Disney_Alli
DIS Veteran
- Joined
- Nov 4, 2010
Day Four (My last day... 
)
Today was moving day... I got up around 5:30 so that I could finish packing and clean up a little bit. I called down to the front desk for a cab and was told one would be waiting for me at 6am. I brought my stuff down and jumped in the cab and directed him to Paradise Pier... At this point the cab driver turned around and started complaining that most people at this hour were going to the airport and that he’d just given up his prime spot in front of another hotel (the Hyatt maybe... I forget now it’s been too long) and how dare I just want to go the PPH when he could be driving some business man to the airport then... then he had the absolute gall to hand me his card and tell me to call him when I was really going to the airport (as if that would ever happen at this point!) He dropped me in front of the Paradise Pier and I went to the check in desk (remember it’s about 6:15am at this point) I was not at all surprised to learn that my room was not ready yet but was quite happy to hear that I’d been given an upgrade to a park view room (although being a Grad Night and seeing as I had a dinner reservation during the only showing of WoC I wouldn’t really get to enjoy it) I dropped my bags off with the bellman and headed over to the parks for MM through the Grand Californian. They didn’t have the bag checks open yet when I got there so I queued up about ten people back from the tables. They opened up the lines at about 6:50 and we went through and I queued up again this time for the Magic Morning entrance. When they finally opened the gates I once again headed straight to Star Tours 2. I made it through fairly quickly (and was once again the Rebel Spy – Woot!) and was done riding at about 7:40. I’m pretty sure I then headed over and rode Astro Blaster then headed across to wait for rope drop for Adventureland to ride Indiana Jones. I was through that one quickly again and Splash was supposed to be next but it was cool out and had just stopped sprinkling rain so I decided to forgo it as I had ridden it earlier in the week when it was nice out (and I really prefer the WDW version truth be told) I headed passed it – and discovered it was actually closed at the moment reinforcing my decision to skip it as a good one – and got on Winnie the Pooh. I always forget how much I like this ride: it’s so cute! I finished with that and headed back over Jungle Cruise I rode with a very short wait then headed over to where else... Pirates of the Caribbean! Then as was my custom on this trip I got on Haunted Mansion. I then headed over to ride something I’d never ridden before: Small World! Apparently I have the same affliction as everyone else on these boards and I took a whole bunch of horrible pictures (See below) I was hoping to get pictures of all the characters – and I kinda did...
I actually found the weather to be cool and damp actually but enjoyed the ride nonetheless...
It was coming back from riding IASWA that I came across a fantastic photopass photographer who posed me for a bunch of magic shots. (I still haven’t loaded them yet so those pictures will have to wait) at this point it was just before 10am so I jumped back in line for Star Tours with my fastpass from PPH. I was in and out quickly again (but sadly didn’t get to be the rebel spy this time) then I headed across to California Adventure as I had a date with the princesses for lunch at 11:30. I arrived at DCA around 10:30 and headed over to grab a Tower of Terror FP then wandered through A Bug’s Land towards the Paradise Pier area... and who should I find in the character spot there but Donald Duck himself! As there weren’t many people in line I waited my turn and got a Photopass picture with him (I’ll post it later). I then headed towards Ariel’s Grotto. I got there just before eleven and hung around across the boulevard/pier thing where Duffy was supposed to be having a meet and greet at 11:00. I checked out the store there (several times) and waited and waited – after being assured that there was a meet scheduled but that he was often late (very heavy costume apparently) I went across to Ariel’s Grotto and checked in for my 11:30 reservation at about 11:10. They handed me a light up coaster/pager type deal and I went back to wandering around (after having a great conversation with an absolutely delightful cast member) and hoping to see Duffy... I’m pretty sure he never made that meet as I wasn’t paged for my lunch until 11:25 or so and he still hadn’t showed up.
