Forever Young: A Disneyland Trip 50 Years in the Making COMPLETED 1/16/16 About This Page:

[Cam22]

Originally Posted by lindawdw

So glad that you enjoyed your meal at Blue Bayou and that Fantasmic exceeded your expectations. How wonderful that you got to do HM three times on this trip. I really enjoyed seeing your pictures of HM and Fantasmic!!!

Blue Bayou and a Fantasmic were a wonderful finish to this day.

[Cam22]

Sunday, October 11 – I make a bad choice.

We had made a plan last night for our last park day because there were a few attractions we’d not done yet that we still wanted to do. The list included Peter Pan, Splash Mountain, and Grizzly River Run. In addition I had a few PhotoPass stops I wanted to make, and Luke had suggested we do some shopping for things we’d seen earlier in the trip, but not purchased yet. All of this meant visiting both parks for our final day. The plan was to start with Peter Pan before the standby line got crazy long, so we set the alarm so we’d be ready and to the park at opening. It helped that park opening for both Disneyland and California Adventure was 10:00 AM. There was a fundraising walk/run this morning called the CHOC Walk that pushed the openings back. We actually looked forward to sleeping in a bit later.

The first part of the plan, getting to the park by opening, went fairly smoothly. We set our alarms for 8:00 AM, and the extra sleep helped motivate us to get up and ready. By about 9:45 we were ready for our first park, which would be Disneyland. As we walked through Downtown Disney District, we quickly realized that the heat wasn’t taking a break as it was quite hot already at 10:00, the kind of heat that makes you wonder why you cleaned up since you’d be a sweaty mess in minutes. Another realization was that Sunday mornings are NOT slow times at DLR as the crowds were already growing. In spite of the heat and crowds, we made our way easily enough through bag check and then the ticket stiles. Remember that our plan was to ride Peter Pan without delays. BUT, PhotoPass Photographer at the cool Mickey head pumpkin finally had a short line. This spot had been swamped the entire evening of our Mickey’s Halloween Party night. We impulsively jumped in line, and before long we were smiling for the camera.





You’ll notice in the photos that Luke has on his Dole Whip t-shirt that we purchased at the Poly in WDW back in May. He had a goal today of having a Dole Whip for lunch.

Our photo shoot didn’t cost us too much time, so we began our trek down Main Street, with our compasses set for Peter Pan. And then right as we reached the castle, I spied another PhotoPass photographer who was taking quick photos of folks in front of the castle. Yes, we had done this spot on day one, but this was the end of the trip, and I need more. She was being quick so we felt it wouldn’t waste time. Just before the family in front of us, she left and a young man took over. He was not so speedy. He wasn’t wasting time, but he was doing a lot of different poses. When it was our turn, he gave us the same attention, creating a lot of poses especially for us.


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I’m not sure what our motivation was in the last pose, but I think it might be that he asked us to react to the scorching heat.

Now if I’d been a wiser woman, I would have abandoned our plans for Peter Pan. But the Standby sign at the start of the improvised queue said only 45 minutes. I looked to Luke for direction, and his response was whatever I wanted. An hour and a half later upon exiting the ride, I came to the conclusion that waiting 88 minutes in line for a two minute ride was NOT what I had wanted to do. I had made a mistake. The queue once again was outside and wound its way in and out of the sun. I don’t know how many times I thought of giving up when we were standing in the burn of the sun. But some stubborn, bull headed (or as Stefanie called it “foolheaded”) part of me was bound and determined to stick it out. I don’t know, maybe I saw it as some test of endurance. Or maybe I was brain fried and now . Luke never complains, and as he said when I apologized for the boring wait at the end of the ride, we didn’t have much else we planned to do anyway. The whole ordeal has left a negative blot on my feelings for this particular attraction. At this point, I still strongly believe it wasn’t worth it at all, and when we return, I’m only riding if the line is 10 minutes or less. Of course, since we were in line forever and a day, I did take photos, though photo worthy objects were quite limited.














I also inadvertently hurt the feelings of the young female cast member who manned the controls that would send us into Neverland. As we were waiting to begin our flight, she answered the phone, but in the middle of her conversation, she just dropped the phone which crashed to the floor. I said, “Oops!” and then giggled a little. She thanked me for making fun of her. I really didn’t feel that was what I was doing, and was so shocked by her response that I failed to apologize. Okay that is another blot on this ride. (By the way, I’ve only ridden in the past several visits to WDW if we had a FP+ for it. It is classic, and it is cute. I just find it too short to merit a long wait wherever it is.) But how could I visit the original park without riding it. I had gotten a photo of the CM when we finally reached the last turn in the very small indoor portion of the queue without knowing that in moments I’d unmake her day.


By the time we left London and Neverland, we were both parched from the heat. So our next stop was Village Haus just across the way for some carbonated beverages, a large Coke for Luke and a large Coke Zero for me. Cost = $7.17 after a .74 DVC discount. We didn’t purchase lunch as remember Luke was having a Dole Whip for lunch. I’m not sure why I didn’t pick anything up here though. Quite possibly the heat had dampened my appetite.



We momentarily wandered the park as we quenched our thirst. Luke eventually asked if there was anything else I wanted to do. That’s when I remembered that I wanted PhotoPass photos at the Haunted Mansion backdrop. The times we’d been over to this part of the park the line for photos had been crazy long. So while sipping on our drinks we made our way to New Orleans Square and over to the exit of Haunted Mansion where the backdrop was set up. Get ready as some of these photos are comical. The noise level in this area of the park was high, and I’m pretty sure I missed every one of the photographer’s cues for how we were to pose. Luke understood a little better than me and cooperate with a few of the poses. I, on the other hand, was just smiling away.






