Here's an overview of our recent trip. We were in the parks Monday through Thursday. Monday was 96 degrees! By Thursday it was 66 and raining by afternoon. Two adults, my sis and me, no kids.
Airline routed MY bag to LAX although we flew into SNA. Thank heaven they were able to get it to DLH that night! The next day in the parks was 96 degrees and I wouldn't have had my shorts or sandals - just my warm clothes I wore on the plane. Whew!
The heat was not humid and we drank a lot and ate little so it wasn't too bad. However, CL in EMH was hot. Also, the angle of the sun was such that I couldn't get some photos until afternoons. We planned Aladdin for the hottest part of the day so that helped.
MAIN STUFF:
Stayed at DLH, 9th floor of Adventure Tower facing the pool. Got our requests. Were very glad our area was really nice and quiet. No major noises from other guests. No issues with staying there at all. They changed the toiletries since May. It's still H2O brand but instead of the Sea Marine/Spa line (green stuff) that they sell at the GCH gift shop they now have a lemongrass blend that we didn't like. The hard soaps are sea salt and those were nice. For some reason there was a little vase with real white carnations in the bathroom. Nice touch. We didn't get that in May.
Since we stayed onsite we got to use EMH. This really was more of an advantage than we expected because of RSR in DCA and filming at DL.
Apparently from other recent posts RSR was down several times during our trip but we didn't experience any shutdowns other than the first EMH morning it didn't start operating until 1/2 hour into EMH. We must have hit it at just the right times to ride. We used regular line first thing, then single rider, then FP with afternoon return times. I also did SR one evening. Was able to ride it 5 times during our trip. A REALLY great ride! I understand the general comparison to Test Track but for us RSR it is FAR superior. There are SO MANY full size animatronics on that ride! Got to experience both Ramone's and Luigi's sides.
"Wide-Right" failed us! LOL! Our first EMH RSR was down for 1/2 hour. We were at the far right, away from Red, ready for rope drop. When they got word the ride was operating, the lead CM had them open the rope from the FAR LEFT! Ugh. We would have probably been first in line but we ended up maybe 50th or so. Still it went quickly. The queue is really well done. Like the rock/radiator fountain in the middle of the queue.
Mater's JJ looks like a cute little kid ride but it swings you around more than we expected (that's a good thing). We really liked this ride - lots of fun.
Did Luigi's once when there was no line. We could only get our tire to go fast backwards. Go figure! Not really our cup of tea.
Got pics with Mater and Red.
Carsland is really well done. Just wish Luigi's was a better ride but overall they did a great job.
REALLY like what they've done with Buena Vista Street at DCA. Love the 30s theming so much!
Did WOC for the first time. I get that it was well done but it just wasn't that exciting to me and I wouldn't do it again. I would pick F! or fireworks any day over WOC. We did WOC dining/lunch FP at Carthay Circle. We had good standing area/view.
They were filming "Saving Mr. Banks" while we were there. It affected us twice. During one of our DL EMH's main street was closed so they walked us behind the main street shops on the left side. Not attractive area at all and pretty cramped, garbage bins, etc. We came out by Coke corner. We couldn't go into FL through the castle so we had to go around by Alice. We got Peter Pan done and saw them setting up equipment. Did Mr. Toad and they were starting to close off more. Did Pinocchio just in time and got out of FL before it closed for filming.
The second time the filming was in front of DL park so they wouldn't let us through bag check from DTD until right before EMH. That was our DCA EMH day so it wasn't a real bother.
TOT drop sequences seemed so much better this time compared to our trip in May and previous trip 5 years ago. On one ride we were with 5 adults dressed in full-on Steam Punk attire. Their first time on TOT. I should have gotten a photo of them. Had a nice conversation in line.
Soarin' had only one theater operating so even with FP it was a wait.
Got the Wookie planet and Yoda on Star Tours, both were new to us and fun. Ride isn't as rough as it used to be years ago. That's nice.
OTHER STUFF:
There wasn't a small size Cars 1 original Mater toy to be found anywhere. Tried CL and a WOD manager went into the basement himself to look. It's all Cars2 items. I ended up getting a Mater from Cars2 that is him with the hot wasabi so he sticks out his tongue and rolls his eyes. Still very cute but I am surprised they don't keep the originals in stock at all times. A CM at Sarge's surplus in CL said she had an original Mater from a year or more ago and was surprised she couldn't find one for me.
