He's with the Band! a DL Performing Arts TR- 7/13/15 A little Tiki Tiki Tiki Rum!

[Pinkocto]

LOVE the Santa picture! Too cool the E's still like to do that.

The race looks like great fun. And the blerch sounds hilarious. Awesome that Kendall joined you, has she been enjoying college?

 

[eandesmom]

LOVE the Santa picture! Too cool the E's still like to do that.

I know, I am lucky!

The race looks like great fun. And the blerch sounds hilarious. Awesome that Kendall joined you, has she been enjoying college?

She has been having a blast. Hopefully not too much. She does say it is hard but that doesn't seem to keep her from enjoying it. But we will see how the grades end up looking I guess!

 

[franandaj]

I'm amazed that they boys still want to take pictures with Santa at that age!

Sounds like you had a great run, or couple of runs. I'm looking forward to hearing about the rest of the trip!

 

[jedijill]

Love the shirts and the fact that they will still take a pic with Santa!

Jill in CO

 

[Captain_Oblivious]

Merry Christmas! I love the boys' Aloha shirts. Santa is looking pretty casual there as well.

The run sounds like a lot of fun, especially with all of the lights. I'm sure it looked really cool from the air!

 

[eandesmom]

I'm amazed that they boys still want to take pictures with Santa at that age!

Sounds like you had a great run, or couple of runs. I'm looking forward to hearing about the rest of the trip!

I am very happy that they do there was no torture involved...though they did get rewarded with lunch at Fatburger

Rest of the trip will get restarted soon, maybe Friday!

Love the shirts and the fact that they will still take a pic with Santa!

Jill in CO

I am very lucky that they will. I would make them anyway but...happy they enjoy it as much as they do!

Merry Christmas! I love the boys' Aloha shirts. Santa is looking pretty casual there as well.

The run sounds like a lot of fun, especially with all of the lights. I'm sure it looked really cool from the air!

We love that Santa, he's always in his workshop clothes. Looks far more real to me! Have been going there since Evan was 2.

It was super cool with the quadcopter! You can check it out here, and you'll love the music The Oatmeal chose!

 

[MAGICFOR2]

Carsland looks so fun! I don't know when we'll get out to see it, but I hope it doesn't change too much by then.

When I was first scanning through your last page before finding where I left off, I was a little confused by the lights on the bodies - but now I see what it was. Maybe next year the group could go for the record on lighted runners.

I can't spell in Hawaiian so MK to the boys, too! So fun they still want to see Santa!

 

[eandesmom]

Carsland looks so fun! I don't know when we'll get out to see it, but I hope it doesn't change too much by then.

Other than Luigi's I don't know what is planned but there are all kinds of updates and refurbs for the big 60th birthday party happening.

They did a magical job with the entire area!

When I was first scanning through your last page before finding where I left off, I was a little confused by the lights on the bodies - but now I see what it was. Maybe next year the group could go for the record on lighted runners.

I wonder what that record is? The video really is surrel

I can't spell in Hawaiian so MK to the boys, too! So fun they still want to see Santa!

they are smart those two, they know you have to believe to receive!

 

[Chilly]

It was being built on my last visit as well so it was all new. We had JUST missed WoC on our previous trip and it seemed like forever to get back and see it. That is a long long trip for you, I can't imagine.

I did see WoC on my trip but had a terrible view with being so short so don't really think I got the full experience. Yes its around a 10/11 hour flight to LA, Orlando is about 8 hours. We finally be able to book my flights for next years trip next week.

Love the photos of the Es with Santa.

 

[eandesmom]

I did see WoC on my trip but had a terrible view with being so short so don't really think I got the full experience. Yes its around a 10/11 hour flight to LA, Orlando is about 8 hours. We finally be able to book my flights for next years trip next week.

Love the photos of the Es with Santa.

I honestly think it's hard to get a really good view. I know others will disagree but it seems to me the best views will also equal getting a bit wet!

I love that photo too

 

[eandesmom]

Ten years ago, or at least is seems that way, we had just finished spinning with Mater and flying with Luigi.

Eric had one thing, and one thing only, on his mind.

He wanted to SCREAM!

We headed that way.

