(More than)A FIVE years of Trips! -- Update 5/22 - We Leave TOMORROW!!!!

[hurleysweety]

We left the room around 7:00 AM and a very surprised-that-I-was-up-and-ready-to-go DH drove me to the parks to embark on our relaxation vacation style touring of the parks.

We got to the turnstiles for DLR around 7:35 and jumped in line in front of one of those gates that people have unknowingly only formed one line when there should be two. I wanted to snap some pictures of the crowds and also the beautiful DCA entrance before its taken down.



Once in, the crowds were still so small, I was just taking various pics around the park of the emptiness.



8:05 AM


Cafe Orleans refurb...


First we got a FP for Splash


Then over to the MS bakery to eat some breakfast, fruit parfait and DH's new favorite, chocolate chip cookie.




Around 8:40 we headed over to Buzz to kill some time before we could get a Space FP. Space was only 10 minute wait so we rode it too, the 10 minutes was mostly spent walking through the queue area. We really should've bought this photo!



Then off to Autopia (I haven't been on it since I was 7, and I couldn't drive it correctly and all my memories of were my mom getting mad because I kept hitting that center barrier. I think she was just embarrassed. My creative mind didn't allow my 7 yr old body to drive a car - I apparently didn't understand steering...) We thought it was pretty boring and lame but we had to do it because no way were we going to waste time doing it in WDW.



warning...PDA ahead..




Then walked over through fantasyland towards frontierland. It was still pretty dead, we loved just being able to walk without the crowds!


We decided to get an Indy FP before heading over to DCA.
9:50 AM


So we headed over to DCA and made it just in time for rope drop.

"Art of Flavor" is this year's F&W theme


The crowd at the rope on the side near bug's land was pretty small. We then fast walked ourselves over to TSM. I took a picture in line and it looks like we were on the ride at 10:15

Not the best scores...


BTW, this is the TSM line if you get there to TSM at 10:15 on a SLOW day!


Took a picture at the F&W photopass op - same as last year, still sponsored by ABC but this year, by the show "Brothers and Sisters" this year.


Then we went over to our first F&W demonstration of the weekend. It was by
Gypsy Gifford, Walt Disney Studios Executive Chef.

We had ricotta gnocci with some sort of vegetable and bean mixture. Yes, it was vegetarian and us carnivores weren't overly enthused. Boo. Oh well, we got the free water and the food wasn't too bad.


Only complaint here is that the food is always lukewarm.

[tksbaskets]

Great update. I love your pictures especially the Walker Landing wine one. I thought your scores on TSMM were very respectable. I can't believe what DL and DCA look like without wall to wall people.

Thanks for sharing!

[Dizneydaz]

Great first day report. Can't wait to read more....

[hurleysweety]

Originally Posted by tksbaskets

Great update. I love your pictures especially the Walker Landing wine one. I thought your scores on TSMM were very respectable. I can't believe what DL and DCA look like without wall to wall people.

Thanks for sharing!

I know! We were shocked too!

Originally Posted by Dizneydaz

Great first day report. Can't wait to read more....

Thanks! More coming soon!

[hurleysweety]

So after we finished our seminar we headed over to the Festival Marketplace to check out the food and also the "Wine Seller." As soon as we walked in we realized it was very cold and dark. A welcome feeling for a moment after the warm weather outside. A seminar was about to take place to the left and I noticed they had fruit in little cartons for each person. Then a CM asked if we were interested in attending. DH said he didn't care so we decided to go in without having any idea what it was about or what we were getting ourselves into

Sorry Melissa's produce, while we're fans of healthy eating and organic produce, a 45-minute talk on it in a 68 degree dark building was not our idea of a day at Disney.

But here are some pictures of the exotic fruit we ate. Yes, very exotic, and apparently, very expensive? Not really sure, kinda lots focus on the lady presenting it...haha. I felt bad because it looked like strawberries, kiwi, and oranges from far away, instead we got this:





And here are some of the presenter




Also took a picture of the food available at the marketplace. Although, I'm sure that you've all seen it by now!



Also took pictures of the new trolley car paths


So then came the question of lunch - what did we feel like and what park did we want to eat at? After walking aimlessly for awhile, we decided on Redd Rockets in DLR. But considering the crowds had become much heavier, we ran into a problem I expected, Redd Rocket's line out the door...

Main Street 12:40 PM


So we walked over to Hungry Bear, despite the atmosphere being on the downside with the River being refurb-ed. Food was delicious though! Yum!

I had the Turkey Club:


DH had the Chicken Caesar - one of his fav foods throughout the parks:


Then we decided we needed a break. We picked up Indy FP and headed out.

