A Fistful of Fastpasses: Disneyland with the DIS and ABD! (Final Day post #205-10/4)

[HonestAbe]

I went to Australia for 3 weeks and spent about $50 on souvenirs for myself. At Imagineering and Club 33 I spent about $500.

I think we must be alike. We went to Paris and I think the only souvenirs I bought was a Hard Rock shirt and a small Arc de Triomphe sculpture which was pricey, but I had to have because of the detailing.

But I could easily blow a giant wad in both the Imagineering and Club 33 shops and then never wear or use them.

Usually I wear my clothes out but if it's really special or unique, I mouse it away. I don't recall seeing if you went to Blue Bayou for a meal, but in the waiting area years ago they used to sell stuff there. I have a ball cap that I havent worn in geez...12 or 13 years maybe? I just cant do it.

 

[HonestAbe]

Then again, my DW might disagree with me about the souvenir buying because I have a poor memory. I probably bought everything but the kitchen sink in Paris.

 

[YodasMom]

Unfortunately, I don't foresee being able to go to Club 33 for my October BSM tour since it's apparently closing around the first of October for renovation. My tour starts Oct 13. Possibly next year, though.

I know I'm so used to making ADRs so far ahead at WDW it's hard to grasp the fact that I don't need to do it early at DLR!!!

Another question, are you able to use Disney gift cards to pay for merchandise at Imagineering? I'm buying one card a week to save for souvenirs and extra meals for my trip!

 

[skier_pete]

Another question, are you able to use Disney gift cards to pay for merchandise at Imagineering? I'm buying one card a week to save for souvenirs and extra meals for my trip!

We were told that you cannot use Disney Gift Cards at Mickey's of Glendale, so I didn't even try.

 

[YodasMom]

We were told that you cannot use Disney Gift Cards at Mickey's of Glendale, so I didn't even try.

Thanks for the info! I will be prepared with another form of plastic!!!

 

[tstidm1]

I am really enjoying it because I am going on ABD: Backstage Magic in July 2014. Yes, I may be spoiled, but I will probably forget all of the surprises in 10 months when I go on the trip anyway. It also seems to change from time to time, so it probably will be different when I go.

 

[skier_pete]

I am really enjoying it because I am going on ABD: Backstage Magic in July 2014. Yes, I may be spoiled, but I will probably forget all of the surprises in 10 months when I go on the trip anyway. It also seems to change from time to time, so it probably will be different when I go.

Well, I have been avoiding the biggest spoilers. You will have plenty of surprises on your trip.

 

[franandaj]

OK, all caught up. This tour sounds so cool! Yours is the second DIS tour I've read about that got to go to Club 33, is this just a DIS thing or do other tours get to go there too if it is available?

I'm going to have to check this out seriously. I have a lot of DVC points laying around going unused for the next couple years.

 

[OKW Lover]

OK, all caught up. This tour sounds so cool! Yours is the second DIS tour I've read about that got to go to Club 33, is this just a DIS thing or do other tours get to go there too if it is available?

Pretty sure this is just a DIS thing. We were on the July/August 2012 DIS ABD tour and got to go to Club 33 for breakfast. We also got to look inside 1901 (but not eat) in DCA.

 

[skier_pete]

OK, all caught up. This tour sounds so cool! Yours is the second DIS tour I've read about that got to go to Club 33, is this just a DIS thing or do other tours get to go there too if it is available?

I'm going to have to check this out seriously. I have a lot of DVC points laying around going unused for the next couple years.

Pretty sure this is just a DIS thing. We were on the July/August 2012 DIS ABD tour and got to go to Club 33 for breakfast. We also got to look inside 1901 (but not eat) in DCA.

Actually, it stazrted out as a DIS thing, but as I understand it, ABD liked the idea so much that they now incorporate it into the tour. (This sort of shows the level of power the Pete Werner/Dreams Unlimited has with Disney.) It is NOT guaranteed, as if a member wants the club for an event that morning, the ABD tour won't get it, so if you sign up for the tour they don't tell you about it ahead of time. It really should be a "spoiler" but since Kevin Klose, Pete Werner, and everyone else pretty much spilled the beans on it, I figure there wasn't much point in hiding it. I myself wanted to pretend it wasn't happening, because it was one of the things I was looking forward to the most next to Imagineering. According to Pete/Kevin, every DIS group has gotten it.

Oh, and 'franandaj' - if you don't know what do with your DVC points....

 

[PrincessInOz]

Oh, and 'franandaj' - if you don't know what do with your DVC points....

The queue is behind me, Pete!!!

 

[skier_pete]

The queue is behind me, Pete!!!

Well, you've known her longer, so I guess that's fair...Dang it!

 

[skier_pete]

This will be my last update for a couple of weeks - we are going on vacation next week, so nothing new until after labor day. We're getting pretty near the end now, but I expect another month before I can complete everything.

