A Very Lurkyloo Christmas is FINISHED! New 3/16: Last Day of the Trip!

[Donald'sGirl]

Here is a cake worthy of the Lurky-loo cake admission. I found it on the web. This is the description:
The Bride, from Texas, had a 5ft cake made into a life-sized model of herself to renew her vows after 10 years of marriage to her husband.

The $5,000 cake took weeks to make and required 2gallons of amaretto, 50lbs of sugar, 200 eggs and weighed a whopping 400lb. It needed four men to lift it into the wedding venue.

Things that make you go - "HOLY SMOKERS!!!"

Now that is just a little ridiculous!!

 

[Mrs. Bradbury]

I would love to see your "rocket" cake

OK, something I should warn you about Tour Guide Mike - cuz a lot of people hate this - they plug your name into every page on the site, and in emails, and it's sort of grating how often your name turns up.

Reading about the rocket cake reminded me of one of my kids' birthday parties. It was a cowboys & indians party, and it was dress-up too - the parents hated me and the kids loved it - and I was going to make a teepee cake. OMG it turned out soooooo bad. It looked like a volcano; there was no salvaging it for the party. So I ate it. And then I made a sheet cake and stuck plastic cowboys and indians on top.

ITA about TGM. We've used him for several trips and he's right on the money for which days/which parks. Worth the $16.95 for that alone. But his folksy demeanor just BUGS me like nobody's business.

 

[Handbag Lady]

Ooops, I haven't read here in a while!


Carrie, please let me know how you like the GC DVC rooms. I must admit I was disappointed in the wing they built. Sure it looks great and the rooms are fab...but they block the sun from the pool! Egads! Don't people who come here from far away places want the sun and the warmth?

We're slumming next month for the SHAG cocktail party. We have a room at the PPH as the event is going to be held there. I figure that I might be able to stagger up the elevator after it is over. Should I do a PTR for this? It is just one night but you never know.

 

[lurkyloo]

You know I never thought of that. I wonder if I could? I am going to check into it tomorrow. Thanks Carrie!

That is awesome about Disneyland!! We will of course need a full report with lots of pics and a TR!

You know, I just might do that - we go to Disneyland all the time, and I've never written a TR about it except for the at the end of our "Two Haunted Mansions, One Day" trip...

I hope Grand Gatherings works out for you!

That's awesome Carrie. DF and I are planning on heading our your way probably in early 2011 (hopefully near my birthday in February since I know it'll be warmer in So Cal than it will be here in Indiana).

That will be a great time to come here because many of California Adventure's new attractions will be starting to open.

So, question time. Do you really like TGM that much more than Touring Plans? I got a free year subscription to their site because I bought the book (which I happened to really like) but find the website pretty useless. The crowd level calendar freaks me out, seeing the numbers go up and down and seeing the wait times associated with each number (although I don't think I've waited in line that long for anything before, seeing an 85 minute peak wait time for something is just ).

So, I'm not asking if TGM is worth the money, but more wanted to ask if you think there is a point to having both. If I already have one, is the other going to provide that much useful information for me other than which park is best on which day??

Hmmm.. good question, because my favorite thing about TGM is the which park is best on which day... His is so much more specific than TouringPlans' because he breaks down crowds for each park and gives them red, green or yellow ratings for morning *and* evening. As far as I can tell TP (hee hee!) just lists parks it thinks are good all day and parks it thinks are bad all day.

And, yeah, TP's crowd-level calendar freaks me out too - what is a 6? Is that bad? How bad? Will I hate 6 but be OK with 5? Ack!

Anyway, "which parks" aside, TGM also offers lots of info on the best ways to see certain attractions, entire parks, and events (he has an entire touring plan for MVMCP, not that you need it anymore...), and I like the theories/logic behind his recommendations.

The only place we differ is that he's absolutely ga-ga for SpectroMagic (and how to work it into your schedule) and I couldn't care less....

I always get the case of the giggles whenever I read your trip reports as I just have this song, "Moon River," in my head.


Ya gotta break out "that hat" of yours when you go! I miss it already.


YEA!!! only a few more weeks until my Adventures by Disney Trip via my pre-trip report:

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2201584&referrerid=208040

Oh cool - I'll have to check out your pre-trippie! Also, I am that my hat makes you think of "Moon River" because I have always loved Audrey Hepburn and "Breakfast at Tiffany's."

