Trip Report Disneyland and D23 Expo 2017 Completed

ajrwdwgirl · Sep 9, 2017

The park was pretty busy so we ended up wandering around. I think we were able to get a fast pass for Big Thunder with an almost immediate return. And we did the same with Haunted Mansion, it was a little funny, the line was over 40 minutes but we went to the fast pass kiosk and then immediately into the fast pass line. We did go over to Critter Country and saw some of the new River stuff from the bathrooms by the Hungry Bear bathrooms.

Since the train and the River still wasn't open I was happy to at least get these glimpses.

Then we decided to check in about 15 minutes early for the Blue Bayou and we waited about 20 minutes before being seated but really that was only 5 minutes past our reservation. There isn't a lot of seating in the area and after about 5 minutes a spot opened up on one of the couches (for one person) and a guy that was closer to it than me and who had been waiting longer than me motioned me over and told me to take the spot. I thought that was very gentlemanly of him.

A couple of pictures from the waiting area.

ajrwdwgirl · Sep 9, 2017

Time for dinner at the Blue Bayou. I have a "like" relationship with this restaurant. I think it is way over hyped and we usually get a table far from the water so the ambience is just ho-hum. The food is tasty but I think it is over priced. So why do I eat here. I only eat here now for the Fantasmic dinner package because it usually has the best seating area for the show.

By the way, we had a heck of a time getting this dining reservation and we only had 1 night we would be able to see Fantasmic (we didn't know about the soft opens). The packages went on sale a couple days after the 4th of July, Brad was in Chicago and the time at which the dining packages were to be released was when I had two doctor's appointments. Ugh, so I tried on-line and was getting nowhere. The first appointment got done fairly quickly and so I tried again and tried calling and on line. Nothing and all lines were busy. Out of desperation I called Brad and asked him if he could call because I had to get to the other appointment. He said he would because he was stuck in Chicago traffic anyway and was over an hour away from his destination. I told him to get anything he could. As I left my second appointment 50 minutes later I get a text from Brad that said he had been on hold for 45 minutes and got the Blue Bayou no problem. After I had gotten Brad to call, he said traffic started moving faster and made it to his destination right as the Disneyland rep came on the phone. So he had to find a quick place to park so he could write down the confirmation numbers But relief that he got it!

This was the view from the table, the closest we have been to the water. And a nice view for about 15 minutes until people sat at the table next to us.

Inside the restaurant

My salad

Brad's shrimp dish

And we both got the ribeye

He got the creme brulee

And I got the sorcerer mickey dessert.

ajrwdwgirl · Sep 9, 2017

Part of our dinner package was a set of parade cushions, which were nice. But I laughed because in June when we went to the Disney Outlet in Orlando the cushions were being sold there for $1.99 and we thought about getting 2 to use at D23 Expo but decided they wouldn't fit as well in our backpacks because of the thick padding. I guess we ended up with them anyway!

After dinner we had a tour on the Jungle Cruise.

And another ride on Big Thunder

We got our spot for Fantasmic about 8pm and waited for the show. Disney did not pack our section full and we both had room to stretch out our legs all the way the whole time. Also there was a group of Disney suits sitting in the area behind us.

The large screen was put up before the show and looked terrible here but once the show got going it wasn't noticeable itself and the projections on it looked seamless to us.

There was an introduction by some Disney people since it was official opening night.

Alright...lets go...

ajrwdwgirl · Sep 9, 2017

Fantasmic at Disneyland was awesome and continues to be in my opinion. A part of me likes the old show, overall better because I liked the Peter Pan scene a lot but this new version is just fine with me. And still better than WDW's, although I do like the seating style at WDW's better.

As I said I prefer the Peter Pan scene but the Pirates scene was okay. I think the girl in the scene whining for Jack to save her is a little annoying but it is still a WOW type of scene mostly because of the Columbia is sailing past and pirates are swinging around.

To be honest I'm surprised any of these pictures turned out. I wanted to watch the scene so I literally put the camera a little under my eyes and just randomly took some pictures. I looked down briefly from time to time.

ajrwdwgirl · Sep 9, 2017

A couple more pirates pictures

Again I was pretty entranced with the show so I didn't try to get great pictures but this is Aladdin and Jasmine on their carpet it is a pretty cool effect/scene.

Then Rapunzel and Flynn are added to the Princess floats. :inlove:

The floats seemed to moving by faster than they did in the past but I was too busy looking to try for a decent picture.

But tonight the dragon/Maleficent didn't disappoint!

I love the fire!

ajrwdwgirl · Sep 9, 2017

And then the end...Good triumphs over evil!

And Steamboat Willie gets to pilot a real boat in Disneyland.

We stayed for the fireworks which were wonderful
Then we went over to small world, then did some other Fantasyland attractions like Alice, the teacups, Dumbo, and the Carousel before sitting on a bench in front of the castle for awhile before heading out for the night.

Oh I almost forgot...While we were eating dinner I got a text from our cruise friend and she let us know that we came in 4th out of 30 teams in Scavenger Hunt. We were really impressed and proud of ourselves!

