Lots of Completed Trip Reports....Nov 2009 - April 2014

[deejdigsdis]

Really enjoyed your trip reports! Thanks so much for sharing.

Thank you for reading! I'm glad you enjoyed them.

Your calendar came out great! Love the theming and variety of pictures.

Thanks so much! Too bad I can't hang it until November. I can't believe it's already April, though, so I'm sure it will be here before we know it. In the meantime I keep the calendar on top of my desk so I can glance through it once in a while.

...Or will it??? My sister had to go and tempt me yet again. I got an email from her this afternoon, and I quote:

I plan on making another trip to Disneyland the end of April/beginning of May! I just wanted to make you another proposition to see if you wanted to make one last trip before your pass expires. I know it will be another 1 1/2 years until you go next! Anyway, I could pay half the airfare like last time so you just have to worry about the other half and food. I would already have the hotel taken care of. I know it's a long shot asking you, but I just wanted to throw it out there and hope you take the bait Let me know!

What's a girl to do...

Well, the decision has been made. I wasn't going to go...but it was too hard to pass up a relatively cheap trip to Disneyland. So I'm off to the Happiest Place on Earth once again. Since I took DS11 last time, I planned on taking DS8 and DS5 this time. (Yes, that will cause a significant price jump, but my AP is expiring so I know I can't take 1 boy this time and then take another later -- but relatively soon.) BUT...when I made the offer, DS8 turned me down. I talked to him alone first. He doesn't want to go, which makes me wonder if he really is my son. A few days after that DS11 and DS8 said in unison to DS5, "Guess where you're going?!? You're going to Disneyland!!" DS5 was very excited. That is, until he found out it was just me and him going. Within 2 minutes he told me 7 times, "I don't want to go!!" -- all on the verge of tears. You would think my children were Disney'd out, instead of having just 1 trip under their belts. I remember DS11 and DS8 exchanging glances during DS5's reaction, and then looking back at me, like they felt so sorry for me. DS11 quietly said, "I'll go back with you mom, since no one else wants to go..." I can just see the future now, had I gone with that option. DS8 and DS5 ---------> when they are DS17 and DS14..."Remember in 2011 when Mom took ___ to Disneyland TWICE, and we didn't get to go at all..." Yeah, I'm not going down that road. So -- I'm basically forcing DS5 to go to Disneyland with me. I know he's going to have the time of his life. He will get to call most of the shots as far as what we do, and I can't wait to spend time with just him -- and my sister, of course. As it stands now, DS8 is still choosing not to go. I told him he could have the money equal to the price of a 3-day park hopper if he doesn't go. He can still change his mind, for the next few days anyway. My husband thinks this is going to turn into a "Remember when Mom bought me off so she didn't have to take me to Disneyland" sort of thing down the road. But I don't think so. If anything it seemed more like DS5's thing would turn into a "Remember when Mom forced me to go to Disneyland with her and you got to stay home AND get the money equal to the price of a park hopper???" down the road. But...now that it's had a week or so to sink in he is actually getting excited. Top of his list includes getting a Tigger Tail, trying out Space Mountain (I'm not holding my breath for that one ) and riding "The Little World" again. And I will eventually take DS8 alone some day. It just won't be soon. But it will happen, even if I have to take him against his will.

 

[Sherry E]

Your sons are funny! Other kids in their position would be chomping at the bit to go to Disneyland! They just don't realize that you know what's best for them and that's why you have to basically force them into going and having fun!! I think they will be happy that you did later on in life.

So it is it still going to be late April/early May? You won't be there on May 8th, will you?

I just found out that I might be hovering around the outside gates of the parks on May 8th - but not going in. My friend (who I've not seen in 10 years) and her family are supposedly coming out here for a few days in May, with May 8th as a designated 'go to Downtown Disney, eat at Goofy's, shop in World of Disney, wander around the hotels and then go to GardenWalk' day. They either don't have the money or the interest yet to go IN the parks. And even if they did, it would only be for that one day - which probably wouldn't be worth it for them because they wouldn't be able to do everything that their son (4 years old) wanted to do when he needs to take naps and all that.

Personally, I don't see how I could have an AP that is still active and merely go to DTD without ever going into the parks, but...as I said, I haven't seen my friend in 10 years, so it's not like I can go running off to the parks and leave them.

 

[tksbaskets]

Your sons are funny! Other kids in their position would be chomping at the bit to go to Disneyland! They just don't realize that you know what's best for them and that's why you have to basically force them into going and having fun!! I think they will be happy that you did later on in life.

So it is it still going to be late April/early May? You won't be there on May 8th, will you?

