PHXscuba's Club 33 Christmas

[PHXscuba]

Reading your trip report has me excited for our trip in June! Yay! And your kids seem like awesome kids--I'm still trying to get my DS11, to switch to a band instrument instead of sticking with the cello I want a band kid!

Glad I can spark someone else's excitement while holding off my own post-trip letdown. It won't be long until you are there too!

Depending on how far back you read in the pre-trip report (I don't expect anyone starting now to go back 20+ pages), you'd see that I am a crazy band mom of 3 instrumentalists -- DS16 plays French horn, DD13 plays clarinet, and DD10 just started on the flute last fall. I told my kids they could play anything they were willing to carry themselves!

Several of my son's friends play a string instrument in orchestra and another instrument for marching band (or color guard). There is a lot of overlap for music-loving kids.

PHXscuba

PHXscuba

 

[PHXscuba]

Day 4, part 1 -- I know you, I walked with you once while in AZ (March 12, 2013)

OK, you've gotta stop a moment and admire today's title (above).

Not bad, huh? It will all be explained, in this very post.

6:30 once again came earlier than I liked, but the sheer amount of things we'd accomplished the previous morning had me cracking the whip to get the kids out of bed and headed toward the gates.

This morning there was a line when we got to the security tables. I relaxed a bit when I realized we'd arrived just as they were opening up. We got through and lined up near the left turnstiles. They waited until right at 8:00, counted down, and then let people in.

Big surprise (NOT), my AP photo still wasn't showing up.The gate CM overrode it after checking ID and we were off.

What's the first rule of rope drop at Disneyland? Peter Pan first. So that's where we headed. The line was fairly short, and guess who was a switchback in front of us?

DD13's friend M, whose mom Teri I had seen in DCA the previous day! The girls were 13-year-old-level-of-glee excited to see each other.

I thought Peter Pan, and couple of other rides, seemed darker than usual. Cost-cutting on the lights, maybe?

M waited for us after Peter Pan and decided to ride Dumbo and Mr. Toad with us.

After visiting Toad and Dumbo, we noticed that Matterhorn (which hadn't opened right away) was running the Fantasyland side, so we got in line. The boys rode together, DD10 rode with DD13 and M, and I climbed in with two random women. Seven makes an awkward tour group.

Matterhorn wasn't as rough as I remembered the old version, but it's still miles from smooth. Amazingly, DS8 (who hated it the last two trips) liked it this time.

By this point we had been leapfrogging M's family all over Fantasyland. We'd get off a ride and see them getting on another, then vice versa. They got off Matterhorn a few minutes after us and I tried to think of a way to gracefully exit with my family intact, fearing either DD13 would beg to go off with M or we would suddenly have a third daughter. I really just wanted some family time. Luckily their family was headed toward DCA and we parted without any grief.

I sent the family into line for the Astro Orbiter, another spinning ride I try to avoid. It was just before park opening, so I waited near the Star Tours FP machine, which is right by the Buzz Lightyear entrance.

I had a really odd interaction with the CM working the Buzz greeter spot.

CM: Why don't you just ride Star Tours right now? It's a really short line.
Me: (glancing at the 15-minute posted wait and the line out the door already) No, my family's on Astro Orbiter and we'll ride later.
CM: You really don't need a Fastpass.
Me: (ignoring him)

The clock mercifully ticked over just then and I pulled 6 Fastpasses under his disapproving look. It was just weird, like why would he discourage me from getting a FP I so obviously desired?

The family was still in line when I got the FPs and DS8 decided at the last minute that he didn't care to ride, so he waited with me.

The crane, it mocks my desire to ride Big Thunder

We rode Buzz Lightyear after Astro Orbiter. DD10 and DH's photo disappeared, but guess who got the high score?

Not me, not the two video-game-addict boys, but DD13!! You go girl!

We sat down in the center island near Buzz for a bit to eat a snack out of our bags (because my kids were starving by 9:30), and who did we see coming out of Buzz? Another family we know in AZ! The father is an athletic trainer who helped me fix up my knee when it was out of whack last fall and I was delighted to report how well it was holding up. They were on their way to DCA to meet up with some other family members and I stressed that they needed to get RSR FPs right away before they were gone.

I went to grab Space Mountain FPs as soon as our window opened and then we could also use our Star Tours FPs. I believe we were the first people to use them that morning, because they had both sides of the lines full and it didn't give us much advantage. So I guess the grumpy CM was sort of vindicated. Lesson learned: Using your FP when it's the very first one of the day isn't the best use. Wait 10 minutes or eat another Mickey bar.

We decided to hop the train in Tomorrowland and take it around to ToonTown. Since the Main Street Station was still under renovation, we didn't stop, but waited longer at the New Orleans Square station as they moved the trains around the stations.

When we arrived at the ToonTown station, I set a brisk pace. Not because I was in a hurry, but because I didn't want DH and DS16 to repeat the giant-boy-on-shoulders picture (see the bottom of page 9 in this TR if you want the backstory). I think I heard DH mention it, but I just kept walking like I didn't hear them!

