Saskiwi
Mouseketeer
- Joined
- Mar 18, 2009
- Messages
- 401
Day Three - FINALLY! Sorry it's been a while...
Day Three we decided to devote to DCA which was new for all of us - it was a parking lot last time DH and I visited!
So we enjoyed a sleep-in and then had breakfast at Mimi's across the road from Hojos. I had the corned beef hash and DH was very impressed with the stuffed french toast (stuffed with cream cheese and marmalade!!) Boys loved the kid's menu - DS 6 had the choc chip pancakes and DS9 the "Mimi Mouse" pancakes - both big hits!
Food was good quality but the service was pretty "meh" - we found that was common overall on this trip - the "cheery-smiling-to-the-point-of-being-over-the-top U.S. waitperson we were used too from previous trips, was nowhere to be seen at most places we dined! Maybe tips aren't such a big deal now? I don't know, but it made the good service we generally got at DL seem even better by comparison.
We arrived at the gates of DCA around 9am and were amongst the first in the queue for the 9.30am opening. We beetled around to Soarin' (that's the only ride open at 9.30) and were first to ride that - and in the front row!
We rode Soarin three times in total this trip - 2 times in the front row, and it is definitely a better experience without other guests feet dangling in front of you, so try to get in the front row if possible. We loved this ride - I know it's really just IMAX with moving seats, but the effect was fantastic - so like I imagine flying would be - I had tears in my eyes when we "took off" - but then I cry at anything!
After Soarin' we joined the queue at GCH and headed over to Toy Story MM. We had a bit of a wait there - about 20 minutes, but that was the longest we ever queued for a ride during our trip, which was pretty good for 6 days during Spring Break I thought.
While you queue for TSMM take time to watch the giant Mr Potato Head interact with guests - obviously there is a CM inside somewhere as he speaks directly to certain guests and responds to their comments - the technology involved is very cool - his mouth moves in a very realistic way (whatever "realistic" is for a giant talking plastic potato!!)
Loved TSMM - I was pretty useless at it, but it's loads of fun - the boys loved it too, and were taken with all the Toy Story toys in the exit store - we had never seen most of them before in NZ - DS6 had to buy a Wheezy (penguin) and it has been a constant companion ever since!
We wandered through the Paradise Pier area, rode California Screamin (once was enough for me - too jerky!) but the boys and DH loved it and got FPs to ride again. Wasn't so impressed with other rides in this area - we rode the Stinger and Maliboomer, but they were pretty much like your basic funfair rides, with not much Disney themeing to them.
We walked back through to the Hollywood Backlot and did Monsters Inc a couple of times (great dark ride - we love the movie, so enjoyed the little details like the monster vending machines inthe queing area too) and Muppets 3D - also a hit even though our kids didn't really know the Muppets - too young!
We had a picnic lunch (which we had brought in) while sitting queuing for Playhouse Disney show. Our youngest was almost too old for it at 6, but I think both boys secretly enjoyed revisiting "old friends" like Winnie the Pooh, Handy Manny and co. It was fun watching the littlies in the audience lapping it up - took me back to taking our kids to see The Wiggles and Hi-5 when they were smaller!
After that we checked out the Animation Studio building- it was amazing - there is lots of to see and do here, including the Sorcerer's Workshop with all sorts of interactive Disney stuff, like finding out which Disney character you most resemble, and making your own cartoon.
And of course, Turtle Talk with Crush! This is another example of great technology, (like TSMM Mr Potato Head )- we made time to visit it 2 more times during our visit, we loved it so much, and DS 6 got to ask Crush a question finally on our last visit, so he was thrilled.
We then headed around to the Aladdin theatre to queue for the next show. We got seats on the ground floor which were good - but the second time we visited it, we tried the mezzanine level, which I think was better. What an amazing show! As DH said, you would pay $75 back home to see that show alone, if it was some visiting production. Amazing quality costumes, singing, and the special effects! I won't spoil it or those who have yet to see it, but there's an elephant and a flying carpet - wow - we loved it. The Genie was fantastic with lots of smart comments and quips, just like Robin Williams in the movie. Very funny topical comments about bank bailouts, Twitter and the Octo-Mum. We were so impressed with this show, but I was a bit suprised at the low-key response from some of the audience - maybe they were locals who are used to this level of quality entertainment and "take it for granted", but the family next to us didn't clap ONCE during the whole show. I felt like elbowing them and saying "Show some enthusiasm!" I'm used to Americans being very expressive and enthusiastic and was a bit suprised at the lack of hootin' and hollerin".
