Matt's Fall 2015 nine-day adventure at the DLR.

[whoever]

Here's a blast from the past. I never put together a single comment on this despite being my longest, and one of my most experienced DLR trip to date. Joe, this one's for you since I've been sitting on this for nearly 5 years.

As usual we start in Phoenix. As we were going for 9 days, 8 nights and staying at the DLH club level. After a poor experience on one of our previous trips, Disney stepped up and extended the red carpet out for us on this trip.

As we were going for such a long time, our typical vehicle (Volvo XC90) at the time was not even close to an option for the amount of luggage we would be taking. I borrowed my father's F150 for this trip. Most of our trips start VERY early as it is a 5+ hour drive between Phoenix and the DLR typically. Today, we would start much later....

11:08 AM Phoenix... FINALLY ready to go.

My "Are you ready FINALLY? face"

All the kids bucked in and ready to go!!!

Amy before the stress of long road trips with the kiddos.

Along the way, Victoria was a thrill junkie, and ready for all the attractions a NEARLY 3-year old could do (she would turn 3 on this trip).

[video]

Barely over 2 hours after departure, we were refilled on fuel and passing through the California border.... Only state I'm aware of with a "check point" at the border between a different state.

At 4:06 local time, we were FINALLY taking the Ball Exit. So close...

A new experience for us... we ALWAYS have stayed at the grand till this point.

Love the historic signage.

As we were getting the royal treatment, Valet was comped for us.

We unloaded with Bell Services, and were escorted up to the top of the Adventureland Tower to the E-ticket lounge for our check-in process. The pleasantries explained, and VIP seating for any show/parade we wanted extended, we elected to do VIP seating for Fantasmic! that night before being shown to our room, which literally shared a wall with the E-Ticket lounge. This room and the room next to it were a bit strange in that there was a door you had to key into, which lead to a foyer for both rooms, and then the individual room was keyed off as separate doors behind it. INTERESTING.

The kiddos taking in their first views of DLR from the top of the DLH.

Now it was time to explore the room. As this was the very first time at the DLH, we obviously had to take EVERYTHING in.

That picture on the wall now lives in our Dining room. No, I didn't steal it off the wall.

Bathroom was tighter than I expected.

Dug the artwork in the toilet cubicle.

The kiddos wanted us to draw the curtains so they could see the fireworks on the headboard. So cool. Need this headboard one of these days, but my Grand Californian Headboards will have to do for now.

Man, the views are GREAT! You can just watch the fireworks from your room.

 

[crystal1313]

Can't wait for more! =) Always enjoy your trip reports!

 

[whoever]

Settled into the room, we did a quick freshening up and then headed next door to the E-ticket lounge. This was our first time with Club-level access. It was heavenly, but I don't think I'd opt for it deliberately. The only other time we've had it was when we were in the Adventureland Suite. The largest downside is you can't use the lounge for breakfast and take advantage of EMH as the lounge opens too late. It was GREAT to have this trip though, and since we spent so much room time we used it extensively.

The lounge area was great and having concierge next door to our room to address all our wants was AMAZING!

Loved the maquettes and the art around the lounge.

The VIEW was absolutely AMAZING. The same view we had from our room, but seeing it all at once through all those windows was great!

Matterhorn

Back Side of water.... oh wait, Splash Mountain... RIP (I will miss you dearly and lament the re-theming decision).

Space Mountain. All that modern sprawl behind it has me wishing Disney bought the East side of Harbor and made it into another gate.

Down Town Disney

My favorite pieces of architecture in DCA all in one shot... Our usual Disney home, the Grand Californian, Grizzly Peak, and my BELOVED Hollywood Tower Hotel. RIP, HTH. GOTGMB is a hideous eyesore and should be torn down.

Mickey's Fun Wheel of DOOM and Screamin' The convention center behind it is yet another eyesore that Disney fought so long to maintain height limits on to preserve sight lines. I wish they had bought everything for a mile around.

A little bit of Radiator Springs...

 

[whoever]

Can't wait for more! =) Always enjoy your trip reports!

Appreciate it! This has been a LOOOOOONG time coming. I'm probably 3-4 TRs I haven't even started yet, and another 3-4 I started and never finished. I hope all this home-time gives me a chance to get completely current.

 

[whoever]

We soon learned that we could exit the elevators and depart from the East side of the Adventureland Tower. It felt like a quick short-cut and would serve us well over our visit.

Hmm... isn't the baby supposed to be riding in the stroller?

Ah.... that's better.