I wasn't sure if we were going to visit Mickey at his house, but the wait was posted at 5 or 10 minutes so we took a chance.

Mickey's house is always so fun to walk through, especially when you're not in a big hurry. The air conditioning was FREEZING throughout, though.

We finally got to see our host and he was gracious as usual. I wish we had taken the pictures with our jackets off, but I think my lips would have been blue if I did.

The Gadget Coaster isn't much of a thrill after riding the likes of Screamin', but we shrieked together as a family, and it made for a really funny picture of DS16.

His knees overlapped the front of the tiny Gadget cars!! He had indentations in the front of them when we got off. This will probably be his last ride for a long time. (Side note: I need to call my 6-foot-4 brother and warn him, because his son isn't too far from being big enough to ride this)

DS8 insists he needed to blow up ToonTown like his sister had on a previous trip.

The kids were starving again and I thought we'd get some ice cream or something ... only to find out that there is NO food in ToonTown until 11 a.m. I think this is a mistake -- while the land had been open less than an hour, some people (like us) had been in the park for 3 hours and had worked their way back there. I understand not having everything open or stuff freshly made, but one cart with frozen treats would have been nice.

We thought we'd have time to do a quick Spin with Roger Rabbit before we starved to death, but the line we got caught in was shades of previous-day-Monster's-Inc. While I got a little impatient, it's been years since I walked the whole queue and there are some funny gags back there.

Will we ever get something to eat? Will we die of hunger in candy-colored ToonTown, mere steps away from a closed counter service? Will I get back to writing this before next week?

Stay tuned to find out this and much more in our next installment!

PHXscuba

 

[PHXscuba]

Random Dis-ness for the weekend:

1. DD10 (currently playing "You'll Be in My Heart" for her piano recital late this month) has also added "Kiss the Girl" as part of a flute trio. I MUST get her to practice more ... I don't know why my kids think they will be able to magically play a piece without effort?

2. DS16 leaves tonight for Magic Mountain for a quick trip with the Physics Club. He was trying to pump me for info and I realized I hadn't been there in almost 20 years! That kid has been gone so much I think he's slept out of his bed more than in ... and he's doing a triathlon in southern AZ next weekend with friends.

3. I had lunch with my BFF a couple days ago and she said her family is getting APs this December when they go! So we will have three months of overlapping APs and have agreed in principle to go together early next year!

4. I peeked at DH's possible continuing ed course and it is the first weekend in November. Not exactly perfect for a Halloween or Christmas-theme trip, but I may not even go with him if it conflicts with too much at home. I wish the fall dates would hurry up and fill in, but I probably have another month before that happens. I'll STILL have them before the Disneyland hours, though!!

Well, I probably won't have another trip installment ready until Sunday/Monday with getting the photos ready, on Photobucket, and text written.

Have a magical weekend!

PHXscuba

 

[PHXscuba]

Day 4, part 2 -- I know you, I walked with you once while in AZ (March 12, 2013)

When last we left off, my kids were threatening to eat the plastic houses in ToonTown because they were "sooooo hungry." Now I knew they weren't going to starve, but there's something annoying about knowing there's food all around you but none of it open!

The clock hit 11 and were finally got fed! Cotton candy for DS8 and ice cream cones for the rest of us. By this time, our Fastpasses for Space Mountain were in the second half of the return hour, so we decided to walk and eat at the same time. Amazingly, no one lost their snack and we survived the force-march to Tomorrowland.

The photo gods were smiling on us and we caught everyone on camera with a reasonable look on their face. Odds of that happening? Too high to calculate. We got another FP to ride again later.

We thought it would be a good time of day to take some photos in front of the castle. We found a Photopass photographer and once again, he gave us a mini photo shoot. These are only about half of what he took:

DD13's favorite color has been purple for several years, and she wanted a picture with the beautiful blooming trees (they look more purple in real life).

Of course, DD10 the Chip and Dale lover had to get her picture too ...

We wandered over to Snow White's grotto. I wanted pictures of the girls (who did Snow White for their dance recital last year).

While I was taking it, I noticed some of the world-famous animatronic ducks.

(for those of you wondering if I'm completely losing it, the duck joke is an old inside joke between DS16 and I whenever we see the ducks at Disneyland ... I've shared it here on the DIS but not in this TR)

About this time one of the princesses showed up with a horde of people trailing her, so we quickly ducked into Fantasyland. I saw the Heraldry Shop and knew sword-loving DH would appreciate it. We found this suit of armor. I'm not sure if it's intended for photos like this -- I've never seen any posted -- but it was perfect. DD13 had to boost DD10!

We walked back through the castle and decided to check out Adventureland. The Jungle Cruise was using the upstairs queue and I told the kids that was a no-go to ever get in line if the line went upstairs. We couldn't get FPs for Indiana Jones because we had already pulled one for Space Mountain.

I figured I'd better get my treasured Treehouse photos so we headed upward. We had it all set when a little girl coming down the stairs photobombed our first attempt!

Second attempt -- DS8 looking away.

I finally jumped into a photo (by this time we were holding up the line) and it's my favorite of the group. Even the lighting cooperated better. This one's definitely going in the favorites frame.

