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

[deejdigsdis]

I have a feeling that this won't be a very productive TR day. At about 3am my youngest son, the only child who isn't sick, came in to our room and tried to take one of my pillows. I asked him what he was doing and he said, "I hiccuped and my pillow got dirty." Hmmmmm. That sounded suspicious. I went into his room and confirmed my suspicions that he was now officially sick as well. I went back into my room, where he had already crawled into my bed. I had him get out and then I led him to the bathroom, where he proceeded to "hiccup and get the bathroom floor dirty." Anyway, I was up all night with that.

For now I'll just post a few random window display pictures. I looooooove the window displays at Disneyland and always come home wishing I had taken more pictures of them. Enjoy!

 

[deejdigsdis]

So the plan was to leave HoJo at 7:15 for an 8:00 opening. That was the plan. Things were looking good, we seemed on track to leave by 7:15. You know how those last 10 minutes seem to go by in like 1 minute? That's kind of what happened. We actually were on our way at 7:40. Everyone was very apologetic that we were getting a later-than-wanted start, but no worries. I decided long ago when trip plans were just beginning that one of the keys to making this a happy trip would be...FLEXIBILITY. (That's DS7's teacher's motto, by the way...FLEXIBILITY. If it works for a class of 2nd graders, it can work for 4 adult women. ) With everyone having different priorities, expectations, etc. etc., I think a lot of headaches, stress and frustration were avoided by just being flexible.

So we're off to Disneyland for our first full day! I felt like a kid again. I played the mom role in Part 1, the wife role in Part 2, and now I was playing the daughter/sister role in Part 3. And it was fun!

It had rained during the night, so things looked a little drizzly as we entered.

About my pictures... I took a lot while I was walking this time around. I didn't want to hold everyone up by stopping every 2 feet to take a picture. (They were in no way making me feel like I was holding them up...it's just me.) So there are going to be some pictures that look like I was on the go because I was on the go. Not that I do a whole lot of "setting up" a shot anyway with my Point and Shoot camera, but I at least like to balance my hand and try to keep things steady.

We arrived at the turnstiles and I was pleasantly surprised at the lack of lines. There were less than 10 people in front of us when we got in line at 7:55.

I loved seeing the little flickering lights in the character pumpkins. A fantastic detail that just doesn't come across in still pics.

Everyone has their own "moment" when they KNOW they are at Disneyland. When I was a kid it would be when we'd walk into the huge parking lot that seemed neverending. The excitement and anticipation building as we'd head toward the ticket booths, my mom or sister running ahead so they could film everyone else (with one of those huge video cameras perched on their shoulder). Of course that moment of knowing is long gone. For some it is when they hear that magical sound when their ticket is scanned. I love that sound, but it isn't something from my childhood, so it's not quite my "Now I'm here moment." This, my dear lurkers - and Sherry -, is my moment when I know I'm there:

When I see this sign before walking through the tunnel. Does anyone else take a picture of this sign every time they go? Maybe my "now I'm here" moment will be different next time, but for this trip...this is what gave me THE feeling.

 

[deejdigsdis]

We're in. We stepped into that magical realm that is Disneyland. It will quickly be evident that any DISboards tips I've gotten for what to do those first 2 hours don't come into play. There was no walking with purpose to Peter Pan or mad dashes to get FPs for Space Mountain Ghost Galaxy. I noticed on my last trip that a priority for me is to just soak it all in. A couple of days into this trip -- as we were sitting on the front porch eating muffins and watching the people fly down Main Street -- we were discussing our favorite areas of Disneyland. My favorite area is Main Street. Most definitely Main Street. D36 mentioned that when we were kids, Main Street was just something we passed to get to Space Mountain. Well, that has changed. It isn't about rushing from ride to ride for me anymore. It's more about enjoying the atmosphere of "leaving today and entering a world of ... yesterday."

Moving on. The plan was for D36 to get a locker while I took a few pictures on Main Street.

Not sure what's going on under the tarp.

I absolutely love the garland in this display. Very old-school. (I bought that mug in the bottom left corner, by the way. )

I headed over to get FPs for Indy. I wanted our first major ride to be one that all 4 of us could do. Just wasn't sure what my mom at age 71 - almost 72 - would be able to handle. She said she could do Indy, so Indy it was.

