's to those leaving




For a moment I thought that was Tanooki Mario


As I leave, a look at the ticket booth advertisement for the 60th anniversary of Disneyland







That will conclude this pictorial
Thanks for stopping by and checking it out

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Until Next Time...