Hey!!! What fun!!!! Great luck!!! We made a daytrip to DL this past January -- I hadn't been back to DL since I was in my 20s, but the GC was Sooooo beautiful... and there was a private wedding party/reception thing in the center courtyard... lovely place!! I am sure it is amazing at that time of year!!!

OH, and regarding the 3am thing... whew... you'd need a caffine high or a really loud alarm clock!!!!

I love it!!

Does this mean we get a Villas-at-Disney's-Grand-Californian-Thanksgiving-brand-spanking-new-DVC-studio trip report?

Yes ma'am!

Here is a cake worthy of the Lurky-loo cake admission. I found it on the web. This is the description:
The Bride, from Texas, had a 5ft cake made into a life-sized model of herself to renew her vows after 10 years of marriage to her husband.

The $5,000 cake took weeks to make and required 2gallons of amaretto, 50lbs of sugar, 200 eggs and weighed a whopping 400lb. It needed four men to lift it into the wedding venue.

Things that make you go - "HOLY SMOKERS!!!"

And how! The thing I want to know is, how creepy is it to have to CUT INTO YOUR WIFE? Where do you start eating? Are people calling dibs on various body parts?

It looked like a volcano; there was no salvaging it for the party. So I ate it. And then I made a sheet cake and stuck plastic cowboys and indians on top.

HIGH-larious!

ITA about TGM. We've used him for several trips and he's right on the money for which days/which parks. Worth the $16.95 for that alone. But his folksy demeanor just BUGS me like nobody's business.

That's pretty much exactly what I think.

Carrie, please let me know how you like the GC DVC rooms. I must admit I was disappointed in the wing they built. Sure it looks great and the rooms are fab...but they block the sun from the pool! Egads! Don't people who come here from far away places want the sun and the warmth?

I confess, I didn't think of that. It also blocks the nifty views into Paradise Pier from the pool area....

We're slumming next month for the SHAG cocktail party. We have a room at the PPH as the event is going to be held there. I figure that I might be able to stagger up the elevator after it is over. Should I do a PTR for this? It is just one night but you never know.

This is so funny! We're slumming at the Disneyland Hotel in September for the D23 Expo! Even if you decide not to do a trip report (but you should - even if it's just for MiceChat or MousePlanet), I'd love to see pix. It's been years since I stayed at Paradise Pier.

 

[romymichelle21]

You know, I just might do that - we go to Disneyland all the time, and I've never written a TR about it except for the at the end of our "Two Haunted Mansions, One Day" trip...

You should! I know we go so often as well, we hardly ever take pictures anymore. Which I wish we would remember to do - I don't have one of the two of us since almost our 1st visit together! We just don't stop for that stuff anymore

And how! The thing I want to know is, how creepy is it to have to CUT INTO YOUR WIFE? Where do you start eating? Are people calling dibs on various body parts?

That reminds me of a cake my Mom made for my 8th birthday - she used a lamb-shaped cake pan, and the cake was pink!! I remember my best friend's brother yelled, "I want the leg!".

 

[Donald'sGirl]

You know, I just might do that - we go to Disneyland all the time, and I've never written a TR about it except for the at the end of our "Two Haunted Mansions, One Day" trip...



I hope Grand Gatherings works out for you!

Well it didn't work out. Even through them its 90 days for dining and golf events. So, I still have to wait! Sucks but there is nothing more I can do.

 

[WriteDisney]

Love your pre-trip report so far! I have no cakes to add... but I have started following this blog:

Bakerella

thanks to Cake Wrecks. I tried making the burger cupcake type things that they featured a few weeks ago.. everyone loved them but they looked nothing like burgers..

Cupcake Burgers

 

[Handbag Lady]

This is so funny! We're slumming at the Disneyland Hotel in September for the D23 Expo! Even if you decide not to do a trip report (but you should - even if it's just for MiceChat or MousePlanet), I'd love to see pix. It's been years since I stayed at Paradise Pier.

Okay DO NOT TELL ANYONE, but we are slumming at Hojo's for the Expo. We got the best room at a price that is to die for! YAY! (PS-I really do like Hojo's especially when we've already spent our vacation budget on Hawaii this year.)

 

[lurkyloo]

That reminds me of a cake my Mom made for my 8th birthday - she used a lamb-shaped cake pan, and the cake was pink!! I remember my best friend's brother yelled, "I want the leg!".

You know, I think this might be a thing people do! I have a friend who grew up in a Catholic family, and every Easter her mom made a lamb-shaped cake - with red "blood" filling!

