Life’s too short...to never sleep in a treehouse! 8/27 TR is up! Link in siggie

[eandesmom]

Okay I am going to catch up here and see how this all came to be, but I will say WILDERNESS LODGE is one our our favorites, for sure. Such a pretty place! But coming from the Pacific Northwest, I think that is sooo funny! I mean I too am very familiar with the theming, etc., but we still like it. Guess you can't take the Oregon/Washington state out of us !!!

Have you finished your Spring break TR yet? That is how behind I am!!! Since June 12th!!! I have to get cracking on plans for Halloween at Disneyland! I have 3 and 1/2 months before we go -- I thought I read your report saying can't make reservations but 30 days in advance? or 60?

I find it funny as well that Jeff and all the kids loved WL so much. It's just like being home! But hey, it makes him happy so that's good. Win Win, he gets WL and I get YC. Plus there is decent beer at WL. Of course it comes from Seattle but still!



I have not finished my spring break TR yet. Still have almost 2 days to report in on! Hope to do that this weekend for sure, I need to get it done.

DL is 60 days on the dining reservations I think. Universal Dining is 30! I do have some DLR dining reviews still coming in my updates, two for DTD (Ralph Brennan's and another that the name escapes me at the moment) and then the Surf's Up Breakfast at Paradise Pier.

 

[Sunset Cliffs]

Hi there! Sorry I have been MIA lately. I haven't been on the Dis in almost 3 weeks! Talk about withdrawls! We went to San Diego to see my nephew graduate, so we spent some time in Southern Cal. I had to put in a solid week at work, and now I am off work for almost a month. So I will definitely have time to catch up here!

You have had so many changes since I last checked in. I read through all of your updates and I think it all is looking great. I am a little confused about Sandie. Did they change their mind and decide to come for the whole trip, or are they staying with their shortened version?

The Knott's and Paradise Pier updates were so much fun to read. I can't wait to hear about your DCA day. I love that you got an upgraded room as a surprise. You deserve one after all of the surprises that you plan for everyone else.

BTW - it's nice to see Jordan back on the boards. I didn't realize he was back . Hi Jordan!!!

 

[eandesmom]

Hi there! Sorry I have been MIA lately. I haven't been on the Dis in almost 3 weeks! Talk about withdrawls! We went to San Diego to see my nephew graduate, so we spent some time in Southern Cal. I had to put in a solid week at work, and now I am off work for almost a month. So I will definitely have time to catch up here!

You have had so many changes since I last checked in. I read through all of your updates and I think it all is looking great. I am a little confused about Sandie. Did they change their mind and decide to come for the whole trip, or are they staying with their shortened version?

The Knott's and Paradise Pier updates were so much fun to read. I can't wait to hear about your DCA day. I love that you got an upgraded room as a surprise. You deserve one after all of the surprises that you plan for everyone else.

BTW - it's nice to see Jordan back on the boards. I didn't realize he was back . Hi Jordan!!!

Our whole trip is the 11th-23rd. They will be with us the 14th-21st, so 5 nights at Disney for them and 2 at Universal. We'll have 3 days at WL before they get there and then 2 at Universal after they leave, so I think it works out well to give us some family time on both ends without them.

Welcome back! How cool, a month off, I would LOVE that!

DCA update next!

 

[eandesmom]

The day dawned grey.

A look out our park view window showed us some clouds, but other than that, it looked ok. Forecast was for some possible showers, something we’d been hearing for days but had yet to experience.

I’d slept well, Jeff apparently less so. It was a room noise that bugged him, not a kid noise, though for the life of me I don’t know what it was. Possibly construction noise from DCA but more likely, street traffic. Yes. He can hear traffic from the 11th floor of a resort. That man could never live in Manhattan is all I know. Heck, visitng the big apple is traumatic enough. For me. I don’t sleep because he can’t! We could see them working on, and testing, the World of Color jets. We bemoaned the fact, again, that it wasn’t open yet.

It didn’t matter, we were all in a great mood. Today, FINALLY, was our DCA day! I wanted to get to the park about 9:30. The park didn’t open until 10 (late I know!) and we had to pick up our GAD tickets and I wasn’t sure how long it would take. Of course, before we could do anything, someone got sent to the Lobby Espresso bar for a morning coffee. I also had a little bit of work to do so dropped Jeff’s coffee off and went to hit the business center to send out a quick document. I was incredibly pleased with the BC. I’d tried to do my “work” the morning before at the Crowne Plaza and literally they had 2 computers in a closet, and a line out the door of folks getting boarding basses. PP had 3 or four stations, nicely spread out with plenty of room. It took me all of 10 minutes to complete my work.

