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

[IheartDDuck]

I am only a recent Star Wars fan and when I first watched the movies I couldn't understand why everyone hated Jar Jar. After watching the movies a few times... let's just say I get it.
I have always hated the fracking pod race.
Love the pics of you and your bro in the shop! Nice hats.
Have to You Tube an on ride video of Indie in Disneyland! Looks spooky and cool.

Jar Jar is just weird. Having grown up with the originals, to me it was like they were trying to create a character like the Ewoks that people would like. Let's all remember.....Ewoks don't really talk which is why Ewoks = cute.

I feel like I get the pod race often and it just annoys me.

It's a pretty great ride. I love it. The track layout is identical to Dinosaur, but that's where it ends.

 

[Poolrat]

It's a pretty great ride. I love it. The track layout is identical to Dinosaur, but that's where it ends.

When I went last year IJ was down for refurb. ( almost typed rehab.... )

Soooo - A return trip is in order. Hopefully next year.

I must do more eating at DL. Another thing that must be corrected.

 

[IheartDDuck]

When I went last year IJ was down for refurb. ( almost typed rehab.... )

Soooo - A return trip is in order. Hopefully next year.

I must do more eating at DL. Another thing that must be corrected.

Hahaha! I think rehab would work too.

Definitely eat. We had some very yummy eats while we were there, which I will report on fully.

 

[PlutosRHM55]

to the goofy selfies in line! Keep 'em coming! A shame after all that they gave exactly what you didn't want. I'm sure it was still fun nonetheless.

I'm so glad someone else besides me takes goofy hat photos in a Disney store. It's a reflex. Natural; normal. I think it's hysterical how calm Jason looks when you are about to bite off his face. Too cool for school lol

OMG, Indie is probably one of the number one reasons why I NEED to go to DLR (the other ones being the Matterhorn, World of Color and Cars Land). I love DINOSAUR and keep on hearing this is the really really awesome version of that. Also, it's Indiana Jones! You can't go wrong there. And I totally need to test out an eerie queue, I mean it still looks perfectly detailed. Disney, why so perfect?

They really give you actually plates at the CSs? Wow. DLR is totally my place. All the dishes sounded great too. Too bad you couldn't have gotten a picture of your red snapper, it is intriguing me.

Can't wait to read about your second day at DLR!

 

[IheartDDuck]

to the goofy selfies in line! Keep 'em coming! A shame after all that they gave exactly what you didn't want. I'm sure it was still fun nonetheless.

I'm so glad someone else besides me takes goofy hat photos in a Disney store. It's a reflex. Natural; normal. I think it's hysterical how calm Jason looks when you are about to bite off his face. Too cool for school lol

The hysterical thing about that picture with Jason and I is that he had no idea that I did that until he saw the picture. We put the hats on and got ready to take the picture and I just did it. It was a priceless moment.

OMG, Indie is probably one of the number one reasons why I NEED to go to DLR (the other ones being the Matterhorn, World of Color and Cars Land). I love DINOSAUR and keep on hearing this is the really really awesome version of that. Also, it's Indiana Jones! You can't go wrong there. And I totally need to test out an eerie queue, I mean it still looks perfectly detailed. Disney, why so perfect?

Indy is one of the best reasons to go to DLR! I look forward to it every time. Oh, and Space Mountain. Which was CLOSED when I went this last time. I cried.

They really give you actually plates at the CSs? Wow. DLR is totally my place. All the dishes sounded great too. Too bad you couldn't have gotten a picture of your red snapper, it is intriguing me.

Can't wait to read about your second day at DLR!

Yes, they absolutely give you actual plates at some of the CS locations. It's a completely different environment than WDW.

 

[RGirl]

Joining in! It looks like y'all are having so much fun! I can't wait to read more. Until last year, I hadn't been to DLR since the '80s - I took my DD for her fifth birthday, and we had so much fun that I'm thinking about returning for her 7th birthday. Can't wait to read all about Radiator Springs.

 

[IheartDDuck]

Joining in! It looks like y'all are having so much fun! I can't wait to read more. Until last year, I hadn't been to DLR since the '80s - I took my DD for her fifth birthday, and we had so much fun that I'm thinking about returning for her 7th birthday. Can't wait to read all about Radiator Springs.

We had a lot of fun for sure. I haven't been to DLR near as many times as I've been to WDW. That would be lots of fun to take your DD for her 7th birthday!

