First Timers to Disneyland - Day 2, Part 1

[Magic Smiles]

Thursday, day 2 of our trip started early. DS and myself got up early to go to the Disneyland Early Morning hours. DH was still tired and so decided to meet us at 11:30 am.

We arrived at the park a little after opening http://i904.photobucket.com/albums/a...1030297web.jpgaround 7:17 am to what was going to be another beautiful day. It was still overcast, but after being in California for a week, I pretty much knew that it would burn off soon. We headed straight over to Space Mountain http://i904.photobucket.com/albums/a...1030303web.jpg snapping a few pictures on the way. http://i904.photobucket.com/albums/a...1030304web.jpgThe wait time for Space Mountain was 10 minutes, which was great. Space Mountain in DL is so much better, well maybe not better, but definitely smoother & more comfortable than in WDW. I don’t think that I can say that I prefer any attraction at one park over the other. I just really enjoy them all. To me Space Mountain in DL does seem to be much darker than in WDW. From Space Mountain we headed over to our favourite attraction. Anyone remember what that was? Yes Buzz Lightyear Astro Blasters. http://i904.photobucket.com/albums/a...1030318web.jpg I have to say that the one is DL is much harder than in WDW. Our scores were always higher in WDW. Guess we'll have to keep practicing. From Buzz we decided it was time to try something new, so off we went in search of Matterhorn Bobsleds. http://i904.photobucket.com/albums/a...1030321web.jpg Of course, I had no idea where it was so followed DS. Just as our luck would have it, the Bobsleds were down. Come back later..oh wait, it is going to start up.., oh no it’s not. Finally after a few minutes of this, they decided it would be starting up very soon. They closed down the left side and opened up the right, so we were off and sledding within 10 minutes as most people in the line had left by all the indecision that was going on. I had no idea what to expect of the Matterhorn, but thought it was pretty good. Kind of tame, but I really enjoyed how it sounded and felt like I would imagine a real bobsled to feel like. Like I would know!

Since the park had just opened to everyone, we decided to check out a couple of attractions in Fantasyland before the crowds poured in. Fantasyland is not a land that we usually spend much time in, so it was off to Alice in Wonderland. http://i904.photobucket.com/albums/a...1030353web.jpg http://i904.photobucket.com/albums/a...1030354web.jpg How extreme! We then relaxed on the boat while taking in Storyland. Can you tell that DS was really enjoying Fantasyland? http://i904.photobucket.com/albums/a...1030366web.jpg The things he does for his Mom. I thought the Storyland tour was cute and the bonsai trees are amazing. No pictures of the bonsai trees as I was video taping that part of the tour. Now we were getting really hungry and since the park was open to everyone, we figured we would go grab some breakfast. Off we headed to Tomorrowland Terrace. I had the Sunrise Breakfast and DS the French Toast Sticks. I'm not a fan of eggs and these were not good. Okay, before the next confession, I know we are not suppose to, but we did..feed the birds. And anyways you really had to look hard on the napkins to see the Do Not Feed the Birds statement. It all started with just one little bird…then they came. Lots of little birds. http://i904.photobucket.com/albums/a...1030376web.jpg We have a pet budgie and just love birds. These guys pretty much got my whole muffin and some of my egg, but none of my bacon. I do not share my bacon. We probably sat there for a good hour and then of course had to make a pit stop at the ladies room. http://i904.photobucket.com/albums/a...1030379web.jpg I just thought this washroom was cool.

I had to do a lot of talking to get DS to go on this next ride. DH never did go on it the whole trip and this turned out to be my one and only time on it this trip. http://i904.photobucket.com/albums/a...1030387web.jpg The more I go on It’s a Small World, the more I enjoy it. I really liked how you loaded onto the boats outside instead of being in a building. http://i904.photobucket.com/albums/a...1030393web.jpg I took LOTS of photos on IASW. I love how vibrant everything inside is and how all the countries are portrayed. http://i904.photobucket.com/albums/a...1030411web.jpg Well maybe not how ALL the countries are portrayed. We checked out the store http://i904.photobucket.com/albums/a...1030453web.jpg and headed over to Mickey’s Toontown http://i904.photobucket.com/albums/a...1030461web.jpg and took a spin on Roger Rabbit’s Car Toon Spin. http://i904.photobucket.com/albums/a...1030465web.jpg http://i904.photobucket.com/albums/a...1030474web.jpg http://i904.photobucket.com/albums/a...1030477web.jpg I thought it was fantastic. We spent some time looking around the store http://i904.photobucket.com/albums/a...1030490web.jpg the town http://i904.photobucket.com/albums/a...1030495web.jpg (love this sign) http://i904.photobucket.com/albums/a...1030506web.jpg and of course taking photos. There was almost nobody around and so was great for picture taking. I just loved this tree but have no idea what it is. http://i904.photobucket.com/albums/a...1030505web.jpg

