Back from our 1st trip to DL! UPDATED

[glenpreece]

Hello everyone, I along with my FH Larissa and DB Adam are back to our home sweet home here in Canada. Our first (and most likely only) trip to DL/Hollywood has flown by, but we are all glad to be back.

I will continue this thread as a TR with pics but just wanted to start off with a few things we noticed, liked and disliked. First and foremost if you are a WDW vet or have visited WDW before going to DL you better be prepared for how small it is. Yes, yes we all know that size doesn't matter but as far as Disney theme parks/resorts are concerned in my opinion BIGGER is better.

Oct 18- Got up at 7am and started the final prep for the drive to Buffalo, Stopped off to get Larissa but surprise surprise she wasn't ready lol. So we headed to my work so i could grab a couple cd's for the drive. Said my goodbyes and then went and got Larissa. We started our day off with a quick stop at Mc D's where Larissa ended up leaving her purse. Luckily we were only 2 mins away when she realized it. So after a mad dash back to Mc D's to find her purse where she left it (Thanks God!) we were on our way. Along the way we stopped at a mall in Toronto to grab some T-shirts etc but they were not open yet so off to the next Disney Store which is now GONE!!!! LOL this was the store my crazy former boss was moved to so hopefully she is also gone. So after no Disney Store we hit the road to the border with of course some pit stops along the way.

As always we picked the slowest line at the bridge to the USA but it wasn't as bad as coming home would be a week later. After our mini interrogation we were off to Buffalo. Once we reached the Walden Galleria (my cross border shopping heaven) we had some cheesecake factory (pecan pumpkin mmmmm) and did some shopping (love my Yankee Candles). Once that was taken care we hit the theater to see Paranormal Activity. THIS MOVIE WAS SCARY!! Not bloody gory scary but genuinely frightening. I had tears streaming down my face most of the movie. And there were parents with little kids there!!!! So afterwards we headed to our hotel, which Larissa booked through Hotwire!! Holiday Inn Express brand new right across the street from the airport. We watched the Simpsons Halloween special then went for a swim and soak in the hot tub. Then it was off to bed for our 6:30am flight to ATL!!!

Oct 19 next with pics!

 

[zeitzeuge]

One thing you can't do when going from WDW to DL, is to spend time comparing the two. I know it's really hard not to do, but it's like comparing apples to oranges. They're not the same and never will be. DL is small and intimate and WDW is large and to me overwhelming at times. Two totally different experiences. Have to go with an open mind.

 

[glenpreece]

One thing you can't do when going from WDW to DL, is to spend time comparing the two. I know it's really hard not to do, but it's like comparing apples to oranges. They're not the same and never will be. DL is small and intimate and WDW is large and to me overwhelming at times. Two totally different experiences. Have to go with an open mind.

I def agree it is completely different but it is hard not to compare the two. They both have Disney parks just one has parks for tourists/world travellers and the other is more for locals. I am glad I went and can check it off my world of disney parks list!

 

[rosiep]

I def agree it is completely different but it is hard not to compare the two. They both have Disney parks just one has parks for tourists/world travellers and the other is more for locals. I am glad I went and can check it off my world of disney parks list!

I always said that WDW is a vacation while DL was more of a "visit". I will always love WDW but I loved visiting DL, seeing where it all began and loved, loved, loved the better themeing of the rides at DL! Why isn't POTC THAT good at WDW???

 

[MonorailMan]

I always said that WDW is a vacation while DL was more of a "visit". I will always love WDW but I loved visiting DL, seeing where it all began and loved, loved, loved the better themeing of the rides at DL! Why isn't POTC THAT good at WDW???

I definitely thought the rides in FantasyLand were better at DL too. They just seemed a bit more cohesive, and less random, like the ones at WDW. But WDW has Epcot....which is supercalifragilupusruperdupous.

