avalon451
Errrr... what?
- Joined
- Mar 1, 2008
Day 2! Blue Bayou lunch, WOC Dessert Party
I woke early on Wednesday, like 5 a.m. Checked my phone and browsed for a bit, then fell back asleep. I woke to the sound of DH shaving at 7:45. We'd decided to employ the "opposite of MM/EE" strategy, and save our one MM for Saturday morning if we needed it. Therefore, today we were rope dropping Disneyland for the 10 a.m. opening. So I had plenty of time to shower and get ready.
We went over to the Desert Inn's breakfast room, which is pretty lame, frankly, but especially if you're gluten free. There are some mini-muffins and tired-looking pastries, and bread for toast. There is a big platter of chilled hard-boiled eggs, which aren't that appetizing first thing in the morning, but provided us with the needed protein to sustain our park touring. Bowls with whole apples and oranges-- I usually took an apple. Two kinds of cereal, neither of which are gluten free-- I think it was Froot Loops and corn flakes? It would be awfully simple for them to have Cheerios and/or corn or rice Chex, which are GF, but no. There is a dispenser of quick oats (not GF, but we're not sensitive to non-gf oats) that you can mix with a guesstimated amount of hot water from the hot water/tea dispenser, and some brown sugar to spoon on. Coffee, teabags, apple or orange juice, and milk. Not much, and not appetizing, but enough to get by on.
We got to the security area right about 8:45. The line wasn't too bad; we were through in about 5 minutes, including walking through the metal detectors. I had to take off my birthday button each time I did this. The lines at the DL turnstiles were not that long, but we lined up at gate 20. Pretty soon we noticed that there was nobody at gate 19, and moved over there to be first in line.
Al went over to Starbucks in DTD while I did the mobile order through my phone app. He still had to wait a bit for it, but only about the same amount as a normal wait at our neighborhood Starbucks, which was great considering the mob and the line out the door when he got there. He got back in plenty of time. They opened the gates and did the countdown about 9:35, at which time we walked briskly up to the rope drop. It was a little different than I remembered it from a few years ago, when one rope drop was strung at the top of Main Street, next to the camera store and Coke corner. Ropes were now strung on either side of the hub, and also right in the middle in front of the Partners Statue. Because we were going for Peter Pan first, we chose this center position, which ended up working out very well. We had about twenty minutes at the front of the rope drop to chat with the CM, take pictures, and offer to take other people's pictures in front of the Partners statue and the empty castle drawbridge.
When the park officially opened, we walked briskly up through the Castle, bearing to the right, and up to Peter Pan. There was a CM there who guided us into a rope chute outside the queue, and after a few minutes began walking us slowly through the entire interior queue. This worked well because nobody could skip, jump the line, push or anything. We were about 30 back from the beginning, and we were on within 5-10 minutes, and done with the ride by 10:15. I'm really glad we tried it for rope drop, although I've seen some people here advise against it. I love this ride, and I missed it last year when it was down for refurb! I really noticed some of the changes; it looks much better. "London" is brighter and prettier, as is the view of the island; and the movie's very racist depiction of the Indian Chief and Princess Tiger Lily is minimized to one minor side scene.
DH had previously not experienced any of the FL rides, since he was the one doing "sick kid" duty in the hotel that day, last time we were there. So this was all new to him, and he ended up really enjoying all the little funky dark rides. We did Alice next, which of course is newer and beautifully themed. Then we did Matterhorn. I'd only done it once before, and not since the sleds were padded/improved. I LOVE the new Yeti! So much better than the old disembodied voice and red eyes shining in the dark. Really cool animatronics, there. Next I talked him into Dumbo, just because it's cute and it's so iconic.
Then we rode Mr. Toad (love) and Snow White (love). I had him watch for the evil Queen glaring down from her window above the ride. I had DH reach for the golden apple by the book at the beginning of the queue, which he got a kick out of.
Our early lunch reservations were for 11:40, because I'd been a little late in making reservations to get the first 11:30 seating. HINT: this was a mistake in my strategy to get waterside seating. If you're trying the 11:30 lunch strategy, make your reservations right at the 60-day mark. We tried to check in early at 11:20, said that we were hoping to request waterside, but were told that they were still seating their 11:30 reservations, and we could not check in until 11:30. So we hung around (along with several other parties) and just as soon as my phone said 11:30, approached the podium again. This time they checked us in, but informed us a little smugly that the wait for waterside was an hour, because they seat all of the 11:30 people waterside. They said we could request the "one back" row. So that's what we did. They started to seat us way to the left, right next to the kitchen, in an area that was rather noisy with the loading/unloading PotC ride and a blocked view. I asked politely if we could be seated more toward the center, and they accommodated us. Lesson learned: get those ressies in early. The view was ok but somewhat blocked, and somewhat marred by the bright daylight coming in from back in the reception area.
