The Unexpected Journey

[devores 382]

One thing to note, and a major difference between DL and WDW, is that all of the ride queues are outside. Once you walk through the doors of the attraction, you are boarding the ride.  

 

So who guessed the ride above?

 

If you said finding nemo, you are correct.

 

This is the same as the ride at EPCOT except you ride through it in a sub and all the story telling takes place underwater. I like this version way better than the shell ride at EPCOT. Even though the subs smelled like dirty wet feet.

 

This used to be the submarine voyage ride.

 

But it was rethemed. Disney likes to recycle old rides.

 

 

Directly across from Nemo was an area I wanted to see. It was Disney innovations. There was a display I wanted to see in there.

 

Disney innovations is basically EPCOT all under one roof. Many may recognize the building its in.

 

 

Look familiar?

 

That's the old COP building. Now it houses science exhibits. Its very similar to that of EPCOTs innovations.

 

It has the Power City game

 

 

and the huge map that displays where people are from. Only you enter your info at the map and not on Spaceship Earth.

 

Theres also some displays for energy conservation and recycling.

 

But I was here for something way cooler.

 

 

This.

 

Stark Industries brought out the Iron Man suits for display.

 

They had every suit.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

They even had a virtual simulation where you can be outfitted with a suit and try it out. I didn't want to wait the 30 mins to try it, so I just snapped a quick pic to show you.

 

 

After this, it was getting late so we had discussed heading back to the hotel. Remember, we had worked all night, traveled all day, and are now wandering the park. We were beat. But wait, our scouting expedition had only gotten us as far as Main street, Fantasyland, and part of Tommorowland. This is not working out.

 

So we head towards Main Street again, only to be side tracked by yet another walk on.

 

Any guesses?

 

 

Yes, Buzz was a walk on. When I say walk on, I mean walk on. I barely was able to snap this pic.

 

Buzz at DL was WAY better than Buzz at WDW.

 

In DL you can hold the blasters in your hands. See Buzzes blaster in the pic above?

 

That's how you play the game in DL. They are not connected to the ride vehicle.

 

The targets are also better and light up for bonus points the more you shoot them. The blaster also responds and vibrates and lights up to tell you you hit a target.

 

At the end of the ride, you have the option to view and email your photo to yourself. Yes, you get to email your photo. You can still buy it, and the email version is not that great, but you still have that option.

 

 

Ok, so lets review.

 

Our scouting mission didn't even get us half of the park.

 

We saw the parade, walked through the castle, rode Mr Toads wild ride, Nemo, saw Innoventions, and rode Buzz. And we were hungry and beat.

 

So we decided to head back to the hotel and get some dinner. On our way out we stopped for a photo op.

 

 

DL has Photopass photographers as well. Its the same system and your cards from WDW can be used here as well. I stopped at quite a few, mainly to compare theirs with ours, but we did end up with some good photos.

 

We decided to eat at the PCH Grill which is the restaurant in the hotel. It was decent food comparable to any other Disney restaurant. After eating we relaxed a bit.

 

But, our day wasn't over yet.

[Total Joker ... TJ 203]

Loving the report Dave! :popcorn:

[disney4dan 68]

Awesome report Dave - I can almost smell the popcorn from here!

[BradyBzLyn...Mo 2,023]

Great stuff!  Love hearing/seeing the differences between the parks and attractions.

 

Gotta say, all this "walk on, no wait" talk has me seriously contemplating a trip west at some point... 

[alexwyattmommy 181]

I may never head out to the West coast again, so this is super great TR for me.  Your scouting is about what we would do too.  Loving all the pictures.

[Beckers 1,136]

The Iron Man suits pure awesomeness

[Tri-Circle-D 2,059]

It looks like you're wearing a Fort Wilderness t-shirt in that photo of you and the Mrs.

 

Respect.

 

So how is it that you only had to pay for the plane and food?  Do WDW CM's get admission to DL?  And I know CM's get a discount on rooms, but I never heard of a 100% discount.

 

That is weird how all those rides were walk-ons.  This was a Friday evening, right?