Crowds at 1:05 PM

[tksbaskets]

Originally Posted by hurleysweety

So after we finished our seminar we headed over to the Festival Marketplace to check out the food and also the "Wine Seller." As soon as we walked in we realized it was very cold and dark. A welcome feeling for a moment after the warm weather outside. A seminar was about to take place to the left and I noticed they had fruit in little cartons for each person. Then a CM asked if we were interested in attending. DH said he didn't care so we decided to go in without having any idea what it was about or what we were getting ourselves into

Sorry Melissa's produce, while we're fans of healthy eating and organic produce, a 45-minute talk on it in a 68 degree dark building was not our idea of a day at Disney.

Bummer (and really strange looking fruit!) If it was a ride you could have claimed your DH was feeling ill and left I'm sure the yummy sandwich made you feel better right away.

Waiting to hear about your spin in Indy (one of our favs!) Thanks for sharing,
TK

[hurleysweety]

Originally Posted by tksbaskets

Bummer (and really strange looking fruit!) If it was a ride you could have claimed your DH was feeling ill and left I'm sure the yummy sandwich made you feel better right away.

Waiting to hear about your spin in Indy (one of our favs!) Thanks for sharing,
TK

Oh yes, the sandwich was great, especially in my favorite part of DLR, Critter Country! Seriously glad I can't make that foccacia bread at home. Its all I would eat!

And I actually ate most of the fruit. Too bad I have no idea what it was - that's the thing about boredom in the midst of a theme park, you don't think about writing down unique organic fruit names from countries that you can barely pronounce, let alone spell.

[hurleysweety]

After our break we headed over to DLR. We arrived in the park around 5:30 and quickly made our way over to TSM to check the line. We also were in a hurry to not get caught in the crowds for the parade. The line was insane so we headed back to get a tortilla. Still corn...but we enjoyed it. We wanted to eat, but we werent' sure where. Maybe Pizza Omm...? On our "way" over we stopped for a bit to watch the parade from the wharf area. If your kids will "accept" it, this is the best crowd free way to watch the parade. Good view, and no waiting!









We walked over to DLR and got FP for Space, I think. Then we took a quick ride on Buzz, I think. No pictures here, so I'm kinda iffy. We checked out the menu at the plaza - nope, don't want for that price. Then DH remembered the menu from French Market that we had seen earlier when on our lunch search. And off we went to feed him with his unsuspected new favorite food for the past year or so(he's a very basic meat, potatoes, and pasta), a New Orleans fav, Jambalaya!

So here is his very big portion and delectable dinner. He was very pleased and would probably give it a 9/10. Only 9 because he doesn't like the peppers in the veggies, and they were only lukewarm when served.


I was debating between salmon and the pasta (a grown up mac n cheese, really) when I saw the bread bowl. Not something I would usually order but it looked sooo good! And a salad, with blue cheese dressing. The chowder and salad duo was right up my taste bud ally!


Afterwards we walked around a bit, through fantasyland I believe. Then we decided we might as well take a gander at the hype over Captain EO. We really didn't know much about it, and we're not Micheal Jackson fans (no offense, none taken, good we're still friends ). We lined up around 10 minutes before the next film. I thought, like with Honey I shrunk the audience, we'd be one of 5 or 6 groups of people watching. Nope, I'd say the theater was about 85% full when we were all inside. For us, the show was very 80s, very Micheal, and very star wars. Not really our cup of tea, but we can cross it off the list!

Waiting for the show




After that it was only getting colder outside. Burr! Here we were in shirts, sweatshirts, pants, and shoes...and freeezing! We were fading fast. But we had our Space FP to use. So why not? Off we went. What a picture...wish it'd show up better!



Anyone ever catch this hidden mickey? DH found it!


Then off we went to the hotel...around 9:40. "Lets make it til midnight..." Us:0 Disney:1

[tksbaskets]

Another installment that makes me wonder how I missed such yummy food. Your hubby's dinner looked delish!

Hey - tell that chick in front of your hubby on SM to put her hands down! You are great at finding the hidden Mickeys.

Captain EO was filmed during my youth...we're still friends, I didn't care for it either

Looking forward to more....

[hurleysweety]

Wait...are you serious...you're going again?

We've alllll been there. Thats why we have this board, thank goodness, to have people who understand our crazy obsessive antics over what we'll eat in five months for dinner and if our DH will want to ride Space Mtn or Splash Mtn at 10:15 after we'll approximately finish our planned, but not made, breakfast PS at Crystal Palace. :rofl:

STORYTIME!
So on Christmas Eve, at my parents house, DH and I stay the night because its a 40 minute drive home, and its just dumb, haha. Anyway, as we're getting into bed he apologizes for not getting me any stocking stuffers and just wants to tell me what he wanted to put into the stocking. Before I can answer he gives me the option that he'll just "make it." So I of course, for fun, tell him to make it. He sighs and says he just should've told me, but agrees. In the morning he asked for some paper and at some point snuck it into my stocking.

The whole time I thought it was going to be a coupon for cleaning the house or going out to dinner so I don't have to cook on a weekday. Because we had talked about it before in the previous weeks, I had much evidence that it would be something like this.

