Just got back from a 3 day trip to DL. We bought the "Southern Cal city pass" which included the 3 day park hopper bonus tickets to DL. We live in San Jose so drove the previous night (Thursday) to Anaheim.
Cast : DH, 2 sons (one 4 year old and one 6 month old), my mom and me.
Day 1: Was Saturday and Early Entry day. The 3 day park hopper bonus includes one early entry so we decided to use that on that day. My mom and infant son decided to stay put in the hotel that day. Park opened 8 am so EE was from 7am. We left our hotel in Garden Grove about 6.15 am but when we got to the Timon (or was it Pumbaa?) parking lot at 6.30, it was still closed. They opened at around 6.40 am just as a pass through for people waiting, but then directed us to the Mickey and Friends parking lot.
TIP: If you are going for an EE at 7 am and are planning to park, drive to the Mickey and Friends parking lot directly. That seems to be the only one that opens that early.
Anyway, we took the tram (not that many that early in the morning) and got to the gate by around 7 am. However, when we tried to get in, they asked us to redeem our city pass coupons for the park hoppers at another counter so lost some valuable time in that. By around 7.10 am, we were inside finally. Headed to Fantasy Land (seems to be the only one open for Early Entry) and did the rides with little wait. The only rides with some wait were Matterhorn and Story Book Land and Casey Jr. We started with Peter Pan because that gets crowded later in the day. By 9.30 or so, we were done with all the Fantasy Land rides (except the Carousel which we did not want to do).
TIP : If you have Early Entry privileges, use it! Get to the park when it opens for EE and do all the Fantasy Land rides.
After this, we went to TomorrowLand to do the Buzz Lightyear ride (my son is a big fan). No big lines there yet, so we did it 3 times in a row in quick succession! After this, we headed over to California Adventure to spend the rest of the day there.
We reached California Adventure at around 10.30 am. By this time, the crowds had moved in. Hit the new Monsters Inc ride first but there was a big line (40 minutes). Did not think it would reduce as the day went by, so stayed in line and did that. It is a dark ride in a "cab" through Monstropolis and kind of cute. We got Fast passes for Soaring and then hit the Animation building to see the Crush show. Also saw a few characters there (my son got autographs and pictures) - Woody, Chicken Little and another character from Chicken Little. Met Mr. Incredible and Sulley outside. The Crush turtle talk show is cute but I could not quire figure out how they do it (ventriloquism or hidden cameras?) Crush is behind a "tank" (a big flat screen) and "talks" to you. A few lucky kids (Crush chooses them) get to ask Crush questions and he answers them. We went twice but my son did not get picked and was disappointed.
TIP: Sit in the front (on the floor) for a better experience (and a better chance to get picked by Crush to ask him a question). If you have kids.
Afternoon:
We went back to the hotel for a 2 hour break after this. Got back by about 2.45 pm.
Did Soaring with Fast passes and then did Grizzly river run. Both are great and not to be missed.
Then went to Bug's land - saw the Ugly Bug ball towards the end and got pictures with Flik and Atta. It was getting late for the Block party bash. We first lined up in the "Green party zone" outside Bug's land but then they announced that the party would not be stopping there that day! Rushed to the blue zone near Paradise Pier but could not get a good spot by then. We stayed at the tail end of the blue zone. The bash is good if you get a good spot!
TIP: For the Block Party bash, stay in the front or middle of the Party zone (marked red, blue and green). The party stops for interaction only in the zones and if you want to interact with characters from Toy Story, Incredibles etc. you need to stay in the front of the zone. We were in the tail end and only got to interact with the acrobats, dancers etc. Flik and Atta's float stopped in our area.
After the party, we headed to Bug's land again and did the kiddy rides and the 3D show. Next headed to Paradise Pier and did a couple of kiddy rides there. Mulholland Madness was closed (I wanted to do that). We were getting tired so just did : Zephyr, Jumping Jellyfish and the carousel. I had done Screaming on a previous occassion and did not want to do it again!
TIP: If you are into the thrill rides, you can use the "Single Rider" option if you want to avoid big lines at most big attractions in CA adventure. They don't have this for the "smaller" attractions however.
Just before closing, I rushed to "Tower of Terror" (earlier in the day, they had run out of FPs and the line was 60 minutes so I had skipped it) and did it alone (my husband and son were too chicken to try it!) and was allowed in. It was the first time I was doing it and it was "terrifying" - the most terrifying in DL/CA as far as I am concerned. I screamed and screamed but I will go on it again!
