California, Here We Come! DLR, Hollywood, and San Diego *OCTOBER 15-23, 2011*

[Sally_fan]

Just stumbled upon your trip report today & I am so glad that I did! Great job! Sounds like you all had an amazing time & it is getting me super excited for our upcoming trip this coming October. We had to cancel our trip last year due to an illness in the family so we have been waiting for awhile for it. Looking forward to your next installment!

 

[LoveMyTwoPrincesses]

Loved it!!

Thanks!

Just stumbled upon your trip report today & I am so glad that I did! Great job! Sounds like you all had an amazing time & it is getting me super excited for our upcoming trip this coming October. We had to cancel our trip last year due to an illness in the family so we have been waiting for awhile for it. Looking forward to your next installment!

Thanks for posting! We had such a great time during our stay in California. That is too bad that you had to cancel your trip last year, but thankfully you have one to look forward to now. Hopefully the next several months go quickly for you!

 

[mickeyplanner]

You actually stood for two hours waiting to see WOC? We will definately have to wait years before we go to DLR if the wait is that long. Our little ones would never be able to wait like that.

 

[LoveMyTwoPrincesses]

You actually stood for two hours waiting to see WOC? We will definately have to wait years before we go to DLR if the wait is that long. Our little ones would never be able to wait like that.

Yes, we did end up waiting two hours to see WOC. The show began at 8:15 and when we showed up to the queuing area at about 6:20 there was already several people waiting and they were all headed in the same direction that we were-the bridge. From what I have read you pretty much need to be lined up 90 minutes before show time to secure a spot along the railings. If you are not concerned about a railing spot you could show up much later, but then you run the risk of having someone taller than you in front of you or a parent with their child on their shoulders. I knew this would probably be a once in a lifetime visit for us, so I was willing to wait to secure that spot on the bridge. But like I said, I don't think I would be willing to wait that way ever again!

 

[Kathy Jetson]

Thats great grandma Sandy loved TOT. I rode it twice and I can't STAND the stomach drops and I'm scared out of my mind the whole time we are in line

Awww sorry Ava was so scared at ITTBAB. The first time we did it we had to leave in the middle because River was so scared he was shaking. He loves it now though.

10 minutes with Pluto is a long time with a character you got lucky again!

Thats so funny Ava was trying to open the window with her key to get the wedding dress

2 hours is soooo long to wait for something I would have had a meltdown too (my meltdown was in Epcot last time) I'm so glad Erin got to see her show!

 

[Sally_fan]

Yes, we did end up waiting two hours to see WOC. The show began at 8:15 and when we showed up to the queuing area at about 6:20 there was already several people waiting and they were all headed in the same direction that we were-the bridge. From what I have read you pretty much need to be lined up 90 minutes before show time to secure a spot along the railings. If you are not concerned about a railing spot you could show up much later, but then you run the risk of having someone taller than you in front of you or a parent with their child on their shoulders. I knew this would probably be a once in a lifetime visit for us, so I was willing to wait to secure that spot on the bridge. But like I said, I don't think I would be willing to wait that way ever again!

We waited that long for a rail spot as well. We were told that it would be fine to show up an hour before showtime but when we were walking by we noticed people already lining up so we ditched our plans to go on a few rides before lining up & joined them. We were soooooo glad that we did because we had a great unobstructed viewing spot. Having no one in front of the kids blocking their view was so nice. And like you, as worth it as it was to put in the time to get that spot we wouldn't do it again! The show was amazing though, wasn't it? And I am so glad that you all got to see the show!! I know that I would have been quite upset as well.

 

[tessieg]

Still loving the report! We are deep in the planning for our June trip and can't wait to see the rest of your trip report!
Tessie

 

[LoveMyTwoPrincesses]

Thats great grandma Sandy loved TOT. I rode it twice and I can't STAND the stomach drops and I'm scared out of my mind the whole time we are in line

Awww sorry Ava was so scared at ITTBAB. The first time we did it we had to leave in the middle because River was so scared he was shaking. He loves it now though.

