The Disney Grump & Family Take on the World-Our '09 Christmas w/ the Mouse, COMPLETE

[SoonerGirl]

After the GMR we walked over to the Animation Building. We've seen the show with Mushu several times, so we skipped it and went straight in. First order of business was to meet the UP characters. The line was long, but since we had never met them before we wanted to wait. Just as we got to the front of the line though, Dug took off to chase squirrels! Although disappointed, we thought that was appropriate since all week the boys had been stopping every time they saw a squirrel, turning their heads towards it and yelling "SQUIRREL"!!

I love the photopass borders for the UP characters

After we met Carl & Russell we headed over to see Sorcerer Mickey.

Then we stopped to see which Disney character we were most like. I was Ariel, makes sense since The Little Mermaid is probably my favorite Disney movie, Justin was Woody, Jared Aladdin and Don was Jafar - he's always a villain because he always answers that last question with he'd like to eat nice people for lunch....

Then we went into the Animation Academy and learned how to draw Tigger.

I'm no artist, but I thought this wasn't too terrible.

And everyone else's creations - poor Jared, drawing is sure not his thing!

I took this as we left the building - it's crooked too......

It was now time to use our RnRC FPs! Woo Hoo! I love this ride! My favorite Disney thrill ride is a toss up between this one and EE - I just can't make up my mind which one I like best.

As soon as we finished on RnRC we headed over to use our TSMM FPs. As we approached the ride entrance, a man came up to us and offered us 3 more FPs that he said he wasn't going to be able to use. We very gladly accepted!

After Toy Story we walked around a bit, took this photo

Then headed over to Sci-Fi for lunch.

I was disappointed to see that the car out in front of the restaurant wasn't there. I always take a picture of the boys in the car. But, I had to settle for taking one inside.

We tend to stick with burgers and milkshakes here, most everything that we have tried we haven't been too impressed with, but the burgers are great!

After lunch we went over to use our gifted FPs for Toy Story. Since we only had 3 Don volunteered to grab a seat on a bench and people watch while the rest of us rode.

Next up was One Man's Dream.

It was pretty crowded in here too, you really couldn't even look at the displays there were just so many people crammed in there. I've seen the movie a couple of times and both times we were able to just sit wherever we wanted to, but this time we had to move all the way down our rows in the theater, it was that busy.

Up Next: Indiana Jones & The Osborne Lights

 

[Lovemy3babes]

Oh wowzers, that place was packed!! Did anyone tell poor Carl that he wasn't even looking at the camera? Maybe his head was on crooked? How nice that you were gifted those FPs. I am not an artist either so think you all did a nice job, even poor Jared!

 

[sherylcin]

Great trip report! I LOVE the castle lighting pictures. So beautiful! I can't wait to see what you thought of the Osbourne Lights. I saw them last year after Christmas and was blown away. I just kept walking up and down the street awestruck!

 

[sherylcin]

Going to read your first trip report for Disneyland now. We're going there for the first time (well, I went as a kid but that's sooooooo long ago) in April.

 

[Charleston Princess]

Wow! I can't get over how crowded DHS was!!! Despite all the people, you were still able to do quite a bit that morning! Love the Tigger pictures!

 

[marsa1969]

WOW so many people! I have alway thought that HS is much more crowded and hot than any other park. It seems to be on a smaller plot of land??? IMO! Is it snowing like crazy in OK? It is coming down fast and furious here is northwest Arkansas.

 

[brookelizabeth]

Look at those crowds! Unreal! Aren't the crowds supposed to be more AFTER Christmas?!

He just shook his head and said 'you must have really hated that giraffe'. Then he told everyone in line around me that they would be wise to not make me angry.

That's great! And very cute camera bag I might add....!

I started out taking pictures then it dawned on me that I didn't have to insert our tickets to get the TSMM FPs so I could get another set. I decided to get some for RNRC.

Score!!!

This one is a little wonky - and I didn't even have a fancy camera flask like Happydog not sure what my problem was

For some reason I end up taking ones like this too. Especially when I'm taking pictures of the Castle!

