November 11, 2006 - MAGIC - Special Western "Double Dip" Cruise 11/11/06

[Vanvmom]

Finally back from So. CA (late last night). I've got a commitment tonight too, so likely I will not make it to chat (or I'll be so late that only the west coast chatters might still be awake).

Yes, I rode Pirates! The rumors are true... no fastpasses for Pirates (I believe they had already removed them last Nov. when we were there, but in any case... they are definately gone now).

Soft opening was Sunday, announced opening was Monday. We arrived at the gate at 8am (only those with early entry were already in the park). When we entered the park we saw a large mass of people on main street! You guessed it! This was the line for Pirates! The end of the line was where they put the large Christmas tree during the holiday season. At least a 3 hour wait in line (down main street, through Frontierland, winding back and forth through the viewing area for Fantasmic, through the normal cue for Pirates, back and forth along the sides of the building that Pirates is located in). This line went places I've never seen in the park!

Due to the fact we had small children with us (young cousin was along for the day), we waited a few hours to get into line. By noon, the end of the line was back by the gift shop outside the Golden Horseshoe (across from Shooting Gallery). We stood in line behind a nice family from Wisconsin and chatted the entire time with them. The line moved nicely, and we were on the ride in less than an hour. Well worth the wait! Won't share the fun stuff in store, but I would definately stand in line to ride it again!

Of course, we came home to a house REEKING of dog urine. Guess our house sitter didn't know that we've never tested our dog's housebreaking skills. She is kennel/crate trained. When she is out of her kennel while inside the house we keep a close eye on her. Guess the sitter did not, and our "formal" living room carpet was ruined! I tore it out first thing this morning. I've decided to tile the room, but the tile will cost between $360 and $550, and I will spend the whole weekend working on tile. Guess this trip out of town is costing us more than I planned on!

 

[JJsmama]

Hi everyone. Hope no one is in the mid Atlantic flooding. Are you? We had some minor flooding here, with the bridge over our creek in the back yard being washed away along with some big kids toys, etc. The house is up on a hill though, so we coulnt our blessings.
The rain has moved out for us.

Wendy, you were at DL right? Not WDW? I wonder if the Pirates has been rehabbed at WDW yet.

Here's a question: For someone who has been to WDW many times and it is a day's drive to get to, is it worth planning a trip to CA to do DL? I've checked out the website and the resorts don't look anywhere near as interesting as WDW. Maybe the website is not showing it off well? WHattaya think?

Jennifer

 

[ibouncetoo]

Jennifer, the Grand Californian hotel at DLR is by the same guy who did Wilderness Lodge and Animal Kingdom Lodge. Very arts & crafts. The Disneyland hotel has a great pool, and Paradise Pier is boring. But you can stay off property (yet CLOSER to the entrance) and save $$ for more fun stuff. There are lots of WDW folks who have done DLR for the first time and really appriciated it. Check out the DLR trip reports forum. It certainly is smaller than WDW and may only require three days (or four if you wanted to a Disney tour and some pool/shopping time one day). My ideal DLR vacation would be four nights at the Grand Californian....a bit pricy right now...they haven't been offering their usual discounts during the entire 50th Celebration. But I've been to DLR many times and I'd be using some of that time to just relax and 'savor' the experience.....well, pretty much like I do at WDW now too, come to think of it.

One thing I've noticed, is the CM's for the face characters are WONDERFUL there....maybe because they have more talent to draw on. I can't wait to see Captain Jack Sparrow....a character I think WDW isn't even going to attempt. DLR is gloating about the CM's they have hired for that character.

And yes Pirates at WDW is redone...though they are still different. Eight minutes for WDW, 15 for DLR. ...can you tell I just read an article on this?....

 

[JJsmama]

Jackie,
Thanks for the info on DLR. I would like to try it sometime. Is it just the one park--as opposed to WDW's four? If you can stay off property and yet be closer, Are there perks to staying onsite? Early entry, etc?

On the subject of our cruise, I am waiting for the nasty little debate about whether Chakanaab is open to blow over and looking forward to getting a definitive answer when a few more cruises go there. It sounded like a good option for my crew.

Jennifer

 

[ibouncetoo]

Jackie,
Thanks for the info on DLR. I would like to try it sometime. Is it just the one park--as opposed to WDW's four? If you can stay off property and yet be closer, Are there perks to staying onsite? Early entry, etc?

Jennifer

Two parks, Disneyland and California Adventure. I think CA has four don't miss attractions: Tower of Terror, Soarin (sound familiar?), Screaming and Grizzley River. Grizzley River is THE BEST of any Disney water ride...think Kali on steroids. Also, the Aladdin show at the Hyperion Theater is FANTASTIC, equal to Beauty and the Beast at MGM (but with elephants, camels and flying carpets).