I just found out that I might be hovering around the outside gates of the parks on May 8th - but not going in. My friend (who I've not seen in 10 years) and her family are supposedly coming out here for a few days in May, with May 8th as a designated 'go to Downtown Disney, eat at Goofy's, shop in World of Disney, wander around the hotels and then go to GardenWalk' day. They either don't have the money or the interest yet to go IN the parks. And even if they did, it would only be for that one day - which probably wouldn't be worth it for them because they wouldn't be able to do everything that their son (4 years old) wanted to do when he needs to take naps and all that.

Personally, I don't see how I could have an AP that is still active and merely go to DTD without ever going into the parks, but...as I said, I haven't seen my friend in 10 years, so it's not like I can go running off to the parks and leave them.

Oh I don't know....I'd probably find a way I hear you about a single day's park ticket being pricey. So says the woman who went for one day...

You'll have a blast especially with the 4yo at Goofy's Kitchen.

All my favorite DISers going to DL!

 

[deejdigsdis]

Your sons are funny! Other kids in their position would be chomping at the bit to go to Disneyland! They just don't realize that you know what's best for them and that's why you have to basically force them into going and having fun!! I think they will be happy that you did later on in life.

So it is it still going to be late April/early May? You won't be there on May 8th, will you?

I just found out that I might be hovering around the outside gates of the parks on May 8th - but not going in. My friend (who I've not seen in 10 years) and her family are supposedly coming out here for a few days in May, with May 8th as a designated 'go to Downtown Disney, eat at Goofy's, shop in World of Disney, wander around the hotels and then go to GardenWalk' day. They either don't have the money or the interest yet to go IN the parks. And even if they did, it would only be for that one day - which probably wouldn't be worth it for them because they wouldn't be able to do everything that their son (4 years old) wanted to do when he needs to take naps and all that.

Personally, I don't see how I could have an AP that is still active and merely go to DTD without ever going into the parks, but...as I said, I haven't seen my friend in 10 years, so it's not like I can go running off to the parks and leave them.

DS8 is being a little...interesting...about it all. I have the pictures to prove he had fun when he went to Disneyland, but to hear him talk about it you'd think otherwise. Part of it is that he knows how much I love it, so he tries to get a reaction out of me when he says stuff like "Small World was boring" or "The Matterhorn is lame." Well, IASW happened to be one of his very favorites and he was too scared to ride the Matterhorn. It's kind of funny. When I'm not around he talks about how "cool" different rides are, but if he's just talking to me he uses the words "lame" and "boring" a lot. I'm on to him, though.

Yes, I'm going at the end of April. My AP expires the 27th. So sad I'm going to miss you! I would love to meet up and at least go check out the sewing machine display with you and then maybe have lunch (NOT breakfast ) at Carnation Cafe. Let me know if your friend's plans miraculously change and they end up deciding on the last week of April. I don't know how I would be able to just stick to DTD with AP in hand. That will be fun to catch up after 10 years, though.

Oh I don't know....I'd probably find a way I hear you about a single day's park ticket being pricey. So says the woman who went for one day...

You'll have a blast especially with the 4yo at Goofy's Kitchen.

All my favorite DISers going to DL!

Wasn't it business that took you to San Diego back in October? Anything business-related that will draw you to So Cal the last week of April?

 

[tksbaskets]

Wasn't it business that took you to San Diego back in October? Anything business-related that will draw you to So Cal the last week of April?

Oh, I wish I could find something that would put my in the area in late April... business isn't cooperating for that!

Wouldn't we have a blast?

 

[deejdigsdis]

4 Days ago from this very moment I was eating a Fried Green Tomato Sandwich at Hungry Bear.

3 Days ago from this very moment I was eating sliced apples dipped in caramel while watching the Disneyland Band perform a "Beauty and the Beast" medley in Town Square.

2 Days ago from this very moment I was eating popcorn while standing in line for TSMM.

1 Day ago from this very moment I was eating a chocolate muffin from DTD while heading home.

More to come later.

 

[tksbaskets]

4 Days ago from this very moment I was eating a Fried Green Tomato Sandwich at Hungry Bear.

3 Days ago from this very moment I was eating sliced apples dipped in caramel while watching the Disneyland Band perform a "Beauty and the Beast" medley in Town Square.

2 Days ago from this very moment I was eating popcorn while standing in line for TSMM.

1 Day ago from this very moment I was eating a chocolate muffin from DTD while heading home.

More to come later.

Isn't THIS a teaser!! Hope it was a blast!!

 

[kaoden39]

Oh what a tease!! I can hardly wait to read this.

 

[deejdigsdis]

Isn't THIS a teaser!! Hope it was a blast!!

