Wow - It's so interesting to read about your comparison of the rides. I am shocked at how many your actually preferred in DL.
I must say I really hope I get a chance to visit DL one of these years. It really looks like a wonderful adventure.
Henry looks like he is having a blast!
Lovely, detailed pictures!
We ended up preferring quite a few of the rides in Disneyland actually! But, I'll save more of those details for the wrap up...when I get there...hopefully in less than 9 months.
Overall, it was a FANTASTIC vacation. Very different than WDW, but the change was really good. We will definitely be going back!
We had pre-booked a tour through the cruise line (though it was a local guy that was our driver/tour guide). One thing to watch for is CRAZY drivers. Not like NY crazy drivers though...like straight out of an action movie with a hint of death wish! NO one stops for pedestrians. Or they didn't while we were there. Plus it was nice to have a tour guide.
This excursion is similar to what we did
http://disneycruise.disney.go.com/c...s/nassau/nassau-forts-and-junkanoo-discovery/
I remember visiting the 2 forts and the Queen's Staircase (really beautiful), but instead of the Junkanoo exhibit, our tour included the Pirate Museum.
I would 100% definitely visit the Bahamas again. Sometimes when it's cold and rainy or snowy out here, I can close my eyes and pretend that I still feel that warm island breeze!
What did you think of the Pirate Museum? We are thinking of doing that as well since Henry is pirate crazy!
Regarding the cats, it has nothing to do with outside influences. The cats at Disneyland are there for a reason. They're kept backstage, but they sometimes sneek out onstage and they're seen by the guests. Perfectly normal, just as how you'd see a duck walking around the park.
I'm guessing they deal with mice and rats since they are in a large city, having cats around makes sense! That's why our neighbor has one too...gotta love NYC.
OMG...what a fabulous update! Praying we'll get to DL next year!
Thanks! I already miss it. I don't see next year happening, but perhaps the year after.
Whew! I am finally caught up over here! I was farther behind than I thought!
Looks like you guys had a great time! Some of the stuff seems so similar to WDW and some of it totally different. Seems like most of the attractions though are a little nicer than the WDW versions. I love the boat ride into the whale's mouth, and the submarine thing looked really cool although I don't think I could handle riding that. I've heard about that one before but had no idea that it was a real submarine!
Sorry Henry was afraid of everything. We went through a phase like that with DD as well. What was fine last year was now terrifying???
I think that is normal though. It seems to me that when they are really young, they are so ignorant to danger that nothing scares them. But as they get older and realize that you can get hurt and there are bad/scary things in the world, then they tend to be more reserved. The good thing is that they also eventually learn that everything is going to be ok! So there's hope! Who knows, by the next trip, he may already be moving out of that phase.
I hated to hear that the CMs were not as professional there as they are in WDW. To me, the CM at Disney are what make it so grand and special. If they ever lose the quality of their employees, it won't be the same.
Good luck with your move! I know that must be a very stressful process in the city. I hope the perfect place comes available and that Joe gets his new job!
I know all about that waiting game and it isn't fun.
Your cruise plans sound fantastic!!! I want CC for my birthday! I think you made the right choice by not booking anything for that day too. There is plenty to see and do on the islnad without a lot of planned activities. We really enjoyed the snorkeling there and will probably do that again, but other than that, I am happy holding down a hammock!
Your Bahamas excursion sounds nice too. Very affordable in comparison with other stuff that's offered. I suppose you booked that yourself and not through Disney? I don't recall reading about that one on the
DCL web site. We fell in love with Blue Lagoon island and would love to go back there for just a beach day, but I think I'll look into your idea before making a decision. Can't wait to hear what you think of the cruise!
I think you are exactly right about the "scared phase". I am hoping Henry grows out of it quickly and enjoys thrills rides. I wouldn't ride roller coasters until I was a teen. Since Joe and I are both riders, I imagine he'll try them sooner rather than later though.
I was thinking of you the other day with the job/waiting game - I recall you guys going through that just before your cruise. I have a feeling our situation will end similarly to yours considering how long it's been. We shall see! Regardless, we WILL have a better future home, larger and with doors!!
Yes, we booked the Hilton on our own, it's not a Disney excursion. So there is some risk. But, I have heard they are quite flexible about cancelations/moving dates too. Their pool is small, and so is their beach, but I'm sure it will be large enough for us. Being that it's walking distance, I am looking forward to exploring the city a bit too. I almost booked Blue Lagoon, thinking of your experience there.
I know we would love it! I think we'll likely do that on a future cruise, I DEFINITELY want to swim with the dolphins at some point, but want to be sure Henry is clearly out of the scared stage first.
reading your TR is making me super excited for the trip in September! I just look at it and remember all the fun we had there.
We are already having a hard time trying to convince my middle son (he will be 7 next month!) to go on any of the darker rides. He is terrified of the dark, so I like the idea of having his fave stuffed dog in the back pack, I think it will help ease him mind a bit!
It will be September before we know it! I wish I could say we were going back in September too! Ahhhhh, just thinking about DL makes me miss it so much!
The stuffed dog did help a LOT. A Disney friend of mine also suggested putting a glow stick tied to their belt loop, so on the dark rides he can lift it up and still see a bit, and your face, without distracting anyone. I am going to take this idea with me for our one day next month in WDW (during the cruise) and hope it helps.
Another great update! I have read about the cat thing. I guess ages ago they put them on Tom Sawyers Island to help get rid of the rats that infested the island due to food being left there! Your update is making me long for California so bad! Only 4 more months!
Ah! My guess on the rats was correct! Makes complete sense. Rats are hard to get rid of in a bit city too.
Time will fly by before your trip!!!!
Great update Brook! Wow, you got a lot packed in. I love how much Henry adores the gift shops. What a cutie!
Bummer on missing a couple things but hopefully you had time to go back and do them. And if not? That just is a great excuse to plan another trip! lol!
We did do a lot in our days! But it all felt very relaxed at the same time. That is one of the huge benefits about Disneyland. It is smaller, and easier.
We did go back to Disneyland on our last full day and were able to get a few more things covered...but still have a few outstanding To Do's, so another trip is necessary!
Those window displays are so cool! I would have spent a lot of time looking at them, too.
I think seeing a cat in the park would be interesting. Random animal Disney sightings are always kind of fun.
They were really beautiful. Generally I don't even notice the Main Street window displays, but these really caught my eye!
It was hilarious to see the cat! Totally unexpected and entertaining!
You talking about Pirates and Space Mt, is so making me want to go to Disneyland more and more and sooner and sooner. I haven't been able to get Logan on SM at Disneyworld, because of the seating, but I'm sure he would love it at Disneyland.
Awesome report so much information.
It really is very nice that the seating is side-by-side at DL, it makes those little first timers so much more at ease I'm sure! The ride is just smoother too, which is helpful. I hope you are able to get out to Disneyland sometime soon! It's a totally different vacation experience, but equally as wonderful!
I have heard that many rides there are better at DL....Priates being one of them. I do hope to get there and try it out.
I am loving al lthe pictures...I can picture myself walking there with you.
Those windows were so cool. Did they move? I would be standing there for hours...if my family let me.
The rides are just slightly better in some ways...the bigger rooms make it feel more immersive. Everything seems brighter and cleaner - I never thought of WDWs rides (except Peter Pan!) as needing a cleaning, until I saw Disneyland's.
Perhaps they will have an AEP. Wouldn't that be fun???
And yes! The characters did move! They were beautiful!