July 14th, 2005.
One Day.
Two parks.
One park-hopper.
Oh yes, boys and girls. I had ONE day to experience Disneyland for the first time at quite possibly the biggest peak of the year, being just mere days from THE anniversary!
We arrived and parked about 7:40. Park opened at 8:00. By the time we picked up our will call tickets, it was just a bit past 8:00. I really wanted to be there to see rope drop, but it just didn't happen. Standing outside the train station, I felt the tears welling up in my eyes. Walking through the tunnel and Town Square I was holding them back. Then I hit Main Street, saw Sleeping Beauty Castle and just lost it. I bawled like a baby. I couldn't believe I had actually made it there. I bought my gold ears and cried the whole time. The CM who checked me out was really sweet. After regaining my composure, we veered left and grabbed a Fastpass for Indiana Jones.
Then we rode Pirates. Wow. I was completely blown away. I had heard how DL's was better... but I didn't realize how MUCH better. Absolutely brilliant. New Orleans Square is very elaborate and quite charming. Haunted Mansion next. The same in many ways. The Leota effect was mind blowing. Unfortunately through the whole ride, some dumb buns decided to ignore the camera lighting warnings that were going on throughout the WHOLE RIDE! "Sir, PLEASE TURN OFF YOUR CAMERA LIGHTING!" Must have heard it 5 times... quite annoying. Next was Splash. DL's Splash seems to go MUCH faster than WDW's. I think WDW's Brer Rabbit is cuter, though.
Next was Indy. Awesome effects! I think it just blows Dinosaur away, IMO! I couldn't believe the ending! We stopped at the Dole Whip stand and I grabbed a Dole Float. They put cherries and little umbrellas in theirs! It looks so cute! Then we crossed the park over to Buzz... which was fairly comparable to WDW's. DL has the removable guns which makes things a lot easier! Also, the guns light up when you hit a target! Helpful!
Then, we headed over to DCA where we immediately grabbed Fastpasses for Soarin' over California and Grizzly River Run. Tower of Terror was the first thing we hit there. Slightly different, but still awesome! Then we grabbed lunch at Award Weiners. I had an Italian Sausage thingie.. pretty yummy! We headed for Paradise Pier where much to our dismay we found California Screamin' was down for repairs... so we got in line for the Sun Wheel. I was dissapointed that it wasn't nearly as scary as I had come to believe from reading some of your comments! But it still provided some breathtaking views. By the time we got off the wheel, Screamin' was back up running, so we grabbed fastpasses for that. Then our time had come for Soarin'. The ride itself is the same as Epcot, but the queues at Epcot are a bit more elaborate. Screamin' was next... and was a lot of fun! A really long smooth coaster that gave up some great views.
We saw MuppetVision, which is basically the same as MGM. The theatre effects at the end seemed a bit better at DCA, however. Grizzly River Run was our last ride at DCA. I've never done Kali, so I have nothing to compare it to, but it was definitely fun!
Then, we headed back over to Disneyland...
TBC
One Day.
Two parks.
One park-hopper.
Oh yes, boys and girls. I had ONE day to experience Disneyland for the first time at quite possibly the biggest peak of the year, being just mere days from THE anniversary!
We arrived and parked about 7:40. Park opened at 8:00. By the time we picked up our will call tickets, it was just a bit past 8:00. I really wanted to be there to see rope drop, but it just didn't happen. Standing outside the train station, I felt the tears welling up in my eyes. Walking through the tunnel and Town Square I was holding them back. Then I hit Main Street, saw Sleeping Beauty Castle and just lost it. I bawled like a baby. I couldn't believe I had actually made it there. I bought my gold ears and cried the whole time. The CM who checked me out was really sweet. After regaining my composure, we veered left and grabbed a Fastpass for Indiana Jones.
Then we rode Pirates. Wow. I was completely blown away. I had heard how DL's was better... but I didn't realize how MUCH better. Absolutely brilliant. New Orleans Square is very elaborate and quite charming. Haunted Mansion next. The same in many ways. The Leota effect was mind blowing. Unfortunately through the whole ride, some dumb buns decided to ignore the camera lighting warnings that were going on throughout the WHOLE RIDE! "Sir, PLEASE TURN OFF YOUR CAMERA LIGHTING!" Must have heard it 5 times... quite annoying. Next was Splash. DL's Splash seems to go MUCH faster than WDW's. I think WDW's Brer Rabbit is cuter, though.
Next was Indy. Awesome effects! I think it just blows Dinosaur away, IMO! I couldn't believe the ending! We stopped at the Dole Whip stand and I grabbed a Dole Float. They put cherries and little umbrellas in theirs! It looks so cute! Then we crossed the park over to Buzz... which was fairly comparable to WDW's. DL has the removable guns which makes things a lot easier! Also, the guns light up when you hit a target! Helpful!
Then, we headed over to DCA where we immediately grabbed Fastpasses for Soarin' over California and Grizzly River Run. Tower of Terror was the first thing we hit there. Slightly different, but still awesome! Then we grabbed lunch at Award Weiners. I had an Italian Sausage thingie.. pretty yummy! We headed for Paradise Pier where much to our dismay we found California Screamin' was down for repairs... so we got in line for the Sun Wheel. I was dissapointed that it wasn't nearly as scary as I had come to believe from reading some of your comments! But it still provided some breathtaking views. By the time we got off the wheel, Screamin' was back up running, so we grabbed fastpasses for that. Then our time had come for Soarin'. The ride itself is the same as Epcot, but the queues at Epcot are a bit more elaborate. Screamin' was next... and was a lot of fun! A really long smooth coaster that gave up some great views.
We saw MuppetVision, which is basically the same as MGM. The theatre effects at the end seemed a bit better at DCA, however. Grizzly River Run was our last ride at DCA. I've never done Kali, so I have nothing to compare it to, but it was definitely fun!
Then, we headed back over to Disneyland...
TBC