On the way over, I noticed Chef Oscar scurrying around in Carnation Cafe so I had to get a quick picture.

We met him when we had lunch there last November and he was such a cute little delightful man. When my husband and I went back in April and ate breakfast at CC, Chef Oscar was on vacation so we missed him. I wasn't sure if I'd catch another glimpse of him later during this trip, so I took this on-the-go picture. (Little did I know...he would be checking my hand for a ring the next day at lunch. Yeah, I have pictures. )

Continuing on to get the Indy FPs...

Did I mention I was pleasantly surprised with the low crowds? More like non-existent crowds.

Heading back to Main Street to meet up with everyone else. A couple shots of Tiki Room stuff.

More later.

 

[deejdigsdis]

More window displays...

One of my very favorite things I saw while window shopping:

Loved these flowers over by the lockers

Ahhh...remnants of the rain...

It was 8:30 by this time. (Sheesh. I'm only 30 minutes into Day 1 of 5...this is going to take forever.) We made our way toward Main Street station so we could take the train full circle -- our traditional first ride at Disneyland. As we were walking over there we saw all sorts of characters out and about with practically no lines -- just 1 or 2 or 3 people. So -- being the flexible ladies we are -- we got some character pics before hopping aboard the train. We got pics with Pinocchio first. We must have appeared somewhat excited and energized. The handler said, "Boy, we sure can tell who had their Starbucks this morning..." We informed him, "Nope. Not us. This is just us in our natural state of starting a day at Disneyland." Up next was Alice and Mad Hatter. (Does anyone else just want to pinch his nose? ) Across Town Square we saw Goofy and headed his way. While we were standing in line Mickey made an entrance.

We noticed Pinocchio's handler is now Mickey's handler.

Mickey on the go...

Love Goofy's skeleton costume. (Does anyone else just want to pull on those whiskers? What is it with me... )

While getting our group pic with Mickey, M48 turned and kissed his cheek right when the photo was taken. We couldn't tell if Mickey began to act embarrassed or disgusted or what. He wiped off his cheek and then kind of hid his face in a corner. We decided he was trying to tell us that he only has room for kisses from Minnie. M48 apologized and he turned back toward her. All in fun of course.

One more picture before getting on the train.

We were the only ones waiting at the station. We asked about riding the Lilly Belle, as we had seen the car when we walked into the park. The CM in the station said to check back later. Specifically, check back when the sun comes out. I thought that was an odd response.

Our train pulls in...

We chatted with a nice Disneyland Railroad CM. I asked her about park capacity -- what that really meant, numbers-wise. I didn't get a straight answer. She described all the different levels of the park reaching capacity, but I wanted to hear numbers. I asked her why the park was closing at 6pm. (Monday night) She said it was for Mickey's Halloween Party. Well, I knew it wasn't for a regular MHP, since those were on Tues. and Fri. nights. I asked if it was a party for Cast Members and families but she just said it was for a regular party. Hmmmm. So I just dropped it. She was very excited to tell us that her fiance would be working on the same train as her that day. Usually he works on a different one. Anyway, she was just the first of many nice CMs we encountered this trip. By the way, the next day we saw her working inside Indy and she remembered us.

 

[eeyore7360nc]

Just finished reading your 3-in1 trip report. I am enjoying seeing the differences in WDW and DL at Halloween. BTW don't kid yourself, you are a photographer.

 

[deejdigsdis]

Just finished reading your 3-in1 trip report. I am enjoying seeing the differences in WDW and DL at Halloween. BTW don't kid yourself, you are a photographer.

Thanks. You made my morning.

Have you ever been to Disneyland? I enjoy hearing the comparisons between the 2 in general. I've never been to WDW.

OK, so we got even more excited as we circled the park in the train. If that was even possible. It was interesting to see that IASW had already been drained. Today was the first day of its closure in preparation for IASW-Holiday. When we rode the train another day we noticed that the lights had been put up. I was amazed at the changes that took place overnight.

Back to Halloween Time. We got off the train on Main Street and headed over to the Fire Station.

My mom and sisters don't remember ever having gone inside, so we did that.

