Today we would be doing something Jeff has never tried before, and that I’ve only done once. Please, don’t try and guess. It was rope drop. For the uninitiated (or normal people) among us, this means we got ourselves up and out to be in line for park opening. Due to the extreme popularity of the Radiator Springs Racers ride, guests queue up early and high tail it down to Carsland. The turnstiles open approximately thirty minutes before official opening.
Crowds awaiting the first step in the process.
After you enter the park, you will be held up by friendly cast members until the official opening time.
Among the masses.
Then there is a slow “parade” led by Lightening McQueen down to the Racers ride.
Ka Ching!
During our slow walk, I snapped a few atmospheric pics. There will be more elegant ones later on.
Flo’s V8 Café
They must be using these pumps for something! Racer 5 IPA?
Whizzing by the Cozy Cone Motel
Tow Mater Photo Op
“Flower” details
So here’s the deal. This was my first experience on Radiator Springs, so I didn’t want to see it through a camera lens. This means that you’re gonna have to wait to see photos. Don’t worry, there’s an obnoxious amount of pictures to come.
I’m sure we did a couple more things, but the next on the camera roll was our pre-lunch. We had reservations at Carthay Circle for 2:30 but we needed to snack up for now, so we headed over to Paradise Pier.
Tadah!!!!
The perfect food-on-a-stick, the corn dog! The corn dogs at the Little Red Wagon are rumored to be better, though perhaps it might be nostalgia. Regardless these were dang good. We took our purchase to a nice shady area to enjoy. You can observe that it was seriously empty today.
We could have sat here.
We chose here instead.
Corn Dog in it’s pristine form.
Chomp!
After snacking, we took walk around the pier and had a ride on California Screamin’. This is a super-smooth coaster that works for even wimps like me, but I do still keep my eyes closed during the loop.
This is the part I never saw.
Nope, not real tattoos.
Games along the pier.
We took a stroll through A Bug’s Land. We’ve discussed this before. Very cute, but riddled with children.
Such cute details here. Look closely.
Toy Story nod.
Adorable lighting. I gotta come through here at night!
Sweet bench, but it’s probably sticky.
A Bug’s Land seems real safe and innocent, but lurking over head is….The Tower of Terror!!!! Bwahahaha!!!!
Pay no mind to the haunted hotel, children.
Hollywood Tower of Terror
This is in interesting attraction on which to do a coast to coast comparison. Outwardly, the building here is just as impressive as in Florida, but the way you enter is definitely lacking. There’s no meandering through the creepy gardens listening eerie music in the queue, which really sets the stage for the attraction. The architecture is different as well. The Orlando attraction is modeled after the Biltmore Hotel Los Angeles. This version takes some cues from there, but it has a distinct Pueblo Deco Style which characterized by geometric shapes bright colors, and southwestern Native American motifs like sunbursts and arrowheads.
Arrowhead motif in the stained glass.
Flat ceiling and bright blue accents.
The dusty. mysterious vignettes are just as impressive here.
Card game, suddenly interrupted.
Cob webbs almost as profuse as my own home.
Burberry coat draped over the desk.
The ride itself is not as elaborate as the WDW counterpart. This however was a bit of a thrill for us the first time we rode because we weren’t expecting the drop when it happened. Once you know what you’re missing, you do wish for the extra show scenes. A great attraction none the less.
On to the Muppet Vision 3D. The queue here is much more detailed and starts outside the theater. Lots of corny jokes to be enjoyed on the way in.
Facade
Beaker in peril, as ususal.
Gonzo!
Catapult of Doom!!! Notice the target on the roof!
Very punny reading here.
Love the Miss Piggy Glamour Shot!
The theater and the show are exactly the same. Always fun and a great place to take a rest in air conditioning. Shoes off, eyes closed!
Muppet Theater
Another great place for a midday respite is the Animation Building. This houses Turtle Talk with Crush, the Animation Academy along with some interesting and changing exhibits. Here’s a tip for you WDW people: Turtle Talk has real theater seats, not hard backless benches! Another place for a nap!
