Trip report: August 1 - 3

[Big Disney Fan]

I have been considering another DL trip for some time now to go with my father. Eventually, it came to pass, but also with my mom. My mom has trouble getting around without getting bothered by her feet. We came down from NoCal on July 31 and we spent the entire day coming down. I brought my personal laptop computer with me to watch movies on the way down. I watched "Who Framed Roger Rabbit", for one thing, as I was hoping to the Car Toon Spin within the 24 hours of arrival.

We eventually reached Anaheim around 9:00 PM. We stopped outside a hotel (but not ours) to watch the fireworks before we continued on to our actual hotel: Best Western Raffles Inn several blocks down from the resort. We got there and finally got settled into our room. Eventually, we went to bed and slept.

The next morning, we headed to Disneyland. We rode the tram up to the gate and went through the rigmarole of getting mom an electric cart for her to ride around in instead of her walking. Once inside the park, we headed up Main Street and we hurried over to the info board at the head of the street so we could see what attractions had short lines, with the intention of getting Fastpasses for Splash Mountain, but instead, the line, at that time, was only a mere five minutes. So we hurried over there, stopping by a bathroom on the way. However, that bit of time cost us, since by the time we actually got over to SM, the lines were up about five or ten minutes or so. So my father and I got Fastpasses after all. My mom neither could nor would ride Splash Mountain; she hates that drop. My mom spent more time shopping than riding and my father was walking around with her in the shops around Critter Country.

I was anxious to do an attraction, though, so I opted to give the Single Rider line a try, which is available in DL only for Splash Mountain (though I think that other rides sorely need it; it works wonders. I would use it a lot at DCA). So I got into the Single Rider line for Splash Mountain and did that. I sat near the back, where you don't get as wet as you would up near the front. After the ride, I got back to my parents who were still shopping in the Pooh store near the exit. At this time, I also got pictures of some of the characters (walk-around, that is), including both Brer Fox and Brer Bear (I got my picture with the former) and some of the Pooh characters. Around this time, the Fastpasses were available for our SM return window, so we did that. This time, however, we had the misfortune of sitting near the front. Needless to say, we were goners. I spent the entire day trying to dry off.

Then we continued back across the park, stopping by the Haunted Mansion as we did so (this was the first attraction my mom could do). She parked the cart by the entrance and then went inside to do the ride.

Then we all debated doing either the Tiki Room or getting lunch and we agreed to do lunch. We all went to the Rancho Del Zocalo, but since I don't particularly care for Mexican food, I got fish and chips at the Stage Door Cafe instead. After that, my parents headed back to the hotel room for rest and I followed them to the gate, but stayed back. I was anxious to get some rides under my belt in a short time. I'm at my best when I'm in the parks alone. Not only do I get to do the rides I want, but I can do it in a short time. I promised that we would meet again at 6:00 PM.

Anyway, I hung out on Main Street for just a few seconds and then hightailed it back to the info board to see about the wait times for Big Thunder. Amazingly, the line was only about ten minutes and the ride was fun, as always. Next, I quickly raced over to the nearby riverboat landing to do the Mark Twain riverboat. Once that was over, I decided that I had had my fill of attractions in Frontierland (not that I was not going to do them again); Big Thunder and Mark Twain are the only two worthwhile attractions in FRL to do, as far as I'm concerned.

Then, on my way to Toontown (where I would do the Roger Rabbit ride), I did some stuff in Fantasyland, including the Snow White and Pinocchio rides. From there, I raced over to Toontown and got a Fastpass for Roger Rabbit. As I was getting the FP, however, I noticed a FP lying on the machine from which I got the ticket. At first, I thought it was simply invalid, but no, not only did it have a time window on it, but it was an open one for right at that exact time! I quickly scooped it up and used it. The ride was fun as always. My main complaint with the ride's FP, though, is that it ignores the elaborate queue and simply goes straight to the ride itself, not that that was much of a bother with me.

After the ride, I hung around Toontown a bit longer to do the hands-on parts, such as the crates, the firework detonator and the post office, both the characters' mailboxes inside and the mailbox outside. While there, I got a picture of Goofy nearby. Back in Fantasyland, I did the teacups and the carrousel. Then I returned to Toontown for my other FP return on Roger Rabbit. And then I returned to Fantasyland one more time to brave the big long line for the Peter Pan ride, which was fun as always.

