BE's Never Ending TR -- That kind of ... Ended? Or did it?

[amamax2]

Lovin' this installment! Jazz, you are adorable! And I am so glad you had Duffy with you so it wasn't so lonely without Jason.

duffy's first tram ride

As a mom, though, I do have to make one little ol' comment about this picture: tram rules clearly say that the littlest passengers are to ride towards the middle of the seat, not on the outside.

 

[Belle Ella]

Lovin' this installment! Jazz, you are adorable! And I am so glad you had Duffy with you so it wasn't so lonely without Jason.

As a mom, though, I do have to make one little ol' comment about this picture: tram rules clearly say that the littlest passengers are to ride towards the middle of the seat, not on the outside.

I know, I'm a horrible mommy, huh? But I was just trying to help him feel like a big-boy bear!

 

[Belle Ella]

Just to round some things out, here are a couple (meaning two) more photos of the Christmas decorations from Toontown!

​

So there I was taking photographs around Toontown while somehow managing to keep a hold on Duffy (I made a promise he would not be 'put away' for a second of this day) when all of a sudden I see Goofy strolling around with his handler in his winter finery, looking for a good place to 'set up shop' for some photo time! Well, I personally love Goofy and it was a perfect time to introduce Duffy to his first 'Fuzzy'. And boy oh boy, did Duffy have fun! He and Goofy already have a secret handshake! They go way back, these old pals.

me and duffy waiting to say hi to goofy



the handshake

​

Man, saying goodbye was a bummer too! He's my favorite dance partner out there, haha. But we couldn't just stand there so I decided it was time to share another of my all-time favorites with little Mr. Duffy the Disney Bear -- Big Thunder Mountain. He handled Indiana Jones like the pro that he is so it was only fitting so we took off towards Frontierland, only on the way we passed by Santa's Reindeer Round-Up and had to pop in for a quick second to say hello to Pluto and some reindeer. I even found another lonely PhotoPass photographer so we stopped to say hello in exchange for a couple more photos. Duffy needed the full experience with plenty of photographic proof!

​

When we had finished our chatting and photo-taking we continued up the way so Duffy could experience his first roller coaster. And just because he looked right at home I had to take plenty of photos of his first experience and his surroundings. It's a good thing he isn't camera-shy or we would have been in quite the pickle!

look who's on big thunder!



duffy loved it as much as I do!

​

As we got off Big Thunder it was decided that it was the perfect time to cross the 'pond' (of cement) and take Little Duffy to go meet Big Duffy. I was also reminded that I needed to make a purchase for a friend's daughter in the form of some Mr. Potato Head parts. So it was settled and we started the long trek over. Of course we only ended up being side tracked by a couple of mischievous little chipmunks! Silly Chip and Dale. And they were in fine form this wonderful afternoon. I have never seen them act up so much but it was a hoot to watch. There was a group of girls in front of us in line and they kept pushing each other out of the way and running through the shop behind them so they could have the ladies all to themselves. Of course, when it was Duffy's turn guess who got a little jealous of all the attention to the little sailor bear?

duffy's second christmas tree photo while waiting to see chip and dale







we do not kick duffy!







if duffy can't see you, you can't see duffy​

Thankfully my little bear was a good sport about it all but we really needed to go see Big Duffy, stat! So off we went to California Adventure!

... to be continued ...​

 

[Sherry E]

Who was the person who knew to keep snapping photos of you with Chip and Dale while they were making mischief with Duffy? Was it a PhotoPass person holding your camera? I was going to say that they need to be commended because some of the (less lonely) PhotoPass people will only shoot one or two pictures and stop at that, if they are trying to move the people along. This person knew to catch all the action as it was happening, which is the best thing to do with Chip & Dale!

 

[amamax2]

I know, I'm a horrible mommy, huh? But I was just trying to help him feel like a big-boy bear!

It's always such a hard call between protecting them and letting them spread their wings (paws?).


Sshhhh...I will admit (but only here) that we let our kids when they were little sit on the outside, too, and just held on tight to them. We always called the tram the "first thrill ride of the trip." Of course, once they discovered BTRR and the like, the tram became a big old yawn.

Oh my gosh, that whole Chip and Dale sequence is hilarious! But what a special memory for Duffy.

If I don't get back on here again today, have a fabulous trip!!!! And I so look forward to the epic Epic of epicness TR.