 

[glenpreece]

I always said that WDW is a vacation while DL was more of a "visit". I will always love WDW but I loved visiting DL, seeing where it all began and loved, loved, loved the better themeing of the rides at DL! Why isn't POTC THAT good at WDW???

That is a perfect way of putting it.

 

[glenpreece]

Oct 19

We got up at about 5am to get ready and head across the street to the airport. The holiday Inn Express had some breakfast to go things made up for us which was nice. We had a quick stop at Tops to try and find some lip balm for Larissa. Then we had a cop follow us for a bit which freaked us out lol. But wemade it to the airport without incident. Checked our bags and headed to our gate. I must say I love BUF airport it's small and so easy and quick to get through. We borded early and were off to ATL with no hassles. After we arrived at ATL we tookthe "train" to the next terminal. We were all starving at this point and hit up the BK lounge for some breakfast. We had a 1.5hr layover in Atl so just enough time to eat and stretch our legs. The flight to LAX was ontime and just seemed to take forever. But once we arrived in LAX it was only Noon because of the ti,e differences. We headed to bag claim and all our bags arrived within 30mins. We waited for the DL express (after my bro yelling at me about where we had to stand for it, cause he knows EVERYTHING). It pulled up about 15mins and we were on our way.

Drving along the hwy's to Anaheim was certainly not as nhice as driving through Orlando. And there was no movie to keep us occupied so the drive seemed long and boring. We stopped at the DL hotel first where we handed over our vouvhers for the ride. Then The Anabelle and then Hojo since there were only a few of us on the bus it didn't take long.

We arrived at the Hojo and cheacked in with no probs and got Bld 6 in the middle of the "resort" which was handy because we didn't have to walk far from the sidewalk and cut through the parking lot to go places. We were in a NDD6 room, and I am sorry but there was NO WAY those were dbl beds!!! Luckily we had a cot in the closet so Larissa agreed to sleep on that. (uh yeah cause this is my n-day trip and I ain't sleeping on a cot since I paid for you to come lol) We dumped our stuff unpacked a bit and then headed across the street to Mimi's Café for lunch/dinner. THIS PLACE WAS SO GOOD! It deserves all the praise it gets and more. I had an amazing quiche, Adam had a huge Clubhouse and Larissa had the Mimi's Starter trio. So good and I evenhad leftovers. After we dropped those off at the room in our fridge it was time to walkover to DL.

We only had 4 day hoppers so we decided to just walk around and explore DTD and pick up our free pins. I love their Word Of Disney in Anaheim it's easier to navigate than WDW's and the theme's are better choosing a specific movie to represent each room. Here are some pics!

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After we bought some stuff and used the coupon from my Brirnbaum's book we headed through the rest of DTD in search of the pin cart. Here is Larissa and I infront of the 10th Anniver Pin Symbol

After that we saw the ESPN club and the LEGO Store here are some pics from LEGO

after that we hit Sephora where Larissa got some makeup and Adam bought a cologne sampler kit. And I bought NOTHING!!!! lol very rarely can I pass up buying perfume/cologne but I was strong even though it was so much cheaper than here at home.

That was about it for the day we had to proceed through bag check to and from the DL?DCA concourse eventhough we weren't entering the parl. We decided to head back to the Hojo and get some sleep except we could hear the Space Mountain Ghosts screaming and trying to claw their way out and then the firworks were literally just outside our room. W stpped out and watched them explode like 100 yards from us. They were so loud they shook our windows and doors!!

That was it for today!
Next My Birthday!!!!

P.S.- i just realized i look pretty rough after travelling all day lol

 

[glenpreece]

Today was the big day, my Birthday!! Normally I don't really care about my birthday, it's just another day but since this was the first time spending it at a Disney park and that park being DL!!! I was excited. We had a breakfast sched at Ariel's Grotto for 9:40am and we went over to DL for 8am Early Entry.

