Now We're back! & I started my trip report! Updated 12/26!

[mariezp]

We are at our hotel in Anaheim right now but have been in the park for almost a week. We still have another week to go and are having a wonderful time! We got here last Sunday via American Airlines landing at John Wayne Airport. We were met at the baggage claim area by our limo driver from U-R-There-Limosine Service. Our driver looked just like the one from Driving Miss Daisy. He was great, the limo was great and the ride was great. They were very prompt, courteous and professional so I can highly recommend them now.
The crowds have been high and low as one would expect between the Veteran Day holiday, weekends and weekdays. The weather started up really nice but gradually warmed up through the week. Of course, then we got up this morning to a ugly, gray, smoke filled sky. Ashes everywhere which ended up making my eyes burn. We are about to head back to the park for a few hours this evening. We will be praying that the fires keep their distance from us and are under control soon for all the CA residents that are in fear of losing their homes.
Oh! We spoke with a cm last night back by Small World who told us there is a possibility of a soft opening on the 19th so we are hoping to maybe beat the crowd before it officially opens on the 21st.
We had a wonderful meal at Blue Bayou earlier today. And we have a tour booked on Wednesday and PS for Fantasmic on Friday. In between now and then we will be doing lots of repeats and leisurely taking in all the wonderful details of the park.
I left with 66 Disers posted as being in the park but so far have not spotted a single LGMH. I'll keep looking and be back with a full report when we get home.

 

[PinkBudgie]

Glad you've been having fun. Hopefully those fires get under control! Let us know how it goes.

 

[Sherry E]

We are at our hotel in Anaheim right now but have been in the park for almost a week. We still have another week to go and are having a wonderful time! We got here last Sunday via American Airlines landing at John Wayne Airport. We were met at the baggage claim area by our limo driver from U-R-There-Limosine Service. Our driver looked just like the one from Driving Miss Daisy. He was great, the limo was great and the ride was great. They were very prompt, courteous and professional so I can highly recommend them now.
The crowds have been high and low as one would expect between the Veteran Day holiday, weekends and weekdays. The weather started up really nice but gradually warmed up through the week. Of course, then we got up this morning to a ugly, gray, smoke filled sky. Ashes everywhere which ended up making my eyes burn. We are about to head back to the park for a few hours this evening. We will be praying that the fires keep their distance from us and are under control soon for all the CA residents that are in fear of losing their homes.
Oh! We spoke with a cm last night back by Small World who told us there is a possibility of a soft opening on the 19th so we are hoping to maybe beat the crowd before it officially opens on the 21st.
We had a wonderful meal at Blue Bayou earlier today. And we have a tour booked on Wednesday and PS for Fantasmic on Friday. In between now and then we will be doing lots of repeats and leisurely taking in all the wonderful details of the park.
I left with 66 Disers posted as being in the park but so far have not spotted a single LGMH. I'll keep looking and be back with a full report when we get home.

Marie! I just thought of you the other day and remembered that you are on the DLR trip! I had noticed that you weren't around much and then I remembered.... I hope the air quality gets better so everyone can breathe and not get their eyes burnt. These fires are awful. The air is even bad up where I am, and that is 45 minutes from Anaheim! The sky is glowing a little way over here!

Anyway, we have been keeping the PhotoPass Poses thread active, so you will have to post more pictures on it when you return!

Let us know if you see any good holiday merchandise while you are there! They have really clever stuff every year, and I am hoping there is nothing that great this year so I can avoid temptation!!!

Have a great time!

 

[tracer]

I am so glad you are having a wonderful time! We are suppose to go tomorrow but we aren't sure now with the smoke. Let us know how tonight is, if it is worse than today or better. Have fun! Great news about the soft opening!

 

[avalon451]

Sounds like a fabulous time! (except for the smoke) So glad to hear you are having fun. Enjoy the rest! Looking forward to hearing more--

 

[Lynzer Torte]

Wow! 2 whole weeks @ DL?! I am so jealous! The most we've ever done is 6 nights, 7 days.

