Our 3rd Annual Holiday Trip to DL in November - November 22nd - 25th, 2013 Post #3416

[PrincessInOz]

Seems like your family got on a heap of rides with MM.

I'm hoping to get on Star Tours a couple of time on this trip. My DH and DS have not been on the revamped ride yet and I have a feeling they are going to LOVE the upgrade.

It looks like you had great weather on this day and MS looks lovely with the American buntings out. Thanks for sharing.

 

[tksbaskets]

Great installment to your trip report. What a beautiful day. It seemed like the yellow vehicle on Mainstreet was leaning to the right at the start of your post. It's great that the two MM family members could get on a few rides before you and your DA arrived.

I was smiling as your aunt thougth she'd be good competition for you on Buzz. She was much better competition than I would be. Bret I'd be asking you to help me and your score would suffer. You ROCKED your score! Brag worthy for sure! I'd like you to give me pointers before our December trip so I score more than 5,000.

Star Tours is SO much better since the refurbishment. I like the Vader scene too. I hope you were able to go again on your trip.

I just loved your ride picture on SM!

I'm thinking River Belle Terrace for breakfast. I'll have to wait and find out with your next post!

Thank you for taking the time to post about your adventures. I really enjoy your reports.

 

[mvf-m11c]

Seems like your family got on a heap of rides with MM.

I'm hoping to get on Star Tours a couple of time on this trip. My DH and DS have not been on the revamped ride yet and I have a feeling they are going to LOVE the upgrade.

It looks like you had great weather on this day and MS looks lovely with the American buntings out. Thanks for sharing.

Chris and DM did get to ride a lot of rides that morning and Chris and I got to ride a lot of rides thanks to the morning where I always try to take advantage when the park is not that busy as well as the fast passes.

Your DH and DS will love the revamped Star Tours ride. Adding the 3D glasses makes the experience even better and you don't know what adventures you will be getting when riding it.

The weather was very nice where days it can be cloudy in the morning. That day was very nice and it was warm in the afternoon.

Thank you PiO for reading my trip reports.

Great installment to your trip report. What a beautiful day. It seemed like the yellow vehicle on Mainstreet was leaning to the right at the start of your post. It's great that the two MM family members could get on a few rides before you and your DA arrived.

I was smiling as your aunt thougth she'd be good competition for you on Buzz. She was much better competition than I would be. Bret I'd be asking you to help me and your score would suffer. You ROCKED your score! Brag worthy for sure! I'd like you to give me pointers before our December trip so I score more than 5,000.

Star Tours is SO much better since the refurbishment. I like the Vader scene too. I hope you were able to go again on your trip.

I just loved your ride picture on SM!

I'm thinking River Belle Terrace for breakfast. I'll have to wait and find out with your next post!

Thank you for taking the time to post about your adventures. I really enjoy your reports.

Thank you TK. The day was very nice and it got warmer that afternoon. The yellow horseless carriage vehicle was moving closer to the middle so the vehicle wouldn't hit the guests walking down MS where there were a lot of people. It was good that Chris and DM were able to go to DL during MM and doing a lot of rides.

Chris was making a big deal out of her mom being so good on BLAB where she is the best in the family. It was my cousin that was hyping it up and I just do what I usually do on BLAB and hit the targets which are the most. My aunt really did a good job on BLAB for her first time. I will be glad tohelp you on BLAB when before your trip to the DLR in December. Just pm me and I will help you with BLAB.

The easiest tip to give to anyone on BLAB is to go for the triangle and diamonds targets. Focus on those targets which they are worth the most. Triangles are worth 10,000 points and diamonds are worth 5,000 points. I did say before in the past that there is a secret target on the ride which is the first Zurg AA which there is a small dot on his chest. It is very hard to see but there is a small black dot on his chest where if the gun hits the target, it is worth 100,000 points. It is very hard to hit and mostly the gun doesn't light up when I hit that target. Hope this helps.

Star Tours is way better and it is fun to ride. I haven't ride it a lot ever since the AP preview back in 2011. It is always fun to ride with someone who can go on this ride like my cousin. My aunt, DM or my DA (that goes with me to DL a lot) would not even go on that ride.

Glad you like that pose picture on Space Mountain.

You will find out on the next post shortly.

Glad you are enjoying this trip report and thank you TK for following along my trip reports for all these years.

 

[mvf-m11c]

Day 2 – June 29, 2013 – Part 2​

On our last update, Chris and DM went to DL early that morning for Magic Morning and they did quite a lot of rides. My aunt and I came to the park later that day to meet up with them since I didn’t have a MM since I am an annual passholder and she didn’t want to go to the park that early. When we met up with each other, we rode a few rides like Buzz Lightyear Astro Blaster. Chris and I rode Star Tour and Space Mountain that morning. Now everyone was starting to get hungry so we head on over to breakfast but where?

Just when we got off Space Mountain and met up with my aunt and DM. Everyone was hungry that morning and since we were in DL, we thought it was nice to have breakfast in the park.

When Chris and I were riding Space Mountain and Star Tours, DM went on over towards Critter Country to get FP’s for Splash Mountain. We did give my AP and Chris PH ticket so she could get FP’s for Splash. Chris favorite ride at DL is Splash Mountain and she was going to be excited to go on it that day. It was going to be hot that day but in the morning time it was very nice where we didn’t have to ride it. But Chris wants to ride it as many times as possible. Our return time was around 10:10am to 11:10am so we had plenty of time to eat and go to Critter Country to ride Splash Mountain.