TIP: Get a FP early in the day for Tower of Terror. If you can't get one, wait till near closing.
BTW, Aladdin was not running on Saturday due to some Cheerleading competition/selection.
We headed back to DL after CA closed at 10 and did some more rides there. Winnie the Pooh (about 3 times!), Buzz Lightyear again!, Jungle Cruise, Pirates of the Caribbean. We left at closing time ( 12 am) tired but happy!
Day 2: Started off the wrong foot. We planned to be there by opening but were late to leave the hotel. My infant son also accompanied us. By the time we got to the park (9.30 am. Park opened at 9), the lines were huge. Also, Sunday was more crowded that Saturday probably because Saturday is a blackout day for some annual pass holders. We skipped FL since we had done it the previous day and started with AL. Indiana Jones was first (had to do baby swap), then Tarzan's tree house. Then we headed to Mickey's toon town in the DL Rail road. Toon town was not very crowded that early so we did Mickey's house, Minnie's house, Roger Rabbit in quick succession. I wanted to do Gadget's coaster but my son (4 year old) was not game. We did the other stuff in Toon town (Boat, fire station, tree house etc.) and then it was time to feed/change my baby. We were sitting in the shade in toon town when Chip 'n Dale called! They picked up the baby and we got some priceless pictures! We also met Goofy in Toon Town. After Toon town, my son wanted to do Buzz Lightyear again! Headed to TL and did Buzz (baby swap even though they said the baby could go), Star Tours (again Baby swap) and my 4 year old got to do everything twice because of the Baby Swap! I got a fast pass for Space Mountain (but never got to use it finally that day) and then we settled for lunch outside the Buzz stage. My son is a big Buzz fan, so we got pictures with Buzz and then sat and ate there watching him meet and greet people there.
After lunch, headed to Critter country to do Pooh again. I thought I would do Splash Mtn ("Single rider" as my family was not interested in going) but the ride was broken down. Pooh was broken down also but it restarted shortly. Splash Mtn did start up again and I got in the Single rider line, but before I could go, it broke again! I decided to skip it for the day! We went to Tom Sawyer island (neat for kids to run and explore) and also did the Tiki room to get some rest. Oh, and we did the parade before that. It is great! We did the afternoon show sitting near the Matterhorn and a few of the floats stopped there. This is a better place than Main Street (from where we did the evening show). Main Street gets more crowded and the floats also did not stop where we were sitting.
I also had FP for Big Thunder Mountain but my sons were asleep by now, so my DH went first. By the time, he got back, it was getting close to Fireworks time so I skipped Big Thunder then. We did the Fireworks (awesome!) from Main Street and then lined for Fantasmic for the 10.30 show. Got a good viewiing spot. After Fantasmic the park was just about to close (11 pm closing) when I rushed to Big Thunder. I was on their last ride for the day!
Day 3 : My mom accompanied us on Day 3. It was EE day but we had already used up our EE privileges. Went to DCA first and did "Soaring" again (my mom's first time.
TIP: Try to get in the first row for Soaring so that you don't see the other people's legs dangling in front of you. It seems more real from the front row.
Then we went to DL to TL (again). Did Buzz (again!), Star Tours, Innoventions and Autopia. I had a FP for Space Mountain which I used. My family was in Innoventions when I went alone to Space Mountain. Also did the "Honey I shrunk the audience" 3 D. Next headed to Critter County where I did Splash Mountain on a single rider pass (finally!) while my family did the Pooh ride. I kind of lost them after this - I had told them to wait by the Pooh exit for me, but they were waiting near the place where you can see the logs come down Splash Mountain. It took me 10 (anxious!) minutes to find them.
By this time, it started to rain! We headed back to DCA and got in line for Monsters Inc again. Most of the line is in the rain (outside) so my mom and baby skipped this. Then we did Muppet Vision 3D and finally the Aladdin show. My baby was cranky through the whole show so we had a miserable time :-(
TIP: For the Aladdin show, try to sit in the front (not in the balcony). The camels, elephants etc. actually walk through the front rows so you get a better experience.
We were running late so we just went upstairs (to the the balcony) rather than the front rows.
