A Mother-Daughter Trip! Now with BONUS BIRTHDAY Trip! (Final Thoughts Coming Soon!)

[hstrickland]

Hi Roni!

Yes...I'm actually alive and haven't abandoned your TR...we are off today, so I'm catching up! Sorry it's taken me so long.

Ok...let's see what I need to comment on first...I'll have to backup to WDW...would you believe that BWVs are now on my list of places to stay??!! I've never really been a fan (probably the stupid clown slide) but I'm REALLY loving the location. If I knew that I could get your room, it would be easier to convince DH...he doesn't want to go there at all. It seems like there is sooooo much to do around there AND you can walk to 2 parks Sorry you got sick on the last night. You're a good mom for getting up and taking Willow to MK!! Did you say that BCV was your next resort? I remember you saying that you would certainly do a villa again...just can't remember which one you said.

Now....Disney Land!!! First, I must say how adorable the video is!!! Jesse made me watch it twice and then he just laughed. Willow was super surprised!!! Great plan! When I saw your pictures of the snow, it totally took me back to my flight attendant days with Delta...that is NEVER a good site. I can remember getting stuck in Boston...cold and miserable You might have been late, but at least you made it to DL You're lucky! Aren't you glad you took your co-workers advice!

The DL Hotel kinda reminds me of the WDW CR...just on a smaller scale. I bet you were glad you changed your mind and stayed onsite!! The Mickey B-Day surprise was way too cute!!! I've got to do that when we go to the AKL or on the cruise...maybe both.

Can't wait to read more!!!
Have a Happy Monday!
Heather

 

[Grumpy's Wife]

The video of you surprising Willow was priceless. Such a sweet little girl!

I can't wait to see the dress. It sounds beautiful.

What a great surprise to be able to see the fireworks from your room. I've been to Disney World so many times but never Disney Land. I'm looking forward to seeing through your report.

 

[amandaw]

Thanks for another update!

The DLH hotel does look nice. I really like the headboards. That birthday surprise in the room was soooo cool. I can only imagine how excited Willow was when she saw all of that. And I can't wait to see this dress!

Wow! That documentary really had an effect on you!!! No underlying love for Walt's Park?? Come on! Okay - just wait until you hear about the magic we experienced.

I have to say...it really did. My husband had actually watched it first one night while I was sleeping. He was so moved by it that he recorded it for me & told me "you have to watch this documentary".

I was, first of all, heartbroken by the situation that these children grow up in. But, I won't lie, that it shocked me that Disneyland was in the middle of so much poverty & crime. I guess you just don't think about those things when you think of such a magical place, you know?

I watch tons of documentaries, and have never heard of that one either. I'm pretty sure that Netflix doesn't have it (for instant streaming at least) because I've watched most of the ones they have available. Have you girls seen Spellbound? It's more than a few years old, but one of my all time faves. My fave from this year was More than a Game (about Lebron James' high school team. It was really good )

I really hope y'all can find it to watch. I'm really not trying to talk anyone out of DLR, I promise! But, it is a very interesting documentary. My husband & I loved Spellbound! I haven't seen More than a Game. But, I think my husband might have. Seems like I caught pieces of it while he was watching.

The Disney commercial about only having so much time to make memories just came on, and made me tear up again. (happens all the time). So glad that you and Willow got to have such a special birthday trip. Your boss is right. We'll never regret the memories we've made. So glad to have another trip in the works.

That darn commercial gets me every time! My husband asked me a few weeks ago if we were ever going to vacation anywhere else. I told him "not right now." Our son is so young & this is the best time to be doing Disney vacations. Once he's older, we'll alternate: Disney one year, something else the next etc. But, there is only so much time for them to believe in the magic & be princesses or pirates or superheroes.

Hi

Just wanted to say "Hi Heather!"

Hope you & your family are doing well!

 

[pas130]

I was so relieved that Bolt was excited!

That video was so great I have also been MIA, but I just had to check for update and YAY there was one. Until my DH squashed the California idea...I was exploring all the birthday options at DL...there really were a lot!

The Disney commercial about only having so much time to make memories just came on, and made me tear up again. (happens all the time).

It plays in the beginning of the planning DVD...which we watch daily, and tears EVERY TIME for me

Hi Roni!

