PHXscuba's Club 33 Christmas

[PHXscuba]

Day 5, part 2 -- If you take your Mom to Disneyland ... (March 13, 2013)

I left us in the lurch at lunch. The combination of the food and sitting in air conditioning did me a world of good. I made the executive decision that we would just hang around in Flo's our last half hour or so until or FPs were good.

We got in the line (standby was posted at about 90 minutes, I believe). I got a few pictures in line but they were more of the family with scenery in the background.

The photo above requires some explanation. I took a shot of the inside of my park bag before I put the camera away. I carry a Baggalini cross-body messenger bag that has 101 pockets and a water bottle pocket. It's been around the world (real and Disney) with me. I keep lip balm in the outermost pocket, and sunglasses and camera in the next pocket for quick grabbing. Those are my find-without-looking pockets.

The biggest pocket is what's in the picture above. It holds my travel wallet (slimmed down from my usual giant one), snacks, Kleenex, extra Ziplocs, etc. This time it also had glow sticks because we were staying for World of Color.

This time through RSR we finally got to go through Luigi's Tire Shop (after going through Ramone's both times the previous day). This ride has so many details I could easily ride it again.

While waiting to get our ride photo added to our Photopass+ account, the family behind us said they had waited TWO HOURS to ride -- I guess it had broken down for a while and they stayed in line. I can't think of any theme park ride I would wait two hours for, no matter how awesome. Amazingly the family wasn't unhappy.

We waited about 25 minutes to take Mom on Luigi's Flying Tires next. I rode with DH and we got the hang of the ride and had fun bumping the others.

DH and my Mom went to Tower of Terror with the older kids and I asked DS8 what he wanted to do in BugsLand (please no spinning please no spinning). Of course, he opted for the Flik Fliers. I sucked it up and went on with him. I don't do too bad with one ride like that. All of the lines in BugsLand were long that afternoon and I had no idea how long the others would wait with a ToT FP, so we didn't try another ride. Instead, we went in through the ToT gift shop and sat on the cool, dark floor across from the picture screens. We managed to keep our spot there for a little while until asked to move, then found a bench near the exit.

DD10 is at least smiling in this photo while clutching Grandma's arm for dear life.

We found the trolley waiting outside ToT and I wanted to ride it. DH said it would be faster to walk (probably right) but I stood my ground. It's a ride! We waited a few minutes because they have to time it right for the two trolleys to pass each other in the right double-track spot. While waiting, the conductors amused us all with Disney trivia: Name all of the single-word Disney movie titles. I think there were 10. He said we came up with all of them faster than any other group! The trolley CMs were really friendly. I want their job.

Everyone but my Mom and I got off outside the Carthay Circle and walked back to the Animation building. My mother and I stayed on until the front of DCA because we had something else to do.

If you take your Mom to Disneyland, she might just get a SoCal AP!! My brother and his family will be here in June with their SoCal APs (they live in Beijing but their US address is still my parents' house). Mom wants to go to Disneyland with my 21-month-old nephew. Who am I to stop her? It also means she and I can go sometime if I come to town. That would definitely be a sweet-heavy trip if you let the two of us loose.

While at the ticket booths upgrading her 1-day ticket, I got them to check on my elusive AP picture. They could actually see it there in the system, but no explanation as to why it wasn't showing up at the gates. And sure enough, when we re-entered DCA, it didn't show up.

We walked back to the Animation building, resisting the urge to shop along the way. Turns out we would have had time -- the family had gone into see Turtle Talk with Crush. I guess my DH, who doesn't like being the center of attention, got called on. Crush dubbed him "Tubular T---" The kids loved that.

I convinced the family to go into the Sorcerer's Workshop and play the games there. They took the Beast's Library quiz to see which character they were most like. DD16 was Mufasa, DD13 was Tiana, DD10 was Alice -- all spot-on. DS8 decided to be different and answered he would rather "eat nice people for lunch" instead of "eat lunch with nice people." So he is most like the villain Syndrome from the Incredibles. At least the red hair fits! Then we did the Ursula's Grotto voiceovers. The boys teamed up to do Iago and Jafar, and DS16 does a surprisingly good Jafar. Who knew?

This picture is perfectly appropriate because today is our 21st anniversary! I may have to put this one on Facebook.

We saw the preview for the new Oz movie. We've been trying to see the movie as a family since it opened, but have never had time to get more than a couple of us together at once. The preview was good but I wish they would use the theater for the Muppets or get a whole new plan for that area.

Although we'd seen Aladdin on Monday, I thought my mother would like it enough for us all to see it again. Plus it's 45 minutes sitting down in air conditioning!

We saw it from the far left side near the front. I like to see shows from different angles and this one put us right next to the parade. This performance had one of the ensemble in a power wheelchair -- something I've never seen before in a Disney show. Not very period-appropriate but interesting to see how they incorporated it. This show also had another Genie and he was even better than the first one, with about 1/3 different jokes. When he brought out the lamp and called it "my precious" in a Gollum voice I thought DS16 was going to fall out of his seat from laughing so hard!

We got out of the theater and mass of people and decided it was a good time to break for dinner. DD10 is still a Daddy's girl.

