The Flippant Trip - (new TWILIGHT TR update 11/16/09 bottom of pg 29)

[MAGICFOR2]

Oh! I'm first! What a cool update! I always wondered if you really could ride the Lily Belle car - it looks so beautiful! What a special treat for your family!

 

[travelmel]

It was already dark by now so we figured we better go try to stake out a spot for Fantasmic. We boarded the train (as tourists again ) and headed over to the New Orleans Square station where we got off. We were hustling but I noticed that there was an area there strictly for the purpose of attaining Mint Juleps. LOL Who knew! I have never been one to be into Disneyland food as it really didn't have a good reputation back in the day (Hot tuna pie, anybody?). But now... boy there are some really fun things that I learned about here on the dis that I can't wait to get back and try!

We made our way through the crowds and found a pretty good spot for Fantasmic. It was already starting to get very crowded but we were able to get down in front but quite a bit to the right of center. There was a lot of confusion and roped off areas and it was very chaotic. We were STARVING but I was afraid to leave my family for fear I wouldn't be let back in! But, hunger finally got the best of me and I tried to make my way out of our little area and over to a popcorn stand.

I made it back no problem and everybody was glad to have some yummy DL popcorn.

We got the Pirates of the Carribean bucket and I was glad to see there wasn't a trace of Jack anywhere on it. Actually, I didn't notice or care about taht until I got home and examined it but I was glad none the less.

My DD's have only recently begun (AND BARELY) to tolerate things like Fireworks and the loud noises of Fantasmic were not welcomed by DDB but she put up with it and I think actually enjoyed it. The scene with the pirate ship is just SO FREAKIN COOL! COME ON!!!!

Of course, having been married on a pirate ship I have a thing for that sorta swash-bucklery.

DH had never seen Fantasmic and he was also really loving it. What a great show. The water-effects were a little lost on us due to our seat ... I think the technology is being re-vamped as we speak. But the other stuff... wonderful. I remember the first time I saw it back in.... oh, I dunno...a long time ago. WOW that was awe-freakin-inspiring. Jaw dropping amazing stuff back then. It's still great, don't get me wrong.. but I was young and there was no Bellagio back then.. this was the height of Stunning!

It still doesn't disappoint.

Sorry for the lack of pics.... my camera stinks at night and we were all trying to just enjoy the moment.

The CM's let us know that we could keep our seats for the fireworks show. I knew DDB wasn't going to like that anyway and we figured a good time to get some grub was going to be after the crowd from Fantasmic left and after the fireworks show started (people tend to stand still and look up from wherever they are for awhile) so we were going to get up and skedaddle half way through. Well, I figured a firework show is a firework show and what do I care if I miss another one (DD's over the years have hardened me to knowing that I will miss fireworks and so I just get over it ) But the Remember ____ fireworks show started and the music was going and the OLD RIDE STUFF Was being played throughout the park... OMG my nostalgia was in OVERDRIVE!!!

What a FANTASTIC SOUNDTRACK!! Wow, it gave me goosebumps and shivers and everything. But... my DH has an internal clock and a sense of schedule and punctuality that even that pesky croc would admire (tick-tock-tick-tock) and he was pulling at my shirt that it was time to go. I was so sad but I knew he was right (he almost always is... I suck at punctuality).

***OH MY GOSH THERE ARE NO PICS IN THIS POST***



Maybe I'll add some Fantasmic Pics from the web later​

 

[travelmel]

**We're almost there folks!**​

We stopped at Bengal BBQ for a snack/meal. There was no line and we ordered a TON of food. We got the chicken skewer, the beef skewer, the asparagus skewer, the veggie skewer, a pretzel or two, and the tiger tail bread things. (no food porn pics ) Now I am a big fan of Bengal BBQ from way back in the day when DL food was BLECHY but this night the BBQ was pretty bad. The tiger tails were burnt, the pretzel dry, the meat tasteless, the bacon fatty. It was plain bad. And we had hunger for spice! THE BEST KIND OF SEASONING!

However, after we got our food, which didn't take very long, the fireworks show ended and the line went BALLISTICALLY LONG

OMG We were so lucky to get there ahead of all those people! DH Does it again!!

