For All Who Come to this Happy Place: My 1st Trip to DL for the POTC World Premiere!

[PirateKitty]

Lindsey-love the video of the parade! I noticed you got the MJ Crocs-can I ask you how they held up at DL? I'm thinking of getting a pair for my Disneymoon. I've already got the Disney Beach Crocs, and they are so comfy. I also have the Ithacas which I just love but won't wear all the time at WDW. TIA for any input!

 

[disneyquilter]

Great trip report so far! I love to see DL through a newbie's eyes (the family and I go about 2-3 times a week, so "seeing" it through your eyes is awesome ). Can't wait to hear more!

 

[Disneygrl36]

Loved the video of the parade Lindsey..........what awesome floats!!!!!
I think Disneyland toon town is the BEST!!!! When we went, my Mom & I went after dark & practically had the whole place to ourselves. It is just so cute & cartoony!!!!
So sorry about the roach motel......that bites, but anything for Captain Jack huh?

 

[Disney-Kim]

Disney-Kim.....how cool about getting into Club 33. Do you have any suggestions for the rest of us as to how to do that? I would sooooo love to see that place.

The only way is who you know...really. We were lucky enough to have a contact who was able to get us in.
It was truly exciting to get to ring the door bell, give our name, and GO IN !!

but..I don't want to hi-jack Lindsey's fun trippie.

 

[luvfigment]

EWWWW You poor thing!!! Nothing like trying to take a shower to feel clean and the water is just pooling at your feet! I am soo sorry that the hotel was so horrible. i am enjoying your Trippie and it looks like you had a great time despite the hotel. Can't wait to read all about the premiere and to see your outfits.

 

[Fairy_Tale_Bride]

As always, great installment! I made my breakfast and watched the parade while I ate. DH walked in, 'what are you watching??' I say, 'Lindsey taped the DL parade'. 'Looks nice' says my Disney lovin' DH.

Thanks for sharing!

I'm glad you got to enjoy Disneyland for your breakfast! It's great that your DH is also a Disney fan and appreciates Disney!

Great trippie so far Lindsey!



Don't forget, the weather is very different in CA than it is in FL. They have a lot less rainfall on average. None of those crazy afternoon thunderstorms at DLR like there is at WDW in the summer!

Thanks! I found CA to be
very chilly and I was expecting warm weather. I always imagined CA that way, especially in May! It actually rained every morning we were there or there was at least a mist in the air. It wasn't what I expected at all! We were freezing at the premiere! Next time I know to pack warm clothes.

ok, for the next time you go...

I love Disneyland Mint Juleps. You can get them at Blue Bayou, I think, but I don't know if you did. DH thinks that they taste like carbonated toothpaste. lol Anyway, it's like a minty, carbonated, limeade. I like them! Fritters are just fried dough with sugar, served with some kind of apple custard dip. The Mint Julep bar is in the back of the French market (walk around the back and there is a window) by the train entrance. Yum...

I think I've heard of a Mint Julep before, but I didn't notice it on the menu at Blue Bayou. I don't actually remember even seeing a drink menu. It does sound like something I would like because I do love limeades! The fritters sound great too, especially with the apple custard dip! Yummy! I must write all of this on my list!

this is a great first time report on DL!!!! It is on my must do list for sure!
I am so sad that the hotel was making you sick. I can't stand staying in places like that..but i suppose if it was for a chance to see Cpt. Sparrow..then i would suffer through. You guys are troopers for sure

Thanks! It was all worth it and for our chance to go! We didn't have much of a choice, unless we stayed far away from Disneyland. Plus, we couldn't beat the price! I don't know if it was really worth it for that though, but it was for Johnny!

Lindsey-love the video of the parade! I noticed you got the MJ Crocs-can I ask you how they held up at DL? I'm thinking of getting a pair for my Disneymoon. I've already got the Disney Beach Crocs, and they are so comfy. I also have the Ithacas which I just love but won't wear all the time at WDW. TIA for any input!

I love the MJ Crocs! They are even more comfortable than the regular Crocs. They have some extra padding on the inside and they're great. My Mom even got a pair of the MJ Crocs and wore them during our entire WDW vacation. She loves them too! Plus, they are super cute!

 

[Fairy_Tale_Bride]

Great trip report so far! I love to see DL through a newbie's eyes (the family and I go about 2-3 times a week, so "seeing" it through your eyes is awesome ). Can't wait to hear more!

Wow! 2-3 times a week! I know who to go to for the inside scoop when I plan our next trip!

