No way Jose! We are going to Disneyland! 3/13 - Movin' on Up!

[blessedby3]

Great Life Update! When are your October dates? We are going to be there the 20th-27th and are also doing our first MNSSHP I cant wait to experience it. I think we are going on Tues, the 23rd. My DD13, Olivia, is also doing a YES class that day...Wild by Nature at AK. This will be our first offsite trip since 1999. We are staying at Bonnet Creek. With Kayla graduating college in May and getting married in July....we need a more budget trip (hence the YES tickets and BC).
You picture of the Ship are so cool. How lucky that you get to have that beautiful ship sail right into your city
Praying thing work out just the way you need them to with the job, school and move. I know that is stressful! We are trying to get through graduation, find Kayla and her Fiance jobs, housing, get through the wedding....so much stress! I feel your stress
And you are so crafty! I love the pillowcase you made...what is the Fish Extender? Never heard of that...

 

[brookelizabeth]

We left off finishing our not-so-memorable second breakfast at the Jolly Holiday. Time to get moving again!

We went right back to Fantasyland. I wanted to ride Alice in Wonderland.

Isn't that pretty?

A quick bathroom break was had at the restrooms right next to Alice in Wonderland. I stepped inside and declared these the cutest bathrooms ever.

When Joe came out he, like a good husband, also decided they warranted a picture!

A few more details outside the bathroom

The line for Alice stretched out of the queue, which was surprising because everything else had been a walk-on! We found out the ride was down, so we decided to move on to the teacups that are right next to Alice.

First, Henry found a little door that was part of the Alice ride and had to see if he could get inside the house.

Just gotta love those Disney details.

It was so strange seeing the teacups with no roof! But it's very pretty! It seems a lot smaller overall.

Within minutes we were in a teacup!

Every previous trip Henry had chosen a pink teacup. Colorblind Joe was very happy he chose blue this time.

Henry LOVES the teacups!

After our spin on the teacups, Alice was up and running, but had a 20 minute wait. We opted to head to the Storybook Land Canal Boats instead.

When Henry first caught glimpse of that giant whale he got very nervous. He wanted to still try the ride, but had 1.4 million questions about the whale - "Is he real?" "Is he eating the boats?" "Are the boats in his stomach?" "Where is Jonah?"

Our wait was about 15 minutes, it's a slow loader. As we boarded our little boat, the Cast Member must have picked up on Henry's fear. He told him he would have to be the "whale watcher" for the boat and he should sit right up front on the raised area. Henry felt pretty important with this job so he got right into the boat and proudly sat down in the very front area of the boat. Before we took off, he kept glancing at that giant whale though, and insisted I sit RIGHT next to him!

My little Whale Watcher.

This is also the first time I noticed the casual-ness of the Disneyland Cast Members. This nice man who made Henry the whale watcher was also holding a personal conversation with another Cast Member - talking about texting so and so, etc. NOTHING to do with work. I was a bit surprised. You do NOT find this at Walt Disney World. They are "on stage" and should be at Disneyland too. It was not the last occurrence of it happening either. Even managers! I am guessing this is due to it being a locals park, so locals really don't care all that much...

Anyway! We are in the boat, let's go!

Here we come Monstro!

In case you don't know, these little boats take you through various stories/scenes. There is a narration to it all, but I honestly don't remember a lick of it. I was preoccupied with Henry - who was still very nervous about it all.

Continued in the next post

 

[brookelizabeth]

Continued from previous post

You can see Casey Jr. on the left.

This was a charming little ride, and I'm glad we went on it, but I don’t think I would wait 15 minutes for it again unless it was something someone very much wanted to do. It’s great for the littles...or the toddlers that are suddenly scared of everything! And perhaps I could have enjoyed it more had I been able to listen to the narration instead of reassure a little man that the boat would not sink/flip over/crash, etc.

So, since Henry was still scared of everything so far except Dumbo and the teacups, I thought we should do Casey Jr. That is truly a tame ride, INFANTS can ride it!!

It was soon our turn, we got locked up in a cage

And...guess what?

Henry was scared.

He was scared the train would get stuck, crash or fall off the tracks. There was a hill at one point and he was certain we would zoom down it. He was a wreck!

My poor little guy.

These little circus cages are small. You will be cramped! And this picture makes me laugh. Who made that teen boy ride this?!

View from the train:

We made it unscathed!

After almost every ride Henry would let out a whoop - he would say he liked it, but he did NOT want to ride again. It was like his little celebration of "I made it! I'm alive!"

My only goal for that morning had been to cover Fantasyland and we had done a pretty good job! We had yet to do it's a small world and Alice, but we figured we'd get back to them, let's mosey on into Frontierland!

Up Next: The Great Corn Dog Throwdown

 

[brookelizabeth]

What a great update... I am impressed by all your vacation plans! Sounds like the move will be a bit stressful...but a good ome I will say a little prayer that it goes smoothly and that you get your doors

We went from no solid vacation plans to three trips in a span of about a month. I was going craZy with no plans!

