TR Oct/Nov 2012- Cowboys, casinos and pixie dust OH MY!

[frangipanisam]

Well El Capitan theatre was AMAZING!!! Wreck it Ralph is an excellent movie, I'll go again when it's out at home yesterday was a but of a right off, transferred up to Anaheim at 7.30am but we went straight into a room, very small though so they organised to switch us to a middle rather then end room today which we've already done and we have much more space for suitcase lol

Sam's #2 & 3 are freezing their butts off in NYC currently at 4 degrees while we melted yesterday in 36 degree heat in Knott's. It seems to be different heat to Western Sydney so it knocked us around and we only stayed a few hours. Bec did ghostrider, jaguar, silver bullet & boomerang on her own, I'm too chicken & I would have done jaguar if I was feeling better. We did pony express, the rapids, log ride, mine cart and sky cabin together.

Grabbed some dinner at mimi's which was okay. Today we did laundry and are off to main place to return a few things and shop a little because my suitcases a full

Latest problem is that I knew I had 6 parcels to collect upon checking in. I got five boxes and thought I'd check through them first but when I did my Snow White Jim Shore figurine was missing. Hojo's response 'well it would be in the book if we received it call UPS' called UPS this morning, they emailed me the sign sheet thing and I found it had the wrong name on the parcel, explaining why I didn't get it.

Went to reception, explained this 'well we have a guest with that name but we can see if one is still there' nope still nothing. Called this guests room to leave a message asking if they received it by mistake and I have a feeling that I called Minnie Sue I even threw that in at the end of my message! As the name is Susan and I asked if she checked in on the 24th of October when they said she'd been at Hojo's awhile so pretty good bet its Minnie Sue so fingers are crossed she revived it by mistake! But the guys at Hojo's I spoke to this morning were awesome & said Disney will send another as its their stuff up putting the wrong name on it and they offered to call on my behalf so we'll see what happens after guest Susan checks her messages

Such a novel!!! I'm returning a villains Mickey & Minnie figurine today because it is about 4 times bigger then I expected!!! Totally cute but as we don't do Halloween it seems silly having one that size and it weights a bit much to ship it home.

Until next time guys

 

[Minniemum]

Another great update frangipanisam. Glad to hear you enjoyed Wreck It Ralph. It will be a while before we get to see it as the Aussie release isn't until Boxing Day. Good luck with the missing package. How funny if the other guest is Minnie Sue Oz!

 

[Marlea98]

It sounds like you're having so much fun. Did you find Knott's a bit of a let down after Disney? We did; we went on a Sunday and it was full of local teenagers who line-jumped, ran about like idiots etc, and it was very dirty after what we experienced at Disney. The rides were really good, though.

 

[frangipanisam]

Ok so now comes the tricky part of trying to remeber what happened on each day

Monday the 5th of November
Today we did laundry, how boring, most of the morning and then went down to Westfields Main Place to return the Disney figurine, a Disney bowl that was broken and some Victoria's Secret body stuff I didn't need/want to squeeze in when I could buy more Disney stuff

It was nice to walk around in the air con and I went nuts in a jewellery store buying Pandora charms but I was using my graduation money from my parents and bought a few for mum on behalf of my dad because they were anywhere from $5 to $30 dollars cheaper I got three for mum, a split mother/daughter for both of us and 15 charms for myself plus a leather braclet Bec just about died with how much I was spending but I spent less on all of that then Sam #3 did buying one gold necklace in Tiffany's in NY so meh

Then I found OPI polishes for $6 each in JC Penney's so naturally I bought 7, saving myself $100 to if I'd bought them here in David Jones while we waited for the bus we had really yummy brownie ice cream from Baskin Robbins, so delish! We grabbed Subway for dinner and settled into our larger room. In the meantime I rang reception, no response re: the message I left about my package

Sam #2 & #3 were in NYC doing 9/11 memorial, Empire State and shooping from memory. Dying in the 4 degree weather