I like Whitewater Snacks and thought it would make a good short break with food everyone would eat. I think DH and DS16 had large burgers and DS8 the chicken nuggets. DD13 and I had grilled cheese. DD10 (the family rabbit) had a big salad and traded some bites with her sister. I don't recall what my Mom had. Whitewater Snacks has been nearly empty both times I've been there at dinnertime. It makes for a relaxing break, quieter and closer than DTD if you're in DCA.

Plus, they have enormous ketchup cups! We texted this picture to my sister and my ketchup-loving nephews.

Despite the parks being busy, I felt like we got a lot done in the afternoon. I will pick up with our evening when I come back!

PHXscuba

 

[Sherry E]

Another great update.

Happy anniversary!!!!! Are you and DH doing anything special to celebrate?


I definitely think the Happily Ever After photo of you and DH is Facebook-worthy (and anniversary-worthy!).


I, too, use a Bagg at DLR (same exact Bagg you have, except it's black). Do you love your Bagg or do you sometimes find it complicated? I think I use every single pocket, contraption and compartment in that thing - including the key hook, the water bottle pocket, the pocket for the sunglasses, the cell phone compartment in the strap, everything - but sometimes I get annoyed because I feel like I packed unnecessary stuff in all those fun pockets! I think that, as women, most of us are automatically programmed to like bags with a lot of different compartments, but I think the extra compartments encourage me to bring some things I wouldn't ordinarily bring. However, I do end up using a lot of the stuff so it's not a wasted effort.

Your lack of enthusiasm for spinning rides (and I agree with that - I am not keen on spinning either) reminds me of something I heard this particular child say in Toon Town back in 1994. He was throwing a mighty tantrum about something; we overheard him and didn't know why he was upset. It turned out that he had caught sight of the Roger Rabbit ride and freaked out. He let out a few bloodcurdling screams and shouted, "I don't wanna spin! I don't wanna spin! I don't wanna sp-i-i-i-i-i-innnnnn!!!!!" I have totally forgotten what that child looked like, but I will never forget his "I don't wanna spin" mantra because it sounded so frantic and panicked!

You're not kidding that WWS gives out large ketchup cups! Most of that would go to waste if they gave it to me.

You know, I have yet to eat at WWS! I have gone in there, of course, but have never eaten there. I have heard good things about it for years and wondered if it was still holding up. Some of the food I've seen in photos looks tasty. Did you like your food? Did the family like the food? I could be wrong, but I think that the Grand Californian Hotel's room service food comes from WWS and not from Storytellers.

Speaking of food, what do you think about the new Dining Reservations system that is going into place? - http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=3099825

For an over-planner such as yourself, will the credit card requirement and the $10 per person fee affect what you do in any way? I think it's mostly a good thing for those folks who want to make reservations, because it will get people to take their reservations more seriously and actually show up. In my particular situation, I think that I'd have to stick with just walking up and hoping to get a table. Too many of my eating choices (with or without friends) are made on the fly, or someone backs out on me or whatever. Reservations are not entirely feasible for my trips, but for other people they work great!

 

[PHXscuba]

Another great update.

Happy anniversary!!!!! Are you and DH doing anything special to celebrate?


I definitely think the Happily Ever After photo of you and DH is Facebook-worthy (and anniversary-worthy!).


I, too, use a Bagg at DLR (same exact Bagg you have, except it's black). Do you love your Bagg or do you sometimes find it complicated? I think I use every single pocket, contraption and compartment in that thing - including the key hook, the water bottle pocket, the pocket for the sunglasses, the cell phone compartment in the strap, everything - but sometimes I get annoyed because I feel like I packed unnecessary stuff in all those fun pockets! I think that, as women, most of us are automatically programmed to like bags with a lot of different compartments, but I think the extra compartments encourage me to bring some things I wouldn't ordinarily bring. However, I do end up using a lot of the stuff so it's not a wasted effort.

Your lack of enthusiasm for spinning rides (and I agree with that - I am not keen on spinning either) reminds me of something I heard this particular child say in Toon Town back in 1994. He was throwing a mighty tantrum about something; we overheard him and didn't know why he was upset. It turned out that he had caught sight of the Roger Rabbit ride and freaked out. He let out a few bloodcurdling screams and shouted, "I don't wanna spin! I don't wanna spin! I don't wanna sp-i-i-i-i-i-innnnnn!!!!!" I have totally forgotten what that child looked like, but I will never forget his "I don't wanna spin" mantra because it sounded so frantic and panicked!

You're not kidding that WWS gives out large ketchup cups! Most of that would go to waste if they gave it to me.

You know, I have yet to eat at WWS! I have gone in there, of course, but have never eaten there. I have heard good things about it for years and wondered if it was still holding up. Some of the food I've seen in photos looks tasty. Did you like your food? Did the family like the food? I could be wrong, but I think that the Grand Californian Hotel's room service food comes from WWS and not from Storytellers.

