No way Jose! We are going to Disneyland! 3/13 - Movin' on Up!

[claryche]

Strange question. I'm assuming from your posts that you have to have a fastpass for the World of Color. Is that true? Is there a reason why they do the fastpasses, instead of just waiting in line like you have to do for Fantasmic. Just wondering, I can't wait to see more about the World of Color because I really know nothing about it. And wow 10am opening, that seems so late. I know it's only an hour after 9am, but it seems late.

 

[Tiggerrn2]

Great update!! We loved the early entrance feature for on site guests! It was fun to come in from that side and wander around the empty park areas. I agree with you about Little Mermaid. Very glad to experience it with no line, as later in the day, it had quite the line when we were there (just opened). I would've been really disappointed had I waited a long time for it. It was also great to be at the rope for the mad dash to TSM. Can't figure why they didn't make that a Fastpass attraction. That line builds fast.
Loving your photos.

 

[annmarieda]

I was so far behind!! So many great updates. You are totally making me want to go to DL. I just wish that I could do it for less pp than I can WDW. Yesterday I priced out a 4 night with airfare park tickest and the cheapest good neighbor hotel... it was the same as the 9 night package I have at a moderate with dinning and parkhoppers for WDW. (no air fare though)

I so miss New Orleans Square. It is one of my favorite parts of DL. I guess Pirates is another part.

I have yet to see World of Color...so i can't wait to read your review.

The Little Mermaid ride looks cute. That also was not there the last time I went.

 

[ladylyons]

The drop at DLParis is definitely longer than WDW so I'm sure you're right. And I can definitely tell you that SM in DLParis is fast - I'm not a great thrill ride person so the speed and the loop was more than enough for me

I do remember DH thinking that after the DLP version, SM in WDW seemed a bit tamer when he rode it for the first time back in 2005.

I noticed that too when we went to DLP in Sept 2004. Now to find a way to get back there too!! We only had a few hours when we went because I didn't plan like I should have. We were trying to fit it in during our last minute trip to Paris over a 4 day weekend. The things you can do when you don't have little one's yet!!

 

[Native NYer]

Brook, I love your report! Disneyland is so magical!
What did you think of the DLH vs. GCH? We're going for Christmas and are tryin to solidify our plans.

 

[KatMark]

I want to go to Disneyland just to do the Little Mermaid!!!!

Great update, Brook, it all looks terrific.

 

[wdwgirl03]

The Little Mermaid ride looks so great-I can't wait for it to open at WDW.

It's so strange seeing the Mickey on the Fun Wheel (I think that's what it's called these days...) now instead of on California Screamin.

 

[brookelizabeth]

Ok I am finally all caught up. GREAT updates! Henry is just tooo cute. I really love looking at all of your pictures (you take soo many more than I ever do, but wish I did!!!). It is nice to see Disney from a not-so-frequent visitor's perspective. One day when my DF and I get out to WDW I'll feel the same way.

I really appreciated the tour of the room video. When DF and I were there in April touring all of the hotels to pick the perfect one for our honeymoon, we got to PPH just in time for check in, and they had no time for a tour. We got a very detailed tour of the GCH though and I was thrilled about that. I am so looking forward to more!

Glad my room tour helped! If it were my honeymoon I would likely choose either the Disneyland Hotel because it's refurb is breathtaking, OR the Grand Californian because it is the most awe-inspiring due to it's size...and being IN the park is pretty stinkin' cool.

We took SO many pictures this trip! I couldn't believe it when we got back! But, I'm really glad we did, it helps me remember what we did since I am not the best note taker!

Enjoying your trip report. It is fun to compare the similarities and differences between Disneyland and WDW but Disneyland will always be my favorite due to it being my first experience with a Disney park when I was five weeks old!! And of course my numerous trips since then.

Pirates and Buzz are also big favorites in our house due to the fact I have a 5 year old DS, 3 year old DD and a 19 month old 19 DS (who sings It's a Small World even though he's not really talking yet!!). We went though the scared phase with our oldest DS but it wasn't with the rides it was with the characters. We now have grown past that fear thank goodness!! Hopefully Henry does too!!

