A very short but rewarding trip-May 11-12
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Huntermom · 05-27-2008, 11:55 AM

I travelled to Los Angeles to see my daughter's team compete in the Intercollegiate Horse Show Association (IHSA) National Finals from May 8-11, 2008. I was using Miles for my airline ticket, so I couldn't get back east until the night of the 12th so I decided to head to Ananheim.

This was the second year in a row that they were one of 17-18 teams of over 400 teams who compete all over the country to make it to compete in the Collegiate Cup. Last year they had an exceptional finals and this year, they had a great time. The girls rode well and tried their best. In IHSA competition, each rider draws a horse before the class. They do not ride the horse before they enter the class and need to figure it out quickly. This year none of the girls, including my daughter, got good draws over fences. There was a large variance in the quality of the horses this year and I understood they had a hard time finding horses. Last year they chose from 300 horses, this year only 90.

I decided not to stay for the awards (they finished 5th, although there was a 3 way tie for 2nd) as it had been a long and tiring four days. I also was to provide the lunch on Sunday, which turned out well but was hard for me to do in a strange town. I will give compliments to Ralph's Supermarket, which did a great job of making up sandwich trays on very short notice-like 17 hours.

I also was tired of the cold-temperatures were only in the 60's.

I had gotten a Priceline room at the Hilton Suites in Anaheim. I had read mixed reviews about the hotel, but for $45.00 a night, decided that if it was not good, I could always get another room.

I headed out of LA around 2:00 p.m. I had gotten directions from Mapquest and it seemed easy enough. I made it to exit fine and headed right towards 400 N. College Road. I got to 600 with no signs of the hotel. I turned around and headed int he other direction. I did this several times, going further in each direction, each time. Finally after nearly an hour, I called the hotel. I turned around again, and within about 20 minutes, with good directions, made it to my destination. I never quite made it far enough in the direction I needed to go.

I had my first pleasant surprise of this leg of the trip. The hotel was lovely. It looked like it was an Embassy Suites Hotel, that had been converted to a Hilton Suites. The staff was wonderful and other than a not so great view, I was treated just like a guest who was paying full price. The service was excellent and my suite was great. It was meticulously clean and nicely decorated. Too bad I only planned to sleep in it.

I relaxed for a half hour or so and then headed to Disneyland. The clerk gave me great and easy directions and within 10 minutes, I was on the tram to DL.

Diane

**chezp** · 05-27-2008, 12:30 PM

Great start. Congratulations to your daughter's team - it sounds like they did great.

I can't wait to hear all about Disneyland.

**Colexis Mom** · 05-27-2008, 02:36 PM

Great start

More please

Huntermom · 05-27-2008, 06:15 PM

I had initally planned to park hop both days I was in Anaheim. I had two things I wanted to accomplish on Sunday, Aladdin in CA and Fantasmic in DL as neither was offerred on Monday.

I called on early on Friday to make reservations for Sunday's Fantasmic package and was able to get the 10:30 p.m. show. Just after I made the reservation, I saw some buy one day, get one day free tickets at oneof the local groceries. Unfortunately my Fantasmic package could not be cancelled and I really wanted to stay as late as I could on Monday before I headed up to LAX for my red-eye east. CA closed at 6 on Monday.

I had no other plans, other than to get dinner and a sweatshirt.

I arrived at 4:40 or so. I bought my ticket and then headed into DL to pick up my Fantasmic ticket. It took a bit of time to sort it out as the first CM did not have the ability to produce the ticket on her computer. After ten minutes or so the other CM's computer opened up and I was on my way to get a sweatshirt and dinner.

I expected the weather to be a little warmer than the 60's in Southern California. I had left that in Northern New England. I spent a good deal of time during the first part of my trip trying to find acceptable sweatshirts for my daughter, who also thought it would be warm. and only bought two with her.

I was having a hard time finding something that was not too expensive and I liked. It was also mother's day and very crowded. I finally settled on a zip up hoodie with Disneyland 2008 on it. It was only $36.00 a fair price for a shirt that may get limited wear. Ihave since found it nice and warm and actually wear it a lot.

With a little bit of warmth, I headed over to CA to catch the 5:40 show of Aladdin. Although I am not one to wait in line, I entered the queue around 5:15 and was in the section to be seated in the "orchestra" seats. If I were to do it again, I would wait and try to get one of the upper levels. I think you actually get a better view as all I saw of the carpet ride was the bottom of the carpet.

One of the things I found a little irritating was although there were signs posted to wait for you entire party, stragglers would not be allowed to join, this was not enforced at all and several groups were joined by the other half of thier party. As a lawyer, I rely on rules all the time and felt that the CM's could done much better at making sure the rules had meaning.

The show was wonderful, a nice respite from the crowds. I would definately make a point of doing it again.

Diane

Two4Disney · 05-27-2008, 07:11 PM

Can't wait to hear all about Aladdin. You're right about rules - though. Don't have them if you're not going to enforce them.

**DyanKJ130** · 05-27-2008, 10:54 PM

Great start!! We

the Aladdin show!! Can't wait to hear more

**chezp** · 05-28-2008, 01:24 AM

Glad you were able to get your money's worth out of the shirt - and thanks for the tip about the seating at Aladdin. I'll keep that in mind for our October trip when we plan to see it for the first time.

Huntermom · 05-28-2008, 07:22 AM

I had really hoped to add some photos to my report. My DD got me a "simple" digital camera for Mother's Day. Unfortunately it was scheduled to arrive the day I left and to get the dogs to the sitter and then go to court and then get to the airport on time, I needed to leave at 7:30 a.m. and didn't get the package until I returned.

