The Unexpected Journey

[devores 382]

Thanks for the info.  I'm looking into possibly upgrading my Nikon P7000 and getting back into the DSLR world.  While my P7000 has all the functionality of a DSLR, it doesn't allow interchangeable lenses. I currently have a Nikkor low-light lens (A 1.4 - ?), a macro lens, and a long zoom that I'd love to be able to use again.  I'm not into auto focus ... would rather have creativity than simplicity ... so many choices! 

We use the D90s at work, if that means anything. They are good cameras, but no camera is designed for the use we put them through. On a typical day, I take about 1500 pictures. And that's just me. The dayshifter who had the camera before me takes just as many so the cameras can take 3000 and up photos a day.

[devores 382]

We have made it to day 4.

 

This is our final full day.

 

Our intentions for today were to relax and hit the attractions we had missed.

 

Of course, these plans were made before we knew we would get everything plus some done.

 

So we sleep in and decide to walk around DTD.

 

Our resort was on this street

 

 

That's the Grand Californian you see in the background

 

This was a Monday around 10 am

 

 

Notice the crowds?

 

 

Remember that cool monorail Lou loved so much?

 

They had a stop in DTD

 

 

With a valid ticket, you could board the monorail in DTD and it would take you directly into Tomorrowland. That's the only two stops it makes.

 

They had one of our favorites

 

 

and it was lunch time and no one was waiting in line.

 

So we grab some lunch while we were here.

 

Another look back at DTD

 

 

 

One of the resorts is the Disneyland hotel

 

 

It is at the end of DTD

 

 

Their pool was themed pretty nice.

 

The monorails are actually the slides. You load the slide from the monorail door and slide down inside the monorail.

 

 

The lobby had allot of photos from DLs past

 

 

and a nice outdoor fireplace where you can relax

 

 

and here is a map of the DTD area to give you an idea of the layout

 

 

We decided to catch a ride on that cool monorail

 

 

Notice there are people sitting in front. They still allow that here.

 

These are the Mark VIIs

 

 

That's scary knowing that the other VI failed in some way to make it to VII.

 

There are actual seats in the monorail, so no standing. The end of the cars had seats like WDW cars do, then there were seats down the middle.

 

Also, if you notice in the first picture of the monorail Mark VII, the windows are opened.

 

We get off the monorail in Tomorrowland and walk up to the Jedi Training Academy.

 

Now, this is the same show as HS.

 

The cool part is how Darth Vader and the Storm Troopers enter.

 

Remember Elvis form a couple days ago?

 

Remember how I said he left the bldg.?

 

Its the same stage used for the Academy.

 

 

 

They raise up out of the ground.

 

Then Darth lowers back down after the show.

 

 

But you will notice the storm troopers stay above ground and run off instead of following Darth.

 

 

Wonder where they run off to?

 

After the show, we walk past star tours and see the wait is just 10 mins.

 

We had nothing better to do, so we rode it.

 

Plus, we found where those storm troopers ran off to.

 

 

Star Tours is the same ride.

 

After star tours, we ride Buzz again, because we liked it and the wait was zero.

 

We pick up a couple of DL specific items and head to the front.

 

Our plan was to lounge by the pool.

 

On our way, we run into yet another show.

 

 

The band was playing music and Mickey and Minnie sang and danced.

 

 

 

 

Then Mickey conducted the band.

 

 

After the show, we headed back to the resort and sat poolside for a few hours.

 

There is a bar at the pool where you can order drinks and appetizer type food.

 

It was a warm day, but not warm enough to get in the water.

[DaveInTN 3,247]

You are making me want to take a trip west. 

[alexwyattmommy 181]

It does look pretty tempting.

[dblr....Rennie 224]

Great trip report now the wife wants to finally go there, really like all the random shows they have wish there were more in Florida, thanks again for all the fantastic photos!!!!!!!!!!!

[devores 382]

Well, we finally made it. The last update of this TR.

 

After the pool, we headed back to CA one last time.

 

The wife wanted a postcard (I didn't know they still made them) for her scrapbook.

 

We use the entrance in the GC and walk into another show.

 

 

This one had Minnie singing and dancing in a pilots uniform. 