With a full belly we realized that we were all plumb tuckered. We decided to call it a night which is unusual for us... we are typically CLOSERS! THat's how we roll!! But... we had been rolling for A LONG TIME. lol We were ready to gather some moss. LOL At that point we were passing the Tiki Room. I said, come on...we're not too tired to hear the birds all sing (go ahead, I know you're singing it!). We went inside. Turns out DH has never seen the Tiki Room!

Oh the joys or new blood in the sacrificial Tiki Room. Those Tiki gods just LOVE new blood.

Birds of Paradise... my new favorite crooners

We had SUCH a great time singing along and tripping out on the totem poll drummers... what a GREAT show that has stood the test of time.
I love... love..., LOVE... the Tiki... Tiki..., TI-KIroom.

Cassidy is sharing some very important detail/fact/trivia/observation with DH

I just love that picture. ​

We headed out down Main Street and I had to stop in the arcade and squish a penny.... we came across an old friend.

We got no stings, no siree

​

Before heading out the gates of the Happiest Place on Earth I had Cass listen in at City Hall

Crazy Dis-phones

I missed the moment that she figured out what was going on.. it was a really cute smile.. but that's ok I remember it.

AND SO THAT'S IT!

BUT WAIT! THIS IS NOT

After DL we went to SD for a few days and had some MORE fun!

Course it might take me awhile to get to it...but I plan on documenting said goodtimes.


There are not words to express my thanks to those who encouraged me and and shared along the way as I documented my family's journey. It has been SO much fun to write this TR and it wouldn't have been even CLOSE to the trip it's been without you guys chiming in and having fun with me along the way. You guys are a GREAT group of people and I am so happy to have found a place to share my Disney nostalgia.

AND...

 

[travelmel]

Oh! I'm first! What a cool update! I always wondered if you really could ride the Lily Belle car - it looks so beautiful! What a special treat for your family!

Yep, you can! I hope this encourages others to give it a try.... hopefully it will stay free and "semi-secret" though.

Thanks for reading!

 

[SusanEllen]

Melissa,
You were indeed touched by the Magic when you were able to ride in the Lily Belle. The day we inquired about a ride during our trip mid-June she wasn't online. Thanks for your photos and descriptive words--almost like being there!

Thanks, too, for writing such a lively report. You were obviously inspired by your precious girls and husband as well as your love of Disneyland. I hope you have many more wonderful trips there. I also hope that one day your dream of going to Walt Disney World comes true. When I'm pressed to choose my favorite--Disneyland or Walt Disney World--I always refuse to answer, except to say that I love them both--for their similarities and for their differences. Still yet, there's something unique and extraordinarily special about Disneyland. Thank you for sharing your Disneyland adventures with all of us.

Appreciatively, Susan

 

[travelmel]

Melissa,
You were indeed touched by the Magic when you were able to ride in the Lily Belle. The day we inquired about a ride during our trip mid-June she wasn't online. Thanks for your photos and descriptive words--almost like being there!

Thanks, too, for writing such a lively report. You were obviously inspired by your precioius girls and husband as well as your love of Disneyland. I hope you have many more wonderful trips there. I also hope that one day your dream of going to Walt Disney World comes true. When I'm pressed to choose my favorite--Disneyland or Walt Disney World--I always refuse to answer, except to say that I love them both--for their similarities and for their differences. Still yet, there's something unique and extraordinarily special about Disneyland. Thank you for sharing your Disneyland adventures with all of us.

Appreciatively, Susan

You're so cute!

You're the kind of teacher who's "comments" always made a kid feel good about themselves.

 

[MICKEY'S DREAMERS]

We decided to get on the train in Tomorrowland and see what we could do about riding in the caboose.

We knew that you had to ask nicely for permission to ride it and so we did. The first conductor we asked said that we could ride in it if there were enough people to staff it. It turns out you cannot ride in the caboose unless there is a CM in it with you. You can only enter or exit the caboose from Main Street Station. When we arrived in Main Street station we looked for the CM who we had spoken to back in Tomorrowland. He went to ask somebody something and he came back and said that there were already people scheduled to ride in it and he would ask them if it was ok with them of we joined them.



They said yes! Yeaaaass!

LOVING your trippie !!!! it's ENERGETIC !!!!
(I've just read a bit here a bit there ... HEY, I HAVE to work !!)

Your family is SOOOOOOOOOOOO WONDERFUL !!! and your "adventures" make me feel like I was there with you !!!!
REALLY a great job !!!!

So wish I could write as you do !!! it's better than a "movie" ... I can enjoy everything you all did !!!!

