"I thought the last visit was a once in a lifetime trip??" COMPLETED 5/6/13

[Linda67]

Really enjoying your trip report - thanks so much for sharing. The Lily Belle looks wonderful! And I am definitely going to try a Mickey beignet on our next trip to Disneyland. I'm guessing it's like a doughnut?

Looking forward to hearing more about your trip...

Thanks for reading
Yep, I think the best way of describing a Beignet is like a puffed up, light and airy doughnut.
That's probably a bad description but the important thing is that they are delicious

 

[Linda67]

Hi everyone

A very quick update to wrap up Sunday 14th

Back at the hotel, I relaxed, read and started to pack a few bits and pieces for the flight home tomorrow. Usually I would be soooo sad to be packing but I was missing DH soooo much I didn’t mind as much as usual

After packing, I decided that there was probably just enough room in my suitcase for another souvenir glass ..... mmm, where to go??

HippopotoMai-Tai - Dare to enter this hippo pool with...Bang! Bang! Two shots of Rum! Don't worry this drink is only dangerous when you start to wiggle your ears!
-- Light and Dark Rums, Orange Curacao, Orgeat (Almond) Syrup, Organic Agave Nectar, and Freshly Squeezed Lime Juice. Served in a souvenir Tiki Glass.

Yep, back at my favorite bar stool - at least they bartenders aren’t saying “the usual Linda?” (yet!)

I also order something from the appertiser menu

Fish Tacos - with Grilled Mahi Mahi, wrapped in Corn Tortillas

Fed and watered I headed back to Disneyland hoping tonight would be the night that I would finally see the fireworks

First up, I had to check in for the Fantasmic! reserved seating/dessert package at 8pm

Even though I had reserved the second, 10:30pm show, everyone starts checking in at the same time. There were probably 20 people in front of me but the line moved really quickly and I was able to secure a front row seat, right in the center

After I had checked in, I couldn’t resist another ride on Indie and the Matterhorn - love the single rider options

After the Matterhorn, I walked on to Tea Cups as there was no wait at all - so pretty at night

Next up I headed to the hub with my fingers and toes crossed that we I would finally get to see the fireworks

As per last night, the announcer kept repeating the "due to winds at high elevations. .....' spiel so I was not overly optimistic

I struck up conversation with a couple of WDW vets who were visiting DL for the first time. It was fun to chat away and helped pass the time

Then ..... as if by magic, the CMs began to shout “right, let’s stand up people, we are going to have some fireworks!”

A loud cheer went up and happy smiling faces were all around me

Well, what can I say?

What a spectacular fireworks show; it was far, far more impressive than I even imagined it would be

I totally LOVED the music, so cool to hear all that great attraction music and I didn’t know about Tink so that was a cool surprise

I didn’t even attempt to take photos, I just wanted to enjoy every second, and enjoy every second I did

Boy did I miss DH at this point, he would have loved it

After the fireworks I was just buzzing and I still had Fantasmic! to look forward to

I cut through Fantasy Faire to make my way over to the Rivers Of America and the Fantasmic viewing area (good tip from the boards)

I took my seat, got coffee and water and chowed down

This photo is actually from 2012 but everything was identical

I didn't think the cheese was great so I concentrated on the grapes and sweet stuff

The two standouts were the macaroon and cheesecake

You get a huge amount of food in these boxes, far too much for one person and most people seemed to take the boxes away with them at the end of the show. The plastic lids aren’t particularly secure so it’s probably a good idea to bring some ziplock bags etc if you intend to take it home with you

I haven’t been to see Fantasmic! at WDW for years; it’s really not a show I particularly enjoy but in Disneyland .........WOW!

