Live Inane Ramblings by an Over-excited 30+ Mum...)

[emum]

They're still excited, three days later, too !

So, now we're down to 68 days until we leave.....

Thought I'd add some "reminiscent"-type photos., and a bit of history.....

I went on my first Disneyland trip in 1980, aged nearly 10, along with my little sister and parents. We stayed at the Disneyland Hotel, back when the monorail stopped there I have fond memories of this trip, and the wonder at all things Disney. The next trip was 1983, aged nearly 13. We stayed at the Anaheim Marriott - I remember using what I guess was something similar to the ART to get to Disneyland each day, and a few other snippets. I distinctly remember falling in love with both HM and POTC - I lost count of the number of times we rode them.

Next trip was with DH to Paris Disneyland in late 1996. This was only a two day stay, and unfortunately what should be some of the happiest memories of our around-the-world trip became a nightmare - I received a fax to notify me my little sister had passed away She had a love of Disney as strong as mine - she had decided to forego a big 21st birthday party in 1994, and asked my parents to take her to WDW instead. I'm still hankering to get to WDW based on the wonderful time she told me they had there.

So as a tribute to my earlier trips to Disney, and in loving memory of my little sister, here are some nostalgic pictures.....

First up, 1980.....

 

[emum]

I don't seem to have many photos from the 1983 trip on the computer (and realise I have none of the '96 trip with DH).

In any case, I've made these ones a littes bigger - I think the 1980 pictures are a little on the small side...

That's about all the photos I have on here from trips past. I did however, come across an old very treasured toy of mine the other day... my View Master 3D. In it are several reels ? of Disneyland - all broken down into the various lands. I brought it out to have a look, and wow ! I love it !

 

[chickyann]

I'm so sorry about your little sister

I love your old photos, gotta love the 80's..........& how much do you & your oldest DD look a like, wow!

 

[emum]

Thanks, Chickyann

Yes, my eldest and I look scarily similar, although I like to think she's really inherited the best of me and DH - she has gorgeous bone structure, and divinely huge chocolate brown eyes. Our kids are a real mixed bunch, though.

My DH uploaded the video of the kids finding out about DL onto Youtube, but I'm not sure if I'm game enough to put up the link....

66 sleeps to go (and only 9 sleeps until DD 5yo turns 6yo...)

 

[mommaU4]

So, today was "T" day - telling the kids !!!

We made it to dinner only 10 minutes late, and tonight my little ones are all tucked up in warm beds dreaming of all things Disney

Aww, that is great! I love the look on their faces. So fun.


I'm also sorry to hear about your sister. I can't imagine how hard that must have been.

Thanks for sharing those older pics. I too remember when the monorail used to go right to the hotel. And I remember riding those boats.

 

[emum]

Thanks for your thoughts, MommaU4

There's only 55 sleeps to go - I've booked tickets to the Trick or Treat Party on 3rd October - the kids won't know about it until the actual day, which will be a great surprise I'm also organising PS seating for both Goofy's Kitchen and Blue Bayou this week.

DH is in Bangkok for work this week - probably a relief for both of us - he's starting to get sick of the daily countdown, and TBH, it'll give me a little bit of space to do some things like the rest of the t-shirt transfers. I'm also wanting to do a little "Australian-themed" Mickey head t-shirt.

I'll add the link to the YouTube video of our trip announcement, too...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4z9pKKT6Ko0

 

[travelmel]

Hi... thank you for sharing your "vintage" photo's

I'm so totally sorry to hear about your sister. I cannot imagine how hard that must have been. Eye.. it saddens me a lot.

On a different note....I noticed something about the teeth on ole Monstro... they really softened 'em up, didn't they??

I think he may grind at night??

Looking forward to more of your memories and upcoming trip.
Melissa

 

[emum]

My goodness, Melissa - I would never have noticed ! He must grind them at night

I love our old photos - I do have some REALLY vintage ones from the 50s, when my much older brother and sister travelled to DL - I posted some of them a few months ago in a vintage photo thread. Let's see if I can find a link...

Scroll to the bottom of the page.
http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1796966&page=3

 

[emum]

52 sleeps and counting...

I think I need to make a list of all the "must-eats" while we're in the US ! I've been ogling some food porn, and it's apaprent I'm going to be spending half our trip ticking culinary items off the said "must eat" list !

One place I now want to go to is the Carnation Cafe for breakfast, but I'm not sure we'll need it - the first five days we have a buffet breakfast included where we're staying, and the days we're at the DLH we'll have the concierge breakfast. Could we make a brunch time at the Carnation Cafe ? What's the last sitting for a PS for breakfast ?

Other "must-eats" (and these wil be added to with time)....
Tigger tails, Dole Whip, Monte Christo sandwich, Corn dog, mozzarella sticks, Funnel cake, Beignets, Churros, Mickey waffles, pumpkin fudge (and any other worthy Halloween-themed food).

Scrum-diddly-umptious

 

[travelmel]

The cooke boat at the Blue Bayou is realllly nice

Strawberry frozen lemonade at DCA (though that may be available beyond DL and therefore not as fun??) but it was very cool/refreshing on a hot day.

P.S. I checked out that nostalgia thread.. SO AWESOME! Thanks for the link.

