Day 3 was last Friday Nov 4th. We had already had two fun filled days and this day just wasn't the greatest. The kids faught and I was grumpy--what can I say. We did still have fun and the day was topped off beautifully by the fireworks. They were so wonderful. So Let me get back on subject and recap the day.
We had breakfast at the PCH Grill with Lilo and Stich. The food was great and we saw Minnie, Lilo and Stich of course, Pluto and Donald. We had a lot of fun with this breakfast, but my kids weren't into getting up and dancing. From breakfast, the plan I had was to go to CA for opening instead of DL. But my daughter was against this and wanted DL. So against my better judgement, off to DL we went. We were not there for opening, we were there around 9:20. We went right to Space Mountain and found the longest wait time we had seen the whole trip. I even had to wait in this big line just to get a fastpass. We were so spoiled from the past two days of not waiting! I think from there we stumbled around and just did things that had the shortest lines. I had the AAA package so I was able to get fastpasses for everything so I kindof collected them all around the park. By lunch time, we had had enough( and my daughter was agreeing to go to CA) so we went across to CA.
The crowds here were much easier to manage. We did sereral rides and met some characters and had a hot dog for lunch. My daughter's favorite thing was in the Animation building. She liked doing the things where you find out which character you are most like. She is Jane, I am Mulan, and my son was Aladin. From there we did Turtle Talk and they loved that. My son was too shy to ask a question, but did at least sit on the floor. We headed back to the room for a rest around 4.
I started to have a better day when my husband called to say he was on his way "home" from work. I had been planning on meeting him in the hub for the fireworks, but now we could all go together. I was excited about that. When he returned, we took the monorail into the park. Remember I had gotten all these fastpasses? Well, I let them go and use them and I sat in the hub on a bench for the fireworks--which were in three hours!! Yes I am one of those who sat for three hours. I never thought I would do that, I hadn't planned on it either. It was just one of those things. On Thursday evening before the parade, a cast member had taken me into the hub and said that if I could be right here, it was the best spot for the fireworks. So that evening when I saw a spot on the bench, I claimed it. My family rode about 6 rides and had a great dinner at the Carnation Cafe while I sat and people watched. I watched the parade again and talked to the people around me. My family returned about 1 hour before start time. My son was cold and climbed into my lap and promptly fell asleep. This hasn't happened in years!!! He barely fit in fact. But he had a good nap and he kept me warm. We watched the fireworks which were incredible. My husband actually thanked me for sitting so long in the spot.
Sorry to ramble so long, but I'll get it all over in one thread. Day 4 our last day was Saturday the 5th. We woke up a little later than I wanted since we were out late. This was early entry day with a 7 am opening. Yuck. We got there by 7:45 though. We did the monorail again and did Matterhorn first and then into Fantasyland. I was nervous after the crowds yesterday, but they just weren't there!!! We had the best day. I loved having my husband there with us and we did everything all over again and did several rides twice. We had a magical moment too. Now, my daughter is 10 and is really growing up. She used to love Princesses, and still really does, just won't admit it. Belle is her favorite and she was hoping to see her in the famous yellow dress. We has spotted her twice so far, but she was alwasy unavailable for pictures. So today we went into the Princess shop and inquired when Belle would be doing the stories. 1:30 we were told. We would be over in CA by then, so were disappointed. We walk out of the shop and into that walkway thing leading to Fronteirland. There is Belle, all alone waiting just for us!!! My daughter almost cried. We gt a few pictures and an autograph and a big hug. It was Disney special.
From here we did almost the whole park again. Wait times were so minimal it was just fantastic! The day was crystal clear beautiful too. We went over to CA and showed daddy all the fun things overthere. We saw Aladin today too. Great show, but my son said he was bored. My daughter and I did ToT finally. My son had refused all week, so now with dad here, we could do it. It was a lot of fun. I forgot to mention that lunch was at the Blue Bayou. I had an 11:30 time and checked in first at 11:15. All these people kept being called and I finally wnet up and said"hello what about us?" Our name card had been misplaced. So all the trouble I went to to get the early reservation and check in early was for nothing--no waterside tables were left. Oh well. We had second row and had a good meal. It is not somewhere we would go back to if we ever get out there again, but I am glad we went.
We had a break in the room before dinner again. Then the plan was for my son and husband to do ESPN and my daughter and I would do Fantasmic. She and I did a few rides then scoped out a spot. My daughter was so tired we almost had to leave, but we stuck it out. Thanks to all with advice on where to sit. I wasn't able to use any of the info on the River Belle Terrace because no one could stay awake for the 10:30 show. Right after the Fantasmic, the fireworks started. We watched them from where was had watched Fantasmic and I was surprised how good they were from that location. We couldn't see the castle of course or Tink, but the fireworks were still so good. We left towards the end and made it out before the crowds.
All in all our trip was fantastic! I loved it and would go back again anytime. I sure loved the convenience of walking to the parks and not riding buses. I loved CA. I loved all the fruit carts!!! California fruit is so much better than the fruit I get here. I felt we ate healthier in DL versus WDW. Did you know Disney chocolate doesn't stain clothes like home chocolate does? My son got so much Mickey premium chocolate on him the first day--shirt front and sleeves, jeans and even on his socks. It all came out. I can't do that at home. Thanks for this board. I wouldn't have had such a successful trip without all of you. Again, sorry for this long post. I am done now!