 

TCD

[4mickey2 41]

great tr so far.  i feel the addition of california adventure has really helped dl.  it's been a few years since we have been out there. glad you are taking us along.  :)  great pics and the the one of the two of you turned out really nice.  can't wait to read  look at more pics from your trip.

[devores 382]

Loving the report Dave! :popcorn:

 

Thanks. You are starting your own adventure soon and cant wait to hear how yours goes.

 

Awesome report Dave - I can almost smell the popcorn from here!

The popcorn, bakery, and candy store. They all waft through the park making you hungry every step.

 

Great stuff!  Love hearing/seeing the differences between the parks and attractions.

 

Gotta say, all this "walk on, no wait" talk has me seriously contemplating a trip west at some point... 

I had forgotten how little the wait times were. It was funny because the longest wait we ever had was 20 mins, and there people complaining about how long that was.

 

I may never head out to the West coast again, so this is super great TR for me.  Your scouting is about what we would do too.  Loving all the pictures.

Yeh, our scouting didn't do us much good. We got to ride some awesome rides, but it didn't help us out any on day 2.

 

The Iron Man suits pure awesomeness

I know. The pictures do not do it justice. There is talk of them bringing them to FL at some point.

 

It looks like you're wearing a Fort Wilderness t-shirt in that photo of you and the Mrs.

 

Respect.

 

So how is it that you only had to pay for the plane and food?  Do WDW CM's get admission to DL?  And I know CM's get a discount on rooms, but I never heard of a 100% discount.

 

That is weird how all those rides were walk-ons.  This was a Friday evening, right?

 

TCD

Yes, that is a FW shirt I am wearing. Good eye. I had allot of CMs ask about it and a few never knew Disney had a campground. Its funny how CMs can know so little about Disney.

 

Yes, as a CM, we get into every park free (minus Tokyo Disneyland) and free parking. The room was a gift to us. CMs do get discounts at all Disney resorts (except Tokyo).

 

DL is a local park. So the crowds are not as bad as WDW. This being a Friday around 5pm, everyone is just getting off work or school. I didn't mind.

 

great tr so far.  i feel the addition of california adventure has really helped dl.  it's been a few years since we have been out there. glad you are taking us along.   :)  great pics and the the one of the two of you turned out really nice.  can't wait to read  look at more pics from your trip.

Yes, CA did help Disney out. The DL was becoming old and the locals wanted something different to do, so CA was made to revitalize that.

[devores 382]

We are now going to finally wrap up day one.

 

I would normally not plan a vacation to any Disney park during a weekend. If were up to me, I would have made it during the week to avoid crowds.

 

But, Disneyland only has the fireworks "Remember Dreams Come True" on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday.

 

Weird, huh?

 

Well, because DL is surrounded (very closely) by businesses and houses, they are only allowed to have fireworks on the weekends or special occasions requested way in advance.

 

So we had to visit during the weekend.

 

But we were tired, and cold. Once the sun drops in California, so does the temps. It went from 82 to 55 in a matter of a couple of hours.

 

So we decided to fully enjoy the fireworks in the park on day 2.

 

But, we could still see them from our hotel. And, they pipe the soundtrack in. They have a viewing deck next to the pool where you can sit and watch the show with the soundtrack, or the have pipe it into your rooms via a television channel if you wanted to stay in your room and watch out the window.

 

This is the parking garage while we wait.

 

 

I do not have many photos of the fireworks from this night.

 

I took allot, but I do not want to spoil the show for later. So I will just post some teasers so you can see what our view was.

 

 

This photo shows how close everything is. That bluish light towards the bottom of the photo is the castle.

 

 

 

After the show (which was at 9pm) we decided to hit the hay. We had extra magic hour in the morning. No I didn't forget the s to make it plural, resort guests get into the park an hour early. That's it, one hour. No night extra magic. Just one measly hour, and we had allot to do. So we wanted to be well rested for our combat park day.

 

So lets review day:

 

Parade

Castle walk through

Mr Toads

Nemo

Iron Man

Buzz

Fireworks

 

That's quite a list, all this took place in 4 hours. Not bad huh?

 

Day 2 proves to be equally as exciting, but you have to wait.

