Thank you Amtrak for a Decade of Disneyland!

[Markie Mouse]

Awesome trip report so far. Your daughter is a character! I really like the pics so far too, especially the one of the matterhorn and the reversed Bokeh effect!

 

[TheColtonsMom]

I am finally aboard for the ride and hungry for more...

Nice to see some things stay the same always... Your son and his turkey legs and your daughter and her furry pals, love of horses and great goofy poses...and nice to see she braved something new by riding Splash! the boys were pulling your leg big time about putting the little one in front! Don't you remember how wet Colton was after his front of the log birthday rides on Splash?

 

[CantWaitToGo2007]

I'm here and enjoying your report

very excited to hear about how you liked Dolphin's Cove. That's where we are planning on staying next year when we go.

Nanette

 

[tffnyjean]

I'm enjoying your TR, great pics! Thank you for writing it!

 

[lozzypop]

I also had to bribe my DD with a stuffy to ride Haunted Mansion. She won't go anywhere near the regular version, but went on the Holiday version once only when she was allowed to listen to her MP3 player to drown out any spooky sounds. She still cried when queuing up, but was determined to tough it out so she could get the Sally doll I promised her.

Like your DD, my DD is very partial to stuffies - we have a "two-stuffy" rule when doing our Disneyland trips, otherwise there would be nothing else in my luggage coming home.

 

[mariezp]

Hot diggity! More responses to make!
Sorry I don't have a new update to post yet but, hopefully I will have time to work up something new in the next couple days. In the meantime.....

Awesome trip report so far. Your daughter is a character! I really like the pics so far too, especially the one of the matterhorn and the reversed Bokeh effect!

Thank you Markie Mouse! You are right my daughter is quite a character! She makes the best park buddy! I confess. I had to do a google search to find out what a reversed Bokeh effect was. I can now assure you that if I did it it was totally by accident! I am sure it is totally obvious to most anyone that I take pictures just because I love it and it's fun and certainly not because I would ever claim to be good at it. I do luck out sometimes and get a pretty good shot. Guess it's bound to happen every now and then when one takes close to 2000 pictures on a trip. Hope you find a few more you like by the time I get done with my trip report.

I am finally aboard for the ride and hungry for more...

Nice to see some things stay the same always... Your son and his turkey legs and your daughter and her furry pals, love of horses and great goofy poses...and nice to see she braved something new by riding Splash! the boys were pulling your leg big time about putting the little one in front! Don't you remember how wet Colton was after his front of the log birthday rides on Splash?

Hi TheColtonsMom! I haven't seen you around in awhile. I am sure it is because I have been slacking off around here lately. Always good to see a familiar face! Yep, my son is still crazy for turkey legs. I have no idea why. I have not tried one myself yet but don't really think I will be planning to any time soon. Too many other tasty treats that sound more appetizing to me.
And, yep, Emma still feels the need to bring a fuzzy buddy with her each time we head to the park. I don’t mind at all but the rule is that she has to carry it…. not me. She does indeed still love horses and loves to strike those poses for me in front of the camera.
I was very proud of her for trying Splash but I was a little aggravated with the menfolk for scaring the wits out of her with their so called calculations. I was worrying the whole time about how panicked she was going to be when she was the one going over the big drop first but they seem to be all focused on what would make the water splash the most. I felt terrible for going along with them but thankfully all turned out in the end and I don't think she was permanently traumatized. I do know she will never ride in the front again and we will choose our own seats from now on! Please refresh my faulty memory. How did Colton take getting dowsed on his long ride? I am making a quick run through right now and responding to some comments but when I have a little more time I really need to go look up your report and see what else I should remember!

I'm here and enjoying your report

very excited to hear about how you liked Dolphin's Cove. That's where we are planning on staying next year when we go.

Nanette

Glad you joined in CantWaitToGo2007! And, glad you are enjoying what you have read and seen so far.
Just a couple more days to post and I will get to the part of my report where we head to Dolphin's Cove so stay tuned. Don't want to spoil the surprise completely but I will say that we liked DC enough that we will be returning again on our next trip in November. I'll be sure to post plenty of photos for you so you can see what you think for yourself!

I'm enjoying your TR, great pics! Thank you for writing it!

Thank you for reading along with me tffnyjean! It is always my pleasure to share with everyone in hopes that it helps pump other people's excitement level for planning their own trip.

