PTR Going live tonight 7/22!!!

[corgi_monster]

1.5 days to ride EVERYTHING at DLR . . . well, almost everything

A Disneyland Pre-Trip Report

Trip Dates: July 23 - July 26, 2010
​

Cast of Characters:


Me, the Corgi_Monster - I'm a long time DIS lurker writing my first trip report. I own and operate a small event/project coordination firm in Honolulu, and while I love my job, I am very happy to escape to California for a few days! Disney favorites include Duffy the Disney Bear, the aliens from Toy Story, Mary Poppins because she's practically perfect in every way, Beauty and the Beast, Bambi, and Disney merchandising. I also love Snow White because I find we have a lot in common. Animals love me, most of my friends are short, and I have the voice of an 8yo.



The Boyfriend (BF) - He doesn't "get" my love for Disney, but during this trip, I'm going to brainwash him and lure him into our Disney cult. *insert manic evil laugh here* That way, he'll WANT to go to WDW with me one day. So why did I fall for this non-Disneyphile who had never even heard of the disboards until a few weeks ago? Well for starters, he befriends homeless people, raps about SPAM, takes daily naps in the electrical closet near his office, and aspires to tackle fluffy sheep. He's a professional computer nerd, a psychic fisherman who can read fishy minds, a marathon champion, and thinks corn poop is funny. Seriously, how could I NOT love someone this crazy? I think his favorite Disney character is Ariel, but that's probably only because she's the princess who wears the least amount of clothing.​

Pic of us the last time we were in California (San Francisco)

Riding the State Fair version of Silly Symphony Swings. Somehow, the ride is a lot scarier when Mickey's face isn't plastered everywhere.

Delta screwed up . . . again!​

It all started with a travel deal alert email - $261 (including taxes) roundtrip air between Honolulu and Los Angeles. Yes, that's $261 ROUNDTRIP. For the second time in the past year, Delta forgot to add the fuel surcharge to the ticket prices!!! (Last August, we scored a $300 roundtrip flight to Spain!)

Three minutes after I read the email, our tickets were booked for 7/22 - 7/26! This was an unexpected treat - I just got back from Tokyo Disneyland about a month ago, and didn't think I was going to get to visit another Disney park until at least 2012. Yippee! Yippee!

Friday the 23rd also happens to be exactly one year from the day BF and I met. Perfecto! I get to spend the whole day with my favorite person on Earth in the happiest place on Earth on the most special day of the year! There's a whole lot of goodness going on there

The Challenge:​

BF hasn't been to DLR in almost ten years, and in the 1.5 days we budgeted for Disney, we are going to ride almost every ride in Disneyland and California Adventure Park and do WoC! We're probably going to fail miserably, but gosh darn it, we're going to try! I don't care how hot, humid, tired, grumpy, etc. we are, we are going to ride as many rides as we can, eat as much junk food as we can, and take as many pictures as we can . . . even if the smiles in the pics are all fake!

Some people on the boards call this "commando style touring," but I prefer to call it "forced fun." I know, I am psycho. Like Stitch, it's part of my charm. I derive a strange enjoyment in plowing through the rides just so I can check them off my list.

For the record, this is what forced fun looks like:

Friend Trina (left) and I​

When we took this pic, we were cold, tired, and had, um, *alcohol sickness*, from the Blizzcon (lvl80 BE DK, lvl68 BE priest, lvl45 BE 'lock) party the night before. We're trying hard to look like we're having fun so that five years from now, we'll look back at our pics and say, "Oh my, do you remember how much fun we had that day?" This pic was taken at DL less than a year ago and I mostly remember the good things, so I guess my plan worked

The Itinerary:​

Thursday, July 22 - Red eye to LAX
Friday, July 23 - Whole day @ Disney!
Saturday, July 24 - LA Garment district in the morning, some sightseeing in the early afternoon, evening at Disney
Sunday, July 25 - Universal Studios, Hollywood, and party @ CityWalk
Monday, July 26 - Sightseeing in LA



Up Next: Quest to see every single Disney park!

