Anaheim to Aloha! A Mother/Daughter Trip to California and Aulani...May 2023! Updated 9/27!!!

[buzzrelly]

As I said, the best part of the WOC dessert party was the view...

The show was really cool.
Aside from the very beginning with Walt,
our favorite parts were the Star Wars scenes...

It kind of reminded me of the old Star Wars fireworks at DHS back in 2016
that we loved so much!

We loved the show and were really happy we did the dessert party
but we had it booked for a second night a couple days later and decided once was enough so I looked on the app and luckily we were able to cancel for a full refund.

When it ended, we were absolutely beat even though it was only 10pm
because it was really 1am back home and we had been awake for 22 hours

Luckily, it was a short walk wack to the DLH...


We took quick showers and went straight to bed and slept like rocks that night
since we had to be up bright and early the next day for our first DL Rope Drop!

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[dizneedoll]

Yeah the rats. Ive never actually seen one but had heard about them and you're right, that is exactly why all the cats are there. Live in exterminators.

 

[2xcited2sleep]

Wow. The view is amazing. That's kind of how I think about the Florida dessert parties. I'm paying for reserved space and seat and view and if the food/beverage is good that's a bonus. Yikes on the party crasher! Unfortunately we have them in FL too. Speaking of critters, I once saw a snake slither across the toes of a woman in front of me watching Illuminations (obviously years ago). She was wearing flip flops. Chaos ensued and the poor cast members had to try to trap it / shoo it away. I think they do take a lot of steps behind the scenes to deter wildlife but can't control everything.

 

[disneyAndi14]

I would love to see WOC, minus the rat of course!
I really need to plan a DL trip, it is on my must do as is a cruise.
I love all the video and I really loved the SW fireworks at DHS.
I wish those would come back.
Excited to hear more!
Happy 4th!

 

[DisneyyDaydream]

From behind where Allie was sitting,
a huge RAT came sauntering out of the bushes
and kind of walked through the walkway and then into the bushes in front of us

Nope nope. Absolutely not

 

[buzzrelly]

Yeah the rats. Ive never actually seen one but had heard about them and you're right, that is exactly why all the cats are there. Live in exterminators.

I'm kind of glad I never knew this was a DL thing!

I really need to plan a DL trip, it is on my must do as is a cruise.

Absolutely!!

Happy 4th!

Thanks, you too! Ours was rained out, unfortunately! We had terrible thunderstorms for hours and were forced out of the pool

Nope nope. Absolutely not

I agree, but whatcha gonna do?? Haha!

 

[rdkeim]

Enjoying reading about your day at DL. But, the rat. Oh my word I would have had a total freak out moment. Minus the rat, your TR sure makes me want to go back - our last trip there was about 10 years ago. I loved WOC and would love to see it again! Thanks for sharing your trip.

 

[Woth2982]

I am not sure I have ever seen the rats, but I read the Book Mouse Tales many years ago, and it discussed them. I believe there is a whole chapter devoted to them, but yeah that is why the cats are there! I am glad he didnt ruin the night! WOC is so amazing. I was so hoping that Rivers of Light or the now defunct Epcot show were going to be like WOC. What a let down both were. Dont try and re-invent the wheel Disney when you already have gold! I am very impressed you both made it 22 hours! Glad you slept well!

 

[buzzrelly]

Minus the rat, your TR sure makes me want to go back - our last trip there was about 10 years ago. I loved WOC and would love to see it again! Thanks for sharing your trip.

Thanks for reading!

 

[buzzrelly]

I am not sure I have ever seen the rats, but I read the Book Mouse Tales many years ago, and it discussed them. I believe there is a whole chapter devoted to them

I can't believe I've never heard of them...after you said this, I did a quick Google search and there are many stories about sightings

WOC is so amazing. I was so hoping that Rivers of Light or the now defunct Epcot show were going to be like WOC. What a let down both were. Dont try and re-invent the wheel Disney when you already have gold!

