We Defected to the West! DLR 2013

[TexasErin]

Thanks! So glad you checked in before leaving. I totally understand your mixed feelings. What an awesome surprise it will be for the kids though! :cool1

Don't know how tolerant you are of the heat and humidity in Orlando, but you stand a far better chance of reasonably comfortable weather heading west. Hopefully that will be a nice consolation prize. I have always wanted to do Star Wars Weekends (our 19 and 21 year old non-Disney fans) grew up on Star Wars. But I just wouldn't be able to tolerate that heat, especially combined with the big crowds of SWW. The SW character meals also made me a little sad we couldn't be there.

But just remind yourself of all the cool new stuff in store, especially Carsland and Indy.



Thanks Jen. I was pleasantly surprised when I went through them. I liked the Captain Jack one, but didn't like the severe angle on him. I wonder if I was just on the wrong side of the boat or something? Or maybe the boats are just closer in DL than at WDW. And no, I couldn't tell from my shot if he was dirty and worn looking!

Yeah, the weather will be much better. Last year at SWW, there was a queue to get into Darth Mall (the huge SWW shopping area) and it was unbelievably hot that day. We saw a lady actually pass out in the line. I felt so horrible for her!!

I really am super excited about Carsland; it looks amazing- especially at night!

 

[jenseib]

Catching up!!!

I think you got a great shot of Jack at the end but he still loks freaky to me. He doesn't look dirty there, but he doesn't look right to me. LOL.
Thats funny that Katie picked the right table!

I wonder if the donut sandwich is better there than Cafe Orleans. But I am with you, it's not awful....just so different and I don't think I will order it again.
So gald you got to see Anna and Elsa. I don't see it in our future for quite some time, sadly.

 

[aboveH20]

Meeting your son there sounds awesome. I still hope my sons will come around and want to visit Disney again one day. They are still in college so too busy these days anyway.

If Katie found out which airports had EOS, I probably would have to schedule all of our layovers through that airport. I could see us flying to Anaheim from Missouri via Atlanta or something.

And yes I still sew. Katie doesn't let me do as much for her as I used to, but occasionally she does. Are you still sewing?

My older son (the West Hollywood one) is a Disney lover. I haven't given up hope that he'll get a job at Disney (in film or imagineering, not ride operator ). My younger son moved to Santa Barbara last year to go to college and I tried to finagle a Disney trip in conjuction with visiting him. I asked his interest and on a scale of 1 to 10 he gave it a three. Where did I go wrong?

Liberty airport (AKA Newark) has Earl of Sandwich. That wouldn't be too ar out of your way on a trip To WDW. It's my only experience and it was like meeting a celebrity to see it and eat there.

I've been doing some sewing. In the winter I take part in a quilting group at church that makes small quilts for kids removed from domestic violence situations. I don't really do clothing, more smaller crafty-type projects. I've been working on a bag to take to Disneyland, but I think I may just go with my string backpack -- or take both and see what works better.

aboveH20 --

If I were able to go solo to WDW, I would have a fantastic time!

I almost feel guilty admitting how much I enjoy solo trips! While I can't deny the fun of being with people whose company I enjoy and just acting silly, laughing all day, as well has having friends to enjoy rides and meals with, there is something so liberating and invigorating about being solo in the parks, isn't there? I absolutely love it. I never, in a million years, would have thought that I'd be doing solo DLR trips if someone had mentioned the concept to me, say, 10 years ago or 30 years ago or whatever. But now... I cannot imagine not doing them. I like to have a nice balance of spending a bit of "friend time," and then the rest is all solo time. Solo trips are so amazing for those who either love to take a lot of photos, or soak in all of those great details -- or both.

I think that Storytellers sounds like a great way to end your DLR visit!

Let's see -- I've never dealt with the train station near DLR, though I have read other people's reports that involved going there and it seemed like it was not too far away. If it really is, indeed, only 4 miles away from DLR, it shouldn't take more than 15 minutes or so to get there, give or take, depending on traffic. Probably much less than that. I don't know what traffic is like in that specific area though, so I wouldn't want to cut it too close.

