Finding Walt: a DL TR: Update 2/23/12 - Page 22 - PassPorter - A Community of Walt Disney World, Disneyland, Disney Cruise Line, and General Travel Forums
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We headed over to the far side of DCA and hit the Monster's Inc dark ride, of which I neglected to take any pictures because I was trying to take in all the things that don't exist at WDW. I
After we finished the ride everyone was hungry--so Karen led us out of the parks into the Grand Californian to have lunch. Zack had a pizza, Karen had the kid's grilled cheese and I had a cheese burger. I'd be back to Roaring Waters a couple of more times during my stay. --Including breakfast the next day!
Up Next; Dinner at Steakhouse 55!
You're making me homesick. I love Monsters, inc. It was such a surprise! And the GC is a fabulous place to sneak off for lunch - we did it often whether we were staying there or not!
Trader Sam's is really fun (but busy) -- I hope you'll have a chance to go back and have a drink there some day. Tortilla Jo's was our unexpected delight on our last trip -- glad you got to watch some football there and get some good munchies.
I'm surprised and sad about the issues with your steak at Steakhouse 55. It is my favorite restaurant at DLR (I like it better than Napa Rose, even). I'm glad they eventually got your food right, but I agree it seems like a manager should have come over and addressed the situation with you.
Love Trader Sam's - especially good for evening cocktails with Hawaiian music (and dancers one night we were there). As for Steakhouse 55, while they usually know how to prepare a good steak, it isn't at the same level as Napa Rose. Sorry you had a problem with your steak. But now I'm craving one - lol!
This made me laugh because that's the exact word that always comes to mind for me too -- "squatty"!
You all must remember that back in 1955 Walt didn't have enough money to purchase much land, in fact he had to borrow a lot of it from then ABC. Which he paid back in less than 10 years. Also if it had not been for 'trial by fire' in developing Disneyland, there would be no WDW. LOL
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You all must remember that back in 1955 Walt didn't have enough money to purchase much land, in fact he had to borrow a lot of it from then ABC. Which he paid back in less than 10 years. Also if it had not been for 'trial by fire' in developing Disneyland, there would be no WDW. LOL
I know and I Disneyland! It's just that the castle is probably the most jarring difference between the 2 parks!
My one and only visit to DL was before Toontown opened (Yikes, can it be almost 20 years??) so I'm really looking forward to roaming around here.
Holy cow - I'm feeling old now! I remember so clearly when it opened in '93 - my San Jose co-worker was a HUGE Disney fan and he was bubbling over with so much "insider" information - he invited me to go to Disneyland at the TT opening, but I ended up marrying another co-worker.
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Toontown is wonderful in Disneyland - and it's the same in Tokyo Disney. Much better than they did in WDW in my humble opinion.
I agree--I'm glad they decided to do something else with the area at WDW
Quote:
Originally Posted by cubfancolleen
Completely agree! We were at DL for opening day of Toontown and just love it there. Couldn't believe how different that area was at WDW.
Looks like you're having a great day, Heather!
It was completely different! It was a pretty great morning!
Quote:
Originally Posted by disneydreamer33
What great pics you got of Toontown. I haven't seen it since 98. It looks fun.
I'm not sure if it's changed since '98--It was my first visit
Quote:
Originally Posted by disney_duke
Love Toontown!! It's truly a dedicated "land."
So different from what WDW had!
Quote:
Originally Posted by lauriep
My one and only visit to DL was before Toontown opened (Yikes, can it be almost 20 years??) so I'm really looking forward to roaming around here.
I'm so glad you are going to get to see it Laurie!
Quote:
Originally Posted by mcneal
OK, what about the Christmas tree?!?! I do not recognize it (of course most of the time I barely recognize my face in the mirror!).
It looks like the Christmas tree from Toontown in WDW!
Quote:
Originally Posted by KMB733
I completely agree too!
Looks like you had a fun time in ToonTown!
The whole area is just so well done! So many little details!
Quote:
Originally Posted by Colexis Mom
Great pictures from Toontown!
Thanks!
Quote:
Originally Posted by mpwife153
Is it bad I wanna go to DL just to see Toontown & do the Roger Rabbit ride?? I wish he was still at WDW.
Nope that's just fine!
Quote:
Originally Posted by shnewell
Great photos from Toontown! We didn't spend much time exploring there on our last trip, so I'll have to oput that on my to do list.
Absolutely! Make sure you take the time to play with all of the little details!
Quote:
Originally Posted by pamcarey
DL's Toon Town looks amazing! And wow... I couldn't believe how many characters you saw at breakfast!
Pretty amazing character line up huh!
Quote:
Originally Posted by DrDolphin
Looks like a fun, character packed morning!!
It was fun!
Quote:
Originally Posted by PrincessSharon
Goofy's Kitchen is a hodgepodge of characters, too. I think it's fun - who needs a theme? And yeah, DL Toontown is so much better. I wasn't really sorry to see the mini version at WDW go.
Me neither!
Quote:
Originally Posted by OhToodles!
What an awesome breakfast, even if the characters were random.
And I can't wait to go to DL some day!