We attempted to enter Disneyland on my AP, and my 3 new APs I had purchased for the rest of the family who needed them. Victoria was still under age at this point and grandfathered for the trip even though she would be three in a couple days. We were told we needed to go to the ticket booths and exchange the APs for AP cards. Well.... after waiting what seemed like an eternity to get up to the window, they wanted money on top of our AP vouchers. I had purchased them prior to a price increase and now that I was just activating them, they wanted to charge us the difference in price. UM, NOT HAPPENING. I may have gotten testy and had a couple managers called over. Finally after they realized they were being idiots, we had our AP cards in hand. SHAME ON YOU DISNEY. EXTREMELY POOR CUSTOMER SERVICE.

On our way through the hub, I noticed the Little Red Wagon was closed. I have VERY seldom if ever seen that. Struck me as extremely odd.

Normally as anybody who's seen my TRs knows, Pirates is always our first stop for an attraction to start the stay. This time, we deviated, and listened to some crooning birds.

After a magical getaway to the south Pacific, we were ready to tackle the Spanish Main. While in queue, I had a GREAT shot of the Walt and Roy initials on the balcony of the Dream Suite. Little did I know, I'd be up there and looking down in a just under 4 years to the day.

Also got a good shot of the eye in the sky in the rain-guard of the chimney.

For those of you who have read my previous TRs, I went into this in some great detail, but in synopsis, the flag is a 30-star flag, which was only in use from 1848-1851(Wisconsin being the 30th state to join the union, and California being the 31st). The significance of this specific point in time is somewhat of a mystery, but can speculate. There's a lot of theories, but the general consensus is that New Orleans had its golden age between the war with Mexico and the American Civil War. This is the time represented by that flag.

ANOTHER eye in the sky. Are you watching me? Obviously not. That's the one for the Butlers of 21 Royal to see who's at the front door.

I was envious of those dinners, but I'd be looking back from that vantage shortly.

The Bayou is probably my favorite location in all of DLR. (Close second Indy queue/JC queue). Love the layered effects.

 

[whoever]

And here comes the pillage and plundering...

I really want to replicate this someday. Sadly time and money.. but mostly space (LOL)

EVERY time we exit the cave and open up into the lagoon I get shivers. SERIOUSLY!

Would you like a drink?

And I may own this prop. I'm seriously disgusted that the SJW won out and removed such an iconic scene. Most here will probably hate me for saying this, but bring the auction scened back. I don't support human trafficking, but not everything needs to be cause. A thousand curses on your house.

This guy is friend of the cats. I want to be him when I die... just install me there.

Just one of the times I wish he'd get the key in exchange for the bone.

That should be a fixture next to a pool if I ever have one again.

Just one of the tie-ins to Laffite. There are three in NOS.

 

[DizMe]

Love it!!! Gorgeous pics, as always, and fun narration

 

[mre200200]

Here's a blast from the past. I never put together a single comment on this despite being my longest, and one of my most experienced DLR trip to date. Joe, this one's for you since I've been sitting on this for nearly 5 years.

That's a long time to be sitting on a TR. Glad to see you've got some time to write it all up!
Wow the kids are little.

The kiddos wanted us to draw the curtains so they could see the fireworks on the headboard. So cool. Need this headboard one of these days, but my Grand Californian Headboards will have to do for now.

I have no doubts you'll end up with one eventually.

My favorite pieces of architecture in DCA all in one shot... Our usual Disney home, the Grand Californian, Grizzly Peak, and my BELOVED Hollywood Tower Hotel. RIP, HTH. GOTGMB is a hideous eyesore and should be torn down.

That's a great shot!

We attempted to enter Disneyland on my AP, and my 3 new APs I had purchased for the rest of the family who needed them. Victoria was still under age at this point and grandfathered for the trip even though she would be three in a couple days. We were told we needed to go to the ticket booths and exchange the APs for AP cards. Well.... after waiting what seemed like an eternity to get up to the window, they wanted money on top of our AP vouchers. I had purchased them prior to a price increase and now that I was just activating them, they wanted to charge us the difference in price. UM, NOT HAPPENING. I may have gotten testy and had a couple managers called over. Finally after they realized they were being idiots, we had our AP cards in hand. SHAME ON YOU DISNEY. EXTREMELY POOR CUSTOMER SERVICE.

Oh yeah! I remember you texting me when that happened. That was crazy. Terrible customer service, and really glad it worked out.

I really want to replicate this someday. Sadly time and money.. but mostly space (LOL)

Perhaps Katherine's bed when she goes to college can get transformed into this...

