Tablefor5 TR *Sept 2010*, Days 1,2, & 3 with WoC

[Tablefor5]

Okay! First off Hello!:wave2:
My first PTR and hopefully it will continue to a finished TR!
Tablefor5 includes:
Me (33), DH (35), DS (10), DD (5), DD (3)
http://i651.photobucket.com/albums/uu240/Tablefor5/image343.jpg
This picture is from our last trip in Sept. 2008
Introduction to our Disneyland history.
I grew up in Arizona and great-grandma lived in Anaheim. We would drive at least twice a year to visit and of course take a side trip to THE park (since of course there was only one park (DL) back then);). I remember fireworks from my great-grandmas apartment complex pool, and I have very vivid memories of characters and rides from when I was a small toe-head of a child. I remember being frightened of the people mover and the ole’ rickety bridge on Tom Sawyer’s Island.
I also visited several times with church youth groups and in Jr.High School.
I have been to WDW once when I was 8 years old, although I do not remember a ton, I do remember it was not as magical as DL. Perhaps that is why I don’t remember a lot. :rolleyes:
I moved to Northern California and went through a dry spell of 4 years without a visit, with High School keeping me busy.
Flash-Forward to me meeting DH and our love for Disney. We met when I was 18, married at 23. During our dating, there were many trips to DL (still only one park). Often these trips were last-minute. “Babe, after I cash my paycheck lets head down to Disneyland.” :rotfl2:We didn’t care much for hotel amenities and were good to eat junk food all day. I was smitten and it didn’t help that this was a guy who could wear a Mickey baseball cap with pride. :thumbsup2 Our most memorable trip was New Year’s Eve 1996, so in love and no cares in the world. During that trip he asked me “What I would say if he asked me to marry him?” It wasn’t a true proposal, that came 3 years later, but memorable and magical anyhow! We had a great spot in front of the castle for the midnight countdown!
A few years later, a wedding, and along comes Baby #1: At our baby shower, one of the trivia questions was “How many times will we take our baby to Disneyland during the first year?”
Well, I was still finishing my college degree and time/money didn’t allow us to take our son until he was 2 years old. We went at Christmas Time and the trip was magical and it seems like just yesterday. During that trip he was infatuated with Cinderella and we looked hard the whole trip (only two days)…then we found her all alone near the Plaza Inn. I was thinking she was headed back to CM only area, but my son spotted her and called out. We got a little private time with the princess. It was the first time I saw my son blush.:blush:
He is ten now and still gets smitten with the pretty girls.
Baby #2 arrives: Sorry no trips….
Baby#3 arrives: This mommy is starting to feel a little sad that I am not expressing the true Disney meaning to my children. YES, we know the characters, watch the movies, sing the songs…but my girls have not seen the castle, or tasted the fudge! What kind of mother am I? And I know my husband doesn’t object to Disneyland. Well, put my foot down, we are going to plan a visit!
September 2008 visit: Our kids were 8, 3, 1
During this planning period is where I discovered the wonderful DisBoards!!:hug:
We stayed at the HoJo and loved it! We did 4 days in the parks (plural now, since there are 2 parks);). I suppose I could do a whole trip report but to summarize:
We had PS for Minnie & Friends, great interaction and okay food!
My 8yo son was terrified of the rides yet my 3yo girl couldn’t get enough Matterhorn and Splash Mtn. The parent swap worked great!
We did the TOTP, it was fun but it was our last night and the kids were exhausted. They fell asleep before 10. We wheeled all 3 around in the double stroller, with the little one on top (not recommending and do not want to get sued by anyone if they try it)
We loved the HoJo and the Pirate area! We stayed in a 2Q GardenPool view and really like it!
We have relatives, Aunts/Uncles/Grandma that live in Orange County and stayed a day on each end of this trip.
On our drive home Hubby and I agreed we shouldn’t have waited so long to go back!
2009: We wanted to plan another trip, but our kids were invited to be in a family wedding in Canada. As much as I wanted to plan for a Mickey Mouse trip, it was super fun planning a Canadian trip, EH!
So earlier this year, DH & I are on a date (rare, very rare) watching Alice in Wonderland (with Johnny…oohhh so dreamy)! And the Sleeping Beauty castle silhouette appears before the trailers…hubby looks at me and sighs “we should go back!” I say calmly :cloud9: “okay, during the kids Fall break again”…and inside I am “whoop, whoop:woohoo:” …alas I re-enter the Disboards to help plan and talk about Disneyness!! We have decided to plan a surprise trip this time for fun! We will see if I can keep my mouth shut :lmao:

