May 5
Due to COVID restrictions, attendance was capped at 15% when the parks first reopened. Crowds were minimal and Main Street practically deserted. We walked right onto the Star Tours ride and "it's a small world."
We did wait in line for the Haunted Mansion, which was "updated" during the closure. I looked forward to the changes, but couldn't see a thing thanks to my fog-inducing mask. Though I'm completely "pro-mask," sometimes a glasses-wearing gal has got to see! A good excuse to return to Disneyland once masks are no longer a thing . . .
Disneyland's newest ride, "Star Wars: Rise of the Resistance," broke down the last time we visited the park back in March 2020, so we were determined to get aboard this time. Luckily, Tim was able to get us virtual passes on the first try. Unfortunately, however, we had to wait 4 hours before we could board. Nevertheless, the ride was amazing: lots of cool video effects and animatronics, but definitely overwhelming, especially with foggy glasses. Another attraction to ride once all mask mandates are lifted.
"Park-hopper" tickets are available for those wanting to visit both Disneyland and Disney California Adventure (DCA) on the same day. But, unlike the Before Times, "park-hopping" is now strictly regulated in order to limit attendance in each park. Guests choose whether they want to start their visit in either Disneyland or DCA and then have to wait till 1PM to cross over. It was well after 1PM when we exited Rise of the Resistance, so we high-tailed it over to DCA, where there was absolutely no waiting for our favorite rides: Soaring' Around the World, Radiator Springs Racers, and Toy Story Mania. Talk about your silver lining! We returned to our hotel room several hours later, tired but happy.
June 8
A month later, Disney opened Avengers Campus, the highly-anticipated new "land" dedicated to all things related to the extremely popular Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU). We purposely timed our second visit to the parks until after "Marvel Land" opened on June 4.
To enter Avengers Campus, guests must either physically wait in line—sometimes for up to 6 hours!—or get a virtual boarding pass for the land's only new ride, Web Slingers. Virtual passes are available only twice a day at 7AM and noon. We were standing in the middle of Disneyland's Adventureland when Tim whipped out his phone to try getting our passes. Apparently, everyone around us was doing the same thing, because at noon a collective cheer erupted! We all made the virtual queue! Now all we had to do was wait 5 hours till our group number (122) was called. Meanwhile, we rode the newly renovated Snow White ride (not worth the 20-minute wait) before heading over to DCA.
Our group number was finally called at 5:15PM, Not only were we going on Web Slingers, we were now allowed inside Avengers Campus. Yay! What a long day, but well worth the wait. The ride uses advanced 3D arcade technology. Except instead of shooting with "guns," you flick your hands as if slinging webs a la Spider-Man. Frantic but fun. So glad my glasses didn't fog-up!
Afterward, we strolled around Campus, where there are plenty of shops to buy Marvel merch, plus the Pym Test Kitchen. The best part, though, was seeing various Marvel characters interacting with the guests. We were too tired to stick around to see them perform—climbing walls, fighting villains, and flying (Spider-Man)—but did see Iron Man (my favorite), Loki (Tim's fave), Thor, and Spider-Man pose for photos. We then hobbled back to our hotel, where we collapsed in a happy but exhausted heap.
Words of Advice
Although the parks are still not operating at full capacity, 35% attendance in June was noticeably more crowded than 15% the month before. In May it took less than 20 minutes to go through security before lining up to get into Disneyland. The wait was twice as long this week.
Besides virtually queuing up for the newer rides, guests must also order their meals through the Disney app. One of the most hyped attractions of Avengers Campus is Pym Test Kitchen, where food comes in all kinds of crazy shapes and sizes. The menu sold-out almost immediately, leaving us with only popcorn for lunch!
Disney parking doesn't open till 7:30AM, so don't arrive too early. Also, because of social distancing, there are no shuttles carrying guests from the lot to the parks. Everyone has to walk. We stayed in a hotel across the street and walked in from Harbor Blvd.
Because of social distancing, physical queues look much longer than they are. In our experience, the lines actually moved pretty quickly.
Finally, the parks are still not fully staffed, so some attractions, eateries, and shops remain closed. Make sure your favorite ride is actually open before schlepping all the way to Anaheim.
And, oh yeah. Don't forget to have a magical day!
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