Just back

[DisneyJamieCA]

We just got back from another great trip to Disneyland and while I have great plans to actually do a trip report, I make no promises. So just in case here are some of my random thoughts from the trip.

The cast was me (6 months pregnant with #3), DH, DD 4.5 and DD almost 3. August 21-25th, staying at Hojo using the entertainment rate.

Hotel: Hojo
This is a great hotel and all the kuddos from this board were well deserved. The walk overall to/from the park wasn't bad, although I will admit in the middle of the day there were times I wish we were closer. Had I not been pregnant it wouldn't have bothered me at all. We did do the Disney view rooms, which in hindsight, I probably wouldn't pay for again. They are great rooms (large!), but we were not in our room long enough to take advantage of the view. The Pirates Cove pool area is AMAZING! My kids loved it. I love that the water slides don't empty into a pool so they were able to do the little ones by themselves.

Characters: I know there are always a lot of questions about what characters are out and about, so I thought I'd tell you who we saw on our trip. Almost every morning the Fab 5 (including Donald!!) and Chip and Dale were out on Main Street. Mickey and Minnie were also out every night until at least 10:30pm (possibly later). On Main Street we also saw Cruella, Mary Poppins and Bert, Alice & the Mad Hatter and Eeyore. In the Princess Fantasy Fair we saw Snow White, Cinderella, Ariel & Jasmine (Cinderella was switching with Ariel right during our turn, so we got to meet both of them). Not as many characters around Fantasyland as we've seen in the past - this time we saw Peter Pan and Merlin. Over in Critter Country was Pooh & Tigger. We saw Brer Bear and Brer Fox by chance in the lower level of the Hungry Bear Restuarant (we went to use the bathrooms, lol.) Over in CA Adventure we saw Handy Manny (over by ToT), Sully, Jasmine & Aladdin and Goofy in the Backlot area. At the Drawn to Magic show we saw Woody (Mickey and Cinderella took off right after without posing for photos). We did eat breakfast with Minnie at the Plaza in and there we saw Minnie, Chip & Dale, Fairy Godmother, Captain Hook, Brer Fox, Pooh and Tigger.

Meals: We only ate a few of our meals in the parks, which was suprising for us. Like I said above we ate at Minnie & Friends. While probably overpriced for the food, we went for the experience. We also ate at Pizza Port and the Carnation Cafe. To be honest, I found the Carnation Cafe to be a bit over rated (we went for lunch). The food was good, but not great. Maybe if it hadn't been so hot I would have felt differently, but the seats were uncomfortable, it's all outside and it was crowded. We also ate at ESPN Zone (DTD) and The Cheesecake Factory (GardenWalk).

Just my random thoughts now, lol.

• This is the first time I've brought princess costumes for my daughters. I don't know why I never did before. They loved it and were showered with attention. Something I will do again!
• I prefer the winter time. I'll take shortened hours and possible ride closures over the heat and crowds
• DH and DD (almost 3) won dream fastpasses coming off the Matterhorn on Friday. One of the dream members was not willing to help DD4.5 and I get them too since I can't ride on Matterhorn. Finally the other dream member told me to go to City Hall and get them, which worked perfectly. Unfortuntaly we didn't use them to their full advantage since I'm pregnant and we have two little ones.
• I didn't notice as many dreams this time. In the past it seems like tons of people had fastpasses and ears. This time I only saw a handful of people with ears day and maybe 50 people with the passes.
• Best character interaction was at the PFF. They took tons of time with my girls. Also Minnie & Friends was great. We had one of the last seatings so there weren't many people left and the characters had tons of time with us. Fairy Godmother was nice enough to keep Capt. Hook away from our table since the girls are still scared of him. Worst character interaction was at Drawn to Magic. Cinderella and Mickey took off with out posing for any photos and Woody spent most of this time drawing his name on somebody's etcha-sketch (sp?). I know people get crazy trying to get a signature/picture before they leave (us included, probably) but he was just rude about the whole thing
• The new Toy Storia Mania is worth it! We went 3x (wait times were 20 mins, 25 mins, & 30 mins). I think it's my oldest's new favorite ride
• I've decided 2.5 is the perfect age for this (of course every age is good). My youngest has been before, but this is the first time she really got it and it was amazing to watch her.

Since we're having another baby here shortly, this was supposed to be our last trip for awhile (AP's expire next month). Somehow I don't think we'll be able to stay away for long.

Reasons to come back (besides it simply being Disneyland)

• I still haven't tried a Tigger Tail and I now have my DDs excited over trying it
• The new Tink meet n' greet, which my girls would love
• Next time my youngest should be tall enough for a lot of the trill rides - she's our daredevil!

Sorry this is so long. Thanks for following along with my ramblings.

 

[DoomBugger]

Great thoughts, glad everyone had a Disney time!

