PTR/TR for November 23-27, Family of four

[kaoden39]

Wow!! What a crowd!! That is awful!! I complained about the crowds in June. Never again.

 

[mvf-m11c]

I am reading your TR with by me and from what you said on your TR it is a bizarre day with the park being crowded when you got in at 11. But with schools cutting down on days around Thanksgiving week, I would expect something like this would happen with heavy crowds at DL during Thanksgiving week. I thought you would get there early but you spend your first part of the morning at DTD. You got to go to these different stores and the ESPN Zone at DTD.
Can't wait to read more of your TR.

 

[Goofy_Mom]

Wow! That's really packed. I just wonder if a lot of people go into DL because so much of DCA is under construction. Hopefully when Carsland opens and everything else, it won't be as crowded. I'm glad that we went over Veteran's Day weekend instead because it was still crowded but not like that.

Can't wait to read more!

I can't wait for Carsland to open. DS is a HUGE cars fan. I'm hoping it'll pull people away from TSMM, too.

Wow!! What a crowd!! That is awful!! I complained about the crowds in June. Never again.

I know, right? We went the week after 4th of July weekend. It was awesome. Moderate crowds and the weather never got above 80. We even were able to go back to our hotel and soak our feet in the hot tub, one night we watched the fireworks from our hotel pool. Even with the breaks we were able to ride everything we wanted (our favorites two or three times), get pictures with all the characters we saw, and not feel like we were running a marathon.

I am reading your TR with by me and from what you said on your TR it is a bizarre day with the park being crowded when you got in at 11. But with schools cutting down on days around Thanksgiving week, I would expect something like this would happen with heavy crowds at DL during Thanksgiving week. I thought you would get there early but you spend your first part of the morning at DTD. You got to go to these different stores and the ESPN Zone at DTD.
Can't wait to read more of your TR.

On days I know will be busy I like to get to the gates at park opening. I wasn't running the show this particular morning. I had to keep reminding myself that this was a bonus day. Originally we would have still been on the rode and would have played in DTD after we checked into our hotel. That mindset helped a lot with facing the crowds. It also helped that the parks were open late.


I'm glad you all are enjoying my report. I'll be sure to keep up on it and hopefully will get it finished before I forget what we did.

 

[kaoden39]

It is great fun. I always love hearing about peoples trips.

 

[deejdigsdis]

Oh my goodness...that crowd picture! That is just crazy. It looked miserable. You seem to have had a great attitude about it though. I love how you let your little guy lead the way at his pace.

 

[Goofy_Mom]

When last we met, we were at Riverbelle Terrace in line for lunch and I showed you what the crowds looked like in NOS around 1pm.

So, while in line a conversation is struck up between me and the lady behind me. I don’t know who did the striking, we just starting commenting on the crowds and how everyone eats lunch at the same time. My little monkey is going nuts because we are waiting in line that moves very slowly. To make matters worse, I don’t have a second adult with me to snag a table when one becomes available, we’ll just have to trust our luck. My DD is small for her age, no one would see her holding a table and commandeer it, besides I think she’s still too little to be left on her own for an extended period of time at an overcrowded Disneyland. So we order our food. I got the chicken sandwich with a side of fruit and water, the kids each got a pb&j with grapes and a chocolate milk. We didn’t find a table, so I squeezed our trays on a spot between two people on the stone “bench” area near The Stage Door. We stood and ate. I didn’t get any pictures of this food, but it was rather tasty. The kids’ food was the uncrustable sandwiches you would find in your grocers’ freezer.

After lunch we brave the crowds and head through NOS. I wasn’t as bad is it looked, people could still actually move. What made it look bad was the line for POTC. There was a 40 min wait; they had it roped off all the way to the Haunted Mansion. The HMH line wasn't much better, so we picked up some fastpasses and headed for the railroad at DS request. Only a 10 minute wait. I’ve seen this numerous times, every time I see it I laugh.

We do a full lap, DS is having a blast and I take some pictures. Let me remind you again that during this time (and much of the time in the parks) it’s just me and my kids, my kids come first. As much as I would have loved to stroll and really focus on way cool pictures, it just wasn’t in the cards this trip. DH commented yesterday that my pictures were horrible (jokingly) and that I needed more practice. So, with that said, these are the results of my pictures.

