Our First Trip as Parents! December 2012 TR - 8/6 OMG a TR link!

[Pinkocto]

I was pleasantly surprised by Cosmic Rays as well. Too true, food is there to eat, you must help it fulfill its destiny!

There are so many people at the party, I'll be curious as to your overall feelings about it.

 

[WDisneyMom]

The sweet treat display is making me drool! YUM!!

Isn't the Christmas Party the best?!! I love all of the decorations, just beautiful. That was nice of your Mom to keep the baby so you could have a date night, every parent needs that!!

 

[franandaj]

You beat me to my question, I don't know how you guys eat all that food! I guess you're still young. Wait until you're old and decrepit like me. Just looking at food causes me to put on weight!

Your DH is so funny sitting in that chair. He does look like he's in his element!

Looking forward to more from the party. I've never been to a hard ticket event.

 

[Leshaface]

Hey girl! Sorry I got behind. There's so much to comment on, so I'm going to sum it up:

Love the MK pictures- it's my favorite park!
I cannot wait to see the new Fantasyland! Beauty and the Beast is my favorite!

No worries my friend!

I think you'll love the New Fantasyland. It's so nice and I think it will be even nicer once it is fully completed.

Ok, a few things here...

First of all, love the bonus dessert. The CM experience at Cosmic Ray's seems like it was great for you guys! And I don't understand why you aren't pleased that you ate all of your food. That's what it is there for!!! Maybe you should have skipped Cosmic Rays and just got a pork shank instead since you were heading to Gaston's Tavern anyway... and yes, rum will make just about any drink better.


We did notice the CM's checking wristbands a little bit more this year than last. Last year we went on a cooler night. I had a sweatshirt on and my wrist band was underneath my sleeve all night. The only time I ever had a CM ask to see it was in the line for Tomorrowland Speedway, of all things. The checkpoints they had set up where they essentially blocked the entire walkway and you couldn't get through without showing it was a welcome addition, if you ask me. The only thing is it seemed like they disbanded after about the first hour or so. It seems to me like it would still be easy for someone without a band to hang out somewhere for a while and then still be in the park.

I'm not used to eating so much fried food in one sitting, but it was delicious!

We took our sweaters but didn't end up wearing them at all because it felt so nice out. Which I guess is another plus since we didn't have to physically show our bands too much, you were able to see them pretty clearly. Exactly! The CM's where like road blocks to certain areas which I liked.

I was pleasantly surprised by Cosmic Rays as well. Too true, food is there to eat, you must help it fulfill its destiny!

There are so many people at the party, I'll be curious as to your overall feelings about it.

I felt like there were a lot of people trying to exit the park and not a lot of people at the party. I know that night wasn't sold out, and all rides were walk on!

The sweet treat display is making me drool! YUM!!

Isn't the Christmas Party the best?!! I love all of the decorations, just beautiful. That was nice of your Mom to keep the baby so you could have a date night, every parent needs that!!

The party was really one of the highlights of our trip! I think she really liked hanging back in the room with the baby and watching tv and reading magazines. That is something she loves to do at home!

You beat me to my question, I don't know how you guys eat all that food! I guess you're still young. Wait until you're old and decrepit like me. Just looking at food causes me to put on weight!

Your DH is so funny sitting in that chair. He does look like he's in his element!

Looking forward to more from the party. I've never been to a hard ticket event.

Pssh, what are you talking about!? I see all the glorious food porn you post on your TR's. Everything from 7 courses to that magnificent roast

I really enjoyed MVMCP. In fact, it's something I would do again when DS is older. ....or perhaps without him again hehe

 

[monica23535]

The food at Cosmic Rays looked great! We always enjoy eating there.


Glad you enjoyed MVMCP, we did it once back in 2009, haven't been to one since only MNSSHP x 2

 

[franandaj]

Pssh, what are you talking about!? I see all the glorious food porn you post on your TR's. Everything from 7 courses to that magnificent roast

I really enjoyed MVMCP. In fact, it's something I would do again when DS is older. ....or perhaps without him again hehe

Yeah, but when I put on my dress to go to Narcoossee's last night, it didn't fit nearly as well as it did before I left!

