PHXscuba's Club 33 Christmas

[kaoden39]

Sorry I have been MIA. Lots of not really fun stuff going on. I look forward to reading your AP bucket list.

 

[PHXscuba]

Sorry I have been MIA. Lots of not really fun stuff going on. I look forward to reading your AP bucket list.

Thanks for reading along -- hope it's a bright spot for you.

Big hug to get through the tough times!

PHXscuba

 

[kaoden39]

Thanks for reading along -- hope it's a bright spot for you.

Big hug to get through the tough times!

PHXscuba

It is.


We had a fire on April 9th, we are in rental house after being in a hotel for one day short of a month. It has been quite an experience. We are slated to be able to move home around Christmas.

 

[PHXscuba]

It is.


We had a fire on April 9th, we are in rental house after being in a hotel for one day short of a month. It has been quite an experience. We are slated to be able to move home around Christmas.

OH MY!! What a horrible thing! I think just dealing with the insurance company would be enough to make me bonkers. I hope it goes as smoothly as is possible!

I hope the DIS is an escape for you as you cope.

PHXscuba

p.s. And if any of us deserve a trip to Disneyland, you do!

 

[PHXscuba]

OK, so I think I will have to separate some of these reflections or they will get long(er), wordy(er) and impossible to have a conversation about.

Limited Time Magic -- or lack thereof:

After initial mocking of the theme (especially the boy-band part), I was little excited to see what they'd come up with for my week. I knew that not every week would be spectacular, but my "limited time magic" was a real dud. Drumroll please for ... a sale on mini Mouse Ears. I think. It was so dumb I didn't even really remember the details. And you wouldn't have even known it was there without social media -- there were no signs on the merchandise proclaiming it to be special or "limited time magic sale." And I am always looking for sales!

I think the Limited Time Magic theme is a great way to draw back locals or AP holders who might learn of characters to meet, a new show, or even special (not just sale) merchandise. But for those of us who have to plan ahead and travel far, it's a lot of hype for not much. As I've said before, if DLR wants to be a resort destination, it needs consistent things that draw people to come instead of WDW and stay longer. Thumbs down.

Photopass Plus:

I was initially hesitant about committing to this, especially because it was new-ish. Frankly it's a great value for most people (more on that at the bottom). $70 is a tiny amount if it's a big family vacation.

We got at least a couple of "keeper" family photos from the rides. Off the top of my head, I'd say these two are my favorites:

Unless you are a great photographer who really knows your settings, it's hard to get night photos like this:

Having the card was an incentive for the photographers to take a little longer with us -- mini photo sessions if you will. At both the Partners and Storytellers statue, they took 8-10 photos in different combinations. And I think my family cooperated better knowing we would actually buy these photos. After snapping our picture outside Carsland, one photographer told us where she would be in an hour if we wanted to take some more roving photos (but we were headed elsewhere).

One thing I wasn't impressed with: border selection. At the time I was editing my photos (end of March), they still had a bunch of Christmas and 2012 borders, a huge portion of the available choices. I e-mailed them to complain and magically a week later they had revamped the borders with more 2013 and very few old ones. It wasn't make-or-break for me, but if you were really into the borders it would have been very disappointing.

I think Photopass Plus is a great option if you meet many of these criteria:
1. Staying several days
2. Going to one or more character meals
3. Riding most/all of the 5 photo-equipped rides
4. Don't have a great camera (or don't want to carry it)
5. Taking lots of character photos
6. In a group or family that wants lots of photos

If your trip is short and you don't plan to do most of the above, it probably wouldn't be worth the $$ or the hassle if you didn't want to stop to add ride photos, wait in character lines, or were happy with using your own camera or handing it off to a CM.

Ordering afterward now comes with a digital option if you want the photos fast, or the photo CD. (Or both, if you pay an additional $20 for the digital download, with a backup CD.)

Will we order it on future trips? Probably only when we meet the criteria above. But I think adding the ride and character meal photos onto the old Photopass makes it a much better deal. One and a half thumbs up!

So what do any of YOU think about Limited Time Magic or Photopass Plus?

PHXscuba

 

[Lynne G]

I agree with you about LTM. Oh well. Even my kids are like whatever. Won't get us looking forward to enjoying the parks anymore than we are already. I guess this is part of the less discounts/extras as D sees the economy getting better, and people still come and spend lots of money. I would like to see more rare characters, as we generally don't go to the parks on holidays and haven't been to the hard ticket parties.

