Blabbermouth & DH's Feeding Frenzy TRIP REPORT - Final Update 9/21

[Belle Ella]

I'll be the lone dissenter, between Fantasmic Premium Viewing (the dessert seating) and WOC my preference would be Fantasmic, but that's because I prefer Fantasmic to WOC hands down - Not that WOC isn't spectacular because it is - but something about it is missing for me. Having a chair to sit in, a warm beverage and a selection of treats that I could save for the rest of my trip was just plus after plus after plus for me. But then again, the WOC dinning package involves an actual meal and for some reason having big meals like that makes me sick to my stomach and all viewing for WOC is standing anyway and the best view I've had for it was wth a regular FP. Haha, I think I'm babbling now.

 

[smile4stamps]

I'll be the lone dissenter, between Fantasmic Premium Viewing (the dessert seating) and WOC my preference would be Fantasmic, but that's because I prefer Fantasmic to WOC hands down - Not that WOC isn't spectacular because it is - but something about it is missing for me. Having a chair to sit in, a warm beverage and a selection of treats that I could save for the rest of my trip was just plus after plus after plus for me. But then again, the WOC dinning package involves an actual meal and for some reason having big meals like that makes me sick to my stomach and all viewing for WOC is standing anyway and the best view I've had for it was wth a regular FP. Haha, I think I'm babbling now.

I thought SO hard about the Dessert Package but not knowing what my friend would be able to eat and even myself as I am lactose intolerant I just don't see the Value. I was able to cover most of both of our WoC meals for the price of just one F! box. Yes a seat would have been nice but I had a towel Our view of WoC was SPECTACULAR but we had to WAIT and fight for that spot!!

 

[Belle Ella]

I had 'good' spots with the dining package the first time I did it - right along the railing at the front of the section, but I found after a couple of more views that I liked to view it from further back and the preferred dinning area didn't have too many furhter back spots that were good enough for short people. But as for Fantasmic, I love camping out along ROA as well, but it was a fun splurge for me to do the seating.

Haha, don't mean to hijack!

 

[blabbermouth]

I had 'good' spots with the dining package the first time I did it - right along the railing at the front of the section, but I found after a couple of more views that I liked to view it from further back and the preferred dinning area didn't have too many furhter back spots that were good enough for short people. But as for Fantasmic, I love camping out along ROA as well, but it was a fun splurge for me to do the seating.

Haha, don't mean to hijack!

No problem, thanks for your opinion! I guess the dessert package would be a good splurge for people who get to the park often, something to make it a bit new and different.

 

[blabbermouth]

So the schedule is up for our three days.

Monday-Wednesday August 29-31

Disneyland 9am-10pm
DCA 10am-10pm

This is GOOD for us, because we like to sleep in Especially on vacation.

Unless they add it later, there is no Fantasmic those three nights. I think we will try to get in and see it on the Sunday, but it depends what time we arrive.

I'm having trouble deciding what days to focus on what parks. We will obviously do some park hopping But there will be other wedding guests going to DL too, although I think Tuesday will be their first day. I think it's the Bride and Groom's first time in DL (at least recently) so I was thinking they'd probably want to go to DL first rather than DCA. So for that reason, I was thinking we'd start in DCA on Monday, then DL on Tuesday, then by Wednesday we'll be free to do whatever.

BUT, then the Tuesday is a magic morning, and while 9 sounds like a lovely time to arrive at the park, 8 seems a BIT early (like earlier than I start work!). So I'm torn. But if the parks close at 10 we'll be able to hit the hay early too, so it could be doable. I will wait until closer after I've talked to the Bride to try and decide. We maybe won't spend a ton of time with the other wedding guests anway, so maybe I won't have to worry too much at all.

We also plan to catch the fireworks. Anyone have any good viewing spots? I don't want to wait forever for the BEST spot, I'd rather a decent spot with a shorter wait. I think I heard about some people liking to watch from in front of It's a Small World? Yes? No?

We will probably only watch the Pixar Parade if we happen to be walking by and see it going and want a rest! We do love Pixar.

And I will talk about WOC soon.

 

[Belle Ella]

Sounds like some good planning going on already.

