We Defected to the West! DLR 2013

[mom2rtk]

Sunday December 8th, 2013 continued:


I was texting with Kathy (ksromack) letting her know we were in the area. When we came out we found Sherry in the area around the Christmas tree, right where we said we'd meet. It was so nice after chatting with her on the thread so much to finally meet her in person. We took some photos with Sherry, Kathy, myself and another DIS member named Kim. (help me out with her DIS name, will you Sherry???) It was so great to bring things full circle and meet some more DIS friends.

IMG_7101 by mom2rtk, on Flickr

IMG_7117 by mom2rtk, on Flickr

IMG_7125 by mom2rtk, on Flickr

Here's a shot with Kim's family, and Katie as well:

IMG_7128 by mom2rtk, on Flickr

IMG_7132 by mom2rtk, on Flickr

IMG_7141 by mom2rtk, on Flickr

Katie eventually had to drag me away from chatting with Sherry, and we decided to head over to try Flo's V-8 Diner.

IMG_7141 by mom2rtk, on Flickr

IMG_7142 by mom2rtk, on Flickr

IMG_7144 by mom2rtk, on Flickr

IMG_7149 by mom2rtk, on Flickr




The food was just typical breakfast food, so nothing remarkable. But I'm so glad we tried it. The view of RSR from that back room was stunning! And Katie was the first to notice that Lightning and Mater came and went from their meet and greet using that back road. I could have sat there a long time just watching all the activity back there.

IMG_7151 by mom2rtk, on Flickr

IMG_7156 by mom2rtk, on Flickr

IMG_7158 by mom2rtk, on Flickr

IMG_7161 by mom2rtk, on Flickr

IMG_7167 by mom2rtk, on Flickr

IMG_7169 by mom2rtk, on Flickr




After breakfast we came out on Route 66 and noticed the line for Lightning McQueen's meeting. While we're not huge Cars fans, I did think it would be fun to have a photo with one of the cars in front of the Cozy Cone to help mark our first visit to Carsland. The line was long but we got to meet him. Then just as we finished up, I noticed Lighting was leaving and Mater was coming to take his place. With only a few people left waiting, I decided to jump back in line. I had told Katie just a bit earlier that I would have preferred to meet Mater since he was sporting a big old Santa Hat. I'm glad we got photos with both to add to our scrapbook.


IMG_7177 by mom2rtk, on Flickr

IMG_7185 by mom2rtk, on Flickr

IMG_7187 by mom2rtk, on Flickr

IMG_7191 by mom2rtk, on Flickr

IMG_7198 by mom2rtk, on Flickr

IMG_7201 by mom2rtk, on Flickr

IMG_7210 by mom2rtk, on Flickr


IMG_7273 by mom2rtk, on Flickr

 

[Sherry E]

My cameo appearance!

Kim is kmedina here on The DIS -- she sometimes posts a lot for a while, and then disappears for a while. (Currently she is in the 'disappearing' mode!) PrincessInOz and Bret/mvf-m11c know of Kim as well!

It was so nice to meet you, Katie, Kim, Kim's family and Kathy and her husband as well! You are all delightful people.

What happened to Kathy, by the way? Has she been over on the WDW side of the board? I haven't seen her around here in a long time.



I love that "rearview mirror"/Motorama Girls photo from Flo's -- I don't think I ever noticed that mirror before, but it certainly fits with the theme!

Here I go with my 'what was missing in 2013' stuff again: I love the Cars Land holiday décor, but it was interesting to see that the gingerbread Mater sculpture that had been stationed near the entrance to Flo's in 2012 was nowhere to be found in 2013.

Also, the Radiator Springs Curios sign actually said "Radiator Winter Curios" in December 2012 -- the "Winter" went missing from the sign in 2013! Interesting!

 

[mom2rtk]

December 8th 2013 continued:


We took a moment after that to check out the gingerbread house in the Cozy Cone. I didn't need a drink, but wanted a Cozy Cone souvenir cup, so I stopped and bought an empty one. I took a few more photos around Carsland before we headed off toward Haunted Mansion.