Oh what a tease!! I can hardly wait to read this.

Hi ladies! I'm loading pics to photobucket right now. It seems like people often talk about how they lose weight when they go to Disneyland...you know, with all that walking. But apparently I'm not one of those people. I managed to gain a few pounds and I can't figure out how that happened. I think I ate more this trip just because I knew I wasn't going back any time soon. My AP expired my last day there. So sad.

 

[kaoden39]

Hi ladies! I'm loading pics to photobucket right now. It seems like people often talk about how they lose weight when they go to Disneyland...you know, with all that walking. But apparently I'm not one of those people. I managed to gain a few pounds and I can't figure out how that happened. I think I ate more this trip just because I knew I wasn't going back any time soon. My AP expired my last day there. So sad.

Mine expires on June 13 and unless something unforeseen happens I won't be back before mine expires. I feel your pain on that.

 

[deejdigsdis]

Mine expires on June 13 and unless something unforeseen happens I won't be back before mine expires. I feel your pain on that.

Oh, I hope you can find a way to go back before your AP expires. It was funny... there was some kind of closure that came along with using the AP on the last day. I wasn't expecting that.

Well, my son needed the computer when I was just getting ready to load pics yesterday. I should have the first installment up this afternoon, though.

 

[kaoden39]

Oh, I hope you can find a way to go back before your AP expires. It was funny... there was some kind of closure that came along with using the AP on the last day. I wasn't expecting that.

Well, my son needed the computer when I was just getting ready to load pics yesterday. I should have the first installment up this afternoon, though.

I doubt I will get a chance to. When I went on the trip in February it accomplished that for me. I didn't leave with the feeling that I left anything undone like I normally do.

 

[deejdigsdis]

I doubt I will get a chance to. When I went on the trip in February it accomplished that for me. I didn't leave with the feeling that I left anything undone like I normally do.

Well that's good. It's hard to leave when you feel like there are things left undone. That's a good way to put it.

 

[deejdigsdis]

So...a quick recap of how this trip came to be.

I got an AP a year ago when my husband and I went to Disneyland kid-less. I got the AP because I knew I'd be returning with my mom and sisters in October of 2010 and it was the financially responsible thing to do. I thought that was the end of my AP usage. But...it turns out that I have a really generous sister. I am 38 and she is 37. She made plans to use her shiny new AP (which she secured during our mom/sisters trip in October) for the first time in January. Well, she didn't want to go alone, so she told me, "I'm already going, I have the hotel paid for, you still have your AP, I'll pay for half your flight if you come with me...so you just need to cover half your flight and your food..." I ended up taking her up on her offer and DS11 and I met her in January for 3 fun-filled Disneyland days. So then I thought THAT was the end of my AP usage...but no. My sister made the exact same offer for a trip at the end of April. (How sneaky of her..."I am already going and I have the hotel paid for..." etc. I'm sure her choosing the last week of April had NOTHING to do with the fact that my AP was expiring that week. ) This time I was going to take both DS8 and DS5 with me, as I knew that this would be my last trip in a long while FOR SURE. Well, long story short, DS8 turned me down and DS5 was on the verge of tears. Not tears of joy, mind you. Tears of "But I don't want to go to Disneyland with you!!!" Not sure what was up with that reaction, but this was a "Mom knows what's best for you" kind of moment and I pretty much forced him to go, as I didn't want my husband to take any days off of work to stay home with him. He'd already willingly done that for the October 2010 and January 2011 trips. Thankfully DS5 eventually warmed up to the idea and enjoyed counting down the days to............

Sunday April 24th. AKA Easter Sunday. We always visit my in-laws over Easter. They accommodated my evening plane departure by having Easter dinner extra early. Ham, au gratin potatoes, rolls...everything. After dinner DS5 (who shall be referred to as Buddy in this TR) and I headed to the airport. This would be his first flight ever. I brought along a couple of new {what he calls} "finding books" to occupy our time on the plane. He loves those books with "hidden pictures" and books where you look for the 10 differences between 2 pictures. I happened to find a really cute Mickey Mouse Clubhouse one at Target with lots of pages -- 96, I think -- to keep him busy. He loved his new books and spent the entire flight busy as a bee.

This time we flew into Long Beach Airport. A first for me. I was going to use Super Shuttle like I do when I fly into/out of John Wayne/Orange County airport, but it was too expensive. Super Shuttle from John Wayne is around $17 one way for 2 people, tip included. Super Shuttle from Long Beach was nearly $50 one way for 2 people. No thank you. My sister had offered to pick us up at the airport but I felt she was already going above and beyond with the whole offer of the trip to begin with, so I told her we'd just take a shuttle and meet her at Candy Cane Inn. Once I found out about the $50 price tag I asked if she'd come get us, and then I would pay her. (Not $50, but something. ) She was very happy to do so.