You want to know my favorite spot for fireworks? Honestly, it depends on my mood. I miss seeing them with a view of Sleeping Beauty Castle, but when I do I'll camp out int he Hub for hours if I have to. But my favorite thing to do is to time it so I'm going on Thunder Mountain while the fireworks are going off. It's truly amazing to be on this ride at night when the fireworks quite literally take up all the visible sky you have on the ride. Plus if you get stuck watching it from the queue you still have a pretty unique view I think.



But you can watch over by It's a Small World, and you will also have a view over by the Rivers of America as well. If I watch Fantasmic I usually stay there for the fireworks.

 

[blabbermouth]

Sounds like some good planning going on already.

You want to know my favorite spot for fireworks? Honestly, it depends on my mood. I miss seeing them with a view of Sleeping Beauty Castle, but when I do I'll camp out int he Hub for hours if I have to. But my favorite thing to do is to time it so I'm going on Thunder Mountain while the fireworks are going off. It's truly amazing to be on this ride at night when the fireworks quite literally take up all the visible sky you have on the ride. Plus if you get stuck watching it from the queue you still have a pretty unique view I think.



But you can watch over by It's a Small World, and you will also have a view over by the Rivers of America as well. If I watch Fantasmic I usually stay there for the fireworks.

Great suggestions, thanks!

 

[smile4stamps]

Sounds like some good planning going on already.

You want to know my favorite spot for fireworks? Honestly, it depends on my mood. I miss seeing them with a view of Sleeping Beauty Castle, but when I do I'll camp out int he Hub for hours if I have to. But my favorite thing to do is to time it so I'm going on Thunder Mountain while the fireworks are going off. It's truly amazing to be on this ride at night when the fireworks quite literally take up all the visible sky you have on the ride. Plus if you get stuck watching it from the queue you still have a pretty unique view I think.



But you can watch over by It's a Small World, and you will also have a view over by the Rivers of America as well. If I watch Fantasmic I usually stay there for the fireworks.

Jazz! That's an AWESOME picture!!

 

[blabbermouth]

Jazz! That's an AWESOME picture!!

Yes! This too!

I have to remember to re-read my camera manual to figure out how to use all of the settings. There are a ton, and I rarely use many of them, but Disney requires lots! We love our camera though, a Canon SX110is (?), it's like a slightly fancier point and shoot and takes much better pics that our old camera.

 

[smile4stamps]

Yes! This too!

I have to remember to re-read my camera manual to figure out how to use all of the settings. There are a ton, and I rarely use many of them, but Disney requires lots! We love our camera though, a Canon SX110is (?), it's like a slightly fancier point and shoot and takes much better pics that our old camera.

I got my camera about 3 days before I left on my trip... I obviously didn't read the manual

Maybe before October

 

[Belle Ella]

Thanks! Camera manuals are a good thing!! I wish I had gotten more photos of the fireworks from that viewpoint but I was using my DSLR and was still on my settings from earlier in the day and I was trying to adjust everything super-fast, all the while moving through the queue. I managed a grand total of 2 photos - and this was the only one that came out. I think I'm gonna try my own advice again in September.

 

[cinderella-princess]

The hotel is on Katella, so we'll have to walk through the Grand Californian or in front of Paradise Pier into DTD. Shouldn't be TOO much further than HOJOs.

Ok, I didn't think it was worth it for us either. We are totally doing Ariel's Grotto WOC! Great, you look as short as me, so I'll make sure I stand on the steps

It sounds like your walk wont be too far at all! And who can complain about walking through the GCH? It's so beautiful.

I'm so glad you are doing the Ariel's Grotto WOC!! The food was good, the dessert was AMAZING and the WOC viewing was perfect. I'm about 5'6" and we stood on the steps and had a wonderful view. I will say that the standing on the steps was crucial. I read that hint on DISboards and it made all the difference.

We also plan to catch the fireworks. Anyone have any good viewing spots? I don't want to wait forever for the BEST spot, I'd rather a decent spot with a shorter wait. I think I heard about some people liking to watch from in front of It's a Small World? Yes? No?

