Our 3rd Annual Holiday Trip to DL in November - November 22nd - 25th, 2013 Post #3416

[mvf-m11c]

Your WoC pictures are awesome. I can't believe how many different scenes that you capture!

Thank you Alison. There were a lot of different scenes of the show that I have taken. I must took at least over 800 pictures of WoC that night.

Bret - I love to see your pictures and I think that your dark ride and night time photography on this trip is excellent. I love the ones you took of IaSM.

I'm touched that you're thanking me and if I've helped provide you pointers, remember that you are ultimately the photographer.
And if I've helped....I'm glad. I consider it my way of paying it forward. I have to thank the photographers on the DisPhotoboard for helping me with my photography when I first picked up a camera. It would be remiss of me not to do the same.

Thank you PiO. The pictures are getting better and better with all the settings that you have mention to me when I go on these trips. The IASWH were nice on the outside while some of the ride shots on that night were not that good since I didn't show them all. But you can look at them on my flickr account.

After seeing all these wonderful pictures on the threads, I want to take great pictures like you, KCMike, etc. and look at them while I am on my CPU and think about those great times during the trip. The videotaping is great where I do a lot of videotaping for the nighttime shows. But taking pictures is even better where I like to show other people like the DISers and see what the park looks like during new changes.

Bret -

I'm not even sure if this thread has a full year left before hitting Page 250. You take a lot of photos. You post a lot of photos in this thread. Plus, you go to DLR quite often throughout the year. And then you have to account for any sudden waves of activity - you know, where lurkers or other people suddenly come out of the woodwork and start posting a lot. The pages may be used up faster than you think.

You would take good photos even with a point & shoot, Bret, because you're a good photographer! Remember, the equipment you use to take photos is just equipment, and it's just a part of the whole package. Sure, your DSLR and using the proper settings make the night shots come out more crisp and clear and they look amazing! But, for the most part, to start out with you have to have a good eye or vision for what would make an interesting photo, and then everything else follows.

Just the other day I reposted/shared a photo that deejdigsdis took in the Picture of the Day thread (and you should post more photos in the POTD thread, by the way) and I told everyone that I didn't want her photo to get overlooked because it is fantastic. She took that photo with a simple, basic point and shoot, and yet the photo tells a story, evokes emotion, sets a mood, etc. Deej has had some good photo ideas. I've had some halfway decent photo ideas here and there, every now and then (if I do say so myself!). And I've seen some awesome point and shoot photos taken by others on the board, just as I've seen awesome DSLR photos taken by others on the board.

So, the bottom line is, if the eye and vision for photo ideas is there to begin with, the type of equipment or settings you use will just help you execute that vision better.

I can see that happening where this thread will be done shortly in less than a year with all the trips that I have been doing. But this year is going to be a quiet one where I will be less trips. I still have the May trip where my DA and I will be going to the Walt Disney Studios in Burbank for the D23 WD Studios and Archives Tour, I will be there in August for the D23 Expo which I have been to all of them and of course the Holiday trip which will be in November (as you know that I would prefer December over November but with basketball, i have to go with November).

It has been awhile since I have used a point and shoot camera at the park. The only thing that would come close to it is my iPhone 5 where I have taken a few pictures with it. I do appreciate it Sherry. I remember those words really well where the equipment is just equipment where the pictures turned out really well is by the photographer. With all that experience I have learned a lot of photography over the years I have taken pictures.

I haven't posted on the POTD thread since I am working and all of my updates have been at night where I finally get some free time. I will remind myself to post some pictures on that thread. Deej does take great pictures and I have learned a lot from her pictures of the different scenes where we don't see too much. She has a really good eye and getting the most out of her pictures. The same thing for you too with all those pictures during the Holiday season where you find really interesting things to take.

Thank you Sherry for the words.


The next post will be up shortly.

 

[mvf-m11c]

Day 2 – January 13, 2013 – Part 17​

We left off riding It’s a Small World Holiday at night after being at Disney California most of the day. It was great to ride IASWH at night with all the Holiday lights on during our trip. Everyone had a great time riding IASWH again that day and now we are just about done for the night after a great day. Let’s get back to the last part of the night.

After getting back to the IASWH loading dock and exited the ride, we looked at IASWH while this will be the last time to see it with the lights on during the trip. Everyone had a great time looking at IASWH and going on it that night. Now we picked up the ECV and stroller and now we are about to head on out of the park since it is almost closing time.

We left IASW Plaza and now heading on out of the park. While walking down IASW Plaza, we got to look at all the different wreaths and the Christmas lights on the trees which is nice to see at night. It is so odd to see the Christmas decorations up during mid January since I don’t come to the DLR during this month. It was nice to go with my aunt, her DBF, DD2 and Kay during the trip where I was a guide for them. They all had a great time and were glad that I came along.

While we were walking on out of the park, I had to stop at one of my favorite stands to get dessert and for the followers who follow my trip report would know what I am talking about. I had to get a Dole Whip Soft Serve at the Tiki Juice Bar in Adventureland. A lot of them were wondering what that was and told them about it. Kay knew about it since she had it before. My aunt doesn’t like pineapple so she wasn’t getting one and I knew that DBF and DD2 would like it.

