Back from Disneyland and Vegas

[Fantasia Sam]

Well we had a blast

We stayed at the Grand Californian for 4 nights. We arrived at LAX airport and picked up our car from Alamo which was close by and was a very simple process. It was harder to stay awake than in Orlando as it's an 8 hour difference so unfortunately we had to go to bed at about 8.00pm which was about 4.00am we just couldn't stay awak for the fireworks which was a disappointment. Our room looked out onto the big drop at Grizzly River Run in California Adventure and the monorail practically ran underneath it but you never heard it.

The weather for the whole 3 full days we were there was in the 70's.

California Adventure (CA) was fun but I'm sorry I couldn't do Soarin' Over California as I feel sick just watching O' Canada at Epcot and that doesn't move - I'm just not good with those sort of things. But I did California Screamin' twice (on my own) and it was awesome. We also loved the Electric Parade at CA and the show Aladdin was very, very good - probably the best in-park Disney show I've ever seen. Mulholland Madness was like primeval whirl at AK but a tad scarier if somewhat quicker.

Disneyland was fantastic. I was really surprised at how small the castle was but how big Main Street was. I loved Matterhorn Bobsleds. Space Mountain seemed shorter but was darker and more round and round in circles. I preferred this Big Thunder Mountain and the Pirates of Caribbean was far superior than it's Florida sister. We also thought that Fantasyland was more twee than Orlando but so much less q'ing areas - it must be hell in peak times. It's a small World was better and I thought the Toon Town was again more twee - We loved Roger Rabbits Car Toon Spin (similar to Cat in the Hat at IoA) - Splash was closed much to Paul's relief LOL! Haunted Mansion seemed very similar

Highlight was being able to walk into the parks and Downtown Disney in 5 minutes - great location

We ate at the infamous Napa Rose restaurant at Grand Californian Hotel and it was very good probably meant to be better than California Grill but I still prefer CG - infact we both agreed we prefer the food in Florida.

Took us 4 hours to drive to Vegas

Vegas - well what can i say it was awesome and we met up with some of my friends I made at DISCon and so that added to the occassion -- we saw Cirque's Mystere and it was ab-fab and can't wait to see La Nouba. We stayed at Treasure Island and this was fun. We had great food but sadly we didn't win a jackpot but we ony lost about $50 and we spent a lot of time gambling so we were happy.

It was fun and I notice it's only 7 weeks until our trip WDW - life is good

 

[richard3330]

Wow Sam, it sounds like you had a great time.

I know what you mean about the time difference, we had it all planned out on our first trip as what to do on the first day - but instead we just collapsed in bed!

Only 7 weeks to go and then another trip! You'd better start planning again

Richard.

 

[squitty]

Welcome Home Sam

You really sound as though you had a brilliant time.

 

[CarolynU]

Glad you had a really great time. I too notice what you mean about the time difference. We stayed at the Luxor with those sideways lifts, and on my arrival day I felt so tired that the lifts alone made me feel off balance! It wasn't the drink honestly. LoL
Carolyn

 

[KayleeUK]

Do you know it was only yesterday I was thinking where is Sam !

Sound's like a fab holiday and 7 weeks to your next one - you lucky thing !!

Kaylee

 

[UKDEB]

I think I hate you.

S'funny, Matt and I were just discussing why we haven't booked to go to California for our impromptu holiday in May (a place we keep saying we want to visit, but never seem to get around to). We decided that we're looking for a relaxing break in a place we know.

Then I log on here and read your mini trip report.

Waaaaah! I wanna go!

 

[WDWfan uk]

Welcome home ! Sounds fantastic - can't wait to do this!

Thank you for the report !

 

[Penny12]

Hey! Welcome home girl!

Sounds like you had a wonderful time, you lucky thing you Thanks for the mini report...and the reminder that you're going back to Florida in only 7 weeks

 

[kazzie]

Welcome Home

Wahh I wanna go too

 

[*Flower*]

When we did DLR last year, we did DCA for the first time.

The first time that we did "Soaring over California" I had a slight case of vertigo (which surprised me), but after a bit I settled into it- and by the end; it was AMAZING!!!

In fact, we went on it 4 more times, and can't wait to go back!!

For us, it's a 'have to do' ! ! ! ! !

 

[Fantasia Sam]

LOL it's not the height that bothers me I can do heights it's the way the film makes you feel like you're traveling over the sky - it's balance. Sometimes when I go to the cinema some of the cinematography there makes me feel queazy when it's scenic shots.

Perhaps I should take a pill when next go and take a chance

 

[rob@rar.org.uk]

Sam, any recommendations for restaurant inside the parks? We're heading to LA and San Francisco in a couple of weeks, so your views are very helpful.

Regards

Rob

 

[Fantasia Sam]

Well you have to do Blue Bayou in Magic Kingdom get a PS and then arrive about 15 mins early and ask for a table by the water if possible that's great.

Napa Rose in Grand Californian Hotel is fabulous - on a par if not better rated than California Grill. A little more expensive than CG but very worth it. The Lobster and Avocado Martini is to die for.