Speaking of food, what do you think about the new Dining Reservations system that is going into place? - http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=3099825

For an over-planner such as yourself, will the credit card requirement and the $10 per person fee affect what you do in any way? I think it's mostly a good thing for those folks who want to make reservations, because it will get people to take their reservations more seriously and actually show up. In my particular situation, I think that I'd have to stick with just walking up and hoping to get a table. Too many of my eating choices (with or without friends) are made on the fly, or someone backs out on me or whatever. Reservations are not entirely feasible for my trips, but for other people they work great!

We aren't doing anything big for our anniversary -- we took a big trip just last fall for #20 so this is a low-key year. He brought me very fragrant flowers and we'll have dinner on Saturday. And yes, the picture is on FB

The Baggalini fits my style -- I hate taking off backpacks on rides and I need a water bottle. I try not to pack it too heavy. Ever since I left my purse on Stars Tours about 25 years ago, I never have my bag totally separate from my body, even if it's just a strap around my leg. It looks a little weird on Soarin! I did buy a different park bag for DD13 that I will try on a future trip. I also have a Travelon one -- a little smaller without a water bottle -- that I take some places. I sometimes pack more bags than socks!!

Whitewater Snacks' food is not too unusual; to me it's the calm I like. Plus I believe everything is made fresh after you order -- no soggy fries or stale burger.

I've never made a reservation that I haven't shown up for, not that I haven't changed a few once I made them. But I don't make a lot of TS plans; we just move too fast. Even at WDW we only ate at 4 TS over a whole week -- one character meal, one Japanese hibachi, the 50's restaurant, and T-Rex Cafe.

I'm just not sure the fee as a threat is as necessary at DLR like it is at WDW -- it's not the same rabid "call at 180 days or no food for you" mentality. At 60 days out you don't even usually have park hours! I just can't see them having that many cancellations and no one to fill the seats. It's probably just part of the whole standardization they want to roll out their RFID stuff. If they are making us like WDW could they at least give us online reservations and park hours farther ahead? I'll trade for that!

PHXscuba

 

[PHXscuba]

(My Internet has been broken about half of the time over the last few days, so I'm not sure if I'll get another trip update posted tonight or not. It seems to have problems later in the day. Someone is coming tomorrow to fix it.)

Random Dis-ness for the weekend

​

1. DD10 (she actually turned 11 last week) did her Famous American project on Walt Disney. I have shown amazing restraint in trying not to take over and make it super-awesome-amazing-magical. She did a great job and gets to present her display board and give a speech tomorrow.

2. I took both DDs to the Cinderella ballet that one of our local youth companies put on. The storyline is a little different than the Disney version but you can tell that every Cinderella tale these days has been influenced by it. The girls' studio is doing their own Cinderella show in June so it was inspiring.

3. The kids are drifting in and out of the loft watching "Wreck-It Ralph." It is DS8's current favorite and he watches it multiple times a week if I let him.

4. I just redeemed some of my Disney Movie Rewards points for a $10 Disney gift card! I think I can get a Mickey bar and a Dole Whip out of that!

Have a magical day!

PHXscuba

 

[Lynne G]

Aww, DD did a great job. I am like you, not sure my DD has inherited the craft gene. I so want to help, but most of the time I let my DH do it. He doesn't seem to annoy her as much as I can.


So annoying when your Internet does not work right. We are on our third router. When my work lost connectivity for most of the day the other day, it was like how can we get anything done as everything is now electronically stored. That was frustrating.

So ready for our DL trip. I keep looking at the price of the platinium as we most likely will be in WDW next year. Then again, I can never say what next year will bring.

Hope you had a nice week end and get all resolved.

 

[bjscheel]

Great trip report! I am reading up in preparation for our first trip in June and your details are very helpful! I especially like reading ones with tween/teen kids as that's where we're at.

I liked the pic of little sister baiting big brother. I was the youngest of four, and when I was 10, my brothers were 21 and 23. Definitely bigger than me!

 

[PHXscuba]

Aww, DD did a great job. I am like you, not sure my DD has inherited the craft gene. I so want to help, but most of the time I let my DH do it. He doesn't seem to annoy her as much as I can.


So annoying when your Internet does not work right. We are on our third router. When my work lost connectivity for most of the day the other day, it was like how can we get anything done as everything is now electronically stored. That was frustrating.

So ready for our DL trip. I keep looking at the price of the platinium as we most likely will be in WDW next year. Then again, I can never say what next year will bring.

Hope you had a nice week end and get all resolved.

Great trip report! I am reading up in preparation for our first trip in June and your details are very helpful! I especially like reading ones with tween/teen kids as that's where we're at.

I liked the pic of little sister baiting big brother. I was the youngest of four, and when I was 10, my brothers were 21 and 23. Definitely bigger than me!

MY INTERNET IS FINALLY FIXED!! They had to replace our ancient modem and a bunch of hardware/connections/wires, but it should all be good.

Lynne, I think you are right about turning certain projects over to DH. Sometimes I just have to hand it all off and accept whatever they choose to do about it (hard for me as a control freak).

DH was wandering around the house aimlessly last night, not sure what to do since he couldn't get online!

