Summer Vacation Time - San Diego, Hotel Del Coronado, Catalina, and of course DL

[KCmike]

So our first day was a late morning visit to Disneyland! Here's the sign you get to walk under as you go in...

Of course we have to take the family shots under the sign to show how much we've grown together. (How much the kids have grown and how grey my hair is getting!)

This is now our 7th visit for my wife and I. The kids have six visits under their belt. I love it so much at the Disneyland Resort. I love the proximity of the parks, how close Downtown Disney is, and there are no bus transportation. For those that say that they like the bus situation at WDW have got to be kidding me. I don't ever miss riding the bus late at night coming back from the park and standing with the all the unwashed stinky Disney lovers. One of my favorite things in Downtown Disney is when the musicians come out to play in the evenings during the summer time. The perfect stay for me is staying at the Grand Californian. Since we spent most of our hotel money at the Hotel Del this time around we had to stay off site.

It's always smiles and laughs when we enter the park. I like to look back at the kids and my wife and just see the pure enjoyment in their eyes. I think I take the exact same pictures when I walk into the park.

Had the idea to do a little "Meet me in St. Louis" with this shot.

From this point we decided to take some transportation down mainstreet. One of my bucket list items for this trip (things I've never done yet) was to ride the Omnibus. We had the chance to do this first thing but it was going to be downstairs with a packed bus. I chose to not do it and catch it later. Oh no I thought because I know how days can get away from you. So we decided to take the horse drawn carriage down the street instead. I am obviously a little out of my sit for this next shot.

I have to say this this day was not planned out. It was sort of an extra day because we had debated on whether or not seeing Brave at the El Capitan this day. We ended up seeing Brave back in Denver. Side Story here. The closest theater was the Century Theater where the shooting just occurred in Aura, CO. I asked my wife why are we passing this one and going to another? Well we are big AMC theatres fans. Our family just likes the experience better there. In retrospect it is chilling to know that we possibly could have gone to this theater just days before this man went on his path of destruction.

So from getting off the horse drawn carriage we went in our usual direction of Fantasyland. I am such a huge fan of the dark rides at WDW and Disneyland. It is an absolute shame they took away Snow White's Scary Adventures at WDW. I thought it was so well done there. I actually prefer it there with Winnie the Pooh over the DL counterparts. I love the look of DL's fantasyland. I love how all the dark rides are grouped together. When we have our early entry days we can knock out Peter Pan, Mr. Toad, Snow White, Pinocchio, Mad Tea Party, Dumbo, Alice in Wonderland, and then hit Matterhorn all before the 1st hour is done. That's 8 rides. We then usually go towards Pirates and I run ahead and grab Splash fast passes for later. It is usually walk on for Pirates and Haunted Mansion at that point as well.

We entered Fantasyland and went straight to Snow White. It had the shortest lines and it was great to be back.

To be continued....

 

[KCmike]

If anyone has a twitter account you can get free $2 mp3 credit on amazon. Here is the link..

https://www.amazon.com/gp/feature...1000740381

Also the Brave Soundtrack is $2.99 right now.

 

[LovintheLodge]

More views looking out to DL and DCA from Fairfield Inn. I thought it was crazy that I could zoom in with my 55-250 lens into the Matterhorn and see the Yeti. How cool is that? Here are some interesting shots I do believe. Again these were all taken from the top floor of the Fairfield Inn. Its pretty cool there because you could literally watch the fireworks if you wanted to. We did this on our very first day back in 2007 when we they were playing Remember Dreams Come True. I'm so glad we got to see that fireworks show before they cut out parts of it. It is far and away the best fireworks show I've ever seen at DL or WDW. If you care to know my favorite ride of all time at any of the parks is Splash Mountain at WDW followed by Pirates at DL.

I am loving your trip report Mike. Your pictures are great (I use a point and shoot Panasonic Lumix so I am an amateur!). I am noting your first timer DLR tips you gave to a PP.