Took a few pics, and then made our way down Main Street. Of course I had to check out a few more window displays...

I Spy With My Little Eye... me. 4 times.

As we made our way down Main Street I noticed that my favorite spot was available. The Front Porch. There are 4 seats up there - 2 single chairs and a bench. We just hung out on the porch for a while and people watched. (I must be driving some hard-core-pack-in-all-the-rides-you-can-in-the-first-2-hours-of-the-day people nuts with my moseyings. Hmmmm. Apparently moseyings isn't a word.)

Finally we were off to ride Indy. A shot of the Ride Board on our way...

We hop in line for Indy and keep walking and walking and walking. 7 minutes. That's how long our wait was. I love this ride. I noticed that I always have a big smile on my face throughout the ride. My mom was able to handle it just fine, but D36 was in need of food after the ride. She just needed to get something in her stomach. River Belle Terrace was on our list of places to eat, and there was no time like the present. There was a very short line and we were able to snag a table with a great view.

This is what I had. I think it was called the Mark Twain.

It was very relaxing. I'm not a fan of the eggs I've had at Disneyland. These were a little better than the ones I had at Carnation Cafe. Maybe because of the bit of salt and lots of pepper I added this time. The potatoes were really good, though. Bacon and biscuit were fine. M48 got pancakes and fed some to the little birds that were perched on the wall next to our table. They seemed to love the pancakes, but like me, were not fans of the eggs. I also had hot chocolate. It was really good, but HOT. Very hot. I burned my tongue and had that prickly burned tongue feeling for 4 days.

After breakfast we headed straight to Pirates. I discovered during my last trip that this is my favorite ride. For years I couldn't answer the question "What is your favorite ride at Disneyland?" In April I realized it's Pirates of the Caribbean. If I went to Disneyland and could only ride one ride -- this would be it. (Hopefully I will never be put in a situation to choose only 1 ride, though. )

Next up...Haunted Mansion. The Holiday version. The version I experienced for the first time a year ago. The version I pretty much despised and dubbed The Impostor. Well. Guess what? This time I actually liked it. Not just tolerated it, but enjoyed it. *GASP* I know. I couldn't believe it myself. I was not expecting such a shift. I was expecting M48 to hate it. She's even more of a Disneyland purist than I am. Her Disneyland memories go way back to 1964 when my dad said to my mom, "How would you like to go to Anaheim for vacation?" Mom - "Anaheim? Why would I want to go to Anaheim? What's in Anaheim?" She soon found out and they were hooked. It's amazing what M48 remembers from that first visit when she wasn't even 3 years old yet. So, I thought she'd hate HMH. I was wrong. She enjoyed it and thought it was very well done. Not the response I was expecting at all. (None of us have seen Nightmare Before Christmas, by the way. Never really had the desire before, but now I do.)

OK, getting too wordy. Pictures...

And M48's cute earrings that she wore every day.

 

[Goofy_Mom]

 

[tksbaskets]

Enjoying being along for your trip.

We love both WDW and DL. In my 'WDW Family heads West" trip report I do give some comparisons.

Looking forward to more!

 

[eeyore7360nc]

I have been to DL a few times. There are a few things like POTC and Space Mountain that I like better at DL. They recently added "music" to Space Mountain in WDW, but it was more Muzak than rock and roll.

 

[deejdigsdis]

Yay! Glad to have you along.

Enjoying being along for your trip.

We love both WDW and DL. In my 'WDW Family heads West" trip report I do give some comparisons.

Looking forward to more!

Hey TK! I was just thinking about you this morning. (I know...how stalker-ish of me. ) My thought process went something like this... I can't believe it was a year ago that I finally went back to Disneyland and took my kids...I loved going at Christmas time...I spent a lot of time reading TRs after we got back, so others' Christmas-time TRs...I remembered your TR...then I remembered that you are going to WDW this Dec. Is that still the plan? Anyway, thanks for checking in.

I have been to DL a few times. There are a few things like POTC and Space Mountain that I like better at DL. They recently added "music" to Space Mountain in WDW, but it was more Muzak than rock and roll.

You know, I've heard that comparison a lot. That people tend to enjoy DLs POTC more than WDW's POTC. The Muzak in Space Mountain...that's funny!