I went downstairs and met Ariel (who looked a little manly if you ask me – but we had a gorgeous Ariel there two years ago so maybe I’m a little biased, you be the judge)
I was seated right at the entrance the characters use and I had the first lunch seating so I was able to easily see all the characters and knew when to have my camera ready. I had some good interactions with all the princesses and got some great pictures with them. Lunch was also fantastic – I had the tri-tip (which I’d had two years ago) and found it delicious. Also that bread is so fantastically delicious it should be criminal and I loved the dips that came with it – the garlicy one was my favourite by far!
Top of menu
Middle
Desserts
Appetizer Tower (carefully arranged to disguise the food I’d already consumed) top to bottom
Bread basket and the dips
The Main Course!
Dessert!!!!!
My favourite were the blondies and the rocky road brownies (I also got a full size brownie with a candle for my birthday but failed to take a picture of it...
Look it’s Cinderella!
Princess Jasmine (the first time I’d ever seen her in DL without her cape on – she told me she was only warm enough because she was running around a lot. I LOVED this Jasmine!!!)
It’s sad that Aurora is my favourite princess but I’ve yet to meet a good one... She was okay to me but really great with some kids a few tables down (I admit I was a little jealous)
Last but not least I met Snow White. She was good but no one will ever compare to the amazing Snow White I met at Cinderella’s castle last year! I so wish I had a picture of her she was amazing!!!
I missed meeting Belle this year so I was really glad I’d met her earlier in the week at PFF.
After lunch I checked out the wait for Ariel and saw that it was only a thirty minute wait so I decided to ride it standby and save my FP for another ride on Star Tours. I rode by myself and quite enjoyed it again. I took a video this time thinking my sister would enjoy watching it only to have her tell me that she wants to wait until she’s there to see it in person... Well it’s the thought that counts right?
I headed over and rode Tower of Terror using my fastpass and then decided to head back towards Disneyland as the fantastic photographer had said to try and find him later for more magic shots... I didn’t see him around the hub so I went and rode Star Tours again. Once again it was a great ride but sadly once again was not the rebel spy...
As I have tons more pictures I’ll cut it off here but I’ll post more tomorrow...
Would I find my photog again and would Napa Rose find my Chef’s Counter reservation... We’ll find out soon!
)Today was moving day... I got up around 5:30 so that I could finish packing and clean up a little bit. I called down to the front desk for a cab and was told one would be waiting for me at 6am. I brought my stuff down and jumped in the cab and directed him to Paradise Pier... At this point the cab driver turned around and started complaining that most people at this hour were going to the airport and that he’d just given up his prime spot in front of another hotel (the Hyatt maybe... I forget now it’s been too long) and how dare I just want to go the PPH when he could be driving some business man to the airport then... then he had the absolute gall to hand me his card and tell me to call him when I was really going to the airport (as if that would ever happen at this point!) He dropped me in front of the Paradise Pier and I went to the check in desk (remember it’s about 6:15am at this point) I was not at all surprised to learn that my room was not ready yet but was quite happy to hear that I’d been given an upgrade to a park view room (although being a Grad Night and seeing as I had a dinner reservation during the only showing of WoC I wouldn’t really get to enjoy it) I dropped my bags off with the bellman and headed over to the parks for MM through the Grand Californian. They didn’t have the bag checks open yet when I got there so I queued up about ten people back from the tables. They opened up the lines at about 6:50 and we went through and I queued up again this time for the Magic Morning entrance. When they finally opened the gates I once again headed straight to Star Tours 2. I made it through fairly quickly (and was once again the Rebel Spy – Woot!) and was done riding at about 7:40. I’m pretty sure I then headed over and rode Astro Blaster then headed across to wait for rope drop for Adventureland to ride Indiana Jones. I was through that one quickly again and Splash was supposed to be next but it was cool out and had just stopped sprinkling rain so I decided to forgo it as I had ridden it earlier in the week when it was nice out (and I really prefer the WDW version truth be told) I headed passed it – and discovered it was actually closed at the moment reinforcing my decision to skip it as a good one – and got on Winnie the Pooh. I always forget how much I like this ride: it’s so cute! I finished with that and headed back over Jungle Cruise I rode with a very short wait then headed over to where else... Pirates of the Caribbean! Then as was my custom on this trip I got on Haunted Mansion. I then headed over to ride something I’d never ridden before: Small World! Apparently I have the same affliction as everyone else on these boards and I took a whole bunch of horrible pictures (See below) I was hoping to get pictures of all the characters – and I kinda did...
