The B's go to Disneyland, again!

[hlbtimes2]

Cast: me and dh, both disney geeks
dd, Hannah, 8 trip #5
ds, Harrison, 5 trip #4
FIL, 78, trip #4
MIL, 75, trip #4 with us, but took my dh when he was little.

This trip was a surprise for the kids. We had been planning off and on since Dec. Orginally my mom was coming too, but in Jan we found out she had cancer, which is why the trip was off at one point. But, she is doing a bit better so I felt it was ok to leave her for a few days. Anyway, trip was a suprise. We got up early on Thursday, like a normal work/school day. About 7:30 we told the kids we had a suprise for them. We gave them a little note, which kicked off a scavenger hunt. They ran around the house picking up clues and prizes (pool toys, Nemo fruit snacks, Mickey color books,etc). It finished with them watching the planning dvd and an "enchanted phone call from Mickey. It left them about one hour to gather anything they wanted to bring and we were off!

Once we got to the airport they found out Grandma and grandpa were coming with us. The plane was about 1 1/2 hours late departing. An elderly man on the plane go sick when we started to taxi. He has went too long with out eating. So, back to the gate we went. Paramedics checked him out and removed him from the plane. Then they had to find his suit case- a black one of course. They were able to make up about 40-45 minutes in the air, but we were still late. Got a rental car and hit the road. We got checked in to the hotel and caught the 4:30 shuttle to the park.

We went to DL first. Everyone headed over to watch the last of the jedi training, and I grabbed space fp. Return time was 7-8 pm, stand by was about 30 minutes. After Jedi we took a quick trip on Buzz, and went to pizza port for dinner. Love the kids cheesy pasta meal. Comes with carrot sticks and grapes. I got mine with the white sauce. After dinner we went on Casey Jr and Big thunder. Then it was time to return to Space Mt. We wanted to catch the last of the Rockin' space mt. It was fun to see it with the lights turned up a bit. My ds loved the music! MIL hated the ride. FIL liked it and bought the photo. From there we caught the monorail. Seems like we did something else between Big Thunder and Space, but I cant recall what it was.

We let the kids each buy some bear clothes at BAB, but NO new friends. We have enough of those already! We then hurried so we could catch the shuttle back to the hotel. It was late, and the kids were way over tired from all the days excitement. And a bit chilly as I didnt take our jackets to the park.

 

[disneyfanatic4]

Can't wait to hear more about your trip. Great start.

 

[hlbtimes2]

Day 2: Friday April 27

We started the day with breakfast at Mimi's, near hojo's. I had read many recomendations- large portions and good food. They were right! None of us finished our meals. I had a crab and avacado omlete. It was very good. It was about $60 for 6 of us to eat. We got there about 7:15, and were on the way in about an hour. We wanted to catch the 8:30 shuttle for 9 park opening- but FIL need an ear cleaning kit. He wears a hearing aide, and couldnt use it without. So, off to target. I bought pop and water while we were there. We caught the 9 shuttle and were in the park by about 9:15. We rode jungle cruise, and then had to head to DCA. Looking back we should not have rushed the morning and just went straight to DCA. Anyway, we had to be at DCA at 10 for a VIP tour.

Our tour guide was Karen. She was great. First thing we did was hit soarin. The park had just opened, so we got right on. She was able to get us front and center without much waiting After the ride we went to the backlot area. On the way we passed Mickey and Minnie- and about 40 people waiting to see them. She was able to get us to the front of the line. We waited for 2-3 people, then had our turn. At the back lot area we saw characters from Meet the Robinsons (we havent seen it, so I didnt really know who we were seeing). We also saw Mr and Mrs Incredible. We caught the last 1/2 of drawn to animation, which was a cute little show on the sidewalk. When it was almost over we went inside and Karen was able to get us to the front of the line to meet Woody and Cinderella.

While we waited for Turtle talk with Crush, she went and got us fastpass for TOT. When it was time for Turtle talk, Karen got us in through the exit, so we had great seats. Hannah was the first child Crush talked to. She asked him how turtles sleep (someone on this board wanted that question asked- I have to figure out who!).

It was getting pretty hot at this point, about 11:30, so we had some frozen lemonade. While we enjoyed that Karen ran and got us some FP for Soarin' so we could ride it again that evening. I can't say how nice it was to have someone running after drinks and fp for us! Talk about feeling spoiled.

We checked the schedule and had just enough time to hop over to DL for Jedi training. Karen had printed out some starwars signs for the kids to use to get picked. Harrison wouldnt do it, he was afraid. But Hannah was willing. She was the first child picked. After a quick training she fought Darth Maul. From Jedi training we made our way to the tomorrowland train station. We waited for one train, then got on. We rode to main street. At that point we got off and got into the Lilly Belle car. It was beautiful! She said it took them 10 years to refub it. They did a great job. We rode all the way around once, then to NOS station. It was a long train ride, but it was a nice rest. We got off at that point, and parted ways with Karen. She was wiling to stay with us a bit longer. She said she could get us to the front of the line at the Dole float stand, but we wanted lunch in NOS.

We ate at the French market. Nothing to write home about. It was ok, but not great. I do like that the kids meals come with fruit now. The kids mac and cheese had grapes and strawberries with it.

From there we wandered our way back to main street. Getting my dd a dole float on the way. It was time for a much needed break!

