Not too shabby for a consolation prize! A Dec 2013 TR! Update 5/3 p. 28 COMPLETED!

[tstidm1]

The Grand Californian lobby is amazing. I guess I'm easily impressed because everytime I stay at WDW it's at a value resort.

 

[rentayenta]

I'll be back to reply all but wanted Cynthia to know that Michael isn't hauling anything. These jobs are cake. And when he's the medic not Moho driver, fuggetaboutit!


I'll be back. I'll reply tonight from home. It's the end of my at work work day. Now onto laundry, dinner, and two futsal games. Happy Friday! ​

 

[eandesmom]

I'll be back to reply all but wanted Cynthia to know that Michael isn't hauling anything. These jobs are cake. And when he's the medic not Moho driver, fuggetaboutit!


I'll be back. I'll reply tonight from home. It's the end of my at work work day. Now onto laundry, dinner, and two futsal games. Happy Friday! ​

Ok, I want his job then. LOL!

Jeff and I reviewed the itinerary again for the September cruise as we contemplate how broke we are after all these trips and K's expenses and came to one conclusion...

We HAVE to go. By hook or by crook. LOL!

 

[jedijill]

Ok, I want his job then. LOL!

Jeff and I reviewed the itinerary again for the September cruise as we contemplate how broke we are after all these trips and K's expenses and came to one conclusion...

We HAVE to go. By hook or by crook. LOL!

Look into the SW credit card...I saw someplace they were giving 50,000 points for signing up...that would make a big dent in airline tickets to PR.

Jill in CO

 

[Pinkocto]

What a great morning so far, you got tons done already!

Love the holiday decorations in Bugsland, that was too cute!

I think the area next to Monsters Inc. is a nighttime dance party called the Mad T Party. I didn't make it to one on my trip which makes me sad.

 

[rentayenta]

ha ha! Yes, a little rain keeps the wimpy Cali folks away. Truly. (insert my name here.) I prefer to do my park touring dry but it does keep the lines down.

As a native of Long Beach, CA I would have never dreamed I'd enjoy the parks in the rain. You'd be surprised what 20 Utah winters will do to you. ​

Good decision to abandon RSR for some FPs later. I'd rather go with the shorter waits for Soarin and TSMM. Good job calling that one!

Our last RSR fiasco made it an easy decision. My girls don't love RSR either. I think its fantastic!​

That 'party' area behind Award Wieners is the Mad T Party - live band, strobes, lasers and faux fog for their dance party at night. They have the entertainers dressed as mod Alice characters. (You may have seen the lights at night.)

Yep, chili dogs for brunch - perfect (burp) meal! (I still hold it against them that they got rid of the fries several years ago. )

Sounds like a great day in the park and the kiddos look like they are having fun.

It was such a great morning and it gets better, even better than I imagined.

Why did they get rid of the fries? So odd. I need the fries to scoop up what drops out of the cili dog. Chips don't cut it.​

I love the Garden Grill at DCA. They have kebabs for meat eaters vegetarians. But thats just me.

Garden Grill looks great but Michael has this strange love for Award Wieners. Poor guys asks for so little so when he actually has a preference, I go with it.​

I loved it too. Lots of choice of us.

Your food looked so good. Next time!​

Every time I read a DL TR I am always surprised how quickly you move from one ride to the next to the next. It seems like the park touring goes pretty seamlessly. Love it!

Your kids look like they are having a total blast and loving every minute of it.

The ToT looks identical - is it?

It would be really cool to do TSM (twice), ToT, and Soarin all in one morning. I've got to get me some DL!

I think Disneyland/DCA runs smoother too but I'm also much more familiar with both parks having been to them too many times to count. While I love WDW, and I do, I like having just the two parks to navigate from.

ToT at DL is much more tame, it doesn't do the side to side action like at WDW.​

No, this was actually during my Easter vacation when I was still teaching so this would have been April

Corinna

In April? Wow. I'm okay when I expect the heat but wouldn't expect that in April.​

Cute pictures with the umbrellas. The rain may not have been fun, but the low crowds and "different look" to the parks is a perk.

PHXscuba

I agree. The rain really wasn't bad. Our feet stayed dry and that's all I care about.​

Easy to ignore since I still don't know what it means. LOL!

Evan is the same with ToT.

I'll take any info you have, any time! I do need to figure out a few things by the 60 day ADR window as given that it's Easter week and spring break things may book up?

Metaphorically, on that trip, I lived in that part of the park with the E's. Jeff lived in SoCal, but not me.

Hopefully not, it's a low key trip and we leave mid day on a Saturday so hopefully will be fine. One night I can live with although the rest of the nights we are in the same room which will be tough for me as well. Not so bad when it is just Eric and I but with the 3 of us in the room, the 2 will yap when they should go to sleep and that will annoy me. Just have to run them hard so they pass out.