There are some 'good neighbor' hotels that do include early entry. We will be staying at the Candy Cane Inn, which is 250 yards for the DLR entrance, closer than two of the DLR hotels. Grand Californian actually has it's own entrance into California Adventure.

Oh, and there's some good dining at Downtown Disney. Besides the stand-by ESPN, and House of Blues, there is Catal and the Jazz Kitchen, both very good

I think it's definately a trip to consider, especially if you rented a car and threw in some other southern California destinations. The DIS has a whole new forum on S.Cal....check it out.

 

[TiggersPal]

Welcome back Wendy!!! So sorry to hear about your carpet... bad pet sitter, bad.

That's my sister folks, the gal with all the info!

 

[ibouncetoo]

OK, who's dined at Victoria and Albert? Let's hear about it! Somebody I know just got a coupon/letter for a dinner with wine pairings there. So I....um, I mean SHE...wants to know about it.

 

[JJsmama]

OK, who's dined at Victoria and Albert? Let's hear about it! Somebody I know just got a coupon/letter for a dinner with wine pairings there. So I....um, I mean SHE...wants to know about it.

Nope, sorry. We did finally do an "adult dinner" last trip and dined at California Grill. Really enjoyed that. Get any coupons for that one?

 

[JJsmama]

Jackie, are you going on the Wonder right before our cruise or is that "11/6" in your signature from last year? If so, no fair. You'll already be in relaxed, cruise mode when we come bumbling aboard.

 

[CJLKIM]

Jackie, are you going on the Wonder right before our cruise or is that "11/6" in your signature from last year? If so, no fair. You'll already be in relaxed, cruise mode when we come bumbling aboard.

I think that's a continuation from the prior line of her 2005 trips

 

[ibouncetoo]

I think that's a continuation from the prior line of her 2005 trips

 

[CJLKIM]

Hey.....I be pretty quick tonight.....

 

[ibouncetoo]

For anyone interested...here's a link to a video from the Pirates re-opening in DLR with J.Deep checking out the ride!

http://youtube.com/watch?v=bTQ5eWBlApY&search=pirates%20of%20the%20caribbean

 

[Spotdude]

I might have to go to Ca. That is amazing. It looks just like Johny Deep. WOW

 

[shelwoj]

That video clip of the ride with Johnny Depp standing next to Captain Jack was really cool/spooky! It looked JUST like him. We absolutely cannot wait until it opens here next week. Our son works at a movie theater and he said he can wait because it will be insane busy that weekend. Thanks for the clip.

 

[shelwoj]

Here is a picture from our son's graduation. I can't believe I figured out how to do this!

 

[shelwoj]

Ok, I seem to be on a roll this morning! I have a question. I know that people drop off pillow cases and such for the cast to sign. Would they sign something like a picture of the cruise ship? I was thinking something like the signed lithographs. Just wondering!

I really need to get moving now and get to work!!

 

[JJsmama]

That video of POC really was neat!

Congrats to your son, Shelly. What's that CD thing with his diploma?

Jennifer

 

[ibouncetoo]

OK here's my Question Of The Day:

What is the PERFECT moment to arrive at the port for a walk-right-on-the-ship arrival? When is that moment in time where all the early birds have checked in and the DCL busses haven't arrived yet? How long after noon is it that group 7 or so is called to board? I'm figuring it is some time between 12:20 and 1P....whadda you think?

Since we are staying at AKL the night before, I don't want to race out the door that morning....want to enjoy the resort a bit....especially since we are now having dinner Friday night at Victoria & Albert instead of Boma....we'll lose a couple of hours of soaking up the ALK ambiance because of that.

Of course, arriving at the terminal BEFORE noon, means meeting and playing with you guys who are there early. Ah, such a delima! Help us people...help us strike the balance between enjoying a resort we paid hard earned $$$ for and starting our cruise adventure with all of you!

 

[TiggersPal]

OK here's my Question Of The Day:

What is the PERFECT moment to arrive at the port for a walk-right-on-the-ship arrival? When is that moment in time where all the early birds have checked in and the DCL busses haven't arrived yet? How long after noon is it that group 7 or so is called to board? I'm figuring it is some time between 12:20 and 1P....whadda you think?

Since we are staying at AKL the night before, I don't want to race out the door that morning....want to enjoy the resort a bit....especially since we are now having dinner Friday night at Victoria & Albert instead of Boma....we'll lose a couple of hours of soaking up the ALK ambiance because of that.

Of course, arriving at the terminal BEFORE noon, means meeting and playing with you guys who are there early. Ah, such a delima! Help us people...help us strike the balance between enjoying a resort we paid hard earned $$$ for and starting our cruise adventure with all of you!

YOU A CRAZY WOMAN!​