Marriage: The Trip Report - Update 2/28 - Final Thoughts & Link to Disneyland TR!

[MaryAz]

Great last few updates!! So glad you had suxh a fun time at DL!! I grew up in South Ca and went there a bunch. Can't wait for the TR!!!

 

[lovegrumpy]

Can't wait to hear all about your trip out west. I so miss Disneyland!!! I can't wait to go back. Kids have different plans but I can wait intell they are gone. I so hope you plan on doing a trip report about the cruise leaving from NYC. We found out were moving to Va Beach so we could have so done the cruise. So I'm going to live it thru reading your trip report.

 

[CandleontheWater]

I love the pic of Henry done up with all his pirate gear! We have gotten away with not getting Everett a sword or gun at the Pirate's gift shop on our trips so far, but this time I may just break down.

I love the preview of Disneyland, can't wait to hear all about it!

 

[Missyrose]

You've been a TR-writing machine lately, but I'm all caught up now. I know I have Type A-uber-planner tendencies, but whoa, the "Joe" day of Chef Mickey's and lounging around BLT/CR sounds amazing. I love that CR grew on you. I know the hotel gets soundly booed on these boards, but I really, really loved the resort. Everything was so convenient and compact. And the hotel has some awesome details to it.

I love all of Henry's pirate swag, he totally needs an official pirate name now!

And your DL sneak peek was AWESOME! You guys sure looked like you had a blast, I can't wait to hear the whole story! You kinda became my inspiration for my TR. I am at the mercy of Franklin editing his photos so they look flawless, but I told him that I need to have the October TR dunzo BEFORE we go back to Disney in 41 days. I do not want to be juggling TRs, it looks like too much work!

 

[chloe770]

How long was that flight out to Disneyland? I can't wait to see and hear more.

Love Henry's pirate ears . And that CM talking pirate, that's talent.

Your on a roll hear. Can we expect more tomorrow?

 

[PirateKate]

Disneyland looks awesome!! I'm glad you all had a great time.

I love Henry's pirate ears.

 

[JessicaFaye508]

HOLY MOLY DISNEYLAND. Oh my God your pictures make me want to go there SO bad. Ahhh oh my God, oh my God, oh my GOD. I only went there one time and that was when I was 12. So I barely remember it. And since my Disney obsession is in full swing and I have a MUCH nicer camera now laughing I definitely need to convince the family to go there. We were talking about maybe going Summer 2013. Now I am more determined to make that HAPPEN! And your upcoming trip report is going to be the first Disneyland trip report I EVER read! I'm so so so excited

And brilliant idea staying at all 3 Disneyland Resorts! I just texted my Mom and told her we HAVE to do that. That had to be awesome! How many days did you stay at each?

 

[eandesmom]

I love love love Henry's pirate picture! How wonderful that the CM spoke pirate, I bet you will never forget that moment.

What a tease you are Ms. Brook with all those wonderful DLR pictures, I cannot wait to see more (and now really want to stay at the DLH!)

 

[DisMomAmy]

Great start to your MK morning... even if you didn't make it to the opening show. The park looked so empty!

I CAN'T WAIT for you to start your DL report!! It looks like an amazing trip! I've been entering the One More Disney Day contest every day & if we win - we are definitey going to DL! I can't believe how big Henry looks now. He's been trapped in time as you've worked on your TR from a year ago.

 

[jenseib]

Henry sounds like Claire...she says she likes something, but if you ask if she wants to go on again she says no way.
I can't wait to see your DL pictures and read the TR! The teaser was great!
Are you still gonna do the AEP TR? or did you through that one out now ?

 

[rdkeim]

Love your trip reports! Your little boy is a doll. We're making a trip to DL in October so I'm really looking forward to your trip report! Will it be posted here or in the Disneyland TR site?

 

[brookelizabeth]

What a fun morning in the MK! Sorry you missed the show....that is our luck usually! I love that shot on your way to Jungle Cruise behind Pecos Bills...of the empty sidewalk!! Thats the way I like the MK Alexa wasnt too fond of Pirates on our trip this past June. Im hoping she will try BTMRR on our next trip. I have confidence she will finally be tall enough to try some big rides, but she is also timid so I dont know what we will get her on. Cant wait to hear what is up next

That is the way I like MK too! Moments like those make the getting up and out the door quickly worth it!

Henry was scared of Pirates again in Disneyland. You'll hear all about that in that TR. He's in the "scared of everything" stage.

What a fun morning at the MK (and gotta love an empty park).

Sorry you missed the opening show again.

