Making the DVC Rounds...A March '11 PTR: TR link added p. 30

[Bridora]

Alright, we are Chic-Fil-A virgins here...what do we need to order when we go there? Is it like KFC and all chicken? Don't hate me for being oblivious...remember that we live in Canada and have never heard of it until I started reading TR's. So, everyone...a little help...what do we order?

I always get a grilled chicken sandwich. Way better than McD's or Burger King's! They've got a yummy honey BBQ sauce you can put on it, too! And definitely the waffle fries!

We're excited here in my town because we're getting our own CFA, opening sometime this month! It will be crazy busy, though, because that's how it goes around this small town with new restaurants. I might have to wait a month or so to go, just to avoid long long lines! Seriously. Even then, though I'm worried about the lines...

I'm going to have to check into that Wild Africa Tour you mentioned at the beginning of this PTR. I wonder if there is new info out now, like age requirements!

We are going to Via Napoli in May. I already was excited about it, but that picture someone posted earlier in your PTR just made it worse!

After seeing Part I of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows I had to go back and re-read it, seeing as how there was so much I had forgotten. It was almost like I had never read it, which is scary!

Love your new quote countdown! We have been wondering where that last quote came from. In my DD's Guide to the Magic for Kids it has several quotes to watch for in the parks and that was on the list. At first we thought it would be Mickey's Phillharmagic, but it wasn't. It makes sense, though, that it's from Honey I Shrunk the Audience, since we've only been once, many many years ago. So thanks for answering that for us!

 

[wdwgirl03]

Pretty late to the party, but I'm here!

I can't believe you are going back again before I do!

LOL, I know, it's crazy, isn't it? I can almost guarantee though, if it weren't for DVC we wouldn't be going as much. Now it's just hard to not use the points. haha

I always get a grilled chicken sandwich. Way better than McD's or Burger King's! They've got a yummy honey BBQ sauce you can put on it, too! And definitely the waffle fries!

We're excited here in my town because we're getting our own CFA, opening sometime this month! It will be crazy busy, though, because that's how it goes around this small town with new restaurants. I might have to wait a month or so to go, just to avoid long long lines! Seriously. Even then, though I'm worried about the lines...

I'm going to have to check into that Wild Africa Tour you mentioned at the beginning of this PTR. I wonder if there is new info out now, like age requirements!

We are going to Via Napoli in May. I already was excited about it, but that picture someone posted earlier in your PTR just made it worse!

After seeing Part I of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows I had to go back and re-read it, seeing as how there was so much I had forgotten. It was almost like I had never read it, which is scary!

Love your new quote countdown! We have been wondering where that last quote came from. In my DD's Guide to the Magic for Kids it has several quotes to watch for in the parks and that was on the list. At first we thought it would be Mickey's Phillharmagic, but it wasn't. It makes sense, though, that it's from Honey I Shrunk the Audience, since we've only been once, many many years ago. So thanks for answering that for us!

Ohhh, you are lucky you are getting a CFA! I wish they'd put one around here. We are all of a sudden getting a bunch of Five Guys (that burger place) that' supposedly a southern thing so maybe we'll get CFA soon. I can only hope...

I know I saw more information on the new AK tour somewhere. It might've been in the DVC magazine. All I know is that is sounds really cool and I'd love to do it some day!

Do you get Celebrations magazine? There was an article about Via Napoli in the latest issue. I was also really excited but now I am even more excited. I think I already know what I'm going to get.

I was the same way when I reread Deathly Hallows. It was crazy! I really can't wait to see the second part even though it'll kind of be sad knowing it's all over after that.

Oh, fun! That would be fun to have a list of quotes to listen for in the parks. There's so many good ones that make Disney well, Disney!

 

[wdwgirl03]

Happy 2011!!! I really can't believe the holiday season is over already. We took down our Christmas tree yesterday which is always depressing. Now you see all the trees lining the streets. Poor Christmas trees! LOL. I kind of hate this time of the school year now that all the fun holiday activities are over. You just kind of get into a lull where there's really no break at all. I posted this on facebook but the good news is the next long break we get it'll be time for our trip!!! Not to rush anything, but...

83 days to go. Though I'm pretty sure my planner said 82 when I checked it at school. I wonder if the ticker counts the day we leave. Not too much of a difference I guess. I don't really have any more decisions made in the way of planning but I did see something the other day that had more information about the spring training games. It said that at every game there is live music and Disney characters. After I saw that I was like, OK, now I am DEFINITELY going! I told my sister that and she still didn't get all too excited about it. Her response? "I'll think about it." So I guess we'll still have to see when the time comes but I'll keep working on that. hehe

In the mean time, I thought I'd entertain you all with another trip flashback. Geez, it's taking forever to get through all these trips but part of the fun of looking forward to another trip is remembering all the great times on past trips! The last trip I recapped was our first official visit at DVC members. Well, my next Disney experience came shortly after that, only this time I headed out west with my dad for another Rose Bowl/Southern California trip!