Before the trip, my aunt and I were talking about all the different restaurants that serve breakfast at the park from the quick counters to the sit downs. When she looked at all the menus of all the restaurants at the DLR, she was not impressed with the selections for her. So when we got to Anaheim on Friday morning, we chose to eat at IHOP over the parks restaurants since they have more of a selection. She thought about eating at Denny’s, Mimi’s, or any of the off-site restaurants since they have better selections. But since we were in the park and didn’t want to leave, so we talked about the possible restaurants to choose from. I told her that the sit down restaurants were Carnation Café & Plaza Inn which was Minnie & Friends character breakfast. The quick counters were the River Belle Terrace and Tomorrowland Terrace. She didn’t like the choices from the River Belle Terrace and TL Terrace so the other choices were CC or PI. So we walked down on MS to choose between those two restaurants of which place to have breakfast.

We walked down MS and we concluded that we will eat at Carnation Café. I haven’t eaten at CC in a long time especially during breakfast which is the last time I have eaten at CC. It was around 2004 since I have last eaten at CC. It has been a long time since I have eaten at CC. Since everyone was hungry and they didn’t like the other choices to eat, we head on over to CC to have breakfast. I was just worried of how long we would have to wait at CC since we didn’t make a reservation. Waiting times can take about 10 to 15 minutes of how busy the restaurant is but Chris wanted to eat at CC.

While walking down MS, it was not that busy where some guests are coming in the park.

We got to Carnation Café and we head on inside the new check-in area which is the former Blue Ribbon Bakery. Now the check-in is inside.

When we went to the check-in podium, there was a little wait time of around 10 minutes which is not bad. The CM asked if we want to have breakfast inside or outside. My aunt chose the inside and we had to wait awhile to get a seat. So we just waited inside until we are called and get our seat.

While we were waiting, we were all talking about the day and what to do next after breakfast. I don’t want to tell everyone what we will do later since it will ruin what we will do later that day.

DM and aunt

I had to get the lamp inside the Carnation Café which looked very interesting

We only had to wait about 8 minutes until our pager buzzed us and it was time to be seated inside the former Blue Ribbon Bakery building.

Our table was just behind the podium and the dining area was very well decorated.

We looked at the menu of what they have for breakfast and there was something my aunt would have that morning.

After we ordered our food, we kept talking about Chris and DM that morning when they attended MM. Chris had a blast that morning where she and DM got to go on a lot of rides in FL & TL. They were glad that they had a MM so they would be able to go on rides like PP where the wait time will be in the 30+ in the afternoon.

Our waitress brought our food and it was time for breakfast.

I had the Mickey-Shaped Waffle served with Chicken-Apple Sausage.

Chris and DM shared a plate together which they got Oscar’s Choice: All-American Breakfast. The eggs were scrambled with Café Breakfast Potatoes and with Hickory-smoked Bacon which was on a separate plate.

My aunt got the Huevos Rancheros with Corn Tortillas, Poached Eggs, Jack Cheese, and Fire-roasted Salsa served with Avocado-Black Bean Pico de Gallo.

When we ate, the Mickey-shaped waffle dish that I ordered is exactly the same shape Mickey waffle that I have at my house. I wanted to try something different instead of the Oscar’s Choice: All American Breakfast since I had a similar dish when we ate at IHOP on Friday. So I went with the Mickey-shaped waffle dish and it was very nice. The chicken-apple sausage was very nice as well. When I asked everyone about their dishes my aunt was not impressed with the Huevos Rancheros dish. The dish was fine but it wasn’t that amazing.

After we finished eating at Carnation Café, we started to do some rides and get some FP’s for that day. DM wanted to go on Indiana Jones ride and so we head on over to Adventureland to get FP’s for Indy.

While walking on over to Indy, I have to get different pictures while walking down the path towards Adventureland. The park was getting a little busy that morning where it was going to be a busy day at DL.

While walking down in Adventureland, Chris told me about the lamps which are very neat and interesting to look at right close to the Enchanted Tiki Room.

The Adventureland Bazaar store

So the four of us headed on over to Indiana Jones to get FP’s

Our return time was at 11:15am to 12:15pm which was a nice time when we got the FP’s around 10:37am.

After getting the FP’s for Indy, we head on over towards Critter Country so Chris and I could ride Splash Mountain. DM and my aunt were not willing to ride Splash so it was going to be me and Chris riding Splash Mountain.

Passing by Indiana Jones ride

We were now in New Orleans Square by the Rivers of America and it was semi busy that afternoon where we are heading on over to CC to use the FP’s for Splash Mountain.

Pirates of the Caribbean wait time was around in the 10 minute wait time which is common for that ride before noon. We thought about riding it while we were passing by it but we had to use the FP’s for Splash before it expired at 11:10am that afternoon.

Now passing by the Haunted Mansion

We are now close to Critter Country and the wait time for Splash Mountain was at 30 minutes in the standby queue. So Chris and I were lucky to get FP’s from DM who went all the way over to CC to get FP’s for us.

The Critter Country sign which is so interesting to see all those different animals.

The four of us were now in Critter Country and we will be at Splash Mountain shortly. But this will be it for this post and I will have more from DL and at Critter Country.

 

[mvf-m11c]

Day 2 – June 29, 2013 – Part 3​

On our last update, we are all at DL that morning on Saturday going on a lot of rides and having breakfast at Carnation Café which was nice to have breakfast. DM got Chris and me FP’s for Splash Mountain since it is Chris favorite ride at DL. So she was happy that we get to ride Splash Mountain that day. Now we are heading on over to Critter Country to ride Splash Mountain.

