Third Time's a Charm PTR - May 2012 - I should give up on planning trips.

[franandaj]

Friday, February 10, 2012

This morning’s plan was to get ourselves on Toy Story Midway Mania. While the DCA version of lining up is not nearly so cut throat as the WDW version, there are no FPs and they have eliminated the single rider line. The only way to get on it with a decent wait time is to line up at the beginning of the day and wait for rope drop.

We went to the concierge lounge for breakfast again. They had the same offerings as the previous day, and again we all ate too much. But I took a few pictures of the view from up there.

After breakfast we headed to DCA. Here we are in the crowds waiting for rope drop.

This was much different than the last time I waited for TSMM first thing in the morning. This was much more like the craziness that I hear described at WDW. As soon as we started moving the crowd was going fast. I was afraid that I was going run people over who kept jumping in front of me. I saw at least two kids trip and fall, three others lost their shoes! By the time I got my scooter parked and Arline and Fran caught up, the line was probably 15-20 minutes long.

Thankfully they have a special handicapped loading area, where you are not pushed by time and then once you are loaded into the vehicle they put it on the track. Here we go!

After TSMM I hopped in the single rider line on CA Screamin for a go on that ride

Then we leisurely headed over to our lunch reservation

New Orleans Square was gearing up for Mardi Gras

We were seated at a waterfront table

We ordered the Monte Cristo sandwich with Gumbo

[To be continued]

 

[franandaj]

We interrupt your regularly scheduled Disneyland Trip Report for a Pre Trip Report Update!

So yesterday Arline and I were looking at the DISboards on the Big Internet TV. I showed her the Disney Food Pictures IV thread, the BLT thread with the various views from all the rooms, and the AKL Lite VI which has kind of gone into LTP mode since it hit 250 pages last week. Everyone has been posting their favorite pictures from the lodge.

While we were looking at pictures of the food from Jiko, I mentioned to Arline that AFTER I had made the dining plans, Fran told me that Jiko is her least favorite restaurant. I know, I know, it’s a favorite for a lot of you and I really wanted to eat there. Arline said that she didn’t mind if we changed it and that her trip would not be ruined if we didn’t eat there. So I talked to Fran about it and she was pretty happy about that. Well you all know the saying, “Happy Wife, Happy Life” Don’t Ever mention I said that! SHE can say it about ME, but if she knew I used it for her, I’d be in trouble!

So anyways, the other thing that she has said things about was, “What night are we doing the Fantasmic Dining Package” WHAT???? First off, Arline said that she thought it would be too much to go to all the parks and DHS was the one she didn’t want to go to. And if you want a dining package, those really need to be booked in advance!

Well I printed out a dozen menus last night for restaurants that had availability. I really like that new policy of taking a credit card for reservations at Character Buffets and Signature Restaurants. There is a lot more availability of restaurants at a given time. This morning I called the dining line and secured a reservation at the Brown Derby for 5:55PM on the same day that we had planned to go to Jiko.

Now of course this changes our second and third days plans, so I’ll have to recap.

May 2 – we will still go to AK in the morning, and come back for the Wine and Cheese Tasting at Jiko, but for that afternoon we will skip the Culinary Tour and go back to the room for a power nap. Then we’ll head over to DHS for our dinner and 9PM showing of Fantasmic!

On May 3 – We’ll still pick up the rental car, but instead of heading into a park after that, we’ll just hang out and enjoy the lodge. There’s plenty to do and no reason to tire ourselves out the second full day. We can do the culinary tour at 4PM and then head over to DTD for our dinner at Raglan Road.

OK, so enough changing things, up. Oh yeah, I forgot we already changed May 4 from our original plans, but I hadn’t gone into detail about our plans for the day with you all yet, so once I finish the DL TR, I’ll tell you what’s up for Friday in the scheme of things.

 

[Pinkocto]

So I’ve been really looking forward to this since it’s been so long since I’ve been immersed in Disney. We’ve had a couple one night stays here and there, but this is the first time we’ve stayed three nights in a one bedroom! However, something happened last week and I haven’t said anything because I didn’t want to jinx it, but I think everything is in place that it REALLY will happen so I can say it now.

