10 Mths of WDW Planning leads us to~~DISNEYLAND!! Report Completed~Pic Heavy!!!

[yupikgal]

Even if I was just there the week before you were, I LOVE looking at all the pictures you took, and the detailed ones at that! I was relying only on my iphone to take pics, and for some reason, my battery was draining a lot more than normal (hmm, you think the videos I took could have something to do with it?) I need to take my actual camera when we go this summer!! It's just so handy to use my phone camera.

Anyway, I know it will be totally different atmosphere when we go this summer without all the beautiful shimmery lights, trees, decor, Christmas music & parades, etc. but I'm still soooo looking forward to it!!

I love all the things you captured, the fun times, the happy faces of your kids, you can just feel the excitement in them!! What wonderful parents you and Mike are. They will never forget all the good times at Disney!! I'm always thrilled to see that your big kids love it as much as the little ones too! That's how our kids are. I'm sad that Kelsey won't be able to go with us this summer, and probably not my husband either (he has other plans for that time) so I am thinking about inviting either my MIL or my oldest sister along, she came with me and my niece on our last trip and loved Disney! I don't know how much she would like the summer crowds though, I hate to spoil it for her!

I've reserved a room at the Howard Johnsons on Harbor for now, in the quiet bldg in the back of the property by the "adult" pool, so I'll keep looking to see if anyone else has any good deals before we go. Having my son's girlfriend along with us will be different, I"m still trying to figure out how that's going to work. They are very excited though, she's never been to the West Coast, she's originally from Wisconsin, and has gone to WDW several times to visit an aunt who lives in the area! Since we will be celebrating both of their graduations, I plan on doing some special things like character breakfasts, a nice meal at either BB or Carthay Circle restaurant in DCA, and maybe a dessert seating for Fantasmic!!

I'm excited to read the rest of your TR, I need to finish mine, although I've been enjoying everyone else's so much, I'm getting lazy! Thanks for making my days a little bit brighter! Happy 2013!!

 

[DizNee Luver]

When I left off, we had just finished watching the parade and the crowds were HORRIBLE. We stayed in our little spot hoping the chaos would die off and we could make a peaceful exit from the parks. As we waited, we took a few pictures from around the area and of the kids.

The Partner's Statue with the Castle in the background.

Addy, Michayla & Shyann:

The Mickey wreaths and Main Street tree:

One more of the castle:

As we wandered up Main Street:

Once things looked to have slowed a bit, we started up Main Street, but we soon discovered that they had already roped off the areas around the Candlelight Processional area and were "corralling" everyone into one way traffic flows. Ok, problem........I was already a little antsy because right before the parade started, a family that was with someone in the wheelchair area, shows up and stands like on top of us. We kept them from standing in front of the twins strollers but one girl was breathing all over Anthony's head (which was really bugging him) and I don't do well in closed areas and especially with strangers in my personal space. So this was part of the reason I wanted to wait for things to slow. Soooooooooo, now we needed to jump up on the crowded sidewalk and mosey down and around the CP area and then out the couple exits they open (why is it that they don't open more exits when they have a large traffic flow??)

Anywhos.......I knew this wouldn't work for me.....I was starting to get very panicky so I approached one of the CM's that was directing traffic and she said......"let me help get you and your family out". She used her little hand held light to wave and clear a path. She took us through the stores so we would have more room to manuever with the strollers (and less people). She took us all the way out to the exit!! I couldn't believe she did that for us. I'm sorry I didn't catch her name....but really, that was the last thing on my mind right then. I just wanted to be clear of all the mobs of people so I could calm down and get my heartbeat back to a normal rhythm. Looking back later that night.......all I could say was~~she went far beyond what a CM is asked to do and I couldn't have been more grateful. (I actually kept an eye out for her during our trip so I could thank her & get her name, but never saw her again)

Now, once we had come out of the stores and back onto Main Street, Mike opted to stay behind so he could get a couple pics of the CP area & then he met up with us outside the gates.

We headed into DTD:

Since we had changed our BBQ dinner ressie to Wednesday night.....we now were in need of a dinner place for tonight. So we decided to go the House of Blues. We ate there in 2009 and enjoyed it, so we decided to do it again this trip.

We had a little bit of a wait for a group our size (and needing to keep Michayla in a stroller).....so while we waited.......the kids got some much needed exercise. And as you can see from the photos.....we found a quiet, uncrowded area....which was just what I needed.

A few pics from the area as we waited.

