Disneyland or Bust: A Mother-Daughter Coastal Road Trip

[RGirl]

The Contest: First person to provide the movie title from which the chapter heading comes get a point; two points if the character who utters the line is also identified. If the first person doesn’t name the character, the first poster to do so will get a point.

Current Standing:

Courtney (courtneybelle): 14 points
Jill (jedijill): 22 points
pkondz: 10 points
Megan (MonsterWDWmom): 2 points
Shannon (shan23877): 6 points
Lori (STLMickeyMom): 4 points
petals: 1 point
Rob (DisneyKid4Life): 2 points

"Slimy, yet satisfying."​

Day 11B - Monday, 4 August 2014 - Disneyland Resort

When I last left off, it was just about park opening time and we had exited the weird tire ride. We figured we would hit up ToT next since it was a short walk from CarsLand and one of Willow's favorites. We had to cut through Bugs Land, of course.

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And suddenly, Willow wanted to ride the rides in here - these are all sort of little-kid oriented; very cute, but not really anything too exciting. Now, normally, I would have encouraged her to do those later as they were not likely to get too crowded whereas the bigger rides certainly would. But remember! We were taking a new, laid-back approach today. So we rode some rides in Bugs Land!

First up was Tuck and Roll’s Drive ‘Em Buggies - basically bumper cars.

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And then Francis's Ladybug Boogie.

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No dancing, Willow!

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I disobeyed you!

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This is basically like any number of spinning carnival-type rides. But we had fun.

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And then we did head on through Bugs Land to ToT.

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It was only about 8:15, but the CM out front was warning folks that they only had one elevator running and the wait time would likely be longer than posted. We decided to get out of line and grab some FPs to return between 8:55 and 9:55 - not long at all!

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Up Next: Day 11B (cont.)

 

[RGirl]

Day 11B - Monday, 4 August 2014 - Disneyland Resort (cont.)

We figured we could use that time to ride the Monsters Inc. ride, which we love but apparently is not a favorite of very many others. We have never had a wait here at all, but again, we had always visited in January before this. We headed in that direction.

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And spotted Sully hanging out right in the entrance to the ride! And he was wearing his letterman's jacket!!!! Well, we weren't going to pass that up!

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We headed into the ride queue.

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And walked right on through to a ride vehicle at 8:25 AM.

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I tried to get some pictures of the interior of this attraction for you - we love that you can smell the ginger in the sushi restaurant and the lemon snow cones.

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Up Next: Day 11C

 

[Dugette]

Ooh, maybe I can get one! Lion King and I think Timon?

I'll come back for other comments when I'm not on my phone.

 

[petals]

Luvin the updates.

Little side story related to Sulley there. My 4 year old nephew was visiting today and spotted Sulley in our attic. He told me he was the wrong colour though because he didn't have his college jacket on

 

[Dugette]

Okay, back to respond!

That must have been hard to take it easy and go on the kiddie rides during prime touring time! (Though, maybe not a bad strategy as they seem like slow-loading rides?)

Yay for ToT FP that are less than an hour from good!

Haha, that first picture of Sulley - I didn't even realize Willow was in it at first until I saw the feet sticking out! Love the pictures of Willow and Sulley, though! So cute and she looks SOOOO happy!

I'm really surprised about the lack of line for the Monsters, Inc. ride. I swear I have heard good things about it and assumed it would be popular. Maybe not so much, huh? Looks fun, at any rate!

Looking forward to more!

 

[RGirl]

Ooh, maybe I can get one! Lion King and I think Timon?

I'll come back for other comments when I'm not on my phone.

Oh, right movie, wrong character! That's one point though, and you are now in the running!

Luvin the updates.

Little side story related to Sulley there. My 4 year old nephew was visiting today and spotted Sulley in our attic. He told me he was the wrong colour though because he didn't have his college jacket on

Awww - that's so cute! Sully really is even more adorable in his jacket!

Okay, back to respond!

So glad you came back!

