TR - A Gregarious Ghostly Gallivant - Final Thoughts Finally Posted!

[mnmrmustard]

Chapter 1 - Getting the Ball Rolling


Hello fellow DIS'ers! I was going to wait to really get into planning this trip. I was going to wait to tell my kids about it. And I was going to wait to start a PTR. I guess when it comes to the Disney Parks my ability to have patience and let the calendar tick by is pretty minimal. Sooo, if you're up for it, lets get rollin'!

Trip dates, location, and theme: Our days in Anaheim will be October 12th - 17th. We will be staying at the Disneyland Hotel (pool view). This will be our first time staying "on property" and we're pretty excited about it. And as you may have guessed from the Trip Report title and travel timeframe, we're doing Halloween Disney style Oh, and this is also my wife and my 15th wedding anniversary :-]

Cast of Characters:

Me, I'm Mike (40) - I am Director of IT - Network and User Services at an Oregon community college - basically, I am in charge of the people who keep the computers talking I enjoy photography, camping, bowling, and PC/PS2/Wii games. If anyone else is playing it, I am Tobias MacDougal on Pirates of the Caribbean Online (the whole family has characters)

DW Roxy (35) - she's the Office Manager for a precision machine shop. She stays involved with both our girl's schools and was formerly PTO (PTA) president and now chairs committees for the middle school's band boosters. Right now she is getting over an addiction to Animal Crossing City Folk on the Wii She also enjoys bowling but isn't doing any league stuff during the summer.

DD#1 Kyra (13) - AKA PumpkinGirl - She is 12 now, but will be 13 before we go. She enjoys reading Manga (Japanese comics) and is very into oriental art. She's the only kid on her block with a set of samurai swords in her room She is in middle school and is a dedicated student and also plays flute and piccolo for the school band. She just marched in our city's Memorial Day parade and they got 2nd place overall! Recent news is that she will be marching as part of the Grants Pass High School Marching Band in the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade in November 2010!!! Oh, and she LOVES collecting Disney Pins and Character Autographs

DD#2 Gillian (10) - AKA WildChild - She is 9 now, but will be 10 before we go. This is our free spirit/daredevil She like to run and jump and play and has a wonderful imagination. She mostly runs around with her two best friends and plays the cello in her school's band. She wants to keep playing it this next year AND start learnin the saxaphone To give you an idea about the kind of kid she is - she topped her last record (set at age 5) of riding ToT at Disneyland 7 times by riding BOTH ToT and RnRC 8 times at WDW last year

Nephew Kristopher (17) - My brother-in-law's younger son. He has moved up to live with us and do his senior year of High School due to some transitions my bro-in-law is going through. Great kid, if a bit high strung. He loves video games and such and skateboarding. It is interesting to have a sort of son in the house, especially at such a pivotal time with him about to graduate HS and become an "adult".

Disney Background: Both my wife and I went to Disneyland as kids but it was mostly just a blur because we only did 1 day trips there. DW also went to WDW as a kid soon after EPCOT opened but didn't get enough time there either.

In 2005 we did a January trip to Disneyland, which was our daughter's first time - they were 5 and 8 at the time. We did 3 days there and had to contend with some rain, but got to ride everything we wanted due to the short lines. We rode PotC at least 7 times, Matterhorn 4 times, and we finished our last night in the park with me and the kids riding Splash Mountain 3 times in a row without having to get out of the log. Only downside was that Haunted Mansion, Space Mountain, and California Screaming were all closed.

In January 2008 we did a big blowout family reunion-style trip to WDW. If you are bored you can check out the TR from it here: I'm Not as Tink as you Kronk I Am

Well that's enough to get things started. I'm working on an itinerary and some custom t-shirt logos. I'll post some more soon.

Cheers and have a great day!

Mike

Oh, I guess I should start posting the chapters for those just venturing in and wanting to avoid the chatter

Chapter 1 - You're reading it! ;D

Chapter 2 - Confessions of a Photo Bug

Chapter 3 - Itinerary for DLR (First Draft)

Chapter 4 – Looking back on past trips to DLR

Chapter 5 - Halloween T-Shirt Logos

Chapter 6 - This Summer Will Eat Me Alive!

