First Trip to DL - solo (COMPLETE) new link p.43

[Pinkocto]

I never made it on any carousels this trip but this one looked cute



I caught sight of my destination!







I thought the outdoor queue was really cute







My row







I truly love this ride, but it wasn’t as fun doing it alone. I kept hearing mom from past rides next to me. The ride stopped several times inside but started moving quickly. I didn’t do too well.



This was in the exit area, cute little touch.





I still had a few minutes before meeting Alison and California Screaming was right next door so jumped on that. Very glad I didn’t have to wait for it, I’ll never do it again. It just wasn’t anything special.







No more rides for the time being, I wanted to find a bench and sit for a few minutes. I passed Mr. Potato Head on my search.









I found a bench in the shade near Mickey’s Funwheel. I would have jumped on for a ride if it was open but it wasn’t for the EMH. Pretty soon Alison texted that she had parked and was heading for Carsland so I excitedly headed that way myself.

 

[kmedina]

I have never seen the queue at TSMM that empty. 130k is not bad. I rarely get to play without holding a kid. I am going to try to play next trip. Cannot wait to read about your meeting with Alison in Carsland.

 

[Pinkocto]

The holidays at Disneyland are pure magic, more so than any other time of the year I think. We have nothing in the books or in thought about a trip to Disneyland. I mean, I'm always thinking about it, but no date, not even far away. We always end up throwing in a one day trip to the parks but they don't include a GCV stay. Realistically the next time we'll stay at the GCV would be maybe Dec 2015......

Hopefully plans will change to include a GCV adventure So many trips to take and not enough vacation time! The holidays at WDW are gorgeous so I'm sure they're the same at DL. I definitely have to see them sometime in the future.

 

[Pinkocto]

I saved this until I had time to really appreciate it yesterday and then I somehow forgot to comment.

I loved all the photos. They made me home sick for Disneyland in a good way. I am surprised that they directed people to the front entrance. I never had this happen before. I have encountered some huge lines, but once they actually open the gate, they tend to move really quickly.

Wow, that must have been an experience to do ToT with only two people. I also don't think that I ever seen TSM with less than a 20 minute wait and even then I felt lucky.

Corinna

I was tempted to wait and see how fast the line went but didn't stay long. I was excited to get inside the park. I'm glad I entered from the front the first time, for memory's sake.

Going to the EMH was a really good use of time. Alison suggested it and I'm glad she did, otherwise I probably wouldn't have forced myself up and out of the room.

 

[Pinkocto]

I have never seen the queue at TSMM that empty. 130k is not bad. I rarely get to play without holding a kid. I am going to try to play next trip. Cannot wait to read about your meeting with Alison in Carsland.

I thought the 26% accuracy was pretty bad though its still fun no matter what score you get.

 

[kmedina]

I thought the 26% accuracy was pretty bad though its still fun no matter what score you get.

Getting beat by a phantom is bad. On our last WDW trip, my older DS and DH rode in one car. I rode in another one holding my sleeping 5 month old. I never fired a shot, so my zero did not surprise me. I was surprised that the empty seat next to me scored 100 points.

 

[Pinkocto]

Getting beat by a phantom is bad. On our last WDW trip, my older DS and DH rode in one car. I rode in another one holding my sleeping 5 month old. I never fired a shot, so my zero did not surprise me. I was surprised that the empty seat next to me scored 100 points.

That's too funny!

 

[dolphingirl47]

Wow, I have never seen the park that empty. Maybe I should have made use of EMH in May, but breakfast with Stitch was just too tempting. I love all your photos again. If it was not broken, I have have never waited more than 10 minutes for The Little Mermaid at DCA.

Corinna

 

[rentayenta]

Hopefully plans will change to include a GCV adventure So many trips to take and not enough vacation time! The holidays at WDW are gorgeous so I'm sure they're the same at DL. I definitely have to see them sometime in the future.

I hear ya! There's never enough vacation time.



Love this update and the photos of DCA. We always seem to be so rushed getting to somewhere that I miss the stillness and clean feel of the empty park. I agree, Screamin' isn't all that. It's fun but along with ToT, it's a once a tripper for me.

I love TSMM too. Sorry you were missing your cute mom. You'll have to take her the DL and the GCV one day.

 

[Pinkocto]

Day 2 continued:

I left off with heading towards Carsland to meet Alison. Our plan was to get FPs and then do the single rider line.

With the opening to the general public the crowds had come!



I got in here



And was blown away by the details! Everything was so well done.









I went in here but the line looked so long I went back out.



How cute is this! And a little sad, why is Mator leaving baby cows outside alone?





And encountered a huge line with a CM at the end of it. I heard someone ask what it was and it was the RSR line which was 60-90 minutes long I asked him where the FP machines were and he directed me out of Carsland and next to Bugsland so I headed that way. Alison was on her way in to the park so I should find her in a few minutes on the way there.

Well I found the machines but the line to get FPs was humongous! It snaked all the way around to the Disney Junior building. I found a bench at the end and waited for Alison. People must have waited their entire EMH in line for FPs for RSR.

This show passed me, it was pretty cute.





Very soon after they passed I spied Alison, well we spied each other pretty much at the same time. Hugs exchanged we made a quick stop at Starbucks before getting into the FP line. She assured me it would be shorter when we got back out and it was. We pretty much chatted nonstop all day, it was so nice to see her in person.

FPs in hand we headed to RSR for a quick ride before finding our guide for the day. Back into Carsland and I took more pictures of things I hadnt seen yet.













Sadly I never got back here for French toast sticks.









I literally felt like I was in the movie, the details were perfect!

