Sthronds
<font color=blue>I can't make pancakes. It's just
- Joined
- Feb 4, 2005
- Messages
- 3,954
My parents and I just returned from a 2 night trip and we had a wonderful time. I will try to remember as much as I can and let you know what I liked and didnt. Yes, there were some things that bugged me. We left around 8:00 Thursday morning and were at the hotel by 11:30, thanks to good (for LA) traffic and my not quite slow driving 
. This included a pit stop in Santa Barbara. We stayed at the Hilton Anaheim which is one of my favorite non-Disney hotels. After checking in, dropping off luggage, and waiting for the bus, we were in the park by 12:45. Our normal routine is to head straight back to POTC, but I was hungry and nobody likes to be around me when I am hungry 
. My mom loves the Pizza Port so she and I headed there to get pizza while dad went to the Tomorrowland Terrace to get a burger. We then met there and ate together. I forgot to mention that on the way there we grabbed fast passes for Buzz Lightyears Astro Blasters or as my dad calls it Bud Light. He also calls A Bugs Life that as well. Believe it or not, he doesnt like beer. After we ate, we went into the Mickeys Star Traders to check out the new Star Wars stuff. Guess, what? There wasnt much new! I can get most of the stuff at Target, so I was really disappointed that there wasnt anything fabulous, but I did save my money. We tried to go on Buzz, but it was down. I ended up going on Star Tours while my parents shopped. I love Star Tours but I really wish there would be an updated version. Its kind of like watching the same movie over an over again. Actually, its exactly like that. My dad then requested the Jungle Cruise so off we went to Adventureland. We had a good guide but we missed getting on the gold boat by just a few people. Oh well. I still crack up at those jokes. Something wonderful about it, they are so punny! 
We then headed to POTC. 
I know that there are a few that will disagree, but I think that it is sooooo much better than the one at WDW. I cant wait to see the changes after the remodel. I am sure it can only get better. I insisted on heading to Haunted Mansion Holiday next. I should tell you that I like the Haunted Mansion but it really freaks me out. I dont like the hanging guy and I hate, hate, hate that bride. 
The holiday overlay is such a great thing for me. As a fan of Nightmare Before Christmas, I really like the overlay. There is no bride, and the ghouls that pop up are not nearly as frightening when wearing Santa hats. 
At this point, we decided to try our hand at Buzz again. It was running and we walked right in with our fast passes. I got a piddly 44,000 but my parents did worse, so I was happy. My dad wanted a break so I went on Space Mountain. I hadnt been on it since it reopened, and it was great! I loved how smooth it is and I really like the new seating. We decided to head over to Its a Small World and walked right on. After that, I was determined to ride Roger Rabbits Car Toon Spin since I had never been on it and it was a goal for this trip. We wandered into Toontown and I got a fast pass. We then walked through Mickeys house and did a little shopping. About the time my fast pass was valid, my parents decided to go find a spot to watch the parade. We went our separate ways and I rode the Car Toon Spin for the first time. And probably the last. I wasnt impressed. Oh, well, not everything can be perfect. I then headed through Fantasyland and walked on Snow Whites Scary Adventure just for the heck of it.
After finding my folks, I went to get my annual pass validated. Fortunately there wasnt a line and it went really quickly. I then stood in the longest line of the day. For popcorn! We watched the parade, which was awesome, and my dad headed back to the hotel for a nap. My mom and I shopped while we waited for the fireworks which were supposed to start at 7:45. I also got some coffee! There were high winds that night and they were not sure whether or not they were going to do the fireworks. I suggested that we not wait because I am not a huge fireworks gal. We gave it a few minutes and boy am I glad we did. They were the most incredible fireworks ever!
I think they were better than Wishes, which I loved. I was blown away and I cried. When they played Walts opening speech, I cried. Ive never cried over fireworks before. After the fireworks, we ditched out through the snow and beat the crowds out of the park. We were back at the hotel in time to watch the end of Survivor and then went to a late dinner.
Day 2:
After meeting my parents at the bus stop I was informed that my mom wasnt feeling very well and that I should go ahead without them for a few hours. Not one to miss a chance, I hopped on the bus and arrived not long after opening. They had signs up all over stating that ABC would be filming for the Christmas parade and to avoid those areas if we didnt want to be on TV. Right in front of the big tree on Main Street, they had blocked off an area for a band that was going to perform and they wanted an audience in the background. I usually dont take time for this kind of stuff but then they announced that Mercy Me was going to be performing and I had to stay. I love them!