Other things about me:
I work full time as a Registered Dietitian.
I love to garden and recently purchased the official Disneyland and Beauty Within (Belle) roses from Jackson and Perkin’s (although sadly the company filed for bankruptcy)
We have 2 doggies.
I love to sell (and buy) on ebay…random stuff.
My son wanted to name his sister Cinderella and call her Cindy.

So "Here We Goooooo!"

[Sherry E]

Woo hoo! Tablefor5 - you made it over to the TR side of town!!:cool1::cool1: Such a cute family you have, too! I'm subscribed and here for the long haul!

Gosh, you reminded me of that bridge on Tom Sawyer's Island - I used to be terrified of that as well. Both that and the barrel bridge. I always thought for sure that I would go plummeting to my death!:rotfl2::rotfl2: I was not as scared of the People Mover as much as I was those darn Skyway Bucket things.

Anyway, if I make a sudden, drastic change in my HalloweenTime schedule, i.e. skipping October and going in late September to avoid hideous crowds, I will definitely let you know so hopefully I can meet up with you and Belle Ella, and any of our other Halloween thread regulars who are going at that time! I really wanted to have a good amount of space in between my Halloween trip and Christmas trip, so going in September would be better for that purpose.

[Tablefor5]

Awesome Sherry! My first reader :thumbsup2...
Thanks!:flower3:
So, now that you mention the barrel bridge, I had a flashback :scared1: and maybe that it what I remember as the ole' rickety bridge. I remember my boney lil kness buckling across with those bratty kids jumping all around me. :sad1: Anyhow, childhood memories are what we make of them at the time!
I will try and update later and fill in on my trip plans thus far! :cheer2:

[Belle Ella]

Aw, I totally frogt to subscribe last night and now Sherry beat me to the first reader spot! *shakes fist in Sherry's general direction* :rotfl:

But yay! So glad for another September go'er to start up a PTR. You don't mind if I link to it in the check in threads OP do you?

[Sherry E]

Awesome Sherry! My first reader :thumbsup2...
Thanks!:flower3:
So, now that you mention the barrel bridge, I had a flashback :scared1: and maybe that it what I remember as the ole' rickety bridge. I remember my boney lil kness buckling across with those bratty kids jumping all around me. :sad1: Anyhow, childhood memories are what we make of them at the time!
I will try and update later and fill in on my trip plans thus far! :cheer2:

There was a rickety bridge and a barrel bridge - and I thought I would die on both of them (except the barrels were in the water and the rickety bridge dangled above water)! Bratty kids were always jumping up and down, trying to kill me!

Aw, I totally frogt to subscribe last night and now Sherry beat me to the first reader spot! *shakes fist in Sherry's general direction* :rotfl:

But yay! So glad for another September go'er to start up a PTR. You don't mind if I link to it in the check in threads OP do you?

:rotfl2::rotfl2::rotfl2:Jazz, that sentence made me laugh out loud. This is probably way before your time (I'm old, so it's not before my time, sadly), Jazz, but the image of shaking the fist reminded me of an episode of the old sitcom, "Bewitched" or something like that, form that era. I can't recall what happened in the episode, but somehow there was an evil witch that had trapped someone somewhere or cast a horrible spell or whatever. Anyway, they foiled her attempt at evil and escaped, and the evil witch was left standing there, screaming in dramatic fashion something like, "You'll rue the day!!!":rotfl2: I think she was even shaking her fist as she said, "You'll rue the day!" I always thought to myself that it was so funny because, (A) who ever uses the word 'rue'?, and (B) it was so overly dramatic, almost comical. Then again, a lot of TV shows and old movies had very dramatic acting styles.

