TR w/4000+ Pics/Disney on Ice w/184 Pics!!

[mariezp]

Okay, Laurie, I finally got a chance to do some reading. You are going to be in the park on my birthday! I think you have done a great job on your itinerary. Good idea to make the weekdays your Disneyland days. Although for us we have gotten greedy and decided that even the more crowded days are best spent at DL so we don't go anywhere else anymore. We want all we can squeeze in! thumbsup2

We really enjoyed the WinWF tour too. Guess the only one I have left that I would really like to do would be a VIP tour. Not sure I really want to do 6 hours but it probably won't ever be a problem since I would need to win the lotto to afford it!

Got me drooling at the food pictures. I think you got a shot of all my favorites. I really enjoyed the Storytellers character meal. There are a few less characters but it was not quite as noisy and chaotic as some of the others. The Banana-stuffed French Toast was wonderful! As for other dining recommendations our favorite meals are always at Blue Bayou, Rainforest Cafe and Bubba Gump. We generally do a 2 meal a day plan too. Leaves a little room for snacks in between.... and you gotta have those snacks at DL! It is so much fun finally getting to make those reservations. I have to wait all the way til September!

Oh boy! A new camera! That means we can expect LOTS of photos from your trip. One can never get too many Disneyland shots!

Boy, you are one organized planner! I love your notebooks! Me, I slap my dining info and itinerary in a file folder and we're off! Perhaps I should upgrade?

I love the tie dyed shirt! May have to look into one for me and my DD for our trip! Did the sizes run pretty true? I always hate ordering from somewhere new cause you never know if they will fit. Why can't there be such a thing as a universal size?

Glad your oldest son will be getting to go. It has got to be wonderful having your whole family together. You are an amazing mom!

Like the new hairdo. Great for on your trip! I love having a perm cause it is just makes styling your hair so much easier. For now I am stuck blowdrying. I've had a few too many bad perms so will be sticking with the straight stuff for awhile. Atleast I finally got a haircut that I am satisfied with.

Looks like I caught up with everything! Now I guess I just sit back and see what else you post. Will try to throw my 2 cents in here and there to help you pass time til your trip gets here.... which in turn will help me pass time til my trip gets here!

 

[DizNee Luver]

Okay, Laurie, I finally got a chance to do some reading. You are going to be in the park on my birthday! I think you have done a great job on your itinerary. Good idea to make the weekdays your Disneyland days. Although for us we have gotten greedy and decided that even the more crowded days are best spent at DL so we don't go anywhere else anymore. We want all we can squeeze in! thumbsup2

We usually don't leave the park either, but originally we had planned a bigger trip to include San Diego & Universal Studios, but Tyler wasn't able to get that many days off.....so we lost a few things. I wanted to get as many days in for vacation, so we kept the 2 "off" days.

We really enjoyed the WinWF tour too. Guess the only one I have left that I would really like to do would be a VIP tour. Not sure I really want to do 6 hours but it probably won't ever be a problem since I would need to win the lotto to afford it!

The VIP tour would be alright, but since it really doesn't get you front of line on the rides....not sure it's worth the price.

Got me drooling at the food pictures. I think you got a shot of all my favorites. I really enjoyed the Storytellers character meal. There are a few less characters but it was not quite as noisy and chaotic as some of the others. The Banana-stuffed French Toast was wonderful! As for other dining recommendations our favorite meals are always at Blue Bayou, Rainforest Cafe and Bubba Gump. We generally do a 2 meal a day plan too. Leaves a little room for snacks in between.... and you gotta have those snacks at DL! It is so much fun finally getting to make those reservations. I have to wait all the way til September!

We've never done the Storytellers for the character meal & wanted to do all 5 of them....but with the WoC dining package available...we cancelled our Princess breakfast & went with the dinner & no characters. I'm disappointed, because I was really excited about experiencing all of them & then rating them on my trip report.....but oh well!
Mike & I really loved Blue Bayou....but not gonna try with 10 people....ouch on the pocket book!!! I'm also not sure the twins could handle sitting in the dark for that long.

