Disneyland or Bust: A Mother-Daughter Coastal Road Trip

[Dugette]

After consulting with Dug, I'll go with the Evil Queen from Enchanted?

Be back for comments.

 

[Dugette]

we spent much of the week vacationing on the Oregon Coast. I may do a little mini-TR about that trip on my other DLR TR once I get pictures organized and stuff.

Oooh, cool. I'd love to read a mini-TR on that. We were out in Oregon about a year ago and visited the coast one day (mini-TR is in the "off-topic" part of the index here - 4 parts - if you are interested: Bear Hugs & Piggy Kisses - Baby's 1st Trip ~ Updated 12/6: Aulani TR Started!!!)

Willow stood up and waved at Anna (in her Anna dress, of course), and she really lucked out because Anna spotted her and waved directly at her.

Love all the magic with this parade! The fact that you found a spot like that and then had amazing character interactions...pure pixie dust.

 

[courtneybelle]

I'm going to guess Maleficent from Sleeping Beauty! Back in a sec to comment...

 

[courtneybelle]

Even though you're not parade people I hope you try to see Festival of Fantasy on your WDW trip! I have a feeling Willow would flip over the Frozen float...

I love Soundsational SO MUCH oh my gosh. It's so beautiful and colorful! Great pics!!!

That is awesome that Bert stopped to talk to Willow!!! What a guy!

 

[DisneyKid4Life]

I honestly even miss the Esplanade between the two parks. Plus, I like saying "Esplanade".

Well done multi-tasking there Willow. See, Disney trips are educational!!

I am not in the least surprised that Willow commands so much character attention. How could she not? Like seriously????

This is the Soundsational Parade, right? OMG You're gonna LOVE Festival of Fantasy!! (and One Man's Dream... yeah I'm throwing that in there.)

 

[pkondz]

Hmmmmmmm.... I'm sure that Courtney wouldn't make a mistake, but...
Just in case, I thought it was Stepmom from Cinderella.

ETA And after I posted, I Googled.... and I was right! I'm wrong!

Amazingly, we were able to snag a spot on the curb right outside City Hall.

"There was a family with two small kids that had been sitting there for over two hours, but they were weak from the heat and a lack of hydration and we were easily able to push them out of the way. Willow sat on the curb while I stood behind her. Several people behind me commented about blocking their view, but they're just rude and jealous that I got to see a parade without standing there for an hour first."

We are not usually big parade people - we will sometimes watch them when we're in the right place at the right time,

You just wrote my next chapter.
That was easy.

it was now featuring a pre-parade float with Anna and Elsa

Are they on the same float? Elsa's looks a lot higher than Anna's.

Hey look, folks! Willow does really eat decent food - I told you!

"Willow, I'm getting a lot of flak from my friends. Take this banana."
"Ewww!"
"No, no, no. You don't have to eat it. Just hold it and pretend like you're taking a bite out of it."
<click!>

Willow really lucked out with a lot of characters spotting her and acknowledging her. So much so that the woman sitting next to me commented on it.

That's great!

And now for total picture overload…..

Needs more Ariel shots, but otherwise, great pics!

Probably the best character interaction Willow had, however, was when her old friend Bert stopped his carousel horse and chatted with her for several seconds.

Wow! That's really awesome that he just stopped in the middle of the parade to chat like that!

Thanks for the update!

 

[STLMickeyMom]

What? Is willow eating a banana? I thought she only ate chicken nuggets and Mac and cheese!

Those parade pictures are so amazing! We don't always do parades either but that looks like a fun one.

If Bert stopped to talk to Maddie, shed probably faint!

 

[Woodskeeper]

Even though you're not parade people I hope you try to see Festival of Fantasy on your WDW trip! I have a feeling Willow would flip over the Frozen float...

