****Official August 2015 Check-In Thread****

[earthboundfaerie]

Question of the week
What ride are you most looking forward to? What are you least looking forward to? (ie. What rides will your family try to drag you onto against your will?) What shows/entertainment are you looking forward to?
(And for those who are back from their trips already: what rides and shows did you enjoy the most/least on you trip?)

We have 3 more days until our trip! Anyone else who wants to post a QOTW next weekend is welcome to, since I'll be a little busy!

I am definitely pretty excited about Peter Pan's Flight this year. My boys and I are huge Peter Pan fans and with the new stuff they added, it should be great! I'm also excited to take my boys on Buzz Lightyear's Astro Blasters and Toy Story Mania. My 18-month-old and and 3-year-old are nuts about Toy Story, Monsters Inc and Cars right now, so the rides associated with those movies, and all the parades are definitely going to be a highlight for them!

Oh, and I already cried through watching Disneyland Forever on Youtube, so I cannot wait to see it in all its glory when we get there!

Not looking forward to not being able to ride RSR and BTMRR this year, because of my pregnancy though. Boo!

 

[Aladora]

You should try Splash Mountain when you go to WDW. We LOVE Splash in Disneyland, but found the one in WDW to be pretty tame in comparison. The fronts and sides of the logs come up a lot higher, you sit side by side, there's a lap bar, and I don't think the dark drop is very bad at all. I don't remember getting wet at all on that one.

Nope, nope, nope. Do you not remember the picture I posted after our trip last August? The one of us on Splash? DS and I have put that ride on our "NEVER again list!" I have always hated water rides and will only go on Grizzly if it is REALLY hot.

You must have read my mind! I'm having the same problem. Looks like our trips will overlap. We fly down from Seattle late on the 20th, with first day in the parks on 21st and last day in the parks on the 25th. I've learned over the years to make sure to see big entertainment like parades and fireworks at the beginning of the trip, in case they are cancelled and then you have a few days to work it in. But the idea of dedicating so much time to see the first PTN parade and then fireworks is just gnawing at me. I know it will work out in the end but I still worry.

Yay for more PNW people! We're just a bit north of you on Vancouver Island.

I was talking to DH about the fireworks and PTN and I think we have a plan. We are staying at Paradise Pier the last 3 days of our trip so if we are not able to see the fireworks from inside the park, we will check them out from the hotel. Not optimal, but better than not seeing them at all. For PTN, we are going to see about trying to get a spot near IASW and also talk to GR and see if there is any way we can watch from the section reserved for WC, as long as there is room. If not, we will just skip the parade if it looks like it is going to be too much for DS. Nothing is ever gained by pushing him past his breaking point.

Thanks so much for the tips, Aladora! We will definitely hit up Main St Cinema on this trip as we've never done that on previous visits.

We absolutely love Alladin! We saw it a couple of years ago though, so while I would love to see it again, it isn't high on our priority list. We've never seen Mickey and the Magical Map though and Disney Junior and I'm sure my tiny tots would appreciate those more. ;p

We are planning to take midday breaks and they're little night owls so I don't think they will have a problem with waiting for the shows, especially if we try and see the first ones. We might just go to the 1015 show of WoC though, just because we only have one day in DCA and we'd love to have that extra time in the evening to walk around in Cars Land and maybe see the Mad T Party band.

Oh and thanks for reminding me about the water play area at Bugs Land! We will definitely hit that up before heading back to the hotel for our midday break!

As for Park Hoppers, we kind of had to choose between getting park hoppers and staying on-site, budget-wise. We decided to splurge on Disneyland Hotel, and try to save a bit by just getting one-park-a-day tickets. Since the kids are still so small, we won't really get to go on most of the rides in DCA (2 out of 3 aren't even old enough for RSR), I'm hoping that one day in DCA will be enough. Our must-dos there are Toy Story Mania, Monsters Inc, Disney Junior, Pixar Play Parade, WoC, and everything else is really just bonus for us.

Have you checked out Turtle Talk with Crush? Your little ones might like that as well.

In a way, I wish our son was a night owl but he is very routine oriented and he wakes up early in the morning so late nights are hard to arrange. We are heading to WDW in December and want to watch the 10pm fireworks and we don't want to go back to the resort for a midday break so this trip is going to be our dry run for both a late night and full days.

Your little ones will love DLH, the theming of the rooms and lobbies cannot be topped, especially the light up headboards. We stayed there on our first DL trip and since we were unsure how DS would take to DL, we went all out and splurged on a 2 bedroom suite! When we checked in, I mentioned that DS was autistic and we were concerned about the fireworks and asked if there was any way we could get a suite that faced the fireworks. They were not able to for our first night but we were moved the next day to an AMAZING suite in the Frontier tower! DS, who was 6 at the time, had an entire king bedroom to himself!