Before we left the park, we head on over towards Adventureland from the Hub and went to the Tiki Juice Bar. Good thing that there was anybody in the line so we head on over to get some Dole. I usually get the Dole Whip Soft Serve and I recommend them that they should get the Dole Whip float. Kay had the float and she really likes it so that was an obvious choice for her. Kay, DD2 and DBF shared the float while I had the Soft Serve.

When we left the line, DBF tried it first and she was so amazed how good the Dole Whip Float was. I remember that she help to the float more over Kay and DD2. So I knew that she will want another one when we come back tomorrow. I always get excited to have the soft serve when I am at DL. Boy I wish that there was a store or restaurant that sell the soft serve.

We walked down MS and it was not that busy while most of the people are walking on out of the park. There were a lot of people in the stores to buy last second merchandise until they leave the park that night. We thought about going to the stores but we decided to head on out since we bought a lot of merchandise that day.

We walked on out of the park just before 11pm that night and we were back at the esplanade. But before we left the esplanade, we head on over towards the Stroller and Wheelchair rental area right on the right hand side of DL turnstiles to drop off the ECV. We were glad that my aunt got the ECV so she and her DBF can use it since they have trouble walking.

Now we head on out of the esplanade and back to the Best Western Park Place Inn while it took 7 minutes to get from the esplanade to the hotel.

It was nice to be back at the room so we can rest up and call it for the night. We don’t have to get up early the next day since the parks are open until 10am where it is during the slow season. We all went to bed around midnight and that was our day on Saturday.


We all had a great time that Saturday where we got to do a lot of different things. But this whole trip was for DD2 who had a great time. We got to have two character dining at Goofy’s Kitchen for breakfast and Ariel’s Grotto for dinner. Those were her favorite times of that day where she got to meet a lot of Disney characters. She was really excited to meet all the Disney princesses at AG during dinner. She also had a great time going on the rides at DCA and DL.

My aunt DBF had a blast for that day where she got to see it from a mothers view and she will never forget this trip. She still talks to me about the trip and wants to do another trip to the DLR one day. Her favorite part was the character dining where DD2 had interacted and got pictures with them.

My aunt was pleased that we all had a great time. My aunt just went along with what they want to do and really enjoyed coming along with us. It was her that got this trip all set up where she takes care of DD2 for her DBF when she is at work. DD2 and my aunt do get along and she was glad that we came for this trip.

It was also great that Kay came to the DLR to visit her step mother and step sister during the trip. She was a very nice young lady which is having a great time and playing a lot with DD2.

For me it was all for them and I did my best to give them the most out of the trip. This day which was fun where I got to do two character dining experience where I barely do any character dining when I am at the DLR. It was fun to eat at GK where I haven’t ate at that restaurant in ages. Got to eat at AG where the last time I ate there was during the WoC dining experience.

We got to do a lot of rides and show that night which started with at FL where we got to ride Peter Pan, Dumbo, King Arthur’s Carousel, Storybook Land Canal Boats, Alice in Wonderland, IASWH, Disney Junior Live on Stage, Monsters Inc., Turtle Talk with Crush, Tower of Terror, The Little Mermaid: Ariel’s Undersea Adventure and of course World of Color. They all had a great time watching WoC that night and glad that we didn’t have to wait a long time to get a spot for WoC which I got my favorite spot in the blue section.

My aunt was glad that we got the ECV so she could ride it. I knew that she wouldn’t last too long without it after the WDW trip in October/November. We didn’t use the handicapped part of the ECV since it would take even longer to get on the ride by going through the regular queue.

Now the next post will be the last day which is the saddest part of the trip and I will have that last day.

 

[PrincessInOz]

Love those pictures of the IaSW building. It's so colourful!

I can almost taste that Dole Whip Float. I just adore it and can't wait to get back to get another dose.

Looking forward to your next update; even if it is your last day.

 

[ACDSNY]

You provided a wonderful trip for all ages! I love seeing DL through the eyes of children. The pics just keep getting better with each trip.

 

[mvf-m11c]

Love those pictures of the IaSW building. It's so colourful!

I can almost taste that Dole Whip Float. I just adore it and can't wait to get back to get another dose.

Looking forward to your next update; even if it is your last day.

Thank you PiO. Some of the pictures of the IASWH building that night were even better than the other night or November trip.

While they like the Dole Whip Float, i always have to get the Soft Serve. I do like the float, but I rather would have the Soft Serve because of the pineapple ice cream where you will get more than the float. As you said that I can still taste the float every time I think about it.

Even if it is the last day, I always try to get as much in for these last few hours. It is nice to be an AP holder where I could go to the DLR parks anytime.

You provided a wonderful trip for all ages! I love seeing DL through the eyes of children. The pics just keep getting better with each trip.

Thank you Angela. This was a great trip where I got to experience it through a little child of coming to the DLR for the first time where I don't do that too often on my Disney trips. It just makes it so enjoyable to go to the parks. My aunt DBF wants to do another future trip to DL one day but they will have to decide what days is good for her whole family. She left her husband and his two kids behind on this trip which my aunt paid for the trip.


The next post will be up shortly.

 

[mvf-m11c]

Day 3 – January 14, 2013 – Part 1​

Now it was the last day of the trip which is the saddest part of any trip where it was the day where we have to go back home. We all had a great time the other day on Sunday where we got to go on a lot of rides and watch the shows at both Disneyland and Disney California Adventure. Everyone had a great time on Sunday and this was to be the relaxation day where the parks are not open till later that day. On this last day, we will try to do some of the rides that we didn’t do the first two days of the trip.