 

[heathsf]

It is ridiculously easy to PH and you'll see why when you get there. DCA is literally right across the esplanade from DL. It's so much different from WDW, that's for sure.

Aw man! That would be awesome if you could get to Trader Sams. Such a cool place. Or if you're really trying to get somewhere for drinks, the Grand Californian is much closer and they have a nice, relaxing lounge. I believe it's called the Hearthstone Lounge, and you can enter the hotel via Downtown Disney. I'm pretty sure it stays open until 11pm. Your drive from LAX to DL should be easy and you shouldn't hit traffic so you should get there in less than 40 minutes.

How sad am I? I've never done Grauman's Theater. I have 'seen' the Hollywood Sign from freeways and somewhat from the Hollywood Bowl but that's pretty much it

I'm so excited for you and i'm anxious to hear what you think of DL.

I'm hoping we can stay on East Cost time so that we easily make rope drop that next morning, which would mean going directly to bed as soon as we get to the hotel It's already going to feel like midnight for us by the time we land. I really wish we could have taken an earlier flight but there was no way I could take off more time from work. Stopping by the GC may be a good idea for a quick drink though if we can squeeze it in that night. We'll see...

I can't believe you haven't been to the Theater! How far is all this Hollywood touristy stuff from where you live? This reminds me of when I discovered that Bobby had never been to the Empire State Building. Like...what??!? It's right here!!

I will probably write a very mini TR about our DL experience. I feel like there are a lot of very short, one post reviews of DL on the boards. I'd like to do something a little more in depth for all the WDW vets out there who end up with just one day like we did. Plus then I can relive it afterwards!

Anyway, back to your TR, great update! I can't believe how much you guys ate! I'm looking forward to seeing more New Fantasyland pictures. It looks so awesome, I can't wait to see it one day...eventually... .......

 

[My sister's princess]

Love the brew review!!! Can't wait to see what the rest of the night brings!

 

[franandaj]

I can't believe you haven't been to the Theater! How far is all this Hollywood touristy stuff from where you live? This reminds me of when I discovered that Bobby had never been to the Empire State Building. Like...what??!? It's right here!!

Forgive me for answering for her, but I need something to keep my mind off bad news I can do nothing about. From where Leshaface lives now, it's 3-4 hours to Hollywood and LA. From where she went to school (where I live) it's about 30 min without traffic (never happens), more like an hour.

Hollywood can be really seedy and sometimes dangerous after dark. Just like parts of NYC and the surrounding burroughs. I think you said you were staying at the Sheraton Universal. If you go to Hollywood and Highland, Watch out for the character impersonators, have been reports on the news of them harassing folks who take their pictures without compensating them. Plus they have gotten in fights over "who stands where" on the street.

A lot of that Hollywood stuff is staged for the benefit of tourists. If I had advice I would give it to you, but I only make it up there to see shows at the Pantages or the El Capitan. You might try a Gray Line sightseeing tour. The one of the celebrity death sites has always sounded intersting to me, but I'm strange.

I used to live up in the SF Valley and wish that I could remember some of the fun stuff to do there. I hope you enjoy your trip out west!

 

[Leshaface]

The food at Cosmic Rays looked great! We always enjoy eating there.

Glad you enjoyed MVMCP, we did it once back in 2009, haven't been to one since only MNSSHP x 2

i've heard great things about MNSSHP. If we ever get to WDW during October (which is a good chance since DH has the entire second week off every October) we'll check that out.

Yeah, but when I put on my dress to go to Narcoossee's last night, it didn't fit nearly as well as it did before I left!

Uhoh! That just means you had a great vacation

I'm hoping we can stay on East Cost time so that we easily make rope drop that next morning, which would mean going directly to bed as soon as we get to the hotel It's already going to feel like midnight for us by the time we land. I really wish we could have taken an earlier flight but there was no way I could take off more time from work. Stopping by the GC may be a good idea for a quick drink though if we can squeeze it in that night. We'll see...

