Springtime Jaunt to Disneyland: Final Days and Final Thoughts: COMPLETE 6/11/08 About This Page:

[disneydani]

Upgraded to first class...what better way to start off your adventure! Glad you arrived safely and that you and Chuck could get a little rest time before heading out to dinner. Congrats on conquering chopsticks and giving Japanese cuisine a try!

danielle

[Dawn in Scotland]

I really like that bed - and how lovely that you were upgraded both on the plane and in the hotel.

[PrincessSharon]

Great start, Dawn. Glad your trip went well (first class helps a lot, I'm sure ). Your meal sounds lovely (I'm not a fan of sushi either, but what you had sounds delish ) Hurry back with more, please!

[Flik]

I am enjoying your report. I cannot wait to hear about trying for the trifecta!

[DawnDenise]

Day 1, Part 2: Trying to Complete the Trifecta of nighttime shows at DL!!

Once we finished up with dinner, we walked to GCH to go through the DCA entrance there. Since we were Disney Resort guests, all we had to was show are room keys and/or charging slip to get into the parks. We got through the bag check quickly as we were the only ones there. I grabbed a map and times guide as they scanned my card and off we went. My goal was to get to the area that I saw Block Party Bash the year before as I got some good pictures, but I didn’t want to spend over an hour just sitting so we went wandering a bit. We grabbed a Photopass picture on our way into the Paradise Pier area. I know they have to give the spiel when they hand off the card, but we know how it goes. Once the CM realized that we were veterans, she did give us some locations to look for over the upcoming days that weren’t really noted anywhere. She couldn’t believe we would travel all the way from Kentucky to come here. She was just amazed over that fact.



After finishing up our conversation with the delightful CM, we headed to see how long the stand-by line was for California Screamin’. Unfortunately, it was showing 50 minutes, I didn’t want to cut it that close to catch Disney’s Electrical Parade. We walked the long way around and saw all the construction for the new Toy Story Mania. We made it around and Chuck noticed that Mulholland Madness only had a 35 minute stand-by wait. Decision made! We headed right into line. I tried to tell him it would be beneficial that we didn’t share a seat. (Parkay anyone?) But he insisterd we would be fine. OK sweetie! The wait was pretty true and we climbed in and got situated without any issues. It wasn’t as tight as I remembered but we weren’t gonna fall out that was for sure.

After that, Chuck needed a smoke break and I wanted to get some pictures so after consulting the map, we headed over to the area that looks out over the water and Paradise Pier.



Once chuck was done, we headed over and grabbed our piece of cement bench. Chuck ran and got us some liquid refreshment and a pretzel to share. Chuck finally let me fill him in on what was scheduled for tomrrow as far as dining goes and where we were gonna be. They made the annoucenment that the parade would be begin in 30 minutes and the crowds began to swarm around us. I wasn’t too worried as I planned on standing up on the bench like we did last year. While we were waiting, a dad met up with his family that was sitting right in front of us and took his two daughters aside. He had pin lanyard sets behind his back and made them choose which hand they wanted. Then he said the most adorable thing. He said, “I wanted to get you both something because you just can’t be spoiled enough on this trip.” Awwww!! I asked Chuck if he was gonna do that later in the trip for me and I got the roll of the eyes and a “Yeah right! You are getting spoiled in November.” Well, a girl can hope.

Thirty minutes passed and the parade began down by the Paradise Pier area. We had some time before it reached us, so I played with my camera to find the correct setting. I apologize now for all the pictures but this parade was amazing and I absolutely fell in with it.
















After the parade passed us, we had to make a mad dash over to DL as the fireworks were beginning at 9:30pm. We knew we would be in the mass exodus but we actually chose the right route by going by Grizzly River Run, Soarin’, and out the front gate. A quick walk across the Esplanade and we were scanning our tickets and headed under the train tracks onto Main Street. I glanced up and the area up by the train station was packed so we headed down Main Street to see how far we could get before being stopped. We were about midway down and had a pretty good view. However, it got REALLY crowded, REALLY quickly. As soon as the firewroks started, I ended up putting up my camera as I was getting bumped from behind, the side, and the people in front kept stepping back. About ¾ of the way throuight the fireworks, we manuevered our way over to the sidewalk and began making our way over to Frontierland. At one point we were crossing the pathway right in front of the Castle, and I jumped out of my skin due to the sounds of the fireworks even though I knew they were going off. Chuck had quite the giggle on that one.

