The Disneyland, San Diego, and Vegas, oh my! Trip Report - COMPLETED!! 2/18/11 About This Page:

[disney_duke]

Now that I know what you're talking about (since my return from DL!), I agree. I also was not impressed with the layout/theatre area for WOC. I guess I was expecting actual seats like Fantasmic! We were also in the same area as you - toward the top of the promenade but right by a rope/railing. Luckily, we had a perfect view though, no kids in the way. So we enjoyed WoC. It's a cute show, but I would not go through all that trouble to see it again!!! I'm glad you liked the tiramisu, I was tempted to order that meal just for the dessert also!! (we got the fried chickens)

[bsblady01]

more please

[mcc0313]

Sorry that the WOC was not a better experience, and that the kids really did not enjoy the meal. Glad that you were able to enjoy some fun rides before the show though.

[islandgirl]

Great update!!!

[lindawdw]

Sorry to hear that WOC wasn't up to all the hype. It would have been much better had they had the room to build a seating area like they did for Fantasmic but since they're limited in land space there I guess it wasn't possible.

[HeatherD]

Sorry about WoC. I want to see it in December, but I'm not sure about doing one of the meal plans. We were considering Wine Country Trattoria or Ariel's Grotto....now I'm going to have to think about it.

Now I'm wondering what has you freezing to death in California in summer??? I know the nights cool down, but it's not usually chilly unless you're on the coast. Hmmmm, maybe a really cold indoor place for a meal? I freeze here in Vegas and enjoy that first burst of pure heat when we walk out of a cold restaurant...

[dolphin041599]

Sorry to hear about WOC. I'm hoping we'll have better luck in October.

I hope your dad is feeling better soon.

[bsblady01]

more please

[disneydani]

Marnie, hope you Dad is continuing to recovery.

Sorry the whole WoC experience was sub-par....I agree with you in so many ways. We did Ariel's and staked out our spot 2 hours before so the view was reasonable but the pushing and squishing was not. I wish DLR had configured it better.

danielle

[Colexis Mom]

Wednesday July 21, 2010 – Freezing to death and some LEGOs

I think we were up again this morning by 7:30, and were soon on our way to DL. This was the morning that I had wanted to do the Studio tour at WB Studios, but obviously that didn’t happen. I was starting to feel the pressure. We had been here for 2 days, with 2 days to go, and I just felt like we still had so much to see (at least at DL). We didn’t bring sweatshirts as we assumed (the key word) that the low clouds would be burning off fairly early as they had been doing. Breakfast was at the Blue Ribbon Bakery! Matt had a sticky bun, I had a cinnamon twist, Alexa had a sugar cookie, and Colin had a Mickey head cookie. Somewhere along the line, Colin got upset at me or Matt for something, and wouldn’t sit with us. No biggie, there were plenty of seats to be had at that time of the morning.









We started in New Orleans Square with Pirates. It was about a 10 minute wait. Great ride, much better than at WDW! We headed to Frontierland to ride BTMRR. I had a discussion with Colin, as he didn’t feel like riding (or was a bit scared). I told him that he had rode it at WDW without any issues, and he should be fine. Matt had to take a bathroom break first, so we spent some time at the Shooting Gallery.





I also spent some time going thru the gift shops in the area looking for a sweatshirt for Colin. It was cool, only about 65 degrees, if that, and with the dampness, he was freezing (as were the rest of us but we’ve got a tad more “meat” on our bones than he does (he has none)! I couldn’t find anything in his size, so we sucked it up, and headed into BTMRR. He was fine on the ride, so not sure why he was giving us a hard time about it (other than he likes to be difficult)!















We headed back to Fantasyland and passed Pocahontas along the way, although no one would stop for her picture!



Me and the kids rode the Tea Cups again, and then we went on Pinocchio.









Alexa wanted to ride the Matterhorn (and Colin did not – I wasn’t going to press another one) so Matt stayed with her and I took Colin to Astro Orbitor. Which has to be the absolute slowest loading ride there is. The sign said 20 minutes, but we easily waited 45 minutes. It didn’t help that people seemed to keep joining a large party in front of us, after the fact. I found the line cutting at DL to be quite common and very annoying! And the crowds were pretty big by this point.




