Birthday Surprise on the Fly (Updated 10/13-World of Color pg3)

[podsnel]

Oh! The freakin lost key!! I am so glad you left the car! Those keys are so damn expensive to replace, too. Why can't they just sell ya one to just open the door and start the car. UGH!

So sorry you had all that bad stuff before you left. But I think P's reaction made up for it- that was awesome! And it must have felt GREAT for you, too.

Ok- ready for more....

 

[anewmac]

Im too excited to sleep... NOT! ​

After the excitment wore off and the bags were packed. E and the boys went to bed. Me I had a melt down.. yes I cried like a lil school girl. I just had so much that I couldnt take it anymore. I chugged a beer felt better then debated making a shirt I saw on Pintrest. After about 2 seconds I said why not I cant sleep yet.

I pulled out the shirt the craft supplied and in less than 10mins made THIS

Then I was a happy girl again and headed to bed at almost midnight.

When my alarm went off at 6am I was dead tired gee I wonder why? Could it be the breakdown or the late night crafting? Either way, I heard the tv downstairs already on. But sleeping beauty next to me was still snoring. I went down to make some coffee and the boys were already up and dressed. I cant even get them to do that for school that starts at 830.

After we all got ready, packed the car, we are on the freeway by 8am. Traffic was a breeze which usually is pain when we go to visit my grandma in LA. But we pulled into our hotel at 9ish. Which was right across the street from the parks

We pulled in to see if MAYBE we could check in or at least just park our car so we didnt have to pay the $20 parking. Surprizingly they did have a room ready for us.

I didnt take a pic but we got a mini suite and it was the LAST available room (found this one off the web) I thought this would be great, E could have a bed, I could have a bed and the boys could share the couch bed... HA ya that didnt happen E and I shared a bed and they each got one. He's lucky I was in my happy place all Im saying

Made a beeline to it and unpacked the car made a potty stop and before we knew it we were seeing this sign as we walked across the street!
YEAH BUDDY!!!

Then this one.

We would have been right in but of course we pick the line where the computer shuts down after scanning 2 of our paper passes. (Since we got military tix, you buy them on base and they give a print out. Then you go to the gate (which you used to do at the tix counter) and they print your tix). So 15mins later. We are finally in.

1st stop, guest services... Someone needed a Bday pin, and we needed DLAND Celebration pins. Cuz I had brought our WDW ones LOL (Its kind of fun though walking around with pins from both parks. You get lots of comments.)

I also pick up a rewards disney card to call and upload my rewards dollars to (best part of the whole trip was we spent $0, just used up all our rewards (and boy was there a TON! LOL)

Since they are doing cars land and redoing the whole entrance to the park (which Im UBBER bumbed about there not being anymore monorail on the Golden gate bridge to pass under or the CALIFORNIA letters out front.) Now you walk thru and are led out by Soaring not in the main HUB. Not the same feel.

But eventually we saw THIS and I felt at home again.

Next Up: Where do we start?

 

[Nintfamily]

Awesome! Can't wait for more How did you make your shirt? It is amazing

 

[Grog]

Great job on the shirt!

 

[anewmac]

I hope you found some pixie dust after the car keys day! I'm enjoying yoru PTR - you have a lovely family and are so enthusiastic with your planning. I'm going to DL next week, so I'm looking for all the good ideas I can find!

Hope you had fun in DL. I just read you report on Hawaii, amazing!!!

Happy that he loved it. Boo to e for being a stick in the mud

Ya he was a stick in something.. or more like had a stick up something but I got over it so I could enjoy my time

Oh! The freakin lost key!! I am so glad you left the car! Those keys are so damn expensive to replace, too. Why can't they just sell ya one to just open the door and start the car. UGH!

So sorry you had all that bad stuff before you left. But I think P's reaction made up for it- that was awesome! And it must have felt GREAT for you, too.