We hurried across the street to DL excited for our first time inside! It was torture yesterday being so close and not being able to go in!!! After bag check and heading through the turnstiles we were in!! I got goosebumps being there and noticed how similar/different it was to MK. I knwo "Stop comparing it to MK!!" but it's really hard not to. I really like the Main Street here in DL, it seemed more detailed and there are more places to sit etc. in front of the stores/houses. Although unlike MK you couldn't travel all the way down one side of the street through the stores.

The first thing we rode was Space Mountain Ghost Galaxy!!!! It was incredible, and became our (well atleast mine) fav ride of the trip, we rode this more than any other ride!

After that we rode the Matterhorn which absolutely killed my back lol, but it was fun. Except this one girl ahead of us wouldn't stop screaming!!! Then we hit the tea cups

and then Alice and we considered the Nemo sub voyage before we did all of this but the line was already too long for my liking. Adam not really caring about Nemo although he thought the subs were cool and Larissa not wild about small spaces.

After those rides the park was now open and people were flooding in. Seriously are all these people tourists? or locals? It was easier to tell at night when the locals came dressed in coats, hats etc and the tourists (like us) were still in t-shirts and sandals and even shorts!

We grabbed a FP for Space Mountain so we could ride it after bfast and headed over to DCA. Thanks to some advice from fellow Diser's I skipped the line for the Bday Button etc at DL and went to GR at DCA. No line no wait. I got my b-day fun card and a button and was on my way to Breafast in less than 5 mins. We tried to go up the middle os the park but were told to head the long way around through Condor Flats and Redwood Creek area. Of course Adam had a to yell at me about how I was wrong blah blah blah. Um hey atleast I aaked for directions!!!

I must say DCA is a really nice park, I enjoyed the themeing and the space!!! Oh the space and transitions into the next area was just as it should be lol. Paradise Pier was still dry and I was disappointed about that since it was the 20th and they said ti would be atleast half full now.

Anyways onto Ariel's we checked in and headed downstairs to meet Ariel. I made a mad dash to the washroom to clean up a bit (it was so hot!!) and made it back to see Ariel. She was cue but I have def met better. She made a comment o Adam who was wearinbg an Angel's hat about how he must've been happy last night! (they won their game on the 19th) and I thought uh breaking character much?

We arrived at our table and were brought a three tiered breakfast appetrizer selection. The cheeses were SO GOOD! I ate almost all of them and even asked for more. We were discussing who would meet who etc. But of course the 2 of them refused to meet any of the Princesses so no prob I would meet them all. I wasn't expecting Adam too but Larissa was now saying "i don't do pictures" well I guess I should've been happy to have her with Ariel and I then. Whatever it was my birthday. I even decorated and wore one of the crowns they gave us. Here I am with the other Princesses we met.

Once we got our bill which was $108 Adam freaked saying he didn't know how much it was going to be etc etc. I told him and even Larissa said yes I had warned him it was going to be expensive. Oh well we paid and left I was stuffed the food was good but I prefer Akershus over this place.

Adam didn't have his phone with him so I had him go back to the Hotel to get it, It was actually my other phone which my mom uses and he was getting cranky cause his feet were hurting already!!! It was even 11am. So he went back to the Hojo and we went bck over to DL to find some characters. We manged to find the Villains meet and Greet near IASW and met Jafar and the Witch. Jafar was hilarious, he made me kneel before him *cough* and had Larissa put her hand on my head to cover the crown.

and the witch grabbed Larissa's face and looked at her then pointed for her to stand beside her.

After that we headed back to Tomorrowland to wait for adam since he was on his way back. We rode SM again once he arrives and then headed over to New Orleans Sq to visit the Haunted Mansion.

I loved this area it was so beautiful! The little streets and alleyways make you feel like you are somewhere else completely. We rode the HM and loved it!!! The NBC overlay is really quite fun. Another observation on the lack of room at DL (sorry) while we were in line for HM we could hear the ppl dropping/screaming as they were on Splash Mtn.