Thank you for the prayer! I'll hopefully keep things updated here as we find a place/move, etc. Henry has asked for a garden (yard), and a bathtub in the new place. He also wants a bigger room. We currently have a little garden, but it's very small-not really a place to play. Hopefully we can get those AND doors.

I can't wait to meet you and your family also. I have been reading your trip reports for a few years and feel like I have watched Henry grow up. It's going to be a great cruise!

All of your upcoming WDW trips look great. Our next full trip there is planned for June 2013. We are going to spend 4-5 days and then do a 3-night on the Dream. I am trying to keep this a secret from the boys because they say I never surprise them with trips. We also might try to throw in a day at Universal to see Harry Potter.

You are going to have a busy summer with a move. I hope everything works out and that you get your DOOR.

I can't wait to meet you either! We have been chatting forever on here! My first PTR was when Henry was around 6 months old. How time flies! It will be a lot of fun meeting you and your family. And hopefully the cabana works out too.

I was thinking I could tack on a short cruise to our October trip, but the dates don't work and we have already purchased our plane tickets. February is a bit flexible though. I would love to get on the Dream or Fantasy soon.

Great Life Update! When are your October dates? We are going to be there the 20th-27th and are also doing our first MNSSHP I cant wait to experience it. I think we are going on Tues, the 23rd. My DD13, Olivia, is also doing a YES class that day...Wild by Nature at AK. This will be our first offsite trip since 1999. We are staying at Bonnet Creek. With Kayla graduating college in May and getting married in July....we need a more budget trip (hence the YES tickets and BC).
You picture of the Ship are so cool. How lucky that you get to have that beautiful ship sail right into your city
Praying thing work out just the way you need them to with the job, school and move. I know that is stressful! We are trying to get through graduation, find Kayla and her Fiance jobs, housing, get through the wedding....so much stress! I feel your stress
And you are so crafty! I love the pillowcase you made...what is the Fish Extender? Never heard of that...

Our dates are the 16th-22nd, so maybe we can meet up!!!

I've heard Bonnet Creek is very nice. So far any time I have priced an off-site trip (when we have used our DVC points!), it has been just the same price to stay on-site between renting a car and parking fees. Someday I want to try offsite though, just to try it!

Oh no honey - I did NOT make those. I am NOT crafty at alllllllll. Like the polar opposite. I have never even attempted iron ons because I am pretty convinvced I would ruin them! I purchased them from "Magical Dreams Boutique". I only wish I could do things like that!!

A Fish Extender is a cruise thing - I think it might be just a DIS thing too. Outside the stateroom doors on the Disney ship is a little "fish" that you can hang those pocket holders on (or other things). You sign up with a group on the DIS and you exchange little gifts - homemade or store bought. And you place the gifts for each other in the Fish Extender pockets. Cute, right? I still have to get busy on our gifts, I have some of it purchased, but not all...

 

[blessedby3]

I love the look of the boat ride! I think Alexa would be terrified too of going into that whale. She is pretty skiddish about most things--unfortunately! The Casey Jr. looks fun too! It is funny to see people in those train cages
I am SO enjoying seeing your Disneyland trip...and SO dreaming that one day I will get there

 

[loveysbydesign]

Great update! Lovin it and dying to go to DLR!

 

[blessedby3]

Our dates are the 16th-22nd, so maybe we can meet up!!!

I've heard Bonnet Creek is very nice. So far any time I have priced an off-site trip (when we have used our DVC points!), it has been just the same price to stay on-site between renting a car and parking fees. Someday I want to try offsite though, just to try it!

Oh no honey - I did NOT make those. I am NOT crafty at alllllllll. Like the polar opposite. I have never even attempted iron ons because I am pretty convinvced I would ruin them! I purchased them from "Magical Dreams Boutique". I only wish I could do things like that!!

A Fish Extender is a cruise thing - I think it might be just a DIS thing too. Outside the stateroom doors on the Disney ship is a little "fish" that you can hang those pocket holders on (or other things). You sign up with a group on the DIS and you exchange little gifts - homemade or store bought. And you place the gifts for each other in the Fish Extender pockets. Cute, right? I still have to get busy on our gifts, I have some of it purchased, but not all...

A meet up sounds great if we can work it out! We will have to compare stuff as it gets closer
We actually have driven the past 3 trips as flying with 6 gets VERY expensive so this WDW trip is probably the cheapest we have done! We got tickets for $932 (for 8 day base x 5 ) and our BC room is $833 for the week...so $1765 for 5 of us for 7 nights. Our food is aleady taken care of from rewards cards (Disney Visa rewards, Opening a Chase Freedom card that gave us $300 cash back, DVC tour $40 gift card, Disney Movie Reward points for Gift cards). The only other things we have to purchase are our MNSSHP tickets and gas down and back and parking per day
I am used to our trips costing $3000 plus without airfare...so I am happy with this one
I thought you got all crafty on me!! The people who made those for you did such a great job! So cute. I dont have a crafty bone in my body either. I wish I did with Kayla's wedding coming up...that crafty bone sure would have come in handy

 

[Lovemy3babes]

Brook, I think our October dates line up! Morghan and I will be there Oct 15th-19th. I'd love to meet you!

