Day 2 – June 21, 2011 – Part 4
Here is the last part of "A Reunion with an Old Friend at DL".
As we finished Winnie the Pooh, there was still time to do other rides until we met up with the DGF son’s family. They were in DCA and will take some time since they were doing some rides over their. The lines for SM and Pooh were already so long then normal days at DL. But the whole family was happy to get on Splash and Winnie the Pooh.
While we were heading on out of CC, some of the group had to use the restroom including me. So I pointed out that the closest restroom where we were in CC was the Hungry Bear restaurant. The DGF and DGS wanted to go on Davy Crockett’s Explorer Canoes while they waited for the rest of us. This was a good opportunity to get some rest while we waited for those two.
The DGM wanted to rest after Splash Mountain, the DM and I went over to BTMRR and get the FP. The DGS wanted to go back on BTMRR and I told them while we were waiting for them, we can use our tickets to get FP. So the two of us went on over to BTMRR while the DGM was waiting underneath Hungry Bear Restaurant waiting for the DGF and DGS.
When we got out FP at BTMRR, we only had a 30 minute wait time until it was time to return to BTMRR. I checked the wait time for BTMRR and it was half an hour wait. I predicted that it would be around 2pm that Tuesday. So the DM and I headed on back to Hungry Bear restaurant and we met up with everyone.
The DS wanted to go on the Jungle Cruise, so that was our next stop. On the way over to Adventureland, the DS looked at TSI and wanted to go over to the island. But I told him that it is just a place for running around and he all of a sudden changed his mind. There wasn’t much to do over there and told him that we can do more if we head on over to JC. While we were walking, the HM was at 20 minute wait, POTC 20 minute wait, Indy was already at an hour. These were long wait times, but not that ugly.
Luckily since it is a walk on, we only had to wait 5 minutes to get on the ride. Our JC guide was really nice and fun to talk too. The DM liked our guide, but in my opinion it was okay, not that great. He could have been more energetic with the guests, but each CM operator has their own personality to the ride. The DM got scared during the ride especially the piranha scene. That part mostly is the one that scares the people a little, but not that much.
When we got off, it was getting hot and I didn’t have something nice and cold to eat, so I told the group that a good place to get a nice treat is at the Tiki Juice Bar. Around this time would be really bad since it is during the afternoon and it was hot. When we got to the Tiki Juice Bar, the line was close to the exit of the Enchanted Tiki Room. But the group wanted to see the ETR, so we just went inside the queue and get our Dole whip inside. This time, I got the Dole Whip Float while the others got two Dole Whips and one more Dole Whip Float. This is something I must do everytime I go to DL. They really like it so much and I was glad that they did. It took quite awhile to get our Doles.
We head on in the ETR and I told them that this was the very first AA attraction at DL. The DGM loved the birds in the room. The DGS slept during the show and I was kind of surprise to see that. But the whole day was crazy and hot and that must have played a part for him to sleep during the show.
When we got out, the other family members were already in the park and told us to meet them right by the Riverbelle Terrace. We met up with the DGF son and his family at Riverbelle Terrace. The DGF son had a young adult daughter who just graduated from HS, young daughter and son. They are all locals in San Diego and were here to see their grandparents.
While we were talking, our FPs for BTMRR was about to be used up, the DM, DGS, DGF son, his wife and their daughter used our FP for BTMRR. The rest of us just waited around the Riverbelle Terrace and talked to one another. I showed them Mickey’s Soundsational Parade that I have videotaped during the Memorial Day weekend trip.
When the rest of the party arrived, they wanted to go on POTC. So that was our next ride. I can’t believe I have rode POTC three times this trip. It has been awhile since I rode POTC three times or more during this trip. I didn’t want to wait in that queue, but I was a good sport about it and got to know the family more while we were in the queue. We had to wait around 25 minutes in the queue to get on the ride.
Some of the young family kids were really scared of the ride, but they did like the ride. At the end of the ride, the DGS was kind of interacting with the parrot at the end of the ride. He kept talking to it and said that it does not interact with the guests. He was disappointed about it. But he enjoyed the ride.