Heading back up I found the gang chilling out and after a quick shower, we were on our way. For those of you who have never been, if you are staying on property, EVERYTHING is walkable. Downtown Disney was perhaps a 5 minutes stroll from Paradise Pier, GC and the DL hotel about the same and then maybe add another 2 minutes to the park gates. Either park.

Really.

First stop, Compass books in Downtown Disney. They have a nice little espresso bar/café adjacent to the shop and it was our breakfast destination.

We opted for a healthy and nutritious breakfast.

This guy wanted some

It had been too dark the first night in DTD to do much picture taking and Evan was dying for a very specific photo of himself.

That request fulfilled, we reached our destination!

We headed to guest services to pick up our GAD tickets.

For those of you who’ve done GAD you know it’s a bit of paperwork to compile. You need your voucher that you print at home, drivers licenses for the adults and then copies of the birth certificates for the kids before they will hand over those precious park tickets. Finally, we had them.

Tossing in pictures of the room keys here as well as I think I forgot to post them, unlike the KTTW keys, even if you wanted these too, they can’t work as a park ticket (or at least that’s my understanding).

With our tickets, we also received our VoluntEAR pins

Continued in next post

 

[eandesmom]

First stop on our agenda was TSM. TSM, in Cali, does not have FP’s. Why? I don’t have a clue. It’s supremely annoying. As we walked through I took in the park. I truly remembered NOTHING from my 2001 visit. Neither did Jeff. Granted, we hadn’t gone together (me with the E’s and my family and my Ex) he in 2004 with K&T but it really really felt like a new park. Which made it so much more exciting. I was expecting to be excited. I wasn’t expecting the “newness” feel of it to hit me. As we scurried we tried to get a feel for the lay of the land, and scope out what was happening regarding the Food and Wine festival. We could see some tents set up, some tasting areas but despite having read about it and looked at some literature, neither of us had a good feel for what was actually going on.

We walked by several things that we knew we wanted to come back to, calling them out as we walked past.

Soarin’ . Apparently Lighting and Mater live hear the airport in Condor Flats. We tried to get the E’s to take a picture with the cars but they were not interested.

Grizzly River Run

We stopped to look at the work happening on World of Color. Fun to see it close up and how very different it all looked when we weren’t looking down from our room.

We walked by California Screamin’ and Mickey’s Fun Wheel.

Tempting, every one, but we were headed here!

Could we get on? What would the wait be like? By now it was 10:30 and I’d heard horror stories. I knew how bad it was at DHS and that was WITH a FP system. What would it be like without? The park wasn’t full, despite the food and wine festival, but it was a heck of a lot busier than it had been at Knott’s the day before.

Which granted, wasn’t saying much.

TSM? Or BUST?

 

[Happydog]

Okay okay! I finally did it! Between packing for camping and making dinner, I have managed to catch up on your TR and now that I see all the detailed changes and upheaval ... WOW! But everything seems to have righted itself. I love how you were the chosen Big Kahuna family! SO neat!!!! I love how Disney does stuff like that So Cool!!!!!

Tooooo funny about the chicken, makes me laugh. But hey whatever it takes for good food is worth it IMO!!!!

NEAT view and great pics I think! I am excited to hear all about it and take notes so I know what to do in October!!!!!

The wedding photos are funny too! Nice colors, and neat invites you did!

Okay now the World of Color that I am excited to see, as am I excited to hear about TSM!!!! Of course I am leaving tomorrow morning for 48 hours of "unplugged" adventures of my own -- camping -- so I will probably be behind AGAIN.

 

[DisMomAmy]

Yay!! Finally DCA Day!! It must have been so exciting to experience it as new all over again!

 

[MRYPPNS]

Nice cliff-hanger!

 

[Sleepingbooty]

The day dawned grey.

Doesn't every day in CA? Always seemed like it to me. Hopefully it'll burn off.

I’d slept well, Jeff apparently less so. It was a room noise that bugged him, not a kid noise, though for the life of me I don’t know what it was. Possibly construction noise from DCA but more likely, street traffic. Yes. He can hear traffic from the 11th floor of a resort.

I feel for him. That's why I always travel with my Sleepmate (white noise machine) and earplugs.

Ahh, chocolate donuts. The breakfast of champions.

Well, that's interesting!

Argh, a cliffhanger!

 

[Charleston Princess]

What a great start to your DCA day! For some reason, I am now craving Krispy Kreme doughnuts. LOL!

Having never been to DCA, I am loving the pictures!!! I cannot get over TSM not having FPs though -- that's craziness!!!

 

[All7OfUs]

What a fantastic update! I know very well, the "Newbie" feeling of one going into a park- even after having read up on it thoroughly. DHS was just like that for me.

Your shots of the attractions are FABULOUS!! Very well done, Cynthia!

Great idea to hit up the book store for breakfast- takes care of the caffeine needs in the adults as well as the sugar needs for the kids!

