We knew we were going at a bad time, but we survived the 4th of July during the 50th Anniversary with no scars, so figured we could handle this.  It didn't help that Disney was running a "2fer" for S. Cali residents (Like they weren't gonna get enough people during spring break without the promo) & then the castmembers almost seemed surprised by the throngs of people that came thru the gates from opening to closing each day.

Our 1st day was Sunday, March 23 (Easter)....knowing this would be a very busy day, we had planned to spend the day at DCA hoping to get a bit of a break from the holiday crowds.  We started over at Disneyland, arriving prior to opening.  We walked thru the gates & then the mad rush was on.  Either you moved with the masses or you got out of their way.  I have never seen that many rude people in one place.  They didn't care they were running your 7 yr old over or knocking your 2 yr old almost out of her stroller.  We let the wave of people by & strolled onto Main Street. We looked around to find any characters to greet us & not a one to be seen.  As we started back up to head down towards the hub, Pluto came out.  We got into the line which just kept getting wider as people pushed their way in.  We did finally make it up to the front to get our first autograph & photo.

We continued on to Fantasyland (oh, did I mention, we were there for our early entry "Magic Morning" at 7am).  The first ride we took was on Peter Pan.  We waited about 10 minutes (this was the shortest this line was all week).  We then went to the Matterhorn, Teacups, Dumbo & Alice.  We sent our 18 yr old on Fastpass gathering for this evenings return to the main park.

At 9:30am we headed back out Main Street & saw that Goofy was out by the FireHouse so we got into line.  We stood in line about 15 minutes & then were told that Goofy was leaving.  He patted my kids heads on the way by, leaving our 2 yr old distraught that she didn't get to hug him.  So we continued out & across the way to go to DCA.  The lines were quite long but we were let in prior to opening.  The family waited as again we sent out 18 yr old out for Fastpasses.

When he came back we got in line for Playhouse Disney to see their new show.  The show basically ran like before but with characters from shows that are now seen on Disney's morning line-up.  We saw the Mickey Mouse Clubhouse, Little Einstein's, My Friends Tigger & Pooh & Handy Mandy.  Cute show, always a delight with little ones.  Lots of bubbles & leaves falling from the sky & of course stremers.  When we got out of the show you couldn't even see the street running thru the Hollywood Backlot.

Every where you turned it was massive people.  We headed to the pier for our first character meal of the trip.  We had lunch at Ariel's Grotto.  Adaleah was dressed like Cinderella & when she got to see her she almost jumped out of her skin.  She was sooooo excited.  Seeing her reactions made the problems of the morning disappear (not really, but good enough).  We saw Ariel, Belle, Cinderella, Snow White & Jasmine.  The food here is always good.....recommend to those who have little princesses in the making.

We spent the afternoon riding Soarin' Over California & Grizzly River Run on our Fastpasses.  We took the little ones to Bugs Land to ride some "kiddy" rides.  There are very few rides for the little ones in this park, so beware of that for those who have never been there before.  We also took the kids over to the Redwood Creek Challenge area to run around.  Mike was bringing Adaleah & Anthony (7) out the exit when Addy turned around & ran back in.  Mike told Anthony to stay right there & when he came back, Anthony was gone.  HEART ATTACK as I came back & Mike looked sick because he couldn't find him.  Derek took off back into the challenge area as Mike took off on the pathways to find him....I went to the castmember at the entrance & gave him Anthonys info.  It took about 15 minutes to find him (he had gone back in to find Mike) sigh of relief but definately scared us more than any thrill ride at the park.

Our day was planned out to see the new Pixar Play Parade & the Electrical Parade.  As we were headed towards the parade route, they announced the Pixar Play Parade would not be running due to unforseen reasons.  That was a disappointment....now our plans were up in the air.  We decided to head back over to Disneyland to finish our day there.  We headed to Critter Country to ride Winnie the Pooh & have dinner at the Hungry Bear Restaurant.  After dinner we tried to make our way back thru the Rivers of America area.......holy moly, people were camped out everywhere for the 9pm showing of Fantasmic, lines for the Haunted Mansion, lines for Pirates spilled thru out the street winding back & forth with wait times of 90 minutes.  This area tends to be congested anyways, but I couldn't get out of there fast enough with my claustophobia......"taking a deep breath just thinking about it"

We used our fastpasses from earlier & decided to watch the fireworks by the castle.  We had a great view & was amazed at how big some of those fireworks were from up close.  Absolutely worth the crowds to see this up by the castle.

Day One was just about over for us, but riding the "ART" or Anaheim Resort Transit was a nightmare of its own. ***more on this later***

http://i14.photobucket.com/albums/a312/laemee/Sun23015.jpg 

       "A Dream is a Wish Your Heart Makes...."

Amazing how rude people can be in the happiest place on earth.  Strollers are so dangerous in crowds when people are not paying attention.  I never intentionally run into someone, but when someone walks right in front of you sometimes you can't stop in time.  I do remember last trip when we went out through the backstage exit, getting there Alex was asleep and was pretty much trampled twice by people basically stepping on him IN the stroller.  It was awful.

I am so glad to hear that your Princess meal was fun.  I miss eating there, but Alex really isn't into the Princesses. lol

On that day - Pixar was cancelled - was it windy or anything?  I know they do puppetry in the parade, and the only thing I can think of is a high wind would damage those (it is actually a character on a stick).

Glad to see that the kids liked the new Playhouse Disney - we will be doing that this trip.  4 of Alex's favorite shows. lol

With crowds such as you described going into Disneyland - the 10 minute wait for Peter Pan is really surprising.  You got lucky - glad you had a chance to ride!

I lost Alex in Redwood Creek last year.  It was the most terrifying experience of my life!  He had gone back to the caves without telling me and you should have seen me totally going nuts yelling for him - and not ONE person stopped to help!  I was shocked.  Fortunately I did find him, and told him to never do that again!  He too was upset because he didn't know where I was.  Not a pleasant experience - I feel for you guys with that one.

Can't wait to hear the ART story. lol

What hotel did you stay at?  I don't remember hearing. lol

Leanne

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

Unbelievably rude people this trip..... didn't care who they ran into, stepped on, cut in front of, pushed into...etc etc etc   Does make you wonder what has happened to the Happiest Place of Earth.....heavy sigh.

       "A Dream is a Wish Your Heart Makes...."

Leanne

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