Day 4: Ohhh, Ahhh, Shiny!
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Tink and co. · 09-29-2005, 04:51 PM

More please! It's getting me excited for our next trip!

Diz · 10-10-2005, 05:18 PM

DAY 1: PART 3

We headed back to the GCH after having a few great hours in DL. We were excited! This was going to be a good week!

At the GCH, we were given what we booked - City View. We were on the 5th floor, room 5105. Talk about a close room to the elevator! We were just down the hall around the corner. Not a long walk at all! We didn’t know what to expect. We hadn’t looked online at any pics of the rooms - we wanted to be surprised. We opened the door and thought - same set up as Yacht Club. It was a nice size room - and finely decorated. The redwood tree furniture was gorgeous! We immediately found some hidden mickeys and then it was time to see the view. We opened the curtains and we had a nice view of - drum roll please - the parking lot. LOL! It was a really nice view though! The palm trees were as tall - a lot taller than the 5th floor and they were everywhere! It really was a nice view. When making the reservation, I had debated the CA view, but it was double the price of the city view - and decided we would need the extra dollars for souvenirs. I’m not disappointed in that decision at all.

Well everyone began to get ready. I noticed there was a flashing red light on our phone. With just checking in, I figured it would be an old message for the former guests. But nope! The cm said, “Mrs. Haggerty we have a surprise for you at guest services”. Hmmm...surprise?! DH and DS#2 were ready so they offered to go and see what it was.

When they returned they had two envelopes - one marked Mr.& Mrs. Haggerty and the other Mrs. Haggerty. The first would be for our anniversary on the 13th and the other for my birthday on the 14th. DH wanted to open them, but we decided to hold on to them for the proper days.

Everyone was finally ready and off we went! Back to DL for our first-night’s surprise! Because I thought we’d be too tired to tour the park, I decided to get the Fantasmic Dessert Buffett for our first night. I wanted to start our trip off with a bang. We reached DL gates within minutes. It was just about time for the evening parade so everyone decided to check out Main Street some more. Mom, however, had to pick up the Fantasmic tickets. This is one of those bad times - that will turn out good in the end.

The tickets must be picked up at DL Guest Services - by the person who made the reservation - and with the exact credit card you used to purchase the tickets over the phone. I think this is a little extreme and should be changed!

Now are you ready for an adventure? Just how many ticket booths are there at DL???

I start heading towards the gates to go to Guest Services which is outside the park. I stopped in City Hall for some information and in general conversation I was telling the cm where I was heading next. He told me Guest Services closed early today so I would have to go to ticket booth #5. I looked at him like, “you’ve got to be kidding?” He saw the look and said, I’m serious. Ticket booth #5 is outside the park gates. I head outside the gates. Look around and see several ticket booths open. I ask a cm standing by where ticket booth #5 was - that I had to pick up Fantasmic tickets. She said you don’t go to ticket booth #5 - you have to go to Guest Relations. I said Guest Services was closed. She said yes it is, but Guest Relations over there (she points across the way towards CA) is open.

Now I am new to DL and try to tell myself - if you’ve done more homework you would have picked up the tickets earlier in the day so this is my own fault. I hear an announcement for the parade. I really wanted to see it, but nope - need those tickets so off to search for Guest Relations. Guess what. It’s closed. Back to find ticket booth #5. Another cm points me in the direction and there is a line longer than I care to see. I get in line. 30 minutes later the cm in the booth told me that yes if Guest Services was closed I could pick up the tickets there - but Guests Services is now open! I look at her with daggers in my eyes, at least I felt like I did. I couldn’t believe it. 30 minutes for nothing. But wait she says, I see you have a Dvisa card and I have a coupon book for you. At this point I say to myself - well, so what! See how disorganization can ruin your mood! I leave with my little coupon book in hand - head over to Guest Services and guess what - another line! I’m ready to scream now. I would definitely miss the parade.

