faindrops27
I love free DDP but love going on cruises too! My
- Joined
- Apr 29, 2005
- Messages
- 2,631
Ok, so I have been postponing writing my trip report. Because frankly, it is depressing, to know it is over. But, nonetheless. I will write my report. The plan: My husband, would be on convention in hollywood. While, I ventured off on my own, to Disneyland, and Universal. We would then, at least meet up for one dinner, together. Over the course of our 5 days in Cali.
We arrived in Hollywood, April 18th. We live on Long island, NY. So, It was very tiring, the air travel, to say the least. We took, supershuttle, to the Hollywood Renassaince hotel. Total time, it took us from the airport. Was approxiametly 35 minutes. We shared the van, with 2 other people. We got dropped off second. We checked into our hotel, which was very nice. Walked around the mall, for about 35 minutes. He went off to check in for his convention. While I got a nice tasting pina colada. Yum. And browsed around the mall some more. . All of the things. I wanted to do, when we arrived. Did not pan out. We got some Johnny Rockets, (just ok) to take back to the room. Off, to sleep we went.
I woke up, around 4:30 a.m. Good thing, because, for some reason, the alarm never went off. I asked the husband to set it for 4:30a.m. I guess he was so tired he forget. I jump in the shower. Get ready. This is the day. I will head to Disneyland!! Did, I mention. I love everything Disney. I mean. I am a disneyholic. I have been to WDW. 17 times! But, I have not been to Disneyland, since. I was 4. Many moons, and years ago.
Ok, well I researched the options of getting from hollywood to anaheim. There are several. But, I know how to get around the transit system. When I visit. NYC. So, I decided I would try and tackle LA's transit system. The husband was nervous. But, I looked at it as an adventure. So, I did it. I took the Redline. To Union station, then the amtrak, to anaheim. Then a taxi, to my hotel. Doubletree guest suites/convention center. To drop off my bag. I arrived around 7:05 a.m. Decided I would go to breakfast. So, I had another cab, drop me off at Mimi's. It was delicious, so the reviews are right!
7:40 a.m. I head for Disney!! I walk up, and the lines are long. Everyone was waiting at the turnstiles, for park opening!! When I walked down Main St. I couldnt believe the feelings that came over me. I was in love, instantly! Looking around, and then I saw it. The castle! Wow, my first impression. It is so pretty, but so small in comparison to the one in WDW. I go to fantasyland, and ride, almost everything there. And my all time fav twice, Mr. toads wild ride!! I miss it so much at WDW. But, I got my fix. I dont know what my fascination is about Mr Toad. But, I love him! Then, I decide. I will do the Matterhorn. Matterhorn, the Diser, told me. I had to do it. So, I was going to force myself to try it just once. Because, I was pretty scared to try it. Well, I loooooooooooooved this ride, and over the course of my 2 days there. I rode it 6 times!! In the rain, in the dark, in the day. Wow. I really love that ride!
I did, indiana Jones, wowzers! Was I impressed with that! Almost like the dinosaur ride in WDW. But, I would say 100 times better! I finally saw the Tiki birds. I never have visited this attraction in WDW. I thought it was cute, and a great respite from the rain. I went on Rockin Space Mountain, and loved it. It reminded me of Rocking Roller coaster, without the loop. It is in my opinion so much better than Space Mountain , as was POTC, in WDW. Overall, I was so impressed, and overwhelmed, with the rides, and just being in DL!
At 11:20 p.m. I went over, to check in for my 11:30 lunch at the blue bayou. I waited about 15 minutes to be seated. I got a waterside table! That resteraunt, was beautiful. And the monte cristo, so lived up to my expectations. I thought, for what I got, paired with the atmosphere. The price, was more than reasonable! I only got the monte cristo, with water, and I tipped the waitress, I think 7 dollars. or more. I know it came out to 27 dollars. Later on in the day, maybe 2 p.m. I got a lemon slush, with 2 flavor shots, cherry& vanilla. Oh my goodness was it good!! Around 3p.m. I got a rita margarita, heavenly!! Then the aladdin show. Words cannot express how impressed I was with this show. I love broadway shows! We see them often as a family. The aladdin show, was just as good, if not better. Than some shows I have seen. And, now I have a crush, on the genie. lol. I toured both parks, until about 6, and left. I decided I would walk back to my hotel. To see, exactly how long it would take me. Boy was it, a trek. But, I did it. With a 7 minute stop at the 7-11. In under 30 minutes.
Checking into the doubletree. Was a breeze, and that choc chip cookie.
The hotel, was beautiful, well kept, and very nice. I ordered room service for dinner. Which was not good. I got a burger, it was overcooked, and the fries were doused with garlic salt. blech. I could have eaten at denny's across the street, but I was already showered, and in my bed clothes. Anyway, I love getting room service, at least once, when i am away. I should have went to denny' in retrospect. The next day, I purchased, at my hotel the ticket for the ART shuttle. 3 dollars, worth it's weight in gold. I toured both DCA & DL. I loved Screaming. I was so scared to ride this ride. But, I did it 4 times. I loved TOT. I loved everything! I rode so many rides. Everything, I really wanted. I went to cafe orleans, for the monte cristo, yummy again. I really was happy, to eat because it was really raining cats, and dogs. I got this beer, I think it was called red trolley. It was yummy!! I saw its a small world. And was blown away. It was so much nicer, than WDW. As was the HM. I saw Aladdin again. Just as good. But, I really was tired, of climbing those stairs. What a workout!! But, the show was worth me almost having a heart attack, anyway.
So by the time it was 7p.m. It was just really rainy and cold. And I had pretty much seen everything. And I wanted to really give up and go back to that warm bed at the hotel. But, I needed to see the Dreams fireworks show. So, I went on the matterhorn, one final time. I was freezing. I mean really, really, cold. I could not believe it was this cold. I felt so bad for the children with short sleeves, and shorts. I decided let me get a corn dog, find a seat to wait for the show. I should have gotten a hot cocoa instead. I ate half of it, and saved the chips. I dont know, it was very greasy, and I love fried foods. I would skip it, if I ever went again. So, I get a seat, and I waited, and freezed, and freezed, and waited, but, the show was great!! Again, so much better, to me, than wishes!! I wanted to go back to matterhorn. But, the chill in the air, did not let my mind conjure up, my body to go, back to it.. To bad for me now because I miss it so badly now!!So, the next day. I get up, express check out. I was so sad, and I catch the free shuttle to hollywood. I chose this deal. Because, the nice diser Mysticpath. Told me about it. I had my overnight bag with me. It obviously would not fit in a universal locker. So, I asked the bus driver, if i could leave my bag on the bus with him. He was reluctant. But, was kind enough to store it for me. Until my park day was finished. I tipped him 15 dollars for his kindness, and he seemed blown away. He was such a nice driver!! He did deserve it! As, universal has nothing to do with Disneyland. I will stop my review here to say. I lovved DL, and it was so worth the time it took on the plane to get there. Being solo, was nice. As, I got to do what I wanted, when I wanted. The real downside about going solo for me, was the dining alone. It seemed to me everybody, had someone to eat with. I did feel so alone
. At those times. But, if it was the only way I could see DL, again. I would do it all over, again alone!! I Disneyland!!
I loved your review, thanks so much for posting. Did you enjoy your free shuttle experience to Universal? I just booked universal by free shuttle again. The drivers are great and I found it to be a really wonderful experience. 
OH I am so happy that you had a great time and that you loved the shuttle. It really was simple and a fun way to travel. I understand what you mean about missing it. Its really brutal how you can go through withdrawl after a trip. 
Thats just when you start planning your next trip. 
