kmedina
Loves all things Disney
- Joined
- Jan 23, 2011
Kim - you have the patience of a saint. I'd ditch my DH if he was even a couple of steps behind me. My extended family and friends know better than to travel with me if they can't abide by my itinerary. I love the photo of you nursing Connor in line. I don't have any with DS3 at Disneyland bc he was weaned by our first trip, but I have many pictures of him nursing at my DH's softball games, while waiting for the LV 1/2 marathon to start, and on many of our family trips. He doesn't enjoy cow's milk either.
I promise you that I am not a patient person. Crap is extremely patient and often calms me down when I get upset. That morning when I was getting impatient Crap said Lolo even noticed I was not in a good mood. Luckily, I snapped out of it when I realized it was my baby's first birthday and no one was going to make me have a less than magical day. Then, the rest of the day was quite awesome. The funny thing is we have the same photo of me nursing him through TSMM at DHS when he was five months old. Those lines are long and have coincided with his naps. Crap rarely takes nursing photos of Connor, but I love seeing them when he does. That is what he was going while everyone else was playing softball or running. Although my sister (Gennette) somehow talked me into playing softball for two seasons, I am terrible at it. In high school (when I was still in shape), I ran cross country. I’ve always wanted to do a marathon or half marathon. The big one here always takes place around Xander’s birthday.
We had a great time on our trip. Lots of Disney magic. We were there the same days as Bret and took advantage of the APEEs for DCA on Tuesday and DL on Wednesday. We wouldn't have gone without those because the crowds were more than I can bear. I'll give you a mini-TR since my DH likes to snap away hoping for one good shot and it would take me too long to sort through those 800+ pictures from 2 days.
Glad you had a great time. The crowds were crazy when we were there too. Had we planned that morning a little better (or ignored my family), I felt like we could have done more. Since everyone did come for his birthday, I felt like we should wait for them. Your DH sounds like me. I take a dozen shots of the same thing hoping it will come out. Crap takes one shot and does not look at it, so if it is bad, oh well.
We lined up around 6:40 and were in the park shortly after 7. I say shortly because both of the computers for the line we were in were down (one line for each gate, two turnstiles & computers for each gate). Apparently, the CMs didn't know about it until 7. We had to merge into the lines on either side of us and then one of the computers was back up so there was a mad rush to get back into our original line. This was not the stress-free start I had hoped for. I actually had two nightmares that we would be late to get in and we were on both days. (We were only delayed by about 5 minutes on each day, but I did not get up at 5:45 and curl my hair to not be in the park right at opening. My usual wake up time is closer to 10).
Even though it only cost you 5 minutes, that is a bummer your line did not work. I would be slightly upset if everything did not go perfectly too. No matter how much we plan, some little detail always seems to fall through.
We followed the crowd to CL and saw the FP line, which confused a lot of people bc the sign said CL with no indication that it was for FPs. We saw a lot of people get into it only to get out of it, bc they were headed to CL and didn't want to wait for FPs. Luckily, I read your TR and figured what the line was for.
I am glad that tip helped you. We went straight to the right side when we entered, so we never even saw the fastpass line until 10 minutes after standing around. If we had someone to watch Connor, we would have forgotten about the fastpasses and gone straight for Cars Land too. Xander really wanted to ride with Lolo. In retrospect, Crap, Xander and I should have ridden in the standby line, and we should have gotten a rider swap pass for Lolo and Xander. Even after reading multiple trip reports, I did not plan that as well as I should have.
My plan was to ride Luigi's since it was the slowest loading ride, then Mater, then DH could SR onto RSR. The plan worked beautifully. We were the first group to ride Luigi's, which we loved, but we didn't get a chance to take pictures inside Casa Della Tires bc the wait for the rest of the day was 90+ min. Then we walked back down Route 66 to Mater's and waited for one and half turns, about 10 minutes, so we didn't get much of a chance to take photos there either. My DH and I were surprised how much we liked that one too. Of course, DS3 was having the time of his life. He loves Cars and he loves Disney. By the time we got off, it was only 7:25, so we took some time to take PhotoPass pictures wherever we found a photographer and took our own as well up and down Route 66. We had the whole place to ourselves, bc there weren't many people who took advantage of APEE and those who were there were lined up at RSR. We met Lightning, Mater and Red, had some snacks at the Cozy Cone, and DS3 shopped for his birthday present - a Piston Cup for his new big boy room.
Your plan actually sounds like the smartest one I’ve read yet. When we go back, I may steal that plan from you. Luigi’s had a pretty consistent 90 minute wait the most of the time we were there too. I am so impressed with how much you got done in such a short period of time. Good planning is the way to go.