Seems like you and I are often frantically doing DIS comments at the same times. Mommy Schedule, I guess!

That must have been hard to take it easy and go on the kiddie rides during prime touring time! (Though, maybe not a bad strategy as they seem like slow-loading rides?)

You know, it wasn't that hard, which is weird. I think we had SUCH an insanely long day on our first day and then we knew we had a longer DLR stay than usual and had just been there in January (and I, not Willow, knew we would be back the next January) - it really did make it easier to slow down a little. Of course, we have completely lost that easy-going attitude now.

Yay for ToT FP that are less than an hour from good!

Oh yeah, that was SWEET! Willow loves ToT! It has lost some of its shine now that she can do EE and has experienced RSR, but she still loves it. Thankfully not enough to do it 13 times in one day as we did on one of our WDW trips.....

Haha, that first picture of Sulley - I didn't even realize Willow was in it at first until I saw the feet sticking out! Love the pictures of Willow and Sulley, though! So cute and she looks SOOOO happy!

I *think* this was the Sully meet in which he was totally messing with me - every time I went to snap a picture, he would completely engulf Willow. Thank goodness for PP!

I'm really surprised about the lack of line for the Monsters, Inc. ride. I swear I have heard good things about it and assumed it would be popular. Maybe not so much, huh? Looks fun, at any rate!

I don't get it either. It's a great classic-style ride - great stuff to look at and even the scents. It's weird that it's not more popular. Maybe it's the location - there's not much else there.

Or there WASN'T at the time. That area has since been FROZEN, and we didn't even manage to ride Monsters, Inc. in January because the line was always long and that was just not acceptable to us after years of no line.

Looking forward to more!

Thanks! I'm hoping to get a little faster at updating. I really need to start the January TR before I forget everything! I think I'm going to be stuck in a two-tsr-at-once situation again. Always terrifying.....

 

[Dugette]

Oh, right movie, wrong character! That's one point though, and you are now in the running!

Oooh, then it must be Pumba. Was debating - my "movie memory" is terrible! (And if it's not that, put me down for Simba! )

 

[Dugette]

Seems like you and I are often frantically doing DIS comments at the same times. Mommy Schedule, I guess!

Yep, night owl here - after Izzy's in bed, usually. Or sometimes nap time.

Thankfully not enough to do it 13 times in one day as we did on one of our WDW trips.....

Oh, my. That is impressive!

Or there WASN'T at the time. That area has since been FROZEN, and we didn't even manage to ride Monsters, Inc. in January because the line was always long and that was just not acceptable to us after years of no line.

Oh, that's a bummer there are lines now. How long does the Frozen stuff go on there? Is it indefinite or just for a certain period?

I think I'm going to be stuck in a two-tsr-at-once situation again. Always terrifying.....

I happen to know what that is like and you have my sympathies!

 

[RGirl]

Oooh, then it must be Pumba. Was debating - my "movie memory" is terrible! (And if it's not that, put me down for Simba! )

You are so funny! And you just nailed the second point - Pumba!

Yep, night owl here - after Izzy's in bed, usually. Or sometimes nap time.

I can't remember where you are, but I think you are at least a couple of hours ahead of me. I am lucky that Willow is an early-to-bed kid - I get to work during the week at 6:30AM, so if she wasn't, I would never have any DIS time!

Oh, my. That is impressive!

Horrifying, isn't it?

Oh, that's a bummer there are lines now. How long does the Frozen stuff go on there? Is it indefinite or just for a certain period?

I think if memory serves that it's supposed to be in place until May. I would assume they will extend that, but who knows. That area is a fluctuating area - they vary the dance party and stuff there. But Frozen has taken over a lot of space there - the Sing Along is occupying what was the Muppets theater, and Do You Want to Draw a Snowman has actually taken over the animation drawing class. That one is kind of sad - I mean, it's fun to draw Olaf and Marshmallow, but it's nice to get to draw all the others too! Nonetheless, we had a great time exploring all the Frozen stuff last month - which will hopefully be fleshed out in a TR sometime soon.

