emmah
02-14-2008, 02:41 PM
This is a continuation of our trip to WDW (Jan 29 - Feb 8) which is reported on the WDW trip report page....
DAY ELEVEN Con’t: DLR! Well, the flight was uneventful and my luggage turned up right on queue (after a little emma-made catastrophe – I managed to leave the box with my venetian masks on the plane, only realising as I waited at the carousel for my bags. The woman at the bag check could not rouse anyone at the gate, so I had to rush upstairs to the ticket desk and get a security pass to go back through security without a ticket and then go and find a gate supervisor personally who went into the plane and came back to report that it was not there; did some checking and discovered it had been handed in ‘out back’ so I had to wait half an hour while it was located. Still, that was MUCH better than trusting in the system to get it to me at the hotel given that it didn’t have any identifying information on it … when I finally got back downstairs my bags had been off-loaded and I had to find someone to help me claim them…. The whole thing cost me 45 minutes but it could have been much worse. The DME to the Sheraton was fine, got me here in 70 minutes which is not bad considering the rush hour traffic on a Friday night. The rooms here at the Sheraton as ENORMOUS – you could easily fit 3-4 king size beds in here. And then there is the teensy tiny bathroom where you have to GET INTO the shower in order to shut the door!!! Weird planning if you ask me. Anyway, I dumped my stuff and jumped on the 7pm shuttle to the resort where I stood in line to pick up my tickets, and stood in line to get into DCA, and stood in line to order dinner at the Test Pilots Grill. Why is it that every line I pick moves twice as slowly as any other line? The plan had been to watch the Electric Parade and the fireworks, but by the time I had eaten dinner I was exhausted – it was close to 11pm east coast time, so I ditched the EP and caught the shuttle back to the hotel. I was just falling asleep as the bangs started reverberating from the fireworks – all you can hear from here are the big bangs – they sound so out of context,
DAY TWELVE S – 9 Feb – DLR: This morning was an early entry day with an 8am start, so I was glad that I had thought to bring what was left of the sultana bran and the last pottle of peaches with me – breakfast was complete with the addition of (get this!) a 100ml carton of milk which cost $1.35 from the hotel shop. I thought they were kidding around… anyway, I caught the 7.30am shuttle (feet waaay too tired to walk this trip) and was right up the front of the gates by the time the EE people really arrived. As a result I changed my plans and headed straight for the Nemo ride (the primary reason for this detour on my way home). I was in the first boat and was in and out by 8.25am. By the time I came out, the CM I asked said that line was about 50 minutes long, and by 9am when the regulars arrived, it was over an hour. I thought it was a very cute ride and would ride it again in a second if I could walk on again. No way I would wait that long for it. From Nemo I headed to Matterhorn and rode the TL side which I really don’t like very much, and Alice, which I love so much. Then off just before 9am to Space Mountain where I collected a FP for later and walked on, but even as I sat down in the rocket, I looked up and saw the hordes pouring down the gangway; timing is everything. From there I went to Buzz (a measley 56,000 points) and then headed back to FL. I rode Casey Jr (I love this ride!) and Mr Toad and Snow White, and then headed into Frontierland. BTMRR was down so I decided to take a break and have second breakfast (it was now 10am and I was starving) so went to whatever that restaurant is that was closed much of last year and remodelled – had the Steamboat – yummy pancakes. In spite of the new queuing system it takes just as long as before, and I was totally amazed by the number of people who can get right up to the place where you order without knowing what they were going to have. Very annoying. After ‘brunch’ I rode Pirates (yay, so much better than Orlando) and HM (I finally got to queue out back – whenever I have been here in the past I have just walked in the front door, so it was very cool to see the Pet Cemetery and see the back of the house). After this I went down to Splash and collected a FP and rode Pooh (very different to the Orlando version, I think I like theirs better). I then sat for a few minutes underneath the Hungry Bear to drink some water and plan the rest of my day (and take the weight off for a few minutes – my poor feet). I headed back to BTMRR and waited about 5 minutes until I could collect a FP – the standby line was really long – the ride had been up and down all morning so people were accumulating. By now it was 12 so I headed back to the train station and rode the train around to Tomorrowland where I collected a FP for Autopia and then jumped on the monorail to DTD; bought a bagel for lunch at that bookshop down by the DLH and then waited for the South Coast Plaza