Yes...I'm actually alive and haven't abandoned your TR...we are off today, so I'm catching up! Sorry it's taken me so long.
Heather

Nice to see you friend!!!

amanda That is how my DH is with DL

 

[RGirl]

Such a great ending to your WDW trip. What a fantastic time you both have had together.

I love the video of you surprising Willow! How cute!

Thanks! We did have a great WDW trip. And I loved surprising DD!!!!

Hi Roni!

Yes...I'm actually alive and haven't abandoned your TR...we are off today, so I'm catching up! Sorry it's taken me so long.

Ok...let's see what I need to comment on first...I'll have to backup to WDW...would you believe that BWVs are now on my list of places to stay??!! I've never really been a fan (probably the stupid clown slide) but I'm REALLY loving the location. If I knew that I could get your room, it would be easier to convince DH...he doesn't want to go there at all. It seems like there is sooooo much to do around there AND you can walk to 2 parks Sorry you got sick on the last night. You're a good mom for getting up and taking Willow to MK!! Did you say that BCV was your next resort? I remember you saying that you would certainly do a villa again...just can't remember which one you said.

Now....Disney Land!!! First, I must say how adorable the video is!!! Jesse made me watch it twice and then he just laughed. Willow was super surprised!!! Great plan! When I saw your pictures of the snow, it totally took me back to my flight attendant days with Delta...that is NEVER a good site. I can remember getting stuck in Boston...cold and miserable You might have been late, but at least you made it to DL You're lucky! Aren't you glad you took your co-workers advice!

The DL Hotel kinda reminds me of the WDW CR...just on a smaller scale. I bet you were glad you changed your mind and stayed onsite!! The Mickey B-Day surprise was way too cute!!! I've got to do that when we go to the AKL or on the cruise...maybe both.

Can't wait to read more!!!
Have a Happy Monday!
Heather

Welcome back!

I'm so excited that you are considering BWV!!! It is really great - especially the walks to the parks!!!! I would love for us to stay at BCV one day; until our BWV trip, it was at the top of my list. It would have to be pretty amazing to live up to the BWV though! I would also really like to try out a MK resort.

Oh, that weather situation was so scary! I really thought that we would have to rebook. I am so thankful that we lucked out and made it through.

We loved the birthday surprises. It was just so special! I think our favorite thing was the footprints.

The video of you surprising Willow was priceless. Such a sweet little girl!

I can't wait to see the dress. It sounds beautiful.

What a great surprise to be able to see the fireworks from your room. I've been to Disney World so many times but never Disney Land. I'm looking forward to seeing through your report.

Thanks! I hope you will enjoy reading along on our DLR trip. It was such a great surprise to see the fireworks that first night (and the following nights) - totally unexpected!

Thanks for another update!

The DLH hotel does look nice. I really like the headboards. That birthday surprise in the room was soooo cool. I can only imagine how excited Willow was when she saw all of that. And I can't wait to see this dress!

I have to say...it really did. My husband had actually watched it first one night while I was sleeping. He was so moved by it that he recorded it for me & told me "you have to watch this documentary".

I was, first of all, heartbroken by the situation that these children grow up in. But, I won't lie, that it shocked me that Disneyland was in the middle of so much poverty & crime. I guess you just don't think about those things when you think of such a magical place, you know?

I really hope y'all can find it to watch. I'm really not trying to talk anyone out of DLR, I promise! But, it is a very interesting documentary. My husband & I loved Spellbound! I haven't seen More than a Game. But, I think my husband might have. Seems like I caught pieces of it while he was watching.

That darn commercial gets me every time! My husband asked me a few weeks ago if we were ever going to vacation anywhere else. I told him "not right now." Our son is so young & this is the best time to be doing Disney vacations. Once he's older, we'll alternate: Disney one year, something else the next etc. But, there is only so much time for them to believe in the magic & be princesses or pirates or superheroes.

Just wanted to say "Hi Heather!"

Hope you & your family are doing well!

I will definitely look out for the documentary. I was definitely aware that DLR is near some not-great parts of the city, but it really didn't factor into our trip - kind of like all the strip malls and discount joints near WDW don't really enter my mind while I'm enjoying my vacation. Maybe I find it a little too easy to throw reality aside once in a Disney spot?

You know, people are always giving me unrequested "advice" about going somewhere else for our vacations. First, we do go other places too! And second, we go on vacation to have FUN right now, and right now, Disney is FUN for us!

