Photo Trip Report: My 6 and 4 year-old park commandos -- How we conquered the World!

[jake&samsmom]

As we anxiously wait for the show to start, we hear the announcement, "We regret to inform you that tonight's performance of Dream...." -- What?!!!

They cancelled Dream Along with Mickey due to safety concerns regarding the water/ moisture on the stage, and that it may cause the dancers to slip/fall!

Sam was the most disappointed of all because he had wanted to see it earlier in the day while we were watching from the steps of Crystal Palace And I reassured him that we'd have time later in the evening

As consolation, the characters and some of the dancers came down to meet and greet with the crowd....


Sam wanted to see Donald, so....

DH took the next picture -- notice how Donald's hat is out of the frame

The boys also met with Sleeping beauty and the Prince....

And Sam said hi to some of the dancers in the show...

DH chanced upon a private chat between Mickey and Minnie (cute!):

After the meet-n'-greet, we decide to sit it out where we were (at the hub) for the Spectromagic parade. DH went to Casey's to bring us some much needed food. He brought us footlong hotdogs, corndogs and yummy hot fries. Not to mention ice cold lemonade.

I took plenty of Castle pics while night was falling...here's the best one....

Up next, our Spectromagic experience...
And Wishes (up close and personal)

 

[eyenjeff]

Can't wait to read more especially about my two most favorite parts of MK! Spectromagic and WISHES! I love to read about others feelings and ideas of everything. It is really cool to see how there are alot of the same things we all feel and how some are different or just a different view. Love the report, keep it coming!

 

[bettyann29]

What a wonderful report!!

I love love love all the pictures.. Your kiddos look so happy in all those pictures.. I love the reports with bunches of pictures..I feel like I was right there with you..

I especially loved the ones of Chef Mickey's.. we are planning our first time there in January.. Cant wait!

 

[Blessed_wth_Triplets]

Love it! Can't wait to see Spectromagic and Wishes! I LOVED LOVED wishes...but we didn't have a chance to see Spectromagic

 

[jake&samsmom]

Love it! Can't wait to see Spectromagic and Wishes! I LOVED LOVED wishes...but we didn't have a chance to see Spectromagic

What a wonderful report!!

I love love love all the pictures.. Your kiddos look so happy in all those pictures.. I love the reports with bunches of pictures..I feel like I was right there with you..

I especially loved the ones of Chef Mickey's.. we are planning our first time there in January.. Cant wait!

Can't wait to read more especially about my two most favorite parts of MK! Spectromagic and WISHES! I love to read about others feelings and ideas of everything. It is really cool to see how there are alot of the same things we all feel and how some are different or just a different view. Love the report, keep it coming!

Thanks for coming along with us on our trip




Wishes teaser....

 

[ILuvWishes!]

Wishes teaser....

Now, this is why I LUV WISHES!!!!!! WOW!!

Did you use a tripod for this picture? It is great!

Still looking for us in your photos.....

 

[Nicole786]

All caught up again! I love all of your pics! That meet and greet looks like fun, and that pic your DH caught is too cute!! Kind of a weird request but would it be possible to send me the original picture so I can use it as a desktop backgroud?

 

[jake&samsmom]

would it be possible to send me the original picture so I can use it as a desktop backgroud?

No problem I sent it to you via PM

 

[jake&samsmom]

Did you use a tripod for this picture? It is great! Still looking for us in your photos.....

We had lugged a tripod all the way from Houston, but it never left our hotel room

 

[jake&samsmom]

The Spectromagic parade begins...

The family decides to sit/stand on the benches by the hub. Here's our view of some of the floats.

Here's Mickey leading the way (please pardon some of the blurry images -- trying to make sure the boys don't fall off the bench we were standing on, while taking photos ) ...

I love the Magic singing harp from Mickey and the beanstalk...

More of the band...

Sam's favorite villain -- The Chernabog (he pronounces it "chernabob" )

My favorite Spectromagic float of all --- Cinderella!

I love how it changes colors. I also love how her dress has all those sparkly lights!

Up next, Wishes!

 

[eyenjeff]

Great pics! Can't wait for your wishes photos! If they are anything like the teaser, they will be great! What kind of camera do you have? The pic is sooo clear!

 

[kaysmommie]

Wow you had a full day at MK! Love all your parde pics and the one with Donald Duck is so cute too. That Wishes pic is awesome too.