If I were in your shoes, I would probably feel safe leaving the GCH at least 30 minutes ahead of the train departure time (so 10:50-ish), just to allow for traffic and any other issues I might need to deal with at the station.

I have had experience with adding people to my reservations, at the GCH and at the PPH. It should not be a problem at all for them to add your son to the reservation. I recommend doing it at check-in, if not before you arrive. I usually call at some point before my arrival date and add any potential guests to the reservation. This way they will have the guests' names already in the file and give me all the keys when I check in.

There is a charge for parking if you need it (no charge if you don't need it), so the GCH will charge you for that if you tell them that a member of your party will have a car. Make sure you find out from them if they will charge you parking for every night you're at the GCH (even on the days when your son is not there), or only the nights when your son joins you. I remember thinking that I would only be charged for the specific day the parking was needed, but I was told that I would be charged for every night of the trip -- even if the guest only needed to park one day.

The extra key for your son won't be a problem. Chances are you will be given a room that can accommodate "up to 5 people." So as long as you don't exceed a total of 5 people in your room, you can add guests to the reservation for no extra charge other than the parking.


Back to Janet's regularly scheduled TR, full of amazing photos and fun!

Thanks for taking the time to give such detailed answers.

Yes, I'm a big fan of solo trips. I love being able to do what I want, when I want, and honestly, I enjoy not talking much for a week. Sometimes I engage others in conversation, but most of the time I'm content to just soak everything in. Also, the obvious that it's so much cheaper to go solo. I'm not rich by any means, like so many other Disers, I don't spend much money other than on Disney trips. Sometimes after a meal I shake my head and wonder how families can afford Disney. When our kids were young we went every four years and even then did it with a pretty small budget.

Bummer that they may charge for parking for the entire stay. We went to Aulani in February and paid $35/day for parking for eight days. It cost more than the rental car.

I'm still trying to do so much research before the trip. On the one hand I think of it as once in a lifetime, on the other I keep reminding myself that as long as my son lives in the LA area I'll always have a reason to go back. I'm pretty sure staying at the Grand Californian is once in a lifetime. I'm hoping to scout out the Good Neighbor Hotels to see if there's once I'd feel comfortable walking to at night.

Okay, like you said, now back to the regulary scheduled TR.

 

[DisneyFreak06]

Great shots, Janet! I love taking pictures on the rides. So much fun.

Too fun that Katie picked the table they gave you! I thought about dining in the Blue Bayou, but didn't. Club 33 was the big meal on the last trip, so that was all I needed for that trip! The first one was the character meals.

I know all about the struggles for camera bags. I have thought about just using my Mickey backpack and making foam inserts. I still might do that, even though I bought a fancy Kelly Moore bag. I haven't brought that one to Disney (just got it at Christmas) and I'm a little concerned about the strap. It just doesn't seem like it's wide enough to evenly distribute the weight. I had a slingshot 100 I think, but the inside of the strap started twisting, so that got, well, painful. I still have it as a back up, but I tend to set my things in a backpack as well.

 

[natebenma]

Late to the party, but happy to be here!

Jenseib suggested that I check out your report as we are headed to DL for the first time in July.

Love your intro! My 13 year old son is also into drama. He has done two middle school plays (Pom Pom Zombies and Music Man) and he has been in around 10 community theatre shows. What show did Katie do last year?

Ben is also a Disney FREAK!

Great pictures and descriptions from your flight!

Paradise Pier looks really nice- it reminds me of my beloved Beach Club in a lot of ways, but we decided to stay at the GC for this trip of a lifetime.

I imagine we will be making a trip or two to Earl of Sandwich.

Beautiful sunset from your room.

Going back to read more...

Dee

 

[natebenma]

I love the current and past pictures from Goofy's Kitchen and the Alice/Mad Hatter ones. Katie's outfits from the previous trips are beyond adorable!

 

[czmom]

Hi Janet! Back from our one day at DHS and our cruise. LOVED the cruise!

