If You See It: Eat It! Via Panama to Disneyland - Completed and Link to New Trip Report 2/24

[Poolrat]

You got some VIP treatment there with 1901. I had no idea that was even there. Of course I would have no access to it but so a great secret location.


Glad you FINALLY got to ride RSR. It is a great ride.

Oh My on the Boardwalk bathroom. We were over in that area looking for it but stopped short and ended up in the Greek place. I really wish we would have kept walking. Now I HAVE to back again to see that in person.


I really hope you were able to catch that show in Carsland at dusk. Very cute.

 

[podsnel]

Hi Magdalene!

I was up last night much, much too late because I was enjoying your TR so much- I have REALLY missed a LOT! I am up to where you changed cabins, and I was wondering if you had seen this?

http://disneycruiselineblog.com/2015/01/disney-wonder-stateroom-refresh-project-underway/

Thank GOODNESS!!! We noticed that the boys' inside cabin needed some TLC too when we were in Alaska. I am so happy they are doing something about it NOW before the big dry dock after the PC is finished.

I love all the different menus you had- and all the lunch ones from the dining room! I STILL have not done that- had lunch in the dining room on the cruise- REALLY want work on that this year!

The canal was really cool- I had no idea the ship squeezed through so tightly!

Thanks for writing about your AMAZING month long vacation. It would no doubt take me 5 years to finish one from a trip this long, lol-

Ellen

 

[Captain_Oblivious]

One of Michael’s friends had the Manhattan, which comes with a whole show. They serve the cocktail on ice – but not any plain old ice cube, no with an ice sphere. It is made by this totally fascinating two blocks of steel that a large piece of ice is placed inbetween. The two blocks are hollow inside. The weight of the block pressure-melts away all superfluous ice and the only thing left is a perfect sphere.

I never get tired of seeing this. It's so neat!

Still it was a fun ride and at the exit I was told to take a picture of the area under one of the stairs. And this is what came out:

That's a little creepy!

I think in one end is Turtle Talk with Crush (we did not do that) and then there is the Sorcerers Workshop where you can find out which Disney character is most like you and you can try voiceovers for films etc. It is a lovely environment and we had fun playing around for a while:

Neat place! I didn't know that existed.

Unfortunately the headache got really bad and even though I took a pill I started feeling nauseous (a side effect I sometimes get from headaches).

Yuck. Sorry you were suffering again!

But Michael’s friend whom we had met earlier were able to get us passes for a special viewing area for the DL fireworks for this night (and the same type of passes for WoC for the next day) so we changed our plans.

Nice to get VIP treatment!

But it is a beautiful ride! The great thing about it is that it is not in any way scary, but does add a little bit of thrill at the end. I loved how it was able to so totally transport you into the movie. Just like Carsland did in general, the ride took it onto even another level and it incorporated one of my favourite parts of the movie! I got off with a huge big grin on my face and would have loved to just jump back into line!

Yay! I'm glad you enjoyed it so much! They really did a great job with the ride.

Everything was absolutely excellent! I see that the pork loin is gone now and it has been replaced with ribs with the same sauce. That sounds even more delicious…

I'm glad you enjoyed Flo's so much, too. It's interesting to see the reviews are all over the map on that one.

And there in this neighbourhood is also the Fiddler, Fifer & Practical Café - the first ever Starbuck to have opened inside a Disney theme park (not on Disney property though, that would be the Starbucks at DLP’s Disney Village) – and also the location of my first ever Starbucks beverage purchased and consumed inside a Disney theme park!!

I think I'm less excited about Starbucks than most people.

Now, it is kind of this Victorian/Mediterranean mix in décor and the bathroom just does NOT fit at all. Especially since there is now a whole Route 66 area in a totally different location of the park!

Well, at least the bathroom isn't boring!

You guys really covered a lot of ground.

Up Next: My first In-N-Out Burger!!

We will definitely have to compare notes!

 

[Flossbolna]

1901 is fabulous! Isn't Carsland the best? The Imagineers knocked that one out of the proverbial park. Your meal at Flo's looks great!