Last time we were in DL we didn't have photopass. Have only used it at WDW. I think this time we are going to order the +, as it would be fun to have the ride pictures too. We generally don't do character meals, but my DD is still game for most of the characters. DS not as much. Made them both take a picture with Pooh to give to my DM when we were at WDW last August. She loves Pooh, but the kids were not happy troopers. Posing with Jake was a no way. My DD is very much beyond getting excited about the princesses. However, I think we will still hit Fantasy Faire. The Faire wasn't there when we were there last, and I'd like to see it. DD will most likely pose with the princesses, though I may have to toss in a mickey bar or ice cream cone promise. DS will be somewhere else in the park.

Thanks for your thoughts! Have enjoyed reading about your vacation.

 

[PHXscuba]

I agree with you about LTM. Oh well. Even my kids are like whatever. Won't get us looking forward to enjoying the parks anymore than we are already. I guess this is part of the less discounts/extras as D sees the economy getting better, and people still come and spend lots of money. I would like to see more rare characters, as we generally don't go to the parks on holidays and haven't been to the hard ticket parties.

Last time we were in DL we didn't have photopass. Have only used it at WDW. I think this time we are going to order the +, as it would be fun to have the ride pictures too. We generally don't do character meals, but my DD is still game for most of the characters. DS not as much. Made them both take a picture with Pooh to give to my DM when we were at WDW last August. She loves Pooh, but the kids were not happy troopers. Posing with Jake was a no way. My DD is very much beyond getting excited about the princesses. However, I think we will still hit Fantasy Faire. The Faire wasn't there when we were there last, and I'd like to see it. DD will most likely pose with the princesses, though I may have to toss in a mickey bar or ice cream cone promise. DS will be somewhere else in the park.

Thanks for your thoughts! Have enjoyed reading about your vacation.

You may be right about Disney cutting back on the "special" stuff as the economy improves and they have the new DCA to pull people in. And to think Disneyland has mostly had better Limited Time Magic than WDW ... poor WDW!

I am thinking through my next reflections. Need my Thotful Spot, I guess.

PHXscuba

 

[PHXscuba]

Ok, next sets of reflections and thoughts, this time on food and souvenirs. But mostly food.

Souvenirs:

Souvenirs are not a huge part of our Disney vacations. We gave each of our kids $30 to spend and knew that would likely get them one nice thing or two smaller things. Honestly, all of the souvenirs my kids got could have been bought on any of our previous Disney trips. The selection doesn't change that much. My DDs are too old to want princess stuff, and DS8 has decided he is too old for Cars and Toy Story stuff, which pretty much leaves pirates, Phineas and Ferb, and Star Wars if you're a boy.

We didn't spend too much time at DTD. I walked through Tren-D, D Street, and Vault 28, but my frugal side always takes over and I can't justify paying $50 for a flimsy burnout shirt I would have to wear something else under! Someday I AM going to get a Harvey's bag or a Dooney & Bourke, but I haven't seen a design that I like enough to justify the huge $$$. Anyone know if I can use my AP discount on these?


Food!:

(Full disclosure: I am no foodie. I just want good service and flavorful food that doesn't have me Googling any of the ingredients.)

Soda prices are out of control! $2.99 for a medium drink! (times that by 5/6 people and it's insane) I drink soda daily at home, and while I'd love to not pay those prices while at Disney, it's just not realistic when I'm on the go. To avoid throwing expensive pop away, I would buy a bottled drink and leave it closed during a couple of easygoing rides or shows (I didn't drink it during any of them).

Having the AP discount was great. Everyone asked, and one or two CMs let me use it even though DH had taken my AP to go get FPs. When we spend $60 on a CS meal, that 10 percent is actually worth something!

Thumbs down for:
1. Character meals prices when paying for 5 adults. Too much $ to do again.
2. Limited hours for snacks and snack carts. Snack places in Towntown didn't open until 11, and several snack carts shut down early, like even before the fireworks!
3. Tortilla Joe's Taqueria in DTD. Kids meals sides/dessert were pitiful, and the tacos were just OK. I think we can do better next time.

Need to try again:
Flo's V-8 Cafe -- that was the meal I wasn't feeling well and just ordered a kids' meal. I need to go back and give it a fair chance.