DS did very well on the train up until the Grand Canyon scene, and then he got a little clingy. When we got off he says “go again!?” So we disembark and head to Critter Country for Splash Mountain. The sign says 25 minutes, very doable. So we’re in line and making our way to the “mouth” of the mountain , while waiting there is a snack “wagon” selling ice cream and cotton candy. What the heck, we’re on vacation, I buy the kids some cotton candy to share. I figure it’ll be gone by the time we reach the end of the line. A CM stands at the mouth of the “mountain” and pulls DS out of line to measure him, he’s an inch too short. I didn’t even think to measure him; we just got in line like we’ve done this a thousand times. The reason I didn’t measure him is because during the summer he was 38 inches and at the time of this trip he was wearing a 4t (remember, he’s only still 2). The CM insisted that he was too short, but there was a single rider line. So DD rode alone and DS and I got in line to see Eoore and Winnie the Pooh.

DD is still not quite done with SM, so DS and I head into the Critter Country store for a quick treat, a gingerbread cookie. While waiting in yet another slow moving line, DD comes out and announces that she got pictures with Brer Bear and Brer Fox. Right on!! Okay, my turn for goodies. I make sure to ask if the cookie is soft or crunchy, soft- score! The cookie was excellent, I shared it with DD, DS denied the tasty treat. We next get on the Winnie the Pooh ride, DS loves it. Towards the end of the ride he informs me that he needs to use the potty, so we make a hasty exit and make our way to the Hungry Bear for the use of the facilities. DS made it to the potty like a big boy.

Now its 3:45pm, time to meet DH at the hotel to check in and haul our gear to our room. I did get the top floor as requested and the elevator was only 7 units away from our room. Everything goes smoothly, we visit a little bit about our adventures thus far, give daddy a kiss good bye, and we’re off back to the parks. It’s dark by now, I think 5ish. DH requests that DS get a “good” spot for the fireworks, no problem I say.
Before heading back into the parks, I rent a stroller for the little one and we head back to NOS to use our FP’s for HMH. DS has been watching this movie almost daily since October; I really think he’ll like it. He does, he’s a little scared during some really dark parts, but otherwise does very well. Next up is Jungle Cruise. I wanted DS to ride an “outside” ride to settle his nerves a bit after a “dark” ride. With it being dark outside, it didn’t help much. He was okay with it, but not a huge fan. Okay, one last try for an attraction. I’m thinking the boy may be overstimulated, tired, and cold. It had started to sprinkle a little while we were waiting for the Tiki Room. Cold or not, it’s a law to enjoy a doll whip while waiting/watching the Tiki birds. The kids don’t like the frozen treat; I have to ask myself if they are mine. (Kidding, don’t send me hate mail). To my surprise, DS is loving the birds that sing words and the flowers that croon, up until the thunder. I have to admit, that part always makes me jump, too.

It’s now 7pm, time to stake my spot for the fireworks show. On the way to the hub, we stop by Bangle BBQ. I kids a mickey pretzel and I get safari skewers and chicken skewers, all of which is super yummy. I did manage to get a shot of the castle at night

I also got video of the castle lighting ceremony followed by snow, unfortunately photobucket is having major issues loading HD video, it freezes after 7% complete. So fireworks start at 8:40, we have about an hour and a half before they start. I let DD go off to ride Buzz Lightyear, she has a cell and now that DS is in a stroller, I can concentrate more on my cell going off. By the time DD returns from Buzz, DS is asleep and it starts to sprinkle again. So that my DS stays warm and relatively dry (I don’t want him getting sick) I take off my hoodie and put it over him like a blanket. After about 15 minutes I feel his hands to make sure he’s warm, yup nice and toasty. I’m doing alright; I much prefer the cold to heat. As long as my feet stay warm and dry I do okay. Five minutes before the fireworks start it starts to actually rain. A nice lady sitting near us shared an extra umbrella with me and a ripped Dora the Explorer poncho with my DD. She had a daughter with special needs and a fully loaded wheelchair, the poncho ripped while trying to put it over her daughter. They ended up buying a bigger one and said they were going to throw the ripped one away. The fireworks were great, though short (only 10 minutes) DS slept through the entire thing. After the show, I give the nice lady back her umbrella. She asks if I would like a blanket, I decline; she’s been more than generous. We make the long walk back to stroller rental to return the stroller. DD and I split up the load; we have a purse each (mine is back pack style) and the camera and DS. DD carries her purse and the camera; I have my purse and DS. He’s still wearing my hoodie like a blanket and sleeps the entire walk back to our hotel.

