Aulani & DL to meet Santa Update 06Jul12 Page 10 Christmas at Disney

[logpey]

Originally Posted by areweindisneyyet

You have made my day! Your report & photo's were amazing! Thank you so very much.. One question, I've read conflicting reports, Do they indeed have a microwave oven in room?

[areweindisneyyet]

Originally Posted by aussietravellers

Love the view from your room! Were you at the end/corner of the tower to have that view? Is that the tower that's closest to Paradise Pier?

Isn't that Volcano at Rainforest Cafe delicious, we have never made it through one, but can't resist ordering when we go, YUM.

Hi Aussietravellers

You are very correct. Having the two bedroom suite we had both corners at the end. We were in the tower closest to Paradise Pier. They close off the end of the hall with double doors so you can move across all the rooms. We loved the view from the 4th floor but the 9th was spectacular.

The six of us got that far on the volcano. We didn't finish our mains as our goal was Volcanoooooooo

Another task off the list.

[areweindisneyyet]

Originally Posted by logpey

You have made my day! Your report & photo's were amazing! Thank you so very much.. One question, I've read conflicting reports, Do they indeed have a microwave oven in room?

I am glad you like them. We didn't have a microwave nor did my parents room next door. We were in the hotel part of Aulani. I would guess the microwaves are in the DVC accommodation.

[logpey]

Originally Posted by areweindisneyyet

I am glad you like them. We didn't have a microwave nor did my parents room next door. We were in the hotel part of Aulani. I would guess the microwaves are in the DVC accommodation.

Oh darn it, I hoped we would! I don't know why, I've never used it before. The Polynesian always had one in Club Level rooms, not sure about the others. Thank you for answering so quickly!

[australiankaren]

ok quick question for you DL experts

if you had a choice of either park would you go to
DL or CA??

on a Thursday or Friday???

and where would you eat for lunch???

what would be your top 3 things to see/ do that we cant in WDW??

we are staying at a lax hotel, so are planing to do a day trip to DL....

help......me........pleeeeeeeeeeeeeeseeeeeeee

oh, and would you do universal or Knotts berry farm, the DH isn't a coaster/ride person, so would be more in shows etc.

[PrincessInOz]

Originally Posted by australiankaren

ok quick question for you DL experts

if you had a choice of either park would you go to
DL or CA??

on a Thursday or Friday???

and where would you eat for lunch???

what would be your top 3 things to see/ do that we cant in WDW??

we are staying at a lax hotel, so are planing to do a day trip to DL....

help......me........pleeeeeeeeeeeeeeseeeeeeee

oh, and would you do universal or Knotts berry farm, the DH isn't a coaster/ride person, so would be more in shows etc.

It depends on whether you plan to park hop or not. DL and DCA entrances are just across the promenade from each other. If they aren't busy, you could do both in a day.

And where to eat depends on how much you want to spend. There are two establishments there that people pay $$ to eat at....one is Napa Rose in DCA and the other is the Blue Bayou in DL. Blue Bayou overlooks the PoTC boarding area. You will definitely want to make ADRs if you plan to eat at either.

I personally like the Matterhorn; but I think it might be closed for refurb for sometime. Not sure if it is under refurb during your travel period.

Indiana Jones is the other major attraction at DLR that you won't find at WDW. I also personally think that Pirates is better at DLR than at WDW.

But its the little touches that make DLR special. Especially around where Peter Pan and Snow White are. The gates and barriers are amazing...they are made of wood and hand worn over time. I love looking at the wood grain and just feeling how smooth the wood has gotten with all those millions of hands rubbing over it. Of course, if you're germaphobic, bring some of that hand sanitizer with you for afters.

If you go to DCA, make sure you get in the swinging gondolas on Mickey's Wheel. Aladdin is a fantastic show at DCA.

I did a day at both parks in my Jan 2011 TR. If you want to check it out, the link is in my siggie below....but be aware that I was really fortunate in that I had great connections....the food porn from DLR that day is from Club 33. The index/quick links should help you navigate through the TR should you want to check it out.

[australiankaren]

Originally Posted by PrincessInOz

It depends on whether you plan to park hop or not. DL and DCA entrances are just across the promenade from each other. If they aren't busy, you could do both in a day.

And where to eat depends on how much you want to spend. There are two establishments there that people pay $$ to eat at....one is Napa Rose in DCA and the other is the Blue Bayou in DL. Blue Bayou overlooks the PoTC boarding area. You will definitely want to make ADRs if you plan to eat at either.

I personally like the Matterhorn; but I think it might be closed for refurb for sometime. Not sure if it is under refurb during your travel period.

Indiana Jones is the other major attraction at DLR that you won't find at WDW. I also personally think that Pirates is better at DLR than at WDW.

But its the little touches that make DLR special. Especially around where Peter Pan and Snow White are. The gates and barriers are amazing...they are made of wood and hand worn over time. I love looking at the wood grain and just feeling how smooth the wood has gotten with all those millions of hands rubbing over it. Of course, if you're germaphobic, bring some of that hand sanitizer with you for afters.