I really enjoyed the Aladdin Show. It was well done and and the music was excellent. It reminded me of a local summer theater children's program that we has season's tickets to when the kids were young and brought back some nostagic feelings.

I thought it was an excellent introduction to theater for children, with a quick pace and simple plot. It was also a more traditional theater format and I hoped that some of the children would get to go to more musicals outside of Disneyland. Theater is such a wonderful experience and I am always disappointed to see how few children have had the opportunity to see live perfiormances, especially with some of the cut backs in the schools. OK off my soap box.

As an adult, it seemed to be a nice change of pace and I really felt like I had left the theme park. My only disappointment was that when Aladdin and Jasmine took their Magic Carpet Ride, I only saw the bottom of the carpet. Some of the characters come down through the audience and that is the advantage of the first level seating, but I felt I would have preferred to see Aladdin and Jasmine on the carpet.

I decided to do Monster's Inc. before heading to DL. It was a 20 minute wait which turned out to be more like 15. I spent some of the time texting my older DS, who had called to wish me a Happy Mother's Day but had planned on spending a good deal of it in the library preparing for his last first year law exam. My texting abilities are limited and my brief message occupied me for some time.

I enjoyed Monster's Inc. My kids actually first saw the movie on a California vacation 6 or so years ago and it is one of my DD's favorite Disney films. Monster's Inc. is my type of ride. Interesting, a little fast paced, but no thrills. I also spent time reading the signs and enjoying the creativity of the ride. It was close to 7:00 now and I needed to find dinner and get my seat for Fanatasmic so I headed back to DL.

I also realized that while I had toured alone before when the kids were teens and wanted to thrill ride, they were always somewhat nearby and I would get together with them. I missed being able to share my adventures with them and as I walked I began to plan a return trip. My kids, who have been to WDW often, had only been to DL once, when they were 7, 10 and 12.

**DyanKJ130** · 05-28-2008, 09:53 PM

Great update!! I agree with your feelings on Aladdin! Its definitely a good intro to theatre for children!! Monsters, Inc was also one of our favorites - the door scene was cool! Can't wait to hear more

**chezp** · 05-29-2008, 01:51 AM

After all the great things I've heard about Aladdin, I can't wait to see it in October.

**Colexis Mom** · 05-29-2008, 09:31 AM

More great updates!!

Bethann · 05-29-2008, 01:02 PM

Thanks for the trip report.....BTW how long is the show?

Huntermom · 05-29-2008, 02:06 PM

The show was fairly long-about 40 minutes and a lovely respite from the weather. I was there on Mother's Day and I suspect even late comers were able to get in with no problem.

Diane

DawnDenise · 05-29-2008, 02:24 PM

Great updates Diane!! The Aladdin show was a highlight of our trip in April. I agree with getting a seat in one of the upper levels. I sat up in the mezzanine level on a previous trip and the orchestra on the latest trip. Although I got some good pictures, we weren't able to appreciate all the aspects of the show.

Huntermom · 05-29-2008, 07:30 PM

It was nearing 7 and I had been told to head over to the check in stand for the Fantasmic Dessert Package to get a seating assignment at seven. I decided to head over to DL, but seeing as the package still have seats available, I decided to get some dinner first.

We absolutely love Cantina de San Angel so I decided to opt for Mexican when I got to Frontierland. I had cheeses enchiladas, which were fine, but nothing great. I think they may have been better earlier. I think I have been spoiled by all the
exceptional counter service at WDW.

After dinner, I went to check in. I really had trouble finding the check in counter. There were no signs and even at the stand, I saw no indication as to what it was. I was able to get a front row seat for the performance and was told to head back around 9:50.

The check in stand is fairly close to the Hanunted Mansion, I favorite of mine in both WDW and DL. I remember the first time I went to DL, I found their version a little better. I didn't know if it was because I had experienced the WDW one more and this was new. I have decided there is something about the DL one that is just a little better. I walked right in to the strectching room and was on my buggy in minutes. I know it's no longer a new attraction, but I am always amazed by the technology of this attraction and how realistic some of the scenes are.

I got off and just walked to the right and soon was walking on Winnie the Pooh. I really like this attraction much more in DL. Beginning and ending in the dark just added a lot to my experience.

I was enjoying the night, so I decided to take a spin around the park on the train. The train I got on was only going as far as Toon Town, which was fine with me. When we took the kids, they took too many rides on Roger Rabbit and my DD loved Gadget's Go Coaster. I was shocked to find that just after 8:00 Toon Town was closed. I walked through Fantasyland and had forgotten It's a Small World was closed. Whe we were here when DD was 7, this was another attraction my DD couldn't get enough of.

People were beginning to find places for the fireworks, but I decided to change another ride. I was able to walk to the front of the Jungle Cruise ans only waited a few minutes for a boat. We had a good skipper, who added a few of his own jokes and seemed to enjoy his job.

That done I headed over towards the castle. It was 8:45 and the fireworks were at 8:55. I have never staked out a spot for Fireworks, so waiting ten minutes was out of the ordinary. I was very disappointed when at 8:52 or so the announcer stated that the show might not go on due to winds. A few minutes before 9, however, the lights dimmed and the show was on, complete with Tinkerbell's flight. The fireworks were wonderful. Being on a nostalgic trip, Remember hit the spot.

By now I was feeling I accomplished quite a bit in my evening tour and decided that after Fantasmic I would head to the hotel. I had been up since 6 and was starting to flag.

Diane