The rain was getting heavy and we had to get back home to San Jose, so after the Aladdiin show, we headed back home. Rather a dull ending to an otherwise great trip!
Cast : DH, 2 sons (one 4 year old and one 6 month old), my mom and me.
Day 1: Was Saturday and Early Entry day. The 3 day park hopper bonus includes one early entry so we decided to use that on that day. My mom and infant son decided to stay put in the hotel that day. Park opened 8 am so EE was from 7am. We left our hotel in Garden Grove about 6.15 am but when we got to the Timon (or was it Pumbaa?) parking lot at 6.30, it was still closed. They opened at around 6.40 am just as a pass through for people waiting, but then directed us to the Mickey and Friends parking lot.
TIP: If you are going for an EE at 7 am and are planning to park, drive to the Mickey and Friends parking lot directly. That seems to be the only one that opens that early.
Anyway, we took the tram (not that many that early in the morning) and got to the gate by around 7 am. However, when we tried to get in, they asked us to redeem our city pass coupons for the park hoppers at another counter so lost some valuable time in that. By around 7.10 am, we were inside finally. Headed to Fantasy Land (seems to be the only one open for Early Entry) and did the rides with little wait. The only rides with some wait were Matterhorn and Story Book Land and Casey Jr. We started with Peter Pan because that gets crowded later in the day. By 9.30 or so, we were done with all the Fantasy Land rides (except the Carousel which we did not want to do).
TIP : If you have Early Entry privileges, use it! Get to the park when it opens for EE and do all the Fantasy Land rides.
After this, we went to TomorrowLand to do the Buzz Lightyear ride (my son is a big fan). No big lines there yet, so we did it 3 times in a row in quick succession! After this, we headed over to California Adventure to spend the rest of the day there.
We reached California Adventure at around 10.30 am. By this time, the crowds had moved in. Hit the new Monsters Inc ride first but there was a big line (40 minutes). Did not think it would reduce as the day went by, so stayed in line and did that. It is a dark ride in a "cab" through Monstropolis and kind of cute. We got Fast passes for Soaring and then hit the Animation building to see the Crush show. Also saw a few characters there (my son got autographs and pictures) - Woody, Chicken Little and another character from Chicken Little. Met Mr. Incredible and Sulley outside. The Crush turtle talk show is cute but I could not quire figure out how they do it (ventriloquism or hidden cameras?) Crush is behind a "tank" (a big flat screen) and "talks" to you. A few lucky kids (Crush chooses them) get to ask Crush questions and he answers them. We went twice but my son did not get picked and was disappointed.
TIP: Sit in the front (on the floor) for a better experience (and a better chance to get picked by Crush to ask him a question). If you have kids.
Afternoon:
We went back to the hotel for a 2 hour break after this. Got back by about 2.45 pm.
Did Soaring with Fast passes and then did Grizzly river run. Both are great and not to be missed.
Then went to Bug's land - saw the Ugly Bug ball towards the end and got pictures with Flik and Atta. It was getting late for the Block party bash. We first lined up in the "Green party zone" outside Bug's land but then they announced that the party would not be stopping there that day! Rushed to the blue zone near Paradise Pier but could not get a good spot by then. We stayed at the tail end of the blue zone. The bash is good if you get a good spot!
TIP: For the Block Party bash, stay in the front or middle of the Party zone (marked red, blue and green). The party stops for interaction only in the zones and if you want to interact with characters from Toy Story, Incredibles etc. you need to stay in the front of the zone. We were in the tail end and only got to interact with the acrobats, dancers etc. Flik and Atta's float stopped in our area.
After the party, we headed to Bug's land again and did the kiddy rides and the 3D show. Next headed to Paradise Pier and did a couple of kiddy rides there. Mulholland Madness was closed (I wanted to do that). We were getting tired so just did : Zephyr, Jumping Jellyfish and the carousel. I had done Screaming on a previous occassion and did not want to do it again!
TIP: If you are into the thrill rides, you can use the "Single Rider" option if you want to avoid big lines at most big attractions in CA adventure. They don't have this for the "smaller" attractions however.
Just before closing, I rushed to "Tower of Terror" (earlier in the day, they had run out of FPs and the line was 60 minutes so I had skipped it) and did it alone (my husband and son were too chicken to try it!) and was allowed in. It was the first time I was doing it and it was "terrifying" - the most terrifying in DL/CA as far as I am concerned. I screamed and screamed but I will go on it again!
