Magic in the Kingdom 2012! BIG 2/16/2014 FINAL UPDATE!

[mom2rtk]

LOVED your day at MK! And I always think your pictures are fabulous.

Looks like you and Katie did quite a bit considering the summer crowds!

Thanks Wendy! It was a lot of fun packed into a little bit of time.

Didn't you just visit WDW?

I'm jealous that you seem to have your DLR plans set. We haven't done a single thing. I haven't even committed on dates yet.

 

[czmom]

Thanks Wendy! It was a lot of fun packed into a little bit of time.

Didn't you just visit WDW?

I'm jealous that you seem to have your DLR plans set. We haven't done a single thing. I haven't even committed on dates yet.

We did spend a few days in April, just DD6 and I. But we spent our one park day at Epcot. Not quite as magical as MK, but fun giving Epcot a whole day for once. And finally seeing Illuminations.

I am SO excited about DLR!

 

[KCmike]

Dumbo spinning night pictures.....Awesome!
Castle Firework shots....Awesome!
Nice job hanging in there till 1am. Can't believe how many people were heading towards you at that time of night. We've made it that late at Disneyland and there were much less people on Mainstreet.

PS. Right now Southwest has flights on sale if you haven't booked for California yet. I am deciding on whether or not to pull the trigger now or not. Still trying to map out what we really want to get done on this mini trip.

 

[RachelNinja]

Came across your TR yesterday and read through it completely! I've read past TRs before, and I don't remember if I've commented on them. I do know that I have shared your photography and Flickr page with my husband who is hoping to be a better photographer! The thing is he only really takes a ton of pictures in Disney, so that doesn't give him that much time to practice. He likes studying the camera settings on Flickr so that he can test them out himself too.

Anyway, I love all the adventures you have especially with Katie! It must be so fun to have your daughter also love Disney the way you do! My mom isn't very into all the details and said she'll be more excited when I have kids and she gets the take her grandkiddies. I'm glad my husband loves it so that I have a "partner in crime" with me now!

Looking forward to your next Disney day!

 

[mom2rtk]

We did spend a few days in April, just DD6 and I. But we spent our one park day at Epcot. Not quite as magical as MK, but fun giving Epcot a whole day for once. And finally seeing Illuminations.

I am SO excited about DLR!

That's right. I forgot you told me that was your Epcot trip. Isn't it nice to have a quick dose of Disney sometimes? Especially to make up for the things you missed the time before!

Dumbo spinning night pictures.....Awesome!
Castle Firework shots....Awesome!
Nice job hanging in there till 1am. Can't believe how many people were heading towards you at that time of night. We've made it that late at Disneyland and there were much less people on Mainstreet.

PS. Right now Southwest has flights on sale if you haven't booked for California yet. I am deciding on whether or not to pull the trigger now or not. Still trying to map out what we really want to get done on this mini trip.

Yeah, making it to 1 AM was a pretty mean feat for me. I'm usually konking out much earlier. We were both dragging by the end of the night, but we made it!

I was pretty surprised how busy it stayed right up until 1 AM. It was very different from the EMH we did the same Sunday 4 years ago. And I think that one ended at 1 also. The only difference is that the other one started an hour earlier and lasted 3 hours. So it could have been that, or just a much busier overall crowd level these days. It sure makes me give up hope of ever getting empty park shots. I'm guessing for those I'd have to go at a much busier time when EMH runs until 3 AM. And there's NO WAY I'd ever stay awake for that. They'd find me sleeping on a bench the next morning.

I don't even want to go look at SW rates. I can't commit on dates. I don't know if Drew is coming. So I just can't make a move on it. They had some good sale rates when we were getting ready to leave town. I thought about trying to book something, but it's hard when we're just not sure. I have a ballpark idea, but just don't know enough yet about how Timmy will get home for Christmas to commit on flights.

I forgot to answer your other question earlier. We're not doing anything else while we're there. The idea is to do DLR thoroughly, hopefully at a more relaxed pace, with at least one full day in the middle to relax, swim, have dinner at Goofy's Kitchen.

