A Tale of Two Trips: Disneyland and Hawaii July 2014 Long Way Home: The End 9/13 p.40

[natebenma]

So did you eat all the nachos? Or did your helpers help finish them off? I think Cass has dreams about those nachos.

I love that you can go back and forth from the parks so easily! It makes it so easy to hop back and forth.

No Nachos Left Behind!

We shared everything and I believe we polished it all off. For better or worse, we are a clean plate club kind of family.

 

[Wood Nymph]

But I still don't understand why they have to stamp your hand whenever you exit one of the parks, since they view the picture associated with your ticket when you go into a new park.

I don't understand it, either. Back in the "old" days, when Disney still had paper tickets, they used to stamp your hand when you exited MK if you intended to come back later. That was also when they only had one park. But that was before the days of the fingerprint recognition system. The stamps were invisible but would show up in black light, like when riding Peter Pan and other rides. The stamps changed daily. The purpose of the stamp was to make sure you weren't passing your ticket to someone else to use.

Is your picture on the DL ticket or do they use the fingerprint system?

 

[jenseib]

I don't understand it, either. Back in the "old" days, when Disney still had paper tickets, they used to stamp your hand when you exited MK if you intended to come back later. That was also when they only had one park. But that was before the days of the fingerprint recognition system. The stamps were invisible but would show up in black light, like when riding Peter Pan and other rides. The stamps changed daily. The purpose of the stamp was to make sure you weren't passing your ticket to someone else to use.

Is your picture on the DL ticket or do they use the fingerprint system?

They take your picture and associate it with your ticket. But the hand stamp is really lame. I to have no clue why they use this.

 

[natebenma]

But technically, it isn't four parks, since only two parks exist there.
But your day reminds me of how we like to hop in and out of Epcot, throwing in another park for extra fun.

Well, yeah, only two different parks. Spoiler Alert: So I guess you won't be impressed with my "5 Parks" on our next day.

I don't understand it, either. Back in the "old" days, when Disney still had paper tickets, they used to stamp your hand when you exited MK if you intended to come back later. That was also when they only had one park. But that was before the days of the fingerprint recognition system. The stamps were invisible but would show up in black light, like when riding Peter Pan and other rides. The stamps changed daily. The purpose of the stamp was to make sure you weren't passing your ticket to someone else to use.

Is your picture on the DL ticket or do they use the fingerprint system?

I'm glad that Jen answered because I couldn't remember if they fingerprinted or not. I didn't think so, but it got jumbled in my head.

They don't fingerscan anymore with the magic bands- what prevents someone from handing over their Magic Band to someone else to use to enter a park?

Hmmmmm...

They take your picture and associate it with your ticket. But the hand stamp is really lame. I to have no clue why they use this.

Glad I am not alone. The hand stamp makes no sense to me!

 

[luvpoohandcompany]

No Nachos Left Behind!

We shared everything and I believe we polished it all off. For better or worse, we are a clean plate club kind of family.

That is so me too! Hate leaving anything on my plate and hate my family doing it either so if they dont eat it up I have been known to "help" them out

 

[natebenma]

That is so me too! Hate leaving anything on my plate and hate my family doing it either so if they dont eat it up I have been known to "help" them out

Actually 3 of us always clear our plates, but Nate has no issue leaving food unfinished. Since I am not fussy about food, I will usually polish off what he has left behind.

And the next thing I hear from Nate is "I'm not feeling well"



Every.single.time!

 

[luvpoohandcompany]

No Nachos Left Behind!

We shared everything and I believe we polished it all off. For better or worse, we are a clean plate club kind of family.

Actually 3 of us always clear our plates, but Nate has no issue leaving food unfinished. Since I am not fussy about food, I will usually polish off what he has left behind.

And the next thing I hear from Nate is "I'm not feeling well"



Every.single.time!

Too funny

 

[luvpoohandcompany]

Amazing night-time photos. I love when everything is lit up and how the atmosphere totally changes. Awesome views from scary wheel of death

 

[natebenma]

Too funny

So even if Nate is not really sick, once he makes the comment I immediately feel woogy.

Amazing night-time photos. I love when everything is lit up and how the atmosphere totally changes. Awesome views from scary wheel of death

So many places at California Adventure were really beautiful at night.

I was distracted from any scariness on the Wheel of Death by the incredible views!

 

[petals]

I may need to try those nachos. Carsland looks amazing at night time as well.

 

[natebenma]

I may need to try those nachos. Carsland looks amazing at night time as well.

The nachos were soooooo good! The entrance to the Grand Californian Hotel is right across from the Grizzly River Run ride. I don't think you should have any trouble leaving the park through that exit. White Water Snacks is not too far from there- head towards the pool (follow signs) and it is right around there.