After HM we made our way over to Pirates and after just a short wait we were off. POTC here in DL is waaay better than the one in MK. 2 drops and much longer of a ride!! Loved it!!! We grabbed a FP for Indiana Jones before we did Pirates and HM and it was time to use it. Wow that was a bumpy ride!!! We though for sure one of us was going to fly out of the jeep lol. Adventureland was getting packed and extremely crowded so we headed over to the Hub on our way to IASW and ToonTown.
I saw the Fairy Godmother on the way so we stopped to say hello.

We made our wasy over to IASW. I loved trying to spot some of the Disney characters that have been added wish they had addded these to MK's version.

After our cruise around the world we headed into ToonTown.
Adam trying to open the mailbox

There's my girl!!!!

I love Jessica Rabbit!!! and it was nice to see she lives on here at DL!

After our visit to ToonTown Adam left to go to his Angels game and Larissa and I tried to find some more characters. We came across 3 villains this time.

Once again Larissa refused to be any of the pics. Then we found Snow White's Grotto and saw Peter Pan but he took off, but he led us to Alice and the Mad Hatter.

The line for Pixie Hollow was only about 30mins so we did it. We saw Iridessa

yes she actually wanted to be in this photo.

and Tink who was really playful

After that the park was filling up so we decided to head back to the room. Along the way we did some shopping along Main Street. I got a scarf and my b-day present from Disney. A Jessica Rabbit bust

She is 86 of 1500

Larissa bought a really cute jumper which she later returned lol. I do the same thing every trip. I bought a t-shirt at WoD which of course you can't try on there and when i did it was too tight so I had to return it.

So we went back to the room for a shower and to sit for a bit. We had Mc D's for dinner and planned on heading back to Dl for fireworks. My mom called to wish me a happy birthday and everyone was living through us because of my constant facebook updates. We headed back over to try and see the fireworks which was insane. People had setup blankets and were camping out all over the place waiting for the fireworks. We did Tarzan's tree house and then tried to stand in the Hub for Fireworks. But we got fed up and went on Space Mountain again. As we left the park we watched the fireworks on the way out and saw the finale at the train station. So that's it our first full day at DL and my first time spending my b-day at a Disney Park. I will say every Cast Member who saw us wished me a Happy Birthday as did some guests too! It was funny because at breakfast some little girls were also celebrating their birthday. You don't realize that so many people share your b-day.

 

[rosiep]

I am loving all your pictures!! It is actually making me miss DL! Tell me more about SM Ghost Galaxy!

 

[zeitzeuge]

You're making me miss my home park. But love the pictures! Surprised at all the characters that were out. DL isn't known to have tons of characters roaming the parks. Must be the time of year or something. We really need to get back there soon. Can't wait to see more!

 

[Saxton]

Great pictures! I visited DL for the first time earlier this year and I loved it - there's something about walking in Walt's first park that makes it special. And I agree about our airport ... especially since they opened up the area where you go through the security lines, it's much better now. But what the heck are you doing going to the Galleria when you live in Toronto?! I guess I can't say too much since any time I go there the majority of cars have Canadian plates on them!

 

[kingLouiethe1]

Even though I go there all the time I love looking at other people's DL pictures. I look forward to reading more!

 

[glenpreece]

Great pictures! I visited DL for the first time earlier this year and I loved it - there's something about walking in Walt's first park that makes it special. And I agree about our airport ... especially since they opened up the area where you go through the security lines, it's much better now. But what the heck are you doing going to the Galleria when you live in Toronto?! I guess I can't say too much since any time I go there the majority of cars have Canadian plates on them!

I love the Galleria!!! It has Cheesecake Fact, Yankee Candle, Vic Secret and Hallmark which is waaaay cheaper than here at home.

Thanks everyopne I am glad you like the pics!!! Lots more to come! I am sure I will even do a post or two of just pics lol.

 

[glenpreece]

I got up first (as usual) got ready and popped over to Mc d's to grab us all breakfast while they got up and dressed. They weren't too bad this morning we made it just after the turnstiles opened etc.