Well.... you've given us a very intriguing "Stay tuned for next time" moment. Good technique!

 

[MEK]

I certainly hope its a quick wait for TSM.

It's such a cool looking park. Very different from the WDW parks. It looks more like an amusement park than a theme park. Sort of cluttered, but in a really cool way.

I am so glad you did this TR here because its really a nice change of pace.

 

[Nicole786]

I tried looking for your exact dates but I couldn't find them Judging by your ticker, we'll be at Universal around the same time I think? We're staying at the Hard Rock 8/20-8/22 before going over to Disney, maybe we'll see you there!

 

[creativeamanda]

My son is so excited, because we have been thinking of going to DLR and LegoLand when it's his turn for a mom/child trip. He saw those pictures of CA and now he really wants to go.

 

[mickeysmyboy]

Oh wow! Great start to the CA day! Can't wait to see how the day went!

 

[eandesmom]

Okay okay! I finally did it! Between packing for camping and making dinner, I have managed to catch up on your TR and now that I see all the detailed changes and upheaval ... WOW! But everything seems to have righted itself. I love how you were the chosen Big Kahuna family! SO neat!!!! I love how Disney does stuff like that So Cool!!!!!

Have fun with your 48 hours of unplugged! Looking forward to your TR when you get back but it will probably be nice to get away to the woods after a busy trip!

Yeah, I was a bit crabby about the whole thing for a few days but now...pretty darn excited about how it all played out. The WL part was really a spontaneous just go for it kind of thing and that makes it like a fun surprise. Well it is a surprise actually, only Jeff and I know about it.

The Big Kahuna was SOOO cool! It really did make us feel special

Tooooo funny about the chicken, makes me laugh. But hey whatever it takes for good food is worth it IMO!!!!

It was SOOOO good!

NEAT view and great pics I think! I am excited to hear all about it and take notes so I know what to do in October!!!!!

Fall will be so fun there and you will LOVE the GC!

The wedding photos are funny too! Nice colors, and neat invites you did!

Thanks

Okay now the World of Color that I am excited to see, as am I excited to hear about TSM!!!! Of course I am leaving tomorrow morning for 48 hours of "unplugged" adventures of my own -- camping -- so I will probably be behind AGAIN.

So sad we didn't get to see it.

Yay!! Finally DCA Day!! It must have been so exciting to experience it as new all over again!

It was! It really was like a new park, that feeling didn't change at all during the day. Perhaps because when I went the boys were 1&2 and I had a psycho ex whit me?

Nice cliff-hanger!

I try, nothing like some others here but when I can, I try.

 

[eandesmom]

Doesn't every day in CA? Always seemed like it to me. Hopefully it'll burn off.

We were really spoiled on the trip with very pretty days. It wasn't all that warm but it was pretty out, albeit windy.

At the start.

I feel for him. That's why I always travel with my Sleepmate (white noise machine) and earplugs.

I packed earplugs for him. I don't think he used them though.

Ahh, chocolate donuts. The breakfast of champions.

I will note, both Jeff and I had muffins, the kids had 2 donuts each. I chocolate and one plain. And of course Evan couldn't eat the second donut....so I had to help him out.

Argh, a cliffhanger!

What a great start to your DCA day! For some reason, I am now craving Krispy Kreme doughnuts. LOL!

Me too, the plain ones. It sounds so good right now! A bite of airy deliciousness.

Having never been to DCA, I am loving the pictures!!! I cannot get over TSM not having FPs though -- that's craziness!!!

I can't get over it either. TSM didn't exist when I was there in 2001 so I didn't really have a frame of reference but it would seem pretty simple to retrofit it to add them!

What a fantastic update! I know very well, the "Newbie" feeling of one going into a park- even after having read up on it thoroughly. DHS was just like that for me.

And I wasn't a newbie! Although 9 years ago with toddlers probably qualifies me as one.

Your shots of the attractions are FABULOUS!! Very well done, Cynthia!

Thanks!

Great idea to hit up the book store for breakfast- takes care of the caffeine needs in the adults as well as the sugar needs for the kids!

EXACTLY!

Well.... you've given us a very intriguing "Stay tuned for next time" moment. Good technique!

I try.

 

[eandesmom]

I certainly hope its a quick wait for TSM.

You'll have to wait and see....

It's such a cool looking park. Very different from the WDW parks. It looks more like an amusement park than a theme park. Sort of cluttered, but in a really cool way.

Which is exactly how it's supposed to look. Like you are at the Santa Cruz Boardwalk. It's gotten a lot of flak over the years for it but there is a lot I really like about it. It's undergoing a lot of overhaul now, most of which we didn't get to see but that's ok, it's a reason to go back in a couple of years (if not sooner lol!). It honestly exceeded my expectations in most ways.

