Solo-on-a-Scooter Abd DLR and DCL Alaska! (7/21-8/6/2012) - Page 21 - PassPorter - A Community of Walt Disney World, Disneyland, Disney Cruise Line, and General Travel Forums
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I got to see Walt's apartment during the Walk in Walt's shoes tour and I really enjoyed it. You can feel Walt's presence there and can fell him watching out the window when walking by it.
Sorry to hear Club 33 didn't happen, but I'm sure you're enjoying a great farewell dinner right now.
What a tour this has been! They really do pack a lot in...sometimes a little too much it sounds like. Still, you definitely saw things the average joe will never see!
This was a great tour! I'm exhausted, but it was all well worth it and I can rest on the cruise. So many very special moments!
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Originally Posted by FanOfMickey
I got to see Walt's apartment during the Walk in Walt's shoes tour and I really enjoyed it. You can feel Walt's presence there and can fell him watching out the window when walking by it.
Can't wait to hear if dinner is in Club 33
Nope. No Club 33. That's ok, though... what we did do was such a WOW!
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Originally Posted by rlb38
Sorry about Club 33. What a great day of backstage touring. I think I liked the train best.
Ahhhh, the rainforest room, I feel more relaxed just thinking about it .
Before this week I was thinking I'd just buy one or two days in the Rainforest room, but now I'm going for the length-of -cruise!
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Weather: Mid 80’s and sunny. The heat wasn’t a problem today because we were mostly on our own and could get out of the sun!
I was up at my usual time, checked e-mail and tried to catch up on PassPorter (failed!) People met grumpily in the lobby at 6:45am and headed out to breakfast at Goofy’s Kitchen at the Disneyland Hotel. This was a very nice buffet and we saw the Mad Hatter, Baloo, Dale and Snow White. Hanni and Matt collected our park hoppers so they could all be pre-scanned for fast entry into California Adventure this morning. Did I mention that at the beginning of our Disneyland stay we each got a 4-day park hopper? For our free time in the parks we also each got 5 fast passes that could be used on any FP attraction in either park. I didn’t get any yesterday since I left early, but did get them today. Didn’t do me any good, though, since here FastPasses are only available on a few rides—all of them rides I can’t go on because they spin, or bump or go very fast. I gave them to others in the group.
After breakfast we went right into DCA to ride Soarin’. We again split into two groups—one would ride, the other got to view the attraction from downstairs to see how the screen and lifting mechanisms work. Then we switched. The theater was closed to everyone but our group. There was no way for me to go downstairs, so Matt told me I could ride again or wait outside. I chose to wait outside, but one of the CMs in the control booth said, “Hey, she can watch from in here with me!” So I got to watch from the control booth that’s in front by the screen and off to the side. This was very cool! I had a view of the computer screen (there’s a camera on all the riders for safety reasons), the screen, and the gliding seats. It was really wonderful to see how it all works, and to see everyone’s feet lift up as they go close to the water or over the mountain! I also didn’t realize how much the banks of seats move—front and back only, and higher and lower--although at times it feels like you’re tilting to the side.
The Animation area was next and we went through all the rooms followed by our own private meeting with Crush at Turtle Talk, and our own private animation class. We drew Mickey. Mine was just ok and I left it behind.
After Animation we went to Carsland to the Blue Sky Cellar to look at the models and then walked through the land itself. I realize now I have zero photos from most of the morning because we were mostly en-route somewhere. I thought we’d stay in Carsland and maybe ride something, but we went straight to Paradise Pier and rode Toy Story. This was fun, it was great to get front-of-the-line access, and I got my highest score ever (71,900—don’t laugh!), but I was itching to do some of the rides that are not at Disney World.
I was glad when at about 10:30am they set us free with day-long fast-passes (including a special timed pass to Radiator Springs Racers) to do whatever we wanted until dinner at 6pm. I thought about riding RSR, but didn’t want to risk getting sick on my last day. People said if I could ride Test Track I’d be ok—well, I can’t ride TT! I went off on my own because everyone else had to go to Carsland to use their passes. The only thing I really wanted to do in DCA was the Aladdin show. Since I had time to kill before the first showing I rode the Monsters, Inc ride. Cute, but nothing special. Aladdin, however, was as amazing as people say. I just can’t believe they do this big production so many times every day. Here I finally got out my camera!