Chapter 7 - Big Changes!

Chapter 8 - One Month to Go!!!

Chapter 9 - Our Travel Package Is In!!!

Chapter 10 - Mad Scramble With 4 Days Left!!!


TR TIME!!!

Day 1 Part 1 - An Eventful First Day

Day 1 Part 2 - Our Day Continues

Day 1 Part 3 - Disneyland Hoooo!!!

Day 1 Part 4 - The "Nightmare" Continues

Day 1 Part 5 - Avast Ye!

Day 2 Part 1 - While I Was Sleeping

Day 2 Part 2 - Character Fun

Day 2 Part 3 - Some Exploring and Parade Time!

Day 2 Part 4 - Parade, Pier, and Pyrotechnics

Day 2 Part 5 - Fireworks Finish

Day 3 Part 1 - Early Entry to Toontown

Day 3 Part 2 - More Toontown Fun!

Day 3 Part 3 - Toontown House Tours

Day 3 Part 4 - What, You Want MORE Toontown?!?

Day 3 Part 5 - Toontown, And Beyond!

Day 3 Part 6 - Back to the Park :-]

Day 3 Part 7 - Goofy's Kitchen

Day 3 Part 8 – More fun in the Kitchen

Day 3 Part 9 – The Big Finish!

OT - GPHS Marching Band

Day 4 Part 1 - Early Risers

Day 4 Part 2 – Our Trip Through Fantasy Continues

Day 4 Part 3 – Still Down the Rabbit Hole

Day 4 Part 4 – A Haunting That Ends With A Splash

Day 4 Part 5 – SplashTastic Fun For Sure!

Day 4 Part 6 – “Jonsing” For An Adventure …a Cali Adventure!

Day 4 Part 7 - Screamin' Into a Splashdown

Day 4 Part 8 - Heading Out, Splashing Again, and Photopass Pics!

Day 4 Part 9 – Mickey’s Trick or Treat Party Time!!!!!

Day 4 Part 10 – The Party Continues!

Day 4 Part 11 – A Little Parade and a Lot of Character Fun

Day 5 Part 1 - Who's Ready For More?!?

Day 5 Part 2 - My Walkabout Continues

Day 5 Part 3 - Walkin' Down Main Street USA

Day 5 Part 4 - More Gems on Main Street

Day 5 Part 5 - Off To The Island!

Day 5 Part 6 - A Pirate's Life for Me!

Day 5 Part 7 - Avast Ye Maties I Must Set Sail!

Day 5 Part 8 – Let’s All Head To Disney ..and Find a Ride With AC!

Day 5 Part 9 – From a Small World to a Big Mountain

Day 5 Part 10 – Thunder Mountain and Hello to Pooh

Day 5 Part 11 – Splashes and Sabers!

Day 5 Part 12 – Troopers, Falls, and Mr. Skellington Puts on a Show

Day 5 Part 13 – DLR Halloween Fireworks Continued

Day 5 Part 14 – That Was Fun …Now We’re Hungry!!!

Final Thoughts on our First Disneyland Halloween Adventure

 

[DizNee Luver]

October seems so far away & it's not even my trip!!! I'll stay tuned thru the next 7 months!!
By the way, where in Oregon are you??

 

[Sarah84]

Great start, look forward to reading more about your trip

 

[mnmrmustard]

October seems so far away & it's not even my trip!!! I'll stay tuned thru the next 7 months!!
By the way, where in Oregon are you??

Hey, my ticker says 6 months ....plus a bunch of weeks and days Thanks for coming along, I'll try to keep it fun As far as where I am, I'm just up I-5 in GP ...was actually in MFR today for work

Great start, look forward to reading more about your trip

Thank you very much, we're all really excited about this one

 

[kaoden39]

I'm on board. Your trip is closer than mine. I have to wait until December. Argh. It seems so stinking far away.

 

[Leger13]

Hey friend! I found ya. Now to catch up. I really look forward to following along with you on this trip since I have never been to DLR and I also love your pictures!!