Jill in CO

I loved the pork tenderloin, but then I am a huge fan of pork!

Carsland is just so amazing. But I have to say that Diagon Alley blew me away just as much (but RSR is better than Gringotts in my opinion).

Zowie!! 2 humongous updates. Alas, I need to focus for the rest of the evening and will have to replay tomorrow.... My intense interest in 1901 is definitely piqued for sure!!

1901 is lovely, but you would need an invitation by a Club 33 member. But the Carthay Circle Lounge is supposedly nearly as lovely and serves the same drinks.

You got some VIP treatment there with 1901. I had no idea that was even there. Of course I would have no access to it but so a great secret location.


Glad you FINALLY got to ride RSR. It is a great ride.

Oh My on the Boardwalk bathroom. We were over in that area looking for it but stopped short and ended up in the Greek place. I really wish we would have kept walking. Now I HAVE to back again to see that in person.


I really hope you were able to catch that show in Carsland at dusk. Very cute.

1901 was a great surprise for me! I had read about it, but it is difficult to notice its entrance if you don't know what you are looking for.

RSR is absolutely wonderful and is easily one of my top three rides at any Disney Park (I think currently I would say the other two are Paris Big Thunder Mountain and WDW's Tower of Terror).

Sorry about a bad experience at the Greek place! That's the one with the skewers isn't it?. And checking out a bathroom is a GREAT reason to go back to Disneyland!!!

Carsland at dusk is kind of elusive... You will have to wait.

 

[Flossbolna]

Hi Magdalene!

I was up last night much, much too late because I was enjoying your TR so much- I have REALLY missed a LOT!

Great to have you back!! And sorry for stealing your sleep!

I am up to where you changed cabins, and I was wondering if you had seen this?

http://disneycruiselineblog.com/2015/01/disney-wonder-stateroom-refresh-project-underway/

Thank GOODNESS!!! We noticed that the boys' inside cabin needed some TLC too when we were in Alaska. I am so happy they are doing something about it NOW before the big dry dock after the PC is finished.

Yes, I saw that and thought it was a very wise decision! I guess with people being used to the standard on the other three ships now they were starting to get more and more complaints and finally had to do something about it! Especially when they sell the Alaska cruises at a premium, people will expect premium standards in the staterooms. As much as I love the Wonder, I would have been very hesitant to book a cruise on her in the future if I had had to expect the same work stateroom as we had at first. Now, I am all about returning to the Wonder! I love the adult district and don't mind Beach Blanket and have no interest in the Aquadunk, so the Wonder is as good as the Magic to me (or even better because it has the Outlook Cafe!).

I love all the different menus you had- and all the lunch ones from the dining room! I STILL have not done that- had lunch in the dining room on the cruise- REALLY want work on that this year!

Yes, you should make lunch in the dining room a priority! But it is much easier to do on a cruise that has so many sea days like our.

The canal was really cool- I had no idea the ship squeezed through so tightly!

It is quite a technical marvel!

Thanks for writing about your AMAZING month long vacation. It would no doubt take me 5 years to finish one from a trip this long, lol-

Ellen

Ha, I am feeling like I have been writing about it for 5 years!! At some point I got really tired with the trip report as I felt that it would never end, but then I got some more motivation and am really enjoying it again! And I want to finish this soon to write about the cruise on the Fantasy!

 

[Flossbolna]

I never get tired of seeing this. It's so neat!

Yes, it is kind of crazy, but fascinating!

Yuck. Sorry you were suffering again!

Luckily it was only for a short time!

Nice to get VIP treatment!

Yes, I felt very lucky!

Yay! I'm glad you enjoyed it so much! They really did a great job with the ride.

It is a ride that I would want to ride over and over again!

I'm glad you enjoyed Flo's so much, too. It's interesting to see the reviews are all over the map on that one.

I think there are better choices and not so good choices. They have since changed the menu quite a bit, I wonder whether it is getting better reviews now?