We had a opportunity to upgrade our DLR visits. We learned about it in January, and were on the fence, but eventually it won over and decided to go for it. We’re talking about a pretty big sum of money so it was a difficult decision. However, if we were gonna do it we wanted everything to be in place for this visit. So we spoke on the phone with one of the CMs handling the conversion. We knew about some of the perks going into this, but as we were talking she told me we were eligible for upgrades when we stayed at the Grand Californian. I told her that we are DVC members so we didn’t qualify for any upgrades. But lo, and behold we DO! Our stay in the one bedroom Villa will also come with access to the Concierge Lounge. I don’t know if any of you have stayed Concierge at the GCH, we did once on points before the Villas were built and OMG! I have three words for you Chocolate Covered Strawberries! From 11AM to 4PM! Not to mention all the other goodies, like continental breakfast, sodas, waters, wine at Happy Hour. We are going to be in Heaven!

Among the other things that will be enhancing our visit are VIP seating for WoC, a VIP tour from 11AM-5PM on Thursday, VIP seats for Aladdin on Friday and VIP viewing for Remember Dreams Come True! Friday night. WOW! Is all that I can say. I can’t even believe that an already great trip just got Super Enhanced. I have been bursting at the seams all week about this! In 24 hours I will have Chocolate Covered Strawberries coming out the wazoo! or should I say going in?

I'm so behind on everything since I was gone a week. The upgrades are just amazing! Concierge is so nice for everything you get, it so beats exactly what you described, skimping on breakfast since everything costs and just being able to eat as much as you need/want. The tour with John was just too cool. I got chills when you showed the first picture of Walt's apartment. The first time I read about when he passed and they kept his light lit to represent his spirit was still there I cried quite a few tears.

Loving all the details.

 

[rentayenta]

Another great update.

We did the F! Dinner package in 2007. What restaurant are you going to choose?


My 7 month change date is in 29 days and I'm flipping out. C'mon mama needs a 2 bedroom at AKV!

 

[PrincessInOz]

Sounds like a great lunch at Blue Bayou. And I love that you have a Fantasmic! ressie now. Can't wait to hear about it.

 

[franandaj]

I'm so behind on everything since I was gone a week. The upgrades are just amazing! Concierge is so nice for everything you get, it so beats exactly what you described, skimping on breakfast since everything costs and just being able to eat as much as you need/want. The tour with John was just too cool. I got chills when you showed the first picture of Walt's apartment. The first time I read about when he passed and they kept his light lit to represent his spirit was still there I cried quite a few tears.

Loving all the details.

Thanks! We were just loving the special treatment. We're even figuring out ways to share the wealth with our 3D friends.

Another great update.

We did the F! Dinner package in 2007. What restaurant are you going to choose?


My 7 month change date is in 29 days and I'm flipping out. C'mon mama needs a 2 bedroom at AKV!

We got the Brown Derby which is our 1st choice! I know you will get in at AKV, just whether or not you can get concierge for.

Sounds like a great lunch at Blue Bayou. And I love that you have a Fantasmic! ressie now. Can't wait to hear about it.

we've done the F! Dinner package in the past and it has been great! We love the Brown Derby and thankfully we got a reservation!

 

[usnuzuloose]

So many memories of DL when I was young. So many new things. I remember DCA in the planing stages. So many food options. So if I sue does that mean I have to wait in line like everyone else? I hear they are getting strict with the fast passes. I am glad your only mishap was the scooter. I need to be reminded of updates.

 

[Leshaface]

I am FINALLY caught up! Phew!

Oh wow. Thank goodness Fran thinks big. That tour sounded amazing! Especially the tour of the apartment. I do hope you'll post a picture of the pin. I'd love to see it!

Concierge really sounds like the way to go. We will hopefully be doing this on our next trip, whenever that will be. We were going to go for my bday in March, but I just don't feel up to it Crazy right?