If you go to DCA, make sure you get in the swinging gondolas on Mickey's Wheel. Aladdin is a fantastic show at DCA.

I did a day at both parks in my Jan 2011 TR. If you want to check it out, the link is in my siggie below....but be aware that I was really fortunate in that I had great connections....the food porn from DLR that day is from Club 33. The index/quick links should help you navigate through the TR should you want to check it out.

thanks, will check it out

and of course the food is the most important part of the day

[areweindisneyyet]

Now this morning was a magic morning and whilst we had several over our stay I did not want to be making them all, but this one I did. Well we were up in plenty of time and headed over to Floor 11 for breakfast. Bagels with cream cheese, ham, cheese and hard boiled eggs, cereal, fruit platters and cakes and muffins.




Well once we finished this there was teeth brushing, toilet stops, wardrobe changes and despite leaving the room at 6.25am we did not enter the park until 7.35am. Peter Pan already had a 40 minute wait and Star Tours 20. We jumped on Astro Orbiters as you do, and then while everyone rode Star Tours standby I went and lined up for Fast Passes which do not start issuing until official park opening time. While I waited I rode Buzz twice and they all snuck a quick ride on Space Mountain. Our plan today was to hang around until lunchtime, head back for a rest and then come back to the park for an early dinner at Cafe Orleans and Reserved Seating for Fantasmic.

We rode Autopia, grabbed next lot of FASTPASSES for Space Mountain and then headed through Fantasyland to Frontierland. As we passed the Matterhorn everyone agreed to do the early morning thing better tomorrow.

Well it was time to visit Santa, we had come to meet him at Disneyland after all and DD2 wanted to let him know we were here. So off the Frontierland Ranch we moseyed. We checked out the pardoned Thanksgiving Turkey's and visited the Reindeer. Tinkerbell was helping stock them up on magical pixie dust. We then joined the queue for Santa. And he was just as I imagined him. Perfect. The house was wonderful and the attention to detail amazing.

Santa told DD2 that he loves Australia and picked the accent immediately and then told her that Mickey keeps him posted and his special Santa Radar will have him dropping off presents for sure on Christmas Eve.


Task complete.

Off to Big Thunder were we grabbed a FASTPass. We then headed to New Orleans Square and rode Pirates, walked through the shops and decided to head for Splash Mountain which was a walk on. Well whenever you ride a water ride at Disneyland with me you are safe. No matter where I go, so does the water. Drenched we then headed to visit Winnie the Pooh. We decided to grab some lunch at the Stage Door again. DH grabbed food and I went and got FASTPasses for Haunted Mansion and another lot for Big Thunder. After lunch we jumped on board the Mark Twain for a beautiful ride around the Rivers of America. The things that we noticed along the way that we had never seen before was so much fun.

We decided to head back to the room but not before grabbing Indy Fastpasses. So as we left we had fastpasses for Space, Star Tours, Big Thunder x 2 and Haunted Mansion.

We wandered down Main Street and dropped into City Hall to pick up our Fantasmic tickets. DD2 was fixated with a brass band playing forties swing music. DD2 plays the trombone and watched the trombone player and totally ignored Goofy dancing with members of the crowd.

Back to the room for an hour or so and we changed into warmer attire and headed back to DL by monorail. We all rode Space Mountain on our way to Cafe Orleans for our 4.40pm reservation.

We were seated promptly and a jazz band began just as we sat. Our server was fabulous. The boys had gumbo, and I had a Montecristo and the Pomme Frittes. We all enjoyed the new tastes and flavours. By the time we finished it was just after six and I went to stand in line to select our seating arrangement while everyone else went off to use the FASTPasses.

They left me with no money, by accident and the queue is right next to a Churro cart. OMG They went to Haunted Mansion first and then on a whim they all went and rode Splash Mountain. Dark December night and you are about to sit outside for another three hours, sure lets ride Splash. They had fun an noone complained. They came and bought me a churro before going off to use the rest of the passes. I chatted in line with a mum and daughter from Fresno who were so lovely. At 8pm the opened the seating and as I was first in line I had first pick. Seats 1 through 6 front and centre for the first show. Worth the wait.

I texted DH and they were on their way back from their final ride so we did a toilet stop and at 8.25 we could be seated. They offered hot chocolate, coffee or soft drink straight away. Then the dessert tray. None of us had ever seen Fantasmic and had no idea what to expect. Grandpa was wondering why I was standing around for two hours for...

So as we sat, at 8.45 the fireworks went off and what an amazing view watching them over Big Thunder Mountain. It felt like a private show for us. The whole area was dimmed and it was just spine tingling. At the end of course it snowed, right over us and so thick the girls hair was white. By this time all I was getting were thank-you's. This was just a bonus.