 

[DizNee Luver]

Even if I was just there the week before you were, I LOVE looking at all the pictures you took, and the detailed ones at that! I was relying only on my iphone to take pics, and for some reason, my battery was draining a lot more than normal (hmm, you think the videos I took could have something to do with it?) I need to take my actual camera when we go this summer!! It's just so handy to use my phone camera.

Anyway, I know it will be totally different atmosphere when we go this summer without all the beautiful shimmery lights, trees, decor, Christmas music & parades, etc. but I'm still soooo looking forward to it!!

I love all the things you captured, the fun times, the happy faces of your kids, you can just feel the excitement in them!! What wonderful parents you and Mike are. They will never forget all the good times at Disney!! I'm always thrilled to see that your big kids love it as much as the little ones too! That's how our kids are. I'm sad that Kelsey won't be able to go with us this summer, and probably not my husband either (he has other plans for that time) so I am thinking about inviting either my MIL or my oldest sister along, she came with me and my niece on our last trip and loved Disney! I don't know how much she would like the summer crowds though, I hate to spoil it for her!

I've reserved a room at the Howard Johnsons on Harbor for now, in the quiet bldg in the back of the property by the "adult" pool, so I'll keep looking to see if anyone else has any good deals before we go. Having my son's girlfriend along with us will be different, I"m still trying to figure out how that's going to work. They are very excited though, she's never been to the West Coast, she's originally from Wisconsin, and has gone to WDW several times to visit an aunt who lives in the area! Since it's both of their graduation trip, I plan on doing some really fun things like character breakfasts, a nice dinner at either BB or the new Carthay Circle restaurant, and maybe a dessert seating for Fantastmic!!

I'm excited to read the rest of your TR, I need to finish mine, although I've been enjoying everyone else's so much, I'm getting lazy! Thanks for making my days a little bit brighter! Happy 2013!!

Yeah, I imagine the video taping probably zapped your phone battery but you will also find times in the parks where your phone is searching for a signal and that really drains the battery. People with iphones seem to have had the worst time with that happening. My old smartphone didn't do well in the park but my new droid razr m did fine.

You know....the summer isn't all bad with the crowds. (especially if you've ever experienced spring breaks!!) At least with the summer.....some of the AP's are blocked and it's spread out over 3 months where spring break everyone shows up over a 6 wk time frame. I'd go in the summer again......way before I'd do spring break again!!

If everything works out....I'll be taking my oldest, Nick and his fiance during the girls trip late February. We didn't do the Carthay Circle restaurant with our large family....but will do so with just the 3 of us. Also thinking about the Walk in Walt's Footsteps tour and Fantasmic Dessert Seating. It's been a long time since Marie has been to Disneyland.....so trying to show her some of the highlights!

 

[DizNee Luver]

Once our pager went off, we were escorted into the restaurant and seated. Shy was in heaven....they had basketball on the tv she could see.....lol

The menu:

Shy's specially made dinner of mini cheeseburgers (no bun), tomatoes and fries.

Addy's Pepperoni Pizza:

Anthony's Cheese Pizza:

Tyler's Flatbread BBQ Chicken Pizza:

I had the Shrimp Po-Boy with Sweet Potato Fries:

Mike's Buttermilk Fried Chicken:

The food was good.....wasn't a big fan of the sweet potato fries....they needed to be crisper. The BBQ pizza used to be on a pizza crust and was Derek's favorite meal back in 2009.....but they've gone to the flatbread style.....Ty said it was good.....but I don't think it was GREAT like it used to be.

Dinner for 6 of us with tax and tip: $95.00

After dinner, we stopped into their gift shop, picked up a couple shirts and some hot sauce!!

As we made our way towards the GCH entrance, we stopped into Marcelline's Confections to pick up a couple sweet treats.

A quick stop to get a picture of the GCH Christmas tree. The lighting in here is terrible!! So dark!

We got back up to our room and found the MouseKeeping had done this to Michayla's bed.....chocolates on all the beds!!

We ended our night watching World of Color from our room and Addy & Shyann watching the Princess bedtime stories. (this became a nightly ritual in which they both would fall asleep).

This ends Day One in the parks!!

 

[Caroline NZ]

Wow, what a full on day. Your kids look like they are coping so well, Shyann in particular looks to be blossoming and is a very sweet happy looking little girl

 

[DizNee Luver]

Wow, what a full on day. Your kids look like they are coping so well, Shyann in particular looks to be blossoming and is a very sweet happy looking little girl

It was a full day and the twins did amazing!! Not one meltdown!! We figured we would let their moods dictate how long we'd stay in the parks. Neither napped in their strollers and they seemed to enjoy the rides, parade and just being strolled around.