Tuesday the 6th of November
Sea World day! The trip was longer then we expected, 90 minutes down and got there an hour after the park opened which sucked a tad. Throughout the day we did the Manta coaster twice, saw the Dolphin, Whale and Sea Lion/Sea Otter shows and the 4D movie and did the Sky Cabin thing, Wild Artic and Journey to Atlantis...we got soaked! We though we were safe until the second spray got us and our shorts were still damp at 8pm that night ordering our dinner the trip back was even longer at two hours with peak hour but we got dropped off at our hotel so that was good, grabbing pizza from the Pizza Press down the road which was yummy! Very clever themeing to the shop and menu.

My fav part of the day was having the brownie funnel cake, chocolate funnel cake with whipped cream, ice cream and hot fudge. Oh my goodness what heaven that was! Worst part, Bec bought a name art and one name was spelt wrong so apprently its been sent here in the mail already so we'll have to wait and see.

Sam #2 & #3 shopped in NYC, buying up big in Bloomingdales on clearence items and Tiffany's. Sam #2 also ate her weight in food apparently, not a bad achievement for a vegitarian

Next installment:10.30pm that night, hmmm what happened that late you ask? You'll have to wait and see

 

[Minnie Sue Oz]

I bet I know what happened at 10.30 that night

 

[frangipanisam]

I bet I know what happened at 10.30 that night

I think you'd have a pretty good idea

Btw I'm going to facebook because it won't upload my photos stalled on 79/112 for about the last two hours and if I cancel it will wipe the 78 that did upload, why fb why??

 

[Minnie Sue Oz]

I think you'd have a pretty good idea

Btw I'm going to facebook because it won't upload my photos stalled on 79/112 for about the last two hours and if I cancel it will wipe the 78 that did upload, why fb why??

Mine did the same!!!

And look what I got...............a new ticker!!!!!! Yippee!!!!!

 

[frangipanisam]

I would have updated earlier but I actually worked everyday this week at school so hoping that keeps up until the end of term!

Tuesday the 6th of November- Night
Now here's an interesting little story for all of you ok so after a two hour drive back to Anaheim from San Diego we grabbed a pizza and headed back to the room to chill out.

After jumping in the shower I settled down to have another argument with the Disney Store re: my missing package. I was pretty straight with them, it was their stuff up by sending it to the wrong person and they needed to fix it because I had already done part of their job calling UPS and leaving a message for the other hotel guest. I told them I wanted a refund or it sent to my Australian address as I was leaving the following Monday. Got the response of "oh well I need to send an internal email and you'll get a call within 24 hours". Hung up rather annoyed considering the next day we would be in Disneyland and I'd be watching my phone all day.

So I settled into bed to watch Friends and dozed off. Cue the phone ringing at 10.30(ish)pm. Bec answered so I rolled over to see what was going on and I could see she looked a tad confused and she handed the phone to me. Turned out to be the front desk "Hi, umm well we have another guest on the phone who says that they have your missing package?? She's actually in the room NEXT DOOR and has asked to be patched through"

Off all people to receive my beautiful Jim Shore Snow White figurine by mistake, it was Minnie Sue couldn't believe it when she was patched through! Had a quick chat and she invited us over to grab it. Naturally everyone was in pj's and we chatted with Minnie Sue and her DD for about 30 mins, getting some hints for Disneyland/RRS ect. Turned out we were both doing MTTM the next morning! Such a small world Sue hadn't even gotten my phone message for some reason but read my post on here detailing the saga and rang the front desk straight away So glad I came on here to complain!

It turned out that my figurine was actually packed in with their other items, not a separate box so very strange, somebody stuffed up at Disney. We both did orders during the same sale, sending to the same address, with the same initials and both from Australia so its plain bizarre but very glad I ended up with my figurine and got to meet a Dis-er

Disney didn't call me back the next day, so in my fury at their service I rang again on Thursday night to complain because really it could have ended up ANYWHERE and got the same response of "I need to send an internal email and we'll call you in 24-48 hours". When we left Monday night I still did not have a call back and no-one has called my Australian number to chase it up, so poor work on the part of the Disney Store.

