The WDW Vets Head West! A DL May 2012 TR - Complete!

I'm back! Loving the report! The AP event looks awesome. I STILL haven't see Fantasmic. Hoping that changes this coming trip...

Anyway your first day looks like so much fun. Nice to go back to such a nice, big room! I love the weathervanes and popcorn cart details - I was telling DH about that this weekend (mentioned your DH was the one scouting them out). I think he's sick of hearing about your TR's :rotfl: But I just wanted him to know that other guys find Disney stuff fun - and it doesn't have to be specifically so disneyfied (like the popcorn carts and weathervanes aren't).

Looking forward to the first full day!
 
That showing of Fantasmic looks awesome. I heard that the DL version was better than the WDW version and I think those pictures prove it. Cool! Thanks for the review!
 
Just got caught up with your report. Paxton looks so happy, he must have had a blast! Your DH took some great shots of Fantasmic, mine always come out blurry. That mac and cheese hot dog, oh my!:love:

Can't wait to hear about your turn.
 
I'm back! Loving the report! The AP event looks awesome. I STILL haven't see Fantasmic. Hoping that changes this coming trip...

Anyway your first day looks like so much fun. Nice to go back to such a nice, big room! I love the weathervanes and popcorn cart details - I was telling DH about that this weekend (mentioned your DH was the one scouting them out). I think he's sick of hearing about your TR's :rotfl: But I just wanted him to know that other guys find Disney stuff fun - and it doesn't have to be specifically so disneyfied (like the popcorn carts and weathervanes aren't).

Looking forward to the first full day!

:rotfl: DH does enjoy Disney but he can get sick of me talking about it...fast! Little details like the weather vanes & popcorn carts are things he finds to keep himself happy & interested in the trip without all my blathering on about it.

That showing of Fantasmic looks awesome. I heard that the DL version was better than the WDW version and I think those pictures prove it. Cool! Thanks for the review!

I have never been a huge fan of the WDW version and prefer to see it only once every few trips. The DL version is definitely WAY better!!

Just got caught up with your report. Paxton looks so happy, he must have had a blast! Your DH took some great shots of Fantasmic, mine always come out blurry. That mac and cheese hot dog, oh my!:love:

Can't wait to hear about your turn.

He did have a great time overall and was really only unhappy when we were trying to hold him in a ride line because he wanted to get down and run around.

DH was very excited about a new lens he bought before the trip that was supposed to take better low-light pictures, and I have to say from the pictures he was able to take on rides and at night without using a flash, he made a good purchase. :thumbsup2

That mac & cheese hotdog...:sick: I saw it on Facebook before he got back to the resort and all I posted to it was, "Gross!!" He was in love with it too, but I hate hotdogs in general so that just made it 10x worse for me! :rotfl:
 

Better late than never, I am subscribing! I love the way that the two of you trade off on the TR!
 
Better late than never, I am subscribing! I love the way that the two of you trade off on the TR!

:welcome: Happy to have you here! Hopefully I can convince DH to post his own thoughts more often, because it was definitely fun to do this time. :goodvibes
 
DAY 2: Tuesday May 15th

Despite DH not getting back to the resort and into bed until close to 1 am, we were rising & shining at 7 am! Well, the two of us were. DS was still conked out sleeping in the living room when we got up to get ourselves dressed & teeth brushed. We finally gave in and woke him up around 7:30 so he could eat some breakfast and get ready. But we needed to get moving, it was our first full day in the parks and all we had accomplished the day before was Haunted Mansion!

We were finally out of the room and into the car by 8:25 to get to the parking garage. We made it to Disneyland just before 9 am and went right inside since it was a Magic Morning. We were held at a rope near the hub while people with the Magic Morning access were having their room keys checked and going through to the different lands. Since the park had already been open for an hour, we didn't go straight to Dumbo. So what would we do as our first attraction instead?

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The Mad Tea Party? Who is running this show?! I'm not at all sure why we picked that, but nevertheless, we did. lol We walked right on and picked a tea cup.

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DS seemed to really enjoy the spinning tea cups again this year, although I again made DH refrain from making the cup spin any faster than it does on its own. After that, we stopped right next door at Alice in Wonderland, which didn't have a long wait, maybe 5-7 minutes before we were loaded on. We chose to sit all three of us in the back row instead of splitting up between the front and back rows.

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As you can see, DH was having a lot of fun trying out his new lens taking low light pictures without flash! We actually ended up with a lot more ride photos this trip than we usually do thanks to that lens.

This is one of those attractions that is unique to DL, and for a dark ride, it definitely didn't disappoint. I really love those kinds of attractions where you feel like you are just riding along through the movie, so I was happy DL seemed to have quite a few more of them compared to MK. Plus, riding this reminded me of how much I really adore the original Alice in Wonderland!

When we left, I tried to get DS to pretend he was going into the White Rabbit's house, but he wouldn't cooperate and this was the best we could ask for.