Got some nice merchandise items. CL/DCA mug is very cute. Got a green/white Tink mug with some green "bling" gems on the back of it. Got the Mickey watch that currently comes discounted with purchase. Because of the rain/cold on the last day we gave in and bought two fleece hoodies. We were across from Jungle Cruise so were surprised to find ones we really liked. I got a blue Tinkerbell one and sis got a cream Pooh one. Got a pair of red cotton Mickey winter pajamas. Also found a warm navy scarf and fingerless gloves with collegiate Mickey on them.
No negative CM encounters. One unstable guest situation that was a bit unsettling.
Our feet and legs were hurting so much we did a hot stone pedicure at Mandara Spa at GCH. Very happy with the technicians we got.
FOOD:
We really liked CC. The decor, the food, the manager gave us two free cheese biscuit samples. Very good - I didn't realize there is soft cheese inside. The flavor reminded me of twice baked potatoes. At the end I asked about walking around inside and taking a few pictures and the waitress kindly took us on a mini-tour. It was a pretty slow time so I'm sure they can't do this often. We overheard the guests at the table next to us when they left complain to the server that they didn't like anything. They were an older couple so it wasn't like they had little kids who didn't "get" fancy food. We liked everything there!
Earl of Sandwich for breakfast every morning. Monday was great. The other days they were slow in serving people. The manager said they are still training staff. Food was good and good prices. Did dinner there once. Should do extremely well once they get in the groove.
Flo's was partly good (turkey, mac and cheese) and part 'eh' (cheddar apple pie - I've had better versions).
Tried the Red Apple Freeze at Cozy Cones. Should have got it on the hot day instead of the cold/rainy day. It will brain freeze you like a slurpee.
Got iced mochas a few times at Starbuck's in DCA. We prefer Peet's coffee and got it each AM at Haagen Daaz in DTD but when you are in the park, Starbuck's is handy.
First time ate at Corn Dog Castle in DCA. Just as good as the Little Red Wagon in DL.
First time tried Wine Country Trattoria. Small but good lunch during 96 degree day. Sat inside for the A/C rather than the terrace area.
Never had a bad meal yet at Blue Bayou or Ralph Brennan's. Really great food and atmosphere.
At Jolly Holiday Bakery there was a dark chocolate cupcake that really amazed me. SO GOOD! It didn't have a tag in the case so I didn't get a name, sorry. It had FRESH raspberries and a creamy inside. Dark and white choc. pieces sitting on top. I do not like choc. and raspberry together but whatever they did with this dessert was just amazing!
I'll try to answer questions. Remember we had on-site EMH and were there at a relatively slower time so your experience may differ.
Airline routed MY bag to LAX although we flew into SNA. Thank heaven they were able to get it to DLH that night! The next day in the parks was 96 degrees and I wouldn't have had my shorts or sandals - just my warm clothes I wore on the plane. Whew!
The heat was not humid and we drank a lot and ate little so it wasn't too bad. However, CL in EMH was hot. Also, the angle of the sun was such that I couldn't get some photos until afternoons. We planned Aladdin for the hottest part of the day so that helped.
MAIN STUFF:
Stayed at DLH, 9th floor of Adventure Tower facing the pool. Got our requests. Were very glad our area was really nice and quiet. No major noises from other guests. No issues with staying there at all. They changed the toiletries since May. It's still H2O brand but instead of the Sea Marine/Spa line (green stuff) that they sell at the GCH gift shop they now have a lemongrass blend that we didn't like. The hard soaps are sea salt and those were nice. For some reason there was a little vase with real white carnations in the bathroom. Nice touch. We didn't get that in May.
Since we stayed onsite we got to use EMH. This really was more of an advantage than we expected because of RSR in DCA and filming at DL.
Apparently from other recent posts RSR was down several times during our trip but we didn't experience any shutdowns other than the first EMH morning it didn't start operating until 1/2 hour into EMH. We must have hit it at just the right times to ride. We used regular line first thing, then single rider, then FP with afternoon return times. I also did SR one evening. Was able to ride it 5 times during our trip. A REALLY great ride! I understand the general comparison to Test Track but for us RSR it is FAR superior. There are SO MANY full size animatronics on that ride! Got to experience both Ramone's and Luigi's sides.
"Wide-Right" failed us! LOL! Our first EMH RSR was down for 1/2 hour. We were at the far right, away from Red, ready for rope drop. When they got word the ride was operating, the lead CM had them open the rope from the FAR LEFT! Ugh. We would have probably been first in line but we ended up maybe 50th or so. Still it went quickly. The queue is really well done. Like the rock/radiator fountain in the middle of the queue.
Mater's JJ looks like a cute little kid ride but it swings you around more than we expected (that's a good thing). We really liked this ride - lots of fun.
Did Luigi's once when there was no line. We could only get our tire to go fast backwards. Go figure! Not really our cup of tea.
