Pumpkins, and candy, and Mickey, oh my! (TR complete!)

[Disneygrl36]

I hope you are having a great visit with your Mom.
I would have been by that rolling billboard too? Not at all shy about advertising things like that in Sin City huh? I am so naive sometimes that I am sure I would have been blushing just reading it.

 

[DisneyLaura]

Beth just catching up.

I love these!


Dream Team Stalker I sure hope you find one and get a DFP or something.

Hope you had a fun visit with your mom. OMG that billboard would have made me blush too.

 

[mommaU4]

Yikes!

I have to admit, I thought it was pretty funny.

Re-subbing under my new user name. I haven't been here in a couple weeks so I need to catch up!

Hey! Good to see ya here.

I hope you are having a great visit with your Mom.
I would have been by that rolling billboard too? Not at all shy about advertising things like that in Sin City huh? I am so naive sometimes that I am sure I would have been blushing just reading it.

LOL I am so used to it. Not just from living here, but from traveling here many times on vacation. That kind of thing doesn't bother me. But then again, not much does.

I love these!


Dream Team Stalker I sure hope you find one and get a DFP or something.

Hope you had a fun visit with your mom. OMG that billboard would have made me blush too.

I love those too. And especially love the price.
Yep, Dream Team Stalker that's me! Or at least I'm one of the group of stalkers.





OKay, my poor mom is on a plane back to a very cold, and very snowy northern Michigan. Our visit was great, but too short. I'm sad to see her go, so I'll probably come and relive more Disneyland trip memories in a little bit to help cheer me up.

 

[mommaU4]

Warning, this is a little wordy, but I didn't want to leave anything out.

At the end of my last update, Ruben had just informed me of a call from Callie telling me to high tail it over to the exit area of Big Thunder Mountain as they had spotted the Dream Team.

As I passed the BTM exit I saw Callie, and Stacie sitting on a bench relaxing with Cheryl next to them on her scooter. Okay..... where was the Dream Team? Was I already too late???

I walked up to them and they told me to sit down. Ok. I sat down still somewhat confused. Then they told me they had spotted the Dream Team, and had followed them until they snuck into a building near where the McDonald's cart used to be. Or perhaps that was the old cart, I can't recall. Anyway, it had walls around it and a door so you couldn't see in.

So we sat, and we waited. They speculated that if the Dream Team were going anywhere it would either be to the exit of BTM or back to the ranch area. Several minutes passed and there was no action at all. No noise from the other side of the walls and no one coming out.

While we were waiting, Ruben and the kids showed up and everyone suggested they go on BTM, so they did. Also Stacie's DD and her friend showed up to hang out with us.
Meanwhile Stacie managed to catch a glimpse inside the little building the Dream Team was in, and noticed them putting on their white vests!! They were getting ready and so were we.

We walked over to the railing near the exit and decided to wait there. Sure enough, before long out came the Dream Team and headed right to the exit of BTM and started passing out dream fastpasses!!

Now if they did that, the plan had been to go on the ride with Cheryl. She uses a scooter and could take up to 6 people onto the ride going through the exit. We were exactly six: Cheryl, Stacie, her DD, her DD's friend, Callie and myself. Perfect! On the way in, one of the Dream Team members said Happy Birthday to either Stacie's DD or her friend. I can't remember whose b-day it was, but they had on a b-day button.

So we all followed Cheryl through a rather congested exit over to the ride area. People passing by the exit saw the Dream Team and were walking up asking for a pass, but you could only get the fast passes upon exiting the ride, so we had to actually go on! The problem was......would we make it on the ride, finish the ride, and get out there to collect a pass before they left???

All of a sudden Callie turned to me and said, "I think you shouldn't go on the ride. We won't finish in time." She said to wait for the next train of people to exit and walk back out with them.

