Homework? Nah, I'm Going to Disneyland! - An Ongoing Trip Report (Updated 2/28)

[Mahale]

Hello, and welcome!

Despite reading so many trip reports, I really have no clue how to start this thing. I guess I should probably begin by introducing myself, as that seems very logical, doesn’t it?

I’m a 20-year-old student going to college in the Los Angeles area, and I’m a bit obsessed with Disney. I have an annual pass to Disneyland, and I try to visit as often as possible. In 2009, I was able to take one five-day trip, and seven day trips. So far in 2010, I’m up to five day trips. I love having an annual pass because I love going down after class and just hanging out for a few hours.

I’d like to include a picture right here, but you see, I’m very paranoid about giving out too many personal details. Why? It’s not because I’m worried about being stalked or anything like that. No, I’m really more worried about someone who knows me in real life finding out just how obsessed with Disney I really am. But enough about my paranoia.

So why am I starting this report? The one problem I’ve discovered with going so often is that often the trips start to run together in my mind. I might remember certain events, but after a while, the little details run together. I’m hoping that by writing a report each time I go, I’ll be able to remember the trips as separate trips, if that makes sense. I’m not sure how well this will work, but I figure it’s worth trying.

I have to apologize, as I feel like this getting a bit dry. I’m new to this whole trip reporting thing, so I’m hoping that as I go on with this project, my writing will improve.

I think that’s all I have to say for now. I’m not sure I included enough, or if this will draw anyone in, but it will have to suffice for now, as I’m feeling a little clueless as to what I should put.

Thank you, and enjoy!

Table of Contents:
Valentine's Day: Part One
Valentine's Day: Part Two
February 21: Part One
February 21: Part Two

 

[Mahale]

Aah, Valentine’s Day. Or if you prefer, Singles Awareness Day. Either way, I think it’s a great excuse to eat chocolate.

Alas, on this Valentine’s Day, I had no plans for a big date, but I was going to Disneyland. Not too bad, right? Normally I would never have thought of going to Disneyland on Valentine’s Day, after all, it was President’s Day weekend, and I knew the parks would be packed. While I can handle some crowds, overall, I try to stay clear of them whenever possible. So you may be wondering why then I was going to Disneyland on a day I knew was going to be super crowded.

You see, I had friends from out of town visiting Disneyland, and I wanted to see them. Well, okay, let’s be honest, I wanted to see them, and I wanted an excuse to go to Disneyland even if it was going to be busy. So, my mom and I decided to drive down on Sunday and get lunch with them in Downtown Disney, and maybe hang out in the parks a bit.

Unfortunately, right before we left that morning, it suddenly occurred to me that I should probably check the blockout days for annual passes. While I have a premium annual pass, my mom only has a deluxe, and as I suspected, February 14th was a blockout day for deluxe passes. Hm. Slightly disappointed, we decided that we would not let this affect our plans, and if needed, my mom was willing to buy a ticket for that day.

Traffic was great for LA all the way there, until we got to the Mickey and Friends parking garage. I’ve never seen the line to get in the parking garage so backed up! We probably waited about ten or fifteen minutes before getting in. After parking, we decided to forgo the tram, and walk to Downtown Disney. It was a really lovely day, not sure how hot it was, but I was almost getting a bit too warm in my t-shirt and jeans.

I believe it was around 1:00 or 1:20 around that point, and we had planned to meet our friends for lunch at 2. We had decided on Naples Ristorante e Pizzeria, and while we couldn’t make a reservation for 2, we could put our name down and they said they would have a table ready in about 40 minutes. That worked, but we still had some time to kill.

Off we headed to Compass Books to get a present for one of our friends who was celebrating their birthday. After picking out a biography of Walt Disney, we headed back to wait for our friends to meet us. While I waited at our designated meeting spot, my mom waited at Naples in case our table was ready early.

Eventually we met up with our friends and were seated outside on the patio. As I mentioned, it was a really nice day, and very comfortable outside in the shade. I ordered the Quattro Formaggi pizza, minus the tomatoes and basil, and it was excellent, if not a little greasy. Everyone else shared a large pizza, and while I don’t remember which one it was, I remember that everyone really liked it.