I didn't know about the caboose : AWWW !!!!

THANK YOU SO MUCH !!!!!!!!!! laura

 

[SoonerGirl]

Great updates! I didn't know about the Lilly Belle, that is SO COOL!! And so nice of that family to allow you to join them

I'm sorry you didn't get to see the fireworks, they really are amazing, the best Disney has to offer IMO! Maybe next time your girls will be into it!

Thanks so much for sharing your trip, you guys are such a cute family and it looks like you just have a blast together.

Looking forward to the San Diego part of your trip!

 

[nat1234]

How awsome that you got to ride in the Lilly Belle. That is such a wonderful memory from you trip. It has been fun reading all about your trip to Disneyland. It sounds like it was a great time for all of you.

 

[mariezp]

Riding the Lilly Belle was certainly an excellent way to end your last day at the park! Too bad your trip report for DL is done. I guess we will just have to make the most of it and settle for hearing about SD. I bet you will even make that sound good!

 

[travelmel]

LOVING your trippie !!!! it's ENERGETIC !!!!
(I've just read a bit here a bit there ... HEY, I HAVE to work !!)

Your family is SOOOOOOOOOOOO WONDERFUL !!! and your "adventures" make me feel like I was there with you !!!!
REALLY a great job !!!!

So wish I could write as you do !!! it's better than a "movie" ... I can enjoy everything you all did !!!!

I didn't know about the caboose : AWWW !!!!

THANK YOU SO MUCH !!!!!!!!!! laura

Thanks for stopping by, Laura!

I'm so glad you had a good time reading along. Thank you for the wonderful compliments. Everybody's got such interesting TR's... everybody's style is different, perspective unique, the place is the same but the experience never is! Your DH is so funny! What's next for you guys?

Great updates! I didn't know about the Lilly Belle, that is SO COOL!! And so nice of that family to allow you to join them

I'm sorry you didn't get to see the fireworks, they really are amazing, the best Disney has to offer IMO! Maybe next time your girls will be into it!

Thanks so much for sharing your trip, you guys are such a cute family and it looks like you just have a blast together.

Looking forward to the San Diego part of your trip!

Thanks so much! I'm glad I got to share the Lilly Belle stuff with all of you dis'ers.. it's not often that something "new" springs up for those of us who spend time here on the boards. But it's fun when it does!

Yes, it'll be fun to share my SD stuff especially with you as you were just there, too!

What's next for you guys?

How awsome that you got to ride in the Lilly Belle. That is such a wonderful memory from you trip. It has been fun reading all about your trip to Disneyland. It sounds like it was a great time for all of you.

Hi Nat! Thanks again for reading along and commenting! : Yes, the Lilly Belle was another really fun new experience for this ole DL vet. So WDW for you next huh? Do you guys always go yearly?

Riding the Lilly Belle was certainly an excellent way to end your last day at the park! Too bad your trip report for DL is done. I guess we will just have to make the most of it and settle for hearing about SD. I bet you will even make that sound good!

Thanks for reading along, Marie!

My DD's are going to DL this summer so I'll definitely be back here helping them write their report! My DDC is going to do a practice report about the local pumpkin patch trip we recently went on so that will give her some practice.

She was thinking about the fact that if Daddy and I don't go with her there won't be anybody there who will know which FP to get next! I told her she'll have to plan! She said doesn't think that her cousin will want to follow her plans as she's "just a kid" but I told her PISHAW, your cousin (the one who's taking them to DL) is JUST THE RIGHT PERSON to let you plan everything and take charge if you want to! It could prove to be quite a mature-inducing experience.

Ahh... growing up. Might as well start at DL, right!

 

[julezdisney]

That's SO awesome! I'm so jealous! That's one of my dreams to ride on the Lily Belle someday.... jealous yet happy for you. Yay for DD!

 

[SoonerGirl]

What's next for you guys?

Welllllll, it's going to be a while before our next family vacation. I'm sure we will have a couple of trips with DSs baseball team in the spring/summer. But, for our next actual vacation I'm working on DH for a WDW trip during, get this, CHRISTMAS WEEK next year! Yes, I know I'm crazy for wanting to go during one of the busiest weeks of the entire year, but I soooooo want see WDW all decked out for Christmas and I can't take the kids out of school right before the end of the semester, so the only time to go is when they are actually out of school on break. The boys are totally on board with it, but DH (aka the Disney Grump) is going to take some conviencing!