As we made our way into the park we stopped off at the "bank" to check out the gallery, we saw the DL map from 1955 made as a 3D model

and some other displays such as a model of Spl Mtn and the Castle. The one that got me all tingly was the bench from Griffith Park where Walt sat and first thought of DL. I got goosebumps just being there with it. I will find the photo and post it later.

After that we ventured up MS to hit Space Mtn again lol I was determined to get a good pic of us on this ride. But first a stop at the HUb for a group photo

The sun was blinding so that's why our faces are kinda screwy lol. Larissa's version of this pic was better it was taken after mine.

As for SM Ghost Galaxy. It was again AWESOME. I love this ride. It's dark and creepy when you start your ride and as you climb the hill in the tunnel the "Ghost" appears and send electric currents all down the tunnel. He then disappears overhead and proceeds to try and grab/attack you though the ride. It was great and I swear each time we rode in a differnt spot we had a new experience. The front was alot wilder/faster it seemed. The left side was better cause he chases you on that side and right before you finish he appears to scare you one last time. You can hear ppl scram from this as you wait to board the trains. On our last ride through we all were visible in the pic with great expressions so I will scan it and post it for the Fri report.

After our visit to Space we grabbed a FP for later and headed over to BTMRR. We liked this version of the ride here better than at MK. We stopped to take some pics of the Day of Dead display.

And since it was now after 10am we decided to venture over to DCA for some fun in the BLAZING sun lol.

Off to Paradise Pier

We rode Calif Screamin' which we loved!!! We eid it stand by and got FP's for later on. Then we did Mickey's Fun Wheel. Somebody was even sick in one the cars so they locked it off. We rode in the swining car and thought it was pretty wild that there were no seat belts or grab bars to hold onto lol. It was fun. Then Adam and I did Mailboomer while Larissa walked around the Boardwalk taking pics. Then it was time for our Fp's so we rode Calif Screamin' again. This time I was prepared for the sudden start so it didn't snap my back again lol. Larissa was getting pretty iserable and I knew something was up. So we headed for Bug's Land just for some pics, I love this movie it is my fav Pixar film.

After that we headed over to HPB to find ToT

We rode it with a13 min wait lol. It was def different wasn't expecting the drop so soon. We still liked DHS version better beause of the travelling through the hotel and random sequences.

Next up was Monster's Inc.

This was cute, Boo was adorable. Roz said to Larissa, "young lady we have the same glasses" and then remarked that she must be talking to herself because Larissa didn't say anything back. We trhen stopped at Off the Page to see about getting a sketch but ended up getting a print instead which i would have to return the next night because it wouldn't fit in my carry on and I wasn't chancing it getting destroyed in my checked bag.

Adam was hungry and Larissa wasn't speaking so it was time for a break.We headed back to Hojo. I showered and changed and left the 2 of them back in the room while I went and explored DTD some more. Adam watched TV and she slept cause she had one of her migraines. when i came back a few hours later i had bought a Disneyland sweater, a scrapbook, a calendar and some postcards. As well as my fav disney t-shirt to date. It has Prince Philip on it and says "Sorry girls I'm taken" now yo can interpret that 2 ways. 1. The guy wearing the shirt is claiming to be a Prince or 2. the way I prefer, he is saying he plays for the rainbow team lol.

Moving on I grabbed some laundry soap etc and went and threw some clothes in the laundry. Doing 2 costume changes a day requires laundry to be done part way through a trip to avoid over packing! So I did the laundry and Adam went and got us dinner from Mimi's. Larissa was feeling much better and explained about how when they went to WDW in April they never got up early etc. I though well good thing I wasn't with you cause I would've been pissed. I again reminded her to speak up and if she didn't want to get up etc just tell me and I will go alone. I go to WDW alone all the time so no big deal if I do DL alone for a few hours.

