freshstart19
Mouseketeer
- Joined
- Nov 16, 2007
- Messages
- 343
Thanks for all of the help that I received here before our trip. It was our first visit to DLR from the east coast. We began our trip in LA followed by Disney then San Diego. We are a family of four with DD24 and DD11 so it's a challenge to make both of them happy. DD11 has been obsessed with the history behind the Disney parks for the last couple of years after a WDW visit that she didn't even want to go on! She can tell you the voice of the original Snow White and Cinderella! Anyway, for her, DLR was very magical. She kept commenting how this is the park that Walt actually saw. We loved how the castle had a entirely different vibe to it. It was smaller but the pink hue in the evening was cool. We stayed at the DGC in a theme park view. Upon our arrival late in the evening, our room type was not available. I was extremely bummed. We received a DTD view room for that night and were switched the next day. We were given a free meal voucher at a choice of about 4 nice restaurants for our trouble. We were able to use it for our Goofy's Kitchen ADR which was great.
The hotel reminded us of the Animal Kingdom resort at WDW. The interior was very similar. We never ate in the hotel. DD11 loved the pool area. It was difficult finding chairs in the late afternoon but that's too be expected.
Loved being able to literally walk to the parks from the hotel. Did not miss the shuttles or driving required at WDW. The entire experience was much mellower for us. I think going during the last week of August when the crowds are lower was perfect! We did use our early entry mornings and got lots done. I was totally stressed about before our trip because I didn't have time to really fine tune ride touring plans and fastpass strategy. The early mornings really saved us. Did do a FP for RSR twice in one day and then on another day. Radiator Springs is awesome at night. Thanks for that tip here!!
Could not believe there wasn't a line for the Buzz Lightyear attraction. I remember that one having long lines at WDW. For most rides, we had a wait between 5 and 20 minutes. DD24 and DH didn't think Indiana Jones was anything special. That surprised me since many here love the ride. I passed on lots of the bigger rides with DD11 who's afraid. Did get her to go on California Screamin and Splash Mountain. That was an accomplisment!! Splash Mountain and RSR were the only rides I think we actually needed to get FPs for. OH, IASM was a cool surprise. DD11 loved finding the characters that are built in there. She has some suggestions of characters that were left out that she feels need to be there. She's going to write a letter with her ideas!
I worried about the Frozen visit waaayyyyy too much! Decided to go on a non early day thinking more would be going on the early morning day and didn't want to save that for our last morning there just in case. Arrived at gate with about 4 families in front of us about 30 minutes before opening and started getting worried. DH was not going to go any earlier! DD24 went in ahead of the rest of us so she would walk/run to the hub while we waited for the park opening ceremony. I was expecting a ceremony similar to WDW so that was a surprise. It's much smaller in scope. When we got to the hub, DD24 was 5th in line. We clocked our actual wait once we got to the actual meet and greet area; 9 min 23 sec.! We saw both characters. WHEW!!!
Breakfast each day was a run to Starbucks on the way to the parks. Since we were having a big lunch each day, didn't want to affect early entry times with a sit down breakfast. Had packed Fiber One bars so we mostly ate them while waiting to get in the parks.
We did Ariel's Grotto for lunch on our first day there. DD11 loved see the princesses first thing. We were lucky to get a table waterside in a gazebo looking area. Line wasn't too bad to see Ariel. Had an 11:30 ADR. Did feel like we ate too much for lunch since it was very hot out and we felt very sluggish afterwards. Ate at Blue Bayou the next day at 11:30. Got a waterside table thanks to suggestions here. I thought it was cool being "inside" the ride. DDs weren't overly impressed. The monte cristo sandwich is HUGE. That should be shared! Again, felt full walking around afterwards. Wound up cancelling our lunch ADR for the next day at Carthay since we had a Goofy's Kitchen ADR for dinner and didn't want to eat another big lunch. Goofy's is very much like Chef Mickey's at WDW. Snow White was here so DD11 saw 3 different Snow White's during the trip and 2 different Ariels. Did have lunch at the Hungry Bear in the shade. Thanks for that tip!! OH, while DD11 and I left that there to go find Tiana near the Haunted Mansion fountain, DD21 and DH saw Tiana come through the downstairs of the Hungry Bear on her way to where we were waiting by the Haunted Mansion fountain. We missed Tiana on our last WDW trip so DD11 was determined to see her. When we arrived back to Hungry Bear and were leaving there, Tiana came back through there. She didn't stop for pictures but it was funny to see her there after just getting her autograph. She does just a few 30 minute sessions. Checked with the Town Hall to find out the character schedules so we knew where to go. Caught Peter Pan and Mad Hatter just walking around. Caught a couple of princesses on the way out one day even though we already saw them either at Ariel's Grott and Fantasy Faire. Did wait for Tinkerbell for over 30 minutes. That was my longest line! Donald was the first character we saw early on our first morning in DCA. I still remember hunting for Donald with DD24 when she was much younger in Mexico at Epcot. We spent days trying to catch him. Seeing Donald here so easily was an interesting way to start our trip!