We hopped into line at Pirates of the Caribbean -- you never wait long for that, right? Well, unless the ride has a problem and all the boats back up. We waited a long time in sight of the loading dock. I kept thinking, "why couldn't it have been five minutes later? I'd be sitting down, and I could look closely at some part of the ride!" When we finally rode, I noticed the final pirate-chasing-woman-in-circles scene was dark and not moving -- repairs, maybe?

Can you believe I've made it this far and we still haven't had lunch? Granted, lunch was later after all of the morning snacking.

PHXscuba

 

[Sherry E]

PHX -

You must have read my mind. I was just going over your previous TR installment before I commented on it, and then up popped another installment as I was about to sign in!

I've just developed an icky headache in the last 20 minutes and am waiting for the Advil to kick in, so forgive me if my comments seem random and totally out of sequence!

First of all - YAY! You got your Treehouse pictures! They're so cute.

I know about the Animatronic ducks! You've mentioned them in my TR. They are quite ever-present in the parks, too. The little ducklings are sooooo adorable.

I didn't know about the no-food-before-11:00 a.m. thing in Toon Town, but I agree that it's a silly idea to do that (especially in a land where there will be a large concentration of children)!

I have never seen a photo like the ones you took at the suit of armor in the Heraldry Shop (or is it Shoppe? Maybe my mind is stuck in Ye Olde Medieval mode or something.). In fact, I've been in that shop while scouting out Christmas trees for Tree Quest, and I'm not sure if I even saw that particular suit of armor. I saw another one outside, but not that exact one.

The flowers around the Partners statue -- from what I can see -- are gorgeous! I love, love, love those pink & purple (and is that magenta too?) colors! They really stand out. And they complement the colors of the blossoms on the tree so well, too, or the tree complements the flowers. One or the other.

So IF you were to go to DLR for a day in November, it would be somewhere over the weekend of 11/1-11/3? Well, you will see some Halloween stuff coming down, and you'll see some Christmas stuff going up but you're right -- it's not the prime time for either Halloween Time or the holidays! At least you'll get to ride Haunted Mansion Holiday and smell the gingerbread centerpiece in the ballroom.

I had to chuckle about you not wanting to even entertain the idea of the son-upon-shoulders photo in front of Toon Town and keeping a steady pace to not encourage them. I don't blame you. It is way too risky for anyone who has had back problems/disc problems -- even if there has been surgery -- to put anyone on their shoulders who is not a toddler!

I may have forgotten something I was going to say...if it hits me, I'll come back!

 

[PHXscuba]

PHX -

You must have read my mind. I was just going over your previous TR installment before I commented on it, and then up popped another installment as I was about to sign in!

I've just developed an icky headache in the last 20 minutes and am waiting for the Advil to kick in, so forgive me if my comments seem random and totally out of sequence!

First of all - YAY! You got your Treehouse pictures! They're so cute.

I know about the Animatronic ducks! You've mentioned them in my TR. They are quite ever-present in the parks, too. The little ducklings are sooooo adorable.

I didn't know about the no-food-before-11:00 a.m. thing in Toon Town, but I agree that it's a silly idea to do that (especially in a land where there will be a large concentration of children)!

I have never seen a photo like the ones you took at the suit of armor in the Heraldry Shop (or is it Shoppe? Maybe my mind is stuck in Ye Olde Medieval mode or something.). In fact, I've been in that shop while scouting out Christmas trees for Tree Quest, and I'm not sure if I even saw that particular suit of armor. I saw another one outside, but not that exact one.

The flowers around the Partners statue -- from what I can see -- are gorgeous! I love, love, love those pink & purple (and is that magenta too?) colors! They really stand out. And they complement the colors of the blossoms on the tree so well, too, or the tree complements the flowers. One or the other.

So IF you were to go to DLR for a day in November, it would be somewhere over the weekend of 11/1-11/3? Well, you will see some Halloween stuff coming down, and you'll see some Christmas stuff going up but you're right -- it's not the prime time for either Halloween Time or the holidays! At least you'll get to ride Haunted Mansion Holiday and smell the gingerbread centerpiece in the ballroom.

I had to chuckle about you not wanting to even entertain the idea of the son-upon-shoulders photo in front of Toon Town and keeping a steady pace to not encourage them. I don't blame you. It is way too risky for anyone who has had back problems/disc problems -- even if there has been surgery -- to put anyone on their shoulders who is not a toddler!

I may have forgotten something I was going to say...if it hits me, I'll come back!

The flowers planted around the Partners statue were perfect for the color the trees were blooming -- they all looked perfect together. Of course would we expect any less from the Disney landscapers?

I have no idea what will happen with the fall ... every time I turn around there seems to be more things wanting to stuff themselves into it. I have to wait while much of it shakes down before committing to anything; luckily going to DLR doesn't take a lot of planning or plane tickets to pull off on short notice when I do figure it all out.

I am just trying to get through standardized testing and DD10's 11th birthday this week. Also, the dance T-shirts I helped design/sell just came in, so I will spend a big chunk of tomorrow rolling/labeling so they can be handed out. And Monday looks like the "slow day" this week!