And saw some ladies



Who were just leaving



And some jamming army dudes

















Such a beautiful day!



I have always loved the theming here



The wait wasn't bad so Eric and I headed in, and while they waited for us, mom took a few pictures




She found us!













It was a good thing too as the photopass ended up being down. Which….may not mean it really was, it may mean someone did something inappropriate so they cut the photos. Oh well! I LOVE that ride!

Eric had another request.



Yeah.



Mickey’s fun wheel of DEATH!

Ugh.

I knew I would go on this and I knew I didn't want to. This one freaks me out but for Eric I was going to bite the bullet and do it.

Standing in line it doesn't always look so bad.



Look at that car slide!



I did follow the rules




Continued in next post

 

[eandesmom]

Continued from previous

Lower, it is not so bad



Until you see that







When it stopped swinging, it wasn't so bad, and even had a nice view



The swinging though....UGH!

Even if it did serve to remind us we STILL hadn't gotten a room ready text


Love this bear



The fountains were going



Which made rainbows









As we got higher we realized Goofy was conducting!















Ok. I do NOT like this ride. I freak out when it slides and my entire family, including my PARENTS, makes fun of me. I grip the sides, close my eyes, the whole ball of wax.

However, you sure can see some cool things from that high up.

Once you open your eyes that is.

And be thankful that your mom is taking pictures since you are too freaked out to do so yourself.













But Goofy, well Goofy conducting, the music, and the fountain going off was magical, absolutely magical. I would not have seen that had we not been on that darn ride.

Things happen for a reason!

Which does NOT mean I ever need to go on it again.

Eric really wanted to go on Grizzly River Run but it was approaching 3:30 and we’d been told 3:30 - 4pm is when our room should be ready. My parents were fading and I didn’t really feel like getting wet. We hadn’t received a text but decided to head in and check.

There is something about this little stretch of DCA that is my absolute favorite. Something about it that is SO quintessential California to me. Or at least the California I grew up with, which was redwoods and national parks. It makes me smile every single time. The smell, the feel, the everything.

Continued in next post

 

[eandesmom]

Continued from previous

Bye Bye Grizzly, hope to see you another day!





This guy made me smile too!



The not so secret entry to the GC doesn’t suck either.

Arriving in the lobby I headed to the desk.

Nope. Room wasn't ready but it should be soon.

We decided to hang out in the lobby





As did the entire world.

As we sat, and waited, the clock ticked. The lobby filled up. I swear, the entire world was checking in on Easter and all were waiting for the rooms along with us. The band was marching at 6:25. We needed to get into the park and find our viewing spot with plenty of time to spare. My mom and dad were not exactly set up to sprint from the GC to the parade route so we needed to allow for that as well, plus of course any Easter crowds.

My dad fell asleep.

Yep. The man can sleep ANYWHERE and it was nap time.

About 4:20 I went to check on status, 4pm was check in time after all. Nope, no room. Not only no room but they seemed QUITE taken aback that I was expecting it by 4. "Oh no, they said". "The villas aren't ready for check in until about 5. Housekeeping cleans those last".

Great.

I sat back down.

Looked around at the completely packed lobby full of like sad souls waiting and my stress level started to rise. I got up for a walk, explored a little and came back to the group with a mandate that we move.

To here.



The Hearthstone Lounge.

Away from the madness of the lobby, not crowded at all, an oasis of peace
Comfy and Cozy



With fun lights



As we sat, and enjoyed a drink, we waited for our text.

And waited

And waited

I wasn't about to go back up till after 5 after I’d been chastised. The reality was much after 5 and we would just have to go the park and deal with the room later that night. About 5:20 we headed out. We decided we would check one last time and if not ready straight to the park we would go.

It was ready.

Gee, thanks for letting me know! We debated but in the end decided to run up there and at least get our bags and groceries delivered so it was there when we got back. We figured we could swing by later if needed for warmer clothes and at least our stuff would be there.

As we waited for bags, I attempted a few room pictures.





The real question was, what did our view look like?











It was actually better from the living room than the balcony but it’s hard to tell that with the lighting. Either way, it was pretty darn good. Not the best you can get but not bad at all.



