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

[DizNee Luver]

We like the Taste Pilots Grill too! One of our favorite spots. I am sad to hear they don't serve the waffle fries with the burgers anymore.

I am glad to hear you received your money back from the wax museum. I notice a lot of businesses delay refunds like that especially in the hospitality industry. Seems like it should be a quid pro quo type of deal but they take money quickly then hold it longer than they should after the refund transaction has already been processed. This allows them to earn the extra interest on the money in their account before they return it to you. I am surprised some consumer rights group isn't all over this or the IRS since the business is overstating revenue. I am sure their lawyers have found some loophole. Anyway, I am off on a rant because this practice really irks me - glad you got the money back!

We're always happy with our meal there....but disappointed about the fries for sure!

I'm glad we got the money.....I really didn't think we would see that money.....so a huge relief for us!

I can understand the delay on a credit card.....some cards run "cycles" and the refunds won't show up right away....but a debit card should be immediately.

 

[Trentmom]

I am so happy to hear you got your museum money back

 

[DizNee Luver]

I am so happy to hear you got your museum money back

Me too!!

 

[DnA2010]

Oh I'm so happy to hear all the great reviews about this place......just makes me wanna go right now!!! How cool they show a movie!! Of course we own a ton of them already.......but I don't remember anyone mentioning that before.

Do you think we could push strollers through the museum?

CarsLand is AWESOME......you really have to see it for yourself. Addy when we walked about 15 ft into the street.....she stops and looks around and goes "it's like we're in the movie!" Good endorsement from a 7 yr old that really shouldn't have noticed the big picture.......but she did!!

.

It is wonderful

You will have no issues whatsoever with the strollers..tonnes of room in the rooms. For your group, I would suggest that you possibly try to break into groups of younger and older, that way older can take their time and really read the detail (because I know you will want to!!) Our kids did very well with letting us read all the details (I pretty much wanted to read everything as it was so well done and interesting) that if you are into details (and kids under 10 I wouldn't say would be as into the details) Maybe the olders switch off with the youngers?



There is also a lovely huge grass field in front of the building which would be excellent for a picnic, or if the kids just need some space to run around (ours did)

The little theatre which they show the film in is smaller and so pretty, it was a great way to break up the day and watch a classic

 

[nwdisgal]

Agreeing with DnA2010 above, the Disney Museum at the Presidio is in such a gorgeous setting. There is a sweeping view of the Golden Gate Bridge and the bay from certain points around the museum. Actually, towards the end of the tour you enter room with a sheer glass wall with this view of the bay.

I love the theming in Carsland! You do feel like you are in a movie set and the desert setting around the track on RSR feels so real. I love the vintage Route 66 theming too.

 

[DizNee Luver]

It is wonderful

You will have no issues whatsoever with the strollers..tonnes of room in the rooms. For your group, I would suggest that you possibly try to break into groups of younger and older, that way older can take their time and really read the detail (because I know you will want to!!) Our kids did very well with letting us read all the details (I pretty much wanted to read everything as it was so well done and interesting) that if you are into details (and kids under 10 I wouldn't say would be as into the details) Maybe the olders switch off with the youngers?



There is also a lovely huge grass field in front of the building which would be excellent for a picnic, or if the kids just need some space to run around (ours did)

The little theatre which they show the film in is smaller and so pretty, it was a great way to break up the day and watch a classic

Agreeing with DnA2010 above, the Disney Museum at the Presidio is in such a gorgeous setting. There is a sweeping view of the Golden Gate Bridge and the bay from certain points around the museum. Actually, towards the end of the tour you enter room with a sheer glass wall with this view of the bay.

I love the theming in Carsland! You do feel like you are in a movie set and the desert setting around the track on RSR feels so real. I love the vintage Route 66 theming too.

Thank you both for the reviews/info on the museum. I really hope we get to go in September!! My oldest is getting married at the vase of Mt Ashland and since we taking the week off for the wedding.....we thought we might sneak down into San Francisco for a couple days before hand. We will see how the year goes and if that happens.

CarsLand is very well done!!!! I love being transported to a new place and not just looking at cement and rides.

 

[DizNee Luver]

Today was a very comfortable temperature day.....sunny, warm (for Oregonians in the winter) and so we decided to ride Grizzly River Run and then we'd head back to the motel to change out of the wet clothes. We were excited to take the twins on this and see how they'd do. We get a locker to put our stuff in and Ally, who has to work in a couple hours, opts not to ride......so we had exactly 8 people (just what the raft holds). We got in the wheelchair line and headed down to the docking area. They have one raft designated for the GAC riders and it was out. So we waited for our turn. Lots of photos as we waited.