10 minutes with Pluto is a long time with a character you got lucky again!

Thats so funny Ava was trying to open the window with her key to get the wedding dress

2 hours is soooo long to wait for something I would have had a meltdown too (my meltdown was in Epcot last time) I'm so glad Erin got to see her show!

I was really shocked that she enjoyed TOT so much. She had it built it up so much in her mind that she was going to hate it and thought there would be no changing her mind. She surprises me as much as my children do.

Ava lost it when the bugs came down out of the ceiling. I think she was relieved that it was over and then those bugs had to crawl out underneath her bottem!

Pluto really did an elaborate job on both of their autograph books. It was really cute.

I don't know how she thought she was going to make off with that dress, but she really wanted it!

I am glad to hear that I am not the only one that has meltdowns! I was so relieved when the show finally began.

We waited that long for a rail spot as well. We were told that it would be fine to show up an hour before showtime but when we were walking by we noticed people already lining up so we ditched our plans to go on a few rides before lining up & joined them. We were soooooo glad that we did because we had a great unobstructed viewing spot. Having no one in front of the kids blocking their view was so nice. And like you, as worth it as it was to put in the time to get that spot we wouldn't do it again! The show was amazing though, wasn't it? And I am so glad that you all got to see the show!! I know that I would have been quite upset as well.

Those rail spots seem to be a hot commodity! It was definitely worth the wait when it came time to watch and we didn't have to try to see it through a bunch of people. It was also nice because we didn't have to hold up any kiddos because they could see just fine. Even with all of the drama I can still say the show was amazing, but I was sure glad I didn't have to do it again the next night!

Still loving the report! We are deep in the planning for our June trip and can't wait to see the rest of your trip report!
Tessie

Thanks! I'm glad that you are still following along!

 

[Lovemy3babes]

I'm sorry the wait was so long but the photos are gorgeous!!

Glad Grandma Sandy loved the ToT!

 

[LoveMyTwoPrincesses]

I'm sorry the wait was so long but the photos are gorgeous!!

Glad Grandma Sandy loved the ToT!

I went into it expecting to have a long wait, but that last twenty minutes was the straw that broke the camel's back. It was worth it in the long run since we had such a great view.

I just saw Sandy this weekend and she is still talking about how much she loved Tower of Terror!

 

[LoveMyTwoPrincesses]

It was time for our last day at Disneyland. Thanks to some kind people on DIS Boards, we would be attending Toontown Morning Madness! I had received four passes, so we weren't sure if Sandy would be able to attend with us. She said that it would be fine if she couldn't and she would find a spot to read her book for a bit.

We left the HOJO at about 8 this morning. We could tell right away that it would be a much busier day today.

When we were let in we made our way to the turnstyles. I decided to get a couple of pictures while we waited.

Once we were through the turnstyles we made it to the rope. We soon realized that we were next to the couple that we sat by the evening before at WOC. It's a small world after all.

Here is the view behind me at the rope drop.

And the view the view in front of me at the rope drop. I much prefer the forward view!

Once the rope dropped we made our way back to Toontown. When we arrived I explained to the CM that we only had four passes and would it be possible for my MIL to join us. He told Stu that it was up to him since she was his mother! Stu decided to let her come along and before we knew it we were meeting Mickey.

And lovely Minnie!

We decided not to take the time to see Pluto again since he had spent so much time with us at California Adventure the day before. That meant we had more time to explore Toontown before the show began!

Continued in the next post.

 

[LoveMyTwoPrincesses]

Toontown at Disneyland is just fabulous! First the girls wanted to check out City Hall.

They thought it was pretty funny to be in the dog pound.

Then they had to bicker a bit over who got to "drive" the truck.

We decided we better take a seat for the show to begin. We were lucky to get a table right up front. The CMs were great about making sure that nobody stood in front of anyone.

Let the show begin!

Ava was loving every minute of it!

Continued in the next post.