I wait another 15 minutes. This time it wasn’t only the number of people in line, it was the problem with the Fantasmic Dessert Buffet rules: 1.. The person making the Fantasmic reservation had to be present and 2. You had to have the exact credit card. There were two groups who did not follow the rules. One was very loud and very nasty to the cm and was holding things up big time. It was the husband - his wife made the reservations. The cm asked him, can’t you get your wife and bring her here - he says no she’s in France. He said it so convincingly that everyone in line and the cm believed him. He pulled out the same credit card (exact number) but with his name on it. The cm tried to explain rule #1 and rule #2 again and said there was nothing he could do. Just then miraculously, his wife jetted in from France. She walks up behind and asks, honey is there a problem. If mobs ruled - the entire family would be banned from Disney forever. He explains the problem, she pulls out id, credit card and gives the cm more attitude. While her back is turned to her 4 or 5 year old in the stroller, the boy looks up at his mom, sees a pony tail and begins to pull so hard that she is physically pulled backwards, onto the stroller and then the stroller, the mom and the boy to the ground. Unbelievable! I guess you could say we at least had a show while we waited!

Well finally the only two windows that were opened - that each had guests that weren’t following the rules - were finally empty and ready for the next person in line - me and the family behind me. Yay! I go up to the window - smile, ask how they are, give them my id, my credit card and answer all the questions quickly and succinctly. I had a parade to get to! Within a couple of minutes, everything is signed and the cm hands me the tickets. This is when I say, I’m glad to have these in my hands. I have been all over creation trying to get them this evening. She looks puzzled and says - what do you mean? I tell her about my little adventure. She leans over and whispers to me - well to make your night better I’ll let you in on a little secret. They seat you by the order you check in so be sure to be at the podium as early as you can - you’ll get to pick your viewing spot. I thank her and off I go - happy to have the tickets and happy because the parade hasn’t begun yet.

And then I look up at the entrance gates to DL - the lines are all the way back to CA!!!

I’m not joking! Not one of them is short! I lower my head in unbelief - tell myself the parade will be there the rest of the week - and I get in what looks like the fastest moving line. Halfway to the gate, I look over and see DH walking towards me. I say - what are you doing out here? He said I came to help. I thought I’d wait in line for the tickets and let you see the parade. I say to him, you don’t know rule #1 and rule #2 do you? He looks at me like I’m crazy. I say never mind. He asks what took me so long anyways. I give him one of those wifely looks - and he draws back in fear. No really I tell him - later. We finally get back into the park and head to Main Street where my Dkids are watching the parade. They had a spot for us, but it was long gone. We found some stairs sitting back from the sidewalk next to one of the shops. No one was there - so we went in. I stood on the top stair which gave me a little height over the sidewalk crowd in front. It wasn’t a bad place to watch 2 minutes of the parade. Yup, it was done within two minutes of our arrival. Oh well - another time - but I can honestly say I saw part of the parade the first night!

Our Dkids saw where we were standing so right at the end they high-tailed it over to us because not only was it a nice place to watch the parade, it was a great haven from the crowds! We waited for it to die down and then we headed off for New Orleans Square.

This is our first adventure to the left side of DL. We didn’t know what to expect. We entered through Frontierland because I recalled reading somewhere that it was a larger walkway then through Adventureland. We saw the shooting gallery and the Golden Horseshoe. We wondered if they still served food with a cowboy show. We saw the river boat and a quick service place or two. We walked by Pirates and saw the Fantasmic stage. Part of Tom Sawyer’s Island. Interesting. We found the podium and checked in . We were number 4. Not bad - a family of 2 and 2 families of 3 were in front of us. The cm took our name - checked our tickets and told us to return in a half an hour.

We hadn’t had dinner yet so I offered for my Dteens to get something to eat. But they were too excited. They didn’t want to leave the spot!

I couldn’t blame them, because I was too! So we stood watching the crowds, talking and listening as more and more came to check in at the podium. We found out that the Balcony viewing area was closed to the public that evening - that’s why we couldn’t get the balcony, but were able to get by the water. We tried to see what VIP had the balcony, but they had a sweatshirt hoodie on so it was impossible to see them.