Growing up Disney: Disneyland trip #2! 2006/07

I don't think I did a recap of our first trip to Disneyland but as you can see in my signature it was just a couple years earlier. In 2004 Michigan made the Rose Bowl (the game was actually on New Year's Day in '05) and my dad decided he wanted to go. Since it meant a trip to Disneyland, Emma and I ended up going too. We'd finally get to see the original Disney theme park!! We spent a couple days at DL and also saw the Rose Parade (how fitting was it that Mickey Mouse was the grand marshal?!) and of course the football game. It was then that I decided that I loved Disneyland almost as much as I love WDW, and this is coming from someone who was afraid to ever go there because I thought I'd be "bored" and keep wishing I was in Disney World the whole time. Nope, not the case at all! So when Michigan made the Rose Bowl again after the '06 season, Dad and I ended up going again! WOOT!

As you probably all know, Disneyland doesn't have nearly as many on-property resorts as WDW. And since it was a last minute trip it's hard to get anything anyway. But, DL does have a lot of neighboring hotels that are literally across the street from the parks. All you have to do is walk down the street and you're there! The entrance...not quite as grand as WDW:

The best thing about DL is getting to do the attractions that WDW doesn't have, like the Monsters Inc ride

and The Matterhorn, among others. (ok, not exactly a picture of the mountain but it's in the background! I just love how the teacups aren't undercover)

It's also interesting how the same attractions differ from a visual standpoint:
Not quite the same Tower of Terror...

The Astro Orbiter...

And of course, the castle. Look closely, it's there! Partners just kind of blocks it. hahaha

The other cool thing about this trip was that we got to experience a little bit more of California since we had an extra day.

One day we visited Universal Studios Hollywood.

I think the highlight of US Hollywood is the backlot tour, something they don't have at US in Florida.

A nice view of the scenery from the line...

The thing about the backlot tour is that it's kind of like a bunch of rides in one. Some of the things were similar to FL attractions, like the Jaws part but there was also a King Kong part. And then of course there was the backlot that had various sets/props from movies. Can you guess what any of these are from?

This one is actually from a TV show:

Give up? The answers are Wisteria Lane from Desperate Housewives, How the Grinch Stole Christmas, and War of the Worlds.

It's really sad that a lot of the backlot was destroyed a couple years ago when there was huge fire.

cont'd in next post...

 

[wdwgirl03]

We also got to visit one of the locations where they were doing the float decorating for the Rose Parade.
SOOOO many flowers!

It was so cool seeing the floats go from something like this:

To this:

The parade itself can be described in one word: AMAZING!!!! A lot of people talk about bucket lists...well, if I can make one suggestion let me say go to the Rose Parade! Both times we went it was such a festive atmosphere. It's just such a spectacle! My pictures really don't do it justice. I couldn't help but think on Saturday, when we were watching the recording of it, of the times we went and how much I wanted to go again. Awesome. And our seats when we went were pretty good too, up on Colorado Boulevard.

Some of the floats are HUGE!

George Lucas was the Grand Marshal so they had a whole bunch of Star Wars stuff.

So you kind of get the idea. Pretty neat, huh?

And then of course there was the game. I'll spare you the details of that since it didn't turn out how we had hoped...LOL. But a couple more random shots from the stadium:

But even after a disappointing loss, we still had one more day to enjoy Disneyland. And on that day came probably one of the most interesting and memorable Disney experiences we've ever had. We started off our day visting a couple attractions and got fastpasses for the Indiana Jones ride. We then went over to Fantasyland to ride it's a small world. I have to say the DL version is pretty sweet, and they even dress it up for the holidays!

So we're going along just fine when all of a sudden we stop. No big deal, right? There was probably just a little hold-up with loading or something. Nothing to worry about. Well, a few minutes pass and we're still sitting in the same spot. Hmmm...then our boat started drifting backwards and there were some crazy announcements made too. I think my favorite one was something like "the ride will be starting up shortly so please get back in your boats." WHAT?!?! After about half an hour or so (I could be exaggerating but it sure seemed like it was a looong time) we're STILL there, dolls singing away and everything. They did finally turn off the music but the dolls were still moving and clacking away. Dad said it sounded like a laundromat. Honestly I think I would've preferred listening to the song just because the clacking was so weird. Well, FINALLY the CMs came to "rescue" us. They pulled our boat to a place where we could get out. Yep, there I am, standing inside the ride. Makes for an interesting picture, don't you think?

And then we were led to a backstage area...also kind of interesting.

Since we were stuck for so long we missed our fastpass time for Indy but they told us they would still honor it. They also gave us a couple more fastpasses we could use for other rides too.