Our turn arrived and we all got in the raft. Mike and I put the twins between us.....which put me on an end (which I hate because of the amount of water that comes in there).

Tyler took pics during the ride. The twins seemed to like the ride and getting wet.

More GRR to come!

 

[DizNee Luver]

Here we go........

As we near the docking area, they ask if we want to go again......so we say yes and we're off again. Poor Ally had gone back to the locker to get our stuff and was standing there waiting when we went by letting her know we were going again. (there wasn't anyone waiting in the GAC area)

Even more GRR to come!!

 

[DizNee Luver]

During the 1st trip, we all got a little wet....not too bad.....but the 2nd trip I seemed to be the target.......brrrrrrrrr!!!!

We approach the docking area and Shyann holds up her finger and goes "One more time"!! So guess what?? We were on our way around for the 3rd time!! Again, Ally had gone to the locker to get our stuff......so we waved as we passed by.

For the third trip, Ty handed the camera off to Mike. Mike got a couple pics but not as many as Tyler had......but you'll see who got soaked on round 3!

I would have to say that Addy and Anthony got pretty wet this time around.....but I know that I was also pretty wet by the time we got off this ride.

We pulled into the docking area and were thrilled we got to ride it 3 times in a row without getting off.......but we were all a tad chilled now and it was time to head back to the PPH to change out of our wet clothes. I'm sure we looked like rag-a-muffins, trudging thru the Grand Californian, wet and cold. We made it back to our rooms and everyone got into dry, warm clothes for the rest of the day.

 

[DizNee Luver]

Once everyone was dry and dressed to go back out, we headed back into DCA. We headed towards Condor Flatts and saw that Minnie was out by the plane, so the kids got in line.

After seeing Minnie, we decided to ride Soarin'.

After hang gliding over California, we stepped back out to the Buena Vista area and caught part of the Red Car News Boys.

I love this new statue!!!

We headed into Elias & Co. so I could find Jessica/Belle Ella who was going to be working at 4pm. Ty and I looked from one end of the store to the other and asked a few CM's if they knew Jessica or had seen her today. No had seen her. So we went across the street and went thru those shops and had the same results. We couldn't find her and no one had seen her. Bummer.....I did find out later on Facebook that she had been pretty sick that week and hadn't been to work. I believe Tyler did run into her later in the trip but I never did. Good thing I'm going back in February!! Any ways.....here are some pics from inside the store.

As we headed towards the gates.

 

[DizNee Luver]

We headed across the esplanade and to the gates of Disneyland.

After we entered, I ran over to the Newstand to pick up a package we had stored there for the day. (I had picked up some things in the morning and didn't want to carry the bag around all day). While I went to get it......Mike & Tyler got a few pics of the entry.

The CP area was roped off and we flowed with the traffic entering the park.....the crowds weren't too thick.....so I was able to get from the entrance to the open area of Main Street without any problem.

We headed through Adventureland.....hoping to take the kids on Jungle Cruise.....but it was closed (I guess they close it for the CP)??? Indy was down as well.....so we headed to Pirates. I didn't want to ride it this time and I believe it was Tyler that opted not to ride too.....so we just hung out in New Orlean's Square area.

We waited over by the exit so when our family got off, they could find us. Right after they joined us......here comes Gwen Stefani with Gavin and both the boys and about 6 Disneyland security officers. So weird, because earlier in the day....she didn't seem to be with security or VIP tours. So I have to wonder if they started to be bothered by guests and DL decided they needed the extra security.

We had a dinner ressie at Cafe Orleans, so we headed over to check in early....hoping we could get in. We were given a pager and sat at some tables across from the entrance waiting to be paged. A few pics from around the area and kiddos.

 

[Trentmom]

How awesome you got to go on the rapids 3 times

Glad the girls seemed to like it

I love that Minnie. What a cool outfit she had on


On another note, I hope I get the name right this time, how was Derek's time on the CP at Disney World? What are his plans now? He is home right?

 

[DizNee Luver]

How awesome you got to go on the rapids 3 times

Glad the girls seemed to like it

I love that Minnie. What a cool outfit she had on


On another note, I hope I get the name right this time, how was Derek's time on the CP at Disney World? What are his plans now? He is home right?

