Our Disneyland New Year's Park-Hopping Half-Marathon! 12/31/11-1/7/12 Complete!

[mvf-m11c]

It's been awhile since I have seen a new update on your TR.

Great photos of you and your family around the DLR.

I see in one of your pictures that you have a DSLR camera. I can tell that it is a Nikon, what model is your DSLR?

The photos from BT BBQ that day. The decorations looked amazing and the food looked so good.

Great update TK.

 

[franandaj]

OK, I finally got all caught up. You folks certainly take advantage of the various Disney loopholes! How are you going to cope with the new FP return times?

I wish we could get scores like you do on TSMM!

Thanks for subbing! Isn't that show great?

Yes, it is a great show and I found out why they don't fly overhead any more. I noted that on my DL report and someone posted a YouTube link to a mishap where Jasmine actually fell off the carpet, you could hear her screaming in the cell phone video. Pretty scary stuff!

LOL about Grumpy's pose for the CS picture. He had a death grip on his Droid as he always plans before the photo what he's going to do. He originally wanted to hold his shoe up to his ear like he was going to make a call but felt that getting off the ride with one shoe could be problematic. He'll be happy to know that someone got what he was doing.

I noticed that one too. You guys are really funny in the things you do for the photos! I love it! We never get on rides enough to remember where the pictures happen. We're lucky to get in one ride on a bunch of things, in our multi day trips, but you folks are active and get up early! That's awesome, I wish we could pull that off!

We had never really spent much time in this area on our previous trips. We found ouselves frequenting the pretzel stand and corn dog place

Lunch time....no corn dogs here...

Glad you've caught up. Our trip is over half way done now.

I really like the Boardwalk Pizza and Pasta on our last trip, I'd like to convince people to try the Garden Grill, but I'll take your advice and stay away from teh Morroccan Chili. I think the Tzatziki would be more my style!

Looking forward to the last day and final wrap up of the trip!

 

[tksbaskets]

It's been awhile since I have seen a new update on your TR.

Great photos of you and your family around the DLR.

I see in one of your pictures that you have a DSLR camera. I can tell that it is a Nikon, what model is your DSLR?

The photos from BT BBQ that day. The decorations looked amazing and the food looked so good.

Great update TK.

Hi Bret,
I have a Canon Rebel T2i. When I was choosing a new camera I stuck with the brand I knew. I've been very happy with the camera.

OK, I finally got all caught up. You folks certainly take advantage of the various Disney loopholes! How are you going to cope with the new FP return times?

Oh no....what is changing with the FP system? Just when we had it down too.

I wish we could get scores like you do on TSMM!

Hard work, practice, and internet searching to unlock the Easter Eggs. As you can tell we LOVE that ride at DL and WDW.

Yes, it is a great show and I found out why they don't fly overhead any more. I noted that on my DL report and someone posted a YouTube link to a mishap where Jasmine actually fell off the carpet, you could hear her screaming in the cell phone video. Pretty scary stuff!

Watching Jasmine's pony tail hang straight down was frightening. It was fine just on stage

I noticed that one too. You guys are really funny in the things you do for the photos! I love it! We never get on rides enough to remember where the pictures happen. We're lucky to get in one ride on a bunch of things, in our multi day trips, but you folks are active and get up early! That's awesome, I wish we could pull that off!

Looking back we were able to pack in quite a bit on our trip!

I really like the Boardwalk Pizza and Pasta on our last trip, I'd like to convince people to try the Garden Grill, but I'll take your advice and stay away from teh Morroccan Chili. I think the Tzatziki would be more my style!

My mouth is still burning thinking of the chili!

Looking forward to the last day and final wrap up of the trip!

Just picked the pictures for it! Can't believe it's the last day of our trip already.

Thanks for reading!

 

[tksbaskets]

Friday January 2, 2012 Our Last Day at Disneyland

Not a magic morning so we had breakfast in our room at were at the GCH entrance to DCA at 9:35 am. Lined up at the Paradise Pier rope until the park opened at 10 am.

We are much closer to the front today!

Only a 15 minute wait for TSMM which was a good sign as we had lots we wanted to do today!

One of my boys was the high score in our car....I'm so proud. Again it is 10:15 am and someone scored 535,500?? Do these people have bionic fingers/forearms??