This is a picture of him fast asleep halfway through our second day.



This is not my video but the suite is exactly like the one we were in.

DLH 2 bedroom suite

If TSMM is on your must do list, then go right there on your early morning. Most people will be rushing for RSR and TSMM does not have FP so it is your chance to ride it without a super long wait. I've read people post here that they have managed to ride it more than once during EMH without a problem.

 

[brianerickson]

Question of the week
What ride are you most looking forward to? What are you least looking forward to? (ie. What rides will your family try to drag you onto against your will?) What shows/entertainment are you looking forward to?
(And for those who are back from their trips already: what rides and shows did you enjoy the most/least on you trip?)

We have 3 more days until our trip! Anyone else who wants to post a QOTW next weekend is welcome to, since I'll be a little busy!

You know, that's a heck of question! I don't want to sound like a broken record, but since this is my first trip to Disney, I'm going in to all of this blind!

All of it sounds great, really; all of the dark rides in Fantasyland, Tower of Terror, the Toy Story themed shooting dark rides, all of it

Best part is, I'm going by myself, so I have total freedom; I can do whatever I want, whenever I want, and I think that has me more excited that just about anything else

Basically what I'm saying here is that I hope it's socially acceptable to eat 8 churros in one day (hah)

 

[Halloweenqueen]

QOW... We can't wait to go to the Expo! And we also have BB F!. Still miss the dessert party, but anxious to give this a try.

Number one on our list is the Hatbox Ghost!!!

 

[brianerickson]

wait, they brought back the hatbox ghost? well, it looks like i have another reason to check out haunted mansion...

 

[limace]

Peter Pan was down for our magic morning today! Or at least for most of it-so even though we were first in our line at gates we missed it. So bummer-that was my main goal for MM as everything else we've either hit already or is easy to do. Regardless-good day, very low crowds til 10 then filled up fast (we walked on Splash and HM and Pirates and BTMRR). Super busy and warm now so back for naps and a swim.

 

[Aladora]

Peter Pan was down for our magic morning today! Or at least for most of it-so even though we were first in our line at gates we missed it. So bummer-that was my main goal for MM as everything else we've either hit already or is easy to do. Regardless-good day, very low crowds til 10 then filled up fast (we walked on Splash and HM and Pirates and BTMRR). Super busy and warm now so back for naps and a swim.

Bummer about PP, it was closed when we were there last so I am really looking forward to checking it out in a few weeks!

 

[coloredimage]

Well, I leave tomorrow morning!

 

[buttercup14]

Question of the week
What ride are you most looking forward to? What are you least looking forward to? (ie. What rides will your family try to drag you onto against your will?) What shows/entertainment are you looking forward to?
(And for those who are back from their trips already: what rides and shows did you enjoy the most/least on you trip?)

Casey jr train!! I know i'm an adult but i could ride that train all day! Aside from that, Splash mountain, Matterhorn and Grizzly river run since they were all closed on my last visit and some of my favorites! No one's dragging me on anything i don't want to go on! I'm looking fowards to seeing the new firworks, i've been trying not to watch them online but they sound amazing! Also looking fowards to meeting as many character's as I can!

 

[Golf4food]

Question of the week
What ride are you most looking forward to? What are you least looking forward to? (ie. What rides will your family try to drag you onto against your will?) What shows/entertainment are you looking forward to?

I am most looking forward to POTC to experience the better version out there vs ours in FL, and RSR looks amazing. Besides that, anything we don't have in FL - like the Fantasyland rides.

Mostly just to be able to walk into DL and look over and see Walt's lamp and try really hard not to cry like a baby haha

 

[brianerickson]

Also, I've watched the video for the "Paint the Night" parade on YouTube at least 4 times, and, wow, just, wow; I think I need to add that to the list

 

[maryjeane]

Question of the week
What ride are you most looking forward to? What are you least looking forward to? (ie. What rides will your family try to drag you onto against your will?) What shows/entertainment are you looking forward to?
(And for those who are back from their trips already: what rides and shows did you enjoy the most/least on you trip?)


Can't wait to simply walk through the tunnel and meander down Main St. Taking my two middle DDs (14 and 17) and I will have to drag THEM on some rides. Both are refusing to go on CS with me. Seriously? Guess it'll be single rider for me. 17 DD went on it when she was 8 and loved it. She says she didn't. Hmm. Can't wait to experience all the 60th happenings, especially the fireworks!! Knowing that there will only be 3 of us (not 6 or 7) navigating the parks is really putting my mind at ease this time!

 

[Imdboss]

Question of the week
What ride are you most looking forward to? What are you least looking forward to? (ie. What rides will your family try to drag you onto against your will?) What shows/entertainment are you looking forward to?
(And for those who are back from their trips already: what rides and shows did you enjoy the most/least on you trip?)