Wow, another great shot. Nice low light captures.

 

[SeaDis]

Amazing pics once again, and so fun to see some old favorites prior to re-theming! Memories...

 

[whoever]

For this next installment, I've actually pulled pics from several of my TRs to create one narrative for the addresses of New Orleans Square.

I've created a map which shows the addresses of each location and where they can be found in the park. It is interesting to note that Club 33 no longer resides at 33 Royal Street, but is now located at 33 Front Street. Doesn't have near the same ring to it.

Also of interest or merely nitpicking, Phillips head screws weren't invented until the 1930s. Anachronisms and I expect better from the imagineers.

Esplanade Road

30 Esplanade Road - French Market

40 - 42 Esplanade Road - Cafe Orleans

50 Esplanade Road - Royal Street Veranda

Royal Street

15 - 19 Royal Street - Port Royal Curios and Curiosities

21 Royal Street - 21 Royal Suite (this is the emergency exit only however)

25 Royal Street - Pieces of Eight

31 Royal Street - Blue Bayou Restaurant

33 Royal Street - Club 33 (no longer allows access to the club, however the placard remains)

35 Royal Street - Le Bat en Rouge

Orleans Street

23 Orleans Street - Cristal d'Orleans

Front Street

19 Front Street - Mint Julep Bar

28 Front Street - La Mascarade d'Orleans

33 Front Street - Club 33 (current entrance into the club and the Court des Anges)

Love New Orleans Square, such attention to detail.

The corner of Front Street and Esplanade Road in Magnolia Park

Corner of Orleans Street and Royal Street where you used to be able to enter the Court.

If you look up, you can see a band has left their sheet music and instruments on the balcony.

I presume this is LOOOOOONG gone, and if isn't, it will be shortly given the current state of affairs around anything Southern with a history associated to race.

 

[whoever]

Just after 5 we were seated water-side at Blue Bayou. We had snacked but were ready for a good meal.

I absolutely love the ambiance here. Best of any dine-in attraction ever.

I was playing with my low-light lenses. A VERY seldom pic of myself.

Katherine channeling her inner teenager..

Char was loving the celery and ranch.

Amy was humoring me.

I've always thought they should do something interactive with this boat moored in the bayou.

They were set up for the Haunted Dinner Package. Voodoo accoutrements abounded.

Around 6:30, we wrapped up dinner and made our way over to Critter Country for a spin around the thousand acre wood.

Probably my best and last good pic of Max, Buff, and Melvin. I'm sure by my next trip, Pooh and Critter country will have gone to Yesterland.

I've always wanted to mail something from Disneyland. I don't know if they get the Disneyland postmark anymore. That was special.

 

[whoever]

By 8, we had camped in our spot for F! We took turns holding down the fort with Victoria while the other took the other two on attractions. We each got a round on BTMRR with the older two.

On Amy's trip, they saw their FIRST Disneyland cat.

My trip got some good shots of the final lift hill.

Ready for F! to start. Good vantage we had.

Good shots of Kaa

He's got bright eyes.

I had forgotten about the Pinocchio marionettes.

Oh, how I prefer Peter Pan, Hook, and the Jolly Roger over the ragged Black Pearl they use these days.

Snow White looking good as ever.

The Evil Queen looks younger...

Well she aged quickly!!!

Miss Mickey in this garb too.

The Maleficent Dragon had less fire back in the day.

Katherine was enjoying her popcorn.

Victoria was PASSED OUT!

 

[whoever]

The Mark Twain soon rounded the bend from the Rio Grande back on to the Mississippi looking great as ever.

Steamboat Willie was at the helm.

The Twain seems to have picked up some guests. Ariel, Beast, and Belle.

Jasmine was also there waving.

Aurora also made a showing.

Suzy, Cinderella, and Perla were also wishing us a fantastic evening.

Jessie, Woody, and Buzz flanked by some Green Army Men waved good bye from the Stern.

Out on Tom Sawyer's Island, Sorcerer Mickey was whipping up some serious magic!!

We stuck around in our spot for the fireworks.

And after, it started to snow!!

Shortly before 10, we called it a night. We had an EARLY start in the morning and no need to push it, we had 8 more days.

 

[whoever]

Tuesday Morning found us up at 0-dark-thirty. We got up, cleaned, dressed, and hoofed it to the esplanade and were queued up with the rest of Orange County by 06:14. This was CRAZY!!!!!

Why so many people? We were doing the 25th annual CHOC walk (Children's Hospital of Orange County for those not from around there)!!!

