My short return to Disneyland
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Donald_Quackers · 08-16-2009, 01:18 AM

Cast:

Me - Frank 36 (was 35 when I went) Hadn't been to Disneyland since I was 2 years old, so I don't remember anything myself, just through pictures my parents took.

July 21, 2009

Well, the day has arrived. I’m in San Diego, it’s 5am, and time to get ready to drive up to Anaheim to spend the night in the Disneyland hotel. I get the essentials together, pile into the car with my GPS and off I go.

Surprisingly, traffic is good, with just one or two slow spots, but nothing nightmarish. I check in around 7:30am and go to my room (I’m always surprised by the fact my room was ready, but shouldn’t have been unexpected, I guess). After getting everything settled and my backpack straightened, I head out to Disneyland. I walk through Downtown Disney, went through bag check (which was quick), and then headed to the center of the plaza to take a picture of DL and DCA before heading in.

I was amazed at what I immediately noticed what was different, but then what was the same. After going through Main Street, I head up through the castle and then went to the Sleeping Beauty castle walkthrough. That was cool. After getting out, I wind my way along the trail to Frontierland and rode BTMRR. I was part expecting this to be the same or very similar, and while some parts are, most isn’t, at least to me. What a wild ride! I grab a FP after I get off and continue walking toward New Orleans, just taking in the sights. I ride POTC, which was excellent! I liked how long it was.

After getting off, I head back to BTMRR, only to find it down, but my FP is good for the rest of the day. Then, I hop on the railroad to ToonTown and get a ride on the Matterhorn, after which I go to ToonTown and look for Donald. Saw Pluto, Minnie, and Goofy, but no Donald. Slightly disappointed, but undaunted, I head to Tomorrowland (walking this time) and get a ride on Space Mountain. I didn’t expect it to be as intense as it was, and it was great! (Although someone else on the ride didn’t apparently feel the same way – at least his stomach didn’t!)

Back to Main Street to get my ticket to the Fantasmic Dessert party and picked up the Fantasmic soundtrack and a cd with the Magic Kingdom Event Party Music (and that is the title of the CD), along with a Haunted Mansion Mickey for my nephew. I then headed back to the hotel to unload and rest before my next adventure (not the least to take a shower – Anaheim was HOT), so I took the monorail back. Those Mark VII monorails look great, but I wish they had AC like WDW’s.

After cleaning up, I head to DCA through GCH, and, after a technical delay, rode California Screamin’. Very cool launch – I’m sure it would’ve been even better if the lagoon was full of water.

After that, I headed down Paradise Pier, the wait for Toy Story Midway Mania wasn’t too long (under 40 minutes!), so I hopped on and got about 137,000 points (though I think it was screwed up or something). I walk the rest of the way around Paradise Pier, soaking in the atmosphere and getting a mickey bar to snack on (yum as always!). When I was done, I check out the Hollywood Pictures backlot, and saw Muppets 3d and Monsters, Inc. I thought Monsters was well done and had some neat effects (not the least of which was air conditioning! LOL). I get my picture taken by a photopass cm in front of the Golden Gate for good measure.

It was time to go to DL and check in for the Fantasmic Dessert package, as it was almost 8. While heading into DL, the band was coming out to play in front of the train station, so I got the last video I could on the tape I had in my camcorder. After checking in and getting my seat (I had a FANTASTIC seat, I linked my pics below), I had time to run over and use my BTMRR fastpass. I head back to the Fantasmic seating area and get shown to my seat. Unlimited pop and some good snacks in a tray! The lemon tart was really good, and some of the other cookies, cakes, chocolate items were also very good. I felt I got my money’s worth.

Unfortunately, during Fantasmic, Flotsam and Jetsam didn’t come out for the Ursula scene. I did know about the dragon not being ready, so I wasn’t expecting it. Otherwise, I loved the show, and stayed around to watch ‘Magical’. I was able to see Tink and Dumbo flying by the castle fortunately. Great fireworks, but I still love Illuminations at Epcot the best.

I then head back around the back of the castle through Fantasyland to grab a couple of nighttime pics of It’s a Small World and Mr. Toad’s Wild Ride before calling it a night at about 11pm. Back to the king bed that was calling me from the hotel.

Donald_Quackers · 08-16-2009, 01:18 AM

July 22, 2009

I get up, sad that I only had two days to check this place out, as I wish I had time to stay to see the electrical parade tonight. Enough about that, I pack, get my check out documents from the vestibule outside my door, then take my bags to the car before I go to enjoy my Goofy’s Kitchen reservation at 8am.

After checking in at the desk, I had my picture taken with Pluto before getting shown my seat. The food was excellent, and also got pics with Goofy and Dale. One of the CMs there was kind enough to get me information on when Donald would be appearing in DL later so I could get my picture. After waddling out, I head to the Monorail station to go to Disneyland, because I wanted to ride Finding Nemo Submarine’s. There seems to be a lack of shade in the queue lines here in DL (at least that is what it seems to me). After the ride, which was a little cramped for me, but still an ok attraction, I then go on Mr. Toad’s Wild Ride and Haunted Mansion (it was a cool feeling going down the lift in the stretching room). Then, back to Toontown and a ride on Roger Rabbit’s Cartoon Spin.

I then proceeded to do a little more shopping for my nieces and nephew, as well as my sister (I swear I could go broke with all the great Jim Shore merchandise there!), and then to get my picture with Donald and my special Donald hat! I saw this hat on someone during my cruise last year, so I had to get one on ebay.

After that, it was time to start heading back to San Diego for the rest of my stay in California. I really enjoyed myself and all the CM’s there were fantastic. I would love to come back for a longer stay so I could enjoy more of the parks and of California in general. I’d love to hit up Legoland, Six Flags, and any other worthy sites.

Here's a link to the photos I shot. Hopefully next time I can stay longer.

**chezp** · 08-16-2009, 03:09 AM

Thanks for sharing your trip with us.

**DyanKJ130** · 08-21-2009, 02:17 PM

Sounds and looks like you had a great time!

for sharing your experience with us!

**HeatherD** · 08-31-2009, 10:54 AM

Thanks for sharing your trip!

Nicole626Stitch · 09-05-2009, 03:29 AM

Glad you had a blast! Thanks for sharing! I'm glad you got to see the Duck, he is also my fave!!

And I have to agree with you, DL can be a little hot!!! We always joke it is at least 10 degrees hotter once you are inside the parks! LOL
Thanks again for sharing and come back and visit soon! Especially since DCA is getting a makeover!

Donald_Quackers · 09-06-2009, 12:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nicole626Stitch

Glad you had a blast! Thanks for sharing! I'm glad you got to see the Duck, he is also my fave!!

And I have to agree with you, DL can be a little hot!!! We always joke it is at least 10 degrees hotter once you are inside the parks! LOL
Thanks again for sharing and come back and visit soon! Especially since DCA is getting a makeover!

Absolutely! That World of Color looks very fun!