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After our adventures in Wonderland, we decided to head over to where we had been trying to go the day before and ride It's a Small World, another of DS's favorites from WDW.

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In all the pictures of the DL building I have seen, I thought the Small World building front looked great. It's a MILLION times more impressive in person!! I couldn't get over how expansive it is! And I love how you start the ride outside and feel like you are kind of traveling off to these other worlds as you enter the tunnel. A different feeling than the MK version for sure. Plus, since they have added all the Disney characters, DH and I had fun trying to find them and point them out to each other.

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Alice & White Rabbit in England

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Pinocchio in Italy

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Random goats

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Mulan & Mushu in China

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Pumbaa & Simba in Africa

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Mexico

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The Three Caballeros in Mexico...Starring DH's favorite, Donald Duck!​

Continued in next post...
 
DAY 2 Continued: Tuesday May 15th

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Although I love seeing Ariel & friends, she was the only character that didn't really fit anywhere and seemed out of place.

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Nemo & Dory in Australia, mate!

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Lilo & Stitch in the Polynesian/Hawaii area

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Woody & Jessie in the American/Western area

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I have always loved the WDW version, but I feel like the DL version is even better with the enhancement of the Disney characters. I know some people were disappointed in the change to a classic Disney attraction, but maybe I'm just so in love with so many Disney characters, because I loved seeing them added in!

The boat brings you back outside to the dock to unload. DS was frantically pointing at something over my shoulder, and although I have no clue what it was, I thought the picture DH took came out kind of cute.

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By that time, it was nearing 9:50 and we wanted to head over to DCA for opening to pick up some Fastpasses for World of Color that night. So we made our way to the front of the park and across the plaza to the DCA turnstiles.

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I followed behind DH with the stroller to the Grizzly River Run area for him to run ahead and pick up the Fastpasses. While I was waiting, I was approached by one of the CM's with an iPad and agreed to do a quick little survey while waiting. I was happy to do it, but I felt bad a couple times later in the trip when I was approached to do it again and declined! DH walked up just as I was finishing the survey, and we decided to stay in DCA since the Visa member meet & greet would be starting in about 30 minutes. We made our way down to the Hollywood Backlot area where the M&G would be taking place.

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There was really only 1 attraction there we just HAD to do, because it's based off of one of my most favorite & beloved Disney movies EVER!

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Monsters Inc. Mike & Sulley to the Rescue!

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Just had to get a picture of us with Boo's door!​

We walked literally right up to a waiting ride vehicle, but DH stopped to take a few pictures of the cute signs along the queue area.

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We boarded our vehicle and off we went into Monstropolis!

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We both really LOVED this attraction. It's done in the classic way of Disney dark rides, but even better since it feels more immersive. A lot of the older ones like Snow White and Mr. Toad have a lot of the cut outs, where everything in this attraction was a 3D figure. Plus there are little video screens on the ride vehicles that show you the "Breaking News" story of the child that got into Monstropolis. Maybe I just love that movie too much, but I thought it was a great attraction. I hope WDW gets on this and builds a Monsters Inc. attraction soon. Wouldn't it be a perfect addition to Pixar Place?

When we came out, I made DH snap a picture of Muppetvision 3-D because the entrance way is pretty cool looking compared to WDW!

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I had hoped at some point in the trip we'd make it back to see the movie, but I'll save you the wondering, we never did. Guess we will have to make sure we see it in WDW in a few more months. I love seeing my little Bean Bunny!

By then, it was close enough to 10:30 that we decided to go ahead and get in line for the Visa M&G since it was right there instead of trying to run and fit in another attraction. DH and I were a little hesitant because we were wondering how DS would do with the characters and would he would love them as much as he did in November? Did he? Well, that'll be the starting point for my next update!

UP NEXT: DS's first character encounter in Disneyland
 
:welcome: Happy to have you here! Hopefully I can convince DH to post his own thoughts more often, because it was definitely fun to do this time. :goodvibes

Absolutely! I think I will try to get DW to make some posts on our TR later this year! Loving it so far!!!:thumbsup2
 
ISAW in DL is a thousand times better than WDW's version! I love the addition of the characters because I can tune out the annoying song while I'm looking for them LOL. Plus, you're right, the building itself is amazing. WDW's version is such a let down in comparison.

I don't even know how many times I went on Monsters Inc. I loved that ride!
 
what a great first day. UGH at the guy waking Pax on the plane. I would have been pissed. But so glad he did well on the flight, it is always so nerve-wracking!

I had no clue on the popcorn things and the weather vanes. I love all the photos of those. I will definitely be taking a closer look next time. I even did the walk in Walt's footsteps tour and they never mentioned that and I never noticed. I LOVE all the little details like that.

I love their Small World so much more there. I just think adding in the characters is such a treat. I also like their Peter Pan there better, as well as Pirates and HM too!

