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

[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?

 

[areweindisneyyet]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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.

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.

 

[areweindisneyyet]

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.

Hi PIO

Yes the planning made the trip seem effortless and truly magical. All the early morning phone calls and flipping the trip around truly paid off and we all had a great time. Sad it had to end. Next trip wont be til March 2014 and back to Europe, with just DH and I. Wondering if we should go via New York or keep them as two very separate trips. Lots of time to think about it. Although with enough Frequent Flyer points for us all to get to the west coast I shall keep my eyes open for a good deal at WDW. Just have to go there one day

I will get back to your pre trip report soon, I am so looking forward to your Hong Kong trip. It is somewhere that I would really like to go. At the moment I am running between three computers doing lots of little things to catch up. Back to my old self soon I am sure.

Thank you for all your support and help along the way. Your input and just being there was really important to me If I get home to Melbourne this year I would love to catch up for lunch in the city one day, have to wait for a wedding date to be set.

Mia

 

[PrincessInOz]

Hi PIO

Yes the planning made the trip seem effortless and truly magical. All the early morning phone calls and flipping the trip around truly paid off and we all had a great time. Sad it had to end. Next trip wont be til March 2014 and back to Europe, with just DH and I. Wondering if we should go via New York or keep them as two very separate trips. Lots of time to think about it. Although with enough Frequent Flyer points for us all to get to the west coast I shall keep my eyes open for a good deal at WDW. Just have to go there one day

I will get back to your pre trip report soon, I am so looking forward to your Hong Kong trip. It is somewhere that I would really like to go. At the moment I am running between three computers doing lots of little things to catch up. Back to my old self soon I am sure.

Thank you for all your support and help along the way. Your input and just being there was really important to me If I get home to Melbourne this year I would love to catch up for lunch in the city one day, have to wait for a wedding date to be set.

Mia

You're on!

 

[areweindisneyyet]

OMG

When I left you last in January I was going off to feed the kids and now here I am in JULY (and helping DD12 and her best friend cook a 3 course meal for eight tonight). As you can tell food is just fabulous at our place.

We are up to the Thursday December 22.

This morning we headed to DL for opening and made it. Yippee. Off to ride Matterhorn again three times without hopping off, Fast passes for Star Tours, rode Space Mountain, Buzz and the main focus for the morning, meeting Tinkerbell at Pixie Hollow. We were second in line and DD2 was just about jumping out of her pants with excitement.

Pixie Hollow

We met Rosetta and Tink much to the delight of DD. We weren't there for long but another job off the list. Our aim was to make it over to DCA for park opening and get onto Toy Story Mania. After a quick run through Soarin during early entry we made it too rope drop at the bridge for our dash to Toy Story Mania. In Disneyland it had felt a little windy, well in the open expanses of DCA it was a gale. Hats, scarves, children(well not off the ground...) were flying away with the wind.It was not pleasant. We made for Toy Story Mania as on our last visit in 2007 this was only 6 months away from opening (a bit like Carsland this time). We have the Wii version and have been in training. We enjoyed it, but even going straight from rope drop we waited for 50 minutes. Noone (except me) wanted to stand in line again for this one. We headed further round and rode the Mickey Fun Wheel (I went for TOT Fastpasses, it makes me feel green). The girls went on Goofy's Flight School, Symphony Swings and the Jumpin Jellyfish (DD2 loves it).

Grandpa and DD1 ready for battle!

The wind was really awful. I had made reservations at the Carnation Cafe for lunch which we were going to abandon to spend most of the day at DCA but we were all miserable and decided a nice seat tucked out of the wind for lunch sounding pretty fine. So after a quick detour to use the the Tower of Terror tickets we headed back to Disneyland. After trying to split the group of us and sit us at opposite ends of the Cafe we were finally seated at two tables near each other. We had different waiters and of course DH and I got the one that seemed a tad clueless. But, her would not ruin my experience. I had heard about the baked potato soup and I was determined. It was just divine and I was devastated that it had to end. DH had the Shepherds Pie which he also enjoyed. After a couple of coffees and hot chocolates the girls and Grandpa went in search of ice cream. Grandma and I ventured into the shops and DH waited as a meeting point. He is such a good sport.

We had at this point just over an hour to kill before we had to meet for the Holiday Tour. We headed to the Jungle Cruise. DD2 was complaining that her legs were sore because of her pants rubbing. We had the same problem in Europe. She has really sensitive skin which reacts in cold weather. She had problems with the pool water in Hawaii as well. OT Found a great relief cream in Sephora. Anyway, now with only 25 minutes I start out at a run back down to Downtown Disney to the surf shop to get a pair of Roxy tracksuit pants. Into the toilets next to City Hall and YEAH we are ready for the Holiday Tour in comfy pants.

While I was running down Downtown Disney she did manage to meet Donald outside City Hall.

So the tour started at 3pm, I had collected our tickets early that morning from City Hall and we had to meet at around 2.30 at the gazebo in the Tour Garden to the left of City Hall. People began assembling. This was around the time of the first parade of the day.

Three separate groups departed on the day with around 15 people in each group. We were the last of the three groups to head off. Each of us received a special tour tag that identified us as part of the group. We all also received earphones to hear instructions from our tour guide along the way. Our tour guide had a magical candle that would be powered by our Christmas spirit. We had to yell out Happy Holidays to make it work. DH hates anything were group participation is involved and the tour was just within his limits.