So glad Henry went on POTC and loved it. And he is the cutest darn pirate I've ever seen.

But...I DID see the show in May and August! We just haven't gotten there in TR world yet.

He does make a pretty cute pirate, doesn't he? We have a whole outfit for him now that he will wear on the cruise.

Awesome update!!! Sorry you didn't make it to the rope drop show, but it would seem you got A LOT accomplished that morning!!

Love that Henry got to enjoy a pirate experience...how fun is that!!!!

I was just texting with you!

We did get a lot done that morning, especially being on a more relaxed "catch whatever we have missed" type of schedule. I couldn't believe we hadn't done all those things and it was the end of our trip!

Ummmm... you are the one who said it...

I know at CMs you are basically paying for the experience. It is great to have all the characters come to you without lines. We do CM every other trip.

You took a ton of great pictures!

Great pic!

I think we will try 'Ohana next time for a character meal. It seems a bit more chill and I love the idea that they bring the food to you!

I'm lazy.

I really enjoyed our meal at Teppan Edo too. Not that is was soooo much better than our local hibachi, but I really enjoy sitting down and relaxing for a few minutes after the hustle and bustle of the parks.

I guess we are guilty of this as well. Maybe they should put signs up so people don't go up there. I'm sorry that I'm going to have to break the news to MJ. He is going to be really sad not being able to hang out with Dory.

WTG Henry!!!!!

Love this pic!!!! When we get off pirates, we sing the song for a few hours afterwards!

It would be cool if you got bonus FPs for Pooh, or Space Mountain!
This is great! I can't wait till Christopher grows up!

Oh Ms. Kat. You've used this line before on another one of your 'cutest pirates'. Need I remind you of this pirate? I guess I have to break out the picture again...

about Michael. Oh, poor guy! I haven't actually seen pictures with the grass though, just heard about it. So maybe he'll be pleasantly surprised next time he goes to Disney World!

It's AMAZING what comes out of a little boys mouth and how BOY it is without any real influence. They are just ingrained to fight, wrestle, and turn everything into a gun. I think Henry's first "gun" was out of an apple slice at a restaurant, he was maybe 2! I have NO idea where he had gotten it because we had never even spoken about guns and at that time he didn't have any toy guns!

We'll see what Ms. Kathy has to say about who the cutest pirate is!

Henry is one of the cutest little pirates ever! He sure looks proud of himself in all that gear!

An empty MK is the best.

He plays dress up with the pirate gear on a very regular basis and then asks I turn on the music. It's so fun!

 

[brookelizabeth]

WTG Henry for conquering BTM.

You make a very cute and cool pirate, Henry!

We were very surprised he wanted to ride it, and proud that he did. I hope he quickly skips through is "scared" stage that he's currently in and we have a thrill boy back for our next trip! We'll see!

Oh my! I love your Disneyland sneak peek. I can't wait to read the report. I've never been. I'm bummed we won't get to meet up next month but I understand.

Henry does make an adorable pirate. I love the interaction you had with the pirate in the dump shop. I hope the guns didn't go in the carry on. My oldest loved toy guns when he was little. I can just hear him saying the same thing about shooting his guns too.

I am bummed too! I can't tell you how much it bothers me that we pretty much have nothing planned for that week! If we randomly get super cheap flights, maybe we'll make it.

I honestly have no idea where those toys went...most likely into checked luggage. I bet that would have been hilarious if they were in our carry on since they do look fairly realistic on an x-ray machine!

Holy Cow Brook!!!! I want to get on a plane and head to Disneyland RIGHT NOW I love those pictures.
I love the teacups outside with no cover. Love the little lanterns, but it looks weird with no teapot like we are used to
Aladdin Show...never even knew they had one....and I Want To Go see it!!!
Dont even get me started on that World of Color It looks awsome and I cant wait to see ALL your pictures of it
Small World looks so amazing lit up like that.....and its so different outside too
I love that headboard that lights up! TOO cool! Henry jumping on the different beds He looks like he is having so much fun!
What an awsome looking trip. I cant wait to read all about it

It's awesome! I love the teacups too! They did seem so small though without the teapot (which I think is adorable). The Aladdin show is SUPERB!!!! The Genie is hilarious - very current jokes (about iPhones, the Kardashian's, and more!). The sets, the costumes...we loved it!

Oh I can hardly wait to hear about the Disneyland trip! We've looked into going a couple of times but keep getting drawn back to WDW.

