A Brit-Chick Goes Solo in Disneyland – Sunday 26th September 2010

**missbounce** · 09-29-2010, 02:39 PM

My last day – boo!!! A nice early start though and I was in the park by 9am. Today was all about fitting in the last few rides that were on my must-do list (generally things that weren’t featured in the Orlando and Paris parks).

I started off with Alice In Wonderland which was very cute. Then I headed over to Mickey’s Toontown to take some photos and video.

I should stress here, that the weather had been scorching from the moment I arrived in LA on Wednesday, but today was just sizzling – I later found out it was 41oC – yikes! For somebody that comes from the cold of England, it was a real shock to the system!!!

From Toontown, I followed the outskirts of the park and caught some cowboys having a ruckus outside the Golden Horseshow, the Dapper Dans entertaining guests with their dulcet tones and the wonderful ragtime pianist at Coke Corner.

The park was also swarming with D23 members who were taking part in the scavenger hunt – something I would have loved to have done myself if it wasn’t for the fact I had to head back to the airport at 4pm – drat!

After a spot of souvenier shopping on Main Street (my purchase of the day being a Kevin and Jody figuring of a Disney tour-guide – so cute!), I bid farewell to Sleeping Beauty Castle and walked across the courtyard to California Adventure. I didn’t intend to do any real attractions in my last couple of hours –just soak up the atmosphere and enjoy the sunshine. I did take some respite from the heat in the Blue Sky Cellar though (gotta love the air conditioning in there!!) and enjoyed a good lunch at the asian rice bar at pacific wharf.

As I was heading back to the exit, I walked past Grizzly River Rapids. I hadn’t intended to ride this originally, but the heat was becoming so intense, the water was luring me towards the queue – my mind was made up when I saw that they were offering a single ride line, so off I went, determined to get absolutely soaked. I wasn’t disappointed – after just a 10 minutes wait, I got in my raft with several other heat-exhausted guests and relished ever splash of water that hit us. Luckily for me, I was facing the wrong way when we went down the main drop and I got completely drenched from head to toe – sooooo refreshing!!!

Luckily, I’d arranged a late check-out at my hotel, so was able to change in to dry clothes before getting on my flight home. I left California Adventure with a big grin on my face and feeling nice and cool, if not a bit on the squelchy side!!

My flight home was uneventful – I managed to get some sleep for about half of the trip and arrived back in London relatively refreshed. It had been a wonderful trip and has been a perfect taster for when I return again in August (this time with my husband – hoorah!) for when we attend the Expo and have a much more relaxed 10 day stay in Los Angeles. I’m already excited for it!

High Points

Everything at the Destination D event
Hanging out with Lou and his buddies at the park on Friday night
The World of Color VIP evening and dessert party
Making so many new friends and being surrounded by hundreds of other passionate Disney fans
Chomping on pineapple spears in Adventureland whilst chilling in the shade of the tiki-room
Haunted Mansion Holiday overlay
Lunch at Blue Bayou – delicious!

Low Points

Feeling too tired to enjoy the park on my arrival day – bloomin’ jet-lag!
Not having an opportunity to watch the fireworks, view any parades or see all of Fantasmic (although I can do that with Matt in August instead)
Aladdin was not playing at the Hyperion whilst I was there
Roger Rabbit being closed for refurb

**Thumper10** · 09-29-2010, 03:06 PM

What a great trip! Sounds like you did a great job of packing in the most fun possible in your short time there....you've got me really wanting to become a member of D23 now..

**lilo88** · 09-29-2010, 04:16 PM

Sorry you didnt get to ride Roger Rabbit, I really enjoyed that ride while there. Next time tho!

Great report and awesome pics!!

**Chrissy&Tayen** · 09-30-2010, 08:09 AM

i cant wait.. i love your trip report.. we plan on going to disneyland next halloween and stay on property..

**NC_WDW_Daddy** · 09-30-2010, 10:04 AM

All the posts were great. I wish you could have stayed longer because I was really enjoying your photos and comments. Made oir first trip to DLR / DCA this past June, so I can really follow along with you in the park. Anaheim was nice, but WDW is still my favorite.

**missbounce** · 09-30-2010, 10:43 AM

Originally Posted by NC_WDW_Daddy

All the posts were great. I wish you could have stayed longer because I was really enjoying your photos and comments. Made oir first trip to DLR / DCA this past June, so I can really follow along with you in the park. Anaheim was nice, but WDW is still my favorite.

I knew that my time was going to be limited in the park, as Destination D took up more than half my time in Anaheim. However, Matt and I are really looking forward to taking our time to 'smell the roses' in August - lots of detailed walks around the park and hopefully a chance to do everything that's available to us during our visit.

I'm not sure I'm in a position to make a proper comparison between DL and WDW just yet - I would like to do some more in-depth exploring first when we return. However, on the surface, there were lots of things about DL that I thought was superior to Orlando (the addition of New Orleans Square, DL's version of Main Street was by far my favourite of the parks I've visited so far, and Pirates was just WOW in DL).

**YETI27** · 10-01-2010, 09:05 AM

My DW and I have talked about going to DL but every year we wind up booking at WDW. Some day I hope to get to CA.

**Mike Fink** · 10-01-2010, 07:23 PM

Wow, I loved all of your reports and pictures. Even the ones of the airport, travel, etc. That's all part of the story too. And I have to say that, for a foreigner, your English is excellent!

**20K** · 10-01-2010, 08:01 PM

Originally Posted by Mike Fink

And I have to say that, for a foreigner, your English is excellent!

Hillarious

**missbounce** · 10-02-2010, 09:36 AM

Originally Posted by Mike Fink

Wow, I loved all of your reports and pictures. Even the ones of the airport, travel, etc. That's all part of the story too. And I have to say that, for a foreigner, your English is excellent!

Well thank you very much - I was practising all week before my American phrase-book!!