Well, off to upload more pictures to photobucket. I'll be back with another update tonight.

 

[tksbaskets]

Hey TK! I was just thinking about you this morning. (I know...how stalker-ish of me. ) My thought process went something like this... I can't believe it was a year ago that I finally went back to Disneyland and took my kids...I loved going at Christmas time...I spent a lot of time reading TRs after we got back, so others' Christmas-time TRs...I remembered your TR...then I remembered that you are going to WDW this Dec. Is that still the plan? Anyway, thanks for checking in.

Not stalker-like at all I'm here reading your trip report aren't I so what does that make me??

Yes, WDW is in our future. 12/26-1/2. We're staying at the Villas at Wilderness Lodge (much like the Grand Californian Hotel) We are hoping the flight costs come down. Right now we could fly to California for the same price.

When is your next trip? (So I can stalk for your trip report!)

 

[deejdigsdis]

Not stalker-like at all I'm here reading your trip report aren't I so what does that make me??

Yes, WDW is in our future. 12/26-1/2. We're staying at the Villas at Wilderness Lodge (much like the Grand Californian Hotel) We are hoping the flight costs come down. Right now we could fly to California for the same price.

When is your next trip? (So I can stalk for your trip report!)

I think we are all a bunch of closet stalkers here on the DIS! I'm excited to follow your post-Christmas adventure. As far as the "when" for our next trip... too far in the future. Over the summer I asked my 3 boys if they wanted to go next year, or wait until 2012 when Cars Land is up and running. They chose a 2012 trip. So that's the plan for now.

OK, between the boards going down tonight and being distracted by tksbaskets latest TR (), I don't have much of an update tonight. Mostly pictures of treats in Pooh Corner.

After leaving Haunted Mansion we headed over to Pooh. I was excited to show everyone Melvin, Buff and Max, our old friends that survived the Country Bear Jamboree demolition. I love seeing those hidden treasures that get saved.

According to my pictures, we were sailing in a Splash Mountain log within 10 minutes of riding Pooh. D36 got soaked the worst, since she was up front.

Next up was a visit to Pooh Corner. I wanted to make sure that the one treat my little 4 year old guy asked me to bring home to him was there. He had originally asked for a Tigger Tail, which he loves. Then they had to go and change them... GRRRR. They just don't even look good anymore. I showed him a picture and he didn't want one of the new ones. I showed him some other pics people had posted of Pooh Corner treats. He chose a pretzel rod dipped in caramel, dipped in chocolate, dipped in M&Ms. He has been calling it the M&M Tigger Tail ever since. So that's what I was on the lookout for. Disappointment set in as I realized they weren't making it. I'm pretty sure this was taking its place during Halloween Time:

Yuck. This just does not look good. (Now that I get a closer look, I see these ones are on marshmallows. The pretzel rod ones are on the plate in a pic below.)

Here are some other pics of more appetizing Pooh Corner treats:

Mmmmmmm. I really wanted to eat this huge chocolate chip in the cookie on the right.

We always got these kind of suckers when I was little. These and something called Donald Duck Fudge.

Now for some things that are really cute, but not all that appetizing to me.

OK, so these ones are cute and tasty-looking...

At some point I had gotten Splash Mountain FPs. After Pooh Corner we went back on Splash and used our FPs. Might as well get right back on while we're wet. 30 minute stand-by line, less than 5 minute FP line.

Time for a bathroom break. I'm so glad they still have this sign even though Trixie is no longer around.

And just a funny thing we want to remember... when we headed into the restroom M48 saw this sign:

...and said, "Oh, isn't it nice that they have the bathroom sign in braille..."

After a moment or two she realized it was not a braille bathroom sign after all. Then we saw this:

...the real braille bathroom sign. It was just funny. (Maybe it was one of those "you had to be there" moments. )

More tomorrow.

 

[deejdigsdis]

So it's 1pm by this time. Let's see...the park's been open for 5 hours now. We've got 7 rides under our belts. In 5 hours. As a teen I would have been over such a statistic. But it's all good.

