Aristomommy
<font color=deeppink>We were in the “wild animals”
- Joined
- Aug 11, 2001
CAST OF CHARACTERS
ME-
Mom, WDW nut, compulsive planner, Disneyland newbie
DH-
WDW nut, no planning since I do it all, many trips to DL as a child
MIL-
mother-in-law, many trips to DL
DD8,
WDW nut, Disneyland newbie
DS2,
WDW nut, Disneyland newbie
TRIP TO CALIFORNIA
Day before our flight, we received warnings of a blizzard approaching the Midwest. Snow began to fall about 2pm and kept coming down with increasing speed. The next morning, we were supposed to leave at 7am, but found ourselves in 2 feet of snow, and much more had drifted onto our driveway. We quickly began shoveling snow, but after 30 minutes, our car was still stuck on the driveway. After about 45 minutes of pushing and spinning the wheels, the car was on the road. We then quickly loaded our suitcases into the car in knee deep snow and off we went.
At the airport, we were informed that the runways would not open until 1030am. Our flight was supposed to leave at 900am, and many flights were being cancelled. We received updates periodically, and finally left 4 hours behind schedule. DH and I were making new plans for our first day. We would have about 3 hours in the park instead of half a day, but it didnt matter, we were on our way to DISNEYLAND!!!!!
FIRST DAY:
We checked into the Carousel Inn hotel and found the process very quick and easy. We had reserved a family suite with 3 Queen Beds and a kitchenette. Everything was very clean and neat.
We decided to go to DLR. It was a Wednesday and Main Street looked very empty. I gathered that we wouldnt have much trouble with crowds but decided to choose quick loading attractions to get as much out of the three hours we had. We also chose to skip the 7pm parade to avoid crowds during that time. We started with a quick bite at Bengal Barbecue and enjoyed asparagus, chicken, and beef skewers. We then headed to Pirates of the Caribbean. We were excited to see the differences between WDW and DLR versions and also the changes since refurbishment. We loved the two drops during the ride, and all of us rated Disneyland version superior to WDW. Also the fact we just walked on, added to the magic. Next was Haunted Mansion, which to us was very similar to WDW. We love this ride, and even DS thought it was silly scary vs. really scary. Again, no wait for this ride. We worked our way around to Winnie the Pooh. It was very similar to WDW, but the cars are different. DS loved this ride as I thought it would. We could have stayed on for another run, but decided to keep going.
Next we walked past Splash Mountain which was being refurbished. DD and DH were disappointed even though I told them in advance. I think they were being optimistic or they may have doubted my research! Well, mom is always right, even when it comes to refurbishments, LOL. As a matter of fact, DH was asking me questions the entire trip: What does the message board (DIS) say about ..?This area of the park was very empty and all the concessions were closed as well. Weird feeling at a Disney park We came to Fantasyland, as the parade was starting to go through. We rode Casey Jr. circus train, which was a new ride for most of us. We were in the wild animals cage, which was very fitting for us. We got a nice view of the parade (although I was a little sad to miss it) and also noticed very light crowds all over Fantasyland. Next was another new ride for us, Pinocchios Daring Journey, which we all enjoyed. Since DS is only 2, I wished that the cars would have gone slower, as he had a hard time seeing all the characters during the ride. The same thing was with other Fantasyland attractions, as he would just look on one side and miss lot of the detail. We also went on Snow White next door without any wait. I was pretty happy with all we were able to see in the short time. Our grand finale was Small World. I thought the entrance was much better than at WDW, it was really beautiful. We waited maybe 3 boats before it was our turn. When we stepped off, it was time for the 8pm clock show outside. Thats when it sunk in we are at Disneyland. As we stood in the California heat watching the little show, DH and I holding hands like teenagers, I felt the magic we feel during each WDW trip . Perfect ending to a day that started less than perfectly.
Next post will be.... DAY TWO: Early Entry and DCA
ME-
Mom, WDW nut, compulsive planner, Disneyland newbieDH-
WDW nut, no planning since I do it all, many trips to DL as a childMIL-
mother-in-law, many trips to DLDD8,
WDW nut, Disneyland newbieDS2,
WDW nut, Disneyland newbieTRIP TO CALIFORNIA
Day before our flight, we received warnings of a blizzard approaching the Midwest. Snow began to fall about 2pm and kept coming down with increasing speed. The next morning, we were supposed to leave at 7am, but found ourselves in 2 feet of snow, and much more had drifted onto our driveway. We quickly began shoveling snow, but after 30 minutes, our car was still stuck on the driveway. After about 45 minutes of pushing and spinning the wheels, the car was on the road. We then quickly loaded our suitcases into the car in knee deep snow and off we went.
At the airport, we were informed that the runways would not open until 1030am. Our flight was supposed to leave at 900am, and many flights were being cancelled. We received updates periodically, and finally left 4 hours behind schedule. DH and I were making new plans for our first day. We would have about 3 hours in the park instead of half a day, but it didnt matter, we were on our way to DISNEYLAND!!!!!