THIS times a million. Although Celebrate a Dream Come True will always have a special place in my heart from seeing it at work everyday... and Boo-to-You is without a doubt the *best* parade out there, Festival of Fantasy is extremely well done with fun floats, amazingly beautiful costumes and catchy music. Catch it in Frontierland this summer over by Pecos and Splash. Several great reasons: 1) It steps off there, 2) Not too many people wait there, 3) It's easy access to Pirates, Splash or Thunder afterwards, especially if you have a FP+ for the 3:15 area ;-)

 

[courtneybelle]

"Willow, I'm getting a lot of flak from my friends. Take this banana."
"Ewww!"
"No, no, no. You don't have to eat it. Just hold it and pretend like you're taking a bite out of it."
<click!>

Do you ever laugh so hard you cry? Because I do.

 

[pkondz]

Do you ever laugh so hard you cry? Because I do.

pkondz make nice girl cry.
Bad pkondz! Bad!

 

[afwdwfan]

DL does have VERY good parades

Willow stood up and waved at Anna (in her Anna dress, of course), and she really lucked out because Anna spotted her and waved directly at her. Willow was quite pleased with the whole A&E pre-parade float.

I'm sure that really made her day.

Soon, the rest of the parade started going by, and we really enjoyed it all. Willow really lucked out with a lot of characters spotting her and acknowledging her. So much so that the woman sitting next to me commented on it. I really just think it was luck or possibly it just shows on her face how truly excited she is when she sees her favorite characters

Or maybe not. I guess it had nothing to do with Anna, Willow was just a character magnet!

I think your point about her excitement for certain characters being apparent probably played into it. I know there are tons of smiling faces for the characters on the float to look at as they pass, but seeing an extra excited face front and center, maybe one with some glitter and make up and a princess dress to stand out a little more, probably really grabs their attention.

Probably the best character interaction Willow had, however, was when her old friend Bert stopped his carousel horse and chatted with her for several seconds.

Wow, that really is special!

 

[KatMark]

What a fun update, Roni. I am a lover of parades but can never get anyone to want to do them with me.

And you got awesome pictures from your awesome spot. And lucky Willow having a conversation with Bert.

 

[dizneeat]

All caught up - too much to comment on - just one thing: HOW cute is that BBB hairdo! I LOVE it!!!!!!!!!

 

[jedijill]

Finally caught up! Can I say I hate the new Disboards lack of notifications?!?!?1

Looks like you guys had an amazing time. Love Willow's coronation dress and hairdo!

Jill in CO

 

[RGirl]

After consulting with Dug, I'll go with the Evil Queen from Enchanted?

Good guess, but not quite!

Oooh, cool. I'd love to read a mini-TR on that. We were out in Oregon about a year ago and visited the coast one day (mini-TR is in the "off-topic" part of the index here - 4 parts - if you are interested: Bear Hugs & Piggy Kisses - Baby's 1st Trip ~ Updated 12/6: Aulani TR Started!!!)

Oh good! I definitely plan to do one - we had such a great time. I may try to get my pictures ready and get it started this weekend.

And I totally have to check out your coastal installment - I want to see where you were exactly!

Love all the magic with this parade! The fact that you found a spot like that and then had amazing character interactions...pure pixie dust.

It really was a lucky break, for sure! So fun!!!!

I'm going to guess Maleficent from Sleeping Beauty! Back in a sec to comment...

Correct character, wrong movie. Interesting, eh???? One point for Courtney......

Even though you're not parade people I hope you try to see Festival of Fantasy on your WDW trip! I have a feeling Willow would flip over the Frozen float...

Oh, I really want to see it - the pictures all look amazing. I really enjoy the parades; I'm just not willing to camp out for them. We still manage to see quite a few - at least at Disneyland; it seems to be easier there.

I love Soundsational SO MUCH oh my gosh. It's so beautiful and colorful! Great pics!!!

We have actually managed to see this one a few times - it's always good!

That is awesome that Bert stopped to talk to Willow!!! What a guy!

Bert and Willow go waaaaaaay back - there old buddies.

 

[RGirl]

I honestly even miss the Esplanade between the two parks. Plus, I like saying "Esplanade".