shuttle bus out front of the hotel. I spent 3 glorious hours at the SCP shopping up a storm (I have yet to work out exactly how I am going to pack it all in, but will figure out a way) before catching the shuttle back to the hotel, arriving about 6pm for 90 minutes of much needed feet up-eyes shut time. Headed back to the parks at 7.30 with the intention of using my FPs before the fireworks; I rode Space Mountain first (decided I like to ride the back best, because you can’t see where you are going), then used my Autopia FP; even with the FP that took a while to get through and by the time I did it was 9pm so figured I had better find somewhere to watch from. In front of the castle was PACKED – never seen so many people at DL before. I found a place just on the entrance to Adventureland and stood there to watch. The Tinkerbell bit has been really added to since I last saw the show in December 2006; she is really part of the show now. Cool!! I was glad I was where I was at the end, because it was pandemonium but I just headed back down through AL and went to BTMRR – but the FP line was backed up all the way to the entrance! Because the ride was down most of the day, everyone was trying to ride it. So I gave up on this and headed over to Splash. On the way I was distracted by an ice cream sundae sign at the saloon where they have the billy hill billies, so I went in there and had a hot fudge sundae. I asked for it to be without whipped cream (I hate the tinned stuff) and that proved difficult to get through – they made and gave away 3 sundaes before the message was received! So I made a couple of peoples days – free icecream! After that yummy goodness, I headed to Splash Mountain and ended up on a boat full of very large persons; as a result we all got completely and utterly soaked. It was hilarious, we were so wet. I was sitting in the middle and felt very sorry for the girl at the front. Tidal waves every time the boat landed, just washing over her. It was now 10.30 and I was done, so went to the train station to catch a train back to Main Street, and waited, and waited and waited. It finally came just after 11pm and it was the clean up train – sweeping all stations to collect stragglers but not letting everyone off. We didn’t get back to Main St till 11.30 so I didn’t get home til midnight. Very tired Emma.
DAY THIRTEEN – 10 Feb – DLR: today was another early entry day (thank you getawaytoday – very handy freebie!). I ordered up room service breakfast since the Sultana bran is finally all gone and at the prices they are charging in the shop, room service is a better deal! Caught the 7.30 shuttle again and, while I was not the first at the gates this morning (big crowd) I did end up at the front of a queue, because they all lined up in one line per gate rather than two, so I just moved up to a turnstile. This very busy man at the front of the next queue spent 5 minutesl telling me that where I was was not a queue and I wouldn’t be able to get in (and ditto to another family who tried to stand the other side of him, but gave up and came and stood behind me, which made me feel legitimate at last). Sure enough, all the turnstiles were staffed and there was a lot of rushing around when they opened the gates. This morning I wanted to head to Peter Pan first so I did and there was NO ONE in FL – everyone stampeded to Nemo. Which was great for me; I sat on Peter Pan 3 times (and could have stayed on with the CM’s blessing because there was no one in the queue when I left). She told me about (and I found) the hidden mickey on Big Ben (very cool, I have never seen a full one before) and I saw smoke coming out of the chimneys for the first time – something new to see every time you ride. From there I went to Dumbo – it was going around with only one person on it when I arrived, and so I decided why not – never been on it before but I was not depriving any kids of it so … it was cute! From there I rode all the dark rides (and boy, they really are dark! ), the FL side of the Matterhorn (Much better) and Alice (where I found, all on my own, a hidden mickey – in the paint drops where they are painting the roses red = clear as day!). by now it was 8.50 so headed off to Space Mountain, collected a FP and rode it – again, a walk on and then a storm of people at 9am as we were getting off. Buzz and Star Tours, then off to Adventureland; waited 11 minutes for Indie, and then collected a FP on my way out. I headed to BTMRR but the standby queue was already 30 minutes so I thought I’d do Pirates – no doing, a huge queue there too. So headed next door to HM – less than 5 minutes. By now I could collect another FP so down to Splash and rode Pooh while there. Then on my way back to BTMRR decided to ride the Mark Twain, which I did. Collected a BTMRR FP on my return, and by now it was 11.15 so I went to see if it would be possible to have lunch at Café Orleans; it was and I was seated right on 11.30; had a yummy salad and the pomme frites. Mmmmmm! Then onto the train and back to Main Street where I crossed over to DCA. Collected a FP for there (it