On that Monday morning, we were all up around 7am. Since the parks don’t open till 10am that morning due to the off-season in mid January, there was no point of getting ready to head on over to the parks. Mostly I am up early and ready to go to DL or DCA and go on my favorite rides. But since it didn’t open till 10am, I relaxed with the others that morning.

Everyone was up around that time and we all relaxed that morning. I started to pack up most of my stuff since we needed to check-out of the hotel at 11am. Since Kay drove to the hotel, she can put all her bags in her car. For us since we flew to Anaheim, we are able to leave our bags in the lobby until the SuperShuttle come later that afternoon to pick us up and take us to the John Wayne Orange County Airport. They all started to pack their luggage just as when we all got up and got dressed.

When we packed all our bags, we head on over towards Captain Kidd’s restaurant for the Continental Breakfast upstairs since we have some time to kill until we head on back to the parks. We got to the restaurant around 8:30am that morning and it was quite crowded. We couldn’t find a table since most of the tables were occupied. But we were able to find one that morning and had all these different food selections. Just like the other day that I can’t say that this is a real breakfast.

After finishing eating during the continental breakfast, we head on back to our room and got our luggage so we can take it to the front lobby while Kay took hers to her car. I have seen the hotel guests leave the luggage in the lobby area when they are checking in or out of the hotel which is a good thing where we can leave the luggage to the hotel and enjoy our time at the parks or something in that area.

When we left the luggage, we head on out and over to the DLR. While we were walking on over to the esplanade, it was kind of busy around the bus loading area while more and more guests are coming to the DLR.

When we went through the security check point, we head straight towards DL. We didn’t need to get the ECV for my aunt since we are only going to be in the parks for a few hours until we had to go back to the BWPPI to wait for the shuttle. The esplanade was kind of busy when we got there that morning and most of the guests were heading on over to DL.

We had to wait in line to go through the turnstiles and just like all the other days when you enter DL or DCA, they have the CM’s outside the turnstiles to check the guest tickets.

When we got to DL that morning, the tarp for the MS station was not covering the station.

The first thing we did was walk down on MS and over to our first ride of the day which was the Finding Nemo Submarine Voyage. My aunt DBF wanted to go on the FNSV since she remembers the old submarines which was the Submarine Voyage. I haven’t ridden the FNSV in a while and it was a good idea to go on it first thing in the morning where the queue is not that long.

MS was not that crowded that morning which was nice where it opened at 10am.

We walked on over to Tomorrowland from MS and it was not that crowded in TL which was expected first thing in the morning where most of the guests are at FL.

Now entering the FNSV queue and the wait time was at 10 minutes which is the right time to get on the subs.

A picture of DD2, Kay and my aunt DBF while waiting to get on the sub.

Our sub was the Nautilus 107.

When we went in the Nautilus, we were on the outside. I was disappointed that we were on the left hand side of the sub instead of the right side. I always like to be on the right hand side of riding the FNSV since you can see more while riding on the right hand side. My aunt was having some trouble walking down the stair in the sub. I thought that we should go in the side room for the handicapped people who can’t walk down the stairs. But she managed to walk down the stairs and in the Nautilus.

My aunt, Kay, DD2 and my aunt DBF are all ready to ride the FNSV.

I didn’t use my camera to take pictures during the ride while I used my Sony camcorder. I didn’t use my video camera a lot for the rides and since it will be tough to take pictures when we are going through the dark part of the ride, so I choose the video camera over the camera.

DD2 was a little scared at first when we got in the Nautilus submarine but when we were on the ride, she calmed down and was excited to see all the different fishes on the ride. DBF was so excited to go on the ride and see that it was a little different from the old Submarine Voyage ride. She really like this ride a lot that it was worth riding it that morning.

When we off the Nautilus submarine and back at TL, we decided to ride the Disneyland Railroad since we haven’t rode it the first two days. So we head on over towards the Tomorrowland Railroad station right close to the Autopia.

The Mine seagulls are still out there on the buoy at the FNSV Lagoon

When we got to the station, we waited until the train arrived at the station. This was going to be an interesting ride while the Main Street station is closed due to the construction so we will be passing the station which is something I have never done before until that day.

Everyone all relaxing until the train arrives.

Finally after waiting about 5 minutes for the train approached the station and it was the E.P. Ripley Engine #2 with the Excursion car set.

We rode to the front of car number 1 on the excursion car set. Everyone was all excited to ride the DLRR all the way towards the New Orleans Square Railroad station since we can’t stop at the MS station.

Everyone was happy while getting a picture except for DD2

We are on our way in the tunnel through the Grand Canyon and Primeval World. DD2 was a little scared during the T-Rex/Stegosaurus scene at the end of the tunnel. It is so great to go through the tunnel and see the diorama of the Grand Canyon/Primeval World.

We were now passing by the MS station since it was not open due to the construction and while passing by the station, we saw that more and more people are now entering the park that morning.

We were now in NOS and we decided to get on the train and do some rides while we were in the area. I talked to everyone of what they want to do and asked me what there was to do in the area. The Haunted Mansion was closed during our trip while taking down the Holiday overlays. The ride that DD2 and everyone might like is The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh. So we head on over towards Critter Country since we are in the area.