I had written to Disney Dining ahead of time and asked if I could have a gluten-free Monte Cristo, which I've read they'll do with advance notice. Our nice server noted this and went back to talk to the kitchen, and a manager came out shortly to let me know that they would do that for me, but it would take a little longer as they made it fresh. That was no problem, we weren't in a hurry. DH ordered the jambalaya.
The gluten-free Monte Cristo was not too much like the regular version I remember, which, when hot and fresh, I found very tasty, if extremely filling. It was pretty good though. Some of the edges were so crispy I left the crusts. It had a pretty skewer of berries and a tomatillo cherry.
When we were finished, the server, unasked, brought me a dish of sorbet (yay.) with a candle in it, for my birthday. We were pretty full, but it was a nice thought, and we ate some of it, and then were on our way.
On our way out of the parks, we stopped to watch the Dapper Dans. They had a couple of people up there and were singing "Happy Birthday" to them, and one of the guys spotted my button and made a gesture halfway through the song to include me, which was sweet. They then sang a song from Nightmare Before Christmas in which the audience is invited to "Now scream!" and so I did, though not loudly, but they all pointed at me and nodded, so after that the rest of the crowd caught on and screamed on cue. We also watched the Disneyland Band for awhile near the flagpole.
We decided to head over to California Adventure before our break, see what was shaking, maybe pick up a FP and do a ride or two. That was our first foray over there. We went and picked up a FP for RSR which had a 7 p.m. return time. Then California Screamin' was a walk on, so we did that. This was when I found out that DH doesn't do scary roller coasters any more. He was sort of okay with this one 8 years ago, but this time when we got done, I was laughing, but I looked over and his face was frozen. I thought he was joking around, but he told me later that he wasn't, he literally was so frozen with adrenaline he had trouble functioning. Yikes. I enjoyed it, but once was enough for me, too.
Next we went on Mater's Junkyard Jamboree, which I hadn't done before. That was cute. The theming in Carsland is so amazing. DH says that was his favorite area of the resort; it was just so immersive.
We walked over to Monster's Inc, but it was 15 minutes, and I knew it would be walk on when I'd originally planned on going, the next day, so we decided to skip it for now. Instead we went into the Animation Building and watched Turtle Talk with Crush, which was mildly entertaining. Then we walked over to the Grizzly Peak area and had our picture taken by the photopass photographer.
Next we walked over to Pacific Wharf and had a margarita, and relaxed for a bit by the water. It was getting warm and crowded. We decided to head back for a rest, and return in time to use our RSR FPs and then go to the WOC dessert party.
On our way out, we met Oswald right near the exit gates!
(Day 2, part two, next)
I woke early on Wednesday, like 5 a.m. Checked my phone and browsed for a bit, then fell back asleep. I woke to the sound of DH shaving at 7:45. We'd decided to employ the "opposite of MM/EE" strategy, and save our one MM for Saturday morning if we needed it. Therefore, today we were rope dropping Disneyland for the 10 a.m. opening. So I had plenty of time to shower and get ready.
We went over to the Desert Inn's breakfast room, which is pretty lame, frankly, but especially if you're gluten free. There are some mini-muffins and tired-looking pastries, and bread for toast. There is a big platter of chilled hard-boiled eggs, which aren't that appetizing first thing in the morning, but provided us with the needed protein to sustain our park touring. Bowls with whole apples and oranges-- I usually took an apple. Two kinds of cereal, neither of which are gluten free-- I think it was Froot Loops and corn flakes? It would be awfully simple for them to have Cheerios and/or corn or rice Chex, which are GF, but no. There is a dispenser of quick oats (not GF, but we're not sensitive to non-gf oats) that you can mix with a guesstimated amount of hot water from the hot water/tea dispenser, and some brown sugar to spoon on. Coffee, teabags, apple or orange juice, and milk. Not much, and not appetizing, but enough to get by on.
We got to the security area right about 8:45. The line wasn't too bad; we were through in about 5 minutes, including walking through the metal detectors. I had to take off my birthday button each time I did this. The lines at the DL turnstiles were not that long, but we lined up at gate 20. Pretty soon we noticed that there was nobody at gate 19, and moved over there to be first in line.
Al went over to Starbucks in DTD while I did the mobile order through my phone app. He still had to wait a bit for it, but only about the same amount as a normal wait at our neighborhood Starbucks, which was great considering the mob and the line out the door when he got there. He got back in plenty of time. They opened the gates and did the countdown about 9:35, at which time we walked briskly up to the rope drop. It was a little different than I remembered it from a few years ago, when one rope drop was strung at the top of Main Street, next to the camera store and Coke corner. Ropes were now strung on either side of the hub, and also right in the middle in front of the Partners Statue. Because we were going for Peter Pan first, we chose this center position, which ended up working out very well. We had about twenty minutes at the front of the rope drop to chat with the CM, take pictures, and offer to take other people's pictures in front of the Partners statue and the empty castle drawbridge.