 

I have photos to upload before I can continue any further.

 

[mouseketab.....Carol 1,261]

One thing to note, and a major difference between DL and WDW, is that all of the ride queues are outside. Once you walk through the doors of the attraction, you are boarding the ride.  

 

So who guessed the ride above?

 

If you said finding nemo, you are correct.

 

This is the same as the ride at EPCOT except you ride through it in a sub and all the story telling takes place underwater. I like this version way better than the shell ride at EPCOT. Even though the subs smelled like dirty wet feet.

 

This used to be the submarine voyage ride.

 

But it was rethemed. Disney likes to recycle old rides.

 

 

Directly across from Nemo was an area I wanted to see. It was Disney innovations. There was a display I wanted to see in there.

 

Disney innovations is basically EPCOT all under one roof. Many may recognize the building its in.

 

 

Look familiar?

 

That's the old COP building. Now it houses science exhibits. Its very similar to that of EPCOTs innovations.

 

It has the Power City game

 

 

and the huge map that displays where people are from. Only you enter your info at the map and not on Spaceship Earth.

 

Theres also some displays for energy conservation and recycling.

 

But I was here for something way cooler.

 

 

This.

 

Stark Industries brought out the Iron Man suits for display.

 

They had every suit.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

They even had a virtual simulation where you can be outfitted with a suit and try it out. I didn't want to wait the 30 mins to try it, so I just snapped a quick pic to show you.

 

 

After this, it was getting late so we had discussed heading back to the hotel. Remember, we had worked all night, traveled all day, and are now wandering the park. We were beat. But wait, our scouting expedition had only gotten us as far as Main street, Fantasyland, and part of Tommorowland. This is not working out.

 

So we head towards Main Street again, only to be side tracked by yet another walk on.

 

Any guesses?

 

 

Yes, Buzz was a walk on. When I say walk on, I mean walk on. I barely was able to snap this pic.

 

Buzz at DL was WAY better than Buzz at WDW.

 

In DL you can hold the blasters in your hands. See Buzzes blaster in the pic above?

 

That's how you play the game in DL. They are not connected to the ride vehicle.

 

The targets are also better and light up for bonus points the more you shoot them. The blaster also responds and vibrates and lights up to tell you you hit a target.

 

At the end of the ride, you have the option to view and email your photo to yourself. Yes, you get to email your photo. You can still buy it, and the email version is not that great, but you still have that option.

 

 

Ok, so lets review.

 

Our scouting mission didn't even get us half of the park.

 

We saw the parade, walked through the castle, rode Mr Toads wild ride, Nemo, saw Innoventions, and rode Buzz. And we were hungry and beat.

 

So we decided to head back to the hotel and get some dinner. On our way out we stopped for a photo op.

 

 

DL has Photopass photographers as well. Its the same system and your cards from WDW can be used here as well. I stopped at quite a few, mainly to compare theirs with ours, but we did end up with some good photos.

 

We decided to eat at the PCH Grill which is the restaurant in the hotel. It was decent food comparable to any other Disney restaurant. After eating we relaxed a bit.

 

But, our day wasn't over yet.

I still have my original FP card, (I think it was in the second printing). Most of the FP folks at WDW get a kick out of it, but the FP photogs at DL "really" got a kick out of seeing it.  Apparently, not too many folks keep their card, they just keep getting new ones.

[Beckers 1,136]

Is that a pic of something on the parking garage? I can't make it look like a character.

[Tri-Circle-D 2,059]

Like Lou, I was thinking there had to be some reason for you to be taking this trip.  Like you were going to a wedding or something.

 

I didn't believe that you would go to California for a weekend and just go to DL, when you have been working (and living) in WDW for over six months now.

 

But, I guess you did just go to see Disneyland.

 

I've heard of some crazy things.  This is up there.

 

And, I would do the same thing if I just had to pay for the plane and food.

 

TCD

[mouseketab.....Carol 1,261]

One thing to note, and a major difference between DL and WDW, is that all of the ride queues are outside. Once you walk through the doors of the attraction, you are boarding the ride.  

 

So who guessed the ride above?