It was semi-busy around NOS that morning where it was a little busy. Around the area where the Mark Twain was down due to refurbishment and HM closed for the holiday overlay removal.

HMH Closed where most of the Holiday overlay is taken down during our visit.

We were now in CC and it was a little busy while Splash Mountain was a 10 minute wait time where it would take about 5 minutes to go through the queue. Over at Winnie the Pooh ride was a walk-on which was expected that morning. So we parked the stroller and went on the ride.

A look at CC that morning where there were some guests in the area.

I took some random picture until it was time for us to get on the ride

When we were about to board the honeypot vehicle, I used my DSLR camera to take pictures of the ride instead of using my video camera. This was a great opportunity to use my 35mm Nikkor Lens for the dark pictures. I have been using the new lens for the dark rides and hope that my pictures will be crisp while taking pictures on the dark rides.

That’s it for this post and I will have pictures from “The Many Adventures with Winnie the Pooh” that morning.

 

[PrincessInOz]

Great update. Always sad on the last morning.

That's an awful lot of tarp over MS station. I know that refurbs happen all the time, but I was kinda sad to see it. Still, nice to know that Disney is looking after it's assets.

Thanks for sharing.

 

[mvf-m11c]

Great update. Always sad on the last morning.

That's an awful lot of tarp over MS station. I know that refurbs happen all the time, but I was kinda sad to see it. Still, nice to know that Disney is looking after it's assets.

Thanks for sharing.

Thank you PiO. It is sad that it is the last day of the trip and have to go back to the real world. Everyone had a great time for the first time or being back for the first time in ages.

When we saw the MS station that morning, the tarp was not covering the station where it showed a facade of the station. That was not a good picture spot that morning. Luckily, we already got some pictures of the tarp facade of the MS station. Disney is really taking care of the buildings so well by making sure that it looks great.


The next post will be up shortly.

 

[mvf-m11c]

Day 3 – January 14, 2013 – Part 2​

On our last update, we are now back at Disneyland to do some more attractions before we left that day. It is always sad to be the last day of the trip. We all had a great time where we all did a lot during this trip. We rode the Disneyland Railroad and the Finding Nemo Submarine Voyage that day. Let’s get back to the trip report.

We were now on “The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh” ride in the honeypot vehicles. I t has been a long time since I have rode this ride at DL. I still think that it is a fun ride to go on and I wished that it didn’t replace the Country Bears Jamboree which it used to be here before Winnie the Pooh ride took this spot. I do miss the Country Bears Jamboree at DL but at least the Magic Kingdom still has it over there which is great. During the ride, I used my DSLR camera to take pictures and hope that the pictures turn out well. Kay and DD2 were up front while my aunt and her DBF were in the middle while I was in the back of the honeypot vehicle.

So here are pictures from the ride experience that day. There were a few pictures that were a little blurry during the ride experience. Overall, they were good.

The settings on my camera during the ride were 1/60 for shutter speed, f/2.8 for the aperture and the ISO 1600 with the 35mm lens.

There were a few timed during the ride that DD2 was a little scared during this part of the ride.

That is a lot of Honey for Pooh

Time to celebrate

We finished the ride and exited the Honeypot vehicles. DD2 felt that part of the ride was scary while she enjoyed seeing all the characters like Pooh, Piglet and Roo. Everyone enjoyed the ride. While we were in the area, we decided to head on over to Pooh’s Corner store to look at the merchandise. My aunt and her DBF went in the store while Kay, DD2 and I were outside and saw something that DD2 would really like a lot. But I will get to that on the next post so stay tune for the next update.

 

[PrincessInOz]

Some great shots of that ride. And you're right. They are good.

 

[mvf-m11c]

Some great shots of that ride. And you're right. They are good.

Thank you PiO. Some of them turned out great while some of them were not that good. As you know that I just select the good one while I still have the others on my flickr.

The next post will be up shortly.

 

[mvf-m11c]

Day 3 – January 14, 2013 – Part 3​

On our last update, we just rode “Many Adventure of Winnie the Pooh” where we all enjoyed the ride. DD2 was a little scared of the ride but she was glad that she was able to see Pooh and his friends. Now are back at Critter Country to do some more activities that day.

We just got off Winnie the Pooh ride and my aunt and her DBF went into Pooh’s Corner to look at the merchandise. DD2, Kay and I were outside waiting for them but while we were in the area the three of us decided to get in line to get pictures with Pooh, Tigger and Eeyore. DD2 didn’t want to meet the characters but she changed her mind when Kay told her that after riding Winnie the Pooh ride that we will be able to meet them up close. She went along with it and we head on in the queue to meet them.

We first met Tigger first and DD2 was happy during the picture

Next was Eeyore

And lastly Pooh

DD2 was now happy that she was able to meet Pooh, Tigger and Eeyore. She really like Tigger the most while he was acting silly. Kay was happy that DD2 smiled in all of the pictures that I have took.

When we exited, my aunt and DBF were waiting for us and now we head on out of CC and over back towards New Orleans Square. CC was not that busy that afternoon where there were a few people and everyone had a great time at CC.

A look at Splash Mountain

After leaving CC, we were now in NOS and get to see the Mark Twain down due to refurbishment.

Over at NOS, it was getting a little busy in the area but it was not that bad. The NOS band was playing outside entertaining the guests walking around the area.