So the mystery of the missing package was solved 2 and 1/2 days after it started

I still have half a mind to contact them re: some form of compensation (ie. 25% off my next order ) because I fluked getting my package after their screw up, thoughts??

 

[battymum]

Well as far as Disney goes, they still don't know that you ended up getting your package.

 

[australiankaren]

your lucky it didnt end up back there....

alls well that ends well.....and you are now an official card carrying member of the "disneystore stuffed up my order" club......we should have shirts

 

[frangipanisam]

your lucky it didnt end up back there....

alls well that ends well.....and you are now an official card carrying member of the "disneystore stuffed up my order" club......we should have shirts

Well if Minnie Sue hadn't received it by mistake that's where it would have been!

I've written a draft email complaining to the Disney Store but I couldn't bring myself to lie about never receiving the package so its just complaining about the lack of customer service and help ect.

Wednesday the 7th of November
Today Bec and I were up bright and early for MTTM and were right up the front for the rope drop. Now here is were we had to laugh, the amount of people that FLOCKED to Peter Pan's Flight was INSANE! Everyone rushed in Fantasyland and once we went past PPF there were only two people in front of us and no-one behind us

We headed straight up to Toontown and explored a few houses before the opening ceremony, taking a heap of photos and getting in some character photos too. We had Goofy and Pluto together and Mickey with his Mayor badge aswell. The ceremony was really cute and we stood on the steps on the bandstand/gazebo to take photos.

After the ceremony we got some more character photos including the illusive Daisy Duck! We also ran into Minnie Sue and her DD! We jumped on Rodger Rabbit and continued exploring TT, taking photos of everything. I think we also had photos with Minnie at somestage? But the only photopass character photo we scored was Mickey inside his house. That's what I found frustrating, some many characters were walking around but they didn't have photo pass photographers with them we still got great photos but not professional standard like others we got.

After exploring TT we headed down to grab Space Mountain FP and went over to the Jungle Cruise. That was an effort! The line was a bit of a wait and then we were about a boat load from the front when it went down for about 10 mins to fix something. But our Skipper was funny so it was worth waiting to do.

We came across Aladdin and Genie on our way into Adventureland so Bec was in Aladdin is her favourite disney movie. Then we got Jasmin on our way out. Our day involved a LOT of character and photo pass photos lol we also did the Castle (again), the Partners statue, Princesses (twice), Tangled, Brave and Wreck-It Ralph.

We had lunch at Redd Rocketts Pizza Port and got pasta which was soo good! I think it was creamy chicken, parmesan and pesto and we should have split one between us because neither of us finished them lol only time this happened at Disney so thats good

I remember we did Space Mountain twice, the Haunted Mansion, Buzz, Autopia, Astro Blasters and the Tea Cups but not sure if we managed anything else in between all the character photos and browsing the shops lol

The temp dropped as night fell and we staked out a place on Main Street for the parade about 20 minutes prior to the parade and took turns looking in the shops. Bec snacked on a Mickey Mouse head cookie and I tried a churros after we finally tracked down a cart! Nice but I'd prefer a fresh cinnamon doughnut from Doughnut King

The parade was awesome! So colourful and playful, the Genie was funny and I got a nice close up of him when we came over to us. Bec was really cold by the time it was finished so that meant no more rides

Bec really wanted fluffy Minnie ears and they were sold out in the park but we'd seen them at Paradise Pier when we checked out so we hiked up there so she could buy them and then headed to Millie's for dinner. I really enjoyed Millie's! I had a really yummy cheeseburger and Bec has chicken tenders. Neither of us were fond of the corn bread we were given but we tried it! We only got there once but I'd go again next time

Then we relaxed at the hotel watching Friends and catching up with what Sam #2 & #3 had been doing in NYC that day.

