tksbaskets
DIS Veteran
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- Jan 17, 2002
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Nice update! I'm so glad you were able to get a permit for your car. I wouldn't want the hassle of having to park somewhere else either.
Manda Panda's Christmas Trip Report- completed
- Thread starter roxy72
- Start date
roxy72
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Oh gosh, did you place an order? What did you get??
roxy72
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Day 1, Park 2.
So last night I left off with an update that the park had closed due to fill capacity. This pretty much canceled our plan to go back and view the fireworks with some hot chocolate in hand, heh. Plus- my Dad was in East Coast time and passed out at 8pm.
I decided to hit up the hot tub and thankfully nobody else was down there..I had the whole thing to myself! After some internet browsing and calling my Mom and boyfriend, I finally went to bed around 10pm.
Day 2, Part 1
My Dad woke up at 6am, and I slept in til 8am. We headed over to the park around 9am to hang out and grab Fastpasses before our 10am Storytellers Cafe reservation.
While Dad got a FP for Indiana Jones, I checked out the nearby fruit..it looked so good!
Then he wanted to play one of those shooting games..
Now, we went arrived at the Cafe, it was crowded and busy. We checked in, got our buzzer, then waited and waiter. A large group that arrived after us, without a reservation, ended up being seated before us. The same happened with another group! So I had to go up front and check on our table. The gal up front apologized and said our table was ready...Apparently they forgot to buzz us, or whatever the case may be.
We sat down, at a 2-top nearby the wait station. I had a lovely view of all the waiters refilling their coffee pots, etc...Not a biggie. Our waiter wasn't the best. Granted, he didn't have much to do since we choose to eat from the buffet, but he did forget to give us Mickey waffles. I knew from the forums, and from a table nearby me, that we were supposed to get some too! I had to prompt him for the waffles. A little bit later, he brought some to our table.
My plate- I didn't eat all of it.
My Dads plate-I know I took a picture, but I cannot find it! Argh.
Me & Chip! He wasn't very friendly, I have to say. None of the characters were very...well...interested in hanging around.
And I have no idea which character this is..I'd have to look in my autograph book (I may be the only 24 year old rockin one of these)
Another character that I should probably brush up on my Disney-movie skills for..He couldn't sign my book due to his large paws...or whatever.
The service was lacking-- they didn't buzz us when our table was ready, the waiter forgot to bring us waffles, etc. But it was still an enjoyable experience because of the good food, the few characters we saw, and the cool architecture. It was a nicer ambiance, too.
Gingerbread house at entrance of restaurant..I wonder if this was the one featured on Diners, Drive-thrus, and Dives? Hehe jk
After brunch (my dad ate 2 plates, I had 1), we headed to CA Adventure. In the Animation building, we learned how to draw Mickey. My Dad did pretty good, and my drawing was miserable.
Next-shopping, followed by more shopping!! Hehe.
At Off the page, I bought 2 mugs as thank-you gifts for 2 neighbors who watch my cat when I'm out of town. Found a cute Tinkerbell pen for my Mom, too. Then I went to the candy store and bought a crap-load of treats...I'm not sure if I need them since my Mom has been baking treats all weekend. Then off to World of Disney for more souvenirs and goodness! I bought myself a cute yellow shirt with Mickey and Minnie sitting together, a wine-stopper for my Dad, a little Tigger magnet for my sister, a cute and fluffy red Minnie pen for myself, and one of those Vinylmation blind boxes. I've just started getting into nicer toys, like stuff from Tokidoki, so this is a good leadway into Disney toys.
Now I'm resting in the hotel. As soon as I got here, the sink bubbled up with water then drained back down. A maintenance guy is here checking it out. I just realized how nice character dining is when you hate waiting in lines. Imagine this- sitting down, eating a glorious brunch of various foods, the waiters refilling your drinks--fulfilling all your glutinous needs, and then characters come visit *you*! It's an awesome concept, kinda funny when you think about it like that.
So last night I left off with an update that the park had closed due to fill capacity. This pretty much canceled our plan to go back and view the fireworks with some hot chocolate in hand, heh. Plus- my Dad was in East Coast time and passed out at 8pm.
