jitterbug
Mouseketeer
- Joined
- Dec 16, 2010
- Messages
- 147
We're back and wanted to say thank you to everyone. We had such a great trip thanks in part to all the helpful information gleaned here. So I wanted to pass on information that really helped us. 
*Got to the parks early (before opening) and lined up at the gates to take advantage of the lower crowds of early entry.
*Another morning, had Minnie's character breakfast at Plaza Inn. We had reservations before park opening, and reservationist had told us to go to Gate 1 and that they'd escort us to the restaurant, since our reservations were before park opening. But they didn't allow us thru Gate 1 until the same time as everyone else, and we got stopped at the rope drop at the end of Main Street. We had to ask and were told to go through the store to bypass the rope drop and get to Plaza Inn.
*Took pictures of the kids every morning to document what they were wearing. Thankfully, didn't need the information, but peace of mind is priceless.
*Had a great view of the fireworks from the hub - made sure we could see both the castle and matterhorn. Didn't make it to F! since the kids were already tired, but knew better than to try to rush for the first showing of F! after the fireworks.
*Did WOC picnic - ate them for lunch at the tables where you pick them up. Our group thought it was one of the better meals - taste was okay and meal seemed healthier than a lot of other alternatives. Arrived for WOC earlier than FP return time, but CM asked crowds to move off to the side, since we were starting to block to walkway area. Had FP for blue section and got great viewing area on steps behind preferred viewing area. Even CM said it was the best spot.
*Didn't need to take advantage of FP, since it was really a slow time when we went.
*VONS grocery delivery to GCH, was a godsend. My fellow travelers were really impressed with this one.
Minimum $50 order and when we checked in, the hotel informed us that our order had arrived.
*Had 4 days (Sun - Wed) during slow time, which was perfect for us. Were able to take a midday nap break from the park and do almost everything we had planned and not feel rushed.
*Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique - DD3 got the basic package. Luckily, they could accommodate walk-ins and DD was able to see what it was about before committing to it. They warn you that once the princess sits down, you have to pay even if they don't complete it. She loved it! She chose the pop princess hair with the rainbow hairpiece. (Think Tina Turner meets My Little Pony) That night when we were in line for the Nemo subs, another group had a couple of princess with the same hair and we cheered for each other. Pretty hilarious.
*The Magic, The Memories, and You. Enjoyed it, but it was sometimes hard to catch if your pictures were up, since they have several up at a time. We did see a couple of pictures from our group the night we watched and it just added to the magic of Disney.
*Goofy's Kitchen is back in its location. It was our first time, so don't know if anything was different. Think Minnie's had more characters, but food was better at Goofy's. You really can't go wrong at either, though.
*We stayed at GCH in room 6211. At the end of the corridor is an outdoor covered area where you can see WOC from an angle. They pipe in the music too. You can't see the projections, but the fountains are still pretty. I wouldn't say that this is an ideal viewing area, but if you're back in the hotel at this time and kids are still winding down, it gives you something to do with them.
*Our kids (DD3 and DS1) enjoyed having time to run around and play at Tom Sawyer Island, Goofy's House, and Redwood Creek Challenge. Great playground type area for them.
*Baby care center is not just for babies. Our DD3, was happy to use "my size potties" there.
*Yes, there's a lot of construction going on, but leave it to Disney to make their constructions walls pleasant to look at. Notice the light sconces.
*You really don't have to do everything to have a great time. But by planning ahead, you can get an idea of what you would like to do/see. Friends were impressed by how much information I had. Yeah, baby.
*We tried to live in the moment and not try to document everything with incessant picture taking. That made some moments even more special, as no one had to worry about being behind a camera.
*Photopass captured some great pictures for us, although we did have a few missing. And was able to get the Gallery CD. Yay!
Now that we're back, DH and I are wishing we had another trip to Disneyland to look forward to. But DD is setting a good example for us, by living in the moment. She doesn't have the post-trip depression like we do. DS1 wasn't such a good airplane traveler, so even though we had a great trip, looks like we'll wait another couple of years before heading back, or anywhere for that matter.
