California Adventure Day After Laundry: Thurs., July 31, 2008

From Rich and Carol: We had a late start because we slept in a bit and then had to wait for two washers and two dryers to do their thing at DL Hotel — after waiting for some washers to be available in the first place. Yep, there aren’t many for Guest use at the DL Hotel compared to the Grand Californian Hotel — and some of the washers and dryers were out of order.

Above, a bag marks this dryer as being out of order.

Above, printed signs on these two washers shows that they are out of order. There were two washers not working and one dryer not working. “Sorry for the inconvenience but this machine is out of order. Thank you.”

Except for this time having washers and dryers out of order, nothing has changed there since our last trip during Easter week. Exposed metal electrical wiring, with the metal covering up a sign… this is Disney theming at a premier Disney resort? C’mon! At least the change machine was working this time.

Washers and dryers both cost 4 quarters per load.

Detergent costs 4 quarters per load-sized box.

From Carol: Then we then had a pastry-coffee-fruit-type breakfast in our room with items Rich brought up from the DL Hotel’s Coffee House. After that we vamoosed to Disney’s California Adventure.

From Rich: Michael wanted to rest his feet for a bit when we were almost there, so we ducked into Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel. Carol and I tried out the WiFi and it is indeed as we remembered it: better than at the Disneyland Hotel.

When Michael was ready, we entered DCA via the GCH entrance to save steps and because we wanted to ride Soarin’ Over California first thing (which is right near the hotel entrance). The security guard at the gate checked our bags as well as telling me that he saw my Disneyland Resort hotel room key card in my plastic lanyard so we could go in through that entrance (after presenting our park passes).

From Carol: The sun burned off early morning cloudiness today and it’s brilliantly sunny. Less hot than Florida. But the sun is like “Zzzzzst!” shining on you.

Tips: Sunblock with high SPF. And a hat. And sunglasses with UV protection. Bathing suits and water shoes and change of clothes for Grizzly River Rapids optional…. Some people were getting drenched, others only heavy drops, and Rich says shoes get soaked.

We got PhotoPass CD photos taken, got Fast Passes for Grizzly River Rapids, and I decided to stay dry and nice looking, so son and Rich got FastPasses for GRR. We all got FastPasses for California Screamin’ — but Michael decided not to ride it.

 

We rode (not in this order) California Screamin’, Sun Wheel, Orange Stinger, Toy Story Midway Mania, King Triton’s Carousel, Jumpin’ Jelly Fish, saw Golden Dreams show (wonderful and Whoopi Goldberg was dignified and respectful), Grizzly River Rapids (Michael and Rich only). We have Mulholland Madness Fast Passes but decided to skip it, having gone on enough “carnival”-type “rides.” We ate lunch at Pizza Um Mow Mow and enjoyed it. Skipped McDonald’s right next door. That’s our day as of 3:59 pm PDT.

There will be more details about these things in separate entries to this travel blog.

Penny Wishes Wed., July 30 12:34 PM

In a little grotto next to Sleeping Beauty Castle, in the foothills of the Matterhorn mountain, you’ll find a quiet little wishing well.

I made wishes there Wednesday, July 30, 2008 12:34-12:37 pm PDT, 2:34-2:37 pm CDT, 3:34-3:37 pm EDT, 8:34-8:37 pm London. I hope they come true for all Disney Echo members, past, present and future and for loved ones of members and their special situations.

Soarin’ Over California at DCA Wed., July 30, 2008

It was only a 35 minute wait so we decided to get into the queue and not get a FastPass for Soarin’ Over California.

The Million Dreams monorail went by on the monorail track (seen over the umbrellas in the picture above and over the queue as well) while we were in line outside.

To the right of the picture above can be seen large hangar-style doors on “tracks” that would slide open if this was a real airplane hangar.

Most of our wait was in the air conditioned hallway to the theater “terminals”.

A cage-like wall separates one loading wait area from another.

The pre-show in our wait area explained how we’d be soarin’ and gave us a look at how it is done with the various rows of Guests rising up in front of an IMAX screen.

After leaving the theater, other Guests are also leaving their theaters and meet in this hallway intersection.

Then we exited up this “blast area” to ground level outside.

The food of Goofy’s Kitchen on Wed., July 30, 2008

The Characters aren’t the only thing that is great at Goofy’s Kitchen. The food served at breakfast is outstanding!

I guess Goofy was in his kitchen making more Goofyroni pasta.

Apple pie

The peach cobbler with the “Hidden” Mickeys tasted great!

Bread pudding

My favorite: creme brulet French toast.