Fractal & Son head West! A Disneyland PTR

A week from Tuesday I will heading to California with my son Sterg. Sterg's waterpolo team qualified for the Junior Olympics national tournament in Palo Alto. Conveniently, I have clients that will be near Los Angeles around the same time. These clients are more like good friends than clients. They retired and move out West a few years ago and I haven't met with them in person since. I've also heard rumors that the original Disneyland is in California. How fortuitous! When you add it all together you get;

a business meeting
dinner with old friends you haven't seen in awhile
a chance to visit DL for the first time and check out the improved DCA
visit the San Fran area for the first time and watch some good waterpolo

Certainly beats a stick in the eye!

For those that don't know; a little introduction. First some background. Sterg will be 16 soon and is truly blossoming into a pain in the ask teenager. For more detail - see my last TR. I love him to death but he knows how to push my buttons.

Here we are from a trip this year to the Florida Keys...

See what I mean?

Here's a much better picture. Must have caught him by surprise.

Next up...our plan of attack in California.

 

[fractal]

More pics from the Keys...

Sterg and Toni fishing. They were at each other's throat around me and Val - but on the dock by themselves they were loving brother and sister. I had to sneak up to take this pic...

An "artsy" pic...

 

[fractal]

Finally, some pictures from Key West...

 

[fractal]

Congrats to Sterg!!! Can't wait to read your DL/DCA report. Those times you get to spend with only your son are priceless. I know I enjoyed the times with only my dad and now the ones I get to spend w/ my own son (tho he's only 3). Have a great time!!

Thanks! I think it's going to be good for just the two of us to getaway. Enjoy the times with your son, it goes by pretty quick!

YAY! I can't wait for the update and pics! Good father and son bonding time for sure!

Good job to Sterg!!!

Thanks!

Wow, what a plan. You guys are definitely have to go commando for this one, but you'l still have fun!

Check out my post on Disneyland's Big Thunder Mountain!: http://forums.wdwmagic.com/threads/...isneyland-for-future-disneyland-goers.840201/

Also while you're in Frisco, be sure to check out Pier 39!

Yep - We are developing a list of things we want to do. Thanks for the tip on BTM! We will try to check out Pier 39.

Definitely get to DCA early one day. RSR is drawing huge crowds. We went this past Saturday and got there about 7:40 and the line to get a fastpass was already over an hour long. We went with the crowd straight to RSR and the sign said a 100 minute wait, but we only ended up waiting about an hour. It was enough time that by the time we finished Luigi's had an hour wait as well. Shouldn't be as bad in the middle of the week, but I'd definitely plan to go to Cars Land & do those attractions first thing.

Have fun in DL

Thanks for the advise! I know RSR is going to be crazy. I did read somewhere that DCA seems to be crazy in the morning and then the crowd shifts to DL for the PM. Any truth in that? If so we were going to try the opposite.

Thanks!

 

[HouCuseChickie]

Thanks! Sorry to hear you had to Cancel your trip to DL, hope you get there next year!

The Keys were great and yes we did stay at Cheeca Lodge. The resort was beautiful and we loved our room! The only downside was the lack of a "real" beach. You could
not just walk into the ocean - it was either a step down from a wall or there was a small spot that was "beach like" but the seaweed was thick for the first 20 yards. We did some kayaking, snorkeling, fishing and even parasailed. They built a lagoon right off the water to give you a beach feel - but I've been spoiled by growing up spending summers
at the Jersey Shore. Other than that - we loved it. Here are some pics from the resort/trip.

This is the lagoon...

Full moon...

Wow how all of this brings back memories. Cheeca was always my dad's fave if we stayed in the Keys. I haven't seen much in the way of real/good beaches in the Keys. We usually hit Ft Lauderdale or Hollywood Beach if we're Atlantic side and Sanibel, St Pete, Clearwater are some of the faves Gulf side. Having grown up in NJ and spent my summers down the shore...yeah- the Keys' beaches are a bit disappointing. It's still pretty down there though. Oh well- the pics are great and it looks like you guys had a great time!

 

[Californian Elitist]

Yep - We are developing a list of things we want to do. Thanks for the tip on BTM! We will try to check out Pier 39.

Thanks for the advise! I know RSR is going to be crazy. I did read somewhere that DCA seems to be crazy in the morning and then the crowd shifts to DL for the PM. Any truth in that? If so we were going to try the opposite.

No problem about the tip! As far as the crowds at DL and DCA go, I wouldn't doubt this statement to be true. Crowds usually pick up in Disneyland during the evening because a lot of the SoCalers (annual passholders) will pop up after work or just stop by to visit for a few hours.

 

[disneyrcks]

So happy you have another report here. I absolutely loved your last trip report!! Can't wait to read about your adventures in Cali. I cannot believe how much your kids have grown since you last WDW report!

 

[PartOfYourWorld]

Congrats to Sterg and his team!!! Can't wait to read about the happenings and how they do!

And can't wait to hear about your trip to Disneyland!!!!!!!

 

[gsrjedi]

Thanks for the advise! I know RSR is going to be crazy. I did read somewhere that DCA seems to be crazy in the morning and then the crowd shifts to DL for the PM. Any truth in that? If so we were going to try the opposite.

Thanks!

I'm not a local, so I'm not sure how true it is. Right now the cheapest AP options that are only available to those who live in SoCal are blocked out until the end of August. For us on a Saturday we went by again at 7 and RSR was a posted 150 minute wait. The night before it was closed and Luigi's was an hour. Weekdays should be much lighter since there are less locals with APs who are going to go on a random Wednesday.