Well it didn't work out. Even through them its 90 days for dining and golf events. So, I still have to wait! Sucks but there is nothing more I can do.

Poop! What's the point of Grand Gatherings if they can't work a lil' magic for ya? Well I hope you get every ADR on your list.

Love your pre-trip report so far! I have no cakes to add... but I have started following this blog:

Bakerella

thanks to Cake Wrecks. I tried making the burger cupcake type things that they featured a few weeks ago.. everyone loved them but they looked nothing like burgers..

Cupcake Burgers

Thanks for the links - I can't wait to check them out!

Okay DO NOT TELL ANYONE, but we are slumming at Hojo's for the Expo. We got the best room at a price that is to die for! YAY! (PS-I really do like Hojo's especially when we've already spent our vacation budget on Hawaii this year.)

I hear a lot of good things about that HoJo (or maybe it's just Mousesavers), and didn't they just get a totally remodeled pool area? Sounds like a great place to stay for D23.

 

[lurkyloo]

OK, I'm back. I've been checking out the Bakerella blog that WriteDisney posted above and HOLY WOW is it fabulous. Great-looking photos of drool-worthy baked goods - what could be bad?

I highly recommend it!



On the planning front, I've been reading up on Mickey's Very Merry Christmas Party and I'm still totally on the fence. Part of me feels like we should go just because we can and we never have. But I am so not into parades, characters and stage shows, and that seems to be the only real draw besides the fireworks. Plus, it sounds like it's crazy-crowded, and I try to avoid crowds at all costs. Also, I feel like if I'm going to pay extra for a party, I'd rather it be the Halloween one, when at least we can do something we're never usually able to - wear costumes!

Hmmmm....


Pros

• A Christmas-y thing to do
• Never done it before
• Neat fireworks show
• Free hot chocolate and cookies
• Might actually like the parade if it's as better than regular parades as everyone says
• Snow on Main Street
• Maybe walk right on rides... maybe...
• Easy to walk to from Bay Lake Tower
• Would make a great story for trip report either way

Cons

• Not as good as MNSSHP
• Not that much different from regular night in the MK
• Expensive!
• I'm not into parades and shows
• I'm not into characters
• I'm TOTALLY not into crowds
• Hot chocolate prolly watery and tongue-scorching
• Cookies prolly dry
• May be long lines for rides
• We already have snow on Main Street after every holiday fireworks show at Disneyland
• Might be a good night to see Osbourne Lights/Candlelight Processional instead

 

[jenjolt]

What a list...while I would totally be into MVMCP...it might not be your cup of tea and from your Pros vs. Cons I'm thinking it just might not!!!! Either way just make sure you are happy with your decision!!!!!! Let us know what you decide!!!

 

[Handbag Lady]

Okay, I LOVE that Hojo's. I stay there quite a few times a year and they have great rooms and treat me well. We measured the walk, and it is just about the same distance from some of the DLH rooms to the front gate. Plus, I (yes, plus-sized me) can walk to the gates from Hojo's in 7 minutes.

But of course I shall take photos of the PPH! I really like it there too. As well as the DLH and the Grand...

 

[annnewjerz]

Your list is precisely the list that I came up with, with the exception of considering the cookies and hot chocolate free. In actuality, those are probably some of the most expensive hot chocolate and cookies you will ever consume!!

As you can see, I have decided to opt out of MVMCP this year because I also found MNSSHP to be more appealing (which is odd because I LOVE Christmas). I'm hoping for super dee duper low crowds during December as it is, so for me, unless I was really into the fireworks and such, the extra $180ish for MVMCP just wasn't worth it. Now that may change tomorrow, for but now---that's my story and I'm sticking to it!!

In lieu of MVMCP, we decided to spend our last night eating at the Cali Grill (if we can get an ADR) and watching the Holiday Fireworks from the observation deck. Hopefully all goes as planned.

 

[NeverlandClub23]

If I were you I would opt out of MVMCP. The hot chocolate is watery but the cookies are actually good (Snickerdoodles I think?). I'm SO not a parade/show person either so we usually just ride rides during MVMCP (which, with the increasing popularity of MVMCP, most of the rides are not walk on but the waits usually aren't that bad, maybe 10-15 minutes; but we went on a Tuesday so weekends would probably be worse). I saw one Christmas show back in the day at the old stage show area in Tomorrowland and all I can think about when I watch shows with characters is what the person inside the costume is thinking or why grown people are waving to someone inside of a costume .