So I can picture you saying as you shake the fist in my general direction, "You'll rue the day!!!":rotfl2::rotfl2::rotfl2::rotfl2:

Anyway, I had to pop in here to Tablefor5's TR because she's a member of the Halloween thread!! Also, she is going to DLR around the same time you are, Jazz, so IF I decide to skip waiting for TSMM to return in October and make a late September HalloweenTime trip instead, I will most likely be trying to stalk both you and Tablefor5 through the parks!! So I have to keep tabs on what's happening!!:rotfl2:

[Tablefor5]

Aw, I totally frogt to subscribe last night and now Sherry beat me to the first reader spot! *shakes fist in Sherry's general direction* :rotfl:

But yay! So glad for another September go'er to start up a PTR. You don't mind if I link to it in the check in threads OP do you?

LOL...:lmao: The shaking of the fist reminds me of my great German grandma.
Of course you can link, thanks for asking!


Anyway, I had to pop in here to Tablefor5's TR because she's a member of the Halloween thread!! Also, she is going to DLR around the same time you are, Jazz, so IF I decide to skip waiting for TSMM to return in October and make a late September HalloweenTime trip instead, I will most likely be trying to stalk both you and Tablefor5 through the parks!! So I have to keep tabs on what's happening!!:rotfl2:

:rotfl2: Keep the stalking to facebook please...
So Jazz & I have about 50 days to convince Sherry to go the same time we are there...:woohoo:
I will try to update my plans, but gotta do the mommy night routine first! Be back later:banana:

[Belle Ella]

LOL...:lmao: The shaking of the fist reminds me of my great German grandma.
Of course you can link, thanks for asking!

:cool1: For some reason I just picture myself sitting in an empty field when it's raining just shaking my fist at the air and now inserting Sherry's "You'll rue the day"! As a matter of fact, I solemnly swear that I will find a way to utter those words tomorrow. That is my goal.

And I shall be going to add the linky after I clean up my dishes from dinner!!

:rotfl2: Keep the stalking to facebook please...
So Jazz & I have about 50 days to convince Sherry to go the same time we are there...:woohoo:
I will try to update my plans, but gotta do the mommy night routine first! Be back later:banana:

We'll tag team it!!

[Tablefor5]

We'll tag team it!!

Sounds like a plan! :thumbsup2

[tinksdreamwishes]

cant wait to read more! cute kids! :cutie:

[Tablefor5]

Tablefor5 Plans so far for this Sept trip:my dates are 9/25-9/30
Our school district has a 2 week break during this time.
We are driving down from Northern California and usually make one pit stop for lunch and potty break.
Staying at the HoJo Kids Suite and are SUPER EXCITED!!!! :yay::yay::yay:
It has been a crazy ordeal with my room reservation though...it has been confirmed, then canceled by mistake, then swtiched to 1K room by mistake :scared1:, then they didn't have any Kids Suites to change my reservation back! WHAT!! I was sad :sad1: but I am sooo glad I was keeping tabs on the Ent.Rate because when I called for one of my dates, that was when I found out that my original reservation had changed!!! For the last few months I have been calling to see if anything opened up, only feeling disappointed when nothing was showing. BUT, for those that know the HoJo;)...they came through with the lovely Lorealle and her magic! She recently contacted me to say my reservation is a go with the Kids Suite!!!!pirate:
The HoJo has been ever so helpful and of course Lorealle has proven to be a super sweet and an "out-of-her-way" type of gal. They truely know how to make the customer happy:love:
I have 1 date so far on the EntRate and wishing for more:wizard:
Here are two picutres from our last trip to the HoJo.
Stopped by the HoJo fountains on our way to Minnie's Breakfast and my youngest enjoying Speedy.
http://i651.photobucket.com/albums/uu240/Tablefor5/IMG_1637.jpghttp://i651.photobucket.com/albums/uu240/Tablefor5/IMG_1853.jpg

I have already purchased the 5-for-3 PH's. Raley's (a local grocery store) recently had a coupon/deal which gave a $20 grocery coupon for buying PH's. I had one of my own and posted this info on these boards and I was magically given a second by the kindness of DTDkettleCORNfan :hug:.
While it is not a true discount on the PH's, I now have $40 in free groceries...so every penny counts when planning for DL!