We made it over to Frontierland and grabbed another beverage before making our way to the area for seating for Fantasmic! They were still cleaning up from the first showing but it didn’t take long. We are able to snag seats in the center about three rows back. The CMs roped off the area around us (about 8 rows deep) and we were told that we were to stay seated during the performance. Not a problem. I realized I was going to have some issues with the railing as fr as pictures went, but I was REALLY excited to finally see the DL version of Fantasmic as it was never playing when I had come previously. Soon, the lights dimmed and it began!!








Both Chuck and I have to admit that the DL version of Fantasmic blew away the WDW version. Don’t get me wrong, we Fantasmic in WDW but I spent the majority of the time picking my jaw up off the ground during this performance. It was amazing. Words cannot begin to describe the goosebumps and feelings this performance gave us. If you go to DL and haven’t seen Fantasmic, do it!!

Now at this point, Chuck and I had been up for close to 24 hours with the time change, and we were both beginning to drag. Chuck grabbed some drinks for the room as we headed out of the park. DTD was still hopping so we had to make a run through the World of Disney just to look. It was like a drive-by shopping experience. We finally made it back to the resort and was very thankful for the short walk from the elevator to our room. We took turns taking showers, and I crashed within minutes. Chuck had to check on some things for work and said I was snoring away within 5 minutes. He came to bed about 30 minutes later and our first day was in the books.

Coming up: Our Meal @ the Bayou and the Loss of Chuck’s Lifeline.

[DyanKJ130]

Great update, Dawn!! Your photos of the parade are wonderful! Fantasmic was dark when we visited in February; I really wish we could have experienced it, especially after your description of it! Can't wait to hear more, but I'm a little worried about Chuck's lost lifeline.

[disneydani]

Wow, you guys truly are awesome...how cool to be successful in the trifecta! I am so looking forward to getting to DL and taking it in.
Thanks for sharing all the pics, too. I was so sad when the Main Street Electrical Parade left WDW, glad to see DL has a version of it.

danielle

[Jillybean]

You two are something else! Way to go with your trifecta success!

Jill

[Colexis Mom]

Great pictures of the Electrical Parade and Fantasmic What a great night!! More please

[bfth]

I was just thinking...I should head over to the DL board to see if Dawn has started her report. And here it is! Woo hoo!

[CountryTink]

What a day you two had! I would love to see the Electrical Parade - I have watched some videos of it and it looks so . Can't wait to hear more, but a little worried about the lost lifeline .

[momtolexi]

Great start to your TR and, as always, wonderful pics Dawn.

[chezp]

How great to fit everything in like that - we might have to try that in October. I love your photos of the Electrical Parade.

[DawnDenise]

Day 2, Part 1: Our Meal @ the Bayou and the Loss of Chuck’s Lifeline

So, I had set up the wake up call for 10:00am just in case we didn’t wake up before that. I woke up at 8:00am ready to go, but unfortunately, Chuck wasn’t moving. I got up and took another shower to wake myself up. I turned on the TV and waited until about 9:45am before I started to jostle Chuck awake. OK, it was more like bouncing up and down on the bed and shaking him than calmly jostling him awake. So, I’m completely a kid. No more sleeping!! After being told to get off the bed, Chuck eventually got hup and took a shower himself. I got the park bag ready, set put the mousekeeping envelope, checked the battery for the camera, and checked the time for our PS. Chuck emerged ready to go and out the door we went.

We headed to DTD to hop the momorail to the park. I warned Chuck that the momorail was different the the one in WDW. One, you have to duct to get into the door. Two, the ride to DL actually had some banking to it. We get our bag checked really quickly and our cards scanned. We made it up the stairs just as the monorail was arriving. Now, as we are boarding our car, I knocked my head on the door frame. Figures!!! While on the monorail, we got our first view at the new Nemo Submarine ride,which we had planned to head to on our Early Entry day later in the week. We arrived at the Tomorrowland station and immediately headed over to New Orleans Square for our PS at Blue Bayou for lunch. We did get distracted by a Photopass photographer in front of the Castle.



I kind of took the long way around as I wanted to grab a FP for Indiana Jones. We succeeded in obtaining FP for right after lunch so off we went to our lunch. Check-in was a mess. They had two lines, one for those already with reservations and another for walk-ups. Well, that is the way it was supposed to be. I eventually got us checked in and asked for a water side seat but was told those were all full. Chuck was hungry, as was I, so we agreed on whatever was available. They called us within a few minutes and we were led to a table that was not water side but still pretty close. I already knew what I wanted but Chuck had a decision to make. Danielle came and got our drink orders. We both went with the Pirate Punch (with either Capt. Hook or Tink light up figures) and water.