Especially with all the local teams that were there. We ended up getting a medal sent to us. I asked our cruise friend how she and her teammate did and she had come in first. Cool!

fractal · Sep 9, 2017

Making me want to make a Blue Bayou/Fantasmic! reservation!

MinnieM123 · Sep 10, 2017

OMG--those photos of Disneyland's Fantasmic were amazing!!! Especially,I love the Pirates photos--wow!! That looked like quite the show. :happy:

ajrwdwgirl · Sep 10, 2017

MinnieM123 said:
OMG--those photos of Disneyland's Fantasmic were amazing!!! Especially,I love the Pirates photos--wow!! That looked like quite the show.

Disneylands Fantasmic show has always been better than WDWs which seems a little odd since WDW built a special theater for it and Disneylands just pops up on the banks of the Rivers of America. WDWs show is good but. It always a must do for me but at Disneyland it is a must do. I do like that in WDW there are benches to sit on to watch the show.

Figgy1 · Sep 10, 2017

ajrwdwgirl said:
Disneylands Fantasmic show has always been better than WDWs which seems a little odd since WDW built a special theater for it and Disneylands just pops up on the banks of the Rivers of America. WDWs show is good but. It always a must do for me but at Disneyland it is a must do. I do like that in WDW there are benches to sit on to watch the show.

The WDW benches need those DL cushions!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

ajrwdwgirl · Sep 10, 2017

figmentfan423 said:
The WDW benches need those DL cushions!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

And all of WDW needs more benches.

blreinsel · Sep 10, 2017

Tink has the traditional red Mickey bed in your picture from the Expo. I couldn't help myself.

I also can't help myself when it comes to Disney LuLaRoe.

Once you try it, you'll be addicted.. I'm warning you now. I always said that I would never buy it because it's too expensive but holy man.. that stuff is comfy and SO cute!

DL's Fantasmic looks so much cooler than WDW's!

Courtney6682 · Sep 11, 2017

That scavenger hunt sounded really fun!! I'd love to do something like that. Congrats on 4th place, that's great!

amjt660 · Sep 11, 2017

Finally able to read through your report
Very late to this party
Thanks for the tag

D23 content looks amazing but I personally could not put up with the crowds and the lines
More power to you for doing it and reporting back to us

Great DLR pics and reporting
Between you and @bee I will not have much more to add to the summer of Disneyland

Thanks again for sharing

Max

ajrwdwgirl · Sep 11, 2017

blgauger said:
Tink has the traditional red Mickey bed in your picture from the Expo. I couldn't help myself. I also can't help myself when it comes to Disney LuLaRoe. Once you try it, you'll be addicted.. I'm warning you now. I always said that I would never buy it because it's too expensive but holy man.. that stuff is comfy and SO cute!

DL's Fantasmic looks so much cooler than WDW's!

I am trying to stay away from the Disney LuLaRoe, I hear it is super comfy but I think if I start wearing it I won't be able to stop buying it!

ajrwdwgirl · Sep 11, 2017

Courtney6682 said:
That scavenger hunt sounded really fun!! I'd love to do something like that. Congrats on 4th place, that's great!

Thanks!

ajrwdwgirl · Sep 11, 2017

amjt660 said:
Finally able to read through your report
Very late to this party
Thanks for the tag

D23 content looks amazing but I personally could not put up with the crowds and the lines
More power to you for doing it and reporting back to us

Great DLR pics and reporting
Between you and @bee I will not have much more to add to the summer of Disneyland

Thanks again for sharing

Max

Thanks! I think you'll have plenty to add about Disneyland. It's always fun to hear about adventures!

gdisneyfans · Sep 13, 2017

Wow, Amy this was a really interesting report to read, especially the D23 Expo portion! I was so intrigued by everything you wrote! I'm sure I will never get out to go to one, but thank you for writing all about your experience!! Oh, I enjoyed your Disneyland part too

ajrwdwgirl · Sep 13, 2017

gdisneyfans said:
Wow, Amy this was a really interesting report to read, especially the D23 Expo portion! I was so intrigued by everything you wrote! I'm sure I will never get out to go to one, but thank you for writing all about your experience!! Oh, I enjoyed your Disneyland part too

Thanks so much. I have been enjoying your report as well. And I suppose I should finish this one at some point...

ajrwdwgirl · Sep 17, 2017

Ok, time to finish this trip report.

July 18, it was our last day. We would be flying out later in the day so we had until about 8pm to play!

We started the day by doing a few hours in DCA and got a fast pass for Guardians then went into Carsland.

Single rider wasn't open yet for Racers so we took a spin on Luigi, by the time we were done with that single rider was open.

Then back to Guardians. Hello Rocket! We got the same song for the 3rd time on this ride. But it was still fun!

Then we rode the Red Trolley cars for awhile after Soarin'

Then we headed over to Disneyland for our character breakfast at the Plaza. Although we made a run to Space Mt to grab a fast pass for later.

We did ride the Omnibus down Main Street. Hubs wanted to sit on top by it filled up, but the bottom was fine.

Trip Report Disneyland and D23 Expo 2017 Completed

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