POTC was always fun to ride and our next one was JC again. This time, we have the whole family with us for the ride. I have no problem with the riding it twice since it is always fun to hear a different JC operator. We had a nice young lady named Vanessa and she was way more energetic than our last operator. That was way better to have a great operator on the ride then someone who is less enthusiastic.
I found a duck right chilling on the rocks by the King Cobras.
After finishing JC, both families wanted to go on HM, but since the wait time was around 20 minute wait, the DGF, DGM, & DM were all tired and wanted to go back to the PPH and rest up. The DGS wanted to be with my uncle and his family that day, but the DM wanted him to be with them the whole time. He was not happy about it, but he has no choice. It was also my time to head on out of DL and pick up my dad. It was around 5:00pm and I head on out of the park with the DGF, DGM, DM and DGS while the family decided to stay in DL and do some rides.
On the way out of the park, I asked if they wanted to buy something at the stores. Since I have an Premier AP, they could saved a lot of money. They asked me which store on the way out of the park is good to shop, I said that was the Emporium which was the biggest in DL. They agreed to go to the store with me on the way out.
POTC was really long that day and around 5pm
The wait time for Indy was at 70 minutes and JC went up to 10 minutes.
While we were walking on the way over to the Emporium, everyone was so grateful that I helped them with their trip during those two days. It was really fun to be in a big group after the last few trips which have been solo for me.
At the Emporium, I knew that they were remodeling the store, but I was kind of surprise to see how much of it was being remodeled. So we head on over to the children clothing section so that the DM and DGM can find some baby and child shirts for their other grandchildren and cousins. That was really nice of them to think about other family members.
When they were finished purchasing their items, it was time to head on out of the park. It was close to 5:30pm when we left the park. When we past the turnstile, we parted ways while they went back to PPH for a rest and I was on my way back to BW Anaheim Inn to pick up the car. Everyone was grateful to me for helping them out and I was also grateful for them to spend my time with them. I have met a nice family that my dad knew for a long time and it was fun.
I headed back to BWAI and I picked up the car around 5:45pm. I was lucky that I was able to leave the car at the hotel and leave it their instead of parking at the DLR parking lots. The time I was allowed to leave the car at BWAI was until 6pm that day.
On the way out, I got snagged in traffic on I-5 since it was a weekday. I headed on over to LA to pickup my dad where he was staying at his friends house.
After I got him, it was around 7pm and we were on our way back home to Sacramento. It took us about 6 hours to get from LA to Sacramento and that concludes my trip to DL on June 20 - 21, 2011.
This was a pretty fun trip. I got to meet my dad long time army friend and his family. We got to do all the good rides at DL and DCA. Got to do WoC on Monday and my dad was so amazed with the show. I told him that you have to see the show in person and experience what it feels then watching it on video. Got to do Soundsational parade and go on rides that I haven't done in quite some time. Plus I got to meet my dad's friend sons family which was nice to meet.
The only things I was kind of disappointed that I haven't done during the whole trip was MFW. This was the first time in almost a year and a half that I haven't done MFW. I wanted to go up and take pictures of the new PP and Goofy's Sky School. But it was a good trade of enjoying it with another family. I didn't do BLAB which was kind of a shock to me. I thought the family wanted to do that ride, but they were occupied with other things.
But in the end, it was a fun time to be with my dad's friend family and also my dad. Even though he is not a Disney person, he did enjoy being at the park with me and his friend. I also had a great time with Matt (skiingfast) and his DS that Tuesday morning at the Plaza Inn for breakfast. We also had a great time at DL during that Tuesday morning and got on some good rides that morning.
Now that trip is over with, I have to get my PTR set up for my August trip to DL during the
D23 Expo. I am looking forward to this one after the 2009 D23 Expo. I have learned a lot of lessons from that trip back in 2009 and I am hoping that I won't make the same mistakes that I regret at that time.
F! is my favorite nighttime show at DL. I didn't F! ever since January because I was trying to get RDCT and Magical on video those night. I'm glad that I was able to get F! in that Monday night since I didn't plan on seeing it. Good thing my group got to see it that Monday night.
I'm sure Sherry would enjoy knowing what the current Hub flowers were as well. 