 

[IheartDDuck]

This marked our official first full day in Disneyland. That sounds so weird, because this trip was so short.

I set the alarm to wake me up at about 6:30am. I wanted to make sure we made it to California Adventure by park opening, which was 8am. And, because we were staying at the Grand Californian, that would imply we got our own entrance into the park. We......are......special.

We headed down to Whitewater Snacks, the CS at Grand Californian at about 7:30am. We wanted to get some noms in us before heading into the park. Dad and Jason got the breakfast sandwich.



Again solidifying to me that DLR has better counter service options. This was a yummy warm biscuit, with a FRIED egg (goodness sakes, fried eggs are my favorite), and cheddar cheese.

YUM! I recommend this to anyone who ate there.

I got Mickey waffles. DUH!



These were ridiculously fresh, and what I loved about them is that they were wheat. Leave it to California to be a bit healthier.

After filling our tummies, we headed into the park. So exciting! And, Jason had never seen the California Adventure, so this would be lots of fun for him.

The entrance from the Grand Californian goes right past Grizzly River Run. It was about 65 to 70 degrees, so no ride on this for us.



We decided not to get fastpasses for Radiator Springs Racers. Exactly like TSM in WDW, the line gets crazy. And I'm not waiting 30 minutes for a fastpass to come back five hours later. No sirree. We are hopping right in line.

The theming for Carsland is ridiculous. So I present you with......Carsland picture spam.







The line was pretty long already, posted at 40 minutes. But where else were we going to go? That's right, NO WHERE!





The rock formation in the back is Radiator Springs Racers (for those who haven't been to see it yet). That should give you an indicator of how far the line was extended past the entrance to the ride.

We ate here later in the trip.









I just loved seeing it all. It completely looks just like Radiator Springs in the movie. The attention to detail was out of this world. I haven't been to Disneyland since 2007, so this was all new to me, as was World of Color. This was all much needed in my opinion.





Finally we made it in line!







The wait time was about 30 minutes, so not bad for us. It didn't feel like it was long before we were looking at the cars.



SO EXCITED!





My favorite part of the ride had to be the characters that were located throughout. Many of my first time pictures turned out blurry, so I won't post those.



PIT STOP!





We definitely deemed the ride a success! It is very similar to Test Track, but I find Test Track to be boring. This was so much better due to the theming! I thought it was great.



Up next: Is that a cone on your head?

 

[Poolrat]

Isn't that Bacon egg and cheese sandwich huge? I had a hard time finishing it all before park opening. I had the waffles too - on my last day, sniff sniff.

I really enjoyed RS. It is just like stepping in the movie- even with the traffic light.

The only problem I had with RSR was much like TSMM it was not up first thing. Waited at the loading area for 30 minutes of Extra magic hours and the second time just had to get out of line and opted for FP, since you can't get FP during Extra magic mornings.

 

[IheartDDuck]

Isn't that Bacon egg and cheese sandwich huge? I had a hard time finishing it all before park opening. I had the waffles too - on my last day, sniff sniff.

I really enjoyed RS. It is just like stepping in the movie- even with the traffic light.

The only problem I had with RSR was much like TSMM it was not up first thing. Waited at the loading area for 30 minutes of Extra magic hours and the second time just had to get out of line and opted for FP, since you can't get FP during Extra magic mornings.

That sandwich was ridiculously huge for sure! Both of them couldn't even finish it. I told them they should have bought one and shared it. I was glad I went with my kids Mickey waffles.

We didn't have any issues with RSR being open when we got there, but it wouldn't surprise me it wouldn't have been. I remember way way back when Test Track had problems all the time.

 

[NancyLuvsMickey]

Carsland looks AMAZING!!!

Last time I was at Disneyland, they were still taking tickets to ride the rides... Yes, it was that long ago...

 

[IheartDDuck]

Carsland looks AMAZING!!!

Last time I was at Disneyland, they were still taking tickets to ride the rides... Yes, it was that long ago...

Carsland was really incredible. I can't wait to go back sometime soon.

Hahaha, that's too funny! But, when you think about it, they did the ticket per ride route for a long time.

 

[RGirl]

We had a lot of fun for sure. I haven't been to DLR near as many times as I've been to WDW. That would be lots of fun to take your DD for her 7th birthday!

I hope we get to do it. I took her for her fifth birthday, and it was probably the best trip we ever did.

