Business Trip to San Diego? I'M GOING TO DIDNEYRAND!!!!!-April 2013 TR*Update 11/18

[IheartDDuck]

Really?? I have never heard that before. I guess, why would I have though? Well, if that's the case, we will almost certainly stick with DLH because I think the only way I could do GCH would be by renting point. DLH is great though, so no problem there! I stayed at the DLH when I was a little girl. I don't think the version of it where we stayed even exists in any form anymore though.

I had heard it, and we actually experienced it on this last trip, because we were in a standard hotel room on this trip, and not a DVC studio that we normally would be in. I was confused at first.

The first Disneyland hotel I stayed at was Paradise Pier, and that was on points with DVC. When we went the first three times when I was younger, it was prior to DVC and we stayed off property. I've finally made the rounds to all of them.

 

[TinksThree]

Carsland looks amazing!!! I love Radiator Springs, the Mother Road, the nostalgia in Cars which is one reason I like the movie so much! The pictures do make it feel like you are transported into Radiator Springs... and I LOVE that!!! And 30 - 40 minutes isn't bad in my book!!

 

[IheartDDuck]

We left off having just ridden Radiator Springs Racers. We had a great time on the ride, and wanted to explore the area a bit. They have a lot of Carsland specific merchandise there, which is fun. I miss area specific merchandise. I feel like they've gotten too generic over the years. Remember the time when you could only find something in one store? I miss that!

Of course, in honor of Kathy's Mark, we had to take hat pictures!

CONEHEAD!



Wait....is that a tire on top of my head?



POP!



We walked through the area and took some more pictures. Who doesn't love the Cozy Cones?



Fillmore's area is so cool.





After that, we decided to head over to Paradise Pier. We had a coaster to ride, and I had to kick my families rear on Toy Story!



California Screamin' was calling our name. We picked up fastpasses.



Something that doesn't issue fastpasses in Disneyland?



Yup. You heard me right folks. Toy Story does not have fastpasses in Disneyland. And how long was the wait time? Only 20 minutes. ON A SATURDAY!

Ready for my fastpass rant? You might not agree with me, and that's cool.

Fastpasses use an equation and a ratio. A static number of fastpasses are issued throughout the day, and the time changes in five minute increments. I'm not sure what it is, but you get the gist. So now, the average wait times are increased for the normal folks who don't grab fastpasses, because there are the individuals in the fastpass line that need to be let on before you. Prime example of how this works against you. Wait time for Peter Pan in Disneyland, on a Sunday, in the early afternoon that I witnessed? 25 minutes. They don't issue fastpasses. Would that ever happen in WDW? Nope. And no one can use the excuse that they think Peter Pan is more popular in WDW than it is in Disneyland. I find that highly unlikely.

Team Disney Anaheim is much more anti-fastpass than Team Disney Orlando. They employ use of Fastpasses for what they identify as true E-Ticket attractions. Not D-Ticket or even C-Ticket. But WDW is worse. And now we have Magic Bands and Fastpass +? I'm not looking forward to it. For real. I liked the laid back atmosphere of WDW better.

Okay sorry. I'm off my box.



Back to the moral of my story. I only waited 20 minutes for TSM on a Saturday.



And guess what. I LOST!



Can someone please do this to me when you get the opportunity?



For real. I deserve it.

But you all know me. I will have my revenge! Just you wait Henry Higgins!

Okay, who doesn't love this? As you exit the ride, it's reminding you that you were just in a toy box.



It was already time for our California Screamin' fastpasses.

Hi there random folk!



I really like this coaster. It's like Rockin' Roller Coaster, with the launch sequence. But this was in incredibly smooth. And it's definitely aged well.

At this point, all that screaming got me hungry. So we decided to head over to the Pacific Wharf to get some noms.



There are a few places to eat there, which makes it easy if everyone wants something different. But we all wanted mexican! So Cucina Cocamonga it is!

How heavenly is this for quick service? For real y'all. Disneyland quick service is the shiznet.





The food was great! But, I have to say for myself, a bit on the spicy side. And I'm a spicy pansy. So I was a little bit like....



Up next: Fun wheel screams!

 

[IheartDDuck]

Carsland looks amazing!!! I love Radiator Springs, the Mother Road, the nostalgia in Cars which is one reason I like the movie so much! The pictures do make it feel like you are transported into Radiator Springs... and I LOVE that!!! And 30 - 40 minutes isn't bad in my book!!

I loved all of it! And the wait times were definitely not too bad in the morning.

