August 20, 2005 - L.A. to Port Canaveral - Eastbound Repo Cruise - The SHIP OF FOOLS Part 2

[Mom2Belle&PeterPan]

DL and DCA Favorites – Family of Mom2Belle&PeterPan, ca-disney-dad

Hello all! We promised that we would write down our native California favorites! DL/DCA is much smaller than WDW. Keep that in mind and you will not be disappointed! Though smaller, our Disney parks have their own special magic and charm!

DL:

1. Fantasyland – If you have children or have that inner child Disney love, stop by and see each of these rides. Same as WDW, do these early in the day if they are your priority, Dumbo should be first due to load time.

2. Toontown is great for the kids, and fun to do a quick walk through for adults. Save this for last unless you have little ones in our humble opinion.


3. Rollercoaster/Fast Ride favorites:

· Matterhorn!!! Still our favorite after all these years! Go there first! If you stay onsite at the DL Hotel, take the Monorail to Tomorrowland and go straight to the Matterhorn. Ride both sides, the left side is our favorite.)
· Splash Mountain – Long lines too, do this early or during eating times.
· Big Thunder Mountain Railroad – not one of our favorites, but loved by many. We do not ride it any more since the accidents…too many times broken for our liking.
· Space Mountain – cannot wait for this to re-open!!!
· Indiana Jones Adventure (The second ride we head to after the Matterhorn when Space Mountain is closed.)

4. Other favorites:

· Pirates of the Carribean
· Haunted Mansion
· Winnie the Pooh ride
· It’s a Small World (look at the outside of ours – awesome!)
· Fantasmic (not to be missed at DL!)
· Tom Sawyer’s Island (a nice break and fun for the kids…love the rope walk - closes at dusk)
· The Walt Disney Story Featuring "Great Moments With Mr. Lincoln"
· The Jungle Ride (my speech-language pathology assistant drives one of the boats – if your driver is a brunette female, ask her is she is Paula who works with Barbara)
· DL Railroad (just to sit a bit and see the park)
· Star Tours
· Snow White Show (with kids, if you like singing, and/or if you have the big Disney magic in your heart. Snow White is not my favorite of the stories, but I really enjoy this show. Dh liked it “once.”)
. Autopia - for young and old alike, hopefully their que lines will be fixed by next August...very unorganized last times we visited due to Tomorrowland construction.

Our Favorite “Eats” at DL:

(DL/DCA restaurants for the most part are a step-below those at WDW, but still enjoyable all the same).

1. Plaza Inn (buffet, enjoy their character breakfast)
2. Rancho Del Zocalo (we eat here most times! Mexican food and barbeque. Easy to share a meal between two adults if both are not huge eaters. Kids love the kid’s meals here.)
3. The Blue Bayou – an all time favorite. Make your PS in advance. Ask to sit by the water. It’s fun to chide with the Pirates of the Carribean riders; we always pretend to throw some food to them, lol!
4. Cafe Orleans preferred (French Market Restaurant OK too)– tasty buffet with southern style food.
5. Redd Rockett's Pizza Port – believe it or not, we have not eaten here, but have heard from friends that the pizza is good.

Arlene, you will definitely be able to see the parks and most everything in 3 days. I’d opt for park hopper passes. August and September are our hottest times of the year, but usually it is dry heat in August. It will probably be busier than normal with the 50th Anniversary. We do recommend taking a mid-day break to rest and swim. And, if for some reason you are ready to keep going, do so.

Read on laughingplace.com about hours and fastpass. DL will probably be open until 11:00 p.m. or 12 midnight. DCA closes first usually after 10 p.m. in the summer.

We’ve had problems with mosquitoes and West Nile virus this year, so be prepared to wear some kind of mosquito repellant at night. Avon has a great one for kids and adults alike.

We’ll write soon about DCA and DTD next weekend or so!

Oh BTW, those of you staying at HoJo’s: I read that they sell DL tickets to their guests, I’d e-mail them for the details. Also, next to this hotel is “Mimi’s Café.” This is a nice place for any meal, dh and I love their cobb salad at the one by our home…he gets the bleu cheese dressing tossed and I get it with the nonfat french dressing – tossed with dressing on the side…and we love their buttermilk muffins too!

That’s it for now! Time write my daily notation goals and objectives for my students for tomorrow!

Cheers! Perhaps we can meet some of you and yours for ice-cream or some rides while you are here in CA.

Have a great week!