That video was so great I have also been MIA, but I just had to check for update and YAY there was one. Until my DH squashed the California idea...I was exploring all the birthday options at DL...there really were a lot!

It plays in the beginning of the planning DVD...which we watch daily, and tears EVERY TIME for me

Nice to see you friend!!!

amanda That is how my DH is with DL

Welcome back to you too! I hope you will get to make that California trip sometime soon!

 

[RGirl]

4. DD’s Birthday-palooza Begins!!!! (First Installment)

HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!!! We were up at about 7:30, and DD was FIVE! I could hardly believe it.

DD wanted to wear regular clothes today. Until she remembered the Mary Poppins dress. Once she remembered she had that, she was quite sure that she wanted to wear it all day. So we went for it!

And we headed out at about 8:20 right through DTD to DLR!

I soon had a preview of what this day was going to be like - people were commenting nonstop on DD’s dress; by the end of the day, I think at least 100 to 200 people had said something to us, and at least that many had made comments to each other as we passed. It was kind of embarrassing! I am an “under the radar” kind of person, so it was a little uncomfortable, but it was also nice because everyone wished DD a happy birthday. And we ran into people our whole visit who remembered her from this day.

We were at the turnstiles waiting for the early entry for resort guests before 9:00 (DL was open to resort guests an hour before opening to the public at large; California Adventure did not open until 10). Unlike WDW, there was no real opening show. Just one guy who came out and rallied everyone - it was definitely different, but still fun, and everyone was very excited.

Soon we were in!

And we immediately spotted Dale just hanging out by himself, so we stopped to say hello. And here was the second big difference that I noticed at DLR versus WDW - characters still wander around at DLR by themselves - not only no PP or listed meet-and-greet time, but not even a handler. It seemed so strange at first, and then we soon learned how AWESOME it was (more on that soon!)

As you can see, it was NOT crowded as we made our way down Main Street.

(Second Installment coming up soon.)​

 

[RGirl]

5. DD’s Birthday-palooza Begins!!!! (Second Installment)

DD soon spotted a PP photographer:

My favorite PP stock photo:

I don’t care what anyone says about the size of the DL castle not being impressive. We thought it was beautiful!

Now the rope was still up for Frontierland, which disappointed DD because she wanted to ride BTMRR. But I managed to talk her into doing some things in Fantasyland during the pre-park-opening hour. She chose Pinocchio’s Daring Journey for our first Disneyland ride! We walked right on.

DD chose Dumbo next. Again, we walked right on!

Mr. Toad’s Wild Ride was next (a favorite that I remember from when I was a kid) - again, no wait at all.

We tried to hit Peter Pan next, but the ride was down.

No problem, we enjoyed Snow White with no wait. It seemed much longer than the version at WDW. I thought that might be my imagination, but as you will see, it was a common theme for the attractions that appear on both coasts, so I don’t think it was just in my head.

DD wanted to do the carousel next. When we got to the CM operating the ride, he said Happy Birthday to “Mary Poppins” and then made sure that DD got to ride on “Mary’s horse.”

(Third Installment coming up next.)​

 

[RGirl]

6. DD’s Birthday-palooza Begins!!!! (Third Installment)

Next up were the Teacups. The CM here was amazing! He wished DD a happy birthday and was very concerned that she get to ride Mary’s horse at the carousel. Then, when everyone was seated, he announced “a very happy birthday to Willow, and a happy unbirthday to everyone else!”

Then it was time for Alice in Wonderland.

DD wanted to stop for several photo opportunities after that one:

Can you believe we did all of this, and it hadn’t even been an hour???????

Up Next: 7. A Visit with a Mermaid​

 

[amandaw]

Yay! It's the day of Willow's Bday!

First and foremost, Miss Willow is absolutely precious in her Mary Poppins dress. Your friend did a fantastic job making her dress.

That's great that y'all were able to get so much done that morning. How was the Alice in Wonderland ride? I love, love, love Alice in Wonderland! I do have to admit that I like Disneyland's teacups better than WDW. I think the setting under the trees with the hanging paper lanterns fits the Alice theme better than the tent feel.

Can't wait to hear more!

 

[RGirl]

Yay! It's the day of Willow's Bday!

First and foremost, Miss Willow is absolutely precious in her Mary Poppins dress. Your friend did a fantastic job making her dress.