 

[cristyhas3]

What a day! Full of so much fun! Your family is amazing.

 

[DizNee Luver]

What a day! Full of so much fun! Your family is amazing.

Thank You so much!!!! I kinda think I have an amazing family too!!

 

[DizNee Luver]

Tuesday, December 11~~Day 2 in the parks!!

Today we started with trips to the Concierge Lounge to pick up some breakfast offerings. Some of us nibbled in the room while a few others actually sat in the lounge to eat. This morning we decided to start out in Disneyland and I would try and reach one of the Divas who needed to leave by noon. I was going to try and meet up, to say hi to sierranevada/Bridget.

A picture of the PPH tree from the Concierge Lounge.

The Main Street Train Station.

The Main Street Christmas tree.

A lot of photopass photographers were grouped together, which meant they were waiting for characters to come out.....so we kinda hung out near by and Addy's friend Cruella came out and she remember Addy and thought today's shirt was much better than the one she wore yesterday.

Cruella loves to ham it up for the camera!!

We started talking with the photographers and a character escort and asked who was coming out (we'd seen a few characters come out already). He said Mickey would be and I said, Michayla would love to meet Mickey, as he is one of her favorite characters. I think in conversation, we mentioned the girls autism and delays and the character escort asked us to stand off the street by one of the shops and he'd have Mickey come over and greet our family before he set up on Main Street!!!! So we gladly did.

Mickey came out and did a couple pictures with the family and then he zoned in on Michayla!!

It was a special time for us and Michayla and we thanked the character escort for doing that for us. (he even kept everyone back while Mickey was visiting with us)

The extra mile......also known as Disney Magic!

 

[DizNee Luver]

We decided to hang out on Main Street until I heard back from Bridget. So here are a few close ups of the Main Street tree.

The shop across from the Emporium (Showcase?) that carried a lot of holiday treasures!!

While I was looking in the shops, the rest of the family found Dale and had some pictures done.

A few more random pictures from around Main Street.

We headed up towards the Partner's Statue and had some photopass pictures done here.....this was from our camera.

I heard from Bridget and they were coming off BTMRR and so we told them we'd stay put at the Partner's Statue. A picture of the double decker bus as it went by.

Happy Michayla!!

Shyann and Addy.

The Matterhorn:

Bridget!!!

Bridget and her sister. (I'm sorry, I forgot her name)

After a short visit, we were heading back up Main Street....but did slow down to get a couple pics of Burt and Mary Poppins as they passed by.

We headed out of Disneyland and started crossing the Esplanade to go to Disney's California Adventure park.

 

[Sherry E]

A few comments -

1. By any chance, were Bridget and her sister also staying at the PPH? They look familiar to me and I wonder if I saw them there. If I didn't see them there, maybe I saw them somewhere...;

2. Yes, that's the Disney Showcase store across from the Emporium (where the elusive Santa Mickey nutcracker was still available!) - the store has a couple of different 'rooms' or sections, as I recall;

3. When I saw the Main Street Christmas tree during my trip, I was thinking that it looked as though it had some different ornaments that I didn't recall seeing in previous years. When I tried to get up close to look at them, I always seemed to be standing right where someone wanted to take a photo. So I gave up after a few tries.

BUT now that I look at your pictures I see that yes, indeed, there were some new ornaments here and there on that tree! I think that Disney's decorations team mixed in new ones with some of the old ones. Like the "Galerie du Gaston" timepiece, for example - I don't remember that from other years at all!; and

4. The pictures of the kids with Mickey are so precious! What a special moment for them (and for you!) - they look beyond joyful and over-the-moon excited. And the pictures of Happy Michayla - especially the close-up shot of her face - well, there are no words for it, so I think all that can be said is ! That is truly the spirit and magic of Disney at its best right there - and it's also the magic of having the best parents EVER (who not only plan these wonderful trips, but also organize fantastic movie theme nights at home)!

 

[DizNee Luver]

A few comments -

1. By any chance, were Bridget and her sister also staying at the PPH? They look familiar to me and I wonder if I saw them there. If I didn't see them there, maybe I saw them somewhere...;

2. Yes, that's the Disney Showcase store across from the Emporium (where the elusive Santa Mickey nutcracker was still available!) - the store has a couple of different 'rooms' or sections, as I recall;

3. When I saw the Main Street Christmas tree during my trip, I was thinking that it looked as though it had some different ornaments that I didn't recall seeing in previous years. When I tried to get up close to look at them, I always seemed to be standing right where someone wanted to take a photo. So I gave up after a few tries.