Animation Theater
The main hall is so impressive. It’s absolutely humungous, with giant screens showing scenes from classic Disney animated films accompanied by their scores.
Grand Hall
Plenty of room here for kids to run around and parents to take a break.
It was finally time to walk back to Buena Vista Street for our Anniversary lunch at Carthay Circle Restaurant!
This is a re-creation of the original Theater in Los Angeles where Snow White premiered.
I head read so much about this place before the trip. One of Carthay’s specialties is custom crafted cocktails, so we were sure to allow time to visit the lounge before lunch.
Sumptuously appointed lounge.
Gorgeous Bar
Very comfy seating.
Classy Menu
Carthay Martini
One of the unique feature of their menu is the Ice Spheres. They are perfectly clear and are able to keep you aperitif cold for two hours without melting and diluting the drink. My question is, who nurses a martini for two hours???
Carthay Martini with cucumber, because olives are yucky.
These are the contraptions that make the spheres.
This is a very short video of how they work. Yes, I’m painfully aware that this “sphere” takes up more than half the glass. I know I’m getting swindled. I’m good with it.
Our table was ready. We were sat in the main dining room under this amazing fresco painting of the forests from Snow White.
Exquisite Ceiling Painting
Private Dining room off to the side.
Even smaller private riding room.
More dining space. Still elegant but not as lavish. There’s out door seating as well.
Photos of Walt are all around the restaurant. There’s a quick free tour you can take before the restaurant opens, but we didn’t do it this time.
Menu.
Unnamed wine. Notice the elegant burled walnut table top with inlays.
I had heard nothing but wonderful things about this place until one day…The Disney Food Blog, which never says anything bad about anything gave it a “meh” review just before our trip. This is the sort of thing that gives me the vapors. Other Disney friends assured me that I would not be disappointed, but I was extra strategic when we ordered. I had heard that the appetizers shone the most here so we had a tapas style lunch, instead of main courses.
Here we go!
Carthay Signature Fried Biscuits
Stuffed with White Cheddar, Bacon, and Jalapeño with Apricot Honey Butter
These were great. Spicy, smokey and surprisingly light.
Fire Cracker Duck Wings
Soy, Lime, and Sriracha Chili Sauce
The duck was no joke. Super spicy and the meat really fell right off the proverbial bone.
Ginger Pork Pot Stickers
Accented with Lemon Grass and Mango Voodoo Sauce
These were by far the best dumplings I’ve ever had. The dough was perfectly proportioned to the filling and there was not a hint of gumminess to them. Great accompaniments as well.
Pacific Ono Ceviche
Avocado, Tomatillo-Cilantro Essence and Crisp Plantain Chips
This was light, fresh and the perfect was to end the tasting. I have only one complaint. There were’t enough plantain chips to scoop up the fish, but I would have used my flip flop to eat this, it was so dang good!
We just happened to mention that it was our anniversary, so we were rewarded with this prize. Worth all 25 years!
Warm Rocky Road Brownie
Toasted macadamia nut chocolate marshmallow brownie with caramel sauce and marshmallow ice cream
On the way out we got to meet the Main Mouse! I’m not one for character greetings, but hey, when he’s right there!
Hang loose, Mickey.
What happened next was so stinkin’ sweet. There was a young family waiting to see Mickey. Mom was just going to have them take the picture with the toddler, but Mickey got right down on the floor to hold her baby sister too, Such a sweet moment.
There’s the Disney difference, right there.
That’s what I just love about all the Disney Parks. Jeff and I had a fabulous anniversary lunch and cocktails at an elegant restaurant, while right outside the door a young family was having a one of a kind meeting with Mickey, and we both couldn’t have been happier. That’s the kind of day Mr. Disney wanted to create for families, something for everyone.
Story Teller Statue
Coming Up: NOW, you can see Carsland!