Even though there were very few attractions (unless I’m missing something!) at DCA for me, I really enjoyed the park. The theming of the areas is wonderful and it has a nice ambiance. As the day went on I’m sure it got very crowded, especially in Carsland, but in the morning it wasn’t busy at all. I knew I’d be disappointed if I didn’t get to ride Toad on this trip, so I left DCA and went to Disneyland. I can’t believe none of the Fantasyland attractions here have FP—not even Matterhorn or Peter Pan! It wasn’t too hot, so I waited in the 30-min line for Toad and it was worth it! I do love and miss that strange ride! Next was Storybook Canal boats and Small World—minimal wait time, and as charming as I remembered. I considered going over to Critter Country to visit Pooh, but the park was getting mobbed and the hot tub was calling me! I shopped my way out of the park, buying nothing. I can’t believe I’ll actually not buy anything during my stay at DLR! Oh, no wait—I did buy a headband to wear on pirate night on the cruise.
After leaving the park I checked out World of Disney at Downtown Disney and again bought nothing. I got to the hotel by about 4, went to the hot tub, relaxed a bit in the room, and then went down to meet everyone for our farewell dinner at Crystal Cove at Paradise Pier Hotel. Our dinner was in a private room, buffet style, and was very good! There was an open bar. One of men in our group runs (sorry, Greg—I forget your actual title!) the Don Sebastiani winery and he brought various wines for us! So generous of him, and a really nice touch for our final meal. The buffet included garden salad, pasta salad, Tuscan white bean salad, baked tortellini with tomato, roasted pattypan squash and carrots (very tasty!) and roasted red bliss potatoes. There were also several meat selections, of course, but I didn’t even look at them. Steak and maybe chicken. Also a nice selection of mini desserts.
Matt and Hanni had put together a video with photographic highlights of each day. It was terrific and reminded us of how much we’d done and how much we’d enjoyed each other. They’ll mail us this video along with a CD of all the photos they took.
Another surprise came at the beginning of the meal when they introduced Stacia, who has been an artist and historian with the company for 34 years. She set up an easel and drew the character of our choice for each family. My choice was Gus from Cinderella. She did an amazing job and had so much interesting information as she drew.
The final surprise was VIP viewing for the 9pm showing of World of Color! With all I’d heard about this show I was really looking forward to seeing it. After dinner we headed to DCA to our viewing spot, which was in a perfect location. At about 8:30 they made an announcement stating that “the 9pm showing of World of Color MAY be cancelled.” They made that announcement every 10 mins until 9pm, at which time they stated that the show WAS cancelled. Apparently there were “technical difficulties”. There was still a chance that the 10:30 show would go on and we were told we could come back for that, but I went back to my room, enjoying the glimpses of DCA at night along the way. Our poor guides were very disappointed for us—more than we were for ourselves, I think. Too bad that this happened for the last event of the tour!
Our group felt so large when we all met on Sunday. I thought I’d never even learn everyone’s name. We’ve all become very friendly, though, and I think we’ll keep in touch. A diverse group with a common interest in Disney and it’ll be very sad to say goodbye tomorrow. Our guides were fantastic. The itinerary for this tour is amazing, and we did so much more that wasn’t on the itinerary. Every day they just kept plussing the experience. I’d go on any ABD tour now—without question.
Tonight it’s time to pack up for the flight to Seattle tomorrow. Breakfast is any time from 7am to 8:45am at Storytellers restaurant here at the Grand Californian. After breakfast I meet Marci (Disney4us) and her daughter, Jessica. Jeannie will join us in the afternoon. This will be a great way to end my DLR stay on the high note of a PassPorter meet! My pick-up time to go to the airport will be 3:30pm. An ABD driver will take me to LAX and a DCL driver will pick me up in Seattle. Pretty nifty! I don’t arrive in Seattle until 10:30pm, so probably the update for tomorrow will be posted some time on Saturday.
Oh no!!! What a shame about WoC. Stacia is amazing isn't she? She did a Belle for me and I LOVE it. I saw her again on the Fantasy Preview cruise this year and we were chatting about how much she loves doing the ABDs.
How nice of Greg to bring wine! I knew he was in the wine industry as Tracy mentioned something about that but since I am allergic to wine and don't know much about it, I didn't realize exactly HOW involved in wine he is!
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Despite WoC, what a wonderful final full day of ABD you had! Love that Stacia was there to do drawings for all of you...what a cool touch and great way to end your trip!
What a great last day, but what a shame about World of Color.