I decided to hit up the hot tub and thankfully nobody else was down there..I had the whole thing to myself! After some internet browsing and calling my Mom and boyfriend, I finally went to bed around 10pm.
Day 2, Part 1
My Dad woke up at 6am, and I slept in til 8am. We headed over to the park around 9am to hang out and grab Fastpasses before our 10am Storytellers Cafe reservation.
While Dad got a FP for Indiana Jones, I checked out the nearby fruit..it looked so good!
Then he wanted to play one of those shooting games..
Now, we went arrived at the Cafe, it was crowded and busy. We checked in, got our buzzer, then waited and waiter. A large group that arrived after us, without a reservation, ended up being seated before us. The same happened with another group! So I had to go up front and check on our table. The gal up front apologized and said our table was ready...Apparently they forgot to buzz us, or whatever the case may be.
We sat down, at a 2-top nearby the wait station. I had a lovely view of all the waiters refilling their coffee pots, etc...Not a biggie. Our waiter wasn't the best. Granted, he didn't have much to do since we choose to eat from the buffet, but he did forget to give us Mickey waffles. I knew from the forums, and from a table nearby me, that we were supposed to get some too! I had to prompt him for the waffles. A little bit later, he brought some to our table.
My plate- I didn't eat all of it.
My Dads plate-I know I took a picture, but I cannot find it! Argh.
Me & Chip! He wasn't very friendly, I have to say. None of the characters were very...well...interested in hanging around.
And I have no idea which character this is..I'd have to look in my autograph book (I may be the only 24 year old rockin one of these)
Another character that I should probably brush up on my Disney-movie skills for..He couldn't sign my book due to his large paws...or whatever.
The service was lacking-- they didn't buzz us when our table was ready, the waiter forgot to bring us waffles, etc. But it was still an enjoyable experience because of the good food, the few characters we saw, and the cool architecture. It was a nicer ambiance, too.
Gingerbread house at entrance of restaurant..I wonder if this was the one featured on Diners, Drive-thrus, and Dives? Hehe jk
After brunch (my dad ate 2 plates, I had 1), we headed to CA Adventure. In the Animation building, we learned how to draw Mickey. My Dad did pretty good, and my drawing was miserable.
Next-shopping, followed by more shopping!! Hehe.At Off the page, I bought 2 mugs as thank-you gifts for 2 neighbors who watch my cat when I'm out of town. Found a cute Tinkerbell pen for my Mom, too. Then I went to the candy store and bought a crap-load of treats...I'm not sure if I need them since my Mom has been baking treats all weekend. Then off to World of Disney for more souvenirs and goodness! I bought myself a cute yellow shirt with Mickey and Minnie sitting together, a wine-stopper for my Dad, a little Tigger magnet for my sister, a cute and fluffy red Minnie pen for myself, and one of those Vinylmation blind boxes. I've just started getting into nicer toys, like stuff from Tokidoki, so this is a good leadway into Disney toys.
Now I'm resting in the hotel. As soon as I got here, the sink bubbled up with water then drained back down. A maintenance guy is here checking it out. I just realized how nice character dining is when you hate waiting in lines. Imagine this- sitting down, eating a glorious brunch of various foods, the waiters refilling your drinks--fulfilling all your glutinous needs, and then characters come visit *you*! It's an awesome concept, kinda funny when you think about it like that.
tksbaskets
DIS Veteran
- Joined
- Jan 17, 2002
- Messages
- 4,457
Nice installment 
The gray character is 'Turk' from Tarzan and the bear is Brother Bear from the movie named for him.
Sounds like you are having a great trip!
The gray character is 'Turk' from Tarzan and the bear is Brother Bear from the movie named for him.
Sounds like you are having a great trip!
roxy72
Mouseketeer
- Joined
- Mar 30, 2009
- Messages
- 345
Nice installment
The gray character is 'Turk' from Tarzan and the bear is Brother Bear from the movie named for him.
Sounds like you are having a great trip!
Thanks- I never saw the Brother Bear movie, is it newer?
tksbaskets
DIS Veteran
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- Jan 17, 2002
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It was a 2003 release. I really liked the two Moose in it. We are booked for two breakfasts at the Storytellers because it's where we are staying and my guys (and I) all like breakfast before we go to the park.
