Anyone Game? 2 Castles and a Road Trip TR! Last Day and TR Wrap Up! #2796; 10/01

[skier_pete]

Whew - catching up! (I probably won't check in everyday even if you keep updating at this pace!)

The surprise party - didn't know you knew Tony Stark! Guess the new dig don't overlook the ocean.

Getting stood up @ Cheesecake factory - that's a tough one, I probably would've chose dinner with you guys all the same...

RSR - I agree that RSR is the BEST, a great ride experience. I seriously recommend if you ever get the chance the "three times in 30 minutes" ride experience. It just doesn't get old. Plus then you can do a ride while NOT taking pictures! (Oh, and the maintenance shop is pretty interesting too - or so I hear... )

 

[Paula Sedley-Burke]

Did you notice the picture of DS with the ice cream cone, it looks like an antenna is coming out of his head, I had to look at it twice to see what it was... Kinda cute, it is centered you did good on lining it up!

lol this is funny!

 

[hjd0411]

Once again I feel like I'm there with you!!! You've done so much in such a short time!! Keep it coming - I know you will!!!

 

[nannette]

Whew!! Finally finished all the posts! I'm going to most likely be a lurker, but wanted to say great report so far and great photos!

~N

 

[leshunlenese]

phew! I am finally caught up! I must say that you did it! You have already made up my mine that I absolutely have to go to Disneyland before I am 30!!!! So I got 2 and half years to make it out there! In fact that may be a great gift for my 30th!! Look at you giving me all these amazing ideas!!!

Great updates! Keep them coming!!!

 

[shushh]

Ah dearest Princess, I’ve been eagerly awaiting one of your TRs. I can’t believe I missed saying goodbye. A big belated welcome home! I am sorry to read though that you were running on empty but happy that the trip helped you regain your love for life

As always, I must comment on your wonderfully refreshing writing style. One never gets bored! I’m not a lurker although one could easily mistake me for one given my poor attendance history on the boards...

Always nice to have a local on your side! You’ve done well to meet up with Alison so many times considering you live on different continent! And Alison’s house is amazing! What great spaces. What a nice thing to do to be able to see her home (or soon to be)

It was lovely that you were able to meet up with your aunt. And I really like your photos of the coral and the seahorse in particular. Out of the interest, which lens did you use?

What is it about nice houses on this trip?!?!? The house that your aunt brought you to is unbelievable! What a view!!!!

I’ve seen so many photos of Carsland and they never cease to amaze me. I can’t wait to finally get there to see it for my myself this coming January!

 

[PrincessInOz]

Great job on the Dismeets and the hummingbird photos.

Have to disagree with you about the mini churros, we thought the original were much better.

Original? Did they make and sell the big, long churros at that spot? I think we were the first order taken that morning. So the mini churros were freshly turned out of the the oil and into the cinnamon sugar. Not sure what they would have tasted like if they had been sitting there a while. But these ones were soft and unctuous in the middle and nice and crusty on the outside.

Wow! All this was before 10AM! You folks really move quickly! It cracked me up that both your boys didn't even notice about the stunning view from the Paradise Pier Entry.

Those mini churros look good. I will have to try some next time I'm out there!

We did cover a few attractions with Bret before we met up with you.

I had to call the boys back to admire the view.

Joining in!

Thanks for posting the link on the Yacht & Beach FAQ thread.

So, this report is a week old and 13 pages already? YIKES!!!

I will have to come back later to catch up- I am about a week behind on the FAQ thread and most of my other subscribed TRs, but this one is definitely going to be helpful to me in planning a trip in my near future.

C U Real Soon!

Nice to see you here, Dee. No rush in catching up. We will be here a while.

I have never been a fan of the swinging gondola on MFW ever since I rode it back in 2001. Ever since then, I haven't rode the swinging gondola since I don't like the swinging part. But since you all wanted to go on the swinging gondola, I had no problem riding with you all until we got to the loading area on the swinging side.