I’m thinking we would drop off DS and DD and I would go back to the park. No such luck, DH wants us to stay there, but sends me out to Mickey-D’s for some sort of snack.

So that’s the first day in the parks. It was the only day I took notes on, I’ll have to rely on my pictures for the rest of the trip. Until next time.

 

[kaoden39]

I love the picture of the castle. How beautiful is that?

 

[Markie Mouse]

So awesome! Can't wait for more. Im guessing either your DH is not a big Disney fan or you go way too often but if I was given a choice to get an extra day at the Land with my babies, you bet I would not pass that up. LOL. Love the pictures, they're making it harder for me to wait for my trip.

 

[mvf-m11c]

Great pics of DL especially the castle. I also like the first pic on your TR of NOS by the DLRR. That is a very interesting pic of the tunnel. Just like what you said on your first part of your TR of DL being very crowded. The treats at Pooh's corner look so delicious to get.

I'm looking forward to reading more of your TR.

 

[Goofy_Mom]

I love the picture of the castle. How beautiful is that?

It takes my breath away every time I see it

So awesome! Can't wait for more. Im guessing either your DH is not a big Disney fan or you go way too often but if I was given a choice to get an extra day at the Land with my babies, you bet I would not pass that up. LOL. Love the pictures, they're making it harder for me to wait for my trip.

Your guessed correctly, DH doesn't quite get the magic. This trip was his 3rd time there. As you'll discover, most of the trip he's not around. He gets a cold and his ankel swells up so he's grounded to the hotel for much of the trip.

Great pics of DL especially the castle. I also like the first pic on your TR of NOS by the DLRR. That is a very interesting pic of the tunnel. Just like what you said on your first part of your TR of DL being very crowded. The treats at Pooh's corner look so delicious to get.

I'm looking forward to reading more of your TR.

Thanks mvf-m11c, I was tring to get a better shot of the pants, makes me giggle every time I see it.

 

[kaoden39]

My DH doesn't get the magic either. He usually spends at least part of one day every trip back in our room. There is always a reason but I see it. That is why I am making my next trip with a friend and not with him.

 

[Goofy_Mom]

Hello again. It is now Wednesday the 24th. Today we have breakfast reservation at the Plaza Inn with Minnie and Friends. Breakfast is at 8:30, I timed it that way just in case Donald Duck was in Town Square. The plan for the day was have breakfast, ride a few rides, then head to DCA around 11am. DH is complaining that he isn’t feeling well. He says he’ll call us later and meet up with us, but first I need to run to the mini mart and get some cold medicine. The kids and I leave the hotel for the parks at 7:30. Can you tell they’re excited?

So no Donald in Town Square, but we do have time to get our Mickey ears. DS doesn’t want a hat; he gets a light up Buzz Lightyear instead. Yesterday we were looking at the Mad Hatter next to the Tea cups but we didn’t see anything we really liked. Today we looked inside the Mad Hatter on Main Street to see what the parts look like for the build it yourself hats. We very much like. DD made a blue hat with a sorcerer Mickey patch on the front and a castle patch on the back and silver ears with clear rhinestones. Mine is a black hat with a Jack Skellington head patch on the front and black ears with pink rhinestones. We both get our names on them. They now have the option of getting two lines in case you want to remember the date or commemorate something important. After we’re done getting our hats made up, we walk out just in time to see the White Rabbit coming out. DD gets very excited and is the first one in line to get his autograph and picture. Yes, she wanted his autograph. The one who said no autographs this year.

