Our Magical Mother Daughter Trip - Complete!

[Jennifer03]

I am trying to remember where exactly in A Bug's Land we heard the noises from the bushes/plants. If I recall, we heard them in a couple of different locations, I think. I am trying to remember where we stopped, because that is when we heard things. If we had kept walking, we wouldn't have heard any bug noises. I THINK that one of the places might have been outside the restrooms. I could be wrong, but I recall stopping there. I know my friend was standing by a plant or bush or something, and all of a sudden a rustling of some kind from behind the bush startled her. And then I think another noise - like chewing or something - came from that same location. We also stopped by the little spinning Ladybugs - so we may have heard a bug noise from the foliage there too! I thought it was such a cool touch to add to ABL that a lot of people probably don't catch the first or second time they go there! I saw the giant popsicle stick bench! I guess that is what the holiday ornaments are going to be like - oversized and exaggerated! I can't wait to see them! I bet they even have a cool bug holiday tree of some kind!!!

I'll be sure to stop at those locations and listen for the noises.

When I first saw this pic I was like, "Why is that giant screen up like that?" Then I realized it was a reflection. LOL Silly me.

Ok, back to the report....

I never noticed that, but it does look like a screen doesn't it? I don't know why it didn't occur to me to pull the drapes across before taking a picture!

Your mom has Mickey Ears due to the CA Screamin behind her! Do they put people in that position all the time? I never noticed it before!

that's awesome!

great pictures, BTW.

Thanks! I've seen pictures here on the Dis where the photographer aligns the ears behind someone's head. Actually, the photopass photographer didn't even tell my mom he was going to do that. It was cute though.

I had seen some other PhotoPass pictures with the perfectly placed ears behind people's heads, and I desperately wanted one. However, when I asked one of our PP photographers to do that for me, she said okay, and when I looked at my photos, I didn't have ears coming out of my head like Jennifer's mom does in that photo. I had a whole mouse head coming out of my head and it just looked wrong. So I got the feeling that the PP photographer didn't know how to do it right. So then I tried to do it on my about-to-die camera. I got a nice picture of my friend with the well-placed ears. She took one of me, and, again, I had a whole head coming out of my head! No one can get me with the ears! They don't realize that you have to actually frame it right and position yourself and the subject a certain way to get the ears just so. People tend to want to just snap the picture with no work involved and be done with it!

I hope you are able to get a picture with the ears behind your head on your next trip! Hopefully it will be a different photographer at that location who knows how to do it right!

Love it!! Keep it coming!!!
Thanks for all the pictures!

I'm glad you're enjoying my trip report!

 

[Jennifer03]

Tuesday, November 4, 2008 continued

Once we were done taking pictures, we entered Tomorrowland. For some reason we’ve always overlooked Tomorrowland, but during my planning I realized how much there is to do there.

Our first ride was Finding Nemo Submarine Voyage. When we were there last year soon after the ride opened, it had a three hour wait. So this was our first time on the ride. I remember going on the original submarine ride, so I was looking forward to see how the Nemo version was. The wait time wasn’t too long, only about thirty minutes.

We rode Autopia next, which had a thirty minute wait as well. This seems to be a popular attraction so I figured it must be fun, right? Honestly, I really didn’t like it very much. I thought the gas petal would be easy to push, like in a real car (and I have pretty strong leg muscles since I work out regularly). Maybe it was just the car we were in, who knows. I’m glad I tried it once though.

It was nearly 11:30 at this time, so we headed to River Belle Terrace for lunch. They were still serving breakfast when we arrived, so we waited for a few minutes behind the rope on the left side. We both ordered the kid’s turkey sandwich. I really liked that it was carved turkey, rather than just lunch meat. We sat outside to eat since the weather was so nice.

After lunch we rode Pirates of the Caribbean. There was no line at all and we walked right onto our boat. We were in the second to last row and the people behind us talked loudly throughout the entire ride! So annoying.

We took some pictures in the Court des Anges next. It was so cramped in there with all the Christmas merchandise.

Haunted Mansion Holiday was our next ride. I had never seen the Haunted Mansion with the holiday changes and I loved it so much more than the regular version. I with it would stay up all year long.