I had planned to watch ROL a few times and with all the bad reviews I never even bothered. I did watch Harmonious exactly ONCE and never bothered again...it was kind of a snooze. A WOC-like show would work well in either of those parks, let's hope they get the message!

 

[buzzrelly]

MAY 18, 2023
A TOAD-ALLY AWESOME ROPE DROP


We were up bright and early the next morning, which wasn't hard considering we came from CT and our bodies were still on Eastern time. We were also super excited for our FIRST DL rope drop! It seemed like I had been planning this forever, which it really had been!

But first...I left Allie getting ready in the room in hopes of finding a cup of coffee. I ended up getting one at the little shop next to the Fantasyland Tower...sorry, I don't remember what it was called, but it's right next to Goofy's Kitchen. It was literally disgusting anyway and I think I drank about half and then dumped it

Allie met me downstairs and we had our first experience with security at rope drop...that was fun . The line snaked up towards Paradise Pier Hotel and then looped back again. Once security opened, it moved along okay, but we were happy we had gotten there early (but maybe not early enough?). I also don't understand why they haven't upgraded their security process like WDW has. To go from walking through a metal detector in WDW to now having to open up all our zippers and have them paw through everything is my literal nightmare. We also encountered a very rude lady who, in her rush to grab her bag from the counter, knocked Allie's sunglasses off and the broke them. She didn't even stop to pick them up or apologize and Allie was not happy.

We finally made it through all that and after a little walk through Downtown Disney,
arrived at Disneyland


Allie and I had talked about where we should go first...
I had something in mind and when she said the same thing
I knew I had done my job right as a parent


Yup! Our first ever ride at DL was the classic, Peter Pan
It's funny because it isn't either of our favorites, but it just felt right.

Afterwards, we headed towards a ride I had been looking forward to
for years and years and was so happy to finally get my chance to ride...




And us in a very blurry pic because the CM hit the gas as soon as we sat...


Can I just say, I loved this ride!
It was crazy and wild and weird and so much fun!
Now that I've been on, it really makes me sad that they took this away in WDW

Keeping with our tour of Fantasyland, we went on Snow White's next...


It's an okay ride, nothing we'd need to repeat.
It's funny though that a lot of the scenes were just like 7DMT and I wasn't expecting that. Obviously, 7DMT wins this ride showdown easily, but I can see how kids would like it.

Next, we continue our tour of "thrill" rides...





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[buzzrelly]

We didn't have too much of a plan this morning, we just kind of went where our feet took us.

Hello, Monstro...

We never did get back and ride the Storybook Canal.
I don't think it was open yet now and we tried one other time but the line was kind of long and we didn't feel like waiting.

There was another ride close by that was high on my bucket list...

I know some of y'all will think I'm crazy, but I love IASW
and I was super excited to ride the OG

We were literally the only ones there and got the whole boat to ourselves




We both thought it was so cute and loved the outdoor queue and all the added IP...


We were heading back to see if Alice in Wonderland was open yet
because it had been down before and while walking,
we began to notice all these benches everywhere.


Not only were there tons and tons of benches over here,
there were a bunch in the hub in front of the castle.
It's almost like you can actually sit and rest in Disneyland...imagine that!
Why oh WHY doesn't WDW have as many???

Anyway, we got back over to Alice and she was still in wonderland or something
so we didn't end up riding today.


We instead headed towards Tomorrowland to our first Genie selection.

That's next!


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[froggibabey]

The benches all over made me laugh, because when I was maybe 11 or 12, my Nana and I turned around and my grandpa was just.. gone.

We finally found him sound asleep on a bench, snoring like a chainsaw, with Peter Pan standing next to him pointing and laughing.

 

[vamassey1]

I'm here and enjoying catching up.

My dream trip would be DL and Aulani too and DL Paris too.

I know I would make tons of mistakes in DL and DCA, it so far out of my norm.

Loving all the new experiences, but not the rat.

