Trip report - Chris from Australia's Solo Trip (thanks podcast team!)

[chrisbris]

Here are some pictures from my first night in the park

Dinner Time:

 

[chrisbris]

*star tours tone* *star tours tone* *star tours tone* *star tours tone*

The star tours tone is my alarm and at 7am my alarm went off and normally I would struggle out of bed but today I was so excited - my first morning at Disneyland. After the crowds of last night I wanted to be at the park*early but it seemed that wasn't going to happen everything was talking me ages.... Finding my lanyard, finding sunscreen etc etc.... After living out of a suitcase for 3 weeks I unpacked yesterday and in doing so ruined my system!

I left the hotel at 740 and arrived at security at 8. I got straight through and at the turnstiles had to have my photo taken... Eekkkk would not have looked good!

Per the teams great advice from podcast 2 today was Disneyland and I headed straight for space mountain*and grabbed a Fastpass for return from 850-950.

Now with more room to move this was the first time I could get the feel for the layout of the park. I really loved how much smaller the hub area was and how much closer the lands were. Having the astro obitor at the entry into future land sets such a great tone for the land. I got a bit lost when I had to turn right and go past Eo to get to Space mountain.

Then I was going to head to adventure land but could not pass up the walk on wait for big thunder. This was my first ever Disney ride at Disneyland Paris and my first ride at Disneyworld and I think its my all time favourite.

I have rode it so many times in Disneyworld so want to ride it again here. First impressions was that there seemed to be more themeing and detail on this version which I loved. Cant wait to ride it again.

I then headed over to Indiana Jones and grabbed a Fastpass before heading to the Haunted Mansion which was a walk to ride. Such a classic. I looks wonderful from the outside sitting in New Orleans Square.

After this I went back to Adventureland and rode on Jungle Cruise. Had a wonderful captain who worked hard on the early morning passengers to get some great laughs.

I headed back over the Space Mountain and on the way grabbed a FastPass to Star Tours.

I walked into Space Mountain and got straight on the ride. So much fun! going to ride that again!

I was ready for some breakfast so headed for Strabucks for an Soy Iced Latte and over to the Jolly Holliday Bakery for a banana*but loaf - yumm!

My fast pass for Indiana Jones was ready - but I got *bit lost finding it (more on getting lost later!) so one the way I grabbed a splash mountain fast pass.

I was so looking forward to Indiana Jones one of the unique rides here I was so excited about! WOW what a thrill so much fun! Love the theme of the ride and the big room vistas. It reminded me a bit of the mummy ride at universal. Next time I would just use single rider instead of a fast pass. Strange thing that happened as our car came back into the load/unload zone an announcement came over that due to a technical problem the ride has stopped. After a few minutes the bright lights came on with an announcement the ride was to be evacuated. We were close to the unload area so not a big deal but for people for mid ride it would have been interesting.

Next up I used my Start Tours and Splash mountain fast passes. Will write more on these rides later.

Phew - what a morning! Time for a bit of a more leisurely pace so I spent the rest of the morning wandering around Dinseyland, riding the train and looking for the rabbit for Winne the Pooh. Sad news - two different cast member advised me they do not*sell it in the park only at the Disney store in the mall. This seems*really odd?

The gardens around Disneyland are so well kept and exquisite!

Here are some photos from my walk around:

Loved the train ride:

I am wearing my well worn Disunplugged cap around the park:

After a big morning It was time for some lunch so I headed for Earl of Sandwhich and then back to the hotel for a rest.

My Overall first *impressions is its wonderful the density of the park, everything is closer together but this creates such a dense level of theming and also makes it heaps easier to get around.

Still to come - Day 2 Nighttime

 

[darrenf67]

Great report so far enjoying it!