Buzz does have some secret tips and one of the one's I remember the most is to hit the target when it's lit up. You'll also score more when you hit the harder to hit targets when they are lit up.

Nemo can get a little claustrophobic but it is fun to be on an actual submarine and see some of the kids (oh who am I kidding and my) favorite characters. We have done the observation room. You just walk up to the CM's at the entrance to the ride and ask if it's available and if it is they'll let you in. I found it to be a really great spot to nurse my kids when they were younger. The older one's got to experience the ride and I had a nice quiet, cool place to nurse the baby.

When I was 15 and went on my first trip to WDW I was told by one of the CM's that the drop on Pirates at Disneyland Paris had the longest drop out of all the Pirates, followed by Disneyland then WDW had the shortest drop. Mind you this info is almost 20 years old so it may have changed when the other parks were built. The other fun fact we were told was the speed on Space Mountain was the fastest at Disneyland Paris followed again by Disneyland and WDW was the slowest (can't remember the actual speeds right now). Again this info is all 20 years old so again it could have changed.

Henry is a cutie and love all the fun pictures you've taken. Glad to see you guys really enjoyed DL and can't wait to go back. Sorry he's not a thrill rider but hopefully he'll grow into them. Now if my DS had his way we'd live on BTMRR and Splash Mountain!!

Oh and during the busier times of the year (like Christmas week) you will see more handler's with the Characters with more of a defined line and they will shut them down once it gets close to the time for the character to leave. I got lucky one year by being the last family to meet Jack Skellington!! That's what I got for being in the right area at the right time and talking to his handler (for a good 15 - 20 mins in between her answering other guests questions) and she told me when she'd be shutting the line down. I was waiting for my DH and DS to get back from Tom Sawyer's Island and he had the camera!!! Luckily he made it in time!

Can't wait to read more about your trip and see what else you got to experience. And to read your comparisons about both DL and WDW. My last trip to WDW was rained out in May 2009 and I'm still working on getting that do over trip, now to get airfare to a manageable expense since we'll be paying for 5 seats this time instead of 3.

I hope Henry grows past this scared phase too...I'm curious to see how he will react during our one day at WDW next month. He talks big now of all the rides, but we'll see! I am going to clip a glow stick to his belt, or keep it in my bag, for the dark rides, just in case. I think that will help some and not distract any other guests.

I figured Disneyland would have to have lines and handlers at certain points of the year, it would be just too dangerous with those Christmas crowds I'm sure! It was neat to see them just wandering around though, it really brought an extra touch of magic in a way.

I hope your next trip pans out soon! 5 seats on a plane...YIKES. That price tag cannot be pretty!

Despite being up and about for rope-drop this update still sounded like you had a nice relaxed start to your day Getting up and ahead of the crowd makes such a difference - something we're taking advantage of whilst our girls are little and lively

The drop at DLParis is definitely longer than WDW so I'm sure you're right. And I can definitely tell you that SM in DLParis is fast - I'm not a great thrill ride person so the speed and the loop was more than enough for me
I do remember DH thinking that after the DLP version, SM in WDW seemed a bit tamer when he rode it for the first time back in 2005.

We really did take it easy the entire trip - we were up early, and got a lot done, but it was at such a relaxed pace. I think the size of the park and the closeness of our hotel really contributed to that.

I will have to keep that in mind for DLP! We hope to go in 2014, fingers crossed it works out!

Isn't that entrance into DCA the greatest? So close to the park. We stayed at GCH for 5 nights in July of 2010. I loved the convenience to the park. Sometimes at night I would walk over to just do Soarin one more time! The chairs by the pool are so comfortable, a perfect place to relax mid day. But the best was being able to see WOC from our balcony. It was a side view, so I couldn't see the video on the water wall, but everything else was great. I can't wait to get back to see carsland when it opens.
PPH looks very nice, and so close to everything too. Henry is so cute, and seems to be enjoying your trip. I love the pictures of him jumping on the bed! Loving your DL trip report!

