Bring on CarsLand! A Fun-Filled Mother-Daughter Birthday Trip! FINAL UPDATES 9/8!!!!

[amandaw]

That's amazing that y'all were able to get into both parks that do & get some things done.

BOO for being soaked but at least y'all did it!

I am really thinking that I need to seriously look at a DLR for 2016. I do want to check it out!

 

[chattadisser]

Woo-hoo...getting caught up on all the DL adventures now!

How cool that SM in DL has you ride side by side, such a nice touch! I love Willow's little head popping up in the picture.

I didn't know that the guns came off at Buzz in DL...that would make it so much easier. Wonder why they didn't do that at WDW?

All these pictures make me want to go to DL...like NOW!

Christine

 

[RGirl]

Yes, what were you thinking?? I will ONLY ride GRR when it is HOT out. I hate being soaked and walking around the park. They do have a way to control the "splash" of the rafts during the winter. You must have been on a warm day when they didn't feel the need to turn it down a notch! Sometimes that geyser at the end gets you more soaked than anything.

Okay, what I was really thinking was that they must have "turned down" the water since it was January. I didn't know if this was really a thing or not, but they were running the attraction, and it seemed reasonable to me! Honestly, it was warm, but it was still January. And, okay, even if it's August, I HATE being soaked. I have NO idea why I decided to do this - I think because we never had and were heading straight to the hotel after. Never again.....

I much prefer the DL Buzz ride. In fact, we rarely do that ride at WDW since I can't pick up the gun and aim. Now the DL version... that's a different story. I can be a galactic hero with that one!

That's impressive! I can't even reach Galactic Dud level myself....

You mentioned the long trek in Space Mountain to get to the loading area... Most of the wait is outside in the lines before you enter the "space portal." The CMs monitor the inside queues so when they allow people to enter you just walk on through to practically the room where you start to see the loading area. Meaning, I've never seen the queue back up all the way inside. (It could but I've never seen it even with long stand by waits...)

Very interesting! Thanks for the info - it must feel good after a long wait to "walk on." I can't imagine how we will adapt to DLR in the summer after only having been there with zero crowds. Going to be scary.....

It is so delightful reading your report and seeing your observations about the differences between WDW and DL. That and the fact that Willow is so adorable with those DCA Hollywood characters.

Awww - thanks! Please feel free to weigh in and correct me or add information on things. I am a DLR newbie despite technically being there more often than WDW.

Love the update!

Thank you, Karin!

DL is a lot like DLRP where you just walk across a little plaza to get from one park to the other. We LOVE that at both destinations.

We really do too - I love that WDW is a big world unto itself, but man, it's nice to avoid the transportation issues!

Oh, and you are one brave lady riding GRR in January! We did it once in August and had to leave the park after it to go get changed as we looked like drowned rats after it.

I am just glad that we had no plans other than going back to the hotel after. Both of us have sworn off GRR forever!

We were staying at the Desert Inn and were happy NOT to have to go through the lobby.

I bet you were!!!

But I am glad your stay at the lobby was quick. Sometimes the A/C is so cold.

Thankfully, we had dried off a lot before we went in there, and the knowledge that we would soon be drying off and changing clothes helped.

Okay, one more question - what's that with the anytime FP? I might have missed the explanation, but can you see that I am soaking up information for our trip in 2016?

So, a couple of months before our trip, I called because a new regular discount had been released and I wanted to see if there was an AP discount that would beat it. The CM was incredibly helpful and really excited that there was an awesome discount for us - we were upgraded to the pool-view room for less than I was paying for a standard, and then we were given "anytime FPs" as part of the deal. These were FPs that we could use at any attraction at any time during our stay. I think we made VERY good use of them.

Third picture of Little Princess and our favorite ( and might I add VERY attentive ) dog ....just sayin' pointing that little finger I thought for sure the next pictures would show a " sit, stay" Pluto

I can even see the book cover " Anyone can train any dog...Willow takes on Disney "

Ruthie! When I saw that pic, I was really wondering what they might have been discussing. Those two always (well, almost always ) have so much fun!