Barbara & Brian

 

[gassmandy]

Barabara--
I grew up in Cali--going to DL every year. I never went to WDW till we moved here in '91 when I was a jr. in high school. That being said--I think I will be so surprised at the size difference since I remember DL being HUGE (I was a kid!!!). It may be a little bitter-sweet, so to speak. But--one thing I do know is the first time we came to MK there were differences I noticed right awy (compared to my memories of DL). I think hands down--Pirates and It's a Small World are 10 times better at DL. As far as food--I have great memories of The Blue Bayou. Also--loved the mint juleps and fritters.
Anyway--just got back from about 4 hours at MK. Had lunch and rode Aladdin's Carpet Ride w/ Addison. She also did the Carousel w/ her aunt Becky and Aunt Vikki!! (Did a little Christmas shopping too!!!). We'll go again the few days after T-giving w/ family--even though it will be BUSY! Also going to do MVMCP on Monday or Tuesday the 13th/14th of Dec. Plus the Osbourne Lights at MGM. Can't wait! DH's mom will be here for 3 weeks for Christmas so we'll do lots!!!

 

[Mom2Belle&PeterPan]

Hi Amanda,

Isn't if great how we think about things when we are kids?! You are now a WDW veteran, but your heart will be full when you see DL again. And, now you get to see DCA and DTD here too!

Wonderful for you to take your dd to WDW with your APs! Sounds like you had a magical visit today, and have more to come. They are only little once, and it is an honor to see the world and Disney through their eyes...also brings back our childlike sides too.

Have a great week, and I look forward to meeting you and your family on the cruise!

Barbara

 

[izzinmac]

Gassmandy didn't mention the weather today at the MK...it was wonderful...mid 80s and dry! We had a great time with 4 daughters, 2 SILs and 4 grandkids!!

Even though we live in Fl, I still like DL better than the MK. Yeh, all together WDW is better...obviously Walt bought enough property in Fl...he didn't in Ca...but DL does have a quaintness and character missing in MK. I agree the Pirates is much better in DL, the entrance to Its a Small World is much more spectacular, and the Matterhorn is still my favorite!! Plus the "Lands" in DL seem more distinct and less run togther than MK. Love New Orleans Square!

So I am really looking forward to revisiting!

Melinda, What are your plans for the day after Thanksgiving? As Amanda said, right now our family is planning to go to WDW...probably MK...because all the grandkids will be there. If you are going there, maybe we could meet for a few minutes.

 

[DVCMBR4]

Hello all -

I am entering this forum with great trepidation as I know that this thread consists of absolutely insane cruise freaks! The scariest thing is the realization that I will eventually meet all of you next August. After reading some of your posts, I never realized how many Disney nuts there are. I know what a Disney fanatic my wife is (bmwdsny) and I can't imagine having a whole cruise ship full of all of you!!! You see, Melinda's first priority in life is writing to you all. As a result she has neglected me (DH) and her kids (DD,DS) for months and it will only get worse as the trip gets closer. (I am jealous! NOT!)

I have also come to realize that I simply can't fight it anymore, so... 'If you can't fight them, join them' has become my motto. Therefore, I will have to spend some time lurking around to see just how nuts all of you are (and to keep an 'eye' on my wife)! I just have to figure out where you all get the time to post. Are there any job openings with any of your companies?? Well, I guess with my gov't job, I should be able to lurk a bit each day. (You know what they say about bureaucrats!)

Actually, I don't mind the amount of time Melinda spends on line, since I figure the more she stays in front of the computer the more money I save - since she is not shopping!!

I have my own user name with my own PRIVATE password, so the wife can't post in my name!! I have to watch her because she can be sneaky. I would encourage you all to be equally cautious of her - if you haven't figured that out yet yourselves!! BE CAREFUL!

 

[piglet33]

DenverVal - I just sent you a PM.

Reneé

 

[Mom2Belle&PeterPan]

Welcome DVCMBR4! Your dw Melinda is a dear and you know you married her because she never lets you get bored, lol! Anyway, looks like you'll fit in here just fine. I'm going to encourage my dh to join too, he hears everything about our cruise thread via me and its time for him to do his part.

I'm sure the "most" crazy/looney ones here (of which I am not) will be around soon to welcome you too. OK, this was a quick work break for me, back to work (yes, some of us really do work and spend time with our families too - bet that's what Melinda is doing right now, lol!)

Again, Welcome!

Barbara

 

[Bmwdsny]

Originally posted by izzinmac
Melinda, What are your plans for the day after Thanksgiving? As Amanda said, right now our family is planning to go to WDW...probably MK...because all the grandkids will be there. If you are going there, maybe we could meet for a few minutes.

First of all, DON"T LISTEN TO DVCMBR4!! He is some weird guy i don't know!!

Bob, Yes, we will be in WDW somewhere day after T day...Not sure which park we will go to that day. We are staying at the Beach Club. Sure, would love to meet all of you!!! Let me know...

 

[izzinmac]

Welcome DVCMBR4!

