Strike yer colors, you brazen wench, no need to expose yer superstructure! New p. 16

[kaoden39]

Great updates. When we went the same week in 2005 that is how slow it was in both parks. It was amazing!! Lucky you.

 

[rentayenta]

Great updates. When we went the same week in 2005 that is how slow it was in both parks. It was amazing!! Lucky you.

Thank you. Early December is my favorite time to go. I know I sound like an old lady but the reduced hours were really nice. I think it just generally keeps the crowds down. The only closure was BTMRR but we rode that I think 5 times on Sunday knowing it would be down Mon and Tues.

 

[pooh'smate]

I do have a cute souvenir/money story. We decided to give the kids $75 for souvenirs each for the entire trip. We both though that was fair. I was hoping for $100 each and DH was leaning towards $50 so we compromised at $75. Well, Gabby said she wanted to spend some of her bat mitzvah money for clothes on the trip. She is saving for a car- we'll match what she saves. But it is her money and she did earn it. She worked her guts out for it so we agreed she could have $200. You know what she did?

She kept $100 for herself and gave $50 each to her siblings. That gesture seriously warmed our hearts to the point of busting. We kept a total of what they could spend. They spent every penny over the course of the trip.

We never did take the money from her account. The fact that she would share so generously and all on her own made it worth not having her spend her hard earned money. She doesn't know I left it in her account and I have no intention of telling her. She grew up so much this trip. Thanks for putting up with my sappy mommy moment.

So sweet

 

[rentayenta]

So sweet

She can be a snotty teen like all of them but she has the kindest heart- very generous with her siblings and friends. DH and I were truly floored. I am an only child but DH said he would have never done that.

How are you?

 

[kaoden39]

Thank you. Early December is my favorite time to go. I know I sound like an old lady but the reduced hours were really nice. I think it just generally keeps the crowds down. The only closure was BTMRR but we rode that I think 5 times on Sunday knowing it would be down Mon and Tues.

It is the best. I am thinking that the busiest trip time was possibly that week in June 2010! We were elbow to elbow in the parks.

 

[rentayenta]

It is the best. I am thinking that the busiest trip time was possibly that week in June 2010! We were elbow to elbow in the parks.

I hate the crowds like that. That bottleneck area between JC and POTC is a total nightmare even when it's slightly crowded. It's one of my favorite areas of the park though and impossible to avoid.

 

[DangerMouse]

Jenny, I've been enjoying your trip report, even though I'm a little jealous of your low crowd levels. We enjoyed our first 2 days with lower crowds, but made the mistake of ending on a Saturday, and even worse, the CP Saturday. Kinda left a bad taste in my mouth, if you KWIM. Our DLH experience was pretty negative as well. I really hate leaving DLR on an unhappy note because it makes my DH not want to return.

Your view from the GCV was AWESOME!

 

[kaoden39]

I hate the crowds like that. That bottleneck area between JC and POTC is a total nightmare even when it's slightly crowded. It's one of my favorite areas of the park though and impossible to avoid.

I know what you mean, it is a terrible bottle neck and one of my favorite areas in the park.

Jenny, I've been enjoying your trip report, even though I'm a little jealous of your low crowd levels. We enjoyed our first 2 days with lower crowds, but made the mistake of ending on a Saturday, and even worse, the CP Saturday. Kinda left a bad taste in my mouth, if you KWIM. Our DLH experience was pretty negative as well. I really hate leaving DLR on an unhappy note because it makes my DH not want to return.

Your view from the GCV was AWESOME!

Oh I am sorry to hear that. My husband did that after an awful trip during a very busy March with a park full of rude, pushy and way too perky cheer leaders there for a competition. It was no fun for any of us.

 

[rentayenta]

Jenny, I've been enjoying your trip report, even though I'm a little jealous of your low crowd levels. We enjoyed our first 2 days with lower crowds, but made the mistake of ending on a Saturday, and even worse, the CP Saturday. Kinda left a bad taste in my mouth, if you KWIM. Our DLH experience was pretty negative as well. I really hate leaving DLR on an unhappy note because it makes my DH not want to return.

Your view from the GCV was AWESOME!

I'm so sorry. What happened at the DLH? How were the rooms? Are you doing a trip report? If not, I totally understand. At least you got 2 days of low crowds. I totally understand it leaving a bad taste in your mouth. That's how we felt after our night at the PPH. Forking over the money for subpar service doesn't feel good.


Our view was awesome! We've now had that view twice. That view is the catalyst for us changing from the THV to the AKV savanah view for part of the trip next October.

I know what you mean, it is a terrible bottle neck and one of my favorite areas in the park.

I love turing the corner from the hub and going through the Adventureland sign. It gives me the chills.

 

[kaoden39]

I'm so sorry. What happened at the DLH? How were the rooms? Are you doing a trip report? If not, I totally understand. At least you got 2 days of low crowds. I totally understand it leaving a bad taste in your mouth. That's how we felt after our night at the PPH. Forking over the money for subpar service doesn't feel good.


Our view was awesome! We've now had that view twice. That view is the catalyst for us changing from the THV to the AKV savanah view for part of the trip next October.




I love turing the corner from the hub and going through the Adventureland sign. It gives me the chills.

Me too and I think that it comes from my very first trip as a little girl and crossing into Adventureland was like entering a whole new and exciting world.

 

[DangerMouse]

I'm so sorry. What happened at the DLH? How were the rooms? Are you doing a trip report? If not, I totally understand. At least you got 2 days of low crowds. I totally understand it leaving a bad taste in your mouth. That's how we felt after our night at the PPH. Forking over the money for subpar service doesn't feel good.

