Disneyland Trip 2008
This trip was at the end of April and into May. We took advantage of the Disneyland
annual passes we had from last year. We booked flights with ExpressJet out of
Spokane this time. A nice drive to Spokane, picking Jenifer up from a band trip on
the way. An overnight stay at the Ramada beside the airport ...
Our home away from home was at the Howard Johnson - HoJos - as usual. A great
place. We had the top floor - Disneyview rooms again.
A short walk and we're there!
In the Esplande area between the two Disney Parks is our brick.
A ride on the Mark Twain river boat. Posing for a photo in New Orleans Square.
A view from Tarzans Tree House, a ride on Splash Mtn, and a visit with Captain Jack Sparrow
A fine meal at the French Market with live entertainment.
Entering the Big Thunder Mountain Railroad and meeting friends.
Of course the Billie show ...
Underwater with the Finding Nemo subs.
Evening entertainment and views.
Over to Disney's California Adventure park...
One ride on the Grizzly River Run and we are soaked.
Pixar Parade with Tow Mater and Lightning McQueen.
Down Town Disney for good food.
A day trip to SeaWorld in San Diego.
Back near Disneyland - appetizers and dessert at the Cheesecake Factory.
For more Disneyland photos go to:
http://picasaweb.google.ca/WestWind.1200/Disneyland2008#
and:
http://picasaweb.google.ca/WestWind.1200/MoreDisneyland2008#
For more SeaWorld photos go to:
http://picasaweb.google.ca/WestWind.1200/Seaworld#
For more HoJo photos go to:
http://picasaweb.google.ca/WestWind.1200/HoJo#
This is a trip report I posted on LaughingPlace.com. I started this report and posted it while on our trip ...
Well, here
I am typing this on DDs notebook computer in our room at HoJos (topfloor -
Disneyview - building 1). It is getting late, the park is now closed, and most
of the family is asleep. I can turn my head to look out the window at
Disneyland. Some of the colorful lights are still on and the Matterhorn is very
peaceful with just enough light on it.
We arrived here 3 days ago in the late afternoon. After checking in to the room
it was straight to DL. With no plan we just went where we wanted. First ride was
the Matterhorn with about a 20 minute line. The rest of that evening and the
next day was all DL: pirates with no wait, splash with a 30 minute wait and 5
minutes with FP, Big thunder, Peter Pan's Flight, etc, etc, ...
Yesterday was mostly DCA: Soarin with and without FP (20 minutes,5 minutes),
Screamin a few times, ToT a few times with almost no wait. Then DD17 thought we
should ride the Grizzly rafts as there was only a 5 minute wait - real just
about a walk on. Great idea except it was our turn to get wet. We had never been
so soaked on that ride before. We walked out and left puddles where we stood...
it was a blast (would have been nicer if the weather was hot like Monday tho).
Today was a mix. First in to DL, front seats in Space Mtn (that is the best
seat), then Star Tours, then over to watch the Billys in the Golden Horseshoe -
take the monorail to DtD for a little shopping and lunch at the Jazz Kitchen and
a little more shopping - into DCA - the DDs go ride Screamin while DW and I have
a relaxing glass of wine in a good spot to watch the Pixar Parade - great parade
loved it - another ride on ToT (they closed the doors for the day behind us) -
back to HoJos - to Mimis to eat and ... well here I am ...
Tomorrow is a new day in DL. The plan is for a long day and stay to the end...
more to come ...
PS: we were 'dreamed' today in DTD with Mickey ears for all of us!
_______________________________________
Here I am
back in our HoJos room. It is now late Saturday. The park is still open however
we did not go in today as it is a blockout day for our APs. I did not post
yesterday as it was a very long day and we were back too late to post anything.
Friday in the park started a bit late as we knew we would be late leaving. First
stop was the Main Street Cinima for a look at some original cartoons - it was
empty, quiet and cool - a nice break area. The park was more crowded than I
thought it would be. Next stop was a FP for Splash - standby wait time 35 min.