Despite that craziness we still had a good time. I remember telling my dad as we were leaving that night that I hate leaving Disney parks. It doesn't matter if it's WDW or DL, it's still Disney. Now that it's been a couple years since our last visit I'm really wanting to go back. I'm still working on that too...hopefully someday soon!

Hope you enjoyed a look at Disneyland! Stay tuned for the next Quote of the Week...

 

[Caretames1]

Those are amazing pictures from the parade. Maybe someday! Also this years game didn't go "our" way either Actually, a alumi from my High School plays in the UW Madison band. I bet that was exciting

 

[Cat0727]

Wow, what great pictures of the parade! This past season's Amazing Race episode had the teams decorate a float for the Rose Bowl. It was pretty cool. And can I just say again how much I want to visit Disneyland? I love how the teacups aren't undercover, either! Do you have a favorite ride there?

 

[Vwdiva93]

Loved the Disneyland update! I really hope I get the chance to go there someday. Also I loved the pics of the backlots, I was just watching How the Grinch Stole Christmas last night, it's one of my favorites. That's pretty cool about getting stuck on IASW, I'm secretly hoping to get stuck on a ride at Disney someday, lol.

 

[onelilspark]

I'm glad you mentioned that there was a fire...I couldn't remember seeing any of that on our trip in March!

 

[OhMari]

Loved the DisneyLand update too.
We were suppose to do our Holiday trip this coming May,
but that is my family, very last minute and last minute tends to work out better for us.
We were going to going over to CA and see DisneyLand.

I heard it is really hard to find seats at the RoseBowl parade.
Did you have to purchase seats, or did you have someone help you and tell you were to go?

If we would of been on vacation last week, I know we would of drove all the way to CA and just skipped Vegas.

 

[brookelizabeth]

I love the Rose Bowl Parade pictures! Those floats are amazing!

I think it's hilarious that they turned the music off in It's A Small World. And you lived what most people would find nightmarish-you got stuck on Small World! The clacking would be totally creepy.

I hope we are able to go to DL in 2012 or 2013. I can't wait to experience it!

 

[wdwgirl03]

Those are amazing pictures from the parade. Maybe someday! Also this years game didn't go "our" way either Actually, a alumi from my High School plays in the UW Madison band. I bet that was exciting

If you ever get the chance to go to the parade, go! It is definitely worth seeing. Yeah, I don't think I was as heartbroken about the game this year as some people around here were though. I didn't even watch it but it seems like it was a good game. But I do have to admit, the UW band did look pretty good in the parade.

Wow, what great pictures of the parade! This past season's Amazing Race episode had the teams decorate a float for the Rose Bowl. It was pretty cool. And can I just say again how much I want to visit Disneyland? I love how the teacups aren't undercover, either! Do you have a favorite ride there?

Yeah, this was the first season of the AR I watched all the way through so I saw the float decorating they did. Gosh, just imagine that though times 1000! I don't know how the volunteers who do the floats do it. Crazy.

While I think WDW will always be my favorite, I'm so glad I was able to visit DL. The two resorts are so different which makes it fun. As for a favorite ride, I guess I'd have to say Indiana Jones, the Matterhorn, and California Screamin!

Loved the Disneyland update! I really hope I get the chance to go there someday. Also I loved the pics of the backlots, I was just watching How the Grinch Stole Christmas last night, it's one of my favorites. That's pretty cool about getting stuck on IASW, I'm secretly hoping to get stuck on a ride at Disney someday, lol.

LOL! While it was annoying at the time it actually is pretty funny to think about being stuck on IASW.

I'm glad you mentioned that there was a fire...I couldn't remember seeing any of that on our trip in March!

Yeah, I don't even know if they redid any of it. I thought they did but I could be wrong.

Loved the DisneyLand update too.
We were suppose to do our Holiday trip this coming May,
but that is my family, very last minute and last minute tends to work out better for us.
We were going to going over to CA and see DisneyLand.

I heard it is really hard to find seats at the RoseBowl parade.
Did you have to purchase seats, or did you have someone help you and tell you were to go?

If we would of been on vacation last week, I know we would of drove all the way to CA and just skipped Vegas.

We got our seats through some company that puts up bleachers for the parade...it was all assigned seating which was nice. When we were watching the parade on Saturday Dad was joking about how all the tourists were in the bleachers and the locals are on the street (which is probably true...).

I love the Rose Bowl Parade pictures! Those floats are amazing!

I think it's hilarious that they turned the music off in It's A Small World. And you lived what most people would find nightmarish-you got stuck on Small World! The clacking would be totally creepy.

I hope we are able to go to DL in 2012 or 2013. I can't wait to experience it!

All I can say is the floats are even better in person. It's amazing how much detail goes into them.

haha, I know! I really don't mind IASW but that did sort of get on my nerves. But the people in our boat were pretty entertaining so I think that helped too. Good times. LOL.