We checked into the DLH at 9 am, and at 4:30 pm, our room still wasn't ready, so we gave up our pool view room in the Adventure tower and took a parking lot view in the Fantasy tower so we could get ready for our PS at Cafe Orleans. The Monorail Slide area was closed for construction (a major reason I booked), and our room thermostat was broken and it heated up to 83 degrees, and we couldn't cool it off. Pretty miserable.

Coming from a 2 bedroom/2 bath kids' suite at the HoJo was hard. The only benefit we had was MM on Saturday morning, which was a lifesaver. We got to do Star Tours back to back without even getting off, As well as a lot of other Fantasyland rides before the park opened.

I completely agree with you and your son about DCA. The construction walls were a real downer, and it was hard to feel the Christmas spirit in that park. World of Color was incredible (our first time seeing it). We pulled a blue fp and saw it from the fire hydrant upper level. Perfect view!

 

[rentayenta]

Me too and I think that it comes from my very first trip as a little girl and crossing into Adventureland was like entering a whole new and exciting world.

So much of the joy is wrapped in nostalgia for me. I remember going on POTC and thinking it was real.

 

[rentayenta]

We checked into the DLH at 9 am, and at 4:30 pm, our room still wasn't ready, so we gave up our pool view room in the Adventure tower and took a parking lot view in the Fantasy tower so we could get ready for our PS at Cafe Orleans. The Monorail Slide area was closed for construction (a major reason I booked), and our room thermostat was broken and it heated up to 83 degrees, and we couldn't cool it off. Pretty miserable.

That sucks! I am so sorry. I think you need to send a formal email outlining the issues.

Coming from a 2 bedroom/2 bath kids' suite at the HoJo was hard. The only benefit we had was MM on Saturday morning, which was a lifesaver. We got to do Star Tours back to back without even getting off, As well as a lot of other Fantasyland rides before the park opened.

MM is a huge perk to staying onsite for sure. Did you like the new ST? My son loved it! Going from a suite to to a standard would be hard. I would stay at HoJo again before the PPH again. Our stay at HoJo was great. I know people love the PPH and maybe it really is better since the refurbed rooms but when we were there, the ac was painfully loud, our room wasn't ready until well after 4:30, and it seemed dirty and old. My son called it the Paradise Poo.

I completely agree with you and your son about DCA. The construction walls were a real downer, and it was hard to feel the Christmas spirit in that park. World of Color was incredible (our first time seeing it). We pulled a blue fp and saw it from the fire hydrant upper level. Perfect view!

I'm glad you had a great view. It's spectacular! Yeah, DCA needs some major love. Hopefully once Carsland is finished and the construction is finished it will be fantastic! DCA to Disneyland is like the side of veggies that come with the steak. It's there but not necessary.

 

[kaoden39]

So much of the joy is wrapped in nostalgia for me. I remember going on POTC and thinking it was real.

Me too!! And then lets age me a bit and say that I adored the Carousel of Progress. I thought that was an amazing ride.

 

[rentayenta]

Me too!! And then lets age me a bit and say that I adored the Carousel of Progress. I thought that was an amazing ride.

It left Disneyland in 1973 so I have only very vague memories of it but enjoy everytime we are in WDW. America Sings is the one I miss.

 

[kaoden39]

It left Disneyland in 1973 so I have only very vague memories of it but enjoy everytime we are in WDW. America Sings is the one I miss.

I loved America Sings too and I was so sad to see Country Bear Jamboree go away too. I am all for progress but I hate to lose favorites. The America Sings one is extremely tough for me because I am not fond of Innoventions at all.

 

[rentayenta]

I loved America Sings too and I was so sad to see Country Bear Jamboree go away too. I am all for progress but I hate to lose favorites. The America Sings one is extremely tough for me because I am not fond of Innoventions at all.

I agree! It's like a big outdated iPad- lol! There has got to be a million things they could do with that big space.

 

[franandaj]

The Napa Rose cooking school sounds amazing! Still haven't made it there but someday we will. I've seen your D23 photos which were awesome, do you have any of the F&W at either WDW or DL? I think I like the idea of WDW's better, seems more *festival* like if that makes sense. I love the pictures I've seen of the teeny tiny desserts. Are they more than a bite or two?

I cannot wait for WDW's F&W festival. DH is a total foodie, cooks amazing. He is going to be in heaven. Thank you for the terrific overview. I might actually be able to get DH to read your post since it involves food.

There is a link in my signature to the CA F&W Review. It was mostly 2010, but I reviewed past events waiting for the event itself to start, sort of a PTR.

A purse I’d actually carry:

Good choice I have that one too!

What a sweetheart your daughter was to share her hard earned money with her siblings. You definitely raised her right!

 

[rentayenta]

There is a link in my signature to the CA F&W Review. It was mostly 2010, but I reviewed past events waiting for the event itself to start, sort of a PTR.

Thanks! I'll check it out tonight.

Good choice I have that one too!

It's so cute and I'm so jealous!

What a sweetheart your daughter was to share her hard earned money with her siblings. You definitely raised her right!

We try. She's a good kid, they all are. I mean of course they have their moments, we all do but their cores are good and that's half the battle.




Working on the last part of Day 2 and should have it up by tomorrow. Day 2 was packed with fun.

 

[kaoden39]

I agree! It's like a big outdated iPad- lol! There has got to be a million things they could do with that big space.

What an appropriate analogy!!