We have relatives in Orange County and will be planning on visiting them a day or so on either side of the trip! We used to stay with them but now that we are Tablefor5 it is a little overwhelming, especially for my grandma:rolleyes1

I am working on my excel spreadsheet for planning my days although it has been quite the task since Disney is slow to produce the schedule :teacher:
For dining, I have made a PS for Blue Bayou with recommendations from Jack for the 11:30 seating and hope for a waterside table.pirate: This will be our first time and I am thrilled!
I would like to try GK for a breakfast, thinking our last day in Anaheim after we check-out of the HoJo. I haven't made this PS since I am still trying to decide.
I am thinking of the WoC picnic and so glad it will be showing nightly. I was worried I wouldn't fit fireworks, F!, and WoC on the 2 weekend days of our trip. Now I can do 1 each night :yay:
I also have a HOB gift certificate and signed-up for the Patina deal since my birthday is September 19!

I was planning on upgrading to DAP's this trip because I really want to see Christmas again and the kids are getting "easier" to travel with for shorter trips, so we could make it down at least 2 more times after this one. I decided to try and "earn" and squirrel away the money for this. It might mean more to me and DH may agree easier if I say "Look babe, I have AP upgrade $ saved in this coffee can":rotfl2: I have been saving my mileage reimbursements from work, oddball money, and selling on ebay! It was going to be $665 but now that the DAP prices have gone up...I am adding another $150!!!
A little bit of a bummer but I am still going to try for it :surfweb:
So far total saved for AP's = $445:banana: Left to earn $370 (less than half)
I can do it! Got several things on ebay right now...wish me luck!
Well those are the major details for now...but everyday I plan a little more:idea:

[Tablefor5]

cant wait to read more! cute kids! :cutie:

:flower3:thanks!

[Sherry E]

:cool1: For some reason I just picture myself sitting in an empty field when it's raining just shaking my fist at the air and now inserting Sherry's "You'll rue the day"! As a matter of fact, I solemnly swear that I will find a way to utter those words tomorrow. That is my goal.

And I shall be going to add the linky after I clean up my dishes from dinner!!

We'll tag team it!!

Sounds like a plan! :thumbsup2

:rotfl2::rotfl2:You will all rue the day!!! Muahahahahahahaha!! (I'm shaking my fist!)

[HeatherBelle614]

Hi! I'm on board!

I'm planning my first trip to DLR, so I'm sure I have a ton to learn!! (I have it combined with another PTR in my siggy!)

Do you mind me asking why the specific time for the BB PS?

Looking forward to more!

[Tablefor5]

Hi! I'm on board!

I'm planning my first trip to DLR, so I'm sure I have a ton to learn!! (I have it combined with another PTR in my siggy!)

Do you mind me asking why the specific time for the BB PS?

Looking forward to more!

Welcome and have fun planning!
For the BB PS. I have done some research on this forum and the first seating for lunch is 11:30, this way you have a better chance of waterside. Many have said they arrive 20min early and request a waterside table. Hoping it works.:thumbsup2 And for dinner, I have read the 4:10 is the earliest also arriving 20min or so early. Good Luck!

[Tablefor5]

My 50 day mark...:cool1:
I can't believe it...50 days until we can sit on the stairs in NOS.
http://i651.photobucket.com/albums/uu240/Tablefor5/IMG_1735.jpg
Update on my AP Savings Plan!
I had two auctions end on ebay today and the profit was $80.10 !!!!!:banana::banana:
So my remaining $370 is now...$289.90.:cheer2:

Can't wait for Monday in hopes the rest of the September schedule is posted and the last few details like Fireworks & Aladdin are revealed.

[Tablefor5]

AP Savings Plan update: Another $8.77 on ebay...not as great as the other day, but every bit counts! New goal = $281.13 :banana:

I also found out that one of my older daughters best friends will be in the parks the same week...WHAT :woohoo: We decided to plan a secret meet to surprise the girls. We figure we will spend an afternoon together and let the girls ride a few rides or see a show. Her daughter knows of her trip, but mine doesn't so I can't even hint that we might meet-up.They were friends at the same daycare since they were 1 years old. They both entered Kindergarten this year but go to different schools. They still have gymnastics together once a week and they always hug :hug: everytime.
The other mom and I are trying to figure an awesome place to "run into each other" and surpirse the pants off of them.:cool1:
Any ideas???

Well, hopefully one more sleep and when I wake Disenyland will have posted the full HalloweenTime schedule!:wizard:

[Tablefor5]

Well, I have been MIA with crazy stuff around my house.
I really need to start finalizing some "plans". I did see that the fireworks are on the DL calendar finally, although not totally sure which ones?:confused3
Either way I am glad something showed.