Are you doing some other things on your trip besides DLR?

Came across your TR yesterday and read through it completely! I've read past TRs before, and I don't remember if I've commented on them. I do know that I have shared your photography and Flickr page with my husband who is hoping to be a better photographer! The thing is he only really takes a ton of pictures in Disney, so that doesn't give him that much time to practice. He likes studying the camera settings on Flickr so that he can test them out himself too.

Anyway, I love all the adventures you have especially with Katie! It must be so fun to have your daughter also love Disney the way you do! My mom isn't very into all the details and said she'll be more excited when I have kids and she gets the take her grandkiddies. I'm glad my husband loves it so that I have a "partner in crime" with me now!

Looking forward to your next Disney day!

Hi Rachel!

So glad you found us! There's lots to go on the December trip. This June stop was just sort of an early intermission!

It really is great that Katie still enjoys Disney with me. I'm not sure what to expect over the next few years, but she still remains very enthusiastic about our trips. As the boys get older and are moving on to college, the doses of Disney I get with Katie give me faith that there will always be an opportunity to embrace my inner child. I know the trips with Katie will have to evolve, and that's fine. As long as they are still there in some form. Good thing Disney is so great with folks on scooters. Because by the time I have grandkids, I'm definitely going to need one!

I'm sure you're quite happy to enjoy Disney with your husband. And if your mom says she'll enjoy it when you have kids, then that's just something to look forward to. You have many great memories ahead of you!

Tell your husband to hang in there with the photography. Disney is really the primary place I shoot anything. Sure, I've done tennis matches and softball games, but that's really about it. Day to day life just doesn't allow other time to do anything with it.

One thing I did when I wanted to step up the photography was to start reading threads on the DIS photography forum. That sparked an interest in reading some books on photography. So I squeeze it into little bits where I could. I have a book on low-light photography I've been carting around for over a year. I had to laugh when I took it to the license bureau the other day and found some receipts from a doctor's appointment tucked into it confirming how long I've been carting around. I'm sure I'll eventually finish it!

 

[scrapbookersdis]

My greatest therapy for all of it is scrapbooking. But I'm guessing you're right there with me.

You are so right. Scrapbooking helps you feel that the moments haven't entirely slipped through your fingers.

What is your policy regarding scrapbook journaling when it comes to unpleasant experiences (like the guy outside Crystal Palace who stuck a video camera right by your face to film wishes -- and good for you for asking him to stop!)? Is this a situation for "least said, soonest forgotten" - or do you include the incident in your scrapbook journaling and have a wry chuckle when you remember? A bad-mood castmember or a particularly rude member of the Great Unwashed can really cast a pall over a Disney experience. (Just as particularly nice people sprinkle the pixie dust.) When it's a negative, I'm never sure (when scrapbooking) whether to shake it off and forget or laugh it off and embrace it.

 

[mom2rtk]

You are so right. Scrapbooking helps you feel that the moments haven't entirely slipped through your fingers.

What is your policy regarding scrapbook journaling when it comes to unpleasant experiences (like the guy outside Crystal Palace who stuck a video camera right by your face to film wishes -- and good for you for asking him to stop!)? Is this a situation for "least said, soonest forgotten" - or do you include the incident in your scrapbook journaling and have a wry chuckle when you remember? A bad-mood castmember or a particularly rude member of the Great Unwashed can really cast a pall over a Disney experience. (Just as particularly nice people sprinkle the pixie dust.) When it's a negative, I'm never sure (when scrapbooking) whether to shake it off and forget or laugh it off and embrace it.

Yep. Scrapbooking is definitely my stab at freezing time. It doesn't exactly do that, but it does help.

I always scrap the bad along with the good. If something is really negative and I don't want it to overpower my journaling, I will make some vague reference to it to jog my memory so that I recall what honestly happened without it taking over the page. And I sometimes do entire pages on events in life that are less than happy or positive. Because often those negative experiences result in some strong emotions or lessons learned.

 

[rachel09985]

I absolutely love the photos with Dumbo the popcorn holder! So cute!!