Donald's gun malfunctioned so he and Grumpy got to take another spin on TSMM while Sarge and I went for CS FPs. We were waiting for the guys to finish their second spin we saw some characters on the boardwalk. Sarge humored me and the boys joined us for a couple of Photopass Pics!

Is it just me or is Jessie missing a neck?

We headed through Bug's Land to get a set of TOT FPs and ended up riding as the S/B line wasn't very long.

Couldn't get a bell hop to wait on us...

We were off to spend some time with the Muppets and it was Disney Visa character time. We stopped in to get our private photo and two vouchers (we each have a Disney Visa) for 5x7 photos. You can use them for ANY character Photopass picture taken that day.

What are the odds?? It's Pluto again.

The Hollywood Backlot Stage had Mickey and friends doing a hip hop number. We stood kind of transfixed. Something is up with the Mickey. Do you all know what??

Enough suspense?? His eyes blink and his mouth moves. It's very strange to watch...Don't know if I like it...

The queue for the Muppets has some fun stuff!

This time we saw the entire pre-show. I love looking at all the props in the pre-show room.

This is the life!

It was now time that we could get another FP and we picked up a set for Soarin' on our way to DL.

 

[tksbaskets]

Donald and Grumpy went ahead for Star Tours FPs and Sarge and I stopped for a picture in front of the train station. Our lack of eye balls is from the warm and wonderful sun.

I had about a millisecond to take a picture of Mickey before a family ran in.

Off to TL!

We were all a bit hungry so the guys decided to eat at Tomorrowland Terrace as we watched Jedi Training. Sarge and I didn't really want a burger so we wandered a bit in search of sustenance.

Yes we are but not really anything on the menu that Sarge and I could agree on. We ended up eating at Rancho del Zocalo Restaurante.

To be honest the chicken was exactly what I had earlier in the week over at DCA. I liked it at both places

Sarge had a tasty burrito.

Over to Adventureland to get our Indy FPs. While we were there we decided to take a day cruise. This was the first time we were directed upstairs at Jungle Cruise for the queue. Fun view for up there!

Right to the front of the river boat.

Our captain was pretty fun.

We headed back to DCA to see if we could ride TSMM...over a 60 minute wait so we rode CS with our FPs.

Grumpy used the 4th FP for an extra ride on CS.

Fun light in bugs land!

After a short rest in our villa we headed back to DL. It wasn't quite time for our Indy FPs so we enjoyed the Tiki Room and another Jungle Cruise.

Dinner was a strolling affair. Donald had a turkey leg, Grumpy a chimichanga, and Sarge and I had sandwiches from Liberty Belle Terrace.

Now it was time for our Star Tours FPs. The boys both rode twice while Sarge and I waited on 'our' bench.

Back to DCA to use of FPs for TOT. The standby line was long too and we ended up being in line about 45 minutes.

It was already 9:30 pm and the park closed at 10 pm. We headed over to ride Soarin' for our last ride of the trip. Sarge handed me all the park hopper passes and the guys headed back to the room and I headed across to the Photopass center across the walk. OH NO...the Photopass kiosk is closed and I was packing two free picture vouchers...

Off I go to DL to the Photopass center there on Mainstreet. Thank goodness Sarge had given me the tickets. Usually he has them. Quite a few extra steps but I was able to select our pictures with Woody and Jessie. I leisurely strolled down Mainstreet and smiled over what a wonderful vacation we had.

We placed our 4:45 am wake up call and finished our packing. We took a van taxi to the airport and were there by 6:30 am.

Well, that completes our New Year's Park Hopping trip report. I don't think we ever walked more on a Disney vacation. We were very happy with the pace of the trip, our beautiful room, the wonderful weather, and being able to spend an entire week together.

Was it less crowded vacationing the week after New Year's as compared to the week between Christmas and New Year's? Not that we noticed.

We think our next Disney vacation will be more than a year off...there is talk amongst our offspring of going to Star Wars Weekend in 2013. I reminded them in 2007 SWW was 'Africa hot'. The lure of the water parks and all things Star Wars is winning right now.

I'll have to get my Disney fix through reading the great TR of other DISers.

Thanks for reading!

TK

 

[IndayMichelle]

Loved it! Hooray for completed TRs!

2013? What a countdown!

"Africa hot." LOL






Kind of sad it's over...but I think I might go back and read some of your other TRs.