So, I have been trying to get a hold of my grandma who lives in OC to tell her we are planning a visit. Well, today she calls...but I cannot quite talk about the plans with my kids sitting in front of me. :rolleyes1 I try to stall but my grandma knew I wanted to tell her something. I tried to send the kids "on a mission" out of the room. No such luck. After several attempts of trying to get alone, I finally had to talk in code. "We will be in Anaheim and wanted to know if you are around that week"
It was just my 2 younger and I don't think they understand Anaheim...yet!
But the funniest part is when my grandma says "I thought you wanted to tell me you guys were expecting again" :rotfl2::rotfl2::rotfl2::rotfl2::rotfl2:
I guess it might have appeared that way since I was trying hard to call her this last week and then today I was hesitant to talk :rotfl:

AP Savings Plan = Sold $12.10 more on ebay New Goal = $269.03 :cheer2:

[Tablefor5]

I have been so busy and totally ignoring my PTR...
I think keeping the secret from my kids is in some way drowning out my excitment because I can't talk to them about it. :confused3
or maybe I am just so stressed with work and routine that I need a vacation!:thumbsup2

I still need to call for our WoC picnic meals and Minnie's.
Another ET rate appeared for one day-then vanished the next, but I snapped it up in time!
So, I have 3 days at ET rate now! Hooray!

AP Savings Plan Update: another $76.80 = $192.23 :cheer2:
(Now I might be making my goal, so perhaps I should let hubby in on my plan :rotfl2:)

[Tablefor5]

12 day mark
My trip is coming together now...and I still kept it a secret from the kids!!! This weekend I did trying planting a seed with my son. I told him that we should try to talk daddy into a trip to LA/SD area to visit family and spend time at the beach :rolleyes1

[Tablefor5]

Dining Plans
Out-of-Park

House of Blues (Resturant.com GC)
Tortilla Joe's (Patina Birthday Club *My birthday is 9/19) :cake:
Mimi's-probably a few times(more email coupons and Birthday $10 coupon)


In-Park PS made

Blue Bayou 11:30 PS (first time and hoping for waterside)pirate:
Minnie & Friends::MinnieMo
World of Color Picnic's:rainbow:


Other Must-have's for eats

Monte Cristo...yummmy!
Mint Julep *first time :drinking:
Lobster Nachos
Fudge:lovestruc
Dole Whip (if it's hot)
Free tortilla

[Tablefor5]

I am single digits now...woohoo!
Yesterday I got the autograph books I made through Vistaprint. It was quite a task but I think they came out very cute. I think I have every character we might come across and several generic and holiday themed pages too...
I may be more excited about the books than perhaps my girls will be :rotfl:

http://i651.photobucket.com/albums/uu240/Tablefor5/020.jpg

[Tablefor5]

YEAH! We leave tomorrow. We are packed (probably overpacked :rotfl:), the kids are asleep and I cannot wait to get on the road. We will have about a 5-6 hr drive. It won't be too bad since we have the DVD hooked up. I also bought new Hannah Montana Disney MixMax's loaded with movies and music for the girls. I will surprise them in the car with those. I also remembered to pack the new autograph books for the girls and a new hidden mickey book for my son...both surprises. I also stopped at the dollar store for glow necklaces and I found super cool glow wands with stars or butterflies on the top. They are really cute!!!princess: I took necklaces last time and when the peddlers came around during the parade time...WaaLaa mommy brought out ours and saved a bunch-o-money and since I bring so many we share with kids around us, so it's a nice feeling too!:hug: I still can't believe I have kept this trip a secret. The kids are excited to go see great-grandma and I really don't think they have a clue about this. They are still too young to understand geographics to know how close Disney is to great-grandma to even put the two together :lmao: I am keeping the video camera in the front seat to catch their reaction when they finally realize...hopefully as we pull in to the HoJo :banana:
I am not too good about keeping the trip report LIVE, but if I don't get a chance I will be posting on our return! :dance3:
Another of my HoJo dates came up so 4 out of 5 dates are ENT rate!!! :woohoo: and that last one could still pop up.
As Peter Pan would say "Here we goooo....":tink:

[Tablefor5]

We are back and of course enjoyed each moment!
The kids had no clue until we drove by the HoJo and they saw the Monorail wiz by. I had the video camera ready and it made a great memory. :lovestruc Our timing was fabulous on EVERYTHING, from rides & shows to character meets & dining. During this trip I was very involved in taking in the moment and realized there were several times I didn't even pull out the camera or I just used photopass. I love seeing Disney in the eyes of children! :wizard:More to come soon...