You guys should go!!! You won't regret it! It's such a different experience, like your cruise will be , but so good and still Disney! We will definitely be going back to Disneyland when we can.

3000 pictures! I don't know how you do it, Brook, because I always feel like I have a lot when I take 300!

World of Color and Cars Land are two reasons why I really am dying to go back to Disneyland. And now that DVC has the online booking my dad and I were playing around on the site the other day looking to see if it's ever possible to get a room at the Grand Californian.

They still have the Aladdin show?! I could've sworn that when we were there the last time it was getting ready to close. And that was in 2007. Maybe I'm just making that up though. LOL.

We take pictures of EVERYTHING!!!! It's crazy! I just want to document it all. And as I'm getting older and after having a kid, I need the pictures to remember the details.

I cannot wait to see Cars Land! It looks just awesome from the peek we got into it. The GCV is hard to get into, it's so small! But starting soon (April, I think?) they are going to start opening the regular GC rooms for booking too. I wonder what the points will be on that.

Yep! They still have the show! It's AWESOME! I am really glad they haven't closed it. Even in the low season of January it was practically a packed house. So perhaps they thought about closing it but people protested?

My question is... if it was as easy and the same price as wdw, would you go again as often? Or is it something you do once, or twice?

We would definitely go again! We might not go as often to Disneyland, just because it's smaller - 2 parks versus 4. But I could easily see us returning once a year, or once every 18 months for sure. It's completely awesome and magical. The rides are even better...even the SAME ride, it's cleaner, brighter and just seems to be slightly plussed in different ways. And perhaps that is because we are used to WDW and something new always seems so wonderful. But I do know Disneyland is more on top of things like that because they have locals pouring in, who want and expect new things and see the same things all the time - whereas WDW is first time visitors/every few years (except us freaks! ). So Disneyland gets new parades, new fireworks, etc more often than WDW to keep it fresh.

And I think I would go back just to ride Indiana Jones!

Welcome home. Enjoying continuing this report, but now can't wait to hear your thoughts on Disneyland and view your photos. We love DL and DCA. It is a totally different experience, but a magical one just the same. I have my photos loaded on facebook from this past summer. Would love to share them with you if you would like to see them. Loved the sneak peak.

Exactly! It's a different experience, yet completely magical! I would love to see your Facebook pictures!! They might make me cry a bit in wishing I was there though...

My stomach was starting to growl at me though, and I had one thing on my mind for lunch...

Corn dog nuggets?

Love the DL pic preview! I would love to stay in their hotels some time!

Someone is goooooood!

The DL hotels are all beautiful...and they should be for the price! Ha! But, I think they are worth the dollar.

That's a great trip preview! So glad you had such a good time.

I can't wait to share it all!

Awesome preview of Disneyland. I cannot wait to read about it. I want to go but i'm holding out for Cars land.

We were going to, but couldn't pass this trip up with the deal we got on everything from the flight to the room to the rental car. We will be back, hopefully in 2013!

 

[brookelizabeth]

So close but yet so far away. Awwww I am sorry you missed it. Keep it on the list. Maybe you will make it when /if you stay at AKL.

Oh yes, it all has to be checked. Ask me how I know.

the furthest possible resort!

But I DID catch it in May and August! We just aren't there yet in TR land. And who knows if we ever will be at this rate!

Oh man...how do you know?

It's so cute to see such a mean pirate with an "I Mom" shirt on. It's like a biker with a "Mother" tattoo. Anyway, I'm sure Henry was over the moon with all of his pirate gear.

What a great Disneyland preview! I can't wait to read the full version.

LOL, he's a rough dude, isn't he??? That shirt just makes him look vicious!

Great last few updates!! So glad you had suxh a fun time at DL!! I grew up in South Ca and went there a bunch. Can't wait for the TR!!!

Have you ever thought about going back to Disneyland, or are you more hooked on WDW now?

Can't wait to hear all about your trip out west. I so miss Disneyland!!! I can't wait to go back. Kids have different plans but I can wait intell they are gone. I so hope you plan on doing a trip report about the cruise leaving from NYC. We found out were moving to Va Beach so we could have so done the cruise. So I'm going to live it thru reading your trip report.

Yep! I will be doing a TR for that as well! That will be a whole new experience too. I can't believe how quickly it's coming up!

I love the pic of Henry done up with all his pirate gear! We have gotten away with not getting Everett a sword or gun at the Pirate's gift shop on our trips so far, but this time I may just break down.

I love the preview of Disneyland, can't wait to hear all about it!

