Disneyland trip report! *With pics!*

[disneycutie84]

Hey everybody!
Time for my first trip report! Hope you all enjoy it and maybe get some tips for your future Disneyland trips.
The cast:
Me, 21. Disney obsessed since childhood. Disneyland veteran! Graduating from college in May 2007 with a bachelor's in psychology, and going to WDW for the 1st time to celebrate!
DBF, 23. Loves Disney (not as much as me) and has an obsession with Haunted Mansion and all things villian. One of the best people I have ever met. We've been together for over 2 years.

Enough of that lovey dovey stuff...lets get to the action!
DBf and I are poor starving college students and since we had been saving our expendable income for our October weekend trip and our May WDW trip, we hadn't made a trip up to Disneyland in almost 8 months. With the fall semester starting soon, we knew we wanted to squeeze in a one day trip to the happiest place on earth. After stretching our budget a little bit and scrimping here and there...we decided to go for it!
Sunday August 20th, 2007.
Because its still peak season at DL, we wanted to get to the park as early as possible. It opened at 8 am and since we had to drive from North County San Diego, I wanted to leave by 7 am. I figured we would arrive a little bit after 8. DBF apparently set the alarm for the wrong time because I didn't hear it go off until 6:40 am!
Scrambling to get ready, we both managed to leave the house by 7:40 am. After saying goodbye to our DKitty of course.

After a fairly uneventful drive, we arrived at the gates a little before 9. We got our one day park hoppers and hurried over to DL first! I wanted to ride the new pirates before the crowds hit!
As we made it through the turnstiles I felt the magic hit me. Every single time I head under the train tracks and onto mainstreet, I feel like a kid again. Its the best feeling in the world.

Luckily DBF snapped me out of my disney haze and reminded me that we had some pirates to see! When we got to the ride I noticed the line wasn't too bad at all. After maybe 10 mins in line, we were on the ride! I just want to say that the additions to POTC are GREAT! The Jack Sparrow animatronic looks fantastic and I think all the changes blend in really well. I was impressed.
After that we wandered around New Orleans square, enjoying the scenery and attempting to get a last minute reservation at Blue Bayou. That didn't happen! But hey, it never hurts to try right? Then DBf took a picture of me at one of my favorite spots in the entire park.

Next up....pictures in front of the castle, a few more rides before the afternoon rush, and our escape to California Adventure!

 

[disneycutie84]

Sooooo, after our leisurely stroll through New Orleans Square, we headed over to the castle to take some pictures. One of the DL photo guys was nice enough to use our camera to take a picture of us, as long as we posed for a professional shot too. Hey, why not?! Just because we take a picture doesn't mean we have to buy it. The guy was great and the picture he took with our camera turned out like this..

Don't we look fabulous?!
Anyhoo, we hit up Fantasyland next and rode Mr. Toad's Wild Ride. I love this ride and its truly a classic. DBF loves the part where you go to "hell". Don't ask me why, he's just weird that way.
Even though it was only 10:30 am, there were some rumblies in our tumblies. So we went to the Buzz Lightyear cafe and had some mediocre burgers and fries. An early lunch would mean less waiting in line for food when it would be crowded and hot that afternoon. The food was ok. While we were seated on the patio, I got a great shot of Matterhorn.

With our tummies full (kinda) we hurried to Its a small world. I love this ride and don't care what anyone else says! I think its cute and very disney. Since it was still rather early, there was no line! WOO HOO! It was a total walk on. (Our only one for the day ).
On the ride I took a picture of my favorite little thing..

After our little cruise we stopped over in Toontown. Now, although I am not a big fan of the rides in toontown, I love the atmosphere. Everything is cartoony and off kilter. I think its so much fun! I decided to take a spin in one of toontown's rental cars.

Before we could do much else in Toontown, we began to notice the crowds increasing. Uh oh. DBF looked at me, I looked at him...we both nodded in unison. Time to escape to California Adventure...where the crowds are never as high as DL!
But before we did that, we grabbed fastpasses for Space Mountain, knowing that by the time we returned...the line would be VERY long.
We hopped on the monorail and rode it over to Downtown Disney and enjoyed the peaceful walk to California Adventure. DBF thanked me for being a smart planner and getting us there early. I swooned . Its not often that a guy appreciates the fine art of Disney planning.
Once at CA, we grabbed a bottle of water and went to Paradise Pier. DBF needed to ride California Screamin. I did not. Sorry folks, little miss Ashley is a certified roller coaster chicken. If it shoots out at high speeds (like 0-60 mph) I do not ride. If the drops are too intense, I do not ride. So while DBF rode the roller coaster of death, I took this lovely picture.