We ended up sitting there for about two hours, just talking. The service was nice, our waitress didn’t mind us sitting there for so long after we had eaten, and even brought out a bowl of ice cream with a candle for our friend who was celebrating their birthday. Eventually, I was the one who made us get up as I wanted to get back to school so I could get some homework done before going to a party that night.

“Are you sure you don’t want to go in the parks, even just for a little bit? I don’t mind waiting out here for you while you go ride a ride or two.” my mom kept asking me.

And I would reply, “No, I really think I should get back and finish that homework so I don’t have to do it tomorrow when I’m tired.”

I’m such a good student.

Not really.

Well, I would like to clarify that I really am a good student, but once again, the title of this trip report rang true.

Homework? Nah, I’m going to Disneyland. Or as the case was today, California Adventure.

--

I’d like to apologize for the lack of pictures in the post, and there’s going only going to be two in the next one. Normally I tend to take more, but I did not, for some reason, take any on this day. I tend to like a lot of pictures in trip reports myself, so hopefully future updates will not be so text driven.

 

[Mahale]

When I last left off, I had decided that, instead of doing my homework, I would head over to California Adventure. Unfortunately, as previously mentioned, my mom could not come with me, but she was willing to wait outside in Downtown Disney for me. I have such a great mom.

I decided to go to California Adventure over Disneyland because I wasn’t planning on doing many rides, if any, and I love the art store, Off the Page. I should probably come clean and mention that I have a slight addiction to Disney art. I love it. I have quite a few prints, mostly just the small inexpensive posters, but yeah, it’s a bit of an addiction. While I’m coming clean about all this, I should probably mention my obsession with Vinylmation too. I can’t help buying a blind box or two every time I go.

I told my mom I would probably just check out the single rider line for Soarin’, and then head to Off the Page, or maybe check out the line for Tower of Terror. I almost decided not to go in when I saw the lines to just get in the park, but I moved all the way to the line on the far left, and I was in in less than two minutes.

Once I was inside, I decided I didn’t want to go to Soarin’, and instead decided I just wanted to go to Off the Page, and maybe get some Vinylmation. I was kind of hoping they would have received some Cutesters back in stock as they had been out last time I went, but as I might have guessed, they hadn’t.

I wandered around the store, and after watching the sketch artist, I decided I really wanted a sketch. I had never bought one before, at least not one that I had commissioned. I have a Stitch sketch that I love, but I bought it already framed and everything. So for whatever reason, I decided I was going to get a sketch done.

I flipped through the design books, but nothing caught my eye. I thought the books might be a bit outdated, lacking some of the newer films, so I asked if they had any Princess and the Frog ones, and yes, they did. They had one of just Tiana, and one of Tiana and Naveen. I figured since I was going to get one, I may as well go all out and get the one with both.

After choosing the colors I wanted for my sketch, and paying, the artist set to work. I felt a bit awkward just standing there and watching, so I would watch, wander around the store a bit more, pick out the prints I would buy if I had lots of money, and occasionally go to just stand over in the main room of Disney Animation. It probably sounds silly, but I love just standing in there, listening to the music and watching the big screens. And then I would go back and watch the artist some more.

It took about 45 minutes in all, and I was (and still am) so pleased with the piece! It’s beautiful. Pictures? Of course!

(it’s definitely not that dark in real life. you can blame the awful lighting in my room for that)

I absolutely love it, and can’t wait to get it framed.

After that, I realized that it was getting pretty late, and if I wanted to get any homework done before the party, I would have to leave right then. So I called my mom, met up with her, and we left.

Although this is my first trip to a Disney park where I didn’t ride any rides, I still had a really fun time. One of the things I love about having an annual pass is knowing that I’ll be back again soon, so I don’t feel like I have to cram everything in. Just being able to soak in the atmosphere is enough.

And being able to buy art.

--

Hopefully I’ll be heading down to Disneyland this weekend, so hopefully I will have another update soon that will hopefully have more pictures and more action. I realize this was probably not the most exciting of trip reports, but hopefully I’ll get better at writing these with a little more flair.

(and yes, I used the word hopefully four times in that last paragraph, and no, I don’t really care )

Alright, take care!

 

[kaoden39]

How fun to just go to the parks and just meander around. I think that your time at the parks sounds wonderful.

 

[Mahale]

How fun to just go to the par and just meander around. I think that your time at the parks sounds wonderful.

Meandering is a perfect word to describe how I do the parks now.