While we were in NOS, the Mardi Gras masks and instruments decorations were on the lamp poles all around NOS. I have seen these decorations during the Holiday season. They are a little different

We decided to go on Pirates of the Caribbean since we were in the area. I talked to DD2 if she wanted to ride PotC. At first she didn’t want to but she changed her mind when we talked to her. We told her that it might be scary for her but she was willing to go on the ride that day. It only took 5 minutes to go through the queue to get on the ride.

A look at the Dream Suite atop of the PotC.

We got on the boat and I used my DSLR camera to take pictures of the PotC. This was a great opportunity just like the Winnie the Pooh ride to get a lot of dark pictures of the ride. I was excited how the pictures turned out well for Winnie the Pooh and hope that it would be the same for PotC.

Here are pictures from PotC. Once again I used the 35mm Nikkor lens for the dark ride pictures.

A look at the Blue Bayou and there was barely anyone in the restaurant that afternoon. It would have been nice to eat at the restaurant that day.

That pirate is still drinking from the bottle?

The Captain still in his bed looking at the treasure map

Look at all that treasure

Captain Barbosa leads the assault from the deck of the pirate ship

During the ride and through the cannon shooting, DD2 was getting scared and was so close to Kay and my aunt DBF. They were trying to calm her down and she eventually calmed down a little. But I can tell that she didn’t like the ride since it was scary for her.

That’s it for this post and I will have more from PotC later that day.

 

[PrincessInOz]

Not a bad set from PotC. Hope you're happy with them.

DD2 looks so happy in those pictures with Winnie the Pooh characters. How lovely to have captured that precious smile.

 

[mvf-m11c]

Not a bad set from PotC. Hope you're happy with them.

DD2 looks so happy in those pictures with Winnie the Pooh characters. How lovely to have captured that precious smile.

Some of the pictures were not that bad. Some of them were blurry. So I will talk to you about the settings on the PotC ride or rides like that are very dark.

DD2 looks happy in the pictures with the characters. It is very nice to capture those moments during the trip where she looked happy in most of the pictures. There were times when she wasn't smiling and it was difficult to get a 2 year old to smile at the camera.


I haven't been writing trip reports lately since I have been working and on Thursday, I was in San Jose for the 2nd Round of the Men's 2013 NCAA Basketball Tournament. It was a busy day on Thursday where my dad, mom and our next door neighbors drive from Sacramento to San Jose which took 2 hours. The games were played at San Jose HP Pavilion home of the San Jose Sharks and the home of the 2nd Round and 3rd Round (today where I will be leaving in a few hours to San Jose for the third round games with Saint Louis plays Oregon and Syracuse plays California) 2013 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament. We watched four basketball games that day and the electricity was amazing. We didn't get back to Sacramento around 11pm that night. The arena was crazy when the University of California played the University of Nevada Las Vegas (UNLV) in the third game and most of the crowd were Cal fans. They won the game which they upset UNLV. All the games were great and we all had a great time.

I will be leaving shortly and here is a picture of our seats area at the games on Thursday.

Before I leave, I have one more trip report update. So stay tune.

 

[mvf-m11c]

Day 3 – January 14, 2013 – Part 4​

On our last update, we got to meet Winnie the Pooh, Tigger and Eeyore at the character meet & greet at Critter Country. We just got pictures with them and now we are back at New Orleans Square after being in CC for a while. Now we are on Pirates of the Caribbean which is another classic ride that I like to ride. Unfortunately, DD2 was scared of going on the ride after I asked her if she is okay of riding PotC. Hopefully she won’t be too scared of this ride while we are on it.

Now back with more pictures from PotC. I used my DSLR camera taking pictures where I have barely taken pictures on PotC. With the 35mm lens makes a big difference when taking pictures on dark rides.

We are now in the village of Puerto Dorado on Isla Tesoro and it is overrun by pirates in search for treasure. The pirates dropping Carlos (the mayor) in the well for thelocation of the treasure.

There is Captain Jack Sparrow behind the dresses

The auction area where the women are being auction to the pirates

I still remember those pirates saying “We want the Red Head. We want the Red Head” during this area of the ride.

There is Jack Sparow in the barrow looking at the treasure map

The town is being burned and ravaging by the pirates

Now in the jail cell with the dog holding the key in his mouth

Pirates shooting at each other in the ammunition room

We are now going up the waterfall and on the way up we got to see Jack Sparrow in the room full of hidden treasure

We were now back at the docks and off the ride. DD2 was still scared of riding PotC that she doesn’t want to ride it again. We told her that the scary part of the ride was over and we won’t do PotC until she gets older. It just shows you that it is not a good idea taking a young child on PotC.

When we were in the alley of NOS, I had to get some pictures of the masks. Just like the other areas around NOS, there are plenty of Mardi Gras masks and beads all decorated at NOS. Most of the Holiday decorations are taken down but there are some decorations that are very interesting to look at especially with Mardi Gras a month away.

We head on over to the bathroom since some of them had to use them. While they were using the restroom, I looked at all the different decorations in NOS. Most of the buildings have the Mardi Gras decorations on the buildings which was neat to see in mid January.

After we met up, we started to leave NOS and move on to our next destination while walking down in the alley.