 

[hlbtimes2]

I let the kids swim for about 20 minutes or so, then it was nap time. We had to be back at DL for our reserved parade seats (thanks to the VIP tour) for the 6:30 parade. We caught the 6:00 from the hotel and made it in plenty of time. It was a bit different watching the parade from the elevated spot at the train station. We've always watched looking up at the parade.

After the parade we ran over to DCA to use our Soarin and TOT FP. MIL took ds on monsters while we rode TOT. After Soarin' we ate at taste pilots. Good burgers and waffle fries. Love the computerized ordering system.

Almost time for fireworks! We once again went to the trainstation for our reserved seats. We got there about 9, and got front row in the reserved section. We've always watched from the hub, so it was a nice change. I like the hub better, but the train station was fine.

We were sort of expecting short lines, but didnt find that to be the case! Everything had 30+ min. waits- at 10pm. We stopped by first aid for some antacids for dd. If you get a chance stop in there and look at the art work. They are original peices by Walt.

We rode Small world and us girls called it a night. The boys stayed and rode Buzz and pinnochio.

 

[tyandbash]

Thanks for sharing. Sounds like you had such a nice time!! Can you tell me more about the VIP tour?? Or where I can find out more info on it?? Thanks!!

 

[hlbtimes2]

The VIP tour is $75 per hour, min of 4 hours ($300 min.). For that price you can have up to 10 people in your group. Over 10 and you need a 2nd guide, so its double the cost. You can book up to 90 days in advance. They can make seating arrangments for you for dinning and shows. The seating does not need to fall within your 4 hour tour. We have seating on the day of (after we finished) and the following day. When hopping parks you get to go in the exits, rather then waiting in the lines.

They'll find out what is important to your group and try to work around your needs and wishes.

You can find out more info by contacting Disney. If you go to the disneyland.com site and search "tours" you can find the phone number.

 

[Amy&Dan]

Really enjoying your report Linda! I think that VIP tour sounds amazing. So did you stay at CCI again?

 

[hlbtimes2]

Amy, yes we stayed at the CCI again. It was another great experince.

Day 3, Saturday April 28

The morning is a blur. I know we got to the park a little later then we had hopped. About 15 min after opening. I can't really remember what we did, but I think we went on Peter Pan and Jungle cruise. Then we sent the kids to take FIL and MIL on Pooh. While they did that dh and I waited in line for Billy Hill. Its one of those things we've always wanted to do, and have never taken the time. We saw the 11:15 show. We got a table, and then food from the stage door. We shared chicken strips, cheese and fish and chips. It was good, but I try to stay away from deep fried meals. The show was super funny. We were glad we took the time to watch it.

After Billy Hill we went across to DCA. We had VIP seats for Aladdin. However, we got there about 15 minutes before show time and found out we should have been there 30 minutes before. So, we didnt get our VIP seats, we were actually almost the last ones to get in. But, we still had good seats and enjoyed the show.

After Aladdin dh, FIL and ds went to bugs land while us girls went shopping. MIL want to buy somethings, so I did my part to get her away from FIL so she could. Us girls have to stick together! LOL We went to DTD did our shopping and had some ice cream.

Then it was time to take FIL and MIL to the airport. Dh took them, while the kids and I went for a swim and took a nap. He was gone a little over an hour. When I woke up from my nap I let the rest sleep and ran to Target for something we needed. I got a cheap $10 stroller so we would have to spend so much on rentals. Ds needed some shoes and I grabbed some snacks.

By time everyone woke up we had just enough time to get back to the park, eat some quick dinner (mexican food in DCA) then watch the ELP. We had reserved seats for it, but didnt really like the location so we just found a curb by golden dreams to watch it. The kids loved it, and dh said it was better then he remembered.

more to come.........

 

[hlbtimes2]

After the ELP we made our way across to DL. There were no fireworks that night (canceled because of wind). We made our way up main street. The lines were longer then we thought they would be for that time of night. We made our way over haunted mansion, and walked right on. We also made a trip on Jungle Cruise, then made our way over to Fantasy land. We went on dumbo and the storybook boats. We stayed in the park until midnight, then caught the 12:15 shuttle back to the hotel.

 

[hlbtimes2]

Day 4, Sunday

It was our non-Disney day. We slept in a little later. We were heading to the LA science center to see the last day of the Star Wars exhibit then to Universal.

Dh loved the Star Wars exhibit. While we were there dd rode the highwire bike. Its up 3 stories. She giggled the entire time.

We got to Universal about 1. The lines weren't bad at all- except for food. It took forever to get food. The quality was not great and the prices were just as bad as DL. We rode back to the future, saw the 3D terminator movie, rode the back lot tour (got to see Wisteria lane!), then rode Jurasic park and the mummy ride. They closed at 6 so it was a pretty early day.

From there we drove down to Huntington beach for dinner. It was cold and windy. Dd wanted to feel the water. It was colder then we thought it would be. We got back to the hotel around 10 or so.

 

[hlbtimes2]

Day 5- Monday April 30

We did EE and TTMM. We were at the park about 20 minutes before opening. The lines at the gate wre short. First stop was first aid for some bandaids. I had a couple blisters on my toes. Our first ride was matterhorn. DD and Dh wanted to go again, but ds did not. Him and I went and bought us all a pair of ears. We rode Alice, then went off to TTMM. The lines for characters were a bit longer then we've seen them in the past at TTMM.

more to come.........