 

[travelmel]

That's SO awesome! I'm so jealous! That's one of my dreams to ride on the Lily Belle someday.... jealous yet happy for you. Yay for DD!

Thanks! I hope you get your chance someday soon

The boys are totally on board with it, but DH (aka the Disney Grump) is going to take some conviencing!

My money's on you, champ!

 

[nat1234]

Hi Nat! Thanks again for reading along and commenting! : Yes, the Lilly Belle was another really fun new experience for this ole DL vet. So WDW for you next huh? Do you guys always go yearly?

We're going to WDW next December. I'm going with my mom and two daughters. Mom's never been before. We don't go yearly, in fact this next trip will only be our second time going. We went for the first time last August 2007. But it's very easy to have it become addictive I'm really looking forward to going back at Christmas time. I've heard the decorations are awsome. My DH and I were at DL for a day about 10 years ago in December. I remember the decorations then as fantastic, so I'm looking forward to this trip. I've really enjoyed reading your trip report. Unfortunately, our trip is still far, far away. I'm now waiting for the rest of your trip.

 

[travelmel]

We're going to WDW next December. I'm going with my mom and two daughters. Mom's never been before. We don't go yearly, in fact this next trip will only be our second time going. We went for the first time last August 2007. But it's very easy to have it become addictive I'm really looking forward to going back at Christmas time. I've heard the decorations are awsome. My DH and I were at DL for a day about 10 years ago in December. I remember the decorations then as fantastic, so I'm looking forward to this trip. I've really enjoyed reading your trip report. Unfortunately, our trip is still far, far away. I'm now waiting for the rest of your trip.

We've been lucky enough to visit DL twice during Christmas and yes, it was lovely. If I'm not as active on the disboards by next December, try to send me a PM about your TR anyway if you remember.

 

[kmab00]

AWWW It's over! What a great trip report! I'm SO excited for you guys about the Lilly Belle! How cool is that?! I'm going to check out that link in a few minutes. What a neat experience!

I can't wait to hear about SD!! We didn't get to make it that way so I'm lookin forward to your pictures!

 

[Disneygrl36]

Awwwwww the DL portion is over, but I can't wait to hear about San Diego as we are spending 3 days there pre-trip in December.
Thanks for entertaining us so well with your trippie so far. I have really enjoyed all your reminscing(?sp) & your nostaglia for the past.

 

[travelmel]

AWWW It's over! What a great trip report! I'm SO excited for you guys about the Lilly Belle! How cool is that?! I'm going to check out that link in a few minutes. What a neat experience!

I can't wait to hear about SD!! We didn't get to make it that way so I'm lookin forward to your pictures!

Thanks! Thanks! Thanks! and Thanks! Even though I"m from So Cal originally, I never spent any time in San Diego so it was a real touristy first for me which is ok as I love touristy stuff!

Awwwwww the DL portion is over, but I can't wait to hear about San Diego as we are spending 3 days there pre-trip in December.
Thanks for entertaining us so well with your trippie so far. I have really enjoyed all your reminscing(?sp) & your nostaglia for the past.

Ok.... that gives me a goal. Post San Diego before December!

Thanks so much for reading along and especially for commenting and adding your great stories and extra's. I really appreciate your time and warm thoughts.

 

[travelmel]

This is amazing!

I've been dying to see the new It's a Small World since the refurb. While that is not possible I did stumble across what I think will probably be pretty similar if not exactly what to expect.

I have no proof of this and it's probably easy to confirm or deny my idea on any ole Disney board BUT I think it's fun to speculate none-the-less.

Here is a link to a TR on the dis.. it's got some GREAT pics and they look like they had a GREAT time but pay special attention to the link that takes you to the HONG KONG DISNEYLAND portion.

Here you will find pics of the Hong Kong Disneyland It's a Small World attraction where you will see Disney Dolls added to the classic attraction as they are rumored to be added in Disneyland proper.

We shall see!

Link to the TR
http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?p=28381949#post28381949

Direct link to the flickr slideshow of the Hong Kong Disneyland pics they took
http://www.flickr.com/photos/sbell111/sets/72157607551655800/show/

VERY INTERESTING!!!! (I caught on when I saw the little kitty from Aristocats)

What do you guys think of the addition of Disney characters to It's a Small World?