IMG_7225 by mom2rtk, on Flickr

IMG_7230 by mom2rtk, on Flickr

IMG_7231 by mom2rtk, on Flickr

IMG_7233 by mom2rtk, on Flickr

IMG_7241 by mom2rtk, on Flickr



IMG_7248 by mom2rtk, on Flickr

IMG_7245 by mom2rtk, on Flickr

IMG_7254 by mom2rtk, on Flickr


IMG_7257 by mom2rtk, on Flickr

IMG_7264 by mom2rtk, on Flickr

IMG_7294 by mom2rtk, on Flickr

IMG_7295 by mom2rtk

[url=https://flic.kr/p/oaSCht]IMG_7296 by mom2rtk, on Flickr

IMG_7297 by mom2rtk, on Flickr

IMG_7298 by mom2rtk, on Flickr



We had never done the DCA Tower of Terror and wanted to be sure we didn't miss out again this time. I really enjoyed it, probably because it was shorter than the one in DHS. I also think it did not have the random drop sequences they have there. Whatever the reason, I really did enjoy it, instead of feeling conflicted about it like I do with the one at DHS.


IMG_7309 by mom2rtk, on Flickr

IMG_7310 by mom2rtk, on Flickr

IMG_7315 by mom2rtk, on Flickr

IMG_7339 by mom2rtk, on Flickr

IMG_7354 by mom2rtk, on Flickr

IMG_7368 by mom2rtk, on Flickr

From there, we headed back to Bugs Land. We hadn't done anything in this land before and wanted to give it a try. The 5 minute line for Heimlich's Choo Choo was more like 20, and so not worth the wait! I think it got the vote for "biggest disappointment" from both of us on this trip. But we just didn't know much about it going into it, so set our expectations too high. We actually both got a chuckle out of just how short the ride was. The scents throughout the ride were kind of cool though.


IMG_7371 by mom2rtk, on Flickr

IMG_7379 by mom2rtk, on Flickr

IMG_7381 by mom2rtk, on Flickr

IMG_7401 by mom2rtk, on Flickr

 

[mom2rtk]

Wow - props to you for taking those pictures on CS AND for riding it 6 times in a row! The ride looks like a blast and I just love all the pictures. There are some amazing view pictures in your update!

EMH at 7am? Sweet!

It was a very sweet morning indeed! And thanks for the kind words on the photos.

My cameo appearance!

Kim is kmedina here on The DIS -- she sometimes posts a lot for a while, and then disappears for a while. (Currently she is in the 'disappearing' mode!) PrincessInOz and Bret/mvf-m11c know of Kim as well!

It was so nice to meet you, Katie, Kim, Kim's family and Kathy and her husband as well! You are all delightful people.

What happened to Kathy, by the way? Has she been over on the WDW side of the board? I haven't seen her around here in a long time.



I love that "rearview mirror"/Motorama Girls photo from Flo's -- I don't think I ever noticed that mirror before, but it certainly fits with the theme!

Here I go with my 'what was missing in 2013' stuff again: I love the Cars Land holiday décor, but it was interesting to see that the gingerbread Mater sculpture that had been stationed near the entrance to Flo's in 2012 was nowhere to be found in 2013.

Also, the Radiator Springs Curios sign actually said "Radiator Winter Curios" in December 2012 -- the "Winter" went missing from the sign in 2013! Interesting!

And now accepting her award for "Best Supporting DISer in a trip report"............ is Sherry!

I've been wondering where Kathy was lately too. I'm thinking they got APs last year so I'm surprised not to have seen her around. I don't recall seeing her over on the WDW side of things, but I'll let you know if I do.

And a gingerbread Mater sculpture? I need to see pictures!

And I'm loving your perspective on "what was new for 2013"! Thanks for giving us that take on things.

And thanks for filling in Kim's name for me. I could have read back through all of last year's thread. But this was *slightly* easier.

 

[KCmike]

DCA Haunted Mansion? LoL. Maybe ToT?

 

[petals]

Great Carsland and California Screamin pics.. I don't think i could handle it once never mind 6 times.. the pics of the cars going up the track are even making me queasy

 

[PrincessInOz]

Nice DisMeet. Seems like you got to meet a lot of the regulars on the DLR section of the Dis. Kim did post about a week ago; so I'm not sure if she's gearing up for another 'ON' period.


And yes. I love your version of DCA Haunted Mansion as well. I will go on the HM but not ToT (either the DCA or DHS version). Long story....but I was in a lift that dropped 5 - 8 floors for real once. Once is enough for me.


As always.....great pictures and I love the one of you two and Christmas Mater.

