4 Trips + 1 Premier AP = Priceless Memories ~ WDW Plans posted!

[sgrap]

Lisa, do you get the Photopass+? I did for the first time this trip, and have been working through all the pictures. So my question is, if you do the Photopass+, do you get the CD of the pictures or the digital downloads? Or is that even a choice with the Photopass + voucher?

I am hoping that they will add some more 2013 border and such . . . they have so many 2012 and not too many 2013 choices. I see that they are supposedly taking off the 2012 stuff tomorrow. Hope they add more 2013 right away because I want to order my CD/download ASAP!

They have sent me 3 surprise free downloads of the ride pictures, though, which was fun.

Thanks for any tips you can give me!

 

[sgrap]

got my PP yesterday so will catch you up with things we've already done up to this point

we got a special PP pic with Minnie - thanks to Heidi and Robbie

tried to get Steven to kiss her hand, but wouldn't do it

will have a update in a few minutes...........need to go switch laundry over..

Just saw these after I posted my question . . . you got your PP quicky! You were definitely playing with all the digital embellishments, too! They are so fun! I am just confused about the CD vs. download thing. Love your pics!!

 

[mommy2mrb]

They are actually building a new part of the bridge (from Oakland to Treasure Island) to make it more earth quake safe. Don't want another section to fall like it did during the last big quake in 1989. So before they open it up to cars they are going to let people walk, bike and run across it. I guess they'll be doing tickets of some sort so I'm watching the site to see when those are going to become available.

Whenever you make here we'll figure it out then. I can't wait to see pics of Walt's Apartment from your upcoming trip!!!

I've heard a few stars have stayed there but I think it sits empty more times than not.

Well now I know where to look. Don't think we made it that far down last time. Made it to the Lego Store and couldn't get my DH to go any farther.

I figured it had something to do with making it safer! how cool to be able to walk across it!
will keep you in the loop for any possible visits!
sad that they don't rent out the suite....would be a fun way to celebrate special occasions!
well you need to get to Eof S on this upcoming trip! we LOVE the Caprese sandwich! if you like tomatoes, mozzarella and basil you need to try it!

Lisa, do you get the Photopass+? I did for the first time this trip, and have been working through all the pictures. So my question is, if you do the Photopass+, do you get the CD of the pictures or the digital downloads? Or is that even a choice with the Photopass + voucher?

I am hoping that they will add some more 2013 border and such . . . they have so many 2012 and not too many 2013 choices. I see that they are supposedly taking off the 2012 stuff tomorrow. Hope they add more 2013 right away because I want to order my CD/download ASAP!

They have sent me 3 surprise free downloads of the ride pictures, though, which was fun.

Thanks for any tips you can give me!

yes I got the PP+ was more than worth the $$ to get the ride photos! good to know they are adding more 2013 borders so I can use them for our trip next week! I only ordered photos off my CD..not the downloaded ones...they did send me an email on extra downloads but didn't even look at it...guess I should when I get my next one.

what I do it load the CD onto my computer under SnapFish then order my prints from them, so much cheaper that ordering them through PP site!

Just saw these after I posted my question . . . you got your PP quicky! You were definitely playing with all the digital embellishments, too! They are so fun! I am just confused about the CD vs. download thing. Love your pics!!

I ordered it a couple days after we got home!

will try to explain...after you load your PP+ card into the system, all your photos show up...you then go and add borders, etc to any of your photos, make sure to save them...when you are all done then your add the CD into your shopping bag...make sure to use the code that is in your original CD case you got in the mail when you ordered the PP+ that will take off the charge for the CD....then I did as I posted above to order my photos...hope this makes sense???


++++++++++++++

we are ten days out

Megan has a concert choir event tonight and I'm on student store duty at school today so I will get an update posted tomorrow!

have a wonderful day!

 

[marvali]

I am here for 10 seconds...My Favorite picture! You look carefree!

Judy...thanks for the quick by...we decided to be a bit "goofy" too

Yes, I really liked that one too, being the big Goofy fan that I am!!!

 

[sgrap]

yes I got the PP+ was more than worth the $$ to get the ride photos! good to know they are adding more 2013 borders so I can use them for our trip next week! I only ordered photos off my CD..not the downloaded ones...they did send me an email on extra downloads but didn't even look at it...guess I should when I get my next one.

what I do it load the CD onto my computer under SnapFish then order my prints from them, so much cheaper that ordering them through PP site!