Ok- ready for more....

his reaction then the reaction I got from J too was helpful to my outlook. J said something like Im so glad its your bday P LMAO

Awesome! Can't wait for more How did you make your shirt? It is amazing

I took a zebra print hankerchif and found a mickey shape online printed that out. Pinned it to the hankerchief then cut around it (so its kind of jagged) then took that fusable web stuff for hemming pants and put it all over it and ironed it on. Then "sealed" it with puffy paint to give the pink zig zag look. took me maybe 10 mins. Thanks!

Great job on the shirt!

thank you. Ill try and post more tmrw. had 2 of my wisdom teeth pulled and im inbeteen medications and naps. it takes a tole out on ya thats for sure.

 

[MAGICFOR2]

Hi Drea! All caught up now after moving out. I love P's reaction!!! Great job on the surprise! I'm sorry for the drama you had before you left. I think it is magnified when those things happen because you are trying to get on your trip and it adds to the stress.

Love the shirt! Funny, in the pic, the beer looks like you were seeing double! Or maybe I'm seeing double?

Yay for having your hotel ready for you! I see the pixie dust is working for ya now - hope it stays!!! I can't wait to see the new entrance to CA - It looks like they are making that park more like DHS?

Looking forward to more! Hope you are feeling better.

 

[Pesky]

Glad it all worked out and at least you are there! Hopefully E comes around and when you return, your car keys appear.

 

[abbie13_15]

Enjoy your humor...i'm in!

 

[WDWJonasGirl]

I'm here!!

 

[anewmac]

hey guys so sorry im lagging been busy recovering from having my wisdom teeth out. Then I had a huge wine tasting fundraiser planned for my breast cancer walk. So I had typed up half of our Cali Adventure day and then somehow I did something and lost it all. Normally I type it in word but just didnt think of it this time. I was COMPLETELY done too.. ugg oh well im mad now to I'll do it tmrw darn it. But thans for keeping patiente.

I swear it will be worth it LOL
I leave you with this!

 

[podsnel]

hey guys so sorry im lagging been busy recovering from having my wisdom teeth out. Then I had a huge wine tasting fundraiser planned for my breast cancer walk. So I had typed up half of our Cali Adventure day and then somehow I did something and lost it all. Normally I type it in word but just didnt think of it this time. I was COMPLETELY done too.. ugg oh well im mad now to I'll do it tmrw darn it. But thans for keeping patiente.

I swear it will be worth it LOL
I leave you with this!

I really HATE it when that happens! But I do love your family pic!

I missed your other update! Shame on me!! You are too funny staying up making a shirt- What's the name of the hotel?

 

[MAGICFOR2]

Ummm, we miss you Drea! This popcorn is getting really filling

 

[anewmac]

Where do we start? ​

OK where was I oh ya we just had got into Cali adventure and were making our way to the Paradise Pier area.

Since we were so close we hit the new Little Meraid area.

its just a ride here not like the whole Nemo adventure land like WDW. I almost feel like its an aquarium not part of the park there. But in dland nope just a ride.

Next we went to do California Screamin. P was all for it till he saw the loop then he said NO WAY. So my mini me J said lets DO IT! Thats my boy!

Right here is where J started taking DEEP breaths. I was almost worried he would make himself pass out from breathing so hard

But we survived. I couldnt take a pic of our pic cuz my phone was )@*#@) dead already (note i had sent my phone in to be fixed cuz the screen broke but hadnt received it back yet. so was working with an OLD phone and the battery kept dying, right when I wanted to use it LOL)

Once we got off and J let his BIG bro how "SWEET" the ride was we headed over to Toy Story. But 1st a Drive by.
HEY JESSE!

The que is outside which is different then WDW but how can you not wait outside in Cali where its beautiful almost 11ymonths out of a year!

The boys made the seating assignments and so it was E and J, and P and I. Here is where I lost the lens cap to my rebel.. GREAT already 15mins in the park and im losing stuff.. guess its good its not my mind.

Ya have I mentioned Im competitive.. so dont expect me to take it easy not even on my own kid!

Here I believe is where he said "Best birthday every, thanks mom, your the greatest, how can I ever repay you for being such an awesome mom and giving me everything I ever wanted, your the bestest!".. oh maybe it was more like eh this is ok. (TEENAGERS LOL)

As the boys were trying to figure out what to do next we got caught up in a side show Phenius & Ferb. Whats funny is all the parents were singing the theme show while the kids just rolled their eyes.