We are now entering Critter Country so Chris and I could ride Splash Mountain. The wait time around that time was already at 30 minutes in the standby queue. Good thing that DM got FP’s at that time. It wasn’t that busy that in CC.

Getting a FP around that time that we passed by the FP distribution area is from 11:30am to 12:30pm which is a nice time to ride Splash Mountain.

When we got to the entrance to Splash Mountain, Chris and I gave our bags to my aunt and DM. While they are waiting, they decide that they will ride Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh while they are waiting for Chris and me. I didn’t bring my DSLR camera on Splash Mountain but I did brought my video camera with me during the ride since I know that Chris will want a video of riding Splash Mountain.

I thought about uploading the video on Youtube and showing everyone during our ride experience but when I looked at the video, there were parts of the ride that were blurry. It is very hard to get a clear video during the dark parts of the ride.

We only had to wait 5 minutes to get through the FP queue and get on the ride. Most of the 5 minutes were almost walking through the FP queue and we boarded almost immediately on Splash Mountain. During the ride experience, we did get wet a few times. The most wasn’t from the big drop on Splash but the small drops during the ride. Luckily my camera didn’t get wet but we did get our pants wet on the ride.

We were in the back while riding Splash Mountain and Chris was blocked from the picture during the ride. You can barely see me in the background.

Chris always enjoy riding Splash Mountain every time she is at the DLR. She has to go on it no matter what even during the winter season where it is cold. She really wanted to ride in the front instead of sitting in the back of the log. Maybe we will be able to get the front next time when we ride Splash again later during the trip.

When we got off Splash and met up with my aunt and DM. They rode Winnie the Pooh ride and they had a fun time riding it. Just when we were about to leave Critter Country, DM told us that we should use the last set of FP’s for Splash Mountain since we are in the area. Chris wanted to go back on Splash Mountain and I went along with going back on Splash since we had FP’s to use.

So the two of us went back on Splash Mountain using the FP’s and we just made it in time of using the FP’s by 5 minutes. That was cutting it close but we were able to get to use the FP’s. It took us about 7 minutes this time to get through the queue and towards the loading area. But we waited a while since Chris wants to be in the front of Splash Mountain. We were able to get our request and we were in the front while riding Splash Mountain. Chris was happy and glad that she was happy.

During the ride, Chris got wet a few times during the ride while I did get wet a couple of times. We got wet mostly from the big drop.

I forgot to mention while we were riding Splash Mountain and seeing all the different Audio Animatronics, there were some AA’s that weren’t working. Most of them were on the showboat during the ride. Chris was a little disappointed that some of the AA’s on Splash was not working during the ride especially during the peak season.

When we got off, we got to look at our picture and this time you can see us having a blast on Splash Mountain.

After riding Splash Mountain, we met up with my aunt and DM. We were a little soaked after riding Splash Mountain for the 2nd time in a row. Chris was happy that we got to ride Splash for a 2nd time.

Now that we finished Splash Mountain, my aunt wanted to ride Pirates of the Caribbean. I thought about telling my aunt that we should ride PotC later since it is a fast loading ride. But she wanted to go on PotC and the wait time to get on the ride was only 15 minutes which was not that bad. So we head on over towards NOS and ride PotC.

The day was really nice where it wasn’t that busy for now at DL and the weather was warm and not hot yet.

When we were now in NOS, my aunt feet were bothering her and she didn’t want to stand while in the standby queue for PotC. So we went towards the alleyway of NOS to the exit of PotC where it is the location for the handicapped people.

When we got inside PotC exit area, there was a long line of handicapped people waiting to get on PotC. I was shocked to see all those people in the handicapped line just to get on PotC. I asked everyone if they wanted to leave the area and possibly go in the standby queue for PotC since I knew that it was going to be over 30 minutes to get on the ride while waiting in the handicapped line. My aunt was willing to see how fast it goes so we waited a while in the handicapped line.

While waiting in the handicapped line to get on PotC, we were about half way and we waited about 15 minutes.

My aunt told us that this is taking too long and we should have went through the standby queue to ride PotC. While we were in the queue, our FP’s for Indy were almost about to expire. So we had a choice to make of leaving PotC where we wasted 15 minutes to get on the ride or leave PotC to get on Indy and use the FP’s. Everyone agreed that we should leave since the wait time in the handicapped section was just ridiculous. At least we know that when my aunt and I come back to the DLR in her ECV, we will never go through the handicapped queue to ride PotC since it will take even longer to get through than the standby line. I remember during our WDW trip in last year in October/November with my aunt who she came along where we waiting to get on It’s a Small World in the handicapped line and we waited 20 minutes to get on while getting on IASW from the standby line was only 5 minutes. I will always remember never to ride IASW or PotC through the handicapped line since it will take longer to get through the handicapped over the standby line.

After we bailed on PotC from the handicapped line, we raced on over to Adventureland to ride Indiana Jones Adventure.

When we got to Indiana Jones Adventure, I knew that we had to go towards the exit of the ride since going through the regular queue is too small for a wheelchair or ECV. So we didn’t need the FP’s to ride Indy. I made a second mistake that day where I mostly don’t make too many mistakes that you don’t need a FP’s for Indy.

When we went towards the exit to ride Indy, we only had to wait about 15 minutes to get on Indy. Since we had the ECV, my aunt had to get off the ECV and do some walking. But she was able to walk while getting on Indy. I didn’t take any pictures on Indy since I was videotaping the ride for them.