Woke @ 6 AM to a wonderful surprise in the room – there was no water! Not no hot water – no WATER period. No shower, no sink, no flushing the toilet. Apparently some sort of water main failure that was affecting the entire hotel and DTD. After a long sweaty day in the parks, a shower would’ve been a good thing. We fortunately had a little bit of bottled water left from the day before, so we were able to wash up a bit with that. We went down to meet everyone for breakfast, and the restaurant was also closed. Kudos to Dean and Matt, as they scrambled to keep us on schedule, they decided to take us into the park early and allow us to have breakfast at the Fiddler, Fifer, and Practical Café (also known as Starbucks).

One of the nicer things about the Grand Californian is that it has its own entrance to DCA. However, this entrance is not “exclusive” and can be used by anyone, so it gets pretty big lines first thing in the morning. One of the nicer things about ABD is that you then get to walk right past all the nice Grand Californian guests to get into the park before they do.





We turned left and proceeded through the “condor flats” section of the park:







On to Buena Vista Street:







The park was empty at first, so I was able to take some pictures as we walked, but they insisted we order food right away, and by that point they started letting people into the parks to line up for FPs, so I didn’t get as many empty parks pictures as I would’ve liked.





Now, I need to explain something here. Neither DW nor I normally drink coffee. I have a hard time sleeping as is, so I generally avoid caffeine except on rare occasions, and then usually involves mountain dew. I use a shower and a glass of OJ in the morning as my wake-up routine. However, with no shower, a late night, and another long day ahead – I decided to go with a Venti Latte. I am not sure if this was the right move, but soon after I finished breakfast, I was totally bouncing off the walls. I have such a hard time getting into the parks early and NOT doing stuff, and that’s what we were doing . We were just sitting around the park waiting for things to get started. ARGH. I almost ran over to Tower of Terror while we were waiting…but I didn’t. However, I did wander off and find this guy with almost no line. So, I am the only one in the group with this picture.

Do you think Mickey knew I was hopped up on caffeine?



By about 8:20 AM we were on to our first “backstage” event of the day. Without giving too much away – this is where we went:



Up next we split up the group and some were taken on California Screamin’ while others went on the Ariel’s Undersea Adventure. I was in the CS group. We took up the whole car exactly.



And for those that didn’t get them…here’s everyone’s redneck ride photos!













Then was a ride on Toy Story Midway Mania with no wait (again). We rode with Disneykiwi for this ride, so we got to ride in the wheelchair accessible car. It was pretty neat seeing the mechanism of how they load it up.
Right from there they took us all backstage. This was the absolute BEST backstage stuff we got to see. It was specific to a ride – and while I won’t say what ride, if you were to pick what would be the ride @ DCA you would most want to see backstage, I will tell you that that was the ride.

To be continued...

 

[skier_pete]

After that part of the tour, they bought us back on-stage at Paradise Pier and we walked over to the back entrance of Radiator Springs. I gotta say, even though we’ve seen it before, it really is just as incredible the second time!



Just as we were coming in, superstar Lightnin’ McQueen was coming off-stage!









Here’s the podcast crew enjoying the day.



Another group photo. They really like that thumbs out pose..



We then got brought back on-stage and got to ride RSR. Sure beats riding standby!











RACE DAY!





Then they wrapped up the comped rides with Mater’s Round-up.



So now on the previous day we only got taken on one ride, today they managed to get us on five! The great part was it was only around 11:30 AM – and guess what we got that we rarely got on this trip….FREE TIME!



DW and I decided to have lunch at the Pacific Pier and ran into a couple of fellow ABDers. I got to have a few beers and enjoyed a nice lunch and conversation. We had wanted to ride on the Lilly Belle the day before, but time ran out, so Matt had arranged to get us onto it today at 1 PM. We went over to Disneyland and met some others, and looped the park on the special car. Though this car was built after Walt died, it was built especially for Lillian Disney, Walt’s widow. It was used for when she would have special VIPs to travel around the park. It is still mostly used for this purpose, though I’ve been told if you go to Guest services at the start of the day and enquire, you can schedule certain times in which you can ride it. So this is something extra-special that ANYONE can have to opportunity to do.









We had changed our clothes first into something we didn’t mind getting wet in as we planned on hitting Splash Mountain while we were over in Disneyland. Again we had a pile of 5 Fastpasses and we were determined to use as many of these as we could, so we went on Splash Mountain first,



and then headed back over to DCA. On the way, though DW spotted one of her favorites.



We had a nice conversation about disciplining children. Needless to say, Ms. Poppins was on the stricter side with her advice!



We then crossed back to DCA for Grizzly River Run, which we rode twice in a row. We didn’t get super soaked, but wet enough. At that point, we were ready to change and still needed a shower and so we stopped into the room for a rest. At one point, I ran out to the Lego store while DW was napping/showering. I wanted to pick up some loose LEGOs as well as a kit for DD. I was unprepared for the fact they didn’t take the Disney gift cards, but fortunately I had enough cash on me.