Thumbs up for:
1. Earl of Sandwich. Liked the food, loved the price. With the exception of DH's special order being wrong -- and we should have checked it and sent it back.
2. Carnation Cafe. This place is still a favorite.
3. Whitewater Snacks. Good food, great calm atmosphere at dinnertime. I think I like the food there better than trekking to DTD for many of their CS options.

I wanted to eat a Disneyland corn dog and try out Ghiradelli, but we ran out of time! They will go onto the "AP bucket list."

Thoughts on souvenirs and food from your trips? Am I being too harsh on any of these places?

PHXscuba

 

[Lynne G]

Soda prices, yeah, I'm with ya. My kids could live on soda if I let them. A few months ago, I banned soda from our house. Kids now use that liquid flavoring to their water bottles. That's what we are going to take and ask for cups of ice water. One in awhile, if sit down dinner, ok to soda.

Never thought about the carnation cafe. That may go on my list to eat at. White water snacks will be hit at least once, as we are staying at the GC (thanks to a military discount). The prices are still - oh my though.

Since we were there before, I don't see much buying. Most likely something like a magnet or other with this year's date on it. My kids are not fans of junk toys most of the time, so we are beyond that. Interesting that my DD's glow bracelet that came with the WOC meal we bought 3 years ago, still works. Maybe she will bring it so we don't have to search for another if she wants something to glow. My DS will likely only want a mug and T shirt. He still wears the T I bought him 3 years ago. So if that's all he wants, fine. DD wants to do the BBB, as she's turning 12 and knows that is the limit. I find it very costly for what is given, but if that what she wants, no other real expensive items for her.

Thanks for all your thoughts. I hope to get some more info from ya now that you're an AP holder!

 

[PHXscuba]

Soda prices, yeah, I'm with ya. My kids could live on soda if I let them. A few months ago, I banned soda from our house. Kids now use that liquid flavoring to their water bottles. That's what we are going to take and ask for cups of ice water. One in awhile, if sit down dinner, ok to soda.

Never thought about the carnation cafe. That may go on my list to eat at. White water snacks will be hit at least once, as we are staying at the GC (thanks to a military discount). The prices are still - oh my though.

Since we were there before, I don't see much buying. Most likely something like a magnet or other with this year's date on it. My kids are not fans of junk toys most of the time, so we are beyond that. Interesting that my DD's glow bracelet that came with the WOC meal we bought 3 years ago, still works. Maybe she will bring it so we don't have to search for another if she wants something to glow. My DS will likely only want a mug and T shirt. He still wears the T I bought him 3 years ago. So if that's all he wants, fine. DD wants to do the BBB, as she's turning 12 and knows that is the limit. I find it very costly for what is given, but if that what she wants, no other real expensive items for her.

Thanks for all your thoughts. I hope to get some more info from ya now that you're an AP holder!

We bought our older DS a T-shirt -- a gray Mine Mine Mine one -- when DH and I were at WDW in 2008. He wore the thing out and had basically outgrown it by our family trip to WDW in 2011 (no surprise -- he grew about 10 inches ). He chose a new, adult-sized version of the same shirt, this time in light green. It's in the DL trip report with the seagulls!

Would your DD want the rock-star-type makeover at Studio 365 in DTD? I think that one skews a little older and is a lot cheaper.

I don't know how much more I know now that I have an AP, but I'm motivated to get back to DLR a couple more times over the next 10 months.

And how can it be my trip has been over for 2 months?? I had better get this TR polished off before the kids are out of school in a week!

PHXscuba

 

[llouque]

Ok, next sets of reflections and thoughts, this time on food and souvenirs. But mostly food.

I wanted to eat a Disneyland corn dog and try out Ghiradelli, but we ran out of time! They will go onto the "AP bucket list."

Thoughts on souvenirs and food from your trips? Am I being too harsh on any of these places?

PHXscuba

DH decided all he wanted was corndogs. We had the, for lunch and dinner for 2 days straight. While they were awesome, I had to finally say no more!!

They are fresh, hand-battered and delicious......but I had my fill.

 

[kaoden39]

White Water Snacks is always a must do for us. Especially my daughter Kody, she loves the nachos. I think that it is a quiet place to sit and relax. When my best friend and I went we ate breakfast there and it was good. I like the breakfast at the Riverbelle Terrace, the potatoes are great. We had the corn dogs at the Red Cart. I found that I like them much better if I wrap them in napkins a few times before I eat them to get rid of the excess grease from them.