We had breakfast at the PCH Grill with Lilo and Stich. The food was great and we saw Minnie, Lilo and Stich of course, Pluto and Donald. We had a lot of fun with this breakfast, but my kids weren't into getting up and dancing. From breakfast, the plan I had was to go to CA for opening instead of DL. But my daughter was against this and wanted DL. So against my better judgement, off to DL we went. We were not there for opening, we were there around 9:20. We went right to Space Mountain and found the longest wait time we had seen the whole trip. I even had to wait in this big line just to get a fastpass. We were so spoiled from the past two days of not waiting! I think from there we stumbled around and just did things that had the shortest lines. I had the AAA package so I was able to get fastpasses for everything so I kindof collected them all around the park. By lunch time, we had had enough( and my daughter was agreeing to go to CA) so we went across to CA.
The crowds here were much easier to manage. We did sereral rides and met some characters and had a hot dog for lunch. My daughter's favorite thing was in the Animation building. She liked doing the things where you find out which character you are most like. She is Jane, I am Mulan, and my son was Aladin. From there we did Turtle Talk and they loved that. My son was too shy to ask a question, but did at least sit on the floor. We headed back to the room for a rest around 4.
I started to have a better day when my husband called to say he was on his way "home" from work. I had been planning on meeting him in the hub for the fireworks, but now we could all go together. I was excited about that. When he returned, we took the monorail into the park. Remember I had gotten all these fastpasses? Well, I let them go and use them and I sat in the hub on a bench for the fireworks--which were in three hours!! Yes I am one of those who sat for three hours. I never thought I would do that, I hadn't planned on it either. It was just one of those things. On Thursday evening before the parade, a cast member had taken me into the hub and said that if I could be right here, it was the best spot for the fireworks. So that evening when I saw a spot on the bench, I claimed it. My family rode about 6 rides and had a great dinner at the Carnation Cafe while I sat and people watched. I watched the parade again and talked to the people around me. My family returned about 1 hour before start time. My son was cold and climbed into my lap and promptly fell asleep. This hasn't happened in years!!! He barely fit in fact. But he had a good nap and he kept me warm. We watched the fireworks which were incredible. My husband actually thanked me for sitting so long in the spot.
Sorry to ramble so long, but I'll get it all over in one thread. Day 4 our last day was Saturday the 5th. We woke up a little later than I wanted since we were out late. This was early entry day with a 7 am opening. Yuck. We got there by 7:45 though. We did the monorail again and did Matterhorn first and then into Fantasyland. I was nervous after the crowds yesterday, but they just weren't there!!! We had the best day. I loved having my husband there with us and we did everything all over again and did several rides twice. We had a magical moment too. Now, my daughter is 10 and is really growing up. She used to love Princesses, and still really does, just won't admit it. Belle is her favorite and she was hoping to see her in the famous yellow dress. We has spotted her twice so far, but she was alwasy unavailable for pictures. So today we went into the Princess shop and inquired when Belle would be doing the stories. 1:30 we were told. We would be over in CA by then, so were disappointed. We walk out of the shop and into that walkway thing leading to Fronteirland. There is Belle, all alone waiting just for us!!! My daughter almost cried. We gt a few pictures and an autograph and a big hug. It was Disney special.
From here we did almost the whole park again. Wait times were so minimal it was just fantastic! The day was crystal clear beautiful too. We went over to CA and showed daddy all the fun things overthere. We saw Aladin today too. Great show, but my son said he was bored. My daughter and I did ToT finally. My son had refused all week, so now with dad here, we could do it. It was a lot of fun. I forgot to mention that lunch was at the Blue Bayou. I had an 11:30 time and checked in first at 11:15. All these people kept being called and I finally wnet up and said"hello what about us?" Our name card had been misplaced. So all the trouble I went to to get the early reservation and check in early was for nothing--no waterside tables were left. Oh well. We had second row and had a good meal. It is not somewhere we would go back to if we ever get out there again, but I am glad we went.
We had a break in the room before dinner again. Then the plan was for my son and husband to do ESPN and my daughter and I would do Fantasmic. She and I did a few rides then scoped out a spot. My daughter was so tired we almost had to leave, but we stuck it out. Thanks to all with advice on where to sit. I wasn't able to use any of the info on the River Belle Terrace because no one could stay awake for the 10:30 show. Right after the Fantasmic, the fireworks started. We watched them from where was had watched Fantasmic and I was surprised how good they were from that location. We couldn't see the castle of course or Tink, but the fireworks were still so good. We left towards the end and made it out before the crowds.
All in all our trip was fantastic! I loved it and would go back again anytime. I sure loved the convenience of walking to the parks and not riding buses. I loved CA. I loved all the fruit carts!!! California fruit is so much better than the fruit I get here. I felt we ate healthier in DL versus WDW. Did you know Disney chocolate doesn't stain clothes like home chocolate does? My son got so much Mickey premium chocolate on him the first day--shirt front and sleeves, jeans and even on his socks. It all came out. I can't do that at home. Thanks for this board. I wouldn't have had such a successful trip without all of you. Again, sorry for this long post. I am done now!
It seems your kids weren't too keen on DCA - I love that park but spend much more time in DL when visiting. I agree about BB, so many people just love it and I think there are many better dining options. Glad you had a great time, thanks for sharing.
but think Charlotte is the best town.