Looking forward to the rest of your trip!
TK
deejdigsdis
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- Aug 28, 2009
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My kids especially enjoyed seeing your picture of the gingerbread house. Yummy-looking food, by the way. 
roxy72
Mouseketeer
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Yeah, it was pretty insane yesterday. Thankfully the park calmed down today!
Well, now I need to watch that movie! I did meet some of the starring characters, after all.
My kids especially enjoyed seeing your picture of the gingerbread house. Yummy-looking food, by the way.
Oh good, I'm glad your kids enjoyed the picture.
Sherry E
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I was also at DLR yesterday and I will concur that the crowds were insane! It was more crowded yesterday than it was on the exact same day I was there in 2008 and 2007. It was very hard to get much done with all of those people everywhere, packed into every corner of DL.
I don't think that gingerbread house is the exact same one shown on Guy's Disney Holiday, but I bet it is made by the same guy. I am not a big fan of the Storytellers Critter Breakfast, but had I known a gingerbread house was on display there, I would have gone in to take a photo. (I prefer Goofy's for character meals by a mile!)
I don't think that gingerbread house is the exact same one shown on Guy's Disney Holiday, but I bet it is made by the same guy. I am not a big fan of the Storytellers Critter Breakfast, but had I known a gingerbread house was on display there, I would have gone in to take a photo. (I prefer Goofy's for character meals by a mile!)
roxy72
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- 345
Day 2, Part 2.
So when we last left off, I was resting in the hotel while the sink was getting fixed. My Dad came back to the hotel and rested as well for a bit. Then we decided to do the wine-tasting at California Adventure. I learned about it through either these forums or Micechat (I read both).
When we got there, my Dad decided to sample the ports with blue cheeses (or you could pair it with Ghiradelli chocolates). I sampled the sweet wines. It was fun to try these out. I've never gone wine tasting, so the lady poured out 3 samples of wine for each of us, and explained the wines..what made them special. I got to try one wine which is only available for purchase in Disney parks or on the Disney cruise line. I didn't like it very much though!
Dad's cheeses..stinky!
And his three samples of port wines..
My Dad went on California Screamin while I walked the park. It looks a lot better then in July, when more stuff was boarded up. I bought a churro (no picture, you know what it looks like!) and a frozen apple drink. It was very difficult to drink though..a bit too frozen.
After that, my Dad wanted to get a drink at the UVA Bar in Downtown Disney. Guess he was in a drinkin' mood! When we got to UVA, they didn't have the tequila that he wanted...so he got something else (not sure what it what, I really don't drink much), and I got a shirley temple.
A shirley temple- non-alcoholic and cute!
My feet were hurting so I headed back to the hotel room for another rest, and then went for a swim around 5pm. It was dark outside but the pool was heated up very nicely. I've never been in such a warm pool during the evening before! I was so nice. After calling my Mom and boyfriend (gotta check in with them), my Dad and I went back to the park..this was around 7.
Dad was hungry so we went to Rancho del Zocoro (sp), which neither of us have been to before. He got the fajitas, and I got a fruit plate.
Dad's fajitas..
My fruit plate..
Next we went to the Tiki Room, where I got a Dole Float. Normally I can finish these things, but after eating the fruit plate, it was just too much sweetness for me to handle.
Dole Float..
Dad wanted to go on BTM using a card he got earlier today when Indiana Jones broke down and he was stuck inside for 30 minutes. We got some hot chocolate for me, and coffee for him, then he went on the ride.
The park was pretty busy and they were lighting up the Castle every so-often now. We headed over to CA Adventure, so Dad could go on CA Screamin' again. He just loves that ride! Meanwhile, I skipped over to the Grand Californian to get some nachos at White Water Snacks. The last time we ordered these, Dad ate most of them...well this time, it was only me and I ate most of em! So cheesey...nacho-y..yum!
Mine!
We met back up in time for the Electrical Parade, which I've never seen. It was okay-- I'm just not a parade person. And I have no idea how the performers can have so much energy. Once the parade ended, we waited out in the promenade to watch the fireworks.