I agree, winter is way better when the corwds are smaller and the heat is gone.

We were in DL Sunday and even though it was crowded we wound up going on tons of rides, were going back for my b-day next week for two days, it closes early but the post Labor Day crowds should be smaller.

It is funny how on Disboards the first thing people do once getting back from a trip is to start thinking about the next trip, no matter how far in the future it may be! Good times...

 

[CrazyDuck]

Did you buy the princess costumes at the PFF?

 

[DisneyJamieCA]

No we brought them from home. My youngest was Snow White (which we bought as a Halloween costume for my oldest at the Disney Store 2 years ago) and my oldest was Belle (which we bought at Costco last year).

 

[ORMom2Four]

Your girls are adorable! I can't figure it out, what is the PFF?

I wonder if you had the same Dream Team member I did. Was it a woman in her late 40's, early 50's? She was very rude to me when I was "Dreamed" while my family was on a ride (that I could not ride because our toddler was below the height restriction).

I have to agree with you, 2.5 is the age that the kids start to "get it" and have a blast at Disneyland too. You can always bring the new baby along with you in a Snuggli

 

[kellynz]

Great thoughts, thanks glad you had a good time!! I can't wait to be there next month.

 

[dizneekrazee]

Thanks for sharing your thoughts!! I agree about the age, My son was 2 years and almost 3 months on our last trip, he so got it, and he remembers it, and he cant wait to go again for Halloween.

In 2005, we went when I was just over 7 months pregnant. Didnt plan on returning anytime soon, and before you knew it, my 3 month old was on POTC!! No way should the new baby have to miss out on the fun! Take him/her for christmas !! While he/she wont remember that, the rest of the family will!!

 

[DangerMouse]

I can't figure it out, what is the PFF?

Princess Fantasy Faire

 

[edit1]

Thanks for sharing. We are planning a trip and will likely stay at the Hojo, and can't wait to try the new pool area. And congratulations on your upcoming addition to the family!

 

[cseca]

Your girls are absolutely ADORABLE!!!!
They reminded me of my niece...

 

[Hound 109]

Great trip report / post.

fwiw, i prefer the Carnation for a late breakfast (as opposed to lunch) after touring for a couple of hours. I prefer their breakfast, it's not as crowded (in the morning) & possibly not as hot. (Great Mickey Waffles too!)

Regarding tigger tails....imo, with a big family it's great to get SEVERAL different items from Pooh Corner bakery....(which is where one gets the famous "tails"). & since it seems that no one (in our family) finishes a whole item...."the hound" gets to eat 1/3 to 1/2 of three - four items .

& Jamie what time (& day) did you enjoy Minnies breakfast. I need to try this buffet after one of our early or "Magic" mornings.

hound

 

[IBLarsen]

Did your girls stay in their disney dresses all day? I'm trying to decide if I should take a dress for my 3 year old dd on our upcoming trip. I have wondered if they get uncomortable walking around in them all day? I'm sure my DD would LOVE it though!

 

[mom4princesses]

Did your girls stay in their disney dresses all day? I'm trying to decide if I should take a dress for my 3 year old dd on our upcoming trip. I have wondered if they get uncomortable walking around in them all day? I'm sure my DD would LOVE it though!

When my girls wear their costumes I just put them over their normal clothes. This way they can take them off and on as the please and no major melt downs about how itchy the dress is.

 

[JadeDarkstar]

congrats sounds like you had a grate time too cute

 

[DisneyJamieCA]

I wonder if you had the same Dream Team member I did. Was it a woman in her late 40's, early 50's? She was very rude to me when I was "Dreamed" while my family was on a ride (that I could not ride because our toddler was below the height restriction).

Sounds like the same woman. She was not helpful at all and I knew from the DIS boards that they would help all the members in a group get the dream. Luckily the guy with her was helpful.

& Jamie what time (& day) did you enjoy Minnies breakfast. I need to try this buffet after one of our early or "Magic" mornings.

Our PS were at 10:10 on Sat. morning. In the beginning it was kind of busy, but by 10:35ish the place was pretty empty. By the time we were finishing up we had most of the characters standing around looking for somebody to greet. Most of them ended up back at our table and sat for awhile.

Did your girls stay in their disney dresses all day? I'm trying to decide if I should take a dress for my 3 year old dd on our upcoming trip. I have wondered if they get uncomortable walking around in them all day? I'm sure my DD would LOVE it though!

They did stay in the dresses all day long. I was worried because it was so hot out, so I did bring a change of clothes just in case, but they were happy in their dresses. We did go back to the hotel for an afternoon break, so they were able to take them off for the hottest part of the day though. I hadn't taken dresses in the past, but it was so wonderful this trip I wish I had done it before. Now I need to start investing in more dresses for them.

And the way DH was talking last night I have a feeling we'll be back sooner than later.