On our way to Big Thunder we made a stop for a trip on Rivers of America on the
Mark Twain because the timing was right to board. A relaxing ride it was. Off
the Twain and onto Big Thunder - wait time 20 minutes. Then over to Pirates (20
minute wait) for a cool down ride. Next stop was for lunch - we were so bad - an
ice cream lunch at the Golden Horseshoe - caught the end of a Billies show as we
were in line, then as everyone cleared out we had our pick of tables. It was
then back to Splash to use the FP - 55 min standby time but with FP - 5 min.
We then headed back to HoJos for a mid afternoon break. For re-entry we walked
through DtD to catch the monorail to Tomorrowland. The entry line was shorter
than the main gates. Getting off at Tomorrowland we stopped to enjoy the live
music at Tomorrowland Terrace - Instant Replay. Our goal was to ensure a good
spot to watch Fantasmic! so we headed that way, stopping to catch the fireworks
from Carnation Plaza and then Frontierland. As people left the area after the
fireworks we secrured our spot on the railing right behing the reservation
seating and waited for Fantasmic! (and we did let the 2 young children behind us
in to the railing so they could get a good view). ... wow great show. After the
show we just soaked up the evening atmosphere in NOS, had a Churro then boarded
the train for an evening ride to Main Street.
It was then some shopping as the park closed. Three of our family headed back to
the hotel and the other three headed to DtD for some late shopping - I think we
were the last customers out of the World of Disney store. Back to the hotel and
to bed was about 1:00 am.
Saturday was a blockout day for our APs so we had plans to go to Seaworld in San
Diego. It was a good day there. Once back to the hotel, we ordered pizza for a
late dinner. We were hoping to watch the fireworks from the hotel but it appears
they did not happen tonight - perhaps too much wind??
The family is all now asleep and here I am on DDs computer on the internet! I
must now go to sleep ... looking forward to another day in the park tomorrow
before we must go home on Monday. I hope to post photos once we get home and
organize them.
PS: One of our rides on Pirates included the many camera flashes of people on
the boat in front us - how annoying.
________________________________________
Our trip
is no longer in progress as we are now home. The last day in the parks started a
bit late for us. We did not have a plan other than to do what we wanted and meet
Shiva and Tinkeroon. The Space Mtn line was 60 minutes and we decided not to
wait ... some indecision but Autopia was next. As we were entering the line, I
recognized Shiva and Tinkeroon (from LP photos posted) near the front of the
line. A quick "Hello" as we were passing in opposite directions was exchanged
but we would meet later. The Matterhorn (west side) was next with a 30 minute
wait.
We then met up with Shiva, Tinkeroon and family for an introduction and photo. I
do hope to meet again and with more LPers. Tinkeroon and Shiva, it was great to
meet you - almost like meeting a celebrity with all the LP posts you do and the
LP photos I have seen. I must say my family was a bit tired at this point after
some long days... also it was the last day of our trip so not quite the same
mood as our first few days.
Then a ride on BTMR (20 min wait)... back to HoJos for a swim before meeting
some hometown friends arriving today. We walked to the Garden Walk to check it
out and had dinner at the Cheese Cake Factory - great food and service. We got
back into DCA to catch the Pixar Parade... 4 rides in a row on Screamin with no
more than a 2 min wait (one was walk right on). Last ride was ToT again (love
that attraction). A little shopping on the way out at "Everything under the
Sun".
The next day was travel day. If we had been very organized we could have
squeezed in one more attraction in the morning before leaving but it didn't
work. Shuttle to the airport, flight, and drive, and we home by 9:30pm.
Now to avoid withdrawals and depression I will organize all the photos, make a
trip movie for us, start thinking of the next trip, wear the Disney shirts, and
visit LP regularly.
We did visit our brick in the Esplanade area each day on the way in and out of
the parks. It was also our meeting place if we separated.
PS: Pollyanna, we have had HoJo rooms 1707, 1709, 1717, and 1719, but not 1711.
I will post photos soon.