Loved the video of the parade Lindsey..........what awesome floats!!!!!
I think Disneyland toon town is the BEST!!!! When we went, my Mom & I went after dark & practically had the whole place to ourselves. It is just so cute & cartoony!!!!
So sorry about the roach motel......that bites, but anything for Captain Jack huh?

Oh, anything for Johnny!!! I adore the guy and idolize him as an actor. Love...love...love! Okay, let me stop!

That would be so fun to have Toon Town empty! It was really crowded when we were there, but I still enjoyed it! I hope we have more time to play around during our next trip!

The only way is who you know...really. We were lucky enough to have a contact who was able to get us in.
It was truly exciting to get to ring the door bell, give our name, and GO IN !!

but..I don't want to hi-jack Lindsey's fun trippie.

What an awesome feeling that must have been! I'd feel so special! Go ahead and hijack away!

EWWWW You poor thing!!! Nothing like trying to take a shower to feel clean and the water is just pooling at your feet! I am soo sorry that the hotel was so horrible. i am enjoying your Trippie and it looks like you had a great time despite the hotel. Can't wait to read all about the premiere and to see your outfits.

I don't think we really ever felt too clean in that place! Oh, well! I can't wait to start writing about the premiere!

 

[Fairy_Tale_Bride]

The Day has Arrived for the...

"Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End" World Premiere!

My cell phone alarm went off and it was 2:00am! The day had finally arrived for the "Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End" World Premiere! I had actually been waiting a year for this moment because I really wanted to go to the previous premiere, but I was busy with a wedding and a Disneymoon at that time, so I sadly had to miss out! I knew this year, I had to be there, and so as soon as a tentative date was determined, I was going!

I hopped out a bed and amazingly had some energy, even though I got only about two hours of sleep. DH & I quickly got dressed and we made sure to have our backpack ready to go! I had a backpack packed with a lot of candy, magazines, crossword puzzles, a Pirates of the Caribbean game, neck pillows, beach towels, Sharpies, and my items to be autographed! DH also had his Camelbak full of water on his back. We were so set!

We walked out of the motel and it was cold! We each grabbed the only two jackets we brought, mine was my POTC jacket. I also had on my Mickey Mouse socks and my black Mickey Crocs. It was the closest thing to shoes I had, so I threw my pair of sandals in the backpack. We had to walk to Disneyland because it was so early in the morning and we didn't want to call a cab. We were probably about a 20-minute walk from the entrance to Disneyland, so there we were walking through the gas station parking lots and on the sidewalk next to the highway.

There was also a misty rain in the air, which didn't make our situation any better, since we were so cold! We then saw other people walking around and we realized we were getting close to Disneyland! Yes, there were more people out this early in the morning that were as crazy as we were!

We made it through the entrance and were walking up the long sidewalk, where the trams are and I couldn't believe the line of fans that had already formed outside! It was crazy and I couldn't believe it was already this packed! I had talked to people that went last year and there was barely anyone there at 5:00am! We went to jump in line and we were already in the second wrap around area of the line.

We soon found out that there were already around 500 people there in front of us and we were there at 3:30am! Disneyland was opening at 6:30am and the premiere events would begin around 5:00pm. We would have to wait outside the gates of Disneyland until they let us in, so we would be in this line for a few hours before making our next move into Disneyland. We got our beach towels out and got ready to sit. I had my Jack Sparrow towel and I bought a Mickey Mouse towel for DH. I laid down on the hard sidewalk and tried to wrap the towel around my feet and legs to stay warm.

Our area of the line was then approached by a CM from Disneyland, who told us we must all stay in line and be orderly or we would be kicked out. I was glad they were already setting some ground rules this early in the game! I knew there would be madness to come and I had DH ready for it! I had just gotten comfortable and was trying to fall asleep, when we were told to move our line over and out of the road for the trams. Everyone, of course, went into a panic and we grabbed our stuff quickly, so we could keep our place in line.

The line was becoming very long behind us and we noticed all the trash around us from people who had obviously been there all night. I tried to get some sleep and DH played Tetris on his cell phone. We waited....waited...and waited...

The sun was coming up and it was time to move. It was some time around 5:00am and we all had to go through security. Of course, this took forever because everyone had bags and bags full of stuff. We got through security, which meant we made it through the first check point and we took off running! There was a line forming at each turnstile at the entrance to Disneyland. We ran to the left side and got at the end of the shortest line. I was trying to keep as warm as possible and had the two beach towels wrapped around my legs. Then, we waited...

We sat until 6:00am and then everyone stood up to move forward. I'm not really sure why, considering we had another 30-minutes before we were allowed in, but we stood up and bunched closer together.