*Got to the parks early (before opening) and lined up at the gates to take advantage of the lower crowds of early entry.
*Another morning, had Minnie's character breakfast at Plaza Inn. We had reservations before park opening, and reservationist had told us to go to Gate 1 and that they'd escort us to the restaurant, since our reservations were before park opening. But they didn't allow us thru Gate 1 until the same time as everyone else, and we got stopped at the rope drop at the end of Main Street. We had to ask and were told to go through the store to bypass the rope drop and get to Plaza Inn.
*Took pictures of the kids every morning to document what they were wearing. Thankfully, didn't need the information, but peace of mind is priceless.
*Had a great view of the fireworks from the hub - made sure we could see both the castle and matterhorn. Didn't make it to F! since the kids were already tired, but knew better than to try to rush for the first showing of F! after the fireworks.
*Did WOC picnic - ate them for lunch at the tables where you pick them up. Our group thought it was one of the better meals - taste was okay and meal seemed healthier than a lot of other alternatives. Arrived for WOC earlier than FP return time, but CM asked crowds to move off to the side, since we were starting to block to walkway area. Had FP for blue section and got great viewing area on steps behind preferred viewing area. Even CM said it was the best spot.
*Didn't need to take advantage of FP, since it was really a slow time when we went.
*VONS grocery delivery to GCH, was a godsend. My fellow travelers were really impressed with this one.
Minimum $50 order and when we checked in, the hotel informed us that our order had arrived.*Had 4 days (Sun - Wed) during slow time, which was perfect for us. Were able to take a midday nap break from the park and do almost everything we had planned and not feel rushed.
*Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique - DD3 got the basic package. Luckily, they could accommodate walk-ins and DD was able to see what it was about before committing to it. They warn you that once the princess sits down, you have to pay even if they don't complete it. She loved it! She chose the pop princess hair with the rainbow hairpiece. (Think Tina Turner meets My Little Pony) That night when we were in line for the Nemo subs, another group had a couple of princess with the same hair and we cheered for each other. Pretty hilarious.
*The Magic, The Memories, and You. Enjoyed it, but it was sometimes hard to catch if your pictures were up, since they have several up at a time. We did see a couple of pictures from our group the night we watched and it just added to the magic of Disney.
*Goofy's Kitchen is back in its location. It was our first time, so don't know if anything was different. Think Minnie's had more characters, but food was better at Goofy's. You really can't go wrong at either, though.
*We stayed at GCH in room 6211. At the end of the corridor is an outdoor covered area where you can see WOC from an angle. They pipe in the music too. You can't see the projections, but the fountains are still pretty. I wouldn't say that this is an ideal viewing area, but if you're back in the hotel at this time and kids are still winding down, it gives you something to do with them.
*Our kids (DD3 and DS1) enjoyed having time to run around and play at Tom Sawyer Island, Goofy's House, and Redwood Creek Challenge. Great playground type area for them.
*Baby care center is not just for babies. Our DD3, was happy to use "my size potties" there.
*Yes, there's a lot of construction going on, but leave it to Disney to make their constructions walls pleasant to look at. Notice the light sconces.
*You really don't have to do everything to have a great time. But by planning ahead, you can get an idea of what you would like to do/see. Friends were impressed by how much information I had. Yeah, baby.
*We tried to live in the moment and not try to document everything with incessant picture taking. That made some moments even more special, as no one had to worry about being behind a camera.
*Photopass captured some great pictures for us, although we did have a few missing. And was able to get the Gallery CD. Yay!
Now that we're back, DH and I are wishing we had another trip to Disneyland to look forward to. But DD is setting a good example for us, by living in the moment. She doesn't have the post-trip depression like we do. DS1 wasn't such a good airplane traveler, so even though we had a great trip, looks like we'll wait another couple of years before heading back, or anywhere for that matter.
My Family and I will be there the first week of April! 
Thanks for your trip report!