So...we landed in Long Beach. What an interesting airport. It kind of looks like a bunch of portables with a lot of outside stuff. Tiny and easy to navigate...right down my alley. My sister...hmmm....I can't remember how I referred to her before. At this point I'll just call her D. So D was right there waiting for us at baggage claim and we were on our way.

First stop was Mimi's for dinner.

I was still a little stuffed from my Easter dinner so I didn't want to get anything too heavy. I was about to order an Asian Chicken Salad but at the last moment I switched to pasta. So much for avoiding anything heavy. It was good, but just too much food given my full-ness. It came with a choice of soup/salad and a choice of dessert. I chose the Triple Chocolate Brownie with a scoop of vanilla ice cream. It was one of the best restaurant brownies I've ever had. It actually tasted like chocolate as opposed to -- I don't know. A Little Debbie brownie, maybe? Anyway, it was delish! I forgot to take a pic of my food, but here's the brownie.

Buddy is a bit of a ... picky eater, to say the least. I'm not the kind of mom that will make 4 different dinners to satisfy all the family members. I make one dinner. If you don't like it, well... you're not going to starve to death if you choose not to eat it and decide to wait until breakfast for your next meal. Now, he's not malnourished or anything. He's way up there on the charts for height/weight and the pediatrician says there's nothing to worry about. But...I was wondering how the eating thing would go for this trip. Granted I wasn't going to be as strict as I am at home. Vacation is a time to eat fun foods in my book. Even if you don't eat your vegetables. Anyway, I was relieved to see Kraft Macaroni and Cheese on the Mimi's menu, since that's what we have at home. Buddy likes his with ketchup. That's what I ordered for him. He ate 2 bites. Ugh...this was going to be a long 3 days in the eating department.

So dinner is done and we head outside to catch some of the fireworks. Here's our view from Mimi's.

We didn't watch the whole show, as we planned to catch the entire show from inside the park one night. After watching for a bit we headed back toward Candy Cane Inn.

Oh wait. First I asked D to pull over into that 15 minute parking area by the Harbor DLR entrance. I had gotten Buddy's 3 day park hopper from Getawaytoday and I wanted to pick it up that night so we would be all set to head straight to the turnstiles Monday morning. I walked up to the first set of ticket windows. CLOSED. All of them. I walked up to the turnstiles and asked if there was an open ticket window anywhere. I was told to go to the ones closer to DTD. It was 10pm, by the way. Phew! There were at least 3 ticket windows open and no line to be seen. I didn't show them a voucher or receipt. Just my ID. They asked if it was a child or adult ticket, and how many days it was for. That was it. Very smooth.

I took one picture as I headed back to the 15 minute parking area.

Let The Memories Begin! That's just what we planned to do in about 11 hours.

We arrived at the Candy Cane Inn. My sister had already checked in. My first priority was to inspect for bed bugs after that recent thread. We took the sheets off of both beds, lifted up the mattresses, looked all around that little crevice along the outside edge of the mattresses, etc. We found nothing. Nothing but clean sheets and mattresses. Both my sister and I noticed how CLEAN it all was. It just seemed especially clean. I don't know. Maybe they were recently replaced. At any rate, we were satisfied with the results of the inspection and turned in for the night. Tomorrow would be a big day and we were ready to let the memories begin.

 

[kaoden39]

Oh that dessert looks so amazing. Now I think we are going to have brownies and ice cream for dessert tonight. My husband will be thrilled.

 

[TheColtonsMom]

I am here and excited to hear about another of your adventures... You know my last trip was guided by a 6 year old so very interested to see how you trip goes since so many of our reactions tend to be the same...TOT for example LOL. And in case you didn't catch it I am following your lead and buying my first ever AP in October to cover the Oct trip, The Diva trip in February dovetailing into time with my boys after the Divas go home and another trip to see Carsland in 2012 so APs become a VERY responsible financial decision with 3 trips in 12 months. Who know maybe we will even get in a bonus trip or two like you did.

 

[deejdigsdis]

Oh that dessert looks so amazing. Now I think we are going to have brownies and ice cream for dessert tonight. My husband will be thrilled.

I hope you got your brownies and ice cream for dessert. You can't go wrong with brownies. Yum!