At 9pm Fantasmic started. I did not know where to look but it was Fantastic. On a high we headed back to the monorail so that we could try early entry again tomorrow. DH surprised me, they had kept the Star Tours tickets so we all rode this together on the way out.

Monorail home, just perfect. In total 23 rides today and Fantasmic

I love Disneyland...

[Kangarucci]

Universal Studios may be more to DH's liking as I recall that Knotts Berry Farm do not have many shows compared to US. Maybe a Park Hopper as people rave about "Colours" at DCA and you have the opportunity of visiting both parks.

[aussietravellers]

Originally Posted by australiankaren

ok quick question for you DL experts

if you had a choice of either park would you go to
DL or CA?? I'd probably choose DL, but it is very easy to go from one to the other and it would be great if you could have a wander at CA too

on a Thursday or Friday??? I'd choose Thursday

and where would you eat for lunch??? Well for me, if I had one choice and one choice only.... it would be Carnation Cafe (the loaded potato soup is addictive and if you are lucky, you may meet Oscar as he walks around. Oscar is the longest serving employee at DL, having worked there since 1956 and at Carnation Cafe since 1967. He is so cute!). My second choice is Blue Bayou, I would make my ADR on opening and also get there early to check in and request a waterfront table ADR's are essential for both, well you can go to CC without one, but you can have a very very long wait.
Napa Rose, that PIO mentioned is at GCH resort, not in the parks and it's only open for dinner (no lunch), it is more formal and not somewhere you could go to wearing park clothes, it would require a change of outfit, which to me, on a day trip, fits in the too hard basket,
Actually... thinking of GCH, Storytellers is lovely, food is good, nice lunch menu, if you were at CA, it's easy to just pop in there for lunch. The Wine Country Trattoria, the italian restaurant at CA is also nice if you are at CA, they serve some lovely wines too

what would be your top 3 things to see/ do that we cant in WDW?? Matterhorn, it's lame but the whale ride in Fantasyland (can't remember the name, it may be called Storybook or something like that), Aladdins show at CA and California Screamin at CA

oh, and would you do universal or Knotts berry farm, the DH isn't a coaster/ride person, so would be more in shows etc. Universal would be my pick, but Knotts... haven't been there in a few years, could be fun too

Sounds like a perfect day! (and night) . Glad you enjoyed Fantasmic, we loved our Fantasmic Dessert party and isn't it just the best spot to view the fireworks

They really do do Santa's area up beautifully don't they. And the pardoned turkey, we did the Holiday tour, so she covered the turkey on our tour.

Oh I love DL too, just love it!

[areweindisneyyet]

Holiday Tour up next and hoots of the soup. It is soooooo good. We met Oscar. We ate at blue Bayou for Christmas Eve and Storytellers Christmas Day and Wine Country Trattoria Boxing Day. His trip was also about the eating. Shall feed the hordes and upload more.

[aussietravellers]

Originally Posted by areweindisneyyet

Holiday Tour up next and hoots of the soup. It is soooooo good. We met Oscar. We ate at blue Bayou for Christmas Eve and Storytellers Christmas Day and Wine Country Trattoria Boxing Day. His trip was also about the eating. Shall feed the hordes and upload more.

We have the same tastes Oh, I am going to be DROOLING over your upcoming posts with all of those places included. Isn't that just the best soup, sadly on our last trip we ate there about 10 times I just couldn't get enough of that soup, it was so nice on a cold day

[Ms. Shuttergirl]

Areweindisneyyet - I love your review of Fantasmic. We missed it at DL in 09 and then the crowds drove us away at WDW in '10. I had decided that no matter what I was going to go in WDW this December. I felt in DH and DS didn't want to line up and wait that DD and I would. Your beautiful review has made me even more determined now.

I love the way you write, I hang on every word. Thank you for sharing.

[areweindisneyyet]

Originally Posted by aussietravellers

We have the same tastes Oh, I am going to be DROOLING over your upcoming posts with all of those places included. Isn't that just the best soup, sadly on our last trip we ate there about 10 times I just couldn't get enough of that soup, it was so nice on a cold day

That soup should be illegal. So good.

Originally Posted by Ms. Shuttergirl

Areweindisneyyet - I love your review of Fantasmic. We missed it at DL in 09 and then the crowds drove us away at WDW in '10. I had decided that no matter what I was going to go in WDW this December. I felt in DH and DS didn't want to line up and wait that DD and I would. Your beautiful review has made me even more determined now.

I love the way you write, I hang on every word. Thank you for sharing.

Thanks Ms Shuttergirl. They are very kind words.

I am really glad we did the whole Fantasmic thing. I will go back and add some very bad photos taken on my iphone with no flash. Maybe you would all be better with nothing. Uploading some more pictures now.

[PrincessInOz]

Mia - I'm just only catching up now on DLR. Your time there just seems so perfect! No wait, fantastic ambience, great service, room views. Just awesome! So glad you had such a great time after all those months of planning.