We rode Tower of Terror at some point around here, and let off some steam at the Redwood Creek play area but I can't remember exactly when they fitted into our schedule !- TOT - again, once was enough for wussy me, but the boys and DH loved it and got FP's.
The Redwood Creek playground was fun but it amused us to see how safety-conscious the Disney staff have to be - a CM escorting kids on the flying foxes (zip lines I think they call them in the US?), despite several inches of thick poured-rubber under each one, plus a CM supervising the slides, making sure kids didn't ride too close together! I realise it's because any accident would lead to a massive lawsuit, but it was pretty ridiculous - even our boys noticed and commented on it.
We also did Grizzly River Run - loved this, especially during the warmer afternoon weather! We rode it several more times during our visit, getting pretty wet everytime, but it is a great way to meet other families and we got chatting with those we shared our raft with, who were from Las Vegas and Oregon.
Everyone we met on this trip not only knew where NZ was, but also had some sort of idea about what sort of place it was, which was a MAJOR difference from our last visit 10 years ago, when we got the standard blank look whenever we said we were from New Zealand -( or else "New Hampshire?", or "Is that near Canada?" etc etc.) I guess we have Peter Jackson and LOTR to thank for that! - oh, and Flight of the Conchords!!
Our final DCA experience for the day was the Pixar Play Parade - we staked out a spot on the bench seats in the Sun Plaza area, near the start of the parade. If you are a fan of any of the Pixar movies you'll love this as much as we did - Cars, Monsters, Toy Story, the Incredibles...and lots of great CM's dancing and performing their little hearts out! We loved it.
We headed over to DL after the parade to pick up a Splash FP for the evening, then headed back to Hojo's for a rest and dinner. (Blake's Place BBQ)
The next day was one of our scheduled "rest days" in our 9 day visit - i.e a non-Disney day, so we let the boys stay up late as we could sleep in.
We headed back to the park about 8pm and used our FPs, rode IASW and watched the fireworks again - this time from the central hub, so we could get the full effect of Tinkerbell etc. It was great, but I also enjoyed watching it from Tomorrowland and the "waterfront" of NOS - different each time, but always great - also, dragging a chair out onto the balcony at Hojo's and watching while eating Ben and Jerry's ice-cream is hard to beat too!
Day Three we decided to devote to DCA which was new for all of us - it was a parking lot last time DH and I visited!
So we enjoyed a sleep-in and then had breakfast at Mimi's across the road from Hojos. I had the corned beef hash and DH was very impressed with the stuffed french toast (stuffed with cream cheese and marmalade!!) Boys loved the kid's menu - DS 6 had the choc chip pancakes and DS9 the "Mimi Mouse" pancakes - both big hits!
Food was good quality but the service was pretty "meh" - we found that was common overall on this trip - the "cheery-smiling-to-the-point-of-being-over-the-top U.S. waitperson we were used too from previous trips, was nowhere to be seen at most places we dined! Maybe tips aren't such a big deal now? I don't know, but it made the good service we generally got at DL seem even better by comparison.
We arrived at the gates of DCA around 9am and were amongst the first in the queue for the 9.30am opening. We beetled around to Soarin' (that's the only ride open at 9.30) and were first to ride that - and in the front row!
We rode Soarin three times in total this trip - 2 times in the front row, and it is definitely a better experience without other guests feet dangling in front of you, so try to get in the front row if possible. We loved this ride - I know it's really just IMAX with moving seats, but the effect was fantastic - so like I imagine flying would be - I had tears in my eyes when we "took off" - but then I cry at anything!
After Soarin' we joined the queue at GCH and headed over to Toy Story MM. We had a bit of a wait there - about 20 minutes, but that was the longest we ever queued for a ride during our trip, which was pretty good for 6 days during Spring Break I thought.
While you queue for TSMM take time to watch the giant Mr Potato Head interact with guests - obviously there is a CM inside somewhere as he speaks directly to certain guests and responds to their comments - the technology involved is very cool - his mouth moves in a very realistic way (whatever "realistic" is for a giant talking plastic potato!!)
Loved TSMM - I was pretty useless at it, but it's loads of fun - the boys loved it too, and were taken with all the Toy Story toys in the exit store - we had never seen most of them before in NZ - DS6 had to buy a Wheezy (penguin) and it has been a constant companion ever since!
We wandered through the Paradise Pier area, rode California Screamin (once was enough for me - too jerky!) but the boys and DH loved it and got FPs to ride again. Wasn't so impressed with other rides in this area - we rode the Stinger and Maliboomer, but they were pretty much like your basic funfair rides, with not much Disney themeing to them.