 

If you said finding nemo, you are correct.

 

This is the same as the ride at EPCOT except you ride through it in a sub and all the story telling takes place underwater. I like this version way better than the shell ride at EPCOT. Even though the subs smelled like dirty wet feet.

 

This used to be the submarine voyage ride.

 

But it was rethemed. Disney likes to recycle old rides.

 

 

Directly across from Nemo was an area I wanted to see. It was Disney innovations. There was a display I wanted to see in there.

 

Disney innovations is basically EPCOT all under one roof. Many may recognize the building its in.

 

 

Look familiar?

 

That's the old COP building. Now it houses science exhibits. Its very similar to that of EPCOTs innovations.

 

It has the Power City game

 

 

and the huge map that displays where people are from. Only you enter your info at the map and not on Spaceship Earth.

 

Theres also some displays for energy conservation and recycling.

 

But I was here for something way cooler.

 

 

This.

 

Stark Industries brought out the Iron Man suits for display.

 

They had every suit.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

They even had a virtual simulation where you can be outfitted with a suit and try it out. I didn't want to wait the 30 mins to try it, so I just snapped a quick pic to show you.

 

 

After this, it was getting late so we had discussed heading back to the hotel. Remember, we had worked all night, traveled all day, and are now wandering the park. We were beat. But wait, our scouting expedition had only gotten us as far as Main street, Fantasyland, and part of Tommorowland. This is not working out.

 

So we head towards Main Street again, only to be side tracked by yet another walk on.

 

Any guesses?

 

 

Yes, Buzz was a walk on. When I say walk on, I mean walk on. I barely was able to snap this pic.

 

Buzz at DL was WAY better than Buzz at WDW.

 

In DL you can hold the blasters in your hands. See Buzzes blaster in the pic above?

 

That's how you play the game in DL. They are not connected to the ride vehicle.

 

The targets are also better and light up for bonus points the more you shoot them. The blaster also responds and vibrates and lights up to tell you you hit a target.

 

At the end of the ride, you have the option to view and email your photo to yourself. Yes, you get to email your photo. You can still buy it, and the email version is not that great, but you still have that option.

 

 

Ok, so lets review.

 

Our scouting mission didn't even get us half of the park.

 

We saw the parade, walked through the castle, rode Mr Toads wild ride, Nemo, saw Innoventions, and rode Buzz. And we were hungry and beat.

 

So we decided to head back to the hotel and get some dinner. On our way out we stopped for a photo op.

 

 

DL has Photopass photographers as well. Its the same system and your cards from WDW can be used here as well. I stopped at quite a few, mainly to compare theirs with ours, but we did end up with some good photos.

 

We decided to eat at the PCH Grill which is the restaurant in the hotel. It was decent food comparable to any other Disney restaurant. After eating we relaxed a bit.

 

But, our day wasn't over yet.

I still have my original FP card, (I think it was in the second printing). Most of the FP folks at WDW get a kick out of it, but the FP photogs at DL "really" got a kick out of seeing it.  Apparently, not too many folks keep their card, they just keep getting new ones.

[devores 382]

I still have my original FP card, (I think it was in the second printing). Most of the FP folks at WDW get a kick out of it, but the FP photogs at DL "really" got a kick out of seeing it.  Apparently, not too many folks keep their card, they just keep getting new ones.

Most people do not realize that card is good for ever. Even if they change the system, they write in for the prior cards to be good. I like seeing all the different cards and some photographers actually collect them.

 

So, note to all reading: If you have a photopass card, keep using it. For one, if you have already registered it online, your photos will automatically show up in your account. Two, you don't have to worry about keeping track of multiple cards.

 

Ive had some guests walk in with 10 cards before. Aint nobody got time for that........

[devores 382]

Is that a pic of something on the parking garage? I can't make it look like a character.

Its Goofy riding a surf board.

 

Like Lou, I was thinking there had to be some reason for you to be taking this trip.  Like you were going to a wedding or something.

 

I didn't believe that you would go to California for a weekend and just go to DL, when you have been working (and living) in WDW for over six months now.

 

But, I guess you did just go to see Disneyland.