I also had to bribe my DD with a stuffy to ride Haunted Mansion. She won't go anywhere near the regular version, but went on the Holiday version once only when she was allowed to listen to her MP3 player to drown out any spooky sounds. She still cried when queuing up, but was determined to tough it out so she could get the Sally doll I promised her.

Like your DD, my DD is very partial to stuffies - we have a "two-stuffy" rule when doing our Disneyland trips, otherwise there would be nothing else in my luggage coming home.

lozzypop, when we are on vacation I am all for anything that makes our days go smoother! So, if a little bribe is in order... so be it. My DD has never put 2 plus 2 together and realized that she could probably end up getting a souvenir anyway without having to do something for it. When she figures that out we may have to up the ante! I am glad that your DD took the bribe and rode once. Maybe a few more bribes and she will do it on her own. Yay for her being brave and claiming her Sally! Emma was scared to go on HM her first time too (We didn’t even bribe her that time… we just happened to be part of the Holiday Tour) but after she tried it she loved it. It is now actually one of her favorites. I think the holiday version of HM helps because the music playing is busy and upbeat and helps take focus away from the scary factor.
I like your 2 limit stuffy rule and totally understand your reasoning. I have never set a specific rule but it is just about the same. Usually something like one a week maybe. If she does spot something small that she can’t live without I will consider it towards the end of the trip. Of course, it really throws the whole packing thing off if anyone wins any of the big midway toys..... so be sure to stay far away from those places unless you want to add a new challenge to your homeward bound packing!

 

[sarahk0204]

Then we headed over to Toad which had a minor delay right before it was our turn to get on. Glad it wasn’t while we were on it because I don’t think I would like to be trapped in hell.

Too funny!

 

[mariezp]

Too funny!

I am glad someone appreciates my attempts to be entertaining every now an then.


I managed to work up another day's report. This one's pretty short since the day in the park was pretty short due to cold and rain but never fear.... I'll be back with more soon. In the meantime.....

 

[mariezp]

Day 5, Friday, November 4, 2011

I spent a little time this morning trying to get online but finally gave up and played solitaire while everyone else was still sleeping. While I was doing that I noticed the sound of rain outside. We piddled around waiting for it to stop but finally gave up and went ahead and headed over to the park.

We wandered through the fire station.

We spent some time looking at displays inside some of the windows while we strolled down Main Street. Really bad reflections I know. I definitely need to work on this area of my picture taking but you still kinda get the idea.

Then we decided to go over to the Tiki Room for our daily show.

 

[mariezp]

Continued....

When our show was over we found DH and DS in the Outfitters store where DS had discovered an Indy pinball machine and was setting high score records.

When he had finally had enough they requested our presence in Fantasyland so off we went. We rode Snow White, Pinocchio, Casey Jr., Dumbo and Toad. It rained off and on most of the morning.

The rain was beginning to come down pretty good so we decided to take a break and eat. DS made a run for a turkey leg and a chimichanga for DD while we went over to French Market. If we had known the dining area was not better covered we would have chosen somewhere else but we were already there so we sorta roughed it.... sitting in wet chairs and positioning our chairs just right so we wouldn't get dripped on... too much.

It was getting colder and we were fairly soggy and miserable but thankfully the food was good.... although I do believe it was a dining experience I dont think we will care to repeat. The guys headed out just as soon as they were through eating since they were both freezing and DH did not have on a coat. DD and I were a little bit better bundled up so I thought we might stay longer or maybe shop but by the time we were through eating DD decided that she too was cold and wanted to go back to our room. So we jumped on the train back to the front of the park.

We made it back to the room and cranked up the heater. I strung clothes out to dry all over the place.

We lazed around several hours and when DH asked if we were going back no one seemed very enthusiastic and said that it was too cold. Of course, If it had been all left up to me, I would have gone back because I knew we would be missing out on some prime time in the park since many people would have already gone home. Oh well. Rather than spend the entire rest of the day in our room I suggested that we go to the movies in DTD. Everyone was agreeable to that so we went to go see Puss in Boots. Everybody loved it and it was a good way to spend the afternoon without being in the cold for too long.

We started back to the hotel and grabbed burgers for DD and myself at Denneys. We got to the room and I ordered in pizza again for the guys. The Wizard of Oz was on tv so we watched that before turning in for the night. Not much of a big Disney day but still good time spent with my family.

 

[sarahk0204]

Christmas 2010 in WDW we had a rainy day. We too ended up at a movie at DTD. We liked the experience so much, we planned a movie for the Christmas 2011 trip. We have also had a good time watching movies in our room. It is nice to just spend time together as a family.