There was a huge group that checked in as #5. They were obnoxious. They were standing around the podium, hiding it from view. Other guests would come with tickets in hand, look around and go to leave because they couldn’t see the podium. We stopped them and told them to cut through the crowd. The group never got the idea to step away. They just stood there, talking to the cm, saying to each other - if we are friendly, she’ll let us in first. The rest of us roll our eyes.

While waiting, we were discussing that the HM was to be closed for Halloween decorating. DS#1 wanders over to take a peek and returns with the greatest news - it was open! We found out that it was open tonight and tomorrow only! Then it would be closed the remainder of our trip.

That was it. Any problems that had happened within the last 2 hours was washed away with excitement. I

the HM and was disappointed when a cm told us it would be closed. Can anyone guess where we went after Fantasmic??? I know, you don’t have a clue, right?!

Well, back to business. It was time to go in for our dessert buffet. My Dteens teased me - but we can’t have dessert before dinner, mom! The cm called #1, #2, #3 and then went to call #5.

What?! I go right up before the large group gets a chance to go in - and I say, what about #4. She looked at me and said - sorry, I thought I called it. She had it marked off, but I had my ticket where she had circled 4 and she had our name by her #4. Problem solved. We were escorted in, showed the dessert table and asked where we wanted to sit. There were 5 of us. We could have sat in the middle rows, but, I saw a pole in the way. I didn’t want anyone to have to look around it. The 2nd row on the far right was open - 5 chairs - perfect. We chose that spot. As soon as we sat down, a cm came and took our drink orders.

I didn’t expect to have drinks brought to us! That was a nice touch. We went up to the desserts and tried everything! They were delicious! Lots of cookies - and things I don’t even know the names of! We tried one of everything by the end.

As we are eating - talking - having a ball, DD is shivering! Yup, her coat wasn’t enough! She was frozen! The cm brought her hot cocoa - cup after cup! LOL! She said - why didn’t you tell me to bring a heavier coat?! I laugh and say, but it’s only 70 degrees!

Right as the show was going to start, the man in front of us turned to his wife and said - honey, is this the most perfect 40th birthday celebration I planned for you or what?!

I look at DH and say, why don’t you ever plan something like this for me? He just rolls his eyes! The cm who was doing drinks had returned at least 5 times by now asking if we wanted anything else. Just before the first firework, he brought some waters - nice touch!

Once the show started, we found that our seats were excellent! The chairs on the far right of the seating area are exactly near the center of the Fantasmic stage. It was perfect! We really enjoyed the show. And then a nice surprise happened. We were allowed to stay seated for the fireworks. When the show began, my Dteens leaned over and said - it’s Wishes! And then a little way in, it changed over to celebrate the history of Disneyland - and it was awesome! but decided right there and then that this is one show to see more than once and to see in front of the castle! There were some fireworks/lights that we couldn’t see from the back of the park. The entire show was fantasmic from beginning to end!

But was the Fantasmic Dessert Buffet worth it? To my family, every penny! It was such a perfect beginning to our trip! Even now that it’s over, we wouldn’t change our minds!

Well the show is over, the crowds make their way out - and we head to...can you guess? Haunted Mansion! It was so strange to be going up the front stairs and in the door directly to the lobby. No long, winding line through the graveyard. This is when we thought WDW’s queue was better. Once in our doombuggy, we found the inside to be brighter than WDW. When you go through the graveyard, you can actually see the tombstones and read them. There were some differences, not too many. For this first ride, I couldn’t say which one was better overall. We exit the ride and I say - let’s do it again. My Dfamily; however, wanted food. It was late and they were hungry. What desserts aren’t enough?!

So we begin our trek out of the park, through DD and to GCH. What was special about this walk? Through DD there were at least 3 groups performing music/song/dance. It was wonderful! DD was alive with people having a blast! DH and DS#1 decide to head to the room while the rest of us took a walk around - seeing what we could have for dinner. Nothing struck our fancy so we decided to splurge. We would have room service. We headed back to the room - ordered hamburgers and turkey sandwiches to share. The food was okay - nothing to write home about. The cm was fun. He talked to us and gave us ideas of things to do. After eating about $45 worth of food, that was it. The 3-hour time difference had hit home. We went to bed - smiles all around. Disneyland is nothing like we expected. It was fun. It was like being at a party all day long and even into the night at DD. We fell asleep knowing that this was going to be a blast!