When we finished riding Indy, my aunt was shocked of how intense the ride was. The Enhanced Motion Vehicle or (EMV for short) was a little too intense for her but she was able to go on the ride. She told us that she will never ride it again when she come back and she told me to remind her never to ride it when we go back.

After getting off Indy, it was getting a little warm and since we were in Adventureland it was time for a quick snack. So we head on over towards the Tiki Juice Bar to get a Dole Whip. I know that I had one the other night which was the float, but I just can’t stop thinking about getting one. Chris was going to share one with DM and my aunt can’t eat pineapple.

Over at the Tiki Juice Bar, the wait time was not that bad and we only had to wait about 5 minutes to get a Dole Whip. I got the Dole Whip Soft Serve since I had the float the other night and wanted more ice cream. Chris got the float and she shared with DM.

After we got our Dole Whip’s, I wanted to see Mickey and the Magical Map show at the Fantasyland Theater ever since it debut in late May. I wasn’t able to see the show during my May trip since it wasn’t open. So I wanted to see the show at the FL Theater. I haven’t seen any video of Mickey and the Magical Map since I wanted to see it in person before seeing it on video. The next show as 12:45pm and we had some time to make it over to FL and to the Theater to see the 12:45pm show. So we head on over to the FL Theater.

DL was getting a little busy that afternoon but it wasn’t that busy while walking on over to the FL Theater.

Sleeping Beauty Castle looks great during anytime of the day but I still prefer to see it at night where it is amazing.

During the walk on over to FL Theater, we saw Alison and the Mad Hatter walking on over towards the Castle.

The White Rabbit is passing us as well while walking

Seeing the Matterhorn while coming from the Main Street Hub

It took us about 8 minutes to get to the Fantasyland Theater and we made it with about 3 minutes to go until it was 12:45pm. I was surprised that we made it in time for the 12:45pm show. We were on the right hand side in the viewing area. I didn’t take too many pictures of the new FL Theater since I had the Dole Whip in my hand.

We got to our seats and it was almost time for the 12:45pm show. I didn’t want to videotape the show since I could watch it on Youtube. So I used my DSLR for the show. I also don’t have a tripod so videotaping the show will be wobbling. The best thing was to use the DSLR. It was a good thing that I used the DSLR over the video camera. I was so excited to see the show for the first time and be in the FL in a very long time. I haven’t been to the FL Theater during the Disney Princess Fantasy Faire years. The last time I at in the FL Theater was during Snow White: An Enchanting Musical back in 2004. It has been almost 10 years since I have watched a show in the FL Theater. Even today ever since we got back from the DLR trip, I watch Youtube videos of Mickey and the Magical Map.

Here are pictures from Mickey and the Magical Map 12:45pm show.

The wise sorcerer yen Sid

Talking Apprentice Mickey with a paint brush

That’s it for this post since I am out of pictures for this post but I will have more pictures and my experience of watching Mickey and the Magical Map.

 

[PrincessInOz]

CAtching up.

That Mickey waffle looks amazing, as always.


I think someone told me that the handicapped line at PotC is usually long because there aren't that many of the vehicles that are handicap accessible.....maybe that was for another ride?


I was hoping to see pictures of Mickey and the Magic Map on your TR this time. I'm with you......I haven't gone to google it or anything. Happy to see it in person; but I was hoping to get a glimpse of your pictures.

 

[fabulousfive]

Can't wait to read!

 

[mvf-m11c]

CAtching up.

That Mickey waffle looks amazing, as always.


I think someone told me that the handicapped line at PotC is usually long because there aren't that many of the vehicles that are handicap accessible.....maybe that was for another ride?


I was hoping to see pictures of Mickey and the Magic Map on your TR this time. I'm with you......I haven't gone to google it or anything. Happy to see it in person; but I was hoping to get a glimpse of your pictures.

Hi PiO,

The Mickey shape waffle was very nice at Carnation Cafe. My aunt didn't think that it was great since there wasn't much of a selection and the portion size wasn't that big for the price.

I don't think that the PotC boats have handicap boats like IASW. I know that IASW has handicap boats for the guests that can't get out of their wheelchair. Since PotC has drops while IASW doesn't there might be boats on PotC that has extra room length for the handicapped people. But when we were waiting, I saw that there were handicapped guests that boarded the boats that the regular people were in. One thing for sure is that we will never go through the handicap queue of PotC and IASW since it takes way longer to go through the queue.

I would be in the same boat and now watch or see any clips of Mickey and the Magical Map since I wanted to see it in person before seeing it on the computer. I wanted to videotape the show but since I didn't have a tripod, the video will be wobbling. So I was glad that I took pictures of the show. It would have been nice to videotape it and I might videotape it during this upcoming trip.

Can't wait to read!

Thank you fabulousfive for coming along.


The next post will be up shortly.

 

[mvf-m11c]

Day 2 – June 29, 2013 – Part 4​

On our last update, we all have gone on a lot of rides like Splash Mountain twice, Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh & Indiana Jones Adventure. Chris was excited to go on Splash that afternoon where we rode it twice thanks to the fast passes. Even though we were in the line for PotC, I should have known never to go through the handicapped queue on PotC since it takes longer to go through. We got ourselves a few Dole Whips while we head on over to the Fantasyland Theater to see Mickey and the Magical Map show at 12:45pm.

We just made it in time for the 12:45pm show of Mickey and the Magical Map. I have used my DSLR instead of videotaping the show since I didn’t bring the tripod. So it was easy to use the DSLR. Maybe when I go back to the DLR next month (which is not too long until the D23 Expo trip on Aug. 8 to 12) I will be able to videotape the show.

