JUST BACK!! what we did ~ thx for your help!

[mafibisha]

Firstly, thanks all for your help with this brief trip! I'm great planning WDW trips, even last minute, but not DL and DCA. We've been a few times but it's been years.

We stayed at Best Western Park Place - directly across the street from the parks. You can't get any closer. We even wondered if our walk was less than staying 'onsite'? (We ALWAYS stay on site in WDW.) Anyway, I highly recommend this motel.

Here's what we did. Keep in mind this was just for DH and I, no kidlets this time LOL We missed them! But then we didn't Thursday's crowd's were fairly light IMO. Friday's much busier. But with FPs, we never waited more than 20 minutes for ANYTHING.

Thursday, July 17

Disney's California Adventure - Arrived at 725 am. choose this because DL had EE.

Got RSR FPs. Stayed to the left, and CM's 'escorted' us to FP machines.

-Soarin over CA - 2 times
-California Screamin' - 2 times
-RSR - fun but prefer Test Track:- kids would have LOVED it
-Hollywood Tower - 2 times

To Disneyland

-Pirates (20 min wait)
-Haunted Mansion
-Star Tours (just DH)

Lunch at Hungry Bear at 1230 ish- thrilled with how much we'd already done!

-Train
-Indiana Jones
-Small World
-Pinocchio
-Hollywood Tower
-Aladdin Broadway Show
-Soarin over California

Dinner at Boardwalk Pizza - 700 pm w/ Ellis Men's singing group for entertainment! GREAT salads & pastas!

-shopping
-Little Mermaid
-Soarin

Back to room at 1030. Great day!!!

Friday, July 18

-Peter Pan
-Alice in Wonderland
-Mr Toad's Wild Ride
-Star Tours (Bill)
-Space Mountain

-Fruit break!

hopped to Disney's California Adventure at 1015

-California Screaming- rode 3X - 2X front seat! Move over RnR, new fave!
-Little Mermaid
-Grizzley Rapids

-Carmel Corn break ~ OMG SO good!

- LUNCH at V8 Flo's in CarsLand

-Hollywood Tower (w/FP)
-Grizzley Run (Bill only)
-Soarin (can you tell we love that ride?!)
-Alladin
-Radiator Springs Railroad - w/FB we got at noon - enjoyed it more this time

-Dinner - Boardwalk Pizza yes we did it again. Loved it so much the first day.

-Shopping

Hopped to Disneyland

-Pirates of the Carribean
-FIREWORKS!!!

Back to motel at 1030 pm Another great day!

So basically, we used about 4 FPs Thursday, and only two on Friday. Had a blast and hope we can get back sometime again soon.

Thanks again all!

 

[PinkBudgie]

You really packed your day!

Funny, I thought the same thing about Test Track when we tried it this summer. Fun, but liked RSR better for theme. But TT does have a faster finish which I loved.

And we like Screamin better than RnRc too because we thought RnRc was too bumpy. Screamin is smooth. Other wise we would have like RnRc better.

But ToT was way better at WDW.

Thanks for reporting!

 

[Amilo]

I'm impressed with how much you got done! Sounds like you had a great trip!

 

[mafibisha]

You really packed your day!

Funny, I thought the same thing about Test Track when we tried it this summer. Fun, but liked RSR better for theme. But TT does have a faster finish which I loved.

And we like Screamin better than RnRc too because we thought RnRc was too bumpy. Screamin is smooth. Other wise we would have like RnRc better.

But ToT was way better at WDW.

Thanks for reporting!

Agree about ToT at WDW. Not sure why b/c it did seem similar enough? Same with Soarin' -- just somehow different?

We love DL though, and see it just as a smaller, (more?) charming Magic Kingdom.

I'm impressed with how much you got done! Sounds like you had a great trip!

We had a fabulous two days. Glad we did the hopper. Yes, we try to pack a lot in. Especially on this trip, b/c not sure how soon we'll be back in CA. A trip to WDW is being planned for next April, though!

 

[HydroGuy]

You really packed your day!

Funny, I thought the same thing about Test Track when we tried it this summer. Fun, but liked RSR better for theme. But TT does have a faster finish which I loved.

And we like Screamin better than RnRc too because we thought RnRc was too bumpy. Screamin is smooth. Other wise we would have like RnRc better.

But ToT was way better at WDW.

Thanks for reporting!

I am not a fan of the TT changes at Epcot and thought the theme was better on the old version. I would have taken the old TT over RSR. But now I am with you and would take RSR over TT.

As for Screamin, I like it. But I say every chance I get that it is just about the worst Disney coaster. The story/theming is virtually non-existent - which is what makes a Disney coaster a Disney coaster. Screamin has the same feeling you get at a Six Flags park. Thrilling, yes. But no story to speak of.