Usually J is my lil performer but he said he was hungry which got us all going so at 11am we deceided to beat the crowds and get some chow in the Golden State area.
P saw claim chowda in a bread bowl from he Boudin Bakery and was all over it.

E and I deceided to split a turkey samich from there

J of course wanted something different so I took him to Cocina Cucamonga Mexican Grill and he got a kids taco with a side of beans, which yes he ate them all. Reason being he stated that when he was in a long line he was just "TOOT" and we would make our own fastpass when people smelled him. (YUP the joys of boys!)

oh and I was a lil peaved the Margarita cart wasnt open yet nor Karl Strauss brew truck.. hello people it was already 11am.... Im on vacation which equals 5o'clock somewhere like 3hours ago. But when I got J's food they had their tap going already so hello Dos XX's

While we were eatting the female Madiachi band came over and sang Las Mananitas "Happy Bday" in spanish, to a gal across the way and when E and I said ohh well get them to play for you too, P gave the look of Death.

My big catch of the day

When we finished eatting the boys deceided we were going to go back and finish the rest of Paradise Pier area. But 1st I made them take a pic with the photopass peeps cuz if not I never get any pics of all 4 of us let alone me in any of them.

The Golden Zephyr was closed (which is a ride well worth closing IMO), they passed on the Jumpin Jellyfish cuz that was for "lil kids" and deceided to hit up the Silly Symphony Swings

I learned how to use my Rebel enough to "STOP" motion there goes J

There goes P and E

Since I didnt go with them this time I finished my tasty beverage and watched these guys make their way out.

I let E know his friends just drove by when he got off.

Next Up: A sneak peak of CARSLAND!!!!!

 

[MAGICFOR2]

Let me be the FIRST!!! To say Welcome Back! Love the update!

Tooting his way through the line! I do know boys well, too!

Looks like P was inhaling the clam chowder! I don't blame him, it's my fav, too! Score on the Dos XX's. I don't know why they didn't know you were coming and have the ritas ready!

 

[CRdisMom]

Love the photos. I just keep saying someday ill get back there

 

[DisneytheKid]

Great TR!

 

[anewmac]

A sneak peak of CARSLAND​

After the boys dissiness wore off we made a beeline for Mickey's Fun Wheel.. of course we always get in the line for the moving cart.

E sat this one out something about his stomach being upset LOL.
So once we started moving towards the top we were able to see how World of Color (WOC) is produced.

Then as we inched higher and higher we came upon this awesome sight

Those Rocky mountain looks so real.

and like that we were making our way back down the ride. So we bugged the Grads in the cart with us to take a pic of us and then I took one of them. Then I reminiced about my grad night and the boys asked if I came to dland I then remembered nope I snuck into a club then .... I went about 2months after my graduation LMAO. So I lied sort of and said Yup I went to the Happiest place on Earth (to me) lol

When we got off we met up with E, and the boys let us know that we were heading over to A Bugs Land

Told E I was going to get him some Ears like this... scuse me sir your tags showing

But along the way we got nosy and found that there was an area to catch a view of Carsland right down Route 66

Over in the Blue Sky Wine Cellar (or what used to be it) They now put in artifacts and info all about whats coming to Disney CA

We hope on a bench to get a better look (wish I would have brought my zoom lens)

You could hear all the kids asking when can we go there... to which we answered ours with how about on J's bday?

To which J answered but I really want to go to Legoland for my bday.. SERIOUSLY KID! lol We deceided to go inside the Cellar and have a looksy around
Areal maps and pics

Clay models of the different cars rides and exibits

The shovel they broke ground with for Carsland. Only a true diser would take a pic of a shovel LOL, seriously people were looking at me like REALLY.. yes REALLY!!!

They had a couple games they put into the wine barrals for triva about disney. All I will say is I need to expose E to more disney culture, to enlighten him. Suprizingly though the boys P especially knew his stuff.