During first part of the show had a lot of performers and the best part of the stage was the background screen. Chris was excited to see the talking Mickey during the show. She has been looking forward to seeing Mickey talk during a show and she did get to see a glimpse of Mickey when we were in Disney California Adventure during Red Car News Boys

Now back to pictures from the show.

Jungle Book scene with King Louie

Mickey is sinking in the Magical Map

Pocahontas

Mulan

Rapunzel now on stage with Pocahontas and Mulan

There’s Flynn Rider

Sebastian from the Little Mermaid

Mickey in the Magical Map chasing the dot

That’s it for this post since I am out of pictures for this post but I will have more pictures and my experience of watching Mickey and the Magical Map.

 

[PrincessInOz]

Great pictures, Bret. Seems like this show needs a wide angle lens rather than a close-up zoom. I'll have to remember that! The backdrop is amazing!


Thanks for the info about HA boats on PotC. I must have muddled it up with IaSW.

 

[tksbaskets]

Hi Bret,
Is Mickey and the Magical Map a new show? I don't think I've heard anything about it. Where is it?

Great pics!

TK

 

[mvf-m11c]

Great pictures, Bret. Seems like this show needs a wide angle lens rather than a close-up zoom. I'll have to remember that! The backdrop is amazing!


Thanks for the info about HA boats on PotC. I must have muddled it up with IaSW.

Thank you PiO. I could have took the pictures wider but I wanted to get some closer pictures of the characters during the show. Next time if I videotape the show on a tripod and have my DSLR in my hands during the show, I will get wide angle shots of the show. The backdrop is very nice and interchangeable.

Your welcome. The PotC boats are the same unless some of the boats have a bigger seating area for the handicaps in the back. BUt that is my experience about the PotC boats. The IASW boats do have a special boat for the wheelchair people so they don't have to get out.

Hi Bret,
Is Mickey and the Magical Map a new show? I don't think I've heard anything about it. Where is it?

Great pics!

TK

Hi TK,

Yes, Mickey and the Magical Map is a new show that debut in late May just after my early May trip. Here is the info about Mickey and the Magical Map at DL. The show is located at the Fantasyland Faire right across from Mickey's Toontown Depot. When you go in December, I recommend that you see this show since it is good.

Thank you and glad you are enjoying the pictures.

 

[ACDSNY]

Catching up on your TR you accomplished quite a bit on those two days. Your score on BLAB was awesome!

 

[mvf-m11c]

Catching up on your TR you accomplished quite a bit on those two days. Your score on BLAB was awesome!

Nice to see you back on my latest trip report Angela. We did quite a lot of rides at DL and DCA on those first two days. Thank you Angela. The score on BLAB was very good and I always try to get a very high score.


The next post will be up shortly.

 

[mvf-m11c]

Day 2 – June 29, 2013 – Part 5​

On our last update, we are watching the 12:45pm show of Mickey and the Magical Map. This is a new Disneyland show that was one month old during our visit. Right now it is over 2 months old. I have been looking forward to this show during the trip. Seeing this show was a first time for all of us. I was so excited to see it that day during the trip.

We are now watching the rest of the 12:45pm show of Mickey and the Magical Map. The show has been fun to watch and it was very interesting. I am a fan of the shows at the DLR and this was a new show that I have been looking forward to seen ever since it was discussed on the website.

Now back to pictures from the show.

The background showed Lilo & Stitch house

Tiana and the Princess scene

Tiana and Mickey

Confetti dropped from the top onto the crowds

The show was over and all the guests that watched the show started to leave the theater. We waited awhile until it cleared out since it will be busy to leave the area.

My first impression of the show was kind of high. My overall impression of the show was that it was a nice show to have at the Fantasyland Theater. There were a lot of performers and Disney characters that we don’t see too much at the parks. It was neat to see a talking King Louie as well as the talking Mickey. There were other characters that we don’t see too often like Pocahontas and Mulan.

Everyone was so impressed with the new show at the FL Theater. We were really lucky in to make it just in time for the 12:45pm show of Mickey and the Magical Map.

When it was easy to leave the Fantasyland Theater, we got the ECV and started to leave on over to our next destination. It was around 1:30pm and we were planning on being in DL until 3:00pm so we can get some rest that afternoon and come back to DL to have dinner and watch the nighttime shows. Since we didn’t ride Pirates of the Caribbean since we waited in the handicap queue, Chris and DM wanted to go back on PotC. So we head on over back to New Orleans Square to ride PotC.

Just when we are leaving the FL Theater, the Ward Kimball Engine #5 with Holiday 4 Car set approaching Mickey’s Toontown Depot.

While we are walking on over to NOS, we detoured on over towards the new Fantasyland Faire that just have opened earlier this year. It replaced the former Carnation Plaza Gardens. It was sad to see the CPG go for the new FL Faire but I do realize that it was a nice place to have a meet and greet area for the princesses. Chris wanted to see the new FL Faire but we didn’t see too much of it when we passed by it.

We walked on through the FL Faire towards the Rancho del Zocalo restaurant which leads to Frontierland. It is so fun to walk through the tunnel from the FL Faire to Frontierland right next to the Rancho del Zocalo restaurant.

We head on over to PotC and saw that the wait time was only 15 minutes. So my aunt parked the ECV where the strollers are right by the River Belle Terrace restaurant.

Looking at the sign of PotC is always fun to look at especially the Disney Dream Suite sign. Chris talked about the Disney Dream Suite as something that she wants to do one day or even go inside.