PHXscuba

 

[PHXscuba]

Day 4, part 3 -- I know you ... or do I? (March 12, 2013)

I am home this evening while everyone else runs around like crazy people, so it's time for another block o' fun.

****

We left off as we were getting off Pirates of the Caribbean after waiting in an abnormally long line. By this time even I was getting legitimately hungry. We knew our Space Mountain FPs were up (you'll have to wait until the end of the report for my overall thoughts on FP enforcement), so we decided to eat at a place we always end up -- Pizza Port.

DH said he wasn't eating (translation: he'll finish what we don't), so I gave him all the tickets and my AP and crossed the park again. I love cafeteria style when it's busy; we didn't have to wait for food and it was all fresh and hot. I got to the register to pay and realized DH has my AP so no discount. I mentioned it to the CM and she nicely gave me the 10 percent off anyway. Score! She didn't have to, but I guess I look like an honest person.

DH showed up just as we sat down and we all ate well. It's probably not the best idea to eat a full meal right before Space Mountain, but we've never suffered any ill effects.

I included the above photo mainly so you could see my hideous expression -- don't let small children see it or they may run away screaming! I'm not sure if DH rode the whole ride with his sunglasses on, but it wouldn't surprise me!

Star Tours only had a posted wait of 20 minutes, so we opted to get in line. The whole family really loves this ride. I think this was the time I ended up in the front row on the far right, not the best place ever. I've heard there's more movement on the edges of the cabin, but it didn't bother me.

Before this ride I told the kids that I had read on the 'Net that if they wanted to be picked as the Rebel Spy, to sit very still and leave their glasses off until right before the ride started. Quickest way I've ever seen to get them all to sit still and be quiet! It worked: DD13 was the Rebel Spy!!

She looks suspicious, doesn't she?

While I was taking DD13's photo, the kids looked around Star Trader as usual. We rounded everyone up and left the store. I got about 20 feet out the door and looked back to ask DD10 something -- then realized she wasn't with us! I stayed with the other 3 kids and DH went back to locate her. They emerged about 2 minutes later with DD10 was a little teary. That is the first time we've ever (almost) lost anyone in Disneyland!

By this time our Splash Mountain FPs were nearly ready, so ... you guessed it, we crossed the park AGAIN! For those of you keeping count, I think this was the 5th time today if you include riding the train.

We hoped to take the famous Tigger picture before we all got splashed, but 2 minutes after we got into the longish line, they announced that Pooh needed some honey, so the characters were leaving for 10 minutes. We decided to come back another time -- no one wanted to wait that long out in the 3:00 sun.

While in line for Splash Mountain, DD10 and I killed time putting her pigtails into little loop-buns. She had a few extra bobby pins in her bag and they held up through the ride, if the Photopass picture is any indication.

Finally, something our family of six is the perfect size for -- a Splash Mountain log. I can't believe we could see everyone in the photo. I love DH's expression. DD13 grumbled she "got soaked" but obviously has no idea what being REALLY soaked means.

By this time I was hot (I didn't get very wet) and the long lines for everything were starting to wear on me. Besides EMH, the biggest reason we paid $$$ to stay onsite was to be able to take a break and go back to a convenient hotel. And we had one at the PPH, with the sweet pool and slides at the DLH.

So we left -- I think DH would have voted to stay if I hadn't insisted we leave -- and walked back. DD10 and I were laggards after we stopped for her to use a bathroom at the DL entrance, so I had time walking through the GCH to take what ended up being one of my favorite photos of the trip -- the lighting was just perfect.

DH and DS16 decided to stay in the room, put their feet up, and watch Big Bang Theory. The other kids and I headed for the DLH pool complex, which was open to us because PPH's pool was closed for maintenance.

I didn't want to lug my camera, and I'm not big on swimsuit photos of my kids on the Internet, so no pictures of the pools. The slides are smaller in person than I imagined from the photos I've seen, but we're also spoiled here in the Phoenix area with several fabulous waterparks. The area is very nice, although you can't see the slide area from the pool and vice versa.

I found a reclining chair and sat back. It was niiiiiice. I truly relaxed for the first time since the trip started. The kids lasted almost an hour before the air temp got to be too much and they wanted out. We had brought clothes to change back into avoid shivering on the way back.

When we returned to the PPH there were showers and I spent awhile combing out DD13's hair after she opted not to wash it. It would have taken less time to send her back to the shower, but oh well.

We decided to eat at Earl of Sandwich on the way back to DL. I knew they offered a 20 percent AP discount on certain days and none of us had eaten there. The kids all got grilled cheese (the older two ordered an adult-sized portion off-menu). I had a Earls' Club. DH got the buffalo chicken wrap. It would have been perfect, except they ignored DH's no-tomato order. He pretty much had to take apart the wrap to make sure he didn't miss any -- he loathes tomatoes. Unfortunately he also loathes taking things back to correct the order.

After eating, we walked across the way and rode the monorail into Tomorrowland. It was just around twilight. We could see the parade below us as we went by the Matterhorn, confirming my forethought not to enter the park from the front gates!