Just when we are passing by Café Orleans, they all stopped at the souvenir stand right by Café Orleans and DD2 was looking at something. She looked at the pink Minnie ears and she told her mom that she wanted it. I can tell that my aunt DBF didn’t want to buy more stuff for her but my aunt told her that she will buy them for DD2. So she bought the ears for DD2 and she was happy that she got the ears.

During this trip, we have bought a lot of merchandise mostly for DD2 which she got stuffed Disney characters, ears and some candy. DD2 was happy and it has been a long time since I used my annual pass to purchase a lot of different merchandise. We have saved over $100 in merchandise that we bought and over $100 in food purchases from all the different restaurants that we have ate during the trip.

After getting the ears, we head on out and moved on to our next destination. But I will get to that on the next update.

 

[franandaj]

Wow! You just pack so much in on all your updates!

Looks like you are closing out your trip with a lot of great memories for DD2 and the rest of the crew!

I was so glad to see you HM pics even if it is closed down, I was able to show Fran the plaques on the bricks and she verified that those are the ones that she purchased a couple of for our HM room in our new house.

 

[PrincessInOz]

Another great update. DD2 sure sounds like she did well out of all the adults and attention. It may be merchandise (and Disney does well out of it), but to the kids.....they are treasured memories.

 

[ACDSNY]

The pics of DD2 with Tigger, Pooh and Eeyore are adorable. My nephew is here and enjoyed your POTC pics. He's looking forward to his trip in May.

 

[mvf-m11c]

Wow! You just pack so much in on all your updates!

Looks like you are closing out your trip with a lot of great memories for DD2 and the rest of the crew!

I was so glad to see you HM pics even if it is closed down, I was able to show Fran the plaques on the bricks and she verified that those are the ones that she purchased a couple of for our HM room in our new house.

Thank you Alison. After doing so many trip reports these last few years, I added more to the updates with more comments of what I was thinking and what my party members were saying during the trip. I always let my pictures do my talking on my trip reports and it is nice to add comments on it.

We did get a lot of things done during the trip and everyone had a wonderful time and they are still talking about it today and want to go back.

That is neat to hear that you were able to show the plaques of the bricks from the HM. That must be very neat to have all those HM merchandise for the HM room in your new house.

Another great update. DD2 sure sounds like she did well out of all the adults and attention. It may be merchandise (and Disney does well out of it), but to the kids.....they are treasured memories.

Thank you PiO. DD2 got a lot of merchandise that trip and her suitcase was so full that she had to carry the Minnie stuffed character and made my aunt carry baby Ariel. We did buy a lot of merchandise during the trip and these were all treasured for DD2, my aunt, her DBF and Kay. Everyone really enjoyed the Glow with the Show Ears that I have purchased for everyone during the trip and they were very nice in our nighttime pictures.

The pics of DD2 with Tigger, Pooh and Eeyore are adorable. My nephew is here and enjoyed your POTC pics. He's looking forward to his trip in May.

She looked very good in the pictures with Pooh, tigger and Eeyore. I am glad that you nephew enjoyed the PotC pictures. Hope you and your family have a great time during your trip in May. Maybe we will be able to do a DISer meet during the trip. I will be back at the DLR on May 3rd to 5th for the D23 Walt Disney Studios and Tour on Saturday.


The last update of the trip report will be up shortly.

 

[mvf-m11c]

Day 3 – January 14, 2013 – Part 5​

On our last update, we just finished riding Pirates of the Caribbean and it is so fun to go on this classic ride. Everyone enjoyed it except for DD2 who was scared a little bit on the ride. But she was able to go through the ride without any problems. Just when we were about to leave, we went to one of the merchandise carts right at Café Orleans and bought a Minnie ears. She was excited to get the ears. Now back to the trip report.

We just got the Minnie ears for DD2 and she was happy. I know that she was happy but my aunt and her DBF bought a lot of different merchandise during the trip which almost totaled at least over $100 with the stuffed Disney characters and ears. They were glad that I am an AP holder so they saved quite a lot of money from the merchandise and restaurants.

Next we were close to the River of America and I told them that they should get a picture in this area since I want to get a picture of DD2 with her ears. They all went over to the railings right across from Cafe Orleans and it was a nice picture of them together.

After getting a picture of them, we started to walk down on over to Frontierland and head on back towards Fantasyland.

While we were walking on over towards Frontierland, we all got to see the closed area of Big Thunder Mountain Railroad while it is closed for it’s almost one year refurbishment. It was weird to see BTMRR closed for almost a year for the refurbishment. This is similar to the Matterhorn from last year where it was down for almost a year for the track replacement. It will be fun to see the newly refurbished BTMRR and ride it later on this year. During our trip, Big Thunder Ranch was opened but we couldn’t walk through the backside of Frontierland since it was blocked off during the construction. I know now that the walkway is open right now but during our time we couldn’t go to Fantasyland or vice versa from the backside.

My aunt and DD2 are walking together in Frontierland while I was talking to DBF and Kay about the trip.

While walking down, the front entrance to the Pioneer Mercantile store was closed due to refurbishment on the main entrance. But the store was still open during our time.

During that morning, it was not that busy while walking on out of Frontierland but the day was getting a little busy on a non-busy day at DL.

When we got to the Hub, my aunt DBF remembered the Dole Whip Float from the other night and wanted to get another float before we left that day. Before we head on over to FL, my aunt, Kay and DD2 went on over to FL through Sleeping Beauty Castle while DBF and I head on over to the Tiki Juice Bar to get the float and the soft serve. She still remembers that float from the other night that she mostly finished all by herself. So when we got to the Tiki Juice Bar there was anyone in the queue since it was just close to noon.