Oh boy! A new camera! That means we can expect LOTS of photos from your trip. One can never get too many Disneyland shots!

We always take tons of photos......I just wish we could get movement pictures better. There's a way to set the shutter speed...but you don't always have time to mess with it & I'd hate to have all the pictures blurry because we're not used to shooting at that speed. At least with the movement pics I take on normal....I at least get a few real good ones. The goal this time is to get decent fireworks pictures......have yet to do that!!

Boy, you are one organized planner! I love your notebooks! Me, I slap my dining info and itinerary in a file folder and we're off! Perhaps I should upgrade?

The over-planning & notebook gives me something to do while waiting to go. I get antsy & bored & need "busy" work to keep me going. We do find it very useful when helping others who are planning a trip. Having the menus & somewhat current prices help others plan & budget.

I love the tie dyed shirt! May have to look into one for me and my DD for our trip! Did the sizes run pretty true? I always hate ordering from somewhere new cause you never know if they will fit. Why can't there be such a thing as a universal size?

Cassi is very good & helpful with the shirts. She can give you the measurements of the finished shirt before you order. I found the shirt to be true to size & I hang dry it to make sure not to cause any shrinkage or twisting (which sometimes happens to shirts). She's reasonably priced, it's quality work & materials & she's pretty quick with mailing them out. You can special order or look at what she has available & order it.

Glad your oldest son will be getting to go. It has got to be wonderful having your whole family together. You are an amazing mom!

I'm thrilled that Nick will be joining us!! All 7 kids together in Disneyland....that will be a first!!!

Like the new hairdo. Great for on your trip! I love having a perm cause it is just makes styling your hair so much easier. For now I am stuck blowdrying. I've had a few too many bad perms so will be sticking with the straight stuff for awhile. Atleast I finally got a haircut that I am satisfied with.

I was wary getting a perm again.....I've had such horrible luck with them in the past. I have some natural curl to my hair & usually leave the beauty parlor looking like a poodle. This time I found someone that knew what a spiral perm was & did it correctly. If I have the money, I'll go get a touch up before the trip. If not....god only knows what my hair will look like by then.....

Looks like I caught up with everything! Now I guess I just sit back and see what else you post. Will try to throw my 2 cents in here and there to help you pass time til your trip gets here.... which in turn will help me pass time til my trip gets here!

I'm glad you finally got a chance to read it & look forward to your input!!!

 

[GoofySon'sMom]

Just popping in to join your report! I will have to read all to catch up tomorrow!

 

[DizNee Luver]

Just popping in to join your report! I will have to read all to catch up tomorrow!

Sweet!!! Welcome!!

 

[GoofySon'sMom]

Just read thru this report and scanned most of the pics from your previous one. You have a beautiful family and must be an amazing woman. I was screaming to my husband while reading about your dealings with dining (I know old news for you!) So glad that it seems to have worked out. Seems like you really deserve this trip! I definitely hope we run into each other!

 

[DizNee Luver]

Just read thru this report and scanned most of the pics from your previous one. You have a beautiful family and must be an amazing woman. I was screaming to my husband while reading about your dealings with dining (I know old news for you!) So glad that it seems to have worked out. Seems like you really deserve this trip! I definitely hope we run into each other!

Ah shucks, you're making me blush......

It was a bit frustrating with Disney Dining & we'll see how things go on Weds. when I try & call the CM I was dealing with back with all of our reservations. She was going to contact the individual restaurant mgrs to make sure we weren't going to be charged for Michayla & Shyann. So now that we're at that point....we'll see if she can really make it all happen. We're kinda in a dilemma with Shyann......at the time we first made arrangements with her, Shy was only drinking from a bottle & eating very little. After a bad case of the stomach flu, she's weaned from the bottle & formula & eats a very limited diet......I'm willing to pay for her.....because it's not the restaurants fault that my 3 yr old doesn't eat very much......but if they don't have things she'll eat (she has an egg allergy)....then I don't really want to pay if I'm bringing in my own food for her.
I'll definitely let you know what happens after I speak with her this week. Finger's crossed that this goes smoothly!!