Anyways after the laundry was done and we had finished eating we all went back to DL to try and do some rides. LOL that was a dream, cause the park was slammed, everything had a huge wait. So we just used our expired FP's for Space Mtn and then walked to MS USA to watch the fireworks. Here are a couple pics

I got a good shot of the pumpkin in TS.

That was it for DL that day we headed back to DTD so Adam could get his cologne from Sephora and hit WoD again. I got some christmas ornaments because they had just started putting out the christmas items that evening. The display grew over the next few days. After that it was back to the room for some sleep.

Next Day 3 at DL/DCA and the ToTP

 

[OrlandoMike]

As we made our way into the park we stopped off at the "nak" to check out the gallery, we saw the DL map from 1955 made as a 3D model

I love looking at this model! Some of you DL professionals may know the "true" story to this, but from what I have heard, if you look at the area behind Main Street on the Tomorrowland side.....that was part of the orriginal farm that was never raised in time for opening day!

 

[glenpreece]

Sorry it took me so long to get this posted ut I had to finish my scrapbook since we are having ppl over tomorrow and i had the dining room table covered in my scrapbooking stuff. Anyways it is done so back to the TR


Today we once again started the day at DL. We went on IASW again to try and get some more pics of the Disney characetrs we missed the first time

We walked around DL a bit looking for something to do so we hopped on Spc Mtn again. This time we were all visible in the pic with great poses/faces. Unfortunately my scanner is not working so I can't upload it for you all to see. But Larissa stuck her tongue out, Adam is giving the rock on symbol and I looked like I am scared out of my mind eye bugging out of my head and all!! LOL good times.After that we headed over to DCA to ride soarin and find out when Jack Skellington was going to be out since the line at Town Hall was running down the street. I love Soarin' it was just like being back at EPCOT again.

We founbd out that Jack was going to be meeting at 12:00 and headed back over to meet him after another trip to the Twilight Zone. We stopped to check the Aladdin show times and decided to hit the 1:50pm show if we could make it.

So back to Dl to meet Jack, there was already a long line forming and we were all getting crabby so i walked way ahead of them and got in line while they did god only knows. Finally I spotted them way back towards the other side of the fountain in New Orleans Sq near the end of the line. Adam didn't want to get his pic taken and neither did Larissa, so she did the picture taking again for this meet. Jack was funny and he liked my Evil Queen Diva shirt.

We discussed Halloween and I told him I liked what they had done with the HM. After that we stopped and grabbed some popcorn in a HM bucket for somebody I work with here at home to have. She loves Jack and would DIE to come to DL and meet him and go on the HMH. So we walked on and decided it was time for some cheesecake since we couldn't seem to find any here in DL. But first a pickle along the way out before I met Al and Jasmine.

So off we went back to hojo for a quick rest and a shower, then it was off to the Garden Walk. Along the way we kept getting bugged by people selling time shares at the various hotels along Harbor Blvd. VERY annoying.

One of the billboards advertising Halloween Time at DLR

Us chatting some ladies up at the Garden Walk

and the reason for our trip to GW Pumpkin Cheesecake!!!!!

After we were full of cheesecake we headed over to the 7Eleven to pick up some drinks etc. I found some really nice mugs with the princesses and villains and then we found a best boss "oscar" for our store manager. (he loved it btw)

After that we just headed back up the DL side of harbor to avoid the annoying timeshare ppl on the way back to Hojo. We relaxed for a bit and got changed and had a snack before we headed over to DCA for the ToTP.

 

[glenpreece]

Mickey's Treat or Treat Party!!!

So funny story about how/when we got tickets for this party. I had been debating before the trip whether we shoudl go I even bought costumes for us in case we did end up going. I was a Spartan and Larissa was a Greek Goddess. When we went to the ticket booth on Oct 20 to see about tickets the lady said there was literally 2 left!!! Now whether that was true or she was just saying that to get us to buy tickets I am not sure but we said ok and bought the tickets. It was fairly busy, but nothing compared to MNSSHP at MK. Now those are BUSY parties.

