The Haircut that became a surprise DL birthday trip (Nov 7-11 2008) - Final day added

[hulamom]

Hi Everybody! Bear with me... it's my first trip report.

The subtitle here can be: "Or How to lie to your Kids for 5 months and have it become a good thing."

Dates: November 7-11 2008

Cast:
Me - the original Disney fanatic. Technical writer by day, obsessive trip planner by nights and weekends.

DH - okay with Disney, but prefers vacations with less crowds, more nature. Hates rides that "drop" him. Engineering project manager by day, photographer by hobby.

DD11 - my pre-teen double, comes with the good and the bad. Loves roller coasters - the faster and scarier the better, aka my coaster buddy. Middle school student by day, hula dancer by afternoons and weekends.

DS6 - the birthday boy who turned 6 last Thursday. Loves all things Star Wars, Spiderman, and pirates. Starting to love roller coasters now that he's over 40 inches. Kindergarten kid by day, master Gameboy/DS player by night.

Here we are last spring break, hiking 1/2 down the Grand Canyon:

So, back in June when we got the kids' school calendar, I noticed that school would be out for 2 days (Monday and Tuesday) on Veteran's Day weekend. I've been secretly wanting to head back to Disneyland for a while. The last trip there was 3 years ago for DS's 3rd birthday. We were at WDW 2 summers ago, but were there mainly for a hula competition in which DD competed (her group won 1st place!). We only had 3 days to cover the parks and really felt rushed. Anyhow, I grew up going to DL, so for me, that's where the magic is. I checked the rates for those dates, and DH agreed to it! Since that weekend was immediately before DS's birthday, we decided to make it a birthday trip that the entire family could enjoy.

We also decided to make it a surprise for the kids. Not sure exactly how that would play out. It was certainly tough keeping it from them. There were a couple times that either I or DH nearly slipped, but we kept the secret, swearing all who knew to complete secrecy.

The Plan

We wanted to get the kids out early from school, so we could start our drive from the bay area down south early enough to avoid the bay area traffic, but late enough to miss the bulk of the LA traffic, and yet still arrive not too late. The agreed upon time to depart was 2pm. The plan, was that I would pick up the kids at 1:30, saying that they had haircut appointments. I had to make it something innocuous enough so that a) they wouldn't be suspicious, b) they wouldn't care if they didn't go, and c) something that they wouldn't mind (as opposed to telling them they were going to get flu shots). We'd head home, find dad, jump in the car and "SURPRISE!" Joy and happiness all around, everybody loving dear mom and promising to be on their best behavior the rest of their lives.

What Actually Happened

I picked up the kids on schedule as planned. I told them we were going to head home to clean up, as we were a little ahead of schedule for the haircut appointment. When we got home, we noticed that Dad was home too. He decided to work from home that day. Since their haircut is in Los Gatos, we asked if he wanted to come along and then afterwards, we'd walk around downtown Los Gatos which is really nice. He agreed, and I asked if he could drive because I was really tired. We went into the garage where the 4Runner was parked and got inside. DD noticed that the DVD player was set up and asked why it was there. DH said that we aren't actually going to get a haircut and had other plans.

Huh? WhatchootalkingboutDad?

I asked where is the one place you'd want to go?

Australia!

Okay, where is the other place you'd want to go? Something like the happiest place on earth?

Disneyland?

Yes!! We're going to Disneyland!!!

DD: OMGOMGOMGOMGOMG. This went on, I think through much of the drive until Kettleman City, where her mantra changed to "It stinks! Who farted?"

DS had a much different reaction. He actually started crying. Saying, "No! We're *not* going to Disneyland! I want to get a haircut!!

Huh? He'd rather get a haircut instead of going to Disneyland? This was unexpected.

Apparently, DS didn't quite enjoy the surprise aspect. He kept saying that we "tricked" him and "fooled" him. DH and I kept trying to tell him that it was a happy surprise, not at all like a trick. We wanted to make it a special surprise. Finally, around Gilroy, he came to accept that he wasn't actually getting a haircut and decided that going to Disneyland was a good thing.

Note to self: DS would rather be mentally prepared for big life events in the future.

So the drive was mostly uneventful. We got through the Pacheco Pass with no traffic.

Stopped a couple times for bio breaks. Stopped in Santa Clarita for dinner at a Coco's which was entirely forgetful. I "chatted" via email on my Blackberry with Nancy (YellowMickeyPonchos) for some of our drive and we arranged to meet the next day for lunch at DL. After dinner, the drive on the 5 was not bad. A couple of slow spots in the usual places, but all in all, pretty easy.