 

[LBelle]

LOVE this report! Just starting page 4 now, but as you can see...it's time for bed! Can't wait to get to the rest! Makes me feel like we were there all over again!!!

Your family is beautiful!!

 

[Monica20039]

Your trip report is so awesome! I spent my whole lunch hour and then some (don't tell my boss) just trying to catch up. I'm hooked.

What kind of camera do you have? It takes wonderful pictures.

 

[jake&samsmom]

Your trip report is so awesome! I spent my whole lunch hour and then some (don't tell my boss) just trying to catch up. I'm hooked.

What kind of camera do you have? It takes wonderful pictures.

Hi Monica! I have a Canon 850 IS Elph. It is Pocket-sized, really awesome! My bro has a high tech SLR Nikon something , and I think the picture quality is very much similar (I'm no pro, though )

I've been slacking at work the past weeks while posting our trip report . So last week and this week is catch up time for paperwork here.

My goal is to post the Wishes pics and finish our MK day by tomorrow evening (fingers crossed).

LOVE this report! Just starting page 4 now, but as you can see...it's time for bed! Can't wait to get to the rest! Makes me feel like we were there all over again!!!

Your family is beautiful!!

Thanks for joining us on our journey . More to come tomorrow, I promise

Wow you had a full day at MK! Love all your parde pics and the one with Donald Duck is so cute too. That Wishes pic is awesome too.

Thanks for your very kind words. Love your trippie too!

Great pics! Can't wait for your wishes photos! If they are anything like the teaser, they will be great! What kind of camera do you have? The pic is sooo clear!

HI Eileen! Are you feeling better? I hope you are. I got a Canon 850 IS Elph from DH before we left from Houston on this trip. (I hope it's not an advanced Christmas present this year -- one year he got me a pots & pans set and a toaster oven, and boy was I mad )

 

[jake&samsmom]

After Spectromagic, we decide to just sit around the hub as we were quite tired, plus we had finished the rides we had scheduled for today.

While hanging out at the hub, I took some castle pics again....love the way the castle changes colors.....

 

[jake&samsmom]

Now we hear the announcement that Wishes is about to start. There are hundreds of people seated all around us. Some dare to stand in front of others, but quickly sit down in response to (ahem) gentle persuation.

We focus our eyes on Tinkerbelle as she gingerly steps out the castle window and soars magically above us.

My hand wants to take pictures, but I take one with my heart instead. There are just some moments that leave you astounded.

The fireworks begin.

I present...Wishes....

Every year on July 4th, our family drives to DH's downtown office and parks in a tall garage to see the largest fireworks display in Texas. It is beautiful. But I think nothing compares to a Disney fireworks display. Especially with Cinderella's Castle being part of the whole picture.

I notice that no one else is taking pictures. Everyone around us is mesmerized by the almost-overwhelming spectacle that is unfolding.

I turn to watch my children's faces to watch their spellbound expressions, and to see their eyes wide open in wonder. I try not to blink in order to savor this moment. I smile when I think of how beautiful Wishes is, and how I appreciate it more because my boys were right beside me to experience it.

I said it before, and I'll say it again: My joy is complete because of you, Jake and Sam. Because of you.

While I truly adored Wishes, I will always be in love with Disneyland's Dreams Fireworks Show. If you haven't had a chance to see it, I highly recommend y'all to go.

I think that DL's fireworks show has a more sentimental feel to it. IMHO, the fireworks are more brightly colored, with more laser light effects, better light projections, and the soundtrack to me is more nostalgic, bringing fond memories of my childhood.

But I bet the boys would say the same thing about Wishes thirty years from now (when the oldest one gets to be my age )

Have a Good Day everyone....

More posts to come later.

 

[eyenjeff]

What awesome fireworks pics!!!

 

[Mrs.viv07]

After Spectromagic, we decide to just sit around the hub

would you mind sharing where this is exactly? i'm looking for spots to use my new camera !
thanks

 

[jake&samsmom]

would you mind sharing where this is exactly? i'm looking for spots to use my new camera !
thanks

The hub where the benches are located. Right by Walt and Mickey's statue. There are some benches where you get a great view of the facade of the castle. Also, Tink appears to be flying right above you to your right (when facing the castle.)