Live trip report from DLR newbie

[Sophie_2003]

Hello from the Hojo!

This is our first time here and I am so excited! We are here till Sunday when we boars the Carnival Pride.

DH, DD 4 and I flew out of Montreal this AM (4am wake up call Eastern time... ); our flight landed early and we took the Primetime shuttle to Hojo...not gonna deal with them anymore! waited 15 minutes for a shuttle, but after pick up he went around the airport (including our original pickup spot) 2 more times, so our travel time to Hojo was 1h15minutes.

Got to Hojo at 1pm, our room was not ready, so we left our bags and were on our way to our very first time at DLR! The walk was much less than 10 minutes, but it probably will end up taking more time as DH is a compulsive McDonalds snacker (and I am the one with a weight issue... )

Walked into DLR, and lo and behold to our left was Goofy, and DD was very excited to meet him after a 5 minute wait. I sent DH to get Space Mtn FP - machines were turned off it was a walkon! So we headed there after Goofy and WALKED ON. I LOVE SPACE MTN HERE. I hope they refurb WDW's soon!

We went on to the Matterhorn, which DD loved and we rode 3x in a row with minimal wait (under 5 mins each time); we rode Alice, the caroussel, Mr Toad, Pinocchio, Casey train. Longest wait was about 10 min for Alice. We walked towards BTMRR and rode that (10 min wait, FP machines closed), than walked on HM. We ate dinner at cafe orleans and rode Pirates and Snow White before calling it a night.

Our impressions: the castle in tiny, but adorable. Most of the rides are MUCH better here (Space, Haunted Mansion holiday, Pirates in particular). Fantasyland is much more quaint. Can't beat the low crowds (a cm at Cafe Orleans sais she found it eery). It did pick up as we walked out because DCA had closed.

Our room at Hojo is 1717, 7th floor DLR view, alas no fireworks tonight.

Tomorrow is AM at DLR (planning on seeing Tink, riding Peter Pan and Dumbo, vsitng Tom Sawyer and Critter County, I wanna do HM again also, and trying to track down Donald, a CM mentionned he may be there tomorrow); lunch at Ariel's grotto and PM at DCA (Playhouse Disney show, TSM if not too busy, and a couple of rides).

Any questions I'll be happy to answer!

 

[avalon451]

So glad you're having a good time! Sounds like a wonderful first day!

You are two doors down from where we stayed three weeks ago. We really loved HoJo!

Great to hear an update directly from the park. Enjoy your magic!

 

[Gisele]

Wow! You and your family have allot of stamina and energy. I would have needed a nap, after getting up at 1 in the a.m. he he! Seriously. Anyway, it is good to know that you all are having a wonderful time. You know, you can always remind your dh, that too many Mc'y D stops, can make for too much hubby........... maybe then he will put that french fry down! Of course on the other hand, it is vacation, so munch on Mc Duff! He can deal with his snacking issues, once back home.
Have a wonderful time in California and a most magical time at Disneyland! And have an awesome time as well on your cruise, oh how that does sound so nice. I would love to go on a cruise, so if you ever need another person, let me know. Seriously

 

[lulubelle]

So glad you are having a great time and the crowds are so low. Sounds like an awesome day tomorrow, keep us posted!

 

[8gr8mouseketeers]

Sounds wonderful! I hope you'll keep updating.

 

[Judy from Boise]

remember to ride both sides of matterhorn and decide which you like better!
Plus I want to see Indy on your to do list !

 

[Gisele]

I am confused, I believe? Ride both sides of the Matterhorn? I thought it only went one way?

 

[DangerMouse]

I am confused, I believe? Ride both sides of the Matterhorn? I thought it only went one way?

The Matterhorn has two separate entrance ques and two tracks, most often referred to as the Tomorrowland side and the Fantasyland side. The tracks are slightly different. Most people say the TL side is a bit faster and rougher, and the FL side is smoother and slower, but it's always fun to decide for yourself.

There's a youtube video which shows both sides simultaneously. Fun to watch.

 

[Gisele]

Please do remember to grace Jose and his songster friends with your presence. They will all be most appreciative. They live in The Enchanted Tiki Room, where once seeing y'all's smiling faces, they will entertain you in a most wonderful, melodic, colorful, and dramatic way! Not to mention their home is most wonderfully air conditioned as well, and they have very nice and cushy seats to which to sit upon.

 

[Gisele]

Oh, thank you. Upon your speaking of that, I now do vaguely recall something about that. I will have to remember those differences. I am not really sure, which side I went through, times past. I do know that the ride is still rather jerking in motion, and bumpy. I love the yeti, I am still hoping that he will have a mate, and one day as well, there will be baby yeti's to which to gaze upon.

 

[kkheburn]

Sounds like you are having a magical trip. You are so luckey the crowds were low. Everytime I go there are tons of people! Walk on a ride? Longest wait 10 mins!

 

[Sophie_2003]

Well, the crowds stayed low till yesterday...a mix of weekend crowds and parade taping, I guess?

Day 2 (friday) we hit DLR at 9am and rode all Fantasyland, visited Toontown and headed to Ariel's grotto for lunch. Characters we saw in the AM at DLR: Goofy, Mickey, Minnie, Goofy again with Pluto (all Toontown), and Donald, Chip, Pinocchio and Cruella on Main St. No wait at all for any of these. BTW, Goofy is everywhere. Not sure why??? Ariel's grotto was ok. OK food, OK character interaction. We saw Aurora, Jasmine, Belle and Cinderella. Bought the picture for 32$ (!) and had it added to our photopass at "greetings" at front of DCA.

My opinion of DCA is that it is charming yet somewhat schizophrenic. DD loved the Paradise Pier rides (stinger, jellyfish, zephyr, Toy story (10 minute wait yay!), Mulholland. every other ares just seems "disconnected".

Took a break and went back to DLR around 5pm; saw the PFF coronation, rode Space, saw the parade. Space was down a couple of times as was the Haunted Mansion. No fireworks...too bad, as we had a nice Hojo view. Very busy around Rivers of America for first Fantasmic in a while.

yesterday we used EE and were there by 7am. Rode Nemo, Space, Star, Buzz before 8. Then we went to the other side (HM) to avoid Jonas brothers frenzy. Rode teacups, matterhorn a couple of times, Dumbo, and lined up for princesses at 9h30. Met Cindy, Snow White and Aurora. Went out to DCA to avoid parade, and saw Playhouse Disney (cute), rode Monsters (ok...) and Muppets 3D (good one!).

Back to MK at 1pm, still taping the parade (took 3 hours!). we saw a couple of floats, and lined up for Tink around 1:25pm (scedhuled opening 2pm). Opened right at 2, we were 10th in line and saw Tink, Iridessaand Rosetts by 2:20. My only beef was that there was only one photopass photographer for all three, and we insisted on pics, she was a bit frazzled. Dinner at Yamabuki...mmmmmm good, and DCA for more Paradise Pier. I loved California Screaming. What a coaster!

That's all...sorry so long, be happy to answer quastions. Off to Carnival pride to relax after 3 busy days!!!

OK, enough for now.

 

[nluvwithmickey]

From one Montrealer to another...thank you so much for your live reviews. We are headed down to DLR in 2009 and cannot wait! Any tips would be really helpful.

Hope you continue having a great time, keep us updates!

 

[vettegirl]

Great report, it has to be so relaxing not having to wait long for the rides. DL is truly a special place, enjoy the rest of your trip!