 

[heatherleigh]

I'm looking forward to hearing more about the trip. Are the kids dressing up for Mickey's Halloween Treat? We went to it last year. Both of the boys fell asleep right away. They hadn't had naps that day, so they were wiped out by the time we arrived at the party. They dressed up as Captain Hook and Peter Pan.

 

[emum]

My goodness ! I started this pre-trip planner 100 days ago (as of tomorrow). This time in 30 days, we'll be at the airport ! Wheeeeee !

Am starting to feel a little overwhelmed at what I *haven't* done yet, and feel as though I'll run out of time before we leave to have everything sorted. Doesn't help that we leave on the first day of school holidays, so I'll be going straight from end-of-term hectic-ness to holiday frenzy mode

I *have* booked a PS at Ralph Brennan's for the MTOT night, and have been browsing at possible Halloween outfits / t-shirt ideas, so it's not all doom and gloom.

I've also made a list of all the places I want to eat at (since DH has said that he's more than happy for me to organise everything ) LOL.

Heatherleigh - I've been thinking about the MTOT day - my youngest DD may need a nap to get her through the night, although all four of them are pretty hardy when it comes to sleep requirements - none has had a day nap beyond the age of 2yo. I guess we'll play it by ear on the day (might be an idea for one of us to take the younger kids back to the hotel for a nap, and the other can stay with eldest DD at DL....)

I guess the main thing for me to remember is that all the accommodation and flights are booked, so anything else that is planned / not planned is OK.

I've loved coming onto the DIS boards and reading everyone's reports and browsing photos - gets me so excited. Am even considering making up some Lime Green Mickey ears. We don't have them pre-made here in Aus, so I'd have to make some in Photoshop, then laminate them....

That's over and out from here for a bit. Hopefully my next post will be to discuss the final stages of packing (maybe some photos if I'm feeling so inclined), and then final farewells !

 

[chickyann]

Not long now

Our trip starts tomorrow, I can't believe it!! Hawaii & then Disneyland

 

[emum]

D'oh, I got your departure date wrong (was going by your ticker). I meant to wish you a great trip Chickyann ! Have a wonderful time

It's 4 weeks from today that we leave. I can't imagine how excited we'll be at this point in the day. The maxi taxi doesn't arrive until 4.30pm (it's 1.30pm here now).

I've been watching long-range weather forecasts, and livecams galore ! Great time-wasters LOL. Anyway, a fleeting visit, as I'm catering for a function tonight, and still have to get eldest DD to a flute recital in half an hour....

 

[emum]

3 weeks from tomorrow, and we'll be high over the Pacific Ocean

Have had a busy week - *lots* of dental work in preparation for the trip - don't want any problems while we're away. Have "blinged" my LGMH, and then realised it's probably way too big to hang on a bag. Ah well, will take it anyway. Have attached appliques to the kids' tie-dyed t-shirts. Was going to do the standard tie-dye Mickey head, but couldn't be bothered with dental floss and hand sewing, so used some fusing and fabric paint to attach some Mickey heads instead. I'll post pictures before we leave.

I'm about to order the kids' backpacks from Disney shopping. I've searched high and low here in Aus., and can't find anything close to what I'm after.

DD2 and I are off for a "mummy and me" day tomorrow, and I'll be on the hunt for special goodies to go intheir backpacks for the plane trips.

I'm so glad I've got the two days off work before we leave - I know I'm going to need that time to do last minute organising.

I'm also slowly breaking it to DH that I really and truly have the travel bug back in earnest now, and that I'll need to be able to plan a trip every year. Next year will probably be domestic, but I'm desperately hoping to get back to the East Coast USA at the end of 2010.

Over and out for now !

 

[chickyann]

We're back, we had an awesome time.

Not long for you guys now!!!!

 

[travelmel]

W E L C O M E B A C K ! ! !

Melissa

 

[emum]

How about a trip report, Chickyann ?!?! I'd love to hear the perspective of another Aussie Are you keen as mustard to go again ?

Yes, only 9 sleeps until we leave now.... I'm so excited, although I'm also glad it's still school term time, as I'm so busy with other stuff, I'm not dwelling so much on the waiting. DD1 has her flute exam on Saturday, and a three day trip to Canberra next week - she doesn't get back until the night before we leave.

DD3 has had gastro the last couple of days, although she has perked back up again today, and none of the others seem to have caught it *touch wood*.

I haven't packed anything, although we're only taking two days' worth of clothes, plus our cossies. The kids' backpacks should arrive from Disneyshopping today, and I'm tempted to put in one.more.order for some t-shirts before we go, which would probably arrive the day before we leave....

I will be spending this weekend doing the last of our t-shirts - I'll post photos of them next week.

So, until next week.....

Cheers,
Sally

 

[travelmel]

We're back, we had an awesome time.

Not long for you guys now!!!!

Whoops! forgot to quote you when I posted "On with the show!"

 

[emum]

I'm sure Chickyann won't mind, Mel

My "show" won't be airing for another 3 weeks or so

Small update - the UPS man arrived a few minutes after I last posted. DD3 opened her bag and said "what a pretty bag - can I keep it forever ?". When I said yes, she hugged me and said "thankyou, Mummy"

I asked her if it was big enough for her teddy to fit in, and she said "no, teddy can sit in my seat on the plane, and I weill sit on mummy's knee". What a high maintenance teddy !