I am so glad you did this TR here because its really a nice change of pace.

Thanks!!!!!!!!!! I feel a bit schitzophrenic going back and forth between it and my PTR but it's been fun. No way I could have maintained it as a separate TR on the DL board.

I tried looking for your exact dates but I couldn't find them Judging by your ticker, we'll be at Universal around the same time I think? We're staying at the Hard Rock 8/20-8/22 before going over to Disney, maybe we'll see you there!

Hi! and

I'm sure my dates are buried in there somewhere but they've morphed over time.

How cool is that, you will see us! You have my original goal dates, HRH first and then Disney, all in value season/free dining but I was thwarted by HS sports tryouts.

We are at HRH 8/19-8/23, opted for garden view rooms and are hoping for upgrade to pool view at check in with the All Access Pass! Decided against the 3 broomsticks breakfast package in favor of the buy more stay more. We may still try to to eat there though, not sure.

I can't wait!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

My son is so excited, because we have been thinking of going to DLR and LegoLand when it's his turn for a mom/child trip. He saw those pictures of CA and now he really wants to go.

Oh fun! Legoland is supposed to be great, I think Happydog is planning that on her Oct trip. I've always wanted to take the E's but it's just never worked out. I would highly reccomend staying on property if you can. Now that I've done both, while it's not a huge big deal to be off-site, on was SO much better! And we were literally across the street last time. Funny how it can make sucha difference.

Oh wow! Great start to the CA day! Can't wait to see how the day went!

It was an interesting day to say the least!

 

[eandesmom]

10:36. Park opened at 10. What would the wait be for TSM?

0.

No, not zero minutes. Zero TSM.

It was CLOSED!

Down for maintenance supposedly reopening “around” 1pm.

Arrgh. So much for our dash across the park! For those of you who haven’t been to DCA (most I know), TSM is pretty much as far away from the entry gate as you can be. Deflated but hopeful for a later in the day ride we contemplated what to do.

Really, the only logical thing to do was to turn around, right where we stood and hop on whatever was closest. I’m not sure that was our exact thinking at the time but it was more like, “Hey! This is right here, lets go on this!

Yeah, I do really in depth touring plans huh.

So what is directly across from TSM anyway?
Something none of us had ever done.
Something that looked pretty tame.
Mickey’s Fun Wheel!

Now the way this Ferris wheel is set up, you can have “sliding” cars, or non sliding cars that stay fixed, much more like a traditional Ferris wheel.
We elected to slide, it splits into two lines at that point . Both lines moved pretty darn slow I’d have to say, sliding seemingly worse.
We really wanted a goofy car.

While we were waiting, I noticed this…could it be the top of radiator springs? Couldn’t really tell but there is a LOT of work going on over in Carsland.

The boys were getting a little antsy at this point

Bummer, Goofy turned out to be a non slider, we watched him get away from us and instead watched our carriage arrive, Plot!

Finally we were on! 10:53.

Doesn’t Jeff look excited? He was sure it was going to be totally lame.

Starting to swing.

Yes it really did swing so fast Eric's lei swung in the wind like that!

Ok now I have to say. This was NOT remotely lame and the sliding honestly, is a little freaky! You slide and hang out way over the edge and rock back and forth. And if you are Jeff and you notice your wife and youngest freaking a little (me just grabbing on, Eric whimpering) you try to rock the cage which makes it slide more.

Nice view going up! Check out the cars land track and the world of color water jet testings! Cool stuff!

Oh my goodness. It did freak me out and took a little getting used to. By the end of the ride Eric and I had acclimated and enjoyed it quite a bit but he was on the verge of a meltdown for a bit there. Not fun inside a cage suspended high in the air.

Happy boy! Nice rebound dude!

Safely on the ground, whew!

What next?

Well, since we’d been robbed of our early morning mania (ok, mid morning mania) we thought we ought to hit another hot ticket soon before lines got bad. What one? Soarin’ of course

On the way, we contemplated the Grizzly River Run.

But it just wasn’t that warm and none of us had brought a jacket. Funny how knowing you CAN run back to the hotel does cause you to deliberately leave things behind.

Continued in next post

 

[eandesmom]

Soon enough we arrived at our destination

I can’t recall the FL one saying California Aviation but maybe it does.

The theming in the queue felt so different than FL, I am very curious to compare in August! Since last Feb was my first time on the FL version and this was the first time for me in CA, I really have no idea. But in my memory they seem pretty different.

Jeff of course was in heaven reading about all the aviators as we made our way through.

How was it?

Great as always! So great we almost let Evan get these

No. Not really.

By now it was 11:40 and it seemed time to go check out….

What was this California Food and Wine Festival all about anyway?

Next. Dancing Goofy's and a Zoetrope