When the park officially opened, we walked briskly up through the Castle, bearing to the right, and up to Peter Pan. There was a CM there who guided us into a rope chute outside the queue, and after a few minutes began walking us slowly through the entire interior queue. This worked well because nobody could skip, jump the line, push or anything. We were about 30 back from the beginning, and we were on within 5-10 minutes, and done with the ride by 10:15. I'm really glad we tried it for rope drop, although I've seen some people here advise against it. I love this ride, and I missed it last year when it was down for refurb! I really noticed some of the changes; it looks much better. "London" is brighter and prettier, as is the view of the island; and the movie's very racist depiction of the Indian Chief and Princess Tiger Lily is minimized to one minor side scene.
DH had previously not experienced any of the FL rides, since he was the one doing "sick kid" duty in the hotel that day, last time we were there. So this was all new to him, and he ended up really enjoying all the little funky dark rides. We did Alice next, which of course is newer and beautifully themed. Then we did Matterhorn. I'd only done it once before, and not since the sleds were padded/improved. I LOVE the new Yeti! So much better than the old disembodied voice and red eyes shining in the dark. Really cool animatronics, there. Next I talked him into Dumbo, just because it's cute and it's so iconic.
Then we rode Mr. Toad (love) and Snow White (love). I had him watch for the evil Queen glaring down from her window above the ride. I had DH reach for the golden apple by the book at the beginning of the queue, which he got a kick out of.
Our early lunch reservations were for 11:40, because I'd been a little late in making reservations to get the first 11:30 seating. HINT: this was a mistake in my strategy to get waterside seating. If you're trying the 11:30 lunch strategy, make your reservations right at the 60-day mark. We tried to check in early at 11:20, said that we were hoping to request waterside, but were told that they were still seating their 11:30 reservations, and we could not check in until 11:30. So we hung around (along with several other parties) and just as soon as my phone said 11:30, approached the podium again. This time they checked us in, but informed us a little smugly that the wait for waterside was an hour, because they seat all of the 11:30 people waterside. They said we could request the "one back" row. So that's what we did. They started to seat us way to the left, right next to the kitchen, in an area that was rather noisy with the loading/unloading PotC ride and a blocked view. I asked politely if we could be seated more toward the center, and they accommodated us. Lesson learned: get those ressies in early. The view was ok but somewhat blocked, and somewhat marred by the bright daylight coming in from back in the reception area.
I had written to Disney Dining ahead of time and asked if I could have a gluten-free Monte Cristo, which I've read they'll do with advance notice. Our nice server noted this and went back to talk to the kitchen, and a manager came out shortly to let me know that they would do that for me, but it would take a little longer as they made it fresh. That was no problem, we weren't in a hurry. DH ordered the jambalaya.
The gluten-free Monte Cristo was not too much like the regular version I remember, which, when hot and fresh, I found very tasty, if extremely filling. It was pretty good though. Some of the edges were so crispy I left the crusts. It had a pretty skewer of berries and a tomatillo cherry.
When we were finished, the server, unasked, brought me a dish of sorbet (yay.) with a candle in it, for my birthday. We were pretty full, but it was a nice thought, and we ate some of it, and then were on our way.
On our way out of the parks, we stopped to watch the Dapper Dans. They had a couple of people up there and were singing "Happy Birthday" to them, and one of the guys spotted my button and made a gesture halfway through the song to include me, which was sweet. They then sang a song from Nightmare Before Christmas in which the audience is invited to "Now scream!" and so I did, though not loudly, but they all pointed at me and nodded, so after that the rest of the crowd caught on and screamed on cue. We also watched the Disneyland Band for awhile near the flagpole.
We decided to head over to California Adventure before our break, see what was shaking, maybe pick up a FP and do a ride or two. That was our first foray over there. We went and picked up a FP for RSR which had a 7 p.m. return time. Then California Screamin' was a walk on, so we did that. This was when I found out that DH doesn't do scary roller coasters any more. He was sort of okay with this one 8 years ago, but this time when we got done, I was laughing, but I looked over and his face was frozen. I thought he was joking around, but he told me later that he wasn't, he literally was so frozen with adrenaline he had trouble functioning. Yikes. I enjoyed it, but once was enough for me, too.
Next we went on Mater's Junkyard Jamboree, which I hadn't done before. That was cute. The theming in Carsland is so amazing. DH says that was his favorite area of the resort; it was just so immersive.
We walked over to Monster's Inc, but it was 15 minutes, and I knew it would be walk on when I'd originally planned on going, the next day, so we decided to skip it for now. Instead we went into the Animation Building and watched Turtle Talk with Crush, which was mildly entertaining. Then we walked over to the Grizzly Peak area and had our picture taken by the photopass photographer.
Next we walked over to Pacific Wharf and had a margarita, and relaxed for a bit by the water. It was getting warm and crowded. We decided to head back for a rest, and return in time to use our RSR FPs and then go to the WOC dessert party.
On our way out, we met Oswald right near the exit gates!
(Day 2, part two, next)