Although disappointed, we thought that was appropriate since all week the boys had been stopping every time they saw a squirrel, turning their heads towards it and yelling "SQUIRREL"!!

funny!!! Henry does this now too. I hope we get to meet the UP guys next trip! Love those PP borders!!

You guys were able to get a lot done despite the crowds, and even Don was smiling through it....looks like he was at least having a little bit of fun....!

 

[SoonerGirl]

Oh wowzers, that place was packed!! Did anyone tell poor Carl that he wasn't even looking at the camera? Maybe his head was on crooked?

I noticed he was looking the other way too, maybe there were people with cameras over there and he thought they were with us

I am not an artist either so think you all did a nice job, even poor Jared!

Poor Jared - he sure tried hard though!

Great trip report! I LOVE the castle lighting pictures. So beautiful! I can't wait to see what you thought of the Osbourne Lights. I saw them last year after Christmas and was blown away. I just kept walking up and down the street awestruck!

Hi there and

The lights were amazing and there was just so much to look at! Since we are stuck in the house with the weather we are having I might even get that update up today.....

Going to read your first trip report for Disneyland now. We're going there for the first time (well, I went as a kid but that's sooooooo long ago) in April.

I'm sure you'll love Disneyland, it's a must do for every true Disney fan IMO!!

I hope you enjoy the report, we did alot more than just DL. I think that was probably the best family vacation that we have ever taken!

Wow! I can't get over how crowded DHS was!!! Despite all the people, you were still able to do quite a bit that morning! Love the Tigger pictures!

The crowds were crazy that day! I wish we would have gotten there about 20 minutes earlier and beaten that crush of people who were running late like us. We did still get plenty done though - it was a good day!

WOW so many people! I have alway thought that HS is much more crowded and hot than any other park. It seems to be on a smaller plot of land??? IMO! Is it snowing like crazy in OK? It is coming down fast and furious here is northwest Arkansas.

We are getting snow! Yesterday was ice and sleet, that ended around 7 or so last night and then it started snowing this morning and hasn't stopped. It's not a heavy snow, just light and constant. I took some pictures a little while ago. I'll post them once they are uploaded.

Look at those crowds! Unreal! Aren't the crowds supposed to be more AFTER Christmas?!

I know! I was nervous that the rest of the week was going to be like this too, but it wasn't. This was the TGM recommended park for this day too!

That's great! And very cute camera bag I might add....!

He was too funny! I heard someone ask him how long the stand by line was and he responded with 'oh, looks to be about 'x' meters long to me'

I love my camera bag, I bought it right before we left for this trip. It's got lots of room for my camera, zoom lens, extra battery & memory card. Plus I carried a small wallet, my phone, hand sanitizer & a brush in it as well! Here's the inside - love the hot pink, it's so girly!

For some reason I end up taking ones like this too. Especially when I'm taking pictures of the Castle!

It's gotta be the camera!

:You guys were able to get a lot done despite the crowds, and even Don was smiling through it....looks like he was at least having a little bit of fun....!

Don does always act like he's having a good time, thats why I'm so baffled when we get home and he says things like he said the other day - he told me he wouldn't mind if we NEVER went back to WDW

 

[MeMom]

It's nice to see that there is someone else who takes pictures of very random things. I figured I was the only one in the universe who would take a picture of the control panel just because the little movie reel thing was there!

The drawings are great!

We have been by Sci-Fi when the car was missing, too, but it reappeared on the next trip.

 

[Wicket's Mom]

I found your TR from a link & managed to get caught up today. When our sons got older WDW held no fascination for them anymore. My DH & I started going by ourselves in '02. He is sort of grumpy about going like your DH. He wanted to go to Las Vegas this past Sept. instead of WDW. Imagine!!
Well Vegas is on for 2010, so I'm going to WDW in 2011. I will be taking my granddaughters for their first trip. DH can come or not, but I will be there!

Great photos, especially the series on the castle lighting! Beautiful.

BTW, my granddaughters live in Sand Springs, Ok.

 

[MHTeacher]

Loved your update---sounds like it was a busy, crazy day at DHS. Out of curiosity, were they showing F! that night?

Your drawing looked pretty good! We have never tried this, but after seeing everyone's posts and pics on this TR forum, I plan to drag my entire family in to try it during our May trip! !

 

[ladybugmom]

Holy cow on the crowds!! YIKES!!! I LOVE your camera bag!!!! Where did you get it?! Ya'll seemed to get a lot done dispite the crowds!! The pic of the boys and the Up characters is sooo cute!! We missed them last time--the Animation Studio is a must-do for us in May!!

 

[stace208]

Great DHS update! That park always seems crowded to me. Even still, you got a lot done!

I loved your AA Tigger drawings! I would love to draw him-we drew Pluto on our last trip.

I am in with your camera bag!! Can't wait to hear where you got it!!

Looking forward to more. Hope you're staying warm.

 

[SoonerGirl]

It's nice to see that there is someone else who takes pictures of very random things. I figured I was the only one in the universe who would take a picture of the control panel just because the little movie reel thing was there!

The drawings are great!

We have been by Sci-Fi when the car was missing, too, but it reappeared on the next trip.

I just think it's so awesome that Disney pays so much attention to detail that even the control panels are themed to the attraction!

That is so strange that sometimes the car @ Sci-Fi is there and sometimes it isn't, wonder what the reasoning is behind it. At least it's good to know that it's not gone forever!

I found your TR from a link & managed to get caught up today. When our sons got older WDW held no fascination for them anymore. My DH & I started going by ourselves in '02. He is sort of grumpy about going like your DH. He wanted to go to Las Vegas this past Sept. instead of WDW. Imagine!!
Well Vegas is on for 2010, so I'm going to WDW in 2011. I will be taking my granddaughters for their first trip. DH can come or not, but I will be there!

Great photos, especially the series on the castle lighting! Beautiful.

BTW, my granddaughters live in Sand Springs, Ok.

Hi & I'm glad you found me!

I'm afraid the day is coming that my boys won't be into WDW anymore as well, especially Justin, he keeps talking about wanting to go to places like Hawaii & the Bahamas - when that day hits my DH will be a happy boy!

So fun that you get to take your granddaughters for their first trip Sand Springs is up by Tulsa right? If so it's not too far from me, about 1hr45 to 2hrs.

Loved your update---sounds like it was a busy, crazy day at DHS. Out of curiosity, were they showing F! that night?

Your drawing looked pretty good! We have never tried this, but after seeing everyone's posts and pics on this TR forum, I plan to drag my entire family in to try it during our May trip! !

Initially this was not a Fantasmic night, which is one of the reasons that it was listed as 'green' by TGM. But, if I remember right, I checked the Disney site shortly before we left and they had added a Fantasmic showing for that night, which meant there was one every night that week, so one day probably wasn't any better than the rest.

We hadn't ever done the AA @ WDW either. We tried it for the first time when we went to DLR during the summer of 2008 and found out that it was really fun, so we made a point of doing it during our Christmas trip!

Holy cow on the crowds!! YIKES!!! I LOVE your camera bag!!!! Where did you get it?! Ya'll seemed to get a lot done dispite the crowds!! The pic of the boys and the Up characters is sooo cute!! We missed them last time--the Animation Studio is a must-do for us in May!!

I ordered my bag online. Can you believe that I had the website saved in my favorites and my old computer died. We had to go buy a new one and I lost all of my favorites. It's made by MiMi, and sold mostly by scrapbooking sites. I bet if you googled MiMi Giraffe Camera Bag, you'd be able to find it somewhere.

Oh, your girls will love the Animation Studio! The have some interactive stuff in there, you can 'paint' a picture on a computer screen, act out a scene from a movie on another one, and find out which Disney character you are most like at another station. Plus they have the character meet & greets. There really is quite a bit to do in there!

Great DHS update! That park always seems crowded to me. Even still, you got a lot done!

I loved your AA Tigger drawings! I would love to draw him-we drew Pluto on our last trip.

I am in with your camera bag!! Can't wait to hear where you got it!!

Looking forward to more. Hope you're staying warm.

We did still manage to get quite a bit done, it was just a matter of prioritizing what our 'must dos' were and then just filling in with other stuff in between. It was definitely too busy to get multiple rides on anything, but that's ok!

