Kabbie walks in Walt's footsteps

[kabbie]

Peeps, I am going to catch everyone up on my last day, I promise. I have been working LOOOONNNGGG hours and am wiped out. We have a cheerleaders group at my hotel and we are short (-40) doubles. I am very thankful my hotel is smoke-free though so I don't have to put people in nasty smoky rooms.

I'll get it up tomorrow.

Preview: One more Rockit ride and breakfast at Goofy's.

 

[kabbie]

I was nervous about Saturday based on my research and the crowds on Fri Night. But I had a few last minute things on my to-do list.

1. Ride Space again! By far, my favorite attraction! I have to get that song.
2. Buy some more souveneirs for self and family.
3. Try to get some character autographs (My preferred location is Main St)
4. Be on time for 11:30 reservation at Goofy's Kitchen

I got up early and was posted at the gates of Disneyland at 8:15. They let us on Main St at 8:30 and I took the Fire Engine to the castle. I like Main St vehicles, but they are only timesavers/feet savers if they happen to be there when you wanted to take them. I was able to get on to Space Mountain at 8:45 and there was already a big line. The line did move somewhat quickly though and I waited probably about 15 minutes.

I walked by Matterhorn (that hill from Tomorrowland by the Matterhorn and the Nemo submarine voyage is brutal!), but the line looked too long for me.

I decided to head over to California Adventure to ride Soarin' and Tower of Terror. By asking one of the Soarin CM, I was able to score the best seat in the house: Row 1, Sect B. I prefer Row 1, b/c no dangling feet and Sect B is the center. Always try to go for this if possible. Here are some pictures from Tower of Terror.

After TnT, I stopped by the Greetings from California store to get my brother-in-law a shirt and my friend a shotglass. I have a bit of a Disney shopping problem. I don't like to have any regrets like I should have gotten this or that. So I had to get a few more things for me like the Disneyland souveneir book, California Adventure pin, two tops for me, coffee cups, etc. I had a huge, heavy bag that I had to lug around.

I hopped back to Disneyland and went over to the Monorail to ride to Downtown Disney. The monorail station was by Rainforest Cafe and not a bad walk from Disneyland Hotel. I checked in for my 11:30 reservation at 11:15 and waited for a few minutes.

Yes I did go to a character meal solo. Goofy's Kitchen's is almost identical to Chef Mickey's in WDW's Contemporary. They have several spread out sections and I sat at in a smaller section where I didn't feel too awkward. The food was really good. I got stuffed on Breakfast Enchiladas, Breakfast pizza, frittata, mac-n-cheese, and pastries. The breakfast was $27 with tax & grautity. I met so many characters like...

The picture with Chip was one the hostess took as I was seated. It was the only picture I was able to get with the character because there wasn't anyone to take the picture. I don't mind though just getting a picture of the character. I'm not that photogenic anyway.

DALE!

MULAN! She was very down to earth.

Extreme close-up of Baloo.

Goofy was his usually goofy self.

I had to wait a while for Wendy. After meeting her, I was ready to go back to the hotel for the oh-so fun trying to pack up the souveneirs I bought. When I flew out here, my suitcase weighed about 35 pounds. Leaving it was 55 pounds.

I checked out of the hotel about 1:15 and my supershuttle came at 1:30. My flight was at 4:15. Made it home safely.

That's all for right now. I want to post my comments on Disneyland when I get back from work.

 

[UtahMama]

Wow! I will be eating at Goffy's Kitchen on the 25th! I love Chef Mickey's so we'll love Goofy's.

Yes, we're taking Our Big Fat Disneyland Road Trip the 23rd-27th. It takes about 10 hours from my home in Utah.

I've been to old-school Disneyland over 100 times because I grew up in Brea California, a little north of DL. The last time was 5 years ago, because we usually go to WDW. I'm looking forward to it except the drive with 3 anxious kids!

Sorry, didn't mean to write so much

You are so cute. I cant wait to read s'more!

oh! I hate feet in my view too! I wrote down your row B thing. I always say, "No footed view please" and they act all put out.

