New Trip, New Trip, so good they named it twice.................................Day 2

[hildasmuriel]

Tues 8 April


What a brilliant day we had
​

Goofy woke us up nice and early and we were the first ones in to breakfast today. We ate loads and set off for the Parks. There was hardly anybody queuing, whereas in February the queues had built up by 7.55 each morning. We were among the first into the Park and enjoyed seeing Main St so empty.

We marched off so that we could enjoy being first on Buzz. Hurrumph – technical problem. Somewhat crestfallen we did Peter Pan twice and Pinocchio before dtr rode SM twice (one time behind danauk and husband). At last Buzz was open and we went round twice on that – spotting and waving to Bob (Bolanette) in the queue. We had a stroll down Main St and explored the side street that we don’t normally look at – half way down Discovery Arcade (don’t know what it’s called).

We decided to queue for rope drop for Frontierland…and this is where we had a stroke of luck. Dtr suggested we try the exit of Liberty Arcade, by Casey’s Corner, as the queue at Fort Comstock was already very large. There were only 2 people waiting at this side queue so we joined them – it was nicer than being jostled at the large queue. As soon as the announcement started “Mesdames et Messieurs …” the CM smiled and nodded and we were off. This other couple and I walked briskly but dtr was off like a greyhound and was at the entrance to BTM before the announcement had finished, and it is only THEN that they dropped the rope at Fort Comstock. This happened every morning for the 3 days we were there for Park opening. Each day dtr got to be the first in the queue and the first on BTM. Now I’m sure they are not supposed to rope-drop early but they did each morning and few people seemed to realise, so it wasn’t that horrible push and shove you get at Fort Comstock. I can’t think it will be long before this little advantage is ‘ironed out’ though.

I picked up FPs while dtr rode, so we did Phantom Manor and then she rode BTM again. It was only 10.45 and she had been on 10 rides and we felt we could slow down and enjoy the scenery.

We did ride POTC and dtr did Indiana Jones but apart from that we did some autograph hunting. We saw Safari Mickey and as we waited somebody called dtr’s name – it was a girl from her ballet school. Dtr didn’t know she was at Disney so that was a complete surprise. She kept saying afterwards “I can’t BELIEVE I’ve seen Serena”
We decided to have lunch at Colonel Hathi’s where there was a small band playing.

We sat under cover but outside the main restaurant (sort of veranda thing?).
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It was a good place to sit as I could see the characters coming out – so dtr got autographs with Chip, The Sheriff of Nottingham, The Genie, Geppetto and Prince John all in one go. As we went round into Frontierland we saw Governor Radcliff and then we went into Woody’s Round-Up to meet Woody.

Dtr also got stuck inside the box with Stinky Pete.

We went to the DLH next – ostensibly to check our booking time for Inventions, but really because I wanted to know where exactly it was. Wow – that hotel is something, isn’t it? Dtr asked if we may please have a window seat and the CM said she would arrange it.

We went back to the SL for the now-traditional studying–of-eyelids and then headed into Studios. This pattern of EMH – Morning at Park – Rest – Studios – End of day at Park served us well over the holiday.

In the Studios we saw Cruella de Vil

and then saw Shooting Live – a 50s Rock n Roll routine that was being ‘filmed’ and involved members of the audience wearing Elvis wigs and doing hand jive type dances.

Dtr got involved in the children’s bit – by being a cheerleader then we went to watch Stitch Live again. Laughed all over again.
I’m dying to tell you all about it, but I won’t. Dtr went on RnRC and then we were to go and watch Tarzan over at the Chaparral Theatre, when we saw that TOT had only a 10 minute wait. We decided to queue for that, but it was one of the rare occasions when the Disney timings are wrong. We emerged 45 minutes later, too late to see Tarzan. Still, dtr enjoyed it as usual and I got ‘booed’ by a CM in the queue, which made me jump.
Back in the Park we went to buy our on-ride photo from Buzz that morning only to find that the photo was not available. I had assumed that as long as you knew the number then you could buy the photo anytime that day. It is not possible to buy it during EMH as the photo booth is not open, but I don’t know what the time limit is for buying photos.
Our meal was booked for 8.30 but we both felt a bit peckish so we bought and shared a hot dog, then went on IASW and POTC. On Pirates we were on the boat that stopped where nobody was waiting to get on, so most of us stayed sitting, hoping to ride again. The Pirate CM turned round and mock-glared at us all, hands on his hips. I smiled and said “please” and he went “ok” and we were off again.. BTM was so quiet that dtr went round 3 times and then there was just time for a ride on Snow White and to watch a bit of Candleabration before going to DLH for our meal at Inventions.

Ooops - too many images - must continue below...