Magic bands were pretty great too. I was very hesitant about only 3 FP, but for our day there it worked fine. We were able to do single rider at RNRC, plus again with FP, then we had a child swap for ride #3. I think we could have rode again if they lines were not CRAZY that day. Note: May 4 is not the best day at DHS. We also did ToT twice, and every other ride/show we wanted to see there. It was definitely our best day at that park! We were able to get a 4th FP, but not much was available so we settled on The Great Movie ride. My kids enjoy it, so it made them happy. I will be able to try out the bands for real when we do all 4 parks in November. But, I must resolve myself to longer lines. There really was a big difference- even in the FP return lines. RNRC was insane.

That being said, I am excited to ride SDMT and meet A&E in November, but we are for sure heading back West to DL next summer (2015). I can't wait!!

As always, your pictures are great! We should have toured with you guys....you seemed to have much less crowds than we experienced.

 

[rachel09985]

I am excited to read this! I didn't realize you had this TR going! We are headed to Disneyland in 38 days so this will be a good read before our trip!

 

[mom2rtk]

Yeah, the weather will be much better. Last year at SWW, there was a queue to get into Darth Mall (the huge SWW shopping area) and it was unbelievably hot that day. We saw a lady actually pass out in the line. I felt so horrible for her!!

I really am super excited about Carsland; it looks amazing- especially at night!

You really should be excited about Carsland. It's certainly a jewel in Disney's crown.

Keep talking. I'm feeling better all the time that I never made it to SWW! Seriously though, I know my limits. I just wouldn't be able to do it.

Catching up!!!

I think you got a great shot of Jack at the end but he still loks freaky to me. He doesn't look dirty there, but he doesn't look right to me. LOL.
Thats funny that Katie picked the right table!

I wonder if the donut sandwich is better there than Cafe Orleans. But I am with you, it's not awful....just so different and I don't think I will order it again.
So gald you got to see Anna and Elsa. I don't see it in our future for quite some time, sadly.

The donut sandwich. You do have a way with words.

Well, I'm hoping you don't see them in your future because you are heading to DL where they don't have FP. Not that you don't see Disney in your future for a while. Cuz that would just make me sad. I'm sure you'll find a way though. I bet Skip would LOVE Carsland.

My older son (the West Hollywood one) is a Disney lover. I haven't given up hope that he'll get a job at Disney (in film or imagineering, not ride operator ). My younger son moved to Santa Barbara last year to go to college and I tried to finagle a Disney trip in conjuction with visiting him. I asked his interest and on a scale of 1 to 10 he gave it a three. Where did I go wrong?

Liberty airport (AKA Newark) has Earl of Sandwich. That wouldn't be too ar out of your way on a trip To WDW. It's my only experience and it was like meeting a celebrity to see it and eat there.

I've been doing some sewing. In the winter I take part in a quilting group at church that makes small quilts for kids removed from domestic violence situations. I don't really do clothing, more smaller crafty-type projects. I've been working on a bag to take to Disneyland, but I think I may just go with my string backpack -- or take both and see what works better.

A job in Imagineering would be awesome, don't you think? My second son is studying engineering, but with no love of Disney (sigh) I can't see Imagineering in his future.

I'll make a point of NOT telling Katie about the EOS in Newark. she'll see no reason we can't fly to Anaheim from Missouri via Newark.

Your birds are sure a long ways from the nest. Congratulations on raising them to spread their wings. Was your son in Santa Barbara touched at all by the events of last weekend? I sure hope not. How terribly tragic.

Great shots, Janet! I love taking pictures on the rides. So much fun.

Too fun that Katie picked the table they gave you! I thought about dining in the Blue Bayou, but didn't. Club 33 was the big meal on the last trip, so that was all I needed for that trip! The first one was the character meals.

I know all about the struggles for camera bags. I have thought about just using my Mickey backpack and making foam inserts. I still might do that, even though I bought a fancy Kelly Moore bag. I haven't brought that one to Disney (just got it at Christmas) and I'm a little concerned about the strap. It just doesn't seem like it's wide enough to evenly distribute the weight. I had a slingshot 100 I think, but the inside of the strap started twisting, so that got, well, painful. I still have it as a back up, but I tend to set my things in a backpack as well.