 

[Belle Ella]

Who was the person who knew to keep snapping photos of you with Chip and Dale while they were making mischief with Duffy? Was it a PhotoPass person holding your camera? I was going to say that they need to be commended because some of the (less lonely) PhotoPass people will only shoot one or two pictures and stop at that, if they are trying to move the people along. This person knew to catch all the action as it was happening, which is the best thing to do with Chip & Dale!

It was a PhotoPass photographer. She was real good about it, maybe because she was getting lots of practice with the groups before me. I think she caught a couple on her camera but then when she switched to mine they kept right on going with their antics so she kept on taking photos. It was so much fun! And the CM who took the photos while we got our photos with Goofy managed to get a small one when Goofy was giving Duffy the super-secret handshake. They did good!

It's always such a hard call between protecting them and letting them spread their wings (paws?).

Sshhhh...I will admit (but only here) that we let our kids when they were little sit on the outside, too, and just held on tight to them. We always called the tram the "first thrill ride of the trip." Of course, once they discovered BTRR and the like, the tram became a big old yawn.

If I don't get back on here again today, have a fabulous trip!!!! And I so look forward to the epic Epic of epicness TR.

I wont tell if you wont tell! But there was plenty of hand-holding and he did great! I can imagine the Tram will become less than ideal for thrills after experiencing the likes of BTMRR!

Thank you so much! I'll be sure to check in while I'm there and I can't wait (well, I can, haha) to share it with ya'll.

 

[mvf-m11c]

Very nice photos of you and Duffy Jazz. Can't believe that you were at DL just a few weeks ago and now you are going to be at DL tomorrow. Can't wait to hear your new years TR.

 

[kaoden39]

So very cute.

 

[Belle Ella]

California! California!

Little-Duffy wanted to go back to see Big-Duffy straight away so that's what we were doing when we passed by a third lonely PhotoPass photographer and keeping with our new tradition of never letting a PhotoPass photographer be lonely we stopped and kept her company for a while. She had a lot of questions for Duffy that we were very happy to help her out with. She was a big fan too and wanted to know if we were on our way to see Big Duffy, which of course we were! The two had to meet at least once, of what I hope to be many more to come. And then we got to our photo taking. First Duffy was ready for his close-up!

​

As we continued on our journey to see the Big Duffy we strolled through Pacific Wharf I promised that one day I would take him to the real thing that inspired that little area and we would take a day trip to San Francisco. I vow to keep my word although it will have to wait until 2011.

​

I'm sure Duffy was getting impatient with all of my impromptu stops along the way to meet his idol but I'm always good for my word, even if it takes a little longer than originally anticipated. Was meeting Big Duffy all Little Duffy imagined it would be? Of course it was!! Even Big Duffy was super excited about it.

​

As we took our leave with promises to come back to see Big Duffy in the future Little Duffy was kind enough to remind me to go do my shopping before I forgot and it was too late since we would be heading back to Disneyland right after. In return he let me take one more photo of him at DCA until he can make his return in 2011.

​

Once we got back to DCA I knew I needed to get something to eat, and it would be better to be something simple so I didn't have a recurrence of my last trips drive home. That just wouldn't do. After much pondering I decided to go to Frontierland and Rancho del Zocalo because it's just yummy although I only settled on some tortilla soup which was just yummy squared! Part of the reason we settled on Rancho had to do with the fact that we had some Fast Passes to use for Big Thunder before we left and with the clock tick-tocking away before we had to leave we needed to make sure we got to use them.

​

A plan had to be made at this point what to do with our remaining time because my goal was to be on the road no later than 2p. The list went as follows: Pirates of the Caribbean, Haunted Mansion, Indiana Jones and Jungle Cruise!! And somehow we were able to fit them all in. Thankfully the lines weren't long and we had a FP for Haunted Mansion so we could get on straight away. And rather than show Duffy the entire queue for Indiana Jones we ended up using another Single Rider Pass to expedite things.

