May 26-31 Trip Report
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GrumpySleepyDopey · 06-05-2010, 12:00 PM

OK so we've been back a few days but between getting back to work, cleaning up and everything else, well this is the first chance I've had to report anything. Here goes.

Myself and DD6 flew into SNA on 5/26, arriving at PPH around 8:30pm. The wonderful CM who was checking us in asked if we were celebrating anything, and my DD tells him how this is our first trip to DLR and that the day before was my birthday. The CM says he will be right back, and when he comes back he has a bunch of balloons for DD, a Hannah Montana bag full of little goodies for her, first visit pins for both of us, a birthday pin for me, and then informs me that he is upgrading our room from standard view to park view on the 13th floor (yes they actually have a floor 13). I was delighted. We get done and get to our room, look out the window, and what do we see but a testing of WOC just starting, and we can hear the sound from our room. Turns out it must have been a full test cause it went on for about 30 minutes. Although we could not really see the projected images clearly since we were looking at the back of the water, the show looks amazing. It includes fire and the ferris wheel becomes a part of the show.

Thursday, we get up early and make our way to DLR for early opening. About a 10 minute walk at most from hotel to front gate if you go through GCH and DTD. We get to gate about 20 minutes before opening and there is like no crowds. Maybe a couple hundred people by the time it opens. We strolled leisurely to Fantasyland, and rode every ride within the first hour or so, including Materhorn. Made our way back to Adventureland, passing through the Castle walkthrough on our way. Did the Tiki room, then on to Indiana Jones and POTC, both with hardly any wait. BTW, if your child is scared of loud noises or the dark, they will be scared by these rides. Mine was but she is a trooper and kept on going, but reminded me over and over that we were not going back on them. Skipped the Haunted Mansion at her request, but on the last day she was ready to try it, and now she wants to try it again if we ever get back. Anyhow, we took our time, had some breakfast, went over to the island and walked around, and by about 11 were ready for a break. Went back to hotel, swam for awhile. 2pm came around and we were back off to DCA. We had 3:45 seating at Ariel's, but first we were able to do Toy Story Mania (twice). Had maybe a 15 minute wait. Ariel's was really great, not cheap but good food, excellent service, and if you or your little one's love the princesses it is well worth it. DD mentioned to a CM talking to her that it was her first time, and we were asked to come up and help introduce the first princess (snow white) and DD was able to be the first to meet her. Also met Belle, Sleeping Beauty and Cinderella, plus Ariel when we first came in. They each spent several minutes with us, signed autographs and we got pics. After dinner, DCA was closing at 6, so we did TSM once more than headed back to DLR until about 8.

Friday, we slept in some (parks did not open until 9), and had breakfast at PCH grill in PPH with the characters. DD had a blast, dancing with Stitch, met Mickey, Daisy Duck and Pluto. Started the day in DCA and again no crowds. Got on first ride of Soarin' over Cali (a must do, even if you are afraid of heights or flying), Turtle Talk, Playhouse Disney, Aladin, met Goofy's son Max while waiting for Aladin. Took a break at lunch, back to hotel for nap to prep for long night. After a lite dinner, went to DLR. Had preferred seating to the first show of Fantasmic since it shut down for refurb, and I'm glad we did. People were finding spots and camping out over 3 hours for the show. We got in line at 7:30 to claim our seats, and by check in at 8 there were quite a few people waiting behind us. We got front row seats and although it was alot of money, it was a one time treat and well worth it for that night. Saw the fireworks at F!, then made our way over (very very slowly) to Small World (after a wait at the Castle for them to reopen the walkway).

Crowds were heavier in Sat and Sun, but we did early open each day and were able to see everything. Took mid-day breaks each day when the crowds got heavy and spent time at the pool and resting. Sat. we did Toontown morning madness and were able to meet several more characters including Donald and Minnie. Saw the parade in DLR and DD got picked by a CM to come out and dance with her. On Sunday there were a bunch of characters on the path by the ranch, and we met the Red Queen and White Rabbit from Alice, Chip and Dale, Pochonotis, Tweedle Dee and Dum. Were able to do Splash Mountain 3 times, once with FP but the other 2 times only waited about 20 minutes. DD loved it, but not as much as Grizzly Rapids in DCA. Saturday night we were there about 8:00 and it had closed for some reason. We waited around, and they reopened it by 8:30. There was no one there, and DD loved it so much we rode it over and over again (about 7 times) until they were closing the park at 10. We were soaked and a little cold, but DD was all smiles and laughs and wanted to do it again on Sunday. We did, but only 3 times in a row, as we had an early flight on Monday and had to get up really early. We did the ferris wheel, TSM a couple of times, Jelly Fish several times, saw the Pixar parade, and just about everything else. Back over in DLR we did Small World a couple of times, Poohs Adventure a couple times, met Winnie, waited 45 minutes in Pixie Hollow to meet Silvermist and TinkerBelle (but it was worth it for DD). Rode the Mark Twain, Nemo, Autopia, the RR, just about everything we both wanted to do. Didn't do some things as DD would have been scared and I'm not a big coaster person, but otherwise we saw and did everything we wanted.

Overall it was a fantastic trip. Disney lived up to expectations and more. All the CMs were wonderful. Oh did I mention the chocolate coins we got in our hotel room every day, plus the refill on the balloons, including a large mylar Minnie balloon which I deflated at brought home, all compliments of the housekeeping staff and Disney. While I had been to DW several times, it had been 15 years and was my first to DLR, and now I want to make plans to go back next year. I hope it's possible, both for my DD and me as well.

Here's a couple of pics.