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Becky Ham -- April 1999 -- DisneylandApril 22-23, 1999 Family:
We decided to go on this trip a couple months after we returned from a trip last December, 98. That time we went with another family for 1 day between Christmas and New Years. It was very crowded that day and that probably wouldn't have been too bad except that Jeanie (the other mother) had broken her foot 5 days earlier. Since they were using tickets bought through the military, they expired on 12-31. So they decided to go anyway. They rented a wheelchair and we were able to use the courtesy "go to the front of the line" on most of the rides. But the wheelchair, combined with all the crowds made it such hard going that we really didn't see that much. By that time, I had also read all these wonderful trip reports about how great the Fantasmic show was and really wanted to see it. So I talked my husband into another trip by just mentioning that I wanted to go again. Imagine my surprise when he said, he wanted to go again too! I promptly got out my AAA tour book of CA and started calling hotels for prices and looked through the DIG web site for hints. I remembered how bad the traffic was due to all the construction and I wanted to get a hotel that we could walk to Disneyland from. There was a link on the DIG web site to a web site that had just that info. So I was able to get exactly what I wanted. David and I were so glad to be able to walk to and from Disneyland. The traffic was only 2 lanes, one each way, right in front of the main entrance. So it was very conjested! Because we were planning on going for 2 days, I got the kids the 3-day flex passes for $54 each($50 w/MKC). David and I used the Southern CA discount of $29. We had to buy our tickets that day, but it only took an extra 10 minutes. I brought Melinda's stroller and we took snacks and water in a backpack. Thursday, April 22 Drive up from San Diego, Fantasyland. Weather: Cool and overcast, Temperature 68 to 70. We got up about 7am and packed the last minute things and headed out by 8:30AM. This worked out really great because we missed all the morning traffic in San Diego and L. A. We actually got to Disneyland in 90 minutes, instead of the 2 hours it usually takes. We parked at the Best Western Anaheim Inn, registered and got our parking sticker. We walked in at 10:15 and were able to register. Our room wasn't ready yet but they had no problem with us leaving our car there. This was a nice hotel, no restaurant but there are lots within walking distance. We got a 2 bedroom on the third floor, nothing spectacular. It did have a refrigerator already in the room, which I hadn't expected. Our only complaint was that the water pressure in the shower was not the best. We walked over to Disneyland and were in the park by 11AM. The kids were really excited, all 4 of us!! As we walked up Main Street, it felt great to be back. We were headed to Fantasyland and planned to spend most of the day there. Just as we got to the hub, we noticed they were having some kind of a presentation. It turned out to be something to do with the Earth week celebrations that California had been having all week. One of the elementary classes in the area was getting a special presentation. I'm not sure what for, because we only caught the last ten minutes of it. However, they were introducing the officials there and mentioned Walt Disney's son and his wife. Sorry, I can't remember their names. But, he sure does look like his father. Anyway, there were lots of characters there. Mickey, Minnie, Donald Duck, Pluto, Goofy, Chip and Dale, Ariel ( my daughter is a huge Ariel fan). After they finished the speeches and were giving each of the kids a little medallion to remember the day by, this goup of singers came on stage and started singing the Hero song from the movie Hercules. Definitely a Disney moment. One thing that was kinda cute was how they moved Ariel off stage while the singers distracted the audience I looked for her after a moment and she had disappeared. They must have used the moment to move her offstage. Good timing, don't you think? Anyway, the rest of the characters got into some really old cars with the school kids and they all proceeded down Main Street with a band playing in front of them. Only at Disney!! We walked over to Fantasyland and proceeded to go on every ride there except the Carousel. They were all great and we usually waited in line about 10 minutes. The longest wait was at the Storybook canal for about 20 minutes. Melinda really tickled me. After every ride, she would say, let's go on that again. Both of them really enjoyed themselves. Most of the rides, David and I had been on years ago. My family grew up going to Disneyland about once a year. And in Southern CA, once you're in Junior High, the schools sponsor trips to Disneyland. So David and I have been more times than I can count but we had quit going until we took Ryan 4 years ago. Many of the new rides, we had never been on. I had made autograph books for Ryan and Melinda; his was Mickey Mouse and hers, Minnie Mouse. I put stickers on the pages of the characters we might see at Disney. We caught up with Snow White at Sleeping Beauty Castle and waited about 10 minutes for her signature. Melinda got it, Ryan didn't. I think it wasn't enough of a boy thing for him. She was really nice to the kids, and she even sounded like Snow White in the movie. We moved on to Frontierland, stopping along the way to go to the Tiki room. We enjoyed this a lot. I haven't seen it in years and the kids really enjoyed the singing birds. It had been getting cooler all day so at this point David walked back to the car to get long pants for