I can't believe you haven't been to the Theater! How far is all this Hollywood touristy stuff from where you live? This reminds me of when I discovered that Bobby had never been to the Empire State Building. Like...what??!? It's right here!!

I will probably write a very mini TR about our DL experience. I feel like there are a lot of very short, one post reviews of DL on the boards. I'd like to do something a little more in depth for all the WDW vets out there who end up with just one day like we did. Plus then I can relive it afterwards!

Anyway, back to your TR, great update! I can't believe how much you guys ate! I'm looking forward to seeing more New Fantasyland pictures. It looks so awesome, I can't wait to see it one day...eventually... .......

We're about 3 hours from Hollywood and i'm not sure why we've never gone but now I feel like a horrible Californian!

Well whatever your plan ends up being, I can't wait to read about it. Is DF excited, even a little bit??

Love the brew review!!! Can't wait to see what the rest of the night brings!

Coming right up!

Forgive me for answering for her, but I need something to keep my mind off bad news I can do nothing about. From where Leshaface lives now, it's 3-4 hours to Hollywood and LA. From where she went to school (where I live) it's about 30 min without traffic (never happens), more like an hour.

Hollywood can be really seedy and sometimes dangerous after dark. Just like parts of NYC and the surrounding burroughs. I think you said you were staying at the Sheraton Universal. If you go to Hollywood and Highland, Watch out for the character impersonators, have been reports on the news of them harassing folks who take their pictures without compensating them. Plus they have gotten in fights over "who stands where" on the street.

A lot of that Hollywood stuff is staged for the benefit of tourists. If I had advice I would give it to you, but I only make it up there to see shows at the Pantages or the El Capitan. You might try a Gray Line sightseeing tour. The one of the celebrity death sites has always sounded intersting to me, but I'm strange.

I used to live up in the SF Valley and wish that I could remember some of the fun stuff to do there. I hope you enjoy your trip out west!

Have you heard anything else yet about Sunny? I commented on your thread so i'm sure you'll answer there first...

 

[Leshaface]

I left us off with Dh flaunting his manliness at Gastons Tavern. I guess Dh needed to check that his bulging biceps were still manly, so he went to the restroom. I noticed these cool water faucets while waiting

And because I was still waiting, my view of the castle from where I was sitting

When Dh came out, we went to check out the new Bonjour Village Gift Shop where there is some pretty cool merchandise and home décor items. This is where Dhs manliness immediately flew out the window. The way they decorated the shop is very nice. Unlike any other Disney store weve been into. Just a side note: Dh decorates our house&yes. I said it. Im embarrassed to say that for all involved. I just dont have that womans touch I guess, but DH does. So he starts picking items up and realizes that they arent for sale. He goes over to one of the female CMs and asks her if they sell any of their décor. No lie she says, Youre the third guy today thats asked about the décor! One of the men, she said decorated his families home because his wife doesnt have good taste.. I rose my hand slowly and said, Me too& all ashamed. It was pretty funny and she said she would have to tell her manager about all of the comments that theyre getting regarding the décor. Sadly, we didnt end up buying anything from there. Moving on!

Even though we have the Little Mermaid ride over at Disneys California Adventure and had been on it plenty of times, we figured we would check this one out. WAAAY better at WDW! The queue is pretty fantastic. After our journey (which was no wait), I wanted to see what Ariels Grotto was. I asked a CM and she said we get to meet Ariel. She said the wait was less than 5 minutes so of course we had to do it!

Things got awkward in this picture.

Ariel asked for Dhs name and he said, Uhhh, Im sorry, what? Clearly he was not paying attention to what she was asking, but rather, ogling her. He told me after, when I was making fun of him, that he was distracted by how cute she was and wasnt paying attention to what she was saying!

I, on the other hand, can talk with no problem (check out his creepy grin! lol!)

