Our company decided that a quick trip to DLR was better option than a holiday party. So, yesterday at 7am we all flew from N. CA to SNA for a day trip. Our return flight was returning at 9:20pm, giving us plenty of time in the parks. To make the day even better we splurged for the VIP tour, which was really a great way to see as much as possible. In our group of 9 we had 3 people who were first timers, it was fun to see the park through their experience.
Our day started bright and early (5am wake up time to catch the 7am flight). I had arranged for the Super Shuttle to take us to DLR but one of our employees was flying out of a different airport and unfortunately was delayed. I told him to take a taxi or Uber from the airport to DLR and we would meet up with him there (bad idea).
We arrived at the park around 9 and swiftly make it through security and enter Disneyland with very little lines. We store out belongings in a locker and then grab a coffee. Our other employee finally lands and attempts to get an Uber, he ends up having all sorts of issues with Uber (cancellation of ride and then a driver who DID NOT KNOW WHERE TO GO). It took him over an hour to get to the parks. This also sucked because when he finally go into the security line, the line was snaked backed taking him about 30 minutes to get through.
I had already met our guide, as we were scheduled to begin our tour at 10am but because of the delay, we didn't start until 11am. After our last employee made it through the security line the guide took us through the exit to get us into the park asap. We met up with the rest of our group and were on our way. First stop Indy, great ride to start the day. Our guide was great at moving things along and hitting all of our requests.
We rode the following in one day: Indy, POTC, HM, Teacups, IASM, Matterhorn, Space Mountain, Star Tours (stopped for a Dole Whip) - walked over to DCA and rode Soarin', ToT, Radiator, Screamin' & TSM. We had dinner reservations at Cafe Orleans and barely had time to eat when the shuttle called and asked us to meet him in the McDonald's parking lot. All in all it was great day but a bit too long for me, I like a break mid-day to rest.
Now for some notable things that took place.
The VIP tour; this is the way to go when you have limited time. Our guide was different, she was very nice to us but her demeanor was not what i would call "Disney-ish", she was sort of aggressive. I'm an aggressive personality in certain situations and know full and well that I would not make a very good CM, I would describe her personality almost like mine. She would snap at people that stood in the way, if a random person asked her a question she was very abrupt with the answer, she was snippy with some of the other CMs that took too long to acknowledge her and the group. She wasn't overly chatty, which for me was great but I imagine others like an informed CM that shares tidbits about the park. If we asked specific questions she would answer and it was always interesting but she didn't offer up anything. I liked her (I know it sounds like I didn't) but for how I like to do things, she was right up my alley. I just imagine that she's not everyone's cup of tea. That said, she accomplished our list of rides, albeit, at a very fast pace - she walked faster then me (and I'm a fast walker). I would definitely do the VIP tour if I could, but the price is kind of outrageous. Thank you boss for springing for the luxury.
The other interesting thing that happened...a Kardashian run-in. When you do the VIP experience, for any ride that doesn't have fast pass you enter through the exit (similar to someone in a wheelchair). We enter IASM and as we waited for our turn I noticed a group that walked up...we were immediately told we would have to wait. I looked over and recognized one of them and asked our guide (kind of loudly), "are we getting bumped for the Kardashians", our guide shushed me. I guess I'm not allowed to say anything! Not only did we have to wait for them to board (and they must have had 12-14 people in their group, including about 4 security guards) but the held up 3 empty boats after them. Again I can only guess, but maybe they're worried that someone would throw something at them. Anyway, because they were so close I got a good look at the mom, she looked crazy!!! They were all dressed casually except her, she didn't look good. Well, she looked like a woman with too much plastic surgery, which isn't surprising, except when you see someone up close, no bueno. They moved on and we crossed our fingers that we wouldn't run into them again.
All in all the day was great, by the time I arrived home, 11:00pm, I was dead tired. But now I can say I experienced a one day VIP tour with newbies.
Our day started bright and early (5am wake up time to catch the 7am flight). I had arranged for the Super Shuttle to take us to DLR but one of our employees was flying out of a different airport and unfortunately was delayed. I told him to take a taxi or Uber from the airport to DLR and we would meet up with him there (bad idea).
We arrived at the park around 9 and swiftly make it through security and enter Disneyland with very little lines. We store out belongings in a locker and then grab a coffee. Our other employee finally lands and attempts to get an Uber, he ends up having all sorts of issues with Uber (cancellation of ride and then a driver who DID NOT KNOW WHERE TO GO). It took him over an hour to get to the parks. This also sucked because when he finally go into the security line, the line was snaked backed taking him about 30 minutes to get through.
I had already met our guide, as we were scheduled to begin our tour at 10am but because of the delay, we didn't start until 11am. After our last employee made it through the security line the guide took us through the exit to get us into the park asap. We met up with the rest of our group and were on our way. First stop Indy, great ride to start the day. Our guide was great at moving things along and hitting all of our requests.
We rode the following in one day: Indy, POTC, HM, Teacups, IASM, Matterhorn, Space Mountain, Star Tours (stopped for a Dole Whip) - walked over to DCA and rode Soarin', ToT, Radiator, Screamin' & TSM. We had dinner reservations at Cafe Orleans and barely had time to eat when the shuttle called and asked us to meet him in the McDonald's parking lot. All in all it was great day but a bit too long for me, I like a break mid-day to rest.
Now for some notable things that took place.
The VIP tour; this is the way to go when you have limited time. Our guide was different, she was very nice to us but her demeanor was not what i would call "Disney-ish", she was sort of aggressive. I'm an aggressive personality in certain situations and know full and well that I would not make a very good CM, I would describe her personality almost like mine. She would snap at people that stood in the way, if a random person asked her a question she was very abrupt with the answer, she was snippy with some of the other CMs that took too long to acknowledge her and the group. She wasn't overly chatty, which for me was great but I imagine others like an informed CM that shares tidbits about the park. If we asked specific questions she would answer and it was always interesting but she didn't offer up anything. I liked her (I know it sounds like I didn't) but for how I like to do things, she was right up my alley. I just imagine that she's not everyone's cup of tea. That said, she accomplished our list of rides, albeit, at a very fast pace - she walked faster then me (and I'm a fast walker). I would definitely do the VIP tour if I could, but the price is kind of outrageous. Thank you boss for springing for the luxury.
The other interesting thing that happened...a Kardashian run-in. When you do the VIP experience, for any ride that doesn't have fast pass you enter through the exit (similar to someone in a wheelchair). We enter IASM and as we waited for our turn I noticed a group that walked up...we were immediately told we would have to wait. I looked over and recognized one of them and asked our guide (kind of loudly), "are we getting bumped for the Kardashians", our guide shushed me. I guess I'm not allowed to say anything! Not only did we have to wait for them to board (and they must have had 12-14 people in their group, including about 4 security guards) but the held up 3 empty boats after them. Again I can only guess, but maybe they're worried that someone would throw something at them. Anyway, because they were so close I got a good look at the mom, she looked crazy!!! They were all dressed casually except her, she didn't look good. Well, she looked like a woman with too much plastic surgery, which isn't surprising, except when you see someone up close, no bueno. They moved on and we crossed our fingers that we wouldn't run into them again.
All in all the day was great, by the time I arrived home, 11:00pm, I was dead tired. But now I can say I experienced a one day VIP tour with newbies.