You have to get to Carsland during the day, dusk if possible (when the lights come on) and then at night.

 

[natebenma]

We started the next morning with breakfast in our room- bagels with cream cheese, yogurt parfait, bananas, juice and coffee.

This time, we used the Grand Californian entrance into California Adventure.




We walked over to check on the wait time for Radiator Springs Racers. It was 35 minutes so we decided not to spend our Extra Magic Hour in line for this.

I took a couple of pictures I hadn’t before:







A closeup of Grizzly Peak as we walked out of Carsland.


I don’t care what you say. That’s a wolf, not a bear!


The only other section of the park open was Paradise Pier.





I wonder what the wait time for Toy Story Mania is.


I guess we can tough it out!

The queue line in California comes nowhere close to being as entertaining as the one in Hollywood Studios!

When we got to the loading area, we noticed the family in front of us did not have their 3D goggle. We told the CMs at the ride, and they were able to get them some glasses before their vehicle started moving.





One thing that is the same with the two rides- it is very difficult to take decent pictures!!!



















At the ride exit, you go through Andy’s Room





When we were finished, we decided to ride again, since the line still wasn’t very long.

And once again, the family loading in front of us had not picked up their 3D glasses, so once again we alerted a CM. I hope they have a LARGE stash of glasses at the ready!









Our next destination was California Screamin’

We rode, then the 3 guys rode again, but I sat this one out.

I did take pictures, though!


There they are!



No, not the ones waving.



In the back.






Continued in Next Post
Click Here or Keep Scrolling

 

[natebenma]

Continued from Previous Post

Now it was time to head back to Radiator Springs. We pulled a Fast Pass (time was 11:30 to 12:30, I think), which was perfect since we had a special lunch reservation at 12:20.

We rode Radiator Springs Racers, via the single rider line.


There goes Ben!




Mark























Here is a picture of a guy taking a picture.














This pretty scene is along the walkway as you exit RSR:




We decided to ride Tower of Terror, but once again Ben chose to sit it out. He stayed to ride Radiator Springs Racers again, single rider, while the three of us “dropped in” at the Hollywood Hotel.

Here’s just a single picture from the queue of the Boiler room area, and then, the drop












We planned to meet back at… Where should we go, Nate?

“Soarin’!”


We caught up with Ben at Soarin’ at 9:07.








After a very satisfying two-and-a-half hours at CA, we wanted to spend some time at Disneyland. For some reason, Mark and Nate went back to the room but I can’t remember why. They were pretty close to the GCH entrance, so that was not at all difficult.

Ben and I continued on to Disneyland.


Next up: Morning at DL
Click Here

 

[luvpoohandcompany]

I'm with you Dee -Grizzly Peak is definitely a wolf!!
Love the selfie with Ben in TSM but most of all I love the photo from RSR where Ben is looking across at you with such a gorgeous cheeky wee grin on his face you can almost feel the fun he's having
Another very successful morning had by all

 

[DisneyKid4Life]

You didn't wait in line for Radiator Springs Racers???? Geez, you'd think you'd all ridden it before. Some as much as 6 times.

Good lord, 5 minutes for TSMM. That's insane. I guess with a 5 minute wait, the less entertaining queue is a moot point.

And you just earned some Disney points by mentioning the missing glasses... TWICE!!

Hahahaha, nice of the guy to wave at you anyway.

 

[KatMark]

I've never seen it, but it looks like a wolf to me too!

5 minutes for TSM? Unheard of! I would probably ride several times in a row if it stayed like that. Then again, maybe not...my arm would fall off. Good catch on those without their special glasses.

Tower of Terror...my favorite. Nice job taking pictures as you are riding.

How many times is that now for Radiator?

 

[MotoWifey185]

Another great update! I love DCA at dusk/night, it is so pretty! I never think to ride Mickey's Wheel of Death, but the views are great so I think we may need to add that to the list for our next trip! Last time I rode it WOC was being built so the lake was drained, not so pretty! Too funny that you went out of your way to get a Dole Whip so late at night! Wow Naples is pretty pricey. How did you like the pizza?

Looking forward to more!!

 

[tiggerfan77]

LOVED the evening pics from CA! The neon lights are so cool in Radiator Springs! And the Wheel of Death looks amazing at night I love the idea of having a Dole Whip as a night cap to a productive day!

Looks like you were able to get a lot done in the morning as well. Can't wait to see where you go for your special lunch

 

[JanetMom]

I don't know what I've been up to, but I fell behind on your report.

Love your pics of Paradise Pier. That and Carsland are two good reasons to go check out DL.

I can't believe how calm you are on TOT. I'll have to post my pic from WDW soon. I'm no where near that calm! I may be biased, but I like the view from the WDW TOT better.