Bjscheel, it's taken us a long time to get to older kids! It's niiiice, isn't it? My DD10 and DS16 definitely have a unique relationship due to their different sizes and personalities. Feel free to ask any questions about what they loved or hated if I don't mention it in my TR. June will be here before you know it -- I can't believe my kids will be out of school in 3.5 weeks!

Tomorrow, the Trip Report resumes! Right now I'm going to bed!

PHXscuba

 

[Lynne G]

MY INTERNET IS FINALLY FIXED!! They had to replace our ancient modem and a bunch of hardware/connections/wires, but it should all be good.

Lynne, I think you are right about turning certain projects over to DH. Sometimes I just have to hand it all off and accept whatever they choose to do about it (hard for me as a control freak).

DH was wandering around the house aimlessly last night, not sure what to do since he couldn't get online!

Tomorrow, the Trip Report resumes! Right now I'm going to bed!

PHXscuba

Yeah!! Glad you are now up to date with your computer hardware. It's amazing how quickly IT things become outdated.

Ha Ha to your DH. You should see my teen when the XBox Platform disconnects!

Hope you had a good night.

 

[PHXscuba]

Day 5, part 3 -- If you take your Mom to Disneyland ... (March 13, 2013)

This installment of the Trip Report won't be as long or as photo-heavy. We are finishing out our third park day, and I suck at taking night photos. So you get more of me yammering.

We left off at dinner, enjoying the relative peace and quiet of Whitewater Snacks with only my goofy family mixing it up. Everyone ate well and was ready to go again. We discussed what we could do until it was time to get in line for World of Color -- what my Mom wanted to see mostly.

We re-entered DCA through the GCH side entrance. Anyone want to guess whether my AP photo showed up? This game isn't even fun anymore.

We were originally headed for the locker on BVS to get our jackets, but Soarin' only had a 20-minute wait, so we hopped in line. I think even with FP you wait close to that long as they fill theaters and do the Patrick Warburton spiel. We saw Soarin from the top right, so we managed to see it from all three top rows this trip.

As we left Soarin, the Carthay Circle and the Tower of Terror lined up perfectly. Same era, right?

We got our jackets and headed to Bugs Land with the goal of seeing It's Tough to Be A Bug. No luck -- it was down. The CM said it might open back up in the near future.

Since we were right next to Carsland, we headed in there to see it at night. We had already missed the lighting (maybe next time). We decided to ride Mater's Junkyard Jamboree because the line was under 20 minutes. While in line, DS8 spotted one of the best Hidden Mickeys all trip.

It's up in a corner of the shade over the queue and fairly visible if you know to look for it. DS8 has always seen Mickey everywhere, so I'm not surprised he was the one to pick it out. Mater was fun in the dark and I got a good look at the jukebox while we were loading and waiting.

I wanted to get pictures of the family in Carsland with the neon but DH (the best photographer in the family) claimed the photos wouldn't turn out, and mine didn't. But I saw a Photopass photographer in the middle of the main street. I figured after 9 months they had for sure figured out the settings and where exactly to stand.

DH was happy to be proven wrong when these photos came back. I really liked Carsland at night -- I love it when you think you've seen everything in an area but then go back -- at a different time of day, year, weather, etc. -- and see it in a totally new way.

We tried for the ITTBAB movie one more time, but no luck. We moseyed through the Pacific Wharf area and ended up in the World of Color line not longer before they started letting people in.

Backtracking a bit: I was originally supposed to get 6 WoC FPs when we checked in under the AP promo they were running. For some reason, the Stitchy computers wouldn't print them that night, so I had to go back another time to get them. I got the same CM who had checked me in and super-nicely explained about my mother joining us that day ... could I get one more WoC FP? He gave me the 7th! So no time in line at GRR getting the FP that morning.

We were aiming for the "fire hydrant spot" I had heard about on the DIS. My main concern, like the fireworks the night before, was a spot where DS8 and DD10 would be able to see 90 percent of the show. I mean, what good is waiting an hour-plus with kids if they can't see? My BFF was very disappointed when she saw WoC the first time because everyone in her family under 6 feet tall had trouble seeing the show.

We had scoped out the spot earlier in the day so we knew where we were going. It was still open, so we parked it and settled in to wait. The spot is at the top of the ramp near the back, and everyone who streamed by us over the next hour probably thought we were picking a sub-prime spot.

You can actually see the green-painted fire hydrant in the greenery behind the kids (above). The genius of this spot is there is about 8 feet of low hedge in front of you and the reserved seating area, then the next closest people are down a whole level. And after seeing the mist and fire, I'm glad we were near the back of the viewing area -- more widescreen without the 4-D effects! So I can personally highly recommend this spot.

We broke out the glow sticks pictured earlier in my bag. We have used this as distractions several times before with good results. This time they were kind of a bust -- several of the glow sticks didn't work well (one burst, good thing for wet wipes) and it was really too bright to get much effect. But they were temporary amusement.

I got a FP from the CMs staffing the entrance and ducked out to get two big boxes of popcorn for everyone to split. Disneyland is the only time I ever eat popcorn! The kids were playing a game of Who Am I?/20 Questions with Disney characters. They don't like it when I play because I guess too early. So I tried to take a few photos of the Paradise Pier area lit up. You can also see my exact view of the lagoon (and the fire hydrant) in the first photo. See how far away the closest people are?