I said ok, and immediately starting saying very loudly, "Guys, I don't think I can go on this ride. I can't handle it. I'll get sick."
A CM was walking by and I said, "Excuse me, is this a fast ride?" Of course, I was waiting for him to say yes........and he said no!!! What???? No?? Yes, it is! I've been on it. Well, crap. That didn't work. Think fast....

"But is it jerky?" I asked.

"A little," he replied. I quickly turned to Callie and the others and said there was simply no way I could go on it without getting ill, and would have to leave, all with an appropriately sad/disappointed/fearful face.

Stacie told her DD and her DD's friend to follow me out and mixing with the crowd just exiting the ride, off we went! The one who's b-day it was, quickly covered up her b-day button with her jacket in case they remembered her just walking in. But were we already too late? Was the Dream Team still there?

YES! THEY WERE!!!!! And the two girls and I were all given dream fast passes on the way out! I could not believe it!! Finally!!!!! After a whole year of never even seeing the Dream Team (which is why I was following the wrong person in the beginning, lol) I had a fast pass in my hand!!!!

I was so excited, but then I remembered what Callie had told me when I asked her what happens if I get a pass, but no one else in my family does. She said you can go to City Hall and if you tell them exactly where you got the pass and the time, they will give you more for the rest of your party. She said sometimes it helps to have a picture of the person who gave you the pass. Well, I wasn't about to take any chances, so I grabbed the camera and walked back to the Dream Team member who gave me the pass and told him I was so excited (which I was) and asked if I could please take his pic for my scrapbook. (I've never scrapbooked a day in my life! lol But Noelle does.)

He said sure and without further ado, I give you the Dream Team that totally made my day!

I was so excited. I was grinning from ear to ear like an idiot.
Before long the Dream Team finished their dreaming and took off. Not long at all afterwards out came Callie, Stacie and Cheryl. So Callie was right! Had I gone on the ride, I would have missed out.

I excitedly showed them my dream fast pass. They were so happy for me and I was sooooooo grateful to them all. Ok, so it took a little finagling, but I thrilled. I just don't have that kind of luck, so I was thankful for Callie and Stacie's stalking skills, and Cheryl's scooter!

All of a sudden the day which I had feared would be crowded and full of long lines, was looking a lot better just knowing we had these passes and wouldn't have to run around like crazy or wait forever.
Ruben and the kids finally made their way off the ride. Time for one more bit of sneakiness thanks to some urging from the stalking crew, LOL. I told them I hadn't been able to get one, with a sad, frustrated face of course. I said we had just missed them. Awwww, darn.

But wait, what's this..........and I showed them my fast pass! The funny thing was it didn't quite get the thrilled reaction we had hoped for. I found out later on that the twins didn't even know what it was or meant to have a dream fast pass. Adam and Noelle knew what it was and what it meant, but were wondering what we were going to do with just one.

I thanked Callie, Stacie, and Cheryl again and told them they had really made my day. What an awesome way to end our last day.

From there it was off to City Hall to get fast passes for the rest of my family and since it was still pretty early in the day, we had a lot more to look forward to!

Up next: California Adventure and Disneyland with dream fast passes really is a whole different ballgame! Plus many more pics, I promise, including our first visit to Ariel's Grotto in DCA.

 

[Yakety76]

Woo Hoo!! Congrats!

 

[wendylady36]

Isn't there more to that story...like how the lady at City Hall was a total witch with a capital "B"

 

[trodrigue]

Holy Cow Beth. Can't believe you got dreamed! That is so cool! Can't wait to read the rest of the day. Hurry Up!

 

[prettyprincessbelle]

Woohoo for getting dreamed! And you didn't have to risk getting sick in order to get a dream FP!

Isn't there more to that story...like how the lady at City Hall was a total witch with a capital "B"

Say it ain't so! A crabby CM ruins the getting dreamed magic??!!

 

[mommaU4]

Woo Hoo!! Congrats!