We have also seen the fireworks from Big Thunder which was amazing! It's hard to plan it though. We lucked out on it. We were watching the Fantasmic! where Murphy broke and bee-lined for Big Thunder once it was apparent that the show wasn't going to start again. The fireworks happened to start when we were in line.

I've watched them from ROA while waiting for the 2nd viewing of Fantasmic and you get a good view of them there too. Plus you see 2 shows from one place!

 

[blabbermouth]

Thanks! Camera manuals are a good thing!! I wish I had gotten more photos of the fireworks from that viewpoint but I was using my DSLR and was still on my settings from earlier in the day and I was trying to adjust everything super-fast, all the while moving through the queue. I managed a grand total of 2 photos - and this was the only one that came out. I think I'm gonna try my own advice again in September.

Haha, you don't have to tell us all about the bad ones!

It sounds like your walk wont be too far at all! And who can complain about walking through the GCH? It's so beautiful.

I'm so glad you are doing the Ariel's Grotto WOC!! The food was good, the dessert was AMAZING and the WOC viewing was perfect. I'm about 5'6" and we stood on the steps and had a wonderful view. I will say that the standing on the steps was crucial. I read that hint on DISboards and it made all the difference.

We have also seen the fireworks from Big Thunder which was amazing! It's hard to plan it though. We lucked out on it. We were watching the Fantasmic! where Murphy broke and bee-lined for Big Thunder once it was apparent that the show wasn't going to start again. The fireworks happened to start when we were in line.

I've watched them from ROA while waiting for the 2nd viewing of Fantasmic and you get a good view of them there too. Plus you see 2 shows from one place!

Thanks for the firework tips! Maybe we will find a spot for the 2nd fantasmic and watch the fireworks from there. I'll have to check the schedule and see if it works out.

And ok ok, you've got a couple inches on me. Ok, FOUR. I'm short.

 

[blabbermouth]

Alright, I'm back from a lovely evening yoga class, all zen feeling and ready to post an update!

Since I really haven't decided what day I want to do what yet, I will talk about the restaurants we're going to eat at for breakfast rather than do a day by day.

I made a mistake in my last food post I said the only restaurant we were going to go to this time that we also went to last time was Rainforest Cafe! We have one breakfast we're going to double up too.

MIMI'S!!!!! I am so so so in LOVE with their mixed berry pain perdue. "French toast stuffed with cream cheese and orange marmalade and topped with fresh strawberries, blueberries and strawberry puree". Half order, hold the meat.

A bit blurry, but delicious.

I think DH's favourite meal is breakfast, so our hotel's free continental just won't cut it for him. I can't typically eat a lot first thing in the morning, but I suck it up for him as long as he agrees to sitting down for lunch with me. MBPD though I can scarf down at any time of the morning! (Yup, we're on a nickname basis now).

Anyway, we will probably go there one morning on a day we're planning on starting at DCA, gives us lots of time to eat off property before heading to the 9:30/10 am entry.

Brekkie #2

Carnation Cafe! It looks and sounds delicious. Croissants should be involved in every breakfast as far as I'm concerned. DH likes bacon and eggs etc so he will be satisfied here. And we can get some yummy lattes... if it's not too hot, then iced coffee! Can you get a reservation here during magic mornings too or is that just at Minnie & Friends? Or I guess that would be a waste of magic morning... nevermind!

Brekkie #3

Riverbelle Terrace. A cheaper, quicker breakfast. We will probably do this a little bit later in the morning. I'll have to grab a granola bar or apple to tide me over through a few rides before we sit down to eat. Mickey pancake is where it's at, so cute! And not a HUGE plate of food I can't make a dent in.

Final Brekkie #4

The above three breakfasts will get us through our park days. I think on the Thursday, before we go out and about wine tasting in Temecula, we'll need a big breakfast. We will probably sleep in a bit this day. And when we wake up, I think we'll go to Mickey's Surf's Up Breakfast. I don't know why I chose this over Goofy's or Storytellers, it just called to me. Gotta make sure we see the main mouse, and I like the cute surf decor and I heard they had mini churros?!?!