 

[natebenma]

So, I have been spending the past day putting out fires here on the DIS and on Facebook



Yes, the Beach Club and Yacht Club will be undergoing renovation in the coming months.

No, it will not be anything like the construction/destruction currently happening at the Poly.

Unfortunately, a recent blog article compared the two projects and it is sending guests into a frenzy.

For the record, from what I understand- the renovation is mainly interior work, new carpeting, furniture and paint in the rooms and hallways. Work on the BC will probably last 10 months to a year, followed by another 10 months to a year at the Yacht Club. Sometime in between, the BCV will get some attention.

To the best of my knowledge, a refurb of Stormalong Bay is not on the schedule.

This was a public service announcement from your friends at the Beach Club

I'm with you Dee -Grizzly Peak is definitely a wolf!!
Love the selfie with Ben in TSM but most of all I love the photo from RSR where Ben is looking across at you with such a gorgeous cheeky wee grin on his face you can almost feel the fun he's having
Another very successful morning had by all

It is so hard taking selfies with a camera!

I love that picture of Ben, too. What a big smile on his face and you know he is thinking- "We will leave you in the dust!"

Great morning so far and we are only 2 1/2 hours in.

You didn't wait in line for Radiator Springs Racers???? Geez, you'd think you'd all ridden it before. Some as much as 6 times.

Good lord, 5 minutes for TSMM. That's insane. I guess with a 5 minute wait, the less entertaining queue is a moot point.

And you just earned some Disney points by mentioning the missing glasses... TWICE!!

Hahahaha, nice of the guy to wave at you anyway.

I think we did the standby for RSR just once, the first time we rode, first thing in the morning.

Isn't that crazy for Toy Story!?! I guess when the masses are all at RSR, that's what happens.

The killer for me was that Soarin' always had a relatively short wait time- 15 to 20 minutes and became our go-to ride when we had time to kill.



But the PoC line at Disneyland was always long!

Could not believe that everyone forgot to pick up the glasses.



Friendly people!

I've never seen it, but it looks like a wolf to me too!

5 minutes for TSM? Unheard of! I would probably ride several times in a row if it stayed like that. Then again, maybe not...my arm would fall off. Good catch on those without their special glasses.

Tower of Terror...my favorite. Nice job taking pictures as you are riding.

How many times is that now for Radiator?

I know, right! Totally a wolf!

A couple times in a row was fine for TSM. Especially when we had California Screamin' to get to.

I always try to take pictures of the drop on ToT. And Splash. And Rip Saw Falls over at Islands of Adventure. Mark was annoyed that both of the ride photos from our two rides on ToT have a camera in it.

So, 4 times on RSR so far for Mark, Nate and me (and we have a FP)
Ben is at 8 times plus an upcoming FP.

Another great update! I love DCA at dusk/night, it is so pretty! I never think to ride Mickey's Wheel of Death, but the views are great so I think we may need to add that to the list for our next trip! Last time I rode it WOC was being built so the lake was drained, not so pretty! Too funny that you went out of your way to get a Dole Whip so late at night! Wow Naples is pretty pricey. How did you like the pizza?

Looking forward to more!!

I can see that it wouldn't be quite as nice to ride the Wheel of Death with the lagoon drained

The night views were so much better than the ones during the day. I think. Was too busy during that earlier ride holding on for dear life in the swinging cars to enjoy the scenery!



It is funny that we were still standing so late at night. It was just our first full day (emphasis on full) and to our bodies it was 1 am. And at home, I normally turn into a pumpkin after 9 pm.



The pizza was really good, but like you said, expensive. We thought the food overall at Disneyland was pretty pricey. Even compared to our meals in Hawaii later in the trip.

$$$

LOVED the evening pics from CA! The neon lights are so cool in Radiator Springs! And the Wheel of Death looks amazing at night I love the idea of having a Dole Whip as a night cap to a productive day!

Looks like you were able to get a lot done in the morning as well. Can't wait to see where you go for your special lunch

DCA was incredible at night!

I agree- pretty cool nightcap!

We were very happy with how the morning was going.

Our lunch was the only meal we made a reservation for. It was my favorite of the trip.

I don't know what I've been up to, but I fell behind on your report.

Love your pics of Paradise Pier. That and Carsland are two good reasons to go check out DL.

I can't believe how calm you are on TOT. I'll have to post my pic from WDW soon. I'm no where near that calm! I may be biased, but I like the view from the WDW TOT better.

DCA is so much fun!!!!!!

ToT does not bother me. I just wish Ben would ride with us. He says he will go on during his class trip in June, which is good because it is one of the rides during our class at HS. I think the lightning ghosts bother him more than the drop.

Both views are pretty cool. Actually, I think there are a couple of different views you get on the WDW ToT depending on which window you are at. Or maybe I'm thinking of EE at AK.