 

[Minnie Sue Oz]

Thanks so much for sharing your adventures with us

I have thoroughly enjoyed your report........so much so that I have read all your old ones too!

I have definitely added a few new things to my list of things to do and eat whilst I am there in October!

Loved the tip about Jack in NOS! Not sure how we are going to adjust to the changes re fastpasses, but I am sure we will cope. We are a lot like you and like to have a stash, but from what I have read, this will be a thing of the past soon!!!

Your pics from the TOT are just sooo much fun!!!!

So, heres to many more Disney adventures!!!

Cheers

Sue

 

[mvf-m11c]

Hi Bret,
I have a Canon Rebel T2i. When I was choosing a new camera I stuck with the brand I knew. I've been very happy with the camera.

I see, it almost looked like a Nikon DSLR camera when I saw your pictures. Glad that you are enjoying your new DSLR camera.

Once again, you and your family is on TSMM when you arrived at DCA.

All of your group pictures are all great.

The food at Rancho del Zocalo looks very nice.

A great TR during the Holiday season and I'm glad that I got to read it. I'm hoping that I can do a good TR just like yours TK. Hopefully this upcoming trip will be good.

Thank you for an exciting TR.

 

[tksbaskets]

Loved it! Hooray for completed TRs!

2013? What a countdown!

"Africa hot." LOL

Kind of sad it's over...but I think I might go back and read some of your other TRs.

You could read our "First Trip Home" It was hot and humid that trip! Thanks for reading along. I'm gong to be enjoying your trips while I have my long wait!

Thanks so much for sharing your adventures with us

I have thoroughly enjoyed your report........so much so that I have read all your old ones too!

I have definitely added a few new things to my list of things to do and eat whilst I am there in October!

Loved the tip about Jack in NOS! Not sure how we are going to adjust to the changes re fastpasses, but I am sure we will cope. We are a lot like you and like to have a stash, but from what I have read, this will be a thing of the past soon!!!

Your pics from the TOT are just sooo much fun!!!!

So, heres to many more Disney adventures!!!

Cheers

Sue

Thank you for the kind words Sue. Now I have to comb the DIS boards for what Disney is planning for the FP system.

I see, it almost looked like a Nikon DSLR camera when I saw your pictures. Glad that you are enjoying your new DSLR camera.

Once again, you and your family is on TSMM when you arrived at DCA.

All of your group pictures are all great.

The food at Rancho del Zocalo looks very nice.

A great TR during the Holiday season and I'm glad that I got to read it. I'm hoping that I can do a good TR just like yours TK. Hopefully this upcoming trip will be good.

Thank you for an exciting TR.

Your TR are always FABULOUS Bret I'm looking forward to following along with you as DCA opens Cars Land and BV street. It will be very interesting to see and I know you'll share wonderful photographs with us all.

 

[CB Jamboree]

Thanks for the great TR! I really enjoyed reading along. I liked the pics from Blue Sky Cellar. I have always wanted to visit but never have made it in Think I will definitely have to stop in on my next visit!

 

[tksbaskets]

Thanks for the great TR! I really enjoyed reading along. I liked the pics from Blue Sky Cellar. I have always wanted to visit but never have made it in Think I will definitely have to stop in on my next visit!

Thank you for reading it! The Blue Sky Cellar is a nice quiet place to visit to see what the Imagineers have in store for us at DL/DCA.

When is your next visit. You know I'm going to have to get my Disney fix through the boards for over a year.

 

[deejdigsdis]

Hi TK! Glad to be back to the TR section...sad that your TR is over. You had so many great pictures this time around. You and your family look like you have a lot of fun together. Love to see that.

You really rocked the PP pictures this time around! The on-ride pictures as well.

Interesting that you didn't really notice a difference in crowds between the 2 weeks.

It will be interesting to see what happens if the FP return times begin to be enforced. Between that and the rumors of Indy and BTMR being closed for months this Fall... our next trip will be a bit different. October is the plan for my family, CB Jamboree (sis), another sis and her adult son, our younger brother, his wife and 4 kids -- who have never been before. I have my Disney calendar to help me count down the days.

Thanks for another great TR!

 

[tksbaskets]

Hi TK! Glad to be back to the TR section...sad that your TR is over. You had so many great pictures this time around. You and your family look like you have a lot of fun together. Love to see that.