Definitely. I will look to the day when you get back to the U.S. or I might come one day to Australia.


That was a fun day when we got to Cars Land from Pacific Wharf. Just as you said that your DH and DS got to see CL from that side which is the most interesting to see Ornament Valley and Cadillac Range.

The mini churro bites are good but I do enjoy it without the chocolate sauce. I must be insane to get the mini bites without using the sauce in which if I want churro I should go to the carts around the park. I wanted to get a picture of that hummingbird but it went so quickly.

It was very nice to meet BringingUpDisney that morning at the Cozy Cone Motel.

Very nice update.

Whilst the churros were nice fresh, I wasn't crazy about that chocolate water. It definitely wasn't the chocolate sauce that I was used to.

A meet in Australia? I'll hold you to it.

I so can't wait to hit Carsland

Nice work so far with the DisMeets... glad to see you recorded this one!

Thanks. BTW - We need to arrange a DisMeet in Melbourne....and soon.

Love Carsland! It's so cool the way you meet so many Disboard-ers!

Carsland has the added benefit of being in Disneyland. I LOVE DLR.

I had no idea there was an amazing other entrance! yet another thing for the list.

Those hummingbird pictures are beautiful!

Glad RSR didn't disappoint your memory the details of Carsland are just amazing.

I didn't take that many pictures of the Carsland details on this trip as I wanted. There just wasn't too much time to stop to capture it all.

What a great update!

Carsland is just amazing and I never tire (get it ) of seeing it from different perspectives.

And on meeting more DISers. It's really so amazing how this site has brought so many people together.

We tried the churros as well but missed the dipped cones. Your DS looks happy to have that cone.

Yes he was. It was pretty warm by that stage and the cone was a lovely treat for him. We tend to keep to natural sugars at home (fruit mostly) and not have too many sweet things. We were a lot more relaxed on holiday with the sweet treats.

A little late, but subbing in for your trip report. Great updates so far!!!

Welcome back! I've been catching up on your TR too. Thanks for stopping in here.

I love the attention to detail that was put into Cars Land no matter which entry you go through.

Nice pics on the hummingbirds. I have two feeders at my house so we get to watch them all the time. For such a small bird they sure make their presence known.

I really wish there were some hummingbirds in Australia. I could watch them all day.

I love the sky line of Cars Land. As cool as the Main Street is, Cadillac Range is stunning. Seeing it from that side is stunning. They had it roped off when we were there, so you were not able to enter through Pacific Wharf. Opening it up probably eases some traffic off the Main Street.

I love seeing the cameras in all of your shots. Knowing how much you love pictures and seeing the cameras always makes me wonder how many pictures you get each trip.

Glad your extra DISmeet worked out. Her DD is adorable.

The snacks at the Cozy Cones are great. We spent a meal sampling items from each one. Xander loved the churros.

I went back to work today. Seems like EVERYONE wanted to know how many pictures I took. It was the second question I was asked after how was the trip?

Hmmm......I wonder why?

1) your food pics!

2) I have never been to Carsland.

Q: Did you say that they play music in the cars??




Lookin' forward to hearing more -




TTFN
& Cheers

There are speakers in the cars. And there is music and audio played during the ride in the different areas.

 

[PrincessInOz]

How great to score an invite at a locals surprise party! I totally agree shopping malls can wait it's real life experiences that make the trips come alive! What a beautiful house and gated community. Loving the look of that cake. Some might have slipped in my handbag ( American't call this a purse but purse to us is a woman't wallet so not sure what you call a handbag/purse) .

How nice to meet Bret and another sweet surprise! The power of the Disboards never ends....he seems like a nice guy. I like the look of cars land. It wasn't there when we visited. So Disney in it's attention to detail.

Yum mini churros ...less of the mini though maybe I could sew some together to make a giant one lol.

And bringingupdisney! Cute boardname. Another great dismeet! I was thrilled by the humming birds. A diser on the AK thread once posted a little video of humming birds in her garden and I was memorised by it. It was like some scene from Snow White! The thought of those majestic creations being in one's own garden ( back yard ) was mind blowing to me. Like your good self not a common sight in the United Kingdom!