Next Up: I didn’t know those little green men could dance! And the: To go where no man has gone before...experience!

loobyoxlip · 10-10-2005, 07:47 PM

Great updates!! I'm so sorry about your hassle getting your Fantasmic tickets!!! I just love love love DL's Fantasmic!! And glad you got to go in before the big obnoxious family #5!!!

**DebiDebiDebi** · 10-10-2005, 11:22 PM

This is a great report, I am really enjoying it!

**Colexis Mom** · 10-11-2005, 05:55 AM

What a great night

Glad you were able to get your seats since she passed right by you

More please

snoozy · 10-11-2005, 05:32 PM

What a wonderful update. I am so glad everything worked out for you with your tickets. Great information also. We have yet to see Fantasmic. Every time we go it is not showing. That's what we get for going in the off season. Oh well one of these days we will get lucky.

SHEANA1226 · 10-14-2005, 12:38 PM

I just caught up on your report!! It is really making me want to go in May!!

**DebiDebiDebi** · 10-17-2005, 10:22 PM

More, More, More!

Diz · 10-25-2005, 12:00 PM

DAY 2
9/11

It’s a Sunday morning. We had a really long day yesterday – so what do we decide to do? Yup, you’ve got it! Sleep in. No one rushes to get out of bed. The room is so inviting. That is until the California Sun sneaks into the curtains and hits me right in the eye! I can’t do it. I’ve got to get up. I’m nice to my Dfamily, I don’t open the curtains. I just sneak a peek out and it looks heavenly! Sunshine, palm trees – we’re really in DL! Yesterday wasn’t a dream!

I get showered and dressed. Last night the room was prepared by the turn-down mousekeeper. She left candies (not 5, only 4), a note card and the itinerary for the next day. I look at the itinerary. It is a nice touch. It gives the activities at the hotel, the expected weather plus special events that may be happening at the parks. I’m impressed with it!

Well, I’ve dilly-dallied enough. Time to get everyone up and moving! It takes awhile for a total of 5 to get ready. That’s a bummer of having one bath. The Dteens decide they are hungry and so they head off with DD to find food.

It’s not officially breakfast anymore. More like brunch. They ended up going to the GCH White Water Snacks. They had a Fruit plate, string cheese, coney dog - all the necessities of life, huh? DH gave them a hard time because they didn’t buy him anything.

We look at the clock and it’s about 11:30. Aladdin had a show at 12:30. Ummmm…fast pass! The fastpass says we should be there by 12:15. We decide to head over to DCA and see the show! DS#1 was using cm comp tickets as his entrance into the parks this week. DD was using her maingate pass for the rest of us. Her maingate pass worked at the GCH-DCA turnstiles, but DS#1 had to go to DL to get his ticket. So we decide to split up – he ran over to DL and we would meet inside DCA. Boy, you’d think we’ve been here many times – splitting up! But that’s what I love about DL. It’s so easy to get around and within minutes you're at one park - then another - DD - the resort.

We enter DCA and start to soak it all in. We were only at DL yesterday. DCA is an interesting park. Reminds me a lot of an old-fashioned boardwalk in most places. It is a cute place. Fun place. Part of it seems Dordinary and part of it is innovative. We had decided to meet DS#1 at the theater.

We check the map to see where we need to be. “Disney's Aladdin – A Musical Spectacular,” is at the Hyperion Theater. We have to walk into Hollywood Pictures Backlot. By the time we're on our way, he calls that he's already there. That boy can move fast!

There is an impressive sign at the entrance of the Hollywood Pictures Backlot. We go through and walk down the street to the Hyperion Theater. The fastpass said to look for a gold podium. We saw it, went right over and gave the cm our fastpass. No problem. We are shown which line to take. Before we knew it, we were left in. The fastpass seating is on the main floor – right in front. It was a nice view for our first time seeing the show. It would not be; however, our favorite view. There are too many things happening behind and above you that we decide that we will come back without a fastpass and stand in the regular line later in the week.