She was super cute and fun to talk to! After our meet with Ariel, I of course worked up a small appetite from making fun of and laughing at DH for his awful character interaction, so we made our way to Pinocchios Village Haus for some hot chocolate and cookies

Everything was surprisingly good. The cookies, which Ive heard mediocre things about here on the boards, were not dry and flavorless at all. Definitely hit the spot!

I wanted to check out the interactive queue over at the Haunted Mansion, since Ive never seen it before so thats where we headed next.

There was a 5 minute wait posted. Perfect!

We were taken by surprise by many of the things here. This was fun.

And this was pretty neat. We were trying to figure out what you have to touch to make bubbles come out. Does anyone know?

At one point, DH started reading a book that is behind a cage and I decided now would be the perfect time to scare him. He was already a bit freaked from all the other random things and noises that were producing from the graveyard, so might as well add to the fun. I pretended to walk away to look at something else, then DH started calling for me. I ended up getting behind and shouted, BOO! super loud and he pretty much freaked out! Poor guy. At least there was no one around for him to be embarrassed in front of. We spend a good 15 minutes around the interactive queue with only a handful of people walking past into the standby line. It was great!

I got to say this, and I think a lot of people may disagree with me, but I LOVE this HM! I think its better than Disneylands. Putting on my flame suit. I dont know what it is. Maybe the whole eeriness of the HM at night or the fact that you cant really see other attractions while in line for the HM. Im not sure, but I love it.

By the time we got off the ride it was almost 8:45pm and the fireworks started at 9:30. We had time for one ride before the fireworks so we made our way to Splash Mountain, with another 5 minute wait! I dont even know why they posted 5 minutes, because we boarded a log immediately. For some reason we didnt get the Splash picture on our card. As we were leaving from Splash Mountain, we saw a massive, and I mean MASSIVE line for the Seven Dwarves. I think the wait was like 45 minutes to an hour. DH said, lets check the line after the fireworks and see how the line looks later. Alright I thought&he clearly didnt get that everyone would probably make their way over here after the fireworks show, but I entertained his idea anyway.

I had read on EasyWDW that a good viewing spot for the fireworks is in front of Caseys Corner, so thats where we headed. There was hardly anyone there! There was one row of people behind the fence that blocks off the street from the grass area, so we got behind some shorter people and we had a fantastic view!

Oh my gosh. I loved this show. The music was amazing and the fireworks were brilliant!

 

[My sister's princess]

YAY for another update!!! You are hitting all of the things that I haven't seen yet!!!

 

[dizneeat]

Wow! You have been busy posting updates! (I really suck with mine at the moment )
I so enjoy coming along for MVMCP! Brings back so many happy memories. The pictures of the two of you with Ariel are so cute.

 

[heathsf]

Forgive me for answering for her, but I need something to keep my mind off bad news I can do nothing about. From where Leshaface lives now, it's 3-4 hours to Hollywood and LA. From where she went to school (where I live) it's about 30 min without traffic (never happens), more like an hour.

Hollywood can be really seedy and sometimes dangerous after dark. Just like parts of NYC and the surrounding burroughs. I think you said you were staying at the Sheraton Universal. If you go to Hollywood and Highland, Watch out for the character impersonators, have been reports on the news of them harassing folks who take their pictures without compensating them. Plus they have gotten in fights over "who stands where" on the street.

A lot of that Hollywood stuff is staged for the benefit of tourists. If I had advice I would give it to you, but I only make it up there to see shows at the Pantages or the El Capitan. You might try a Gray Line sightseeing tour. The one of the celebrity death sites has always sounded intersting to me, but I'm strange.

I used to live up in the SF Valley and wish that I could remember some of the fun stuff to do there. I hope you enjoy your trip out west!

Sorry to hear you are dealing with bad news I hope everything is ok.
Thank you for the info, I really appreciate it. I'm really not a fan of posing with these "impostor" characters. The first time I saw that type of thing was in Europe and I had been warned that it was prime time to be pick-pocketed so we sort of kept our distance. Now all of a sudden they're everywhere in NYC and they're all so creepy looking because they're...well, impostors!! So we'll definitely watch out for that, thanks! I will look into a Gray Line tour. Celebrity deaths do sound interesting, although I'm the type of person who might enjoy it at the time but then be totally freaked out afterwards Thanks for all the advice

We're about 3 hours from Hollywood and i'm not sure why we've never gone but now I feel like a horrible Californian!