Our language is the same as yours. Handbag and purse.

That cake was just too yummy to slip into the handbag. I would have just put the leftover back in the box and walked out with the whole lot. But as I was a gatecrasher, I left it behind.

This trip was all about meeting Dis-sers. Everyone I met.....it was just like picking up the conversation from where we left off on the Dis.

I may have seen others or read others but your TR make me want to go to Carsland NOW!! I feel like I am almost, but just not quite, there. So vivid....and I am glad its not just us that gets carried away by hummingbirds. They must be one of the few very distinctive species of bird we don't have represented (or migratory) to Aus actually?

Wendy - Are you on a plane yet? You need to go to Carsland NOW.

We don't have any hummingbird species in Australia. I know....because I needed to take a picture of one and I went looking on google a couple of years ago. The closest we have are the honeyeaters.

ohmystinkinheck I am in LOVE!!!! How awesome is CarsLand?!!! And *pfftt*.....boys!.....their loss entirely for missing that view.

Very interesting that there are no hummingbirds in Oz! I never knew that. What a neat opportunity that one gave you, then, huh?!

Your photos are amazing, by the way. Just loving this TR!

.

Thanks LM!

That hummingbird was a total bonus.

gatecrashing party looked like a lot of fun. Good for you... going with the flow, that is a lot of fun!

Plus you got to spend more time with your aunt.

That house is amazing.

Your first day DL was a hoot, sorry about the dismet picture but you still got some wonderful shots and you know you can count on DS...

My aunt spent the afternoon catching up with her friends!
But I did get quality time with my cousin, his fiancee and my uncle.

Did you notice the picture of DS with the ice cream cone, it looks like an antenna is coming out of his head, I had to look at it twice to see what it was... Kinda cute, it is centered you did good on lining it up!

No, I didn't. But you're absolutely correct. I did line it up quite well, didn't I?

lol this is funny!

Whew - catching up! (I probably won't check in everyday even if you keep updating at this pace!)

The surprise party - didn't know you knew Tony Stark! Guess the new dig don't overlook the ocean.

Getting stood up @ Cheesecake factory - that's a tough one, I probably would've chose dinner with you guys all the same...

RSR - I agree that RSR is the BEST, a great ride experience. I seriously recommend if you ever get the chance the "three times in 30 minutes" ride experience. It just doesn't get old. Plus then you can do a ride while NOT taking pictures! (Oh, and the maintenance shop is pretty interesting too - or so I hear... )

Awww, Pete. You can come again for dinner with us.....anytime!

As for riding RSR 3 times in a row.....well......you never know what can happen......

The pace is slowing down. I'm back at w-o-r-k.

Once again I feel like I'm there with you!!! You've done so much in such a short time!! Keep it coming - I know you will!!!

Thanks Heather. We did cover a lot of ground at DLR this trip.

Whew!! Finally finished all the posts! I'm going to most likely be a lurker, but wanted to say great report so far and great photos!

~N

Thanks Nannette. I hope you will also continue to post from time to time.....especially when I (eventually) get to the BCV.

phew! I am finally caught up! I must say that you did it! You have already made up my mine that I absolutely have to go to Disneyland before I am 30!!!! So I got 2 and half years to make it out there! In fact that may be a great gift for my 30th!! Look at you giving me all these amazing ideas!!!

Great updates! Keep them coming!!!

I think a celebration 30th birthday at Disneyland is a FANTASTIC idea. I know you've got a few trips planned for WDW in the next couple of year....but DLR is worth heading to. It'll be a different experience to WDW and your DS will love Carsland in a couple of years time.

Ah dearest Princess, I’ve been eagerly awaiting one of your TRs. I can’t believe I missed saying goodbye. A big belated welcome home! I am sorry to read though that you were running on empty but happy that the trip helped you regain your love for life

As always, I must comment on your wonderfully refreshing writing style. One never gets bored! I’m not a lurker although one could easily mistake me for one given my poor attendance history on the boards...

