Visions of Sugar Plums (Dancing Sugar Plum Fairies That Is!) - A Pre-Trip Report

[egritz]

I can't recommend the PP+ enough! Especially for the length of your trip. The borders are okay, I usually add a bunch just because, and you CAN add borders to ride photos. I have one of my brothers "faking" a scared face on Splash that I put the border for "Brave" as a joke.

We were only there for 2 half days & 1 full day in April and we managed to get over 100 pictures (and only 1 was a ride photo). The PP photographers really do seem to take extra time when they see you have purchased the PP+. We had one actually stall so that she could take a picture with the trolley in DCA behind us, and this was after doing several different poses at the fountain. She was awesome! I would never have as many family portraits from our trip if it wasn't for the PP+. In my mind it is a no-brainer, must-purchase for our trips.

 

[BeautyAndTheBeast22]

I can't recommend the PP+ enough! Especially for the length of your trip. The borders are okay, I usually add a bunch just because, and you CAN add borders to ride photos. I have one of my brothers "faking" a scared face on Splash that I put the border for "Brave" as a joke.

We were only there for 2 half days & 1 full day in April and we managed to get over 100 pictures (and only 1 was a ride photo). The PP photographers really do seem to take extra time when they see you have purchased the PP+. We had one actually stall so that she could take a picture with the trolley in DCA behind us, and this was after doing several different poses at the fountain. She was awesome! I would never have as many family portraits from our trip if it wasn't for the PP+. In my mind it is a no-brainer, must-purchase for our trips.

Hello and thank you for this input! I've decided that PP+ is a must this trip. I can't tell you how many cellphone pictures we have taken of the monitors after riding rides! It will def. be nice to have actual copies of the ride photos. It would also be nice to have some extra time with the photographers. We have met some incredibly nice photographers that make sure to take plenty and others that seem to be in a rush to move on to the next family. I even had one gentleman show me how to use a setting on my camera that I didn't even know existed! He tends to be stationed in front of the castle and we try to find him every trip.

Mental note to self: Order PP+ BEFORE November 1st!

 

[luulu1999]

How awesome!! We are planning on getting Deluxe AP's for our family too just to make sure we have an excuse to go back Can't wait to read some more trip reports

 

[BeautyAndTheBeast22]

How awesome!! We are planning on getting Deluxe AP's for our family too just to make sure we have an excuse to go back Can't wait to read some more trip reports

Well hello there!

We are SO excited to use the AP's and yes, plan another trip to use them within the next year. Can't let them go to waste, right?

Glad to have you along for the ride!

 

[BeautyAndTheBeast22]

Yippee! (Now only 40!) Time sure is flying by! You know you are getting close when your vacation days start showing up on the “Park Hours and Calendar” on the Disneyland website.

I've made reservations to Carnation Cafe on the night of our arrival, 11/20 at 6:50 pm. It was the last available slot due to the park closing at 8pm that night. Hopefully we will get settled into the RV, freshened up, and pick up our APs in time for dinner!

I've also made a character meal reservation for Mickey's Surfs Up on 11/25 at 7am per DH's request. I am still second guessing which breakfast buffet to do. We did Minnie and Friends in March and loved it! We had the first slot of the day and it was nice to be in the park and enjoying the surrounds before the gates officially opened. We had a window seat and could enjoy the view both inside and out. I was really happy with this choice and am hoping that Mickey can live up to Minnie because she set the bar high.

I’ve been working on our shirts, but am not sure what to do with Minnie. Do I give her a Santa hat too and add the bow, or scrap the hat and just go with a bow? What do you think? I can’t think of anything holiday-ish to add to her.

Off the topic of trip planning here, but has anyone seen the new Disney Parks commercials? The one with the Dad gone Vader in the store cracks me up every time. Too funny! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cbOxpd5-4xY

 

[DisneyJamieCA]

I would do the Santa hat with the bow on it So cute!

 

[BeautyAndTheBeast22]

I would do the Santa hat with the bow on it So cute!

Thanks Jamie!
I placed the bow on DH's mickey and it looks sorta like this...

Of course the edges wont be so uneven by the time I'm done, but you get the idea. What do you think?

I am so indecisive at times that I make myself crazy! I'm not sure how others can handle me.

 

[DisneyJamieCA]

I like it! How does it look center between her ears (towards the top)?

 

[gigi78]

Following along! Love love love all your matching shirt pictures. I really wish my boys would do this.

 

[BeautyAndTheBeast22]

I like it! How does it look center between her ears (towards the top)?

I still can't decide Jamie!

Following along! Love love love all your matching shirt pictures. I really wish my boys would do this.

Hello and welcome Gigi! My husband has never complained about matching shirts. I think he knows it's a mute point and not worth even getting into it with me. He actually likes the Beauty and Beast shirts that we pack every trip. As for the boys they could care less about they wear to the park just as long as they are going. My brother does pitch a fit when he joins us, but I've threatened to make him his own shirt the says, "I Don't Do Matching Shirts". This seems to him up real fast.

 

[gigi78]

I like this one the best!

 

[BeautyAndTheBeast22]

I like this one the best!

That's what I'm leaning towards too. Thanks!

 

[BeautyAndTheBeast22]

22 days to go!! Time is flying and I am beginning to stress out a bit. I have a lot to do before I can take off on vacation for 8 days! The boys are starting to get excited now that the double digit countdown days are dwindling down.

We just found out that my husband's cousin and her family will also be at the DLR while we are there. Their family of 6 is always a blast to hang out with and we are very excited to see them! They have 4 children (3 girls and 1 boy ranging in age from 16-10). We will probably spend one full day in the park with them.