 

[lindamomof3]

Sounds like you had a great trip- We were considering a trip to Disneyland paired with a trip to- Maui in 08- but the only time we could really swing a trip that far would be the summer since my oldest will be in Kindergarten and i cant pull her out of school for two weeks- We just back from WDW and vowed we would never go there in the summer- I am assuming the same is true for DL- hmmmmmm- well enjoying your report

linda

 

[kabbie]

Sounds like you had a great trip- We were considering a trip to Disneyland paired with a trip to- Maui in 08- but the only time we could really swing a trip that far would be the summer since my oldest will be in Kindergarten and i cant pull her out of school for two weeks- We just back from WDW and vowed we would never go there in the summer- I am assuming the same is true for DL- hmmmmmm- well enjoying your report

linda

I think if you planned your Disney days for Tues-Thurs then you would be relatively safe from the crowds. Plus the temps in California are usually in the 70s year around. DL gets so much of its business from the locals who come out on the weekends.

I love MAUI! We have been there twice both times in May. I usually stay in the Wailea resort area at the Marriott there. I love snorkeling at Molokini and right outside the hotels. Seeing waterfalls and the Iao Needle. Maui is so beautiful!

I took this picture at the Tiki room to pay hommage to my beloved vacation spot next to Disney!!!

 

[kabbie]

It's so sad when your trip is over and it will be awhile until the next one. My parents are already giving me a hard time because they don't think I need to go to Disney again anytime soon. And I want to start planning the next solo trip to WDW in Sept. So I'm forbidden to talk about it at home. I don't know why they can't see that a Disney fan never gets tired of going to their "second home". There are always new experiences to have and new places to explore.

Anyway, on with my summary.

Disneyland is definitely now in my heart. For a WDW vet, this is what I saw that was different to me.

1. The 2 parks are so close together and that makes park hopping more convenient. No waiting on Disney transportation and driving across the vast WDW resort to get from Animal Kingdom to Magic Kingdom, for example.

2. Plus there is one central bag checking station to get into the plaza so you only have to go through it once at the beginning of the day.

3. Fastpass didn't give me much of an edge. I really only utilized at Indiana Jones, Space Mountain, Soarin' and Big Thunder. What I found was that the fastpass line gets you by a few people in line then both of them merge and you still have to wait for awhile before you get on. I like that at WDW most often the Fastpass line takes you right to the boarding area.

4. Gotta love the original Tiki room!

I swear I had more to say, but now my mind has gone blank!

I know let me share more pics!

These 2 posters were in the Aladdin queue at DCA.

The Hyperion theater, home to Aladdin. The blue sky backdrop was pretty close the color of the sky that day.

Disneyland hotel mural in the lobby.

 

[twinmama1999]

Hi, I just wanted to tell you that I've so enjoyed reading your trip report, it was almost like being there! Thank you!

 

[lindamomof3]

You really think tues- thurs would be ok? If you had to guess what would you
think the waits would be?

We love the other side of Maui-we used to always stay at the Kapalua Bay resort
where we could stay for free with our points- but they just tore it down! We
will probably stay at the Westin or Sheraton in Kaanapali- we had a stretch
where we went every year for four years- but once the 3rd was born we decided we
would wait until the youngest was three to go back- and that is next year- we
still might put it off one more year- but i thought a few days in DL would really help with the jetlag - we are on the east coast-

Thanks

linda

 

[kabbie]

If you have a good strategy like I did, you should have little to no waits. The longest I waited was on Fri night when it was 30 min for Space.

I believe in getting to the parks earlier (30 minutes before opening). DUH, but it works. Every guidebook will tell you that, but people still don't do it. People like to sleep in on vacation. Also, try to get Fantasyland done first thing! That place gets congested from park opening to park closing. Even during parades. Mickey's Toontown is the same.

Good Luck!

 

[lulubelle]

Hi Kabbie!
I just wanted to say that I go to DL solo a few times a year myself, so I know how you feel. It's a great time, isn't it? I sooooo loved your trip report. Thank you for taking the time to post all the pix, too My favorites are Space, Indy, POTC, Jungle Cruise, Soarin', Orange Stinger & CA Screamin'. Glad you had such an awesome time!