BUT now that I look at your pictures I see that yes, indeed, there were some new ornaments here and there on that tree! I think that Disney's decorations team mixed in new ones with some of the old ones. Like the "Galerie du Gaston" timepiece, for example - I don't remember that from other years at all!; and

4. The pictures of the kids with Mickey are so precious! What a special moment for them (and for you!) - they look beyond joyful and over-the-moon excited. And the pictures of Happy Michayla - especially the close-up shot of her face - well, there are no words for it, so I think all that can be said is ! That is truly the spirit and magic of Disney at its best right there - and it's also the magic of having the best parents EVER (who not only plan these wonderful trips, but also organize fantastic movie theme nights at home)!

1. I believe they were staying at the GCH but could be mistaken.

2. I don't know why I can't remember the names of these shops.....the Emporium is the only store name I remember.

3. The thing that I really notice missing were the Santa's that were really prevalent last year:

Now they may have still been there....but in the pics I got....they weren't really noticeable. The clock is definitely new. I'm also wondering if the Gingerbread men were different.

Last Year:

This Year:

4. Wait till you see the pic of Michayla with Tinkerbell. That's a photopass pic I will be ordering a 16x20 of. PRECIOUS!!!! I can't believe how she connected a few times during the trip with a character. Just melts my heart and brings a tear to my eye. I was so thankful to the CM to do that and give us a wonderful experience we'll remember forever!!!

Thanx for all the nice compliments. We love being parents and it's not always easy......but moments like the Mickey and Tinkerbell makes every hard moment/day worth it!!!

 

[Sherry E]

1. I believe they were staying at the GCH but could be mistaken.

2. I don't know why I can't remember the names of these shops.....the Emporium is the only store name I remember.

3. The thing that I really notice missing were the Santa's that were really prevalent last year:

Now they may have still been there....but in the pics I got....they weren't really noticeable. The clock is definitely new. I'm also wondering if the Gingerbread men were different.

Last Year:

This Year:

4. Wait till you see the pic of Michayla with Tinkerbell. That's a photopass pic I will be ordering a 16x20 of. PRECIOUS!!!! I can't believe how she connected a few times during the trip with a character. Just melts my heart and brings a tear to my eye. I was so thankful to the CM to do that and give us a wonderful experience we'll remember forever!!!

Thanx for all the nice compliments. We love being parents and it's not always easy......but moments like the Mickey and Tinkerbell makes every hard moment/day worth it!!!

I think you're right about the lack of Santa on the MS tree. Now that you mention it, I think that caught my eye in person too. I always wonder what happens to decorations (and trees) that mysteriously disappear! I wonder if they get shipped to WDW for them to use, or if they get reused somewhere else around DLR? The gingerbread men are definitely not the same!

As special as it is for kids when they have those magical Disney moments in any Disney park thanks to Cast Members or characters, I also always wonder how it affects/impacts the Cast Members too (in or out of the character costumes). Sometimes you see absolutely amazing Cast Members in the parks, and you can tell that they really love what they do and love people. Some of them are so great with kids. I wonder if they go home at the end of the day, feeling rewarded that they made many families' trips better, or that they made a precious little child smile. I would think that doing that kind of work - knowing that you are making people happy and bringing kids' fantasies to life - would have a very deep, meaningful impact after a while. How could it not? How could they not be affected? I would bet that a lot of the CM's have tears in their eyes too!

I can't wait to see the 16x20-worthy picture! I'll bet it's amazing!

I also can't wait to hear what you thought (first impressions) of Buena Vista Street and Cars Land the very first time you saw them! Obviously you had heard many things and seen many photos before arriving, but there is something different and noteworthy about that first time you get to see a new land in person, and experience it for yourself!

Speaking of which...the Cars Land float is rolling down the boulevard on the Rose Parade at this very moment!

 

[sierranevada]

A few comments -

1. By any chance, were Bridget and her sister also staying at the PPH? They look familiar to me and I wonder if I saw them there. If I didn't see them there, maybe I saw them somewhere...

1. I believe they were staying at the GCH but could be mistaken.

This trip we were staying at the DLH - I was wearing my DisDiva sweatshirt so maybe you noticed it in the park?

Laurie - loved your kids! They were so sweet and affecionate!

Great report so far

 

[DizNee Luver]

I think you're right about the lack of Santa on the MS tree. Now that you mention it, I think that caught my eye in person too. I always wonder what happens to decorations (and trees) that mysteriously disappear! I wonder if they get shipped to WDW for them to use, or if they get reused somewhere else around DLR? The gingerbread men are definitely not the same!