I ordered it a couple days after we got home!

will try to explain...after you load your PP+ card into the system, all your photos show up...you then go and add borders, etc to any of your photos, make sure to save them...when you are all done then your add the CD into your shopping bag...make sure to use the code that is in your original CD case you got in the mail when you ordered the PP+ that will take off the charge for the CD....then I did as I posted above to order my photos...hope this makes sense???

Yes, that makes sense, thanks so much! I already added the borders and embellishments, just hoping for a few more 2013 ones before I order my CD. Now I understand about the CD, thanks for the explanation. How long did it take for you to get it after you ordered it?

Have a great day! Sounds like another busy mommy day!

 

[mommy2mrb]

Yes, I really liked that one too, being the big Goofy fan that I am!!!

thanks Marv! we always have to see Goofy in memory of Jim our "Goofy Guy"

Yes, that makes sense, thanks so much! I already added the borders and embellishments, just hoping for a few more 2013 ones before I order my CD. Now I understand about the CD, thanks for the explanation. How long did it take for you to get it after you ordered it?

Have a great day! Sounds like another busy mommy day!

oh good glad it made sense hope they come out with more of the 2013 for this next trips pics! I think it took about 7 or 8 days so not too long!
thanks you too! wasn't too bad of a day, Megan's getting her homework done, then she needs to jump in the shower, dinner, ready for the concert and head out!

 

[addictedtonostalgia]

Hi Meredith, thanks for stopping by! appreciate the , it really did bring us some much needed peace and healing
fun was had by all...I still have Monday to post and a couple from Tues, so be on the look out for another update probably on Wed or Thurs.
yah, Megan doesn't like me "embarrasing her" but sometimes she just has to suck it up
can't wait to see Walt's apt

I'm starting to pick up that maybe that is a parental requirement?? I can't wait to read your next update! It's always fun to read about Disneyland/DCA since I have only been there once, probably when I was around 10. I don't have that many memories of it, so it's pretty exciting to see things. I'm loving all the pictures of the new Carsland, I bet it looks amazing in person.

for 10 days out! Is Megan's thumb doing better? Does she still have the splint? I hope it is all healed up for the trip.

 

[mommy2mrb]

I'm starting to pick up that maybe that is a parental requirement?? I can't wait to read your next update! It's always fun to read about Disneyland/DCA since I have only been there once, probably when I was around 10. I don't have that many memories of it, so it's pretty exciting to see things. I'm loving all the pictures of the new Carsland, I bet it looks amazing in person.

for 10 days out! Is Megan's thumb doing better? Does she still have the splint? I hope it is all healed up for the trip.

yes it is...I keep telling her I'm channeling the goofiness from Jim he was a big kid at heart!
things have really changed since you went, DCA has added so much and changed the entire entrance...the big California letters are gone, so the the golden gate bridge (monorail track) and the big sun that used to be in the hub area is now a restaurant.
carsland is so amazing in person, especially at night!

she's still having some pain and is wearing her brace at school and dance, hopefully it will be much better by Saturday for her bday party and the pool!

 

[mommy2mrb]

Monday 3/4 - day 3 part 1


was up around 630, made my coffee and hit the shower before getting Megan up and in the shower...got everything laid out for our afternoon return to get ready for the dance performance...we would be meeting up with Kris and the gang later in the afternoon.
texted Megan's dance BFF mom about when we were meeting up with them...left the hotel about 830 and got in line at DCA...was looking for our friends when we heard our names - they were one line over and up closer by about 30 people...gates opened at 930 and I shared the wide right trick with them for carsland...sent Don the DH over to the FP line on the left so he could get us FP for later...and we stood in the rope drop area with Diane (mom) Jolie (bff) and Jamie (little sister, who is also in Megan's tap class) when the rope dropped we walked behind the masses and headed straight to RSP...when we got in line it was about 30 minutes of a wait, but the queue is so amazing it was worth the wait!

Don was able to catch up with us in the line and as we got closer to the end all of a sudden the ride stopped....there was a collective GROAN through the crowd...everyone started to get nervous with their fingers crossed! they kept announcing it was a short delay, please stay where we were, about 10 minutes later the cars started moving again and the crowd CHEERED, was so funny!