was now 1pm and the return time was 7pm!) and then because it was so hot decided to ride GRR. Wow, that was fun. Our whole boat got completely drenched by the geyser at the end which I was totally unprepared for. So soooo wet. Still, glad it was while it was hot. It was now 1.20 and I decided that instead of just heading home as planned, I would see Aladdin – its not on tomorrow so its now or never. After standing in the queue for 30 minutes, until 10 mins after it was supposed to start, I climbed over the chain and found a CM to ask what was going on; seems there were technical difficulties and the first show had been cancelled and they were not sure if it was going to go ahead for this show; this explains why the queue was so huge! I gave it up and headed out – people were already beginning to queue in the street for the 3pm show – they should really make an announcement. As I walked past, I decided to check out the animation studio and as luck would have it, they were just opening the doors to the cartoon academy so I went in and tried to draw Dumbo – not very successful I fear. I bought a premium mickey bar on my way out the gate (hey, they cost $2.50 in Orlando, and $4 here – what is up with that???). home by 3pm.. I headed back to the park around 7pm and used my FP to enjoy Soarin, had dinner at Taste Pilots Grill again, and then used the single rider line to ride Screamin. By now it was after 8pm so I headed over to check out the parade route; the area down by the start of the parade was very lightly inhabited which was great news. I settled on a spot on a bench opposite the jellyfish and then I thought, Jellyfish! I had never been on those before and there were about 6 people in the queue so I decided, why not? It was cute! The EP was amazing, loved it. Much much better than the spectromagic parade in Orlando in my opinion. I headed off via the GRR path as soon as it finished and made it through to DL in about 12 minutes before the hordes poured out the DCA gates (they were grouped up 6 deep up near the DCA entrance – so thanks to whomever it was who gave me the tip to watch it down the other end. I had planned to ignore the fireworks tonight (I thought I might still be trying to make my way into DL) so I headed up the steps to the railway and lo! I saw the reserved seating for the tour people and I wandered what kind of view they had so I stood right behind them and realised that they had a straight on view of the castle and then exactly as I realised this, the lights dimmed and the music started. What a fantastic place to watch the fireworks!!!! You can see the whole thing from back there, instead of just the ones in front of you, and you can even see the stuff on the matterhorn. It was easily the best view I have ever had and I really wish I had worked this out ages ago. As soon as they were over, a train pulled into the station and I was off to frontierland. I used my FPs for Indie and BTMRR and then headed to Splash. I decided, what the heck, and bought a poncho at the little stall next to the mountain, and it was great – didn’t get wet at all. I wanted to go again but when we got back to the loading dock it was exactly 11pm, so instead I walked up to the railroad station and caught the last train back to main street; home just before midnight, tired!!
DAY 14: 11 Feb – DLR and Home!: wow, when room service was delivered this morning, I was sound asleep and only woke up when he really banged on the door. Today the park didn’t open til 9am with no EE which was really nice. I made rope drop (I was way behind the gang, with half of main street full by the time I arrived, so I used that tip about walking up through the shops on the right hand side to the camera shop, and out the door up there – another great tip). I headed to SM to pick up a FP but resisted the urge to ride it and headed straight to FL; PP was just opening when I arrived so I was about 6th through the turnstiles, followed by about 150 parents and kids – boy that line builds fast. From PP to Matterhorn and then Alice and Snow White. Headed to BTMRR to collect another FP (and again, resisted the urge to ride), heading instead to Pirates which I didn’t get to ride yesterday because the line was always so long. Then HM (got to walk in the front door again) and then went to Indie to ride (15 minutes standby) and on the way out, picked up a FP. From there I went to Splash and walked the standby line for the first time – it was a walk on and I loved having that poncho! Rode Pooh while waiting for the FP window to open again, then grabbed a FP for Splash and decided it was time to head to DCA. Stopped off at the Blue Ribbon Bakery on my way and scored a vege medley sandwich and a banana in a bag for lunch and headed to DCA. Picked up a FP for Soarin (already a return time of 4.30) and then heade to GRR. Ate my lunch on the lookout point and while there, discovered the free lockers that people talk about. Very very cool. Dumped my backpack in a locker, and then a single rider pass and rode GRR – again, loved loved loved the poncho, especially at the end when