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

[natebenma]

When we left off, we had just spent a couple of early morning hours at California Adventure and now it was time for something completely different.

Well, not completely- we were returning to Disneyland.

Mark and Nate detoured to our room, so Ben and I were solo for a bit.

According to my Town Hall clock, it is 9:30:









We are headed for Splash Mountain.

Is it here?



Nope! Not in Disneyland. You have to go to Critter Country

It’s weird. In DL, Splash has single row seating, but Space Mountain has side by side. It is reversed in MK.



































Why, yes, I do take a lot more pictures during a ride when I am not sitting with Mark.

Ben was mad that I wanted to stop to add the ride photo to my Photopass Card

“You can’t even see me in it!”





While the two of us were on Splash, Mark and Nate rode Buzz. We agreed to meet up at Star Tours so we could pull a Fast Pass.

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[natebenma]

Continued from Previous Post








Now that we are together again, it is time to hit some attractions.

First up, family favorite Big Thunder Mountain























Another Classic











Then, off to do something we haven’t seen yet


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[natebenma]

Continued from Previous Post




















Look at the line for Pirates!








Our Fast Pass time had come due, so we headed to a galaxy not-so-far away





Once again, Ben got the red timing card
























We got the Wookie Planet scene. Cool! I love


We had a great and active visit to Disneyland, but we had places to go and things to do and meals to eat.


Up Next: RSR and Corner!

 

[mickeystoontown]

I know that I mentioned it before but I love the comparison between WDW and DL. It just seems so odd that you can move from Big Thunder Mountain to Star Tours and not have to park hop. I wish that they'd change over the Swiss Family Robinson Treehouse to the Tarzan theme. I bet more kids know what Tarzan is than Swiss Family Robinson. Heck, I'm 48 years old and barely remember the movie.

 

[DisneyKid4Life]

Haha yeah, Disneyland seems like bizarro Magic Kingdom (or vise verse I suppose).

Bahahaha, Ben really is blocked out on Splash isn't he? OMG.

It's so much fun to see photos of Disneyland. Even though I've only been once, it does bring back some lovely memories. So the same and yet so very different.

 

[natebenma]

I know that I mentioned it before but I love the comparison between WDW and DL. It just seems so odd that you can move from Big Thunder Mountain to Star Tours and not have to park hop. I wish that they'd change over the Swiss Family Robinson Treehouse to the Tarzan theme. I bet more kids know what Tarzan is than Swiss Family Robinson. Heck, I'm 48 years old and barely remember the movie.

Having Star Tours in Tomorrowland makes total sense, but it was the classic MK rides in different places that really threw us off:

Pirates and Haunted together in New Orleans Square and

Splash Mountain and Winnie-the-Pooh in Critter Country

That, and the rides that DIDN'T have Fast Passes (Buzz, Jungle Cruise, Peter Pan, Toy Story) It would be nice if Pirates had FP, because that line can get very long, and does not have any cool theming, unlike the one in Florida.

You are right- they should switch up the theming for the tree house! Send all of the Swiss Family Robinson props to DL and the Tarzan ones to MK!

I'm a big believer in recycling!

Haha yeah, Disneyland seems like bizarro Magic Kingdom (or vise verse I suppose).

Bahahaha, Ben really is blocked out on Splash isn't he? OMG.

It's so much fun to see photos of Disneyland. Even though I've only been once, it does bring back some lovely memories. So the same and yet so very different.

It is fine that things are in different places, but it is just weird because we know exactly what to do and where to go when we are in MK, but we had to totally re-think our typical strategies in DL.

Yes, Ben is mostly missing in the Splash picture. But I prepaid for the Photopass and durnit I'm gonna add the picture.

I'm glad you are enjoying a trip down Memory Lane. Wouldn't that be a great theme for a land for aging baby-boomer like me! Maybe a VCR-themed gentle people-mover type experience. The background music could all be from the 70's and 80's. Well, maybe just the 80's.

 

[ProudMommyof2]

You got so much done for a busy summer day at DL. Did you find it was easier to get several "big" rides done in a day at DL than it is at WDW?