Glad to have purchased Photopass+ at a discount before our trip. Have lots of pictures that we are all actually in!! Just received the CD in the mail.
Researched where we should watch the parade in DL. Watched it up by It's a Small World. Actually stopped at the first spot we saw which was near there that had space. Worked out great so we could hit a few of the Fantasyland rides right after the parade passed us. Arrived to the park 30 min before the 7pm parade and was surprised to see people lined up all along Main Street. DH saw no reason to go any earlier. He also had no interest in waiting for an hour or more to get a spot to stand to watch WOC or fireworks.
I forgot to get the WOC FP and wasn't too worried about it since the crowds were lower. That was a mistake. We would up on the bridge towards Ariel's Grotto. We were behind a line in the center on bridge behind the people who had gotten FPs. We could see but had to look between heads so seeing the characters lower in the water wasn't so easy. On the next night, watched it from the observation area in the hotel and the colors were nice but you couldn't really see the characters. I knew they were there and explained what was going on to the other hotel guests. We tested DD11's Glow Ears to see if they would work. The lights were changing on the ears but I couldn't decide if it was like they had been in the park the night before.
Did not watch the fireworks while inside the park. Could see them everynight from our hotel balcony. I loved this! Our room was on the Grizzly Run side of the resort. We had a very good view of the fireworks with no obstruction. The TV had a station that you could watch with the music from the fireworks. Didn't use it though.
The Alladin show was great. It was the last thing we did before heading to San Diego. DH also loved the Raphunzel show in the Royal Theatre. That was the only way we could see Raphunzel. Were not able to get her autograph.
Loved the Animation Academy in DCA. Have done this in WDW. Went to 2 sessions. Drew Olaf and Donald! Not crowded at all.
We spent 3 1/2 days between both parks. We never needed the rental car. We did do everything we wanted without staying in the parks until closing and also taking long pool breaks. We had park hopper passes although only park hopped on our last day. I did not get a stamp leaving DCA on our last morning since I wasn't returning there. DD11 decided she wanted a Splash Mtn shirt so she and I went to go to DL to buy it. I only had our room key and ticket on me, no ID. I almost was not able to get back in without my ID that DH was carrying for. I had to prove that I had been in DCA that day by showing a receipt that happened to have in my pocket. Couldn't understand why that was a big deal because we had hopper tickets.
Just realized how long this is. Can't see the entire post while typing. Bottom line is we had a great time. I over stressed about everything because I was unable to plan like I do for WDW. We head to Disney about every 5 years or so with the exception of this year. DD11 really wanted to go and we were hesitant since we went to WDW 2 years ago. We decided to go to California so we'd have a different trip and Disney would be a part of it.
Our next Disney trip might have to be to Paris! Thanks again for everyone's help.
The hotel reminded us of the Animal Kingdom resort at WDW. The interior was very similar. We never ate in the hotel. DD11 loved the pool area. It was difficult finding chairs in the late afternoon but that's too be expected.
Loved being able to literally walk to the parks from the hotel. Did not miss the shuttles or driving required at WDW. The entire experience was much mellower for us. I think going during the last week of August when the crowds are lower was perfect! We did use our early entry mornings and got lots done. I was totally stressed about before our trip because I didn't have time to really fine tune ride touring plans and fastpass strategy. The early mornings really saved us. Did do a FP for RSR twice in one day and then on another day. Radiator Springs is awesome at night. Thanks for that tip here!!
Could not believe there wasn't a line for the Buzz Lightyear attraction. I remember that one having long lines at WDW. For most rides, we had a wait between 5 and 20 minutes. DD24 and DH didn't think Indiana Jones was anything special. That surprised me since many here love the ride. I passed on lots of the bigger rides with DD11 who's afraid. Did get her to go on California Screamin and Splash Mountain. That was an accomplisment!! Splash Mountain and RSR were the only rides I think we actually needed to get FPs for. OH, IASM was a cool surprise. DD11 loved finding the characters that are built in there. She has some suggestions of characters that were left out that she feels need to be there. She's going to write a letter with her ideas!
I worried about the Frozen visit waaayyyyy too much! Decided to go on a non early day thinking more would be going on the early morning day and didn't want to save that for our last morning there just in case. Arrived at gate with about 4 families in front of us about 30 minutes before opening and started getting worried. DH was not going to go any earlier! DD24 went in ahead of the rest of us so she would walk/run to the hub while we waited for the park opening ceremony. I was expecting a ceremony similar to WDW so that was a surprise. It's much smaller in scope. When we got to the hub, DD24 was 5th in line. We clocked our actual wait once we got to the actual meet and greet area; 9 min 23 sec.! We saw both characters. WHEW!!!