It was pretty neat that we got to do that!! I love GRR.....I just hate being wet!
The twins love getting wet and playing in water.....their eyes got really big when they get a big "splash" of cold water......but they were smiling and asking for more!!

Minnie in her fly gear!!

Derek (and yes, you got that right!!) got home on Wednesday!! He really enjoyed the experience, getting to explore WDW, making some good friends and all the memories.....but they work those poor kids some very long hours for very little pay. They pull their room/board directly from their checks and when he got his pay....he had on average about $40 for the week for food and extras. He had many weeks he worked close to 60 hrs. I think he wouldn't have minded the long hours if he had been located in one of the parks instead of a value resort. You're just kinda out there by yourself and away from all the action.

 

[DizNee Luver]

Our pager goes off (and it was our original reservation time....so not early) and we are seated out on the patio (they don't have a lot of indoor seating).

The Menu:

They had a special holiday menu....unfortunately we didn't get a picture of it. This hot chocolate was special (we think it had something to do with pumpkin pie).

We started with a couple orders of Pommes Frites:

And some Gumbo.......delicious!!

Shy got a plate of gluten free spaghetti with chicken breast:

Addy & Anthony both got the Mac & Cheese:

Derek & Tyler split the Mardi Gras Chicken Sandwich:

Mike & I split the Seafood Crepe:

For dessert Tyler ordered the holiday special Pumpkin Spice Creme Brulee.

We got the regular Beignets (I had the Gingerbread ones last December and they were not good).

Dinner was good.....this is one of my favorite places!!

We started towards Main Street so we could wait for the fireworks.

 

[Escape2Disney]

Thank you both for the reviews/info on the museum. I really hope we get to go in September!! My oldest is getting married at the vase of Mt Ashland and since we taking the week off for the wedding.....we thought we might sneak down into San Francisco for a couple days before hand. We will see how the year goes and if that happens.

CarsLand is very well done!!!! I love being transported to a new place and not just looking at cement and rides.

We JUST decided to go during our September trip! I can't wait! Let us know when you're going - maybe we'll see you then!

 

[DizNee Luver]

We got a spot right near the front of the castle....just off to the left of center. We were on the street but up by the sidewalk on the castle side. We had about a 45 minute wait.....but being that close to the front is well worth it. Now a BIG disappointment this year was not getting to see them do the castle lighting with the little story that goes along with it about the snow and such. I'm not sure why they're not doing that?? I went mid-week last year and they did it a few times a night....but not this time!!

The area was filling up as we neared the time for the fireworks to start. We had the girls in their strollers and we kept an area in front of them open so they'd be able to see. When the fireworks started......we had a group of (not going to say which nationality) ladies crowd thru people to go to that open spot in front of the girls. I yelled at them, no way....you can't stand there and so they basically ended up hugging people beside us so not to block the view of the twins. This is a HUGE PET PEEVE OF MINE!!!! Don't show up at show time and expect the best seat in the house!! Ok....sorry......it just irritates me when people do that. (and one particular group of tourists are the worst about doing this) Anywhos.......Ally had been working a 4 hr shift and got off probably 10 mins before the show and we tried to explain where we were and she actually got there right before the first firework went off. She's good at getting thru a crowd!!

The fireworks:

The castle all glistening of icicles:

The snow.......

 

[DizNee Luver]

We JUST decided to go during our September trip! I can't wait! Let us know when you're going - maybe we'll see you then!

If we go it would be during that first week of September. We need to be back in Oregon no later than the 6th of Sept.

 

[Escape2Disney]

If we go it would be during that first week of September. We need to be back in Oregon no later than the 6th of Sept.

Ah...

We'll be there September 16th.

 

[DizNee Luver]

Once the fireworks ended, I was on a mission to get out of the park as quickly as possible. I was supposed to be meeting up with Carrie/Escape2Disney at Trader Sams. So Derek & Ally (the queen of manuevering thru crowds) escorted me out of the parks. Interesting fact: They opened the gates to the "behind the scenes" area by Coke Corner, to help disperse the crowds quicker. So we walked behind the Main Street stores and restaurants and then spilled back out between the Emporium store and Fire Dept. While they were getting me down to the Disneyland Hotel.....Mike & Tyler stayed with the 4 kids and got more pictures of the castle and Main Street.

They went back to the hotel for the night.

 

[DizNee Luver]

Ah...

We'll be there September 16th.

Well......since we'll be down in your area for the wedding.....we'll have to get together for lunch or dinner!!!