I especially like the last one of that set.

The natives were getting restless just before showtime. They only sort of understood what they were going to see. The had seen them finishing the platform with all of the sprayers way back on our last big trip, but we hadn't really looked at any videos of the show other than the Disneyland Explorer app on my iPad.

DD10 as a fashionable homeless person.

I opted to put the camera away during the show, knowing my little point-and-shoot wouldn't do it justice. I really liked World of Color. It's so different from anything else as nighttime entertainment, and just when you thought they'd used every trick ... Lasers! ... Fountains right next to you! ... Bubbles! ... FIRE! I think I will need to see it again just to take it all in.

Upon comparison, I think I still like Remember Dreams Come True -- I'm a fireworks gal. But World of Color was amazing and I will definitely be seeing it again.

We staggered back to the PPH and the kids hugged Grandma goodbye -- no biggie because we would see her again in 24 hours. I probably could have talked her into sleeping on our sofabed and staying another day if I had nudged. She's that awesome. I took a room key and went with her so she could get out of the parking garage, but once again it was unattended and wide open.

I tried to do some re-packing of our stuff, knowing we would have to throw in everything of the kids' in the morning and check out.

PHXscuba

 

[bjscheel]

Ooh! Fire hydrant is my plan! I too plan to scope it out ahead of time so I know where I'm going. Awesome to see a picture because I really don't know what I'm looking for, yet. So when you're watching the show, you are looking out over those hedges and hydrant?

How far ahead of the show did you get in line?

 

[PHXscuba]

Ooh! Fire hydrant is my plan! I too plan to scope it out ahead of time so I know where I'm going. Awesome to see a picture because I really don't know what I'm looking for, yet. So when you're watching the show, you are looking out over those hedges and hydrant?

How far ahead of the show did you get in line?

Yes, you look right over the hedges and hydrant. The first picture I posted of the Mickey Wheel is pretty much your view of World of Color.

Looking at the mostly-accurate timestamp on my camera, I'd say we got in the FP line at/around 8:00 for the 9:15 show. I believe they start letting people from the queue into the viewing area around 8:15 and we weren't in line long. Everyone who was ahead of us in line stampeded to the front of the viewing area.

This was a Tuesday, during a relatively busy season. YMMV.

PHXscuba

 

[PHXscuba]

Day 6, part 1 -- Kicking and Screaming (March 14, 2013)

I was up early-ish on Thursday morning, knowing we had to clear out our rooms before heading to the parks. It wasn't quite as painful because we knew we could play all day before leaving, but no one loves cleaning up. Since we just had to get back to my parents' house 40 minutes away, there was much cramming of dirty laundry and shoving of leftover snacks. I figured as long as the 6 of us could carry it down in one trip, we were fine.

DH took a couple of small things to the car but we opted to leave the luggage with the bell staff to ward off break-ins (one of the few things I dislike about minivans is the exposed trunk). We gave the kids a couple minutes to look around the gift shop, knowing it would be our last stop, just in case they couldn't find anything else they wanted. DS16, the pressed penny collector, picked up one from the PPH.

I'm not sure if this pose meant DD10 was tired or cold, but she could win an Oscar for looking pitiful ... and then cheering up in record time.

We got to the gates just before opening and went through. This time when my AP photo didn't work, the CM decided she had to call a supervisor, even after I explained what had been happening the previous few days. I sent the rest on ahead to get a locker while I waited impatiently for the elusive supervisor. When she finally came out, she was very nonchalant and said the same thing everyone had been saying for the past 3 days -- Stitched/glitched computers. So I raced ahead to join the fam right after they emerged from the lockers.

We decided to ride the Matterhorn on the Tomorrowland side to see if there was a difference. YES, the Tomorrowland side is rougher. I had told DS16 that the collective wisdom of the Internet was that the front car had more legroom (remember the Gadget Coaster) and told him to sit there. His exact words when he got off -- yelled to the whole waiting crowd: "More leg room, my butt!" So there you have it folks: ride the Fantasyland side, and don't put the tall one in the front.

The kids were begging to go on the Teacups. I was having a good morning stomach-wise, so I decided to go on, but only if DH and DS8 went with me in a not-crazy-spin teacup.

Check the box. My one spinny ride of the day. I do OK on the Teacups if I can spot, or unless someone starts really twisting that wheel like my father did when I was young. We wanted to ride Alice in Wonderland, but the ride was already at 30 minutes during EMH and never waned throughout the day as we passed through. I guess we'll have to make another trip to ride it!

The Space Mountain line was looking a little long outside, but we decided it was worth waiting for. Had I known they weren't stacking the line outside and that we'd have to inch through the entire inside queue, I don't know if we would have done it. During the long wait inside the main big room, DD13 and I counted ride vehicles and I think we got to 14 or 15 before they repeated! Seems like that's about the max they could run.

Because we were stuck in Space, we knew we would likely miss being at Indiana Jones when the park opened. DS16 knew that was our goal, and you should have seen him doing the math in his head as 9:00 drew nearer and nearer. He can be as time-OCD as me and more so sometimes.