TIP: Get a FP early in the day for Tower of Terror. If you can't get one, wait till near closing.
BTW, Aladdin was not running on Saturday due to some Cheerleading competition/selection.
We headed back to DL after CA closed at 10 and did some more rides there. Winnie the Pooh (about 3 times!), Buzz Lightyear again!, Jungle Cruise, Pirates of the Caribbean. We left at closing time ( 12 am) tired but happy!
Day 2: Started off the wrong foot. We planned to be there by opening but were late to leave the hotel. My infant son also accompanied us. By the time we got to the park (9.30 am. Park opened at 9), the lines were huge. Also, Sunday was more crowded that Saturday probably because Saturday is a blackout day for some annual pass holders. We skipped FL since we had done it the previous day and started with AL. Indiana Jones was first (had to do baby swap), then Tarzan's tree house. Then we headed to Mickey's toon town in the DL Rail road. Toon town was not very crowded that early so we did Mickey's house, Minnie's house, Roger Rabbit in quick succession. I wanted to do Gadget's coaster but my son (4 year old) was not game. We did the other stuff in Toon town (Boat, fire station, tree house etc.) and then it was time to feed/change my baby. We were sitting in the shade in toon town when Chip 'n Dale called! They picked up the baby and we got some priceless pictures! We also met Goofy in Toon Town. After Toon town, my son wanted to do Buzz Lightyear again! Headed to TL and did Buzz (baby swap even though they said the baby could go), Star Tours (again Baby swap) and my 4 year old got to do everything twice because of the Baby Swap! I got a fast pass for Space Mountain (but never got to use it finally that day) and then we settled for lunch outside the Buzz stage. My son is a big Buzz fan, so we got pictures with Buzz and then sat and ate there watching him meet and greet people there.
After lunch, headed to Critter country to do Pooh again. I thought I would do Splash Mtn ("Single rider" as my family was not interested in going) but the ride was broken down. Pooh was broken down also but it restarted shortly. Splash Mtn did start up again and I got in the Single rider line, but before I could go, it broke again! I decided to skip it for the day! We went to Tom Sawyer island (neat for kids to run and explore) and also did the Tiki room to get some rest. Oh, and we did the parade before that. It is great! We did the afternoon show sitting near the Matterhorn and a few of the floats stopped there. This is a better place than Main Street (from where we did the evening show). Main Street gets more crowded and the floats also did not stop where we were sitting.
I also had FP for Big Thunder Mountain but my sons were asleep by now, so my DH went first. By the time, he got back, it was getting close to Fireworks time so I skipped Big Thunder then. We did the Fireworks (awesome!) from Main Street and then lined for Fantasmic for the 10.30 show. Got a good viewiing spot. After Fantasmic the park was just about to close (11 pm closing) when I rushed to Big Thunder. I was on their last ride for the day!
Day 3 : My mom accompanied us on Day 3. It was EE day but we had already used up our EE privileges. Went to DCA first and did "Soaring" again (my mom's first time.
TIP: Try to get in the first row for Soaring so that you don't see the other people's legs dangling in front of you. It seems more real from the front row.
Then we went to DL to TL (again). Did Buzz (again!), Star Tours, Innoventions and Autopia. I had a FP for Space Mountain which I used. My family was in Innoventions when I went alone to Space Mountain. Also did the "Honey I shrunk the audience" 3 D. Next headed to Critter County where I did Splash Mountain on a single rider pass (finally!) while my family did the Pooh ride. I kind of lost them after this - I had told them to wait by the Pooh exit for me, but they were waiting near the place where you can see the logs come down Splash Mountain. It took me 10 (anxious!) minutes to find them.
By this time, it started to rain! We headed back to DCA and got in line for Monsters Inc again. Most of the line is in the rain (outside) so my mom and baby skipped this. Then we did Muppet Vision 3D and finally the Aladdin show. My baby was cranky through the whole show so we had a miserable time :-(
TIP: For the Aladdin show, try to sit in the front (not in the balcony). The camels, elephants etc. actually walk through the front rows so you get a better experience.
We were running late so we just went upstairs (to the the balcony) rather than the front rows.
The rain was getting heavy and we had to get back home to San Jose, so after the Aladdiin show, we headed back home. Rather a dull ending to an otherwise great trip!