 

[DizNee Luver]

Itinerary:

Sunday, Aug 1:
Up early for our Magic Morning at 7am, this morning I get to use my very expensive ticket for one hour....lol
Disneyland 8am to Midnight
Breakfast at Minnie & Friends at the Plaza Inn at 9:40
Dinner at the Thunder Ranch Celebration BBQ at 4:30. Again they couldn't accommidate a group of 10.....so we had to split our ressie in two. Hopefully they'll be side by side...but no guarantees.

One more day to call in tomorrow!!!

 

[kaoden39]

Itinerary:

Sunday, Aug 1:
Up early for our Magic Morning at 7am, this morning I get to use my very expensive ticket for one hour....lol
Disneyland 8am to Midnight
Breakfast at Minnie & Friends at the Plaza Inn at 9:40
Dinner at the Thunder Ranch Celebration BBQ at 4:30. Again they couldn't accommidate a group of 10.....so we had to split our ressie in two. Hopefully they'll be side by side...but no guarantees.

One more day to call in tomorrow!!!

It amazes me that a company that push for people to use the for celebrations and reunions and such would be able to accommodate large groups. You know? Interesting thought for them.

 

[DizNee Luver]

I wasn't surprise about that being an issue at Carnation Cafe.....but the BBQ I figured would be fine. I was wondering why we couldn't sit at an "8-top" & put 2 high chairs on the ends of the picnic table.....but they can only reserve it for up to 8 people. So hopefully since it's the first dinner seating, we'll be able to be side by side. Maybe once we show up, we'll be able to do the one table?? We'll just play it by ear......who knows....maybe by this point of the trip we'll be ready to split the group.......

 

[kaoden39]

I wasn't surprise about that being an issue at Carnation Cafe.....but the BBQ I figured would be fine. I was wondering why we couldn't sit at an "8-top" & put 2 high chairs on the ends of the picnic table.....but they can only reserve it for up to 8 people. So hopefully since it's the first dinner seating, we'll be able to be side by side. Maybe once we show up, we'll be able to do the one table?? We'll just play it by ear......who knows....maybe by this point of the trip we'll be ready to split the group.......

Well, at the Carnation because of the size I understand it. But I do not understand that Bbq. I mean seriously. But, yeah you may want to separate at that point lol. "Excuse me, but I don't want to sit with them..."

 

[Lissame]

I find it so interesting about the BBQ--because I was able to make a reservation for 10 with no problem. Maybe it's because of your high chairs?

 

[6Smiles]

Laurie -

Wowwee you have had an amazing couple of weeks! Your girls are just beautiful and I am so happy for you that they have been making great strides. That little amusement park is really cool! I wish we had something like that near by.

You have so much planned for your trip and so many details and you don't leave until July. I leave in 18 days and feel totally unprepared. I have 1 day planned (our MM) and an idea for our 2 break days but other than that I change things constantly !

I also had Cafe Orleans tell me we were probably going to be sat at two different tables and we are just 6 people. I told my DH cool we'll have an adult table and a kids table .

I am really enjoying reading your PTR.

 

[DizNee Luver]

Well, at the Carnation because of the size I understand it. But I do not understand that Bbq. I mean seriously. But, yeah you may want to separate at that point lol. "Excuse me, but I don't want to sit with them..."

so true.....

I find it so interesting about the BBQ--because I was able to make a reservation for 10 with no problem. Maybe it's because of your high chairs?

They didn't have a problem....just that they would need to make 2 ressies & use a 2nd name......I'm hopeful that we'll be next to each other.

Laurie -

Wowwee you have had an amazing couple of weeks! Your girls are just beautiful and I am so happy for you that they have been making great strides. That little amusement park is really cool! I wish we had something like that near by.

You have so much planned for your trip and so many details and you don't leave until July. I leave in 18 days and feel totally unprepared. I have 1 day planned (our MM) and an idea for our 2 break days but other than that I change things constantly !

