Originally Posted By DDMAN26 So last Thursday, my sister and I went out to Orange County to visit family. My cousin, her husband and three and half year old son came along. In the plans was a day at both DL and DCA. We got to the parks at 7:45 for an early start. My cousin is pregnant so she couldn't go on some of the rides so she went over to DCA to get fast passes for Radiator Springs. They were out fairly early, so later in the day we walked through the area. Very good theming. I got a chance to observed Luigi's Tires, looked just okay. However while she was attempting to get the FP for RDSR the rest of us hit with very little wait for each Space Mountain-I think I may like this version more than WDW. I haven't been on the WDW one in a few years but I really thought this was a bit zippier and I loved the soundtrack. Star Tours-I liked it, but the simulator rides were never my favorite, still it was good to see it spruced up a bit. Buzz Lightyear-Always a fun ride. Finding Nemo Submarine Voyage-It's cute but that's about it. After my cousin and son went to Mickey's Toontown while the remaining three went on Indiana Jones-Loved it. Probably my favorite ride on the park. Again we where able to walk on with no issue. After we met up with the rest of the group and all of us except my cousin rode Big Thunder Mountain. What can you say, it's a great ride. After that we headed over to Pirates, I get now why people say this is the superior version. It's a much longer show and I really liked the theming. I love WDW's version but this really is the one to see. After that we headed over to DCA. While we were there we got a fast pass for Soarin. There we rode: California Screamin-Fun coaster. Toy Story Mania-Liked it more than Buzz Lightyear and I love Buzz Lightyear. Just a fun concept. We then used our fast pass on Soarin. It's a terrific ride just relaxing and very peaceful. We stopped for a fast pass for Grizzly River Run. The Voyage of the Little Mermaid.-Somehow my cousin's husband and I ended up riding to together in a pink colored clam shell. It's a cute ride. Stopped for lunch, at some greek type place, food was good. Then we rode Grizzly River Run We rode Mike and Sulley to the rescue. Again like the Little Mermaid, a cute ride. Then we went to see the Aladdin Show. I really enjoyed it. Thought it well done and the Genie made me laugh. We left DCA and then headed back to DL. I liked the park. Granted I never saw it from the beginning but I enjoyed my time there. There we rode: Haunted Mansion-Loved it. Mr. Toad-Good to see an old friend. It's A Small World-Never my favorite but it's was something I wanted to see. After that we were all kind of tired. So we didn't get see Jungle Cruise or Splash Mountain. But still for a first time there I really enjoyed my time there and would definitely go back.
Originally Posted By tashajilek Sounds like you had a pretty good time. Did you end up doing Carsland?
Originally Posted By Kidz-n-k9s I enjoyed reading your comments. They are very similar to my thoughts. I was there Fri-Sun and was SHOCKED at how short many of the ride lines were for the rides. Even Saturday night we found short lines for many attractions. I am thankful that so many others decide to wait the 120+ for RSR so I can enjoy walking onto POTC 5 times in a weekend. (POTC is my 6 yo daughter's favorite). We even walked onto Splash Sunday morning at 10:00.
Originally Posted By Dr Hans Reinhardt Maybe I need to start visiting in late August. When I was there last month the place was manageable but hardly anything in DL was a walk-on.
Originally Posted By tashajilek ^^ I know some schools start in late August, so it may not be a bad idea.
Originally Posted By Dr Hans Reinhardt You're right Tasha. Come to think of it we always started school in September, so I guess that's why I always wait until after Labor Day.
Originally Posted By Kidz-n-k9s I was more surprised because it was a weekend and kids wouldn't be in school. So Cal Select APs were blocked, but regular So Cal Aps were only blocked on Saturday. The other idea I had was many people were going to wait one more weekend for Labor Day for their trip. ??? Don't get me wrong, there were long lines at certain times, but even Star Tours was 20 minutes at about 7 or 8:00 Friday night. I don't consider that a long line for a Friday night since it was 60 minutes when we were there in early June.
Originally Posted By DouglasDubh Damon, didn't you thinK Buzz in DL is vastly superior to the one in MK?
Originally Posted By DDMAN26 You know I only did Buzz Lightyear once at WDW and once in DL. My memories of the WDW are a little foggy, so just because the DL one is fresh in my mind, I'll say I liked it better.
Originally Posted By hbquikcomjamesl > We then used our fast pass on Soarin. > It's a terrific ride just relaxing > and very peaceful. I think you can than the late Jerry Goldsmith for much of the "relaxing and very peaceful" aspect. BTW: did you spot the marking on the golf ball, as it passed?