 

[Jennifer03]

Tuesday, November 4, 2008 continued

After the ride we stopped at the New Orleans Holiday Cart. My older brother loves Disneyland as well as The Nightmare Before Christmas, so we bought him a little Jack antenna topper to put on his desk at work.

We wanted to walk through Tarzan’s Treehouse, but it was closed. We even went back later in the day, but it never opened. I thought this was odd since it wasn’t on the refurbishment list.

Next: Toontown!

 

[Sherry E]

I can't wait for your ToonTown recap! I love all your pictures anyway (for the reasons I stated in my first post), and I know you must have gotten some good shots of the different things in ToonTown. That place is just begging for pictures to be taken (much like A Bug's Land)! (Plus, I happen to love the Roger Rabbit's Car Toon Spin ride, which many folks have given up on, so I love going back there! I also love the Gag Factory shop because they often have really clever little souvenirs in stock that have sold out in other shops in the park!)

 

[prettyprincessbelle]

Great update, Jennifer! Can't wait for more!

Your turkey sandwich from River Belle Terrace looks yummy!

 

[Jennifer03]

I can't wait for your ToonTown recap! I love all your pictures anyway (for the reasons I stated in my first post), and I know you must have gotten some good shots of the different things in ToonTown. That place is just begging for pictures to be taken (much like A Bug's Land)! (Plus, I happen to love the Roger Rabbit's Car Toon Spin ride, which many folks have given up on, so I love going back there! I also love the Gag Factory shop because they often have really clever little souvenirs in stock that have sold out in other shops in the park!)

Toontown was fun, especially since I've never spent much time there. I've never been on Roger Rabbit's Car Toon Spin. I'll have to try that on another trip.

Great update, Jennifer! Can't wait for more!

Your turkey sandwich from River Belle Terrace looks yummy!

I'm glad you're enjoying my trip report.

 

[travelmel]

I was right with you in terms of riding the Subs first!

I also remember the original subs and for that return to my childhood, I gave the Subs my FAVORITE RIDE vote during my last trip. How did you like it??

I think it's fun to see all the little details on Autopia and that's about it. For me, it was great this last trip because my DD's got a big kick out of it and it's fun to watch their little faces glow.

 

[trodrigue]

Great Report, enjoying all your photos.

 

[Jennifer03]

I was right with you in terms of riding the Subs first!

I also remember the original subs and for that return to my childhood, I gave the Subs my FAVORITE RIDE vote during my last trip. How did you like it??

I think it's fun to see all the little details on Autopia and that's about it. For me, it was great this last trip because my DD's got a big kick out of it and it's fun to watch their little faces glow.

I thought Finding Nemo Submarine Voyage was really cute overall. I especially loved seeing Darla scuba diving!

I agree with you about Autopia. I'm glad I tried it once, just so I could see the signs and other little details throughout the ride. I can see how it would be fun for children though, since they can't drive yet.

Great Report, enjoying all your photos.

Thanks!

 

[Jennifer03]

Tuesday, November 4, 2008 continued

After leaving New Orleans Square, we stopped at a bathroom in Fantasyland. I loved how the stall doors looked like playing cards. I would have taken a picture, but there were other people in there.

I stopped for a quick picture with the White Rabbit.

We headed for Toontown but made one other stop for pictures at the stationary teacup. When we were in Fantasyland earlier that morning, the teacup was still wet from the rain. The sun had dried it off, and we were able to sit in it now.

We eventually made it to Toowntown. This is another place we had never spent much time in. I was looking forward to walking through Mickey and Minnie’s houses.

We visited Minnie’s house first. I definitely thought her house was the cutest. I just wish it was bigger!

Then we moved on to Mickey’s house.

After exploring their homes, we took some pictures on the Jolly Trolley.

We checked out the mailboxes at the post office next.

Next: Indy, Buzz, and a dream!

 

[travelmel]

Nice Toon Town Pics! You're lucky it, it looked like it wasn't over-crowded. I was in there once and it was WALL TO WALL in the Mouses Houses.

I don't remember that White Rabbit statue. You can bet next time I'm there, now that I've been hanging out here :: I'll be noticing more stuff!

 

[Jennifer03]

Nice Toon Town Pics! You're lucky it, it looked like it wasn't over-crowded. I was in there once and it was WALL TO WALL in the Mouses Houses.

