I started this out to be a quick report on the Disneyland board, but it got too long. It's a bit choppy to be a great TR, but oh well! A fun time was had by all. 
We just returned from 3 days at the parks. Stayed at Embassy Suites South. Wonderful hotel with a fabulous breakfast. The shuttle system worked well for us overall. We had some 20-25 minute waits, but also walked right on, so all in all, it was good.
We went to Goofy's Kitchen for dinner Wed. Saw Goofy, Pluto, Snow White, Fairy Godmother, Pinocchio, and Minnie Mouse. Minnie never made it to our table. Overall experience for me was okay, but the kids were happy, so all was good.
Thursday, 4/19 - Arrived at the gates at about 7:30 for EE. I had the plan in place, based on recommendations from the board. Kids saw characters on the way in, and there went the plans. We lost about 15 minutes, but the kids had autographs from Mickey, Chip, and Dale. Donald was there also, and we passed up that line. I'm still disappointed we didn't spend a couple of minutes waiting for him since we never had that chance again.
Our first ride was Peter Pan with about a 15 minute wait. Then we rode Dumbo and Pinocchio. It was about 9 by that point, so we gave up the other Fantasyland rides in favor of getting DH and DS to Indy. DD and I walked to Space Mountain and Thunder Mtn. to pick up Fast Passes. It worked well that only 2 of us wanted to go on these rides so that we were able to get the FP's for them at the same time. After meeting up at Indy, we rode Jungle Cruise, Haunted Mansion, and then Winnie the Pooh 3 times since it was walk-on. Loved that new (for us) ride! We then hit the Tiki Room and went and got Buzz Lightyear FP's before heading to Small World. We were constantly amazed at the light crowds and thrilled with them as well. We loved Buzz Lightyear, so got new FP's each time we rode and rode that 3 times. We saw Honey I Shrunk the Audience and Jedi Training while between rides. Went over to Thunder Mtn. and back to Critter Country to meet Pooh Bear and ride his ride again. We saw Parade of Dreams at 7pm. It was absolutely beautiful! My only complaint was that the floats were too darned big to take photos of them!
Friday, 4/20 - Woke up to find it had already rained some. Still was naive enough to think we would only have drizzles. Arrived at park at about 8:10. Made it into Main St. once gates opened and hung out in the Penny Arcade until the rope dropped. Stopped and rode Mr. Toad on the way to MTTMM. Rode Roger Rabbit once arriving in Toon Town. The drizzles started during the ceremony, which was very cute. We then unfortunately heading to Minnie's house only to learn that she was hanging out in Mickey's house. Got further back in Mickey's house as a result. The rain started coming down. Donald and Chip and Dale left his house before we got in. I was very frustrated by this. It was only about 9:45. Why can't they stay longer? Saw the rest of Toon Town and headed out. Alice and the Tea Cups were closed due to the rain. Rode the Storybook Canal. Headed over to get Buzz FP's and Hot Chocolate in our refillable mugs. Can't recall all of what we did, but it was really raining so we went to Innovations at some point, and then headed over to DCA.
The crowds at DCA were very light due to the rain. We got our FP's for Soarin' and then went to Bug Land and rode the little rides. Headed back to Soarin' and loved it. Went to see Aladdin and thought it was fabulous. Rode Monster's Inc. back to back because there were no lines. Very cute ride! Saw Muppet 3D vision - fun! It was about 4:30 so we headed back to the hotel for a break.
We got back to DCA at about 7:45. Rode the Jellyfish. It was okay. Walked around to take in the sights and then met up with DH who had split off. We originally had planned on seeing the fireworks, but were worried about cancellation due to weather. Decided to watch the ELP and then see if we could also make it in time for fireworks. The ELP was great! Booked it to DL and snuck under the ropes by the corner cafe with 2 minutes to spare! We did it! The fireworks were terrific! Decided we were too tired for anything else, so we went back to the hotel.
Saturday am was the only day we didn't try to get to the parks at opening. We were wiped out! We made it there just after 10. We could already see that it was crowded. We should have done DL first due to crowds, but DL was mainly to see things we had already seen and there were new attractions to see at DCA, so we headed that way. Saw Turtle Talk and toured the animation academy. Saw Cinderella and Woody there. Headed over to Soarin' and then over to the pier to see Lightning McQueen and Mater. Back over to Bug's land to ride the Ladybugs and see It's Tough to be a Bug then back over to Monster's and DH rode Tower of Terror. We caught a glimpse of HSM in there and rode Soarin' again. Headed over to DL and it was CROWDED. It was absolutely insane. We split up and DS rode Astro Orbitors while DD and I looked at the Small World line and then just headed to Winnie the Pooh. I have never seen the park that crowded. (Not that I've been a lot, but I just can't imagine having that be my only DL experience.) We met back up and went to DCA for the Block Party Bash. Had fun there and then rode Monster's one last time and headed over to Downtown Disney for souvenier shopping. Rode the monorail to Tomorrowland and then walked out of the park. We could have waited 10 more minutes to use Buzz FP's but we were too beat. It was a great trip!