That's great that y'all were able to get so much done that morning. How was the Alice in Wonderland ride? I love, love, love Alice in Wonderland! I do have to admit that I like Disneyland's teacups better than WDW. I think the setting under the trees with the hanging paper lanterns fits the Alice theme better than the tent feel.

Can't wait to hear more!

My friend totally blew me away with that dress! It is so beautifully made too.

You know, I liked the DL version of the teacups better too. But, as you will soon see, I preferred the DL version of almost every attraction that appears in both places. The Alice ride is so fun! Very cute - I even remembered going on it when I was a kid, which is something of a miracle.

 

[katefl]

Joining in (a little late) but your dd is adorable and it's a good thing I can't sleep cause I may just be hooked!

edit:: officially caught up and just in awe of everything!! That dress is out of this world! Also very interested in this DLR addition. I have been going to WDW since I was probably 2 but didn't do DLR until I was 20! And to be honest I don't remember hardly any of it and am in the process of planning another (longer) trip out to DLR so this is super helpful! Thanks

 

[shan23877]

Wow! That Mary Poppins dress is A-MAZ-ING!!! Your friend did a fantastic job. I sew, and I can tell you that it was not easy (or maybe just wouldn't have been for me )

so, is DLH literally right on top of DL? Did you just walk over there? I am so confused I have literally never seen any of this stuff.

How awesome of the CMs to make Willow's birthday so special! I know you were uncomfortable with the attention you two were getting, but I have a feeling that Willow was just fine with it!

 

[Grumpy's Wife]

It seems like Willow is having a magical birthday. Please pass on to your friend that she did an awesome job on the dress. Such talent!

I can't wait to read more.

 

[pas130]

3 WONDERFUL installments Perfect start to my morning!!! Willow is beautiful, what an AMAZING Mary Poppins dress!!! Loving the DL ride pics. Thank you! I know you are "under the radar" type of gal...but I am sure the Birthday girl was eating up the attention

 

[ZehnJahren]

Aw, I'm still here and am LOVING your "bonus trip" installments!! I have never been to DL and am in the pre-planning stages for what may be a Grand Gathering to DL in July 2013 (there will be at least 9 of us, but possibly as many as 15-20). I have been a tiny bit apprehensive, but I'm really enjoying your trip so far and it's making me more excited to go to DL.

Plus, how cute is that dress! No wonder she was getting comments all day. Adorable!

 

[RGirl]

Joining in (a little late) but your dd is adorable and it's a good thing I can't sleep cause I may just be hooked!

edit:: officially caught up and just in awe of everything!! That dress is out of this world! Also very interested in this DLR addition. I have been going to WDW since I was probably 2 but didn't do DLR until I was 20! And to be honest I don't remember hardly any of it and am in the process of planning another (longer) trip out to DLR so this is super helpful! Thanks

Welcome!! Thanks so much for joining in! When are you making your DLR trip??? How exciting!

Wow! That Mary Poppins dress is A-MAZ-ING!!! Your friend did a fantastic job. I sew, and I can tell you that it was not easy (or maybe just wouldn't have been for me )

so, is DLH literally right on top of DL? Did you just walk over there? I am so confused I have literally never seen any of this stuff.

How awesome of the CMs to make Willow's birthday so special! I know you were uncomfortable with the attention you two were getting, but I have a feeling that Willow was just fine with it!

Wasn't the dress something else! I couldn't believe it.

Yes, all three DLR hotels are right there. From the DLH, we walked out the door of our tower, across a little "street" and into DTD. We would then just walk through DTD to DL and CA. It is not a super-short walk for little kids, but there is a monorail option from DTD.

And, of course, you are right - Willow was loving the attention!

It seems like Willow is having a magical birthday. Please pass on to your friend that she did an awesome job on the dress. Such talent!

I can't wait to read more.

Thanks! It really was a great birthday and a great dress!

3 WONDERFUL installments Perfect start to my morning!!! Willow is beautiful, what an AMAZING Mary Poppins dress!!! Loving the DL ride pics. Thank you! I know you are "under the radar" type of gal...but I am sure the Birthday girl was eating up the attention

Thanks! Yep, Little Miss was right in her element with all the attention.