 

[mom2rtk]

DCA Haunted Mansion? LoL. Maybe ToT?

You mean you missed it on your last trip? It picks up right where the one at DL lets off! Sort of like Hogwards Express goes from one park to another? This is Disney's version!

Great Carsland and California Screamin pics.. I don't think i could handle it once never mind 6 times.. the pics of the cars going up the track are even making me queasy

LOL, you must not be a big thrill rider. I don't do mega-coasters. but something with an inversion or two? I'm all in.

Nice DisMeet. Seems like you got to meet a lot of the regulars on the DLR section of the Dis. Kim did post about a week ago; so I'm not sure if she's gearing up for another 'ON' period.


And yes. I love your version of DCA Haunted Mansion as well. I will go on the HM but not ToT (either the DCA or DHS version). Long story....but I was in a lift that dropped 5 - 8 floors for real once. Once is enough for me.


As always.....great pictures and I love the one of you two and Christmas Mater.

I'm glad Kim has been around. I'll have to keep an eye out for her. I would think if she was planning another Christmas trip we would have seen her on the holiday thread though.

And as for your lift story.......... You wouldn't find me doing ToT either then.

I used to not do ToT at all at DHS. Went right past it over and over. Katie and I were chosen to open DHS back in 2009 and one of the perks was a private first ride of the day on ToT. But we both agreed to pass on it. I could really kick myself now! Katie would kick herself too. She has finally grown to really love it. I'm still back and forth on the one at DHS. But DCA? That one was just my speed.

 

[mom2rtk]

Sunday December 8th, 2013 continued:



I was still holding out hope of seeing Viva Navidad at some point on our trip, but we were fast running out of times to do that. There was one due to start in 10 or 15 minutes, so we decided at that point to try and catch it still. When we got back to Paradise Pier, people were lining both sides of the street so we grabbed a spot. I had no idea what the format was, so was disappointed to find out that Donald and the 3 Cabelleros come out and dance on a stationary float way down the street from where we were and we were on the wrong side of the street to even see them. Oh well, live and learn. It would have been interesting, but not enough to make time to try again later.


IMG_7405 by mom2rtk, on Flickr

IMG_7409 by mom2rtk, on Flickr

IMG_7412 by mom2rtk, on Flickr

IMG_7414 by mom2rtk, on Flickr

IMG_7415 by mom2rtk, on Flickr

IMG_7426 by mom2rtk, on Flickr

IMG_7433 by mom2rtk, on Flickr

IMG_7435 by mom2rtk, on Flickr

IMG_7447 by mom2rtk, on Flickr



I still wanted to do the Monsters, Inc. dark ride so we went back to the front of the park again, hoping to do it on our way out. We stopped for a quick photo with a Haunted Mansion CM, then over to Monsters, Inc.

IMG_7456 by mom2rtk, on Flickr

IMG_7460 by mom2rtk, on Flickr


We waited for about 10 minutes before it started to dawn on me we might be tight on time if we waited through the line and did the ride. So we bailed and headed over to DL.
IMG_7465 by mom2rtk, on Flickr

IMG_7482 by mom2rtk, on Flickr


For years I have wanted to see a Disney Christmas parade in the daylight. I have lots of night shots of Christmas parades, but I wanted some in daylight. We saw it Friday night, but this was our last chance to see it in daylight. The first one ran at 1. For some crazy reason I had it in my head that the second one was at 2:30, so I wanted to be right there to find a curbside spot when the 1:00 parade was over. We got there in plenty of time and got a great spot. We got hot dogs from Coke Corner and pulled up a piece of curb to sit on.

The parade was just coming through as we got to the park.

IMG_7485 by mom2rtk, on Flickr

People were 4 deep in that area, so not what I had in mind for photographing it. So we hung out and waited for it to finish then found a spot to take a seat.

IMG_7605 by mom2rtk, on Flickr



Around 2:20 it dawned on me that not enough activity was happening on Main Street for a parade to be headed our way in 10 minutes. So I pulled out a times guide......... to find out it was at 3:30. Oops. Well, it's not like we had anything else to do, right? OK, maybe there was LOTS to do that we weren't doing...... but at least we had great seats when it finally did start. Katie was a great sport and didn't give me too much grief about it. In the end it was worth it though, and I really enjoyed our daylight view of the parade.

