PHXscuba's Club 33 Christmas

[PHXscuba]

Can I just make a side comment that is sort-of off-topic?

(I guess it's my thread so I can do it)

I semi-regularly look through the WDW side of the DIS boards because I do hope to return there some day, maybe 3 or 4 years. I never thought I'd say this about a Disney park, but I'm glad I'm not going in the next year. This whole Fast Pass Plus, My Disney Experience, MagicBand, etc. is making people crazy!

Seriously, check out the Theme Parks board -- up to half of the first-page threads involve that topic. Will they? Should I? When will? There's so much unknown that it would drive me bonkers trying to plan a trip. They should hopefully have it all settled by the time I go back. And it would be super if they built Avatarland and StarWars Land by that time too.

I know that stuff will also come to Disneyland some day, but they should hopefully have many of the bugs worked out before it reaches the West Coast.

Now back to our regularly scheduled programming ...

PHXscuba

 

[kaoden39]

Can I just make a side comment that is sort-of off-topic?

(I guess it's my thread so I can do it)

I semi-regularly look through the WDW side of the DIS boards because I do hope to return there some day, maybe 3 or 4 years. I never thought I'd say this about a Disney park, but I'm glad I'm not going in the next year. This whole Fast Pass Plus, My Disney Experience, MagicBand, etc. is making people crazy!

Seriously, check out the Theme Parks board -- up to half of the first-page threads involve that topic. Will they? Should I? When will? There's so much unknown that it would drive me bonkers trying to plan a trip. They should hopefully have it all settled by the time I go back. And it would be super if they built Avatarland and StarWars Land by that time too.

I know that stuff will also come to Disneyland some day, but they should hopefully have many of the bugs worked out before it reaches the West Coast.

Now back to our regularly scheduled programming ...

PHXscuba

I am so glad we aren't having that at all. I have a friend who is going in February and she is not looking forward to that whole mess at all.


I wonder if that would even work at Disneyland. I think more people stay offsite at DLR so maybe it wouldn't work as well? I think that you have to over plan your trip too and that takes so much fun from it.

 

[PHXscuba]

I am so glad we aren't having that at all. I have a friend who is going in February and she is not looking forward to that whole mess at all.


I wonder if that would even work at Disneyland. I think more people stay offsite at DLR so maybe it wouldn't work as well? I think that you have to over plan your trip too and that takes so much fun from it.

I don't mind doing some extra planning, I just don't know how it would work at DLR with a completely different population. The "testing phase" they are in right now at WDW seems to be hard because people don't know what stage things will be in more than a few weeks in advance.

PHXscuba

 

[kaoden39]

I don't mind doing some extra planning, I just don't know how it would work at DLR with a completely different population. The "testing phase" they are in right now at WDW seems to be hard because people don't know what stage things will be in more than a few weeks in advance.

PHXscuba

I don't want to plan out a FP plan though. I don't want to plan where I am going or when I am going where.

 

[PHXscuba]

So Sept. 20th is only 3 weeks away. Right now I am feeling --->

I got through a couple of big things (basically hosting 3 events for 65, 25, and 12 people) over the last week. I am exhausted but they all turned out well. And did I mention it is traditional to have a Labor Day swimming-and-BBQ at my house? Luckily that is just my sister's family and maybe my in-laws, so the house is "clean enough" after hosting the 2 smaller events here!

I got the e-mail about the AP Limited Time event happening on the 19th (and 5th), where DCA is staying open 3 hours extra. Groan ... the 19th was my original planned day, but we switched to the 20th so my Mom can see Fantasmic.

My "Shoulder Devil" (think Kronk from Emperor's New Groove) is saying that we could go up on Thursday (would have to be there probably mid-afternoon to get a wristband for it) and stay late, doing some of the Paradise Pier rides at night plus shorter lines for some rides. But then we'd be up late and have to drive home 40 minutes and then back 40 minutes in the morning early for our "real" day. Plus paying twice for parking. So I think my Shoulder Angel is (sadly) going to win this one and I will stick with my one great day.