We're booked to be in WDW in December around your dates. We're going to for a very short trip. Dec 17th -21st. It will he our holiday visit with Danielle and I want a Candlelight Processional redo since I had to cancel last year. Hoping we can meet up again.

 

[DisneyyDaydream]

Allie met me downstairs and we had our first experience with security at rope drop...that was fun .

The true Mel swan song!

great pic!!!

 

[buzzrelly]

The benches all over made me laugh, because when I was maybe 11 or 12, my Nana and I turned around and my grandpa was just.. gone.

We finally found him sound asleep on a bench, snoring like a chainsaw, with Peter Pan standing next to him pointing and laughing.

Oh my gosh, what an amazing memory! I could see my mom taking a nap over there if she was with us! Whenever we are in WDW I always just assume if she's sitting, she's sleeping

I love that Peter Pan got in on the fun!

 

[buzzrelly]

I'm here and enjoying catching up.

Hi Vanessa!

My dream trip would be DL and Aulani too and DL Paris too.

Oooh, I want to go to DL Paris too! I've never been to Europe and want to change that in a year or two!

We're booked to be in WDW in December around your dates. We're going to for a very short trip. Dec 17th -21st. It will he our holiday visit with Danielle and I want a Candlelight Processional redo since I had to cancel last year. Hoping we can meet up again.

Awesome! I hope we can meet up! We are booked for Jollywood on 12/16 and MVMCP on 12/19 and leave on 12/20. We definitely want to catch the CP one of the other nights too!

 

[OKW Lover]

Oooh, I want to go to DL Paris too! I've never been to Europe and want to change that in a year or two!

DL Paris is a beautiful park! But don't let it distract you from the beauty of Paris itself. Make sure you have time for both when you do plan this trip.

 

[2xcited2sleep]

I didn't realize they still had the "old" security procedures out there. Ugh. What a pain. Sorry about Ally's sunglasses. Mr. Toad is such a wild ride, literally. Such a crazy theme for kids. But I remember mostly loving it as a kid in WDW. I was always a little concerned in the train portion. I had to get the popcorn bucket when they released it recently for nostalgia. Agree the DL IASW is so much better. Looks like it was a really fun day!

 

[buzzrelly]

MAY 18, 2023
WE GET IT NOW!

On our way to Tomorrowland, we spotted some cuter wildlife


Our first Genie was for Hyperspace Mountain...




It currently had a Star Wars soundtrack and I loved this ride!
I thought it was a lot of fun! Allie was (surprisingly) disappointed.
She somehow prefers the old rickety WDW Space Mountain better
I rarely go on SM in WDW anymore because I feel beat up when I get off,
but if this was there I would ride every time!

Afterwards we headed across the hub to Pirates,
noticing even MORE benches along the way...​

I think all the DL people take this for granted
but coming as a WDW person I was seriously annoyed
(clearly why I took so many pics of benches!)!

My annoyance at the benches only increased after we rode Pirates
and I finally saw for myself why people like this one so much better!

Seriously.
I was so in awe on this ride and it was so amazing
that about half way through I realized I've been duped all these years at WDW
This ride should come with a warning for WDW people to not ride
because I don't think I'll ever look at our Pirates the same again

My rage dissipated quite quickly once we exited
we turned a corner and saw the little Mint Julep bar...


Yummmm
I could not stay mad after having these delicious beignets,
even though we should have shook them more in the bag
to coat them with the powdered sugar, and Mint Juleps.
When I went up to order I asked Allie if she wanted one
and she was kind of hesitant about the Julep
so I just ordered one for her and I'm glad I did
because she and I both ended up loving them!

We were finally starting to see why people love DL soooo much...
Amazing Fantasyland!
Mr. Toad's!!
Small World!!
Hyperspace Mountain! (me, not Allie)
BENCHES!!!
Pirates!
and now Beginets and Mint Juleps!

It wasn't even 9:30 and we were in love

Let's see if we can keep this love fest going on Haunted Mansion...




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