 

[natebenma]

You got so much done for a busy summer day at DL. Did you find it was easier to get several "big" rides done in a day at DL than it is at WDW?

I was pretty impressed with what we were able to do in a couple of hours at DL that morning.

The answer to your question is that yes, it is pretty easy to get in quite a few "big rides"- to me, Space Mountain, Matterhorn and Indiana Jones, BUT the biggest problem was that it seemed like rides frequently went down unexpectedly. We experienced that way too much.

Wait times did not seem bad- typically under an hour for everything (except for Radiator Springs Racers in CA) I didn't like the long lines at Pirates.

The next day, which will be our last day, had early entry at DL, so that is where we started. When I get to that, you will see that the day started really well and then went downhill...

 

[KatMark]

I knew the seats were different for Space Mountain at DL than DW, but did not know that about Splash Mountain. I'm glad you stopped for the photopass picture because I love you in it...great shot.

So is Tarzan's Clubhouse similar to Swiss Family Robinson Treehouse, I assume?

Who doesn't love Big Thunder and Haunted Mansion.

I was so happy Star Tours did not upset my stomach this trip. But I have no idea what "Wookie Planet scene" or any other scene is. I'm not a Star Wars whiz at all.

 

[jenseib]

Great Morning! Park hopping there is just so easy!
That kid in the front of Splash got soaked....just saying... because I know! Been ther done that!

I never made it in the tree house either. Last night I saw my nieces and they had gone to WDW in late Sept. So I asked my youngest niece who just turned 5 what her favorite ride was and she told me the tree house. Her sister looked at her like she had 3 heads. I asked her if she liked the Dwarves Mine train and she told me she didn't ride that but she did ride Snow Whites coaster.

I really hope Skip still wants to go to DL this next spring. your pictures are giving me that yearning again!

 

[natebenma]

I knew the seats were different for Space Mountain at DL than DW, but did not know that about Splash Mountain. I'm glad you stopped for the photopass picture because I love you in it...great shot.

So is Tarzan's Clubhouse similar to Swiss Family Robinson Treehouse, I assume?

Who doesn't love Big Thunder and Haunted Mansion.

I was so happy Star Tours did not upset my stomach this trip. But I have no idea what "Wookie Planet scene" or any other scene is. I'm not a Star Wars whiz at all.

I like that photopass picture, too.

Yes, Tarazan's = Swiss Family Robinson. Good if you need some exercise and to kill a little time. Nice views from both attractions.

I don't know who doesn't love Big Thunder and Haunted Mansion (and I don't want to know them!)

Wookie Planet Scene- picture many Chewbaccas (you know who that is, right?)

Pretty exciting because I usually get a pod-racing scene.

Great Morning! Park hopping there is just so easy!
That kid in the front of Splash got soaked....just saying... because I know! Been ther done that!

I never made it in the tree house either. Last night I saw my nieces and they had gone to WDW in late Sept. So I asked my youngest niece who just turned 5 what her favorite ride was and she told me the tree house. Her sister looked at her like she had 3 heads. I asked her if she liked the Dwarves Mine train and she told me she didn't ride that but she did ride Snow Whites coaster.

I really hope Skip still wants to go to DL this next spring. your pictures are giving me that yearning again!

The park hopping between DL and CA is insanely easy!

And staying at GCH, it is as easy to park hop as it is to return to the resort. Or both.

It is kind of the same way at US/IoA, but even easier in California.

But my favorite hop remains EP to MK or MK to EP via monorail!

Too funny about your nieces' visit and reviews!

 

[luvpoohandcompany]

Having Star Tours in Tomorrowland makes total sense, but it was the classic MK rides in different places that really threw us off:

Pirates and Haunted together in New Orleans Square and

Splash Mountain and Winnie-the-Pooh in Critter Country

That, and the rides that DIDN'T have Fast Passes (Buzz, Jungle Cruise, Peter Pan, Toy Story) It would be nice if Pirates had FP, because that line can get very long, and does not have any cool theming, unlike the one in Florida.