 

[Caretames1]

The UW Madison played a mini show here last fall, they came high stepping in and I don't think we sat the whole time. They we awesome. I really want to see them play in Lambeau for the "5th" quarter someday.

 

[OhMari]

My dd just told me the Wisconsin band is going to be playing at an Admiral's Hockey game. I think it is February. We happened to be at a game last year and it is awesome. They go out on the ice after the game and they slide around while they play. Even the director has fun on the ice. We should have a Hockey DIS Meet.

 

[Caretames1]

My DH would be at a hockey meet faster than, well as fast as you could go on ice He loves Hockey ( GO GREEN BAY GAMBLERS) as much as Disney. Last year we went to a game and Bucky Badger was there. I got a funny picture with my DD looking at Bucky through the rink glass shield with Bucky looking back at her.

 

[wdwgirl03]

The UW Madison played a mini show here last fall, they came high stepping in and I don't think we sat the whole time. They we awesome. I really want to see them play in Lambeau for the "5th" quarter someday.

We went to the Michigan-Wisconsin game in 2006 in Ann Arbor and saw the band a little bit. I seem to remember them doing Roll Out the Barrel. College bands are pretty neat.

My dd just told me the Wisconsin band is going to be playing at an Admiral's Hockey game. I think it is February. We happened to be at a game last year and it is awesome. They go out on the ice after the game and they slide around while they play. Even the director has fun on the ice. We should have a Hockey DIS Meet.

I know they are also going to be at a Wave game (the indoor soccer team...we've been following them for years but not too many people do so I always feel the need to explain who they are, LOL!). I think it's at the end of the month. I've only been to maybe 2 Admirals game in my entire life but it would be kind of fun to go again.

My DH would be at a hockey meet faster than, well as fast as you could go on ice He loves Hockey ( GO GREEN BAY GAMBLERS) as much as Disney. Last year we went to a game and Bucky Badger was there. I got a funny picture with my DD looking at Bucky through the rink glass shield with Bucky looking back at her.

Yeah, a Wisconsin DISers meet!

 

[wisblue]

I'm really glad we got to do those Rose Bowl trips. Now that the new AD at Michigan has completely bungled the coaching situation (just like his predecessor) I don't expect Michigan to be in another Rose Bowl in my lifetime.

 

[meeko_33785]

Nice flashback report. I really hope I get to Disneyland (and maybe Universal out there) someday. I don't see a California trip happening in the near future, but maybe someday...

 

[Bridora]

...talk about disappointing Bowl games....did you hear the one about the Sugar Bowl last night?

I hope to make it out to Disneyland some time in the next few years. We'll see! That would mean NOT going to WDW, and we're not too good at that... I also like how the Tea cups are out in the open...that was a pretty picture!

I think a backlot tour would be fun! Did you see any celebrities while you were there?

And the Chick-fil-A thing? I'm thinking I'll snap a picture of the oodles of people sure to be there when it opens, just so you can see it! Soon, I hope!

 

[Jennifer48]

Great DL flashback!

That's creepy about IASW!

The backlot tour at Universal looks awesome! I miss the sets at the Backlot tour at MGM, sorry, DHS.

 

[wdwgirl03]

I'm really glad we got to do those Rose Bowl trips. Now that the new AD at Michigan has completely bungled the coaching situation (just like his predecessor) I don't expect Michigan to be in another Rose Bowl in my lifetime.

Nice flashback report. I really hope I get to Disneyland (and maybe Universal out there) someday. I don't see a California trip happening in the near future, but maybe someday...

I keep saying every true Disney fan should try to visit Disneyland someday. It is a long trip but so worth it!

...talk about disappointing Bowl games....did you hear the one about the Sugar Bowl last night?

I hope to make it out to Disneyland some time in the next few years. We'll see! That would mean NOT going to WDW, and we're not too good at that... I also like how the Tea cups are out in the open...that was a pretty picture!

I think a backlot tour would be fun! Did you see any celebrities while you were there?

And the Chick-fil-A thing? I'm thinking I'll snap a picture of the oodles of people sure to be there when it opens, just so you can see it! Soon, I hope!

I only saw the result but didn't hear anything about it. I'm guessing you aren't an Ohio State fan then?

It's funny because the 2 times we went to DL a teeny part of me was wishing I was at WDW but it's still so much fun. If only those premium annual passes for both resorts weren't so expensive.

The backlot tour was really cool. A lot better than the one at DHS. And no, we didn't see any celebrities.

Great DL flashback!

That's creepy about IASW!

The backlot tour at Universal looks awesome! I miss the sets at the Backlot tour at MGM, sorry, DHS.

The backlot tour was great. It was a good 45 minutes I'd say because there was so much to it! Really too bad there was that fire.