Henry asks for a sword every single time. He would have 28 swords by now if I had let him. Something with boys and swords...and guns. And now hooks too! LOL

You've been a TR-writing machine lately, but I'm all caught up now. I know I have Type A-uber-planner tendencies, but whoa, the "Joe" day of Chef Mickey's and lounging around BLT/CR sounds amazing. I love that CR grew on you. I know the hotel gets soundly booed on these boards, but I really, really loved the resort. Everything was so convenient and compact. And the hotel has some awesome details to it.

I love all of Henry's pirate swag, he totally needs an official pirate name now!

And your DL sneak peek was AWESOME! You guys sure looked like you had a blast, I can't wait to hear the whole story! You kinda became my inspiration for my TR. I am at the mercy of Franklin editing his photos so they look flawless, but I told him that I need to have the October TR dunzo BEFORE we go back to Disney in 41 days. I do not want to be juggling TRs, it looks like too much work!

I have been! I am really trying to get this sucker done in under a YEAR. When I first started it I had no idea we had 3 additional trips waiting us, I thought it would be a year before we'd get to go back!

I agree with you about the CR! I just don't understand why people don't like it??? I LOVE it. So does Joe! It's beautiful. And I think it has the classic Disney feel going for it. It's luxurious, beautiful and classic. I also think the architecture is amazing and that draws me to it instantly. And the monorail runs through it. How cool can you get??? I'm preachin' to the choir though, I know!

It's WAY too much work to juggle TRs! One at a time is the best. Hopefully Franklin gets those done. I always want to edit my photos so they are prettier, but I just don't. You get the good, the bad and the downright disturbing!

How long was that flight out to Disneyland? I can't wait to see and hear more.

Love Henry's pirate ears . And that CM talking pirate, that's talent.

Your on a roll hear. Can we expect more tomorrow?

The flight from here to Long Beach was about 5.5 hours, and on the way back it was 4.5. Surprisingly, it wasn't bad! I mentally prepared for the worst possible flight with a 4-year old and he did awesome. The iPad helped.

Yes, I am hoping to squeeze in another update today!

Disneyland looks awesome!! I'm glad you all had a great time.

I love Henry's pirate ears.

Aren't those pirate ears the cutest? He has let me wear them now since he has a Jack Sparrow scarf, complete with hair.

 

[brookelizabeth]

HOLY MOLY DISNEYLAND. Oh my God your pictures make me want to go there SO bad. Ahhh oh my God, oh my God, oh my GOD. I only went there one time and that was when I was 12. So I barely remember it. And since my Disney obsession is in full swing and I have a MUCH nicer camera now laughing I definitely need to convince the family to go there. We were talking about maybe going Summer 2013. Now I am more determined to make that HAPPEN! And your upcoming trip report is going to be the first Disneyland trip report I EVER read! I'm so so so excited

And brilliant idea staying at all 3 Disneyland Resorts! I just texted my Mom and told her we HAVE to do that. That had to be awesome! How many days did you stay at each?

You need to goooooooooo!!!!!! It's AWESOME. We had such a fantastic time! It's the same, yet different in so many ways. It's completely magical and even though you are in the middle of a big city, once you are in Downtown Disney, it's like you are in another world.

We actually didn't stay at the Disneyland Hotel - I was able to tour it for a Travel Agent class I took while there. We stayed at Paradise Pier for 5 nights, and the Grand Californian Villas for just one. We wanted more at GCV, but they didn't have anything open. All three hotels are beautiful!!! The GC rules because it is practically IN California Adventure, they even have their own entrance into the park through the hotel!

I love love love Henry's pirate picture! How wonderful that the CM spoke pirate, I bet you will never forget that moment.

What a tease you are Ms. Brook with all those wonderful DLR pictures, I cannot wait to see more (and now really want to stay at the DLH!)

It was such a fun moment with that Cast Member - I love it when they love their jobs and just pour on that extra bit of pixie dust!

The DLH is amazing. Seriously beautiful. I haven't a clue what it looked like previously, I need to look up some pictures, but it's stunning now. Those rooms are HUGE too!!!! I love that the DL resorts can sleep 5 easily too. The pool/bar area is awesome, I have a few pics of it I will share too!

Great start to your MK morning... even if you didn't make it to the opening show. The park looked so empty!

I CAN'T WAIT for you to start your DL report!! It looks like an amazing trip! I've been entering the One More Disney Day contest every day & if we win - we are definitey going to DL! I can't believe how big Henry looks now. He's been trapped in time as you've worked on your TR from a year ago.

