Super Deluxe Mega Trip Reportinator! Now featuring 8/12 San Diego/Disneyland report!

[nancy drew]

Trip Report Bonus!

So, I seem to be missing some photos, including photos of PUSH, the talking garbage can. I know I have a great one of DS giving PUSH a pretzel wrapper, and if you so choose you will see "The Man Behind The Curtain". I'll keep searching, but I can't find him anywhere. So if you find yourself in Tomorrowland, and you see a crowd around a garbage can, it is best to go investigate, especially if the garbage can is moving.

Otherwise, all I have to share is photos from our last day at DLR.

Do you ever get tired of seeing interesting photos of the castle? I don't.

We rode Jungle Cruise again. The kids really took to this ride, and I must say I appreciated the fruit stand near the exit.

We chose to ride around Pirate's Lair, before actually exploring the island. We've done this before, and always on the same ship. We've seen baby ducklings in May, which was truly special, and we always enjoy our trip around the island.

The Columbia wasn't sailing that day. We've never been on board the Columbia. I hope to make it happen this year, but if not it will always be the thing we try to do. I enjoyed seeing the two ships side by side, two ships passing in the day.

And on her own (never noticed the guy standing next to the ship until now)

We then explored Pirate's Lair. Such a fun place!!!

So, one thing you really appreciate on a longer trip to DLR is the foliage. There are such beautiful flowers there. Something you certainly don't see around here.

For the new DLR visitors, the castle is an awesome "Secret" character interaction site. At almost all times of day (not evening) you can find a princess or two on either side path. We like the Snow White fountain and wishing well, and we happened to catch Snow White herself there on our last day. We met Ariel there earlier in the day, and I'm sure Aurora was on the other side at some point. This is our favorite fountain (make a wish in the nearby wishing well, and head into Fantasyland through the castle):

Make sure you do the Sleeping Beauty Castle walkthrough. We have done it so many times. Some of the "windows" take some time to reset, so give it some time and really enjoy it.

We also caught the tail end of a Mary Poppins show at the castle.

I forgot to mention that one day, when we entered the park, the Queen of Hearts and the Mad Hatter were leading a dance game in the main entry area. And one of our favorite experiences was a game of charades with Alice, the Mad Hatter, and the Queen near the Alice ride. This is in one of my other trip reports, but honestly this type of character interaction makes DLR my favorite. I see posts on Disboards all the time from people who thing DL is less immersive than WDW, and that DLR is smaller and less fun. Not so. There are all of these little fun games, activities, and shows that make DLR an amazingly fun and immersive experience. You just have to be open to finding them.

So another DLR exclusive experience is the Storybook Canal ride. You have to do this. It is best to do it early in the morning, but it is a classic DLR ride.

Another thing that is exclusive to DLR is the inclusion of Disney characters in Its A Small World. One of our favorite things to do is spot the characters on the ride. At WDW we just can't do anything like that, and we have to sit back and shut up and ride. DLR just totally wins at IASW.

Another DLR (DCA) favorite is the Aladdin show. Such a fantastic show. I have heard they aren't doing the carpet anymore, but I think the genie can carry the show.

We always love the Boudin Bakery tour in DCA. I'm bummed the Mission tortilla tour is gone (MASECA!!!). We have a Ghirardelli here, and it isn't nearly as much fun. We'll still tour the Boudin. Who doesn't want to see how they make Mickey Sourdough Bread loaves???

I can't believe I haven't shared photos of DD's favorite ride, Winnie the Pooh, or the treats at Pooh Corner. For the DLR newbies: If you are remotely interested in sweets and baked goods, that's the place for you. A DLR exclusive is the Tigger Tail. Don't ask, just get it. You can read more about it in another trip report of mine, but the kids love them. They also have amazing apples, cupcakes, and other confections. Don't ignore Critter Country!!!! Unlike WDW, there isn't usually a long line for Winnie the Pooh.

I'll go through my memory card tomorrow to look for photos I missed, but I think that's our trip. I'm really looking forward to our trip, now that we are under the 1 month mark!!! I look forward to spending my actual birthday in SD. I look forward to seeing Carsland, and seeing DCA without walls!!!!! We've only seen it once without walls, and that was on our first trip! It will look so totally different!!!!

 

[nancy drew]

I'm having a minor freak out that I won't be able to eat anything on our trip, or that I'll trust someone who says I can eat something and it will turn out to be meat/dairy/egg/gluten. I'm pretty sure I ate something "wrong" a few days ago and I am still suffering. Last year on our trip I lost 5 pounds, and while I'd actually love it if that happened again, I still have this fear of going hungry, or throwing money away on meals I can't eat. I know things will likely be OK at Disneyland, especially at table service meals (which we aren't even doing many of), but counter service options are severely limited. And San Diego, well, I'm not too hopeful.