It was definitely a disappointment, but what can you do? I'll find out at breakfast today if the 10:30 show went on. I hope some of our group got to see it because that will make Hanni and Matt happier!
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Originally Posted by Belle*
Oh no!!! What a shame about WoC. Stacia is amazing isn't she? She did a Belle for me and I LOVE it. I saw her again on the Fantasy Preview cruise this year and we were chatting about how much she loves doing the ABDs.
How nice of Greg to bring wine! I knew he was in the wine industry as Tracy mentioned something about that but since I am allergic to wine and don't know much about it, I didn't realize exactly HOW involved in wine he is!
I think he said he's the "Senior Wine Maker", or some such exalted title-- I know it sounded very impressive. If I remember, I'll get clarification this morning from them. You were right that they are nice people. Nice and smart and entertaining and Tracy knew more than anyone else on the tour about Disney History. She's a teacher and I'm sure a fabulous one. Thanks for "introducing" us! And, yes, Stacia is amazing. It's exciting that she does special cruises sometimes also!
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Originally Posted by Kenny
Too bad about WoC, but the day, overall, sounds wonderful! Have a great PP Meet and a safe flight!
Thanks, Kenny! It was a great day.
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Originally Posted by shazza
Even with missing WOC, it still sounds like another good day. Enjoy what's left in California, and safe travels to Seattle.
Thank you, Sharon. I'm looking forward to meeting Marci and Jessica and seeing Jeannie again today!
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Originally Posted by iloverags2
Despite WoC, what a wonderful final full day of ABD you had! Love that Stacia was there to do drawings for all of you...what a cool touch and great way to end your trip!
It was amazing and unexpected! There was something that fit that description every day of the trip!
I think he said he's the "Senior Wine Maker", or some such exalted title-- I know it sounded very impressive. If I remember, I'll get clarification this morning from them. You were right that they are nice people. Nice and smart and entertaining and Tracy knew more than anyone else on the tour about Disney History. She's a teacher and I'm sure a fabulous one. Thanks for "introducing" us! And, yes, Stacia is amazing. It's exciting that she does special cruises sometimes also!
Ooo! I don't drink much, but Sebastiani's Symphony wine is one of my absolute favorites! Wish I could get it without having to go to their winery in Sonoma!
Looking forward to seeing you in a few hours!
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What a fun Soarin' experience you had - woo hoo! And how lucky to have special timed FPs for Radiator Springs - I've been watching the wait times and it seems to always have a 2 hour wait. But so sorry you couldn't ride it. Test Track is one of my favorites and I'm so looking forward to this themed version.
What a disappointment about World of Color, although I must confess, we watched it from the room once - not as good I'm sure but it was good enough for us.
But the Aladdin show has got to be the very best - I can't believe they show this calibre of Broadway show day after day - it's just awesome!! I'm so glad it's still around - there were rumors of it closing - don't know if that's still true or not.
DCA, for us, is about the atmosphere, and not so much about the rides. We love to sip a glass or two at Golden Vine and just soak it all up. But I also have the nostalgic factor going for me. I'm not sure regular WDW fans will enjoy it as much because resort-wise, DL is no WDW. Just to have the GC at DL is huge even if it fails in the Disney service category. Remember, the GC and DCA were once the parking lot and what is now Downtown Disney was also part of the parking lot with nothing until you reached the DL hotel. The overpass was built and that's why the monorail feels so low. One woman thought they'd moved it. No, she just didn't recognize it with DD being built all around it - lol!
Anyway, sounds like you've had a fun, busy, exhausting time and the cruise should be just the thing you need. Relax and enjoy!
I am just catching up,on your last few installments, Laurie....thanks for all the awesome details. The tour truly sounds amazing! I also appreciate your honesty about the pace and your own fatigue...this is definitely my greatest are of concern...but figure, like you, I can try and set my own pace if it gets overwhelming.
Hard to believe this part of your adventure is over...so glad you have the cruise and some well deserved rest and relaxation coming up!
Daniel,e
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Sorry, I somehow missed the comment about not doing Club 33. I went back and found it, duh. Sorry you did not get to have dinner there, it would have been cool. And I could then say I knew someone who ate there Now I have to find someone else I guess lol. I will get us there somehow someday
Sorry you didn't get to see WOC either but it is something to go back for now Not that you need a reason, but hey, a little extra reason.
Looking forward to your next part of your adventures
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I saw her again on the Fantasy Preview cruise this year and we were chatting about how much she loves doing the ABDs. 
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