Based on the relationship between the two shots, I'm pretty sure DD10 took the one of me.

We rode Star Tours again because the line wasn't too long -- I really don't mind waiting standby for ST because the line is so interesting compared to Matterhorn or the Nemo subs. Wouldn't you know it, DD13 was the Rebel Spy AGAIN!! I guess that confirms it ... I am raising a secret agent. Shhh!

We rode Buzz Lightyear again but opted not to wait behind other people for more photos -- it's hard to see the little ones from that angle anyways.

Would YOU claim this bunch?

It was about 8 p.m. and I knew we wanted to see the fireworks. It had been stressed to me that a view of the castle from the Hub was important, but I worried about finding a spot where DD10 and DS8 would be able to see once everyone stood up. I asked a CM who was starting to rope things off near the Partners statue if there was an available place where they would be able to see most everything.

He pointed out a section of sidewalk along the side and said that the 10 feet in front of it had to be kept clear for people to pass through.. It turned out to be a great spot. It's hard to describe, so I made a MAP!! (credit to Google Maps for the original image)

I thanked him profusely and told the family to plunk themselves down and not let anyone encroach on our spots. DS16 and I headed to Frontierland because I wanted funnel cake and churros.

Frontierland was -- and I'm not joking -- a ghost town. No Fantasmic that night, the stuff on the river and island were done, no Big Thunder Mountain. There were very few people headed to Splash Mountain with the temperature dropping. It was actually kind of eerie. More practically, the snack carts were closing down -- no churros for you! We did manage to get a funnel cake at Stage Door and only waited long enough for them to make it fresh.

I took the funnel cake back to the Hub and begged the family not to eat it all while I got popcorn for DD10. The popcorn line was long and the CM was a slowpoke. Amazingly, the family saved me a quarter of the funnel cake!!

Between the people walking in front of me and the limits of my little camera, I didn't get any good night shots. But I had to try of course, just because I'm stubborn that way.

None of us had ever seen Remember Dreams Come True and I am glad that we got there early enough to find a good spot to watch. My family would really rather ride rides than sit around waiting for shows, which is why I bribe them with snacks.

I now have a new favorite fireworks show!! I RDCT! Lots of shows/fireworks/music say "Disney" to me, but this show really says "DisneyLAND" in my opinion. It was truly magical.

When the fireworks ended, I remembered what Frontierland looked like, so we grabbed hands and bolted that direction. When we escaped the hordes, it was just our family, almost completely alone, walking three by three holding hands. It was a perfect moment and I didn't want to ruin it fumbling for the camera. But it is ingrained on my memory forever -- DS16 and I holding DD10's hands, DH holding hands with DD13 and DS8. THAT is why I take family trips.

With no one in front of us, we walked onto Pirates of the Caribbean and then Haunted Mansion. By then the crowds along Main Street had cleared and it was time to head back to the PPH before another EMH morning.

Next up: WHO is the mystery guest??

PHXscuba

 

[Lynne G]

That's great about the spot for the fireworks. Unfortunately, it will be a different show when we are there later this summer. So I have never seen those fireworks.

My kids are also snackers when we wait and for parades we bring UNO cards to help with the wait. My kids and I were so tired last time we were there, we watched the fireworks from our DLH room and heard the music on the TV until the last night, when we decided to stay up to see them in person in the park.

The kids are older now, so maybe we will brave the crowds and watch the fireworks more than 1 night.

Thanks for the report. I am also glad to know we are not the most efficient tour group either.

 

[PHXscuba]

That's great about the spot for the fireworks. Unfortunately, it will be a different show when we are there later this summer. So I have never seen those fireworks.

My kids are also snackers when we wait and for parades we bring UNO cards to help with the wait. My kids and I were so tired last time we were there, we watched the fireworks from our DLH room and heard the music on the TV until the last night, when we decided to stay up to see them in person in the park.

The kids are older now, so maybe we will brave the crowds and watch the fireworks more than 1 night.

Thanks for the report. I am also glad to know we are not the most efficient tour group either.

I don't think I could get my crew to watch the fireworks more than once. It's just not that high-priority for them. Same with parades.

The Magical fireworks are really neat. You see Tink AND Dumbo fly. Definitely worth taking the time to see them from a good spot once.

Sometimes I am more efficient than others. Crowds throw me off. Oddly enough, I think I was much more efficient in DCA, which is weird because so much is new and I don't know it nearly as well.

PHXscuba

 

[llouque]

I've spent all evening catching up on your report. When you described walking 3 x 3 through Frontierland, it brought a tear to my eye. I've enjoyed every minute of your planning and vacation. Can't wait to read the rest!!

 

[PHXscuba]

I've spent all evening catching up on your report. When you described walking 3 x 3 through Frontierland, it brought a tear to my eye. I've enjoyed every minute of your planning and vacation. Can't wait to read the rest!!

Wow, the whole report!! You are a trooper. I'm not sure I'd try reading all 24 pages at once, and it's about US!! Thanks for following along.