I don't remember that White Rabbit statue. You can bet next time I'm there, now that I've been hanging out here :: I'll be noticing more stuff!

Thanks, Toontown wasn't too crowded. Minnie's house felt kind of cramped, but I think that's just because it's so small.

The White Rabbit statue is to the right of the Fantasyland bathrooms. I had never noticed him before this trip.

 

[Jennifer03]

Tuesday, November 4, 2008 continued

After leaving Toontown, we rode Indiana Jones Adventure. The line was incredibly short and we only waited about five minutes.

After that we stopped and shared a Dole Whip.

Then we walked right onto Buzz Lightyear Astro Blasters. This was my first time on the ride. I actually liked Toy Story Midway Mania better than Buzz though.

Since we were in Tomorrowland, we watched Honey, I Shrunk the Audience after riding Buzz. I thought that film was so cheesy and outdated, but I’m glad I watched it, since it was also something new for me.

I had always seen the Mark Twin Riverboat, but for some reason never went on it. I made sure to change that this trip. So after watching the 3D film, we headed straight to Frontierland. We walked through the turnstile and sat in the waiting area for the Mark Twain, which would be arriving in fifteen minutes. We were the only ones waiting at that point. I saw the cast member walk over to us and say, “Why don’t you have your dream ears?” I didn’t understand why he was asking since we hadn’t seen the dream team all day. That’s when he told us they were giving away dream ears right behind us along the Rivers of America. He told us to go over since Disney doesn’t give away free stuff very often. Of course we went right over and got our dream ears! I had actually thought earlier in the day about not seeing the dream team, but I really didn’t care since everything had gone so perfectly on this trip. I’m so grateful to that cast member for pointing them out to us. It made our trip even better (and I didn’t think that was possible!). That same cast member actually came over and talked to us while we were on the Mark Twain. He was such a nice old man.

I love that the year is printed on the back. What a nice remembrance.

The Mark Train came soon after we sat back down. I really enjoyed the ride, it was so relaxing.

I know most people use the train as a means of transportation, but we always love to take the grand circle tour. It’s nice because we can rest while seeing things you don’t get to see unless you’re on the train.

We passed through New Orleans Square on our way to Main Street.

We also stopped at Pooh’s Corner in Critter Country and bought two chocolate caramel pretzel rods to eat later that night. They were good, but very overpriced in my opinion. We also made a quick stop at the Emporium on Main Street.

The train was just leaving when we arrived so we waited at the station for a while.

I took another picture of some Christmas decorations in New Orleans Square while on the train.

 

[Jennifer03]

I love the luggage at the Toontown station.

It was almost 5 when we got off the train, so we headed to Plaza Inn for dinner. I had been in here once on my first trip to Disneyland, but I didn’t remember how beautiful it was! I will definitely be coming back here on my next trip. We both had the kid’s penne pasta. It came with half a breadstick, apple slices, and carrot sticks. It was too much food for me, so I saved my carrots for later.

After dinner we left Disneyland and went to World of Disney in Downtown Disney. As soon as I walked in, I saw plush Mickey snowmen. I knew I had to buy one since I love snowmen. It wasn’t too expensive either.

Then we walked back to our room where we watched Dancing with the Stars and ate our chocolate caramel pretzel rods. Yum!

Next: Our last morning

 

[Sherry E]

I love that adorable Mickey snowman! I have a musical plush Mickey snowman that I got back in the late '80s or early '90s, and I love it, BUT the one you got looks cuter because it seems small and compact. Is it a pint-sized Mickey snowman? I might have to get that when I am there.

Oh, and I love Dancing with the Stars too!

 

[travelmel]

This is SO embarrassing! My DH is sitting next to me on his own computer and all the sudden he says, "YES! I totally beat that person's score."

I ignored him, as I sometimes do.. but then he poked me and I looked over and he had HIS picture of his emailed score on Buzz Lightyear that he was comparing to yours!



Anyway, Great update!

You guys eat like birds.. I wish I could do that. I have really bad habits. Ah well..

Yea you and the Dream Team!!

I'm usually pretty luck about winning stuff but we never saw 'em. We did win some extra FP's from a cast member who loved our Dis-shirts!

 

[prettyprincessbelle]

Woooohoooo for getting dreamed!!! What a nice thing for that CM to do too! We got dreamed with Dream Ears in October at the entrance to the castle.