 

[Leger13]

Well, I thought I'd have pages to read already but I'm surprised to see just one so far. Easy catching up for me then

 

[DizNee Luver]

Hey, my ticker says 6 months ....plus a bunch of weeks and days Thanks for coming along, I'll try to keep it fun As far as where I am, I'm just up I-5 in GP ...was actually in MFR today for work

Cool, we're neighbors!!!!!!

 

[Leger13]

Okay I came back and actually read your first post Great start!! And congrats on your 15 year anniversary. I can't think of a better way to celebrate it!

 

[Sarah84]

Thank you very much, we're all really excited about this one

I know the feeling, we're (me & DBF) going for the first time in september and i feel like bouncing around with excitement already

 

[mnmrmustard]

I'm on board. Your trip is closer than mine. I have to wait until December. Argh. It seems so stinking far away.

Hehehe, well I think it's cool that we both have a holiday trip planned

Hey friend! I found ya. Now to catch up. I really look forward to following along with you on this trip since I have never been to DLR and I also love your pictures!!

I shall endeavor to bring DLR to life for ya!

Well, I thought I'd have pages to read already but I'm surprised to see just one so far. Easy catching up for me then

Hehe, yes - a modest start for sure. I'll get another installment done directly

Cool, we're neighbors!!!!!!

Yes indeed we are. I'm very happy to find another DIS'er so close to home. The rest of the Rogue valley will never be the same

Okay I came back and actually read your first post Great start!! And congrats on your 15 year anniversary. I can't think of a better way to celebrate it!

Hehe, back for more aye? Thank you on the 15 years, it is amazing how fast the time goes.

I know the feeling, we're (me & DBF) going for the first time in september and i feel like bouncing around with excitement already

Oh cool, you'll be able to give me all the latest info! Will they have HM open with the Nightmare theme when you're there?

 

[Leger13]

I shall endeavor to bring DLR to life for ya!



Hehe, yes - a modest start for sure. I'll get another installment done directly

Hehe, back for more aye? Thank you on the 15 years, it is amazing how fast the time goes.

Well thank you

Oh no rush. Just most of the threads I'm on I have to catch up on so it's nice to be coming into one at the beginning.

You're welcome. It really is nuts how fast time goes. Chris and I haven't been married as long as you and your wife but our 6 year anniversary is in May and I just can't believe it's been that long already.

 

[mnmrmustard]

Hey DISkateers!

Before we get too far into this I have to warn you that I take pictures. I take quite a few pictures. hmmm..... Okay, I take a LOT of pictures. I took almost 10,000 at WDW/Sea World last January. You could say I have a problem

I did whittle it down to only POSTING 1,800 of them in the TR though...

...whaaattt

I also enjoy telling a story. So this thing will meander, grow, sputter and nearly fall on its face only to rise again like Robert Downey Jr's career after a string of sober days and a decent script. It will spawn little orphan stories that get trapped out in the snow and have to be rescued by a square-jawed hero-type armed only with a FastPass and an extra large Dole Whip!

For lo, we are DISfans and our appetite for all things Disney is insatiable and not even a Beverly will quench it

Ahem, got a little far afield already I see. So, back to the picture thing. First I should do the obligatory pictures of the fam and I.

Me

Slightly younger and furrier me

And of course Pirate Mickey-hatted Photo-Taking me

DW Roxy (with a younger Bean)

Roxy at her company's last Christmas Party

And swimming with Dolphins Roxy

My older DD PumpkinGirl at a Winter Carnival

PumpkinGirl just hanging out

And hanging out with Pirates!

Bean playing softball

Bean making one of her exceptionally silly faces

Bean right before our 7 trips in a row on RnRC

And just a couple of random shots from "The World"

Quick action shot of the ghosts on ToT

Look out Indy!

Mickey for dinner???

Rainforest glow

Did anyone remember to bring the marshmallows?

Yes, they did it on porpoise

and I'll end with a little Illumination!

Well, that's a little taste of where this thing is heading. If y'all enjoy reading this 1/10th as much as I enjoy making it I know we'll all have a great time :-]

Until next time, have a great night and Happy Saint Patrick's Day to you all!

 

[kaoden39]

I love the holidays at the parks. I want to go sometime at Halloween. December is the best time for my husband Scotty to take off from work and he races bicycles and there are no races in December. Nice of you to wear you St Paddy's day green in a picture today. Happy St Patrick's day!