Well whatever your plan ends up being, I can't wait to read about it. Is DF excited, even a little bit??

You're not a horrible Californian!!! You have been to DL too many times to count and that's WAY more important than some touristy LA stuff!!! Anyone who lives where you do, but never visits DL, now that would be blasphemous! Plus 3 hours is decently far away. We are only a 10 minute drive from the George Washington Bridge without traffic... so Bobby has no excuse really

Oh, and about him being excited... Eh... He just sees DL as a smaller version of WDW, he doesn't *get* that this is Walt's Park - that Walt used to walk through it every day! I'm hoping he'll appreciate it when we're there. But he's at least excited that I'm excited, you know what I mean? Oh, and I also told him that I read that Space Mountain is 1,000 times better at DL, so he's looking forward to that.

 

[afwdwfan]

Wow, this must be the pick on DH update. Poor guy.

You can't really blame him for being a little distracted by Ariel though. I think that kind of counteracts the home decor thing.

I think they just post 5 minute waits, because they have to put something on the board... I guess for a ride like Splash, it probably takes about that long just to walk to the front of the line and sit down in a boat anyway.

And since you mentioned putting the flame suit on, let me just say that I appreciate your opinions of the comparisons between WDW and DL. Since I've never been to DL, I don't really know what to expect, but it seems like everyone always says HM and Fantasmic are soooooo much better at DL. I appreciate you sharing a different perspective on things, and you back it up with some good reasons.

MVMCP fireworks are amazing... We think it is pretty much worth the price of admission for the party just to be standing in the middle of the park seeing fireworks going off all around us.

 

[tinkgurl]

DH trying to look all cool for Ariel. How funny!

I think I'm going to lose a lot of money in the gift shop in the Beauty and the Beast area! I've seen some pictures of the merchandise in the shop and have already picked things out!

Yay for 0 - little wait times! That is always the best! Although, I do feel bad flying through a queue that is neat or interactive.

 

[Leshaface]

YAY for another update!!! You are hitting all of the things that I haven't seen yet!!!

I was trying to get some updates in before taking off for the coast this weekend. But it looks like I may be on the DIS a bit more seeing as it's going to be raining today

Wow! You have been busy posting updates! (I really suck with mine at the moment )
I so enjoy coming along for MVMCP! Brings back so many happy memories. The pictures of the two of you with Ariel are so cute.

Well aren't you getting ready for a trip fairly soon??

I totally enjoyed MVMCP. I've heard bad and good things about this hard ticket event, but we really loved it. Probably because it was our first official night off too without DS

Sorry to hear you are dealing with bad news I hope everything is ok.
Thank you for the info, I really appreciate it. I'm really not a fan of posing with these "impostor" characters. The first time I saw that type of thing was in Europe and I had been warned that it was prime time to be pick-pocketed so we sort of kept our distance. Now all of a sudden they're everywhere in NYC and they're all so creepy looking because they're...well, impostors!! So we'll definitely watch out for that, thanks! I will look into a Gray Line tour. Celebrity deaths do sound interesting, although I'm the type of person who might enjoy it at the time but then be totally freaked out afterwards Thanks for all the advice



You're not a horrible Californian!!! You have been to DL too many times to count and that's WAY more important than some touristy LA stuff!!! Anyone who lives where you do, but never visits DL, now that would be blasphemous! Plus 3 hours is decently far away. We are only a 10 minute drive from the George Washington Bridge without traffic... so Bobby has no excuse really

Oh, and about him being excited... Eh... He just sees DL as a smaller version of WDW, he doesn't *get* that this is Walt's Park - that Walt used to walk through it every day! I'm hoping he'll appreciate it when we're there. But he's at least excited that I'm excited, you know what I mean? Oh, and I also told him that I read that Space Mountain is 1,000 times better at DL, so he's looking forward to that.

