From Disneyland to WDW: The Laffites take Florida.. and Epcot Rocks!(Update 7/3)

[Laffites Landing]

Nice start!!! Isn't it great how soon after arrival you can actually make it to a park? Did you take the boat over to HS?

Love your pictures from the Great Movie Ride and Tower of Terror!

We enjoy the GMR. I don't know how many times I have been on this. Maybe 10-12? I have only seen the cowboy scene once. And it was awesome!

Great mix of expressions in the ToT ride photo.

Hi Dee. I always get the impression that WDW veterans don't realize how cool the great movie ride is. We have nothing like it here in California. Like I said though, maybe I'm wrong. Maybe it's just that everyone has become very blasé because they went on it so many times. Still, any ride with animatronics of John Wayne, Clint Eastwood, Judy Garland, Sigouney Weaver and Humphrey Bogart (!) (and several others) is a winner in my book. We were really impressed.

Oh yeah, I was hoping to get the cowboy scene but we were very happy with what we got on the gangster scene. My son was especially thrilled with the fire fight that ensued!

And yes, very funny about that ToT ride photo. Just wait until you see the one for Dinosaur.... (teaser)

Oops, I forgot to add... yes, we did take the boat over the DHS and back over to Epcot. It was very convenient. We loved those friendship boats (even though they stopped at the Swan and Dolphin... I'm sorry people, THAT IS NOT A DOLPHIN!).

 

[Laffites Landing]

I am a little late in getting on board here! Great start to your report...loved the family introductions and the background to your DIS 'name'. I am heading to DLR for the first time in August. You had replied when I posted that on the Y&BC thread. I will probably PM you and pixarmom for some much needed DLR advice.

Looking forward to more!!

Kerry

Sent from my iPad using DISBoards

Hi Kerry, to my trip report, better late than never!

Feel free to ask any questions regarding Disneyland and I will try to answer. We stopped going this year in early April so I can't answer much about the new stuff but I do have very specific opinions and advice about what I do know. I truly love that park and while it was necessary to save for WDW (and worth it!) I'm hating the fact that we decided not to return until Spring of 2013. Ah well, it'll be that much more sweet once we get back. Oh yeah, and to make matters worse, we are moving significantly closer to the park. I'm likely going to be moving to Orange County, 7 miles away from Disneyland sometime in August! Torture!

 

[Laffites Landing]

Ok, well, when we left off, we were getting off of Twilight Zone Hollywood Hotel Tower of Terror (whew! fun trying to fit all of the names there!) and decided to do one more thing before we left. We wanted to see a show. We had two choices (well, three but I convinced my wife to not mention Lights! Motors! Action! too loudly.... we will probably see that next time) but decided to see this:


Beauty and the Beast at DHS by LaffitesLnding, on Flickr

Here are some more pictures:



"Little Town... it's a Quiet Village" by LaffitesLnding, on Flickr


Belle with Lumiere and Mrs. Potts by LaffitesLnding, on Flickr


Beast and Belle by LaffitesLnding, on Flickr


"Kill The Beast!" by LaffitesLnding, on Flickr


Belle Tells Beast that she loves him by LaffitesLnding, on Flickr


Final Group Photo in Beauty and the Beast by LaffitesLnding, on Flickr

My personal favorite Disney movie is the Beauty and the Beast but I have to say, I was a bit disappointed in this production. Sure, it was nice and told the story pretty well in an abridged way. I guess I wanted more than just transitions that worked better than “through some strange circumstances Belle found herself imprisoned by the Beast.”

HUH? How’d that happen? Oh sure, I knew and I guess they just figured that 99% of the audience would understand what was going on here but I guess it just kind of bugged me. Still, the girl who played Belle did a quite good job and I enjoyed Gaston of course. It was a nice way to spend a half an hour. For me though, there’s more to that story, so much more. I was happy that most of the songs from the movie got into play though.

Anyway, enough about Beauty and the Beast as it was time for us to keep moving forward, this time, leaving Hollywood Studios and heading to our next destination. We were headed to Epcot for lunch!


Wife and Daughter leaving Hollywood Studios by LaffitesLnding, on Flickr


Me and Son leaving Hollywood Studios by LaffitesLnding, on Flickr


Family on Friendship Boat by LaffitesLnding, on Flickr

We were in such in a hurry to get to lunch, I didn't take pictures of my kids' reaction to seeing Spaceship Earth (or as they called it... the giant golfball! Blasphemy!). We were late to our first ADR in Disney World.... the Coral Reef!