Breakfast each day was a run to Starbucks on the way to the parks. Since we were having a big lunch each day, didn't want to affect early entry times with a sit down breakfast. Had packed Fiber One bars so we mostly ate them while waiting to get in the parks.
We did Ariel's Grotto for lunch on our first day there. DD11 loved see the princesses first thing. We were lucky to get a table waterside in a gazebo looking area. Line wasn't too bad to see Ariel. Had an 11:30 ADR. Did feel like we ate too much for lunch since it was very hot out and we felt very sluggish afterwards. Ate at Blue Bayou the next day at 11:30. Got a waterside table thanks to suggestions here. I thought it was cool being "inside" the ride. DDs weren't overly impressed. The monte cristo sandwich is HUGE. That should be shared! Again, felt full walking around afterwards. Wound up cancelling our lunch ADR for the next day at Carthay since we had a Goofy's Kitchen ADR for dinner and didn't want to eat another big lunch. Goofy's is very much like Chef Mickey's at WDW. Snow White was here so DD11 saw 3 different Snow White's during the trip and 2 different Ariels. Did have lunch at the Hungry Bear in the shade. Thanks for that tip!! OH, while DD11 and I left that there to go find Tiana near the Haunted Mansion fountain, DD21 and DH saw Tiana come through the downstairs of the Hungry Bear on her way to where we were waiting by the Haunted Mansion fountain. We missed Tiana on our last WDW trip so DD11 was determined to see her. When we arrived back to Hungry Bear and were leaving there, Tiana came back through there. She didn't stop for pictures but it was funny to see her there after just getting her autograph. She does just a few 30 minute sessions. Checked with the Town Hall to find out the character schedules so we knew where to go. Caught Peter Pan and Mad Hatter just walking around. Caught a couple of princesses on the way out one day even though we already saw them either at Ariel's Grott and Fantasy Faire. Did wait for Tinkerbell for over 30 minutes. That was my longest line! Donald was the first character we saw early on our first morning in DCA. I still remember hunting for Donald with DD24 when she was much younger in Mexico at Epcot. We spent days trying to catch him. Seeing Donald here so easily was an interesting way to start our trip!
Glad to have purchased Photopass+ at a discount before our trip. Have lots of pictures that we are all actually in!! Just received the CD in the mail.
Researched where we should watch the parade in DL. Watched it up by It's a Small World. Actually stopped at the first spot we saw which was near there that had space. Worked out great so we could hit a few of the Fantasyland rides right after the parade passed us. Arrived to the park 30 min before the 7pm parade and was surprised to see people lined up all along Main Street. DH saw no reason to go any earlier. He also had no interest in waiting for an hour or more to get a spot to stand to watch WOC or fireworks.
I forgot to get the WOC FP and wasn't too worried about it since the crowds were lower. That was a mistake. We would up on the bridge towards Ariel's Grotto. We were behind a line in the center on bridge behind the people who had gotten FPs. We could see but had to look between heads so seeing the characters lower in the water wasn't so easy. On the next night, watched it from the observation area in the hotel and the colors were nice but you couldn't really see the characters. I knew they were there and explained what was going on to the other hotel guests. We tested DD11's Glow Ears to see if they would work. The lights were changing on the ears but I couldn't decide if it was like they had been in the park the night before.
Did not watch the fireworks while inside the park. Could see them everynight from our hotel balcony. I loved this! Our room was on the Grizzly Run side of the resort. We had a very good view of the fireworks with no obstruction. The TV had a station that you could watch with the music from the fireworks. Didn't use it though.
The Alladin show was great. It was the last thing we did before heading to San Diego. DH also loved the Raphunzel show in the Royal Theatre. That was the only way we could see Raphunzel. Were not able to get her autograph.
Loved the Animation Academy in DCA. Have done this in WDW. Went to 2 sessions. Drew Olaf and Donald! Not crowded at all.
We spent 3 1/2 days between both parks. We never needed the rental car. We did do everything we wanted without staying in the parks until closing and also taking long pool breaks. We had park hopper passes although only park hopped on our last day. I did not get a stamp leaving DCA on our last morning since I wasn't returning there. DD11 decided she wanted a Splash Mtn shirt so she and I went to go to DL to buy it. I only had our room key and ticket on me, no ID. I almost was not able to get back in without my ID that DH was carrying for. I had to prove that I had been in DCA that day by showing a receipt that happened to have in my pocket. Couldn't understand why that was a big deal because we had hopper tickets.
Just realized how long this is. Can't see the entire post while typing. Bottom line is we had a great time. I over stressed about everything because I was unable to plan like I do for WDW. We head to Disney about every 5 years or so with the exception of this year. DD11 really wanted to go and we were hesitant since we went to WDW 2 years ago. We decided to go to California so we'd have a different trip and Disney would be a part of it.
Our next Disney trip might have to be to Paris! Thanks again for everyone's help.