You are right- they should switch up the theming for the tree house! Send all of the Swiss Family Robinson props to DL and the Tarzan ones to MK!

I'm a big believer in recycling!



I like the way you're thinking


It is fine that things are in different places, but it is just weird because we know exactly what to do and where to go when we are in MK, but we had to totally re-think our typical strategies in DL.

Yes, Ben is mostly missing in the Splash picture. But I prepaid for the Photopass and durnit I'm gonna add the picture.
You and I definitely think alike lol
I'm glad you are enjoying a trip down Memory Lane. Wouldn't that be a great theme for a land for aging baby-boomer like me! Maybe a VCR-themed gentle people-mover type experience. The background music could all be from the 70's and 80's. Well, maybe just the 80's.

New career for you as an imagineer perhaps??

 

[natebenma]

I like the way you're thinking


You and I definitely think alike lol


New career for you as an imagineer perhaps??

Yes, there is a place for both Tarzan's Treehouse and Swiss Family Robinson. Why not switch them up?

I don't care how bad that picture is! I paid for it. I'm adding it!

No, I don't think I'll be adding that to my plate.

:

 

[natebenma]

HAPPY HALLOWEEN, FRIENDS!!!

 

[teekathepony]

I find it strange that they changed the seating arrangement on Splash and Space. I wonder what the reasons were! Maybe just a mis-spoken or maybe mis-understood order?

"Hi yes, I'm calling from the Imagineers about Disney World, just a reminder, that's ONE seat per row on Splash, TWO seats per row on Space."

"One on Space, two on splash. Got it chief! "



Too bad Ben got 100% blocked on Splash!
I really like the Tarzan theme better than the Swiss Family Robinson. But that's me being too young to remember SFR too.
Wow you guys got a lot done!

 

[natebenma]

I find it strange that they changed the seating arrangement on Splash and Space. I wonder what the reasons were! Maybe just a mis-spoken or maybe mis-understood order?

"Hi yes, I'm calling from the Imagineers about Disney World, just a reminder, that's ONE seat per row on Splash, TWO seats per row on Space."

"One on Space, two on splash. Got it chief! "



Too bad Ben got 100% blocked on Splash!
I really like the Tarzan theme better than the Swiss Family Robinson. But that's me being too young to remember SFR too.
Wow you guys got a lot done!

I love your conversation of the botched order!



Ben was definitely blocked in the Splash photo. On the plus side, I don't think either one of us got wet.

I think I like the Tarzan theme a little better too, but I have only seen that movie once or twice.

We were having a pretty darned good morning!

 

[natebenma]

We returned to California Adventure because we had a couple of things booked.







First up- a Fast Pass for Radiator Springs Racers. Along the way, we walked by the FP Distribution machine. It was 11:50 am:





We didn’t pull one, though, because we knew we had other plans at that time.

We rode!

















We got the Luigi scene!!! That’s like getting the Cowboy scene on Great Movie Ride at HS.








How would we top yet another fantastic ride on RSR?

With a very special lunch.


Corner! http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=52562037&postcount=278
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[natebenma]

Continued from previous post

We were about to enjoy the only meal we had a reservation for: The World of Color dining package at Carthay Circle.






From the Disneyland website:

Revisit Hollywood’s Golden Age Where Classic Décor Meets Contemporary Dining

Carthay Circle Restaurant occupies the second floor of a detailed reproduction of the iconic Carthay Circle Theatre. The original Carthay Circle Theatre, built in 1926, played a significant role in the life of Walt Disney. His first feature-length film, Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, premiered there in 1937, and in 1941, groundbreaking stereophonic Fantasound was installed in the theatre for the West Coast premiere of Disney’s Fantasia.

Carthay Circle Restaurant’s decor reflects the romance and glamour of Hollywood’s Golden Age, including references to the accomplishments of Walt Disney and his original animators. See Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs Courvoisier cels—the only animated art ever to hang in Walt Disney’s home—and charming pastoral scenes from the movie painted on the vaulted ceiling of the main dining room.