 

[PlutosRHM55]

Again, the theming in Cars Land is so amazing! So perfect, just like the movie. And you guys are looking great in those hats.

I've heard about this craziness with the lines for Peter Pan's Flight and TSMM in Disneyland. Ridiculous! I can't believe WDW hasn't caught onto this. I do have a feeling TSMM might be more popular in WDW than DLR based on what I've read in other DLR TRs, but Peter Pan's Flight, not at all. Sorry to hear you lost on TSMM though, you'll get 'em next time And that is such a cute little detail! I don't remember that being in WDW, so cool!

Honestly, if California Screamin' were in WDW, I'd totally have conquered my fear of loops by now. I don't know but I really want to ride it and just am not bothered in any way there are loops. Also, it's outside, the coasters look wicked cool and I've heard NPH narrates it or something. I'm in!

Oooo, Mexican! Delish. And I see the plates now! Too too awesome.

 

[wdwgirl03]

Cars Land is one of the reasons I need to get back to Disneyland. It looks absolutely incredible. It really looks like you walked into the movie.

haha, that cone hat is funny!

Wow, only 20 minutes for TSM?! Nice!

 

[Poolrat]

RSR ROCKS!!! I really enjoyed that area and that ride.

I just walk through Pacific Wharf but next time I need to stop and eat.

I think the FP dealio with TSMM at WDW vs. CA is location and other options at CA.

I went towards the end of Sept. a slow time but of course RS was new so that area was busy.

Did you get to do RSR at night? totally different vibe and just as cool.

 

[RGirl]

Still absolutely loving the Carsland pictures. I cannot wait to see it in person!

I love doing TSMM at DLR. So little stress!

I have never done California Screamin'. DD is not tall enough yet, so it will likely be another year or two before I get the chance. I have never read anything about it, so I'm happy to hear that we will likely enjoy it when we finally do get to do it.

We LOVE the quick-service options at DLR. DD especially loves the Mexican QS - there is a kids' meal burrito that she ordered two or three times on our trip. Pacific Wharf is so cool because of all the different choices in the same vicinity - I just loved that set-up. Your food looks delicious!

 

[IheartDDuck]

Again, the theming in Cars Land is so amazing! So perfect, just like the movie. And you guys are looking great in those hats.

The hats were so much fun to mess with.

I've heard about this craziness with the lines for Peter Pan's Flight and TSMM in Disneyland. Ridiculous! I can't believe WDW hasn't caught onto this. I do have a feeling TSMM might be more popular in WDW than DLR based on what I've read in other DLR TRs, but Peter Pan's Flight, not at all. Sorry to hear you lost on TSMM though, you'll get 'em next time And that is such a cute little detail! I don't remember that being in WDW, so cool!

It probably is more popular in WDW than in DLR. And while I use FP, I use it because I feel like I have no choice otherwise. But I'm a proponent of old school just everyone waiting in line.

That detail actually isn't in the WDW attraction.

Honestly, if California Screamin' were in WDW, I'd totally have conquered my fear of loops by now. I don't know but I really want to ride it and just am not bothered in any way there are loops. Also, it's outside, the coasters look wicked cool and I've heard NPH narrates it or something. I'm in!

Oooo, Mexican! Delish. And I see the plates now! Too too awesome.

Timmy.....there is no need to have a fear of loops.

The lunch was really really yummy.

Cars Land is one of the reasons I need to get back to Disneyland. It looks absolutely incredible. It really looks like you walked into the movie.

haha, that cone hat is funny!

Wow, only 20 minutes for TSM?! Nice!

It does look like you walk into the movie, for real. It was incredible.

RSR ROCKS!!! I really enjoyed that area and that ride.

I just walk through Pacific Wharf but next time I need to stop and eat.

I think the FP dealio with TSMM at WDW vs. CA is location and other options at CA.

I went towards the end of Sept. a slow time but of course RS was new so that area was busy.

Did you get to do RSR at night? totally different vibe and just as cool.

That whole area was great. I loved it.

We did not get to RSR at night. I saw it and took pictures, but we were never able to. It wasn't a long trip, and it was pretty crowded.

Still absolutely loving the Carsland pictures. I cannot wait to see it in person!

I love doing TSMM at DLR. So little stress!

I have never done California Screamin'. DD is not tall enough yet, so it will likely be another year or two before I get the chance. I have never read anything about it, so I'm happy to hear that we will likely enjoy it when we finally do get to do it.