We arrived at the entrance to the Disneyland Hotel around 9pm. Not bad timing, with some nice mileage out of DH. Check in was smooth. No upgrade was available, due to a full hotel. Mickey Mouse left an autographed photo for DS's birthday!

Our room was on the 4th floor of the Wonder Tower overlooking the lovely parking lot. The room was fine and clean. The kids were a little disappointed in the view, but heck, the amount of time we would actually spend in the room, added to the fact that I got the great "postcard" rate, meant it was just fine.

Around 10:30, it was time to calm those hyper kids who had been stuck in a car way too long, and who had no idea when they woke up that morning they'd wake up the next day in the happiest place on earth.

I'll post my report in the parks with pictures, as soon as DH edits them (picky picky). But, here we are in front of the castle:

Next... Jonas Brothers, Birthday Buttons, 1st meetings, family reunions, and kisses from Goofy... all in one day!

Mahalo for putting up with my ramblings!

-- Hulamom (aka Doreen)

 

[KimD]

I'm in!

Very nice looking family you've got there!

What a great start. I have to say though that this:

I asked where is the one place you'd want to go?

Australia!

Okay, where is the other place you'd want to go? Something like the happiest place on earth?

Disneyland?

Yes!! We're going to Disneyland!!!

DD: OMGOMGOMGOMGOMG. This went on, I think through much of the drive until Kettleman City, where her mantra changed to "It stinks! Who farted?"

FONT]

Australia!

Oh and we call that little lovely place "Smellyville" in our car! It's bad when not even rolling up all the windows and putting the recirc air on will help. That is about the WORST part of the drive (well unless you hit traffic as you as SOON as you come off the grapevine that lasts longer than it took you to actually get TO the grapevine all the while children are chanting "But I thought you said we were almost THERE?!?!")...not that I'm bitter or anything ).

Great job so far, looking forward to reading more!

Kim

 

[stich626]

I'd take a surprise trip to DL over a haircut any day! lol

 

[merrrydeath]

I live in Los Gatos! It's sometimes so weird to me to see people out in the wide internet world who are from the same small area as I am.

Loving the start of your report. I wish my parents had surprised me like this when I was 11 or 6.

 

[blue donkey]

australia...

you can take me to get a haircut anytime.

 

[prettyprincessbelle]

You are too funny!!

I can't wait for more!!!

 

[hulamom]

Thanks to everybody for your great replies! DH promised to get his pictures uploaded today, so I can continue with the rest of my TR!

Australia!

Yeah, that was too funny! Though we do keep talking about going there. DH and I were there about 1.5 years before DD was born. Fell in love with it that we named her after one of their cities. And no, it isn't Melborne.

Oh and we call that little lovely place "Smellyville" in our car! It's bad when not even rolling up all the windows and putting the recirc air on will help. That is about the WORST part of the drive (well unless you hit traffic as you as SOON as you come off the grapevine that lasts longer than it took you to actually get TO the grapevine all the while children are chanting "But I thought you said we were almost THERE?!?!")...not that I'm bitter or anything ).

Great job so far, looking forward to reading more!

Kim

Oh yeah, we had the windows rolled up and the vent on recirc and you could still smell it. Our answer, BTW, to the "who farted" question was to point to all those cows outside. Nobody light a match anywhere nearby!

I live in Los Gatos! It's sometimes so weird to me to see people out in the wide internet world who are from the same small area as I am.

Loving the start of your report. I wish my parents had surprised me like this when I was 11 or 6.

Hi neighbor!! Yes, I agree, it is funny to "meet" somebody who lives nearby.

australia...

you can take me to get a haircut anytime.

Haha! Funny thing is, the kids actually do need haircuts. I made appointments for Thursday, and have told them that this time they actually *are* going for haircuts. Hope they aren't too disspointed in the truth this time. Maybe cupcakes in downtown Los Gatos will help! Mmmm...

-- Hulamom

 

[bumbershoot]

And that, my friends, is the reason why, even though my mom and her second husband did a wildly successful surprise trip for us when we were around 10 and 8, I just can't think about doing surprise trips! I feel so bad for you guys in the car dealing with that, LOL. Better in the car, though, than if we did it and DS complained while on the plane!

So did you stop at great clips or supercuts to get DS a haircut?


I love the premise of the surprise by the way, I think it's great, I just know that I could never make something like that work out.