Finally, I understood a cue.





With another goal accomplished, Luke was finally ready for his Dole Whip. We made our way back to Adventureland where he got into the queue marked off with tape on the ground so he could get his cold treat. Cost = $4.53 and he again forgot the DVC discount. Evidently, that was my job. I’d left him in search of something a little more substantial than a Dole Whip, though later in the evening Heather would tell me my choice was only a wee snack. I strode deeper into Adventureland, noticing Bengal Barbeque. I was in need of a second drink already, and thankfully, I purchased a large Coke because Luke didn’t pick one of those up either. I also ordered a Chieftain Chicken Skewer that at a cost of $4.19 was quite small. In total the drink and skewer cost $7.66 after a .79 DVC discount.






I had sent Luke a text letting him know where I was and that I’d commandeered a small table with an umbrella for a bit of shade. When he arrived, I had to get a photo of him in his Dole Whip t-shirt and with his Dole Whip in hand. A friend of his (former co-worker) has the same t-shirt and on his last trip to WDW, he sent Luke a photo of himself in exactly the same way. So we reciprocated by sending him Luke’s photo. I believe Luke also posted it on Facebook.


NEXT: A Little Shopping, Great Moments with Mr. Lincoln, and Photos with a Favorite

[Cam22]

By the way, the photo that seems to just be a link is the first castle photo and it is there, but it didn't show up the first time. I reentered it into my post, but wasn't sure what to delete and editing a post right now when pictures are involved is quite complex. So you all aren't missing anything as all my photos are showing up.

[SuperDave]

I couldn't believe the crowds for Haunted Mansion! It's amazing how good it looks all decked out for Halloween. Glad you enjoyed your meal at Blue Bayou and a great time at Fantasmic! Too bad you waited so long for Peter Pan and as you said probably not a wise choice. Live and learn, I guess!

[cubfancolleen]

Sorry about the long wait for Peter Pan. That is one of my favorite rides, but I agree, not long enough to warrant a longer wait.
That's a small lunch - but maybe with the heat it was enough?

[DMA]

I don't know how you managed an hour and a half wait for Peter Pan in that heat!

I think that CM was being a bit too sensitive! It's not as though you were laughing AT her. Maybe she was just having a bad day.

Very cute photos at the HM PP stop! You really did get quite a few PP opportunities.

[KMB733]

I'm always amazed at the wait time for Peter Pan! It sounds like that CM was having a bad day, hopefully on any other day she would have laughed with you.

[Cam22]

Originally Posted by cubfancolleen

Sorry about the long wait for Peter Pan. That is one of my favorite rides, but I agree, not long enough to warrant a longer wait.
That's a small lunch - but maybe with the heat it was enough?

I do think the heat was having an impact on my eating, though it did keep me drinking and drinking.

Originally Posted by DMA

I don't know how you managed an hour and a half wait for Peter Pan in that heat!

I think that CM was being a bit too sensitive! It's not as though you were laughing AT her. Maybe she was just having a bad day.

Very cute photos at the HM PP stop! You really did get quite a few PP opportunities.

I'm not sure now how we did it either. I thought she was a bit sensitive, but I really don't like to offend anyone.

Originally Posted by SuperDave

I couldn't believe the crowds for Haunted Mansion! It's amazing how good it looks all decked out for Halloween. Glad you enjoyed your meal at Blue Bayou and a great time at Fantasmic! Too bad you waited so long for Peter Pan and as you said probably not a wise choice. Live and learn, I guess!

Definitely, learned a lesson here.

[Cam22]

Originally Posted by KMB733

I'm always amazed at the wait time for Peter Pan! It sounds like that CM was having a bad day, hopefully on any other day she would have laughed with you.

We had heard from several folks who'd been to DLR before that the CMs were not anywhere as friendly and magical as those at WDW. We also heard some horror stories about them. In our experience though the CMs were very much like the ones at WDW, and this young lady was probably just having a bad moment.

[pamcarey]

What a crazy line for Peter Pan! I can understand you wanting to ride the original, though.

[Cam22]

Originally Posted by pamcarey

What a crazy line for Peter Pan! I can understand you wanting to ride the original, though.

I've definitely learned a lesson for our next trip to DLR -- make Peter Pan a first priority and stick to it.

[chezp]

Oh wow, I cannot believe how long you waited for Peter Pan! I take it the ride must've gone down to be that far out from how long it said the wait was when you joined the line?

Now I've seen your Haunted Mansion photos, I don't feel so bad about missing that photo spot, as I think that's probably my least favourite out of all of them.

[Cam22]

Originally Posted by chezp

Oh wow, I cannot believe how long you waited for Peter Pan! I take it the ride must've gone down to be that far out from how long it said the wait was when you joined the line?

Now I've seen your Haunted Mansion photos, I don't feel so bad about missing that photo spot, as I think that's probably my least favourite out of all of them.

We never sensed that it was down, but the crowds on Sunday were huge. In fact Luke says we'll do whatever we have to to only be in the parks on weekdays.

The Haunted Mansion backdrop wasn't as cool as some of the others, and I was having to stand tip toe to get my head anywhere close to where it was supposed to be. The time of day we chose was also not so good as the sun was right in our eyes the whole time.

[Colexis Mom]

Great pictures from your morning at DL! Sorry it was so hot and the wait for PP was so long!

[Cam22]

Originally Posted by Colexis Mom

Great pictures from your morning at DL! Sorry it was so hot and the wait for PP was so long!

I could have made a better choice by not waiting in the heat, but then I also might have regretting not seeing the original Peter Pan.