I was SO happy to see the monte cristo at the BB. I love their monte cristo and haven't had theirs since I was about 12 or 13, so i'm dying to get back there to have it again. We went to BB a few years ago, just me and dan, and he got the gumbo and was not happy with it. Was yours pretty good?

 

[franandaj]

So many memories of DL when I was young. So many new things. I remember DCA in the planing stages. So many food options. So if I sue does that mean I have to wait in line like everyone else? I hear they are getting strict with the fast passes. I am glad your only mishap was the scooter. I need to be reminded of updates.

They are going to start enforcing the FP return times on March 7. I'll try and remember to remind people when I do my updates.

I am FINALLY caught up! Phew!

Oh wow. Thank goodness Fran thinks big. That tour sounded amazing! Especially the tour of the apartment. I do hope you'll post a picture of the pin. I'd love to see it!

Concierge really sounds like the way to go. We will hopefully be doing this on our next trip, whenever that will be. We were going to go for my bday in March, but I just don't feel up to it Crazy right?

I was SO happy to see the monte cristo at the BB. I love their monte cristo and haven't had theirs since I was about 12 or 13, so i'm dying to get back there to have it again. We went to BB a few years ago, just me and dan, and he got the gumbo and was not happy with it. Was yours pretty good?

Yeah, I'm glad that she thinks like that. The night before the tour I said we should think of some things that we wanted to do, she starts rattling off, Walt's Apartment, The Dream Suite, Utilidors....Here I was just thinking of what rides he could get us on.

I'm sorry you haven't been feeling well. But just think at this time next year, you'll feel unwell for a whole different reason and will be praying that the little one sleeps through the night so you two can get some sleep!

We normally go to Cafe Orleans to get the Monte Cristo, it's about $6 cheaper and that way we can order Pomme Frites, French Onion Soup and maybe Mickey Beignets. The Gumbo was OK, but dining at BB is something that you do for the ambience. I like Brennan's Gumbo, but I knew I'd be having it with my Monte Cristo so I didn't get it the night before.

 

[franandaj]

So I left off that we just had lunch at the Blue Bayou and were totally stuffed. Arline really wanted to go on the Haunted Mansion, so while we rode that ride, Fran did some pin shopping.

After that, we decided that it was time to get our goodies from Pooh Corner and perhaps the Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh.

I took some pictures inside the ride, but everyone looks like they are tripping on psychedelic drugs, so I won’t be posting those pictures here!

And on to Pooh Corner

This is the only place you can get Tiggr Tails

We decided to head back to the room and take a break, and I snapped a couple pictures along the way.

We noticed that the Scaffolding and tarps had been taken down from the Cathay Circle Theater.

Our guide John told us that these trees were designed to resemble Champagne bottles shooting off.

Both Arline and Fran laid down for a rest. I headed off for a snack and glass of wine at the Concierge Lounge. This is on the third floor of the Grand Californian.

This was my afternoon snack up in the lounge (and no I couldn’t eat all of those strawberries.) I ate half of them and then replenished the plate and brought it back to Fran.

[To Be Continued]

 

[franandaj]

We had VIP seating for the 4:45 performance of Aladdin. I was advised that we should show up 20 minutes early, so I told Fran 30 so that we would be on time. She added on another 15 minutes, so when we were leaving the room at 3:55, she asked if we should just give up since we were going to be so late.

I convinced her that it would take hardly any time to get to the theater and we were there right at 4:15. A bunch of other people were already there too. It worked out OK, they let the VIP people in first and I got us seats in the 6th row center while Fran and Arline moved a little more slowly. 5th row center was already taken. It was a good show, but there were a few different things than the last time we saw it. Aladdin and Jasmine don’t fly around on their magic carpet over the audience. The genie was great!

He made some hilarious comments, even topical ones like, “Well you liked Madonna at the Superbowl so what should we expect?” all the way to “You two should at least be able to outlast Ms Kardashian!” There were plenty of other zingers, but it’s hard to remember them.