 

[mommy2mrb]

day 3 part 2

we got loaded up into our car and where ready to race

here we go....

this ride is so awesome! so much better than test track (and we love test track) you definitely feel like you are driving through Radiator Springs, some of it slows down a bit, then at the end you race the other car on the track...we won!

when they loaded us, they didn't tell us Jamie wouldn't be visable in the photo from the front row....

after we exited we walked around carsland for a bit, but the girls weren't interested in riding the other two rides at the time

Judy, this photo is for Rachel

and will be sending her a copy of this one (from PP)

and a couple more from PP

the girls decided they wanted to go ride Soarin' so we headed over there and only had a 20 minute wait....
got a text from Kris that they were headed into the park and that they would meet up with us after we got back from getting Megan ready...

sorry no photos of soarin' ....after our flight over CA we were hungry, so went over to Taste Pilots Grill for some burgers...when I was waiting in line I heard a baby crying and thought to myself "that sounds like Savannah" looked around but didn't see them....came to find out later that they were sitting on the opposite side of the restaurant's outside seating than we were
we enjoyed our lunch on the patio and talked for a bit before we headed back to the hotel to get megan's hair and makeup done.

 

[mommy2mrb]

day 3 part 3


we got back into DCA around 130 and headed over to the stage area in the Backlot area of Hollywood!

my Disney Diva

I texted Kris that we were back and was saving seats for us....some photos of the kids while we where waiting for them to go backstage and get ready

they got the kids all rounded up and went backstage about 215 to get ready and have photos taken ( we haven't gotten the group photo yet, will post when I do) I decided to go over a get a smoothie to enjoy while talking with some of the other parents and waited for Kris and the gang to show up...

show time!

the performance teams one and two (Megan is in two) opened the show with "Hey, Hey we're the Applause Kids" (yes the Monkey's song, hey, hey we're the monkeys) that they sang while dancing (was taped too) they learned this for the trip!

I had planned on video taping, but couldn't get it to work right (one of the mom's did video the entire show so hopefully we will get that soon and I can share here...Kris did video one of the dance, will see if I can upload it here too)

they also performed their other two dances they'd been performing through the year

 

[mommy2mrb]

day 3 part 3


we got back into DCA around 130 and headed over to the stage area in the Backlot area of Hollywood!

my Disney Diva

I texted Kris that we were back and was saving seats for us....some photos of the kids while we where waiting for them to go backstage and get ready

they got the kids all rounded up and went backstage about 215 to get ready and have photos taken ( we haven't gotten the group photo yet, will post when I do) I decided to go over a get a smoothie to enjoy while talking with some of the other parents and waited for Kris and the gang to show up...

show time!

the performance teams one and two (Megan is in two) opened the show with "Hey, Hey we're the Applause Kids" (yes the Monkey's song, hey, hey we're the monkeys) that they sang while dancing (was taped too) they learned this for the trip!

I had planned on video taping, but couldn't get it to work right (one of the mom's did video the entire show so hopefully we will get that soon and I can share here...Kris did video one of the dance, will see if I can upload it here too)

they also performed their other two dances they'd been performing through the year

 

[mommy2mrb]

day 3 part 4

after the show

all the kids did a great job and knew how special it was that they were performing in Disneyland!

they all headed back stage to get changed, we waited and talked for a bit, some restroom breaks taken and then we headed over to Paradise Pier with Kris and the gang

first up....CA Screamin'....Megan and I had only gone in this once before in 2009, I could never get her back on since....having Steven begging her to go we got in line with Steven, Scott & Heidi....Robbie took Kylee on King Triton's Carousel and Kris took a break with Savannah

we were able to ride Screamin' twice

was great fun, even though I felt a bit woozy after the second ride...

Steven and Megan wanted to ride Mickey's Fun Wheel - the swinging cars and since no one else wanted to go I took them

then we then headed over to do some target practice at TSMM

mine and steven's scores....was cool that I beat him!

Kylee then wanted to ride Ariel's....then we headed back over to Carsland for a night time ride on RSP

as much as we loved seeing it during the daytime...night is so much better with all the lighting, the neon and seeing the shadows on the rock formations

 

[lovethattink]

Oh wow! Love the dance pics! That ride in Radiator Springs looks amazing.

I commented yesterday, but don't see it. Love the character pictures!

