Photo TR: Disneyland 2/10-2/13 Great Trip!

We went to Disneyland Resort from 2/10-2/13. This will be day 1 of the trip with the other days to follow on different threads. It was a blast at DLR! I have to start off by saying that if it wasn’t for this thread

http://www.themeparkreview.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=21617

that we might not have had such a good time. Once I read Wes’ response to the question on unlimited fastpasses, I called AAA to get reservations and find out about the fastpasses. AAA helped a lot. We booked our room and everything through them. The only availability was at the Grand Californian, which was fine, but pretty expensive. We didn’t mind too much especially after we arrived and were treated so great. The next time we go to DLR we will book through AAA again. Our package included a 3-day park hopper. It also had an early entry for one day into the park (one hour before the rest of the crowd), early entry to Mickey’s Toon Town (one time), preferred seating at 4 shows (Aladdin, A Bug’s Life, Muppets 3-D, and Golden Dreams), and a mug for drink re-fills. We were able to take advantage of everything except the early entry into Toon Town, and the Muppets 3-D seating (we saw this in Florida anyway). There were some other perks, but those are the highlights.

Day 1 (2/10-2/11) – As is typical with Southwest airlines, our flight was delayed out of San Jose. We took off at 9:35pm, which was the time we were supposed to be landing! We flew into Ontario instead of John Wayne. I know the travel time, but this was the only available flight for us without leaving work early. We arrived at the hotel at 12midnight. Our plan was to go to DL on Saturday for the early entry. We thought they opened at 9am on Saturday, but when we checked in, we found out that they opened at 8am. This meant we would have to get up between 5:30-6am to enjoy this luxury. We got up and got to DL just after 7am, thank goodness we were on-site. Just 5 hours of sleep really sucks. There wasn’t anyone at the park yet and it was cold and overcast. It was awesome though. We headed straight to Tomorrowland and rode Buzz Lightyear (It was down when we were in Florida last month). We fastpassed it after the ride and headed to Space Mountain. It wasn’t operating yet and they didn’t know when they would get it started. We decided to take some pics on the way through Fantasyland. We rode Peter Pan and Toad’s ride. Then we went to Matterhorn to ride it. No wait at all and both sides running! This was fabulous. I have been on it before, but it was Gyendolynne’s first time. She had a blast. The rest of the trip we wouldn’t ride it again because of how long the wait was. We continued on our way to Frontierland because we would hit Mickey’s Toon Town on Monday. We rode Big Thunder Mountain Railroad, by this time the park opened, but it wasn’t getting too crowded especially for a Saturday. Adventureland was right there, so we went there to ride Indiana Jones. We rode that twice and then went to Tomorrowland to use our Buzz fastpasses since we didn’t get the picture from our first ride. Space Mountain had a 1 hour wait at this point. We got fastpasses and decided to wait to ride it anyway. We had an hour to kill for our FPs on Space Mountain, so we headed to the front to get our mugs from AAA. We headed back to Tomorrowland to use our FPs on Space Mountain and also pick up another FP for the ride for later (5:40). On our way out of Tomorrowland, Mickey Mouse was climbing the Matterhorn Mountain. Gyendolynne wanted me to film it. The show was pretty cool. We went down Main Street and I got my smashed pennies in the Penny Arcade. I thought I hit the mother load! We headed to the hotel for some Advil and to drop stuff off. Yes we are getting old!

The Grand Californian has a special entrance to DCA. We went straight to Soarin’ over California only to find the wait at nearly an hour. We didn’t ride this in Florida because of the long wait. We got FPs (4:45) for this and then used the single rider line. We waited only 15 minutes. Gyendolynne had the best seat. She was in the first row in the middle section. We like Soarin’, but I don’t think it would be worth an hour wait or greater. Tower of Terror was next on our list. We rode this once, got a FP (4:05) and headed to Screamin’. Thank goodness for the single rider line here. We FPd (3:35) Screamin’ and then rode it twice in the single rider line. At this point we had 4 different FPs (Space Mountain, Soarin’, ToT, and Screamin’). We rode Screamin’ 3 times in 45 minutes with the single rider line and our FP. Here’s an interesting note and I don’t know if everyone knows, but the person at Screamin’ told us that the FPs don’t expire. You can’t come back to the ride before the time, but you can use them anytime after your start time. This was very useful for the rest of our trip because we had unlimited FPs. We could FP any ride, but couldn’t get another FP on the same ride until our time had passed. This was huge because we would hold multiple FPs the rest of the time. We had dinner at Storytellers, went to the hot tub, and then headed back to DL for the fireworks. I am so happy we did. I am not a real big fireworks person, but these were terrific. Gyendolynne wanted to see them, and if we didn’t go tonight we wouldn’t see them because the next night they got cancelled. Of course we didn’t know this at the time, but it is good to note. The high winds cancelled the show the following night.