I also had Cafe Orleans tell me we were probably going to be sat at two different tables and we are just 6 people. I told my DH cool we'll have an adult table and a kids table .

I am really enjoying reading your PTR.

18 days?? Oh my gosh....you're so close!!

That surprised me about Cafe Orleans, unless that was all they had available...... I know when we ate there last year, I saw tables of 6.......I figure we'll be split there as well. (that's my call for tomorrow) As long as we're side by side I'm ok with it....but it would suck to be across the restaurant from your family. Fingers crossing that your group will be together & ours will be too!!

 

[DizNee Luver]

Made the last of our dining reservations this morning....but has been a very hectic, sad day.....so a little slow getting this updated!

Monday, August 2
Disneyland 8am to Midnight
Breakfast at Surf's Up with Mickey at 9:30am
Dinner at Cafe Orlean's at 5:20pm

Since this was the last time I needed to call in, I figured I would double check our previously made ressies to make sure they were all in order. The CM only had one other ressie showing.....so we had to dig a little deeper to figure out where they went. Even though I spelled my first name, they mis-spelled it....so we were able to find all of the them but one. Our PCH Grill dinner ressie was missing. The CM found it......instead of making it for July 29th....the other CM had set it for MAY 29 (the day I called in.....lol).......I guess we were a no-show!! She was also able to fix our Celebration BBQ ressie for a party of 10....she wasn't sure why the other gal did it the way she did. So everything is in order & we should be good to go!!

I called the Guest Services CM we are dealing with regarding the twins paying at the character meals & am awaiting a return call....she wasn't in when I called.


Please keep a family here in town with us that recently finalized a foster child adoption in your prayers......he passed away last week from a tragic accident & tonight is the service. A very sad situation. He was only 13......I can't imagine the pain the family must be in. I've been gathering flower donations most of the day. I'm not looking forward to the service.....these are hard enough to go to, but when it's a child.....gut wrenching would be a good description.

 

[kaoden39]

Sorry to hear about that family Laurie, I will keep them in my prayers.

 

[GoofySon'sMom]

Very sad news about the family in your town. I cannot imagine that kind of pain. Will keep them in our thoughts.

 

[DizNee Luver]

Sorry to hear about that family Laurie, I will keep them in my prayers.

Very sad news about the family in your town. I cannot imagine that kind of pain. Will keep them in our thoughts.

Thank you both very much.....I decided not to go to the service. I would have been going as a representative of the foster parent association & knew there would be others attending that actually knew the family. I just was having a hard time dealing with going.....I think I made the right decision.

 

[GoofySon'sMom]

I think you did, too. I cannot imagine how hard it would be even as an outsider. My hearts breaks thinking about it. A friend of my son's sister passed away from an aneurism just as she was entering her Senior Year of High School. Truly one of the most heart wrenching services I have ever attended.

 

[6Smiles]

I will keep the family in my prayers. I think you made the right decision not to go last night. How are you doing/feeling today?

 

[DizNee Luver]

I think you did, too. I cannot imagine how hard it would be even as an outsider. My hearts breaks thinking about it. A friend of my son's sister passed away from an aneurism just as she was entering her Senior Year of High School. Truly one of the most heart wrenching services I have ever attended.

How very sad.....kids aren't supposed to go before us oldies. The first death I ever had to deal with was my boyfriends 10 yr old sister when I was in high school. It still gives me chills when I think about it. God wanted these angels early!!

I will keep the family in my prayers. I think you made the right decision not to go last night. How are you doing/feeling today?

Thank you....I feel it was the right decision...unfortunately it only dredged up past feelings for me. I had a restless night, but feel a bit better today. I'm done dealing with it & can focus back in on DL which makes me extremely happy......they even mentioned we might get sun today (which I was wondering if it even existed anymore.....lol) We have one more huge storm coming in tonight but then it looked like sun in the forecast again....so hooray!! We already reached our normal June rainfall in the first 2 days. ugh