Well, the time finally came for us to be let into Disneyland and my heart was just pumping with anticipation! Everyone was cheering and going crazy!

We got to the turnstiles and were handed our special "Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End" World Premiere park maps and buttons!

Souvenir Button!

And then...WE RAN!!!



More to Come...

 

[as dreamers do]

It's like you guys went through a torture test to get to the premiere: staying at the roach motel, walking to Disneyland at 2:30 am in the bitter cold and misty rain, and finding a large number of people already lined up when you get there. That's determination if I ever heard it! But somehow I just know the craziness doesn't end there...

Even though it very well might classify me as a weirdo, I will admit that I find Barbossa (Geoffrey Rush) seriously attractive. Despite the fact he's old enough to be my grandfather.

 

[TLHB70]

I love the MJ Crocs! They are even more comfortable than the regular Crocs. They have some extra padding on the inside and they're great. My Mom even got a pair of the MJ Crocs and wore them during our entire WDW vacation. She loves them too! Plus, they are super cute!

OK. I have to ask........what are MJ Crocs? I don't own a pair of Crocs because I have heel spur issues. If I don't have enough support in my heels, my fee hurt so badly! I have tried on the Mickey Crocs because I would love to own a pair, but they just didn't seem to be enough support. I have thought about buying my first pair for my upcoming Disney cruise. I will not be doing nearly as much walking as I do at WDW so I thought the Crocs may be ok for that. If the MJ Crocs seem to have more support, I may really consider them.
Sorry to hi-jack here. I had to ask, though.

Thanks so much for this great trip report. I have never been to Disneyland so I am thoroughly enjoying learning all about it. I am anxiously waiting to read about the premiere and see some pictures from it!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[tksbaskets]

I'm so excited that the Premiere has arrived!! More, more! Did you get good seats to see the real Captain Jack???

 

[disneycutie84]

How awesome! Can't wait to hear how the premiere went!

 

[surfergrl31]

OK. I have to ask........what are MJ Crocs? I don't own a pair of Crocs because I have heel spur issues. If I don't have enough support in my heels, my fee hurt so badly! I have tried on the Mickey Crocs because I would love to own a pair, but they just didn't seem to be enough support. I have thought about buying my first pair for my upcoming Disney cruise. I will not be doing nearly as much walking as I do at WDW so I thought the Crocs may be ok for that. If the MJ Crocs seem to have more support, I may really consider them.
Sorry to hi-jack here. I had to ask, though.

Thanks so much for this great trip report. I have never been to Disneyland so I am thoroughly enjoying learning all about it. I am anxiously waiting to read about the premiere and see some pictures from it!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I don't want to hi-jack this thread, but the Mary Jane crocs are seriously comfortable. There is pleanty of padding in the heels and I use them as my "dressy" crocs for DW.

I am loving this trip report. I only wish I could get my dh to do something like that I was pushing it by buying the movie tickets a week in advance. The last time I woke him up that early is because I was in labor and you should have seen how grouchy he was then. I am wondering for future reference is it really that cold at disneyland? I used to live in Costa Mesa when I was younger, but I don't remember it being that chilly. Looks like I will be wardrobe shopping before this trip.

 

[gatrbait]

Oh Lindsey your such a tease... leaving us all on the edge of our seats you wicked wicked woman... that is why you have such a following
So now I have a question oh wise guru . How long would you say I would need to stay in Cali to really do DL justice? I am not a comando Disney at all infact I am quite the opposite...my son and I usually go to WDW for a few hours do what we want have dinner and leave so this will be kinda different. I want to enjoy it all and this would be a just DL trip no side trips. Any help would be appreciated...I never really looked into this before so please pardon the ignorance, I always thought DL was "not worth" the trip but you have definitly changed my mind.
Thanks a bunch!!
M

 

[Jennifer48]

Oh the suspense! I hope it lasts

 

[ArielSRL]

Wow! 5 pages already?!? I'm a little late for the party, but glad I found you. Haven't started reading yet, but looking forward to it!

 

[PirateKitty]

Girl, you sure have some stamina! I would have heard that alarm and thrown my phone across the room at that hour. Oh, I can't wait to hear more. I hope it was totally worth it!

 

[Disneygrl36]

Will Lindsey get to see Captain Jack????inquiring minds want to
know

P.S. Your DH is a great sport!!!!!!!!!!

 

[daisy_77]

I loved that last update!

I can't believe you all walked the streets of Anaheim in the middle of the night!
And the waiting and waiting and waiting....I am sure it was all worth it.

I am looking forward to more!

 

[disneyquilter]

I can't wait for more!!