 

[perrinej]

One of the best trip reports I have read. Loved the pictures. Thanks for taking the time to share with everyone!

 

[bumbershoot]

I absolutely never noticed the hook light fixture at PP. That's what I love about Disneyland - there's always something new or something you missed.

Neither have I! Very cool.

Loooooooove that picture!

However, along the way, DD changed her mind on our destination and decided she would be brave enough to ride Splash for her first time if the boys would get her a poncho…. and buy her a stuffed giraffe. She was afraid the store was going to sell out of the toy she’d had her eye on so she wanted to go right then and there.

She is one smart girl. I totally should have used that same tactic on, um, myself (since I'm the one that sets the budget) on our recent trip, when I rode two exciting rides at Universal...I shoulda come out of it with so much stuff!

When our show was over we found DH and DS in the Outfitters store where DS had discovered an Indy pinball machine and was setting high score records.

Ooh, how have we missed that???? We're starting to put more Game money into the budget, and if that game is still there on our next trip and DS is tall enough to play it, I have a feeling we'll lose some *serious* time while he and DH play it.

 

[mariezp]

Christmas 2010 in WDW we had a rainy day. We too ended up at a movie at DTD. We liked the experience so much, we planned a movie for the Christmas 2011 trip. We have also had a good time watching movies in our room. It is nice to just spend time together as a family.

Family time is the best! We have actually gone to the movies once per trip on the last 4 or 5 vacations. I think it is pretty safe to say that it has become one of our "traditions" when we are at Disneyland. We don't get out and about much outside of the park otherwise but we do love the AMC Theater in DTD. I think that even the movies in your room seem better when you are on vacation!

One of the best trip reports I have read. Loved the pictures. Thanks for taking the time to share with everyone!

Wow! Thanks so much for the amazing compliment. I will try to continue on and keep up the appearances. Unfortunately, I did not get to work on the report any more this weekend but I do have high hopes for the upcoming week.



bumbershoot, I am so glad when someone points out a photo they really like so thank you! It makes me slow down and take a closer look when I might otherwise be breezing through pictures without even realizing I'd captured something just a little special.

My girl is pretty smart! If you ever need some more pointers I am sure she would be glad to offer you some advice on how to get what you really want. She's pretty darn good at it!

Yay! I love pointing out new things that people have not seen before. This trip was also the first time I had seen the hook light holder and the pinball machine. Just goes to show that there are always new things to find! Have fun working on that game fund!

 

[mariezp]

Day 6, Saturday, November 5, 2011
Moving Day!!!

I was up bright and early to get our packing done so we could relocate by 11:00 am. Actually, we could not relocate to Dolphins Cove until 4:00 pm but we had to be out of Desert Inns room by their checkout time. Thankfully we were going to be able to stow our luggage in DIs lockers. Anyway, I got my shower and had everything packed in plenty of time much to the chagrin of my DD who was busy complaining that she did not want to leave, that she would hate moving to a new place and that, well, she just was NOT going to leave. Needless to say she did. We got checked out at the front desk and they directed us to the locker room and said that if anything did not fit we could leave it behind the front desk. I was imagining tiny lockers but was quite surprised to find nice large lockers. They were huge and all our luggage fit just fine which meant we had one less thing to worry about so now we could go to the park. We headed over to Disneyland to enjoy the morning for a few hours before moving to our new home away from home.

When we arrived the Christmas parade filming was being done on Main Street so it was a big crowded mess.

We were directed to the left side and cut through the stores to bypass the gridlock on the sidewalks. Too bad I did not want an ice cream. It was the only time I have ever seen the Gibson Girl without a line!

We made it past the main crowd and caught up with the next crowd in Fantasyland. We had never made it back yesterday so I had to take DD to the carousel

and Storybookland like I had promised.

 

[mariezp]

Continued....

Last time we rode I had thought I had seen little tiny pomegranates towards the end of the boat ride. Sure enough when I asked our captain she said they were indeed little pomes.

Next was a spin on the Teacups.

Then we decided to switch lands and met back up with the boys at HM.

Then Pooh, which had the longest line I had ever seen.

We then waited what seemed like nearly forever in the Pooh candy store because DH wanted a truffle and a Coke Zero. I did make sure to go ahead and take advantage of the opportunity and stock up on some sweet treats since we were already there. I got DD and I a stash of jelly beans and found myself a new favorite, English toffee.