I did feel sorry for the guys in the band who were wearing turtle necks and scarves. It had to be over 90 that day. After one song, I left for more rides. I went to Big Thunder first which was a walk on. Indiana Jones was next. I then debated my next stop. I could do SM again or conquer a fear I have and ride the Matterhorn. I have been afraid of this ride for a while. I used to ride it all the time, but then I decided that I was going to hit my head and started freaking out. 
I did it. I rode the Matterhorn and it wasnt scary at all! Go figure. As the bobsled came to a stop my phone rang and it was my parents saying they were in the park and heading toward Buzz. I met them there and we tried to up our scores. This time I got a better 77,000. 
Mom got to 44,000 and since Dad rode alone, he used both guns and got about 32,000 once both were added up. We all did better and were pleased with ourselves. We took the train around to Main Street and then went over to CA Adventure. I went to get fast passes for Soarin and then I told them that we needed to go see Turtle Talk. My dad was completely confused about what we were seeing and I really didnt know exactly what to expect. It was really cool and now my dad is known as Boogie Boarding Bob. Yes, my dad was picked by Crush to talk about swimming. Poor guy, lives his life trying to avoid being in the limelight and the turtle picks him out of the audience. As we left, his words to me were You didnt tell me that was going to happen. He was pretty embarrassed, but I have heard him bragging to his brother and a few other people. 
After a few more stops in DCA, we walked to the Rainforest Café for our 1:15 reservations. While eating, my parents decided to upgrade their park hoppers to annual passes since they could do it for $14 each. We decided that if we came back around the same time next year, it would be more than worth it. We shopped a little after lunch and while they got in line for their passes, I took off to get my fill. I rode everything that I wanted to (except Peter Pan, which had a huge line 
) and then went back over to DCA to ride TOT and CA Screamin. I will say that I like TOT at WDW better. I think it is a longer ride and it seems to have more drops. CA Screamin was great. I like the addition of the pouch for your stuff. It was getting late by then so I headed back DL for another try at SM. The line was 50 minutes and they were out of fast passes, so I passed. I rode a few more rides and decided to get out of there before the fireworks and Fantasmic crowds. I was back in the hotel by 9, with aching feet and that good exhaustion you get on a day well spent. All in all, a great trip. Its always wonderful at Christmas time. The major disappointment was the shopping. I didnt like the selection they had and it seems that they have done away with personalizing the ornaments, plus I couldnt find any pet products. The lowest point of the whole trip was the traffic on the way home. There was an accident in Santa Barbara and it took us 2 hours to travel between Ventura and Santa Barbara. If anyone knows this area, you know that is generally a 20-30 minute drive.
Cant wait till next year!
. This included a pit stop in Santa Barbara. We stayed at the Hilton Anaheim which is one of my favorite non-Disney hotels. After checking in, dropping off luggage, and waiting for the bus, we were in the park by 12:45. Our normal routine is to head straight back to POTC, but I was hungry and nobody likes to be around me when I am hungry . My mom loves the Pizza Port so she and I headed there to get pizza while dad went to the Tomorrowland Terrace to get a burger. We then met there and ate together. I forgot to mention that on the way there we grabbed fast passes for Buzz Lightyears Astro Blasters or as my dad calls it Bud Light. He also calls A Bugs Life that as well. Believe it or not, he doesnt like beer. After we ate, we went into the Mickeys Star Traders to check out the new Star Wars stuff. Guess, what? There wasnt much new! I can get most of the stuff at Target, so I was really disappointed that there wasnt anything fabulous, but I did save my money. We tried to go on Buzz, but it was down. I ended up going on Star Tours while my parents shopped. I love Star Tours but I really wish there would be an updated version. Its kind of like watching the same movie over an over again. Actually, its exactly like that. My dad then requested the Jungle Cruise so off we went to Adventureland. We had a good guide but we missed getting on the gold boat by just a few people. Oh well. I still crack up at those jokes. Something wonderful about it, they are so punny! We then headed to POTC. I know that there are a few that will disagree, but I think that it is sooooo much better than the one at WDW. I cant wait to see the changes after the remodel. I am sure it can only get better. I insisted on heading to Haunted Mansion Holiday next. I should tell you that I like the Haunted Mansion but it really freaks me out. I dont like the hanging guy and I hate, hate, hate that bride. The holiday overlay is such a great thing for me. As a fan of Nightmare Before Christmas, I really like the overlay. There is no bride, and the ghouls that pop up are not nearly as frightening when wearing Santa hats. At this point, we decided to try our hand at Buzz again. It was running and we walked right in with our fast passes. I got a piddly 44,000 but my parents did worse, so I was happy. My dad wanted a break so I went on Space Mountain. I hadnt been on it since it reopened, and it was great! I loved how smooth it is and I really like the new seating. We decided to head over to Its a Small World and walked right on. After that, I was determined to ride Roger Rabbits Car Toon Spin since I had never been on it and it was a goal for this trip. We wandered into Toontown and I got a fast pass. We then walked through Mickeys house and did a little shopping. About the time my fast pass was valid, my parents decided to go find a spot to watch the parade. We went our separate ways and I rode the Car Toon Spin for the first time. And probably the last. I wasnt impressed. Oh, well, not everything can be perfect. I then headed through Fantasyland and walked on Snow Whites Scary Adventure just for the heck of it.