Daughter Posing in front of Coral Reef Sign by LaffitesLnding, on Flickr


Themed Lantern at the Coral Reef by LaffitesLnding, on Flickr

It was very dark inside but my whole family was intrigued by the huge fishtank. There are three different windows to the tank. I'm not sure if this is something that happens all the time, but our part of the tank was not really a popular place for some of the bigger fish and sharks. We were placed directly in front of the window to the tank closest to the entrance of the restaurant. The two other windows seemed to get multiple views of sharks and rays. We just saw random tiny little fish for the most part. We were told we might see a sea turtle. We didn't... Here are some pictures I tried to take of the tank:


259 by LaffitesLnding, on Flickr


Fish Tank at Coral Reef (2) by LaffitesLnding, on Flickr



Ray lying at bottom of fish tank at Coral Reef by LaffitesLnding, on Flickr

Well, enough about the fish tank, what about the food? Here are some random pictures of food porn:

Appetizers:


Shrimp Appetizer from Coral Reef by LaffitesLnding, on Flickr


Creamy Lobster Soup from Coral Reef by LaffitesLnding, on Flickr


Crab Cakes from Coral Reef by LaffitesLnding, on Flickr

Entrees:


Orange Glazed Scottish Salmon from Coral Reef by LaffitesLnding, on Flickr


New York Strip Steak from Coral Reef by LaffitesLnding, on Flickr


Mahi Mahi from Coral Reef by LaffitesLnding, on Flickr

Desserts:


267 by LaffitesLnding, on Flickr


Coral Reef Brownie at the Coral Reef by LaffitesLnding, on Flickr


Cherry Cheesecake at the Coral Reef by LaffitesLnding, on Flickr


Bailey's and Jack Daniel's Mousse at Coral Reef by LaffitesLnding, on Flickr

I remember liking the crab cakes quite a bit and Laffite Jr really polished off those shrimp. Princess Laffite's desert was quite tasty. She had a few bites of the kids "fish of the day" and said she liked it. Nothing really special here. We did like the congratulations on our dessert for our anniversary. All in all, a nice, non threatening start to our Disney World culinary experience. Next up, a couple of pavilions in Epcot and then... the Yacht Club!

 

[mmtwinmama]

Loving your Trip Report! We went to DL 2 years ago (from right now actually as we flew home on July 4th on that trip!). DH LOVED DL more than WDW. I think it had a lot to do with the parks being so close to each other and the rides not being spread apart.
I get your Toy Story Mania decision. We focused on rides in DL that were not in WDW also, but we did do a few to compare. That Indiana Jones ride in DL was fantastic! We also got to see WOC. OMG what a show that was. I am not a crier and I cried... like a baby. The music, the water, WOW! Would love to get back there to see it again.

 

[Laffites Landing]

Loving your Trip Report! We went to DL 2 years ago (from right now actually as we flew home on July 4th on that trip!). DH LOVED DL more than WDW. I think it had a lot to do with the parks being so close to each other and the rides not being spread apart.
I get your Toy Story Mania decision. We focused on rides in DL that were not in WDW also, but we did do a few to compare. That Indiana Jones ride in DL was fantastic! We also got to see WOC. OMG what a show that was. I am not a crier and I cried... like a baby. The music, the water, WOW! Would love to get back there to see it again.

Thanks for the kind words. I think there are things about both parks that are worth doing and worth seeing. I didn't plan to NOT do Toy Story as we like the ride enough, it's just we've done that. This was far more abuot experiencing things like the Beauty and the Beast show and the Great Movie Ride, etc...

Although if the line was shorter, we probably would go to TSMM. We did end up riding Star Tours three times and that's also a clone so it wasn't out of the question, just felt it wasn't an effecient way to spend our time.

As for Disneyland. I agree to your point about WOC. I'm a 42 year old man and I don't cry that often but for the first four or so times I saw WOC, yeah, it was a life changing experience. I have to say that even after going to WDW, WOC is the best night time theme park show I've ever seen and it's really not close. Hopefully you can come back this way again sometime!

 

[momjeeps]

Ditto all the comments about WOC. Not to be missed if you go to DCA. We were in the front row wet section in the rain (not that it mattered in the wet section).