We then went to RSR around 7:50, right before DCA opened to the public at 8, to drop off DH who had about a 15 min wait. We asked for a shorty card for DS3, but the CM said they never got one for RSR. (In case you don't know what a shorty card is bc that's not what they're called, it's a card CMs give to kids who are too short to ride. Each ride with a height req't has a unique card, e.g. Simba for IJ (bc it's in Adventureland???), Goofy in cowboy gear for BTM, Huey, Dewey and Louie for CA Screamin'). Instead he gave us a rider swap, which was great bc I had not thought about riding RSR, being 6 months pregnant with twins and all, but we reasoned that we just barrelled down I-15 going 80+ mph, so what's 40 mph for 2 min? I rode later around 6:30pm and had a 10 min. wait in the FP line with the rider swap. SR wait was around 75 min. and standby was at least 2 hours. I'm glad I did it bc the ride was awesome at dusk and looked as good as all of the YouTube videos we've been watching. I got out of the ride in time to watch DJ's Dance and Drive where DS3 got to dance with DJ and the "waitresses" from Flo's.
Someone asked whether or not you could get a rider swap pass using the single rider line and no one seemed to know. It is amazing knowing that you can. Next time we go, Crap or I can go through the single rider line and have the other person do the rider swap pass with Xander. Thanks for sharing that tip. That would save so much time. No 55 minute fastpass line, lone standby line and Crap does not have to worry about Xander riding alone. I had heard of the shorty card but never gotten one before. Next time we go, I will ask for them every time we ask for a rider swap pass. Thanks for that tip as well. I am glad you got a rider swap pass and got to ride RSR. Unless it is a high risk pregnancy, I would think it would be a safe enough ride. Did you get Luigi’s or Ramone’s sideon RSR? We passed by the waitresses as they were setting up for a show but never got to see it. I am glad your son had a good time. That sounds like a lot of fun.
After we left Cars Land the first time, we rode the rides in Bugs Land, took photos with the trolley, and played with Stitch at the Disney Visa Meet n' Greet.
Sounds like you really got a lot done with some great planning. One day, I will get the Disney card. Right now, I have too many cards. When I figure out which one I want to close and do it, I will apply for that card. Hopefully, I do it before our next trip, so we can do the special meet and greets. If I am not working by then, I will try to talk Crap into applying. He always says the incentives are not good enough, so it is a hard sell.
We then went to Carthay Circle to watch the Red Car News Boys and take photos with the Storytellers statue and Mickey, Goofy, Pluto, and Chip and Dale in their Buena Vista outfits. We also got a Happy Birthday telegram for DS3 from the telegram delivery woman. The traffic cop passed us quickly twice, so we weren't able to get a ticket from him. I did get two newspapers stamped with my son's birthday thanks to your TR.
The Happy Birthday Telegram is a great tip. Your son will probably cherish that when he gets older. I did not know the traffic cops gave out tickets. That is one ticket I would like to get someday. I wish I read your report before we went. You have so many great ideas. Stamping the Newspaper is a tip I got from another report, so I was happy to pass the information along.
After lunch at Flo's, we got a photo with Flik, danced at Stage 17 with Timon, Baloo, King Louie, Genie, Big Bad Wolf, Captain Hook and Smee, and then danced with Clarabelle, Clarice, Lilo, Daisy, Anastasia and Drizella, saw the Pixar Pals Parade and got a photo with Frozone from the Incredibles. We watched the Pixar Pals Parade and headed back to Cars Land while DS3 napped. I wish he was awake then bc we went to hunt down those Cars Land buttons and were asked a trivia question for each one. He could have answered most of them. The ones we were asked that I can remember were: What number is on the side of Lightning McQueen? What was Mater's original color? What singing group was Flo a part of before settling in Radiator Springs? Who is Sarge's best friend? Who is Lightning's sponsor? What is the name of the race for international cars?
I am still in awe over how much you got donw just before lunch. For us, we got fastpasses for RSR, took some photopass pictures, rode LM, met Duffy, rode TSMM, rode MJJ, rode Screamin’ and Jumpin Jellyfish. That looks like a lot compared to some people, so I do not want to complain. I know we could have done more, since lunch was not until 1pm. Crap said the dance place was a waste of space, but I disagree. Even though Xander does not like to dance directly with the characters (a rule he broke once this trip), he loves dancing. Connor always grooves to the music too. We have some music loving kids. No one ever asked us questions for our Disney buttons at all (other than asking Xander if Connor was his brother). I am glad they asked you questions even though your son was asleep. It sounds like a lot of fun. I do not know what group Flo was in, but I think I know all of the others.
We missed getting a photo with Donald in his red and white sailor shirt too bc DS3 was napping. After DS3 woke up from his nap, we played the fishing game where DS3 won a Mickey and a lobster and the Dumbo game where DS3 and I won a Dumbo. I attribute the lucky streak to his birthday magic. We rode TSMM where DS3 and I beat DH. Yes, I just had to say that again. I get really upset if our score isn't the one shown on the screen as the best score of four teams. We rode King Triton's Carrousel and had an early dinner at Carthay Circle at 5:20pm, which was delicious. DH and I ordered a starter and an entree so we could get Reserved Seating for WOC and DS3 got a steak and free truffles for his birthday.