I can't remember if I bought anything else this day but I know I did buy my "Mine, Mine, Mine" Nemo beach towel! Love it and soo big! Both the other Sam's ended up with one aswell and Bec bought the stuffed Mine Seagull instead.

 

[PrincessInOz]

Sound like a great day.

And how funny to run into MinnieSueOz. Seems like we travel half the world away to do DisMeets.

 

[areweindisneyyet]

Well if Minnie Sue hadn't received it by mistake that's where it would have been!

I've written a draft email complaining to the Disney Store but I couldn't bring myself to lie about never receiving the package so its just complaining about the lack of customer service and help ect.

Wednesday the 7th of November
Today Bec and I were up bright and early for MTTM and were right up the front for the rope drop. Now here is were we had to laugh, the amount of people that FLOCKED to Peter Pan's Flight was INSANE! Everyone rushed in Fantasyland and once we went past PPF there were only two people in front of us and no-one behind us

We headed straight up to Toontown and explored a few houses before the opening ceremony, taking a heap of photos and getting in some character photos too. We had Goofy and Pluto together and Mickey with his Mayor badge aswell. The ceremony was really cute and we stood on the steps on the bandstand/gazebo to take photos.

After the ceremony we got some more character photos including the illusive Daisy Duck! We also ran into Minnie Sue and her DD! We jumped on Rodger Rabbit and continued exploring TT, taking photos of everything. I think we also had photos with Minnie at somestage? But the only photopass character photo we scored was Mickey inside his house. That's what I found frustrating, some many characters were walking around but they didn't have photo pass photographers with them we still got great photos but not professional standard like others we got.

After exploring TT we headed down to grab Space Mountain FP and went over to the Jungle Cruise. That was an effort! The line was a bit of a wait and then we were about a boat load from the front when it went down for about 10 mins to fix something. But our Skipper was funny so it was worth waiting to do.

We came across Aladdin and Genie on our way into Adventureland so Bec was in Aladdin is her favourite disney movie. Then we got Jasmin on our way out. Our day involved a LOT of character and photo pass photos lol we also did the Castle (again), the Partners statue, Princesses (twice), Tangled, Brave and Wreck-It Ralph.

We had lunch at Redd Rocketts Pizza Port and got pasta which was soo good! I think it was creamy chicken, parmesan and pesto and we should have split one between us because neither of us finished them lol only time this happened at Disney so thats good

I remember we did Space Mountain twice, the Haunted Mansion, Buzz, Autopia, Astro Blasters and the Tea Cups but not sure if we managed anything else in between all the character photos and browsing the shops lol

The temp dropped as night fell and we staked out a place on Main Street for the parade about 20 minutes prior to the parade and took turns looking in the shops. Bec snacked on a Mickey Mouse head cookie and I tried a churros after we finally tracked down a cart! Nice but I'd prefer a fresh cinnamon doughnut from Doughnut King

The parade was awesome! So colourful and playful, the Genie was funny and I got a nice close up of him when we came over to us. Bec was really cold by the time it was finished so that meant no more rides

Bec really wanted fluffy Minnie ears and they were sold out in the park but we'd seen them at Paradise Pier when we checked out so we hiked up there so she could buy them and then headed to Millie's for dinner. I really enjoyed Millie's! I had a really yummy cheeseburger and Bec has chicken tenders. Neither of us were fond of the corn bread we were given but we tried it! We only got there once but I'd go again next time

Then we relaxed at the hotel watching Friends and catching up with what Sam #2 & #3 had been doing in NYC that day.

I can't remember if I bought anything else this day but I know I did buy my "Mine, Mine, Mine" Nemo beach towel! Love it and soo big! Both the other Sam's ended up with one aswell and Bec bought the stuffed Mine Seagull instead.