I actually found the weather to be cool and damp actually but enjoyed the ride nonetheless...
It was coming back from riding IASWA that I came across a fantastic photopass photographer who posed me for a bunch of magic shots. (I still haven’t loaded them yet so those pictures will have to wait) at this point it was just before 10am so I jumped back in line for Star Tours with my fastpass from PPH. I was in and out quickly again (but sadly didn’t get to be the rebel spy this time) then I headed across to California Adventure as I had a date with the princesses for lunch at 11:30. I arrived at DCA around 10:30 and headed over to grab a Tower of Terror FP then wandered through A Bug’s Land towards the Paradise Pier area... and who should I find in the character spot there but Donald Duck himself! As there weren’t many people in line I waited my turn and got a Photopass picture with him (I’ll post it later). I then headed towards Ariel’s Grotto. I got there just before eleven and hung around across the boulevard/pier thing where Duffy was supposed to be having a meet and greet at 11:00. I checked out the store there (several times) and waited and waited – after being assured that there was a meet scheduled but that he was often late (very heavy costume apparently) I went across to Ariel’s Grotto and checked in for my 11:30 reservation at about 11:10. They handed me a light up coaster/pager type deal and I went back to wandering around (after having a great conversation with an absolutely delightful cast member) and hoping to see Duffy... I’m pretty sure he never made that meet as I wasn’t paged for my lunch until 11:25 or so and he still hadn’t showed up.
I went downstairs and met Ariel (who looked a little manly if you ask me – but we had a gorgeous Ariel there two years ago so maybe I’m a little biased, you be the judge)
I was seated right at the entrance the characters use and I had the first lunch seating so I was able to easily see all the characters and knew when to have my camera ready. I had some good interactions with all the princesses and got some great pictures with them. Lunch was also fantastic – I had the tri-tip (which I’d had two years ago) and found it delicious. Also that bread is so fantastically delicious it should be criminal and I loved the dips that came with it – the garlicy one was my favourite by far!
Top of menu
Middle
Desserts
Appetizer Tower (carefully arranged to disguise the food I’d already consumed) top to bottom
Bread basket and the dips
The Main Course!
Dessert!!!!!
My favourite were the blondies and the rocky road brownies (I also got a full size brownie with a candle for my birthday but failed to take a picture of it...
Look it’s Cinderella!
Princess Jasmine (the first time I’d ever seen her in DL without her cape on – she told me she was only warm enough because she was running around a lot. I LOVED this Jasmine!!!)
It’s sad that Aurora is my favourite princess but I’ve yet to meet a good one... She was okay to me but really great with some kids a few tables down (I admit I was a little jealous)
Last but not least I met Snow White. She was good but no one will ever compare to the amazing Snow White I met at Cinderella’s castle last year! I so wish I had a picture of her she was amazing!!!
I missed meeting Belle this year so I was really glad I’d met her earlier in the week at PFF.
After lunch I checked out the wait for Ariel and saw that it was only a thirty minute wait so I decided to ride it standby and save my FP for another ride on Star Tours. I rode by myself and quite enjoyed it again. I took a video this time thinking my sister would enjoy watching it only to have her tell me that she wants to wait until she’s there to see it in person... Well it’s the thought that counts right?
I headed over and rode Tower of Terror using my fastpass and then decided to head back towards Disneyland as the fantastic photographer had said to try and find him later for more magic shots... I didn’t see him around the hub so I went and rode Star Tours again. Once again it was a great ride but sadly once again was not the rebel spy...
As I have tons more pictures I’ll cut it off here but I’ll post more tomorrow...
Would I find my photog again and would Napa Rose find my Chef’s Counter reservation... We’ll find out soon!