The Hyperion Theater is gorgeous! It didn’t seem like it was 2,000 seats, but according to the cm there are. It is stadium-style seating which is a plus! There are 3 levels.

The show was amazing! Of course the Genie stole the show. “Talk to the left hand because you ain’t right!” We’re still saying that one to each other! A lot of one liners, but his overall stage presence was bold, playful and just a very pleasing character. Aladdin was lighthearted, handsome. Jasmine was stately. The other character that stole the show was the flying carpet. It was a girl dressed in a carpet costume. She would do acrobatic things, mimes, teasing…she was very

. The music was awesome. The cms used were a variety of sizes, one in a wheelchair – very melting pot which was good to see, but unusual for other Dshows I’ve seen. There are large “puppet” animals that stroll through the theatre. Jasmine and Aladdin fly on the magic carpet. We didn’t know what to expect – but let me tell you, we never would have expected so much! It was incredible!

We were talking to a cm about the show and he told us that there are two casts that cover all the performances. We would find out later in the week first-hand that this is true.

All good things come to an end they say and so did Aladdin. We exit the theater and some of us need a pit stop. We look around and I see Tower of Terror. It’s calling me, but nope. I walk the opposite way to find a restroom. It wasn’t far from the theater. We stand around on the sidewalk talking about the amazing show we just had seen. My Dkids have smiles on their faces!

Perfect pixie dust!

We finally pull ourselves away from ourselves

! And we head toward the ToT. This is one of my favorite rides at WDW so I’m excited to give this a try. There was no wait!

The grounds around the attraction are not as much of a “part of the show” atmosphere. But there is a lot of open area around it. The entrance into the lobby is interesting – not as much dust/cobwebs as WDW. The show is the same. The elevator entrance is different: Instead of one level of elevators, there are two. We are on the first level this trip. We go into the elevator, but not much action. No fifth dimension (horizontal moves) so we go through a mirror scene. Very

! You can see yourself. Then the mirror changes so you can see through it. During this time a computer is using your body heat to formulate a ghostly image of you and then you see that. Nice touch! The ride was over before we knew it! Passed on the picture. Now I regret that decision! But oh well, can’t change time. We looked at the merchandise and decided to wait until later to buy.

We head out of ToT and decide to look around Hollywood Pictures Backlot. We go back to the Hyperion Theater and turn left down the main street. As in DL style – there are several street shows going on. This is such a difference from WDW! It makes the atmosphere so much more fun!

One show is part of the Disney Animation attraction. It is such a cool show. Three artists draw a character and the show is based around that with singing and dancing. At the end the real characters appear and invite everyone into the animation studio. Just another DL touch! Very

! We were to find out later that this show is called “Drawn to the Magic”. Very fitting!

While we watched the show, DD had a Mocha smoothie - DS#1 tried 3 Berries and a Banana at Schmoozies. It is a smoothie/coffee place right across from the animation studio. DH went to Award Weiners for a hot dog. He sat on the sidewalk curb – eating, watching the show. When he was finished, he was still hungry so he went to the Fairfax Market for a veggie dip. DS#2 decided he was hungry so he went to Award Weiners for a hot dog, fries and coke. I still wasn’t hungry. So I passed. While everyone was finishing up their snacks/food, we were able to move to a bench. DD’s phone rang. She received a call from her DF - we’ll call him J. He was DD’s neighbor when they were in the College Program for the first year at WDW. He now is working at DL. Today was his day off so he called to see if he could catch up with us. No problem. The more the merrier. J. has always been a good friend to DD. We’ve met him before, but now we were going to get a chance to really get to know him. DD was worried I thought he would interfere on family time. I figured since he was such a good friend to her, he was part of our family.