 

[blabbermouth]

Ok, I will just keep typing to myself. It's rainy here today so nothing fun is going on until a friend's birthday dinner.

This morning I went shopping with my Mom and little brother. He wanted some new shirts: one for his 6 month anniversary with his girlfriend next week, and one for a wedding we're all going to that asked on the invitation for everyone to wear black! Sounds like a funeral to me, but at least it's an excuse for me to buy a new dress. DB decided he wanted a black shirt and tie and suspenders to go with his pinstripe pants, we thought the suspenders would add some personality!

DH has two black suits, a black shirt and black tie from various weddings over the years, so he's all set. He's also not a fashion trendsetter, haha, so he's fine with just a plain outfit. I will need to find a new black dress as the only black dresses I have currently are sundresses. But that's fine by me! I still have time to look.

Then when I got home I cut DH's hair. Now that he wears it just buzzed, he got tired of paying someone $20 every three weeks for a 10 minute 'do. So I apparently adopted the honours of #2 razor on the side and #3 razor on the top. Ta-da, I'm a pro

---------Ok, now Disneyland talk---------

So we will take lunch less seriously than breakfast. I have a high metabolism, so I really need to eat at least a small meal every few hours to keep movin' around the Land.

I have three restaurants picked out, but these are the most likely to change.

I want to try Tangaroa Terrace!

DH likes to get out of the park, and this looks relaxing, and the themeing looks amazing, at least at Trader Sam's. We'll be able to have a drink and eat some different counter service. We both like yam fries, so that helps, and the desserts look unique as well. This will probably be followed by an afternoon swim break.

Also, another rejuvenated counter service, Hungry Bear!

It seems really relaxing out there and I want the fried green tomato sandwich. Nuff said.

Finally, I'd also like to visit Cafe Orleans!

Once again, it'll be a bit more relaxing to sit down and be served. When we go out for lunch at home on weekends we often just get a bowl of soup each and share some fries and salad. So this will suit us perfectly, and not be too expensive.

A few other possibilities depending on our moods: Rancho del Zocalo (ate there last trip, pretty yummy!), Village Haus (I love saying "Haus" and their menu looks decent for a flatbread or salad or chicken sausage). In DCA, the new Boardwalk Pizza and Pasta (if we want something more filling, or we'd probably share a pasta) or Taste Pilot's Grill (if we want some meat!).

 

[kindakrazy2]

You're not talking to yourself - I'm reading!

Keep it coming - have fun at dinner tonight!

 

[Belle Ella]

I'm still here I just haven't had time to comment lately. Too much training taking up all of my time!! Love the food talk. Have you seen some photos/reviews of the new pizza/pasta place at DCA. It does look so yummy. I probably wont be eating there until March with the Divas though.

 

[reyasmommy]

OMG!!!!! Now I HAVE to stop at Mimi's one day for breakfast! That looks A-M-A-Z-I-N-G !!!!!!

 

[blabbermouth]

You're not talking to yourself - I'm reading!

Keep it coming - have fun at dinner tonight!

Yay, thanks for reading. Dinner was great and we even went out dancing afterwards, fun night with the girls.

Now I'm just patiently waiting to read all about your trip!!

I'm still here I just haven't had time to comment lately. Too much training taking up all of my time!! Love the food talk. Have you seen some photos/reviews of the new pizza/pasta place at DCA. It does look so yummy. I probably wont be eating there until March with the Divas though.

Oh, well the training will pay off, MUCH more important than PTR reading, haha. I saw some photos and listened to the podcast review of the two new paradise pier places, the pasta/pizza one sounds/looks really good!

In fact, we're eating pasta for dinner tonight at home, haha.

Wow, so nice that you have so many trips planned, always something to look forward to!

 

[BLAZEY]

Hi, I just found your report too. Great start to the meal planning. I'm from Victoria too. I live out near the Buchart Garden exit from the HWY. I want to take my DD to Disneyland soon, she is so into the Disney princesses now. I want to take her when she still thinks she is meeting the real Snow White. She talks about going on a plane to see Snow White.... I wonder where she got that idea
I know what you mean about travelling, sometimes getting off the island is half the battle.