X

I'm drinking from my MINE MINE MINE coffee mug now

Sounds like you had a wonderful time. We got lots of Pandora too!

 

[australiankaren]

X

I'm drinking from my MINE MINE MINE coffee mug now

Sounds like you had a wonderful time. We got lots of Pandora too!

Now i bought the mine towel as well, but we find it is really difficult to dry properly....weird material...stays wet forever.

 

[frangipanisam]

Its really quite at work so I figured I might continue my TR

Thursday 8th of November
First day in California Adventure and kicked it off waiting in line for RRS FP which we did manage to score for 2.30 in the afternoon which we were happy with.

From memory we went down in to Hollywood backlot first and did the Monsters Inc ride, very cute! Then we fast passed Tower of Terror before heading into Bugs Land to do all of the kiddie rides. Bec would have liked to ignore them but its Disney, you have to try everything!

Then we headed up to Paradise Pier where Bec went on Screamin as a single rider because I was too chicken, oh how things changed later!! I remember we did Ariel, King Tritons Carousel, Silly Symphonies, Goofy's flying school and Jumpin Jellyfish.

TSM was of course a really long wait so we grabbed some lunch- Pizza for me from Boardwalk and a corn dog for Bec- and headed back to do ToT which was awesome!!!

Then we headed into Cars Land- Oh my gosh! The themeing is incredible and the Christmas decorations were slowly going up including the snowman car at the entrance. We walked up the street taking photos and getting PP photos taken before heading up to RRS. The FP wait was about 15 minutes, single rider line was about 50 minutes (full of families willing to go individuall of course lol) and the normal line was about 90 minutes at that stage from memory.

The line themeing was great but I didn't get any photos because we went straight up so next time, the normal line would be worth it for photos and it will eventually die down lol when it was our turn we got the backseat with a single rider who tried to get on with her bf & the CM said nope its your turn, you either go or leave it was a pretty cool ride and I got some photos outside before you go in, then it started to rain! So that made it interesting! Bec was freezing because she didn't have a jacket but we braved on and did Luigi's after about a 30 minute wait in a rain break.

Then we waited for and watched Aladdin the musical spectacularand Bec was beside herself as Aladdin is by far her favourite. It worked out well having the priority seating voucher as it was drizzly rain again and lots of people were there to get out of it.

Then we went straight on to ToT and being at night, while it was raining made it more spooky! The view at night is incredible! I just wish the photos were taken right as the drop starts instead of before, that would make for interesting photos

We headed to Soarin' to get FP and ate dinner at Taste Pilots Grill while we waited. Soarin' was good but being the bottom wasn't as special, mental note to remember that for next time.

After that we walked through a few shops before heading up to WoC. Maybe not our best decision as we were standing at the back, in the rain and could only see the top third or so of the screens but it was still pretty good. Different view of course to what we watched from our hotel room at PP earlier in the trip. We got some good photos of the fountains after the show and then headed into DTD to get some Hagen Daaz ice cream to eat on the walk back to the hotel.

 

[PrincessInOz]

Nice to see another update.

Sounds like another full day at the Parks. RSR would be interesting in the rain.

Looking forward to the next update.

 

[frangipanisam]

RSR would be interesting in the rain.

Even though it was quite light rain, it felt like frozen tiny needles poking your face I'm glad I had a light jacket and sunnies on so it was only my cheeks that coped it whereas Bec coped it all over her face and arms, she didn't even lift her arms for the photo crossing the finish line because she was huddling to keep warm

 

[australiankaren]

can you remember what the temp was when you were at DL...we are there in 3 weeks and it says 48-68 degrees.....cold enough for trackies/jeans..or shorts and jackets????

 

[Minniemum]

ToT at night AND when it was raining???? That would take it to a whole new level of scary!

 

[Marlea98]

I will have to do ToT at night now. Kids and DH did it, but I didn't for some reason. I can't remember why but I can recall eating a churro while I was waiting for them