It was empty that morning! I actually don't mind coming in just after rope drop because you avoid the stampede, but still get the benefit of no crowds!

about him being trapped in time! He has grown like CRAZY this past year too. He's such a big boy. I think he even grew on our trip, we came home a few shirts didn't fit anymore!

Henry sounds like Claire...she says she likes something, but if you ask if she wants to go on again she says no way.
I can't wait to see your DL pictures and read the TR! The teaser was great!
Are you still gonna do the AEP TR? or did you through that one out now ?

Yes...I still want to do the AEP trip too...and the solo trip! If I write every single day perhaps I can get these all in. I'm a bit of a dreamer, aren't it?!

Love your trip reports! Your little boy is a doll. We're making a trip to DL in October so I'm really looking forward to your trip report! Will it be posted here or in the Disneyland TR site?

Thank you!!! And I will post it over on the Disneyland TR site, but I'll post a link here when I wrap this one up for easy reference too!

 

[RinkyTinkyTinky]

Loved the preview of the Disneyland trip. I have to know, which one did you like better, WDW or DL? DH wants to go to California someday and he tires to lure me with DL. I don't know a thing about DL though. I'm looking forward to seeing all your pictures and hearing what you thought of it all. It looks awesome!

 

[brookelizabeth]

After watching the wonderful Mickey's Philharmagic my stomach was growling so we made our way to a certain eatery....

I had one thing on my mind.

And you all know what THAT is!



Casey's Corn Dog Nuggets!



On our way from Fantasyland to the wonderful Casey's Corner, Henry wanted to stop and try to pull the sword from the stone.

He started to pull on it...and MUCH to my amazement, it started to raise out of the stone!!!!

The camera was obviously on the wrong setting for the majority of the pictures, but it was still a very magical moment and I'm glad we have at least some documentation of it!

Right after Henry pulled it out, a big dude tried to go and pull it out, but couldn't. Henry shouted "He didn't eat his vegetables!"

After that excitement we continued on our way and ran into the Move It, Shake It, Celebrate It parade, so we were a bit trapped and forced to watch - but I was fine with that!

During the parade when the float with Donald came by, some guy ran out into the parade and tried to GRAB Donald! Donald stepped back on the float just in time and gave the guy the "shame shame" finger and crossed his arms. A CM came out from nowhere and guided the guy back to the curb. It was crazy! Poor Donald!

And finally we reached our destination! Today the very last shuttle returning to Kennedy Space Center was supposed to re-enter and you'd be able to hear the sonic booms from it, so we tried to find a quiet corner...

I was a happy camper to finally have my nuggets!

Our view wasn't too shabby...

It was fairly quiet at that moment and then....the stage show started!!!!



So much for the sonic booms.

It was a tad annoying at the moment, and I remember while I was enjoying my nuggets, I was frazzled from the stage show blaring in my ear and just a number of things going wrong.

After lunch we moved into Adventureland

And then over to Frontierland for some dessert to use some of our Deluxe Dining Plan snack credits.

My notes here make no sense and are full of typos. From what I can tell Joe got that cookie and Henry got the chocolate coins. I don't think I got anything...and despite the CR telling me we'd need to get new cards that morning, our Deluxe Dining Plan credits still worked without a problem.

Continued in next post

 

[brookelizabeth]

Continued from previous post

The boys nibbled and we walked over to the raft for Tom Sawyer Island.

Henry found a fellow pirate there and they instantly started to duel.

The gun was still being shot constantly.

Exploring the caves

Henry had a good time at the fort!

Must.ring.bell 2,491 times.

Driving the pirate ship.

Then we found the barrel bridge - that thing is tricky, I only took this one picture and held on with both hands!

And eventually we made our way over to the big fort

Henry had a BALL in there! He loved running around with the other kids (and Daddy) and shooting his gun and the guns inside the fort itself. Believe it or not, there were LOTS of bad guys to shoot at that day in the Magic Kingdom. Everything was pirate related, even the fort was a pirate ship in his world - and he told every single kid that he met they were on a pirate ship!

There were bad guys on the train!

We visited the stables.

Continued in next post

 

[brookelizabeth]

Continued from previous post

And then directed our little pirate out of there, Joe and I were ready to head back to the main land.

After we were off the raft I spied my dessert and happily used a snack credit for one of these beauties

Pineapple bar.

Yum. Those are so refreshing and tasty!

We moved our way out of Frontierland

and decided it was time to use that Space Mountain FP from earlier!

 

[DisMomAmy]

Wow! Henry pulled the sword out of the stone! So cool!!