Checked in to our room, bags delivered and groceries away we headed back out, it was almost

PARADE TIME!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[Steppesister]

Lovely, LOVELY updates! Brings back so many memories of my last trip there with my mom and aunt just before she passed away. My last and lingering memory of her. We laughed and cried, and enjoyed every minute of our time together. Thank you, thank you for your TR and letting my re-live, even if only vicariously, my time there.

I can TOTALLY relate to the Mickey's Wheel of Death! UGH, I call it Puke-Inducer. We came off about ready to ralph. Yes, great view. Yes, amazing Cal smell and sights and sound. But only ALMOST worth it.

Haven't done the swings. Need to put that on the list for next time.

Yay for parade time!

 

[PrincessInOz]

Ahhh. Mickey's Fun Wheel of Death. Believe it or not, we quite like the swinging gondolas. But I can totally understand not wanting to go on it. It is one of those rides where the pits of your stomach gets to reacquaint themselves with the top of your lungs.

That's a shame that the room wasn't ready until after 5 pm. I did not know that the villa check in was after 5. I could have sworn they were 4 pm.

Looking forward to the parade.

 

[Pinkocto]

What kind of garbage were they trying to pass off? It specifically says on the reservation that check-in is at 4:00. I'm sorry you sat around waiting that long


I was expecting the swinging cars to swing more I liked it but was expecting more. I think I'm a rare one in that respect....

Isn't that Goofy show too cute. I love all those extras they have going on.

Nice view from the room.

 

[Captain_Oblivious]

And saw some ladies

Holy cow, that's a big guitar.

It was a good thing too as the photopass ended up being down. Which….may not mean it really was, it may mean someone did something inappropriate so they cut the photos.

Eric had another request.

WHY?!?!?!?!

Look at that car slide!

Nope. No desire to experience that.

As we got higher we realized Goofy was conducting!

Very fun! I bet it's fun to watch from ground level too.

Ok. I do NOT like this ride. I freak out when it slides and my entire family, including my PARENTS, makes fun of me. I grip the sides, close my eyes, the whole ball of wax.

I don't blame you in the least. I remember seeing that thing for first time, realizing the cars slid, and wondering what maniac would actually enjoy that.

Very cool shot!

Another neat one!

There is something about this little stretch of DCA that is my absolute favorite. Something about it that is SO quintessential California to me. Or at least the California I grew up with, which was redwoods and national parks. It makes me smile every single time. The smell, the feel, the everything.

I really liked that area as well. Of course I also love the Wilderness Lodge...

The lobby filled up. I swear, the entire world was checking in on Easter and all were waiting for the rooms along with us.

Man, it's like it's a major holiday weekend or something.

About 5:20 we headed out. We decided we would check one last time and if not ready straight to the park we would go.

It was ready.

Gee, thanks for letting me know!

Urge to kill...rising...

The real question was, what did our view look like?

Not too shabby!

 

[afwdwfan]

The Christmas run looks like a lot of fun... you know, if you're into that whole running thing. Kind of a neat concept.

Your day at California Adventure looks fun. And I'm glad you went on the wheel of death, even though you didn't want to. I assume all that mess of fountains and lines in the water below is for WoC? Interesting pictures!

But Goofy conducting the water? Really? I've seen Fantasmic, Mickey is the one who controls the water!

Sorry about the check in ordeal with your room. I went through that a couple of years ago at Coronado Springs. Really, if check in time is 4... have the room ready by 4!!! If you can't have it ready by then, don't advertise it as such!

 

[jedijill]

Boo to the room ordeal. That is ridiculous that villas aren't ready until after 5. Glad you finally got in though.

CA looked like so much fun. I didn't mind MFWoD but I see why people hate it.

Jill in CO

 

[natebenma]

for Paradise Pier.

Glad you took a spin on California Screamin!

Wow, you really took one for the team on Mickey's Fun Wheel. I did the swinging once with Ben. Done with that! The view are better from the ones that don't move.

Love this bear

This is the first picture I have seen where the rock formation looks like a bear. It looks like a wolf to me in most views.

What a bummer about the wait for your room. Glad you got a view you were happy with. I hope we get to see what it looks like at night. CA is such a beautiful park in the dark.