Aren't ride photos a ball? I really can't help myself. I'm always trying to capture them in new ways. About the only ride I always put my camera away on is Rock N Rollercoaster. I thought it was awfully nice of them to put DCA's version of that ride outdoors in the daylight so I could give that one a try this time too!

It really was funny that Katie picked our table. I hope she knows that won't always happen! It was a great table, so fun to sit there and watch the boats go by.

You are wise to seriously consider the strap on your bag. I really think that's the greatest indicator of how comfortable the bag will be.

 

[mom2rtk]

Late to the party, but happy to be here!

Jenseib suggested that I check out your report as we are headed to DL for the first time in July.

Love your intro! My 13 year old son is also into drama. He has done two middle school plays (Pom Pom Zombies and Music Man) and he has been in around 10 community theatre shows. What show did Katie do last year?

Ben is also a Disney FREAK!

Great pictures and descriptions from your flight!

Paradise Pier looks really nice- it reminds me of my beloved Beach Club in a lot of ways, but we decided to stay at the GC for this trip of a lifetime.

I imagine we will be making a trip or two to Earl of Sandwich.

Beautiful sunset from your room.

Going back to read more...

Dee

Hi Dee! and

Katie has only been in 2 plays, one in 6th grade and this past year in 7th grade, both at school. 6th grade was Bugsy Malone Jr. and 7th was School House Rock Live Jr. I really loved School House Rock. Brought me right back to my childhood watching Saturday morning cartoons. How awesome that you can share a love of Disney with your son!

You will love the GC. The only problem is that it might have you spoiled for ever staying anywhere else ever again! We stayed at DLH a couple times, maybe 05 and 06? Then we stayed at GC in 2010. I was OK with PP though since we typically stay at value resorts at WDW. We'll try anything once. And really PP was nice. Not that it matters. We really don't spend much time in our room.

I love the current and past pictures from Goofy's Kitchen and the Alice/Mad Hatter ones. Katie's outfits from the previous trips are beyond adorable!

Thanks Dee. It was fun to dig them out. And sort of eye opening to see the changes right there in front of me.

Hi Janet! Back from our one day at DHS and our cruise. LOVED the cruise!

Magic bands were pretty great too. I was very hesitant about only 3 FP, but for our day there it worked fine. We were able to do single rider at RNRC, plus again with FP, then we had a child swap for ride #3. I think we could have rode again if they lines were not CRAZY that day. Note: May 4 is not the best day at DHS. We also did ToT twice, and every other ride/show we wanted to see there. It was definitely our best day at that park! We were able to get a 4th FP, but not much was available so we settled on The Great Movie ride. My kids enjoy it, so it made them happy. I will be able to try out the bands for real when we do all 4 parks in November. But, I must resolve myself to longer lines. There really was a big difference- even in the FP return lines. RNRC was insane.

That being said, I am excited to ride SDMT and meet A&E in November, but we are for sure heading back West to DL next summer (2015). I can't wait!!

As always, your pictures are great! We should have toured with you guys....you seemed to have much less crowds than we experienced.

Hi Wendy! Welcome back! I'm not a fan of FP+, but I'm always happy to hear when someone has success with it. I do think the 4th FP option has taken the sting out of it somewhat. I'm still waiting for more reports on what people have left to choose from at various crowd levels throughout the year.

I'll be curious to hear what you think of it in November. Are you going early November when it's slower or over Thanksgiving when it's busier?

I do like the way you've lined your trips up. You'll get to see what they do for the 60th anniversary. We were there in 05 and just loved it. But I doubt we'll make it back that year. We'll probably be having serious WDW withdrawal by then and have to head East again.

Stay tuned. Crowds really picked up. I'm not that far into this yet!

I am excited to read this! I didn't realize you had this TR going! We are headed to Disneyland in 38 days so this will be a good read before our trip!

Hi Rachel! and You found us just in time! Have you been to DLR before?

 

[natebenma]

Katie has only been in 2 plays, one in 6th grade and this past year in 7th grade, both at school. 6th grade was Bugsy Malone Jr. and 7th was School House Rock Live Jr. I really loved School House Rock. Brought me right back to my childhood watching Saturday morning cartoons. How awesome that you can share a love of Disney with your son!