We raced off of Space Mountain and across the park to Indy. The line was backed up outside the entrance and I had just enough time to get FPs before my family got into the queue. We pulled the rope The kids got a kick out of it. I still couldn't find the Eeyore sign in the movie room (but thankfully rentayenta recently posted a picture in her one-day TR so now I know better where to look). I wasn't sure what DS8 would think of his first Indy ride, but he loved it! It was nearing 10:00 when we got off -- way more time than I wanted to spend.

Our FPs weren't too far from coming up and we needed to stay near Adventureland, so it was the perfect time to ride the Jungle Cruise. As we were in line, we heard the PA system announce deadpan, "May I have your attention please. There are no announcements at this time." I love the Jungle Cruise!

The kids were playing Disney trivia using the app on my phone. They don't want me to play with them ... until none of them knows the answer! We had a female skipper, and despite my many times on the JC, there were new jokes! DS8 was sitting up near the skipper and she asked him where he was from. She then told him he was going to see something he'd never see back home in Arizona ... water! Did I mention I love the corny-cool Jungle Cruise?

We rode Indy again (and got another FP). Riding it almost back-to-back, I realized there is some different audio at certain points. I also rode on the opposite side of the vehicle this time.

OK, sorry for the long stretch without any pictures. The last day usually has the least because either we've seen it before, or no one want to take a picture or stops to snap one. But we had one more must-do photo, and if you read my pre-trip report you know which character.

​

The family Tigger photo has been updated (go to page 10 if you want to compare the previous ones)!! And we didn't clash!

They have rearranged the line since were were last there; now you go around the back of the area and work your way forward, counterclockwise. Tigger was first and had no Photopass photographer (why Eeyore instead?)

I understand why they need the sun umbrellas, but they look really tacky in the pictures.

I am posting so many of these so you can see some of the borders offered, not just because I have cute kids.

I had promised the kids treats from Pooh Corner after we saw the characters. We got a Tigger Tail and three other yummies to share later. With the four kids and I splitting it, the Tigger Tail lasted less than two minutes.

DS16 took the picture of me and my short-lived sweet when I wasn't ready, but I actually liked this one more than the posed version. Is that drool on my chin?

We took the other treats to our locker so they wouldn't melt and walked across Main Street to lunch at Carnation Cafe. We were about 15 minutes early but were hoping to get in and out before our Indy FPs expired. They seated us right away outside.

What I think we ate: DS8 got the chicken strops, DD10 had a salad, DH nibbled on everyone's food, DS16 got a burger. DD13 wanted both a sandwich and soup so we split them. DD fell in love with the baked potato soup, which didn't surprise me at all considering her love affair with the potato. I had to stop her from licking the cup out.

I will quit there because I am in danger of falling asleep here at the keyboard. Sadly my kids have more interesting late nights than me -- DS16 is on his way home from work and DD11 is staying late at a friend's house to work on a talent show act.

PHXscuba

 

[PHXscuba]

Day 6, part 2 -- Kicking and Screaming (March 14, 2013)

You last left us at our yummy Carnation cafe. The kids liked their food and it is oodles less expensive than a character meal. I think we will try out more non-character sit-down meals on future trips now that they are old enough to occasionally branch out beyond burgers and chicken nuggets.

We hurried to use our Indiana Jones FP before it expired. This time we got the opening that we will get to see the future instead of eternal youth. I'm not sure which I'd actually prefer. That's the thing about riding a ride several times in one day -- I wouldn't have known/remembered that there are several permutations to this ride. But I think three times is about my limit before it gets too been-there-done-that.

We wandered over to Fantasyland to ride Casey Jr. I can't even remember the last time I rode this -- probably as a kid! I really, really wanted a picture of my teens in the cages, but cute little kids claimed them first.

​

While we enjoyed trying something new and seeing the miniatures from a different angle, I think we all agreed we like the Storybookland Canal Boats better -- a more leisurely pace and the narration to go along with it.

Then we had to go on It's A Small World, if only to torture DS16.

IASW is one that the kids all groan about when I bring it up, but they all like it when we are on it. That's my job -- ignoring the feigned protests and getting them onto the attractions they secretly like but would never admit to wanting to go on.

The Star Tours FP we had acquired earlier (not sure when, looking back at my notes -- maybe right before/after lunch?) was due up, so we hopped over to Tomorrowland again.

DD13 and I amused ourselves in line by taking funny-face photos. We are so hip. This time around, DD10 was the Rebel Spy!! I'm surrounded by secret Alliance agents! Who knew?

​

We decided a silly picture fighting over the shirt was better than spending $25 (times 2) on buying it. This time we didn't lose our super-short spy leaving Star Trader!

I checked my wait time app and was surprised to see that Autopia supposedly had a 5 minute wait. Given the high overall crowds, I thought there was a high chance it was incorrect. But when we got there it really was about that short, so we decided to seize the day. The line became even shorter when DS8 realized most people were funneling into one side because the end of the shorter line was sort of hidden behind a pillar.