We figured we would start heading back towards the entrance, as we knew it would take a long time, as I seem to get side tracked quite easily. We came across Mr Toad’s Wild Ride http://i904.photobucket.com/albums/a...1030523web.jpg and thought about going on it, but decided to wait until DH was with us as we had never experienced it before. We both had a try at pulling the sword out of the stone http://i904.photobucket.com/albums/a...1030525web.jpg, but with no success. It was then into Sleeping Beauty Castle’s for a tour. http://i904.photobucket.com/albums/a...1030546web.jpg Upon exiting the castle we came across a Knight in Shining Armour with a Disneyland Map. http://i904.photobucket.com/albums/a...1030566web.jpgOkay maybe the knight’s armour wasn’t shining and maybe someone I know put the map in his hand, but just maybe. Through or did we go around the castle and what did we stumble upon but a Photopass Photographer? Since I had already planned on purchasing the CD I wanted to get as many photos as possible. I like how these photographers willingly take a photo with your own camera also. http://i904.photobucket.com/albums/a...1030576web.jpg As luck would have it there was yet another Photographer in our path back to the entrance. Had to stop for him also. DS and DH really dislike these Photopass Photographers. They are not into the photography like I am and tire of it quickly. As we were making our way down Main Street through the shops we happened to pop out of the exit and came across http://i904.photobucket.com/albums/a...1030588web.jpg Mickey himself. We stopped to listen to the band play as they stopped right in front of us. http://i904.photobucket.com/albums/a...1030591web.jpg Strolled through a few more shops and then out of the park to meet DH as we were going to check out California Adventures after we met up.

[Disneymom4ever]

Wow, what a great start to your day! Aren't teenagers funny? My 16 yr. old makes goofy faces for my pics now, lol. That's a really nice pic of you two in front of the castle! I treasure those kinds of pics, they are growing up so fast!

[NotaGeek]

Thanks for the reports so far!

What kind of camera do you have? It takes great pics!

[tinkwest]

What a great morning. I especially like your picture of the birdies that joined you for breakfast.

[Magic Smiles]

Thanks for the reports so far!

What kind of camera do you have? It takes great pics!

I actually had 4 cameras with me on the trip, but the majority of the pictures were taken with my newest one. A Panasonic Lumix ZS3. It also does HiDef Video. I really like it and I think it did a pretty good all around job. The firework photos that I took with this camera did not turn out very good at all, but I was not using a tripod due to the crowds. I have an Olympus DSLR, but it is too bulky to carry all the time and I am too lazy. With the Lumix, I could just pop it into the pocket on my purse with no concerns about it. As I had just bought it before the trip I did not know too much about it. Had I known on the trip what I know now about the camera, the pictures may have been even better.

[Phantod]

Love your report. So you couldn't pull the sword out of the stone, huh?

My little tiny DD when she was 7 or 8 could do it....of course with a little help from Merlin.

I think that was the day our DD decided that one day she was going to live at DL. I think working the Jungle Cruise/Tiki Room/Haunted Mansion and others qualifies.

Looking forward to your next report.

[pdrlkr]

Thanks for the Report!

[mouseketeer mom]

haha! LOVE the pic of your son on the storybook ride. haha!!! What a good sport! I am enjoying this so much, I can't even tell you. We are torn between the Grand Californian and DL hotel..did you get to check the latter one out?

[Magic Smiles]

haha! LOVE the pic of your son on the storybook ride. haha!!! What a good sport! I am enjoying this so much, I can't even tell you. We are torn between the Grand Californian and DL hotel..did you get to check the latter one out?

We looked around the lobby of the DL Hotel a bit, but not much else. DH liked the lobby at the DL Hotel better than the Grand Californian, but as we didn't see much else we couldn't really compare. But then we always stay at the POFQ in WDW. As far as location goes, you cannot beat the Grand Californian. DL Hotel is at least double the walk to the parks. If was to ever go back I would not stay anywhere but the Grand Californian.

[mouseketeer mom]

We looked around the lobby of the DL Hotel a bit, but not much else. DH liked the lobby at the DL Hotel better than the Grand Californian, but as we didn't see much else we couldn't really compare. But then we always stay at the POFQ in WDW. As far as location goes, you cannot beat the Grand Californian. DL Hotel is at least double the walk to the parks. If was to ever go back I would not stay anywhere but the Grand Californian.

Really?? double the walk?? Hmm...thats something to think about. What did you DH like about the lobby of the DL hotel?

[FRANKTASMIC]

Great reports, I love how you are not trying to compare DL to WDW, you are seeing the good in both places and you are open to which one you like the best. I have seen so many times when people complete this reports, and they feel like they have to bash one or the other park. They are both great in their own way, and you have to enjoy them for what they are. Thanks for being open to new things. Love your reports so far.