Always nice to have a local on your side! You’ve done well to meet up with Alison so many times considering you live on different continent! And Alison’s house is amazing! What great spaces. What a nice thing to do to be able to see her home (or soon to be)

It was lovely that you were able to meet up with your aunt. And I really like your photos of the coral and the seahorse in particular. Out of the interest, which lens did you use?

What is it about nice houses on this trip?!?!? The house that your aunt brought you to is unbelievable! What a view!!!!

I’ve seen so many photos of Carsland and they never cease to amaze me. I can’t wait to finally get there to see it for my myself this coming January!

Hey Shushh! Hope you've been well! Lovely to see you here. Thanks for stopping by.

The lens I used at DLR was the Canon 17 - 55mm, f/2.8. It worked for 5 days of this trip. I seemed to have "fried" it somehow in Sedona because it wouldn't work on the camera after that.
It's currently back at Canon for them to fix.

But I'm getting a little ahead of myself.....and you'll have to see how I managed or didn't manage for the rest of the trip.

 

[franandaj]

Wow! I've taken Hummingbirds for granted all my life. As a kid we always had a hummingbird feeder outside. We don't see them much at our home since the cats like to chase them, but they do come by occasionally. With all the comments from folks about hiw rare that they are, I wil have a greater appreciation for them!

 

[Paula Sedley-Burke]

Wow! I've taken Hummingbirds for granted all my life. As a kid we always had a hummingbird feeder outside. We don't see them much at our home since the cats like to chase them, but they do come by occasionally. With all the comments from folks about hiw rare that they are, I wil have a greater appreciation for them!

this is amazing to me! Hummingbirds in your feeder outside! I can't imagine what a glorious sight that is!

 

[franandaj]

this is amazing to me! Hummingbirds in your feeder outside! I can't imagine what a glorious sight that is!

In America they sell humming bird feeders. You brew a sugar and water syrup and give it a little red food coloring to attract them visually. Then you just hang it outside your window and the birds come drink the syrup from the feeder. My Mom has always been a bird fan so she kept it full when I was growing up. In fact I think she still has one at the home where they live now.

 

[Paula Sedley-Burke]

In America they sell humming bird feeders. You brew a sugar and water syrup and give it a little red food coloring to attract them visually. Then you just hang it outside your window and the birds come drink the syrup from the feeder. My Mom has always been a bird fan so she kept it full when I was growing up. In fact I think she still has one at the home where they live now.

omg I just find this wonderful! I guess you have the cats but if you do manage any photos would love to see them. They look like they float in the air! Beautiful little birds I love birds too. We have a bird feeder we get robins here I don't think you have them in the US. They are pretty.

 

[Leshaface]

Woot woot! All caught up

First off - DISclaimers = hilariousness!

"There is no satisfaction to be had when the other person doesn’t even know you’ve typed it out."

That's why I leave the screen up when DH asks for the computer

I love all Mitch Albom books.

Seriously? You watched 5 movies with time to spare. That's insane. Thinking about being on a flight for 14 hours makes me want to do laps around my office right now.

Great photo of you and Alison. You look fantastic for just stepping off a 14 hour flight!

I've never stayed at Residence Inn before, but it looks very nice. Breakfast looks pretty appetizing too!

Not gonna rub it in, the party looks amazing, however, i've heard that the Carlsbad outlets are pretty fantastic. Just sayin

You did a lot in the first few hours of park opening! TSMM, Cars and 2 DISmeets is quite a feat!

Speaking of DISmeets, i'm pretty upset that our meet was technically considered 'not recognized' as a real meet since there was no photographic evidence.

 

[ejud]

"If there's no photo, it didn't happen." -Photographers Creed



Jud

 

[dolphingirl47]

Goodness, you had a busy morning. I never knew about the second entrance. I have to check this out next year. The view is stunning.