So, I went this past Sunday, and had a great time. I hope to update this as soon as I get some homework out of the way. Or should I make the title of this, "Homework? Nah, I'm Working on a Trip Report"?

 

[Mahale]

On December 5th, I saw Tiana’s Showboat Jubilee, and fell completely in love with it. I think it was the music, like the processional version of Down in New Orleans, and the extended version of Gonna Take You There. I immediately bought the soundtrack afterward, and I was slightly disappointed when listening to it on the car ride home since it wasn’t exactly like the Jubilee version of the songs. I still think the Jubilee versions are much better. I was able to see the Jubilee three times before it closed. Truth be told, I’m still pretty sad it’s not playing anymore.

And since I’d like to not make this a text only update, here are a few photos I took last December of it. Completely unnecessary, but I can't resist.

So what does that have to do with my trip on Sunday, February 21st?

Well, I found out there was a new little Princess and the Frog show called Tiana’s Mardi Gras Celebration that featured Tiana singing some of the songs from the movie in New Orleans Square. Of course, I had to go see it. If it was even half as good as Tiana’s Showboat Jubilee, I would be happy.

Being the impatient person I am, I decided I needed to go that weekend. I checked the weather forecast, and decided Sunday would be a better day since there was a lower chance of rain.

The Thursday before, I called my mom.

“Mom, would you be willing to go with me to Disneyland on Sunday?”

“Didn’t we just go last Sunday?”

“Well, yeah… But I really want to take some pictures. And stuff.”

“Is there something special going on?”

“No. I just want to go.”

“Alright.”

That’s the condensed version of our conversation, but you get the general idea. You might be wondering why I didn’t tell my mom about the show that inspired the trip. To be honest, I don’t have a good answer for that, but I guess I was afraid that she wouldn’t come if she knew one of the main reasons I wanted to go was simply to see a fifteen/twenty minute show.

I would also like to note that my reason of wanting to take photographs really was the other reason I wanted to go. I’ve been doing wildlife photography for about five years now, and more recently I’ve started trying to do Disneyland photography, like taking pictures of the parades and shows, and such. It’s fun, but it is a hassle to bring my heavy DSLR around, so I don’t do it that often. I hadn’t brought it for a while, so I thought it would be fun to take photographs of Tiana’s Mardi Gras Celebration.

Anyway, with the plan in place, I finished my homework on Saturday, a rarity for me, and went to bed early Saturday night so I could get up early, another rarity for me.

Unfortunately when I woke up Sunday morning, it was overcast and looked like it could rain at any time. “Great” I thought to myself, “didn’t I choose Sunday because it was supposed to be nicer...?”

--

And I’ll end on that note.

Hopefully I’ll get another update posted soon, because I’m sure you’re all dying to know whether or not it rained.

 

[kaoden39]

I want that movie real bad. I didn't see it at the theater for one reason or another but it looks really good to me. I have movies on the brain, we are going to be at the parks when Toy Story 3 starts, my kids are trying to convince me that we need to go. We shall see.

 

[Mahale]

I want that movie real bad. I didn't see it at the theater for one reason or another but it looks really good to me. I have movies on the brain, we are going to be at the parks when Toy Story 3 starts, my kids are trying to convince me that we need to go. We shall see.

I think it's a great movie (obviously). It definitely has some flaws, but if you can look past them, it's really enjoyable. I think you'll have to see Toy Story 3 for sure. It's looks really cute, and I don't even like the other two movies that much!

 

[kaoden39]

I think it's a great movie (obviously). It definitely has some flaws, but if you can look past them, it's really enjoyable. I think you'll have to see Toy Story 3 for sure. It's looks really cute, and I don't even like the other two movies that much!

I don't know why but those movies really cheer me up. I love the princess movies and the thought of a new princess wasa really exciting to me.

 

[Mahale]

I don't know why but those movies really cheer me up. I love the princess movies and the thought of a new princess wasa really exciting to me.

Well, if you love the princess movies, then I'm sure you'll really like the Princess and the Frog. I don't particularly care for the princesses normally, but there's just something about this movie that makes me smile when watching it.

 

[kaoden39]

Well, if you love the princess movies, then I'm sure you'll really like the Princess and the Frog. I don't particularly care for the princesses normally, but there's just something about this movie that makes me smile when watching it.