Thanks for reading!!!! And yes, LOVE that entrance into DCA! Such a nice little "hidden gem" for Resort Guests. I know they have started doing similar things at DHS at WDW, with the "non-rope drop" park opening and opening the gates about 15 minutes early to avoid the stampede to TSM. I think they should do this for Resort Guests, such a nice perk.

I can't wait to get back to Disneyland...just your comments of going into the park at night, and watching World of Color from your balcony has me dreamin'...!

The Little Mermaid ride looked really cute!

It really is! I look forward to riding it in WDW!

Love the Pictures from Little Mermaid! I cant wait to try that out at WDW one day. I just love looking at all the pictures of you guys strolling around the DL area. I love that picture of the Ferris Wheel. Im not a fan of them, but Love the picture!

I am NOT a fan of ferris wheels either...I hate them actually. But....that update coming soon.

 

[brookelizabeth]

Strange question. I'm assuming from your posts that you have to have a fastpass for the World of Color. Is that true? Is there a reason why they do the fastpasses, instead of just waiting in line like you have to do for Fantasmic. Just wondering, I can't wait to see more about the World of Color because I really know nothing about it. And wow 10am opening, that seems so late. I know it's only an hour after 9am, but it seems late.

Yep, you have to have a FastPass for the WoC. It's not linked to the rest of the system though, so you can still get FPs for the rides. It's more like a ticket, to reserve your spot. While I don't know for sure, I am thinking they don't have a line up like Fantastmic because there isn't space for it. The area you stand in for WoC is between the water and the Little Mermaid ride (I hope I have a shot of it later....), and each side you can enter from opens up into a walkway to get to the Paradise Pier section of the park. So big crowds waiting there would cause a HUGE bottle neck.

10 AM is pretty late! And that's the normal time... I have a client going in June and it's 10 AM too despite the crowds being a bit heavier. Even on June 15-when they open Cars Land, it opens at 10 AM. The first character breakfast is only 20 minutes before park opening too. Kinda nice for the non-Rope Drop family...but we are Rope Droppers on the West Coast!

Great update!! We loved the early entrance feature for on site guests! It was fun to come in from that side and wander around the empty park areas. I agree with you about Little Mermaid. Very glad to experience it with no line, as later in the day, it had quite the line when we were there (just opened). I would've been really disappointed had I waited a long time for it. It was also great to be at the rope for the mad dash to TSM. Can't figure why they didn't make that a Fastpass attraction. That line builds fast.
Loving your photos.

Ya, i wouldn't wait too terribly long for the Little Mermaid either. It's a bit like Finding Nemo at Epcot. It's cute, and nice, but nothing I would wait forever for. In a few years, I'm sure it will have similar lines as Nemo has now since it loads quickly and isn't "blow me away" good.

I was a bit surprised to find out there was no FP at TSM in DL too. It's a pretty slow loading ride so I think the FP would be helpful. But, without the FP I guess the line rarely gets above 20 minutes-or so, except when the park is packed, so that is nice. Most people are willing to wait 20 minutes for a ride. Sometimes the FP line takes that long at WDW!

I was so far behind!! So many great updates. You are totally making me want to go to DL. I just wish that I could do it for less pp than I can WDW. Yesterday I priced out a 4 night with airfare park tickest and the cheapest good neighbor hotel... it was the same as the 9 night package I have at a moderate with dinning and parkhoppers for WDW. (no air fare though)

I so miss New Orleans Square. It is one of my favorite parts of DL. I guess Pirates is another part.

I have yet to see World of Color...so i can't wait to read your review.

The Little Mermaid ride looks cute. That also was not there the last time I went.

Yes, Disneyland can be pretty expensive - depending on your airfare. And their discounts are never as good as WDWs. What dates were you looking at?