I love the hummingbird pictures. I love hummingbirds and spend many a happy our in California watching them.

Corinna

 

[ACDSNY]

Wow! I've taken Hummingbirds for granted all my life.

Me too. I didn't realize Australia and UK were missing out on the fun.

omg I just find this wonderful!They look like they float in the air! Beautiful little birds I love birds too. We have a bird feeder we get robins here I don't think you have them in the US. They are pretty.

We have robins around our area in NorCal. The hummingbirds around our place will dive bomb us if their feeder runs dry until we refill it.

 

[TifffanyD]

We have brown pelicans, Sandhill cranes, and roseate spoonbills. Plus egrets and more

 

[zanzibar138]

Wow! I've taken Hummingbirds for granted all my life.

I guess we all take for granted what is 'normal' for us. I've always taken kangaroos for granted because we used to get them hopping through our paddocks all the time. And friends of ours used to have a dingo as a pet, so I just see them like a regular dog now. I'm sure either of those things would be a very special experience for people who don't have kangaroos or dingoes in their own country.

But although we're missing out on hummingbirds in Australia, we do have some very nice birds of our own. My favourites are the rosellas and black cockatoos

 

[PrincessInOz]

Woot woot! All caught up

First off - DISclaimers = hilariousness!



That's why I leave the screen up when DH asks for the computer

I love all Mitch Albom books.

Seriously? You watched 5 movies with time to spare. That's insane. Thinking about being on a flight for 14 hours makes me want to do laps around my office right now.

Great photo of you and Alison. You look fantastic for just stepping off a 14 hour flight!

I've never stayed at Residence Inn before, but it looks very nice. Breakfast looks pretty appetizing too!

Not gonna rub it in, the party looks amazing, however, i've heard that the Carlsbad outlets are pretty fantastic. Just sayin

You did a lot in the first few hours of park opening! TSMM, Cars and 2 DISmeets is quite a feat!

Speaking of DISmeets, i'm pretty upset that our meet was technically considered 'not recognized' as a real meet since there was no photographic evidence.

Mitch Albom came to Australia some years back. I happened to walk past the bookshop where he was doing a book signing and got me an autograph. He's a delicious looking man!

Yes, the Carlsbad outlets are pretty fantastic. It is the one DH and I like shopping at; which is why the decision ran a very close second.

I could have watched a 6th movie; but that was way too much screen time for me.

I'm pretty bummed that we didn't pull out the camera for a group shot on that cookout night. But we all know it happened, right?

"If there's no photo, it didn't happen." -Photographers Creed



Jud

Exactly.


Nice to see you here, Jud. I had no idea you were out and about!

Goodness, you had a busy morning. I never knew about the second entrance. I have to check this out next year. The view is stunning.

I love the hummingbird pictures. I love hummingbirds and spend many a happy our in California watching them.

Corinna

That view from that side of Carsland is amazing. It is even better at night.

Me too. I didn't realize Australia and UK were missing out on the fun.

We have robins around our area in NorCal. The hummingbirds around our place will dive bomb us if their feeder runs dry until we refill it.

It's one of those things. You always find excitement and enjoyment in someone else's backyard.....especially when they have things there that we don't have in ours.

We have brown pelicans, Sandhill cranes, and roseate spoonbills. Plus egrets and more

I need to come looking and shooting!

I guess we all take for granted what is 'normal' for us. I've always taken kangaroos for granted because we used to get them hopping through our paddocks all the time. And friends of ours used to have a dingo as a pet, so I just see them like a regular dog now. I'm sure either of those things would be a very special experience for people who don't have kangaroos or dingoes in their own country.

But although we're missing out on hummingbirds in Australia, we do have some very nice birds of our own. My favourites are the rosellas and black cockatoos

Exactly. I love the Aussie animals as well and take them for granted sometimes.

 

[bobbiwoz]

I've loved reading your report and seeing all of the wonderful pictures. DH and I will go to DL in May, so your report is very helpful!