I think I'm less excited about Starbucks than most people.

That's ok!

Well, at least the bathroom isn't boring!

No, it is a fun surprise!

We will definitely have to compare notes!

My report is coming up!

 

[Flossbolna]

Well before we got to burgers and other DA stuff, I need to go back a step. I guess I should not write these updates when I am getting tired. I totally forgot to include the pictures of the Redwood Creek Challenge Trail in the last update. So here they are:

A slice of a tree showing which year was which ring:

Gold with additional security:

There were drawings on the rocks:

I think this was in the area where you could find out which animal was your spirit animal.

And then it was off to the pool:

We had a nice break at the pool, or more in the hot tub. It was not as warm while we were at DL. The weeks before had been really hot (we are talking heat wave) and then we get there and it gets chilly. However, for touring the parks it was perfect weather. It was sunny and t-shirt and short weather. But you were comfortable at all times and never sweaty. In the evenings it got cooler and it was time for jeans and a light jacket or hoodie. After some pool time and taking a fleece jacket or hoodie with us we went to watch the parade at DCA which is Pixar themed. I am not good at tacking parade pictures, but here are a few:

Jack Jack was flaming:

Mr Heimlich:

I am always amused by his name – I know that he is named after the “Heimlich manoeuvre” which is named after a doctor of the name “Heimlich”. But “Heimlich” is also the German word for “secret” (used as an adjective, the noun would be Geheimnis).

And this is him from the side:

Continued in Part 2

 

[Flossbolna]

We walked around the park a bit more and I took some pictures on Hollywood St:

I think we thought about getting on Tower of Terror, but instead headed through Bugs Land to Carsland to use our RSR FP which we had gotten at the beginning of our day:

Of course today they switched on the lights while we were on RSR so we missed it again! We had even tried to ask CMs what the time was and they all said it would be around sunset but would not give a specific time. I guess they don’t want huge crowds congregating for it.

We also went on a ride on Mater’s Junkyard Jamboree:

This was great fun!!! At DLP there is a similar ride in their Cars section of their studios park. It is definitely meant to be a kiddie ride, but on our 2007 trip we discovered that it was a fun little ride. And this one is similar, but even more exciting, because of the cars moving around with you, you are in a trailer that gets whipped around. Add to that a fun soundtrack and the general Carsland atmosphere, it instantly became on of my favourite little attractions (it is no RSR, ToT or Space Mountain!!).

We left Carsland around 8pm when it was dark:

And it was also park closing time. However, there was still one more thing: World of Colour. We had the reservation for a special viewing area from Michael’s friends from the day before, so we went there. WoC was not going to start until 8:45pm. I found that a bit strange as it meant that everyone only had one thing to do: stand around and wait. Our area was all the way in the back, but the view was ok and at least it was not totally crowded. Still, I was not happy about the waiting – and it had gotten really cold and I was starting to feel rather chilly. But then the show started and I really liked it! I am still more of a fireworks person, but it is a wonderful show! I loved the dancing fountains and the colourful lights more than the projections. For me, it is far far better than Fantasmic!

After it ended we tried to leave the park together with a million other people. Luckily we could use the entrance directly into our hotel and did not have to make our way to the front gate of the park!

Once back at the hotel we ventured out again: to go to Target to pick up some snacks and drinks for the room. This was my first ever Target visit and I thought it was a great store! I could have spent a long time in there just browsing (I did this in November as our hotel was close to a Target. Took me 1.5 hours to walk through every aisle and inspect all the merchandise available. Loved a lot of the Christmas stuff they were selling and got myself some lovely place mats). But we did not have a lot of time for browsing as we wanted to get dinner! I was getting hungry. So, off we went to In-N-Out Burger.

For some reason this is a very famous local burger chain. One thing they are famous for is their “secret menu” meaning that you can customize your burgers in many different ways. The restaurants themselves are rather basic looking:

We ordered our food and had to wait for our number to be called. We found a table, got our drinks and condiment and then listened to the numbers they were calling.