Matt and Alexa ended up being done quite a bit before us, so they waited for us, and then we headed over to the Refreshment Corner (Casey’s at WDW) for lunch. Everyone had a hotdog, except me. I had the chili because I was still trying to warm up (it was noon, and probably still around 65 degrees with no sun). Blech! The Mickey pretzel was good though!





Next we took the monorail to DTD (our first ride on this). We were lucky as one was just pulling in to Tomorrowland when we got there. First stop was of course, the LEGO store, where Colin spent a good amount of money (so much for waiting for LEGOland)!











We then browsed along the shops at DTD, but didn’t really go into any of them except for the “make your own remote controlled car” store. The area was pretty much deserted. I think we would have spent more time here if our hotel wasn’t the opposite direction and we were staying in a DL hotel which was closer.





























We walked briefly into the Grand Californian to see the lobby (stunning)! Then it was time to head back for swimming. The sun still wasn’t out, but that wasn’t going to stop the kids. I don’t think they lasted very long. The sun was starting to break thru (it was almost 2) but it couldn’t have been more than 70 degrees if that. Colin spent a lot of time under the hot shower next to the pool, instead of in the pool itself.

[Colexis Mom]

After our quiet time, we headed back to DCA earlier than normal. I had wanted to see the Aladdin show and I wasn’t going to take no for an answer. By the time we had gotten there, the first section was already roped off, and we weren’t too far behind the front for the middle section. We had a bit of a wait (at least 30 minutes), but we were soon into the theater, and were able to get seats in the front row on the middle section (mezzanine) all the way on the left. Oh my gosh, what a great show. The kids weren’t too sure about it before it started, but they absolutely loved the Genie and are still doing Genie jokes to this day.













At this point, my trip report notes stop. For the rest of the trip. Not sure why, I just wasn’t filling out the PassPockets anymore! I’ll have to rely on my pictures and receipts.

After the great show, we headed off back toward A Bug’s Land. And we had dinner at Farmers Market.

























I believe at this point we split up. I think Matt and Alexa went to see ITTBAB again (Alexa was making up for the 7 years she missed not going to it). Colin didn’t want to see it, so we headed to the Backlot to see Turtle Talk with Crush. Of course, it was about 20 minutes until the next show, so we spent some time wandering around the Character Close up and Sorcerer’s Workshop, which was very cool.





Matt and Alexa finished up before it was time for Crush, so we went outside to meet them (since they had no idea where I was when I tried to explain it) and we went back inside to watch the show. Another great one. I never get tired of Crush. I did appreciate the seats here. I believe they were actual seats instead of the benches you get at WDW! That done, we headed over to Muppets, since we hadn’t done that yet.

















There was hardly anyone in there, which was nice. Then we headed over to Monsters, Inc. for one last ride, before heading out. We passed all the platforms for “Glowfest” which was the nighttime “show” I guess for those that don’t go see World of Color.





After that, we headed out back to HoJos to go to sleep!

Coming up Next……The cold weather is starting to get old, early morning magic hour, and our last day at DL. Or was it?

[BeckiO5]

Great updates Marnie. Sorry to hear WoC didn't live up to all the hype for it and you weren't ablr to see anything. So sorry to hear about the cold weather too. That must not have been too much fun. It still looks like you're having a wonderful time despite the cold weather. More please.

[OhToodles!]

That breakfast looked so yummy! And I could go for a Mickey soft pretzel right now. Why doesn't wdw have those? Sounds like a good day despite the cold.
I hope you're dad is doing ok.

[DawnK]

Marnie...great pictures. Alexa is almost as tall as you and she's how old???

David loved the build your own car store at DTD in Orlando. He calls it "Build a Bear for Boys!!"

I love all the bug's life pictures. Sorry about the cold weather.

[Mom of three 1971]

Great update Marnie!
More please!