That pasta from the Plaza Inn looks really good. I love just plain pasta with sauce like that. I want to eat there next week. I want the fried chicken, but that pasta looks super yummy.

Boo, only 1 more day!!!

 

[Jennifer03]

I love that adorable Mickey snowman! I have a musical plush Mickey snowman that I got back in the late '80s or early '90s, and I love it, BUT the one you got looks cuter because it seems small and compact. Is it a pint-sized Mickey snowman? I might have to get that when I am there.

Oh, and I love Dancing with the Stars too!

The Mickey snowman that I bought is 8 inches tall (from his bottom to the top of his hat). I'll bet the Mickey musical snowman you bought years ago is adorable! And yes, Dancing with the Stars is great! I just started watching last year and have been hooked ever since.

This is SO embarrassing! My DH is sitting next to me on his own computer and all the sudden he says, "YES! I totally beat that person's score."

I ignored him, as I sometimes do.. but then he poked me and I looked over and he had HIS picture of his emailed score on Buzz Lightyear that he was comparing to yours!



Anyway, Great update!

You guys eat like birds.. I wish I could do that. I have really bad habits. Ah well..

Yea you and the Dream Team!!

I'm usually pretty luck about winning stuff but we never saw 'em. We did win some extra FP's from a cast member who loved our Dis-shirts!

I used to have some bad eating habits as well. I made the decision to eat healthier the summer before my senior year of high school. I began working out daily and cooking my own meals. It soon became a habit and a part of my life. Weight Watchers has some great recipes that don't taste like health food at all. They're actually full of flavor and extremely delicious. If you're interested, I highly recommend their cookbooks.

That's so awesome that you were given extra fast passes! I love hearing stories about how cast members make a guest's day at Disneyland even more magical.

Woooohoooo for getting dreamed!!! What a nice thing for that CM to do too! We got dreamed with Dream Ears in October at the entrance to the castle.

That pasta from the Plaza Inn looks really good. I love just plain pasta with sauce like that. I want to eat there next week. I want the fried chicken, but that pasta looks super yummy.

Boo, only 1 more day!!!

Yes, that cast member was such a nice man. I'm so thankful that he told us about the Dream Team standing right behind us. I hadn't even noticed them since I was too busy thinking about riding on the Mark Twain. Congrats on getting dream ears in October! They're such a nice keepsake.

 

[travelmel]

Thank you for the suggestions.

I have been on and off Weight Watchers for 23 years. I need to get back to the program

I'm old. I know my body and it hates me. lol

There was another "older" cast member over at DCA that really made DDC's day. She was wearing a Happy Birthday sticker... no problem, they were out of buttons. He commented on it and was off and running (we figured he was on a break? ) we were playing in the ..what's it called... Redwood playground... and he came back about a full 5 minutes later (no people around so we kept swinging on the zipline) and presented both DD's with buttons. DDC was especially happy because he had asked her name and she said, "Cassy" so that's what the button said. I had made her get "Cassidy" on her sticker. So she was pleased.

What a sweet ole guy! He made her day, for sure.

 

[Sherry E]

Thank you for the suggestions.

I have been on and off Weight Watchers for 23 years. I need to get back to the program

I'm old. I know my body and it hates me. lol

There was another "older" cast member over at DCA that really made DDC's day. She was wearing a Happy Birthday sticker... no problem, they were out of buttons. He commented on it and was off and running (we figured he was on a break? ) we were playing in the ..what's it called... Redwood playground... and he came back about a full 5 minutes later (no people around so we kept swinging on the zipline) and presented both DD's with buttons. DDC was especially happy because he had asked her name and she said, "Cassy" so that's what the button said. I had made her get "Cassidy" on her sticker. So she was pleased.


What a sweet ole guy! He made her day, for sure.

That is yet another thing I love about DLR - there is no discrimination in who they hire based on age, race, weight, gender, sexual orientation, none of it! You can literally see someone who looks like they are 17 working a ride, and then see a kindly 75-year-old taking tickets at the turnstiles a few feet away. There are all colors, shapes and sizes working in DLR, and I think that is fantastic! Sad to say, but it is not always like that in the 'real world,' even here in open-minded, laid back California!