Oh, I LOVED the Carsland pics. Last time I was there, it was under construction. It looks amazing!

How did you like the Grand Californian?

 

[IheartDDuck]

I hope we get to do it. I took her for her fifth birthday, and it was probably the best trip we ever did.

Oh, I LOVED the Carsland pics. Last time I was there, it was under construction. It looks amazing!

How did you like the Grand Californian?

I absolutely love the Grand Californian! It's definitely my favorite of the resorts there. We booked on DVC, but they didn't have a room available for us for all of the nights, so we were at GC for 2 nights and Paradise Pier for 1 night. GC is definitely the most convenient resort. It's the closest to the park entrances. The other two are a bit farther away.

 

[PlutosRHM55]

to healthy Mickey Waffles! Well, to any Mickey Waffles They look SOOO good!

Carsland does look fantastic! Disney, you are perfect, my goodness. And Radiator Springs Racers... now that they have completely ruined Test Track, I can at least be happy that I could go to you instead.

STANLEY!

 

[RGirl]

I absolutely love the Grand Californian! It's definitely my favorite of the resorts there. We booked on DVC, but they didn't have a room available for us for all of the nights, so we were at GC for 2 nights and Paradise Pier for 1 night. GC is definitely the most convenient resort. It's the closest to the park entrances. The other two are a bit farther away.

It looks amazing. We will likely end up at the Disneyland Hotel again (we loved it, so it's not a negative thing ) if we do go just because of the cost, but I would love to rent points and stay at GCH - just not sure that I will know for sure whether we are going with enough notice to get the points. Hmmm - still may be worth attempting.

 

[shan23877]

That breakfast sandwich looks amazing! I could go for one right now!

You know, in all the times I've read about Carsland, no one has ever mentioned what kind of ride RSR is. Thanks for explaining it! (I feel like an idiot admitting that I didn't know BTW).

I think Carsland looks incredible. I can't believe all of the details I've seen in pictures, I imagine it's even more impressive in person.

As always, thank you for the pics of you dad. He makes me smile

 

[teekathepony]

Oh wow, that breakfast looks really, really good!
Carsland is incredibly well done, I may not be a fan of the movie but I really want to see that area. And the ride looks fun!

 

[IheartDDuck]

to healthy Mickey Waffles! Well, to any Mickey Waffles They look SOOO good!

Carsland does look fantastic! Disney, you are perfect, my goodness. And Radiator Springs Racers... now that they have completely ruined Test Track, I can at least be happy that I could go to you instead.

STANLEY!

The whole breakfast was really yummy, and I can honestly say that those were the best waffles I've ever had from Disney.

Radiator Springs Racers is an amazing ride.

It looks amazing. We will likely end up at the Disneyland Hotel again (we loved it, so it's not a negative thing ) if we do go just because of the cost, but I would love to rent points and stay at GCH - just not sure that I will know for sure whether we are going with enough notice to get the points. Hmmm - still may be worth attempting.

We loved Disneyland Hotel too! I enjoy all the hotels there.

The only downfall to using points at GCH is the fact that there aren't many rooms there that are DVC. They actually expanded it so we can stay in the regular rooms too based on the fact that there are only 50 DVC units.

That breakfast sandwich looks amazing! I could go for one right now!

You know, in all the times I've read about Carsland, no one has ever mentioned what kind of ride RSR is. Thanks for explaining it! (I feel like an idiot admitting that I didn't know BTW).

I think Carsland looks incredible. I can't believe all of the details I've seen in pictures, I imagine it's even more impressive in person.

As always, thank you for the pics of you dad. He makes me smile

I could totally go for that whole breakfast right now too! It was amazing.

Glad I could enlighten you on RSR! See, I'm a spoiler freak, so I always look into it before I go. They don't ruin anything for me.

I'm glad my Dad makes you smile.

Oh wow, that breakfast looks really, really good!
Carsland is incredibly well done, I may not be a fan of the movie but I really want to see that area. And the ride looks fun!

It was so yummy!

The whole area is really great. Very well themed, and it seriously looks like it comes straight out of the movie.

 

[RGirl]

We loved Disneyland Hotel too! I enjoy all the hotels there.

The only downfall to using points at GCH is the fact that there aren't many rooms there that are DVC. They actually expanded it so we can stay in the regular rooms too based on the fact that there are only 50 DVC units.

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.