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

[Inkmahm]

Ahh the memories! I can handle an earthquake so much better than a tornado. Living here in the midwest now, I still freak out about tornados...but earthquakes, ahh Southern California. My local friends say I'm strange, but growing up in So Cal, they were just such a part of life!

Midwestern gal here, and I'd much rather face a tornado! Chances are really low that it will touch down anywhere near me. But earthquakes affect so much larger areas!

 

[Inkmahm]

Great pics, you've got me looking forward to my trip in August. Unfortunately we will only have two nights at CGH and one day in the parks (pre-cruise). The family and I loved DCA the one time we went to DLR in 2001.

Same here! We're going in August and staying at CGH for 4 nights with 3 full days in the parks. I haven't been to DL since early 1988 so I'm looking forward to the many many changes since then. I've been to DL-Paris much more recently though (just last year) and the pictures in this thread remind me much more of Paris than WDW. Paris is also great for being able to walk to everything and I loved that.

 

[stopher1]

Midwestern gal here, and I'd much rather face a tornado! Chances are really low that it will touch down anywhere near me. But earthquakes affect so much larger areas!

That may be true...but it's the watching and waiting that drives us absolutely nuts about the twisters. We've lived in two different midwestern cities and states now, and in both places we've had some serious scares close by - the first town had an experience wih a twsiter pacing directly to our town (sky turned green and everything) but then abruptly turned north just a mile out of town - and went on to destroy a good number of homes and businesses in the neighboring community. Ugh.

Quakes can be severe and widespread definitely, no underestimation of that on my part - but I think it's really all in what you grow up with. I rocked and rolled through so many over the years - slept right through a couple of really big ones too. Many times were my parents having to repair walls, and other damage from different ones. One time in high school (my school was on a hill in the midst of numerous surrounding hills) we watched the rolling of the hills as it came through and around the area, kind of like waves picking up boogie boarders at the beach. Sure they can be wicked dangerous, but they can be fun too!

As an adult I remember being in one of the office buildings in Santa Ana near the John Wayne Airport and my boss (who had just transferred out from Michigan the year prior) was all excited when one came shaking the building. The rest of us were actually quite blase about it - but he was so giddy about his first earthquake...kind of like a kid in the candy store! Conversely, last year when that little tiny earthquake hit here in the midwest, my wife and I both woke up that morning knowing exactly what it was - smiling, remembering our years out west.

 

[dr&momto2boys]

Great report. Love the pictures!

 

[Sandy321]

Mike, sorry that you have to take this trip alone - but I have to tell you - - I've read some DL trip reports here on the DIS that didnt exactly make DL like a Magical Place - those trip reports made me think it was ok that I havent been to DL - its not that great...

Then you come along and share your trip with us!! You are letting me know just how much I am missing!!

Thank you so much for taking so many pictures, for sharing so much of your vacation!! I really appreciate it! What a difference your report has made!!

 

[lugnut33]

Good report and awesome photos. I <3 DL.

 

[JLitfin]

Love your photos, Mike.

My son mentioned last night that he would like to visit S. California, this is the go ahead to start planning a trip in a couple of years. After looking at your photos, DL will be our first stop.

 

[White_Sox_Fan]

Mike,

Does GCH have free wifi? If so is it available in the room or just the lobby area?

 

[sisaaliyah]

Disneyland will probably be seeing an influx of visitors after your trip report Mike. It's that GOOD! I've never been, always thought WDW was the best, but now I think I need to pay a visit to relatives in California. That's my cover anyhow. Friends of ours are going in two weeks. Now I'm SUPER jealous.

WOW check-out that Ferris Wheel. Ferris Wheel's do this to me ! Have you been on it?

 

[TIGGERmetoo]

Thanks Mike for taking time from your vacation to post. I've never been to DL but your pictures made me think I was there.

 

[DVC Mike]

Mike,

Does GCH have free wifi? If so is it available in the room or just the lobby area?

Yes, GCH has free WiFi access and free Wired access. Both are available in guest rooms.

 

[DVC Mike]

WOW check-out that Ferris Wheel. Ferris Wheel's do this to me ! Have you been on it?

Mickey's Fun Wheel is not your average ferris wheel. You slide in, out and around this ferris wheel, which is kind of scary at first.

 

[DVC Mike]

I took advantage of the “sneak peek” at DCA. I went to the GCH entrance to DCA and was part of a small group (7 people) who were taken by a CM to ride Soarin’ over California at 9:15 AM. The CM said he thought this program would be replaced in the coming months by a hard ticketed event available only to those who book a package through Disney.

After the ride, I joined everyone else who was let in at 9:30 AM. When the rope dropped, I headed over to Toy Story Midway Mania, which I did three times. The CM on the Sneak Peek told me about some of the Easter eggs on TSM, and my score was doubled when I took advantage of them.

I then went and did the Twilight Zone Tower of Terror, followed by It’s Tough to be a Bug and the Monster’s Inc. I thought that was a nice dark ride.

I had lunch with another DVC member (and forum member) at Storyteller’s Café at the GCH.

I then did Grizzly River Run twice and Muppet*Vision 3D before leaving to go visit my parents.

I had a quick dinner at In ‘N Out Burger, since they don’t have those in NC!

I took a lot less pictures today (I was having too much fun!)

 

[DVC Mike]

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Nescafe Gourmet Coffee? I don't think so...

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[DVC Mike]

Food & Wine

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[DVC Mike]

Where I had lunch

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Where I had a quick breakfast snack

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[HayGan]

Can't thank you enough for the great report and FANTASTIC photos

 

[stopher1]

Mike, once again, you're pics are making me wish I could be there right now. Thank you. I'm enjoying your trip from 2,000 miles away! Glad you were able to have a good, fun day.

 

[kikiq]

Mickey's Fun Wheel is not your average ferris wheel. You slide in, out and around this ferris wheel, which is kind of scary at first.

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!

 

[minniemoms]

Oh What great pictures.
I was there on Sunday, in the park, and I didn't feel a thing. I had to get out of line at Pirates when they shut it down. Didn't know why at the time. So we went on got on the Mark Twain, when they said it would be delayed. So I asked the CM and he said Earth Quake...I can't believe I didn't feel either one of them and I was in the park at both times. I guess I was walking and didn't feel anything. I was just outside of small world when it happened on Tuesday. Wow to think our party of people didn't feel any of them. We do live in Northern California, and so I have felt them, but didn't feel any of these.
I kept looking closely at your pictures, thinking I would see myself or DSIL in any of your pictures... But didn't..
You are a great photographer. That is what I do for a living, so when I go on vacations, I only take a point and shoot... I am on vacation. I lug around heavy camera's sometimes 6 days a week, so I bring the small stuff when on vacation, but your pictures are very good.
Thanks for sharing them. Isn't Disneyland just the very best place in the world. I do love WDW too, but since I grew up on DL, it is my favorite.