 

[Pinkocto]

Our destination



Single rider on the other hand was no wait





















Glad I wasn’t in that line



Loved this detail!





The ride was cute, no doubt about it, but there’s no way in the world I would stand in line for 50-90 minutes for it. I just wouldn’t do that for any ride. Racing accomplished we headed to the 1901 Lounge to find our guide for the day.

 

[Pinkocto]

They didnt give us any problems at all about being there without the member once we explained the situation. Our guide was even waiting for us at the check in desk. Alison has been there before with her friend but I was dying for a tour of the place and they were happy to oblige. I tried to get pictures of everything but theres too many details for that to be possible. It was a very peaceful oasis in the middle of the park.





They rotate this display with memorabilia







These chairs were fabulous, I honestly didnt want to get up but we had a full day ahead of us and not a moment to lose!











You cant really tell but the wall paper had spider webs and dragonflies on it. I was surprised and glad there werent any spiders on it as well.







Walt and Roy



Walt



Walts parents, sorry for the glare

















Up next: An out of this world, amazing, whirlwind of a day

 

[Pinkocto]

Wow, I have never seen the park that empty. Maybe I should have made use of EMH in May, but breakfast with Stitch was just too tempting. I love all your photos again. If it was not broken, I have have never waited more than 10 minutes for The Little Mermaid at DCA.

Corinna

I'm glad I went to the EMH this day, but to be honest I didn't have the energy the other days. I didn't do the Little Mermaid until later, might have been the next day, but it was a walk on which was nice.

 

[Pinkocto]

I hear ya! There's never enough vacation time.

It's probably good there isn't unless I become a millionaire there's no way I could afford to go to all the places I want to It's good to dream though

Love this update and the photos of DCA. We always seem to be so rushed getting to somewhere that I miss the stillness and clean feel of the empty park. I agree, Screamin' isn't all that. It's fun but along with ToT, it's a once a tripper for me.

A big difference is you guys are in much better shape than me, I had to take it slow so enjoyed the scenery on the way. I am trying to get healthier but it's a slow journey.

I never need to do CS again, along with Mickey's Funwheel and Goofy's flight school. But I'm getting ahead of myself

I love TSMM too. Sorry you were missing your cute mom. You'll have to take her the DL and the GCV one day.

I called and told her that the first day but she really isn't interested. I'm going to keep at it though, I know she'd love it.

 

[MEK]

I missed the whole update on TSM and California Screaming.

So - what is it you didn't like about California Screaming? Just a typical roller coaster with a loop in the middle? Curious?

Interesting exit for TSM. So cute.

90 minute wait for RSR but walk on for single rider? Perfect, I would say.

The 1901 Lounge looks SO cool. SO very cool. So how do you get to tour that? Is it just supposed to be d23 members? So much I don't know.

Great updates Pam!

 

[Pinkocto]

I missed the whole update on TSM and California Screaming.

So - what is it you didn't like about California Screaming? Just a typical roller coaster with a loop in the middle? Curious?

Exactly, nothing special. It wasn't very fast, no serious turns, or flips, just a seat that I had air blown in my face. But surprisingly jerky.

Interesting exit for TSM. So cute.

I love those unncessary details, just love them.

90 minute wait for RSR but walk on for single rider? Perfect, I would say.

It was great, total bonus. I know families of young kids want to ride together, but really, why do so many people stand in line?

The 1901 Lounge looks SO cool. SO very cool. So how do you get to tour that? Is it just supposed to be d23 members? So much I don't know.

It was beyond awesome! So, 1901 is a Club 33 exclusive area. To be a Club 33 member it costs an annual fee, quite a hefty fee from what I understand, and there are only 400 members in the world. There is a huge waitlist of people wanting to join. Alison has a very good friend that is a member and he arranged for us to have the tour and lunch at the Club this day. We were picking up our tour guide at 1901 which is the only reason we were allowed inside.

Great updates Pam!

Thank you

 

[Paula Sedley-Burke]

Just catching up from Saratoga Springs! Omg Cars Land loving it! Looks great and love the detail. I never understand why the FP machine that distributes them is so far from the actual ride! I heard one guy say when he saw the line...do I need a FP for the FP machine lol. Love the pictures of Walt and his family. What an amazing tour. Sounds like you and Alison got on like a house on fire. I hope you have that saying lol it means you got on well. We meet up with her and Fran tomorrow can't wait!

 

[Pinkocto]

Just catching up from Saratoga Springs! Omg Cars Land loving it! Looks great and love the detail. I never understand why the FP machine that distributes them is so far from the actual ride! I heard one guy say when he saw the line...do I need a FP for the FP machine lol. Love the pictures of Walt and his family. What an amazing tour. Sounds like you and Alison got on like a house on fire. I hope you have that saying lol it means you got on well. We meet up with her and Fran tomorrow can't wait!

You're going to have such fun, she and Fran are wonderful it was like I'd known her for a million years

The details in Carsland are absolutely gorgeous. But it is odd the FPs are so far from the ride. They must have anticipated the demand and placed them out of the way.

 

[rentayenta]

Isn't 1901 about the most amazing place? I'm so glad you got to go. Isn't Alison awesome!

Carsland is unreal! I missed the lights coming on each time but one of these days, I'll see it. I hear it's pure magic.

I agree the FP placement is so odd. It makes little sense.

 

[dolphingirl47]

I have to say I did not really get Carsland. I found it very disjointed. I did however love Radiator Springs Racers and Luigi's Flying Tires. I would have loved a single rider line like this. When I was there in May, the single rider line was better than the standby line, but it was still very busy.

Loved the photos of the 1901 lounge. This brought back so many great memories.

Corinna