DS sees the Omnibus and really wants to get on. No problem, says I. All aboard; we get on the top section and away we go. We get off at the hub and mosey our way to the Plaza and check in (I think we are 5 minutes early). They seat us right away. We got our picture taken, DD got a button, and both kids got a balloon. Let me describe our spot. When we walk in, the food area is in the center. The seating areas are to the left, right, and outside. We make a right, our table is on the left hand side in a corner next to a pony wall. At first I was worried that the characters wouldn’t come to us because we were kinda hidden. Those worries quickly vanished; a lot of characters came to see us.

Alice and the Hatter never made it to our side of the restaurant. We saw them on the left side and then outside when we were leaving.

The food was fantastic. The kids had cereal and I had eggs, sausage, OJ, and a few other breakfast items that I can’t quite remember at the moment. I did buy the picture they took of us. It was $29 for a 5x7 of us, a 5x7 of Minnie, and two 4x6’s of us. My kids are very photogenic, but I’m not. I have to like how I look in a picture before I buy it. After breakfast, I load the pictures into my day pack, make sure the kids have their balloons and I have my camera before heading out to tackle the park. Peter pan is already over an hour. Dumbo is only a 20 minute wait so we get in line. DD does a quick jaunt to Pinocchio and meets us in the Dumbo line when she’s done. The CM holds our balloons for us while we enjoy the ride. Most of the CM’s do this for us. The only one that didn’t was the carousel. DS really love the horse ride. After Dumbo that is the ride he wants to ride next. DD went to ride the tea cups. This time DS got on the lead horse.

We picked up DD at the tea cups and got in line for the Casey Jr. Train. DS choses the monkey car. While waiting in line, we saw a plaid with a group of people on the storybook boats. Had I been thinking, I would have snapped a quick picture. I didn’t recognize anyone in the boat. DS is loving the rides. After the train we head deeper into Fantasyland. Alice is up to 45 minutes as is the storybook boats, IASW queue snakes all the way to the little store in the middle of the land. So we head to Tomorrowland and grab a couple FPs for Space Mountain. The return time is 6pm, it’s not yet noon. Autopia is next on our list. The standby line says 40 minutes. I’ve noticed that the FP line is usually just as long as the standby line for this attraction. The plan was for DD to drive her own car and DS to follow in our car. DD is too short for her own car, but they both want to drive. The CM is great. She says first time around DD drives, when we’re done come see her and we can get back on right away so DS can drive.
It’s now 1pm, a little later than I wanted it to be, but we leave DL and head toward DCA with a pit stop at the stroller rental to pick DS’s stroller. We get a quick snack for lunch and do a little walk around Hollywood Blvd to get our bearings a little. We have over an hour before Playhouse Disney starts, so we play in the Animation Studios for a while. DD goes off to learn how to draw (Donald Duck this time) while DS and I go and have a talk with Crush. Dori made an appearance during the Crush show and taught us how to speak whale. We all had a good time. All of us headed into the sorcerer’s workshop for a while. DS really like the spinning balls; I had a hard time getting him out of there so we could do the next room. Beast’s library was really busy; I took a couple pictures while we were waiting our turn.

DS helped me with my choices on what character I am. With his help, I’m Maleficent. DD got Nala. Next up Ursula borrows our voices and puts them in a scene. We choose the Simba/Scar scene – it wasn’t pretty. After we’re done in the academy, we see Handy Manny outside.

I get the kids a churro each and water for me and get in line for Playhouse Disney. While waiting in line DH calls and checks up on our status. I let him know where we’re at and what we’re up to. He asks that we come get him after we’re done, okay I say. Its vacation, I’m not going to argue that it would just be easier to meet us here. All that would do is start a fight. DS LOVED Playhouse Disney. We head out of the park to get DH and come back to DCA. DH asked why we hadn’t got much done over here. I told him we had only been in this park for a couple hours. The first thing we do when we get to the parks with DH is head to Bugs land. Chip and Dale are in the meet and great area. We pass them by since we already said hi to them this morning. DH decided we should see It’s Tough to be a Bug. I ask him if he thinks DS will be okay because this show is a bit intense. He says DS will be fine. I don’t think so, but I’m not calling the shots right now. I pull out our preferred seating tickets we got from Disney Travel and we sit down. I do request to DH that during the hornet scene that he pull DS’s back away from the back rest. He says no, but I think he’s just being a punk. DS was a trooper up until Hopper came out. When it was obvious that DS had enough, DH escorted him out. We met up with them less than 5 minutes later; the Hopper segment is the last part of the show. We commented to each other that the show seemed a bit more crisp and the 3-d had improved. I really felt like I could reach out and touch the little butterfly. Still in bugs land, we took the little one on a couple of rides. He’s a bit cranky. I think it’s because he had been up since 5:30 and gone full throttle all day with no nap. It’s now 6pm. We decide to take DS and DH back to the hotel and DD and I will come back and ride the big kid rides. On the way out, I grab a couple FPs for Tower of Terror. When we get to the hotel, I make a quick run to Mimi’s for some food to go for the boys staying behind. DS is asleep by the time I get back.

