Ann Marie Fowler - September 12, 2006

I just went to DL/DCA to get myself cheering to do and I bought a one day park hopper ticket cause if I remembered right both parks are not too busy though they close early on weekdays during the school year.

I just went myself at first: Ann 36/F

Weather was fair and sunny; and not too busy until after 5pm at both parks.

I woke up at 5am to get myself together and packed up my camcorder, old digital camera, ticket, debit card, and my IPOD. I took a four busses from 3 different bus companies from my house (first one at 6am) to Pomona, CA station and then to Brea,CA Mall and then to Fullerton, CA Transportation Center to meet a good friend I only talked online: Dan 48/M It was nice to see him for the first time at 9:30am.

We drove straight to DL parking lot which he has a PAP and parked at Mickey and Friends structure and then we went right to the tram to decide which park to go to first and it was DCA. We got in OK and first thing we did was going to Soarin' Over California which is AWESOME and the wait was only 10 mins.! I didn't know the CM measures the small riders heights twice before getting in line so we proceeed to sat 2nd row almost center.

We then went to the Grizzly's River Run and only waited five minutes after putting our stuff in the free lockers nearby (for an hour!); and sat with three ladies who bought their purses and wasn't too happy their stuff got wet.

Then we went to California Dreams movie/short which I've never been there before and it was AWESOME and something to learn from more about California in general.

Then we went on California Screamin' and sat in the 8th row with just 15 minute wait. STILL AWESOME!

Then we went to lunch at Grand Californian's White Water Snacks, and used his AP discount for both of us had burgers (mine w/out cheese) cooked to order w/ fries and drinks. All were very good. Our drinks were refrills and have limited alcohol drinks BTW.

Then we went to DL and first thing we did was take some pictures which didn't come out which is why I brought up the Digital Camera question in the posts (I'll go through those sites you recommeded later for the one that's better than the new one I got), then we went on Space Mountain which was just 20 minute wait and we sat in the 4th row I think and as usual it was AWESOME! Then we noticed Mickey at the exit area and both of us got our picture taken (my camera didn't turn out) with him. Then we went to Innoventions to cool off. Then we went on to Pirates Of The Carribean with just 10 minute wait and it was nice to see the new version; which I tried to videotape it but didn't come out cause I forgot how to use it after not using it a year. Someone in the ride used a flash in the ride and at the end CM accused Dan of taking it which he didn't do. We walked past Haunted Mansion which was closed for Holiday overlay until Sept. 29th and went on Splash Mountain and rode separately to do the single rider because it was pretty warm then, I sat in the 2nd row. Where the log was going up hill to the big drop someone way in the back was I guess doing something they're not suppose to do and my guess is holding the young kid on her lap so he can see better and CM stopped the ride to tell them so; they took a long time to understand her so the ride took a while to go on again. This was GREAT in any case, all of it on video BTW. We met again after the ride and went walking around taking pictures and figuring out what's for dinner.

We went to Toontown to get pictures taken with Mickey and Minnie. Minnie was outside by the Coaster ride and I used my camcorder to take one of both of us separately w/ her and then we went right to Mickey's House to get one w/ Mickey with my McDonald's uniform with my camcorder which came out way too blurry for both of us! Wasn't happy cause I wanted to do a project for a Supervisor who just got promoted to a higher positon and won't be working full time anymore w/ me that I love to work with alot.

Then we went to It's A Small World with just a minute wait cause there's Parade of Dreams at the same time which I got it on video. Then I shot the last portion of the parade with the camcorder. Then we went on to Star Tours without a wait. We then we were hungry and was looking around for counter service; and it's about 7pm and none of the major places were open. Then we went in a couple of stores to look around. Then we went to 50 Years of Magic to look around while I taped the presentation of Tomorrowland history.

At the time DL closed at 8pm we went to DTD's World of Disney to buy few items for myself and a co-workers. We went to dinner at DTD which the only ones we saw that was fast called Ralph's Brennan's Jazz Kitchen Express and we used the AP discount to get chicken strips w/ a side and drinks; mine was w/ fries and his was slaw. My chicken pieces were hotter than his but it was good. We left the park after walking at DTD a little bit more around 9:30pm because I had to work 8am-3pm the next day.

Overall..we had a very good time and some parts I left out due to the time on the computer and was very good to see him; hope to get together w/ him again and I'll be able to buy an AP (will be a long time unfortunately).

Disney and Dollarless Tips: At DCA near Grizzly's River Run there's a free locker for an hour to store items before going on rides. Ask for cups of ice water they're free.