From there, I headed over to Tomorrowland and did Autopia, the Astro Orbiter and Buzz Lightyear all in order. By now, the meeting time of our meeting between me and my parents at 6:00 was getting close, so I hung out in the Main Street stores (and the cinema) while waiting for the return. As it got close to the deadline time, I raced back up to the center of the park where the Walt and Mickey statue is (this is our meeting place for anything). Eventually, I saw them return and we got back together.

I'll discuss more at a later time. Stay tuned.

[mousecrazy]

I am enjoying your report! Looking forward to more :)

[BCC]

About time we had a trip report here! Encore!!!

[Mighty Alweg]

Fantastic Trip Report! Thanks!

[emman]

I'm so Disneyland sick with this report, I want to go so badly...

[Big Disney Fan]

Here is the rest of the first day:

So around 6:00, my parents and I regrouped and we headed to Adventureland and got Fastpasses for Indy and then did Jungle Cruise. From there, we headed over to do Pirates and then, following some shopping in New Orleans Square, Big Thunder, using the exit paths to enter (you can use the exit paths to ride, if you use a wheelchair or electric cart). And then after that, we got dinner over at the Pinocchio restaurant nearby. I had a pizza while they all had two turkey sandwiches each that were so big that they thought of just getting one and splitting it between them.

About this time, however, mom's electric cart was breaking down, so we got another one. By now, the sky had darkened majorly; it was night, and it would be soon due for the fireworks. So my dad and I did the teacups. I tried to go especially fast, to get even with my father for making the cup go so very fast for my mom when they were dating way back when. Dad, of course, was very chicken about doing the cups and insisted that we do the carrousel instead. But by now, the carrousel had been roped off for the fireworks and we just did the cups instead.

Then we got a place along the road up to Small World, which, of course, was being remodeled during our time there, and we watched the fireworks show. Now, I've seen many fireworks shows during many of my Disney park excursions, but I'd say that RDCT really topped them all; it was beautiful. I don't believe I've ever really gotten choked up inside during a fireworks show before. Mom was in tears for the duration, as well. It was that superb.

After that, we hung out for a few minutes around the main thoroughfare between the Matterhorn and Tomorrowland. I pointed out the new Mark VII monorail, which was now making its way around the park (it was only doing so at night, apparently, since the lone Mark V monorail was the only one traveling by day). Then Dad and I went and did the Matterhorn.

From there, we headed over to Tomorrowland and boarded the Monorail (the Mark V one, which really disappointed me). We rode the Monorail to Downtown Disney, but never got off. We rode it then back to Disneyland and then hung out by the rising bandstand dealie over at the Tomorrowland Terrace, where we saw an Elvis impersonator performing a variety of rock songs by the King. My parents were enthralled, but after a few minutes, I was anxious to get going, so they sent me over to Space Mountain to see about how long the line was. Unfortunately, however, the line was closed off; the ride had broken down and there was no telling when it would open back up, so I went back and told them. After the show at the bandstand ended, we did a bit of shopping in Tomorrowland and then, we went back and did our Fastpasses for Indy. Only Dad and I did the ride, though; Mom held back.

After that, we met my mom at the Indy-themed store nearby and spent the rest of the time just looking around in the store as the park closed and we headed out of the park, stopping by the snack and candy spots on Main Street. We then got out of the park and headed back to the parking lot and went back to our hotel and after a while, we went to bed for the night.

And so concludes our first day at Disneyland. Next time, look for Day 2, when we go to DCA...

[Big Disney Fan]

The next morning, we got dressed and got breakfast at the nearby breakfast room at the hotel (consisting of little more than pastries, coffee, juice, fruit and a few hard-boiled eggs). We then headed back to the parking lot at DL. This time, we were going to go to the CA Adventure.

Once again, we took care of the formalities of the electric cart and all that and then, once inside the gates, went to get Fastpasses for Soarin', one of our favorite rides. From there, we headed toward Paradise Pier, stopping to watch a small band perform by Grizzly River Run, Jedediah Jones and the Miner 49ers. After that, we beelined to Paradise Pier, where we did CA Screamin', followed by the Maliboomer.

By this time, it was time for us to return to our FP window for Soarin'. So we went back and did that. It was fun as always. But my primary complaint with the ride is that it's too short; you'd think they'd've added more than that. Anywho, after the ride, we discussed food. We considered at first the ribs and chicken place, the Taste Pilots Grill, located just outside Soarin' and then headed across the park to that wharf-themed area for the sandwich place. I got roast beef with only the meat on it. I guess I should've gotten at least lettuce on it as well, in retrospect. We all had lunch leisurely.