I can almost give you a play by play with my pictures of the World of Color.

I noticed that too when we went to DLP in Sept 2004. Now to find a way to get back there too!! We only had a few hours when we went because I didn't plan like I should have. We were trying to fit it in during our last minute trip to Paris over a 4 day weekend. The things you can do when you don't have little one's yet!!

I really look forward to experiencing DLP! I hope it works out for 2014. We will need a LONG vacation though, I need to do Germany and DLP and want plenty of time in each!

Brook, I love your report! Disneyland is so magical!
What did you think of the DLH vs. GCH? We're going for Christmas and are tryin to solidify our plans.

Thanks!!! That is a tough call...the DLH is STUNNING. It really is! The rooms are amazing, it's so fresh - and it has this wonderful classic Disney feel, but it's modern. It's done sooooo well! The GCH feels more like a WDW Deluxe, it's HUGE and overdone in a wonderful way. The rooms are much smaller (DLH rooms are BIG!), but they are beautiful. The perk of being able to just stroll down to DCA is a nice one, plus if you have a theme park view, you can see World of Color from your balcony and tune it in on your TV.

Thinking about it more, if I could do Club Level DLH, I would do that over GCH. But, not sure I would do a regular hotel room over GCH....except that room size...!

I'm no help.

I want to go to Disneyland just to do the Little Mermaid!!!!

Great update, Brook, it all looks terrific.

Your wait for WDW is almost over!!! I think the WDW building outside and queue are going to be AMAZING to set the scene and feel for the ride! I can't wait to see all that.

The Little Mermaid ride looks so great-I can't wait for it to open at WDW.

It's so strange seeing the Mickey on the Fun Wheel (I think that's what it's called these days...) now instead of on California Screamin.

I'm really looking forward to seeing the outside of the building and the queue with all the waterfalls and such. It's going to be beautiful.

Isn't that funny? They have the sun on California Screamin' and the Mickey face on the Fun Wheel!

 

[okw19]

I just stumbled upon your TR and am all caught up! I'm a WDW girl myself, and love seeing DL through the eyes of another WDW lover. I'm so glad to have found a detailed DL TR, and I cannot wait to read more!

 

[brookelizabeth]

I left off as we were standing at Paradise Pier, waiting for the rope to drop and the park to officially open.

Well, lookee here...I spy with my little eye....a second breakfast!

A strategically placed coffee cart right next to the Paradise Pier Rope Drop. Good job.

It didn't take us long before we were standing in line there instead of at the rope!

The crowd. And beautiful palm trees!

We all shared a muffin - and Joe and I got coffee.

We quickly devoured it and a minute later...we were off!

5,823 people all headed for the same exact ride!

This way!

Where is this ride?!?! Guam?!?!

Rock & Roll! I am running with the bulls!!!!

Are we there yet?!?!

Yep. We are.

The line.

Where did all these people come from?!?!

All well!

It moved very quickly - I think it ended up being about 10 minutes in line, it never stopped moving.

I finally got to see Mr. Potato Head, even though we didn't get to interact with him.

The queue is boooooring compared to WDW's! It's also open-air, which is nice to let in that beautiful California weather!

It loads outside

Game on!

For my fellow geeks.

While cute, it has less of a immersive feel. I like being one of Andy's Toys.

He remembered just what to do and started to practice his "shooting sounds".

My score (Henry rode with Joe)

Joe and Henry's

Continued in next post

 

[brookelizabeth]

Continued from previous post

And...that means...I WON!!!!!!!!!!!!

I did a triple-take when I saw this come up! I was shocked! And I let out a big "WHOOP WHOOP!" followed by a "Whatever!" from the other side.

Overall, it’s essentially the exact same ride as WDW, except it loads outside and the rooms are bigger inside. You travel along in your little cart for a long distance between the scenes. I prefer DHS’ because of this - the less whipping in those little cars the better, IMO!! I don't like how that ride whips you around.