Aw, I'm still here and am LOVING your "bonus trip" installments!! I have never been to DL and am in the pre-planning stages for what may be a Grand Gathering to DL in July 2013 (there will be at least 9 of us, but possibly as many as 15-20). I have been a tiny bit apprehensive, but I'm really enjoying your trip so far and it's making me more excited to go to DL.

Plus, how cute is that dress! No wonder she was getting comments all day. Adorable!

Hello! Glad to see you back@ A DLR Grand Gathering??? How exciting! I, as you know, was feeling apprehensive as well, but we had an absolutely magical time. You just have to accept that WDW and DLR are two very different places with some great similarities, and there will be things you prefer about WDW, but (at least for me) there were just as many things that I preferred about DLR!

 

[RGirl]

7. A Visit with a Mermaid (First Installment)

When I last left you, we had done about a million Fantasyland attractions, and we hadn’t even been in the park for an hour! But it was getting close enough to 10:00 that we decided to head over to the Frontierland rope. On our way out of Fantasyland, a CM who had stopped us earlier to comment on DD’s dress stopped us again and asked whether DD had met many characters yet. I told her that we hadn’t really seen any yet, and she quietly told us to go down this little path to the side of the castle “because Ariel just came out.” Well, we couldn’t ignore that advice! So we started down the path, and there was Ariel standing there all by herself looking into the water! DD ran to her, and they had a lovely time together.

They chatted and chatted, and no one else ever came to see Ariel. A family did come by, but they just stopped for a few seconds and then kept moving. Ariel asked DD to help her look for Flounder.

Ariel wanted to make sure that DD was going to meet “my friend Mary” later. We assured her we would be making a point to find Mary! Finally, Ariel and DD said their good-byes, and we headed towards Frontierland.

(Second Installment coming up soon!)​

 

[RGirl]

8. A Visit with a Mermaid (Second Installment)

The rope was still up at Frontierland, so it must not have been 10:00 yet. I can’t believe all we had done in an hour! And we were right at the rope for Frontierland.

Disneyland has ducks too!

When the rope dropped, we headed toward BTMRR. We were the second family in line for the first ride of the day! When we reached BTMRR, however, there was a little wait - apparently, they were waiting for another CM to arrive or something. While we were all waiting, this man showed up with his son and tried to cut right to the front of the line. It was bizarre. The woman in the family in front of us set that dude straight fast. It was hilarious! She was steaming. Then the CM walked us through the queue to the first ride of the day!

Again, BTMRR seemed different from the WDW version and longer. I wouldn’t say it was better, just a bit longer. I actually think the WDW version may be a little more smooth than this one.

At this point, DD was just dying to ride Space Mountain! She is not tall enough for the WDW version, but the height cut-off is only 40” at DLR. The other huge difference is that the DLR version has cars where you sit together instead of having your child in front of or behind you. I liked that idea a LOT better! We headed over to Tomorrowland for DD’s first Space Mountain ride.

This ride was GREAT. DD loved it. And so did I. I do not like the WDW version - it is so rough and jerky. This one is not like that at all. It was a little scary (so dang dark and fast), but in a thrilling way - not in an I’m-going-to-break-my-neck-because-this-ride-is-so-jerky way.

At this point, we knew that CA (where ToT is located) was open, so we thought we would head out of DL and over to the other park. (You just walk across a plaza to get to the other park.) On the way out though, we spotted Pinocchio, whom DD has never met. So we had to stop.

There was a CM hanging around who said she knew where all the characters would be and wanted to make sure we saw Mary. But then she disappeared and never came back.

We decided that we had better check with someone in the know about when Mary would be out before leaving the park, so we stopped at Town Hall. We were told that Mary and Bert would be in the Hub at 11:00, just 15 minutes from then. So, instead of leaving the park, we headed back down Main Street.

Up Next: 9. Mary and Bert and Mary​

 

[shan23877]

What a fantastic interaction with Ariel! I love the picture of Willow running toward her. I can't believe that no one else stopped!

You girls got sooo much done in that first hour. That's amazing. I feel like that would be a full day for us at MK

Yay for Willow riding SM!!! Maddie is still annoyed that she's not tall enough

I can't wait to see the pics of Willow, Mary, and Bert!

 

[katt789]

I have to jump in now and say that I have finished the first tr that's in here & I fully enjoyed it. You guys looked like you had so much fun! Your DD is adorable, I'm excited to read the next part of the TR.