Whilst walking music also played in our ears. As we walked down Main Street special Christmas traditions were pointed out at Walt's Apartment, Hannukah in one of the stores on Main Street. As we walked passed the candy store we all received a sample of fudge. The air vents that send out the smells to Main Street were also pointed out. We wandered through Fantasyland, past Reindeer Roundup, through Frontierland to New Orleans Square. In each land we spoke about Christmas traditions in Europe, in the new Frontier and in New Orleans. We learnt lots of different ways to say Merry Christmas or Happy Holidays.

We then went to the front of the line at Haunted Mansion all decorated for the holidays. This was my only time for the whole trip. My youngest DD is not a fan, however because it was part of the tour she went along which was great. Was happy to ride again.

We then boarded our private reserved carriage for our train ride from New Orleans Square to Toon Town where we were encouraged to join in a Carols sing a long which got the whole train bopping along. Very nice.

On disembarking we made our way to Its a Small World were again we went straight to the beginning for our magical tour through Christmas around the world. I do really love this ride at Christmas.

From here we headed back to Toontown to collect our Hot Chocolate in Souvenir Cup and a Christmas decorated Mickey Gingerbread Man. We took these with us back to the promenade outside Its a Small World where the three row of chairs were waiting.

Each group had a set of seats around 8 across. Grandpa was not having his girls miss the front row (as they were the smallest) and walked briskly at the front to reserve our front row seats. He was not nasty or mean, just determined. There were no bad seats but he is a Grandpa after all who adores his only two grandbabies. He would have taken the back row for them to sit in front.

We sat and shortly afterwards the parade began. Just as good a view of waiting in the gutter. The dancers and characters all came over to dance and high five us (including Woody!). It was truly enchanting.

The tour concluded here and we handed back our headsets and received our special Holiday Tour Pin. We then continued to enjoy our evening at the park.

Would I do it again? Probably not for DH and the kids as we can brave the gutters but for my parents it was a great way to spend time and save their weary bones waiting for the parade. Also knowing that we had it planned we did not have to worry about when to put the tour into our plans. We could also make the most of the slightly shorter queues whilst the parade was going on.

Am I glad we did it? Sure am, it is a must do just once and it was a really special memory of the trip.

We headed back to the Hotel through Downtown Disney. Grandma and Grandpa took the girls ahead and DH and I stopped and grabbed Pizzas from Napoli and did some last minute shopping which we wrapped that night. We still had not found the Diagon Alley Harry Potter from way back in Hawaii, we had checked at the Lego Store in Anaheim the first day and had been ringing them, and also the store in Hawaii who were holding one for my brother to collect. As we walked past they were unpacking boxes and out popped a Diagon Alley, DH grabbed the pizzas and I ran to get it.

With smiles on our faces we headed back for a nice night in. We had planned to watch the fireworks from the balcony. This was the last night they ran until Boxing Day due to an workplace health and safety issue.

Tomorrow: LA and Warner Bros Studios.

DH just wanted to enjoy the parade go by.

 

[PrincessInOz]

You're back with a great update!

That Holiday Tour definitely sounds like a one-time must do; especially with Old Fogies around. Love the holiday mugs. What a great souvenir.

ETA - Perfect update for Christmas in July time!

 

[areweindisneyyet]

Friday morning we headed over to get breakfast at Concierge Lounge. Nice way to start the morning.

Today was to be a non Disney day. DH, DD1 and DD2 had not seen LA except for the drive from LAX to Disneyland so we booked a tour with the Anaheim Tour Company and the wonderful Tom collected us in an eight seater van to tour us around LA for the day. We booked the Hollywood half day plus Warner Bros. We started touring Star Homes before parking just off Rodeo Drive. We walked down to the Beverly Wilshire Hotel and used their bathroom. We walked up and down Rodeo Drive. Spotted Alyson Hannigan from the American Pie Movies and How I Met Your Mother. DH also spotted his Christmas present.

We then drove to Sunset Strip for lunch at Carney's Hot Dogs for lunch where we had Chilli Burgers, Dogs and Fries. Very nice.

Next stop Warner Bros for our Studio Tour. This was great. We watched a short Warner Bros background movie before heading out with our tour guide. We were with one other family of three. As it was the Friday before Christmas the place was empty but that gave us pretty much free range to visit. We started in the City Square, and I got to visit the Gilmore Girls House which is now used for Pretty Little Liars and the Mentalist. The main attraction for us Aussies much to the amusement of our American guide and fellow British family was of course. SQUIRRELS.

Then off to the set of The Big Bang Theory. We drove through Merlott's for True Blood fans. It is so watching those scenes now knowing that their are Production Offices on the other side of the trees.

Next stop the Friends set, and we jumped on the couch. A museum of Movie Cars including Harry Potter had the girls very excited. To finish we headed to another museum where upstairs the entire floor was devoted to Harry Potter. We were all sorted into our houses. DD2 was very happy to be in Griffyndor, DD1 well just dont ask and they gave her two goes.

This was great and would love to go back when shows were shooting.

After a short stop in the gift shop we headed in search of the Hollywood sign. Tom got us nice and close which was great.

He then dropped us for an hour outside the Chinese Mann Theatre. We checked out some foot and hand prints. DD1 has the same size foot as Johnny Depp. We walked into the Kodak Theatre before looking at some of the Stars on the Walk and stopping at the Disney Soda Fountain for hot chocolate.

We called in at a couple of hotels on our way back to Disneyland including the one from True Lies with the horses in the elevator and the other a beautiful old dining room where major Hollywood events were held.

It was a fantastic day and crossed lots of the list. Cannot recommend Tom and Anaheim Tour Company enough.

Tomorrow back to Disneyland and Christmas Eve!!