 

[mommy2mrb]

day 3 part 5

our car also had the DD of Jeff & Nancy (CM friends of Heidi & Robbie) Jeff & Nancy were in the other car...

we were all getting pretty tired, but had one more ride that Steven wanted to do....and was begging Megan to try it....I of course had to try it too....it was the DREADED Tower of Terror....neither one of us had ever done it, but I had wanted to for a long time...we finally convinced Megan to ride!!!

the entire way through the queue, Megan kept second guessing herself, but stayed brave and we DID IT!!!!!!!!!!

WE LOVED IT!!!!!! will now be on the top of our list to ride!!!!

after the ride it was time to head out, the park closed at 8pm and we were trying to figure out where to eat a late dinner before having to say our good-byes....

we choose to eat at EofS again, so we headed down through DTD...Scott and Robbie headed out to move their cars over to the DTD parking so we didn't have to walk all the way back and they dropped Megan and I off at the hotel...by that point I was in so much pain with my feet I knew we wouldn't make it back on our own.

we enjoyed our dinner and hung out for a bit, the kids were hoping to get some shopping done, we never made it over to World of Disney, but that was at the other end of DTD, they did go into the Lego Store for a bit...everyone was tired and melt downs were starting to kick in ....we headed over to the cars and gave lots of hugs....Scott and Kris had a long drive home, they dropped us at our hotel ...of course more hugs were shared...we got into our room and I found out I had blisters on both feet, got them taken care of and got ready for bed, watched tv for a little bit and then got to sleep!

 

[lovethattink]

Your first time on ToT and you look like a pro. I don't see any fear.

 

[mommy2mrb]

Tuesday 3/5 - day 4....

we got up around 730, got ready, packed and dropped luggage off downstairs and checked out of the hotel!

we had a couple hours to enjoy the park before the shuttle picked us up at 1230 back at the hotel.

we decided to go back to DCA and ride a couple more rides...got into the park for rope drop and waited....did we go back to RSP ???? nope we decided to get our coaster fix one more time!

walked onto Screamin'.....twice!!!!

decided to pose for this one! do you think we love the ride.....

then went over to TSMM - walked onto this also

guess who won again...

couple shots of Paradise pier on our way out

and one final ride on our new FAVORITE!!!

we walked through a couple stores, Megan got a new pin and we had hotdogs for lunch at Award Wieners and smoothies before heading back to the hotel.

got our luggage, printed our boarding passes and waited for the shuttle, was pretty quick drive to the airport, got through security and found out gate...another family from dance was on our flight, so we chatted with them and boarded our flight on time....arrived back in Seattle with no issues, mom picked us up and we were home about 730....bed by 830...we were tired and Megan had to be up early for school the next day!


We had such a great trip, getting to have Kris, Scott, Steven and Kylee be there was such a blessing, getting to meet Heidi, Robbie & Savannah was so much fun and their CM friends who were so wonderful to us all, made the trip even more special!
the Cherry on top was seeing my girl get to perform at Disney


thanks for joining in on this TR....stay tuned for Megan's 13th Birthday Blowout trip! we leave in 9 days, so am going to do the Official Single Digit Dance.......

 

[mommy2mrb]

Oh wow! Love the dance pics! That ride in Radiator Springs looks amazing.

I commented yesterday, but don't see it. Love the character pictures!

thanks...hope I can get the video loaded...RSP is AWESOME! JJ would love seeing it! I think he'd be able to ride it too!

Your first time on ToT and you look like a pro. I don't see any fear.

nope I wasn't afraid, a bit unsure about the drops, wouldn't want to do them on a full stomach next time I'm going to keep my hands up!

 

[lovethattink]

More great pictures. You'll find my other comments in between your updates. On this ToT picture you look like you are having fun.

That's so great that Kris and family were able to join you.

Can't believe you leave in 9 days. Are you ready?

 

[mommy2mrb]

More great pictures. You'll find my other comments in between your updates. On this ToT picture you look like you are having fun.

That's so great that Kris and family were able to join you.

Can't believe you leave in 9 days. Are you ready?

I went back and saw them...commented above!

yes the second ToT was more fun for us both! it was so great having Kris and family with us, know what a magical trip they had and how grateful they were that so many people helped get them there and all the extra pixie dust they received!

I know can't wait to get back! will start packing on Sunday, did cheat a bit though, didn't put everything away from this trip, so will be much quicker!

only thing we are waiting on is Heidi and Robbie's work schedule so we can plan on meeting up with them at some point...or at least know where they are working in the parks if they don't have time off!