The Main Cheese, and his mouse

They also show a quick 5min movie about how Dland was started to what it is now. Pretty informative, when we go back next week (YEAH BUDDY) I'll take a video of it. J was busy watching it and didnt want to get in on the pic. And OMG is P smiling.. isnt that against the teenage handbook rules when your mom take a pick of you?

Once we had soaked in enough knowledge, we made our way to a Bug's Land (this is my fav land just for the cuteness factor, the rides are too lil kid for all of us anymore)

Also did you see the swarm of CM's. Im assuming with Carsland opening soon they were all in training. I would love to work there (Im thinking mostly for the perks LOL) A couple clients of mine are disney employees in their insurance division and one told me, "yeah when I have a rough day I just take a walk thru the park get on a ride and remind myself I work at the Happiest Place on Earth" must be nice. When I have a rough day and I head to Chili's for Happy Hour.

Are they actually getting along?

so as we are making our way towards the Churro stand (yes we know where every Churro stand in Dland/CA is, its a requirement of being Mexican LOL) But then the boys spotted a lil Pauly D. YEAH BUDDY. We fist bumped, snapped a pic and went on our way. Wonder if we will see Snooki?

I felt like Oprah when i passed them out to the 3 of them. You get a Churro, You get a Churro, You get a churro.. everyone gets a Churro!!!!!!

Before we made our way to go watch a bugs life show (cuz as I said we dont ride any of the rides in Bugs land. I saw the ToT and asked who wants to ride it. HA all 3 of my scardy cats said HECK NO as they remembered it from when we went to WDW.

Oh no someones getting tired ...

As the boys were finishing their Churros I spotted a tv crew, wonder if they were making a new commercial or something?

Once everyone had cleaned sugar off their faces we deceided it was time to hit up the Hollywood backlot.

Next up: Hurray for Hollywood Complete with an breakdown from a non actor!

 

[CRdisMom]

love the non smile smiles!

 

[MAGICFOR2]

A sneak peak of CARSLAND​

Hey! Welcome back!

After the boys dissiness wore off we made a beeline for Mickey's Fun Wheel.. of course we always get in the line for the moving cart.

Love the moving cart! I have a hard time finding someone who will do this with me!


Those Rocky mountain looks so real.

So Cool! I can't wait to see it!



When we got off we met up with E, and the boys let us know that we were heading over to A Bugs Land

Told E I was going to get him some Ears like this... scuse me sir your tags showing

Some times you just have to wonder - did he lose a bet?

But along the way we got nosy and found that there was an area to catch a view of Carsland right down Route 66

You could hear all the kids asking when can we go there... to which we answered ours with how about on J's bday?

To which J answered but I really want to go to Legoland for my bday.. SERIOUSLY KID! lol We deceided to go inside the Cellar and have a looksy around


That's funny! He already had plans for his big surprise!

Clay models of the different cars rides and exibits

The shovel they broke ground with for Carsland. Only a true diser would take a pic of a shovel LOL, seriously people were looking at me like REALLY.. yes REALLY!!!

I think it's cool and would never stare at you for taking a pic!

They had a couple games they put into the wine barrals for triva about disney. All I will say is I need to expose E to more disney culture, to enlighten him. Suprizingly though the boys P especially knew his stuff.

The Main Cheese, and his mouse

Love this one!

They also show a quick 5min movie about how Dland was started to what it is now. Pretty informative, when we go back next week (YEAH BUDDY) I'll take a video of it. J was busy watching it and didnt want to get in on the pic. And OMG is P smiling.. isnt that against the teenage handbook rules when your mom take a pick of you?

Once we had soaked in enough knowledge, we made our way to a Bug's Land (this is my fav land just for the cuteness factor, the rides are too lil kid for all of us anymore)

Also did you see the swarm of CM's. Im assuming with Carsland opening soon they were all in training. I would love to work there (Im thinking mostly for the perks LOL) A couple clients of mine are disney employees in their insurance division and one told me, "yeah when I have a rough day I just take a walk thru the park get on a ride and remind myself I work at the Happiest Place on Earth" must be nice. When I have a rough day and I head to Chili's for Happy Hour.