Chris, DM and my aunt while we were waiting in the queue of PotC

I had to get into one of the pictures so I hand my camera to my aunt and I got in along with DM and Chris

It only took about 12 minutes to get on PotC. Earlier we went through the handicapped queue and just about half way it took 20 minutes. So we knew that we will never go on PotC through the handicap queue.

During the ride, I videotaped the ride for Chris and DM. I thought about using my DSLR and the lens but I wanted to get some video for them and it has been awhile since I videotaped PotC.

After we finished riding PotC, Chris noticed that the ride was a little different when she rode it back in 2009 where the mist screen showed Davy Jones. Now it shows both Davy Jones and Black Beard. I remember when it was only Davy Jones and then it was only Black Beard. Now the ride shows them both. I told her that was the only change to PotC since her last time she rode it.

Now that we finished riding PotC, it was time to go back to the hotel and relax until it is time to go back to DL for dinner and the nighttime shows.

Before we’d head on out of the park, I had to get the Dumbo popcorn bucket. I was looking forward to getting the Dumbo popcorn bucket where I first heard about it on the threads. I have collected a lot of different popcorn buckets at the Disney parks. This bucket is something that I wanted to get during the trip and we head on over towards FL right by the Matterhorn where we first saw the bucket.

While we were walking on over to FL to get the popcorn bucket, the park was getting a little busy that afternoon and fortunately we are about to leave until we get the bucket.

We head on over to the popcorn stand right by the Matterhorn and luckily they had the Dumbo popcorn bucket. The Dumbo popcorn bucket costs $12 with tax which was a little high. But for the price it is very nice to have. The ears were also very neat where you can fold them so it won’t take a lot of room. I asked Chris if she wanted one but she will think about getting one.

After getting the bucket, we head on out of the park so we can rest up since everyone were tired. Chris and DM have been in the park since Magic Morning while my aunt and I came later that morning to meet up with them. I always take a break in the afternoon so I can be all rested up for the nighttime. It was a good time while the park was getting busy in the afternoon. There were things that we could have stayed during that time around 3pm but we needed the rest so we can do our nighttime activities.

We left DL and on our way back to the hotel to rest up. I forgot to show you the Dumbo popcorn bucket that I purchased that afternoon.

We got back to the room around 3:15pm and we had about 2 hours to relax until we needed to head back to DL for dinner. When we got back DM, Chris and my aunt went straight to the bed and slept immediately. I did the same thing and crashed on the sofa. We were all tired that day and we did quite a lot of different rides and shows which was kind of surprised during a busy summertime. It didn’t feel as busy as I have thought. It must have been the heat which was in the low 90s that afternoon.

It was around 5pm when everyone was up and it was time to head on out of the hotel and back to DL for dinner that night. We all packed all of our bags and I brought along my tripod so I can videotape the nighttime shows.

We left around 5:15pm and we walked on over to the DLR. Just when we were going through the security check area, I handed my tripod bag to a female CM and she told me that my tripod does seem a bit long. I told her that I brought this tripod to the parks a lot and she told me that I had to wait until she gets her supervisor. I was really upset that I had to wait until her supervisor came over and see my tripod. My tripod is not a commercial tripod for news reporters which are a civilian model. I have brought this tripod a lot in the parks and I can’t believe that I had to wait. When her supervisor came in 5 minutes after I was told to wait and he looked at my tripod and said that it was okay. I packed my tripod bag up and met up with my group.

Here is a good tip when you are going through the security check-in area to head on in the Esplanade with bags like a tripod or other bags, never line up at where the female CM’s are stationed. There were times when my bags were being checked at the security points by the female CM’s and they take a long time to go through the bags than by the male CM’s. I didn’t want to show my frustration over the CM that made me wait. I understand that she is doing her job and making sure that the tripod is not a commercial one.

After meeting up with everyone, Chris waited for me right by the ticket booths while DM and my aunt went on over to the Stoller and Wheelchair rental area to get her ECV. My aunt was wondering what happened at the security check point and I told her about the tripod issue. She was surprised to hear about that since I have brought my tripod in the parks a lot.

When she got the ECV, we head on in to DL.

When passing by the turnstiles, it was a little busy going through the turnstiles to DL but we only had to wait a couple of minutes to get in. When we got in the park, it was not that busy and looks like there are some people waiting for the 2nd parade at 6:30pm on Main Street.

We walked down MS and head on over towards Adventureland to have dinner. Over at Adventureland, the line at the Tiki Juice Bar was almost close to the exit of the Tiki Room.

Now we were over the bridge that leads to New Orleans Square. Can you guess what restaurant that we will be eating that night. If you have read my pre trip report, you can tell what restaurant that we will be eating that night. If you don’t than you can tell that it is in NOS since this area offers. I will disclose which restaurant that we have ate that night.

 

[PrincessInOz]

Of all the CM to meet, the diligent one at bag check is the one that I would least like to strike.

At least you know she's doing the best job and it really is for customer safety.

 

[tksbaskets]

We put the new Mickey show on our itineray for December. It looks really great. I do find the talking/blinking Mickey a bit strange.

I love the Dumbo popcorn bucket. My son has the R2D2 bucket. I hope the Dumbo one is still available in December.

Do you store your tripod in a locker when you are touring the park? I am like you, I understand safety check points and try to be tollerant. That doesn't mean I don't want to go through the shortest line I can.

I'm thinking you are eating at Blue Bayou.

TK

 

[mvf-m11c]

Of all the CM to meet, the diligent one at bag check is the one that I would least like to strike.