 

[lucysmom]

Oh my gosh!!! South of the Border?! I remember that place well. Fifty years ago, when I was a child, my family would drive from New York State down to Florida every spring. We would see South of the Border billboards advertising it's existence every ten miles it seemed. It was so exciting to finally get there. My brother always wanted to buy fireworks. What a blast from the past your photos were! I enjoyed your DC photos. We were there for the last inauguration and saw some of the sites. We ate at a great Italian restaurant called Carmine's. Super family style food. Did you get to the Newseum? It is fantastic. Can't wait to read the rest of your report. Have fun!!

 

[chrisbris]

After a big afternoon rest*- err we actually a 2 hour*sleep I got dressed and left the hotel at 7:15 to walk to the park.

By 7:31 I was passing the turnstiles and in Dinseyland. I could tell straight away it was less crowded then last night.

I was craving some Mexican food - so I headed to dinner at Rancho del Zocalo. It was also close to Fantasmic. On the way I grabbed a Fastpass for big thunder mountain returning between 1040 and 1140.

At 8pm I headed over to Fantasmic to try and get a spot for the earlier show. But on the way I had to feed my new addiction - Churro. How could I been to the USA so many times and not had these! Omg there Soooo good! After wandering for a bit I got a spot to sit and wait just to right of the centre control area. I settled in with my Churro*and free soda refill from Rancho del*Zocalo to wait.

Damn I really wanted another Churro*but one if the disadvantage of travelling solo is no one to hold your place. It was interesting watching people turn up at 830 and demand a cast member find a them a spot like no one else deserves one.....

I LOVED fantasmic!! such an awesome show. Ive been playing the soundtrack since seeing it and love it. Pure disney entertainment magic.

 

Much better then the show at Hollywood studios.

I love how intimate you are to the water staging area and how close the boats come.

After Fantasmic I waited around to see the show again - I really really love it!

I moved closer to the centre area and was right next to the control both.

Im so glad I did as it was the last chance I had on this trip to see. What an awesome show!

 

[chrisbris]

Day 3 started with looking out the window at a gray looking overcast day with a chill in the air.

For something a bit different I logged the morning and what I did.

8:37 - left hotel for my now familiar walk to the parks and security
8:50 - Join the que for security - feels like it's taking forever - why does Starbucks have to be on the other side!

8:59 Through security and heading to Disneyland
9:01 Through the turnstiles - asked for ID to prove its me with the 10 day ticket and into the park
9:05 Fastpass for big thunder return 945-1045
9:09 Snow White closed - cast member makes a joke about eating the poisoned apple

9:10 As snow white was closed I headed over and joined the que for Mr Toad's Wild Ride
9:13 Get on Mr Toad's Wild Ride

What a great ride! Such a classic and wonderful memories of the books and show from being a kid!

9:16 Get off Mr Toad's Wild Ride
9:17 Join the que and ride Storybook Land Canal Boats

9:30*Off*Storybook Land Canal Boats
9:32 Rode single ridder line onto Matterhorn

935 Off the Matterhorn

Walked past the massive line for Frozen meet and greet. 120 minutes!

9:39 Snow White was open! yay! so join the que then ride it

I rode on Sneezy

The park was starting to fill up so I decided to head over to California Adventure and get my fastpasses per the teams excellent advice. On the way I dropped past starbucks and got a cranberry orange scone. Bit odd and not my favourite thing.

The weather was clearing as I left the park - turning into a beautiful day

10:00 enter California adventure - yay another Disney park! I went straight to get a fastpass for world of colour for that night.,

10:14 I headed to get a fast pass for Radiator Springs Racers. Yay both fastpasses in hand!

10:18 I couldn't wait until 4:10 to ride RSR so joined the single ridder line. The regular wait time was 65 minutes.

I only had to wait about 10 minutes the got on to ride-

Wooooohoooo! such a complete ride. Every little detail taken care off. Reminded me a bit o Grizzily Gulch in hong Kong Disneyland!