Why do they change the fireworks? Is it something they do for the summer? Last summer when we were in WDW the MK fireworks was called Summer Nightastic and they were great. My family loves Pirates of the Caribbean and they had a whole sequence on that.

The Fairfield Inn looks like a nice place. We are staying at the Candy Cane Inn. I hope we have a nice experience there too!

Thanks!
Kerry

Sent from my iPad using DISBoards

 

[KCmike]

I am loving your trip report Mike. Your pictures are great (I use a point and shoot Panasonic Lumix so I am an amateur!). I am noting your first timer DLR tips you gave to a PP.

Why do they change the fireworks? Is it something they do for the summer? Last summer when we were in WDW the MK fireworks was called Summer Nightastic and they were great. My family loves Pirates of the Caribbean and they had a whole sequence on that.

The Fairfield Inn looks like a nice place. We are staying at the Candy Cane Inn. I hope we have a nice experience there too!

Thanks!
Kerry
Sent from my iPad using DISBoards

Hey Kerry thanks for the nice comments about my trip report.

Alright on the fireworks they do change them for the seasons.

Off Season its "Remember Dreams Come True" It is my favorite of all time and it runs up to Memorial Day weekend and then plays again after summer until Halloween time. I think it runs again possibly up until Christmas starts. RDCT use to have a longer run time but they cut a small section out that most who haven't ever seen it will notice. It's still wonderful. They incorporate a little of Wishes from WDW but Julie Andrews narrates it and they incorporate Walt's speech into the show. Think goosebumps! My favorite parade at Disneyland has to be Parade of Dreams (now retired). They incorporated Walt's speech into that show as well and it really added to the show. I'm glad I got to see it before it changed.

Halloween has "Halloween Screams"

Christmas has "Believe in Holiday Magic"

Summer has "Magical" It is a good show and just as good as Wishes in WDW for me. The singer is Eden Espinosa from Wicked Musical fame. Her voice is incredible in the tracks. We have seen the musical Wicked before and you really can appreciate her vocal talents.

RE: your Panasonic Lumix camera
That is a wonderful camera. I think its one of the best point and shoots out there.

On the Pirates note you will enjoy World of Color as there is a sequence for pirates in it.

In RDCT they have a sequence where they play sound from the Pirates ride and they shoot fireworks from one side of the park towards the matterhorn and then back again as if its in a battle scene.

Whatever fireworks show you see you will have a great time for sure!

I've heard very good things about the Candy Cane Inn too.

 

[PrincessInOz]

Stinkin' great shots of entering Disneyland! That's a fantastic shot of the family on the trolley. Everyone looks like they are having a great time.

So many of the lenses are out of my price range. I love the hobby but its hard for me to take it too seriously with some of those high figures they are asking. I would really like to sell my prime lens 50mm 1.8. It takes great shots and is super cheap but I hardly ever use it.

I'm with you on my nifty fifty. I'd sell it but wouldn't likely get enough to make it worthwhile. I had it for 2 years before using it much beyond testing it out. It is my "go to" lens for Disney on Ice though. It has eeked its way through security a couple times now. With that on, my DSLR isn't much bigger than a bridge camera.

LOVE the zoom of the Yeti!

Make that "me three".

But its such a fantastic lens at such a reasonable price to add to the bag. Pity they don't have something similar at the 30mm mark.

 

[mom2rtk]

Awesome trolley shot!

We've never stayed offsite at DL. We've usually only had 2 or 3 days, so being onsite was affordable for us. When we go back I'd love to stay a little longer and go offsite. How far was the walk from the Fairfield Inn?

 

[kristen1587]

First of all thanks! Secondly I think everyone should make San Diego a must see if their coming to SoCal for the first time. It is so gorgeous down there. LA and the city is really dirty except for the beaches and the suburbs. We have never done the zoo in SD but have done Sea World which we really liked. We have done SW in Florida and liked San Diego's version because it felt smaller and better done. If you go to San Diego please visit Coronado Island. It is so laid back and relaxed. The beach is expansive.