Souvenirs are such a subjective thing. I always love the antennae toppers and the pressed pennies. My mother always has to get pins and pens. My DH and kids always need hats. I really have enjoyed your trip and look forward to the future trips.

 

[PHXscuba]

DH decided all he wanted was corndogs. We had the, for lunch and dinner for 2 days straight. While they were awesome, I had to finally say no more!!

They are fresh, hand-battered and delicious......but I had my fill.

Ooooo ... too much corndog! I think I would be in a different line if he wanted that many! I really thought we'd end up at Corn Dog Castle or the Red Wagon cart, but just weren't in those areas at mealtimes.

White Water Snacks is always a must do for us. Especially my daughter Kody, she loves the nachos. I think that it is a quiet place to sit and relax. When my best friend and I went we ate breakfast there and it was good. I like the breakfast at the Riverbelle Terrace, the potatoes are great. We had the corn dogs at the Red Cart. I found that I like them much better if I wrap them in napkins a few times before I eat them to get rid of the excess grease from them.


Souvenirs are such a subjective thing. I always love the antennae toppers and the pressed pennies. My mother always has to get pins and pens. My DH and kids always need hats. I really have enjoyed your trip and look forward to the future trips.

Good tip on de-greasing the corn dogs! I love crispy fried foods but hate the grease that can accompany them!

My older DS has collected pressed pennies for years. Best cheap souvenir ever, and available everywhere. True story: I saw a pressed penny machine in a night street market in Beijing a couple years ago!

The three younger kids and I took lanyards with pins to trade but DD10 and I were the only ones who really got into it this trip.

I am not sure how much trip report material will come from future one-day trips, but I may just add them on to this thread.

PHXscuba

 

[PHXscuba]

So I am boring and stuck home on a Friday night. Of course I was barely home all day! Both daughters are out with friends, DS16 is home sick from work and DS8 is around here somewhere. DH is asleep watching the news.

Apps:

I was a Touring Plans subscriber for our WDW trip and found the website useful, and used the app while in the parks. I think more people use it there so it has better data. I signed up for the DLR version of Touring Plans because I was OCD enough to want everything I could get. It was semi-useful in planning, although I had a general plan laid out only to have it foiled a few weeks ahead of time by FP enforcement. By that time it wasn't worth crunching more numbers.

In the park, the app was basically useless. For example, an hour after opening it said Toy Story Mania should have a 10 minute line. When in history has that ever happened? The line was obviously easily 45 minutes long. They also only have 2 pre-made plans for DCA and a few more for DL, and nothing if you want to parkhop. While the subscription was cheap, I didn't get much out of it. Thumbs down.

What I did use: the official Mobile Magic app. It was nice to check wait times and FP return times from across the park before hiking all over. Also, I have the MouseTrivia app on my phone, and the kids killed time with it in line together a couple times.

FP enforcement:

Yes, I know "late FP return" was always an unwritten perk that could be dropped at any time. Yes, I know using them late screws up the system. Hi; my name is PHXscuba and I am a recovering FP hoarding addict.

I think it was partly that FP enforcement happened so close to our trip that I hadn't really thought through how it would affect our touring. While we used every last FP we collected, it was sometimes only by crossing the entire park (i'm looking at you, Splash and Space). We definitely crossed the park more times than I ever have to make it back for a FP return time.

I don't think it would be so bad at a slower time, where you could enter an area, pull a FP, and then kill an hour riding the smaller rides or eating. But the FP times were usually about 2-3 hours out -- too much time to spend in Tomorrowland, but not enough time to be back near there by the return time.

It drove my time-OCD DS crazy when we would be into a return time and we weren't heading back to the ride yet. It was definitely more stressful: eat quicker at Carnation Cafe or miss riding Indiana Jones again?

I guess this policy puts me back with the masses trying to figure out and use FP; I just miss having that advantage. Thumbs (pouting) down.

PHXscuba

 

[rentayenta]

Whitewater Snacks is one of my family's favorites. We ate their nachos 3x on our last 5 days trip.

 

[PHXscuba]

Whitewater Snacks is one of my family's favorites. We ate their nachos 3x on our last 5 days trip.