I purchased our DLR PhotoPass+ today. I am so excited to take advantage of this card. So check that off the list!

We also loaded one giant bag of our stuff into the RV so it will be ready and waiting for us when we arrive. I made a run to Costco this weekend to pick up some jerky, trail mix and of course some of the organic Mickey and Friends cookies.

I feel like my list of to do is growing and not shrinking, but time is flying right along.. we will be on a plane headed to LAX before we know it!

I will leave you a few season appropriate images.. 2013 Halloween Costumes!

A head coach and 2 football players turned zombies, but never fear Zombie Hunter is here!

 

[gigi78]

Love the pics of the Zombies and especially the Zombie hunter. My daughter is a Zombie Ballerina this year and I actually think it is more cute than scary.

Lucky, only 22 days left for you guys!

 

[BeautyAndTheBeast22]

I can't believe it! 2 weeks from today we will be patiently awaiting our 2:15pm flight to LAX!! Time sure has flown! DH will be heading out to the base to purchase our AP's this week. I don't believe that the savings are that great, but it will be nice to have one more thing checked off our list.

I am still waiting for the arrival of our PP+. The boys are excited to pose on the PP+ rides. Its much more fun when you know you get a copy of the picture afterwards.

I've been listening to Live365 at work. The Disney stations really help get me through the day. Short timers is setting in and I can't wait to have a break from reality. I wonder if the boys get as giddy inside as I do or maybe I am completely nuts-o? It's to the point where I lay awake at night unable to shut my brain off because "I'm too excited to sleep". The anticipation is part of the fun, right??

Shirts are still not finished. I am trying to work on them as much as possible, but between a FT job, three kids and a PT job as a photographer I am swamped! I've had 3 shoots the past few weeks and am knee deep in photo editing. Yes, I think I need a vacation (and more photo's to edit)! It cannot get here enough fast enough!

 

[gigi78]

I can't believe it! 2 weeks from today we will be patiently awaiting our 2:15pm flight to LAX!! Time sure has flown! DH will be heading out to the base to purchase our AP's this week. I don't believe that the savings are that great, but it will be nice to have one more thing checked off our list.

I am still waiting for the arrival of our PP+. The boys are excited to pose on the PP+ rides. Its much more fun when you know you get a copy of the picture afterwards.

I've been listening to Live365 at work. The Disney stations really help get me through the day. Short timers is setting in and I can't wait to have a break from reality. I wonder if the boys get as giddy inside as I do or maybe I am completely nuts-o? It's to the point where I lay awake at night unable to shut my brain off because "I'm too excited to sleep". The anticipation is part of the fun, right??

Shirts are still not finished. I am trying to work on them as much as possible, but between a FT job, three kids and a PT job as a photographer I am swamped! I've had 3 shoots the past few weeks and am knee deep in photo editing. Yes, I think I need a vacation (and more photo's to edit)! It cannot get here enough fast enough!

Yay your getting closer! I know exactly how you are feeling! I'm getting super excited. I just wish my kids knew already. My PP+ arrived yesterday so you should be getting yours soon. Can't wait to see your finished shirts!

 

[BeautyAndTheBeast22]

My PP+ arrived yesterday so you should be getting yours soon.

My PP+ was waiting for me in my mailbox when I got home yesterday. I've packed it so that I don't forget it!

I was able to finish Kiptyn's shirt last night. 1 down, 4 to go! I wanted the shirts to all to match and the smallest size available was a 4T, which I made into a 2T. Hopefully the others wont take as long because I won't need to resize them first. My sewing skills are not wonderful by any means, but I am proud with the finished product. Pics coming soon...

12 Days to Go!!

 

[BeautyAndTheBeast22]

Slight change in plans! The original plan was to spend a half day on the 26th. We've decided to make it a full day on the 26th and then drive straight home on the 27th. This will sound like a great idea up until the morning of the 27th when we are wishing that we were already 4 hours closer to being home!

I've finished 3 out of 5 shirts. I've sewn the antlers on the the boys' shirts now I just need to sew on the two Mickey heads.

I can't believe that we will be enjoying our vacation come this time next week. We have been putting together a Disneyland Bucket List (thank you for the idea PHXscuba!). Here's what we have so far....

This is a group effort and is getting us all that much more excited for our trip. Of course a few of these pertain only to the adults.

5 days and counting (only 2.5 work days left for the month!)! Soooo much to get done between now and then!

 

[PHXscuba]

Slight change in plans! The original plan was to spend a half day on the 26th. We've decided to make it a full day on the 26th and then drive straight home on the 27th. This will sound like a great idea up until the morning of the 27th when we are wishing that we were already 4 hours closer to being home!

I've finished 3 out of 5 shirts. I've sewn the antlers on the the boys' shirts now I just need to sew on the two Mickey heads.

I can't believe that we will be enjoy our vacation come this time next week. We have been putting together a Disneyland Bucket List (thank you for the idea PHXscuba!). Here's what we have so far....

This is a group effort and is getting us all that much more excited for our trip. Of course a few of these pertain only to the adults.

5 days and counting (only 2.5 work days left for the month!)! Soooo much to get done between now and then!

Love the bucket list! I want to do your bucket list too!! (except maybe skipping Playhouse Disney since my youngest is now 8) Great way to get into the spirit!

PHXscuba

 

[BeautyAndTheBeast22]

Playhouse Disney was Kiptyn's pick. Not really as he is only 2.5 and has no idea what he wants but he absolutely loved it when we went in March so I put it on the list for him.