Our plan this trip was to ensure we got to the park at opening each of our 5 morning and leave for a few hours in the mid afternoon to take the kids back to the hotel for some naps (they never did) and some time in the pool (they always did). It was a nice break to each day and let us miss the busiest times at the park. Plus again, the kids loved the pool. From talking to other families, their kids loved the pool so much too. I heard many kids complain about having to leave the pool to go back to DL, mine included, hehe.

Anyway, we got to the park 30 min before opening and stood in line. Everyone counted down the last 10 seconds for the doors to open, so that was cool. We planned on hitting Fantasyland first, but upon entering the park, Lainey say Minnie Mouse and Goofy, so we had to stand in line for autographs. It went pretty fast and the mids were in awe of Goofy. We then finally went to Fantasyland. We did: Alice in Wonderland, Tea Cups, Mr Toads, Peter Pan, Snow White, Pinocchio and Dumbo. 7 rides....all in less than 2 1/2 hours! I can't emphasize enough to get there when the park opens, so you can hit so many more rides. We then went to Small World and since the lines were still okay, went over to Tomorrowland to get FP for Buzz. Then we did Star Tours and Honey I shrunk the audience. Came out and used the Buzz passes. A whirlwind morning and everyone was doing great. We decided to go back to the hotel for some lunch and pool.

When we returned in the later afternoon, the line up for DL was huge, while DCA was non-existant, so we broke from my plans and headed over there. First impression was that it was a lot quieter than DL. We got Fp for Soaring and stood in a 15 min line for Grizzly. Wow, that was a cool ride. Kids wore their raincoats, which we brought and my wife had one of our $.99 cheap camping rain ponchos. I didn't bother, as I like getting wet. At the last second, Nolan decided that he wanted to be like dad and took off his raincoat. We both got soaked. It's a great ride. I wish it didn't end.

At this point, it was time for the Block Party to start, so we got a spot to watch it. Gotta say, I wasn't impressed with it at all. You really had to know where to be to get a good view of it and all we had were people jumping on trampolines. Granted the jumping was cool, but not really what I expected from Disney. We then went over to Paradise Pier and hit up the Golden Zephyr and Mulholland Madness. Kids loved MM. After some supper, we quickly used our FP for Soaring (WOW!) and then went to find a good spot for the Electrical Parade. Once the music started, it really brought back memories from my previous trips to DL. It's a catchy song.

After the parade we left the park and say in the area between DL/DCA and watched the fireworks before calling it a night.

For the next day, click this link:

http://www.disneymouselinks.com/Forums/Topic72194-4-1.aspx

Do Fantasyland first, do not stop, do not pass go, just hit Fantasyland or you will spend hours there getting in the rides!  But, your stop to see Minnie was probably less of a wait than ToonTown would have been, you got the rides in, and everyone was happy, so can't complain!

I wish I had known you were doing Block Party Bash - I could have told you right where to be to see the good stuff!

I don't know if you have read my trip report yet, but Alex did Mulholland Madness for the first time this trip, and loved it!  He did it 17 times in a row one day on the trip.  We were amazed. lol

And Soarin' - yeah, now you know why I say that is a must do ride, don't you?  I love it, Alex loves it, Andy loves it.  I have motion sickness, hate to fly, and fear of heights.  I STILL love that ride!

Grizzly - I love that one too - and before Alex was tall enough - and even this trip when fastpass was not available, we loved to single ride that one to get cool.  Alex loves to tell everyone NOT to wake the bear, because if you do, he gets mad and will make you wet.  Then of course, he laughs at those who got wet.

Sounds like a great day Rob!

Off to read day 3

Leanne

May All Your Days Be Filled With Magic!  And your nights full of Disney Dreams!