 

 

The show wasn't very long, maybe 5 mins, and after the show Minnie met with guests in front of a plane they had parked in the area.

 

 

The wife found her post cards and we left.

 

It was getting to be dinner time, so we stopped for dinner on our way back.

 

The only Pood Forn from the whole trip.

 

 

Mojitos and chips and salsa.

 

After dinner, we headed back to the resort to pack and get to bed early.

 

We had an early morning the next day which had us leaving for the airport at 5 am.

 

The flight home was uneventful and we arrived back at the Fort safe and sound.

 

Instincts kicked in and we felt like it was our first night at the Fort and everyone knows what that means.

 

Yes, we got a GAG for dinner.

 

We had a great time on the trip and cannot recommend it enough to any Disney fanatic.

 

I apologize to those who are now compelled to head west or whose spouse is now planning a trip. You will enjoy it, your wallet may not, but you will. 

 

So this concludes our trip and the one TR from me for the year.

[devores 382]

You are making me want to take a trip west. 

Head west young man, haven't you been told? California's full whiskey, women, and gold.

 

It does look pretty tempting.

It was worth it and if you get a chance, go.

 

 

Great trip report now the wife wants to finally go there, really like all the random shows they have wish there were more in Florida, thanks again for all the fantastic photos!!!!!!!!!!!

The randomness of it is what I think is the best. We are spontaneous people. Which is evident in that this whole trip was thought of and planned in about 3 weeks. So not having a schedule to drive our vacation made it much more relaxing and enjoyable.

[Tri-Circle-D 2,059]

Excellent job, Dave!

 

It is amazing what you got done in one weekend.

 

I think you are right-there will be some trips out west inspired by your report.

 

I can't get over how much more cool stuff Disneyland has compared to the stale stuff at WDW.  I guess a big reason for all the shows in DL is that there are out of work actors everywhere.

 

TCD

[GaDawgFan.....Kelly 799]

It is more than simply having ears that light up. They are synced up to different triggers. There is a signal broadcast that triggers the ears to do what they want them to. So, they would have to design the show sequence and install the infrastructure then sell the ears at WDW. This would have to be done across all areas/shows they want the ears to react to. So it really is a huge undertaking. DL is a much smaller park so the undertaking isn't that bad. But at a place like MK, you could run into signals bleeding into areas they are not wanted (i.e. if they are synced to MSEP, there may be signal contamination from another area along MS that triggers the ears.)

Excuses, excuses....

What's the reason WDW can't have singing mice?

[alexwyattmommy 181]

When we enter those sweepstakes, it is always with the thought of winning the trip to DL.

[Beckers 1,136]

When we enter those sweepstakes, it is always with the thought of winning the trip to DL.

Same here. I can't wait to make it out there some day.

[devores 382]

Excellent job, Dave!

 

It is amazing what you got done in one weekend.

 

I think you are right-there will be some trips out west inspired by your report.

 

I can't get over how much more cool stuff Disneyland has compared to the stale stuff at WDW.  I guess a big reason for all the shows in DL is that there are out of work actors everywhere.

 

TCD

We found ourselves comparing the two throughout the entire trip. Some things we missed from WDW and others we wished they would bring to WDW.

 

One big reason it seems stale is we see it all the time. DL is something new. Im sure if the shoe was on the other foot, it would be the same. DL seems stale and WDW is something cool.

 

And for being one weekend, we got more done than we expected. Results may vary for others........

 

 

Excuses, excuses....

What's the reason WDW can't have singing mice?

Singing mice? We do have singing mice. Watch the Castle stage shows or parades. Mickey, Minnie, even Donald sing during these.

 

 

When we enter those sweepstakes, it is always with the thought of winning the trip to DL.

We are exempt from those sweepstakes. Being CMs we cant enter. So we have to pay our way.

[DaveInTN 3,247]

How many Fiends can say they ordered a GAG for dinner on their first night HOME from vacation? 

[CCIntrigue...aka Gwen 547]

How many Fiends can say they ordered a GAG for dinner on their first night HOME from vacation? 

 

That would be wonderful!

[devores 382]

How many Fiends can say they ordered a GAG for dinner on their first night HOME from vacation? 