[Goofy_Mom]

Will we be treated with a trip report? I'ld love to hear about the suprise meet up with DD's friend.

[Tablefor5]

Will we be treated with a trip report? I'ld love to hear about the suprise meet up with DD's friend.

Yup, working on the pics for a report. The surprise meet was fun...more on that on Day 3! :goodvibes

[Tablefor5]

Day 1
Our drive down was verrry long...ugg. There were several accidents on the 5 and another major accident just as we drove into LA. The kids were getting antsy and I was about to explode with excitment for the surprise.
We finally made it close to Harbor exit and my son says "Look, Disneyland!". My husband and I didn't say anything. As we drove up, the kids spotted the Monorail and as we turned into the HoJo, they finally got it!:cool1:
It was sweet and the kids remembered the hotel and the fun Pirate area pirate:
I flipped open the video camera and captured the first moments of realism for the kids (and my hubby & I) :thumbsup2
The kids suite was beyond AWESOME :worship: Much more spacious than I had imagined. The kids thought it was very cool to have their own room. I didn't feel that having the opening door from their room to be unsafe, as some have mentioned on these boards. It was weird though that the only sliding balcony door was on the kids side and not the parents :confused3
We were on the ground floor, next to the elevator, but the room was very quiet. We could not hear the freeway or elevator. It was very private. We were also right next to the gift store and arcade...another plus!
A few pics...
http://i651.photobucket.com/albums/uu240/Tablefor5/Disneyland%209-2010/254.jpghttp://i651.photobucket.com/albums/uu240/Tablefor5/Disneyland%209-2010/260.jpg
The room was great..lots of room to play and store the stroller :banana:
We also had a roll-away bed because the sofa-bed was a little worn and when we asked to have the bed made, the front desk reccomended we not use the sofa as a bed. But still, even with the roll-away, we still had plenty of room!
http://i651.photobucket.com/albums/uu240/Tablefor5/Disneyland%209-2010/261.jpghttp://i651.photobucket.com/albums/uu240/Tablefor5/Disneyland%209-2010/262.jpg
So this mirror was super cool...like a concaved port window! My hubby was laughing towards the end of the trip because I kept saying "I love this mirror" :rotfl:

[Tablefor5]

7pm: Headed to the park!
We decided to grab dinner in the park and catch F!
We ate at Riverbelle and the first F! showing was already packed. We are night owls anyhow so waiting for the 2nd show didn't bother us.
After eating we rode Pirates. I wanted to be up near Splash when the 1st F! show exited after the fireworks, so we headed up to Critter Country and rode Pooh. It was about 9pm and we parked the stroller and waited in line at HM (~30min wait). As we exited the ride about 9:45, we walked over to the ROA. The sitting room only was already packed, but we managed to be standing to the left, just in front of the Dessert Dining seating. The CM was just about to rope off the section and said it was standing room only. It was perfect! We were right up by the wall and the view was great, even for my kids to stand and see! :wizard:
http://i651.photobucket.com/albums/uu240/Tablefor5/Disneyland%209-2010/019.jpg

http://i651.photobucket.com/albums/uu240/Tablefor5/Disneyland%209-2010/023.jpg

This picture came out really cool!
http://i651.photobucket.com/albums/uu240/Tablefor5/Disneyland%209-2010/010.jpg
After the show we grabbed the stroller (still parked by HM), rode Jungle Cruise and then headed back to the hotel.