Loved it last year and loved it this year

The dessert package is pretty pricey but I just don’t fancy staking out a spot ages in advance, especially when I am on my own and in my opinion the reserved viewing area is a great spot to watch the show from

After the show, the park was closing in like 10 mins but I managed to squeeze in one last ride on Pirates

Seriously Disneyland’s Pirates is just wonderful - I could ride over and over again. A great way to end my evening

I walked slowly out of the park and back to the Disneyland Hotel and I think I was probably asleep in about 0.2 seconds

Zzzzzzzzz

Coming Up Next ............... Bye Bye Disneyland

 

[dizneeat]

Hey Karin
Ooh are you heading to DL in 2015 then? - tell me more!
The cookie was delicious by the way. I often find that this sort of treat is a little disappointing but buy them because they are cute - not the case here, it was a really fresh and tasty shortbread

We actually had planned on going to California in 2014, but then we fell in love with the Med itineraries of the Disney Magic. So California was pushed back to 2015, which coinsides with Tom's 50th.
We are planning on a 6 week tour, starting in LA (with 2 or 3 Disney days), then south to San Diego, from there to Palm Springs and Las Vegas. Then up to the wine country and down Highway 1 to LA again, where we want to finish off our trip with another 5 nights at DL.

So I took a couple notes, the Lilly Belle, the tour, Fantasmic viewing ...... thanks for all the hints. They will come in SO handy when we finally return to CA.

 

[Linda67]

We actually had planned on going to California in 2014, but then we fell in love with the Med itineraries of the Disney Magic. So California was pushed back to 2015, which coinsides with Tom's 50th.
We are planning on a 6 week tour, starting in LA (with 2 or 3 Disney days), then south to San Diego, from there to Palm Springs and Las Vegas. Then up to the wine country and down Highway 1 to LA again, where we want to finish off our trip with another 5 nights at DL.

So I took a couple notes, the Lilly Belle, the tour, Fantasmic viewing ...... thanks for all the hints. They will come in SO handy when we finally return to CA.

Oh wow Karin - what an amazing trip you have planned!
I really recommend the 'Walk In Walt's Footsteps Tour' as well
And don't forget you can get a DVC discount on the tours

 

[GoofySon'sMom]

Fantasmic! in DLR is soooo much better than in WDW! And I loved the reserved seating. We haven't seen the show in WDW in years but I am trying to make a point of seeing it this year (course I said that last year, too!).

 

[Pesky]

I love your diligent work through Trader Sam's menu! So I have to ask, out of them all, which was your favorite?

 

[Linda67]

Fantasmic! in DLR is soooo much better than in WDW! And I loved the reserved seating. We haven't seen the show in WDW in years but I am trying to make a point of seeing it this year (course I said that last year, too!).

Fantasmic! at DL is just amazing .... LOVE IT

I love your diligent work through Trader Sam's menu! So I have to ask, out of them all, which was your favorite?

All in the name of research of course
I think that the Tiki Tiki Rum Rum is probably the winner at the moment

 

[Linda67]

Monday 15th April

Today was check out day, so after I had packed up my last bits and pieces, I took bags to bell services and popped over to the Coffee House for an Americano

There was a DVC get together at 8:30am at the Disneyland Hotel so I though I might as well pop along

The DVC CMs were all really welcoming and there was a very tasty selection of pastries to munch on.

The get together was the usual raft of quizzes and games and a few people were lucky enough to win really nice gift baskets (not me sadly!)

At the end of the meeting the big Cheese himself popped in for photos which was a nice touch

The park wasnt opening until 10am today and as it was raining, I headed to the monorail station as there was a little bit of shelter whilst I waited for the turnstiles to open

I chatted with a lovely family from San Francisco who were really excited about their day

With no real plans this morning, other than to snap some photos, I wandered down Main Street and made an on the spot decision to head to the Carnation Cafe for breakfast number 2 (well Id only had one pastry )

I do love that you dont have to make ADRs 180 days out at DL!

I asked if there was space for me at the check in desk and they said it would be around a 15 minute wait and handed me a buzzer

Whilst I was waiting I got chatting to a lovely lady CM who had worked at the Cafe for many, many years. She was such a lovely lady and clearly loved her job and meeting people

Whilst we were chatting I spotted Chef Oscar walking around the restaurant and recognized him right away from various blogs and trip reports

I was so excited to see him, I just love his story, the fact that he has worked at the park for over 55 years and is he is Disneylands longest tenured cast member. He started working at Disneyland as a busboy when he was just 17 years old and has been working at the Carnation Cafe for over 40 years!