Feast on innovative modern fare featuring eclectic, Southern California flavors and fresh, locally sourced ingredients. At Carthay Circle Restaurant, discover bold seasonal cuisine by Chef Andrew Sutton, also executive chef of the award-winning Napa Rose restaurant at Disney's Grand Californian Hotel & Spa.


Sounds impressive, don’t it?

But we were dining here mainly because they offered a special World of Color Viewing Dining Package- for $39, you get an entrée, dessert, soft drink and a ticket for one of the special viewing areas for the popular WoC show at California Adventure.

We love the idea of not having to fight the crowds and having to stake out a viewing spot hours in advance. And as Mark likes to say “We gotta eat”
The WoC menu is limited- you have a few options to choose from but that wasn’t a problem. We all found something we wanted.







The restaurant was really elegant, but (or maybe that is why) I didn’t take picture of the dining room.


We were seated in this corner:





Throughout the meal, we kept hearing the waitstaff calling out “Corner”. We got excited because we figured that they were calling out that food was ready for the corner table and that meant our courses were coming out. We were REALLY hungry.

But eventually, we figured out that the wait staff was just warning their fellow servers that they were coming around the corner from the kitchen.




Everything we ordered was fantastic.

The boys both ordered Wildberry Lemonade (additional $4.50 charge each)





The bread helped to satisfy our hunger, and we had learned our lesson at Blue Bayou not to overdo it so when our waitress offered more, we said “No, thank you.”





Ben LOVES potstickers, so we ordered these to split (additional $14 charge):



Potstickers filled with Gingered Pork on a mango lemongrass voodoo sauce

The starters that came with the meal were either a soup or a salad:



Carthay Salad Celebrating Summer
Garden Peas, Tender Green Beans, French Radish, Shaved Fennell, Frisee and Radicchio Tossed Lightly in a Lemon Champagne Vinaigrette.



Roasted Chicken Broth accented with Basil, Fava Beans, Tender Peas, Carrots, Ham and Grilled Chicken.


I actually thought the soup was Pea Soup when it was described to us and I was shocked when Nate selected this. The rest of us ordered the salad and offered to switch with him if he wanted, but he really liked it.


For entrees, Ben got the ravioli, I got the seasonal fish and Mark and Nate ordered the tempura shrimp. Mark and I split our entrees.



Chicken and Spinach Ravioli with Summer Corn Broth, Crimini Mushrooms and Applewood Bacon



Tempura Fried Fish with Forbidden Black Rice Stirfry and Red Thai Curry



Sustainable Fish of the Season (Salmon) with Asparagus, Creamy Polenta and Lemon Fennel Tartar


For dessert, 3 of us ordered the chocolate crème brulee tart and one of us ordered the semifreddo



Valrhana Milk Chocolate Crème Brulee, Fresh Marinated Raspberries and Chocolate Sauce



Summer Pineapple Coconut Semifreddo with Vanilla Rum Pineapple Conserve and Chilled Tropical Fruit Broth


Awesome meal!!!

Total bill, $193.32 plus tip.


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[natebenma]

Continued from previous post

When we were done eating, the boys were ready for a little break, but I decided I wanted to try something else. I walked them to the Grand California hotel entrance and then took a few steps over to Grizzly River Run. I thought about pulling a Fast Pass, but I think it was an hour or more out.

So I got into the standby line. That didn’t move quickly at all.

After about 10 minutes, an announcement came over the loudspeaker about the Single Rider Line. I hadn’t thought about that!

I got out of line, found the SRL entrance, collected a red paper single rider ticket and followed the signs up the exit stairway.





In no time at all, I was put on a raft with a multigenerational family. Grandma, mom and dad, kids.









Even from this angle: It’s still a wolf!






Grand California Hotel











I didn’t get too wet.


Obviously this ride is a lot like Kali River Rapids. Honestly, I think I like Kali more- the theming is more interesting to me and there is more to look at. But I did like being able to see my hotel from the ride.

I probably could have taken another quick ride, but I decided to get back together with my family.


Coming up: We NEVER Do This on Vacation!
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[ProudMommyof2]

Great update!! Love the SRL. I know you mentioned it for Radiator Springs. How many other rides have SRL?