As special as it is for kids when they have those magical Disney moments in any Disney park thanks to Cast Members or characters, I also always wonder how it affects/impacts the Cast Members too (in or out of the character costumes). Sometimes you see absolutely amazing Cast Members in the parks, and you can tell that they really love what they do and love people. Some of them are so great with kids. I wonder if they go home at the end of the day, feeling rewarded that they made many families' trips better, or that they made a precious little child smile. I would think that doing that kind of work - knowing that you are making people happy and bringing kids' fantasies to life - would have a very deep, meaningful impact after a while. How could it not? How could they not be affected? I would bet that a lot of the CM's have tears in their eyes too!

I can't wait to see the 16x20-worthy picture! I'll bet it's amazing!

I also can't wait to hear what you thought (first impressions) of Buena Vista Street and Cars Land the very first time you saw them! Obviously you had heard many things and seen many photos before arriving, but there is something different and noteworthy about that first time you get to see a new land in person, and experience it for yourself!

Speaking of which...the Cars Land float is rolling down the boulevard on the Rose Parade at this very moment!

Those Santas where probably somewhere else in the park. It's funny that we both noticed differences with the tree. It probably changes a bit every year??

I'm debating on whether to download our photopass pics or get the CD. I'm such a traditionalist and we ALWAYS get the CD. That Tink picture is wonderful!!!

You won't have to wait too long on my thoughts.....as we were headed that way in my next installment!!

This trip we were staying at the DLH - I was wearing my DisDiva sweatshirt so maybe you noticed it in the park?

Laurie - loved your kids! They were so sweet and affecionate!

Great report so far

It was wonderful seeing you Bridget!!! My kids are huggers!!!

Thank you......just scratched the surface of this trip......so much more to come!!!

 

[WDWJonasGirl]

I love it so far!! That was nice of the CM to give you guys special time with Mickey. Do you guys do the GAC for the twins? I do that since I, myself have autism.

 

[DizNee Luver]

I love it so far!! That was nice of the CM to give you guys special time with Mickey. Do you guys do the GAC for the twins? I do that since I, myself have autism.

Happy New Years Kaitlin!! We do get a GAC for both girls. We did that in 2010 and only used it twice. This trip, the girls enjoyed the rides.....so we got good usage out of them this time.

 

[Trentmom]

I read your update last night and was half asleep, so never responded I guess

Glad that CM was able to help you get out of parade viewing area.

That food at HOB I think you said you went to, maybe. Whatever it was, looked really tasty. All treats looked good too

That was nice you got have Mickey all to yourself for a few mins

Lot of great character pics

The pics with Cruella were awesome


Happy New Years!!!!!

 

[DizNee Luver]

I read your update last night and was half asleep, so never responded I guess

Glad that CM was able to help you get out of parade viewing area.

That food at HOB I think you said you went to, maybe. Whatever it was, looked really tasty. All treats looked good too

That was nice you got have Mickey all to yourself for a few mins

Lot of great character pics

The pics with Cruella were awesome


Happy New Years!!!!!

Happy New Years Kelly!! That's ok, you responded today.....lol

It was so appreciated that the CM helped get me and girls (and the whole family) out without being held up by the slow moving crowd. I surely would have had a panic attack if we had to get in with that large group.

House of Blues was ok food.....but I'm tired of some of these places "fixing" stuff that ain't broken. The flatbread version of the BBQ Chicken Pizza wasn't near as good as the original.

I think we had Mickey to ourselves for about 5 minutes. I know there were people running up but got stopped short of reaching us. I heard him explaining that Mickey would be setting up on Main Street and to look for him in a few minutes. It was so nice of them to do that for us!!

Cruella was a ham!!

 

[DizNee Luver]

We left Disneyland and crossed the Esplanade to be welcomed by the new entrance to DCA. I still miss the letters and seeing the "Golden Gate Bridge" just past the entrance......but with the clocks being turned back to the 1920's when Walt first arrived in LA....the new entrance makes more sense.

As we step through the gates, we take a few minutes to just stand there and take it in. When you step onto Main Street at Disneyland, you leave the world behind.....I never got that feeling at DCA............until today!! It was like looking at black and white period pictures from that era but you were there and it was in color!!!

To the left was Oswald's Gas Station.

Some random pictures on Buena Vista Street.

The Sepulveda Building:

While we were standing there gawking, this cute "Messenger" comes riding up on her bike singing.

The Five and Dime Store:

DCA's Time Capsule.

DCA's Dedication/Re-dedication Plaque.

Chamber of Commerce Building:

Buena Vista Red Car Trolley Station.