We left the ride and walked through the exit ramp...which if I remember correctly was really looooong, and had stairs!

It was meant to feel like you were in Andy's house.

Andy's house also has a gift shop.

We went over to swap on California Screamin' (the roller coaster), but it was down...and so were the FP machines. So, we just made a mental note to come back later.

Next was the ferris wheel.

Ugh.

I HATE ferris wheels! Send me on the highest roller coaster, I can take flips and drops and scream with delight...but ferris wheels? Little buckets that go a million feet in the air, held to a circle with a few bolts?!?! What?!

But, much to my surprise, Henry had been requesting this non-stop since he saw it out of our hotel room window the first night. I had to do it. It was now time.

There was a choice for swinging buckets, or stationary. There was NO STINKIN' WAY I would step foot on those swinging buckets!!! So stationary it was.

As we approached the ride Henry started to express his fear-but we could tell he was only scared because I was. And I do believe this is when he first said "No way Jose!" which made Joe and I crack up! I had no idea where he got this saying, and it became the saying of the trip! After Joe and I laughed at him saying it, he said it about every 8 minutes. At the moment it relieved both my tension; and therefore Henry's, and we were soon on a bucket sailing up into the sky.

Look. We are having fun. Really, we are. He he he.

We slowly ascended up...and my nerves left me and I started to relax and ENJOY it. We all enjoyed it! It provided some great views!

Cars Land!

The ride moves very slowly (which I LIKED!) and you only go around once to load all the passengers, and then one more full rotation...then they unload. So, unless it's really important to you, do NOT wait in line long for this, it's just not worth it.

Even though I did enjoy the ride, I was pretty happy to be back on land. We continued to walk the Pier, skipping right over the Silly Symphony Swings. NO THANK YOU!!!

Again, a little chair flying high into the air attached to a spinning circle with a few bolts?!??! No way Jose! However, for those of you without crazy height/flimsy feeling ride issues, they do have tandem swings - which is perfect for curious but timid little ones.

I thought this was cute.

Henry then spied Jumpin’ Jellyfish, so that’s just where we went. It's a ride that takes you up, then bounces you up and down - like a Kid Tower of Terror, except it's not in a haunted hotel, and you go up only a few stories instead of 13. You know, similar to ToT...

I was a bit surprised he wanted to do this one, it seemed “scary” for a little one going up so high, but I guess he doesn’t share his Momma’s fear of heights, he just doesn’t like the dark!

He was very happy that he was tall enough!

And of course, he wanted to ride with me, when I would have been happy to sit this one out.

The ride

He was not scared AT ALL.

I on the other hand...was a bit nervous. But, mind over matter-this was a KID RIDE, I could DO IT.

Views from a jellyfish

Jumpin' Jellyfish was a HIT! Henry LOVED it.

And I survived.

Continued in next post

 

[brookelizabeth]

Continued from previous post

By this time, it was 11 AM and we were hungry. But Henry just wanted a snack, NOT lunch. We tried to convince him to lunch, but he insisted on a snack, so I gave in-it wasn't worth the battle. We’d find lunch for Joe and I, and a snack for Henry!

We walked the rest of Paradise Pier and nothing struck our interest enough to stop. It's a nice area, but the rides are a bit "meh" for Disney, in my opinion. There is Goofy's Sky School, which is just a kiddy roller coaster, the swings, Jumpin' Jellyfish and the Golden Zephyr - which is a rocket that spins around a pole basically. The whole thing just feels cheapish - like a carnival. And I guess it's supposed to have that feel, considering there are games of the Boardwalk and things like that...but....I don't know, it was just lacking. If you have time, explore that area, but otherwise, just skip it. You aren't missing anything except some pretty views.

The cement here is part of the area where you stand for World of Color.

We were soon next to the Little Mermaid again (Paradise Pier is like a big loop on the other side of the lagoon),

Looking right - you can see the swings, and the big red tower with "Paradise Pier" on it is the Golden Zephyr.

and we went into the Pacific Wharf area of Golden State - which is a small area with a bunch of Quick Service restaurants that also will let out into Buena Vista Street when it's complete and is adjacent to A Bugs Land.