IMG_7609 by mom2rtk, on Flickr

IMG_7630 by mom2rtk, on Flickr

IMG_7639 by mom2rtk, on Flickr

IMG_7649 by mom2rtk, on Flickr

IMG_7661 by mom2rtk, on Flickr

IMG_7676 by mom2rtk, on Flickr

IMG_7689 by mom2rtk, on Flickr

IMG_7715 by mom2rtk, on Flickr

IMG_7723 by mom2rtk, on Flickr

IMG_7756 by mom2rtk, on Flickr

 

[mom2rtk]

Sunday December 8th, 2013 continued:

More parade photos:

IMG_7768 by mom2rtk, on Flickr

IMG_7796 by mom2rtk, on Flickr

IMG_7823 by mom2rtk, on Flickr

IMG_7829 by mom2rtk, on Flickr

IMG_7847 by mom2rtk, on Flickr

IMG_7863 by mom2rtk, on Flickr

IMG_7867 by mom2rtk, on Flickr

IMG_7907 by mom2rtk, on Flickr

IMG_7947 by mom2rtk, on Flickr

IMG_7954 by mom2rtk, on Flickr

IMG_7964 by mom2rtk, on Flickr

Here Comes Santa Claus by mom2rtk, on Flickr

Santa's Arrival by mom2rtk, on Flickr

 

[PrincessInOz]

Lovely parade shots, Janet. I really need to go back to see Christmas at DLR. The last time I was there it was 2009. I just need to convince DH that we need a re-do.

 

[amandaw]

I really want to eat a meal @ Flo's when we go. It just looks like such a cute place!

The parade pics are all so cute!

 

[mvf-m11c]

Great DISMeet that day. Loved the group photo of everyone in the picture. I know Kim on the boards and there are times where she is on one day and disappears for a while.

Nice pictures from A Christmas Fantasy Parade. It is disappointing that the parade was changed a little bit this year.

 

[mom2rtk]

Lovely parade shots, Janet. I really need to go back to see Christmas at DLR. The last time I was there it was 2009. I just need to convince DH that we need a re-do.

Well heck, it definitely sounds like it's time!

That's how I feel about visiting the parks for Halloween. We did WDW for Halloween in 2009 and it feels like forever ago. Probably next year.

I really want to eat a meal @ Flo's when we go. It just looks like such a cute place!

The parade pics are all so cute!

I heard they stopped serving breakfast for a while, but have started again. I don't really care which meal it is, but I just like having more options. We're all over the parks and can't always make it back later for something we miss our first time through.

If you do go, just go all the way into the back room and eat there, so you can watch Radiator Springs Racers and also watch the character cars come and go.

Great DISMeet that day. Loved the group photo of everyone in the picture. I know Kim on the boards and there are times where she is on one day and disappears for a while.

Nice pictures from A Christmas Fantasy Parade. It is disappointing that the parade was changed a little bit this year.

Thanks Bret. What changed in the parade in 2013?

 

[YodasMom]

Janet, I love the photo of Katie in front of Radiator Springs! Great shot!

Also love the photos inside Tower of Terror! I didn't actually do the ride this summer but asked if I could go through the queue and I enjoyed that since it's different than WDW's. The CMs were funny and pointed out areas I missed even though they were busy!

I'm going back to WDW later in Oct for Food & Wine mostly but may do MSSHP, too. I am joining a group of Disers on a Hallowishes fireworks cruise on my last night! Gosh, I don't know when I'll get back to DLR.

 

[mvf-m11c]

Thanks Bret. What changed in the parade in 2013?

There were a lot of changes to the parade from the past years to last year. The first is the opening float the music box which Duffy used to be on the lead float but he was replaced with the Teddy Bear which used to be on the music box float until Duffy took the spot the last couple of years. On Mrs. Claus float, Duffy was on top of the float from last year. In the past, it was Pluto on top of the float. The skiers with Pooh, Tigger and Eeyore was new last year. For Goofy's gingerbread house, Pluto was on top of the gingerbread house. In the past, it was Max who was on top of the gingerbread house. I like the combination of Max and Goofy over Pluto and Goofy. A nice addition was Princess Tiana and Prince Naveen on the float with the other princesses and princes. Another big change was the Seven Dwarfs were not in the parade close to the end of the parade. It was a huge letdown last year with A Christmas Fantasy Parade by cutting out characters and moving them on different floats in the parade.