:10220: me

[devores 382]

How many Fiends can say they ordered a GAG for dinner on their first night HOME from vacation? 

:10220: me

[Total Joker ... TJ 203]

Great report Dave. Thanks for bringing back so many great memories. :bravo:

[momof3kids-Yvonne 596]

Great report!

Add me to the list of people wanting to take a trip to DL & CA. I did get to spend a day in DL with a friend back in 91. Truthfully before your report I really did not have a desire to go back. Thanks for enlightening me to the pros of a trip to the west coast.

I know you really didn't take any pood forn pictures and your trip seemed to not involve heavily on "where to eat", but I was wondering just on your casual observations were there places to eat which seemed more in demand than others. It seems like many of the trip reports focusing on DW are filled with places people like to eat. I especially notice this regarding Character Meals as many have pointed out it is a guaranteed way to see the characters without having to wait in line. Did you happen to notice if the same philosophy rang true at DL & CA?

[BradyBzLyn...Mo 2,023]

Great TR, Dave!  Loved seeing and hearing about the differences between DL and WDW and the photos were terrific.

 

And returning home for a GAG... well that's just icing on the cake.  :)

[Big Kahuna aka John 71]

Thanks Dave...   It was a great trips and the photos were awesome...  See you in July !

[devores 382]

Great report Dave. Thanks for bringing back so many great memories. :bravo:

No problem. Hows your training going? Let me know when you start officially, so I can avoid the busses.....lol

 

 

Great report!

Add me to the list of people wanting to take a trip to DL & CA. I did get to spend a day in DL with a friend back in 91. Truthfully before your report I really did not have a desire to go back. Thanks for enlightening me to the pros of a trip to the west coast.

I know you really didn't take any pood forn pictures and your trip seemed to not involve heavily on "where to eat", but I was wondering just on your casual observations were there places to eat which seemed more in demand than others. It seems like many of the trip reports focusing on DW are filled with places people like to eat. I especially notice this regarding Character Meals as many have pointed out it is a guaranteed way to see the characters without having to wait in line. Did you happen to notice if the same philosophy rang true at DL & CA?

We did not dine in any restaurants, mostly quick serve. So did not experience them first hand. But through observation, it did not seem as bad. I would not see a problem just walking up to the plaza restaurant without ADRs and getting in at lunch time. They only have 5 character dining locations, and 3 are located in the resorts then one in each park and all of them are breakfast only to dine with the characters. Im sure they can get a bit busy at those times and would definitely make ADRs if that's something you're into.   

 

We could have eaten in some of the nicer places without an ADR and only a slight wait. You did see allot of people bringing in picnic lunches, and DL even had a picnic area set they could goto to eat. I guess this is the locals saving some cash, but there were allot.

 

Sorry for the lack of info. But we went to DL to experience it, not eat. Food was the bottom of our priority.

 

Great TR, Dave!  Loved seeing and hearing about the differences between DL and WDW and the photos were terrific.

 

And returning home for a GAG... well that's just icing on the cake.  :)

Thanks, it was a blast and the GAG just reminded us that we were home.

 

Thanks Dave...   It was a great trips and the photos were awesome...  See you in July !

Thanks,

[AC in A2......Aaron 693]

World of Color looked cool.

 

Love all the neon in CarsLand.

 

GAG upon arrival at home.......BRILLIANT!

 

Thanks for sharing Dave.

[devores 382]

World of Color looked cool.

 

Love all the neon in CarsLand.

 

GAG upon arrival at home.......BRILLIANT!

 

Thanks for sharing Dave.

Thanks,

 

Carsland was my favorite area in CA. Maybe cause it was new and still had that new carsland smell. But they did a great job on the area.

 

World of Color was cool. You would have to see it a couple of times to fully appreciate it. There are allot of little details you miss if youre transfixed on the main show.

 

And every first night at the Fort calls for a GAG. Didn't want to break tradition. We haven't had a first night at the Fort in a while, so we seized the opportunity.

[BradyBzLyn...Mo 2,023]

So either this is a coincidence or other folks are reading along (Hi!) as Chip & Company just posted an article on choosing an airport to fly into Disneyland...

 

http://www.chipandco.com/choosing-disneyland-airport-126645/

[devores 382]

That's funny.