 

[kabbie]

Hi Kabbie!
I just wanted to say that I go to DL solo a few times a year myself, so I know how you feel. It's a great time, isn't it? I sooooo loved your trip report. Thank you for taking the time to post all the pix, too My favorites are Space, Indy, POTC, Jungle Cruise, Soarin', Orange Stinger & CA Screamin'. Glad you had such an awesome time!

I wanted to ride Orange Stinger but it was down for maintenance while I was there. I loved the swings at the state fairs growing up, but just means I have to go back!

I think I'm addicted to the freedom that comes with being solo.

 

[princess@heart]

Thanks for the great description of the WIWF tour. I am trying to convince DH to do this for my birthday. He hates tours.

BTW, my camera has the SAME problem. It's a nightmare trying to get decent fireworks pics.

And the pics of nigthtime parades suck, too. Either they are too dark, or if I use the "night" setting, they end up blurry.

 

[tracer]

I loved your TR Kabbie and all of your pictures! Very fun to read!

 

[kabbie]

Thanks Tracer! I love trip reports with pictures.

I am going to have to scan some of my Photopass pictures when they arrive. There is a Kodak moment on the Pacific Wharf when you can pose with a "record catch".

Plus I got a caricature (sp?) done of my 2 nieces. The price SCARED me. I read the prices wrong and I thought it was going to be about $35. WRONG. Almost double that! Ouch!

My 3 yr old niece loves all of the gifts I brought home. She wears her pink fur princess jacket with the most adorable white fur cuffs. I got it at DL in a XS which the lady said was 4/6. Hopefully that will get through 2 seasons b.c it was about $60. I also got the mouse ears, potato head parts, cute Minnie heart shaped plate, matching silverware and cup with twisty straw. I love to spoil her rotten. What else is an Aunt for?

 

[kabbie]

Thanks for the great description of the WIWF tour. I am trying to convince DH to do this for my birthday. He hates tours.

BTW, my camera has the SAME problem. It's a nightmare trying to get decent fireworks pics.

And the pics of nigthtime parades suck, too. Either they are too dark, or if I use the "night" setting, they end up blurry.

I was never a tour person either, but now I'm a convert! I have to get out to WDW again so I can do some of their tours. He'll like it! There were a lot of couples on the tour.

I have a Canon A520 which is really easy for me to use, but it has its problems. All of the different settings are blurry for me, too. For the fireworks, I just turned off the flash. I read an article in Disney magazine once that recommended that. My huge issue is the delay. Wolf camera salesman said that I should go with Nikon. I'll have to get a new camera for the next trip.

Thanks for reading!

 

[UtahMama]

Kabbie- I would love the freedom of flying solo too. No one to compromise with. I'm convinced that the only cure for the vacation-over-blues is to start planning the next one!


I really enjoyed all the tips! I will TRY to be there well before rope drop..... I live in Utah so the time difference will be favorable.

Thanks so much for taking the time to write such a great TR! You rock!

 

[ahibird]

Hi Kabbie !!! Great TR ! I was especially interested in the Walk in Walt's Footsteps Tour. We're planning on doing it when we're at DL in two weeks

Thanks for the details - sounds like you had an awesome time.

 

[Darthfather]

I was never a tour person either, but now I'm a convert! I have to get out to WDW again so I can do some of their tours. He'll like it! There were a lot of couples on the tour.

I have a Canon A520 which is really easy for me to use, but it has its problems. All of the different settings are blurry for me, too. For the fireworks, I just turned off the flash. I read an article in Disney magazine once that recommended that. My huge issue is the delay. Wolf camera salesman said that I should go with Nikon. I'll have to get a new camera for the next trip.

Thanks for reading!

Here is a tip: turn the flash back on and just cover it with something. The exposure time should be minimal.

 

[caitlinsdad]

Thank you for the report

 

[kabbie]

ahibird---Sorry for not responding sooner. How was your trip? Did you do the tour?

caitlinsdad---Thank you for reading!

Darthfather---Thank you for your advice. I will have to try that.