Ugh soaked jeans..happened to me once in a down pour at WDW I usually wear jeans and always hope it doesn't pour like that when I'm there I have never been on KRR always think about it and then dismiss the idea

Soaked jeans = The Worst! We have done KRR and enjoyed it, but we poncho'ed up!

 

[RGirl]

It's hard for me to say this because I am such a WDW devotee...but I think Space and Splash Mountain are so much better at DL. Like you said, DL Space is so much smoother, and I just love the soundtrack!

You know, the attractions are better at DLR in my opinion. But that doesn't downgrade WDW - it has the whole immersion thing going for it - it is a vacation destination in a way that DLR isn't. And DLR is the perfect place for being able to enjoy the Disney magic without having to dedicate a full week or more. They balance each other perfectly!

The guns coming off the vehicle in Buzz does make the game a lot easier!

It totally does! If you can figure out which red dot is yours.....

Goofy and Pluto are SO ADORABLE in their Hollywood gear.

Right? We loved their looks at CA!

Oh no...I knew where this was going once you said Grizzly River Rapids!

Yeah, it is banned from our Must Do List.

Uummmmm--excuse me? Where is the dripping wet picture? The only reason to do those rides is for the embarrassing photo op at the end. I guess you'll have to ride again next visit!

Yeah, that won't happen....

I'm going to have to show Hannah those goofy pictures! He looks so cute in his green and blue suit. She'll love that!

Isn't that the best??? Goofy is pretty snazzy at CA!

What was willow saying to Pluto? I can't tell if that's a scolding or the middle of a great story....

I wish I knew! Isn't that a funny pic????

Love it so far!!

Thanks so much and thanks for joining in!

I love how intimate DLR feels! Its great that you can exit through the park to the resort area, especially when you are dripping wet!

It is great! It's weird if you are used to WDW, but then it's awesome! They both have such different positive things about them. That's why we love visiting both coasts so much!

I love seeing Willow meet the characters she always looks like she is having a great time!

Thank you! She is very dedicated to the characters.

 

[RGirl]

How funny!! Each year Aria's daycare closes for a week in August so last year we went to WDW for a week, and are doing it again this year. It's just so fun to think about what we have to look forward to!

That's great! You will have so much fun. We will be back at WDW in July/August 2015. I like to play early.

And in case you were meaning DLR, we will be there this summer too!

YES!! Since you asked (no you didn't but I'm too excited so going to tell you anyway!! LOL!) our plans are 5 nights at DLH - Catal for dinner, then Blue Bayou for lunch & F! dessert party; then Ariel's Grotto lunch & Cafe Orleans dinner, then Goofy's Kitchen breakfast (our day off), pool time, dinner at Ralph Brennens, and then on our last day doing Steakhouse 55 for breakfast and finishing up the day with Wine Country Trattoria with a WoC package.

Wow - those are some amazing dining plans!!! I don't think we will manage to do quite as many amazing options, but I am planning on Blue Bayou and Wine Country Trattoria along with Plaza with Minnie because it was amazing in January and Goofy's because it is now our traditional last-night dinner.

First time seeing WoC and Carsland as the last time I was at DL was in 2008 i think, right before any of that opened. Really enjoying your TR and going to finish up reading your last update!

Oh, you are in for a LOT of fun!!! We hadn't seen WoC or Carsland before either - I'm not sure WoC existed our previous visit (don't think so) and CarsLand was under construction - these were MAJOR highlights for us, as you will soon learn.

Can't wait to see the pool area!! Too funny on Grizzly river run! Wet jeans are the worst! I know - walking everywhere is just AMAZING! Love all the characters out!

You are going to LOVE the pool area at DLH!!!

That's amazing that y'all were able to get into both parks that do & get some things done.

Right??? So different from our coast-to-coast travels to WDW.

BOO for being soaked but at least y'all did it!

Exactly! I'm glad we tried it. And I'm glad we agree that we do not need to try it again.

I am really thinking that I need to seriously look at a DLR for 2016. I do want to check it out!