You need not worry about having to meet the weirdos on this thread. What we haven't told Melinda, and need you to keep from her, is that no one on this thread is actually going on the cruise. It was created for the sole purpose of giving Melinda someone to talk to, and thereby keeping her occupied and out of your hair. It's sort of a community service type thing! Something Dubya would be proud of. Now that you have expressed your concern with the fanatic state of Melinda about these boards, we will do our best to keep her occupied, and realize our efforts so far have not been in vain! When she gets on the ship and realizes 400 people are missing, you will have to break the news to her very gently!

 

[mark & sandra]

Originally posted by DVCMBR4
I just have to figure out where you all get the time to post. Are there any job openings with any of your companies??

Welcome DVCMBR4- Honestly we all work quite hard at our jobs. We don't post that often, contrary to what SOME people, who shall remain nameless say!! Melinda on the other hand, has many of us beat on per day post count AND this thread's post count!! Just see for yourself, today this thread has been extremely slow, I'll bet you and your wife were out of the house for most of the day. Looking forward to our big meet and greet...Mark

 

[mark & sandra]

Originally posted by DVCMBR4

Actually, I don't mind the amount of time Melinda spends on line, since I figure the more she stays in front of the computer the more money I save - since she is not shopping!!

Are you serious!! She's been bragging to all of us how she's booked all of these costly excursions and ordered all of these new clothes online for this upcoming trip....Mark

 

[DVCMBR4]

Hey Mark -

Your right, Melinda is charging up a storm for those excursions, but she told me that that on this trip Disney is giving every stateroom a $2,000 on board credit. So, I don't care how many times she rides the bananna boat at Castaway Cay with all of you! I wonder if she is being sneaky again? LOL.

But, with all those tax credits coming next year since Dubya was re-elected, I can afford it!!

 

[DVCMBR4]

Originally posted by izzinmac
Welcome DVCMBR4!

It's sort of a community service type thing! Something Dubya would be proud of. Now that you have expressed your concern with the fanatic state of Melinda about these boards...

Hey thanks all of you...Your right, this is actually therapy for Melinda. Ya know, I think that my health insurance company may actually pay for these services. I'll check it out and you can submit your fees. I don't think it will be a problem considering the huge expenses of those pysch institutions... LOL

You are all one of George H.W. Bush's "thousand points of light"!!!!

 

[ehtpnt]

Okay DVCMBR4 welcome aboard. This could get to be a very strange ride. I am still trying to convince my lurking DH that he should come and post on here. So far no luck. Can't decide wether that is good or bad.
Do let me know if your health insurance will pay for this. My DH would be particularly interested since according to ours humans only have one knee. They refused to pay for my physical therapy after my second knee repacement. Said I had already done that. Oh well nasty letter from DH and one from the surgeon and they paid up. But what a hassle.

Weather in Pa. was glorious today. Somewhere in the mid 70s. Considering it is November we were very happy. Tomorrow it all goes down the tubes.

Estelle

 

[DVCMBR4]

Originally posted by Mom2Belle&PeterPan
Welcome DVCMBR4! Your dw Melinda is a dear ...

Barbara - thanks for the greetings and I know that all you women stick together but I won't hold that against you!


Bob

 

[paulcrsb]

Welcome Bob!

I like to think that I am one of the more mature people on this thread (unlike some others who shall remain nameless). LOL

Anyway I hope you don't have anything against Oregonians (unlike others who also shall remain nameless). LOL

Paul

 

[Bmwdsny]

FINALLY!!!
I got my computer back!!!! Although my Dh went upstairs with the laptop with him!! He drove me crazy tonight asking me "who is Mark & Sandra", "who is Izzinac"," who is ephnt"...
Amazing how HE is interesting in you people now!!!


Barbara, Don't pay any attention to my DH!! "We women" " Won't hold against you" business.... YADA YADA!!
Also, Thanks so much for the tips for DL...Do you when Space Mountain will open again??

 

[DVCMBR4]

Originally posted by paulcrsb
Welcome Bob!


Anyway I hope you don't have anthing against Oregonians...

Thanks for the welcome, Paul!

Even though you live in a 'blue' state, I won't hold it against you. I have many friends who are blue, but, I'm just glad there were fewer blues than the reds last Tuesday!! LOL

 

[mark & sandra]

Originally posted by DVCMBR4
...but she told me that that on this trip Disney is giving every stateroom a $2,000 on board credit.

That DW of yours, such a hoot!! She obviously left out the decimal point. It's 20.00 per stateroom, not 2000. She did however offer to buy a round of drinks for our entire group. 400 members at 5.00 per drink, that's $2,000 is what she's PUTTING onto your stateroom account. She said something about us not telling you that's why she's going back to work!! Sorry Melinda, but he has a right to know!!

Originally posted by DVCMBR4
I don't care how many times she rides the bananna boat at Castaway Cay with all of you!

Is that some kind of dirty Jersey slang?!?!...Mark

 

[sandygirl]

DVCMBR4

Bob, I just wanted to say hello!

Darlene