I should be a photographer for Disney!
After DBF was done with his near death experience ( ) we went over to Hollywood Pictures Backlot to ride Monsters Inc. I LOVE the movie and was very excited to ride it. But, as we rounded the corner we saw that it was down! I hurried over to ask when it would be up again. The cast members said it would probably only be a few mins more so we stayed in the area and went to Disney Animation. This is a must do! Aside from the fact that you get to watch clips of disney movies in air conditioned goodness, they have a character close up, the animation academy, Turtle Talk with Crush, and Sorcerer's Workshop. All of those are very cool things but DBF and I just sat on the big comfy cushions and watched the clips of classic Disney films.
Then it was time to check on Monsters Inc and sure enough...it was up and running! The line was a bit long, about 35 mins, but the time went by fast because the waiting area has alot of cute things to look at. Its basically set up like a subway station, with advertisements for various restaurants and things to do in Monstropolis. Very cute!
The ride itself was great too. Basically a tour through the movie. I liked it alot and the part with all the doors was really cool.
Afterwards I took a picture of this fountain thats in front of the ride entrance.

DBf and I decided it was almost time to return to DL. Normally we would do more at CA, but since it was such a busy day at DL, we needed to go back and ride some more things. But before we left, we made a quick stop at the pacific warf area for some "adult beverages".
This is me sipping my lovely strawberry margarita...

And DBF having some of his yummy beer...

Perhaps it was my margarita or maybe the hot, summer sun but somehow I found myself in this strange situation.

Next up: Our return to Disneyland, lots of rides, and then end to our fabulous day! Stay tuned!!!

 

[disneycutie84]

Our adventure continues...
So we arrived back at DL around 1:30 or 2. I can't remember exactly...it may have been later than that. All I know is, I was ready to hit some rides and fight the crowds. First stop on Main Street...a picture with Daisy!

I adore her. She is one of my favorite classic disney characters and I think she is really underrated. Anyone who can put up with Donald is great in my book! There were lots of other characters out and about on Main Street, but the lines to take pictures with them were long. You should have seen the madness when Captain Jack Sparrow emerged from backstage. I'm not sure what he was doing on Main Street but oh my goodness, the little teenage girls were screaming with delight. There was literally a pack of girls running after him. DBf and I got a kick out of that one. He was a dead ringer for Johnny Depp though.
Next on the agenda...SPACE MOUNTAIN! Our handy dandy fastpasses got us on that ride in about 10 mins and its a good thing too! The stand by line was 75 mins long! When we got on the ride we got front row. I was a little nervous. I haven't been in the front row since the ride has been updated. The ride is definitely more intense since the re do so I assumed the front row would increase the experience even more.
Guess what? I was totally right! It was awesome!!! See, I can handle Space Mountain and all the roller coasters at DL because they don't shoot you out at a million mph and the drops aren't all that intense. Being in the front row on this ride was just about my limit for roller coasters. It felt like we were suspended in mid air because we couldn't see anything in front of us but pitch black and stars. It went soo fast and the turns were so sharp!!! The front row is awesome! I think I'm going to request it from here on out. Here is a picture of the photo screen. Thats us in the front, notice my hair is flying straight back

After our little space adventure we went over to the Tommorowland train station to hitch a ride to New Orleans Square. Of course on the way there we went through the Grand Canyon and Primevil World! i love that part. To me, the Disneyland Railroad is classic and makes me feel really close to Walt. I know how much he loved trains.
When we got to New Orleans Square we got in line for Haunted Mansion. The line went quick, maybe 15 mins at the most and just before we got on I snapped a picture of this.

I love all the 50's that are placed around the park! Its fun to try and find them all. DBF loved this 50 the best. He likes creepy things.
We got into our little doom buggies and toured DBF's favorite residence. I noticed they updated the "bride" scene and thought that was really cool. On the way out of the attraction they had a sign up letting everyone know that Disney's Halloween time starts on September 29th! Excellent. Can't wait for our October trip!
After that we rode Matterhorn which is always fun & stopped over at Red Rocketts Pizza Port for a slice of pizza and some foccacia bread. Yum!
Then it was back to Main Street to watch "The first 50 Years" and enjoy a coffee from the Blue Ribbon Bakery. Everyone should go see this film. Its great! I almost cried at the end because it was so beautiful and they played some of Walt's dedication speech. I'm a softie for that speech.
They also have a great exhibit in the waiting area. There are old tickets from when the park first opened, posters, sketches of rides, photos and best of all...a diaorama (sp?) of the park when it opened in 1955. I took a picture of it!

At this point it was starting to get a little late. We went over to Frontierland and rode Thunder Mountain, my favorite ride ever! We screamed, we laughed, and we made fun of the mechanical animals along the track. Classic ride.
Then we walked through Fantasyland at night, because I love the atmosphere around the castle at dark. Romantic moments were had over by the wishing well and side of the castle.
Then I remembered a hidden 50 I had to take a picture of! Here it is!!