At least you know she's doing the best job and it really is for customer safety.

I do understand that the CM's at the bag check area are doing their jobs and making sure that going to the DLR is safe. I never had a CM's at the bag check area to make me wait because of the tripod. We know that commercial tripods are not allowed in the parks but the one that I had was not a commercial. I just held it out and didn't want to say anything to her about it.

We put the new Mickey show on our itineray for December. It looks really great. I do find the talking/blinking Mickey a bit strange.

I love the Dumbo popcorn bucket. My son has the R2D2 bucket. I hope the Dumbo one is still available in December.

Do you store your tripod in a locker when you are touring the park? I am like you, I understand safety check points and try to be tollerant. That doesn't mean I don't want to go through the shortest line I can.

I'm thinking you are eating at Blue Bayou.

TK

Glad to hear that you will see Mickey and the Magical Map during your December trip TK. You and your family will like the show.

The Dumbo popcorn was very neat to get and I was lucky to pick one up during the trip. I did see the R2D2 bucket during my trip. It looks like at specific areas in the park that they have those popcorn buckets. I hope that the Dumbo popcorn bucket will be available during your trip. Since you are going during the Holiday season, you will be able to find a nice Holiday bucket like the Santa Mickey popcorn bucket that I got last year.

I don't store my tripod in the locker since I bring it at nighttime for the nighttime shows. So i leave it at the hotel and when I go back to the room to rest up, I take it with me around the park at night.

The CM at the bag check area is doing her job when she saw my tripod but I wasn't happy to wait a while when her supervisor was on the other side at the bag check area at Downtown Disney. Every time that I go through the bag check area with the female CM's that it takes a little longer to go through than with the male CM's. Maybe I should go where the male CM's are at the baggage check so I won't have problems.


The next post will be up shortly.

 

[mvf-m11c]

We are only about 8 days away till the D23 Expo trip and I have been so excited to get to this day. Before I write up the pre-trip report for the D23 Expo, I first have to finish up this trip report which will take some time. So back to the trip report back June.

Day 2 – June 29, 2013 – Part 6​

On our last update, we just watched the 12:45pm show of Mickey and the Magical Map which was a very nice show. Than later on we head on over to Pirates of the Caribbean. Then it was about time for all of us to head on back to the room to rest up for the nighttime. Before we left, I stopped to get the Dumbo popcorn bucket right at Fantasyland which was very nice to get. We got our break in the afternoon and we head on over to DL for our dinner. Now let’s get back to the trip report.

We are now in New Orleans Square after all that walking. It is now time for dinner and my aunt has been looking forward to eating at this restaurant ever since we made reservations. For dinner we are eating at the Blue Bayou. It has been a long time since I have ate at the Blue Bayou restaurant in Disneyland. The last time I have ate at the Blue Bayou restaurant was back in 2003 and I have been looking forward to eating at this restaurant as well as Carnation Café. My aunt has been looking forward to eating at this restaurant when she made reservations. She first got to see BB when we rode PotC back in January and she wanted to try this restaurant with Chris, DM and me. When we looked at the menu at BB, she wanted to try the Creole food and this was a great place to have that kind of food.

Our reservation time to eat at BB was at 5:45pm. So we got to the restaurant with about 5 minutes to go until our time. We didn’t have to wait that long to get a table. I mentioned to the CM if they have a table right at the railing area right by the PotC but the CM told me that it will be available in 15 minutes. So we decided to get in as soon as possible.

We were seated just a few tables away from the railing which is a nice spot. Being at the BB brings back a lot of memories when I last ate in it in 2003. I knew what I was going to order as well as my aunt. Chris and DM were looking at the menu to see what is good to get.

It was busy that night and we were lucky that we made reservation at the Blue Bayou

It has been awhile since I have got a light fixture picture

When we ordered our food, my aunt and Chris asked our waiter that they could make special requests on their dishes. So the waiter asked the Sous Chef to come on out and he talked to my aunt and Chris on what changes they need for their dishes. I believe his name was Chef Feliz which he was very nice and he will do the best he can for the dishes. My aunt was so impressed with the service at the Blue Bayou restaurant. Chris also wanted to get a mint julep when we were in the BB.

For the appetizer DM and I got a cup of New Orleans Gumbo

My aunt and Chris got the Blue Bayou House Salad

The gumbo was very nice and it had a lot of rice on top. Chris made a special request on the salad since she couldn’t have croutons in her salad.

With about 10 minutes later, our entrées came out and it was time to have dinner that night.

DM had the Pan-Seared Salmon with Cajun-Spiced, with Sweet Corn Risotto, Citrus Mousseline, and Salsa Verde.

I had the Broiled Filet Mignon with Blue Bayou Au Gratin Potatoes, Seasonal Vegetables, & Bearnaise Sauce.

My aunt had the Royal Street Seafood Jambalaya with a robust combination of jumbo gulf shrimp, sustainable fish, tasso ham, andouille sausage and chicken, tossed with Cajun-style "dirty rice". For this plate, she asked the chef to use little rice in her jambalaya dish and the chef used little rice. She was very impressed with the sous chef doing all those requests for her.

Chris got the Surf & Turf with a Petite Pacific Northwest Lobster Tail and Broiled Filet Mignon, Blue Bayou Au Gratin Potatoes, Seasonal Vegetables, & Bearnaise Sauce. She asked the chef if she can less butter on her plate where she can’t have too much butter.

