We did it ~ DLR Wed. 7/15

[DisneyMomma81]

We returned yesterday evening from S. CA ~ we had a great time! Our DLR day was this past Wed. We spent Tues. at Legoland and drove up to Anaheim late Tues. ~ we stayed at HoJo! I was able to get the ent. rate for both Tues. & Wed. nights on Mon. ~ I'm so glad I didn't get anything through priceline.com or someplace else.

Our 1st ride of the day was Peter Pan, followed by Dumbo, Matterhorn (FL side) next we headed over to Space Mtn. then DD visited with Tink & Silvermist ~ the line to meet them was super short! DD had visited the fairies twice before and both times had met Fawn so it was nice for a change. We then headed toward Thunder Mtn. after that Splash, Pooh, HM, Pirates, DS used the SR line for IJA while DD and I explored Tarzan's Treehouse. We then enjoyed Dole Whips (always use the Tiki Room side) and headed over to Space Mtn. again. Then DS explored Innoventions while DD and I rode Small World and the Tea Cups. The 3 of us headed over to Thunder Mtn. again then ate lunch at Blue Bayou (1:30pm) after that Splash Mtn. again and then Pirates one more time. We then made our way to Carnation Cafe for a Matterhorn Sundae, the Celebrate Parade stopped right in front of the restaurant ~ DD enjoyed it.

Next we headed towards DCA ~ DS used SR for GRR while DD and I explored Redwood Creek. Next we rode Mulholland Madness, DS then went to Screamin' (SR line again ~ a couple times) while DD and I rode the Jumpin' Jellyfish twice. We then visited Bugs Land, saw the show there, rode Tuck 'n' Roll Bumper cars and Heimlich's Chew Chew Train, then we headed over to Soarin' ~ it was then time for DD & I to dine with the princesses, during this time DS ate his burger and fries from Taste Pilots Grill just outside Ariel's Grotto and then used the SR line at Screamin' a couple more times.

Last of all ~ we completed the Trifecta! After Ariel's we made our way over to our spot for the EP, we enjoyed it ~ we did see the parade during our April '08 trip and the changes are nice but I miss the Blue Fairy. As soon as we saw the USA Flag float coming we headed toward the exit, around GRR, passed Soarin' and made our way out of the park. We got into DL and found a spot near The Plaza Restaurant for the fireworks, our view was great. We then made our way over to Adventure Land for F! ~ we got a great spot using the light tower trick! We had a long wait and DS was tired ~ DD had the stroller all day so she had no problem watching the show, DS sat in the stroller and slept during F! Poor guy, I had to wake him up for the walk back to HoJo.

What I realized ~ summer visits can be nice, collect FPs in the early hours (we had 3 sets left (Thunder, Space & Splash ~ I gave the Splash ones away to a couple we stood by for F!). I don't care for long park hours ~ we're used to 10am-8pm ~ 8am-12am is a long day, yes we could've taken a mid day break but with one day we chose not to.

We enjoyed Legoland ~ I can see us visiting again soon. Seaworld was fun ~ Mon. late afternoon/evening was great, Thurs. early afternoon was crowded!!! The San Diego Zoo is a difficult zoo, huge, lots of hills ~ I like what we have in SLC better. I liked San Diego itself but I don't think we need to go back anytime soon. Driving S. CA is easy. Get to the 5 and you're fine. We didn't have any problems with traffic! I rented a Toyota Yaris ~ it was a fun little car.

I'm super glad we made it up to DLR for a day.

[LavenderPeach]

Sounds like you guys had a great trip! Thanks for sharing! I'm impressed that you were able to successfully complete the Trifecta! DH and I were going to do EP and then F! which wouldn't have been as hard as doing all 3 but then we were too tired to even try!

[DangerMouse]

for the trifecta brag!

Sounds like a great trip!

[disney-super-mom]

How were the crowds? You sure got a lot done! I'm tired just reading about it.

[DisneyMomma81]

Crowds were great (not many at all) in the am/early afternoon ~ crowded in the evening but we just watched the shows ~ we had FPs from earlier in the day but we didn't use them. Over in DCA ~ DS did the SR lines for GRR & Screamin', we used FP for Soarin'. The other rides there had minimal lines. We used a FP twice for Splash (rode 3 times) 1 FP for Space (rode twice).

[Sherry E]

The San Diego Zoo is most definitely a tiring zoo. Things are spaced out far apart and there are the hills to deal with, as you said.

Did you see any of the Pooh characters in Critter Country during the week? I am going to DLR this coming Tuesday and I have seen pictures of Rabbit lately that make me want to get over there for a photo.

I am also craving a Matterhorn Sundae again. Haven't had one since 2007. I think it is about time again.

[LavenderPeach]

Originally Posted by Sherry E

The San Diego Zoo is most definitely a tiring zoo. Things are spaced out far apart and there are the hills to deal with, as you said.

Did you see any of the Pooh characters in Critter Country during the week? I am going to DLR this coming Tuesday and I have seen pictures of Rabbit lately that make me want to get over there for a photo.

I am also craving a Matterhorn Sundae again. Haven't had one since 2007. I think it is about time again.

Hey Sherry, when are you going to be there on Tuesday? I was toying with the idea of going for a little bit in the morning because DS has an appointment in OC in the afternoon. (sorry to hijack the thread!)

[Sherry E]

Originally Posted by LavenderPeach

Hey Sherry, when are you going to be there on Tuesday? I was toying with the idea of going for a little bit in the morning because DS has an appointment in OC in the afternoon. (sorry to hijack the thread!)

If things go according to plan, it will be early in the morning (going to get my Fun Card - yay!), but I don't think we will stay past mid-afternoon. It is a quickie trip.

Sorry, DisneyMomma81, for veering OT....This is why I was specifically curious about lines and crowds and characters and things when you went. I haven't gone on a weekday like a Tuesday or Wednesday in ages, so I had no idea what to expect at this time of year anymore!

[DisneyMomma81]

Yes we saw Pooh during the early afternoon as we exited Splash. I don't think I've ever seen Rabbit though.

[Brady's Mom]

DH and I are still here - okay, in the hotel room right now since we are blocked out today! We are headed to DLR tomorrow (sunday) for most of one more day. We have been pleasantly surprised by the crowds. We haven't felt like it was super crowded. We expected crowds, but we collect FP's and ride things selectively (since it is only the two of us) and loved our early morning on Fri. We walked on a TON of stuff and were able to get FP's to use later with short return times.

If it wasn't sooooo hot and a little muggy, I would definitely come during the summer again. We love the rest in the middle of the day and love to go back to the Parks in the evening with a pocket full of FP's.

[LuLusApple]

ooh trifecta! I am impressed! I just don't have the energy for that but respect anyone who can do it great report

[S. S. Columbia]

Originally Posted by Sherry E

Did you see any of the Pooh characters in Critter Country during the week? I am going to DLR this coming Tuesday and I have seen pictures of Rabbit lately that make me want to get over there for a photo.

I don't know if this helps, but we saw Rabbit on Sunday, July 5, at 12:30pm. Around the same time we also saw Pooh, Tigger, and Eeyore.

Originally Posted by DisneyMomma81

...We then made our way over to Adventure Land for F! ~ we got a great spot using the light tower trick!

Thanks for sharing!

I'm glad to hear that the light tower trick worked for the 2nd Fantasmic show!