It's funny, I have two daughters, one loves the princesses and the other one is meh. I am guessing that maybe it is the catchy jazz music is part of what makes that movie so much fun.

 

[heatherleigh]

You're so fortunate to be able to go whenever. That would be a dream come true for me.

 

[Mahale]

It's funny, I have two daughters, one loves the princesses and the other one is meh. I am guessing that maybe it is the catchy jazz music is part of what makes that movie so much fun.

I think you're right about the music being such a big part of its charm. It really is catchy and fun.

You're so fortunate to be able to go whenever. That would be a dream come true for me.

I feel very lucky to live so close now. I didn't grow up in southern California, so I had dreamt about living near a Disney park most my life.

 

[Mahale]

As we drove down to Disneyland, the clouds remained, threatening to rain on us. However, I was determined not to let this weather get the best of me. I was going to have a good time at Disneyland, rain or shine. Though I admit that I was a little nervous that if it rained, Tiana’s Mardi Gras Celebretion and Celebrate! would be cancelled, and I would be left lugging around my camera for nothing.

Traffic was light, and we arrived around noon. First order of business? Lunch. We had some pizza at Napolini, the quick service restaurant attached to Naples. The pizza was all right, but the pizza we had had at Naples the weekend before was much better. Still, not bad since we wanted something fast.

There’s nothing quite like the feeling of entering Disneyland. For me, the excitement starts after getting through security, and hearing the music shift from the pop/rock of Downtown Disney to classic Disney favorites. I can’t figure how to articulate what, but there’s something about that subtle shift in music..

And then there’s the feeling when you actually enter the park. I wish I could describe it, but I’m afraid I would start getting a little overly sentimental and cheesy. Maybe I’ll try another time.

Needless to say, the feelings were all there that afternoon when I entered the park. It was still grey out, and every so often I would feel a little raindrop hit me. I tried to remain optimistic by telling myself it would not rain today despite evidence to the contrary. My mom had her own form of optimism.

“Maybe if it starts to rain, people will leave and it will be less crowded.”

I didn’t think it was horribly crowed, but I had to agree with my mom, less people would be nice. Although I was afraid I might be one of those people leaving if it started to rain. Despite growing up in a rather rainy climate, I can’t stand it.

Anyway, we headed over to Tomorrowland to get fast passes for Space Mountain, my favorite ride. I can’t remember the exact time, but I think they were for around 2:30 to 3:30. I was surprised to see that Buzz Lightyear had a 35-minute wait time and Star Tours had a 15-minute wait. Maybe it was more crowded than I had initially thought.

As we walked out of Tomorrowland, one of the two story buses that circle around Main Street pulled up. Despite having taken countless trips to Disneyland, I’d never actually been on one of those before, so we decided to take a ride.

We were able to get a seat on the second story, and it was pretty cool to see the park from that view.

The bus dropped us off in front of the train station on Main Street.

Goofy decided he wanted to take a ride in a stroller too.

After that pleasant ride, we walked over to the watch store so my mom could get some batteries replaced for her watches.

While we were in the store, it started raining! Just what I had feared. I pondered what we would do next. While I had expected rain, I didn’t have backup plans of what we would do should it actually start raining. Just lovely.

--

So it may have started raining, but how long will it last? I guess you’ll just have to find out next time.

 

[kaoden39]

It looked like there were a lot of people just wandering about. I say you stuck it out in the rain hoping it wouldn't last long.

 

[Mahale]

It looked like there were a lot of people just wandering about. I say you stuck it out in the rain hoping it wouldn't last long.

You're right, because what kind of trip report would this be if I left after not even 30 minutes?

And this is just a quick update to say there is no update. At least now right now. College has been pretty demanding the past week, to say the least. But spring break is quickly approaching, so hopefully I'll have time to finish this up then.

Plus I'll be going to the D23 event tonight, and of course, I'll be doing a write up of that as well.

 

[kaoden39]

You're right, because what kind of trip report would this be if I left after not even 30 minutes?

And this is just a quick update to say there is no update. At least now right now. College has been pretty demanding the past week, to say the least. But spring break is quickly approaching, so hopefully I'll have time to finish this up then.

Plus I'll be going to the D23 event tonight, and of course, I'll be doing a write up of that as well.

I am real curious about D23, so I look forward to hearing about it.