everyone and a jacket for himself. I waited in line with Melinda and Ryan to get Ariel's signature. Translate that to, I waited in line and Melinda and Ryan played in the area. They both loved the flying water over the walkway to Ariel's grotto. I really had a hard time keeping them from getting wet. It was fascinating the way it shot over in a perfect curve. David and I both have HAM radio licenses and had brought them in. He had given me one before he left for the car. We used those to keep in contact with each other when we separated. They really came in handy. By the time, we got up in line to be the next person to see Ariel, the CM said that Ariel was taking a break because she had to "get her fins wet!" So, we waited a few minutes and she came back. What fanfare to just to come back from a break! They had mist coming out of the rocks and the CM made this big, elaborate announcement and as they turned the rock around that she sits on, there was this big spray of water that got some of the kids wet. Boy, it really impressed the kids and it was fun to watch. After David came back and we had all changed into warmer clothes we walked over to Adventureland and wandered past the Indy Jones ride, and realized there was no line. NO LINE?! We walked back. Melinda was too little to go on it, so David waited with her and I went in with Ryan. The CM said it was about a 15 minute wait. Now this was about 5 PM so I couldn't believe there was such a small wait. We walked and walked and finally stopped. This was my first time on it, so we weren't sure how far back we were but a little bit before you get to where the rope is for those of you who are experts. Ryan was really getting worried about the music and the dark atmosphere. It helped that there was a boy behind us that he could talk to but I could tell he wasn't going to be able to go on the ride. He really got worried when he watched the movie about the ride. So when we got to the jeeps, I asked the CM if he could wait for me and of course, it was no problem. So I went by myself, what a blast! It was exciting and fun. Well worth that loong 15 minute wait. I still can't believe it was so short. David went after me and he enjoyed it too. It had rained while we were on the Indy Jones ride and a lot of people started leaving. After that, we went on the Jungle Cruise, 10 minute wait. Great CM, a girl, and she was funny in a nice, sarcastic way. She started "crying" at the end of the ride because she was so upset we were leaving. I enjoyed her humor. Then we did, Pirates of the Caribbean, 5 minute wait. I love this ride. I think every trip report I read says the same thing as I do. It's just such a great ride. This was Ryan's favorite. The only bad thing on this ride was that I was starving when we got on it and the food smell from the Blue Bayou was so good. I knew we had to eat right after!! We got the Clam Chowder bowls and enjoyed them very much. By now, it was about 7:20 and Disneyland was closing at 8PM. We walked over to Splash Mtn. I have to say that I've never seen New Orleans square so empty. By the time we got there, the line was down to the entrance of the mountain. We figure that when we got in line to when we got out it was 30 minutes including going on the ride. How we got so lucky that day, I don't know but it was wonderful. All of us really enjoyed Splash Mtn. I can see why people talk about going on it several times a trip. Even Ryan enjoyed it and he doesn't enjoy the roller coaster rides. Lots of fun and only David got wet. By now it was time to go, so we headed to the hotel. What an enjoyable day. Short lines and lots of new rides. We all had fun. Friday, April 23 We got up early, ate breakfast at the Denny's next door, a forgettable experience, the food was not cooked long enough. Probably trying to hurry as many people through as they can, because we didn't tell them to hurry. We walked over to Disneyland and got in about 8:45AM. Tigger and Winnie the Pooh were greeting guests as we walked in. So Ryan and Melinda got their signatures. Now Ryan was interested! He had Tigger sign on the page with his sticker and Tigger really liked his picture. We walked down Main street and headed to Tomorrowland. We walked right into the Star Tours ride and waited in line about 15 minutes. This ride is similar to one they have at Sea World, with the cabin that everyone sits in. Ryan did ok but Melinda did not like this ride. We went on Honey, I shrunk the Audience next, basically no wait at all. David and I really enjoyed it. We had seen it in December and when the snake part came up I hid Melinda's eyes and Ryan ducked down. So they missed that part and enjoyed the rest of the show. We walked out and saw the water ball. I don't know how we missed this in December, maybe because of the crowds. It's fascinating. Unfortunately, it was cool that day or I would have let the kids get wet playing in it. But I was afraid that they wouldn't dry out. We walked over to the Star Arcades and played a couple of games. Ryan (and David) could have stayed here for a long time. They love arcade games. But we kept moving. David wanted to go on the Matterhorn but the kids were overloaded on fast rides and starting to get upset. So we went on to Toontown, where we did Roger Rabbit ride first, maybe 10 min. The kids loved this ride, does that surprise anyone? When we got out, Pluto and Goofy were greeting people so the kids got their signatures. We walked over to the boat and they played around there for a little. Then we talked them into coming out by promising them an island just for kids to play on. Tom Sawyer's Island. We walked over there and got right on the raft to the Island. Melinda was sure we were leaving