 

[MommyWithDreams]

Loving all the pics and looking forward to reading more of your TR!

 

[DizNee Luver]

I LOVE Pictures!!!! More, More, More!!!!

 

[Leger13]

Hey DISkateers!

Before we get too far into this I have to warn you that I take pictures. I take quite a few pictures. hmmm..... Okay, I take a LOT of pictures. I took almost 10,000 at WDW/Sea World last January. You could say I have a problem

I did whittle it down to only POSTING 1,800 of them in the TR though...

...whaaattt

Your pictures is one of the major reasons I just had to jump onto this PTR. I absolutely love them. (cameraface....hahahaha)

I also enjoy telling a story. So this thing will meander, grow, sputter and nearly fall on its face only to rise again like Robert Downey Jr's career after a string of sober days and a decent script. It will spawn little orphan stories that get trapped out in the snow and have to be rescued by a square-jawed hero-type armed only with a FastPass and an extra large Dole Whip!

For lo, we are DISfans and our appetite for all things Disney is insatiable and not even a Beverly will quench it

great comparison to Downey's career. And as much as I loved seeing your pictures I also loved reading the story too.

Ahem, got a little far afield already I see. So, back to the picture thing. First I should do the obligatory pictures of the fam and I.


Well, that's a little taste of where this thing is heading. If y'all enjoy reading this 1/10th as much as I enjoy making it I know we'll all have a great time :-]

Until next time, have a great night and Happy Saint Patrick's Day to you all!

Great pictures! Bean is so funny with the faces she makes. Your wife looks great in the picture from last year's xmas party. Pumpkin girl looks really cute in the Winter festival picture and look at you showin' your st. patty's day pride.

at the comment you made above the picture from LMA. I gotta remember to bring those next time.

Oh yeah and I still can't believe you scored a picture of the ghosts on ToT. I'm jealous!

 

[mnmrmustard]

I love the holidays at the parks. I want to go sometime at Halloween. December is the best time for my husband Scotty to take off from work and he races bicycles and there are no races in December. Nice of you to wear you St Paddy's day green in a picture today. Happy St Patrick's day!

I agree, it just adds another level of magic to the trip. There was still some Christmas stuff up and IaSW still had its Christmas theming when we were there in '05. One day we'll get back there during the real Christmas season

Loving all the pics and looking forward to reading more of your TR!

Thank you! Very happy to have you aboard

I LOVE Pictures!!!! More, More, More!!!!

I'll see what I can do

Your pictures is one of the major reasons I just had to jump onto this PTR. I absolutely love them. (cameraface....hahahaha)


great comparison to Downey's career. And as much as I loved seeing your pictures I also loved reading the story too.


Great pictures! Bean is so funny with the faces she makes. Your wife looks great in the picture from last year's xmas party. Pumpkin girl looks really cute in the Winter festival picture and look at you showin' your st. patty's day pride.

at the comment you made above the picture from LMA. I gotta remember to bring those next time.

Oh yeah and I still can't believe you scored a picture of the ghosts on ToT. I'm jealous!

I'll keep crankin' out the pics and am more than happy to share 'em. And the stories along with them And on the ladies in my life, I was just graced with lovely ones. And yes, had to put in a good Irish shirt for the holiday. It's in me blood!

Yeah, I think that would be a great added feature to LMA, have some of the crew come out with marshmallows and cook 'em up before they put him out. Pure luck on the ghosts capture - just took a bunch of pics and got lucky

 

[Sarah84]

Oh cool, you'll be able to give me all the latest info! Will they have HM open with the Nightmare theme when you're there?

unfortunately not, we'll be there 1st-7th Sep so before it gets the nightmare theme.

Love your photos

 

[mnmrmustard]

Well this isn't worth a chapter, but we've been tossing around t-shirt ideas. For WDW last year we did this on both plain Ts and tie-dyed versions:

This is the first one we've come up with for this trip:

I'll also be putting together a mickey pumpkin-themed one, and of course a Jack Skellington one Anyone else have any thoughts? And of course if anyone is going during the Halloween season I'm happy to customize any of the designs for other DISers and make 'em available for download