Don't you just love the Esplanade? Just makes you want to park hop back and forth all day long!

I am not in the least surprised that Willow commands so much character attention. How could she not? Like seriously????

You are very sweet! I think she just really lucked out at this particular parade. It sure was a lot of fun for her!

This is the Soundsational Parade, right? OMG You're gonna LOVE Festival of Fantasy!! (and One Man's Dream... yeah I'm throwing that in there.)

It is - and I do think we will love the new one at MK too. It looks amazing! And One Man's Dream!

Hmmmmmmm.... I'm sure that Courtney wouldn't make a mistake, but...
Just in case, I thought it was Stepmom from Cinderella.

ETA And after I posted, I Googled.... and I was right! I'm wrong!

Well, you are correct that you were wrong, but Courtney did make a tiny mistake......

"There was a family with two small kids that had been sitting there for over two hours, but they were weak from the heat and a lack of hydration and we were easily able to push them out of the way. Willow sat on the curb while I stood behind her. Several people behind me commented about blocking their view, but they're just rude and jealous that I got to see a parade without standing there for an hour first."

You know us so well!!!

You just wrote my next chapter.
That was easy.

You are welcome!

Are they on the same float? Elsa's looks a lot higher than Anna's.

Same float - Elsa's spot is elevated.

"Willow, I'm getting a lot of flak from my friends. Take this banana."
"Ewww!"
"No, no, no. You don't have to eat it. Just hold it and pretend like you're taking a bite out of it."
<click!>

Needs more Ariel shots, but otherwise, great pics!

Sorry about that! Here ya go....

Wow! That's really awesome that he just stopped in the middle of the parade to chat like that!

It was very cool. We have had multiple phenomenal interactions with Bert at DL.

 

[RGirl]

What? Is willow eating a banana? I thought she only ate chicken nuggets and Mac and cheese!

It's a Disney miracle!

Those parade pictures are so amazing! We don't always do parades either but that looks like a fun one.

You know, we really always enjoy them when we actually stop. This one is particularly good, I think. We've seen it 2 or 3 times and still enjoy it.

If Bert stopped to talk to Maddie, shed probably faint!

It was very special. Willow and Bert do go way back though....

THIS times a million. Although Celebrate a Dream Come True will always have a special place in my heart from seeing it at work everyday... and Boo-to-You is without a doubt the *best* parade out there, Festival of Fantasy is extremely well done with fun floats, amazingly beautiful costumes and catchy music. Catch it in Frontierland this summer over by Pecos and Splash. Several great reasons: 1) It steps off there, 2) Not too many people wait there, 3) It's easy access to Pirates, Splash or Thunder afterwards, especially if you have a FP+ for the 3:15 area ;-)

Thanks for the great tips!!

And I agree - Boo to You is amazing! Probably my favorite parade I've ever seen.

Do you ever laugh so hard you cry? Because I do.

And it often has to do with pkondz, interestingly enough.

pkondz make nice girl cry.
Bad pkondz! Bad!

You bad, bad man!

 

[RGirl]

I'm sure that really made her day.

She was pretty darn excited!

Or maybe not. I guess it had nothing to do with Anna, Willow was just a character magnet!

I think your point about her excitement for certain characters being apparent probably played into it. I know there are tons of smiling faces for the characters on the float to look at as they pass, but seeing an extra excited face front and center, maybe one with some glitter and make up and a princess dress to stand out a little more, probably really grabs their attention.

Yeah, I'm sure all of that played into it. And then, I think it was just her lucky day with parade characters, you know? Whatever it was, it was very cool!

Wow, that really is special!

It was truly a great moment.

What a fun update, Roni. I am a lover of parades but can never get anyone to want to do them with me.

Did you ever figure out if our dates overlap? I'll totally watch a parade with you!

And you got awesome pictures from your awesome spot. And lucky Willow having a conversation with Bert.

Yeah, it was a pretty gosh darn great parade experience!