Also love the fireworks shots. I am so scared to take my tripod in. I have never used it in the parks because I am scared of bothering people or having people knock it over.

do you use manual focus for all night shots? I can never tell if it is focused with manual at night.

Love Katie's cinderella dress especially with the sunglasses!!

I am sorry but that Rapunzel doesn't look anything like she should! I have never seen that face character but she doesn't fit in as Rapunzel!

 

[KCmike]

Ours is up in the air as well.
Comes down to these two options:
Option 1 - My wife and I go alone and we spend four 1/2 days with two being in Monterey and San Fran (hitting the Walt Disney Museum) and spending some relaxing time at a special hotel we like to stay at just North of Monterey then the rest back in DL.

Option 2 - We surprise the kids (we've never ever done it in all our vacations). It truly would be a complete shocker to them. It would only be 3 1/2 days but all at Disneyland Resort. It would be our last "family trip" probably.

In the end its so much money. I just keep waffling.

 

[keishashadow]

It's a very nice pool. We never made it over to the Big Blue Pool, and this one was just fine.

So glad you're going to give AoA a try. I'm not the least bit sorry we did. That doesn't mean I'll do it again though. I hope that makes sense.

I try not to jump in with negativity every time someone brings up AoA, but if people mention a concern about how far it is, I feel it's only fair to give them an honest opinion from someone who was there for 10 nights. I'm not sure what bee was up the bonnet of that other poster on that thread. I hear stuff I don't like all the time. I usually just ignore it.

I really do enjoy having my tripod along at Disney. I bought it with Disney in mind. I did start having some issues with getting the legs unscrewed and collapsed back down on this trip, so I probably have to get a new one. This one is a great size and weight for carting around Disney, so I'll probably just by another of the same one.

Hmmmm....... I really liked the "Make your own pasta" offering. Man, I could go for some alfredo noodles with peas and broccoli right now! I know a couple others reading along here also have stayed at AoA. Maybe they'll offer up their favorites too.

Oh, and chocolate croissants. Always chocolate croissants. I know that's not what you're looking for, but I had to say it. I can't believe I never got one on this recent stop at Disney. I tried the day we arrived, but they were out. I'm not sure why I didn't pick one up the next day. Tactical error on my part.

i discovered chocolate croissants last trip (offsite though). Usually indulge in MM rice krispie treats or the kids mini waffles, will have to check them out. lol.

the burgers sound interesting, wondering as to the indian/tandori food quality. Now i'm getting hungry lol

Ten days anywhere is a good reference point for a resort review. It just surprised me to read the extensive number of negative comments about the resort since it's difficult to book. imo the hype had people expecting a higher overall experience level than can rightfully be expected at a value resort (even if paying near moderate rates).

 

[jenseib]

Wow. I love your fireworks pictures. I might have to actually bring my tripod in and try that spot.
I think you got some excellent pictures at Enchanted Tales too. I still haven't even edited mine yet from Nov.

 

[rndmr2]

Beautiful Castle show and Wishes pics! Wow they really came out good! So sweet that that you were there for that proposal! He picked a great location for it!

Love the pics from Enchanted Tales with Belle. That Magic Mirror/Door thing looks neat, can't wait to see it in person someday. I like the style of the new dress but I am not crazy about the color, I think it needs to be darker.

 

[mom2rtk]

I absolutely love the photos with Dumbo the popcorn holder! So cute!!

Also love the fireworks shots. I am so scared to take my tripod in. I have never used it in the parks because I am scared of bothering people or having people knock it over.

do you use manual focus for all night shots? I can never tell if it is focused with manual at night.

Love Katie's cinderella dress especially with the sunglasses!!

I am sorry but that Rapunzel doesn't look anything like she should! I have never seen that face character but she doesn't fit in as Rapunzel!

Thanks. I'm looking forward to doing a Dumbo themed scrapbook page with those photos.

The tripod in the parks can be a little tricky. And gets trickier as the crowds go up. I really did love this spot for the protection the tripod had by the rail. I only didn't love that it was a little off-center.