Wow, the number they were calling where far far lower than our number!!! At first we thought that there was a mistake. But no, they were really really backed up! I thinbk we waited close to 30 minutes for our burgers. At the same time they were working like crazy! And there were a lot of people waiting for their food…

Finally, it was time for our number! And I was famished and dug into my food. And forgot to take a picture of it! Sorry! It looked like a basic cheeseburger, and that’s what it was. But I really liked it a lot. Not sure whether it was because of being so hungry or because In-N-Out deserves the hype. I guess I need to try it again, to make sure! But that burger was really good!!

Up Next: A different version of Disney shopping Part 1 Part 2

 

[GoofyFan1515]

See I missed a lot of really good updates! Your arrival day was just

Isn't the Grand Californian just so wonderful! I really love the theming there. Too bad your first attempt at riding RSR ended in futility being so close. At least you didn't waste your whole extra morning hour waiting for it to ever run first thing in the morning, not that I would know what that feels like........ Great that you finally got to ride! Yes, the single rider lines work really well at DL. Have taken advantage of them at Matterhorn AND RSR!

Love Flo's! And hopefully you will eventually ride Mater......that is really fun! I laugh the whole time I am on that one. As for the lights coming on at sunset, I am not aware of any show, and they won't give you a time because there really isn't a set time. They just do it around sunset. But it is really neat to be there and watch all the neon lights as they come on.

I agree......World of Color is a much better show than Fantasmic!

 

[wilma-bride]

Great updates. I am even more excitedd to see all that DL has to offer but concerned as we only have 2 days there and, after relaxing on the cruise for a fortnight, I am worried that we will undo all our relaxedness (is that a word?) by rushing around the parks for 2 days.

 

[jedijill]

Another great update! I love In-N-Out!!! But I only get to eat there every few years so it always tastes great to me.

Jill in CO

 

[schmass]

World of Color seems like such a great show - I can't wait to see it some day!

I think I'm the only person that doesn't like In n Out Burger. I think that maybe I expected too much and then was disappointed. My DH has never tried it and is mad that I don't like it because the few occasions we've been in a state that has it, I haven't wanted to go there!

 

[Captain_Oblivious]

I totally forgot to include the pictures of the Redwood Creek Challenge Trail in the last update.

Looks like a nice area. I'm sure my kids would love to collect the badges. I really like that rustic wilderness theme in the GRR area of the park.

The weeks before had been really hot (we are talking heat wave) and then we get there and it gets chilly. However, for touring the parks it was perfect weather. It was sunny and t-shirt and short weather. But you were comfortable at all times and never sweaty.

This makes me a little jealous...

Jack Jack was flaming:

Love it!

I am always amused by his name – I know that he is named after the “Heimlich manoeuvre” which is named after a doctor of the name “Heimlich”. But “Heimlich” is also the German word for “secret” (used as an adjective, the noun would be Geheimnis).

Gesundheit.

Of course today they switched on the lights while we were on RSR so we missed it again! We had even tried to ask CMs what the time was and they all said it would be around sunset but would not give a specific time. I guess they don’t want huge crowds congregating for it.

Makes sense. I hope you were able to catch it eventually!

We left Carsland around 8pm when it was dark:

It looks amazing at night.

WoC was not going to start until 8:45pm. I found that a bit strange as it meant that everyone only had one thing to do: stand around and wait. Our area was all the way in the back, but the view was ok and at least it was not totally crowded. Still, I was not happy about the waiting – and it had gotten really cold and I was starting to feel rather chilly. But then the show started and I really liked it! I am still more of a fireworks person, but it is a wonderful show! I loved the dancing fountains and the colourful lights more than the projections. For me, it is far far better than Fantasmic!

I agree! The show is very enjoyable. The viewing area, however...

Once back at the hotel we ventured out again: to go to Target to pick up some snacks and drinks for the room. This was my first ever Target visit and I thought it was a great store!

I'm glad you liked it! We like to think of Target as the classy version of Walmart. The one you're not embarrassed to be seen inside.