 

I've heard of some crazy things.  This is up there.

 

And, I would do the same thing if I just had to pay for the plane and food.

 

TCD

We are Disney nuts (if you cant tell). I have been to every Disney "thing" except Hong Kong. My wife has only been to WDW and 3 crusies. She wanted to see were it all began and see how different the Disney parks can be.

 

The free admission and discounts we get make it more feasible.

 

We realized later in the trip that we get a discount on everything with that little blue card.......so food was even discounted.

[Tri-Circle-D 2,059]

 

 

We are Disney nuts (if you cant tell). I have been to every Disney "thing" except Hong Kong. My wife has only been to WDW and 3 crusies. She wanted to see were it all began and see how different the Disney parks can be.

 

The free admission and discounts we get make it more feasible.

 

We realized later in the trip that we get a discount on everything with that little blue card.......so food was even discounted.

 

Cool.

 

I didn't know you had been to all the parks but Hong Kong.  Somehow I think you'll make it there too.

 

Have you been to Camp Davy Crockett in France?

 

TCD

[Tri-Circle-D 2,059]

Carol's quote of a previous post reminded my of a comment I meant to make.

 

I don't recall anything like this scene in the Finding Nemo ride at Epcot:

 

 

 

It's interesting that there are differences between the WDW and DL attractions.  Like, what Dave said about Buzz.

 

I've also heard that DL's Pirates ride is much different, as is their Haunted Mansion and Space Mountain.

 

It would be interesting to go just to compare everything.

 

But, it's weird how everything is combined into just two parks.

 

TCD

[devores 382]

Cool.

 

I didn't know you had been to all the parks but Hong Kong.  Somehow I think you'll make it there too.

 

Have you been to Camp Davy Crockett in France?

 

TCD

 

I have not. Its about 20 mins from the park and they do not have shuttles like they do here. So we never made it there. At the time, I was more interested in the parks rather than the resorts. But If I ever make it back there (which I will if my wife has anything to do with it) then I will check it out.

[mouseketab.....Carol 1,261]

So what level of CM do you need to be to get the admission to the other parks?  One of my dreams is to visit the other parks around the world, but in one long trip. Would seasonal qualify?

[devores 382]

Carol's quote of a previous post reminded my of a comment I meant to make.

 

I don't recall anything like this scene in the Finding Nemo ride at Epcot:

 

 

 

It's interesting that there are differences between the WDW and DL attractions.  Like, what Dave said about Buzz.

 

I've also heard that DL's Pirates ride is much different, as is their Haunted Mansion and Space Mountain.

 

It would be interesting to go just to compare everything.

 

But, it's weird how everything is combined into just two parks.

 

TCD

The differences are not that great on most rides. The scene you quoted is just part of the pre show to get you into the main show area. The main show, with the exception of it being underwater, is the same.

 

Buzz, however isn't even the same ride except for the name and theme. Its completely different. you will see how others stack up as we get to them.

[Nicki aka Rebelstand 272]

loving this TR

[devores 382]

So what level of CM do you need to be to get the admission to the other parks?  One of my dreams is to visit the other parks around the world, but in one long trip. Would seasonal qualify?

As long as you get an ID and a main gate pass, you can get into any Disney park free. The level will determine how many guests you can bring with you and how many times you can bring a guest.

[mouseketab.....Carol 1,261]

The differences are not that great on most rides. The scene you quoted is just part of the pre show to get you into the main show area. The main show, with the exception of it being underwater, is the same.

 

Buzz, however isn't even the same ride except for the name and theme. Its completely different. you will see how others stack up as we get to them.

I was thinking the name was different too, something like "Buzz Lightyear Astro Blasters"

 

Yep, I was right, just checked the Disneyland website, the name is different.  At MK it is Buzz Lightyear Space Ranger Spin

[devores 382]

I was thinking the name was different too, something like "Buzz Lightyear Astro Blasters"

 

Yep, I was right, just checked the Disneyland website, the name is different.  At MK it is Buzz Lightyear Space Ranger Spin

I don't count name differences as being a big deal. most things at DL are similar but have different names.