We got a float and a soft serve which I usually get. After getting them, we head on over towards FL and through SB Castle to meet with the others. DBF was really going through the float so much that when we got to FL she drank half of the float.

Just when we were in FL, Kay and DD2 were back on King Arthur’s Carousel. This must have been DD2 fourth time riding KAC during the trip. She really likes the merry-go-round a lot since we have one at the Sacramento City Zoo. My aunt was in the ECV waiting for them.

DBF almost finished the float by herself while I am still eating my float when we were in FL.

When Kay and DD2 got off KAC, they were surprised that DBF had finished the float so quickly before they were able to drink the float. She was sorry that she finished quickly but she couldn’t help herself for drinking the float. So I told them that I will go back to the Tiki Juice Bar to get them one while the others do some rides while we were in FL. DD2 wanted to ride Dumbo and that was the next ride for them. The park was a little busy and Dumbo was at least a 20 minute wait. So all four of them head on over to Dumbo while I head on back to the Tiki Juice Bar.

FL was a little busy that afternoon which rides like Peter Pan was long

When I got back to the Tiki Juice Bar, the queue was not that long and I only had to wait about 5 minutes to get the float for DD2 and Kay. When I ordered the float, the CM at the stand asked me that you are back and I was surprised that she remembered me just a while ago. I told her “Yes, I am back and I had to get another one that day”. She was laughing to hear that. I purchased another Dole Whip Float for DD2 and Kay. So I head on over back to FL to meet up with them.

When I got to Dumbo, DD2 and Kay were on Dumbo. I gave the float to my aunt so DBF won’t be able to drink the second float and I got my DSLR out to take pictures of them on Dumbo. For most of the ride, they didn’t go up in the sky and were on the bottom while riding Dumbo.

When they were about to get off Dumbo, I took a few pictures around the area.

We met up with them and my aunt gave Kay and DD2 the float and they help themselves to it. They really went through it quickly since they are enjoying it a lot just like DBF. While we were in the area, there was another ride that DBF wanted to go on and that was Pinocchio Daring Adventure. So we went on over to PDJ and rode it. This is another ride that could be scary for DD2 but she wanted to go on the ride and we all went on it.

During the ride, DD2 was scared of the ride while some scenes like Monstro where she screamed a lot. She wanted to get off while Kay was able to calm her down. So we knew that this was a ride that she wouldn’t like and we told her that it was a scary ride.

When we got off PDJ, DBF wanted to go on over to Disney California Adventure and go on Mickey’s Fun Wheel (excuse me Mickey’s Fun Wheel of Doom which we call it right Sherry, TK). That was one ride that she wanted to do over at DCA. But we weren’t able to do it the other day since we were doing a lot of different rides. Unfortunately, it was close to 1:15pm and we had to leave the park at 2pm so we can get back to the hotel and catch our shuttle back to John Wayne Orange County Airport. We didn’t have enough time and the only time we had was to have something to eat before we left the park. She was a little disappointed that we are not able to ride MFWoD but she understands the situation and hopes to ride MFWoD in the future.

A look at SB Castle with the snow still on during mid January which is neat to see.

We just left FL and back to the Hub. We wanted to get something light before we left that day and I know a perfect place to get something quick before we left. We were now back at the Hub and see that it wasn’t around the Hub.

It was not that busy at Tomorrowland

When we just passed by the Plaza Inn, we stopped on over towards the Little Red Wagon stand to get corn dogs. This is one of my favorite stands to get a corn dog in DL. The line was a little long that afternoon and we only had to wait about 5 minutes to get our corn dogs.

We got a table at the backside of the Little Red Wagon close to the First Aid area and right across from the Main Street Photo Supply Co. store. We ate the corn dogs and everyone was so impressed with the corn dogs even though they cost about $5.35 with the PAP discount. We all talked about the trip and everyone was glad that we got to do this trip. Even though it was our last day, my aunt, DBF, Kay and DD2 will remember this trip for a long time since it is DD2 first trip to DL. DBF is enjoying the trip through a parent view where it was so memorable to her. She even still talks to me and my aunt about the trip which she remembers a lot.

After finishing the corn dogs, we start to head on out of the park and back to the hotel. It was just past 1:35pm that day and we had to get back to the hotel so we can catch our shuttle.

We left DL around 1:45pm and we were now back at the esplanade and start to head on back to Best Western Park Place Inn where we have stayed during our trip.

It took 7 minutes to get from the park to the hotel. I really like BWPPI so much because of it’s location. If I had the choice of what hotel to stay without budget limits, I would stay at the Grand California Hotel all the time but I do like staying at BWPPI and Best Western Anaheim Inn which is a few buildings down from BWPPI. When we got to the lobby, Kay drove her car to the hotel on Sunday and is now going back home to Los Angeles. We all said good-bye to her and she was going to see us again since she will be in Sacramento in less than a week. So we were able to see her back in Sacramento.