I happen to know what that is like and you have my sympathies!

It's scary, isn't it? I have a hard enough time keeping up with one - having more than one going at the same time is a serious challenge for me!

 

[DisneyKid4Life]

I have to admit, I didn't spend a lot of time in Bug's Land. The friend I was with did, however, ride Tuck and Roll’s Drive ‘Em Buggies. I, however, did not.

Ugh, I'm kind of on board with FP+ now, but oh do I still miss paper fastpasses and what you did there at ToT reminds me why.

I don't know why Monsters Inc would have such a short wait. I quite liked it. Reading the comments, I bet it was the location and being (once upon a time) a pretty quiet place.

Willow is just so freaking adorable. I get such a kick out of all the photos of her running ahead to the next big thing.

 

[linetbo]

First, I am only in day 5, but, loving it!!!! Now I want to do the same with my 14yo daughter. I am thinking 2016, can you tell me how did you plan this trip, I am trying to find on the internet. We are from Puerto Rico and only been once to Cali.

 

[courtneybelle]

Alright, you've convinced me to try out the new DIS. It's going OK so far, the reorganization of the emoticons is my favorite part, but we'll see how posting my own update goes tomorrow

I've been apologizing to everyone for being so far behind, but you know how my life is. School, work, making evil plans for the summer…

We completely avoided the Bug's Life stuff when we went because my sister and I were both teens by that point, but it looks adorable!

People don't like the Monsters, Inc. ride?! I love it!!

Oh my gosh, that picture of Willow where Sulley's completely covering her with his fur is too precious

 

[afwdwfan]

Hmm, maybe we would have enjoyed it more if we had taken the time to figure out the best way to do it by riding more than once.

I'm sorry to report that I read this week that it has closed and will be replaced by something completely new.

I know... Oh well, at least we got to at least do it while we were there. I guess that gives us reason to come back later and see what replaces it.

When I last left off, it was just about park opening time and we had exited the weird tire ride. We figured we would hit up ToT next since it was a short walk from CarsLand and one of Willow's favorites. We had to cut through Bugs Land, of course.

I thought that seemed like a weird pathway. Kind of a choke point getting through there too.

Now, normally, I would have encouraged her to do those later as they were not likely to get too crowded whereas the bigger rides certainly would. But remember! We were taking a new, laid-back approach today. So we rode some rides in Bugs Land!

Wow... you really were sticking to that laid back approach. Very brave of you.

It was only about 8:15, but the CM out front was warning folks that they only had one elevator running and the wait time would likely be longer than posted. We decided to get out of line and grab some FPs to return between 8:55 and 9:55 - not long at all!

Good call.

And spotted Sully hanging out right in the entrance to the ride! And he was wearing his letterman's jacket!!!! Well, we weren't going to pass that up!

Great pictures with Sully.

I really enjoyed the Monsters Inc ride! I thought it was really neat and a lot of fun. Although, Monsters Inc is one of my favorite Pixar movies, so I might be biased and overly excited to finally have been able to experience it in ride form.

And I don't count Laugh Floor... it's alright, but it just doesn't do the movie justice.

 

[KatMark]

Roni, finally have some time to play catch up on all my threads.

Bugs Land looks really cute and I like your laid back approach and that you hit a couple of attractions there, even if Willow disobeyed and "danced."

Smart call on the FP for TOT.

I just love when you get a picture of Willow ahead of you. She looks like she's just enjoying herself so much and knows where to go without a care in the world.

Sulley...love that big guy and cute pictures with Willow.

The Monsters ride looks like it is really cute.

 

[RGirl]

I have to admit, I didn't spend a lot of time in Bug's Land. The friend I was with did, however, ride Tuck and Roll’s Drive ‘Em Buggies. I, however, did not.

Yeah, Bug's Land is not my favorite as far as rides, but I do think the theming is incredible in there. And the little kids sure seem to enjoy the rides.