PHXscuba

 

[Lynne G]

I'm back! You are going to have a great time this fall!

We saw Fantasmic from the fence, picked out our spot 3 hours before! It was fun seeing so close. We held the camera between the fence rods. My DS was such a good sport is all I can say.

I thought the crowds were heavier than the time we went before. However, Wednesday was the best. Very little lines for most of the day. We waited 20 minutes for the racers 20 minutes before close. The CMs remarked how low the waits were that night.

If you want to get to Nemo, I'd say go during the fireworks or right after. We had no line late in the evening.

Cannot wait to see what you and DM have in store.

 

[PHXscuba]

I'm back! You are going to have a great time this fall!

We saw Fantasmic from the fence, picked out our spot 3 hours before! It was fun seeing so close. We held the camera between the fence rods. My DS was such a good sport is all I can say.

I thought the crowds were heavier than the time we went before. However, Wednesday was the best. Very little lines for most of the day. We waited 20 minutes for the racers 20 minutes before close. The CMs remarked how low the waits were that night.

If you want to get to Nemo, I'd say go during the fireworks or right after. We had no line late in the evening.

Cannot wait to see what you and DM have in store.

Welcome back Lynne!! I hope you had a great trip despite the larger crowds!

If my mother isn't as interested in the fireworks we might be able to do Nemo during them. I do love Remember Dreams Come True, but I'm trying to balance things we both want to do.

*****

I am adding one more thing to that day's "bucket list:" Visit the Court of Angels in New Orleans Square. Before they (presumably) close it down soon for the Club 33 expansion.

I originally had it in my head that I had missed my chance because they were using it for the Pirates League makeovers again this year. But then I read they are doing it in the Big Thunder Ranch area. So I am hopeful we can get a few shots of the courtyard.

PHXscuba

 

[PHXscuba]

This morning I am coveting just a bit ...

Disney Parks blog just posted a new Dooney & Burke bag that is coming out for the fall season -- Haunted Mansion inspired. If you haven't seen it you can click on the link I put in the last sentence.

I am not a "shoe queen" -- I live in flip flops in summer and Lands End Moccasins in winter. Sneakers when necessary. I do love a good purse, but I'm very picky, so I actually look at 100 for every 1 I buy. I've never bought a Dooney & Burke because I have never seen one I liked enough to even think about spending $200-$300 for.

But that Haunted Mansion one is so very cool ... my favorite colors of black, gray, and red. It's Disney without screaming it. And it comes out a week before I go to DLR.

In reality, I'm sure I will be passing it up. Even if they offered an AP discount, it would be almost $300 plus tax, which is way more than I've ever paid for an accessory. I'm just too frugal for my own good. And people might try to steal the bag instead of simply taking money out of it (which happened last winter at an event I volunteered at)!

But it's a really, really cool bag ...

PHXscuba

p.s. I am down to 16 days!! Time for Sherry's creepy Halloween guy --->

 

[Sherry E]

Is he not creepy? I would certainly run, screaming, into the night if I saw anyone approach me with those bizarre dance moves! The only time he can get away with that kind of dancing is during Halloween season!

 

[Lynne G]

I hear ya about bags. I like coach, and that's what I usually carry. In both parks I kept looking at the Harvey bags. So nice, I really thought long and hard about getting one. In the end, I thought I had spent enough on vacation that I could not pull the trigger.

We will be near enough WDW this holiday at the end of the year, that I may have to see if WOD in DTD has any of those bags. I am also hoping the new Vera bags will still be around after the holiday or maybe on the Dream that we will be on just before the holiday.

Guess you are getting ready?

 

[PHXscuba]

Is he not creepy? I would certainly run, screaming, into the night if I saw anyone approach me with those bizarre dance moves! The only time he can get away with that kind of dancing is during Halloween season!

Soooo creepy. Animated is the only way you can get away with doing those moves. I certainly hope he's not modeled on someone's real dance moves.

I hear ya about bags. I like coach, and that's what I usually carry. In both parks I kept looking at the Harvey bags. So nice, I really thought long and hard about getting one. In the end, I thought I had spent enough on vacation that I could not pull the trigger.