Can't wait to hear the rest!!! I'm originally from Almaden, by the way...

 

[Krissy Marissy]

Great TR so far! Your son sounds adorable! Cant wait to read more and see pics!

 

[Hound 109]

We'd head home, find dad, jump in the car and "SURPRISE!" Joy and happiness all around, everybody loving dear mom and promising to be on their best behavior the rest of their lives.

(cracked me up.....my kind of sacastic humor )

I asked where is the one place you'd want to go?

Australia!

Okay, where is the other place you'd want to go? Something like the happiest place on earth?

Disneyland?

Thats exactly what my DS would have said......& good for you that you didn't skip a beat.


Great report.....looking forward to the next installment.

 

[hulamom]

Saturday, Nov 8th.

Disneyland's official opening was 8am this day, and it was also an early entry morning, which meant that it would be open at 7am for those qualifying for the early entry. Nobody seemed particulary jazzed about getting up that early, so my best bet was to just get up as early as we could today. Since it was also the Christmas parade and special taping day, I was expecting large crowds. I figured I'd use the morning to grab as many fastpasses as I could and just see what we could do... not really expecting to be able to do much.

After getting everybody up... always a challenge each morning, a morning at Disneyland is no different... and a glorious breakfast of cold cereal and coffee from the DLH lobby... we started walking toward the gates via Downtown Disney. Nancy called while we were walking and excitedly mentions that the Jonas Brothers are there taping a performance in front of the castle. I relate this info to DD, who rolls her eyes and declares that she does not like them... and besides, they need haircuts. I'm not sure if I, at her age, would have quite passed up the chance to see Shaun Cassidy perform at Disneyland, but I digress...

We entered the gates and proceeded to City Hall to get DS a birthday button. DD was anxious for some rides, so I told DH that I would take DD over to Thunder Mtn for fastpasses and meet them there. On the way, we see the crowd gathering by the castle and notice 3 brunettes bouncing around. I point, and DD again rolls her eyes. Roller coasters rule over teenage pop sensations, I suppose.

FPs for Thunder gathered and the wait time is nothing, so when DH and DS (with fresh birthday button and a call from Goofy) arrive, we hop onto the ride. Pocketing FP #1 for later in the day.

After Thunder, we head toward Pirates and get in line. DS chickens out at the entrance, so he and I go wait at the exit while a very friendly CM tries to convince him that it's not scary in the least. She even offers to take him into the back to watch the ride. Wow, hey sweetie, that's quite a treat! No deal, and he's not going to let some pretty pirate sweet talk him into, what he believes, is impending doom. Our Thunder FP time is up, so I grabbed FPs #2 for Splash.

Same deal goes for Haunted Mansion, except this time I get to ride with DS. Actually, with the Nightmare Before Christmas add ons, it actually makes it less scary... and you can smell gingerbread in the ballroom!

Now we're afraid this is the way it's going to go for DS. But he agrees to ride Jungle Cruise. We have a great boat operator. Unfortunately, DS is a no go for Splash. That's okay... I'm not big into water rides, mostly because I don't want to walk around wet. DH and DD go, while DS and I climb Tarzan's treehouse and head over to Tomorrowland.

On our way to Tomorrowland, we notice more music near the castle. This time, the familiar tune of "Feliz Navidad" plays and I see that it's Jose Feliciano. Must be Jr., as this Jose is much younger than I remember.

Once in tomorrowland, I gathered FP #3 for the day for Buzz Lightyear. As we wait for DH and DD to catch up, we notice that the Jedi Training Academy is about to start. By now, I'm realizing that DS is not up for participating today, so we hang out in the back to watch. He's having a great time watching.

Once DH and DD catch up after Splash, we all head toward Star Tours. Now this was a ride that DS was really looking forward to, and he had a great time. Next, time for Buzz with our FPs. After Buzz, I had arranged to meet Nancy (YellowMickeyPonchos) and her family for lunch at Pizza Port (the kids and DH call it Pizza Planet). Nancy calls and says that they're running behind, so we grabbed our lunch and a table. One note about the food... yes, they have pizza... but they have incredible salads too. DH is vegetarian and I've just hit my Weight Watchers goal, so it's nice to find food that we can all enjoy. We wanted one of the salads, but without the blue cheese, and without the chicken... and the kind person behind the counter whipped us up a couple fresh salads which were great. Of course, it's still vacation, and I'm walking a lot, so this also calls for a GC-cubed... aka, Giant Chocolate Chip Cookie! Mmm!

Nancy and her family catch up with us. It was great to meet them!

