DisneyDotty
Oops, no more!
- Joined
- Mar 4, 2005
- Messages
- 2,473
After a CM reminded us on Monday that we had an early-entry day we should use, we decided to bite the bullet and try to be at Disneyland at 7:00 a.m. Do y'all know how early that is?!
Well, we were at the gate at 7:15, along with a sizeable crowd. But gosh, once inside, we were sooo happy to have gotten our butts out of bed. We hit Peter Pan (a favorite--**sigh**--first time I rode that I gasped, "Are we really flying? What happened to the tracks?"), Pinocchio, Snow White, Mr. Toad, Storybook Canal Boats (again, a classic example of Walt's magic--so simple, and yet such a wonderful escape into fantasy), Casey Jr., Dumbo, and Alice. All in like 2 hours. Excellent. Plus we had time to get fast passes to Space Mountain and Roger Rabbit. And eat over-priced but nicely crunchy pickles for a snack.
Space Mountain. My new favorite ride at Disney, bar none. I was nervous to go on--I had done the Space Mountain at WDW and hated it--but decided I had to give it a try for comparison's sake. Am I so glad I did! What a thrilling, fun, upbeat ride! I even kept my eyes open! Now I realize that it's pretty tame as far as roller coasters go, but I love that there were no drops that made my stomach flutter and no upside down parts. Plus the music and the effects at the beginning all contributed to a really exhilirating experience!
We hit that ride several more times. But we were frustrated by its repeated closure--lots of snags/break downs. Hmmm.
On to Roger Rabbit--fun and wacky ride. It has quite a wait time--not sure why.
Also did Buzz and Star Tours (nausea-inducing, for sure).
Then headed over to DCA for a 2:00 lunch at Wine Country Trattoria. Anyplace that serves wine is good with me, although the serving was a little chintzy for the price. But a good caprese salad sandwich and a nice merlot, nevertheless.
It seems to me that we hit Soarin' again--that ride induces "Ahhs" and "Ooohs" everytime I ride it!
We wandered around a while and rode some more rides, did some shopping. In the evening my DH and I got a hankering for a turkey leg, which several CM's told us were not available in DCA. But our noses told us differently, so we headed over to the Backlot area, where a CM said she thought there was a turkey leg stand. We find turkey legs (hooray!) but even better, we notice the Monster's Inc. ride was open!
So I get all excited and tell my family that they're doing a soft opening for Mike and Sully and my family says "Huh? What?" (They don't know soft openings are worth getting excited about!) Unfortunately, I had a big-honking turkey leg to eat, but my DH kindly offered to watch my turkey leg while I went on the ride with my kids.
The ride was fun--and I'm still trying not to be offended that Roz told me I looked like her twin sister....
If I were a CM, I would love to be the voice of Roz--imagine the fun you could have with the tourists...
I then dragged my kids over to watch the Electrical Parade--another remnant of my youth--and my kids really loved it! Funky voice/music and all. ALthough, I will say the Pete's Dragon reference was lost on my children, as was something else that escapes me now.
Dragged ourselves back to the hotel after a long but very fulfilling day.
Well, we were at the gate at 7:15, along with a sizeable crowd. But gosh, once inside, we were sooo happy to have gotten our butts out of bed. We hit Peter Pan (a favorite--**sigh**--first time I rode that I gasped, "Are we really flying? What happened to the tracks?"), Pinocchio, Snow White, Mr. Toad, Storybook Canal Boats (again, a classic example of Walt's magic--so simple, and yet such a wonderful escape into fantasy), Casey Jr., Dumbo, and Alice. All in like 2 hours. Excellent. Plus we had time to get fast passes to Space Mountain and Roger Rabbit. And eat over-priced but nicely crunchy pickles for a snack.
Space Mountain. My new favorite ride at Disney, bar none. I was nervous to go on--I had done the Space Mountain at WDW and hated it--but decided I had to give it a try for comparison's sake. Am I so glad I did! What a thrilling, fun, upbeat ride! I even kept my eyes open! Now I realize that it's pretty tame as far as roller coasters go, but I love that there were no drops that made my stomach flutter and no upside down parts. Plus the music and the effects at the beginning all contributed to a really exhilirating experience!
We hit that ride several more times. But we were frustrated by its repeated closure--lots of snags/break downs. Hmmm.
On to Roger Rabbit--fun and wacky ride. It has quite a wait time--not sure why.
Also did Buzz and Star Tours (nausea-inducing, for sure).
Then headed over to DCA for a 2:00 lunch at Wine Country Trattoria. Anyplace that serves wine is good with me, although the serving was a little chintzy for the price. But a good caprese salad sandwich and a nice merlot, nevertheless.
It seems to me that we hit Soarin' again--that ride induces "Ahhs" and "Ooohs" everytime I ride it!
We wandered around a while and rode some more rides, did some shopping. In the evening my DH and I got a hankering for a turkey leg, which several CM's told us were not available in DCA. But our noses told us differently, so we headed over to the Backlot area, where a CM said she thought there was a turkey leg stand. We find turkey legs (hooray!) but even better, we notice the Monster's Inc. ride was open!
So I get all excited and tell my family that they're doing a soft opening for Mike and Sully and my family says "Huh? What?" (They don't know soft openings are worth getting excited about!) Unfortunately, I had a big-honking turkey leg to eat, but my DH kindly offered to watch my turkey leg while I went on the ride with my kids.The ride was fun--and I'm still trying not to be offended that Roz told me I looked like her twin sister....
If I were a CM, I would love to be the voice of Roz--imagine the fun you could have with the tourists...I then dragged my kids over to watch the Electrical Parade--another remnant of my youth--and my kids really loved it! Funky voice/music and all. ALthough, I will say the Pete's Dragon reference was lost on my children, as was something else that escapes me now.
Dragged ourselves back to the hotel after a long but very fulfilling day.