 

[LoveMyTwoPrincesses]

After the show we grabbed a FP for Roger Rabbit to use later in day. The girls decided that they wanted to ride Gadget's Go Coaster before we left Toontown.

We asked the girls if they wanted to go in any of the houses, but they decided that they wanted to head on to the next adventure.

We truly enjoyed our time at Toontown Morning Madness. Thanks again smiles145 and Butterfly123 for sharing your passes!

 

[WDWJonasGirl]

That was nice of the dis'ers. I've never been to toontown at rope drop before.

 

[Trentmom]

Looks like the girls were having a lot of fun

Your toontown is so cute and cartoon like. I love it

 

[LoveMyTwoPrincesses]

That was nice of the dis'ers. I've never been to toontown at rope drop before.

I was getting to the point where I didn't think we would be able to go to TTMM, but about two weeks before our trip I was a lucky recipient of some pixie dust. It was so nice of them to share the passes that they didn't use. If you ever get the chance to attend, you should. The show was really cute.

Looks like the girls were having a lot of fun

Your toontown is so cute and cartoon like. I love it

The girls had a blast and I was so happy that they were able to attend. Toontown is just amazing with all of its details. It really was adorable.

 

[Lovemy3babes]

Wow, Toontown in Disneyland is very neat! I love the mayor's hat! lol!!! The girls look like they were having lots of fun!

I would have laughed out loud when the CM said it was up to Stu if Sandy could come along. That is hilarious!!

 

[LoveMyTwoPrincesses]

Wow, Toontown in Disneyland is very neat! I love the mayor's hat! lol!!! The girls look like they were having lots of fun!

I would have laughed out loud when the CM said it was up to Stu if Sandy could come along. That is hilarious!!

Toontown in Disneyland was a highlight of the trip. The whole area is just awesome. I really enjoyed the show that they put on and it was fun to see all of the characters.

I was a thrown for second when the CM said that and when it really dawned on me what he had said I started to chuckle. Thankfully for Sandy her son was willing to let her come along!

 

[Kathy Jetson]

I love the Halloween decorations at Disneyland!

Thats so funny when the cm told Stu she's your mom

Wow there Toontown really blows WDW's away. Well at least while it was still there.

I've never heard of TTMM. Is it that they let you in early and the characters put on a show? How do you get tickets? I know someone gave them to you but how does everyone else get them? Is it something you have to get weeks in advance or is it like a fastpass? Sorry I know thats a lot of questions!

I can't wait to hear more

 

[LoveMyTwoPrincesses]

I love the Halloween decorations at Disneyland!

Thats so funny when the cm told Stu she's your mom

Wow there Toontown really blows WDW's away. Well at least while it was still there.

I've never heard of TTMM. Is it that they let you in early and the characters put on a show? How do you get tickets? I know someone gave them to you but how does everyone else get them? Is it something you have to get weeks in advance or is it like a fastpass? Sorry I know thats a lot of questions!

I can't wait to hear more

The Halloween decorations at Disneyland seem to be more elaborate than those at WDW. They were really awesome.

Toontown was way nicer at Disneyland. The details are just adorable. TTMM is available on certain days of the week, I believe Monday, Wednesday, Friday, or Saturday. You are able to go in 1 hour before the general public is allowed. There are a few characters available for autographs and the Roger Rabbit and Gadgets Go Coaster rides are open. At about 20 minutes past the hour they have a ceremony where everyone becomes "Honorary Citizens" of Toontown. The ceremony is what most of my pictures are from. They give everyone a button at the end of the ceremony to note that they are Honorary Citizens.

People get their vouchers to attend by booking a vacation package through a travel company like the Walt Disney Travel Company or AAA. The people that gave me their vouchers had got them from booking packages, but they didn't use the vouchers while they were at Disneyland and were kind enough to pass them on. I was on a list on the Disneyland thread of people that were requesting unused vouchers. I had placed my name on the list the January before the trip and I didn't think I would end up being able to get any. I am very thankful for those that are willing to pass on some pixie dust.