While we were still sitting, Cruella came by and gave the guys a hard time. What another DL touch! You’ll hear me say this over and over again. I

how the characters just show up and perform anytime, anywhere. Well finally everyone is ready and so we decide to go into the studio. I was hoping to see Crush (and Dory

)! But it was not to be. The show was about a half an hour away. We decide to check the rest of the place out. We went into many rooms. One had something like the way pictures are made to move. There was the Sorcerer’s Workshop where you can make you own animation. We ended up in a room that looked like the Beauty & the Beast Library. I just don’t know why I was drawn to it! It was so cool! Such a difference from WDW’s new animation studio – and I think a good difference! To find out what character you are like, Lumiere leads you on the quest on a computer screen that looks like a book. I just loved the place! We were still in the library by the time J. arrived. He was smiling and so happy to see DD. And then I found out one thing we had in common: His favorite Dshow is Beauty & the Beast! I sure like this guy! We hang out some more and then decide to go into the Art of Animation Gallery. There is so much I could buy here! DD’s already making plans on how to spend her money!

We exit and decide to do Muppet Vision 3D. We get our goggles and go inside. The show is about 10 minutes out. It was not crowded at all so we enjoyed just standing around talking. There was a 2 year old who kept trying to climb the “prop” boxes so she could reach the tv screen at the top. She seemed to really like the muppets. After the show, we are standing talking again! (Boy, we came to DL just to talk I guess!) When all of a sudden, DS#1 says he lost his sunglasses. Not just any sunglasses, but the ones you buy at TT at WDW for a hundred dollars or so. He gets this frightful look on his face because this was not the first pair he’s lost. I go through the places we were and he says, I know I had them in muppets. No brainer – go and look. The doors just closed. He had to wait until the next show was over. DD, J. and DS#2 went in with him They looked at every row around where we were sitting – and

there they were under a seat! Good thing they weren’t stepped on! All is well.

I hear music, yelling…and look to the right from where we were standing. A parade! I was a little saddened when J. said it was almost over. But then he said, this wasn't the only stop – there’s other locations. Well this guy is really beginning to be an asset to our Dfamily! He offered to take us to a quiet spot. We began our trek through the crowds, bypassing cms who would say “you can’t go this way “and J just said something to them and off we went.

We ended up on a side of the park we hadn’t seen yet – Paradise Pier. J. was right – it was rather thin on the crowds. We had a front row view of the parade. While we were waiting for the parade, DS#2 found a pin cart and bought a couple of DL Goofy pins. I stood at the fence looking with longing eyes at California Screamin’. Oh, I wish they’d start testing so we could hop a ride.

Within a few minutes, we could hear the music begin and there it was! Now let’s talk party! The name once again fits the show – Block Party Bash! Right before our very eyes, Pixar film characters came to life! Toy Story, The Incredibles, A Bug's Life, and Monsters, Inc. There are also dancers, bikers, and trampoline cms. They do a show that gets the crowd into action – dancing, games, fun!

Stopping right in front of us was Toy Story. I didn’t know those little green men could dance! And rollerblade! And sing! Such enthusiasm! So much excitement! I’m really loving this DL park stuff!

Boy, what an action-packed day and it’s not even over yet! We stand around again talking. LOL! We just love everything and want to share immediately! We finally look around for the next thing to do. DH says he wants to see the movie at Golden Dreams sometime this week. We go the opposite way to the pier. Sun Wheel here we come!

It’s a ferris wheel, but it’s not. There are gondolas that rotate inside the ferris wheel. Some are stationery – and you’d think I’d choose that?! Of course not! This is to be one of the longest waits of the week, about 15 minutes. Dkids and J. go on the first gondola that comes. J. warns us that we’ll just love this ride. DH and I are finally on and up we go. Have you ever had your heart stop on a ride? Not me. Until now. I didn’t realize that when the gondola moved to the edge, it would really feel like you’re not going to stop! Amazing! After this first shock, I’m ready and loving it! And what a view of the park. Breathless. I didn’t want to get off. It’s not until after the ride that we find out J. is frightened of it. Being a good tour guide, he put up with his fears and came along. What a guy!