Ugh, I'm kind of on board with FP+ now, but oh do I still miss paper fastpasses and what you did there at ToT reminds me why.

I hear ya! This summer will be our first FP+ trip. I'm hopeful that we will enjoy it. But I can't imagine it working at DLR - it's just so different from WDW.

I don't know why Monsters Inc would have such a short wait. I quite liked it. Reading the comments, I bet it was the location and being (once upon a time) a pretty quiet place.

I've always been surprised by the fact that we've never encountered a line there. Well, until last month, when I was surprised for the opposite reason.

Willow is just so freaking adorable. I get such a kick out of all the photos of her running ahead to the next big thing.

Awww - thanks! She sure does have a lot of fun zipping ahead of me.

First, I am only in day 5, but, loving it!!!! Now I want to do the same with my 14yo daughter. I am thinking 2016, can you tell me how did you plan this trip, I am trying to find on the internet. We are from Puerto Rico and only been once to Cali.

Hi Linet! It's great to see you here!!! I'm impressed that you've started from the beginning of this saga and kept going!

You should definitely do a trip like this with your DD - it's so fun!! As for planning, I just did a lot of research on-line ahead of time, figuring out where to stay based on how many miles we wanted to travel on a given day and what places looked interesting and got good reviews. I highly recommend the places we stayed on the way down the coast - we were VERY lucky that we were quite pleased with every place we stayed and attraction we visited. It was truly one of the best trips I've ever done. Let me know if you have any questions - I'm happy to try to answer them!

Alright, you've convinced me to try out the new DIS. It's going OK so far, the reorganization of the emoticons is my favorite part, but we'll see how posting my own update goes tomorrow

Welcome to the new DIS, Courtney!!!

I've been apologizing to everyone for being so far behind, but you know how my life is. School, work, making evil plans for the summer…

You know I love the evil plans!

We completely avoided the Bug's Life stuff when we went because my sister and I were both teens by that point, but it looks adorable!

Yeah, I'm not a fan of the attractions in there, but I do enjoy that we are kind of forced to walk through it frequently - it's so well-themed.

People don't like the Monsters, Inc. ride?! I love it!!

I don't know if people don't like it or just didn't realize it was there. Until last month, we have never had a wait and, honestly, most of the time, we have been the only people walking through the queue. Last month, however, was a different story - that area is where they've put all the Frozen stuff. And suddenly, there were a lot of people riding the Monsters ride. Darn it!

Oh my gosh, that picture of Willow where Sulley's completely covering her with his fur is too precious

I love that one too! He was really goofing around with us - lots of fun!

 

[RGirl]

I know... Oh well, at least we got to at least do it while we were there. I guess that gives us reason to come back later and see what replaces it.

It's never a bad thing to have an excuse to go to DLR!

I thought that seemed like a weird pathway. Kind of a choke point getting through there too.

Really? We have never encountered a lot of crowds going that way. How strange! I always like cutting through there and looking at all the cool themed touches in Bug's Land.

Wow... you really were sticking to that laid back approach. Very brave of you.

I was pretty proud of myself!

Great pictures with Sully.

Thanks! We always seem to have a lot of fun with Sully.

I really enjoyed the Monsters Inc ride! I thought it was really neat and a lot of fun. Although, Monsters Inc is one of my favorite Pixar movies, so I might be biased and overly excited to finally have been able to experience it in ride form.

We love that ride, but we too are pretty big Monsters fans. I want to go on the Monsters ride at Tokyo Disneyland!!!

And I don't count Laugh Floor... it's alright, but it just doesn't do the movie justice.

Completely agree! It's fun, but Monsters deserves a RIDE.

Roni, finally have some time to play catch up on all my threads.

Hi Kathy! You know I'm always playing catch-up, so I totally understand!

Bugs Land looks really cute and I like your laid back approach and that you hit a couple of attractions there, even if Willow disobeyed and "danced."

Bug's Land is one of the cutest places on earth, I think. It was nice to scale back the GO-GO-GO approach. I'm not good at that, but at least I managed it for this particular morning. It felt great!