And he's missing his kids, melting hauling equipment and not actually enjoying that location he is shooting at.... It'd be one thing if you had extra days before or after to enjoy the places you go but that is never the case.

He pretty homesick today, he's on his way home. He was tweeting me Disney song lyrics. He's drinking wine in the United Club listening to Disney music. Is there a wonder why I love that man?

I'll work up a list of my favorites this week.

​

Arrgh, I was there last night and forgot to look! Bridging means the price difference between what you paid and an upgrade. So for example if you bought a 5 day hopper ticket before a price increase, if you upgrade it AFTER you've activated it but before the last day, the price difference you pay is the difference between the current price for that 5 day hopper (not what you paid) and the extra days you are adding. If you upgrade before you activate it, you'll pay more as it will be based on what you actually paid for the ticket.

Got it. Thanks for explaining. I wonder what they'll do? I'm guessing they'll make you pay the increased price gap but I don't know.​

I have the premium DVC PAP for WDW (man that is a lot acronyms). I paid $399 for it. Today it sells for $584. The DL Premium Passport which covers both parks is $979. IF upgrading is the difference between $584 and $979 then it is a great deal for me. If upgrading is the difference between current price and the $979 then I need to do 4 days in April and 4 days in September to make it be a deal ($20 saved). If I only do 7 days combined hopping, it's a little more ($35).

Say that 10 times fast. I remember when the pass for all 6 parks was first introduced, it was $700. I can't believe how much it's increased.​

less than 7 combined or no hopping and it doesn't make sense.

Except I'd get 20% off . Question is, would it be at enough places to pay off? I dunno but need to figure it out. It may be. Kind of nutty as it would expire 12/29/13 but it still may be worth getting.

How do you get 20%? ​

Oh and to answer the other question about the cruise prices..no, they aren't a good deal for our cruise anymore. When I checked, it had gone up about $1100 from the price we booked at so good for Jill and I but BOO on the 200% single occupant fee for her.

You got a screaming deal! I agree on the 200% fee. Less services being used so why so $$?​

The Grand Californian lobby is amazing. I guess I'm easily impressed because everytime I stay at WDW it's at a value resort.

Hi and The GCH lobby is amazing. If you even go to Disneyland, you've got to check it out. It's the same vibe as AKL but more woody, no Africa.​

What a great morning so far, you got tons done already!

Love the holiday decorations in Bugsland, that was too cute!

I think the area next to Monsters Inc. is a nighttime dance party called the Mad T Party. I didn't make it to one on my trip which makes me sad.

We missed the party too. Bet it's fun for local kids with APs.​

 

[rentayenta]

Oops, I forgot to post this super cute pic:

Still loving a slightly damp and totally empty park, we wanted to do a little shopping. Some photos on the way:

Look at the skies. They looked much worse than they produced.

Luckily they wanted to shop on the Pier so I could get a few photos I really wanted.

And a few randoms that I enjoy so much:

We ended up buying new sweatshirts and a beenie for Michael.






About this time, we received a text that our villa was ready. We decided it would be a good idea to head over and get our bags from bell services so we wouldn't have to do it late. Plus Michael and I had reservations at the Napa Rose that evening at 7:00 (finally) and figured we wouldn't be very active after a bottle of wine.

We ended up on the 3rd floor with a decent view of the Pier area, not great, but certainly better than the first floor that we were originally on. We were near the far end so we had the room across in the corner of our view. We had to stand on the way right end of the balcony to get this shot. It wasn't a straight on view.

At this point, we split. The girls wanted to ride ToT again and again. We wanted to draw Olaf in the AA but had a little time so I convinced my fellas to take a spin through Carsland before drawing our favorite snowman. They are both so sweet and patient when it comes to my photo madness. We were also a little hungry and I wanted a snack so what could be better than a chicken chili verde cone at the Cozy Cone?

Olaf was the dude of the hour. We headed over to the AA a bit early to check out Belle's Library area and to be able to get a seat in the front row while drawing. I love the little details all over the Animation Academy.

Continued in next post.....​

 

[rentayenta]

The theater to draw Olaf was pretty crowded much to my surprise. He's pretty popular though.

Our animator:

How cute is the decor?

The boys and Olaf:

Me, Joshua, and Olaf:

We just love drawing at the Animation Academy. It's a real treat and nice break.

We stopped in Off the Page and drooled over all the stuff we'd love to buy but can't afford right now. We were also looking for a Vinylmation for Joshua.

A classic in our family:

Hilarious:

My favorite:

Everyone's favorite Jedi:

I have to have this:

Same pose thats on Michael's Reedy Creek FD coin:

Continued in next post......​

 

[rentayenta]

We headed to CarsLand after. We were set to meet the girls at 4:30 to use our RSR FPs. Little did I know our FP return time was the perfect time to return. You'll see why but we still had some time and we wanted to ride Luigi's and TowMater. The drizzle was still on and off.