It looked like a basic cheeseburger, and that’s what it was. But I really liked it a lot. Not sure whether it was because of being so hungry or because In-N-Out deserves the hype. I guess I need to try it again, to make sure! But that burger was really good!!

I just put up my review too. Spoiler: we liked it too! Very good for fast food. I'm glad I didn't have to wait 30 minutes for it, though.

 

[Steppesister]

Thanks! But it is easy when you have such great source material as the DLR to work with.

Well, you do have a point....

So that Jack place is all along the West Coast? I think I never saw it in Florida...

I guess...?? I'm not sure how far their range is, but most definitely all up and down "The Left Coast". Grew up with their tacos, and they actually had a funny urban myth when I was in grade school. All the kids were saying that they were serving kangaroo meat. It was a pretty entrenched rumor which dug into their business a bit.

The whole area is so pretty and seems to flow so well and has so many details!


I CAN'T WAIT!!!!


I just remember that Katharina and I absolutely loved it in 1992. But then they had the old cars where you would sit together as a pair. I remember that we were holding on to each other very tightly on our first trip around. Now it has the same seating as the WDW Space Mountain. Which is comparable in jerkiness also I would say...

Yes, it does. All the tracks at DLR are pretty... well, just not smooth. But the theming MORE than makes up for that.


You are already through the first week of term! And it is good to hear that you have a good support system already! I was lucky to have a wonderful study group in college (we are still friends today) and I am sure that me doing very well in the end is thanks to them to a certain degree as they helped me stay focussed and motivated!

Yes, I am.... just gave a thorough update on my thread. They are really packing in so much to learn!! My group of 6 ladies are so wonderful! I don't think I'd be doing nearly as well without them!

 

[Steppesister]

That was some marathon trip report updating! So many awesome pictures and adventures. Not the least of which was the 1901. WOW! That is MY kinda place! Swanky, sophisticated, and SO, SO Disney. What I'd give to go in someday and have a Manhattan- with an ice sphere.

In and Out, In and Out... That's what a hamburger's all about. Thanks. That will be stuck in my head for a week.

Once I get my job, I really do think Disneyland will be an easy go-to place for me since it's only a 2 hour flight. I'd love to actually STAY at the hotels once.

 

[Poolrat]

A few more things I have on the list for DLR. Even with a car - no In and Out yet and never went through the Redwood Challenge or whatever they are calling the Wilderness explorer section

Clearly a priority for next time.

I could use a good burger right about now.

 

[Flossbolna]

See I missed a lot of really good updates! Your arrival day was just

You were really behind if you just now read about the arrival day!!

Isn't the Grand Californian just so wonderful! I really love the theming there. Too bad your first attempt at riding RSR ended in futility being so close. At least you didn't waste your whole extra morning hour waiting for it to ever run first thing in the morning, not that I would know what that feels like........ Great that you finally got to ride! Yes, the single rider lines work really well at DL. Have taken advantage of them at Matterhorn AND RSR!

The GC is amazing! It really has everything going for it: location, theme, great pool and restaurants.

Well, if you miss every single extra morning hours day during your trip, there is no danger of wasting it! Single Rider lines are really great! And especially at RSR you might up racing each other which adds to the fun!

Love Flo's! And hopefully you will eventually ride Mater......that is really fun! I laugh the whole time I am on that one. As for the lights coming on at sunset, I am not aware of any show, and they won't give you a time because there really isn't a set time. They just do it around sunset. But it is really neat to be there and watch all the neon lights as they come on.

Oh, I am so happy to hear that someone else loves it! Cynthia just wrote about it and did not like it at all...

Mater is such a great ride! I have read some rumours that it might come to DHS, but with a different theme (Toy Story, not Cars). I think it would be a great addition for that park.

I agree......World of Color is a much better show than Fantasmic!

You have good taste, sir!

Great updates. I am even more excitedd to see all that DL has to offer but concerned as we only have 2 days there and, after relaxing on the cruise for a fortnight, I am worried that we will undo all our relaxedness (is that a word?) by rushing around the parks for 2 days.