After the show we were very hungry. We had VIP seats for the 8:45 fireworks show, but everyone was pretty tired, and we would have had to climb A LOT of steps to get up to the Main Street Train Station. We decided that since we could see the fireworks from the Concierge Lounge we would just go up there instead of going all the way back to Disneyland.

Listen to me…especially you WDW vets. ALL THE WAY BACK TO DISNEYLAND! It’s like I would have to take a bus, boat and monorail to get there! Not just pop out the DTD entrance go through security, through the turnstiles and onto Main Street. I mean it is different when you are with disabled travelers, but don’t let me deter you from coming because it sounds so far. Trust me, that’s like saying it’s too long to go to Epcot from the Beach Club!

Anyways, back to we are hungry and getting a little bit cold. We decided that Mexican food sounded pretty good, and instead of going all the way to Disneyland for Rancho Del Zocalo, we went to

We got two plates of Beef Soft Tacos and it was more than enough for the three of us.

By this time it was getting dark and cold. Arline wanted to go back to the room. Fran wanted to check out the Blue Sky Cellar and she wanted to buy something, so she went on her merry way and the two of us went back to the room.

I didn’t take any pictures the first night from our VIP spots at WoC, so I popped in to the a quick picture. See the woman standing at the lightpole? We were right in front of her at the second wrought iron fence. Those benches to the right were reserved for Disney big wigs the night we saw the show, but we had a great view just to the left of them.

The CM who was “guarding” the VIP area offered to take a picture of me.

So Arline did some napping and I posted an update or so, and around 8PM the two of us headed off to the Concierge Lounge. These were the offerings that they had there.

And we sat out on the balcony to await the fireworks.

I didn’t even bother trying to take pictures, especially after heading about PIO and her struggles to capture the perfect fireworks pictures. I just enjoyed them! :

[Final Chapter coming soon]

 

[PrincessInOz]

Hey! I got a mention in the update.


Thanks for sharing. The more I hear about the VIP perks, the more I wish I was close enough to be a permanent 3D friend!

 

[franandaj]

Hey! I got a mention in the update.


Thanks for sharing. The more I hear about the VIP perks, the more I wish I was close enough to be a permanent 3D friend!

We'll have to make up for the distance by taking advantage of as many of them as we can when you come over for the gamers meet!

Just last night at dinner, we were telling our friends about all the great stuff that we get, and the gal asked if we could include them in our room and party when we do the Octoberfest this year. I just changed mine and Fran's 1 bedroom to a 2 bedroom lock off, so they can stay in the studio, we can be in the 1 bedroom. We can get the mid day snacks, have a drink before the event, enjoy breakfast in the morning and then make sure we get one foot in the door before 11AM when our key cards expire and enjoy some of those strawberries before we all go home!

 

[usnuzuloose]

I may not go to DL anymore, but I can still live it through the pictures you take. Thanks for sharing. Thats alot of strawberrys.

 

[ACDSNY]

Never enough strawberries.

 

[Leshaface]

I must say, the orange tigger tail (are they all called tigger tails or just the orange ones? ) look pretty tasty. Have you ever tried that one?

I'm sure you know why they don't fly in their carpet anymore right?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kv_tR9w6LMw

I'd be scared out of my mind! You can even hear the poor girl playing Jasmine yelling. Scary.

But you guys got excellent seats. It's been a while since i've seen that show. Sounds like I need to go watch it again.

 

[bangzoom6877]

Hi!!! I am finally caught up here, and your Disneyland pics are awesome! They make me want to go there already...someday!

The Aladdin show looks great! I LOVE that movie and would love to see a live show! And the Tigger tail marshmallow is so cute and looks delicious!

 

[lisaviolet]

Friday, February 10, 2012



After TSMM


]

Excuse me - do we have a winner? Very competitive and VERY nosy. Smiling.

 

[lisaviolet]

Yum on the strawberries. Nice shot as well.

 

[rentayenta]

Great pics. My kids love the tigger tails. When in Pooh Corner though, I must have a caramel apple.