We LOVE the quick-service options at DLR. DD especially loves the Mexican QS - there is a kids' meal burrito that she ordered two or three times on our trip. Pacific Wharf is so cool because of all the different choices in the same vicinity - I just loved that set-up. Your food looks delicious!

I was so happy to see it in person. It was cooler than I had anticipated.

You will definitely like California Screamin' when you get the opportunity to ride it.

I love the QS options at DLR too! Every trip I've taken there I'm like "man! It's so good!"

 

[DVCWDWMEMBER]

MMM that food looks soooooo good

 

[CarolynK]

Ok, so 20 minutes for Toy Story?! Seriously? How long has that been open in WDW, five years or so - we've never been on it because it's like the only ride for little kids in Studios and the FPs are always gone by the time we (late risers) get there and the wait time is 120 minutes....

I think part of the reason the line is shorter in DL is because there are fewer small children in DL than in WDW. We found this to be true - we've been going to both DL and WDW since our kids were little, and we never spent much time in the MK at WDW, with the idea that that we'd get our fix in DL. And it worked!

Your report has get me longing for another trip to Anaheim (it's been a while), especially since there's new stuff to experience!

 

[shan23877]

Who could resist those hats? Awesome.

And I love your shirt-I have the same one!

that's a great score-it would probably stand up in our family.


The counter service seems light years better than WDW. That food looks delish!

 

[IheartDDuck]

MMM that food looks soooooo good

It was incredibly yummy.

Ok, so 20 minutes for Toy Story?! Seriously? How long has that been open in WDW, five years or so - we've never been on it because it's like the only ride for little kids in Studios and the FPs are always gone by the time we (late risers) get there and the wait time is 120 minutes....

I think part of the reason the line is shorter in DL is because there are fewer small children in DL than in WDW. We found this to be true - we've been going to both DL and WDW since our kids were little, and we never spent much time in the MK at WDW, with the idea that that we'd get our fix in DL. And it worked!

Your report has get me longing for another trip to Anaheim (it's been a while), especially since there's new stuff to experience!

I think that is definitely part of it, and it's likely less popular too. FP just exacerbates the matter I think also.

I want to go back so badly! And it's going to be a while for me, so I just have to accept it.

Who could resist those hats? Awesome.

And I love your shirt-I have the same one!

that's a great score-it would probably stand up in our family.


The counter service seems light years better than WDW. That food looks delish!

Woo hoo! T-shirt buddy! It's so incredibly soft, I couldn't resist it.

Their counter service options are amazing in DLR. Just all so yummy.

 

[DVCWDWMEMBER]

We need to make plans to go because I need to see carsland

 

[IheartDDuck]

We need to make plans to go because I need to see carsland

We will definitely go sometime. I can't guarantee soon, but soonish?

 

[emmysmommy]

Oh my gosh! Now I get why I was reading another TR of yours and it didn't look familiar.... you have THREE!!! Wow!

Without even reading which ride you were referring to that hurt your patootie, I KNEW it was the Matterhorn. Sheesh! That's a rough ride. They need to post warnings that your behind will get roughed up. In a Disney way of course!

Of course you had to pop over to DLR while in CA!!!

Now onto your other TR!

 

[IheartDDuck]

Oh my gosh! Now I get why I was reading another TR of yours and it didn't look familiar.... you have THREE!!! Wow!

Without even reading which ride you were referring to that hurt your patootie, I KNEW it was the Matterhorn. Sheesh! That's a rough ride. They need to post warnings that your behind will get roughed up. In a Disney way of course!

Of course you had to pop over to DLR while in CA!!!

Now onto your other TR!

I know! It's a sad state of affairs. I'm trying to get this one and the Thanksgiving one wrapped up. It's a lot to handle! I fell behind before, and I don't want to do that again.

Man. The ride being rough isn't a problem for me as much as the seats not having any padding being the issue. It's like "add some butt protection!"

I couldn't in my right mind fly to San Diego and not stay the weekend to go to Disneyland. We make it to California so much less than Florida, I had to take advantage of the paid airfare.

 

[DVCWDWMEMBER]

We will definitely go sometime. I can't guarantee soon, but soonish?

Yep we need to do the Flower and Garden and then the Food and Wine first

 

[IheartDDuck]

Yep we need to do the Flower and Garden and then the Food and Wine first

You are correct Momma. I think that's the plan to start.

 

[DVCWDWMEMBER]

You are correct Momma. I think that's the plan to start.

I am so looking forward to it. Haven't done either for a few years so it will be awesome.