Have a fabulous time!

 

[Hound 109]

Have a great time, Marie!

Thanks for all the valuable info on crowds, temps & smoke / haze.

Let us know how the tour goes....sounds like fun.

 

[Gisele]

I am sorry about your eyes becoming irritated by the smoke. I hope that the fires can be exhausted as soon as possible, for everyones sake. Apart from mother nature, it sounds like you are having a very nice time! Keep up the great work!

 

[mariezp]

Morning all! We are still here! Our travel companions have left so we are on our second week by ourselves. I imagined DD and I getting up early this morning and hitting the park in our usual crazed style but here is is 11:00 and I still haven't gotten a shower! We may have been ruined last week by taking things so leisurely.
Anyway, it was HOT yesterday so me went to Bubba Gump's and went to the movie theater to watch Madagascar after we got the Thibeaux family on their plane. We did not even get into the park until about 5:00. The smoke seemed to have cleared out considerably and their was no ash falling that I saw. We got my DD's portrait drawn last night. It is really beautiful! The artists are pretty amazing.
Crowds have been nice so it will be interesting to see if the park is really empty on the weekdays.
Sherry E, Thanks for missing me! I am actually missing being on the board but this is still pretty darn fun! I would love to tell you about any new holiday merchandise but to be honest I despise shopping while at the park. DD has already reached her limit... probably on the second day! Just for you, I will try to take a quick look because after paying for our Ariel character meal and a meal at Blue Bayou I still have Disney Rewards points to spend so they don't expire in December.
Tracer, did you make it to the park?
Thanks for all the well wishes. Still haven't seen a LGMH! I'll report back if I get a chance!

 

[blue donkey]

love that you have so much time & can take it leisurely. wishing you more low crowds & less smoke in the air.

 

[wazowskiLOVER:)]

Awesome ! I'm so glad that you're having a good time at DLR ! 2 Weeks !?!?! Goodness that is a lot of time. No doubt you're achieving everything you wanted to do there throughout the whole trip

I hope the fires do settle down, its so terrible.

Have fun and I hope to see pics !

 

[Gisele]

Don't worry about taking a shower, if anything take it later. Just go and have a great time. Matter of fact, one can take a bar of soap, and then ride Splash Mountain, that way, one will have taken their bath for the day! he he! Hey, it has worked for me.

 

[tracer]

glad you are having a great time. how is the air quality? can you still smell all the smoke bad?

we actually did post pone. didn't want to chance anything with the kids. sad we did but we will be there in less than 3 weeks. its sort of like we are going twice because we get to plan and count down twice...only for one trip though. its a weird situation, but we are so excited!!!

 

[BillyFan]

Thanks for keeping us updated on the crowds and air quality. We will be there Wednesday!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Maybe we'll see each other.

 

[Cant wait to go]

Im new to the board and want to thank you so much for the update on the fires....sounds like you are having a great time! We cant wait to go...we will arrive Sunday the 23 for a week its our childrens first visit...my daughter is 8 and my son is 2 1/2 .......DH , daughter and I were there in Nov of 2000 (well our daughter was 6 months at the time-but I still count this time her first time)

 

[mariezp]

We've been back about an hour. The family is settled in watching Wall-E while I catch up on e-mail. I wasn't about to sit still and watch a movie or I knew I would fall asleep! I am pretty tired after that 14 days in the park. We did have a great time but I do know I am also glad to get home. Trip report to follow...one of these days!

 

[WebmasterMaryJo]

Welcome home, and glad you had a good time!

 

[Gisele]

I cannot contact any of the moderators of this forum. Should I just post my statement and question here then?

 

[mariezp]

Just wanted to let you guys know I finally started my trip report! It's not much... just enough to string you along! Muu Ha Ha!

So drop on by and I will try to add more as I get a chance.
http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2021554

Gisele, did you get the problem solved? Ask away!

 

[King Triton]

I'm so glad you had a Fantastic time. I hope you brought back plenty of pixie dust to share with all of us.