At that time, CHOC Walk in the Park has raised nearly $23 million for CHOC Children’s, supporting a variety of patient and family programs, as well as education, research, and the development of the latest technologies to advance the health of CHOC patients.

The crowds took quite the while to get into Disneyland, but with a 7:00 start, we had time. By ten to seven, we had made our way to Main Street. While EARLY Morning is my favorite time to be at DLR, this many people was a bit extreme...

Looking back was a sea of faces.

Slowly we grinded forward.

I know I shouldn't assume gender anymore, but these dude (I'll just say they were dudes), dressed as Leia and Snow White were great!

They had the parade booms up on Main Street. Only other time I've seen that in the day was when I ate breakfast on the Jungle Cruise.

Goofy was out cheering us on.

Having all the custodial and maintenance staff out cheering us on was SOOOO cool. These guys and gals are who keep Disney running day to day. Much appreciated!!

Our route would take us to the hub, and then counter clockwise around it, veering off towards Frontierland

 

[whoever]

The Cast Members all had on Mickey Gloves. So cool!!!

Oh how I wanted to break free and run through NOS unencumbered.

So Charlotte turned into a flamingo on this trip. Kid was on one foot for nearly every pic.

After a brief wait and a long line, we met John Smith and Pocahontas

Big Thunder Mountain looks so beautiful in the morning.

We started to make our way up Big Thunder Trail.

These signs would be scattered along the walk route. Little bits of trivia about CHOC. A geek, I read every one.

Rounding back East, we passed through Fantasyland. The Princesses were on the King Arthur's Carousel.

Anna and Elsa were near the Monorail track.

We rounded the Matterhorn, passed Nemo's Submarine Voyage, and wound up over by Space Mountain where we stopped for a pic with Buzz and his fellow Space Rangers.

More of the third-shift greeting us back at the hub!

I think this was my first time using the Eastern Bypass ever. Pretty cool at the time.

Another round of Cast Members were lined up to cheer us on as we passed from Disneyland to Disney's California Adventure through the Eastern gates of each.

 

[deejdigsdis]

I'm not familiar at all with the CHOC Walk. Very interesting!

 

[whoever]

I'm not familiar at all with the CHOC Walk. Very interesting!

https://www.chocwalk.org/
I doubt 2020 will happen given the craziness

 

[whoever]

We had ropes directing us across the Esplanade, and CMs making sure nobody snuck in uninvited. We entered DCA via the Eastern vehicle gates and proceeded into the main square of Buena Vista Street. Oh How I love BVS. It's one of the best parts of DCA these days, and totally sets you up for getting into the 1920s mindset.

We paused for a seldom captured Family picture in front of the Red Car Trolley. Boy how I hope this attraction returns despite Marvel Land ruining so much.

The Five & Dime was out to cheer us on with some tunes.

When Victoria saw Sophia, she lost her mind and tried to tackle her.

Hollywood Boulevard ALWAYS brings the smile.

The Hyperion marquee was signed for the event quite nicely.

The whole Aladdin crew was out for pics. Frozen has since replaced it, and while a VERY good show, I still miss Aladdin.

One of the BEST exteriors in all of DCA. RIP. Replaced by a hideous monstrosity which is Guardians of the Galaxy. The Hollywood Tower Hotel fit soooooo well. The new attraction has a GARBAGE exterior which ruins the cohesiveness of DCA.

 

[whoever]

Oh, the final stop of the Red Car Trolley. So Sad nowadays...

We not only got to see Atta but both Flik and Atta!!!

I'll never understand the hate for Bug's Land. It was perfect for the DCA theme even if you had no desire to experience any of the attractions. So sadly, it's gone for the ride junky mentality over theming. Seriously....

On to Cars Land for this walk. Our first photo op, Tow Mater.

Followed up shortly by Red.

And Finally, Lighting McQueeen. Vic may have been trying to drink that bottle of Rust-eze.

Ah, the iconic Radiator Cap of Radiator Springs...

 

[whoever]

After passing between Ornament Valley and Pacific Wharf, we were directed down the Alley between Ghirardelli and the Boudin Bakery. If you have never stopped here, taken in the sights, and read all the info-tainment on the North wall, I HIGHLY recommend it. It is a great History of Cannery Row.

Ah, Pacific Wharf...Unlike Main Street, USA, I have no idea who Kruger is/was. Any insight is appreciated.

We paused at the San Francisco Square Hub for a shot with Frozone

Paradise Bay was looking great and they had the WOC fountains up for us.