And now we are back in the hotel room, typing away on our respective laptops...Overall today was much better than yesterday. I'm not sick or super tired from the drive. My feet do hurt though, heh. Tomorrow morning we may go back into the park for breakfast at the Carnation Cafe. If we do go, I'll be sure to take pics and post 'em for you to see. If not, then I'm making the 2.5-3 drive back to Santa Barbara tomorrow morning.
So when we last left off, I was resting in the hotel while the sink was getting fixed. My Dad came back to the hotel and rested as well for a bit. Then we decided to do the wine-tasting at California Adventure. I learned about it through either these forums or Micechat (I read both).
When we got there, my Dad decided to sample the ports with blue cheeses (or you could pair it with Ghiradelli chocolates). I sampled the sweet wines. It was fun to try these out. I've never gone wine tasting, so the lady poured out 3 samples of wine for each of us, and explained the wines..what made them special. I got to try one wine which is only available for purchase in Disney parks or on the Disney cruise line. I didn't like it very much though!
Dad's cheeses..stinky!
And his three samples of port wines..
My Dad went on California Screamin while I walked the park. It looks a lot better then in July, when more stuff was boarded up. I bought a churro (no picture, you know what it looks like!) and a frozen apple drink. It was very difficult to drink though..a bit too frozen.
After that, my Dad wanted to get a drink at the UVA Bar in Downtown Disney. Guess he was in a drinkin' mood! When we got to UVA, they didn't have the tequila that he wanted...so he got something else (not sure what it what, I really don't drink much), and I got a shirley temple.
A shirley temple- non-alcoholic and cute!
My feet were hurting so I headed back to the hotel room for another rest, and then went for a swim around 5pm. It was dark outside but the pool was heated up very nicely. I've never been in such a warm pool during the evening before! I was so nice. After calling my Mom and boyfriend (gotta check in with them), my Dad and I went back to the park..this was around 7.
Dad was hungry so we went to Rancho del Zocoro (sp), which neither of us have been to before. He got the fajitas, and I got a fruit plate.
Dad's fajitas..
My fruit plate..
Next we went to the Tiki Room, where I got a Dole Float. Normally I can finish these things, but after eating the fruit plate, it was just too much sweetness for me to handle.
Dole Float..
Dad wanted to go on BTM using a card he got earlier today when Indiana Jones broke down and he was stuck inside for 30 minutes. We got some hot chocolate for me, and coffee for him, then he went on the ride.
The park was pretty busy and they were lighting up the Castle every so-often now. We headed over to CA Adventure, so Dad could go on CA Screamin' again. He just loves that ride! Meanwhile, I skipped over to the Grand Californian to get some nachos at White Water Snacks. The last time we ordered these, Dad ate most of them...well this time, it was only me and I ate most of em! So cheesey...nacho-y..yum!
Mine!
We met back up in time for the Electrical Parade, which I've never seen. It was okay-- I'm just not a parade person. And I have no idea how the performers can have so much energy. Once the parade ended, we waited out in the promenade to watch the fireworks.
And now we are back in the hotel room, typing away on our respective laptops...Overall today was much better than yesterday. I'm not sick or super tired from the drive. My feet do hurt though, heh. Tomorrow morning we may go back into the park for breakfast at the Carnation Cafe. If we do go, I'll be sure to take pics and post 'em for you to see.
If not, then I'm making the 2.5-3 drive back to Santa Barbara tomorrow morning.
tksbaskets
DIS Veteran
- Joined
- Jan 17, 2002
- Messages
- 4,457
Have a great day!
roxy72
Mouseketeer
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- 345
Thanks! I'm kind of tired of the park, actually..heh. I get so darn nervous walking over there and stuff. So I decided to just eat a Pop-Tart in my hotel room this morning, and get ready for the drive back to SB. (I am going to stop at my Moms house on the way though..gotta say hi to the dogs!)
I took pictures of all the souvenirs and snacks that I bought, so I'll try to upload those now.
roxy72
Mouseketeer
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- 345
Get my shopping on...
So here are pics of the stuff that I bought in the parks the last 2 days.
This shirt- my first Disney-park shirt, woot! It's a XL by the way.