Got pics with Mater and Red.
Carsland is really well done. Just wish Luigi's was a better ride but overall they did a great job.
REALLY like what they've done with Buena Vista Street at DCA. Love the 30s theming so much!
Did WOC for the first time. I get that it was well done but it just wasn't that exciting to me and I wouldn't do it again. I would pick F! or fireworks any day over WOC. We did WOC dining/lunch FP at Carthay Circle. We had good standing area/view.
They were filming "Saving Mr. Banks" while we were there. It affected us twice. During one of our DL EMH's main street was closed so they walked us behind the main street shops on the left side. Not attractive area at all and pretty cramped, garbage bins, etc. We came out by Coke corner. We couldn't go into FL through the castle so we had to go around by Alice. We got Peter Pan done and saw them setting up equipment. Did Mr. Toad and they were starting to close off more. Did Pinocchio just in time and got out of FL before it closed for filming.
The second time the filming was in front of DL park so they wouldn't let us through bag check from DTD until right before EMH. That was our DCA EMH day so it wasn't a real bother.
TOT drop sequences seemed so much better this time compared to our trip in May and previous trip 5 years ago. On one ride we were with 5 adults dressed in full-on Steam Punk attire. Their first time on TOT. I should have gotten a photo of them. Had a nice conversation in line.
Soarin' had only one theater operating so even with FP it was a wait.
Got the Wookie planet and Yoda on Star Tours, both were new to us and fun. Ride isn't as rough as it used to be years ago. That's nice.
OTHER STUFF:
There wasn't a small size Cars 1 original Mater toy to be found anywhere. Tried CL and a WOD manager went into the basement himself to look. It's all Cars2 items. I ended up getting a Mater from Cars2 that is him with the hot wasabi so he sticks out his tongue and rolls his eyes. Still very cute but I am surprised they don't keep the originals in stock at all times. A CM at Sarge's surplus in CL said she had an original Mater from a year or more ago and was surprised she couldn't find one for me.
Got some nice merchandise items. CL/DCA mug is very cute. Got a green/white Tink mug with some green "bling" gems on the back of it. Got the Mickey watch that currently comes discounted with purchase. Because of the rain/cold on the last day we gave in and bought two fleece hoodies. We were across from Jungle Cruise so were surprised to find ones we really liked. I got a blue Tinkerbell one and sis got a cream Pooh one. Got a pair of red cotton Mickey winter pajamas. Also found a warm navy scarf and fingerless gloves with collegiate Mickey on them.
No negative CM encounters. One unstable guest situation that was a bit unsettling.
Our feet and legs were hurting so much we did a hot stone pedicure at Mandara Spa at GCH. Very happy with the technicians we got.
FOOD:
We really liked CC. The decor, the food, the manager gave us two free cheese biscuit samples. Very good - I didn't realize there is soft cheese inside. The flavor reminded me of twice baked potatoes. At the end I asked about walking around inside and taking a few pictures and the waitress kindly took us on a mini-tour. It was a pretty slow time so I'm sure they can't do this often. We overheard the guests at the table next to us when they left complain to the server that they didn't like anything. They were an older couple so it wasn't like they had little kids who didn't "get" fancy food. We liked everything there!
Earl of Sandwich for breakfast every morning. Monday was great. The other days they were slow in serving people. The manager said they are still training staff. Food was good and good prices. Did dinner there once. Should do extremely well once they get in the groove.
Flo's was partly good (turkey, mac and cheese) and part 'eh' (cheddar apple pie - I've had better versions).
Tried the Red Apple Freeze at Cozy Cones. Should have got it on the hot day instead of the cold/rainy day. It will brain freeze you like a slurpee.
Got iced mochas a few times at Starbuck's in DCA. We prefer Peet's coffee and got it each AM at Haagen Daaz in DTD but when you are in the park, Starbuck's is handy.
First time ate at Corn Dog Castle in DCA. Just as good as the Little Red Wagon in DL.
First time tried Wine Country Trattoria. Small but good lunch during 96 degree day. Sat inside for the A/C rather than the terrace area.
Never had a bad meal yet at Blue Bayou or Ralph Brennan's. Really great food and atmosphere.
At Jolly Holiday Bakery there was a dark chocolate cupcake that really amazed me. SO GOOD! It didn't have a tag in the case so I didn't get a name, sorry. It had FRESH raspberries and a creamy inside. Dark and white choc. pieces sitting on top. I do not like choc. and raspberry together but whatever they did with this dessert was just amazing!
I'll try to answer questions. Remember we had on-site EMH and were there at a relatively slower time so your experience may differ.