And I agree that Rapunzel just didn't quite look like herself. She looked familiar though. Maybe she was filling in and that wasn't her usual role?

And yes, doesn't Katie look like she was ready for her close-up with those shades on? LOL. One of the reasons she wanted contacts was so she could wear sunglasses. And she sure does. I agreed to it last summer after watching her play the outfield staring into the sun for a few games.

Ours is up in the air as well.
Comes down to these two options:
Option 1 - My wife and I go alone and we spend four 1/2 days with two being in Monterey and San Fran (hitting the Walt Disney Museum) and spending some relaxing time at a special hotel we like to stay at just North of Monterey then the rest back in DL.

Option 2 - We surprise the kids (we've never ever done it in all our vacations). It truly would be a complete shocker to them. It would only be 3 1/2 days but all at Disneyland Resort. It would be our last "family trip" probably.

In the end its so much money. I just keep waffling.

Ah yes. The "waffling" stage. We're not waffling on whether, but we sure are waffling on "how". I'm considering now going mid-week to mid-week (so I'll be back in time to drive down to pick Timmy up after finals), but then that has us at the parks over that weekend in December when they are doing the only 2 days of the Candlelight Processional. I really just think that's going to make it more busy. And with only a 5 day ticket option, I just don't want to waste any days in the parks when it's crazy busy. Maybe Timmy would hold off a year to start school until I get my DL trip in?

We're not planning to rent a car and do anything else on this trip. Just fly in, take a shuttle, stay onsite and take a shuttle back to the airport when we're done.

i discovered chocolate croissants last trip (offsite though). Usually indulge in MM rice krispie treats or the kids mini waffles, will have to check them out. lol.

the burgers sound interesting, wondering as to the indian/tandori food quality. Now i'm getting hungry lol

Ten days anywhere is a good reference point for a resort review. It just surprised me to read the extensive number of negative comments about the resort since it's difficult to book. imo the hype had people expecting a higher overall experience level than can rightfully be expected at a value resort (even if paying near moderate rates).

Bring me back a couple chocolate croissants, will you?

My friend who stayed at AoA at the same time loved the Indian/tandoori food. I'm not a very adventurous eater so didn't try it.

I'm curious, were there other sorts of negative comments besides the ones on the location of the LM rooms? I think I've seen a few negative comments around the DIS from people used to staying at a deluxe, but they wanted to try the new resort. I'm not used to staying deluxe, so didn't have any complaints like that. I also see complaints sometimes from various value resorts about the walls being too thin, but I've never noticed that. But then I get up early and stay in the parks all day and crash shortly after getting back at night so probably wouldn't notice.

I do think that the LM room will remain in high demand for some time to come. If you want to experience the new resort but have a small party, it's the only way to do it at a somewhat reasonable price. Heck, even the price of 2 LM rooms is less than the price of those suites. I really wonder what their occupancy rate is on the suites. Anyone (cough.... cough..... JEN) know if the suites are included in most discounts these days? I did think it was interesting that for a while they were including them but it was sort of pot luck for what room you got. Which I'm sure meant the Lion King rooms weren't booking up and they put everyone there.

 

[mom2rtk]

Wow. I love your fireworks pictures. I might have to actually bring my tripod in and try that spot.
I think you got some excellent pictures at Enchanted Tales too. I still haven't even edited mine yet from Nov.

LOL, I have some (OK, a LOT) from December I haven't edited yet. I really didn't take a lot this time because I knew I took so many back then. But I swapped out my wide angle lens this time. The wide angle I had in December wasn't as fast so I wanted to try this one. And I just LOVE that library. The colors are so rich. I wanted to get a shot that captured the entire surroundings.

Beautiful Castle show and Wishes pics! Wow they really came out good! So sweet that that you were there for that proposal! He picked a great location for it!

Love the pics from Enchanted Tales with Belle. That Magic Mirror/Door thing looks neat, can't wait to see it in person someday. I like the style of the new dress but I am not crazy about the color, I think it needs to be darker.

