Reianas long trip report September 07

[Reiana]

Party: Me (35), Hubby (39,) DD (9 month), Friends (43m and 38f)

First of all, we had a wonderful time. Castmembers and characters (except one bored Mickey at the meet'n greet in Seqouia Lodge) did a great job. The parks looked great.
Toon Studios are nice, but not as impressing as I thought.
Crush is a nice coaster and Cars is a funny little ride. A little bit so short in ridetime.
Tower of Terror and hollywood Boulevard will look amazing, when finished.
Only one thing I have to critsize. Guest behavior during parade time. I couldn't believe my eyes but people were jumping over the fences and stood even in the flowerbeds, only to watch the parade. The flowerbeds looked horribel after the parede.

So, but now let's get started

Friends picked us up at saturday evening (08.08.07) at 10 p.m.
After a very long but pleasant drive and a short break we arrived at the Sequoia Logde at about 9:00 a.m.
A lot of people we coming and going and the lobby was very busy.
Hubby and his friend checked in, while little one got a nappy change. Rooms should by ready be 3 p.m. So we gathered our most important belongings (digicams ) and headed for the Disneyland Park.
First thing to do. Find Chip and Dale because DD loves them so much. We where lucky and found them right after the entrance on Main Street.
DD was so delighted and had a big on her face.
Along with Chip & Dale came Friar Tuck and Nottingham. Nottingham started to tickle DD and she started to laugh . Nottingham was so pleased with that, he played with her almost another five minutes.
After we met Rafiki, Foul Fellow and some Country bears too, it was time for a coffeebreak. After the long drive, we all were a little bit tired.
During coffeebreak Alpha Be You Are came along, but was only spelling DISNEY. Don't know where the LAND was.

After coffeebreak it was time for the first ride.
Pirates of the Caribbean.
Little ones first ride ever. So, what can I say. She fell asleep right in the middle of the action, where the pirateship is.
Pirates itself were great. Everything was working, even the chicken in their baskets.

Next stop Big Thunder Mountain. Waiting time 45 min. (Yes, it was worth the wait) Hubby was waiting outside and didn't want to do the baby switch because he was still tired. So I did it with our friends together.
BTM looks good but the dove droppings on the rocks looked a little bit disgusting
After BTM we did the Riverboats and the Keelboats.
3 p.m. rooms are ready. Final check in.

Next stop Walt Disney Studios.
First thing you see after you leave Studio 1 is Tower of Terror and Hollywood Boulevard.
All I can say is WOW Picutres can't capture the impact ToT has. Amazing.
Friends and hubby did Art of Animation, because it was the last day before 4 days closure. Meanwhile I walked over to Toon Studios.
Crush was down and waiting time was about one hour. Cars was running and had a 35 min wait.
In my opinion, Toon Studios is nice, but very small. I think it looks better in pictures than in real live.
Next stop Rock'n Roller Coaster, because our friends are big coaster fans. This time, there was no need to use baby switch because there was 0 min. waiting time and RRC was a walk on. It was one of the last rides of the day and cast members where goofing around with the guests. Very loud and very funny.
After we left WDS we went back to out hotel and had dinner at Hunters Grill (Buffet).
After dinner we went to bed.

The next days we managed to do a lot of rides, including Cars and Crush (both 20 min. wait), the OuaD Parade, Character Express.
We even found the hidden Mickey in the Crush Coaster
I did Buzz Lightyears Laser Blast and Space Mountain M2 the first time and was pleasantly suprised by both rides. Ony one thing is very sad SM M2 is very bumpy and I'm not sure if I'll ever ride it again. My friend even got headache from it. I alwasy thought the Indi Coaster was bumpy but now
Evening EMH were great. We even could remain seated in Priates of the Caribbean. We had the whole ride for ourselves and managed to take some good pictures from the ride without disturbing the other guests.
The castle and Main Street looked amazing at night

We met a lot of characters (Mickey, Minnie, Pluto, Goofy, Prince John, Robin hood, Friar Tuck, Sheriff of Nottingham, Chip & Dale, Clairice, Foul Fellow, County Bears, Frollo, Donald, Daisy, Scrooge, Smee, Jafar, Abu, Belle and her Prince, Gepetto, Rafiki, Balou, Sully, Emile) and little one wasn't afraid of a single one. Even when Frollo came along, she smiled at him

To sad, that holidays are always over so soon
But there is always next time and about 800 photos to watch

 

[DLPdaft]

What a great trip report !
Thanks for sharing,

Elaine

 

[kevankiki]

Great trip report, we are staying at the Sequoia Lodge for the first time next Easter, what did you think of it?

 

[Ware Bears]

What a lovely time you had You have got me all excited now!!

Thanks for sharing.

 

[Reiana]

rWe stayed at the Sequoia Lodge for the third time this visit.
It is a wonderful hotel. It's it one of my favourites. The other one is New Port Bay (New England seaside style).
I love the real pine forrest all around the SL, the artificial beaverlodge with wooden beavers behind the main house.
You can walk around the hotel area or inside the hotel itself and have the imagination of being somewere in the Rocky Mountains.

If you like the Rocky Mountain-wilderness style it it the perfect place to stay

 

[Dianetigger]

Fabulous trip report and nice to see you saw a lot of characters too.

We stayed in the Sequoia Lodge for the first time last year and loved it, the surroundings are lovely and the walk to the parks each day were delightful, we only caught the bus once and that was the first day when we were trying to get our bearings (previous visits we stayed at Camp Davy Crockett when they still did the shuttle bus, Santa Fe and the Explorers).

 

[BRobson]

Great report Sounds like you had a fantastic time

 

[Reiana]

Thank you all. We really had a fantastic time. I wish we could go again soon

Some photos are online. Just follow the link in my signature.