Xander loves all of the characters from Mickey Mouse Clubhouse, so I regret that we never made it back to see Donald. He has not complained about it, so I guess it is okay. If the picture opportunity presents itself and one of the kids is sleeping, I still get them. Granted, I would probably not enter a line with both of them asleep, but we have ended that way.Neither Xander nor I remembered to play the midway games, which shocks me. That is one of his favorite things to do. I do not think we have ever missed it before. At least, I saved some money, but I feel bad that Xander missed out on winning something. Just like his Daddy, he loves winning. I am impressed that you beat your DH with your son in your arms. Once he reads that, he is going to say I have no excuse if I lose again. Oh well! He does not take any excuses anyway. Even though I think I mentioned Connor’s birthday on all of the reservations, no one ever mentioned it or gave him anything. Luckily, he was too young to notice. After seeing all of the extra Xander got at WDW, he may have been disappointed. The funny thing is we had the deluxe plan, so he never really ate any of his free desserts anyway. Glad your DH got some extra birthday magic.
After dinner is when I rode RSR and we spent some time taking pictures of CL at dusk and at night with the lights on. We found a great spot across from Mickey's Fun Wheel along the rails to watch WOC. We had seen it before along the water near the Blue Section, but it was much nicer being further back and in the middle so that we could watch the whole show.
I’ve heard that the diners at Carthay Circle get the best seats. There was no way I could convince Crap to watch WoC two nights in a row though. He was ready to go back to the hotel before our meal was even over. Glad you got such awesome seats. It really sounds like your DS had an amazing day on his birthday. Your day sounds absolutely magical.
The next day DH and DS3 made it into Disneyland at 7. I had to park our car in the parking garage, since we couldn't keep it at our hotel (the Del Sol) past 12, so I arrived at 7:05. We rode Peter Pan, took some pictures in front of SBC without any people in it, and rode Dumbo, Pinocchio, Snow White, Mr. Toad's and Alice in Wonderland by 7:40. Did I say how awesome APEE was? We had vouchers for Toontown Morning Madness from a prior trip, so we waited until 8 for that, were the first ones into Toontown and were the Honorary Family for the ToonTown honorary citizenship ceremony. Another magical moment. It was an amazing morning.
Yes, you mentioned how awesome APEE was. One day, we will get APs, but we have never had them before. How awesome that you were selected for the ToonTown Honorary Family! I’ve heard about things like that, which is why we need to keep getting to the parks as early as possible. Someday, that could be us. What an honor for you!
We then met Merida from Brave, rode It's a Small World, Finding Nemo and tried to get DS3 picked for the Jedi Training Academy. He wasn't particularly interested this time since he had already participated twice before, so he was happy when he wasn't picked and we went to Innoventions instead and checked out the Peter Pan room. If you haven't been here before, it's a little boy's room decorated in a Peter Pan theme that has an interactive storytelling mode when the CM reads a short account of Peter Pan. The sail on the bed, the walls and curtains show scenes from Peter Pan and the little ones can fire the cannon. We stayed for two readings and then headed to BLAS, ate at Cafe Orleans where DS3 got a birthday beignet, and headed to the Cowboy Jamboree where we got photos with Country Bears Liverlips and Shaker, and Mickey, Minnie, Donald, Chip and Dale, Goofy, and Pluto in their cowboy outfits. We rode Pirates of the Caribbean, which had a 20 min line that was made shorter with Mickey-shaped ice cream sandwiches, the Haunted Mansion, Winnie-the-Pooh, and the Jungle Cruise. Then we had steak sandwiches at the Jolly Holiday Bakery and caught the Soundsational parade on our way out of Disneyland at 6:50pm.
The Merida ride was insane every time we walked by it even before it opened. The movie was just released the day before we saw her line, so that may have had something to do with it. I have only watched the Jedi Training Academy a few times, but we have never seen someone so young selected. How cool he has already done it twice! Xander has never been into doing it, so I will probably not watch it again until he changes his mind or Connor is old enough to participate. On the Dream, he actually agreed to participate, so we should try next time. I have never been to Innoventions at Disneyland but will make a point to do it next time. Thanks for the suggestion. The boys would probably love that. Two magical days in a row sound amazing.
Our last magical moment happened when we saw one of our favorite CMs. We always make a point to say hi and catch up, since we've seen him so many times on our past trips to Disneyland. (We got an annual pass in Oct and have been trying to go as much as possible before the heat and the crowds set in). The CM had a surprise for us. I mentioned that it was DS3's birthday the day before so he gave us 3 I'm Celebrating buttons and a July 17, 2012, 57 Years of Creating Happiness button. All of the CMs were wearing this button on DS3's birthday. I didn't understand why and why we couldn't purchase one. I heard from most of the CMs I asked that they couldn't give us their buttons or they would get in trouble. I thought this was odd and that they would have another button the next day with a different date on it, until it finally clicked that DS3's birthday was also the anniversary of when Disneyland first opened. It made my day to have that button for DS3. Interactions like these (although I don't need anyone to get in trouble) and DS3's interactions with the characters make coming to Disneyland less about going to an amusement park and more about visiting old friends.
That story about the button really touched me. I love that Disney cast members go the extra mile for nice people. Not many people have that button. Only a small percentage can say they have the same birthday as Disneyland! Thank you for sharing your experience with me. It sounds like you had an amazing trip!
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Disney!