While everybody is finishing up lunch, I head to Space Mtn and grab FP #4. DS wants to go to Toontown, so after lunch we meet Mickey at his house.

Minnie wasn't in, but we still invaded...er visited her house. The toontown rollercoaster was next, and was over in under a minute! Roger Rabbit was after that, and that ended up being the longest line for the day (35 minutes).

Of course, DL wouldn't be complete without the Teacups or Dumbo.

DH and I do the kid switch for the Matterhorn (DD gets to ride twice!) as DS doesn't want to ride. On our way to use our Space Mtn FPs, I grabbed some FPs for Autopia (FP #5).

We were quite pleasantly surprised that not only did DS go on Space Mtn, but that he absoltutely loved it. That's probably my favorite DL ride! Next, our FP time for Autopia hadn't quite come up, but the line was so short we just went on it anyhow.

Next, another run on Thunder with our FPs from the morning.

We had PS reservations for Goofy's Kitchen at 6:00, so we decided to head back to the hotel to clean up and grab some sweatshirts before dinner. We were also meeting BIL, SIL, and my niece for dinner at Goofy's for a birthday celebration. They're local LA folk, so they just drove to meet us for dinner. Goofy's, of course, was lots of fun for the kids. They had balloons and birthday bags set up at our table, along with a special cupcake for DS. I was telling myelf that I was being so good with food... I had a nice salad, some veggies, and chicken. But then the dessert bar beckoned. Oh, just a little taste of this and this and this and this... I think the dessert bar alone I blew my entire allotment of WW points for the day. Oh well.

Goofy blew me a kiss... I love Goofy!

After a great dinner, we bid farewell to our family and headed back to DL for the evening. We hit Main street about 30 minutes before the fireworks began and made the decision to just sit and wait.

We met a really nice family from Seattle who shared some glow sticks with our kids. We've never seen the fireworks from the main street vantage (usually we're near the rivers just after Fantasmic). Let me just say, it was completely magical. Seeing the effects from the castle and hearing the music nearly brought tears to my eyes. DS was sitting on my shoulders, and during the time when Tinkerbell was "flying" and the fireworks were going, he yells "Watch out Tinkerbell!" Classic.

After the fireworks, we rode Thunder Mtn and Autopia. We decided to take the new Monorail back to the DLH and turn in for the night.

Not bad for our first day, especially thinking we wouldn't get much done.

Tomorrow: working the morning at DCA, Screaming Towers, and park hopping to the max.

 

[KimD]

Great chapter! You have an adorable family and I love the action ride shots...they look really cool!

My DD would have just FREAKED if we walked in to seeing the Jonas Brothers performing in front of the castle. We went to the Hannah Montana Best of Both World Tour at the HP Pavilion and my hearing still hasn't recovered.

Glad to see you got so much done. Looking forward to reading more!

 

[momto2nenas]

Great report so far and your teacup photo is AMAZING! Do you have a fisheye lens? I've never seen a picture of the teacups at that angle, I love it!

 

[blue donkey]

I concur. Those photos were just fab! Inspires me to try some.

 

[hulamom]

Great report so far and your teacup photo is AMAZING! Do you have a fisheye lens? I've never seen a picture of the teacups at that angle, I love it!

Thanks! Yes, it is a fisheye lens and DH *loves* to play around with it. We have lots of neat pics that I can post within this TR. He has fun taking "self" and "entire family" pics with that lens while holding the camera himself because that lens captures so much.

It's also fun to play around with some really closeup face shots. Makes the face really distorted and funny. The kids love it.

-- Hulamom

 

[hulamom]

Sunday, November 9th - Park Hopping Bats

Today was our "sleep in day" so we decided to make it to the DCA opening which was 10am. Using Hydroguy's and other tips, we entered DCA through the GC entrance (since we were staying at the DLH) around 9:30am. While everybody waited by the ropes to be lead to TSMM, I ran to see if the FP machine for Soarin' was open. Yes it was! Grabbed FP #1 for the day and ran to meet the gang near the front of the rope. Around 9:50 a CM lead us very slowly and orderly to TSMM, meandering through it seemed the entire TSMM line.

We stopped in front of the 3D glasses distribution and heard an announcement that there were "technical difficulties" and we'd begin boarding soon. Not wanting to give up our spot (we were the 3rd party in line) we waited for only about 10 minutes. It was worth it! It was very fun and interactive!