10:38 Stepped off RSR
10:45 Joined the California Screaming single rider line
11:00 Over the single ridder elevator then pretty quickly onto the ride
11:09 Exit off California Screaming

11:14 Enter the Little Mermaid que
11:17 Board my clam shell
11:23 Exit Little Mermaid

11:45 Wondered over to Flos for lunch. Had the pork. OMG how good is the coca-cola sauce!

12:12 Rode the red trolley to the front then I exited the park - back to the hotel for a rest

What a great morning! It really made me excited to come back and explore CA that night!

 

[chrisbris]

I left the hotel at 4:11 and arrived about 15 minutes later. I stopped past the 7-11 to buy some water - only 99cents here as opposed to over $3 in the parks.

I joined the fastpass que to ride RSR. Its interesting but I am*not to sure if the fastpass que is much faster then the single rider. I guess it depends on the crowds for the day. It gave me chance to grab some photos

And some more of carsland after the ride

After riding RSR I went and rode California screaming again before getting a iceberg from the kiosk and getting it in a instagram photos

After that it was time for the pixar parade. I was a nice parade but not anything that spectacular - not causing goosebumps or anything....

I then headed over to ride soaring which as a single rider was a walk on, literally from approaching the cast member out front I did not stop until I was watching the welcome video - wooohoo!

I had dinner at Boardwalk Pizza and Pasta *- the Pasta*and meatballs. All I can really say is average, not terrible but not memorable. just mehhh...

I wondered around California Adventure taking some photos before getting in line for World of Colour. The dusk light was great!

I joined the blue que for world of colour. Wow such a intense group of people all edging forward for the best spot. I was really full on and I think in some respects detracted from the enjoyment of the evening.

It was cute to see cast members playing games on the sidewalk

I am going to pic and show 1 family - I watched them as they sent their daughter to cut under the fastpass que rope - even though they didn't have a fastpass. They then walked past a cast member and said they were joining her - how cheeky! Luckily the cast member asked to see their passes and when they could not show them they disappeared back behind the rope. Well I thought they had but really they just waited until the cast member turned around then they went under the rope! How rude!

Everyone then waited for the sun to set and the show to start!

World of colour was simply phenomenal. Just blew me away the technical ability and the integration of content and music in such a *way that was simply wonderful A true highlight of my disneyland vacation!

 

[chrisbris]

Today was going to be my last day spending time in California Adventure. I felt I had spent a good a good amount of time in the park and wanted to devote some more time to Disneyland. Also the next few days at DCA would be grad nights and I wanted to avoid the crowds.

It was a beautiful day out!

I arrive at the bag check at 9:15 and it took me a good 10 minutes to get through bag check.

I headed for starbucks and got an Iced Caramel Latte. For the first time this weekend Starbucks was not packed.

With Starbucks in hand I went and got my Fastpass for World of Colour (Blue area again). I didn't worry about *RSR as the return time was at about 3pm and I wouldn't be in the park around then.I also had been having much quicker access via the single rider line.

I wanted to hit up a few other attractions so by 9:41 I walked onto Monsters. What cute fun ride for an excellent movie!

After that it was a ride on Tower of Terror. This ride terrifies me - but I knew I had to do it once!

It was scary but not to bad. Walked right on with no wait.

I went over to ride RSR via the single rider line.

Wait was only 25 minutes. Got some more photos while waiting.

There was a father and son in the car and I was the single ridder. The man kept trying to tell me I was not meant to be getting into the car as it was only him and his son until eventually the cast member told him I was meant to be in the car. Weird!

I got a few photos on the ride but mostly just enjoyed it!

Afterwards I grabbed some photos from around carsland.

I rode RSR one more time, then California Screaming. I watched the street car show

By now it was lunch time so I had one last ride of Soaring and headed out to earl of sandwich for a turkey sandwich. OMG sooo good!

 

[cinder-ellah]

Great trip report ! I love reading it and your pictures are fabulous !

 

[chrisbris]

I hate to say this but I nearly didn't head out that night - I was feeling tired after a few big days in the park and the thought of the crowds for works of colour again just made me not want to go.