We will be near enough WDW this holiday at the end of the year, that I may have to see if WOD in DTD has any of those bags. I am also hoping the new Vera bags will still be around after the holiday or maybe on the Dream that we will be on just before the holiday.

Guess you are getting ready?

I've also seen a couple Harvey's bags -- a Minnie one with this pattern in particular -- I thought were cute, but (again) they were expensive enough that I'd really have to love the bag to justify paying that much ... and the one in the link is half what the D&B runs. Hmmm... maybe I can now justify the Harvey's bag as being half-price.

I haven't done much to get ready yet -- but I will be on a plane flying to CA in two weeks right about this time of day!! I'm mostly trying to get a bunch of stuff wrapped up here before I can think about leaving. The computer document that I've been keeping my running Bucket List on has a mini packing list on it as I think of stuff not to forget.

PHXscuba

 

[PHXscuba]

TWO short weeks until I am at Disneyland!! This deserves a dancing banana! According to my very rough plan for the day, right this minute in two weeks I could be in DCA, maybe even getting wet and cool on Grizzly River Run!!

I am excited to see what what the new Haunted Mansion Holiday stuff is. I'm hoping they will tease the gingerbread house on the Disney Parks blog, and I KNOW we can count on the DIS people to give us the details (I believe Sherry E is going the first weekend of the Halloween season). I saw lots of Halloween candy at Walmart yesterday. I had to make a stop in the ice cream section of my Kroger/Frys and scoured the freezer looking for new fall flavors, but none yet.

Quicky not-so-off-topic story: So I've mentioned before that I am volunteering with my son's high school marching band this season. Last night they played an away game across town (side note -- it was over 100 degrees and I was dying in a T-shirt -- can't imagine it in their wool uniforms). On the bus ride, I sat next to a new volunteer whose name is the same as mine, only spelled differently. We were checking our phones and I noticed her wallpaper was the Mickey Fun Wheel at DCA!! I told her we were a Disney family too and we chatted about Disneyland etc. She has an AP too! So how funny/cool/weird is that, sitting down next to someone who shares my name and loves Disney too!

 

[Sherry E]

TWO short weeks until I am at Disneyland!! This deserves a dancing banana! According to my very rough plan for the day, right this minute in two weeks I could be in DCA, maybe even getting wet and cool on Grizzly River Run!!

I am excited to see what what the new Haunted Mansion Holiday stuff is. I'm hoping they will tease the gingerbread house on the Disney Parks blog, and I KNOW we can count on the DIS people to give us the details (I believe Sherry E is going the first weekend of the Halloween season). I saw lots of Halloween candy at Walmart yesterday. I had to make a stop in the ice cream section of my Kroger/Frys and scoured the freezer looking for new fall flavors, but none yet.

Quicky not-so-off-topic story: So I've mentioned before that I am volunteering with my son's high school marching band this season. Last night they played an away game across town (side note -- it was over 100 degrees and I was dying in a T-shirt -- can't imagine it in their wool uniforms). On the bus ride, I sat next to a new volunteer whose name is the same as mine, only spelled differently. We were checking our phones and I noticed her wallpaper was the Mickey Fun Wheel at DCA!! I told her we were a Disney family too and we chatted about Disneyland etc. She has an AP too! So how funny/cool/weird is that, sitting down next to someone who shares my name and loves Disney too!

I think that GRR sounds like a great idea! I normally don't like wet rides that leave me soaked as I walk around the park, but it's been so hot and miserable for me lately that I almost wouldn't mind a ride on GRR at this point!

Have you got your Must Eat treat list prepared yet? Any pumpkin raisin muffins on the list? Maybe one of those demitasse desserts that are sold in the Donald pumpkin mugs or the Mickey pumpkin mugs (you can get them at Jolly Holiday Bakery, Plaza Inn and a few other places)? Pumpkin fudge, perhaps? Don't forget to stop in Ghirardelli to pick up your free sample of pumpkin chocolate, too!