That is the walkway we went down to get to Toy Story Mania -- Pacific Wharf is another walkway nearby that also goes over the lagoon.

The bridge to Pacific Wharf.

And, as you can see, Pacific Wharf will also be a gateway into Cars Land.

NO ONE was there yet!

Fun picture opportunity

Close-up

We took a look at the choices and decided to go for the Pacific Wharf Cafe, I had remembered reading it was good, and the moment we stepped inside we knew it was the right choice.

I remember seeing the sourdough bread from other TRs.

Aren't those cute? They were for sale! I believe they were $7. I wanted one, but figured it would go back before we got back to NYC.

We took a look over the menu and I knew right away I wanted soup in a sourdough bread bowl. I was looking to figure out what kind of snack I should get Henry when I saw that a box of SNACKS was a choice for a Kids Meal! I couldn't believe it!! It was those new-ish "Power Packs" that they have for kids in various places around WDW too. Henry was THRILLED. It was all his favorite items in one box. Not really a meal, but not just a junky snack either. It was perfect!

The Cast Members working here were SOOOOOO nice! They loved on Henry, asked him all sorts of questions and were just so fun. It was definitely a magical moment just hanging out in there ordering, talking with them. No pressure of a line waiting behind us, we just chatted away. When a few of them found out we lived in New York City, they asked a bunch of questions about it all. They were amazed at people living IN the city (Manhattan) - where as in L.A. most people desire to live in the suburbs versus the city-core. We soon had our food and found a seat outside. If I remember correctly, there is only outdoor seating in Pacific Wharf - its a bit like an outdoor food court with restaurants around it, and seating in the middle.

Mine - corn chowder.

Joe's turkey sandwich

Henry's box of snacks.

Joe and Henry's dessert.

The food was all VERY good. The sourdough bread was deeeeeelish!

While we ate, music started up!

They were from the nearby Cocina Cucamonga Mexican Grill and were very good!

The area:

After our bellies were full, we aimed for the Hollywood Pictures Backlot.

Up Next: Two Words, Chicken Nuggets!

 

[loveysbydesign]

Lovin this update!

 

[jenb1023]

Great update! Love all of the photos! my DH is not a fan of ferris wheels either - especially ones with open sides that aren't caged in. Love TSMM - good job beating Joe!

 

[Lovemy3babes]

Oh yikes, ferris wheels freak me out too Brook! I feel like I could lean forward and just topple out.

Your food looks yummy! I love sourdough bread. YUM!

 

[basketkat]

I got SO far behind!!! But I am all caught up!!! Good to know about the FP for World of Color! I had no idea!

 

[lovegrumpy]

I so hope we go this summer but a house comes first. Dh did say we could do WDW if we didn't do Disneyland. So there is hope I'll do one this summer.

 

[tiggrbaby]

OMG I thought I was the only coaster diva afraid of the Ferris Wheel! Glad I'm in such good company.

 

[ladylyons]

Mickey's Fun Wheel is a big NO for me. My loving DH will normally take all 3 kids on it while I do single rider on California Screamin and while he does California Screamin I take the kids on King Tritan's Carousel that is right there.

We love TSMM!! My DS and DD would stay on it all day long if they could. They also love to just sit and watch Mr Potato Head. That is one thing we like that he is outside and anyone can see him. We did get to interact with him one year when our DS was sitting there talking to him and said something to us like "Isn't it bad when the kids will listen to a spud but not his parent's." It was actually pretty cute. We also got to see him take his ear out and then proceed to drop it. OOPS!!!

We don't do much in Paradise Pier either mainly Calif Screamin and TSMM. My DS can't wait to go on Goofy's Sky School and we don't know why. Only has about another inch to go and he'll finally get to ride.

Love hearing someone's elses take on one of our favorite places to go. Can't wait to read more.