DD and I first get on HTH then make our way to GRR. She’s been jonesin to get on this ride all day. I opt out because it’s cold and I always get soaked on this ride. There is only a 5 minute wait. I look around the store while she’s on the ride. She takes a bit longer than expected. When she comes out, she’s wet, but not as bad as I thought she’d be. She told me they sent her around twice; she didn’t get off the ride between runs. We were going to get on Screamin but it was down for the rest of the night due to WOC. According to the CM that and the Sun Wheel stay down after 8pm. TSMM stays on for the entire night, even through WOC. I also found out a good tip with regards to WOC. Because we are preferred seating we don’t have to come back quite so early to get a good spot. It turns out there are far less people doing the dinning package than there are getting FP’s. Good to know.
We then make our way back to DL to get on Space Mountain and Big Thunder Mountain RR. We had picked up FPs for BTMM sometime during the day, I just can’t remember when. Oh yes, now I remember. We saw Santa today. We picked up passes on our way to see him.

I like this tricycle

Pluto is outside of Santa's cabin

So while on BTMM, my cell phone falls out of my pocket, hits my foot, and falls out of the ride. We file a lost and found report and continue with our fun. Space Mountain is our last ride of the night. I put my day pack in the Velcro bag in front of me and rap the strap of the camera bag around my arm a couple times and hold on for dear life to the handle of the bag. I’m not losing my camera. I’m a bit non challont about the phone because it’s not a super phone and it’s insured. It did get found, by the way, and is on its way home now.

 

[mvf-m11c]

Great photos of your kids and pictures taken during Minnie and Friends character breakfast. You got to meet a lot of different characters around the resort and got to do a lot of rides the next day. Can't wait to hear about your experience with the WoC preferred dining.

I'm sorry to hear about your cell phone falling off BTMRR. I had a similar situations with BTMRR. But at least the camera was found and being shipped back to you. When I rode BTMRR with my friends a few years ago, one of my friends was videotaping with their camera and when we went through one of the turns, he dropped his camera and fell out of the car. He did went to lost and found and got his camera the next day. I told him to wear the strap on the wrist but he didn't want to.

 

[kaoden39]

I am thrilled to hear your phone got found. Is that Santa a woman by any chance? The face looks really feminine to me. I love the pictures, and your DH sounds a lot like mine and it drives me freaking nuts. Even for it being major busy you guys did well.

 

[Goofy_Mom]

Great photos of your kids and pictures taken during Minnie and Friends character breakfast. You got to meet a lot of different characters around the resort and got to do a lot of rides the next day. Can't wait to hear about your experience with the WoC preferred dining.

I'm sorry to hear about your cell phone falling off BTMRR. I had a similar situations with BTMRR. But at least the camera was found and being shipped back to you. When I rode BTMRR with my friends a few years ago, one of my friends was videotaping with their camera and when we went through one of the turns, he dropped his camera and fell out of the car. He did went to lost and found and got his camera the next day. I told him to wear the strap on the wrist but he didn't want to.

I am thrilled to hear your phone got found. Is that Santa a woman by any chance? The face looks really feminine to me. I love the pictures, and your DH sounds a lot like mine and it drives me freaking nuts. Even for it being major busy you guys did well.

My phone arrived in the mail today. It came home in the same condition it was in when it jumpped out of my pocket. My DH is a good guy, just a bit of a grouch at times and a control freak.

 

[kaoden39]

My phone arrived in the mail today. It came home in the same condition it was in when it jumpped out of my pocket. My DH is a good guy, just a bit of a grouch at times and a control freak.