It's funny you mentioned the seasonal ice cream (or lack thereof). I thought of you the other day in regards to ice cream because I remember that you said that your stores had in the "real" Dreyer's peppermint ice cream last year, and not only that bogus "Slow Churned" stuff. Let me know if you see the real stuff again this year (not that it will do me any good if your store has it, but at least I'll know that it's still being sold in stores!). Last year, either the real peppermint ice cream was all snapped up from my stores and not restocked at all, or it was just all Slow Churned, all the time, all season long. (That is sheer nonsense, and totally unacceptable.) We did, however, have both the full fat Pumpkin Pie ice cream and the Slow Churned version.

Yes, I'll be at DLR next Friday (let's hope some of this heat calms down by then). I will report on any changes I see in HMH. In fact, last night I was reading the Parks Blog about the Halloween version of Mad T Party at DCA (I made a comment underneath that blog but they have not yet posted it on their Blog page), and trying to figure out how I was going to juggle that into a plan. One major reason I wanted to go to DLR on Friday the 13th is to see what this Villains madness is all about, which doesn't begin until after 8 p.m. If I leave DL to go over and see the Mad T Party then I will miss out on some Villains stuff. On my next Halloween visit I was planning on hitting the MHP, so to go see the Mad T Party I would have to leave the MHP. Hmmm....

Your story about sitting next to the woman on the bus ride whose name is the same but spelled differently than yours (and who also happens to be an AP holder/Disney fan) is reminiscent of the scenario in which I just recently encountered a woman with my name, spelled differently, also from Los Angeles, up in the remote hills of Avalon, on a fairly deserted road. What are the odds, really, of sitting next to someone on a bus ride with your name and who shares a major interest? What are the odds of running into someone with my name, who lives in my city, up on a hillside, on Catalina?

The universe works in mysterious ways, doesn't it? It is so fascinating when these little events (or coincidences) happen. It always makes me wonder if it is just an odd twist of fate, or if circumstances aligned to bring us to a certain spot at a certain moment in time for some greater reason (which may never be known).

 

[Lynne G]

You will be so happy to be soaking from GRR. DD and I made a special trip from the GC to CA via GC's entrance to just ride the GRR and then hit the pool. Rode it three times, with our bathing suits and quick dry clothes, and guess what? We were never the most wet each ride. Ha! That's because we were prepared!

I too am excited to see decor in parks. We always seem to go when none is up. This year, we will be enjoying the Christmas decor in parks that are not Disney. I really want to see any park with holiday decor. Someday I want to vacation in the fall, just to be in a Halloween mood. So jealous of you. That may never happen until kids are adults.

When we were there, the stores were beginning their Halloween decor. Bags, candy, costumes, clothes, all were starting to be front and center. So eat a seasonal treat. We had to get peanut brittle and this large chocolate peanut butter square from the Trolley candy store in CA. The brittle because we saw them breaking it up and the square, well because that was a medium priced treat from the case that had every sweet you wanted to try. Both were absolutely delicious. We also enjoyed the ice cream cones from the cone selling it in Cars-land.


2 more weeks!

 

[Lynne G]

Oh, and I have carried my small, lime green Mickey head on a key chain hung on the outside of my purse. No one has ever said anything to me about it until I was in CA this trip. My kids rode California Screaming, which I won't go on, so I was waiting near the pictures to see the kids. The lady at the counter said "Are you on the Dis?" I was like, "what?" Then I realized what she said, and then I said yes, and we talked. It was really nice.

So just beware, a Diser meet can happen when you least expect it!

 

[PHXscuba]

I think that GRR sounds like a great idea! I normally don't like wet rides that leave me soaked as I walk around the park, but it's been so hot and miserable for me lately that I almost wouldn't mind a ride on GRR at this point!

Have you got your Must Eat treat list prepared yet? Any pumpkin raisin muffins on the list? Maybe one of those demitasse desserts that are sold in the Donald pumpkin mugs or the Mickey pumpkin mugs (you can get them at Jolly Holiday Bakery, Plaza Inn and a few other places)? Pumpkin fudge, perhaps? Don't forget to stop in Ghirardelli to pick up your free sample of pumpkin chocolate, too!