We all shared each other plates and they were all enjoyable. I enjoyed my dish and my aunt was really impressed with the jambalaya that she ordered. The chef did a great job on the dish that she asked the chef. The service and the food were outstanding. We were all excited to have dinner at the Blue Bayou. We stayed at the restaurant a little longer since we plan on seeing some of the nighttime shows at DL that night. We plan on watching Magical fireworks and Fantasmic! that night.

DM, Chris and my aunt

Just a while ago, my aunt asked for some dessert and we got a peach sorbet and a chocolate Mickey dessert.

We had the desserts and they were all great.

I asked our waiter to get a picture of us and he took our picture which was very nice of him

We got the check and saved some money thanks to my annual pass which saved us 15% which our bill was close in the $140. But with the customer service from our waiter and the sous chef my aunt gave a nice tip. She was really impressed with the customer service that she will want to come back to this restaurant in the near future.

After eating at the Blue Bayou and left we started to go to our next destination was to get a spot in front of Sleeping Beauty Castle. It was around 7:15pm when we got out of the restaurant and we started o head on over to Main Street Hub so we can get a good spot to watch the fireworks.

We got to the Hub around 7:30pm and we were able to get the curb backside where I watch the fireworks. For people that have followed my past trip reports that I like to get to the Hub early for a prime spot to see the fireworks in front of SB Castle. Mostly I always sit by myself for my other party members so they are able to go on rides or do other things before the fireworks start at 9:30pm.

Chris, my aunt, and DM when we got to the spot for the fireworks.

DM and my aunt told Chris and me that they will stay at the spot so the two of us can do some different activities until Magical fireworks start at 9:30pm. I told her that I could have stayed at the spot and they could do other things before the fireworks. But my aunt insisted that the two of us should do some activities before the fireworks like going on rides, getting FP’s or do some shopping. So Chris and I went around the park to do some activities before we came back with my aunt and DM to watch the 9:30pm show of Magical.

It is weird to leave the area where I mostly stay for 2 hours to see Magical. I am one of those people who would wait that long in order to see the show at a prime spot. I felt a little bad for my aunt and DM that they are going to be watching our spot for the fireworks but DM is used to waiting for the fireworks and she has no problems with it. It also give a good time for DM and my aunt to talk and rest up before the fireworks.

Chris and I head on over to Splash Mountain to get FP’s that night. She wanted to go on Splash Mountain again that night and we are hoping that it won’t lapse between the fireworks or Fantasmic!. We are planning on seeing the 2nd show of F! at 10:30pm after watching the 9:30pm show of Magical. So Chris and I did some different stuff before we got back to the spot where my aunt and DM was watching.

When we got to Splash Mountain, the FP return time was at 10:10pm to 11:10pm. So we had a window in order to ride Splash Mountain that night after watching the 2nd show of F!.

After getting the FP’s we went to the Pioneer Mercantile store to look at some of the bracelets. She wanted to get a bracelet for herself and her boyfriend. I noticed that she wears a lot of bracelets and she wanted to get one where you can get a customized with letters on it. It was a while when we were at the Pioneer Mercantile store to get the bracelets. She got one for herself and her boyfriend that she asked me if I wanted on but I didn’t want one.

When we got the bracelets, we head back to the Hub where my aunt and DM were waiting. It was around 8:30pm and the whole street were already filled up that night. I wasn’t that surprised to see the street filled up with one hour until the show since it is the summertime.

When it was getting close for the fireworks, I started to set up my video camera with the tripod and I have my DSLR in my hands ready to take pictures. I thought about using the tripod for my DSLR for the firework trails but I wanted to videotape the show for my aunt, Chris and DM. It was a tough decision but I knew that they will like seeing the video of Magical. I also do have an opportunity to see Magical next week during the D23 Expo trip if I have time. I am not likely to see the fireworks during the trip but it can change when I get there along with my DA.

SB Castle before Magical fireworks start at 9:30pm.

Everyone in front of SB started to stand up for the fireworks

It is almost time for Magical fireworks

My aunt was sitting on the ECV while Chris and DM were right next to her on the left hand side while I got my tripod all set up for videotaping Magical. I have my DSLR in my hands already to take pictures that night of the fireworks. The next post will have pictures of Magical fireworks from that night. So stay tune for pictures from that night.

 

[mvf-m11c]

I can’t believe we are at the 3000 post mark on my trip report thread.

Day 2 – June 29, 2013 – Part 7​

On our last update, we had dinner at Blue Bayou which was very nice. We all had a great experience at the restaurant with the service and the food. After dinner, we head on over to the Hub to get ready to watch the 9:30pm Magical fireworks show. When my aunt and DM were watching our spots for Magical, Chris and I did some different stuff like getting FP’s for Splash Mountain that night and shopping at the Pioneer Mercantile store. Than we head back to meet up with my aunt and DM for the fireworks. Now let’s get back to the trip report.

Now it is time for the 9:30pm Magical fireworks show where we are watching it front of Sleeping Beauty Castle. I always enjoy watching the fireworks in front of SB Castle where it has all the special effects. I have seen Magical ever since the show debut in 2009. I had my DSLR in my hands while taking pictures of it while my tripod had my video camera. I used the Nikkor 18-105mm lens that night and I wanted to see how the quality of the pictures would be with this lens over the 18-55mm lens that I have used during the May trip.

Chris and DM have seen Magical when it debut in 2009 and they were excited to see it. My aunt is seeing Magical for the first time where she got to see Remember Dreams Come True fireworks during the January trip.

Here are pictures from Magical fireworks

There is Tinkerbell flying

That’s it for this post and I will have more pictures of Magical fireworks.