Next, DD and I headed over to CA Screaming. She's never ridden it before, but loves coasters (the faster the better). DH hates drops -- he didn't even want to do the kid switch -- so he and DS went on the carousel. It was maybe a 10 minute wait. DS was pretty nervous in line... I could tell by the way she was nervously chatting very quickly. Here we are right at take off:

After the ride, DD announced that was now her favorite ride.

Our Soarin' FP time was up, so while everybody walked over there, I high-tailed it over to gather FPs for ToT, and met them in front of Soarin'. That's another favorite for us.

The Grizzly line was only about 5 minutes (it was a little windy and cool that day). Since I'm not a water ride fan and was a little chilly, I opted to hold the bags and wait on the bridge to take pictures once they were soaked.

Then DD and I headed to ToT with our FPs while DH and DS went to Crush and to meet Tourist Minnie.

Again, she was a little nervous. I mentioned that she'll go screaming down her mountain bike with DH a hill that's nearly 90 degrees (and she flipped over her handle bars and lived to brag about it too) but was scared of a little ride. That's it... give her a challenge... So after, DD announced that was her favorite ride. What about CA Screaming? Oh yeah, well she has 2 faves. After we finished, I couldn't reach DH on his phone and figured they were still in Crush. I realized that I had grabbed 4 FPs, leaving us with 2 more. Knowing that DH would rather do anything than ToT and DS would be too scared, I asked DD if she wanted to ride ToT again or give our FPs to somebody else. Stupid question, mom. Another ride, that's my warrior princess!

After meeting up with DH and DS we try to find lunch. Both options in the Pacific Wharf area had long lines. We decide to grab lunch somewhere in DTD . We had sandwiches at La Brea and headed to DL after getting sweatshirts from the hotel (as it was getting chillier).

This day was also the official "Bats Day" or Goth Day. We saw some people dressed up at DCA, but it was much more at DL. Some pretty elaborate outfits! What was funny was that I saw one guy in full leather "matrix" style and white makeup, but with mouse ears. While this was the most crowded of our days, the crowds were not rowdy, nor were they disrespectful. In fact, we saw plenty of goth families... "baby goths!" as DD said.

We rode the Rocket ride... senior moment... can't remember the actual name, but it's this one:

...and grabbed FPs for Thunder. We also convinced DD to ride Haunted Mansion and Pirates since he wouldn't ride it the day before. The HM line was our longest in our trip... probably about 50 minutes.

DD didn't mind the ride, but really didn't like the elevator ride because people were screaming. He did really like Pirates, which was nice considering we were going to have a pirate-themed birthday party for him the next week.

We tried to ride Big Thunder with our FPs, but the ride was down. A CM told us it was a "lost and found" issue, which meant that somebody's hat or keys or glasses flew out during the ride. Indy was also down. The kids each wanted to go back to DCA (DD wanted Screaming and DS wanted Toy Story), so off for another park hop.

Interesting thing about line waiting estimates... they're sometimes off. DD and I headed for CA Screaming, while DH and DD went for TSMM. The Screaming line said a 35 minute wait, while TSMM said 50. Our line was more like 10 minutes and when we got out, I called DH who was still in line, so DD and I jumped in with them. Yeah, I know... but the people in back of them didn't seem to mind.

Another park hop? You betcha. DH wanted to take some night shots before heading back to DL:

Back to DL for dinner at Rancho del Zocalo. I had the chicken tacos, DH had a veggie burrito, and the kids had the bean and cheese burrito minus the beans. Well, they said they didn't make quesadillas, which is what the kids wanted, so we improvised and got them cheese wraps, so to speak. Way too much food but it was okay.

After dinner settled a bit, we rode Big Thunder with our FPs and headed to Main Street for something sweet. Eveybody wanted ice cream, so it was off to the ice cream parlor. If I was going to blow more WW points, I wanted one of those pumpkin muffins that I was craving. So, I headed next door to the bakery for that. We didn't take pictures of food, but here is one of me with my muffin!

We decided to call it a night since we wanted to wake up early for our last day at the parks.

Tomorrow:
The family meltdown that almost ruined the trip

 

[YellowMickeyPonchos]

Fabulous report! Good photo of us, too!!!!

 

[visitingapril09]

You mean I have to wait to find out about the melt down...........

 

[DisneySuiteFreak]

I'm realy enjoying your TR. I like your DH photos a lot too. Question: Did he use a tripod for the long exposure night shots like Rocket Rods?

 

[blue donkey]

Oh no, a meltdown?

but gotta say again, those fisheye shots are so fun! the tr.