Thanks! Katie was amused that we were there for the proposal too. I told her to keep that in mind when screening boyfriends down the road.

As I said, I'll have more ETWB shots later in the December TR. I did really love the attraction. It was SO nice to do it with minimal wait this time though after waiting about 70 minutes each of the 2 times we did it in December. To walk right in this time was a real treat. There are a lot of threads on the DIS asking if it's something adults would enjoy. I always say yes. Everyone should see that magic mirror, talking wardrobe, and animatronic Lumiere at least once.

Belle's dress is pretty. The fabrics are a mish-mash, but are very rich. But she does now look more like a southern belle than a Beaut and the Beast Belle. And I absolutely agree the color is just too light.

And put the dang hairband back in her hair. There. Had to say it.

 

[lvcourtneyy]

I understand why it must be wonderful to see Katie embrace her inner childhood in Disney! For me, that's the most magical aspect of going to Disney- I get to leave the stress of learning to navigate being an adult and just be carefree and happy for a while!

Aw Celebrate the Magic! Love the shot of the lanterns from Tangled!

The Wishes pictures are amazing! Ugh I don't understand why people completely lose any sense of politeness when it comes time to line up for parades and shows. I'm glad you stopped the guy with the video recorder- that would've driven me nuts!

Aw that's so cute that the guy proposed during Wishes! That's my dream proposal.

New Fantasyland looks even more magical at night!

Wow ETWB at only 10 minutes? That's so awesome. We never got to go in January because the line was always more than 45 minutes so I'm hoping to see it in September!

 

[WDWAtLast]

Wow I have missed a lot! I haven't read your trip report since April (I am usually on my first generation iPad and it just shuts down on photo heavy sites now ) All caught up now on my mini mac!

Congrats on your son's graduation and scholarship! Loved the trip report within a trip report. Katie is so grown up - In her Cinderella gown, she had a more womanly figure than any of the Princesses!! The pics of the castle before the fireworks/during the fireworks are amazing!!!

I have also not checked in as much here because I really want to get back to Disney, but for now, Spring Break or summer is the only time we can go Hoping for a trip next year!!

 

[keishashadow]

Bring me back a couple chocolate croissants, will you?

My friend who stayed at AoA at the same time loved the Indian/tandoori food. I'm not a very adventurous eater so didn't try it.

I'm curious, were there other sorts of negative comments besides the ones on the location of the LM rooms? I think I've seen a few negative comments around the DIS from people used to staying at a deluxe, but they wanted to try the new resort. I'm not used to staying deluxe, so didn't have any complaints like that. I also see complaints sometimes from various value resorts about the walls being too thin, but I've never noticed that. But then I get up early and stay in the parks all day and crash shortly after getting back at night so probably wouldn't notice.

I do think that the LM room will remain in high demand for some time to come. If you want to experience the new resort but have a small party, it's the only way to do it at a somewhat reasonable price. Heck, even the price of 2 LM rooms is less than the price of those suites. I really wonder what their occupancy rate is on the suites. Anyone (cough.... cough..... JEN) know if the suites are included in most discounts these days? I did think it was interesting that for a while they were including them but it was sort of pot luck for what room you got. Which I'm sure meant the Lion King rooms weren't booking up and they put everyone there.

As long as it's popular disney will price it accordingly lol.

majority of comments i've read here and elsewhere:

"tacky/juvenile room & furniture" duh! Most would call it well-done disney theming. Not sure how anybody can complain when it's easy enough to find a pic on-line of any room.

overcrowding most values have less public space, so i expect it. again something that is easily discernible by potential guests

bad flow/design puzzled as to the many comments re landscaping and pathway designespecially as to varying access to different floors of buildings from varying sides of buildings. Not sure i understand the geist of that complaint. I'm accustomed to experiencing really loooong hallways in disney hotels, especially the deluxe resorts.

 

[mom2rtk]

I understand why it must be wonderful to see Katie embrace her inner childhood in Disney! For me, that's the most magical aspect of going to Disney- I get to leave the stress of learning to navigate being an adult and just be carefree and happy for a while!