Thanks! It was pretty fun and exciting. LOL

Isn't there more to that story...like how the lady at City Hall was a total witch with a capital "B"

No, not for us. Callie, Stacie, Cheryl and the girls went to City Hall too, so they could also get fast passes since only the girls had won them, but they were in line a little bit behind us so we didn't go in together.

The CM we got was super nice. She called someone from the Dream Team out and he gave us the remaining passes we needed. We had to wait for a few minutes but it went totally smoothly.
I hadn't heard if something bad happened to the others.

Holy Cow Beth. Can't believe you got dreamed! That is so cool! Can't wait to read the rest of the day. Hurry Up!

It was cool! I mean, I know it wasn't the Dream Suite or anything, LOL, but it really was such a nice way to end our trip, especially since we'd never been dreamed ever.

Woohoo for getting dreamed! And you didn't have to risk getting sick in order to get a dream FP!



Say it ain't so! A crabby CM ruins the getting dreamed magic??!!

I actually don't mind BTM, lol, I just had to use that excuse. Poor Cheryl on the other hand actually ended up having to ride BTM and she doesn't like that ride at all! So she sacrificed for the greater good.

And no crabby CMs for us! The rest of our day was as good as it gets!

 

[stacielee]

All of a sudden Callie turned to me and said, "I think you shouldn't go on the ride. We won't finish in time." She said to wait for the next train of people to exit and walk back out with them.

I said ok, and immediately starting saying very loudly, "Guys, I don't think I can go on this ride. I can't handle it. I'll get sick."
A CM was walking by and I said, "Excuse me, is this a fast ride?" Of course, I was waiting for him to say yes........and he said no!!! What???? No?? Yes, it is! I've been on it. Well, crap. That didn't work. Think fast....

"But is it jerky?" I asked.

"A little," he replied. I quickly turned to Callie and the others and said there was simply no way I could go on it without getting ill, and would have to leave, all with an appropriately sad/disappointed/fearful face.

Stacie told her DD and her DD's friend to follow me out and mixing with the crowd just exiting the ride, off we went! The one who's b-day it was, quickly covered up her b-day button with her jacket in case they remembered her just walking in. But were we already too late? Was the Dream Team still there?

Poor Cheryl on the other hand actually ended up having to ride BTM and she doesn't like that ride at all! So she sacrificed for the greater good.

Remember how my DD did not want to go back out? I told her, "Go out, NOW! With Beth!! Or we might not all get the Fast Passes!!!" I literally pushed her and her friend out behind you!!!

And I'm glad Cheryl rode with us, and ToT as well!!! See, they weren't that bad, were they?

 

[travelmel]

Congrats! That must have been a much nicer day then it would have been sans passes!

 

[mommaU4]

Remember how my DD did not want to go back out? I told her, "Go out, NOW! With Beth!! Or we might not all get the Fast Passes!!!" I literally pushed her and her friend out behind you!!!

OMG, that's right!! She wanted to go on the ride.

Was it her b-day or her friends? All I remember is whomever's b-day it was, she was a pretty sly and a quick thinker to cover up her b-day button so the Dream Team member didn't remember just wishing her a Happy Birthday like a minute or two prior. I was impressed by that.

 

[mommaU4]

Congrats! That must have been a much nicer day then it would have been sans passes!

Oh, you have no idea. I was so grateful. The crowds were horrendous. Remember my HM shot from the day before??
And this was a Saturday so I just knew it would be worse. I was seriously considering cutting our last day short and going back to Pasadena to my BIL's house to see his decorations like my MIL wanted us to do, just because I knew if I'd had to put up with those crowds all day, it would have really soured the experience.
So this was a real thrill for us.

 

[Disneygrl36]

For the dream fastpasses

 

[mommaU4]

I just wanted to say that I hope everyone reading enjoys their holiday tomorrow. This is totally off topic but I like this story and thought I'd share:

Poor People?
One day, a father of a very wealthy family took his son on a trip to the country with the firm purpose of showing his son how poor people can be.

They spent a couple of days and night on the farm of what would be considered a very poor family.