Off we go to Big Thunder Mountain Railroad. Part of me still classifies this as a "new" ride. This is my favorite of all the Mountain rides. That train whistle brings back really good memories of riding the ride and eating at La Casa Mexicana at night (which was located where The Impostor Mexican restaurant is now). And I can't tell you how many times "Hold onto your hats and glasses, 'cause this here's the Wildest Ride in the Wilderness" has come up in conversation. Let's get to the pictures...

During my last trip I focused on getting pictures of the various lanterns, lamps and light fixtures around Disneyland. I got a few this trip, but as I was going through my pictures, I realized not nearly enough.

Thunder Mountain on the go...

This was supposed to be one of many Big Thunder rides this trip. I think I only rode it twice when we took the kids a year ago, and it was under refurb when my husband and I went in April. So this trip was going to pack a lot of Thunder Mountain punch. "Was" is the keyword. Didn't happen.

 

[Sherry E]

Aha! I'm glad to see you are coming around on the subject of Haunted Mansion Holiday!! You're starting to appreciate it!! Infidel!

If I recall, I think it was Bumbershoot who also didn't care for HMH too much at first, but I think it's grown on her a little bit! I think she still has issues with it, but she doesn't dislike it.

I like the original Haunted Mansion, of course, because that's the one I grew up with. That's the one I was afraid to ride when I was really little, and then it finally grew on me and I loved it. But I must say, I don't miss it when I go to DLR and ride HMH. I never think to myself, "Gee, I wish the original HM were running now." Maybe if I went to DLR again in summer or some other time that's not a holiday season (which will likely not happen), I would miss the original one and really feel its loss. I think, in my mind, I probably associate the original HM more with summer because we always used to make summer trips to DL before I discovered that I loved Christmastime more!!

So when I go for Halloween and Christmastime, I feel like HMH is a big part of the festivities. Now it would seem odd to me if HMH were NOT on the agenda for either holiday. I'm so used to it. But if I suddenly went back to DLR in the middle of July or something, maybe I would be longing for the original 999 ghosts!

Next year is the HMH's 10th anniversary, I think. That should be fun!

I know what you mean about that feeling when you know you are at DLR. I don't know what it is now for me - I will have to figure that out in December when I go - but when I was a kid, it was seeing the Matterhorn (and later Space Mountain) from the freeway - that was such a feeling of euphoria because I knew we were fast approaching the Magic Kingdom! And then, once we got out of the car in the enormous parking lot, seeing the tram made me giddy! To me, the tram was like a little ride all on its own! I loved it! And finally, holding the ticket books with the A - E tickets in it really was what sealed the deal. Once I held the ticket book in my hand, then I knew I was at Disneyland!!

Was Tksbaskets reading along back when I mentioned her (in regards to the Halloween vs. Christmas subject)? She never jumped in to say anything about that!!

 

[deejdigsdis]

Aha! I'm glad to see you are coming around on the subject of Haunted Mansion Holiday!! You're starting to appreciate it!! Infidel!

If I recall, I think it was Bumbershoot who also didn't care for HMH too much at first, but I think it's grown on her a little bit! I think she still has issues with it, but she doesn't dislike it.

I like the original Haunted Mansion, of course, because that's the one I grew up with. That's the one I was afraid to ride when I was really little, and then it finally grew on me and I loved it. But I must say, I don't miss it when I go to DLR and ride HMH. I never think to myself, "Gee, I wish the original HM were running now." Maybe if I went to DLR again in summer or some other time that's not a holiday season (which will likely not happen), I would miss the original one and really feel its loss. I think, in my mind, I probably associate the original HM more with summer because we always used to make summer trips to DL before I discovered that I loved Christmastime more!!

So when I go for Halloween and Christmastime, I feel like HMH is a big part of the festivities. Now it would seem odd to me if HMH were NOT on the agenda for either holiday. I'm so used to it. But if I suddenly went back to DLR in the middle of July or something, maybe I would be longing for the original 999 ghosts!

Next year is the HMH's 10th anniversary, I think. That should be fun!

I know what you mean about that feeling when you know you are at DLR. I don't know what it is now for me - I will have to figure that out in December when I go - but when I was a kid, it was seeing the Matterhorn (and later Space Mountain) from the freeway - that was such a feeling of euphoria because I knew we were fast approaching the Magic Kingdom! And then, once we got out of the car in the enormous parking lot, seeing the tram made me giddy! To me, the tram was like a little ride all on its own! I loved it! And finally, holding the ticket books with the A - E tickets in it really was what sealed the deal. Once I held the ticket book in my hand, then I knew I was at Disneyland!!