Aw Celebrate the Magic! Love the shot of the lanterns from Tangled!

The Wishes pictures are amazing! Ugh I don't understand why people completely lose any sense of politeness when it comes time to line up for parades and shows. I'm glad you stopped the guy with the video recorder- that would've driven me nuts!

Aw that's so cute that the guy proposed during Wishes! That's my dream proposal.

New Fantasyland looks even more magical at night!

Wow ETWB at only 10 minutes? That's so awesome. We never got to go in January because the line was always more than 45 minutes so I'm hoping to see it in September!

Thanks Courtney! I also LOVED the lantern projection on the castle. But then I've sort of been on a Tangled kick lately. I downloaded the soundtrack and have been singing along in the car a lot lately..... much to Katie's dismay. I got the evil eye a lot at Disney when I'd hear songs I like and start quietly singing along. Sigh. I wonder how long this "evil eye - don't you embarrass me" thing lasts..... I don't recall this with the boys at all.

I did tell Katie that when she chooses a mate, it should be someone capable of proposing during Wishes! Gee, I just really don't know why she's so concerned about me embarrassing her!

Thankfully Katie was with me on telling the guy with the video light to stop. He literally leaned right up by my face since I was at the rail. I really wish people would learn to turn the external lighting off on their cameras. Heaven knows there's no way it could be helping. And it's SO annoying to others around them in the dark.

It really was a treat to find ETWB with little to no wait. Every time we walked by there last December the wait was 70 minutes.

Wow I have missed a lot! I haven't read your trip report since April (I am usually on my first generation iPad and it just shuts down on photo heavy sites now ) All caught up now on my mini mac!

Congrats on your son's graduation and scholarship! Loved the trip report within a trip report. Katie is so grown up - In her Cinderella gown, she had a more womanly figure than any of the Princesses!! The pics of the castle before the fireworks/during the fireworks are amazing!!!

I have also not checked in as much here because I really want to get back to Disney, but for now, Spring Break or summer is the only time we can go Hoping for a trip next year!!

I feel for you. Spring Break or summer would be hard to choose between. Yikes. But if it meant that or no Disney, I'd probably "suffer" through. I mean, I don't do heat, but there I was at Disney in June!

Thanks for the kind words on our son. We're very proud of him. I'll just start apologizing now for all the tears I'll share here as we pack him up and send him to college next month. Providing of course that he has a room to stay in. Right how he has been assigned to a "virtual" dorm. It's sort of hard to get to know a room mate who hasn't been assigned yet. He might not get his final room assignment until a couple weeks into the school year. Which did NOT make me happy. But oddly enough, they didn't care. Basically they are waiting for a few more kids to drop out, transfer or move into frat housing.

I too am scared by how grown up Katie is looking. And acting. It's fascinating to watch her grow and mature, but I'm ready for things to slow down just a bit...........

As long as it's popular disney will price it accordingly lol.

majority of comments i've read here and elsewhere:

"tacky/juvenile room & furniture" duh! Most would call it well-done disney theming. Not sure how anybody can complain when it's easy enough to find a pic on-line of any room.

overcrowding most values have less public space, so i expect it. again something that is easily discernible by potential guests

bad flow/design puzzled as to the many comments re landscaping and pathway designespecially as to varying access to different floors of buildings from varying sides of buildings. Not sure i understand the geist of that complaint. I'm accustomed to experiencing really loooong hallways in disney hotels, especially the deluxe resorts.

OK, I do sort of get that last one. That went hand in hand with my complaint about it being too far a walk. We had requested a room in building 7, closest to the LK section so we could hopefully shorten up the walk a bit. But the way the sidewalks and landscaping were laid out, we had to walk all the way back to the middle of the building to access the walkway. I saw a bunch of people walking through the beautiful landscaping to get the most direct access to the walkways. It was sort of nutty.

But overall, if you take the location of the LM rooms out of the equation, I would give it a resounding thumbs up.

 

[fabulousfive]

So excited to read & see your TR!

 

[mom2rtk]

So excited to read & see your TR!

Thanks! So glad you're here!