His spectacle is a 50!!! Soo cute.
It was getting very close to the first showing of Fantasmic! so we decided no more rides for today and went to scope out a spot. It was packed! We should have waited for the second showing at 10:30 but we were soo tired from the day that we wanted to leave a little earlier than expected. We did manage to grab a couple chairs on the patio of the River Belle Terrace. Decent seats for a crowded Sunday night. The show started and it was great! I love Fantasmic and the end always makes me tear up. I just love the mouse that much.
Then we hurried to main street for fireworks and found a decent spot. Fireworks are always a great way to end a disney day. When they were over the crowd of people leaving the park was rediculous! DBF and I snuck into the candy shop to wait out the crowds. Since the shops are all connected, we walked through them and ended up at the mainstreet fire department! Score!!! There were still tons of people trying to struggle down mainstreet and we beat the crowds. Muh hahaha!
As we headed to the exit, I took one last picture and said goodbye to Disneyland and the 50th anniversary.

I was a little sad leaving, knowing that we could technically stay in the park for almost two more hours but I knew I had shopping to do at World of Disney and we were both exhausted!
I got some stickers for my scrapbook, a mickey pin, a minnie sleepshirt, and a pirate shirt for DBF. I also picked up a magnetic frame with all the disney cats around it for DKitty. Its very cute.
With our purchases in hand we headed to the tram and to our car. It was a lovely day at the parks and we had a great time! Can't wait for our weekend October trip!
hope everybody enjoyed my report! Have a disney day!!

 

[mystic_path]

I LOVED YOUR REPORT!!! OMG I've never been on a Disneyland or WaltDisney world trip of any kind, but Im going in October as well and I am sooooooooooooooooooooooooooo excited after reading your trip. I cry just thinking about going, let alone what one would feel actually being there.

Excellent report. Thanks!

 

[disneycutie84]

Yay!
I am sooo glad that you enjoyed my report and I hope you have tons of fun on your trip! Disneyland is great, its the original and the park that Walt spent time in. Just for those two reasons alone its worth going to...not to mention the fact that its so much fun!

 

[disneegrl4eva]

i second that...your tr was great!!!

 

[mystic_path]

Thanks for the wish on a great trip. I know it will be awesome. I will post when I get back as well. But yeah you are very discriptive in your TR with is excellent! It really makes you feel like your there!

 

[Hermosa11]

Thank you soooo much for your TR! The photos were fabulous! If some of mine don't turn out, I am going to save your and print! ha ha ha ha (I've done it before and will do it again!

I am leaving 24th with DS!!!! I am sooooooooo excited! already packing .

 

[Alex2kMommy]

Thanks for sharing your wonderful trip! What a great time. We will be taking our first trip ever in September, and are now within 30 days, WOW!!! Starting to get excited again.

Oh, and thanks for adding in the beautiful photos, they're great. (And you two are so cute together!)

 

[krismom]

What a terrifiic report! There are never enough DL trip reports, so it is a welcome addition! I hope to add ours in October!

 

[Rella Bella]

Loved your report!! Especially the pictures!! Took me right back to the happy days at the park! Thanks so much for sharing!!

 

[Minniespal]

Enjoyed reading your report ~ Thanx for sharing.

 

[disneycutie84]

 

[Emmo]

I really enjoyed your trip report, it's helped me to get more excited about my first trip to DL (if thats possible!)

I'm looking forward to a strawberry Margarita

 

[dwheatl]

I your TR. We usually get APs and make two DL trips a year, but we didn't this year because we went to WDW this summer (when you get ready for your WDW trip, my TR is - http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1188018 ).
Your TR made me really miss DL. Loved the pictures. The front seat on Space Mountain ROCKS! I put my hands out and fly like Superman when I get the front seat.

Thanks for sharing your DL day!

 

[disneycutie84]

Thank you everyone for all your kind words!
Glad to hear that you all enjoyed my trip report and pics, its just a warm up for the trip report I will end up writing after my weekend trip to DL in October...and of course the trip report I will write for WDW in May!
Once again, thanks for all the compliments and praise.

 

[Tink33]

What a nice report. I can see that you had a great day because you are smiling in every picture (even the Space Mountain one).

 

[GailT]

THanks for the great trip report, I got even more excited for my upcoming very first trip to DL for Christmas

 

[Dustmouse]

Many thanks for the trip report and the pics! I am really getting the itch to go back to Disneyland!

 

[WebmasterMaryJo]

Thanks for your trip report. I loved reading about your day & seeing the great pics. What fun!