 

[corgi_monster]

Until about 5 ears (haha get, it, ears - you know, like years? sorry, I know, laaaaame) ago, I foolishly thought all Disney parks were the same. I'd been to Disneyland half a dozen time, what's the point in going all the way to Florida? And then in September 2005, I somehow ended up in Hong Kong Disneyland during the park's opening week. Culture shock! I felt like I was in an alternate Twilight Zone universe where the Chinese conquered America. The familiar, quintessential Disney experiences, like eating a hot dog on Main Street, were still to be had, but they were no longer familiar experiences. The hot dog buns were too long and stiff, the castle had mountains behind it, and Mickey Mouse spoke Chinese. AND I LOVED IT! That was when I decided that before I die, I MUST MUST MUST see all the Disney parks in the world! Here are some pics from Hong Kong Disneyland:



This is the train that takes your from Hong Kong to Disneyland. It's an easy 40-ish minute ride from the city and we only had to make one transfer. Unlike public transportation in big US cities, the trains are CLEAN, people don't have B.O., and no one talks back to the voices in their heads.

We were there the day after the official opening, and there were absolutely NO crowds!

One of my favorite things I saw in HK DL was this Disney-themed dollhouse. Sorry the pics aren't better! The pic on the wall shows a scene from The Lion King, Mrs. Potts is on the left, and I think that's a Mickey phone on the table.

Entrance to Tomorrow Land

Strange to see Adventure Land looking so barren and foliage-free!

This pic reminds of Jurrasic Park . . . but with Space Mountain peaking out from behind the trees.

My favorite pic.

Victorian Style Plaza Inn serving Chinese food. This is why I felt discombobulated!

 

[corgi_monster]

FOOD PORN!​

Trust me, these look so much better than they tasted. It's a good thing I eat with my eyes

This, on the other hand, tastes so much better than it looks! I call it mochi rice, but I don't know what the real name is.

Food was very cheap in HK DL. This chocolate mousse is about US$2.

Pork patty in a steamed bun with plum sauce - delicious! For the record, french fries in Hong Kong take the same as they do in America. It's one of the few things the Chinese didn't take and make their own.

Mickey Mouse Moon Cakes

Marie is incredibly popular in Asia, perhaps only 2nd to Mickey himself!

Here's another character you don't see too often in the US. In HK, the characters walk around the park and initiate contact with the guests. People don't line up for pics, get autographs, etc. Quite frankly, people don't seem to care about the poor characters at all! This was 5 years ago, though, so maybe things have changed?

​

 

[GoofySon'sMom]

Love the pics/info on HK Disney! Hope to get there someday!

Looking forward to your converted DBF. We arrive on the 24th but I see you will be elsewhere on the 25th & 26th.

 

[corgi_monster]

Love the pics/info on HK Disney! Hope to get there someday!

Looking forward to your converted DBF. We arrive on the 24th but I see you will be elsewhere on the 25th & 26th.

The weather is supposed to be really nice while we're there and Buzz Lightyear opens back up on the 24th. TSMM will be open during WoC. It looks like the stars are lining up nicely for our trips

I don't know about you, but I can't sleep because I'm so excited. Next weekend can't come fast enough!

 

[GoofySon'sMom]

I don't know about you, but I can't sleep because I'm so excited. Next weekend can't come fast enough!

Agreed!

 

[corgi_monster]

Trip Itinerary

I'm freaking out JUST A LITTLE BIT *AHHHHHHHH* because nothing is done! Usually, I've got months to plan, but we booked this trip on a whim several weeks ago and I just haven't gotten around to finalizing the details. This is what I've got so far:

July 23:

- Arrive LAX around 6:00 a.m.
- Pick up rental car
- Try to check in at Disneyland Hotel <-- We, or rather, I, decided last night that we're going to splurge. How often do you get to spend your one year anniversary with the love of your life at Disneyland? Just once (hopefully, hehe)!
- Head straight over to Disneyland!
- Ariel's Grotto 5pm dinner/WoC package
- 9pm WoC show


July 24:

- LA garment district in the morning and early afternoon
- back to Disneyland
- fireworks at 9:30
- Fantasmic dessert package at 10:30


July 25:

- sightsee in LA, possibly Hollywood, La Brea tar pits, and Santa Monica
- Universal Studios in the afternoon and early evening
- Universal City Walk at night


July 26:

- sightsee in LA
- fly back to Honolulu at 6pm


Looking for help with:

- Breakfast and lunch options for both days and dinner for 7/24. Selfish me forgot that BF needs to be fed. I am happy to munch on tigger tail marshmallow pop thingamajigs, cotton candy, popcorn, fudge, pretzels, etc. all day long. BF, however, needs "real food." Any suggestions?

- Has anyone watched the 9:30 fireworks and then done the 10:30 Fantasmic dessert seating? Do we have enough time to get from Main Street to the viewing area? I'm worried we're going to be like salmon swimming upstream, fighting the crowds leaving the park.

- Are there any other special packages or tours I should book?