It's so hard to pick just one ride! In DL I'll go with Space Mtn and DCA RSR at nighttime.
I've been on Mickey's Fun Wheel (or not so fun wheel) once and that is one too many times for me. Luckily nobody else in my family really likes it so I don't need to worry about it.
I'm really looking forward to seeing PtN and DS has always been afraid of fireworks but said he'll watch them this year if we take headphones for him (this worked for the 4th of July) but they aren't a huge priority. In the past our kids have always chosen rides over shows.

Only 13 days until we take off from Seattle and 14 until we are in the parks!

 

[limace]

Yay! Left my family sleeping this morning and made it on PP! There was almost a fight in line-someone full on screaming at someone else for cutting.

Yesterday, we did Jedi training and Mickey's Magical Map-both things we hadn't done before and both just fabulous. My shy boy was picked for Jedi, and really liked it (though it's tough for kids like him who don't know left from right). Long naps at the hotel yesterday, then went to the new buffet at PPH-this was great! Probably the best food value of our trip-everyone was happy and raving about it. After, husband made the mistake of promising the kids we could make light sabers, which involved fighting through PTN and fireworks crowds. We saw a bit of the parade and had obstructed fireworks views.

 

[Halloweenqueen]

Taking just my girls and thankful we are not our large group.

We sat down together and discussed strategies and must dos. We are hoping to leave our commando boots at home this time and soak in the magic! (And pack an extra suitcase for shopping!)

 

[Rubygoose]

Taking just my girls and thankful we are not our large group.

We sat down together and discussed strategies and must dos. We are hoping to leave our commando boots at home this time and soak in the magic! (And pack an extra suitcase for shopping!)

That's nice to be able to just take it easy and take it all in, instead of go go go. We usually do the first two days of commando style and then just wander for the rest of the trip. And we also take an extra suitcase - I nest our two largest suitcases with one inside the other, so we only have to pay for one of them on the way there and we have a big empty suitcase to fill with goodies!

 

[jewdmeister]

Question of the week
What ride are you most looking forward to? What are you least looking forward to? (ie. What rides will your family try to drag you onto against your will?) What shows/entertainment are you looking forward to?
(And for those who are back from their trips already: what rides and shows did you enjoy the most/least on you trip?)

I'm going to sound like a broken record myself, but I'm looking forward to everything! I'm already bummed that I am skipping DCA only because everything is so different compared to WDW but hey! it'll give me a reason to make a return trip...with more days dedicated to both parks. Since my boyfriend and I are trying to stuff as much of DLR as we can into the one day, we're going to hit the few must sees (Indiana Jones, Star Tours, etc) and see what we can accomplish. Parades and shows aren't really my thing anymore but there's something magical about the fireworks. Give me a dole whip and I'm good to go!

TWO DAYS TO GO!!

 

[earthboundfaerie]

4 1/2 days to go for us! We are so excited! Am I the only one obsessing over the new Disneyland app??! ;p

Also, big hello to all our fellow PNWers! We are flying from Seattle, too.

We have a reservation at Goofy's Kitchen for our dinner, the day we arrive, after a day at the DH pools and maybe Downtown Disney. I am reading so many great reviews on the new buffet at PCH Grill though and I'm having second thoughts about our Goofy's Kitchen reservation. :/ We've already been, but only for brunch, and it was a couple of years ago. I thought it might be a great way to kick off our Disneyland visit, but we also have reservations for character breakfast at Storytellers Cafe the next day, and then Surf's Up at PCH Grill in PP on our last day, so it won't be our only character dining option. Also, it's looking like Goofy's Kitchen has less characters now, too. Anyone been to Goofy's Kitchen for dinner recently with feedback?

 

[JustCallMeVee]

Are any of you going to be in the parks on August 19t or 20th? Be on the lookout for my group, 9 to 10 of us, we'll all be wearing matching orange'ish yellow shirts (think Crayola Crayon color "Goldenrod"). We are celebrating something very unique for my 8 year niece. HINT - It's not a birthday or a family reunion.

 

[Rubygoose]

Are any of you going to be in the parks on August 19t or 20th? Be on the lookout for my group, 9 to 10 of us, we'll all be wearing matching orange'ish yellow shirts (think Crayola Crayon color "Goldenrod"). We are celebrating something very unique for my 8 year niece. HINT - It's not a birthday or a family reunion.

We'll be there on the 19th for the morning, but we leave at around 1:30 to catch our flight at 3:50pm. We have matching shirts too, but won't be wearing them that day.

We leave tomorrow morning! The kids are so excited and bouncing around! I some how managed to get the bathrooms cleaned and all of the last minute packing done. By this time tomorrow we'll be in DCA!