We just returned from 3 days at the parks. Stayed at Embassy Suites South. Wonderful hotel with a fabulous breakfast. The shuttle system worked well for us overall. We had some 20-25 minute waits, but also walked right on, so all in all, it was good.
We went to Goofy's Kitchen for dinner Wed. Saw Goofy, Pluto, Snow White, Fairy Godmother, Pinocchio, and Minnie Mouse. Minnie never made it to our table. Overall experience for me was okay, but the kids were happy, so all was good.
Thursday, 4/19 - Arrived at the gates at about 7:30 for EE. I had the plan in place, based on recommendations from the board. Kids saw characters on the way in, and there went the plans. We lost about 15 minutes, but the kids had autographs from Mickey, Chip, and Dale. Donald was there also, and we passed up that line. I'm still disappointed we didn't spend a couple of minutes waiting for him since we never had that chance again.
Our first ride was Peter Pan with about a 15 minute wait. Then we rode Dumbo and Pinocchio. It was about 9 by that point, so we gave up the other Fantasyland rides in favor of getting DH and DS to Indy. DD and I walked to Space Mountain and Thunder Mtn. to pick up Fast Passes. It worked well that only 2 of us wanted to go on these rides so that we were able to get the FP's for them at the same time. After meeting up at Indy, we rode Jungle Cruise, Haunted Mansion, and then Winnie the Pooh 3 times since it was walk-on. Loved that new (for us) ride! We then hit the Tiki Room and went and got Buzz Lightyear FP's before heading to Small World. We were constantly amazed at the light crowds and thrilled with them as well. We loved Buzz Lightyear, so got new FP's each time we rode and rode that 3 times. We saw Honey I Shrunk the Audience and Jedi Training while between rides. Went over to Thunder Mtn. and back to Critter Country to meet Pooh Bear and ride his ride again. We saw Parade of Dreams at 7pm. It was absolutely beautiful! My only complaint was that the floats were too darned big to take photos of them!
Friday, 4/20 - Woke up to find it had already rained some. Still was naive enough to think we would only have drizzles. Arrived at park at about 8:10. Made it into Main St. once gates opened and hung out in the Penny Arcade until the rope dropped. Stopped and rode Mr. Toad on the way to MTTMM. Rode Roger Rabbit once arriving in Toon Town. The drizzles started during the ceremony, which was very cute. We then unfortunately heading to Minnie's house only to learn that she was hanging out in Mickey's house. Got further back in Mickey's house as a result. The rain started coming down. Donald and Chip and Dale left his house before we got in. I was very frustrated by this. It was only about 9:45. Why can't they stay longer? Saw the rest of Toon Town and headed out. Alice and the Tea Cups were closed due to the rain. Rode the Storybook Canal. Headed over to get Buzz FP's and Hot Chocolate in our refillable mugs. Can't recall all of what we did, but it was really raining so we went to Innovations at some point, and then headed over to DCA.
The crowds at DCA were very light due to the rain. We got our FP's for Soarin' and then went to Bug Land and rode the little rides. Headed back to Soarin' and loved it. Went to see Aladdin and thought it was fabulous. Rode Monster's Inc. back to back because there were no lines. Very cute ride! Saw Muppet 3D vision - fun! It was about 4:30 so we headed back to the hotel for a break.
We got back to DCA at about 7:45. Rode the Jellyfish. It was okay. Walked around to take in the sights and then met up with DH who had split off. We originally had planned on seeing the fireworks, but were worried about cancellation due to weather. Decided to watch the ELP and then see if we could also make it in time for fireworks. The ELP was great! Booked it to DL and snuck under the ropes by the corner cafe with 2 minutes to spare! We did it! The fireworks were terrific! Decided we were too tired for anything else, so we went back to the hotel.
Saturday am was the only day we didn't try to get to the parks at opening. We were wiped out! We made it there just after 10. We could already see that it was crowded. We should have done DL first due to crowds, but DL was mainly to see things we had already seen and there were new attractions to see at DCA, so we headed that way. Saw Turtle Talk and toured the animation academy. Saw Cinderella and Woody there. Headed over to Soarin' and then over to the pier to see Lightning McQueen and Mater. Back over to Bug's land to ride the Ladybugs and see It's Tough to be a Bug then back over to Monster's and DH rode Tower of Terror. We caught a glimpse of HSM in there and rode Soarin' again. Headed over to DL and it was CROWDED. It was absolutely insane. We split up and DS rode Astro Orbitors while DD and I looked at the Small World line and then just headed to Winnie the Pooh. I have never seen the park that crowded. (Not that I've been a lot, but I just can't imagine having that be my only DL experience.) We met back up and went to DCA for the Block Party Bash. Had fun there and then rode Monster's one last time and headed over to Downtown Disney for souvenier shopping. Rode the monorail to Tomorrowland and then walked out of the park. We could have waited 10 more minutes to use Buzz FP's but we were too beat. It was a great trip!
Since it is our 1st trip and our DS3, do you have any tips that might help us? How was the ART shuttle on that busy day? Any help would be greatly appreciated! TIA!