[Tablefor5]

:thumbsup2

[Tablefor5]

Day 2
We decided that Sunday would be our day to drive to see my grandma about 20 min away. My uncle and aunt also joined us. They had a mini birthday party for me and lunch was grandma's famous meatloaf...my fav. Yum!
We visited for awhile but as my children began acting like wild animals, I decided it was time to head back. It was still very hot so we went for a swim at the hotel. Then we got cleaned up and headed for dinner at HoB.
There was no wait for tables and both inside and outside were available. We sat inside because it was still so hot. We started with the calamari app...very good with a yummy sauce already on it! The kids food was ok. DH got a burger and I got the flatiron steak salad. Both were good.
6pm: Headed to park!
We headed straight to Fantasy Land and rode the darkrides and Storybook. Next up was Matterhorn and Nemo. By now it was close to 8:15pm and the Hub and in front of the castle were already lined up with people. I decided to take some dis advice and try the rope trick on the left side of the hub. We made our way to the hubside opposite of the Frontier Land entrance. The rope path was not up yet, but I could see the plugs on the ground so I stood near those. DH and son went to get Dole Whips while the girls & I played with our glow sticks. About 10 min later the CM roped off the walking path, and we were right behind the rope. No one was standing in front of us and we actually sat on the ground for most of the show and the girls in the stroller. There were a few trees to the left but did not obstruct the fireworks view. There was also an umbrella that partially blocked the bottom of the castle, but again didn't take away from the magic! We could see Tink perfectly!:tink:
http://i651.photobucket.com/albums/uu240/Tablefor5/Disneyland%209-2010/038.jpg

http://i651.photobucket.com/albums/uu240/Tablefor5/Disneyland%209-2010/041.jpg

http://i651.photobucket.com/albums/uu240/Tablefor5/Disneyland%209-2010/043.jpg

We rode a few more rides in Adventure Land and then headed back to HoJo all the while I started planting the seed about how we should get AP's...:rotfl:

[Tablefor5]

Day 3...The Full Park Day in DCA and WoC!111 degrees!!!
That was the HOT topic of the day (no pun intended). It was already blazing at 9:30 when we left the hotel. We were supposed to start in DL and I had Blue Bayou PS @ 11:30, but I didn't feel like park hopping in the heat. We headed straight to DCA since we planned to do WoC that day and had picnics to pick-up. We started by grabbing a Photopass guy and snapped a few pics by the Grizzly Peak. Then we headed to see "It's Tough to Be a Bug". As we were parking the stroller...Pluto shows up! Awesome, no one in line! I had to whip out the girls autograph books and find the pen. Our first character in the new books. :thumbsup2
My picture is not so good but the photopass does have some cute ones!
http://i651.photobucket.com/albums/uu240/Tablefor5/Disneyland%209-2010/054.jpg
So, on to the show...there was no wait and it was nice to get out of the heat. The kids really like the show, I on the other hand can't stand bugs and I remembered to pick up my feet at the end. BUT, I was still surprised by the "bugs" under my tush...gross! My DH looked over and laughed at me.
We then ventured down to tour the tortilla factory...found a hidden Mickey, and grabbed a free tortilla!
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http://i651.photobucket.com/albums/uu240/Tablefor5/057.jpg

We made are way to Redwood Creek Challenge Trail before it got too hot :lmao:, even if it was already nearing 100!!! The kids had fun running around and playing!
http://i651.photobucket.com/albums/uu240/Tablefor5/059.jpg

We then decided to brave the rapids and head to Grizzly River Run. I took the two older kids and got a rider switch for hubby to ride after.
What a great refreshing ride!:thumbsup2

We worked up an appetite braving the rapids, so we headed to WCT to pick up our picnics. There were plenty of tables (although outside) and we decided to eat our meals then. We had the All American Chicken and The Mediterranean Vegetarian...both very good! The kids got the All American Jr. Our order was a little messed up and they were very accommodating to switch anything we wanted! The kids loved their bracelets and that was one less "thing" to buy! :thumbsup2

After the meal we decided to head into Bugs Land again and cool off in the spray water areas! Sooo glad we were at this park on this day!
We rode Heimlich's train...

http://i651.photobucket.com/albums/uu240/Tablefor5/067.jpg

http://i651.photobucket.com/albums/uu240/Tablefor5/066.jpg


Then we made our way to Hollywood Backlot to ride Monsters Inc. and dropped in for the Muppets show. Just as the show let out, it was time for the Drawn to Magic show. Awesome timing again! I thought it was cute but felt it was cut short. There was no one picked from the audience and the characters split right after...no meet-n-greet! :confused3 Thinking maybe due to the HEAT!
So, for those that have been following my PTR, all morning I had been texting my friend for the surprise meet with our girls. They were headed into the park and just as the show ended, my daughter spots her friend from across the way!:yay: I had the video camera out and it was another magical memory! The girls hugged and stared at each other in astonishment! So cute! :cutie:
We were originally going to go on some rides together but opted for some cool down time in the Disney Animation building. We watched the zeotrope...