We got photos on TowMater but not Luigi's. I don't know why but we can never get our tire to fly?

On Mater:

And a few more shots while we waited for the girls:

I feel like I have perma-grin:

The girls showed up and much to my delight, our timing was perfect to watch RSR light up. If you haven't seen this, it's absolute magic. Put it on your list NOW! Trust me, it's unreal. The photos don't do it justice.

I apologize in advance for posting nearly the same photo over and over but as the sky got a little darker, the lights got a little brighter. As we took a step forward, out view changed slightly. So cool!

I look beat!

Next up, riding RSR, Napa Rose, and hot tub time!

To be continued.......



​

 

[tlenzendorf]

We just got back today and I misssss DL already!! And your post reminds me of the stuff I forgot... Definitely have to go back again. I forgot the cozy cones, the lighting of Carsland and Award Weiners. Hopefully we can go back in 2 years. I don't think next year will work, as badly as I want it to.

Mater's ride was SO much fun! That was one of the highlights of our trip. I wasn't expecting it to whip quite so much and went flying into DD. She started laughing and pushed back. Unexpectedly fun ride

 

[mvf-m11c]

Even though it was drizzling on and off during the day, it didn't stop you or your family from having a great time at DCA. Very nice pictures of the family at DCA. Your drawings of Olaf at the Animation Academy look very nice especially Michael's. It was a good thing that you got RSR FP's so you won't have to wait that long in the stand-by queue.

Very nice updates.

 

[tlenzendorf]

Oh, and Carsland? Breathtaking. Amazing. Awe-inspiring. Fantastic. Blows everything WDW has out of the water in my opinion, rides included. What a spectacular ride RSR is.

Can you tell we fell in love with it?

 

[eandesmom]

Ok 4:30. I need to remember that! Of course it might be later since it will be lighter out later in April? Tell me about that chili verde cone. I might need one!!!

Did they tell you ahead on time it was Olaf? I thought you didn't find out until you were in the class. Cool!

The 20% is the Merch/food discount you get with the premium ap.

Fun update, you look like you are having a blast!

 

[tlenzendorf]

Did they tell you ahead on time it was Olaf? I thought you didn't find out until you were in the class. Cool!

There was a sandwich board outside the building with the times/characters listed

 

[mvf-m11c]

The 20% is the Merch/food discount you get with the premium ap.

The merchandise discount for the Premium AP is at 20%. It is nice that Disney extended the merch discount again for the AP's. The food discount is at 15% at most quick counters and sit down restaurants at the DLR. There are a few places that doesn't get you the AP discount like the Tiki Juice Bar, Napa Rose restaurant, etc. There is a 10% discount at certain stores, restaurants, etc. (that is not owned by Disney) at DTD.

 

[franandaj]

it looks like you had a great day so far and if it finishes with Napa Rose, it was a fabulous day! I'm glad that the rain kept the crowds away.

Your session of drawing Olaf sounds really fun. I would like to do that sometime, but I'm not sure if Fran would be interested. I'll have to try her.

Other than the firefighter figures (as Fran doesn't have the same firefighter reference that you have), I'm a little embarrassed to say how many of those figures that we have ourselves! I just can't wait until we can get them out of their boxes and see then!

You got on a lot of rides and got to do quite a bit due to the weather and lack of crowds. I hope you and Michael enjoyed Napa Rose!

 

[emmysmommy]

I love the Animation Academy building. I could just sit in the cavernous room and watch the movie clips for an hour.

I had to laugh at your comment about Luigi's. I've only done that ride solo and it didn't work so well with one person trying to make it go. Uhhh I'm not in a hurry to try it again. On the other hand, they hit a home run with Tow Mater! I love everything about that ride. During the holidays they had a special soundtrack that was a Christmasy version. So cute.

I'm looking forward to hearing about your evening with Napa Rose. We'll be spending the weekend at the GC hotel with Napa Rose dinner on Friday for our DD's 18th b-day. I sure wish they had AP discounts at that restaurant.

 

[dolphingirl47]

I love all your photos of the Christmas touches. Your Olafs look great, too. I have yet to do the mater ride, but I love Luigi's Flying Tires. I have to try to catch RSR asthe lights come on. It does look stunning.

Corinna

 

[MEK]

I just love how many wonderful pictures you have of the kids and the entire family. What great memories!

There are just SO many details in that park. I can't wait to see every single one. Soooooo cool! And the Christmas decorations make it that much better.

Glad that the drizzly weather did not keep you away from the parks.

Love the view from your villa.

I'm really looking forward to reading about your dinner date!

 

[jwwi]

There was a sandwich board outside the building with the times/characters listed

I was wondering the same thing, I don't think they ever do that at DHS.