Those rare, unplanned moments are why I work so hard to make the trips happen. I only get a couple weeks a year for vacations, and hopefully there will be a few brief perfect memories in them.

PHXscuba

 

[llouque]

Wow, the whole report!! You are a trooper. I'm not sure I'd try reading all 24 pages at once, and it's about US!! Thanks for following along.

Those rare, unplanned moments are why I work so hard to make the trips happen. I only get a couple weeks a year for vacations, and hopefully there will be a few brief perfect memories in them.

PHXscuba

We are the same way with our vacations. I try to plan, plan, plan so those moments are what I'm focused on and not what we're doing next!

 

[PHXscuba]

Day 5, part 1 -- If you take your Mom to Disneyland ... (March 13, 2013)

Well I will solve all of the suspense that has been building about our Mystery Guest, otherwise it's kind of hard to write the first bit of the story. The guest is someone well known to our family, in fact you could say I've known her my whole life!

My Mom came up to join us for the day! (remember we, were staying with her before and after the trip if you've been following along). I had invited both of my parents to come, but my Dad has been having some health problems lately that are affecting his balance and stamina, and he didn't think he could handle it (and wouldn't have allowed a wheelchair etc.) After watching him that week and a couple weeks later at another family gathering, he made the right call.

On with the day!

I had bought my mother's one-day ticket a couple nights before when I picked up the special World of Color Fastpasses, but she wouldn't have EMH like us. I had decided to send the rest of the family on ahead to do EMH while I met my mother at the PPH and made sure she got her car parked correctly in the PPH lot so she didn't have to pay or ride the tram.

I hadn't slept super well the night before, so I got the family out the door and then took my shower and got ready. Sunscreening myself properly was an adventure! I wandered around the PPH lobby and public areas. I think it's required to take this photo if you stay at the PPH.

I had been lurking near the conference rooms thinking my mother would come through the parking garage when she texted me that she was across from the gift shop. How did she get by me?? Turns out she got confused about where to park and ended up in the Simba lot south of the hotel! We talked to the PPH bell staff and they assured us that we could get her car out of Simba with an explanation, but when we got to the exit there was no one there. So we drove out and re-parked my Mom's car in the PPH garage. Then we walked through the GCH and got to the DCA gates right before opening.

You will be astounded to hear this: My AP photo STILL wasn't showing up!!

The gate CM let me in with ID and said they were having computer problems. She actually said that Stitch had been in the computers. That's who I'm blaming all my techno problems on now! She suggested I have my picture re-taken at the camera shop. We ran over to Kingswell Camera Shop and convinced the CM to quickly shoot my picture.

Then we quickstepped over to the RSR FP line, which was all the way back to the Animation Building. I'm sure my mother was thinking I was slightly insane to get in a line like that first thing, but she trusts me. I got the call from DH and the kids that they were headed our way, so I left Mom in line and met him in front of the Carthay to get their tickets. He was solving an office problem by phone when I got there.

The kids eagerly told me that they had spent the entire hour on Screamin and rode it SEVEN times in a row. While I would have liked to ride it again, it's probably good they did it during EMH for three reasons: One, I wouldn't have wanted to spend all of EMH on it and there would have been *******; Two, it's the one ride my Mom won't ride because it goes upside down; Three, Screamin ended up being closed most of that day.

I got back in the FP line and sent my mother to join the family. DH finished his work call and they decided to go back to the Paradise Pier area and I would meet them when I finished getting FPs, much like Monday morning. Oddly, I started farther back in line but got FPs that were slightly earlier than Monday's -- I guess the amount of tickets held by each person in front of me must have been less. I got FPs for Soarin on the way to rejoin the family.

While I was gone, they had taken Grandma on Ariel's Undersea Adventure and rode the Golden Zephyr. I have never been on Goofy's Sky School (even back when it was Mulholland Madness I was waiting with a short kid) so I asked if we could ride it. Once was enough for me as I kept getting poked in the ribs on each sharp turn.

I convinced the kids to go on the Jumping Jellyfish for the good views. Hey, I can see my hotel from here!

Our Soarin' FPs were ready by then, so we trekked back to Condor Flats. The FP got us into the building quickly, but then we came to a dead stop for awhile and the family started to amuse themselves. Ruh-roh.

We were first in line at the bottom of the ramp this whole time and the CM stationed there (perhaps charmingly fed up with our antics) started doing a few magic tricks to entertain everyone. He was pretty good. We finally got assigned a hangar and asked for B-1. This time it was ours!

After that there were pleas for ice cream. From my mother. I get my love of sweets from her. I knew just the place -- Clarabelle's on Buena Vista Street. DS8 was being a dork and didn't want ice cream though, so we got him a soda, which later ended up being a mistake (foreshadowing).

If there is a more perfect ice cream treat than an ice cream bar, dipped in chocolate, covered in Mickey sprinkles, I have yet to taste it. Bring it on. I don't remember what anyone else got because I only had eyes for my treat. We ate in the Fiddler, Fifer and Practical Cafe and I did look up from my chocolate-covered glee enough to note that it wasn't real busy around 11:00.

We ditched our jackets in a locker and took some pictures of the kids and their Grandma in Carsland.