There are definitely Disney foods that seem to beg to be eaten multiple times! I think my "to eat" list might be longer than my "to ride" list.

PHXscuba

 

[kaoden39]

Ooooo ... too much corndog! I think I would be in a different line if he wanted that many! I really thought we'd end up at Corn Dog Castle or the Red Wagon cart, but just weren't in those areas at mealtimes.



Good tip on de-greasing the corn dogs! I love crispy fried foods but hate the grease that can accompany them!

My older DS has collected pressed pennies for years. Best cheap souvenir ever, and available everywhere. True story: I saw a pressed penny machine in a night street market in Beijing a couple years ago!

The three younger kids and I took lanyards with pins to trade but DD10 and I were the only ones who really got into it this trip.

I am not sure how much trip report material will come from future one-day trips, but I may just add them on to this thread.

PHXscuba

Yes! You should add them to this trip report. You have 250 pages, you should use them all up.

 

[PHXscuba]

Tomorrow, in the Land (looking ahead)

Now that I have an AP burning a hole in my pocket, I am trying to figure out how to get back to use it!

The goals:

1. One visit the latter half of September, as a birthday gift to myself! Will probably fly over using frequent flier miles and stay with my parents (solves hotel and car issues/price). Would probably get my mother (who has her AP) to spend a day with me at DLR.

2. One visit sometime during Christmas season. Going the first weekend in November is looking less likely -- I finally tracked down a copy of the football schedule and it will most likely be Homecoming weekend plus one of the big band competitions. Even if DH goes for a continuing ed course in Irvine, it would be a hard weekend for me to leave town. But later in November or into December is much more probable, just don't know if it would be a solo trip or if I can talk anyone into going with me. I'm OK with being solo at DL, it's more the drive over.

3. One visit after the first of the year with my best friend. She is planning to get family APs sometime in December and we have already agreed to go once while both our APs are in effect.

There is a lot going on this fall and I have one more weekend business trip out of town the first week of October, so I am trying to narrow down the variables on when I can go. But if it all works, I should be able to see the parks decorated for Halloween and Christmas as well as do a lot during some less busy times -- weekdays or after the first of the year.

Next up: The Bucket List you've all been waiting for!

PHXscuba

 

[PHXscuba]

MY AP BUCKET LIST

It seems impossible that I would come back from 4 days at Disneyland having missed doing/seeing/eating so much, but it was busy and I was sometimes deferring to the large part of the family who wanted just one more ride on Space Mountain or the like. We managed to do quite a few things that were new or new to us, but every time you go back there is more that is new! Great problem to have ...

Obviuously some of this is season-dependent, but here's what I'm hoping to do before my AP runs out next March. If I plan it right, I should have 2 or 3 trips to do it. I probably won't buy tickets to the Halloween party or the (probable) Christmas party, so I may miss some seasonal entertainment.

Attractions I want to do:
Big Thunder Mountain (when it reopens)
Grizzly River Run (when it's warm)
take an Animation drawing class
Ride RSR in the dark
Great Moments with Mr. Lincoln
Ride the monorail in front
Space Mountain Ghost Galaxy
Haunted Mansion Holiday
It's a Small World Holiday

Things I hope to see:
Soundsational (the whole thing this time)
Mickey and the Magical Map (just opened)
Walk around Princess Fantasy Faire and see a show
Instant Concert with Goofy
Mad T party (on a weekend)
See the Carsland lighting
See the DLH renovated lobby and map
Find the Eeyore sign in Indy queue

Things/place I want to eat:
Flo’s V-8 Café (another try)
Hungry Bear café fried green tomato sandwich
Corn dog
Churro (can't believe I missed this)
Trolley Treats
Ghirardelli

Barring any of this being closed or ending before I go back, I think it's a very possible checklist. Anything I should add to it?

PHXscuba

p.s. Next person to post makes this thread have an even 400 posts!

 

[Lynne G]

Ok, I will try to do some of your list when I go. Hoping it will be really hot. We love getting wet on the Grizzy ride.

Why try Flo's again? Hmm, was thinking of trying it for dinner one night. Going to try CC, as I hope my kids will appreciate it. They are good eaters though.

Ever ate at the Plaza for breakfast? Thinking of doing it, but DD is not a great morning eater. I thought I heard can do a 10:30 and that may work. Need to investigate.


Thanks for the list, and have a great week-end!

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