Disneyland and wouldn't believe that the island was part of Disneyland also. They really enjoyed running around in the caves and climbing on the rocks. Ryan really enjoyed shooting the rifles in the fort. Melinda was showing me around the rocks, explaining where all the "shortcuts" were. We probably spent an hour there. On our way back on the raft, Melinda kept saying, Oh, good, we're going back to Disneyland. We ate at the Hungry Bear restaurant. Good hamburgers and fries. After that, we went on the Haunted Mansion. Melinda and Ryan rode together in one Doom buggy. He complained that she was squishing him, she was sitting so close to him. But they seemed to enjoy it. At this point, we headed back to the hotel for a rest break. I planned this because of advice from all the trip reports. It was a good idea and well worth it. We all slept for about 90 minutes and headed back to Disneyland. The Mulan parade started at 4:30PM. We walked in about 4:00 and got seats on the curb right at the end of Main Street. The parade didn't actually get to us until almost 5PM. It was a great parade, but a lot shorter than the Lion King parade. I thought the colors of the costumes were beautiful. As soon as the parade passed us, it started to rain. Hard!! David said later that it was like the CM controlling the parade had said' " ok, Parade's over. Cue the rain!" It was perfect timing. We headed down Main Street to the Tomorrowland Autopia, passing all the people who were heading out of the park. Short line and by the time we got in our cars, the rain had stopped. Ryan and Melinda drove and David and I supplied the gas. Lots of fun. I have such wonderful memories of this ride. I have always done this ride every time I come to Disneyland. We headed over to New Orleans square, Melinda and I stopped to go to the Tiki room once more and David and Ryan headed off to the shooting gallery. Men stuff, you know!! They were waiting for us when we got out and we walked over to New Orleans square. It was about 6:30 by now and I wanted to get a good seat for the Fantasmic show. So we selected a spot close to where Al Lutz (DIG web site) recommended. There were already lots of people staking out spots on the walkway. Then I went with Melinda on the Haunted Mansion again. A walkon, however, David had given me the HAM radio to take with me, because we weren't sure how long the line would be and as I was getting onto the Doom buggy, it came off my belt. Thank heavens it was right where the CM were loading guests. I realized it halfway through the ride and controlled my panic until I could tell the CM at the end of the ride. As soon as I told him, he assured me they had already found it. What a relief! I went back up to the front and waited for them to bring it up to me. Definitely, definitely a Disney moment. When I got back, David took Ryan on the POTC. Also a walkon. Then I went in search of dinner. David and I wanted the clam chowder bowls again and those were easy to get. The square had really started to fill up by now and when I returned with the food, it was packed. So then I left to get the kids their food. I went to the River Belle Terrace and got Ryan a Hot Dog plate and Melinda a salad. That's all she wanted! We ate our food and then David took Melinda to the POTC. While they were gone, it started to sprinkle. I started to get depressed because I knew that if it rains, they cancel the show. About 8:30, they announced that the show might not go on because of the rain. Just as they did, the rain lightened up and stopped completely a few minutes later. About 8:40, the towers started rising and the crowd started cheering. I won't spoil the Fantasmic show for anyone who hasn't seen it, but it was really a magical show. The show is tied together so nicely and the different props and boats are all used in the show. The water scenes can be really beautiful and the music blends so well with the different parts. It truly was wonderful and beautiful and it made me realize why I love Disney so much. It touches our desire for beauty and gives us a chance to share with our children memories that are meaningful to us. After it was over, we followed the waving yellow lights of the CM's out to Main Street and headed over to Tomorrowland. We were going to get on the Monorail, David's request, but after standing in line for 30 minutes, I said there's no way we can do this. They only have one way running at a time, because there is only one track now. It would have taken too long. So, we slipped over to the Autopia and rode it one more time before we left the park. Then we headed out of the park and to our hotel. We got up late the next day, 8AM and headed out of L A about 10AM. But because of a car accident down in San Diego, we didn't get home until 12:30. It backed the traffic up on HWY 5 past Del Mar. SUMMARY: Thanks to all the people who wrote trip reports and especially to Brian Bennett and Al Lutz. What great web sites with so much information. I know it made it more fun to have all that "inside" information. We had a nice combination of old familiar rides and brand new ones. Must repeats are Indy Jones and Splash Mtn. We shopped in the stores more this time than we had done before. It was great having two days to visit. It gave us time to enjoy being there without having to rush, rush from ride to ride. We will not go back to driving up and back in one day ever. I'm trying to get up the courage to mention WDW. But with Disneyland so close it's hard to justify the cost. I hope you enjoyed this report. I plan to keep it with the pictures in a scrapbook. Becky Ham DH4DHAM@aol.com or bham@alarismed.com Mail a Comment to Becky Ham |
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