So it wasn't until about 6:30 I got up and got dressed - I decided that a night wondering around Disneyland was in order! Hopefully less crowds and a chance to just soak it in and another big plus - a chance to see the parade!

I arrived at the perfect time - walking straight into the top of main street and finding a great place to watch the parades - looking back down main street towards with the emporium in the background.

I was a bit disappointed with how my photos turned out but here are a few.

I really liked the parade, would have*to be my second favourite*after the Disneyland Hong Kong Parade.

The crowds seemed to stream out after the parade -but with a 9pm closing time I got to have a lovely time in DL.

I rode the Jungle cruise, Big Thunder, Splash Mountain and Start Tours a great night!!!

Afterwards I had dinner at Ralph Brennan's Jazz Kitchen sampling the Blackened Chicken Spring Rolls, Boudin Balls and Southern Garlic Cheese Bread. All very yummy but I really loved the Chicken Spring Rolls with the chipotle dipping sauce and the Boudin Balls - yummy slow roasted cochon pork.

Then went to the Disneyland hotel to check out Trader Sam's Enchanted Tiki Bar.

Very cute - definitely*going to have to come back here. It was so packed that I couldn't really enjoy it.

 

[chrisbris]

Today was the anti-commando day! That right time to put all my WDW instincts aside - let alone me in normal life - and have a day of going with the flow. Not stressing about getting on things, running for fast passes or timing things.

I had a lovely sleep in - and didnt leave the hotel until 10:30. that right 10:30!

I went past the 7-11 store at the end of the street and a muffin and bottle of water for like $2.50 - such a bargin!

The entry to the park was pretty busy.

After entering the park I rode the horse drawn cart down main street - something I had never done before at any Disney park.

Once I got off the Carriage I grabbed a few photos in the hub

Before heading off to Futureland to explore.

I was day the submarines were closed

I headed to Innoventions to have a look around (and didn't even get a fastpass to anything on the way!)

I got some great photos from up on the entry

On exiting Innoventions the line for Buzz Lightyear was only 20 minutes so I joined the Que.

I had a funny interaction with a cast member here when she asked me how many in my party and I replied 1 and she said to hold it and joined the que with a couple. I asked how come and she said they were a VIP couple - now I had no idea who they were so I asked how do you be a VIP - she replied they booked a tour - so cheekily I replied so there not really VIP but more just cashed up - surprisingly she said yes! #akward

I exited over to the star traders*shop and purchased 2 pins. I wanted to then go an see captain eo and got some popcorn but the cast member at entry advised me no food so I didn't end up seeing it.

I headed back through the hub and the paddle steamer was about to depart so I jumped onboard. It was a lovely ride around and a chance for some great photos.

I had lunch at Carthay Circle - this deserves a post of its own (to come!)

I then spent a lovely afternoon wondering around the park - not doing anything in particular but jut observing. I think my favourite area is definitely Adventure land/New Orleans/Critter country.

And the famous statue!

That night I spent at the hotel just relaxing. I know I know a terrible waste of time at Disneyland - but I was tired and a night in was great.

I had Mexican take away from the place on the corner - I was I could remember the name but it was so good!

 

[chrisbris]

Thursday - my big day!

Today was my day to use my early entry for DL so up bright and early and was waiting patiently in the line with ticket in hand a 7:55. By 8:05 I was through the gate and by 8:09 in the que for peter pan.

At 8:23 I was off Pen and on jumped into the single rider que for Matterhorn to get my adrenalin pumping. I walked straight on and rode - but i got absolutely saturated - like wetter then splash mountain. Everyone on the car couldn't believe how wet we got!

I then rode Astro orbiter and grabbed some Starbucks before the tour.

I was so looking forward to the tour! Walk in Walt's footsteps. I have booked it on the Monday at the counter. They advised it was already full put added me into the tour so I had a ticket that had the date 0/0/1900 on it.