After lunch, my parents headed back out the gates to rest once again, while once again, I held back. We would meet again at 6:00 in front of the giant sun thingy at the front. So anyway, I then headed straight to Grizzly River Run, with the intention of getting a Fastpass for that one... until I remembered that this ride had the Single Rider option, which worked out beautifully the day before on Splash Mountain. So after I stored all my stuff, including my cell phone that I promised my parents to keep on my person at all times and turned on (the only thing I did not put in the locker was my wallet, which had all of the more essential stuff in there), I did the ride via Single Rider, which once again was a beaut.

On the ride, my riding companions were a family that I learned was from Canada, because A) the kids had shirts on that said VANCOUVER on them, and B) out of curiosity, I queried them on if they were from Canada, which they said they were. The ride itself was fun as usual. I'm surprised I didn't get more soaked actually.

After the ride, I headed across the park to the Hollywood Pictures Backlot, where I planned to ride the Tower of Terror (I had heard from a passerby that the line was only about 15 minutes). Along the way, I got a picture with Goofy, who just happened to be in the Backlot area right on the way to the ride. However, by the time I got there, the line was 30 minutes or so, so I picked up a Fastpass for it. Then I hung out in the general area, mostly in the Animation building, where I looked in at the Sorcerer's Workshop, one of my favorite parts of the area.

Then as the time for my return to the Tower of Terror drew closer, I went and did the Monsters Inc. ride, which was pretty interesting. Then I did TOT. As I waited in the boiler room portion of the line, I tried to contemplate exactly when the incident occurred. It was claimed to be on Halloween, 1939. I figured that by that time, Europe would have been, for about two months by then, embroiled in the outbreak of war, on which Britain and France, of course, had declared on Nazi Germany when it invaded Poland. But that's another story.

After the Tower of Terror, I hightailed over to Muppet*Vision and did that one. It was pretty funny, even though it was a bit outdated. I then raced across the park back to Paradise Pier, where I braved the line to do the brand-new Toy Story Midway Mania. It was pretty cute, actually. Then I did both Mulholland Madness and Golden Zephyr. After that, I did the Single Rider line for a second trip on CA Screamin'. I got a frozen lemonade and then headed across the park to the main gate and waited at the front gate by the sun sculpture for the arrival time of my parents, for it was getting close to 6:00 by now.

Moments later, my parents returned. After doing a quick bit of shopping in the store nearby, my dad and I went and got Fastpasses for TOT again. Then we hung around the Animation building again, mostly in the store attached to it and then went to do Monsters again. Then we did our ride on TOT and again hung out in the shop attached to that ride. Then we hung out around the store by the Animation building again. By now, it would soon be time for the Electrical Parade to begin, but we still wanted to do Golden Dreams, whose attendance has pretty much fallen away to nothing. Well, along the way to the parade route, we stopped by the store by GRR and then headed the rest of the way to the back for the parade. Meanwhile, Dad and I went to watch Golden Dreams, which we would not be able to watch all the way through as the parade would cut into the show time. So after watching a bit of the show, we had to sneak out to catch the parade, which we did.

After a short while of waiting, the parade arrived and we saw it. It was fun as always. And then, as the park was closing, we hung back a bit to take a lot of pictures. We then left the park and Mom went to the trams and went back to the car parked there, while Dad and I went to the World of Disney store to see about getting my sister a specific shirt she wanted that they did not have. After leaving the ridiculously crowded store, we went to catch the tram back to our car, but it took forever to board. Not only was it crowded, but the amount of trams in motion were scant. Eventually, we did get back on a tram and got back into our car and went back to our hotel room, stopping for a pizza on the way back. We headed back to our room and after eating pizza and hanging out, we went to bed.

So ends my second day on our Disneyland Resort trip. What do you think so far?

[ozzsoad]

Great Report so far. Look forward to Day 3, I'm assuming you go back to Disneyland that day. :)

[mousecrazy]

I am enjoying the detail. Looking forward to Day 3!!!

[Big Disney Fan]

The next morning, we woke up one more time. As we headed back to the park, we stopped by a McDonald's for breakfast. Once back up to the gates via tram in the parking lot, we headed once again into Disneyland, taking care, as always, to get my mom set up with the electric cart. As we were taking care of that, I noticed Alice and the Mad Hatter carousing by the floral portrait of Mickey. They were doing a small show, with the DL band backing them up. I went to get a picture with them, regular ones, no less, but instead, I somehow ended up in the show. My mom got pictures of me trying to perform in the show, but I was a bit clumsy; it was a bit spur-of-the-moment, anyway.