Now RnR, that story rocks! No pun intended LOL! RnR is my favorite ride at all of WDW next to EE which is close.

ToT at WDW? It has the random drop sequence and fifth dimension scene which makes it way better than the other ToTs such as at DCA.

 

[JasonShannon76]

Actually, Soarin Over California is exactly the same at both DCA and Epcot.

CA Screamin does have a theme, it is supposed to feel like a California Beach Boardwalk (the old beach wooden coasters), yet it is actually a steel track, but is supposed to have that look.

And while I agree that WDW version of TOT is a bit scarier, the DCA version has the random drop sequence as well. The ride is different every time. I have passes and ride it often, and the drop sequence is always different. Some times are scarier than other times.

 

[HydroGuy]

Actually, Soarin Over California is exactly the same at both DCA and Epcot.

Yes, but...the queue at DCA and the setting in Condor Flats with the aviation theming gives the ride a different feel than the sterile queue at Epcot. Once you are on the actual ride it is the same. But by that point the DCA version has you in a different state of mind than Epcot. I greatly prefer Soarin at DCA.

CA Screamin does have a theme, it is supposed to feel like a California Beach Boardwalk (the old beach wooden coasters), yet it is actually a steel track, but is supposed to have that look.

Yah, yah. yah. And the boardwalk theme park was the exact type of thing Walt Disney was trying to avoid when he built DL in the first place. Yes, CA Screamin has that theme. Sort of. But it is not a good theme and not consistent with the way that Disney themes most of its rides. And it is nothing even remotely as good as the RnR theme at WDW.

And while I agree that WDW version of TOT is a bit scarier, the DCA version has the random drop sequence as well. The ride is different every time. I have passes and ride it often, and the drop sequence is always different. Some times are scarier than other times.

Hmmm. That is news to me. I am going to check next week myself. That would be a cool addition at DCA if they have finally done that!

 

[JasonShannon76]

Yes, I agree the queue for Soarin is much better at DCA. I just meant the ride was the same.

And I love the Aerosmith theme at RNR.

And ever since they changed Test Track, it is not as good. Radiator Springs is way better than Test Track in my opinion.

 

[PinkBudgie]

One thing I did notice is that WDW puts more themeing into their rides and queues and restaurants than DLR. TSMM is a good example! Love the WDW line! What do we get? A few boring posters and the hot hot sun. Agree that Screamin could use a better theme. I think Indy is probably the best themed line at DLR.

 

[gokdog]

Funny thing in reference to TT, my kids loved the new theme, us not so much, but still enjoyed the ride.

Glad you had a good time, we are out in 5 days, but who is counting!!

cannot wait to hit the parks this summer!

 

[HydroGuy]

One thing I did notice is that WDW puts more themeing into their rides and queues and restaurants than DLR. TSMM is a good example! Love the WDW line! What do we get? A few boring posters and the hot hot sun. Agree that Screamin could use a better theme. I think Indy is probably the best themed line at DLR.

Between Indy and POTC, I would have to agree.

When it comes to theming for queues and restaurants, WDW has some different realities that lend itself to that. One is more physical space to work with. Two is more rain to protect guests from, plus the heat and humidity in Orlando for a good chunk of the year. And three is a lot more out of town visitors.

I personally like that DLR lends itself to being outside more - like outside dining that you do not see very much of at WDW. When I think outside dining I think of AG and Cafe Orleans and Flo's.

 

[mafibisha]

One thing I did notice is that WDW puts more themeing into their rides and queues and restaurants than DLR. TSMM is a good example! Love the WDW line! What do we get? A few boring posters and the hot hot sun. Agree that Screamin could use a better theme. I think Indy is probably the best themed line at DLR.

Agreed. But keep in mind Indy at WDW is 'just' an outdoors show. Definitely prefer Indy at DL.

CA Screamin does have a theme, it is supposed to feel like a California Beach Boardwalk (the old beach wooden coasters), yet it is actually a steel track, but is supposed to have that look..

Yeah we wondered about a / any theme the first time, then remembered what it was supposed to be. Still, we love the music, very upbeat and fun!

Yah, yah. yah. And the boardwalk theme park was the exact type of thing Walt Disney was trying to avoid when he built DL in the first place. Yes, CA Screamin has that theme. Sort of. But it is not a good theme and not consistent with the way that Disney themes most of its rides. And it is nothing even remotely as good as the RnR theme at WDW.

Totally agree with RnR theme but IMO Screamin' is better. It's outside and to us, it seems longer.

Also, we LOVED riding in the first seats. Not so much with RnR.

Still, when we go again next spring, RnR will continue to be our main focus

Aren't we lucky to have so many choices, something for everyone?!