I am here and excited to hear about another of your adventures... You know my last trip was guided by a 6 year old so very interested to see how you trip goes since so many of our reactions tend to be the same...TOT for example LOL. And in case you didn't catch it I am following your lead and buying my first ever AP in October to cover the Oct trip, The Diva trip in February dovetailing into time with my boys after the Divas go home and another trip to see Carsland in 2012 so APs become a VERY responsible financial decision with 3 trips in 12 months. Who know maybe we will even get in a bonus trip or two like you did.

So glad you're getting an AP Sherri! I see you've been bitten by the Disneyland bug after being away for a while, just like me. I don't know how I went 13 years. Didn't you have a 5 year drought? Anyway, I actually thought of Colton while we were there. I was thinking about how much he enjoyed Splash Mountain and how I wished it were up and running so Buddy could have a do-over. I was sure he would like it. He's only ridden it once. He was 3. DS9 (at the time) was in front, then 3-year-old Buddy, then my husband, then I was in back with a teary then-6-year-old DS. (When he heard his brother mention a 50 foot drop he got scared.) Anyway, I had told my husband to wrap his arms around Buddy before the big drop...and he forgot! So Buddy slid forward. He was too scared too ride again -- I don't blame him. But I figured it's been a year and a half and he was ready. Too bad it was still down.

 

[deejdigsdis]

Disneyland hours were 9am - 12am and DCA hours were 10am - 10pm while we were there. I was excited that we'd have extended park hours, but worried about what kind of crowds we'd be facing. I prepared myself mentally for wall-to-wall people. Thank goodness that's not what we got. But I'm getting ahead of myself.

I took Buddy down to the breakfast by the pool at 8am. It was pretty crowded. I found a table with one seat and had him sit down and eat some cereal. I stood next to him and ate a banana. We wanted to catch the first shuttle of the day, which would be leaving at 8:30. I was surprised that there were only a few others on the shuttle. I guess a lot of people just walk over in the morning because they want to get in line before the first shuttle even leaves. I wanted to save Buddy's feet (who am I kidding -- and mine) for in-park walking. I didn't plan on renting a stroller the first day, but I also wanted him to enjoy his park time. If all the walking began to take its toll, I would get a stroller.

I was pretty excited that the Mickey Ears I got Buddy during his one and only Disneyland trip still fit him, and that he was excited to wear them. We were all excited as we walked toward the security tables.

Usually I have a knack of picking the wrong line in general. The wrong grocery check out line, etc. But not this time. We started out further back, but eventually we noticed that one of the lines -- probably 21 -- was extremely short. So we moved. Here we are before the switch to 21.

I'm home! {I wonder how many pictures I have of this?}

We were waiting on Main Street by 8:50am. We thought this was interesting. I knew the Emporium had a refurb going on, but I wasn't expecting this facade-like tarp or whatever it is. We thought it was very well done.

OK. So this was the plan. D had a very important phone call to make at 9am. She was going to take Buddy and get a locker, then go sit in front of the Main Street train station and make her call. I was going to go get FPs for BTMRR. Buddy had been on this before. He wasn't a fan at age 3, but I figured at age 5 he would be. During the days leading up to the trip he talked a lot about Space Mountain and how much he wanted to go on it. He'd never ridden that one before and it certainly wasn't my plan to start out the day on that one. We had to work up to it.

Waiting for rope drop so I could go snag the BTMRR FPs.

FP mission accomplished. I couldn't resist taking a few pictures as I made my way back to the train station to meet D and Buddy for our traditional round trip ride around the park as our very first ride of the trip.

I could not get enough of these gorgeous Red Bougainvillea.

And just cuz this one screams "change me to sepia"...here it is again.

Beautiful! Pictures just don't do this plant justice.

My beloved Front Porch

I made it to the train station and D was still on her call. I figured Buddy and I would do a round trip of Main Street vehicles and we set off to wait for the Omnibus. Buddy had been talking about riding "the double decker bus" and was really excited about this.

While we were waiting, D motioned for us to come back over. She had finished up with her phone call and was ready to hop aboard the train. The Omnibus would have to wait.

As luck would have it, a train had just pulled in. Love this picture of Buddy sitting on the train, looking at all the people entering Disneyland.

 

[tksbaskets]

Hi Deej! What a huge mass of humanity that morning. I love the pictures of Buddy with his mouse ears on. The last one is just precious

Those red flowers are stunning! Your Saloon picture did should sepia! I always love your pictures.

Anxious to hear if Buddy rode SM....

TK

 

[smile4stamps]

What a timeless picture!!

Okay... So I just read your ENTIRE Trip Report from your first trip to the current one. It took me about a day and a half to read it! There were some things I was going to comment on but now I don't remember!

Your TR's are awesome! Thanks for sharing and I can't wait to read more!