 

[mmtwinmama]

As for Disneyland. I agree to your point about WOC. I'm a 42 year old man and I don't cry that often but for the first four or so times I saw WOC, yeah, it was a life changing experience. I have to say that even after going to WDW, WOC is the best night time theme park show I've ever seen and it's really not close. Hopefully you can come back this way again sometime!

Oh I totally agree. WOC definitely is the best. By far. I was really hoping they would bring it to WDW.
We LOVED California. The trip started because DH is a Dodgers fan, while I am a Yankee fan with one twin siding with me and the other with him. We saw a great game. We did LA, down to San Diego. Next time we would like to do LA and travel North. Maybe in a few years.

 

[jcondrad]

Joining in from the YC/BC group!! Love the report so far!

I admit I am a scaredy cat and have never seen the inside of TOT, so seeing the pics is great! Maybe some day I will see for myself

 

[JanetMom]

Yay! So happy to see you have a trip report.

Loved the pictures of Beauty and the Beast. My boys would have no interest in that show, so I've never even given it a thought. Nice to see something we've missed.

Can't wait to read more.

 

[Ninja Mom]

Wow! Your pictures are fantastic! Taking pictures is one of the things I love to do at the parks and you did a really great job with yours.

I too love the Great Movie ride. The ultimate challenge on that ride for me is to get a picture of my husband, who we like to tease looks exactly like the Mayor of Munchkin Land. What I really need is a fast lens and a camera with high ISO and low noise since that pesky Mayor always seems to be moving!

My dream camera is a Nikon D4 and I decided after my recent Cancer surgery (and clean bill of health! ) that I would ditch my DX format Nikon D90 and go full frame. Let me tell you I can NOT WAIT to get back to the parks and try for some of the more challenging low light shots, like the Mayor with that D4. Now if only it would get here! It's back ordered but thankfully I have plenty of time until my trip!

I can't wait to see your next installment. Thanks for sharing and doing such a great job with your report!

~NM

 

[Laffites Landing]

Ditto all the comments about WOC. Not to be missed if you go to DCA. We were in the front row wet section in the rain (not that it mattered in the wet section).

You do get wet at that show for sure... But just wait, FLAMETHROWERS!!!

Oh I totally agree. WOC definitely is the best. By far. I was really hoping they would bring it to WDW.
We LOVED California. The trip started because DH is a Dodgers fan, while I am a Yankee fan with one twin siding with me and the other with him. We saw a great game. We did LA, down to San Diego. Next time we would like to do LA and travel North. Maybe in a few years.

Yeah, I guess we're a little spoiled by the weather out here. There are some other issues with living out here, however overall it's a nice place to live. After visiting Florida, even with the rains, I think if we move in the future, I wouldn't mind moving there. I am NOT a fan of any of the sports teams out here though... comes from my childhood spent in the Chicago area. San Diego is awesome. We love to visit.

 

[Laffites Landing]

Joining in from the YC/BC group!! Love the report so far!

I admit I am a scaredy cat and have never seen the inside of TOT, so seeing the pics is great! Maybe some day I will see for myself

You just got to do it. The ride is so cool. Yes, I understand about the drops but wow, the fifth dimension is one of the most incredible things I have seen. But if the drops are too much for you, you could always go through the queue and then take the chicken exit.

Yay! So happy to see you have a trip report.

Loved the pictures of Beauty and the Beast. My boys would have no interest in that show, so I've never even given it a thought. Nice to see something we've missed.

Can't wait to read more.

Janet! So awesome to have you here. Yeah, I'm weird I guess in that I love some of the Princess things. The original Beauty and the Beast movie was one of my favorite movies of all times, whether it was a girlie movie or not. I love the music, the animation and the story. I guess I'm kind of a sapp!

 

[Laffites Landing]

Wow! Your pictures are fantastic! Taking pictures is one of the things I love to do at the parks and you did a really great job with yours.

I too love the Great Movie ride. The ultimate challenge on that ride for me is to get a picture of my husband, who we like to tease looks exactly like the Mayor of Munchkin Land. What I really need is a fast lens and a camera with high ISO and low noise since that pesky Mayor always seems to be moving!

My dream camera is a Nikon D4 and I decided after my recent Cancer surgery (and clean bill of health! ) that I would ditch my DX format Nikon D90 and go full frame. Let me tell you I can NOT WAIT to get back to the parks and try for some of the more challenging low light shots, like the Mayor with that D4. Now if only it would get here! It's back ordered but thankfully I have plenty of time until my trip!