Oh, it's so wonderful. I know you have some concerns, but we LOVE it - at least as much as WDW. It's a magical and amazing place.

Woo-hoo...getting caught up on all the DL adventures now!

Yay!!

How cool that SM in DL has you ride side by side, such a nice touch! I love Willow's little head popping up in the picture.

I so much prefer this experience - it's also much less jerky and painful than the WDW version.

I didn't know that the guns came off at Buzz in DL...that would make it so much easier. Wonder why they didn't do that at WDW?

Right? Why in the world wouldn't they do that in both parks?????

All these pictures make me want to go to DL...like NOW!

You should go!!!!!

 

[RGirl]

A Real Life Update​

So, you may have noticed I’m having a little trouble keeping up lately. I really apologize for that. We leave for Spring Break in two days, and work has been insane. On top of that, I actually had some sales on my etsy shop , so I had to get those completed. And, of course, Miss Willow still has many orders in with me, so I have been working on a few things for her too.

I hope you won’t mind if I share a few of the things I’ve been working on lately. I’ve had so much fun creating things and making them a reality. It’s so much fun! I promise a real update tomorrow before Spring Break starts!

Anyway, here is something I made for Willow sometime over the last couple of weeks. She was THRILLED!

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I made this one for her this week!

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I was thrilled to get to make these two for another DIS’er (who will hopefully post pics of her adorable kiddos in them - hopefully she likes them when they get to her! ).

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That last one is honestly one of my favorite things I’ve ever made. I’m so glad that Lori gave me the opportunity to turn my idea into a reality.

And I know I posted a pic of the little onesie I made for a friend who is having a baby on my WDW report, but a few people have actually bought these, and I recently got an order for boy/girl twins, so I got to make a pink one!

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Thank you so much for indulging me - and thanks for being patient with my slow updating. As you can see, I’ve been busy - and that’s not counting my real job and parenting. A real update tomorrow!!!!

 

[STLMickeyMom]

oh my goodness! you did amazing on the shirts! I showed Madison her peter pan shirt and she smiled so big and yelled "it's my peter pan cupcake!" needless to say, we LOVE them! I think you're going to have a lot of orders at your etsy shop (ones not from Willow, I mean )!

 

[Tiggerrn2]

Unable to see the photos you posted. Photobucket is saying they have been moved.

 

[RGirl]

I am having a fight with PhotoBucket. I don't know what is going on, but it deleted all the photos from the album to which I linked last night. I will re-upload the photos tonight and fix the above post.

Sent from my iPhone using DISBoards

 

[courtneybelle]

I was able to see the shirts this morning but they aren't showing up...please let me know if you'd be willing to do some in adult sizes, I'm obsessed with the Pluto one and my sister would love the Peter Pan one!! They are so amazing!!

 

[RGirl]

Sorry for the weird picture situation today. I have no idea why PhotoBucket just randomly decided to delete all photos from the album at issue. I have re-uploaded them to a new album, so here's hoping they stay put this time!!!

oh my goodness! you did amazing on the shirts! I showed Madison her peter pan shirt and she smiled so big and yelled "it's my peter pan cupcake!" needless to say, we LOVE them! I think you're going to have a lot of orders at your etsy shop (ones not from Willow, I mean )!

Aww - thank you! I sure hope you like them as much in person.

Unable to see the photos you posted. Photobucket is saying they have been moved.

Sorry - PhotoBucket has not been my friend this week. Hopefully, they stay fixed now.

I was able to see the shirts this morning but they aren't showing up...please let me know if you'd be willing to do some in adult sizes, I'm obsessed with the Pluto one and my sister would love the Peter Pan one!! They are so amazing!!

I'm so glad you liked them!! I sent you a message.

 

[RGirl]

Riding the Monorail Slide​

After we returned to the DLH, I texted my friend to let her know that we were out of the park and that she and her daughter could join us whenever they were available. Willow was dying to go swimming, and since that is what we had planned for the girls to do anyway, I saw no harm in Willow getting a head start.