I cannot wait to get back to DL- you are making me miss it even more reading this. :wizard:
 
:goodvibes
I love that they have disney characters at IASW.
I want to go,I was thinking about a disney cruise for my birthday next May.
Maybe i can do disneyland :confused3
Maybe both??
Love the pictures! Keep them coming!
 
You're getting me so excited. (As I type that, I'm think "Oops...that might've come out wrong.") For Disneyland I mean! We are seven weeks away. That's Monster's Inc ride looks great! I also don't mind the idea of Disney characters in IaSW. As long as they are in the same style, I don't think it can really ruin the ride.

Tea cups...eh...probably will ride 'em.
 
Absolutely! I think I will try to get DW to make some posts on our TR later this year! Loving it so far!!!:thumbsup2

Thanks! It's always fun to get both traveler's perspectives in a TR. DH said he might consider contributing more to this TR in the future. :thumbsup2

ISAW in DL is a thousand times better than WDW's version! I love the addition of the characters because I can tune out the annoying song while I'm looking for them LOL. Plus, you're right, the building itself is amazing. WDW's version is such a let down in comparison.

I don't even know how many times I went on Monsters Inc. I loved that ride!

DH normally hates Small World, and even he really liked it with the addition of the characters. And of course, so did DS. :goodvibes I could not get enough of the ride building. Now I would love to see that dressed up for the holidays too! Time to plan another trip. :santa: :lmao:

what a great first day. UGH at the guy waking Pax on the plane. I would have been pissed. But so glad he did well on the flight, it is always so nerve-wracking!

I had no clue on the popcorn things and the weather vanes. I love all the photos of those. I will definitely be taking a closer look next time. I even did the walk in Walt's footsteps tour and they never mentioned that and I never noticed. I LOVE all the little details like that.

I love their Small World so much more there. I just think adding in the characters is such a treat. I also like their Peter Pan there better, as well as Pirates and HM too!

I cannot wait to get back to DL- you are making me miss it even more reading this. :wizard:

I was pretty annoyed at the guy on the plane, but it would have been worse if Paxton had been in a horrible mood the rest of the flight after that. Luckily he wasn't, but still. I don't know why people do that to anyone's seat when they are getting up, much less a baby! It's so aggravating to have someone pulling on your seat!

He learned about the popcorn carts and weather vanes on the DIS Disneyland podcast right before we left. It got to be kind of fun to look for different ones as we walked around!

Heck, I know how you feel, writing this TR is making ME miss DL!! I hope we can get back there soon!

:goodvibes
I love that they have disney characters at IASW.
I want to go,I was thinking about a disney cruise for my birthday next May.
Maybe i can do disneyland :confused3
Maybe both??
Love the pictures! Keep them coming!

If you can swing it, do both! Why not, right? I'd love to do a Disney cruise one of these days. They look like SO much fun!
 
You're getting me so excited. (As I type that, I'm think "Oops...that might've come out wrong.") For Disneyland I mean! We are seven weeks away. That's Monster's Inc ride looks great! I also don't mind the idea of Disney characters in IaSW. As long as they are in the same style, I don't think it can really ruin the ride.

Tea cups...eh...probably will ride 'em.

:rotfl2: I knew what you meant!! :lmao:

As for the Tea Cups, even as I was typing this, I was thinking to myself, how did we come to the decision to ride that first?! Probably because we knew we'd only have time for a few attractions before going over to DCA, and that we'd have a couple more rope drop mornings at DL. Tea cups didn't have a line, so we started there. Even now, I'm a little ashamed of myself. :rotfl: But it was fun & DS loved it, so I guess that's all that really matters!

Yay for DL being just 7 weeks away! I know y'all will have a blast, especially with Carsland being open!
 
Loving the TR and all the great pics. Just 1 questions, what kind of lens is the new lens that your DH got for the trip. Just curious trying to decide which lens(s) to bring for August.
 
Loving the TR and all the great pics. Just 1 questions, what kind of lens is the new lens that your DH got for the trip. Just curious trying to decide which lens(s) to bring for August.

We just upgraded from our kit lens to a Tamron 17-50mm f/2.8 for our Canon. Worlds better, for all the low light in ride shots, than the kit lens that it came with. I brought 2 other lenses on the trip but never had a need for them at DL.
 
I love, love, LOVE your pictures. They are wonderful. I love the teacups. That ride looks so cooler -way cooler than WDW and Monsters Inc - Wow! Great update! Looks like Paxton had a great time!
 
I love, love, LOVE your pictures. They are wonderful. I love the teacups. That ride looks so cooler -way cooler than WDW and Monsters Inc - Wow! Great update! Looks like Paxton had a great time!

I did enjoy riding the Tea Cups outside without a covering over it. It seemed brighter & more cheery that way! We just loved Monsters Inc. I really do hope they make an attraction based off this movie in WDW besides just the Laugh Floor.

Thanks!

I am loving your trip report and can't wait to hear more! :goodvibes

Glad you are enjoying it so far! :thumbsup2
 













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