WDW Nut heads west to CA for first time visit - Page 2 - PassPorter - A Community of Walt Disney World, Disneyland, Disney Cruise Line, and General Travel Forums
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There are other changes as well.
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It's time to move on and move forward.
PassPorter is a small business, and for many years it supported our family. But the world changed, print books took a backseat to the Internet, and for a long time now it has been unable to make ends meet. We've had to find new ways to support our family, which means new careers and less and less time available to devote to our first baby, PassPorter.
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Also great in Disneyland is Pirate's Lair. This is what they based Tom Sawyer's Island on but they missed the mark in FL. When your child is tired of all that structure of waiting in line, this is the perfect place to let him burn off a little steam by clambering through haunted caves and climbing across swinging bridges. There are things to touch, things to do, plenty of photo ops....well worth the raft ride over, unlike at WDW where it is virtually dead space.
I am loving reading your TR from the perspective of a seasoned WDW traveler. I just went to WDW for the 2nd time, and 1st time in 15 yrs, so your comparisons really resonate.
From the perspective of a West Coast girl with happy childhood memories of our trips to DL, I have a different perspective on TSI. I was so disappointed with the reimagineering of this gem from my childhood. As a Mark Twain fan, this was my favorite place in the whole park at age 13 (1991). It was much like it is at WDW now, with a few elements like giant boulders to climb on that move and shift with a person's weight. My 5yo son was terrified of the skeletons in the caves during our trip last December... We really enjoyed TSI at WDW much more, but glad you really enjoyed it.
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We really enjoyed Toontown in CA, too. The attention to detail is awesome and we really liked the ride Car Toon Spin. Don't miss this one....it's kind of hidden and you might walk by without realizing it's a ride. Totally cool area of the park and great photo ops for all ages.
I totally missed this ride during our trip. I can't even think of where it might be!
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Food for thought or thought for food...We had an early lunch at Big Thunder Ranch BBQ and it was probably one of the best and most filling meals of the whole trip. Situated in Frontierland next to the petting zoo ranch, this eatery is decorated as a country hoe-down and the ambience is fun. The ribs were not overwhelmingly great but the chicken was fall-off-the-bone delicious and the all-you-can-eat policy guarantees you'll leave well-satisfied. The food is appropriately served in metal pails and when you want more of something, you just ask your server. ( If you are ever there and if you still have room after stuffing yourself with the other vittles, order the cookie sundae. Served hot in a skillet, it's the perfect treat for a family. Absolutely delicious!) The best meal of the trip.
This is on my must-do list for my next trip. I was already planning to do this, but with your review, I'm doubly convinced.
Your review of the Blue Bayou is exactly what I have heard other places. The ambiance is amazing, the food is overpriced, even for Disney, considering the quality. The rest of my group went last time, but I decided not to. I went twice as a kid though, and it was really special.
I'm enjoying moving through, and love that there is some action here on the West Coast side of things!!!
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We really enjoyed Toontown in CA, too. The attention to detail is awesome and we really liked the ride Car Toon Spin. Don't miss this one....it's kind of hidden and you might walk by without realizing it's a ride. Totally cool area of the park and great photo ops for all ages.
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I totally missed this ride during our trip. I can't even think of where it might be!
Car Toon Spin is located on the far right side of Toontown in its own building over by the firehouse. Hop aboard a runaway taxicab as you steer through the wacky streets of Toontown in search of Roger Rabbit....it's hilarious and great fun!
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We really enjoyed Toontown in CA, too. The attention to detail is awesome and we really liked the ride Car Toon Spin. Don't miss this one....it's kind of hidden and you might walk by without realizing it's a ride. Totally cool area of the park and great photo ops for all ages.
Car Toon Spin is located on the far right side of Toontown in its own building over by the firehouse. Hop aboard a runaway taxicab as you steer through the wacky streets of Toontown in search of Roger Rabbit....it's hilarious and great fun!
Oh yes, the Roger Rabbit ride, I do know this one. Just didn't remember it was called Car Toon Spin. DS didn't go for it because the queue area was so dark. Next time....
I enjoyed your short and sweet TR. I too love Main Street DLCA. This is my home park, and this is my favorite part of the whole park for all the reasons you mentioned. We spent about 30 minutes just watching the slide show "movies" in the penny arcade. So glad those are still there after all these years.
The things I took away from your TR that I will want to try are:
Steakhouse 55. At that price, it's comparable to off-site (which is what we usually do).
Jolly Holiday. Because I'm a budget traveler, I bring my own snacks, but when a meal is an experience I go for it more.
Big Thunder BBQ. This was already on my list for a dinner next visit. I don't know about the rest of the year, but during Christmas there is a Christmas program going on the stage the whole time. I watched a bit from over the fence on our last visit.
After my recent trip to WDW, I thought maybe DLCA wouldn't be as attractive to me...Not a chance!!! I'm sure I will always feel that this is "home"! Thanks for sharing your trip with us!
When I looked at photos of SoCal prior to my trip, I noted the palm trees and cacti. Always associated these plants with very warm temperatures so I was not prepared at all for how cold it was at night...too much like my native New England, I prefer to vacation in warm places!!
Thank you so much for the report! My family are flying into San Fran in June, and doing things like the GG Bridge, Winchester Mystery House, Monterrey Bay Aquarium, and Hearst Castle on a four day jaunt down to 4 days at DL. I cannot wait, and have been sending my wife texts like crazy while reading your report for ideas on things we need to do.
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We really enjoyed TSI at WDW much more, but glad you really enjoyed it. 
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