Onto the pics, this night was about character meets so that was our main focus, I think we did 2 rides the whole time. This one

and Calif Screamin' which was wicked at night, but they played creepy clown music and waited forever to launch us. I kept relaxing and then tensing up waiting for the launch cause we thought they weren't going to warn us!!!

Then we met

We saw PP and Hook but the line was INSANE!!! Same thing went for Jack Sparrow, the line was ridiculous so Larissa just snapped some pics from the side. What was funny is that there was some guy dressed as Jack and the two started doing this mirror routine thing, the guy dressed as Jack (not the CM) was even better than the CM. But not as good as the one we met at MK one day lol. Sorry had to add that.

Here are some more pics from the party.

We saw some really cute kids, one was a baby yoda another was a dumbo and some really cool groups. The Mary Poppins gang with the chimney sweeps was amazing!!! They got a ToT elevator to themselves. And the group of Batman and his Villains was really good too.

The lines for candy were loooooooooooong and it was just junk candy nothing good or worth waiting for. We stopped once on the way out cause I was desperate for some choc and scored some M&M's. The character cavalcade and dance parties were fun. I never thought I'd be rockin' out to Beyoncé's Single Ladies at a Disney Park except for my on my phone!!!

We had enough and headed out at about 10 o clock. I had been texting Mick (Maleficent's Goon) trying to meet up but it seemed we were always in opposite parts of the park or just left that area. BTW ate at Award Wieners, terrible food and waaaaaaay over priced.

Next up our day in Hollywood or so we thought.....

 

[glenpreece]

Today was to be our first non DL day!! Adam and Larissa were both VERY HAPPY about that. The rental car place was suppoed to pick us up at 8:15am and take us down to the office to get the car. Turns out it was right near the Garden Walk across the street from the Cheesecake Factory. So the girl caomes to get us realizes there was 3 of us and had to remove her child seat from the back no biggie. She was kinda snotty and didn't even talk along the way etc. ok whatever we are used to rude people on our trips to the USA (I know, don't shoot me, but I swear if I hold the door for one more person and they don't say thank you I am going to ***** slap somebody)

So we arrive at the office after guy from the office called me 3 times while in the car coming down the street. So we head inside and Adam begins the process of renting the car. Then i hear "This license is expired!!!" My head snaps around as does Larissa's and Adam is completely dumbfounded. "Uh what?" adam replies, then the girl started going on well we can't rent you a card blah blah blah. Ok fine Adam didn't know because he didn't renew his plates because he now has my dad's old car, and they never sent him a notice to say that he needed to get his license updated (new pic etc) Ok so I am just FUMING, fit to be tied!!!!!!

So the girl goes on and on again about how they can't him the car and do we have our licenses so we can rent it. This is where I got nasty. "Uh let's see I told you people yesterday I have vision problems and she doesn't have her license so that's why Adam was renting the car!!!!" I said let's go! They offered to drive us back but I said no let's go!!! We will walk (it wasn't far at all lol) I was more upset that they kept going on and on about one of us renting it etc. Uh he's the driver not us so we aren't renting a car let's get over it and move on!!! So there goes our plans for a day in Hollywood and Adam's trip to the Observatory. Luckily I am an avid planner and remembered a few places that did tours of hollywood and universal, i just needed to get a phone number etc. But to my surprise we saw the Discount Tours place along Harbor stopped in and 10 mins later had a tour for Universal/Hollywood booked for the next day!!!! So walking back actually helped us out after all!!!

After that we stopped at Denny's for breakfast EXPENSIVE much, jeez! So we headed back up Harbor en route to the hotel/DL. Larissa said "what are you going to do on a day off from DL?" I said well I am going back to DL lol. I told them let's just head into the park and get our handstamped so we can come back and see Fantasmic which we were going to see tomorrow night but now that we had the tour til 10:30pm that wasn't going to happen. So we entered the park and Larissa opted to take the monorail to DTD to do some shopping alone. Adam and I hit DCA for some rides and characters.