FIRST DAY:
We checked into the Carousel Inn hotel and found the process very quick and easy. We had reserved a family suite with 3 Queen Beds and a kitchenette. Everything was very clean and neat.
We decided to go to DLR. It was a Wednesday and Main Street looked very empty. I gathered that we wouldnt have much trouble with crowds but decided to choose quick loading attractions to get as much out of the three hours we had. We also chose to skip the 7pm parade to avoid crowds during that time. We started with a quick bite at Bengal Barbecue and enjoyed asparagus, chicken, and beef skewers. We then headed to Pirates of the Caribbean. We were excited to see the differences between WDW and DLR versions and also the changes since refurbishment. We loved the two drops during the ride, and all of us rated Disneyland version superior to WDW. Also the fact we just walked on, added to the magic. Next was Haunted Mansion, which to us was very similar to WDW. We love this ride, and even DS thought it was silly scary vs. really scary. Again, no wait for this ride. We worked our way around to Winnie the Pooh. It was very similar to WDW, but the cars are different. DS loved this ride as I thought it would. We could have stayed on for another run, but decided to keep going.
Next we walked past Splash Mountain which was being refurbished. DD and DH were disappointed even though I told them in advance. I think they were being optimistic or they may have doubted my research! Well, mom is always right, even when it comes to refurbishments, LOL. As a matter of fact, DH was asking me questions the entire trip: What does the message board (DIS) say about ..?This area of the park was very empty and all the concessions were closed as well. Weird feeling at a Disney park We came to Fantasyland, as the parade was starting to go through. We rode Casey Jr. circus train, which was a new ride for most of us. We were in the wild animals cage, which was very fitting for us. We got a nice view of the parade (although I was a little sad to miss it) and also noticed very light crowds all over Fantasyland. Next was another new ride for us, Pinocchios Daring Journey, which we all enjoyed. Since DS is only 2, I wished that the cars would have gone slower, as he had a hard time seeing all the characters during the ride. The same thing was with other Fantasyland attractions, as he would just look on one side and miss lot of the detail. We also went on Snow White next door without any wait. I was pretty happy with all we were able to see in the short time. Our grand finale was Small World. I thought the entrance was much better than at WDW, it was really beautiful. We waited maybe 3 boats before it was our turn. When we stepped off, it was time for the 8pm clock show outside. Thats when it sunk in we are at Disneyland. As we stood in the California heat watching the little show, DH and I holding hands like teenagers, I felt the magic we feel during each WDW trip . Perfect ending to a day that started less than perfectly.
Next post will be.... DAY TWO: Early Entry and DCA
In my frenzy, I begin to check all my papers and find out that there is early entry at 9am. At WDW, we would walk Main Street half an hour before and line up behind the ropes to Fantasyland. As it turns out, the gates will not open until 9am, so we have half an hour wait until we can go through the turnstiles. The time passed quickly, but I missed the warm welcome at WDW, it seemed a bit disorganized here and no smiles from the CMs. 
The ride tips forward several times and the lap bar will do nothing to prevent your child from falling over. This ride was very similar to WDW, I didnt notice any differences. I couldnt wait to try Mr. Toads wild ride after this. No lines present, we zipped on and before long, the ride was over. Very cute, but again too fast for DS to catch the detail. Snow Whites Scary Ride was familiar to us from WDW and we loved it equally. Alice in Wonderland ride was also new to us, and I thought it was so cute because it goes inside and outside. I'm sure this would be on the perks of great California weather.
We only had about an hour left, before we needed to head over to California Adventures park for our lunch ressies. We decided to go on the Storybook land Canal boats. Boy, was that a mistake!!! 
They only had one boat going around, and loading and unloading is sloooooow. We had maybe 30 people ahead of us, and only 10-12 will go at a time, circle the tour and then get off the boat. My thought was that the park is so empty, why wait all this time, but I was quickly vetod by other members of the party. 
After over 30 minute wait without any shade, we saw the miniature trees and went inside a whale. I think I lost some of my magic with this ride. For DH, it was reliving his childhood, for me it was TORTURE
They seat all people pretty much at once, so we had to wait for the 1130am seating time together with all the other families. Not sure why it was decided to do this way, but I was told it wasnt just because we were the first dining time, it is done throughout the day that way. I took DS to the bathroom, and our name was called at that time. It was then that DH made the ultimate mistake in character dining: he accepted to circular booth for our party!!! I say this half-jokingly, but I dont really consider getting up 5 times during my meal a pleasurable experience to let the kids out for autographs and pictures, when we can do it seated. As DS and I came down the staircase and I saw where they were sitting, I was trying to figure out how to make it work. We managed to get a highchair for DS and DD sat at the end of the circular booth to take pictures. Crisis averted, LOL. The food was good, DHs potpie was good, but I liked my meatloaf better. DS got a free halfportion of mac and cheese for free, which I thought was great.
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