After finding my folks, I went to get my annual pass validated. Fortunately there wasnt a line and it went really quickly. I then stood in the longest line of the day. For popcorn! We watched the parade, which was awesome, and my dad headed back to the hotel for a nap. My mom and I shopped while we waited for the fireworks which were supposed to start at 7:45. I also got some coffee! There were high winds that night and they were not sure whether or not they were going to do the fireworks. I suggested that we not wait because I am not a huge fireworks gal. We gave it a few minutes and boy am I glad we did. They were the most incredible fireworks ever!
I think they were better than Wishes, which I loved. I was blown away and I cried. When they played Walts opening speech, I cried. Ive never cried over fireworks before. After the fireworks, we ditched out through the snow and beat the crowds out of the park. We were back at the hotel in time to watch the end of Survivor and then went to a late dinner. Day 2:
After meeting my parents at the bus stop I was informed that my mom wasnt feeling very well and that I should go ahead without them for a few hours. Not one to miss a chance, I hopped on the bus and arrived not long after opening. They had signs up all over stating that ABC would be filming for the Christmas parade and to avoid those areas if we didnt want to be on TV. Right in front of the big tree on Main Street, they had blocked off an area for a band that was going to perform and they wanted an audience in the background. I usually dont take time for this kind of stuff but then they announced that Mercy Me was going to be performing and I had to stay. I love them!
I did feel sorry for the guys in the band who were wearing turtle necks and scarves. It had to be over 90 that day. After one song, I left for more rides. I went to Big Thunder first which was a walk on. Indiana Jones was next. I then debated my next stop. I could do SM again or conquer a fear I have and ride the Matterhorn. I have been afraid of this ride for a while. I used to ride it all the time, but then I decided that I was going to hit my head and started freaking out. I did it. I rode the Matterhorn and it wasnt scary at all! Go figure. As the bobsled came to a stop my phone rang and it was my parents saying they were in the park and heading toward Buzz. I met them there and we tried to up our scores. This time I got a better 77,000. Mom got to 44,000 and since Dad rode alone, he used both guns and got about 32,000 once both were added up. We all did better and were pleased with ourselves. We took the train around to Main Street and then went over to CA Adventure. I went to get fast passes for Soarin and then I told them that we needed to go see Turtle Talk. My dad was completely confused about what we were seeing and I really didnt know exactly what to expect. It was really cool and now my dad is known as Boogie Boarding Bob. Yes, my dad was picked by Crush to talk about swimming. Poor guy, lives his life trying to avoid being in the limelight and the turtle picks him out of the audience. As we left, his words to me were You didnt tell me that was going to happen. He was pretty embarrassed, but I have heard him bragging to his brother and a few other people. After a few more stops in DCA, we walked to the Rainforest Café for our 1:15 reservations. While eating, my parents decided to upgrade their park hoppers to annual passes since they could do it for $14 each. We decided that if we came back around the same time next year, it would be more than worth it. We shopped a little after lunch and while they got in line for their passes, I took off to get my fill. I rode everything that I wanted to (except Peter Pan, which had a huge line ) and then went back over to DCA to ride TOT and CA Screamin. I will say that I like TOT at WDW better. I think it is a longer ride and it seems to have more drops. CA Screamin was great. I like the addition of the pouch for your stuff. It was getting late by then so I headed back DL for another try at SM. The line was 50 minutes and they were out of fast passes, so I passed. I rode a few more rides and decided to get out of there before the fireworks and Fantasmic crowds. I was back in the hotel by 9, with aching feet and that good exhaustion you get on a day well spent. All in all, a great trip. Its always wonderful at Christmas time. The major disappointment was the shopping. I didnt like the selection they had and it seems that they have done away with personalizing the ornaments, plus I couldnt find any pet products. The lowest point of the whole trip was the traffic on the way home. There was an accident in Santa Barbara and it took us 2 hours to travel between Ventura and Santa Barbara. If anyone knows this area, you know that is generally a 20-30 minute drive. Cant wait till next year!