 

[hildasmuriel]

So anyway.......
We queued up at the maitre d’ s desk and when it was our turn, I handed over our booking slip. The girl looked, handed it back and said “ you are ten minutes early”. Hmmmm – very gracious but I just laughed and said “oh dear are we?” And we went to wait on one of the sofas. On the dot of 8.30 I went back up and as the girl looked at her reservations list, dtr said to me “will you be writing a review of our meal tonight, Mum?”. Now it may be coincidence but the girl’s attitude seemed to change. She went off and got some chap and had a quick word with him, then he came over and showed us to our table and everything from there went swimmingly.

Anyway we had a fabulous time there.

We were sitting by the window with a lovely view of the Castle, we had plenty of character interaction and lovely food and a couple of unexpected events too……

There was a couple sitting next to us who were one course ahead of us. While the woman went to get her dessert the man called the waiter over and gave him a little ‘hunny pot’ and lowered his voice a bit, so I didn’t hear what he said (how dare he? ) When the woman came back and sat down the waiter brought the pot over and said something else I couldn’t catch. The woman looked inside the pot and the man asked her to marry him. Awwww. Inside the pot was a necklace with 3 hearts on it. At this time dtr was chatting away to me, completely unawares that I wasn’t listening to her at all, just nodding but listening to the couple next to us.


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As we were just about to ask for the bill, we noticed that fireworks had started over the Castle. It was about 10 o’clock by this time and the Park had been closed for a couple of hours, so we assumed this was a rehearsal or practise, but it was a fantastic display that we saw and seemed to go on for ever. I was so glad that dtr had asked for a window seat. It was a real treat.

Finally we paid up, left that gorgeous Hotel and made our way to SL (still very nice, but not in the same league!)
Once again we were asleep within minutes, after having asked Goofy to wake us up at 6.00 am the next morning.

Tomorrow: we cram in 2 table service meals and get to see more fireworks.

 

[MazdaUK]

You were so lucky to see the fireworks! We were all asleep by then so we didn't even hear them Mind you, if DH and 2 DS's had been asked to wait that long for dinner they would have eaten the sofa never mind waited on it

 

[disneyangel]

DD looks like she was having a ball meeting all those characters and she managed so many rides too

I loved the 'studying of eyelids' comment

Inventions is lovely isn't it. It's my dream to some day stay at the DLH even if only for a night

 

[ema74]

WOW!!! Your photos are fab!!! Great day!

 

[tennisfan]

Another busy & great day. Your daughter looks like she was really enjoying herself

 

[Dianetigger]

What a fantastic day and just love your pictures, what memories!
The fireworks look great, we are off to DLP in July and hoping we get fireworks then!

 

[Danauk]

Fab report, love the photos. Thanks for sharing.

 

[Cazgal]

Super report .... shame we missed the fireworks - but thanks for sharing the photos

 

[BRobson]

What a great day - you seemed to have a good strategy

Your daughter is very photogenic

 

[tiring_day]

Nother great TR, I will read them all eventually

 

[jillrobinson]

Another lovely day and you fitted so much in - terrific and you've answered a question I've had for a while - whether you'd be able to see park fireworks from Inventions.

 

[JC Butterfly]

Wow, there are definitely advantages to visiting in a less crowded season, you got to do soooooo many things in a short amount of time, I'm exhausted just thinking about your itinerary.

What did you think of the food at Colonel Haithi's? Is it enclosed completely? Warm enough? Was the band a nice touch or a bit loud?

Aside from your initial impression at Inventions, how would you rate the food and service? How lucky to have that amazing view for the fireworks!

 

[ynwa19]

Great report and photo's, absolutley love it

Do you know if the fireworks run every night? I thought it was only when the park was open, but as you said in your report, it was closed at the time and that made me think about it

 

[Disney owl]

Another great report!

 

[hildasmuriel]

Do you know if the fireworks run every night? I thought it was only when the park was open, but as you said in your report, it was closed at the time and that made me think about it

I don't think the fireworks are due to be shown to the public until the summer season starts. I think we were just lucky enough to catch a practice run.

What did you think of the food at Colonel Haithi's? Is it enclosed completely? Warm enough? Was the band a nice touch or a bit loud? !

I like the pizza at Clolnel Hathi's and my dtr likes the lasagne there, but it is only fast-food style and nothing too special. There is a completely enclosed part, a bit half in the open and then table and chairs completely outside, so it's up to you where you sit. The band wasn't too loud and was a nice unexpected treat.

Aside from your initial impression at Inventions, how would you rate the food and service? How lucky to have that amazing view for the fireworks!

Oh it really was lovely. The waiter was nice and the food was lovely and plentiful (I put more about the food on the restaurant review thread). There can't be many people who wouldn't find something they like on that buffet.

 

[Cyrano]

Loving your report and photographs.

Will need to remember your tip about Frontierland

 

[Ware Bears]

A wonderful day with wonderful photos.