 

[khertz]

That really stinks about the water going out!! Not the way you want to start off a day of vacation, I'm sure. But it seems like y'all still had a great morning! I'm sure the coffee helped. DH and I are not coffee drinkers either, so I'm sure my reaction to it would be similar to yours.

I love the empty park pictures, and how adorable is Mickey in that outfit?! I wish they had him dressed like that at DHS.

I'm so grateful DH and I were able to experience Cars Land last year, but I wish we had been able to take DS with us. Looking at your pics from there made me wish to take him now! He is so obsessed with those characters, I know he would just go nuts seeing Lightning McQueen rolling down the street.

VERY cool that you were able to ride the Lily Belle! I didn't know you could ask about doing that, so I'll have to keep that tucked away for our next DL trip.

 

[PrincessInOz]

What a stinkin' full day.

Pity about the water first thing in the morning; but it seems like everyone made the best of it.

 

[DisneyBelle99]

This has been a great eye opener for me. After 20 some odd trips to WDW, and never to Disneyland, I had no idea what was there. Never even heard of Club 33 until a few months ago on FB! It was sort of on my Bucket list to get out to California, (except a tour of the airport on the way to Hawaii), we have never been there. You know what Jerry Seinfeld says about New Yorkers, they didn't want to move to Florida, but it is the law! Somehow, NY and Florida are linked together.

So thanks for the trip report, and enjoy your new vacation! Deb in NY

 

[skier_pete]

That really stinks about the water going out!! Not the way you want to start off a day of vacation, I'm sure. But it seems like y'all still had a great morning! I'm sure the coffee helped. DH and I are not coffee drinkers either, so I'm sure my reaction to it would be similar to yours.

It DID stink! Litterally!

As far as the coffee goes - first I was like , then all , then finally .

I love the empty park pictures, and how adorable is Mickey in that outfit?! I wish they had him dressed like that at DHS.

I know, I really wished I could've taken more before the railroaded us into FFPC.

I'm so grateful DH and I were able to experience Cars Land last year, but I wish we had been able to take DS with us. Looking at your pics from there made me wish to take him now! He is so obsessed with those characters, I know he would just go nuts seeing Lightning McQueen rolling down the street..

Yeah - and even if they DID officially announce Carsland in Florida, he might be in high school by the time its built.

VERY cool that you were able to ride the Lily Belle! I didn't know you could ask about doing that, so I'll have to keep that tucked away for our next DL trip.

I hear there's no guarantee that you can get it, especially if Johnny Depp is around, but it's worth a try.

What a stinkin' full day.

Pity about the water first thing in the morning; but it seems like everyone made the best of it.

PU

This has been a great eye opener for me. After 20 some odd trips to WDW, and never to Disneyland, I had no idea what was there. Never even heard of Club 33 until a few months ago on FB! It was sort of on my Bucket list to get out to California, (except a tour of the airport on the way to Hawaii), we have never been there. You know what Jerry Seinfeld says about New Yorkers, they didn't want to move to Florida, but it is the law! Somehow, NY and Florida are linked together.

So thanks for the trip report, and enjoy your new vacation! Deb in NY

It really is worth a trip if you are a real Disney fan. While my heart still lies with the Florida park, there are enough differences that it must be seen. Honestly for Carsland/RSR and World of Color alone it is worth the trip. You don't need to spend ABD money either.

Now, the big pain is the (much) longer flights, but the big difference is it is very easy to stay "off-site" and be much closer to the parks than you ever are at Disney World. I'll probably talk about it at the end, but I would say the appeal to staying "on property" at DLR is much, much less.

 

[Disneygrl36]

You have some great character photos & I think we have absolutely 0.
Mickey Mouse looks so stinkin' cute in that get-up & I am jealous of Ulana's pictures with Mary & Bert. We went looking for them on Sunday but never could find them.
Looking back on this trip, it still amazes me how much we did in such a short period of time. It just is a whirlwind of activity. No wonder we were so exhausted at the end!
Hope you are enjoying your vacation. Hugs to you & Ulana. I miss everyone in our group!

 

[franandaj]

What a stinkin' full day.

Just wait until Monday!


You guys really did pack in a bunch in that morning. One small correction. The entrance is only for guests staying on property, they check your room keys, and a new twist, they actually check the dates on your room keys too! I used to keep an old room key in my wallet to waltz through, but last week when I tried it, the CM actually wanted to check my dates! I was lucky and had a "get out of jail free" card to get me though.

I want to see RSR backstage!

I know you said that you weren't giving away certain spoilers, but I was working on part of one of my TRs and remembered something that a past ABDer commented on and wondered if you got to see it too. Did they show you the original Snow White figures that are in the singing fountain outside the castle?

I hope you're having a nice time on vacation! Oh wait, you're probably back. Hope it was fun!