Was Tksbaskets reading along back when I mentioned her (in regards to the Halloween vs. Christmas subject)? She never jumped in to say anything about that!!

I figured you might have something to say about my seemingly abrupt change in feelings toward HMH. Don't get me wrong...my heart will always belong to the original!

I'm anxious to hear what your "moment" is...as far as knowing you are THERE when you go next month. I remember noticing the Matterhorn from the freeway as well. And that large Disneyland sign. Oh, the ticket books... as nostalgic as they are, that's one change I welcome! I saw the cutest little notepad at The Star Trader that I forgot to go back and get. It was an A - E ticket book. So cute! Probably too cute to actually use. It was only $5-ish.

Yeah, I don't think tksbaskets had joined in yet when we were talking about her.

 

[eeyore7360nc]

Great pics on BTMRR. Maybe next time I can let go of the bar and get some of my own.

 

[deejdigsdis]

(I wonder how many Day 1 -- Monday Oct. 25th Continued titles I will be using???)

We came out of Thunder Mountain around 1:15pm. Just in time to catch the Billy Hill and the Hillbillies 1:30 show. I had only seen it once -- the Christmas show last year. I knew this would be something my mom would love. So the plan was to grab a snack and enjoy the show. D36 and I seem to have this knack of getting in the wrong line. The line that looks the shortest but ends up taking the longest amount of time. True to form, that's what we did at the Golden Horseshoe. (Side note: I did that again the other day at the grocery store. I thought I was so clever getting in the line with only 1 person while all the other lines had 4 or 5 people in them. This line wasn't as noticeable. You had to walk past the other registers to get to this one. Anyway, 25 MINUTES LATER it was finally my turn to check out. I kept thinking that as soon as I got out of line I would wish I just stayed. It was ridiculous.) OK, so my mom saved a table up top for us while we got the ice cream. Man, that line was our longest line of the day up to this point. 20 minutes and there were maybe 4 people in front of us. Everyone except for me got ice cream. I wasn't hungry enough to eat a whole thing of ice cream as well as the included cookies. I ended up just getting a cookie on a plate and scooping some of M48's ice cream on top of my cookie. I don't have ice cream pics, but here are a couple of Billy pics...

I was right. My mom was a huge fan. She was clapping and hootin' and hollerin'. Especially when they played "Ghost Riders in the Sky." She got so into it. I pulled out the entertainment schedule to see when we could fit another show in for Mom's sake.

After our nice break -- from our exhausting 8-rides-in-6-hours day -- we moved along and made our way to the Halloween Tree.

I loved seeing these "natural" signs of fall. Nobody put them there to enhance Halloween Time at Disneyland. They were just there.

Faces from the Halloween Tree:

Then the store displays caught our eye.

And meet Creepy Pumpkin Guy. D36 took a picture of me cozying up to him and I sent it to my husband with a message of "Jealous?" He promptly replied "What's he got that I ain't got?"

Up next... our wanderings around Big Thunder Ranch.

 

[deejdigsdis]

Great pics on BTMRR. Maybe next time I can let go of the bar and get some of my own.

Thanks! Yeah, I can't quite do that on Space Mountain yet.

 

[deejdigsdis]

We headed over to the Halloween Roundup at Big Thunder Ranch. I was excited to see all the amazing pumpkins. Fall is my favorite season and I love love love all the decor that goes along with it, so I was excited to see what they did with Big Thunder Ranch along those lines.

This was one of my favorites. Loved this!

Just a bunch of random pumpkin-and-autumn pictures!

I thought the teeny-tiny Mickey ghosts were so cute in this one. You can see where one of the Mickey ears (orange pipe cleaners) fell out on one side of that jack-o-lantern sitting on the fence.

I couldn't believe the talent of whoever creates these. The attention to detail is incredible! And this isn't the end...gotta go upload some more.

 

[jnjusoioa]

Your trip report is so making me want to go to Disneyland next year for Halloween!!! Can't wait to see more!!!