You really rocked the PP pictures this time around! The on-ride pictures as well.

Interesting that you didn't really notice a difference in crowds between the 2 weeks.

It will be interesting to see what happens if the FP return times begin to be enforced. Between that and the rumors of Indy and BTMR being closed for months this Fall... our next trip will be a bit different. October is the plan for my family, CB Jamboree (sis), another sis and her adult son, our younger brother, his wife and 4 kids -- who have never been before. I have my Disney calendar to help me count down the days.

Thanks for another great TR!

I was very pleased with our PP pics! Last year I didn't buy the CD as we only had about 20 pics on it.

Your next trip is in October? YEAH! It will be fun to go with newbies and see DL through their eyes with your expert guidance.

I sure hope they don't close Indy and change the FP time. That would really change the way we do Disney.

Thanks for reading!
TK

 

[DisneyFreak06]

Thanks for sharing! That was a great TR!

I've never been to DL, but I'm going in just over two weeks! Do you need to get your hand stamped each time you leave a park? It seemed like you did it each time... I would have thought once would have been enough....

 

[tksbaskets]

Thanks for sharing! That was a great TR!

I've never been to DL, but I'm going in just over two weeks! Do you need to get your hand stamped each time you leave a park? It seemed like you did it each time... I would have thought once would have been enough....

Thanks for reading We probably didn't need to get our hands stamped every time but the cast members were happily weilding their stampers so we played along. Better safe then sorry

Have a blast on your first trip to Disneyland!! How exciting will you be doing a trip report?

 

[deejdigsdis]

ElecTRONica was taking place that evening on the backlot. When we got our TOT fastpasses we also got a token for a arcade game that was back in the corner by the bathrooms and the little water tower on the park map. Grumpy and Sarge got a head start and when Sarge and I arrived we were magically transported back to the 80's and our youth (OK, mine). Foreigner was playing "Waiting for a Girl Like You" and all the arcade game were the ones I played for hours in college and after. Then there it was...the game I excelled at in the 80's....

How quickly the moves come back, arm twitch, foot kick, rapid fire sequence, dodging the bombarding aliens.... Let's just say it's a good thing I ran out of tokens and someone took my spot while I looked around. I guess I know where my guys get their love of video gaming. LOL!

Hey TK...I thought of you today. My husband's company had a family party today...unlimited bowling, arcade games, pizza and soda for 6 hours. Each person was given a little credit card thing to use for the arcade games instead of tokens. So I thought of you when I was playing Galaga. No Foreigner and "Waiting For A Girl Like You" though. I told my husband -- regarding the unlimited arcade game playing -- "Man, this would have been a dream come true in the 80s!"

 

[DisneyFreak06]

Thanks for reading We probably didn't need to get our hands stamped every time but the cast members were happily weilding their stampers so we played along. Better safe then sorry

Have a blast on your first trip to Disneyland!! How exciting will you be doing a trip report?

Thanks for the response! I will be doing a trip report! I have a pre-tr started. Feel free to check it out. The link is in my signature. I am so excited! Two weeks from right now I'll be doing the Walk in Walt's Footsteps tour. I will warn you that there will be many, many, many pictures in my TR. Hope you like that!

 

[tksbaskets]

Hey TK...I thought of you today. My husband's company had a family party today...unlimited bowling, arcade games, pizza and soda for 6 hours. Each person was given a little credit card thing to use for the arcade games instead of tokens. So I thought of you when I was playing Galaga. No Foreigner and "Waiting For A Girl Like You" though. I told my husband -- regarding the unlimited arcade game playing -- "Man, this would have been a dream come true in the 80s!"

Isn't that the truth! Many quarters spent in my youth to try and destroy aliens. Sounds like my kind of party

Thanks for the response! I will be doing a trip report! I have a pre-tr started. Feel free to check it out. The link is in my signature. I am so excited! Two weeks from right now I'll be doing the Walk in Walt's Footsteps tour. I will warn you that there will be many, many, many pictures in my TR. Hope you like that!

I will for sure join your trip report. I love pictures!! Bring 'em on.

 

[DisneyFreak06]

Hop on over!

 

[IndayMichelle]

TK I wanted to let you know I didn't eat a single red grape this last trip. I did, however, drink an insane amount of chocolate milk.