Also, another thing to throw on the 'ol Cons list is weather. The weather is very unpredictable in December and if it's in the 40's and raining (like it was during our MVMCP night our last December trip) it makes for a) a crappy night or b) a waste of $100 if you don't go. Of course that's assuming that you're buying the tickets before the night of the MVMCP you're going to.

One of the only reason we've done MVMCP three times is because MK doesn't stay open terribly late during the beginning of December (and night EMH are far and few between during MVMCP times) and we loved being at MK at night. But after our last time we both agreed that it was such a waste of money when we could be at other parks that are less crowded because of MVMCP.

All of the exact same decorations are up at MK on the other nights (except for the one little place on Main Street that shoots bubbles, er, snow). I say save your $100, go on another night, and buy all of the cookies and cake your heart (and belly!) desires , but of course that's JMO. Honestly, I would say give it a try at least once if you had kids or liked parades and shows.

I about died at the cake! That guy looks WAY to happy to be cutting into his wife!

 

[2xcited2sleep]

While I would agree that it's not as good as the Halloween party, I had a great time at the Christmas party. I went last December during the Mousefest weekend (maybe ~12/11?) and didn't have any issue with crowds during the party. I am decidedly not a parade person but liked this one. Thought that the castle lighting, special Wishes, snow and Christmas carols on Main Street were worth it in and of themselves. Didn't try the hot cocoa or cookies.

Don't you just love these "agonizing" Disney questions? Let us know what you decide!

 

[Donald'sGirl]

I have never done MVMCP or MNSSHP but this year on our honeymoon we are doing MVMCP! I am super excited becuase of all the reasons you don't. Cant' wait to take lots of pics with the characters, see the shows and parade and eat as many cookies as I can! I am sucker for all it.

 

[29apr00]

very excited for MVMCP! It's our 2nd time...hopefully this time we won't have a screaming 2 yr old ruining the party for us. (yeah...it'll be a screaming 3-3/4 yr old! )

 

[Mrs. Bradbury]

Having done MNSSHP several times, I'm totally not interested in doing MVMCP. Or MNSSHP again, for that matter. We LOVE Halloween and the first couple of times it was a blast, but I think Disney sells more tickets to each party than they used to, and the crowds are larger now than any of our regular days at MK. And we normally go the first part of October and on a school night for locals; I can't imagine how much more crowded the parties are later on in October or on the weekends. It's also CRAZY expensive anymore.

You're right, I bet it is atomic-heat watery hot chocolate and I don't like commercially made snickerdoodles. Mine, on the other hand . . .

And I'm probably one of the most whimsical people you'll ever meet, but frothy soap bubble "snow" doesn't do it for me.

I vote with the PP who said they were going to be close enough to see the fireworks but not attending the party.

 

[romymichelle21]

Ok, Carrie - this has nothing to do with WDW, or even cake - but I had to ask!

Hypothetically if you bought a sandwich, or any other food item that came in a plastic wrapper (not bag), and it was the very last one, then got it home and realized one side of the wrapper was open, would you eat it anyway? Keep in mind that you really, really want this sandwich. Or whatever it is. Hypothetically.

The possibilities are:

A) That the sandwich was so large, and not sealed properly, that it popped open by itself.
B) That someone poisoned it.

Verdict?

 

[lurkyloo]

What a list...while I would totally be into MVMCP...it might not be your cup of tea and from your Pros vs. Cons I'm thinking it just might not!!!! Either way just make sure you are happy with your decision!!!!!! Let us know what you decide!!!

Okee dokee, smokey!

Okay, I LOVE that Hojo's. I stay there quite a few times a year and they have great rooms and treat me well. We measured the walk, and it is just about the same distance from some of the DLH rooms to the front gate. Plus, I (yes, plus-sized me) can walk to the gates from Hojo's in 7 minutes.

Yeah, it's crazy how some of the off-site motels are the same distance - or closer - to the front gate at Disneyland than the actual Disney hotels!

In lieu of MVMCP, we decided to spend our last night eating at the Cali Grill (if we can get an ADR) and watching the Holiday Fireworks from the observation deck. Hopefully all goes as planned.

Now that's a great idea! Since we'll be staying at Bay Lake Tower, maybe - MAYbe - we can get into the Top of the World Lounge to see the MVMCP fireworks from there!

Also, if you change your mind about going to MVMCP, tell me all about it. I'm very impressionable...