http://i651.photobucket.com/albums/uu240/Tablefor5/Disneyland%209-2010/070.jpg

While waiting for the next Crush show, Stich walks in! My youngest loves Lilo & Stich so she was a little star-struck to get her picture with him! :goodvibes
(I cropped my daughters friend from the picture cuz I didn't know if her mommy would want her pic on here)

http://i651.photobucket.com/albums/uu240/Tablefor5/071.jpg

We let the girls play a little more and then parted with our own families. We do meet up a few more times during the trip :lovestruc
We grabbed a table for 5 for some ice cream and was hoping to catch HSM but that was cancelled "for unseen circumstances" so we then headed to Soarin, but first stopped by for a family pic with the famous Cars and we got a cute one but photopass only so will post later.

We rode Soarin and again did Rider Switch since the youngest was too little.

It would have been perfect timing for the Pixar parade, but that too was cancelled for "unexpected circumstances" or something like that.
I read it as "it's too darn HOT for outside performance". :laughing:
I also think the heat was to blame for the lack of characters out...but I don't blame them one bit!

We walked down to Paradise Pier and grabbed a table at Cove bar. It was about 6pm now. The waitress stated there would be a $10 cover if we wanted to stay after 7pm to watch WoC. We already had FPs anyhow, but I don't think the view would have been best for the first time seeing the show.
We ordered the lobster nachos and a pizza. Both were very good. I wanted to try a cocktail but I already felt very dehydrated even though we had been chugging down H2O all day!
Here is a view from our table at Cove Bar.
http://i651.photobucket.com/albums/uu240/Tablefor5/Disneyland%209-2010/075.jpg

As we left the bar it was close to 6:45. I noticed the bridge was already lined up thick with people. We trucked our way to the Yellow section and made our way to the first available "railing" view, which was on the 2nd tier. We were directly in front of the performance box for the pre-show and directly to the left of us was the Preferred Dining section. So really, for about $20 less/pp we were only about 5ft to the right...:woohoo:
The wait wasn't too bad...the kids had their new WoC bracelets and mommy pulled out more glow necklaces that kept them occupied. I played some with my camera...
http://i651.photobucket.com/albums/uu240/Tablefor5/Disneyland%209-2010/079.jpg


The pre-show was cute...
http://i651.photobucket.com/albums/uu240/Tablefor5/Disneyland%209-2010/082.jpg

And World of Color was very cool! My real take is it seemed to drag out towards the end and even my kids lost a little interest.
But, with that said, I did appreciate the magic behind the show!

http://i651.photobucket.com/albums/uu240/Tablefor5/Disneyland%209-2010/086.jpg

So, totally exhausted from the heat and a long day...we headed back to the hotel, thankful for earlier closing hours on off-peak season and cold beer waiting in the mini-fridge! ;)

[wdwfan22]

I just found your trip report. Your family is so adorable!! I'm really enjoying reading about your trip. So sorry it was a million degrees outside!

Waiting to hear what your husband said about upgrading to AP. :rotfl2:

Looking forward to more!!

[Tablefor5]

I just found your trip report. Your family is so adorable!! I'm really enjoying reading about your trip. So sorry it was a million degrees outside!

Waiting to hear what your husband said about upgrading to AP. :rotfl2:

Looking forward to more!!

Thanks! :goodvibes
The upgrade to AP progress will be updated as the trip goes on :rotfl2:
I will try to get the next day up soon...
I was starting to think no one was reading this TR :surfweb::lmao:

[justliketink]

I am really enjoying your trip report. I didn't know you could watch the WOC show from the Cove bar. We are planning on doing a dining package one of the nights we are there, but we may have to catch it again while eating nachos and having a margarita!! Hope you get your ap's! We live in the bay area and the year I convinced my husband to get ap's, we visited four times :rolleyes1 My husband wasn't too happy with me :mad: But boy did we have fun that year:banana: