The Franco bunch's first summer vacation Trip report from Summer 2013

[Markie Mouse]

NEW 2013 Summer PTR on Page 6


One More Disney Day TR page 5


March 2010 Mini Trip Report
Let me start by saying I think it is so cool to find other Disneyland/Disney fanatics here on these boards. I am 25, married with 2 children. I currently have 2 jobs, one being a Sony rep on the weekends and the other being a recording engineer in Scottsdale AZ. My obsession with Disney began in my mothers womb as my parents took a trip to Disneyworld while she was pregnant. Then we returned to DLR every year until my parents divorce(not meant to be heavy) when I was 12. For years I wanted to return but never could. 9 years later after being married for 3 years with a kid of our own we decided to go before my DD turned 3. From then the obsession was rekindled. We went on a short trip in March this year and it was not magical due to crowds, humidity and heat. My wife and I decided another trip this year would help get that bad experience out of our heads. I have never been to DLR during the holidays and it made sense(Sherry-E helped a little too).

Cast​

Me-Mark

DW-Manda

DD3-Bella

DS11months-Zeke

DSis-Cedes

From 12/08 to 12/13​

As a Sony rep I get some perks, one recent one is being sent an SLT a55 DSLR camera. I will be taking it along with my Samsung P&S camera and my Flip Ultra HD so I will have plenty of stored memories. I am new to this so any tips or requests are welcome. Hope I can add a perspective to these boards as Im not as seasoned as some of you DIS-vets but this should be fun.

 

[Markie Mouse]

I forgot, here are some pics from my march trip while I wait for December 8th to come by.

Bella waking up on the way to the park

My favorite way to start the day.

She loves modeling

My twin brother

Modeling again

Playing like daddy

Her B-day gift

Waiting for the princesses

Getting a kiss from Snow White

You know where Im at

My favorite part

Baby Zeke had to stay in AZ last time so this will be his first visit but the love for Disney has already begun

 

[Sherry E]

Woo hoo! I'm glad I helped a little in encouraging this trip!!! I try to wield my influence around the board and inspire DLR holiday trips where I can!!

What a cute family you have!! Love the dimples on the model-in-the-making!!

You all will absolutely love being at DLR for the holiday season! Plus, it's been quite chilly lately, so, to me, it feels more Christmasy. It's fun to bundle up and get comfy with cocoa and all that. You may or may not encounter some crowds but I think you'll be free from humidity. The good thing is that even if you run into crowds, you will have enough days in the parks to kind of spread everything out. Also, while the holiday season is really popular, there are many people who will still be at work and school and not out on vacation yet, so that will be an advantage. I think the fact that you're arriving on a mid-weekday will be helpful.

When you went to DLR in March, I wonder if you got caught in the Spring Break crowds?

 

[stich626]

Subbing! cannot wait to hear more!

 

[Markie Mouse]

Woo hoo! I'm glad I helped a little in encouraging this trip!!! I try to wield my influence around the board and inspire DLR holiday trips where I can!!

What a cute family you have!! Love the dimples on the model-in-the-making!!

You all will absolutely love being at DLR for the holiday season! Plus, it's been quite chilly lately, so, to me, it feels more Christmasy. It's fun to bundle up and get comfy with cocoa and all that. You may or may not encounter some crowds but I think you'll be free from humidity. The good thing is that even if you run into crowds, you will have enough days in the parks to kind of spread everything out. Also, while the holiday season is really popular, there are many people who will still be at work and school and not out on vacation yet, so that will be an advantage. I think the fact that you're arriving on a mid-weekday will be helpful.

When you went to DLR in March, I wonder if you got caught in the Spring Break crowds?

Yes, it was definitely spring break. I will never go again at that time. I can only hope the crowds are more manageable or at least they act more polite during the holiday season. I got tired of people jumping over my kids stoller while she was in it mind you or people moving our stroller yards from where I left it.

 

[deejdigsdis]

Yay, you started your PTR/TR. I had to smile when you mentioned Sherry having a little something to do with the decision to go during this time. She's such an advocate for DLR during the holidays!

I hope you have a great time with your family. Looking forward to reading along!

 

[Goofy_Mom]

Have fun, the timing looks great for low crowds. Can't wait to here how it goes.

 

[Markie Mouse]

In fact this was the crowd at opening. 8am(you can't see it but there was already a huge line behind me for the Train)

I had a whole 1GB card full of pictures but the card broke there were more pics of the crowd levels. Indy was 70 mins and they even close off part of the Jungle cruise queue for Indy. Nemo was a 4 hour wait, and Haunted Mansion and POC broke down throughout the day so the lines were horrific when they were temporarily operational. We ended leaving early around 10 one night and 7 the other only staying till midnight for one of the nights. They were midweek as well, Wed., Thurs., Friday but it was bad. The weather sucked too. The night we arrived on tues it was 70º and breezy but the day at the park were 80º and windy, 79º and %60 humidity, and finally 86º with 60% humidity. Yuck. I know this is not Disney's fault but I also lost my belt and had recently dropped from 380lbs to 350lbs so pants size dropped (Im now almost under 300) so holding my pants up all day was added stress. Im hoping this trip will give me the magic I remember from my childhood.

 

[Goofy_Mom]

In fact this was the crowd at opening. 8am(you can't see it but there was already a huge line behind me for the Train)

I had a whole 1GB card full of pictures but the card broke there were more pics of the crowd levels. Indy was 70 mins and they even close off part of the Jungle cruise queue for Indy. Nemo was a 4 hour wait, and Haunted Mansion and POC broke down throughout the day so the lines were horrific when they were temporarily operational. We ended leaving early around 10 one night and 7 the other only staying till midnight for one of the nights. They were midweek as well, Wed., Thurs., Friday but it was bad. The weather sucked too. The night we arrived on tues it was 70º and breezy but the day at the park were 80º and windy, 79º and %60 humidity, and finally 86º with 60% humidity. Yuck. I know this is not Disney's fault but I also lost my belt and had recently dropped from 380lbs to 350lbs so pants size dropped (Im now almost under 300) so holding my pants up all day was added stress. Im hoping this trip will give me the magic I remember from my childhood.

Maybe buy some pants that fit? I relieze it may be a hassel to keep buying pants, especially when they'll be to big soon, but I would suggest a local salvation army. A couple pairs of jeans should only set you back $10 and when they get to big, you can donate them back.

 

[Markie Mouse]

Maybe buy some pants that fit? I relieze it may be a hassel to keep buying pants, especially when they'll be to big soon, but I would suggest a local salvation army. A couple pairs of jeans should only set you back $10 and when they get to big, you can donate them back.

I was referring to all of why my March trip was not as magical. But yeah, sounds like a good idea for now at least until Im down to my old size(36). I have a belt but had forgotten it during our rush out the door to leave. I will never ever do that again.

 

[becstr]

Congratulations on your weight loss!

Can't wait to hear about your Christmas time trip!

 

[Markie Mouse]

Congratulations on your weight loss!

Can't wait to hear about your Christmas time trip!

Thank you. I will do my best to be as detailed as possible. Its been hard but I gained about 150 lbs after getting married so I felt enough was enough. The trip wont help seeing as I will be eating at Cafe Orleans, RBJK, the corn dog cart, and many other various CS places around the parks but I figure we will walk off some of it so it wont be too bad.

 

[Markie Mouse]

Here are some pics to I have taken so far.

Sorry I can't for my trip to get here. Any feedback would be appreciated as I want to get the best pics possible on our trip!

 

[kaoden39]

I am along for the ride. Your trip should be so much fun with the little ones. All the Christmas fun every where will make it a special trip.

 

[Markie Mouse]

Well, its off to bed. Then I leave in the AM. I'd like to thank all the people who have helped out along the way, whether it be feedback or advice. I'll try to get as much detail from the trip so this will be an enjoyable TR. I decided to leave my computer and just have the photoshop put my pics on CD if necessary, so no updates till I return.

 

[Markie Mouse]

Woke up around 5amAZ-MT to leave and was very grateful we had packed the car the night before because I was tired. Only took me less than 6 hours to get there. Once at the hotel I realized we left way too early. Check in was not till 2pm and it was 10:30am PST!!! We sat in the lobby for about an hour, then the babies got antsy and started getting into trouble. One was wandering where she shouldn't and the other was screaming at the top of his lungs. Funny thing is I think it worked to our advantage because the employee at castle inn came up to us and handed me 2 keys around noon and told me to be sneaky because he didn't want the other guests to see we were checking in early(I think he was sick of my son screaming.)

After unpacking we all napped. After the naps we all got ready and headed to downtown disney. The crowds we lovely, no pushing, no frustration. We walked around World of Disney for a bit then we all got hungry. We all agreed on RBJKExpress. It was good but not what I was hoping for. The BBQ Po-Boy was tasty but the sauce was too sticky and sweet, my wife had the catfish and fries and I wish I would have ordered that, my sister ordered the chicken tenders and they were too dry, and my DD had the popcorn chicken. We were son hungry from the drive I forgot to take pics in time.

This was after dinner.

We got an order of beignets to go and I have to say, the Mickey beignets have nothing on the RBJK beignets. SO GOOD!!!

We then retired to the room and got ready fo the day ahead of us.

The next morning I woke up at 5:30am PST like a kid at christmas waking everybody yelling "we're going to Disneyland". So after dragging all the late bloomers to the park we started to see a huge line build up behind us, and I started to stress about crowds.

But luckily for us, the crowds were the best I have ever experienced at the park.

We experienced a little ruddiness to start the day. We walked in to the park and saw a big eared fellow come out of his locker and some 40 somethings jumped in front of us to get some pics, then as we were waiting behind the cutters, the family that go to open the park decide to cut everyone behind us and stand right next to us. I pushed my wife and kids forward and cut off the second group of cutters. I hear the snoody lady say "you know there's a line" even though she does not realize the 20 something people behind me she just cut. Anyways, I try not to let it bug me and we head to Fantasyland.

Seeing this made me happy again though.

I never saw it like this again.

We headed straight to the matterhorn but to our dismay it was down for maintenance so we headed to IASWH.

After the IASWH we headed back to Matterhorn and hooray it was working. My DD loved the ride and it made my day to hear her scream and talk about it all day.

We then headed over to Alice and it was closed for maintenance as well So it was teacups!

We spent all of MM in Fantasyland, then after we had enough it was bathroom break time then lunch time. As the girls did their thing, I saw these decorations and had to take pics.

I made a promise to my DD after lunch she could go on the Carousel one more time.

As I waited I saw a little buzzing friend and had to get a pic.

Then I realized how pretty the flowers were were

Me and my sister came upon this.

Teenagers love taking pictures. LOL

Just taking it all in

My DD had to get back on Casey JR

 

[Markie Mouse]

We were finally done with FantasyLand and we headed to BTMRR. I snapped a few shots while my DW and DSis got on the ride.

Then, my DW made me get on Splash Mountain. Boy do I regret it. Not only was my hate for drops conformed but I got soaked. After drying a bit we got on HMH. I am a huge HM fanatic and I loved the holiday overlay. I was not expecting to like it being such a huge fan of the original ride but I was indeed surprised.

Not too many more pics for the day, we ended up winging it for the rest of the night. Here are some pics from throughout the first night at Disneyland.

This thing still amazes me

She loved her little angel pen

"one more time daddy"

One last time before closing

Yep!

We decided to get Mr. Clause out of the way and glad we did.

Didn't realize how much time we had left so we hit up Pirates for the 3rd time.

Took this while walking, please forgive.

We all got to the Hotel after stopping by McDonalds, sore and tired but very happy. This was our first day at the park and it was magical. Unfortunately it was our only truly magical day while there. More to come.

 

[kaoden39]

I love your pictures. I am sorry it wasn't all so magical.

 

[Markie Mouse]

I love your pictures. I am sorry it wasn't all so magical.

Thank you, Friday and Saturday were horrid. But we made the best of it and still had a blast and already planning a trip in the offseason as well as maybe AP's for us and 1 more. Thursday was soo fun I need to have another day like that.

 

[kaoden39]

Thank you, Friday and Saturday were horrid. But we made the best of it and still had a blast and already planning a trip in the offseason as well as maybe AP's for us and 1 more. Thursday was soo fun I need to have another day like that.

We were there the week that WoC opened and it was a mess. I feel your pain. Off season is good. I have am AP, I mainly got it for the discounts and I have to tell you that it really made a difference on the food and souvenirs. I look forward to hearing the rest.