All caught up - too much to comment on - just one thing: HOW cute is that BBB hairdo! I LOVE it!!!!!!!!!

Karin! It's so great to see you back!

Finally caught up! Can I say I hate the new Disboards lack of notifications?!?!?1

Jill!!! I was wondering if you were some kind of new-board casualty! Funny, I actually feel more alerted with the new version of the boards. But, as we all know, I'm terrible with any kinds of alerts and staying caught up anywhere.

Looks like you guys had an amazing time. Love Willow's coronation dress and hairdo

Thanks! The whole trip was just so great, and the new 'do was a BIG hit!

 

[RGirl]

Here ye, Here ye! There is still a point available for the first person who can identify the correct movie for the last quotation!

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): 24 points
Jill (jedijill): 22 pints
pkondz: 17 points
Megan (MonsterWDWmom): 2 points
Shannon (shan23877): 8 points
Lori (STLMickeyMom): 4 points
petals: 1 point
Rob (DisneyKid4Life): 6 points
Dugette: 6 points
Kathy (KatMark): 2 points
Andy (afwdwfan): 6 points
Rory (Woodskeeper): 1 point
Gracefulskinny: 2 points

"For too long I've been parched of thirst and unable to quench it. Too long I've been starving to death and haven't died."​

Day 13F - Wednesday, 6 August 2014 - Disneyland Resort

When I last left off, we had enjoyed the parade at DL. After watching the last parade performers make their way past us, we headed off down Main Street with a quick stop at the restrooms so that Miss Willow could transform herself from Anna to Elsa. (Andy, I know you will appreciate this quick change moment!!!)

​

We headed over towards the Matterhorn to check the wait time.

​

The single-rider line wait was very doable, so at just about 5:00, we got in line.

​

We had a great ride as always, although you wouldn’t know it from this pic.

​

Next, we wandered over to Frontierland and picked up these babies at 5:20.

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We headed on to New Orleans Square to discover that PotC was down. So we headed over to the Blue Bayou where we had a dinner reservation for tonight.

​

Our reservation was at 5:40, but we decided to go ahead and check in at 5:25 and request a table by the water. (For those who do not know, the Blue Bayou is located inside the PotC attraction.) We were told that there would be a 20- to 40-minute wait for a water table, and we said we were just fine with that. We headed in and had a seat in the lovely air-conditioned lobby.

​

Isn't Willow's Elsa bun so cute?

​

We were pretty happy to soak up some AC.

​

By 5:45, we were sitting at a water table.

​

It's not easy to take decent non-flash pics in here. At least for me. So this is the quality you get.

​

When we were first seated, PotC was still down, so there were no boats going by. However, before long, we started seeing empty boats passing by.

​

And then boats filled with guests started through. I had no idea that so many PotC guests think it's awesome to scream things at the Blue Bayou diners.

Despite the occasional rude PotC pirate guest, we really enjoyed our experience here. The atmosphere is very cool, and occasional yells aside, it is mostly very quiet and serene (just like the beginning of the DL version of PotC, which is where the restaurant is located). Willow also enjoyed waving at the PotC cruisers.

​

We both got mint juleps for our beverage.

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I had a salad to start (included with the entrée).

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At some point, Willow determined that there wasn't enough light to enjoy her menu activities, so she pulled out her flashlight pen.

​

Willow very much enjoyed the mac and cheese here. She actually ate every bite of it.

​

And I thought the jambalaya was really good too. The server had warned me that it was quite spicy, but I didn't find it to be too spicy at all (and I have a pretty sensitive palate when it comes to spice). It was good!

​

At about 6:45, we were done with dinner and headed out of the Blue Bayou.

​

Up Next: Day 13G

 

[pkondz]

Well, you are correct that you were wrong, but Courtney did make a tiny mistake......

Well I'm just gonna say it then....
Maleficent from.... Maleficent.

Sorry about that! Here ya go....

Annnnnndddd..... Thank you. Thankyou very much!