It's funny you mentioned the seasonal ice cream (or lack thereof). I thought of you the other day in regards to ice cream because I remember that you said that your stores had in the "real" Dreyer's peppermint ice cream last year, and not only that bogus "Slow Churned" stuff. Let me know if you see the real stuff again this year (not that it will do me any good if your store has it, but at least I'll know that it's still being sold in stores!). Last year, either the real peppermint ice cream was all snapped up from my stores and not restocked at all, or it was just all Slow Churned, all the time, all season long. (That is sheer nonsense, and totally unacceptable.) We did, however, have both the full fat Pumpkin Pie ice cream and the Slow Churned version.

Yes, I'll be at DLR next Friday (let's hope some of this heat calms down by then). I will report on any changes I see in HMH. In fact, last night I was reading the Parks Blog about the Halloween version of Mad T Party at DCA (I made a comment underneath that blog but they have not yet posted it on their Blog page), and trying to figure out how I was going to juggle that into a plan. One major reason I wanted to go to DLR on Friday the 13th is to see what this Villains madness is all about, which doesn't begin until after 8 p.m. If I leave DL to go over and see the Mad T Party then I will miss out on some Villains stuff. On my next Halloween visit I was planning on hitting the MHP, so to go see the Mad T Party I would have to leave the MHP. Hmmm....

Your story about sitting next to the woman on the bus ride whose name is the same but spelled differently than yours (and who also happens to be an AP holder/Disney fan) is reminiscent of the scenario in which I just recently encountered a woman with my name, spelled differently, also from Los Angeles, up in the remote hills of Avalon, on a fairly deserted road. What are the odds, really, of sitting next to someone on a bus ride with your name and who shares a major interest? What are the odds of running into someone with my name, who lives in my city, up on a hillside, on Catalina?

The universe works in mysterious ways, doesn't it? It is so fascinating when these little events (or coincidences) happen. It always makes me wonder if it is just an odd twist of fate, or if circumstances aligned to bring us to a certain spot at a certain moment in time for some greater reason (which may never be known).

I'm afraid the "must eat" list is probably bigger than the "must do" list. I am sure we will be trying many of the seasonal eats, hopefully the demitasse. I am not as big a fan of pumpkin fudge as regular fudge, so I may save those calories for something else. My mother suggested splitting treats so we can eat every hour or so.

I am keeping my eye out for the seasonal ice cream flavors. I actually haven't had the Dreyer's pumpkin but might get some this year if they stock it. I did get some really good pumpkin cheesecake ice cream a few years back that was Safeway/Vons store brand. Definitely will get the peppermint -- and report back.

As for the Mad T party, I was under the impression that it started up earlier than 8:00 -- maybe you could do it before the Villains stuff starts?

You will be so happy to be soaking from GRR. DD and I made a special trip from the GC to CA via GC's entrance to just ride the GRR and then hit the pool. Rode it three times, with our bathing suits and quick dry clothes, and guess what? We were never the most wet each ride. Ha! That's because we were prepared!

I too am excited to see decor in parks. We always seem to go when none is up. This year, we will be enjoying the Christmas decor in parks that are not Disney. I really want to see any park with holiday decor. Someday I want to vacation in the fall, just to be in a Halloween mood. So jealous of you. That may never happen until kids are adults.

When we were there, the stores were beginning their Halloween decor. Bags, candy, costumes, clothes, all were starting to be front and center. So eat a seasonal treat. We had to get peanut brittle and this large chocolate peanut butter square from the Trolley candy store in CA. The brittle because we saw them breaking it up and the square, well because that was a medium priced treat from the case that had every sweet you wanted to try. Both were absolutely delicious. We also enjoyed the ice cream cones from the cone selling it in Cars-land.

2 more weeks!

I generally have the worst luck with water rides. If I would prefer not to get wet, I get soaked. If I am dying of heat and have waited in a long line to cool off on the ride ... three drops of water (me at Knott's last summer). So I'm unsure what to wish for! I think as long as I do it relatively early on a warmish day I will be fine regardless.