Chuck enjoying his Pirate Punch!

When Danielle returned, we ordered our entrees. Chuck went with Royal Street Seafood Jambalaya (A robust combination of king crab, jumbo gulf shrimp, mahi mahi, tasso ham, andouille sausage and chicken, tossed with Cajun-style "dirty rice"), and I went with the Le Special de Monte Cristo (Turkey, ham and Swiss cheese in a battered egg bread, lightly fried to a golden brown, Blue Bayou potatoes, and seasonal vegetables. Chuck selected the gumbo and I went with the salad wedge.


Chuck thought the jambalaya was okay. I loved my Monte Cristo but I could only finish one of the four pieces. Chuck REALLY liked my sandwich though. He finished off two of the squares. At least it looked like I ate something. It was a good and filling meal. Gave us plenty of energy for the rest of the day. We settled the bill and it came to $67.84 plus tip. Not the best use of our dining dollars but it was a nice and relaxing lunch so worth it in my opinion.

Once we exited the Blue Bayou, we stopped and decided on a plan of attack. We were able to grab another FP so I ran ahead and got some for Splash Mountain while Chuck grabbed a smoke. I of course had to check on the Pooh and Friends character greeting area while I was in the area. I didn’t get to see Eeyore last year so I was determined this year. I met up with Chuck, and we headed over to Indiana Jones. Is that the longest queue ever or what? It just kept going and going and going. We practically walked on the ride. Chuck had some issues getting the bag in the pouch and then his Blackberry got hooked on the seatbelt. I told him to give it to me to put in the pouch in front of me but he said it was fine. I wasn’t going to press the issue so we just enjoyed the ride.

Can anyone guess what happened??? Doesn’t take a brain surgeon to figure this one out? With all the movement of the ride, the Blackberry found a new home inside the Indy attraction. We checked around the car when we exited but it was nowhere to be found. I told Chuck we would check with Lost and Found throughout the week to see if it was found. Chuck was not a happy camper and we spent the time walking the exit queue of the ride in complete silence. Honestly, I was waiting for him to blow up . The Blackberry is his lifeline and the fact that there was no way work could get a hold of him in an emergency during the day was sure to drive him batty. Then, out of the blue, he said he was sorry and that he should have given it to me to hold. Where did my workaholic Hubby go???? He said he would call it in and have a new one waiting for him by the time we got home.

We headed over and walked onto the Pirates of the Caribbean. I truly this version. I was pointing out Capt. Jack and some other things to Chuck when the lady in front of me turned around and gave me the evil eye. I was softly talking to Chuck but apparently it was too loud for her. Being the good guest that I am, I stopped talking but only until we got to the last scene with Capt. Jack. I promptly went into Eileen’s rendition of the different types of gold and treasures in the room with Jack. Her head whipped around and the evil eye returned. Chuck gave me the elbow but I just couldn’t help myself. Little did the woman know that it could have been so much worse as I could have sang the whole way through the ride.



Once exiting, we went straight to the Haunter Mansion. This was the first time Chuck had seen the DL version since it was closed for refurb in 2006. We actually had about a 10 minute wait so while we stood in line, he called work and told them his Blackberry was now lost and to deactivate it. He got a new one ordered and it would be on his desk waiting for him when he returned to work. The funniest part of this situation was the time Chuck decided to call was the exact time the train decided to come through and blow the whistle several times. He kept looking at me like he wanted me to stop it. Oh okay hon, let me go talk to the train conductor and tell him you are on a very important phone call and not to blow the whistle. Once the He loved the fact that it was a real Stretching room, and I loved the fact that I caught him reciting the lines with me. Another Disney classic that did not disappoint.




Once we finished up with the HM, we headed back over to Critter Country as our FP for Splash was almost ripe. We passed the time by grabbing a ride on the Many Adventures of Winnie-the-Pooh. I impressed Chuck with my knowledge of the moose head from Country Bear Jamboree in the honey room of the ride. We disembarked from our bee hive and headed over ot the FP line for Splash. The CM said at this point the ride was down and it would be at least an hour wait for FP. She confirmed that we could use the FP later in the day and actually recommended it. All it took was a look and we got out of line and headed back to the character meet and greet area. It was time to meet my gloomy pal!!

Coming Up: Hearing a little girl squeal in delight and some classic Fantasyland rides!

[Hugmonster]

Enjoying reading about your Trip. Sorry your DH lost his crackberry. Luckly my IT department does not see a reason for me to get one so requests keep getting lost