On their return from the trip, the father asked his son, "How was the trip?".

"It was great, Dad".

"Did you see how poor people can be?" the father asked.

"Oh yeah," said the son.

"So what did you learn from the trip?" asked the father.

The son answered, "I saw that we have one dog and they have four.
We have a pool that reaches to the middle of our garden and they have a creek that has no end
We have imported lanterns in our garden and they have the stars at night.
Our patio reaches to the front yard and they have the whole horizon.
We have a small piece of land to live on and they have fields that go beyond our sight.
We have servants who serve us, but they serve others.
We buy our food, but they grow theirs.
We have walls around our property to protect us, and they have friends to protect them."

With this, the boy's father was speechless.
Then his son added, "Thanks Dad, for showing me how poor we are."

Too many times we forget what we have and concentrate on what we don't have. What is one person's worthless object is another's prize possession. It is all based on one's perspective. ​

I hope you all have a great holiday and remember in between bites of yummy pumpkin pie to think of all you have to be thankful for.

 

[dwheatl]

Hurray! the Dream fast passes. Wish I'd known about going to City Hall. DH and I got them last trip, while the kids were still sleeping, so we gave them up to the kids when they got to the parks. The sacrifices we make

 

[mommaU4]

Hurray! the Dream fast passes. Wish I'd known about going to City Hall. DH and I got them last trip, while the kids were still sleeping, so we gave them up to the kids when they got to the parks. The sacrifices we make

Aw, sorry about that.
I didn't know about it either until I asked. I was wondering how it would work if I got one and no one else in my family did. That's when Callie explained it to me.
It's good they offer that. After all, not all groups or families are always together. Ruben and I have split up before, and he'll take Adam and Noelle while I keep the twins. It would kind of ruin the "dream" if half the family got something special and the other half didn't. Another nice touch on Disney's part.

 

[trodrigue]

I just wanted to say that I hope everyone reading enjoys their holiday tomorrow. This is totally off topic but I like this story and thought I'd share:

Poor People?
One day, a father of a very wealthy family took his son on a trip to the country with the firm purpose of showing his son how poor people can be.

They spent a couple of days and night on the farm of what would be considered a very poor family.

On their return from the trip, the father asked his son, "How was the trip?".

"It was great, Dad".

"Did you see how poor people can be?" the father asked.

"Oh yeah," said the son.

"So what did you learn from the trip?" asked the father.

The son answered, "I saw that we have one dog and they have four.
We have a pool that reaches to the middle of our garden and they have a creek that has no end
We have imported lanterns in our garden and they have the stars at night.
Our patio reaches to the front yard and they have the whole horizon.
We have a small piece of land to live on and they have fields that go beyond our sight.
We have servants who serve us, but they serve others.
We buy our food, but they grow theirs.
We have walls around our property to protect us, and they have friends to protect them."

With this, the boy's father was speechless.
Then his son added, "Thanks Dad, for showing me how poor we are."

Too many times we forget what we have and concentrate on what we don't have. What is one person's worthless object is another's prize possession. It is all based on one's perspective. ​

I hope you all have a great holiday and remember in between bites of yummy pumpkin pie to think of all you have to be thankful for.

Great Story and so true. Thanks for sharing it.

 

[travelmel]

Hey Beth!
Thanks for sharing that story. My DD's and I went for a bike ride today. I was telling them, WOW, look at how beautiful it is! It is like out of the entire Universe that we know of we won the ultra-mega lottery to be born here and now. How lucky we are. (long story short).
Giving Thanks,
Melissa

 

[stacielee]

OMG, that's right!! She wanted to go on the ride.

Was it her b-day or her friends? All I remember is whomever's b-day it was, she was a pretty sly and a quick thinker to cover up her b-day button so the Dream Team member didn't remember just wishing her a Happy Birthday like a minute or two prior. I was impressed by that.

It was her friend's birthday, she was so glad she came, although I think she thinks we're all a bit wacko!!