I can't wait to see your next installment. Thanks for sharing and doing such a great job with your report!

~NM

Thanks for the compiments! I don't think I've very good at taking pictures but I just clicked away and hoped everything would come out ok. I did use high ISO on the Great Movie Ride. For some reason, my shots in the Alien scene weren't very good.

Congrats on clean bill of health by the way. I never got a chance to say that previously. And that's funny about you being married to the Mayor of Munchkin Town! I really thought that part of the ride was incredible.

 

[WsPrincess]

I am a little late but better late than never right? I love your pictures and it seems like it was an amazing trip. Can't wait to read more. I keeping wanting to do a trip report but for now I am just enjoying all the BC/YC members who write such great ones!!!

 

[natebenma]

Hi Dee. I always get the impression that WDW veterans don't realize how cool the great movie ride is. We have nothing like it here in California. Like I said though, maybe I'm wrong. Maybe it's just that everyone has become very blasé because they went on it so many times. Still, any ride with animatronics of John Wayne, Clint Eastwood, Judy Garland, Sigouney Weaver and Humphrey Bogart (!) (and several others) is a winner in my book. We were really impressed.

I'm not sure why that is. This attraction has been at HS (MGM) since the beginning, so maybe it is that veterans have been there, done that. Kind of like It's a Small World. Plus you don't have all of the "strategy" stuff like you do for TSM, ToT or RnR. You just get in line and ride.

You just got to do it (ToT). The ride is so cool. Yes, I understand about the drops but wow, the fifth dimension is one of the most incredible things I have seen. But if the drops are too much for you, you could always go through the queue and then take the chicken exit.

Which, ironically, is an elevator.

 

[natebenma]

Great update!

Your pictures from the Beauty & the Beach show are awesome! I really like the movie, and I have seen a couple of local community or school theatre versions of the show.

Like JanetMom, with boys in my brood, I have only seen this show at Disney once, and that was solo. I have to sacrifice watching Indiana Jones to see this or The Little Mermaid.

IMHO, missing LMA is not a big loss. We see it every few years, and that is more than enough for us.

We have dined at Coral Reef several times. The food is usually pretty good, the atmosphere is cool but I am always amazed at how quickly the kids lose interest in the aquarium. Service has always been slow for us.

Looking forward to more

PS- right before bed last night I read all of the comments about the WoC show, and I read a mini review of Disneyland from another poster and I couldn't stop thinking about visiting DL!

 

[wishinon3stars]

Beauty and the Beast is a family favorite here too. The Broadway play is coming to the Capitol Center for the Arts here in Concord, NH in January and my 2 daughters and I already have our tickets to go see it!

We're always up to a little Disney magic between our trips!!!

 

[LovintheLodge]

Hi Kerry, to my trip report, better late than never!

Feel free to ask any questions regarding Disneyland and I will try to answer. We stopped going this year in early April so I can't answer much about the new stuff but I do have very specific opinions and advice about what I do know. I truly love that park and while it was necessary to save for WDW (and worth it!) I'm hating the fact that we decided not to return until Spring of 2013. Ah well, it'll be that much more sweet once we get back. Oh yeah, and to make matters worse, we are moving significantly closer to the park. I'm likely going to be moving to Orange County, 7 miles away from Disneyland sometime in August! Torture!

I am looking forward to your comparisons! I have been spending lots of time on the Disneyland forums.

Oh that's something about being 7 miles from Disneyland! My brother in law and his family live in Fullerton and have annual passes (no blackout dates). So we are going to be out there from Aug 8th to 17th. Currently we are booked for a few nights at CCI since I don't know if my brother in law's family will want to spend as much time there as us...haha. They go very frequently...and I want to experience as much as possible!

Kerry

 

[wishinon3stars]

Casting my vote for The Great Movie Ride also!!!! Such a wonderful and relaxing ride with some great classics. It's a great contrast to all the hi-tech rides at the park (which we love too)

 

[LovintheLodge]

Great update!

PS- right before bed last night I read all of the comments about the WoC show, and I read a mini review of Disneyland from another poster and I couldn't stop thinking about visiting DL!

Hey Dee it's time to book that CA trip...haha. I will probably post a mini trip report like I did last year after our Universal(HRH)/WDW(YC) vacation last August. We were going to go to DLR last summer but the airfare was so high. This year we moved our dates around to bring the price down but it is still double what our FL airfare would be!!

Kerry