We rode ToT and tried for Calif Screamin' nut the line was crazy. But I did see

and had

and noticed that they had more water in the bay since last night

We did the Blue Sky Cellar which was cute, and Adam even said he would like to come back to see the Cars Land and World of Color show (REALLY? YOU??) I was shocked.

After that we just looked around a bit and looked in the store near the Grizzly River Rapids and then left DCA. Adam wanted to go back to Sephora to get another cologne he liked and I wanted to hit WoD one more time! So we split up. I love my alone time while at Disney and LOVE going solo to WDW. So I ended up buying another Prince Phillip shirt and some Jessica Shot glasses and looked at pins. I swear they thought I was stealing cause I was in there so long. I didn't buy any pins since I was waiting to go the Studio Store tomorrow night.

I forgot to mention that I had to return a print I bought because it was too big for my carry on. I returned it while at the ToTP at the store near the front. While doing the return I turned around and looked at the Halloween display and saw..... Fairest of All the tale of the Eveil Queen from Snow White!!!!!!!!. I had asked at another book shop on MS USA about this and the lady told me as soon as it comes in it sells out so i was soooo thrilled I had found it. Now while Adam and I were in DCA I stopped in that same store to see about getting my mom something and noticed that the books were gone. I asked a CM and he said they sold out last night during the party!!!!!!

Anyways after spending time and money at DTD I went to Sephora and found the perfume my mom has been looking for and called and asked if she wanted it and chatted for a bit. I strolled around just soaking up the ambience of DTD. I like this one just as much as the one in Orlando. I like how there are stores that actually sell other non disney stuff here!! Although no actualy Christmas shop. But still very enjoyable.

after that I ventured back to the room and found the 2 of them watching tv and napping. We decided on Mimi's for dinner (I had Pasta, Larissa had the appetizer platter and Adam had a rack of ribs lol)Larissa and I were heading back to see Fantasmic afterwards. So after dropping off my left overs we headed back to DL.

IT WAS SLAMMED!!!! SO MANY PEOPLE!!! We got a snack and a drink and waited for the first showing of Fantasmic to end so we lined up for BTMRR which is always better at night. looong line but it kept moving so not too bad. We chatted about boys lol Then it was time for Fantasmic so stood back up on a porch til it was alomost over and then waited for everyone to lave. But they didn't most people stayed where they were!!!! That was until the Cm's made them move so they could clean the viiewing areas (very quickly I might add) So after they dropped the rope again everyone swooped in but we managed to get a spot along the railing. We chatted with some people who were nice, but very misinformed about Canada. We waited and waited and waited then they did the fireworks and showed the projections of the Jack etc on the water screens whichwas cool. Then we waited and waited and finally it started. Here are some pics.

It was good, I liked the differences between DL's and DHS's version. But sorry DHS wins because it is far more organized and you get to sit, not get crammed against a rail with people shoving their stroller into your ankles. The dragon was cool btw!!!

After that we headed out of the park and off to bed in prepartion for our non DL day and final day in CA!!!

 

[Hydani]

Oh wow, it sounds like you guys had a lot of fun at DL I've always thought about a trip to DL, but it gets knocked outta my mind because I always think about how small it is in comparison to WDW. I might just go there one day though.... Your trip sounds like it was a lot of fun

 

[glenpreece]

Oh wow, it sounds like you guys had a lot of fun at DL I've always thought about a trip to DL, but it gets knocked outta my mind because I always think about how small it is in comparison to WDW. I might just go there one day though.... Your trip sounds like it was a lot of fun

That's what kept me from going before. But then I looked into an ABDis and saw how expensive it was to go on the "Hollywood/DL" trip then priced it out to do it myself and a week later I was going to DL!!! It's nice to go to atleast once. I am glad I did now it is checked off the list. One day I would love to visit the one in Paris and Japan. No urge to do HKDL or DLS. We did have fun and are still talking about it with everybody!!!