I told the lady CM how awesome it was to see Chef Oscar so she marched right over to him and told him that I had travelled all the way from London to meet him!

Well let me just say he was the most delightful and courteous gentleman.

He could easily charm the birds out of the trees. We had a lovely conversation and it turns out that this was his first day back at work following a lengthy and probably well needed break

I asked if I could get a photo with him to which he gladly agreed!

After our photo, he took me by the arm and said that he would like to seat me himself - my buzzer still hadnt gone off but he led me over to a lovely little booth and said he would take good care of me

He bought me a menu and asked one of the servers to take my drink order and said he would be back to check on me later. It really did make my day to meet him

As I was looking over the menu my buzzer sounded!, I completely forgot I still had it!

My server took the buzzer away from me and I placed my order for a cinnamon hot chocolate (naughty but oh so nice) and these beauties((

Steel-Cut Oatmeal Cakes - Hearty Oatmeal Cakes with Cranberries, Raisins, Honey, and Spices served with Fruit Compote.

The oatcakes were absolutely yummy, such a great choice and Chef Oscar came back to check I was enjoying them

Im so glad that I decided to pop in for breakfast, what a wonderful way to round off my trip

I settled my bill and got up to leave, and was delighted to get the opportunity to say thank you and goodbye to the man himself who was standing by the check in podium ........ the man is a true legend

The rest of the morning was spent taking photos around some of my favorite spots in the park

One of the things I hadnt had chance to visit yet was the Iron Man Exhibition over at Innoventions so I decided to head over there to take a look

I just had time for a quick spin on Autopia (the park was really quiet today) and I managed to pass my driving test

Is this acceptable photo ID?

It was now time to head back to the hotel so I used the monorail to take me back to the Downtown Disney Station and collected my bags from bell services

I was using the Disneyland Express to take me back to LAX and this was really quick and simple. It took around 40 mins to get to the airport

Nothing much to report from here on, there weren't really any lines for security at LAX and once through I headed to the lounge to wait for my flight

My flight left on time and following drinks, dinner was served

After dinner, I slept like a baby, I literally only woke up when breakfast was being served

We only live around 25 minutes from the airport so I called DH as soon as I landed and by the time I had collected my bags he was there to pick me up

So thats it folks, thanks for reading along

I really did have a wonderful trip and hope that I can get to visit DL again real soon!

ETA - Sorry about the totaly random picture sizes .... must do better next time!

 

[Stew_Mouse]

Awesome report, Linda! I liked all your food pictures, you always have a nice sampling of different foods and, of course, drinks!

So do you think you'll go back to Disneyland again anytime soon or will you be taking a break for awhile?

 

[aussiejen]

Thoroughly enjoyed reading this trip report.
I have been to WDW & DL both once but am planning my 2nd trip to DL in 2014.
After reading this i cant wait to get back there & this time i will be booking a tour - probably Walk in Walts footsteps tour ( due to children i couldnt do this last time)

Thankyou again for the lovely read

 

[gardengirl2790]

It sounds like you had a wonderful solo trip! Thank you for sharing the details. We are looking very forward to visiting Trader Sam's on our summer visit.

 

[dizneeat]

What an awesome last day, Linda! I love that you got to meet Chef Oscar and that he personally looked after you. So Disney!

Thanks for sharing all your pics and adventures (and food and drinks ). I really and truly enjoyed coming along.

 

[WDWaddictt]

Awesome TR! I really enjoyed ready along! Sounds like you had a wonderful trip, sure makes me want to go now for sure. Thanks for writing it!

 

[Linda67]

Awesome report, Linda! I liked all your food pictures, you always have a nice sampling of different foods and, of course, drinks!

So do you think you'll go back to Disneyland again anytime soon or will you be taking a break for awhile?

Thanks for reading
Oh I really hope I do get to visit DL again. If I fly over on business again I will be sure to add on a couple of vacation days

Thoroughly enjoyed reading this trip report.
I have been to WDW & DL both once but am planning my 2nd trip to DL in 2014.
After reading this i cant wait to get back there & this time i will be booking a tour - probably Walk in Walts footsteps tour ( due to children i couldnt do this last time)

Thankyou again for the lovely read

Thanks for reading
The Walk In Walt's Footsteps Tour is excellent, well worth the money in my opinion
Have fun planning your trip!