If I were you I would opt out of MVMCP. The hot chocolate is watery but the cookies are actually good (Snickerdoodles I think?). I'm SO not a parade/show person either so we usually just ride rides during MVMCP (which, with the increasing popularity of MVMCP, most of the rides are not walk on but the waits usually aren't that bad, maybe 10-15 minutes; but we went on a Tuesday so weekends would probably be worse). I saw one Christmas show back in the day at the old stage show area in Tomorrowland and all I can think about when I watch shows with characters is what the person inside the costume is thinking or why grown people are waving to someone inside of a costume .

Also, another thing to throw on the 'ol Cons list is weather. The weather is very unpredictable in December and if it's in the 40's and raining (like it was during our MVMCP night our last December trip) it makes for a) a crappy night or b) a waste of $100 if you don't go. Of course that's assuming that you're buying the tickets before the night of the MVMCP you're going to.

One of the only reason we've done MVMCP three times is because MK doesn't stay open terribly late during the beginning of December (and night EMH are far and few between during MVMCP times) and we loved being at MK at night. But after our last time we both agreed that it was such a waste of money when we could be at other parks that are less crowded because of MVMCP.

All of the exact same decorations are up at MK on the other nights (except for the one little place on Main Street that shoots bubbles, er, snow). I say save your $100, go on another night, and buy all of the cookies and cake your heart (and belly!) desires , but of course that's JMO. Honestly, I would say give it a try at least once if you had kids or liked parades and shows.

That tears it, I'm not going!

While I would agree that it's not as good as the Halloween party, I had a great time at the Christmas party. I went last December during the Mousefest weekend (maybe ~12/11?) and didn't have any issue with crowds during the party. I am decidedly not a parade person but liked this one. Thought that the castle lighting, special Wishes, snow and Christmas carols on Main Street were worth it in and of themselves. Didn't try the hot cocoa or cookies.

That tears it, I'm going!


OK, you guys, I said I was impressionable...

I have never done MVMCP or MNSSHP but this year on our honeymoon we are doing MVMCP! I am super excited becuase of all the reasons you don't. Cant' wait to take lots of pics with the characters, see the shows and parade and eat as many cookies as I can! I am sucker for all it.

Aw, now you've got me all excited about it too!

very excited for MVMCP! It's our 2nd time...hopefully this time we won't have a screaming 2 yr old ruining the party for us. (yeah...it'll be a screaming 3-3/4 yr old! )

See, maybe *that's* the way to see MVMCP - through a kid's eyes! Or through his screams...

Having done MNSSHP several times, I'm totally not interested in doing MVMCP. Or MNSSHP again, for that matter. We LOVE Halloween and the first couple of times it was a blast, but I think Disney sells more tickets to each party than they used to, and the crowds are larger now than any of our regular days at MK. And we normally go the first part of October and on a school night for locals; I can't imagine how much more crowded the parties are later on in October or on the weekends. It's also CRAZY expensive anymore.

You're right, I bet it is atomic-heat watery hot chocolate and I don't like commercially made snickerdoodles. Mine, on the other hand . . .

And I'm probably one of the most whimsical people you'll ever meet, but frothy soap bubble "snow" doesn't do it for me.

I vote with the PP who said they were going to be close enough to see the fireworks but not attending the party.

Oh *everybody's* advice makes so much sense! (And I love the "atomic-heat watery hot chocolate" )


I think I could prolly talk myself into not regretting either decision, so maybe it'll all come down to how much money we have left for it. If I hadn't heard so much about the parties selling out, I'd definitely just wait til the day of and just see how we felt about going.

But I thank all of you for sharing your opinions - you've got me thinking about some things I hadn't considered (yes, I know, I'm blowing this party decision up like I was trying to decide what job to take or man to marry)

Ok, Carrie - this has nothing to do with WDW, or even cake - but I had to ask!

Hypothetically if you bought a sandwich, or any other food item that came in a plastic wrapper (not bag), and it was the very last one, then got it home and realized one side of the wrapper was open, would you eat it anyway? Keep in mind that you really, really want this sandwich. Or whatever it is. Hypothetically.

The possibilities are:

A) That the sandwich was so large, and not sealed properly, that it popped open by itself.
B) That someone poisoned it.

Verdict?

This is HIGH-larious! OK, I'monna go with "Eat the half of the sandwich farthest from the open part of the wrapper" Hypothetically of course. But by now you've prolly already made your decision - did you survive?