My Dapper Day Trip Report as it happens Feb, 2014

[whoever]

13:17 MST.. Finally pulling out of gas station on the corner after topping off. Running roughly 45 minutes behind due to a hectic morning of work meetings.

15:09 MST. Pulled into Exit 1 in AZ, the last stop before Cali. Topped off, got the kids some Wendy’s fries and frosties... back on the road at 15:25 MST


17:26 PST. Sitting at Ball Exit...

17:48 PST. Pulling onto DL Drive. Valeted the car, checked in, and headed up to room by 18:10. (Got a room directly over Napa Rose Facing the Pool (2336). Couldn't ask for a better room unless it would have been facing into DCA on the other side of the hallway.

Waited for Bell Hop to bring up bags, got the kids cleaned up and headed over to DLH for Trader Sam's. Had to wait 20-25mins I'd say for a table to free up. Ended up grabbing two Salmon dinners to go for the two oldest kids from Tangaroa Terrace and the wife and I ordered up some food and drinks from Sam's. I got the Shrunken Zombie Head (with souvenir mug), she, the Mosquito Mojito. She got some Fish Tacos; I got the Ahi Poke as well as the Sweet and Spicy Asian Wings. The zombie reminded me of a Christmas drink with the cinnamon. The wife's mojito was particularly tasty I thought. The food.. she said her tacos were great. The wings had some zing to them, and were OK as wings go. The Ahi seemed lean, lacking that succulent fattiness I'm used to with Ahi.

Afterwards, wandered back towards DTD. Wife was looking at Dooneys at the DLH gift shop... she didn't find any of the prints lining up on the purses to her liking. I got a Grumpy T-shirt and the kids got some trinkets despite me saying to save their money for tomorrow or Sunday.

Youngest was getting tired, but we popped into the convention center, got some pics of the kids in the Autopia car, and then made the LONG (yes, the walk from DLH to even the entrance to the Grand is LONG) walk back through DTD to the Grand. We stopped in the Lego store for a circumnavigation of the place and the kids had a lot of oohs and aahs...

Had to guard this with my life… people will kill for a Haunted Mansion Dooney…

Kids are put to bed now at 22:00. I'm planning tomorrow's adventures, having a few San Tan IPAs I brought in from AZ while sitting on the balcony taking in the sounds of the park and the fireworks booms from DL...alarm set for 05:00

 

[DizMe]

Sounds fun so far!! I'll be an avid reader of your adventures!

 

[whoever]

It has been our best trip ever! Awesome first morn. Got so much done already!

 

[kP72]

Take lots of pix!

 

[whoever]

Take lots of pix!

Hundred an hour

 

[misS asH]

Glad the trip is going well! How are the crowds? Now I wish we had bought tickets to go today also, and not just tomorrow!

 

[whoever]

Crowds got pretty bad 11ish

 

[MillauFr]

Glad the trip is going well! How are the crowds? Now I wish we had bought tickets to go today also, and not just tomorrow!

We were there M-F. It was jammed packed all week. Much more crowded than I remember in years past when we went during President's week. I think I liked our trip in mid August 2013 better. It was less crowded then. Of course we still had much fun.

 

[pepe3penelope]

Loved hearing about ur trip. I'm a nurse so I'm used to military time. My DD and I dropped by DLR today (we live locally so we have annual passes). It did seem busy. I was surprised there weren't that many people dressed in Dapper attire. But when we did I verbally commented to them about how great they looked in their dapper attire. Most of them were high school, college age, and young adults. We were going to dress up but I returned the dress I ordered on Modcloth. Hope to hear more from you!

 

[crystal1313]

Did you see Charles Phoenix at trader SAMs? My friend was there last night and got a photo with him! There was also someone who had been on survivor there too. Glad you enjoyed yourself!

 

[whoever]

Saturday, 2/22/2014 06:05 – Left room for the bag check. Kids got up at 04:30, so we were up all up and out earlier than expected. We went casual today for the morning as well, so that helped with getting ready. Will get some mild dapperness on for the Disboards meet and greet. We were the first ones at bag check, and the line soon stretched all the way back to La Brea. While we were waiting, some lady comes up and asks about when EMH was staring, and just plunks her little backpack down on the table next to us, makes a phone call/text, and then just stands there. This lady had the gall to just cut the entire line and wait for when they open up multiple bag check lines. I can’t believe somebody didn’t politely correct her behavior. She ended up in front of our party at the main gates to DL as she dashed past us about half way through the esplanade at a run.

Evil cutter lady:

The opening to DL was actually 07:05.. running late. There was no rope drop at the end of main street either, however they ushered us a quarter of the way around the hub towards tomorrow land before allowing us to proceed to fantasyland. Weird. I had the middle daughter in my arms since we got through the turnstiles, so we were the first people to go through Sleeping Beauty’s castle this morn. Peter pan our intended destination was running about 15 minutes delayed, so we went and did Dumbo, Alice in Wonderland, and King Arthur’s Carousel (the middle girl rode Jingles).

 

 

[julesann]

Great trip report...Fun to read. What time would you suggest we get to Carsland for the lighting tomorrow?

 

[whoever]

Great trip report...Fun to read. What time would you suggest we get to Carsland for the lighting tomorrow?

I'd plan to have your spot staked out at 5:35. It won't be but 5-7 minutes from that point where the lighting occurs.

 

[DizMe]

WOW! What a great day!! Happy Dapper Day, BTW. Can't wait to hear all about it!

 

[Malcon10t]

Pirates, complete walk-on. Youngest awoke from her nap for it, and was absolutely overjoyed. She LOVES pirates (all effects were working perfectly I might add).

I am so glad to hear this. I know as of last weekend, the dog was missing from the scene where Captain Jack is in the barrel, the crab was missing, and the smoke projection was missing Blackbeard. I am headed back next weekend, and will be glad to see them all working again.

 

[Astylla]

I am so glad to hear this. I know as of last weekend, the dog was missing from the scene where Captain Jack is in the barrel, the crab was missing, and the smoke projection was missing Blackbeard. I am headed back next weekend, and will be glad to see them all working again.

Blackbeard has been gone from the projection for some time now..does anyone know why ? I think I noticed it first in December and continued into several other trips into January.

 

[Gisele]

The dog isn't really missing. She just ran off for awhile to visit her boyfriend who works at the local jail. He has been very busy lately! Perhaps you have seen him? He often may be found holding the prison key in his mouth, while teasing the bad boy pirates and other really bad eggs that are in jail. He loves it! It's like his own personal floor show.

 

[pepe3penelope]

Loving your report!

 

[Malcon10t]

The dog isn't really missing. She just ran off for awhile to visit her boyfriend who works at the local jail. He has been very busy lately! Perhaps you have seen him? He often may be found holding the prison key in his mouth, while teasing the bad boy pirates and other really bad eggs that are in jail. He loves it! It's like his own personal floor show.

And here I thought she was in the barn visiting the dog that hangs with the donkey!

 

[whoever]

Almost over. We'd like to be on the toad by 16:30 so enough time for teacups and a cruise through world of disney on the way back to the grand, get loaded up and back to az. Should have today's trip report and the pics from day 1 up tomorrow.