We walked back through to the Hollywood Backlot and did Monsters Inc a couple of times (great dark ride - we love the movie, so enjoyed the little details like the monster vending machines inthe queing area too) and Muppets 3D - also a hit even though our kids didn't really know the Muppets - too young!
We had a picnic lunch (which we had brought in) while sitting queuing for Playhouse Disney show. Our youngest was almost too old for it at 6, but I think both boys secretly enjoyed revisiting "old friends" like Winnie the Pooh, Handy Manny and co. It was fun watching the littlies in the audience lapping it up - took me back to taking our kids to see The Wiggles and Hi-5 when they were smaller!
After that we checked out the Animation Studio building- it was amazing - there is lots of to see and do here, including the Sorcerer's Workshop with all sorts of interactive Disney stuff, like finding out which Disney character you most resemble, and making your own cartoon.
And of course, Turtle Talk with Crush! This is another example of great technology, (like TSMM Mr Potato Head )- we made time to visit it 2 more times during our visit, we loved it so much, and DS 6 got to ask Crush a question finally on our last visit, so he was thrilled.
We then headed around to the Aladdin theatre to queue for the next show. We got seats on the ground floor which were good - but the second time we visited it, we tried the mezzanine level, which I think was better. What an amazing show! As DH said, you would pay $75 back home to see that show alone, if it was some visiting production. Amazing quality costumes, singing, and the special effects! I won't spoil it or those who have yet to see it, but there's an elephant and a flying carpet - wow - we loved it. The Genie was fantastic with lots of smart comments and quips, just like Robin Williams in the movie. Very funny topical comments about bank bailouts, Twitter and the Octo-Mum. We were so impressed with this show, but I was a bit suprised at the low-key response from some of the audience - maybe they were locals who are used to this level of quality entertainment and "take it for granted", but the family next to us didn't clap ONCE during the whole show. I felt like elbowing them and saying "Show some enthusiasm!" I'm used to Americans being very expressive and enthusiastic and was a bit suprised at the lack of hootin' and hollerin".
We rode Tower of Terror at some point around here, and let off some steam at the Redwood Creek play area but I can't remember exactly when they fitted into our schedule !- TOT - again, once was enough for wussy me, but the boys and DH loved it and got FP's.
The Redwood Creek playground was fun but it amused us to see how safety-conscious the Disney staff have to be - a CM escorting kids on the flying foxes (zip lines I think they call them in the US?), despite several inches of thick poured-rubber under each one, plus a CM supervising the slides, making sure kids didn't ride too close together! I realise it's because any accident would lead to a massive lawsuit, but it was pretty ridiculous - even our boys noticed and commented on it.
We also did Grizzly River Run - loved this, especially during the warmer afternoon weather! We rode it several more times during our visit, getting pretty wet everytime, but it is a great way to meet other families and we got chatting with those we shared our raft with, who were from Las Vegas and Oregon.
Everyone we met on this trip not only knew where NZ was, but also had some sort of idea about what sort of place it was, which was a MAJOR difference from our last visit 10 years ago, when we got the standard blank look whenever we said we were from New Zealand -( or else "New Hampshire?", or "Is that near Canada?" etc etc.) I guess we have Peter Jackson and LOTR to thank for that! - oh, and Flight of the Conchords!!
Our final DCA experience for the day was the Pixar Play Parade - we staked out a spot on the bench seats in the Sun Plaza area, near the start of the parade. If you are a fan of any of the Pixar movies you'll love this as much as we did - Cars, Monsters, Toy Story, the Incredibles...and lots of great CM's dancing and performing their little hearts out! We loved it.
We headed over to DL after the parade to pick up a Splash FP for the evening, then headed back to Hojo's for a rest and dinner. (Blake's Place BBQ)
The next day was one of our scheduled "rest days" in our 9 day visit - i.e a non-Disney day, so we let the boys stay up late as we could sleep in.
We headed back to the park about 8pm and used our FPs, rode IASW and watched the fireworks again - this time from the central hub, so we could get the full effect of Tinkerbell etc. It was great, but I also enjoyed watching it from Tomorrowland and the "waterfront" of NOS - different each time, but always great - also, dragging a chair out onto the balcony at Hojo's and watching while eating Ben and Jerry's ice-cream is hard to beat too!
- it has kind of taken off in a half-hearted way in the past few years, but virtually no-one trick or treats - mostly it's just adults dressing up for the odd party or a bar or restaurant having a theme night on the 31st.
Looking forward to reading your TR! Its great to read reports from others who appreciate the fun of a 14hour flight to L.A! 
)