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The new pool area at the DLH is really nice! there are basically three pool areas - a main pool, a smaller pool, and the slide/pool area. (The slides are monorail themed!) I tried to get some decent pics to show all of you - okay a certain DISer (SHANNON) basically threatened my life if I didn’t get a lot of pool pics…...

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Willow enjoyed the large pool for a while.

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And then she wanted to try out the slides, so we headed over there.

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Here she is coming off of the smaller monorail slide

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There’s a much bigger one.

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Another view - was trying to get pics that would show what the slides are really like - not easy.

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The big slide lets out into this deeper pool area.

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Here is Willow getting spit out of the slide.

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We headed back to the big pool, and I enjoyed this view while Willow swam.

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Soon our friends joined us, and the girls (who had not met before) became fast friends while swimming (mostly in the hot tub - it was getting pretty chilly!).

We all went to Rainforest Cafe in DTD for dinner. I didn’t really get food pics given that we were dining with others.

Willow actually fell asleep at dinner. Getting up at 4AM had taken its toll! So we had to go back to the hotel while our friends hit up the Lego Store. While the girls were swimming, I had asked my friend if she would be willing to watch them while I ran up to perform a little Disney magic. She was happy to help. So I was able to run up and decorate our room and leave presents from Mickey. (For Willow’s fifth birthday, I had paid for an in-room surprise - it was wonderful but very expensive. I needed an alternative this trip, and this worked very well.)

Mickey and Minnie left some special presents.

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I also hung a big birthday banner across the window, but somehow I failed to get a picture of that. Finally, I hung these little streamers all over the room.

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Willow was really excited when she saw all the surprises throughout the room. And she was VERY ready for bed. Of course, she drifted off to sleep to the headboard fireworks display.

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It was a perfect start to our birthday DLR trip!

Up Next: Early Entry Fun

 

[caitlinnf]

I absolutely LOVE the cupcake shirts. The Peter Pan one is adorable!


Too funny that Willow fell asleep at dinner. Especially somewhere as loud as Rainforest Café!

I love the room surprise!

 

[dizneeat]

I really need to read up on DL more. I had no idea of the Monorail slides at the DL hotel. How cool!!!!
And Willow rode them on her own. What a brave little lady.

Love the idea of decorating the room yourself and you did VERY well.

 

[STLMickeyMom]

Aawww--willow's so adorable in her tutu swimsuit! Those monorail slides are so cool! And look pretty fun. The whole pool area is really pretty.

I don't blame willow for falling asleep! I can barely make it from 5:30 am to bedtime on a normal day, much less an exciting disney day!

You did awesome decorating for willows birthday--I bet she loved it all! I was thinking about doing an in room surprise for DH on our next trip for our anniversary, but everything I've looked at is so expensive. Maybe the trip is gift enough, right?

Oh, and, I spy a hidden Mickey in your last pic! Did you notice it?

 

[shan23877]

I would have let you live, but I would have been very, very sad. I am completely obsessed with that slide. Loving all of the pictures-thank you DLH is my new favorite thing. If I ever get to DLR I'm totally staying there.

The shirts look fantastic! You're doing such an amazing job!

Oh! And I'm so glad that the plan to plant the surprise worked out! Perfect! The note is spot on, great job!

 

[TinkyCheeks]

I came over here from your other TR, and this one is just as great!

Those shirts are incredible! What a unique, creative idea.

DL looks amazing. How cool are those headboards! And its so neat to see the similarities and differences.

 

[jedijill]

Great updates! I hate getting soaked....I turned around in the Splash Mtn single rider line thus week after seeing how wet people were getting off the ride!

Cute shirts!

Jill in CO

 

[momof4fans]

Those t-shirts are super cute! I predict you are going to be very busy with those! In fact, how do I find you on Etsy?

 

[courtneybelle]

THAT POOL! WITH THE MONORAILS! I love it so much!

I love what you did with the in-room surprises! That's my job for my sister's birthday trip. The Disney Florist ones are way out of our budget so I plan to get Frozen and princess decorations from the party store