I hope you can find a new, awesome apartment!

That big kid on the circus ride is hilarious! I wonder if that's his mom smiling at him?

 

[ClaireW]

You must be busy at the moment making plans for trips and plans to move!

We've done the Storybook boat ride equivalent at DLParis - there was definitely no whale and I don't remember any narration but it was a long time ago, on our very first Disney (pre-children) trip, and we tried EVERYTHING DLParis is very small in comparison to WDW and, I guess, DL.
I know we didn't go on it again when we took Alice a few years later, but we went at a really quiet time and I have a feeling it was closed. And probably not memorable enough for us to mind

I enjoyed those pictures of the cruise ship - it is just enormous! We have talked to the girls about taking a cruise one day and I have been reminded about it at least a couple of times recently when the cruise adverts pop up on screen in our local Disney Store!

I also had fun reading about your plans for your October trip and found it really interesting seeing you plan for two families with different interests. We took my parents to WDW last August and had some juggling/balancing to do to keep everyone happy, but reading your comments about Fantasmic made me realise how hard that must be sometimes as a TA - making recommendations that suit everyone's different tastes

 

[wdwgirl03]

Hi Brook!

I've been following along with this TR but finally decided to post. I think I've already said this but you're really making me want to go back to Disneyland! It's been 5 years and with all the new additions I need to go. haha

Great pictures of the Fantasy. I am so jealous you are going on a cruise soon. It seems like everyone on the DIS is doing a cruise. So incredibly jealous!

haha, I knew it wouldn't be long before you announced another Disney trip! I knew you had your cruise but was wondering when your next WDW trip would be. A 2-BR sounds great-we stayed at one at SSR and it was amazing. YAY for your first party! I am not really a Halloween person either but it's such a fun event. Definitely a must-do!

 

[keys1388]

"Where's Jonah?" haha!! I love it!! I have a picture of me when I was somewhere in the range of Henry's age sitting right by that same little door. I should try to find it. Then I have one of me again when I was 15 with some intense eyebrows sitting by it with my cousin. Ah... memories.

 

[Disneyfreak616]

I love your TR. Henry's expression on the teacups is absolutely priceless. <3

Yay for your cruise! That'll be awesome! And so soon!!

Hooray for OKW and AKV too! Those will be great trips!

Hope the new apartment works out, doors included!

 

[dolfinjuls]

Love the updates! You have some great trips coming up!
I love all of the details around the Alice ride...can't wait to hear about it!

 

[glennbo123]

I had a feeling you were going to write that he was scared on those other rides, because I remember that stage....they go from toddlers riding thrill rides to being scared on sedate rides.

Seeing people in those circus train cars looks like a hoot!

 

[jenseib]

I can't beleive Henry is afraid of everything...but then again I can, because Claire has gone through phases like that too.

I love your pillowcase and FE...you made it yourself? I am so not talented like that.

 

[Caretames1]

Althought Kadence is still got some scaredy cat-ness in her. she is getting way better. I've got her convinced that EE is the same as BTMR! Hopfully she not kill me after the ride is over...


I can see how that whales mouth would be a bit much for younger kiddos. Especially, knowing the story of Jonah.


I do like the bathroom doors! Very cute!

 

[DisneyFanDC]

And finally, we spent a few nights in Washington D.C. over Easter and had a GREAT time. This has been on my "Bucket List" for a while now, so I'm elated to have finally done it! We will definitely be back. I had the awesome opportunity to meet up with a couple DISers: missyrose and Lisa...why can't I remember your DIS name??? Both meets were FANTASTIC. Lovely, lovely, lovely ladies!!! Unfortunately I can't share pictures of those meet ups due to my photo service being down and I haven't uploaded the pics to Facebook yet! However, if you are interested, you can follow the story along with my mini-TR on our blog and I will eventually get to the meets! : www.joeandbrook.com

It was super fun meeting Joe, Henry and you when you were here in DC! Hope to see you all again soon.

 

[Native NYer]

Poor Henry!

The bathrooms are cute! I love Disneyland's Fantasyland.

Your FE and pillowcase are adorable!

 

[mickeystoontown]

I'll keep you guys in my prayers. I hope that you find the apartment that fits your needs and is in a great location.

I know that you are super excited about the cruise! I've been getting some great tips on my pre-trip report from people who have been on cruises before.

I really enjoyed the Disneyland installment. I remember the age when Hunter wasn't quite sure if he liked an attraction or not. We could always tell if he "really" liked it by asking if he was ready to get back on it again. If he said "not right now", then we knew he liked it but was a little scared.

 

[vamassey1]

Your life is so exciting with all the changes and trips. I hope everything works out just like it should.

Henry is just so super cute. I love all the questions he asks. Such an inquiring mind.