What a great job perk!

Are they actually getting along?

Awww, I think Disney has that effect on sibs! Or they're trying to figure out how to get more money out of mom and dad for souvies.

so as we are making our way towards the Churro stand (yes we know where every Churro stand in Dland/CA is, its a requirement of being Mexican LOL) But then the boys spotted a lil Pauly D. YEAH BUDDY. We fist bumped, snapped a pic and went on our way. Wonder if we will see Snooki?

I felt like Oprah when i passed them out to the 3 of them. You get a Churro, You get a Churro, You get a churro.. everyone gets a Churro!!!!!!

That's funny! Look like your audience was pleased!

Before we made our way to go watch a bugs life show (cuz as I said we dont ride any of the rides in Bugs land. I saw the ToT and asked who wants to ride it. HA all 3 of my scardy cats said HECK NO as they remembered it from when we went to WDW.

Oh no someones getting tired ...

He looks so thrilled! Love the hat on him!

As the boys were finishing their Churros I spotted a tv crew, wonder if they were making a new commercial or something?

something, I guess.

Once everyone had cleaned sugar off their faces we deceided it was time to hit up the Hollywood backlot.

Next up: Hurray for Hollywood Complete with an breakdown from a non actor!

Great update Drea! I am noticing you are on the CA side, but Rita did not make an appearance?

 

[anewmac]

We went off to enjoy the Hollywood backlot next!​

Of course the boys didnt want to take a pic with Mr Incredible so we did a walk by

We hit up the usual, Muppet show (where E and I always take a nap LOL) then Monster time.

After that we walked in to do some browsing at the shop, and I tried to get creative with my camera.

the flying elephant outside the shop looks like an animation

A CM was drawing and thats when I thought Ohh wonder if we can catch an animation class. We always miss it but we were just in time today.

They were teaching us how to draw Jack Skellington. Not my fav but I wasnt about to wait around for anyone else.

I will admit I am creative to the bone but I can not draw to save my life! ... apparently neither can my family. With in 2 seconds of being told to draw a circle P starts crying that his is horrible .. Omg why do I have a drama king LOL

So since he was sitting closest to me I did what any loving mother did. Told him to knock it off and suck it up, and compaired him to his lil brother who was having fun! Which I dont know why that led to more tears LOL.. I eventually told him to just keep trying and its just for fun and bla bla bla.. lol. J and E on the other hand were having a GREAT time.. must be nice!

Once the tears had finished this is what we all had done.. ya I totally think we are all ready to draw the next hit Disney/Pixar Movie LOL.

E

J

Mine

and I would show you P's but he threw it away and I didnt realize till we were outside.

Once done we made our way thru the semi done Buena vista Street area and got our pics taken

Is that Arial?

After we left there the boys deceided it was time for dinner. So P wanted claim chowder again, E wanted a hot dot, J wanted pasta with me. OY VIEW talk about a disney 5k, I want me medal Mickey! So we headed back thru the Golden State to P his soup. Walked thru Paradise pier to get E his hot dogs. We found a spot in Paradise pier near the Boardwalk Pizaa & Pasta joint where the two that had food started eatting while J and I got our food.

J had Skagetti lol

No clue what I had some kind of tomatoe fredo pasta

P and his bread bowl he had to have (this is what I get for introducing him to it in San Fran LOL)

and E.. I think he was really excited to eat some hot dogs LOL

After the 5k and the breakdown, mommy was getting thirsty and needed liquid zen... so a quick stop at Bayside Brews for not 1 but 2 Blue Moons... ya E wasnt drinking with me.. thats how much I needed a break.

Whats a vacation without double fisting!

Our fast passes were up and so we then made our way over there... but the boys had to do some window shopping and bathroom break so I could finish my chug contest.

After I finished it we got in line but 1st had to sing the song .. you know it.. "All the Single Riders, All the Single Riders"

Time For Soarin

Next Up: World of Color or as E likes to call it, the show where I have to hold the darn video camera for 30mins and not move.