we rode through the geyser again. Headed back to the lockers and switched over so I could dump the poncho and have a wander without the backpack – it was hot today. Used the single rider lines for Screamin and Maliboomer and then decided it was definitely time to get out of the sun. So I caught the 1.15 shuttle and headed back to the hotel. Had a wee nap, and then went for a swim – lovely pool. Packed (yes, I managed to fit all that stuff in my bags, hurruh for me) and arranged for it to to be collected and taken down to the luggage hold for the afternoon. Checked out at 4pm (late check out, great advantage, thanks Sheraton), and caught the shuttle back to the parks. Had a decision to make, because I had that FP for Soarin, but I also wanted to see the Parade at 6.30 in DL and didn’t think I could do everything and see Soarin… Decided to give up Soarin, and headed into DL, climbing the railroad steps to the tailend of the 3.30pm parade. Went straight to Frontierland and used my FP for Splash with a great family from Salt Lake City, who got very very very wet while I sat nice and dry in the back. Headed over to BTMRR and enjoyed that (FP, walk on), and then headed to Indie. The CM there said that even with FP the wait would be something like 30 minutes because he had just sent 60 people through so I decided to have an early dinner and went back to the River Belle Terrace to try the vege Po-Boy I had read about. It was actually pretty yummy! I also decided that since it might be my last decent meal for 20 hours (the plane catering people frequently decide that vegetarians would like a nice curry for breakfast, which is inedible), I could have pudding, so I had the strawberry parfait, which was incredibly yummy. The only comment I have to make is that it was a pretty expensive meal – with the sandwich, the parfait and a drink it came to $22, which seems excessive. Anyway, replete, I headed back to Indie and this time around I was in and out in 15 minutes. And it was AWESOME; this time around every single line Indie spoke was one I had never heard before, and it all fit together and really made sense – it was incredible. The woman who I was sitting next to was similarly blown away. She and her daughter were socal passholders who did not know about FPs! She thought you had to pay for them! So on the walk out I explained how they worked and showed them the machines, my good deed for the day. Headed over to TL and used my SM FP and it was now 6.10 so I headed up to the railroad station and a train was just pulling in – sweet timing. Arrived at Mainstreet and there was room for me to sit on one of the benches by the railings and that is where I sat for the parade. Such a great way to end a trip! The lion king float was the ‘stop’ for the show and it was awesome, those women gymnasts are so strong, I have no idea how they do that. I headed out as soon as it ended just before 7pm and walked with purpose up to the taxi stand to catch a taxi back to the hotel ($8 including tip) because the airport bus was arriving at 7.25. so I had 15 minutes to collect my luggage, freshen up in the bathroom and stow a few last minute items in the pockets of my bag. It was an early pick up but I got a 40 minute nap on the way. Great news – scored a business class upgrade for the flight home (hurrah! Instead of trying to find a way to be comfortable for 16 hours in a tiny upright seat, I get a full length bed (it had a wee angle to it but I just slept for 5 hours so its obviously not that bad) and instead of yucky curry for breakfast, I got to fill in a ‘room service’ tag where I put down what I wanted and when I wanted it delivered! We were given very comfy PJs and everyone changed as soon as the plane levelled out, so after a delicious supper and the last two ever episodes of the Vicar of Dibley (I had not even realised these two had been made, laughed and laughed and laughed) I had a great sleep. So here I am, 8 hours to go, finishing my trip report. Flying economy sucks. Unfortunately as it comes with a $15K return price tag – can’t wait for competition to come to the trans-pacific route.
So, there ends my fortnight with the Mouse. Footsore, and a little disneyed out but happy.
THOUGHTS FROM DLR:
• DLR seems to be understaffed compared to Florida – there were almost no CMs standing around ready to help if you were lost, or to welcome you. Walking up main street at the parks in Orlando I was really struck by the large number of CMs welcoming you all the time. The CMs were really not that friendly (with some great exceptions).
• There is a really different vibe in Anaheim – its much less relaxed and less happy. I was trying to work out why this is and wonder if its because in Orlando all the people we spoke to were on holiday and were in relaxed mode, whereas at DLR on a weekend almost everyone is local and just there for the day.
• Lots and lots of very spoiled kids at DLR – the number of temper tantrums and ‘I want I want I want’ episodes I walked around was astounding; easily a hundred fold increase in 3 days as compared to 10 days in Orlando.