Looking at your itinerary, I'd say scope things out Wednesday and if the lines are still too long then plan to hit the parks early on Thursday.

 

[TP2000]

I'm ready to see DL for the first time. I'm also going to try to not compare and contrast ( as hard as that may be ) and enjoy it for what it is.

Uh... go ahead and compare and contrast! Disneyland Resort in Summer 2012 is more than up to that challenge.

But seriously, comparing and contrasting the two American resorts is fascinating. Once you get over the shock of the very small Castle at the end of Main Street USA, sitting in the shadow of a very large Matterhorn mountain, I think you are going to be surprised at what they have on offer there in Anaheim.

Just don't expect to have every business transaction end with the canned corporate phrase "Have a Magical day!" and you'll find Disneyland and Disney California Adventure a treat for the senses and a reminder of what Disney does best.

 

[Britt]

Uh... go ahead and compare and contrast! Disneyland Resort in Summer 2012 is more than up to that challenge.

But seriously, comparing and contrasting the two American resorts is fascinating. Once you get over the shock of the very small Castle at the end of Main Street USA, sitting in the shadow of a very large Matterhorn mountain, I think you are going to be surprised at what they have on offer there in Anaheim.

Just don't expect to have every business transaction end with the canned corporate phrase "Have a Magical day!" and you'll find Disneyland and Disney California Adventure a treat for the senses and a reminder of what Disney does best.

We did Disneyworld last year, are headed again in Sept of this year, and are planning an "adults only" vacation next year with our best friends to Disneyworld next year as well, but I'm trying to convince my husband that we need to go to DisneyLAND at some point. He thinks it will be boring compared to WDW and that we were spoiled. I think it will be a ton of fun, just different fun!

How many days do you think are enough at WDL? I mean....there are never enough, buuuuut....lol Do you think 2 days with park hopper would be good??

 

[Californian Elitist]

Uh... go ahead and compare and contrast! Disneyland Resort in Summer 2012 is more than up to that challenge.

Just don't expect to have every business transaction end with the canned corporate phrase "Have a Magical day!" and you'll find Disneyland and Disney California Adventure a treat for the senses and a reminder of what Disney does best.

I agree, it's ok to compare and contrast.

Oh goodness, I HATE that "Have a magical day!" crap. I can't stand it, and I'm glad CMs at Disneyland rarely or never use it.

 

[fractal]

So happy you have another report here. I absolutely loved your last trip report!! Can't wait to read about your adventures in Cali. I cannot believe how much your kids have grown since you last WDW report!

Thanks! Amazing how fast they do grow.

Congrats to Sterg and his team!!! Can't wait to read about the happenings and how they do!

And can't wait to hear about your trip to Disneyland!!!!!!!

Leaving in two day! Getting more excited. Thanks!

I'm not a local, so I'm not sure how true it is. Right now the cheapest AP options that are only available to those who live in SoCal are blocked out until the end of August. For us on a Saturday we went by again at 7 and RSR was a posted 150 minute wait. The night before it was closed and Luigi's was an hour. Weekdays should be much lighter since there are less locals with APs who are going to go on a random Wednesday.

Looking at your itinerary, I'd say scope things out Wednesday and if the lines are still too long then plan to hit the parks early on Thursday.

Thanks for the tips!

Uh... go ahead and compare and contrast! Disneyland Resort in Summer 2012 is more than up to that challenge.

But seriously, comparing and contrasting the two American resorts is fascinating. Once you get over the shock of the very small Castle at the end of Main Street USA, sitting in the shadow of a very large Matterhorn mountain, I think you are going to be surprised at what they have on offer there in Anaheim.

Just don't expect to have every business transaction end with the canned corporate phrase "Have a Magical day!" and you'll find Disneyland and Disney California Adventure a treat for the senses and a reminder of what Disney does best.

Naturally, it will be difficult not to compare and contrast. What I want to try to do is enjoy DL for what it is and then after the trip, reflect back on it vs. WDW. I'm afraid of walking thru the park and just saying, this is worse or this is better, etc.

We are really looking forward to the opportunity!

 

[Billy6]

Naturally, it will be difficult not to compare and contrast. What I want to try to do is enjoy DL for what it is and then after the trip, reflect back on it vs. WDW. I'm afraid of walking thru the park and just saying, this is worse or this is better, etc.

We are really looking forward to the opportunity!

Guilty! I did this when I went to DL. I just said to myself "these are new rides" and formulated an opinion after I left.

 

[fractal]

waiting in line for star tours now. i said i didnt want to compare and contrast but that is impossible. lots to report on when we get back!

 

[Britt]

waiting in line for star tours now. i said i didnt want to compare and contrast but that is impossible. lots to report on when we get back!

EEEK! Can't wait!

 

[Californian Elitist]

waiting in line for star tours now. i said i didnt want to compare and contrast but that is impossible. lots to report on when we get back!

Hope you got a Fastpass, LOL! Happy you and Sterg got there safely and don't be afraid to compare!

 

[mamamouse]

HOLY COW they grow up quick !!!

 

[DznyRktekt]

Egroeg Sacul!

 

[flipadeeflop]

Another Fractal TR!!!!! I can't wait!

 

[TP2000]

i said i didnt want to compare and contrast but that is impossible. lots to report on when we get back!

I knew it would be impossible!