I understand what you mean - just try to not rush too much and just enjoy being there! And I can tell you that after two weeks of cruising you are in such a relaxed mood anyway that you don't feel like rushing at all. Why do you think did I never make it into the parks early in the morning...

 

[Flossbolna]

Another great update! I love In-N-Out!!! But I only get to eat there every few years so it always tastes great to me.

Jill in CO

Yes, something that is an occasional treat always tastes better!

World of Color seems like such a great show - I can't wait to see it some day!

I think I'm the only person that doesn't like In n Out Burger. I think that maybe I expected too much and then was disappointed. My DH has never tried it and is mad that I don't like it because the few occasions we've been in a state that has it, I haven't wanted to go there!

They are going to have an all new show for DL's 60th anniversary celebration which will start in May. I hope they will make it even better!

I think you should try it again. Maybe if you go in with the really low expectations you have now, you will love it! I can certainly understand how all the hype might make you expect something out of this world. Michael kept telling me to not expect to much, that it was just a basic hamburger, just done very well. It is not a gourmet burger!!

 

[Flossbolna]

Looks like a nice area. I'm sure my kids would love to collect the badges. I really like that rustic wilderness theme in the GRR area of the park.

It is a great area for kids to get out of the crowds and lines and just play and explore. Kind of like a giant playground.

This makes me a little jealous...

Yes, summers are quite different. I might find out this year - we are considering a return to Disneyland for the 60th anniversary this summer...

Gesundheit.

This world actually means "health"! Lots of words starting with Ge- in German. Katharina would be able to tell you why, she did a course in linguistics.

Makes sense. I hope you were able to catch it eventually!

You will find out!

It looks amazing at night.

Yes, they did not save on the neon!

I agree! The show is very enjoyable. The viewing area, however...

I get your point. I was a bit frustrated as well.

I'm glad you liked it! We like to think of Target as the classy version of Walmart. The one you're not embarrassed to be seen inside.

Oh, so it is good that I fell in love with the less embarrassing version...

I just put up my review too. Spoiler: we liked it too! Very good for fast food. I'm glad I didn't have to wait 30 minutes for it, though.

I read it already! And was happy to see that you liked it as well. And if you as burger expert gave it the thumbs up, I feel that it must indeed be very good!

 

[Flossbolna]

That was some marathon trip report updating! So many awesome pictures and adventures. Not the least of which was the 1901. WOW! That is MY kinda place! Swanky, sophisticated, and SO, SO Disney. What I'd give to go in someday and have a Manhattan- with an ice sphere.

In and Out, In and Out... That's what a hamburger's all about. Thanks. That will be stuck in my head for a week.

Once I get my job, I really do think Disneyland will be an easy go-to place for me since it's only a 2 hour flight. I'd love to actually STAY at the hotels once.

Yes, I want to get this report finished in order to start the next one! I am doing too much Disney travel at the moment and all of them are trips that I want to write about. 140 days until the next one already! I know, it is mean to sound like I am complaining about too many Disney trips. But I am not, I am very happy that I have all these amazing trips! And I feel that I have interesting tales to tell from all of them that I want to share and I know it is so much easier to write about a trip if it was just a short while ago.

I hope you will be able to hop down to Disneyland regularly. It is a great place for a short break! And the amazing thing is that Disneyland in its two parks has about the same number of attraction as WDW spread out over four parks...

And you just need to go to the Charthay Circle Lounge for your Manhattan with the ice sphere! It is very nice as well and it is open for everyone! Btw, the Manhattan also came with the most delicious cherries!

A few more things I have on the list for DLR. Even with a car - no In and Out yet and never went through the Redwood Challenge or whatever they are calling the Wilderness explorer section

Clearly a priority for next time.

I could use a good burger right about now.

The Redwood Creek Challenge area is really neat! You can just wander through in your own time. I like places like that, I am really sad that we did not make it over to Tom Sawyer Island at DL (I think it is a pirate themed area now?).