Alright must do Disneyland include:

Billy Hill and Hillbillies - gotta see the Gold team that has Elvis Billy, he usually plays on Thurs-Sundays. Right now they have them in Frontierland outside but they usually play in the Golden Horseshoe.

If you do any tours then do the Walk in Walt's Footsteps. It is really well done and you get some behind the scenes stuff like going into the lobby of Club 33, staying after in the tiki room to see some history, and other cool things plus you get lunch provided and a commerative pin.

Must see World of Color, Remember Dreams Come True Fireworks (usually plays in the off season and is the best fireworks show I've ever seen Disney do), and see Fantasmic!. Magical is good as well.

Ride the Lilly Belle train car Walt had for his wife. Ask at the train station to see if its possible that day. Also ride the train all the way around the tracks.

If you get an early entry then definitely do Fantasyland (I can ride at least 8-9 rides) when we get that extra benefit. I am such a HUGE FAN of the the dark rides at Disneyland and the exterior look of Fantasyland. I love Mr. Toads Wild Ride followed by Peter Pan, Pinocchio, and Snow White. On Snow white make sure you touch the apple.

Gotta ride the canoes on the Rivers of America (can't do it at WDW anymore, right?)

Ride Storybook Canal boats at night.

Currently you can get fast passes at DL and use them after the time your suppose to come back. Use that to your advatage.

Ride IASM at night. I love that experience. It makes me feel what a tunnel of love experience would have been when I ride it with my wife at night.

AT DCA -----

See Aladdin stage show twice (It's that good)

Carsland obviously (I loved all three rides)

The only ride I don't like is Goofy's Sky School

On World of Color (some like it some hate it) if you can see it twice. One from the above section and then see if you can get down to the railing. Such a cool experience there.

Screamin' is alot of fun if you like rollercoasters.

I'll try to think of more as we go along.

Congrats on going to where it all started.

Thanks for all the great advice! You definitely cannot do the Rivers of America canoes anymore at WDW and we are definitely looking forward to Aladdin (we love the Beauty and the Beast show at DHS) and World of Color!

 

[mvf-m11c]

Very nice photos at DL that late morning. I also like your picture of your family on the horse drawn streetcar.

Looking forward to your next update.

 

[I'm mikey]

Beautiful family pics Mike, the street car pic is very creative, i might have to try this on our next family vacation.

 

[KCmike]

Stinkin' great shots of entering Disneyland! That's a fantastic shot of the family on the trolley. Everyone looks like they are having a great time.


Make that "me three".

But its such a fantastic lens at such a reasonable price to add to the bag. Pity they don't have something similar at the 30mm mark.

Thanks! First time I think I like the word stinkin'!

 

[KCmike]

Awesome trolley shot!

We've never stayed offsite at DL. We've usually only had 2 or 3 days, so being onsite was affordable for us. When we go back I'd love to stay a little longer and go offsite. How far was the walk from the Fairfield Inn?

I would say its about a 7 minute walk to the gates of DL. It's really not bad at all. It's no Grand Californian though. The one thing I don't like about walking back on Harbor Blvd is the traffic both human and automobiles. I guess that's the WDW vet in me? I would take that walk over the bus rides though anytime.

FFI is really a great place. I recommend it over HOJO and BWPPI of the three I've stayed at.

 

[KCmike]

Thanks for all the great advice! You definitely cannot do the Rivers of America canoes anymore at WDW and we are definitely looking forward to Aladdin (we love the Beauty and the Beast show at DHS) and World of Color!

Your more than welcome Kristen.

 

[KCmike]

Beautiful family pics Mike, the street car pic is very creative, i might have to try this on our next family vacation.

Thanks Mike! I guess it was watching Meet Me in St Louis too many times. The kids love that movie around Christmas time and for some reason it just popped in my head when one of them was getting in.

Very nice photos at DL that late morning. I also like your picture of your family on the horse drawn streetcar.

Looking forward to your next update.

Thanks! Everyone got a kick out of it when we got home. They all forgot we took the picture.