When we traveled to visit my mom in December, when I was still eating gluten, I had the worst time getting food. So many places pre-mix their salads, so you can't order something without meat or cheese or egg. Or they don't understand what "vegan" means, even when you explain it. For example, I had the following conversation with a server there:

Me: "I am vegan, I don't eat meat, dairy, or egg."
Her: "Oh, hmmmm. Do you eat fish?"

Really? I don't understand why I would eat fish but nothing else from an animal. Then again I don't understand people who eat fish and seafood but call themselves "vegetarians". Last time I checked fish weren't vegetables.

Same server said she would bring out "grilled vegetables" and a side salad with balsamic dressing for me. Great. Perfect. Well, not really. The balsamic dressing was as thick as whipped cream. I asked my mom if she thought they had used egg in it (as in mayo) and she said no, they just "emulsify" it to make it that consistency. No, sorry, unless they have vegenaise back there that dressing has mayo in it. Then the "grilled vegetables" were a soggy pile of shredded vegetables, soaked and glistening in a shiny golden liquid. I took one small taste and asked my mom if she thought they were covered in butter, and she tasted them and said she didn't taste butter. I asked what she DID taste and she couldn't identify it, but insisted it wasn't butter. After foolishly eating some of the dressing I wasn't going to risk the vegetables without asking. I asked the server "Do these by chance have butter on them?" and she said "Oh, shoot," or something and took the plate away. I ended up eating guacamole from the burger bar, I think (they couldn't even make a veggie burger for me, because they were using some boxed burger that had dairy and/or egg in it; and it took about 5 trips back and forth to the kitchen for the server to confirm that). And this was at a fancy golf club too, not a diner.

Anyway, that long story is the kind of thing that happens regularly when I go out to eat, which is why I don't go out to eat often. But on vacation, we kind of have to. I think there are some grocery stores near the hotel in SD, so I should be OK, but I worry about the unknown (Will I be able to find enough options at the grocery store? Will I overbuy or underbuy?). I'll bring a few things too, but still I'm just worried about eating in SD, and a little worried about eating at DL (though really at DLR I could just live on Jamba Juice and that would be cool with me).

 

[kaoden39]

Bengal Barbecue will be your friend for sure. They have vegetable spears, they are wonderful!!


I decided to look at the menus to see what you can and cannot eat. I never realized how hard it was to find things that stick to your parameters. I can understand the panic mode. Honestly, I see vegetarian options, vegan is available but rarely and then you add the gluten free. I am not sure what grocery stores are in the area. There are a couple of Fresh and Easy Markets in the area. They might have things for you there. I don't know if you are familiar with them. You can find them at freshandeasy.com

 

[nancy drew]

I am definitely looking forward to the skewers!!

I've made a list of a few places I know have options at DLR, maybe I'll post it here. And I know the table service places will work with me (hopefully the Surf's Up chef is more flexible this year). I called dining reservations and made a reservation for the Plaza breakfast with Minnie, and spoke with someone about our dietary needs. He said it shouldn't be a problem at table services. I may splurge and do Carthay. He said the chef is the same as Napa, and that he should be really good at working around dietary needs. SD is a concern. If there is a sushi place nearby, especially if it is a small place where I can just get a roll to go (there is a sushi place in the hotel, but I'm not sure how fancy it is and whether they will do take out) I can get an avocado roll. I'll bring my own travel packets of tamari (gf soy sauce). I'd even eat a cucumber roll.

 

[kaoden39]

I am definitely looking forward to the skewers!!

I've made a list of a few places I know have options at DLR, maybe I'll post it here. And I know the table service places will work with me (hopefully the Surf's Up chef is more flexible this year). I called dining reservations and made a reservation for the Plaza breakfast with Minnie, and spoke with someone about our dietary needs. He said it shouldn't be a problem at table services. I may splurge and do Carthay. He said the chef is the same as Napa, and that he should be really good at working around dietary needs. SD is a concern. If there is a sushi place nearby, especially if it is a small place where I can just get a roll to go (there is a sushi place in the hotel, but I'm not sure how fancy it is and whether they will do take out) I can get an avocado roll. I'll bring my own travel packets of tamari (gf soy sauce). I'd even eat a cucumber roll.

I don't understand why more places don't offer gluten free menu items. There are a lot of people that choose to go gf.

 

[Sleepless Knight]

I'm in.

As a huge Star Wars geek, I'm still disappointed that I managed to miss most of the stromtrooper/bounty hunter/clonetrooper appearances last summer despite my 4 summer visits. But at least I did get to see them all at 2009 Star Wars Weekends.

And if you think Storybook Land is amazing during the day, it's even better at night. I always do it at least once per visit at night. Short lines can be found after 11:30pm if not after 11:00pm.