- Is the Disneyland Hotel accommodating when it comes to early check-ins? I realize it's subject to availability, but has anyone had any luck with a noon-ish check in? If no rooms are available at noon, can I request the hotel call me once our room is ready?

 

[Hound 109]

I love the DL Hong Kong pics.

(the dragon from Mulan is one of my son's favorite character....& voiced by Eddie Murphy)

& is the castle in Hong Kong exactly like Sleeping Beauty's in DLR? (looks more like DLR's castle than WDW)


One comment for Saturday. What time will you be leaving for the Garment District?

Why not start your day (since you're staying at the DLH) at 7am doing MM at DL??....& then pick up a FP (or two) in the early AM...BEFORE leaving for the garment district. They'll come in handy on a Saturday evening.

- Is the Disneyland Hotel accommodating when it comes to early check-ins? I realize it's subject to availability, but has anyone had any luck with a noon-ish check in? If no rooms are available at noon, can I request the hotel call me once our room is ready?

Yes they are (you can leave your bags with the bell captain) & if a room isn't ready this is exactly what they'll do (or they ask you to call at a specified time).


Have a great time at Walt's Park.

 

[corgi_monster]

& is the castle in Hong Kong exactly like Sleeping Beauty's in DLR? (looks more like DLR's castle than WDW)



Why not start your day (since you're staying at the DLH) at 7am doing MM at DL??....& then pick up a FP (or two) in the early AM...BEFORE leaving for the garment district. They'll come in handy on a Saturday evening.

That's a GREAT idea, Hound! Thank you! I had no idea Saturday was a MM. We're leaving Anaheim at 8:30, so we'll have more than enough time.

I don't remember if the Hong Kong castle was exactly like Sleeping Beauty's in DLR. For some reason, I remember it being slightly smaller than the one in DLR. Then again, it's been about 5 years so my memory is very fuzzy on the details. I'm pretty sure there was no Sleeping Beauty walk-though. The mountains behind the castle sure make up for the lack of an attraction, though.

Leaving TONIGHT!!!!!

 

[mamaso]

Have a fun & safe trip! I can't wait to read your full trip report!



I am jealous you fly tonight!

 

[CrazyDuck]

Ok, can I ask about your screen name? Corgi_Monster..... do you have Corgis? Are they monsters?

 

[corgi_monster]

Have a fun & safe trip! I can't wait to read your full trip report!



I am jealous you fly tonight!

Thanks! I will let you know if I find any good rice up in DLR

 

[corgi_monster]

Ok, can I ask about your screen name? Corgi_Monster..... do you have Corgis? Are they monsters?

I did have a sweet, sweet Corgi with a full, fuzzy tail when I first signed up for the DISboard. We used to call her liver treats "cookies." Cookie Monster somehow morphed into Corgi Monster, hence my screen name.

Even though I call her a monster, she was actually a very good girl. Despite her weight, she thought she was a laptop . . . like an overgrown Chihuahua. Her favorite thing to do was cuddle with her humans and watch Disney shows on the Travel Channel.

All humans were sheep in her flock, and I was never able to kill her herding instinct. She would only bark, never nip, though.

Rolling her eyes at me for dressing in her in a pink polo:

Proof that Corgis aren't fat, they're just fluffy:

Further proof that it's fluff, not fat that makes Corgis pudgy! As any Corgi owner knows, shedding can be a problem. This is the ball of fur I'd pull out of her every other day during the dog molt days:

 

[CrazyDuck]

Why are you talking in past tense? Did something happen to your Corgi? Very cute BTW... I have 2 myself! Both boys... the younger one is rotten... attention hog! Umm..... Your corgi has a tail....

Da Boys:

 

[radiatorsprings]

I was there on Friday when you were there. Maybe we crossed paths and didn't know it. I hope you had fun and were able to do everything you wanted!

 

[corgi_monster]

Why are you talking in past tense? Did something happen to your Corgi? Very cute BTW... I have 2 myself! Both boys... the younger one is rotten... attention hog! Umm..... Your corgi has a tail....

Da Boys:

Ooooh, your babies are soooo cute! Is the younger one the little guy on the right? He has a mischievous smile

My Corgi is from Australia, and it's illegal to dock tails there. It makes her look like a little fox rather than a dog. Her nickname was the Fox and the Hound.

When my ex and I broke up, I let him keep her because he lived at home and people were there 24/7. I live alone and wouldn't have been able to give her the company and time she deserved. It was one of the hardest things I've ever had to do, but it was better for her.


1/2 my pics are uploaded, so trip report coming soon!