Our first order of business was to go make reservations at Cafe Orleans for dinner that night (namely, around 7:50). Then we took our time going to our next spot, which was to do the Tiki Room, which we did. Then we got a batch of Dole Whips to have at the snack spot just at the entrance of the show. Then we all headed to Space Mountain and got Fastpasses for it. Actually, Dad and I only got FPs for them. Then we all went back to Frontierland and did the Mark Twain (in my case, it was my second time).

Then, as we waited for our Fastpass time at Space Mountain to draw closer, we hung around the Frontierland area store. We then hurried over to Space Mountain for our return time on it. Then, after spending some time in the Star Trader store nearby, we went over to the pizza place nearby and had lunch there. Then we went over to the Tomorrowland station of the Disneyland Railroad and rode that once all the way around the park. As the train went through Small World, I queried the conductor, who was conveniently standing on the platform on our car, on if it was true that Small World would feature Disney characters when it reopened this November. She replied that all she knew was that Stitch was going to be in there, but nothing much else was known at this time. That tweaked my interest yet again.

After that, as I followed my parents to the center of the park, we went our separate ways once again, promising to meet at 6:30 PM, soon before our reservations for dinner. My first order of business was to go around and tie up any loose ends (as it were) in Fantasyland. There, I did Mr. Toad's Wild Ride, Storybook Land and Alice In Wonderland, in that order. From there, I headed back to Tomorrowland to wrap up that land's attractions; all that was left to do there was Star Tours, which I did.

After that, following a little bit of decision-making on my part, I raced over to Frontierland and did Big Thunder a third time on my trip. Then I hightailed it over to New Orleans Square for another go-round on Pirates. Then I went down to the Opera House on Main Street to see the Disneyland 50th anniversary movie still playing starring Steve Martin and Donald Duck. I have no qualms about having this movie around for a long time, but they should at least remove all references to the 50th and thus make it less... what's the word? ...outdated.

By this time, it was time for me to go meet my parents at the center of the park once again. So, after a bit more hanging out in the stores on Main Street, I rushed to meet them. My dad and I then hurried over to Critter Country, where we got Fastpasses for another go-round on Splash Mountain. We then all went back to Fantasyland, where we did additional trips through the Snow White and Pinocchio rides.

After a bathroom break, we then headed back to Critter Country to do Splash Mountain with our Fastpasses. By the end of our ride, it was time for our long-awaited reservations at Café Orleans. My parents got a Monte Cristo, which they both split between them, and I had something I never had before: a seafood crepe.

After our dinner was ended, we went and did Pirates one last time, because I wanted to avoid Fantasmic; I didn't really care too much for that show. Then we headed to Critter Country to get some candies back there, and we were in a hurry, because we wanted to see the fireworks one last time. They were great, as usual. Then we decided to leave the park for good now. As we left, we stopped by the candy shop on Main Street and got some more snack items for when we got back to our room. I got an Oreo-covered pretzel. We then went back to the room at our hotel room. But first, I stopped by City Hall to ask about the changes to Small World, but they said they didn't know very much. I was disappointed, but I expected that kind of response; I took it in stride. So we went back to the parking lot, got into our car and left for our hotel. After eating the snacks we'd gotten at the park only moments ago, we all went to bed. And the next morning, we left for home.

And that was the end of our trip to Disneyland in 2008. I had had a wonderful time. Of course, I always have a wonderful time at Disneyland, hence, why I love to go there so much.

[islandchica]

Wow, Big Disney Fan, I commend you on having written such an in-depth report! (But I suppose it's not entirely hard to write about Disneyland, is it? Haha.) It sounds like you had a fantastic time; I'm jealous!

[Mighty Alweg]

Great detail, thanks for the report!!!

[Bernadette]

Wow, what a great report! Sounds like you had a fantastic time. I can't wait for my trip now. After reading this the next month is just going to drag.....

[DLrules]

That is an aweome trip report, it looks like you had a good time, it seems like the wait time for rides weren't to bad. Makes me excited for my trip!!

[Big Disney Fan]

Originally Posted by DLrules

That is an aweome trip report, it looks like you had a good time, it seems like the wait time for rides weren't to bad. Makes me excited for my trip!!

Actually, the crowds weren't too bad.