We got our cars and discovered one possible reason our side of the line was shorter -- we were driving British-style, with steering wheel on the right and pedal on the left. I was riding with DS8 and he decided I was going to do all the work. About a third of the way through I realized my wonky left knee wasn't used to pushing a pedal that firmly and steadily, so I was switching feet, holding my knee down with my hand, anything to keep the car moving so I didn't cause a pileup! There was a long backup near the exit (dead engine?), so much so that people were digging out their cars and handing them across cars for pictures. I didn't have mine that handy.

We considered the Finding Nemo Subs but no one wanted to stand in the long and boring queue, so instead we got the traditional picture of DS16 with the seagulls. I should have put this in the "pictures we always take" part of the PTR!

We started talking about what we wanted to do next while the seagulls were doing their "Mine Mine Mine" line. I summoned my best pelican/Nigel voiced and yelled at them to shut up, and they did!, which made me laugh.

I thought we'd do the Tiki Room next. The kids groaned again, but I reminded them it had three great selling points -- air conditioning, benches, and shade. Four if you count that DH can sleep during it. DD10 and I would get a Dole Whip and the others could get Mickey bars.

It was a great plan until we got to the Dole Whip line to discover it was 45 minutes, even inside the Tiki Room area! Just like there is no ride worth a 2-hour wait, there are no snacks worth a 45-minute wait. So DD10 and I settled for a Mickey bar too.

It was still crowded and hot when we emerged -- did I really think it magically wouldn't be? -- so I told the family we were going to get our dose of history and go see Great Moments with Mr. Lincoln (cue the groans!) But it was me who was groaning when we got to the theater, when we found out that it was closed for a special AP lecture on the new Fantasy Faire. So I missed Lincoln AND the Voices of Liberty, who have since returned to Disney World.

We looked around the Disney Gallery. The girls liked the Disneyland Paris castle model, especially once I told them there was a dragon in its basement! (DD13: Can we go to Disneyland Paris?)

It seemed like a good time to shop, so we went to the Emporium. The boys knew what they wanted was back in Tomorrowland, so it was mostly for the girls and I. DD13 found a Mickey spatula, Mickey hand oven mitt and a bow necklace that is sort of Minnie but doesn't scream it. I only bought a small pair of silver filigree Mickey earrings -- the Photopass pictures were kind of my souvenir.

We put our purchases in the locker and headed for Pirates. Once again it should have been a short queue, but we ended up being routed way back and practically around the Treehouse, it seemed. I was realizing it's hard to find things to do in mid-afternoon without a good idea for a break. Better planning next time! DH admitted later he fell asleep in Pirates too.

Haunted Mansion wasn't as long of a wait. We heard something funny in the stretching room. Remember how in the spiel the Ghost Host mentions there are no doors, windows etc.? After the ceiling lit up and the thunder crashed, someone pointed up and yelled, "Windows!!" that he could see above. DS16 found that hilarious and I believe used it on his friends the next weekend. Our ride would have been much spookier if the guy in the next doombuggy wasn't texting the whole time! I guess that's the new " no flash photography" -- bright screens.

I guess we must have also acquired Space Mountain FPs after Star Tours, because we crossed the park to use them about 5:15 p.m. ... only to find the ride shut down. The CM seemed to think it would be up and running in not too long and cautioned us to try to return before our window expired if they did get the ride going. So we pretty much felt like we needed to not go far. I don't know what they would have done if we would have returned two hours later, but the whole FP enforcement is new to everyone.

At this point we had been on everything in Tomorrowland we wanted to. So that left dinner. We'd already eaten at Pizza Port, so we were left with Tomorrowland Terrace. It's not my favorite place -- and DD13's friend told us they had a grease fire there a few days earlier when she was there -- but our options were limited. Everyone but me had a burger and I got the grilled chicken chop salad. It was good but I always hate paying $9 for a lot of lettuce.

We sent DS16 back to check on Space Mountain after he finished inhaling his dinner. The second time he reported that it was up and going. We raced over to beat the crowds.

We decided to do one last funny pose and prepped everyone -- how are we sitting to see everyone? where precisely is the camera? how much do we have to bribe DS8 to play along?

It worked!! It was a great last ride and last photo for our week.

The boys picked out their final souvenirs in the shop converted from the arcade. DS16 wanted one more lightsaber for his collection and DS8 wanted a stuffed Perry the Platypus.

We couldn't figure out if this hat is:
A. The Tauntaun Luke rides
B. The Wampa that tries to eat Luke
C. Harold the Yeti

The tag was no help. We didn't buy it. Any guesses?

DS8 also wanted two cheap pirate swords from the Emporium, so we returned to the locker for the rest of our stuff. The delay riding Space Mountain mean that we hit Main Street right during the second half of the parade. Oh darn, we have to stop and watch! So I have seen half of Soundsational.

After the parade cleared out and we bought the swords, we made the final long walk back to the PPH. DD10 wanted a snowglobe and tumbler cup from the PPH gift shop, so I bought them while DH and DS16 retrieved the luggage. We left the property about 7:30 and headed for my parents' house.