• For all that, DL is my home resort and makes me happy in a way that MK didn’t – even if I now keep looking at the castle wondering what happened to the rest of it…
Ok, over and out. If you are still reading, congrats and I now release you…
☺
DAY ELEVEN Con’t: DLR! Well, the flight was uneventful and my luggage turned up right on queue (after a little emma-made catastrophe – I managed to leave the box with my venetian masks on the plane, only realising as I waited at the carousel for my bags. The woman at the bag check could not rouse anyone at the gate, so I had to rush upstairs to the ticket desk and get a security pass to go back through security without a ticket and then go and find a gate supervisor personally who went into the plane and came back to report that it was not there; did some checking and discovered it had been handed in ‘out back’ so I had to wait half an hour while it was located. Still, that was MUCH better than trusting in the system to get it to me at the hotel given that it didn’t have any identifying information on it … when I finally got back downstairs my bags had been off-loaded and I had to find someone to help me claim them…. The whole thing cost me 45 minutes but it could have been much worse. The DME to the Sheraton was fine, got me here in 70 minutes which is not bad considering the rush hour traffic on a Friday night. The rooms here at the Sheraton as ENORMOUS – you could easily fit 3-4 king size beds in here. And then there is the teensy tiny bathroom where you have to GET INTO the shower in order to shut the door!!! Weird planning if you ask me. Anyway, I dumped my stuff and jumped on the 7pm shuttle to the resort where I stood in line to pick up my tickets, and stood in line to get into DCA, and stood in line to order dinner at the Test Pilots Grill. Why is it that every line I pick moves twice as slowly as any other line? The plan had been to watch the Electric Parade and the fireworks, but by the time I had eaten dinner I was exhausted – it was close to 11pm east coast time, so I ditched the EP and caught the shuttle back to the hotel. I was just falling asleep as the bangs started reverberating from the fireworks – all you can hear from here are the big bangs – they sound so out of context,
DAY TWELVE S – 9 Feb – DLR: This morning was an early entry day with an 8am start, so I was glad that I had thought to bring what was left of the sultana bran and the last pottle of peaches with me – breakfast was complete with the addition of (get this!) a 100ml carton of milk which cost $1.35 from the hotel shop. I thought they were kidding around… anyway, I caught the 7.30am shuttle (feet waaay too tired to walk this trip) and was right up the front of the gates by the time the EE people really arrived. As a result I changed my plans and headed straight for the Nemo ride (the primary reason for this detour on my way home). I was in the first boat and was in and out by 8.25am. By the time I came out, the CM I asked said that line was about 50 minutes long, and by 9am when the regulars arrived, it was over an hour. I thought it was a very cute ride and would ride it again in a second if I could walk on again. No way I would wait that long for it. From Nemo I headed to Matterhorn and rode the TL side which I really don’t like very much, and Alice, which I love so much. Then off just before 9am to Space Mountain where I collected a FP for later and walked on, but even as I sat down in the rocket, I looked up and saw the hordes pouring down the gangway; timing is everything. From there I went to Buzz (a measley 56,000 points) and then headed back to FL. I rode Casey Jr (I love this ride!) and Mr Toad and Snow White, and then headed into Frontierland. BTMRR was down so I decided to take a break and have second breakfast (it was now 10am and I was starving) so went to whatever that restaurant is that was closed much of last year and remodelled – had the Steamboat – yummy pancakes. In spite of the new queuing system it takes just as long as before, and I was totally amazed by the number of people who can get right up to the place where you order without knowing what they were going to have. Very annoying. After ‘brunch’ I rode Pirates (yay, so much better than Orlando) and HM (I finally got to queue out back – whenever I have been here in the past I have just walked in the front door, so it was very cool to see the Pet Cemetery and see the back of the house). After this I went down to Splash and collected a FP and rode Pooh (very different to the Orlando version, I think I like theirs better). I then sat for a few minutes underneath the Hungry Bear to drink some water and plan the rest of my day (and take the weight off for a few minutes – my poor feet). I headed back to BTMRR and waited about 5 minutes until I could collect a FP – the standby line was really long – the ride had been up and down all morning so people were accumulating. By now it was 12 so I headed back to the train station and rode the train around to Tomorrowland where I collected a FP for Autopia and then jumped on the monorail to DTD; bought a bagel for lunch at that bookshop down by the DLH and then waited for the