Then in Downtown Disney is a restaurant called Catal it also has a more informal tapas bar or fine dining upstairs - could not fault food or service.

We would have liked to have done the nice restaurant at Disneyland Hotel - I'll get the name for you - but it was closed whilst we there, it looked very good.

Hope that helps

 

[#1MMFan]

Hi Sam

I agreed with all your views on DLR Ca, except I still prefer WDW's BTMR! But I was really impressed with the whole resort. We prefer California Screamin' to Rock'n'Roller actually and it's soundtrack is really cool. It's a pity you couldn't do Soarin' as it's one of the best attractions I've been on in a while and it has an awesome Epcot-like musical score. There's nothing quite like it at the moment. I stayed in DLH but visited GC and was very impressed. Although I really liked DLH a lot, I think we'd stay at GC next time. The rooms in DLH however are huge and I know they are smaller in GC. Like you I really enjoyed being able to walk to everything - it's surprising how much of a difference this makes!

Unlike all of you, I ) ) managed to stay awake to go to bed at a normal time in California even tho' it's 8 hours behind. I fair well with jet lag when going to the States - you see, I was meant to live there I believe! It's the going back to the UK that affects me... I prefer to be on North American time.

#1MMFan

 

[Fantasia Sam]

I'm so glad that you had a great time - I think the pool is better at DLH when we had a look over there.

I loved California Screaming and yes it is good fun - I find it scarier than R'n'R Coaster but I think that's because you can see what's coming

I promise I'll give Soarin' a shot next time - I'll be brave and perhaps take a motion sickness pill before hand - I used to really enjoy doing these sort of things but my balance must be out as I just can't ride them anymore or watch those sort of films.

Did you do the film Golden Dreams? I thought it was really good and actually it quite moved me.

Well done on the jet lag - I'm so jealous. I'm OK now when I get to Orlando on my last trip I didn't manage to fall asleep at the dinner table on the second night as in previous visits . But 8 hours was a killer, I guess if I keep going I'llget used to it

 

[#1MMFan]

Hi Sam

No we didn't do Golden Dreams; I would have liked to but for some reason we ended up always missing it. Next time! The only thing actually about Soarin is the height thing. As you know, you are suspended from 'hang gliders' and the front row goes quite high above the ground. So I think there would be more of an issue with this than the movement.

We didn't actually use the pool at DLH although it did look good.

I think my jet lag was helped by us getting a flight from Glasgow to Chicago then getting a relatively short (by comparison) connecting flight to LAX. The flight internally was only about 3.5 hours and the scenery was spectacular. Also really found the Chicago people very friendly indeed. How did you find the LA'ers, Sam?

#1MMFan

 

[Fantasia Sam]

Well now it's funny you should ask about how we found the LAer's. They were all very nice and polite and those in the DL resort area were great but they just didn't have the syrup that I find in Orlando. But even thought that DL Castle is sooo small the DL park did have more of a special magical feel to it than MK. Also it was weird when you saw anyone smoking 'coz it's so rare, which I preferred lots. I found the food counters too fussy in CA - it was hard to just get a Ceasar Salad - I mean it's only counter service for goodness sake. ::Sigh:: that's California for you ..................and I'd go back in a flash

 

[#1MMFan]

Yep, I'd agree with you on the LA'ers. Not quite as friendly overall as the Orlando folks. We did however get given a free cup of coffee and a free bag of crisps on two occasions when each CM could not pick up our accent and thought we'd asked for two instead of three. They just said, 'there have another, no charge'! You don't see that in FL very often.

I agree with your views on DL park, more intimate and perhaps dare I say (gasp) more magical than MK. I preferred DL's adventureland and PotC is WAY better there. Also, how can we not mention Indiana Jones? Did you watch all the dolls coming out of Small World? What is that like!?!!!

I ate in Storytellers for breakfast and would highly recommend it. The Chipmunks saw us when we were on the way out, and *asked* (well, signed) for us to get a photo with them (all three of us are adults by the way) and then, they rushed away and brought back pins for all of us saying Breakfast with Chip and Dale 2002! Really cool. Then a CM just offered to take our photo at the gates to the GC pool.

We found the woman in the GC shop to be very friendly and helpful - very grandmotherly - bit like in the WL off-season!

#1MMFan aka John

 

[Fantasia Sam]

John

We loved Storytellers we ate there 3 mornings out of the 4 LOL and yes the women in the Acorns shop were all very friendly. The other morning we ate at PCH Grill at Paradise Pier with Minnie and Donald

LOL all the people out there kept thinking we were Australian, I guess alot of Aussies stop off in LA. After a while when people would ask where we were from Paul would say "Down Under" and they'd be "Oh Australia" and then ofcourse I'd say "actually England, he's just messin' with you" and then they would REALLY be impressed that we'd come so far.

We never once heard another Brit accent whilst we were there.

 

[#1MMFan]

LOL Sam! We get asked if we are Canadian. Naturally we just smile!

John