Smart call on the FP for TOT.

Knowing that paper FP is gone from WDW, I always feel very excited to get those little suckers in my hand at DLR.

I just love when you get a picture of Willow ahead of you. She looks like she's just enjoying herself so much and knows where to go without a care in the world.

She really loves forging ahead with me following. I have no idea why!

Sulley...love that big guy and cute pictures with Willow.

We love him too! He was having a lot of fun hiding Willow from my camera.

The Monsters ride looks like it is really cute.

It's a great ride, Kathy. I bet you will really enjoy it when you visit DLR.

 

[RGirl]

The Contest: First person to provide the movie title from which the chapter heading comes gets a point; two points if the character who utters the line is also identified. If the first person doesn’t name the character, the first poster to do so will get a point.

Current Standing:
Courtney (courtneybelle): 14 points
Jill (jedijill): 22 points
pkondz: 10 points
Megan (MonsterWDWmom): 2 points
Shannon (shan23877): 6 points
Lori (STLMickeyMom): 4 points
petals: 1 point
Rob (DisneyKid4Life): 2 points
Dugette: 2 points

"Hey look, buildings! That building's so close, I can almost touch it!"​

Day 11C - Monday, 4 August 2014 - Disneyland Resort

When I last left off, we had just enjoyed a taxicab ride through Monstropolous. Keeping with our laid-back approach to this morning, we kind of wandered around a little, checking out the Muppets area.

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A show wasn't set to start anytime soon, so we continued on.

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Until we arrived at Condor Flats....

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It was about 8:35, and we thought a flight over California was sounding pretty good.

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When we exited Soarin', our ToT FPs were usable, so we started back in that direction.

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Willow sure does love this ride! (It is, however, the one ride that is on both coasts that I think is better at WDW.)

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Up Next: Day 11C

 

[RGirl]

Day 11C - Monday, 4 August 2014 - Disneyland Resort (cont.)

After ToT, Willow purchased some Minnie ears in the gift shop, thinking they would be perfect for our next destination….

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Now, we had a very important matter to attend to in DL at 10:00, so we decided to start making our way to the front of DCA. However, we were stopped in our tracks when Miss Willow spotted a character whom she had never met before! Doc was out!

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I have to say here - Doc was a little on the awkward side. She didn’t seem to know where to look or how to interact. But she’s new to the parks, so she’s probably just a little frazzled by all the attention.

After meeting Doc, I got a lesson in how much easier life was before Willow could read. You see, friends, we have never been to the Disney Junior Live on Stage show. Why? Well, during our first two trips when Willow was really in the age group for that scene, she hadn't seen any of the shows, so there didn't really seem to be a reason to see it. And then I kind of forgot about it, except when reading TRs and thinking, "yeah, I don't feel bad about missing that." I don't know why, people! Anyway, we met Doc and started walking along when Willow spotted the marquee for Disney Junior Live on Stage and went insane, "Disney Junior Live on Stage! Disney Junior Live on Stage!! I've seen commercials for this on the Disney Channel! I want to see it! Can we see it? Let's see it!!!"

Obviously, we weren't going to see it right now as we had another appointment and I don't think it had even started running yet today. But I did have to promise that we would come right back to DCA to see it.

We continued on out of DCA.

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And joined the herds at the gates to DL.

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We were in at about 9:40, I think.

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And we set out down Main Street.

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BTW, this is where you can pick up your PP+ card in DL park - it's towards the end of Main Street to the right.

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Up Next: Day 11D

 

[Dugette]

Ohhhh, Up and Russell!

Back for comments once I read the rest...

 

[Dugette]

I think I am going to attempt Disney Junior Live with Izzy again at WDW in May. We did it her first trip (when she was 14 months) and, as you said, it didn't matter since she didn't watch the shows. She was bored. She really only watches Mickey Mouse Clubhouse now, but I think she'd enjoy it at this point. Interested to see how Willow likes it...