South Coast Plaza shuttle bus out front of the hotel. I spent 3 glorious hours at the SCP shopping up a storm (I have yet to work out exactly how I am going to pack it all in, but will figure out a way) before catching the shuttle back to the hotel, arriving about 6pm for 90 minutes of much needed feet up-eyes shut time. Headed back to the parks at 7.30 with the intention of using my FPs before the fireworks; I rode Space Mountain first (decided I like to ride the back best, because you can’t see where you are going), then used my Autopia FP; even with the FP that took a while to get through and by the time I did it was 9pm so figured I had better find somewhere to watch from. In front of the castle was PACKED – never seen so many people at DL before. I found a place just on the entrance to Adventureland and stood there to watch. The Tinkerbell bit has been really added to since I last saw the show in December 2006; she is really part of the show now. Cool!! I was glad I was where I was at the end, because it was pandemonium but I just headed back down through AL and went to BTMRR – but the FP line was backed up all the way to the entrance! Because the ride was down most of the day, everyone was trying to ride it. So I gave up on this and headed over to Splash. On the way I was distracted by an ice cream sundae sign at the saloon where they have the billy hill billies, so I went in there and had a hot fudge sundae. I asked for it to be without whipped cream (I hate the tinned stuff) and that proved difficult to get through – they made and gave away 3 sundaes before the message was received! So I made a couple of peoples days – free icecream! After that yummy goodness, I headed to Splash Mountain and ended up on a boat full of very large persons; as a result we all got completely and utterly soaked. It was hilarious, we were so wet. I was sitting in the middle and felt very sorry for the girl at the front. Tidal waves every time the boat landed, just washing over her. It was now 10.30 and I was done, so went to the train station to catch a train back to Main Street, and waited, and waited and waited. It finally came just after 11pm and it was the clean up train – sweeping all stations to collect stragglers but not letting everyone off. We didn’t get back to Main St till 11.30 so I didn’t get home til midnight. Very tired Emma.
DAY THIRTEEN – 10 Feb – DLR: today was another early entry day (thank you getawaytoday – very handy freebie!). I ordered up room service breakfast since the Sultana bran is finally all gone and at the prices they are charging in the shop, room service is a better deal! Caught the 7.30 shuttle again and, while I was not the first at the gates this morning (big crowd) I did end up at the front of a queue, because they all lined up in one line per gate rather than two, so I just moved up to a turnstile. This very busy man at the front of the next queue spent 5 minutesl telling me that where I was was not a queue and I wouldn’t be able to get in (and ditto to another family who tried to stand the other side of him, but gave up and came and stood behind me, which made me feel legitimate at last). Sure enough, all the turnstiles were staffed and there was a lot of rushing around when they opened the gates. This morning I wanted to head to Peter Pan first so I did and there was NO ONE in FL – everyone stampeded to Nemo. Which was great for me; I sat on Peter Pan 3 times (and could have stayed on with the CM’s blessing because there was no one in the queue when I left). She told me about (and I found) the hidden mickey on Big Ben (very cool, I have never seen a full one before) and I saw smoke coming out of the chimneys for the first time – something new to see every time you ride. From there I went to Dumbo – it was going around with only one person on it when I arrived, and so I decided why not – never been on it before but I was not depriving any kids of it so … it was cute! From there I rode all the dark rides (and boy, they really are dark! ), the FL side of the Matterhorn (Much better) and Alice (where I found, all on my own, a hidden mickey – in the paint drops where they are painting the roses red = clear as day!). by now it was 8.50 so headed off to Space Mountain, collected a FP and rode it – again, a walk on and then a storm of people at 9am as we were getting off. Buzz and Star Tours, then off to Adventureland; waited 11 minutes for Indie, and then collected a FP on my way out. I headed to BTMRR but the standby queue was already 30 minutes so I thought I’d do Pirates – no doing, a huge queue there too. So headed next door to HM – less than 5 minutes. By now I could collect another FP so down to Splash and rode Pooh while there. Then on my way back to BTMRR decided to ride the Mark Twain, which I did. Collected a BTMRR FP on my return, and by now it was 11.15 so I went to see if it would be possible to have lunch at Café Orleans; it was and I was seated right on 11.30; had a yummy salad and the pomme frites. Mmmmmm! Then onto the train and back to Main Street where I crossed over to DCA. Collected a FP for there (it was now 1pm and the return time was 7pm!) and then because it was so