By the time I was going through and opening my stocking stuffers, I had forgotten about the coupon. It was so absent from my mind that I thought the 4x4 inch folded paper I pulled out last, was from my mom (aka, Santa's helper all these years). I had asked for a "pedicure with mom" coupon as a fun idea on my "wish list" this year (yes, my mom still requests these wish lists, from her kids 23, and 24.) But instead, it was written by my lovely DH, in his outstanding, husband-boy like handwriting:

"Good for 2 Premiere Passes to DLR & WDW for 2011. Merry Christmas!"

My first response, after all the thank you's and smiles. "When???!!" "January!?!!!!?"

And after about 3 days, we've already made plans to visit Jan 7-9. DH needs a trip, and we haven't been on a real vacation since last May (to WDW, of course, I mean, who vacations elsewhere?)

DISNEY MATH:
IMHO, I think Premiere Passes are way too expensive and unjustifiable. However, between Christmas disney gift cards, end of year bonuses, saving, and knowing this will be our last year without a baby or pregnant belly, we gotta do it. Our friends and family really don't understand. So thats why I have you all, right?

This will be a short and sweet PTR - but I like to look back at all the excitement and planning. Hope you enjoy this lil PTR and soon to be TR.

[DLR29]

Yay!!!

That's exciting. We did Premier this year because we went to WDW for 10 days this past summer and now I'm living closer to DLR so it just made sense. It is wonderful!

Enjoy! And can't wait for your pics and report in a couple weeks.

[hurleysweety]

Originally Posted by DLR29

Yay!!!

That's exciting. We did Premier this year because we went to WDW for 10 days this past summer and now I'm living closer to DLR so it just made sense. It is wonderful!

Enjoy! And can't wait for your pics and report in a couple weeks.

How fun! I can't believe we're going - it doesn't seem real. Probably because we have nothing settled yet! Plans to come!

[hurleysweety]

We're booked! After three long days of picking and choosing and changing my mind about 50 times...I picked a hotel. Staybridge Suites - #10 on the trip advisor list of hotels in anaheim. After all my research, you'd think I had a final or something. DH actually came downstairs a couple nights ago and told me to come to bed - it was 2 AM!

So here's what happened...

I had a rewards night for holiday inn that I won from Dr.Oz's big giveaway back in November. 25,000 pts free!

At first, my account was messed up and said I had 50,000 pts, and I was so happy. I could book almost three nights with that many points. But then the system realized, because by the next time I had looked, they removed their error. Too bad I wasn't ready to book then.

Anyway, for two nights, we'll pay $90 incl tax. This rate includes breakfast, wi-fi, and parking. We know exactly where it is as we usually stay next door. The breakfast is really what sold me. Its not just muffins, cereal, juice, and maybe a waffle machine with a line longer than space mountain at 2 pm on Christmas...Its an actual hot breakfast.



Don't seem to be many reviews of this place on disboards - I looked. So I hope to provide people with a new option to stay - as if they're aren't enough choices already.

Next up - touringplans.com releases Disneyland test site!

[hurleysweety]

Because of the short notice, I won't have the Disney Bible for 2011 before I go...sad day.



But I have an alternative!

www.touringplans.com - The creator the my favorite Disney wait time app, "Lines" has created a disneyland site!

It doesn't include as much as the WDW site, but it has some great features:

• Crowd Calender
• Wait Times (Projected for DLR & DCA for the next 2 months!!!)
• Showtimes
• Dining (Reviewed and Rated)
• Touring Plans
• Attractions (Reviewed and Rated)

I'm already a subscribed WDW member, so I'm not sure of the cost for the site. But the Disneyland portion was offered to me as a free trial for those planning a trip in the near future. So far I give it two thumbs up! (Sounds like I'm endorsing them...but I just really like them all that much --unofficial guide, wdwtoday podcast, lines, and touringplans.com--)

For our days:

Friday, Jan 7 - Should be moderately busy. Looks like all passes are valid that day, so I'm sure it will get busier at night. I think we'll try to see WoC tonight, because I always use the "see entertainment as soon as you can rule, don't wait until the next day."

Saturday, Jan 8 - Will be the busiest of our trip. Looks like the Southern California passes will be blocked out, but Deluxe and Premium will be valid.

Sunday, Jan 9 - Should be pretty dead on this day. We'll probably head out after lunch, so we won't get to enjoy it for the full day. This would be an awesome day to see WoC, but we'll be facing crowds on Friday to see it instead.

Now if TourGuideMike.com came out with Disneyland...well that would just be icing on the cake!

[DLR29]

Wait, looking at your signature, is this your first time seeing WoC??? That's pretty exciting! Do you really need touring plans?? I feel like a DLR expert like you could just come up with your own good plan. Oh, and that's a crazy good deal on the hotel!