At the bolded - I know WAY too many people that haven't been to DL and i'm What's wrong with you! I understand a lot of people can't afford it because it's insanely expensive. But i'm like, you can at LEAST drive down early in the morning, stay all day, don't PH, take a packed lunch of cold sandwiches, chips, fruit, etc, and don't buy souvenirs. You can completely make it a budget trip if needed. However, I would find ANY WAY POSSIBLE, to get myself down there, unlike other people. That's when you know you have a true Disney Freak.

I'm hoping he'll enjoy it a bit more once you guys are actually there. Maybe he'll like it more that you won't need to take any type of transportation from your hotel to the parks and vice versa. I can't remember, you said you're staying at Ramada Maingate? You're not too far at all from the main crosswalk to the parks.

Wow, this must be the pick on DH update. Poor guy.

You can't really blame him for being a little distracted by Ariel though. I think that kind of counteracts the home decor thing.

I think they just post 5 minute waits, because they have to put something on the board... I guess for a ride like Splash, it probably takes about that long just to walk to the front of the line and sit down in a boat anyway.

And since you mentioned putting the flame suit on, let me just say that I appreciate your opinions of the comparisons between WDW and DL. Since I've never been to DL, I don't really know what to expect, but it seems like everyone always says HM and Fantasmic are soooooo much better at DL. I appreciate you sharing a different perspective on things, and you back it up with some good reasons.

MVMCP fireworks are amazing... We think it is pretty much worth the price of admission for the party just to be standing in the middle of the park seeing fireworks going off all around us.

Pshahaha! You're so right, from home decor, to an ariel mishap, to being tormented at HM, this sounds like a 'bashing DH' type update Meh, he's used to it at home

Do you have any plans to get out to DL? Don't get me wrong, I really enjoy our HM, especially during the Nightmare Before Christmas overlay they have from October through January, but WDW is just more detailed. Would be cool if you could see that for yourself though

I loved the fireworks! And the parade that's coming up, I totally enjoyed. I'm not too into parades, but I liked this one.

DH trying to look all cool for Ariel. How funny!

I think I'm going to lose a lot of money in the gift shop in the Beauty and the Beast area! I've seen some pictures of the merchandise in the shop and have already picked things out!

Yay for 0 - little wait times! That is always the best! Although, I do feel bad flying through a queue that is neat or interactive.

They had such cute things in that shop! My favorite movie (classic) is Beauty and the Beast and Belle is my favorite princess, so this shop was right up my alley. I didn't want to buy anything that night and carry it around though.

 

[Leshaface]

Today we're leaving for the coast and I originally wasn't planning on taking my computer to get on the DIS, but now that I see the forecast calls for rain, i'm taking it. We're going to be wine tasting through Paso Robles too, so we'll see if i'll be at all to get an update in. Wine and typing?! Not the best combination so we'll see what happens

 

[afwdwfan]

Do you have any plans to get out to DL? Don't get me wrong, I really enjoy our HM, especially during the Nightmare Before Christmas overlay they have from October through January, but WDW is just more detailed. Would be cool if you could see that for yourself though

I don't have any plans to go, but I definitely want to, and I'm always looking for the right opportunity.

The conference that I went to in Nashville last month is scheduled for San Diego in 2015... I don't know for sure that I'll be going to the conference that year, but if I do, I'll be getting a rental car and stay out west a couple of extra days.

Today we're leaving for the coast and I originally wasn't planning on taking my computer to get on the DIS, but now that I see the forecast calls for rain, i'm taking it. We're going to be wine tasting through Paso Robles too, so we'll see if i'll be at all to get an update in. Wine and typing?! Not the best combination so we'll see what happens

Have fun! Sometimes wine and typing can be a good combination. Entertaining anyway!

 

[WDisneyMom]

So glad you loved the party!

I'm with your Mom, I love having some down time at Disney to do 'normal' things...never been the commando type in the parks. That is too exhausting for me! Haha.