​

Surprisingly, walking down Main Street on our way out wasn't nearly as hard as I thought it would be. I think the fact that I knew I would be coming back in only a matter of weeks (in fact, as of typing this post I leave for SoCal tomorrow!) helped ease the sadness a little bit. It even made the prospect of a 6 hour drive seem small. I'm sure that not making the drive on my own helped immensely. But alas, we had one last stop in Downtown Disney to make.

downtown disney on our way out

​

Duffy and I were very content by the time we got our butts planted on the bench seat of the Tram. It had been a pretty great, albeit short, day at Disneyland with good, if not quiet, company. It took me a fair few minutes to locate the correct car (and again I'm a little nervous about finding my own car without the aid of the smart key) but it didn't take too long to stow away the purchases and get buckled in safely for the drive home.

​

I wish I could say the drive was uneventful, but the days earlier luck picked right back up where it started. I wont go into detail but we got our fair share of traffic, accidents along I-5, and of course the heavy pounding rain. But so long as we made it home safe and sound we would be good for another Disneyland trip!!

Until my next Disney adventure, I bid you adieu!​

 

[Belle Ella]

Very nice photos of you and Duffy Jazz. Can't believe that you were at DL just a few weeks ago and now you are going to be at DL tomorrow. Can't wait to hear your new years TR.

Thanks Bret! I can hardly believe it either. But I'm still in disbelief about having an AP. I still pull it out of my credit card case to look at just to make sure it's real. Now hopefully doing this wont contribute to the possibility of me misplacing it in the future (knock on wood). I can't wait to share the next trip with everyone. PAP trip #2 here I come!

So very cute.

Thank you Michele!

Did I mention I'm a total kid at heart? Duffy helped me rediscover it even more!!

 

[kaoden39]

I think all Disney fans must be kids at heart.

 

[Belle Ella]

I believe you are on to something!!

 

[kaoden39]

I believe you are on to something!!

 

[mvf-m11c]

Thanks Bret! I can hardly believe it either. But I'm still in disbelief about having an AP. I still pull it out of my credit card case to look at just to make sure it's real. Now hopefully doing this wont contribute to the possibility of me misplacing it in the future (knock on wood). I can't wait to share the next trip with everyone. PAP trip #2 here I come!

If you go to DL many times in one year, it is worth getting an AP. I should have got an AP back in 08 when I did 3 trips. I did kind of regret it that year. I believed I spend $400 in tickets that year and I could have got the Premium for that price. I always carry my Premier in my lanyard so I won't forget it when I go to DL or WDW. It is always a good idea to make sure that you have your AP in your case.

I believed that you have the Deluxe AP? And you are planning to upgrade it tomorrow when you arrive at DL?

 

[Belle Ella]

If you go to DL many times in one year, it is worth getting an AP. I should have got an AP back in 08 when I did 3 trips. I did kind of regret it that year. I believed I spend $400 in tickets that year and I could have got the Premium for that price. I always carry my Premier in my lanyard so I won't forget it when I go to DL or WDW. It is always a good idea to make sure that you have your AP in your case.

I believed that you have the Deluxe AP? And you are planning to upgrade it tomorrow when you arrive at DL?

I'm definitely wishing I had gone the route of an AP before, even back in 2009 when I took two trips. And then I was somewhat kicking myself for not upgrading at the end of September for my 2010 birthday trip. In a way that was a couple hundred dollars out the window but at the time how was I to know what things would be like right now. I never would have guessed I would get 2 December trips and many possible more at the time. But hey, I've got one now.

And I did actually go the the PAP right off the bat. The free parking and larger % discount were too big a perk but I didn't want to have to plan around blockout days. It's definitely worth it money wise already!

 

[JH87]

I love reading your TRs!! I don't think I have ever commented on it before.
Your photos with Duffy are cute and I LOVE the Chip & Dale ones!!!!

 

[Belle Ella]

Thank you for dropping by!! I have to say I get a little excited when I know people are reading. Makes me want to keep going that much more!

 

[Belle Ella]

Well everyone, today is the big day!! I'm leaving for SoCal this afternoon sand I'll be at Disneyland tomorrow! If I don't check in tonight or tomorrow morning ... Have a Happy New Year!!

 

[kaoden39]

Well everyone, today is the big day!! I'm leaving for SoCal this afternoon sand I'll be at Disneyland tomorrow! If I don't check in tonight or tomorrow morning ... Have a Happy New Year!!

Have a great trip!! I can hardly wait to hear all about it.

 

[tdashgirl]

OMG, the Duffy photos are just too cute. I especially love the ones with BTMRR in the background

Safe travels girlie