It sounds like you had a wonderful solo trip! Thank you for sharing the details. We are looking very forward to visiting Trader Sam's on our summer visit.

Tell Sam I said hello

What an awesome last day, Linda! I love that you got to meet Chef Oscar and that he personally looked after you. So Disney!

Thanks for sharing all your pics and adventures (and food and drinks ). I really and truly enjoyed coming along.

Hey Karin
Now I am all finished I can go and catch up on your adventures

Awesome TR! I really enjoyed ready along! Sounds like you had a wonderful trip, sure makes me want to go now for sure. Thanks for writing it!

Thanks for your kind words - I hope you get to visit DL soon

 

[emmysmommy]

Linda your last day doesn't sound like it could be any better - well except for the weather!

We've missed Chef Oscar the last couple times we ate at WDW so I'm glad he's back. He has quite a following here. The first time we met him in 2006 we didn't know his celebrity status, so to speak. He was just making rounds and chatting with the guests. I have a cute photo of Em and Michael with Oscar. I usually get the The Oscar for breakfast at Carnation Cafe since it is named in his honor.

Your DVC get together with a special appearance by Mickey himself sounds like a lot of fun.

I love the drivers license and the postcard at the end!

 

[LizzieinDisney]

Thanks for your awesome TR! I have really enjoyed following along with you. I am so glad you got to see Oscar! The Carnation Cafe for breakfast is one of my favorite Disneyland spots. There truly is nothing like it. Have a magical day, and I am looking forward to some more DL trip reports in the future!

 

[disneykiwi]

Hey there

Have loved reading along your trip report - it was great. We have a booking at carnation cafe when we head there in a month and I am really hoping to see Oscar too.

Hope you get to go again and will look forward to reading anymore reports you do of your Disney trips.

Thanks

 

[Linda67]

Linda your last day doesn't sound like it could be any better - well except for the weather!

We've missed Chef Oscar the last couple times we ate at WDW so I'm glad he's back. He has quite a following here. The first time we met him in 2006 we didn't know his celebrity status, so to speak. He was just making rounds and chatting with the guests. I have a cute photo of Em and Michael with Oscar. I usually get the The Oscar for breakfast at Carnation Cafe since it is named in his honor.

Your DVC get together with a special appearance by Mickey himself sounds like a lot of fun.

I love the drivers license and the postcard at the end!

Hi Brenda
I thought Oscar was just wonderful, such a charming gentleman
I'd love to see that photo of Em!
Lx

Thanks for your awesome TR! I have really enjoyed following along with you. I am so glad you got to see Oscar! The Carnation Cafe for breakfast is one of my favorite Disneyland spots. There truly is nothing like it. Have a magical day, and I am looking forward to some more DL trip reports in the future!

Thanks for reading along
I can't imagine ever going to DL again without getting breakfast at the Carnation Cafe

Hey there

Have loved reading along your trip report - it was great. We have a booking at carnation cafe when we head there in a month and I am really hoping to see Oscar too.

Hope you get to go again and will look forward to reading anymore reports you do of your Disney trips.

Thanks

Thanks!
I hope you have a wonderful trip
Someone told me that Oscar doesn't work at weekends - just fyi
Not sure if that's 100% true but it seems that he only works on weekdays

 

[izzie-wizzie]

Oh wow I just found this trip report!! Off to go read

 

[izzie-wizzie]

Wow amazing report!!

It makes me really miss Disneyland - I was the same as you and wasn't expected to be as blown away as I was. I can't believe people say it's a one day park - we did four full days and I don't even feel I have seen half of the parks!

I love your daily visits to Trader Sams, your room in Disneyland looks amazing, breakfast in Carnation Cafe looks amazing, Fireworks ... Carsland at night - amazing.. overuse of amazing but yeah...it pretty much sums it up

So glad you had a great trip!!