Danauk's anniversary trip to Disneyland (and a few other places too!) day 4: relaxing

[Danauk]

The origional plan today was to do the nemo run, but thanks to our VIP tour earlier in the week we had already ridden it (which I was so thankful for, boy do people run to get to that ride 1st thing!!)

But as we were still waking up early we still got up at 5:30am and had our usual cup of coffee in our room and then headed down to the security gate, which was once again deserted!

Soon we were through security and lined up at the gate.

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We got chatting to 2 lovely American families who aparently loved our accents whilst we waited for the gates to open.

As soon as the gates opened we walked in, taking in the sights rather than running with the crowds.

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We walked to the castle and passed the Snow White wishing well and waterfall. I loved the fact that as Snow White was singing you could hear the echo in the well.

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We decided it was time to do a few rides, Space Mountain, Buzz and Star Tours before the park opened to the rest of the guests at 8am.

Then we went over to haunted mansion. I loved the detailing in the building for this ride.

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Then we headed over to ride Winnie the Pooh and have a Tigger Tail snack at the exit. Tigger Tails are so yummy (and so bad for you!) They are marshmellow covered in caramel and orange chocolate.

Next we decided to go to Toon Town which was surprisingly empty.

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We decided to go on Roger Rabbit Car Toon Spin

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This was good fun.

By now it was getting quite hot so we decided to take a raft over to Pirates Lair on Tom Sawyer Island to explore and seak some shade. Then we decided to do a lap of the river on the Mark Twain Steam boat.

Next we decided to go explore the New Orleans Square area of the park as we had not been there yet. It is so pretty, probably my favourite area of the park.

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It is where the dream suite is which a family a day wins the night in. The suite was origionally built there for Walt and his family to use. But sadly he died before it was completed. I loved the WD and RD detailing in the railings.

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This area is also the home to Club 33, the private members club. Sadly I couldn't get in!!

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By now it was 11:30am and time to check in for lunch at Blue Bayou which is a restaurant located in the Pirates of the Caribbean ride, similar to Blue Lagoon at DLRP only with better food and service! We had a lovely meal at a table by the waters edge.

After lunch it was getting hot so we decided to see the origional Tiki Room Show. I loved the theaming of the waiting area.

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After the show we decided to take the monorail back to the hotel. Unfortunately as it was hot the new monorail wasn't running so it took ages! As it was warm we decided to have a relaxing afternoon by the pool. At 6pm we decided we better get some food so we called in at White Water Snacks, a small counter service place in the hotel which was really nice and quiet.

We then headed back into the Disneyland Park for our VIP seating for the fireworks, boy were we happy we had this seating as the crowds were huge and by the time they started Main Street was packed solid. The fireworks were lovely and the projections on the castle and Matterhorn really added to the show. I loved that Tinkerbell flew around in different directions throughout the show rather than just once down towards Main Street like she does at WDW.

After the fireworks we decided to take a few more night pictures.

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By now it was 10:30pm and we were getting tired so we headed back to our room.

[thelittlemermaid83]

Another fab day, i really love your photos!

[Snowy-girls]

Great day,photo's are great.I love the Snow White fountain-i have a picture of me+my Grandad in front of that on my 16th birthday.And one of me+Roger Rabbit with him tickling th life out of me.Does RR still do photo ops?.x.

[Lizzybear]

More great pics and a fab day :goodvibes I can't wait to try a tigger tail! I wanted to eat at Blue Bayou to share the monte cristo with my bf but it's not vege so we're eating at Cafe Orleans instead as they do a cheese version there :)

[irongirlof12]

your photo's are fabulous :thumbsup2 the castle at night looks stunning.

[Strommie]

I love your photos. The Tigger Tails sound yummy.

[SusanEllen]

Your report is wonderfully entertaining and your exceptional photos illustrate it so well. I've never managed such a terrific picture as yours of the Haunted Mansion without those pesky mortals spoiling the shot! Well done.

[Danauk]

Thank you all for your wonderful comments. I love taking pictures, I'm really trying hard to get to grips with my new DSLR camera and all my lenses (I have a Nikon D40x.) All your comments are making me even more inspired to learn how to use my camera properly and take even better shots! I know what you mean about the Haunted Mansion shot, I really got lucky on that. I can't believe it was taken mid morning in August! I can't wait until next month when I get to take more pictures at DLRP, I already have in my mind the pictures I want to take!! Actually the 1st is a little sentimental, my parents in front of the castle on their 1st ever trip to a Disney park!!

[natalielongstaff]

Lovely day :thumbsup2 the haunted mansion looks great !

[tennisfan]

Another great day. Loving the photos:goodvibes

I really want to go to DL, I was planning to go last year when I was meant to be going to California for work experience but it all fell through & I didn't go:sad1:

[Tialuccy]

I agree with everyone else. Your photo's are amazing especially the night time shots. I've never taken a night photo that comes close to how good yours are.

[Minniespal]

Fantastic photos:thumbsup2

[Ware Bears]

I'm really enjoying this. DH is planning on us going to California after our next WDW trip ~ it can't come soon enough! :goodvibes

[florida sun]

Another brilliant day and wonderful photos:thumbsup2

[simba_one]

Yet another fantastic day! And more great photos too. I especially love the one of the Fire Dept. and Walt's apartment. And the Matterhorn. ;)

[mark&sue]

We went to DL in 1999 and your photos make it look even better than I remembered. Just want to go back some day now.


susan