I am overdue to send her some of these. Bad daughter.

We sent DH to get FPs for Tower of Terror and took Mom on Mater's Junkyard Jamboree. DD13 got the red time-tracker card and lanyard to turn in -- she always gets them. While waiting in line, I saw DS16's silhouette against a fun backdrop -- the wings from the Mater short film "Heavy Metal Mater."

DH had the camera, so this is cellphone quality. DH got back from getting FPs in time to take some pictures of us on the ride.

We decided to look through the Carsland stores. If you have little boys or car lovers, it would be great, but no one in our family was super-interested or looking for souvenirs there, so we zoomed through pretty quick, with one exception ...

We wandered back toward RSR to watch the cars go by and got a good picture of the kids.

I'll title this picture "Three Kids in Mickey/Minnie Shirts ... and Stitch"​

Here's where things started to go sideways. DS8, having only had soda, was starting to whine about being hungry. No one else was super-hungry, but it was getting to be lunchtime and our FPs were a little over an hour away. I didn't want to get too far away from Carsland or have everyone whining while in the RSR line. I didn't think the kids would eat well from the selection at Pacific Wharf, so we decided Flo's V8 Cafe was the best close option.

The line in Flo's was almost nonexistent, but we stood off to the side for awhile as everyone had to figure out what they wanted, especially since no one had every eaten there, some weren't as hungry, and some of the food choices were a little different. After a lot of talk about who would split with who and what, we were finally ready to order.

During this whole negotiation I was feeling a little off. I wasn't really hungry but knew I needed to eat. I hadn't slept great the night before, I realized I was probably also a little dehydrated, and sipping my water helped a little while I waited to order. I just got myself a kids' turkey sandwich.

We ate back in the Flo's room overlooking the racetrack. I enjoyed their air conditioning and picked at my sandwich and sides. We had about a half-hour left until our FPs were up, but I really felt like if I tried to walk around and stand in a line, I might keel over. It wasn't really THAT bad, but I could see it heading that way. I didn't say anything to DH or my Mom because I didn't want them to overreact, but I think they could tell something was bothering me and thankfully they just gave me some space. So we just sat and visited and killed time, and I started feeling better.

I really want to go back and try out Flo's when I am feeling like eating. DS16 and my mother split a plate of of pork loin that looked really good.

Next up: Some new surprises for the afternoon!

PHXscuba

 

[kaoden39]

Hi. Sorry I have been MIA. Lots of craziness in my life.


Shame on Stitch for messing with the computers. I love your trip report. It is making me smile and a smileis a great gift.

 

[Sherry E]

PHX -

I had a quick minute to pop in and say something right now. I haven't even read the whole TR installment yet. I only got as far as the photo that you said was "required" if one stays at the PPH and had to comment before I forgot.

I might be the one and only PPH guest who has not gotten that specific photo, and I've been staying there since 2000! If I had never seen that photo in other trip reports I might have taken it myself, but I think that once I saw it I felt like it was a great idea that had been done and I didn't want to do it too. I've taken similar 'looking upward' photos of other subjects (the Sorcerer's Hat spiral, and also the AMC Theaters) but not that precise PPH view.

But I do love that vantage point and angle at the PPH! It is a clever photo concept!

I love the first photo of your mom and DS! I must go back and read the rest of the installment before I comment further...

 

[lsulindy]

I loved Remember... Dreams Come True as well. Glad y'all got a good spot to watch it.

I hope you started feeling better. I hate "that feeling."

 

[PHXscuba]

Hi. Sorry I have been MIA. Lots of craziness in my life.


Shame on Stitch for messing with the computers. I love your trip report. It is making me smile and a smileis a great gift.

Glad our zany-ness is livening up someone's day. I think some of our photos are seriously Goofy! And DH always seems to be at the center of it ... Hmmm

PHX -

I had a quick minute to pop in and say something right now. I haven't even read the whole TR installment yet. I only got as far as the photo that you said was "required" if one stays at the PPH and had to comment before I forgot.

I might be the one and only PPH guest who has not gotten that specific photo, and I've been staying there since 2000! If I had never seen that photo in other trip reports I might have taken it myself, but I think that once I saw it I felt like it was a great idea that had been done and I didn't want to do it too. I've taken similar 'looking upward' photos of other subjects (the Sorcerer's Hat spiral, and also the AMC Theaters) but not that precise PPH view.

But I do love that vantage point and angle at the PPH! It is a clever photo concept!

I love the first photo of your mom and DS! I must go back and read the rest of the installment before I comment further...

You often stay at the PPH during Christmas, and I imagine it's harder to get that photo with a tree in the middle, plus your attention is on something else!

I think it's really important to have photos of my kids and parents together. Some sad losses over the last year make me want to capture every moment and photo that I can, because you just never know. Although I realized after we got back that there is not a single photo of my Mom and I alone together! Ack!

I loved Remember... Dreams Come True as well. Glad y'all got a good spot to watch it.

I hope you started feeling better. I hate "that feeling."