I hope you can plan a trip!
Quote:
Originally Posted by Two4Disney
Totally agree - ToonTown rocks at Disneyland!
Yup!
Quote:
Originally Posted by Two4Disney
That is sad! My mother went there frequently with her family when she was a kid and then she took us when we were kids! So many memories there!
I wish someone would do something about the Carousel!
Quote:
Originally Posted by Two4Disney
lol! That's what we thought when we moved back west from living in FL - we had so gotten used to the tall Cinderella Castle - I'm not sure we ever got used to that "squatty" castle again.
Disneyland also feels crowded quickly because the lands are so narrow compared to the MK at WDW.
(Just catching up with your report so my comments may be a bit late.... )
Agreed about the narrow walkways!
Quote:
Originally Posted by w-steele
You all must remember that back in 1955 Walt didn't have enough money to purchase much land, in fact he had to borrow a lot of it from then ABC. Which he paid back in less than 10 years. Also if it had not been for 'trial by fire' in developing Disneyland, there would be no WDW. LOL
Very true!
Quote:
Originally Posted by Two4Disney
It IS incredible! And I didn't realize there was a Christmas version!
World of Color had a Christmas beginning with Prep and Landing! It was cute!
First off, my apologies everyone for being a little behind on this report, but I've had a few other things on my plate--like rolling out my new PassPorter Dinning Out Disney Blog, work and spending some time with a new PassPorter friend who was in town. On top of everything else my allergies are out of control because of the weird weather we're having here. Usually I get a break in the winter time, but the weather has been so warm here that my fall allergies have decided to roll right into my springtime ones! I'll try and get back with the program so I can finish before leaving for WDW just 30 days from today!
I walked everyone to the front of Disneyland and they headed out. I was right there so I decided that it would be a good time to visit Great Moments with Mr. Lincoln. The area leading into the theatre is like a mini version of One Man's Dream. Right at the entrance I encountered this:
This is the bench from Griffith Park that Walt used to sit on while his daughter's rode the Carousel.
And then I teared up again because Disneyland has one of the horses from the Carousel, but they've completely restored it to what it looked like after the 1932 restoration. This is what those sad ponies who have no tails and no paint COULD look like:
The room you enter is filled with a ton of other Disneyana, but I didn't spend too much time looking around because the show was about to start.
I really enjoyed Great Moments with Mr Lincoln. It kind of reminds me of a cross between The Hall of Presidents and The American Adventure. I'm a history nerd through and through and the period before the Civil War was my concentration in college. I find everything relating to that era interesting.
I decided to tour Main Street a little bit before our Decorations tour.. The decorations are pretty impressive!
At WDW you'd be able to see the Castle rising above the decorations--not so much at DL!
The Firehouse
The enclosed car on the DL railroad is unusual to see!
Oh, boy, seeing the restored carousel pony is so poignant. I hope someone steps up to take on the project before it all crumbles away. Love the details in the firehouse and the shot of the closed car.
for your allergies! We're having a warm winter here also, although I think that's about to change.
Hope you had fun with Tracy!
That is so sad, seeing the restored carousel horse, compared to what you'd seen a few days earlier.
I do love the Mr. Lincoln show at DL - although I'd kind of forgotten about it until you mentioned it.
Sorry to hear about the allergies. Winter doesn't seem to have much of a bite anyplace this year.
You know, in all my trips to Disneyland, I've never made it to Great Moments with Mr. Lincoln - I know! I really must try harder on our next visit, whenever that is...
You all must remember that back in 1955 Walt didn't have enough money to purchase much land, in fact he had to borrow a lot of it from then ABC. Which he paid back in less than 10 years. Also if it had not been for 'trial by fire' in developing Disneyland, there would be no WDW. LOL
I know - I was there - gasp! It was hard to call my beloved Sleeping Beauty castle "squatty" but it is what it is - especially after living in Florida for a few years - I got so used to the majestic Cinderella castle. Oh well, I'll always love my Disneyland, squatty or not.
And then I teared up again because Disneyland has one of the horses from the Carousel, but they've completely restored it to what it looked like after the 1932 restoration. This is what those sad ponies who have no tails and no paint COULD look like:
I really enjoyed Great Moments with Mr Lincoln. It kind of reminds me of a cross between The Hall of Presidents and The American Adventure. I'm a history nerd through and through and the period before the Civil War was my concentration in college. I find everything relating to that era interesting.
Wonderful pics! So glad you posted the restored Carousel pic. And I, too, love history, especially American history and Great Moments with Mr. Lincoln is one of my favorites. Was so thrilled the first time I went to WDW and got to see more presidents like that - woo hoo!
PS - So funny the first time my family went to see Mr. Lincoln - everybody was saying, "Is it real?" "I think it IS real." lol!
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I love Monsters, inc. It was such a surprise! And the GC is a fabulous place to sneak off for lunch - we did it often whether we were staying there or not!
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Disneyland! It's just that the castle is probably the most jarring difference between the 2 parks!
I bet the Christmas version is even more spectacular than the one we saw in August.
Liz 
PassPorter Guide Author
I really must try harder on our next visit, whenever that is...
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