That's our park time; I still have a brief post on what we did the next couple days and a wrap up/review of the what I thought of some things overall. Also a "bucket list" for things I want to do if/when I make it back with my AP later this year!

PHXscuba

 

[rentayenta]

Love your photos, very cute family. The ones with Tigger, Pooh, and Eyeore are special.

Duck face on Star Tours. Thats one of my favorite faces to make and poke fun at my daughters.

Looks like a you had a total blast.

Great Space pic of a pic.

My DH always falls asleep on IASW too.

 

[PHXscuba]

Love your photos, very cute family. The ones with Tigger, Pooh, and Eyeore are special.

Duck face on Star Tours. Thats one of my favorite faces to make and poke fun at my daughters.

Looks like a you had a total blast.

Great Space pic of a pic.

My DH always falls asleep on IASW too.

Thanks for replying ... I was starting to wonder if anyone was still out there!!

I think at least one of Pooh or friends will make it into the official "vacation collage frame" up in our loft. I love photos!

Yep, that's us ... try to look cool and end up with duck face. We just don't have the lips for it!

My DH can fall asleep anywhere, anytime. Sometime I envy that!

PHXscuba

 

[lsulindy]

Great trip report. I enjoyed it all. I'm still poking along with mine. I'll finish it one day!

Love the Space Mountain pic. We got some good ones, but I'm jealous of the full family pic!

 

[PHXscuba]

Great trip report. I enjoyed it all. I'm still poking along with mine. I'll finish it one day!

Love the Space Mountain pic. We got some good ones, but I'm jealous of the full family pic!

I am trying to get my TR finished before I lose the steam! I am doing the last day in CA right after this (it's short).

I can't believe we pulled off the Space Mountain photo!

PHXscuba

 

[PHXscuba]

Days 7 and 8 -- The Aftermath (March 15/16, 2013)

After playing hard for four days straight, I let everyone sleep in the next morning. Even earlybird DS8 slept in until 8 a.m.

First task of the day was laundry. Boooring.

I got enough started to take the kids to a park near my parents' house. I didn't know it had a teenager trap!

Since my kids don't know the official names of any of the parks (and they are all named after boring old people anyways) they nickname the parks. This park has been dubbed the Spiderweb Park, for obvious reasons.

This spiral is about 6 feet off the ground. That child has no fear of heights or high dives!

DH challenged the kids to run around the park's perimeter but vastly overestimated the time it would take them to do it, so he ended up owing everyone Slurpees. Since we don't have many 7-11s around us, a Slurpee is a big treat. Although the price of a soda there is ridiculous -- $1.29 vs. 79 cents over here.

We let DS8 open his birthday gifts from my parents -- a Wii game he couldn't play without the console, and a giant Lego set I didn't want him to start putting together. Not great planning on my part. I would have felt worse if he had not been spoiled rotten with gifts before we left home and just finished 4 days at Disneyland! DS8 spent part of the afternoon befriending the neighbors' cat. No cats come near our house because of our dog, so he loved that.

My mother likes to do puzzles but my father doesn't. So she always puts one out when we visit. This time we only had one day to complete it.

DS16 and I were the main ones helping (another bonus -- time with the boy). We got a little punchy near the end, but got it all together about 10 p.m. Once you start a puzzle you HAVE to complete it -- it just doesn't feel right to my OCD otherwise.

The next morning we got up and slowly put our stuff together. My sister and her family were coming for the next week (we passed each other somewhere on I-10), so we left beds assembled and toys out. We dumped their trash and threw sheets and towels in for washing.

By 10 a.m., I could tell DH was itching to get on the road and frankly so was I. Once we get to that point, we just want to get home. My mental to-do list starts up and I wish for a teleporter, or at least lightspeed.

We arrived home without incident and I was able to use my computer (my tablet had been acting up) to view our Photopass pictures.


I promise the next installment will be more interesting -- I will write a couple of posts on my considered reflections on some of the things we saw/did/noticed while at DLR. See ya real soon!


PHXscuba

 

[Lynne G]

Aww. One of the most fun things we all do is help with a puzzle when we visit my DM. We all get suckered into putting just 1more piece in.

Looking forward to your wrap up. Last visit was a few years ago, so a current list is what we need. This time, we are going to stay in the GC, as last time I got a great deal at the DLH. Long story.

Have a great night. We are expecting the rain to move in and be a very rainy Sat.

 

[PHXscuba]

Aww. One of the most fun things we all do is help with a puzzle when we visit my DM. We all get suckered into putting just 1more piece in.

Looking forward to your wrap up. Last visit was a few years ago, so a current list is what we need. This time, we are going to stay in the GC, as last time I got a great deal at the DLH. Long story.

Have a great night. We are expecting the rain to move in and be a very rainy Sat.

I don't know how much of a "current list" I will have, but I am always happy to answer questions. I think the hardest questions for anyone to answer for someone else are the "worth it?" questions ... is a character meal worth the price? ... add parkhopping? ... stay on site?

I will be posting my "AP bucket list" -- things I didn't get to but want to try/see/eat/ride on my hoped-for visits before my AP expires next March.

PHXscuba