Thankfully I did feel better and it wasn't an issue. I drink a lot of diet Dr. Pepper here at home and I realized later that afternoon in DCA that I hadn't had any caffeine that day until mid-afternoon. If I had sucked down some cola at lunch it probably would have helped too as a pick-me-up, but I was kind of brain-dead right then.

PHXscuba

 

[Sherry E]

You often stay at the PPH during Christmas, and I imagine it's harder to get that photo with a tree in the middle, plus your attention is on something else!

I think it's really important to have photos of my kids and parents together. Some sad losses over the last year make me want to capture every moment and photo that I can, because you just never know. Although I realized after we got back that there is not a single photo of my Mom and I alone together! Ack!

PHXscuba

I've stayed at and walked into the PPH at times when there was no tree at all and only the Goofy statue in the lobby (the most recent time being this past November). Once I saw that very specific upward-angle vantage point at the PPH popping up in a couple of TR photos I figured it had been done and I didn't want to do it too. That's just me, and my weird way of looking at it! I'm an oddball! Otherwise, if I'd never seen it I probably would have wanted to get the shot because I am usually on the hunt for interesting, unique photo angles and opportunities if I can find them, and I usually look up to see if there are any details hidden in the ceilings or light fixtures!

I think there is nothing better than photos to capture those special moments between people and - regardless of how some people may complain or grumble about posing for photos at the time - those images will be treasured by all later on.

I can't believe you didn't get a photo of you and your mom together, just the two of you, for the whole trip!

I'm so glad your mom was game to join you at DLR. She looks like she was ready for a day in the parks! I think that when parents and grandparents get a little older, so many times they automatically write themselves out of certain events (such as visiting Disneyland) and assume they can't participate.

It wouldn't have been a great idea for your dad to attempt to come with the way he had been feeling, but it's a shame he couldn't make it. My grandmother had a lot of balance issues too, which was very tough in places like Disneyland where boarding rides or standing on moving floors comes with the territory.

 

[PHXscuba]

I've stayed at and walked into the PPH at times when there was no tree at all and only the Goofy statue in the lobby (the most recent time being this past November). Once I saw that very specific upward-angle vantage point at the PPH popping up in a couple of TR photos I figured it had been done and I didn't want to do it too. That's just me, and my weird way of looking at it! I'm an oddball! Otherwise, if I'd never seen it I probably would have wanted to get the shot because I am usually on the hunt for interesting, unique photo angles and opportunities if I can find them, and I usually look up to see if there are any details hidden in the ceilings or light fixtures!

I think there is nothing better than photos to capture those special moments between people and - regardless of how some people may complain or grumble about posing for photos at the time - those images will be treasured by all later on.

I can't believe you didn't get a photo of you and your mom together, just the two of you, for the whole trip!

I'm so glad your mom was game to join you at DLR. She looks like she was ready for a day in the parks! I think that when parents and grandparents get a little older, so many times they automatically write themselves out of certain events (such as visiting Disneyland) and assume they can't participate.

It wouldn't have been a great idea for your dad to attempt to come with the way he had been feeling, but it's a shame he couldn't make it. My grandmother had a lot of balance issues too, which was very tough in places like Disneyland where boarding rides or standing on moving floors comes with the territory.

I don't always like the "stock" photos either but I was killing time while I waited for Mom.

Maybe next time I will get a picture of my mother and I together. She is in really good shape, probably better than me! She is an adventurous world traveler -- all seven continents!

My Dad, on the other hand, is really starting to slow down. The fact that he is even willing to admit it lately is a huge step, mostly good. But climbing in and out of ride vehicles would have been hard, and doing Disneyland in a wheelchair would have hurt his pride way too much.

PHXscuba

 

[Sherry E]

I don't always like the "stock" photos either but I was killing time while I waited for Mom.

Maybe next time I will get a picture of my mother and I together. She is in really good shape, probably better than me! She is an adventurous world traveler -- all seven continents!

My Dad, on the other hand, is really starting to slow down. The fact that he is even willing to admit it lately is a huge step, mostly good. But climbing in and out of ride vehicles would have been hard, and doing Disneyland in a wheelchair would have hurt his pride way too much.

PHXscuba

That cool PPH photo idea has definitely not fallen into the stock category thus far - at least not from what I've seen. I've noticed it in 2 (maybe 3) other reports, and really only from people who stayed at the PPH. I don't think it's hit the mainstream yet! It's still an indie hit!

We all have to get stock photos - what would our Disney trips be without pictures of the Castle and Partners and things like that? Stock pics are crucial to the Disney experience!

Getting in and out of the ride vehicles for your dad would have been tough. My grandmother had the worst time getting on and off of Haunted Mansion years ago. Her balance was bad, but I think it also wore down her confidence so she thought her balance was worse than it actually was. Still, she was so terrified of getting on rides and walking on the moving walkways that it was sad to see. She wouldn't have wanted to get a wheelchair either.

I can totally see how your dad would have not felt comfortable being at DLR, and he could have somehow mistakenly felt like he was a hindrance if he had been in a wheelchair, but I'm sad for you and the family that he couldn't be there with you (even though you had a great trip anyway)!