Next we headed over to Plaza Inn for lunch. After lunch, DS wasnt feeling good because of his sinuses so although I had hoped to stay til later we opted to call and see if we could check in early& which we could. So we walked back over to Desert Inn, had the front desk call for us a cab and gathered our huge pile of luggage to wait for our ride. The cabbie arrived quickly and we were whisked off to our new destination, Dolphins Cove.

Everyone at the front desk was very nice and the grounds were very pretty. I liked the idea of the security gates. A young man came and helped us get our luggage to our room on the second floor, room 707. We opened the door and found it to be very nice. DDs entire demeanor completely changed and she was in love.

Wed passed the pool and the ping pong table on the way in so both kids already had some ideas of what they wanted to do later. We settled in for a few minutes, long enough to look around and scatter our luggage out everywhere. Then to appease them I took DD swimming while DH and DS played ping pong.

After getting the entertainment for the day out of the way, I came back and gathered up the laundry. I also grabbed a book and set out to spend some quiet time waiting for the laundry to finish. Glad to have that chore done and out of the way. When I got back I called in an order for almost $70 worth of food from Mi Casa Mexicana. It was so good and the portions were huge! There ended up being enough food for 2 meals so it really wasnt quite so expensive after all. DS said it was the best tamales he had EVER eaten. I know DHs was the biggest burrito I have ever seen. I was even able to order DD a cheeseburger so everyone was happy. Definitely keeping this place in mind for future orders! Best part& I didnt have to eat pizza AGAIN!

 

[CantWaitToGo2007]

Thank you for posting the picture of Dolphin's Cove. The rooms are nice. I don't know what the people on the owners board are talking about. I feel so much better about staying there next year!

Love the pictures of Storybook land. It was closed when we went in 2005 so it is on our to-do list for next time.

After looking at the pictures you posted so far I think I am even more excited than DS to go!

Nanette

 

[mariezp]

Nanette,the rooms and grounds were nice. I am so glad the pictures made you feel more at ease. I know I was the same way and was very worried as to whether or not we were going to like Dolphin's Cove. There did seem to be quite a few negative reviews floating around but I can honestly say that we loved it. Maybe it is because we have not been to a lot of other timeshare properties so we don't have high expectations. I am just not sure. I do know that we are fairly easy to please and some people just are not. For the past 10 years we have stayed at Anaheim Desert Inn and although it was basically just a motel we had always been pretty well satisfied with the accommodations. I am glad to say now that I am much more satisfied having bought into the timeshare even though I do not agree with their sales tactics and think they lied to us about where we would be able to stay mad: no getting into DVC) but I do feel like Dolphin's Cove gave us a nice new alternative to look forward to that is going to make our upcoming trips feel more like "going home" than just staying in some other ordinary room. I can say after this stay that we have no qualms at all about returning next year. As a matter of fact, I am very sure that my entire family is going to be looking very forward to heading back to Dolphin's Cove. I do hope you enjoy it as much as we did.

The only down side I can come up with was that it was a little farther than we are used to staying so it is going to take some getting used to. We walked to the park one day and decided it was farther than we cared to walk each day. (Although, it wasn't too bad to walk to Gardenwalk, have lunch and then walk the rest of the way.) We never did get around to trying the shuttle. We just opted to grab a cab each day. Figured it probably couldn't cost any more than if we'd had to pay for a rental car and the parking fees.

As for other specifics.... we stayed in a 3 bedroom so we had plenty of room. The 3 bedrooms are on the upper level so we did not have to hear anyone making noise above us. As a matter of fact, for the most part the whole complex was really quiet. They do not have elevators. The master bedroom was very large and the living area was good sized too. The kitchen was well equipped with just about everything you could need. Another great thing... I never ran out of hot water in the middle of my shower!!! My kids loved the game room and movie rentals from the lobby. The staff were all very friendly and helpful. In our book that goes a long way!

If you have any other questions feel free to ask. I will be more than happy to share any info I might have gained from our experience. Having said all that I just want to let you know that I will also have some additional photos coming up to share with you of the outside areas so keep watching.

 

[CantWaitToGo2007]

My parents are actually the ones in our family that bought into the time share, they never use it so my son and I get some fun vacations at low cost to us In fact we are staying at the resort in Seaside, Oregon next month for a few days.

 

[mariezp]

Lucky you! You can't beat a deal like that! I bet you will enjoy Dolphin's Cove and I hope you have a great time in Oregon too.