Mickey hats! The Alan one is for my boyfriend..and the children's Tommy and Mickey hats are for my cousins' babies. I also got a shotglass for my roommate, a cute picture-frame magnet (to put my b/f and my pic in), and my first pin and a lanyard. The pin is the cat from Pinocchio.
Pooh-bear! I've been wanting to buy this since April. I used to have a pooh bear growing up...he had a little thing that you pushed inside his sweater and it made him sing the "Winnie the Pooh.." song.
My first Vinylmation blind-box toy, a cute/obnoxious red pen, a wine stopper for my Dad, and a little Tigger magnet for my sis.
Mugs for my neighbors who help watch my cat when I'm out of town, and a Tinkerbell pen for my Mom.
A nice license plate holder..I'm removing my UCSB Alumni holder and putting this one on.
Snackies! A Mickey gingerbread cookie, 2 white-chocolate raspberry cookies (one for my Mom), a Mickey sugar cookie, Mickey rice-krispie, and S'more (for my Dad).
And last of all, the Mickey I drew..
There are still a few other things I wanted to buy- a cute cream Disneyland sweater that I saw online, and those car decals with family members wearing Mickey hats. Right now that sweater is only available in a Small online, and they don't have the adult-members of the decals online. Oh well.
Overall it was a nice trip, although Saturday was a rough day for me due to anxiety and other health issues. Right now I'm looking forward to going back home and sleeping in my own bed again.
So here are pics of the stuff that I bought in the parks the last 2 days.
This shirt- my first Disney-park shirt, woot! It's a XL by the way.
Mickey hats! The Alan one is for my boyfriend..and the children's Tommy and Mickey hats are for my cousins' babies. I also got a shotglass for my roommate, a cute picture-frame magnet (to put my b/f and my pic in), and my first pin and a lanyard. The pin is the cat from Pinocchio.
Pooh-bear! I've been wanting to buy this since April. I used to have a pooh bear growing up...he had a little thing that you pushed inside his sweater and it made him sing the "Winnie the Pooh.." song.
My first Vinylmation blind-box toy, a cute/obnoxious red pen, a wine stopper for my Dad, and a little Tigger magnet for my sis.
Mugs for my neighbors who help watch my cat when I'm out of town, and a Tinkerbell pen for my Mom.
A nice license plate holder..I'm removing my UCSB Alumni holder and putting this one on.
Snackies! A Mickey gingerbread cookie, 2 white-chocolate raspberry cookies (one for my Mom), a Mickey sugar cookie, Mickey rice-krispie, and S'more (for my Dad).
And last of all, the Mickey I drew..
There are still a few other things I wanted to buy- a cute cream Disneyland sweater that I saw online, and those car decals with family members wearing Mickey hats. Right now that sweater is only available in a Small online, and they don't have the adult-members of the decals online. Oh well.
Overall it was a nice trip, although Saturday was a rough day for me due to anxiety and other health issues. Right now I'm looking forward to going back home and sleeping in my own bed again.
tksbaskets
DIS Veteran
- Joined
- Jan 17, 2002
- Messages
- 4,457
I love the pictures What little figure did you get in the 'blind' box? I say you have amazing restraint to have all those snacks still in tact. 
Have a safe trip to your mom's then back home. I'm sure they will all LOVE their gifts.
TK
What little figure did you get in the 'blind' box? I say you have amazing restraint to have all those snacks still in tact. Have a safe trip to your mom's then back home. I'm sure they will all LOVE their gifts.
TK
roxy72
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- Mar 30, 2009
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I love the pictures
Have a safe trip to your mom's then back home. I'm sure they will all LOVE their gifts.
TK
I still haven't opened up my Vinylmation blind box!! Yesterday I was so tired by the time I got home that I took a 2 hour nap then my boyfriend came over for pizza and Dexter. Oh, I gave him the Mickey sugar-cookie too..As much as I love snacks, I don't need all of those for myself.
Enjoyed reading your report...esp. since we were there at the same time. It was the most crowded I have experienced, and we go a lot. But, like you, we had a great time anyway...went early, took pool/hot tub breaks in the afternoons and tried to avoid the most crowded places...thanx for sharing your trip.
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