We exit and look around the Boardwalk Games and the shops. DD finds a coat she wants in Point Mugu Tattoo. It is 70 degrees right now – and she’s freezing! She really is crazy! All day all we’ve heard is “where’s the humidity? I want the humidity”. I’m like, no thanks! I’m loving this weather! She decides not to buy it because she won't need it in FL. We buy some postcards for our Fairy Godmailer duties. And off we go. We look around Paradise Pier some more. DS#1 is hungry. He bought a corn dog at the Corn Dog Castle. Just the name tells you how “boardwalkish” this place is! His corn dog was like $5, but it was the largest corn dog we have ever seen. He takes one look at it and says – I’ll never eat all of this! LOL! He’s a growing boy, I know he’ll do it justice! I take one bite. It’s good, but I’m still not hungry. We decide to separate for awhile. DH and I go back to the room and the Dkids + J. do some more around Paradise Pier. We make plans to meet at DL.

It wasn’t long until we were together again. (Note: I’m writing a book again so I’m going to go fast here. Sorry for the novel!)

Entering DL and going on Main Street is so funny. I look up and expect the castle in mid-air and I have to adjust my gaze down. We decide rides were the thing to do. We headed to Adventureland. We went on the Jungle Cruise, into the Tiki Room. I have to labor for a moment here. The Tiki Room cm was amazing! He spent time giving us history, answering questions – he was a blast! It was such much fun! We were excited to try Indiana Jones. We’ve been waiting for this one. The fastpass was not up and running, but the wait time said 15 minutes – it was more like 9. But the entire 9 minutes was not a wait in line – it was a walk through the line! I would not want to be here when the line is packed with people!

The queue was well-themed though! There is a short pre-show and then we are boarded up. Reminds you of Dinosaurs. It was a cool ride. We look through the shops as we continue on.

It is now getting late. We decide to head over to PoC in Adventureland?! Nope. In New Orleans Square. That takes some getting used to. New Orleans Square is one of our favorite spots! It’s great theming! We ride pirates and try not to do the comparison thing, but you can’t help yourself. Our queue has theirs beat! The line isn’t long so we go right inside the attraction. J. said when there’s a lot of people, the queue is outside too. We go to Laffite’s Landing (this name will become important to us later in the week) and board our pirate ship. Their ride is longer, almost 15 minutes! I thought DH was going to fall asleep! But nope, he was just as excited as we were to see the differences or similarities.

We head out of PoC and decide HM was a must! After all, it was going to close tonight and would be the last time we could ride it. Truthfully, this is why we left DCA and decided on DL tonight. We had already thought of this fact! And HM is a must for us so we didn’t want to miss out on one more ride. The wait is only a few minutes at the outside stairs and then we’re inside and on our visit to parts unknown. I really do like the cemetery scene being lit up and being able to read the tombstones. I just wish I could ride it over and over and over…you get the picture! But this was to be our last DL HM ride this trip.

J. was ready to leave – he had to work the next morning. I said to everyone else, let’s do Splash before it closes. Now is the time I find out another thing J. and I have in common. His favorite ride: Splash Mountain. He can’t pass up riding it so all of us head over to Frontierland? Nope. Critter Country. Will I ever get the hang of the names? The line is short and before you know it we are ready to board. Now here is a debate that will last with our Dfamily throughout the week. Is the single seating better than the double? DH doesn’t think so because I stepped on his foot! Perhaps it’s a first love thing, but I like WDW’s better. I’ll have to try this again to make a better informed decision.

We decide to head on out and catch some dinner. We invite J., but he now wants to get home. We decide to see if anything in DD fancies our stomachs. We stroll down main street and before you know it we are in DD. Once again live performances, music all around. It’s so much fun! We look at the pizza place but decide we’d rather order pizza hut. We go to the room and find the turndown mousekeeper was there. Only four candies again.

plus the itinerary for tomorrow. I pull out the yellowbook and find a pizza hut underlined – thank you to whomever! Within 30 minutes we have pizza, breadsticks and wings - $27.50. And then it’s time to say goodnight,.

Up Next: Today I said something very innocent to J. during one of our conversations and tomorrow, he gives me the surprise of my life!