I arrived at 9:15 to check in, I had to wait in the que for about 10 minutes. Everything seemed so unorganised and the most important thing to cast was no not checking in, not getting a headset but ensuring I had looked a menu and chosen lunch.

I got a bad feeling - some of the younger cast members seemed almost rude and definitely patronising to the older cast members who were helping us out with headsets etc...

At check in we were split into 2 groups - I was in the Roy group - at the end of the tour we found out this was the how they split us to go up to Walt's apartment. You get a cute namebage to wear along with an audio headset.

I grabbed a seat and waited for the tour to start.

Now tours are odd things - being put into a group with people you don't*know and I always find it interesting to see how they dynamics work. We had a group that included a hyper-anxious Dr who had taken the day off work so he could do the tour without his family, and 3 cast members who worked at Epcot in WDW. More on them later.

We assembled as a group a were intoruduced to our tour guide. A tour guide is some important to the success of our tour. She seemed okay at the start and we began the tour walking down main street hearing Walts welcome speech and the guide explaining the various shops,attractions and windows being pointed out to us before stoping at the hub.

The ear pieces are great to be able to hear the guide as you walk around. If you do not*like the over ear style headphone bring your own as they take just normal headphone jack.

At the hub we learnt about the drawbridge to the castle and the Christmas trees that used to be there. We also leart about the concept of "Weenies" to draw people in. We walked into fantasyland and heard from prerecorded audio about the carousel from Dianne Disney.

As a group we then rode Peter pan in groups of 3 entering via the exit. I had only rode*it 2 hours before!This is where I first really noticed the tour guide was more interested in the WDW cast members then the other guests and would talk to them whenever she had the chance.

It ruined the tour a bit to hear her tell them that when she gradates in a few months she probably wont stay at Disney and was just doing this during school. It did feel a bit like she was going through the motions.

After Peter pan we walked around the back of Big Thunder mountain and into New Orleans where we stopped at the petrified forest stump (cool because I was there*a week before) and stopped in front of the railway station and haunted mansion and heard some pre recorded audio of the history of the mansion as well as being told about the New Orleans areas and Pirates.*We were also told about club 33 and the original*plans but did not get to look inside at all.

We boarded the train to tomorrowland (and again the guide sat with the 3 WDW cast members and the remainder of the tour group was placed on a different carriage.)

We learnt about the history of the Autopia rides befor we walked back to Great Moments with Mr Lincoln which we got to watch. Past Snow White which is closed.

After that we headed across the way and split into two groups (the Roy group thing). Our group had lunch - I had the Turkey sandwhich and crisps - then went up to Walts apartment.

It was great to see but there were 2 different guides for our group *(our original*tour guide was never seen again) and I felt as though if you didnt show enough enthusiasm for things you were judged! eg. we were shown the 3 headed shower and I casually looked in (but the idea didn't excite me that much) and was promptly told to have a better look!

They took a photo on my phone of me in the room and that was it tour done. Thanks for coming.

I left feeling a bit disapointed. It was a fair sum of money and I guess if I was asked if it was worth it I would say no. Maybe it was our guide or our group but I didn't really learn anything that as a Disney fan I didn't already know.

My advice would be save the money and buy a beautiful book on the history of Disneyland. Something that can sit on your coffee table and whenever you want to remember your trip you can flip through and read or see something.

A tip for Australians - they accept our RACQ/NRMA etc cars to get the AAA discount on the tour.

Up next Lunch and Shopping!

 

[Belle599]

Loving this TR Chris! Also enjoyed hearing you on the podcast. I am interested in hearing about Hotel Indigo as I am thinking about moving my upcoming September reservation for Sheraton Park to Hotel Indigo.

 

[petals]

Luvin your trip report. Your pictures are awesome. It's interesting you didn't think the Walk in Walt's footsteps tour was worth the price. We're thinking of doing it but that is one of the big questions I have for what they offer I don't know if it's worth it.

 

[benhungto]

Great topic, thank for sharing and it is really useful for me!