Tigger was fun to draw. I'd like to draw Pluto. My favorite Disney picture of the boys, from any of our trips was with Pluto, so I have a special spot for him. Now I feel the need to share.......

They were just having so much fun with him and they were so happy - it was a great moment!

 

[stace208]

They were just having so much fun with him and they were so happy - it was a great moment!

You're right-that is one fantastic picture!!

 

[Wicket's Mom]

Yes, Sand Springs is a suburb of Tulsa. It will be so much fun taking girls to WDW. I really want to do the Princess thing with the girls.

We did the Yellowstone thing a few years ago, also D.Dak. & Montana. It was awesome. I love to travvel, but now I would like to stick with WDW as our major trip each or every other year.

 

[Happydog]

Hey! Great update! Yep, I remember those crowds!!! SHEESH!!! Nuts, huh??!! Well we must have been right ahead of you, because yes we did the double whammy with TSM, got the tickets and rode the ride! It was a nice day though

Seems like you did a lot though! Especially with the animators studio -- we have never done the actual drawing part, only been in to see the exhibit and the voice over stuff.... have to make it back over there again! We are going to try Sci Fi for lunch this summer... I keep hearing "stick to the burgers!"

 

[SoonerGirl]

You're right-that is one fantastic picture!!

Thanks - it makes me smile every time I look at it

Yes, Sand Springs is a suburb of Tulsa. It will be so much fun taking girls to WDW. I really want to do the Princess thing with the girls.

We did the Yellowstone thing a few years ago, also D.Dak. & Montana. It was awesome. I love to travvel, but now I would like to stick with WDW as our major trip each or every other year.

Hopefully I'll have granddaughters one day so that I can go back to WDW and do all the girly stuff too!

Don really wants to go to Yellowstone and Wyoming, that will probably be our next family trip. I think WDW every other year is a good compromise

Hey! Great update! Yep, I remember those crowds!!! SHEESH!!! Nuts, huh??!! Well we must have been right ahead of you, because yes we did the double whammy with TSM, got the tickets and rode the ride! It was a nice day though

Seems like you did a lot though! Especially with the animators studio -- we have never done the actual drawing part, only been in to see the exhibit and the voice over stuff.... have to make it back over there again! We are going to try Sci Fi for lunch this summer... I keep hearing "stick to the burgers!"

It was nuts that day! We probably passed right by each several times that morning and didn't even realize it!

We did get plenty done in spite of the crowds. It was a pretty good day. We skipped the Animation Academy our first few trips, but once we tried it, we were hooked - it's fun and a good place to rest your feet for awhile!

The burgers at Sci-Fi are good, as are the milkshakes!!

 

[Happydog]

Oh! And about that camera bag, I was admiring it thinking it was a purse all this time!!! Kinda like a stylish baby bag, I guess, multi-use!!! Oh and that "camera" that belongs to my BIL, well, that is all his doing, NOT mine!!! BUT that is not to say I wouldn't want one.... Gives entire new meaning to camera-envy...

 

[SoonerGirl]

I hope you guys don't mind a non trip related update. I wanted to share some pics from our winter storm we just had! We got hit with ice and sleet first on Thursday, probably about 1/2 an inch, then yesterday it snowed all day. It was just a light snow, nothing heavy so the totals weren't crazy - I think we got about 4-5". That is HUGE for us though, because we rarely get measurable snowfall!

Here are a few pictures I took around the yard.

The lounge chair by the pool

Holly tree in the backyard

A few pics of the snow & ice on the trees in the front

My Pirate Mickey Antena Topper

And now for the boys. They wanted to build a snowman this morning, but the snow is too dry and won't stick together. They did their best to have a snowball fight though

Don shaved his goatee off on New Year's Day - I still can't get used to seeing him without it!

Justin, laughing while posing - he was afraid he was going to get pelted while I was taking his pic

Aggggg, I'm hit!

Abby was loving the snow!

The boys found this old green sled that we had purchased when Justin was about 3 and Jared decided that he needed to be pulled around on it

Justin had to take over though cause Dad didn't do it right - you have to wrap the rope around your waist and run with the sled, not just pull it

They're have a great time enjoying this rare treat! I'm just happy we don't have to go anywhere