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

[MEK]

What a cute little restaurant. You're right - LL would LOVE that!

I have never seen the inside of one of those subs before - YIKES! That does look a little....I mean A LOT claustrophobic. Can you imagine getting stuck in one of those *shudder*

Henry is looking tall these days!

 

[ImarriedGrumpy]

DS4 loved the Nemo subs for the first 4 times we rode them on our last trip (he's obsessed with all things ocean/sea creatures), but on the 5th time he noticed that another child didn't like it and asked me why she was scared. Silly me, I told him, and from then on he didn't like it! I like it, but I agree it's a long time in a small space.

One of my favorite DLR tips is that you can go to the wheelchair entrance for the Nemo Subs and ask for the non-submarine version of the ride, and they take you into a room with a few chairs and you get to be at "mission control" and then you watch what is basically a short movie of what you'd see if you were on the subs looking out the portholes. We've done that with a friend who couldn't get down the stairs of the sub, and another time with a young kid who was nervous about going in the subs. It's a wonderful place to take a short break from the crowds!


Love the photos from Jolly Holiday! I'm looking forward to trying it on our next trip. Honestly, I don't expect as much from the food at DLR as I do at WDW. One of the lessons we've learned is that because of how the tunnels and kitchens at DL are set up, the food is better the closer you are to Blue Bayou and Club 33. I can't remember which of the many Disneyland books I've read talked about that, but we've found that to be mostly true with a few exceptions.

 

[tiggrbaby]

I agree about the Nemo ride being cramped. I remember being freaked on the old 2000 L back in '75 as a high school senior, but I still went on the Nemo to see what they did with it - just like you, once was enough!

I remember the characters "roamed free" in the MK back in the '70s. I guess WDW has more east coast aggression and in DL everyone has CA chill?

 

[blessedby3]

I love the update! I remember riding the subs at WDW so many years ago I do remember being a bit scared when I was younger, but grew to love that 20,000 Leagues ride Thanks for letting me see inside those subs again!
The Jolly Holiday bakery looks so charming! It reminds me of the Plaza restaurant and ice cream area on Main Street
You said that the child swap was different at DL. What do they do differently there?
I remember the free roaming characters at WDW too. The folks back in the day werent quite as nice and orderly as they are at DL!! People were always shoving their kids up to the characters when we were trying to get a picture. We always had lots of random people in our pictures from the early years
Cant wait to read more!

 

[Charleston Princess]

Oh, how fun that you rode Nemo! Sorry Henry was so nervous the whole time! I remember being a little nervous when I was little on the 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea version -- especially when the giant squid appeared! Then, as I got older, it ended up being one of my favorites!

Adorable picture of Henry with the Stormtrooper!

In love with the Jolly Holiday decor -- so cute with all the Mary Poppins stuff!

 

[DisMomAmy]

Your pictures of the submarines brought back some very faint memories I have from 20,000 Leagues from when I was 9. All I remember was that it was dark & cramped! I can understand why Henry would be nervous - I think both of my kiddos would be too.

Love the decor in the Jolly Holiday! Sorry the food wasn't more memorable.

 

[disneyfan61]

I would have had a hard time with Nemo. I am claustrophobic!! Glad you had a chance to do it though.

What a cute breakfast place that Jolly Holiday is!! Too bad the food was not that great.

That's cute that Henry was a little worried about the big guns the storm troopers had. Glad he posed with them.

That is amazing that the characters do not have handlers!! I am amazed that they can walk around & not get harassed or anything. That is great!!

Cannot wait to read more!!

 

[jenseib]

My first ride ever at WDW was 2000 Leagues under the sea. I only remember bits and pieces and I was nervous like Henry too.

I looked at the laggoon area several years ago when we were at WDW and it was so creepy looking....and I have seen pictures since then as well...again, kind of creepy, but I would probably give it a try at DL if we ever go.

 

[Poolrat]

And this one made me think of Pat. Here too!

I believe I did 20,000 Leagues when I was little. I am sure now even though I am "fun" size, (that is what I am calling it now ) I would find those subs a bit teeny.

 

[basketkat]

Oh my...those submarines look neat and overwhelming all at the same time! I'm not too fond of small spaces or people touching me that I don't know... so hmm....BUT it looks really pretty underwater, and we are HUGE Nemo fans! I guess we will see how brave we are in November!

I think it is neat that the characters are out roaming around! Do they sign autograph books or is it just a photo op type thing?? I'm so glad to hear people behave themselves and wait their turn. We went to Great America last summer (Six Flags) and it was terrible...ugh...we still got it "Not so Great America"

The Jolly Holiday looks adorable! Too bad the food wasn't super exciting! I love love LOVE Mary Poppins...she is just so practically perfect!

Looking forward to more food reviews...and rides...and...well...everything!

 

[micandminforever]

I loved all the new pictures. The bakery looked so cute, I am sorry it did not lived uo to the cuteness. I remember 20,000 Leagues on my first trip to Disney as being closed in and damp. It was not a favorite, but we did ride it each visit because it was a certain type ticket. Plus for some reason my mother loved it.

 

[tiggrbaby]

I loved all the new pictures. The bakery looked so cute, I am sorry it did not lived uo to the cuteness. I remember 20,000 Leagues on my first trip to Disney as being closed in and damp. It was not a favorite, but we did ride it each visit because it was a certain type ticket. Plus for some reason my mother loved it.

That's exactly what freaked me out! The moisture on the inside of the window made me feel like it was going to flood any minute! And we had to use all the tickets up, too.

 

[claryche]

So glad that Henry met the Storm Troopers. It's amazing how little boys and girls can be so in awe of Star Wars and love it so much and then be scared. I know when Logan did Jedi Training at 4, he was scared and even this time on his actual 6th birthday he said he was still a little scared. Darth Vader and the Storm Troopers are tall and just seem so non-friendly. But way to go Henry. Can't wait until he gets to do Jedi Training.

That Nemo sub ride does not look like a ride I would want to ride. Not enough space at all. And probably all I would be thinking about would be if something happens how are we all going to get out of here quickly.

 

[Tiggerrn2]

Brooke, this is so much fun reading your 1st time experiences. Our first trip was in 2005, kids were 5 and 7. We also loved how the characters roamed the park (though in the summer there were handlers and lines). We would run into them walking through Fantasyland all the time. And they would ride the rides with kids. It was fun.
Kyle got to do the Star Wars Jedi Training Academy there and battled Darth Maul in 2007. That was the year I went with a broken ankle. Instead of the 3 hour wait for the subs (they were new that year), I got to bypass the line via the access for the handicapped. We were on in 15 minutes. I don't think I would have bothered with it, otherwise. And, like you, didn't think it was enough of a good show/ride to ever feel the need to do it again.
I can't wait to see what you all thought of the whale. We have been there 5 times now, and I still haven't ridden through the Storybook Canal boats.

 

[Disneyland_Mama]

Hi Brooke!

I've read several of your WDW TR's and am thoroughly enjoying your take on DLR.

The Nemo subs wig me out, too. I think it's the smell and stale air, but I always feel nauseous when I ride them.

Can't wait to hear your thoughts on SM.

 

[2xcited2sleep]

I remember loving 20,000 Leagues as a kid but looking at it now, I'm not so sure I could force myself on it. Holy close quarters!

How cool that the characters are just walking around without lines and handlers. I miss that about WDW.

 

[dolfinjuls]

Wow I don't know that I would even really want to do the Nemo sub...I don't think I ever saw how cramped it is in there before! And that chocolate croissaint looks heavenly! Too bad it was just so-so!

 

[LovintheLodge]

So happy to have found your trip report!! My family is planning an August trip to DLR (our first visit!) and your report is great!

Enjoying all of your pictures...can't wait for more...

Kerry

 

[Pinkgirl]

Ooooh there is no way I would be able to drag my DD (or myself for that matter) on the sub!

 

[Woth2982]

I have done the Nemo ride twice and it is my least favorite ride in the park. No clue why I keep going on it.

I think WDW pastries are better in general. I had a cinnamon roll there last time and it was not the same amazing roll that main st bakery in the MK has in Florida.