hot decided to ride GRR. Wow, that was fun. Our whole boat got completely drenched by the geyser at the end which I was totally unprepared for. So soooo wet. Still, glad it was while it was hot. It was now 1.20 and I decided that instead of just heading home as planned, I would see Aladdin – its not on tomorrow so its now or never. After standing in the queue for 30 minutes, until 10 mins after it was supposed to start, I climbed over the chain and found a CM to ask what was going on; seems there were technical difficulties and the first show had been cancelled and they were not sure if it was going to go ahead for this show; this explains why the queue was so huge! I gave it up and headed out – people were already beginning to queue in the street for the 3pm show – they should really make an announcement. As I walked past, I decided to check out the animation studio and as luck would have it, they were just opening the doors to the cartoon academy so I went in and tried to draw Dumbo – not very successful I fear. I bought a premium mickey bar on my way out the gate (hey, they cost $2.50 in Orlando, and $4 here – what is up with that???). home by 3pm.. I headed back to the park around 7pm and used my FP to enjoy Soarin, had dinner at Taste Pilots Grill again, and then used the single rider line to ride Screamin. By now it was after 8pm so I headed over to check out the parade route; the area down by the start of the parade was very lightly inhabited which was great news. I settled on a spot on a bench opposite the jellyfish and then I thought, Jellyfish! I had never been on those before and there were about 6 people in the queue so I decided, why not? It was cute! The EP was amazing, loved it. Much much better than the spectromagic parade in Orlando in my opinion. I headed off via the GRR path as soon as it finished and made it through to DL in about 12 minutes before the hordes poured out the DCA gates (they were grouped up 6 deep up near the DCA entrance – so thanks to whomever it was who gave me the tip to watch it down the other end. I had planned to ignore the fireworks tonight (I thought I might still be trying to make my way into DL) so I headed up the steps to the railway and lo! I saw the reserved seating for the tour people and I wandered what kind of view they had so I stood right behind them and realised that they had a straight on view of the castle and then exactly as I realised this, the lights dimmed and the music started. What a fantastic place to watch the fireworks!!!! You can see the whole thing from back there, instead of just the ones in front of you, and you can even see the stuff on the matterhorn. It was easily the best view I have ever had and I really wish I had worked this out ages ago. As soon as they were over, a train pulled into the station and I was off to frontierland. I used my FPs for Indie and BTMRR and then headed to Splash. I decided, what the heck, and bought a poncho at the little stall next to the mountain, and it was great – didn’t get wet at all. I wanted to go again but when we got back to the loading dock it was exactly 11pm, so instead I walked up to the railroad station and caught the last train back to main street; home just before midnight, tired!!
DAY 14: 11 Feb – DLR and Home!: wow, when room service was delivered this morning, I was sound asleep and only woke up when he really banged on the door. Today the park didn’t open til 9am with no EE which was really nice. I made rope drop (I was way behind the gang, with half of main street full by the time I arrived, so I used that tip about walking up through the shops on the right hand side to the camera shop, and out the door up there – another great tip). I headed to SM to pick up a FP but resisted the urge to ride it and headed straight to FL; PP was just opening when I arrived so I was about 6th through the turnstiles, followed by about 150 parents and kids – boy that line builds fast. From PP to Matterhorn and then Alice and Snow White. Headed to BTMRR to collect another FP (and again, resisted the urge to ride), heading instead to Pirates which I didn’t get to ride yesterday because the line was always so long. Then HM (got to walk in the front door again) and then went to Indie to ride (15 minutes standby) and on the way out, picked up a FP. From there I went to Splash and walked the standby line for the first time – it was a walk on and I loved having that poncho! Rode Pooh while waiting for the FP window to open again, then grabbed a FP for Splash and decided it was time to head to DCA. Stopped off at the Blue Ribbon Bakery on my way and scored a vege medley sandwich and a banana in a bag for lunch and headed to DCA. Picked up a FP for Soarin (already a return time of 4.30) and then heade to GRR. Ate my lunch on the lookout point and while there, discovered the free lockers that people talk about. Very very cool. Dumped my backpack in a locker, and then a single rider pass and rode GRR – again, loved loved loved the poncho, especially at the end when we rode through the geyser again. Headed back to the lockers and switched over so I could dump the poncho and have a wander without the backpack – it was