 

[KCmike]

Random. I think I take this same shot every year and yet I think I get worse every year.

 

[LovintheLodge]

Thanks for all the fireworks details! We will not miss it!

I've got to get pictures by the big Disneyland sign too!

Kerry

Sent from my iPad using DISBoards

 

[Chicago Mo]

LOVE your report!!!

 

[KCmike]

Thanks for all the fireworks details! We will not miss it!

I've got to get pictures by the big Disneyland sign too!

Kerry

Sent from my iPad using DISBoards

Your welcome and thanks!

 

[KCmike]

LOVE your report!!!

Thanks Chicago!

 

[KCmike]

Just as you walk through the castle and enter into Fantasyland you will find the spike that marks the center of Disneyland (I believe this to be correct, am I right?) We always stop to get a shot of those spikes. At Epcot it is in between the Fountain of Nations and as you walk towards the Land. I believe theirs is the center of all of Disneyworld (am I right?)

So Snow White was our first ride this time around. Always fun to start with a dark ride. If you never have rode it then you have to know that in the que line you are suppose to know to touch the apple.

The line was probably a few minutes long which gave me time to take advantage of noticing the details of the Disneyland. This one is as you walk into the ride.

This next shot became a running theme with my son and I. They have these signs posted on every dark ride.

Looking back out from the que line you can see Peter Pan and the many wind vanes. I love how they incorporate characters from the movie/ride with these devices.

One of my all time favorite shots of all of our visits came courtesy of my wife a few years ago. I will have to see if I can pull it back up later in the report. As you look out of the que in Snow White you will see a clock with the castle in the background. The shop with the clock is called Once Upon a Time. The structure in the que blocks to the left and right but it was a beautiful shot to be had in my opinion. Kudos goes to my wife for noticing it.

We managed to ride Pinocchio next. I have alot of shots of all this but am trying to limit myself here. I did take one though of the ride vehicle which was kind of neat.

One of the things I love about Disneyland's Fantasyland is all the wood structures. When going through the que lines the wood is so smooth and elegant. My kids comment on it every year. I know that WDW is doing their Fantasyland expansion right now but I don't think they can ever beat the look and feel of Disneyland's. Sometimes bigger isn't better and that's the case as I see it right now. I am still not sure why they take out rides like Snow White and put in meet and greets? Isn't there enough space for both in the big spacious swamp? I am excited for the mine cart ride down there but it could have been so much more. Their ride count is really only going up by one or maybe two if you count an extra Dumbo, right? Enough of my ranting about WDW.

So after Pinocchio we ran over to Mr. Toads Wild Ride (another let's yank out a ride at WDW). I have to say this is one of my favorites here. It's one you have to ride a few times to really get the full effect and fun out of it. The explosions, the wild ride, going to hell, and making it out alive are all part of the experience here. The outside part of the building is amazing.

From here we had a hard time deciding what to do. This was our extra day and if your not planning ahead of time then things can get a little confusing. It was starting to get crowded (this always happens late in the morning in California). I'm not sure why but it is usually empty in the parks at DL in the morning with or without early entries and especially since Carsland is open now. So we decided to head towards the Mad Tea Party and finish out Fantasyland with Alice in Wonderland. We got on the MTP very quickly. I can't say enough how much I love riding this ride. The outdoor setting, no roofs, vines of flowers and lights and looking out to either the Matterhorn or to Storybook Canal boat ride. It's really like your a miniature person caught in a world of make believe. The kids got in one teacup and my wife and I got in the other.

Next up- Second half of Day one and a finish with Magical firework show.

 

[jcarwash]

Just as you walk through the castle and enter into Fantasyland you will find the spike that marks the center of Disneyland (I believe this to be correct, am I right?)

According to the Disneyland Encyclopedia I am reading, the spike marks the original center of DL, but with the expansions over the years it's not the center anymore. The book didn't say where the new center actually is. But you're mainly correct, that's what the original spike was supposed to do.