Here is my video from 2011 A Christmas Fantasy Parade and you can see the changes from 2011 and last years parade. Part 1, Part 2

 

[PHXscuba]

Great, now I've got the "Christmas Fantasy" parade song stuck in my head, in August!!

Great pictures of the parade and in DCA. I loved sitting in that back room in Flo's and watching the Cars go by.

PHXscuba

 

[jenseib]

I am loving the parade pictures....and now I want to go and see a Christmas parade in the day time.

The costumes are so neat too...and of course the tin soldiers are my favorite!!!

 

[mom2rtk]

Janet, I love the photo of Katie in front of Radiator Springs! Great shot!

Also love the photos inside Tower of Terror! I didn't actually do the ride this summer but asked if I could go through the queue and I enjoyed that since it's different than WDW's. The CMs were funny and pointed out areas I missed even though they were busy!

I'm going back to WDW later in Oct for Food & Wine mostly but may do MSSHP, too. I am joining a group of Disers on a Hallowishes fireworks cruise on my last night! Gosh, I don't know when I'll get back to DLR.

Thanks Karen! An October WDW trip sounds quite awesome. In fact that might be what we end up doing next year.

And the Hallowishes fireworks cruise sounds great too. But I'd definitely want to get into the park during the party too.

Your walk through the queue of ToT sounds fun. I'd like to take more time going through there sometime. We always go when crowds are low and end up scurrying quickly through the queue. Lots more ToT to come still on this trip!

There were a lot of changes to the parade from the past years to last year. The first is the opening float the music box which Duffy used to be on the lead float but he was replaced with the Teddy Bear which used to be on the music box float until Duffy took the spot the last couple of years. On Mrs. Claus float, Duffy was on top of the float from last year. In the past, it was Pluto on top of the float. The skiers with Pooh, Tigger and Eeyore was new last year. For Goofy's gingerbread house, Pluto was on top of the gingerbread house. In the past, it was Max who was on top of the gingerbread house. I like the combination of Max and Goofy over Pluto and Goofy. A nice addition was Princess Tiana and Prince Naveen on the float with the other princesses and princes. Another big change was the Seven Dwarfs were not in the parade close to the end of the parade. It was a huge letdown last year with A Christmas Fantasy Parade by cutting out characters and moving them on different floats in the parade.

Here is my video from 2011 A Christmas Fantasy Parade and you can see the changes from 2011 and last years parade. Part 1, Part 2

Thanks so much Bret. I'm really appreciating the history on the parade. What a bummer they took out the 7 dwarfs. I always loved seeing them in the Christmas parade at WDW. I would have loved to see them in the one at DLR. I bet there will be changes this year too. I would be shocked if they don't add A/E, but wonder if they'll feel the need to pull someone else out because of it.

Great, now I've got the "Christmas Fantasy" parade song stuck in my head, in August!!

Great pictures of the parade and in DCA. I loved sitting in that back room in Flo's and watching the Cars go by.

PHXscuba

LOL, the song sure does get stuck in there pretty easily, doesn't it?

And I'm really looking forward to sitting at Flo's watching the cars go by again when we get back in December.

I am loving the parade pictures....and now I want to go and see a Christmas parade in the day time.

The costumes are so neat too...and of course the tin soldiers are my favorite!!!

It's too funny. For YEARS I have wanted to see the Christmas parade in the daytime. Probably because I struggle with photographing it to full effect at night. And probably because I've done that to death and just wanted a different view. We did one Disney or another at Christmas every year but 09 (when we swapped to Halloween) since 2008. And every year I tried hard to finagle the dates of our trip so we'd be at WDW when they were running the parade during the day. So maybe with that in mind, you can better understand my obsession with getting a good spot to watch. Thankfully Katie was pretty forgiving of my mistake with the time of the parade that afternoon.

 

[mvf-m11c]

Thanks so much Bret. I'm really appreciating the history on the parade. What a bummer they took out the 7 dwarfs. I always loved seeing them in the Christmas parade at WDW. I would have loved to see them in the one at DLR. I bet there will be changes this year too. I would be shocked if they don't add A/E, but wonder if they'll feel the need to pull someone else out because of it.

Your welcome Janet. It was a shame that DL made a lot of changes to A Christmas Fantasy parade last year. I am also curious what the parade will be like this year especially with Mickey and Minnie's Ice Rink float which is being used and converted for Anna & Elsa during the summertime.