Dot2Vegas
DIS Veteran
- Joined
- Aug 6, 2012
- Messages
- 910
We did a one day trip yesterday (Sunday 5/18). We arrived at about 9am and walked right in, no security or gate lines. We were able to ride Star Tours and pull a BTMRR FP, ride the HM, ride BTMRR, and ride Indy all before 11. Crowds were light in the morning then picked up in the afternoon until about 6-7pm. Bats Day was going on. I was nervous about the crowds but as I said, it was pretty light. Great people watching and all of the attendees were enjoying themselves. No issues (I have a friend who was so worried that we'd encounter a rowdy group of Bats attendees).
We decided to do hoppers for this day trip because we hadn't been to CA in a while. It was much busier over there. We didn't plan for Cars land so we just rode Luigi's (snooze). Did the Maleficent preview (nothing special other than the theater effects), Muppets and a few other rides. I found CA cms to be rude and the ones that we did not interact with mostly looked unenthusiastic about being there. We make a few one day, one park trips per year and decided that CA is not necessary for us, we will leave it to a once a year visit. We headed back to Disneyland at 6, and it was quiet!! We rode several rides, ate dinner, had a great seat in front of Small World for the summer fireworks (Magical, I think its called?). The fireworks paled in comparison to Remember the Dreams Come True fireworks, but we are still talking Disney fireworks, so still amazing and I teared up!
I recommend stopping in Big Thunder Jamboree area. They have the Springtime Roundup for character m&g. No lines at all, and we met Roger Rabbit, Rabbit, and Br'er Bear. All characters that we have never met, all had great interaction. Br'er Bear spent about 10 minutes playing with my girls, played Duck Duck Goose and chased them around the area. Highlight of the day!! Minnie and Pluto were there also but we did not visit them.
All in all, fantastic day trip! Left me wanting more and anxiously awaiting our Halloween visit!
Edited to add that we did not meet Elsa and Anna (did that in November), but I wanted to report back on wait times so I looked every time I walked by...it was posted at 120min the entire time. I heard people say it was closer to 3 hours but I don't know. The crowds seemed well managed. Village Haus restaurant, which has always been quiet when we go, now is very busy! Seems like people leave Elsa and Anna and head there to eat. Everyone leaving the M&G seemed star struck, which is adorable!
We decided to do hoppers for this day trip because we hadn't been to CA in a while. It was much busier over there. We didn't plan for Cars land so we just rode Luigi's (snooze). Did the Maleficent preview (nothing special other than the theater effects), Muppets and a few other rides. I found CA cms to be rude and the ones that we did not interact with mostly looked unenthusiastic about being there. We make a few one day, one park trips per year and decided that CA is not necessary for us, we will leave it to a once a year visit. We headed back to Disneyland at 6, and it was quiet!! We rode several rides, ate dinner, had a great seat in front of Small World for the summer fireworks (Magical, I think its called?). The fireworks paled in comparison to Remember the Dreams Come True fireworks, but we are still talking Disney fireworks, so still amazing and I teared up!
I recommend stopping in Big Thunder Jamboree area. They have the Springtime Roundup for character m&g. No lines at all, and we met Roger Rabbit, Rabbit, and Br'er Bear. All characters that we have never met, all had great interaction. Br'er Bear spent about 10 minutes playing with my girls, played Duck Duck Goose and chased them around the area. Highlight of the day!! Minnie and Pluto were there also but we did not visit them.
All in all, fantastic day trip! Left me wanting more and anxiously awaiting our Halloween visit!
Edited to add that we did not meet Elsa and Anna (did that in November), but I wanted to report back on wait times so I looked every time I walked by...it was posted at 120min the entire time. I heard people say it was closer to 3 hours but I don't know. The crowds seemed well managed. Village Haus restaurant, which has always been quiet when we go, now is very busy! Seems like people leave Elsa and Anna and head there to eat. Everyone leaving the M&G seemed star struck, which is adorable!