 

[nancy drew]

Welcome .

I had no idea there would be Star Wars characters around, so this was a huge (and awesome) surprise. We've never done SWW, and this was a nice little mini-SWW type experience. I'm toying with the idea of doing SWW at WDW next year, though I am not sure what all that means, and I'm not sure how crazy busy it will be.

 

[Sleepless Knight]

If you love Star Wars and Disney, then Star Wars Weekends is a must do. I was truly like a little boy again when I got to meet Jedi Mickey. I mean it's Mickey. In Jedi robes. The only way it got cooler was when I did the classic Star Wars raised arms holding a lightsaber pose with Princess Leia Minnie draped off my shoulder.

Ask if you have any questions. I was so planned for Star Wars Weekends that I had no trouble doing everything I wanted to and knew where things were even though I'm not overly familiar with the layout of DHS. As it turned out, I, as a total newbie, was able to educate some guests who I met that wanted to know how to get an autograph.

 

[nancy drew]

That's awesome! I will definitely ask when the time comes. Definitely a must-do at some point.

 

[mirage0306]

Hey, nancy!! It's meribeth (liamsmom)--LOVE your TR. You have me really wanting to go to DL now and stay at the DLH--it looks AWWWEEESOMMMME. I also like that terrible weather is less of a concern in socal than in central florida in summer.

 

[nancy drew]

Hey, nancy!! It's meribeth (liamsmom)--LOVE your TR. You have me really wanting to go to DL now and stay at the DLH--it looks AWWWEEESOMMMME. I also like that terrible weather is less of a concern in socal than in central florida in summer.

Omg! So good to see you here!!! I have to go see your trip reports tonight when I have more time!!!

You guys really should give DLR a try. The two parks are so similar (well, MK and DL) and yet there are so many differences. It was really weird going to DL a few years ago, when I hadn't been in a long time and I was used to being at WDW. Everything seemed familiar, yet different. IT was kind of like visiting someone who has the same house floor plan as you. You can mostly find your way around with asking, but a few times you'll think "Wait, isn't Winnie the Pooh supposed to be here in Fantasyland?" and the parks just have a WAY different vibe. I highly recommend a trip to DLR, especially if you can swing the DLH! Paradise Pier is an awesome hotel too. What they lack in resort grounds they make up for with personal attention/service.

 

[nancy drew]

Oh, and MB, did you catch my LOST reference in here?

(Reading your TR now!)

 

[nancy drew]

So after thinking more about it, I'm not as worried about eating on this trip. It will be hard to get the kids fed in San Diego without eating something, but we can try to rely on take-out or to-go food and I can rely on grazing. While shopping at Whole Foods today I remembered I have a vegan and gluten free protein powder that mixes well with OJ, and last year I brought it and would buy a bottle of OJ and throw a few scoops in, and that would hold me for a few hours. I can get chips, fries, fruit, salads, and bring some bars and vegan and gluten free "jerky" that will keep my protein levels up. I forgot about all of my little "tricks" from last year and had a panic moment.

And if this year is like last year, I'll come home 5 pounds lighter and that's a good thing!!!

 

[kaoden39]

I love Whole Foods and Fresh and Easy.

 

[nancy drew]

What is Fresh and Easy?

 

[kaoden39]

This is Fresh and Easy.

 

[nancy drew]

Oh that looks nice!! I wish we had more options here, but my local Whole Foods is pretty amazing so I guess I can't complain too much.

Unfortunately there isn't a WF or F&E near our hotel in SD, so we have to rely on whatever happens to be nearby. There is a Ralph's in walking distance from our hotel, is that a good place to shop? Otherwise I can get a Von's delivery, but I'm not entirely sure I need it. And I worry about the produce they will deliver, I'd rather see it myself.

 

[kaoden39]

I am not fond of grocery delivery myself. I would much rather pick out my own produce. I am really picky about it. I love Fresh and Easy, it is probably my favorite grocery store.

 

[nancy drew]

I am not fond of grocery delivery myself. I would much rather pick out my own produce. I am really picky about it. I love Fresh and Easy, it is probably my favorite grocery store.

I'm the same way. I open the little plastic cases of grape tomatoes and pinch them. But really, when you've bitten into one of those tomatoes that looks perfect but tastes squishy and sour, you learn a valuable lesson about produce selection .

 

[kaoden39]

I'm the same way. I open the little plastic cases of grape tomatoes and pinch them. But really, when you've bitten into one of those tomatoes that looks perfect but tastes squishy and sour, you learn a valuable lesson about produce selection .

That is one thing that makes it nice to visit the local fruit stands. Nothing is bagged up and I can pick out just exactly what I want. I am glad we live in a valley that has them.