hot today. Used the single rider lines for Screamin and Maliboomer and then decided it was definitely time to get out of the sun. So I caught the 1.15 shuttle and headed back to the hotel. Had a wee nap, and then went for a swim – lovely pool. Packed (yes, I managed to fit all that stuff in my bags, hurruh for me) and arranged for it to to be collected and taken down to the luggage hold for the afternoon. Checked out at 4pm (late check out, great advantage, thanks Sheraton), and caught the shuttle back to the parks. Had a decision to make, because I had that FP for Soarin, but I also wanted to see the Parade at 6.30 in DL and didn’t think I could do everything and see Soarin… Decided to give up Soarin, and headed into DL, climbing the railroad steps to the tailend of the 3.30pm parade. Went straight to Frontierland and used my FP for Splash with a great family from Salt Lake City, who got very very very wet while I sat nice and dry in the back. Headed over to BTMRR and enjoyed that (FP, walk on), and then headed to Indie. The CM there said that even with FP the wait would be something like 30 minutes because he had just sent 60 people through so I decided to have an early dinner and went back to the River Belle Terrace to try the vege Po-Boy I had read about. It was actually pretty yummy! I also decided that since it might be my last decent meal for 20 hours (the plane catering people frequently decide that vegetarians would like a nice curry for breakfast, which is inedible), I could have pudding, so I had the strawberry parfait, which was incredibly yummy. The only comment I have to make is that it was a pretty expensive meal – with the sandwich, the parfait and a drink it came to $22, which seems excessive. Anyway, replete, I headed back to Indie and this time around I was in and out in 15 minutes. And it was AWESOME; this time around every single line Indie spoke was one I had never heard before, and it all fit together and really made sense – it was incredible. The woman who I was sitting next to was similarly blown away. She and her daughter were socal passholders who did not know about FPs! She thought you had to pay for them! So on the walk out I explained how they worked and showed them the machines, my good deed for the day. Headed over to TL and used my SM FP and it was now 6.10 so I headed up to the railroad station and a train was just pulling in – sweet timing. Arrived at Mainstreet and there was room for me to sit on one of the benches by the railings and that is where I sat for the parade. Such a great way to end a trip! The lion king float was the ‘stop’ for the show and it was awesome, those women gymnasts are so strong, I have no idea how they do that. I headed out as soon as it ended just before 7pm and walked with purpose up to the taxi stand to catch a taxi back to the hotel ($8 including tip) because the airport bus was arriving at 7.25. so I had 15 minutes to collect my luggage, freshen up in the bathroom and stow a few last minute items in the pockets of my bag. It was an early pick up but I got a 40 minute nap on the way. Great news – scored a business class upgrade for the flight home (hurrah! Instead of trying to find a way to be comfortable for 16 hours in a tiny upright seat, I get a full length bed (it had a wee angle to it but I just slept for 5 hours so its obviously not that bad) and instead of yucky curry for breakfast, I got to fill in a ‘room service’ tag where I put down what I wanted and when I wanted it delivered! We were given very comfy PJs and everyone changed as soon as the plane levelled out, so after a delicious supper and the last two ever episodes of the Vicar of Dibley (I had not even realised these two had been made, laughed and laughed and laughed) I had a great sleep. So here I am, 8 hours to go, finishing my trip report. Flying economy sucks. Unfortunately as it comes with a $15K return price tag – can’t wait for competition to come to the trans-pacific route.
So, there ends my fortnight with the Mouse. Footsore, and a little disneyed out but happy.
THOUGHTS FROM DLR:
• DLR seems to be understaffed compared to Florida – there were almost no CMs standing around ready to help if you were lost, or to welcome you. Walking up main street at the parks in Orlando I was really struck by the large number of CMs welcoming you all the time. The CMs were really not that friendly (with some great exceptions).
• There is a really different vibe in Anaheim – its much less relaxed and less happy. I was trying to work out why this is and wonder if its because in Orlando all the people we spoke to were on holiday and were in relaxed mode, whereas at DLR on a weekend almost everyone is local and just there for the day.
• Lots and lots of very spoiled kids at DLR – the number of temper tantrums and ‘I want I want I want’ episodes I walked around was astounding; easily a hundred fold increase in 3 days as compared to 10 days in Orlando.
• For all that, DL is my home resort and makes me happy in a way that MK didn’t – even if I now keep looking at the castle wondering what happened to the rest of it…
Ok, over and out. If you are still reading, congrats and I now release you…
☺