DVC Mike Live from Disneyland (5/17-5/22/09)

[squitty]

Wow Mike, thank you for the lovely report and fab photos.

We are off for our first visit to DLR in Sept, staying at the Paradise Pier Hotel. I am so looking forward to the trip, but seeing your photos has made me even more excited.

 

[Disneyaunt4]

Thank you for the trip report and excellent pictures I am really enjoying them

 

[DVC Mike]

I'm up and ready to hit Disneyland Park followed by DCA, when I check my Blackberry and find out there's a couple of conference calls at work I must make even though I'm on vacation. Guess I'll have to re-adjust my schedule.

I'm going to hit one of the three Aladdin shows at DCA today, as that would finish off my must-do list that I put together for this trip.

I expect today will be the last day with the light crowds, as I'd expect some people will be here on Friday for an extended Memorial Day weekend.

I'll probably do a short morning in the parks on Friday, and then return in the evening to watch the fireworks. I won't be in the parks at all on Saturday, as I'll be spending the day with my parents down at the beach.

 

[Disney Princess]

Bummer about the work calls. At least you only have one more item on your list. Today is my last day of checking in as we leave for Disneyland (with a slight detour in OK for my brother's wedding). I hope the remainder of your trip is great! Have fun with the family.

 

[SoCalKDG]

I'm up and ready to hit Disneyland Park followed by DCA, when I check my Blackberry and find out there's a couple of conference calls at work I must make even though I'm on vacation. Guess I'll have to re-adjust my schedule.

I'm going to hit one of the three Aladdin shows at DCA today, as that would finish off my must-do list that I put together for this trip.

Your photos talked me into it. I'll be there after work with the wife and kids. Going to do DCA, hit Orange Stinger(my 3 year old can now ride and loves it), Toy Story, Soaring (FP when we first get there), maybe Monsters Inc. and Bugs Land. If you see two adorable blond girls that look like their picture, say hi.

 

[Inkmahm]

Ahhh, the killer sunwheel...if your basket is really unbalanced, it will not only slide but swing at the same time and go around all at the same time. SCARY!

Regular ferris wheels scare me, just the seat swinging a little bothers me. I'm thinking this may not be the ride for me?

 

[5forDiz]

Enjoying your TR Mike as usual

Have fun day at beach on Saturday too ( maybe photos if

you can too ? )

Wow isn't today's advanced technology GREAT ? we can conduct business from anywhere ( hopefully you didn't need to be occupied with that for too long & got back to the really important business at hand - YOUR VACATION )

Have fun
~Laura

 

[DVC Mike]

I went over to Disneyland Park this morning, and had a nice breakfast at the Carnation Cafe. Yesterday I had breakfast at the River Belle Terrace. RBT is CS while CC is TS. The food was better at CC than RBT, but the view was better at RBT. I sat right at the railing at Carnation Cafe, so I got to watch the stream of people moving up Main Street.

I must say this is a fantastic time to visit Disneyland, as there really haven't been any crowds on weekdays. Most of the FastPass rides have the FastPass line shutdown, as there really isn't a need. Most rides have a 5-10 minute wait, except for the Finding Nemo Submarine ride and Toy Story Midway Mania. Combined with the perfect weather, and this has turned out to be a fantastic trip.

I purchased a Disneyland Annual Pass, and I must say they are much better than the WDW APs. These are plastic and have your picture on it, along with a barcode. The AP is scanned at the gate, without having to deal with using your thumb.

I'm planning on hitting the Aladdin show at the Hyperion Theater today, as well as having a late lunch at the Taste Pilot's Grill.

http://i235.*************************************20090521_0969.jpg
http://i235.*************************************20090521_0972.jpg

 

[DVC Mike]

The two main icons of Disneyland

http://i235.*************************************20090521_0957.jpg
http://i235.*************************************20090521_0983.jpg
http://i235.*************************************20090521_0975.jpg
http://i235.*************************************20090521_0976.jpg

Fantasyland

http://i235.*************************************20090521_0986.jpg
http://i235.*************************************20090521_0987.jpg
http://i235.*************************************20090521_0990.jpg
http://i235.*************************************20090521_0994.jpg

 

[DVC Mike]

Critter Country

http://i235.*************************************20090521_0949.jpg
http://i235.*************************************20090521_0934.jpg

Just before I go down Splash Mtn

http://i235.*************************************20090521_0939.jpg

 

[DVC Mike]

I just love the Matterhorn! To me, it is the main icon of Disneyland, rather than Sleeping Beauty Castle.

http://i235.*************************************20090521_1001.jpg
http://i235.*************************************20090521_1000.jpg
http://i235.*************************************20090521_1002.jpg
http://i235.*************************************20090521_1007.jpg
http://i235.*************************************20090521_1004.jpg
http://i235.*************************************20090521_1005.jpg

 

[DVC Mike]

The new quiet pool at the Villas at the Grand California

http://i235.*************************************20090521_0959.jpg
http://i235.*************************************20090521_0961.jpg
http://i235.*************************************20090521_0962.jpg
http://i235.*************************************20090521_0964.jpg

 

[JasonDVC]

It's amazing how low the monorail is and how close is passes by the attractions. Great pics

 

[nunzia]

Regular ferris wheels scare me, just the seat swinging a little bothers me. I'm thinking this may not be the ride for me?

NOOOOOOOOOO!!!

 

[minniemoms]

It is not for me either.... been on it twice, the swinging seats and the ones that don't swing but are up higher... NO THANKS

 

[photobob]

My DW and DD spent a day once at DL in 2007, I've never been. Everything looks a bit more compact at DL, compared to MK. Is that accurate?

 

[DonaldDoleWhip]

My DW and DD spent a day once at DL in 2007, I've never been. Everything looks a bit more compact at DL, compared to MK. Is that accurate?

Yep, DL is definitely more compact because it's smaller in size but more packed with attractions.

MK was designed with the luxury of space, so pathways are wider and attractions are more spread out.

I actually like how DL is compact, because it makes traversing the park much easier for my feet!

 

[DVC Mike]

I finally got to see "Disney's Aladdin - A Musical Spectacular" at the Hyperion Theater.

I can sum in up in one word - AWESOME! It's a great show - not to be missed!

http://i235.*************************************20090521_1031.jpg

 

[DVC Mike]

After the show, I had a late lunch at Taste Pilot's Grill. It's your basic burger, ribs and chicken CS. Not bad.

http://i235.*************************************20090521_1018.jpg

Earlier in the week, I ate at Award Wieners. Decent hot dogs.

http://i235.*************************************20090521_1026.jpg

One of my favorite spots on a hot day is Bur-r-r Bank Ice Cream (behind it is the Baker's Field Bakery, which is also good).

http://i235.*************************************20090521_1019.jpg
http://i235.*************************************20090521_1021.jpg

 

[DVC Mike]

I must again stress how much I like how close everything is together. Below is a shot looking out from DCA and I can see the Matterhorn at Disneyland Park.

http://i235.*************************************20090521_1020.jpg
http://i235.*************************************20090521_1023.jpg
http://i235.*************************************20090521_1025.jpg
http://i235.*************************************20090521_1033.jpg

At 2pm, there is just a 15-min wait fot ToT. Not bad.

http://i235.*************************************20090521_1029.jpg
http://i235.*************************************20090521_1028.jpg