When she left, we all waited in the lobby for the SuperShuttle to pick us up and on over to OC airport. When it was around 2:30pm where the SuperShuttle was supposed to pick us up didn’t arrive. We had a 4:30pm flight from OC back to Sacramento and we were all wondering why it hasn’t come and my aunt had to call them and see why the van hasn’t shown up. They told her that here wasn’t a reservation for us to be picked up at BWPPI and over to OC Airport. My aunt was not that happy and she was upset with the SuperShuttle Company for not having us get picked up. The employee at the BWPPI asked us if we need a ride to get from the hotel to OC and my aunt just told them that we need a ride to get to OC Airport. The employee called the Anaheim Limo company and got us a ride on over to the airport. She also told us that we can get a discount on the limo and we were so happy that the employee at BWPPI was able to get us a deal on the limo.

The limo arrived at the hotel around 3pm and was driving a Luxury Sedan. We were all excited to see the car and we were able to pack all of our suitcases and bags in the car. We left the hotel and over to the John Wayne Orange County Airport. We got to the airport around 3:30pm. It took quite a while to get from Anaheim to Orange County where there was an accident when coming to Orange County.

We were all thankful to the driver to come on short notice and got us to the airport. Our flight was Southwest Airlines and we checked a few of our bags. We waited in OC for about 30 minutes until we got on the plane and headed back to Sacramento at 4:30pm. We were all sad that we were leaving and we all knew that we need to get back home to Sacramento to go back to our daily lives.

While we were on the airplane, we were talking about all the things that we have done on this trip and see what we enjoyed the most. They all enjoyed the whole trip which is a good thing. I enjoyed being there to guide them through the parks.

We got back to Sacramento around 6pm that night and we got our car while we parked it at the airport. When we got the car we head on over to my house first since my aunt is taking back her DBF and DD2 back to her house since they left her car there. They dropped me off around 7:30pm that night at my house and said goodnight to me and we will talk to each other tomorrow. This concludes DD2 First Trip to the Happiest Place on Earth.

A few days after when we got back to Sacramento, my aunt talked to us about the SuperShuttle that didn't show up when we were about to leave on Monday and they told her that she had canceled the pickup that day. She told them that she didn't cancel the pickup that day and later on she got a refund from the company and apologized for the inconvenience. At least she got her money back where we weren't picked up that day at BWPPI. Luckily the customer service at BWPPI were so helpful of calling the limo company to pick us up that day.


This has been a memorable trip for DD2 which is her first trip to the DLR and it was a memorable one. DD2 had a great time and she is still talking about DL to this day. She has been asking her mom when are we going back at least once a day. DBF told me that she is looking forward to going back down to where she told me the same thing that she still can’t stop thinking about DL. When I gave them videos of the shows from the trip and from previous ride experience that I have videotaped over the years, they watched them a lot including her soon to be husband kids. They all want to go to the DLR one day and are still talking about it. DD2 was so excited to see Kay come down from LA and be with us during the trip.

The main goals of the trip were for DD2 to have a memorable time at the DLR. It was successful at the beginning when we entered DL when Cinderella was greeting the guests. When DD2 got to meet her, she was so speechless that she wants to be at the park for a long time. The character dining at Goofy’s Kitchen and Ariel’s Grotto were very nice to do and everyone enjoyed eating at those two restaurants. I was glad that they enjoyed those two sit down restaurants and to meet a lot of Disney characters. DD2 was able to meet a lot of Disney characters from the princesses, Mickey, Minnie, Goofy, etc. where she enjoyed meeting all of them. We were able to do the shows like Remember Dreams Come True, Mickey’s Soundsational Parade and World of Color which they all enjoyed. We got to go on a lot of rides that they have enjoyed. The one’s that we went on the most was It’s a Small World Holiday, King Arthur’s Carousel and Dumbo. We also bought a lot of merchandise for DD2 which she got a lot of stuffed Disney characters and ears. We also bought a few merchandise for the boys during the trip where we have spent over $100 in merchandise.

It was nice to go with them during the trip as a guide for them. It was also my first experience seeing it through a young child for being at the DLR for the first time. I did everything I can for them during the trip with all my experience and all the valuable information on the boards which helped me prepare this trip with a young girl. I would like to thank all the DISers that have helped me on this trip. This is a trip that I will remember for a long time since I was able to enjoy it with my aunt after we have spent some time during the WDW trip in October/November. I got to spend a lot of time with her DBF and DD2 which was great. I was able to get to know Kay a lot where we have talked to each other on the phone. It was very nice to meet her in person and we had a great time. I was able to see the nighttime shows like I usually do when I go to the DLR and it is always so fun to watch RDCT and WoC. I was satisfied with the nighttime pictures which are getting better and better. I was also happy with the dark ride pictures where some of them turned out great while some of them were still blurry.

This concludes DD2 First Trip to the Happiest Place on Earth on 1/12/13 to 1/14/13. Now I am getting ready for my next upcoming trip back to the DLR on the first weekend of May. The dates will be May 3rd to May 5th on a Friday to Sunday. This trip my DA who goes with me to the DLR a lot will be coming with me back to SoCal and our main goal for this trip is that we will be going to the Walt Disney Studios and Archives in Burbank which is about an hour drive from the DLR to Burbank. I have been looking for a long time to go to the WD Studios and Archives where I have never been too. We got tickets for the tour on the D23 website where we can take a tour of the studios and archives. We will be able to go to the DLR to do some rides and the shows like we usually do, but it is all about the WD Studios and Archives tour. I will write up the pre-trip report later on and tell our plans for this trip.