I am starting to get excited. I think seeing the Halloween stuff start to filter into the local stores is making me think fall/Halloween more despite the weather here.

PHXscuba

 

[PHXscuba]

TEN DAYS! ONLY TEN DAYS!!
​

It was almost "NINE DAYS!" because my mother e-mailed me over the weekend about possibly moving the trip back to Thursday, but she decided she wanted to see Fantasmic more than the other thing she had to move around. So it's TEN DAYS!!

This PTR has been very empty of photos lately, so I will share a few pictures from our October 2009 visit to DLR. DS4 pointed out every last Mickey pumpkin he saw, but it was oddly endearing. I'm sure I will think of him when I see them on this trip!

You won't see these photos like these from DCA any more ...

I am neck-deep in stuff that needs to be done and kids going every which way (a taste of tonight: DD11 back and forth to dance, DD14 babysitting, DS17 goes to night band practice, DH to a seminar after work ... not sure when I will feed them all), but it's all good things. I just have to keep my fingers crossed that there are no major breakdowns/illnesses/monkeywrenches for the next week.

PHXscuba

 

[PHXscuba]

So they announced the Limited Time Magic for next week and it is fairly cool, but I really can't take advantage of it.

Here it is from the Disney Parks Blog:

At Disneyland Resort, also each morning from September 16-20, 2013, a group of guests will join Disneyland Resort Ambassadors in celebrating the heritage of the Ambassador program, Disneyland park attractions and Imagineering innovation. Tour stops will include the Main Street, U.S.A., Opera House, Innoventions in Tomorrowland and “it’s a small world” in Fantasyland.
You may enter here until 5:30 pm Pacific for a chance to attend one of the five Disneyland park tour sessions beginning on September 16. There will be 25 people in each tour per day.

Also, please remember the following for each drawing:
All participants who sign up for the events must be U.S. residents who are 18 years or older.
Each entry is valid for one participant only; winners will not be permitted to bring a guest.
Park admission will be provided as part of the event.
Selected participants will be assigned a tour date and time. There will be no changes or substitutions allowed.
Tour opportunities are non-transferrable and have no cash value.
Confirmation will be for the accepted registered winner only.
Valid photo I.D. will be required at check-in.
Tours are subject to restrictions and change without notice.

All of the things in bold are reasons I'm not going to even put my name into the drawing:
1. I might get into the tour and not my Mom (or vice versa)
2. The places they are talking about going into are nice but not at the top of my list to see
3. I don't need a park ticket (but that is nice)
4. No choice of date or time -- I really could only go Thursday or Friday

I do approve of the idea -- this is the type of Limited Time Magic offering I originally imagined, especially based on the Golden Horseshoe thing they did at the beginning of the year. Not just merchandise or an extra meet and greet. But I am a little disappointed there are no pirates involved like I speculated a couple weeks ago.

But regardless, I will be in Disneyland one week from today! Let see ... maybe right at this minute in a week I will be in Big Thunder Ranch, admiring the pumpkin carvings and seeing a villain.

I just have to get through a very busy weekend and then I can start packing!

PHXscuba

 

[kaoden39]

This kind of limited thing is hard on someone that has to travel to the parks. There is too much left up in the air for my taste.

 

[PHXscuba]

This kind of limited thing is hard on someone that has to travel to the parks. There is too much left up in the air for my taste.

I think ALL of the Limited Time Magic stuff is hard on anyone who has to travel to visit the parks. If they announce it less than a week in advance, who gets to see it? Locals, people already visiting that week, or a select few who can and would choose to drop everything and go on a moment's notice.

So if we start from that point and see what might appeal to those groups, then I think this is better than some of the other lame attempts at theme weeks (ahem, boy bands). But you're right that it leaves much up to chance for this particular tour.

I feel like getting to see all of the Halloween and fall stuff is my personal Limited Time Magic. I'm trying not to read/watch everything about the Haunted Mansion, but the gingerbread house is awesome every year and I love that they've added Zero more places -- he's a favorite.

PHXscuba