Oh Scotty is a great guy too. It;s just that he doesn't have that Disney gene, I mean he is fine for a day or two, but I am the one that loves the place. This last trip I really felt that I wasted a lot of money buying my mom a ticket because she didn't go to the park for over half the days we were there. One of the days she went just to go to the World Of Disney store in DTD. I think that may have colored how I felt about the whole trip.

 

[Markie Mouse]

Loving it. Every time I read your TR I get more excited for my trip. You have beautiful kids and your DD seems a lot like mine, Always ready for a photograph. Sorry to hear your DH had such an un-magical trip with the cold and ankle problem. I am so blessed I was able to convert my wife into a Disney freak like me. You do a lot for your family too like my wife. Last trip while I was lugging all the gear to our room she walked all the way down to McDonalds and surprised me with food. I have a bad back(fractured my spin playing HS Football) and have to save it for the park so now she volunteered herself as the go getter. I am the organizer, videographer, and treasurer. Can't wait to hear more!

 

[Goofy_Mom]

Loving it. Every time I read your TR I get more excited for my trip. You have beautiful kids and your DD seems a lot like mine, Always ready for a photograph. Sorry to hear your DH had such an un-magical trip with the cold and ankle problem. I am so blessed I was able to convert my wife into a Disney freak like me. You do a lot for your family too like my wife. Last trip while I was lugging all the gear to our room she walked all the way down to McDonalds and surprised me with food. I have a bad back(fractured my spin playing HS Football) and have to save it for the park so now she volunteered herself as the go getter. I am the organizer, videographer, and treasurer. Can't wait to hear more!

I'm glad you're liking my report. I already want to go back.

 

[Goofy_Mom]

Oh Scotty is a great guy too. It;s just that he doesn't have that Disney gene, I mean he is fine for a day or two, but I am the one that loves the place. This last trip I really felt that I wasted a lot of money buying my mom a ticket because she didn't go to the park for over half the days we were there. One of the days she went just to go to the World Of Disney store in DTD. I think that may have colored how I felt about the whole trip.

Okay, next time we should go with our own kids and leave the hubbys at home.

 

[Goofy_Mom]

Let’s try this again. I tried to do this earlier today, but it was so picture heavy it froze. So this time, we’ll cut in in half and see how it goes.

It’s Thanksgiving Day. The original plan of the day was DS was going to hand with DH, DD and I was going to hit the parks and ride all the big kid rides. However, after seeing how much fun DS was having it just wouldn’t have been right. Besides, DD and I were doing just fine doing the big kid rides at night. DH stayed behind, this time with a swollen ankle. Today is magic morning the park opens at 7am; we got there at 7:30. We saw Mickey with a very small line. It was so cute. DS was wearing his monkey and just before I let DS give Mickey a hug, I wrapped the “tail” around the monkey so DS wouldn’t trip. Mickey unwrapped the tail and proceeded to walk my son in circles. After a few seconds you couldn’t tell who was walking who. I thought I was taking video, but it seems I left my brain elsewhere. I switched the dial to video but pressed the wrong button. I did this all day.

On today’s must do list is IASW. DS see’s Dumbo on the way. It has a 10 minute. Peter pan is already over an hour as is Alice. So after Dumbo we find our way to IASW, also a 10 minute wait. DS is a bit hesitant but ultimately loves the ride. I took 41 pictures, here are some of my favorites.

We also got to see the clockenspeil 15 minutes before Toontown opened. Still my brain isn’t functioning properly. DS really liked Toontown. We spent over an hour and a half playing in there. DD rode Gadget’s Go Coaster four times. Here are some pictures of our adventures.

Ariel and Tiana were in the meet and greet area. I think this is the only time I’ve only seen two princesses in the area.

It’s getting close to lunch. We have arrangements to eat at Café Orleans. We are a bit early so we look around NOS for a while and take some more pictures. I also cave and finally get the bubble gun.

Lunch is awesome. I ordered the Pomme Friets and the Chicken sandwich. DD ordered the mac and cheese. She didn’t like it. The initial taste was good, but there was an unusual aftertaste.

We'll try and complete this report tomorrow.