I don't know how often you have seen Main Street this empty, but here you go.

To infinity and beyond

Lilo and Stitch mural

What's this yellow paper...OUT OF ORDER!!!! NOOOOO!!!!

HEY, the Buzz Lightyear smashed penny machine..YAHOO!!

Here are the scores.

Just in case you need to know the levels.

Here's another one you can't see. You will know the score in a couple more photos.

Nice score shot.

Look out for Zorg.

Shoot 'em up Gyendolynne

Buzz Lightyear with no wait

You are now entering Tomorrowland, please check your luggage.

aaahhhh, I found it.

There's that guy and his mouse, what are they pointing at?

50th anniversary celebration decorations are everywhere

and the smashed pennies mother load

Smashed nickels....

and we're in, the place is empty

There's that mouse that is celebrating 50 years.

Early entry entrance

DCA won't be open for 3 more hours.

No crowd what so ever!

Bright and early, 7am on Saturday morning. A little overcast and cold. We'll call it the "Marine Layer"

Nice bed.

Here's the shower!

Another sink shot

Dual sinks, fancy....

Thanks for the warning, better watch my step

mmmm...Gordon Biersch at the airport

Pics continued....

This lady was in great character as Cruella Devil

Mrs. Incredible

Lets head over to DCA to see how crowded it is, yes it is the Tower of Terror.

Perilous Mickey climbing the Mountain

Look, Alice in Wonderland

It's starting to get a little crowded

Marching band down Main Street

It's a ship!

A space mountain and a Buzz Lightyear pass. Now lets get on Space Mountain

Star Tours

The place is picking up a bit.

You are now leaving Adventureland

Tiki Hut

I don't know why I took this.

DON'T LOOK IN ITS EYES...YOU LOOKED INTO ITS EYES!!!

We took the middle trail the first 2 times and the left trail our last time.

I don't know why that guy was smiling.

Watch your step

That guy died a while ago.

Pretty scary...

Entering Indiana Jones

Who doesn't have one?

She really isn't scared.

Waitng patiently for our second ride on Mattterhorn, not too long of a wait though.

Look out! That whale might eat you.

Peter Pan ride

The back side of this HUMONGOUS castle.

I know I can make this thing move if I keep blowing!

yes we are..

Gyendolynne is dwarfing the castle

Pics continued

The Tower of Terror lobby

Final pic from day 1 and 2

from the 4th floor

The fireplace back at the hotel

Killer finale

An awesome display

More fireworks....

Disney knows what they are doing.

This was definitely the best fireworks show I have ever seen.

Queue the music.....When you wish upon a star....

Getting ready for the fireworks.

Hey, it's the mouse at night

DCA at night

I hope this helps your 401k out Wally.

Good thing we had our fastpasses.

WOW, 75 minute wait.

So long DCA, we're heading back to ride Space Mountain.

I had to take a pic of the award winning Wieners!

Back to Hollywood use our Tower of Terror fastpasses

but I want the fries too.

I know I can eat this burger....

The launch for Screamin' is so awesome!

Gyendolynne in front of the Screamin' loop

In front of Screamin' with my fastpasses

Paradise Pier, lookout California Screamin' here we come!

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I'm glad you took notice of this. You'd be amazed at how many claims we handle of people falling over themselves in jetways....

Nice TPR!!!!

Ah Disneyland, how I miss thee so...

Great pics! I laughed at the "what's he pointing to?" thing.

Great pictures, Rick! Your PTR is really awesome. I am looking forward to see more of it!

--Sören

Wow! That was really detailed and awesome! I see you guys know the value of "getting up early" for parks. Seriously, it's one thing I stress SO MUCH. You can get a LOT done at a park in the first couple of hours if you beat the crowds in. I can't even tell you how many times we've told people to get to SFMM at 9:30, and they don't show up until after 11:15, and in that time we've managed to get in most of the major rides, while they're having to stand in 30-40 minute long lines.

BTW, I loved this pic....not sure why, but I thought it was funny!

Ok, off to read the other TR's now!

--Robb

Wow, these are all REALLY great Photo TR's!

Hey is there a ride that goes into the whale's mouth?

I swear I've seen a boat travelling into it in some Disneyland picture book or something...

Hey is there a ride that goes into the whale's mouth?

 

I swear I've seen a boat travelling into it in some Disneyland picture book or something...

Yes, that would be the storybook land boat ride. And you go through a Whales mouth. It's very erotic!

--Robb

Question of the day:

What is Disney pointing at???

Nice TR!