Not to hijack your report to talk about drama...

but...

School House Rock Jr. was the third show our community theatre group did-the last show my two boys did together.

Ben was Napoleon and in the chorus.

Nate was the football player who went the wrong way and when I asked him if he would be one of the planets in "Interplanet Janet" he asked "Uranus?" "Yes." (fist pump)

Love teenage boys!

 

[natebenma]

Matterhorn Flashback:

Katie's first ride on the Matterhorn was in 2006. She said she was ready, but looked just a bit traumatized when she gave me the thumbs up from the ride platform as we exited:



Matterhorn 2006 by mom2rtk, on Flickr


She recreated that "thumbs up" pose for me after her ride on it this past December. I think I was the one traumatized this time through!


Matterhorn 2013 by mom2rtk, on Flickr

That is a really great flashback/recreation picture. I love story behind it. And I love the kid behind in the second picture photobombing your picture with his own "It's cool" gesture.

That is a really neat picture of CA from the elevator window. I love the dusky color and misty vibe.

And I agree with the others- the picture of Katie in AO is just perfect!

Nice, busy start to the day at DL.

You started with a few rides I won't be doing in July-

Astro orbitors and tea cups- unlike you, I can't do the spinny thing. Love your pictures from here. The ride has such a pretty setting!

Nemo is down for refurb. Matterhorn was originally going to be down during our trip, too, but it looks like the work has been postponed until the end of August. I am really looking forward to the Matterhorn, but you people are all starting to scare me!



What great pictures with Peter Pan and Hook! Love the Matterhorn backdrop and lack of other people in the shot.

Pirates Looks Awesome! Fantastic pictures!

 

[YodasMom]

Hey Janet! I didn't realize you started your DLR trip report yet and just found it!

Paradise Pier looks like a cheerful resort. I didn't get the time to stop by there to check it out last year.

I love your flashback photos! Everyone has grown so much now!

I'm heading back to LA & DLR for another ABD - Backstage Magic tour next month. I will only be spending an extra day at DLR, and then will be traveling up to San Francisco to visit the Disney Family Museum, etc. I'm getting excited but have a lot of work to get done before then!

I think by the time you decide to head back to WDW the FP+ issues will be worked out. I didn't have any problems in April, and they had started to increase the number that could be booked, etc. Mine train was running but only with actors and employees on it at that time.

Looking forward to hearing and seeing more about your trip!

 

[KCmike]

Hey Janet! I didn't realize you started your DLR trip report yet and just found it!

Paradise Pier looks like a cheerful resort. I didn't get the time to stop by there to check it out last year.

I love your flashback photos! Everyone has grown so much now!

I'm heading back to LA & DLR for another ABD - Backstage Magic tour next month. I will only be spending an extra day at DLR, and then will be traveling up to San Francisco to visit the Disney Family Museum, etc. I'm getting excited but have a lot of work to get done before then!

I think by the time you decide to head back to WDW the FP+ issues will be worked out. I didn't have any problems in April, and they had started to increase the number that could be booked, etc. Mine train was running but only with actors and employees on it at that time.

Looking forward to hearing and seeing more about your trip!

I've always wanted to visit the family museum in SF. Hope you report on it !

 

[YodasMom]

I've always wanted to visit the family museum in SF. Hope you report on it !

I'm excited about visiting the family museum since it will be my first time. On top of that, there are special exhibits on Mary Blair's and Marc Davis' work for a limited time. Planning to spend a full day there so I'm not rushed.

If I didn't have the museum plans, I would have spent my last 4 days at Yosemite, but that will be another time.

 

[rachel09985]

Hi Rachel! and You found us just in time! Have you been to DLR before?

No we haven't before! I am so excited but so nervous!! It is just so weird to not have to plan like I do for WDW. I hope we enjoy it and don't miss WDW!

 

[PrincessInOz]

I've always wanted to visit the family museum in SF. Hope you report on it !

I'm going to admit that I cried when I visited the family museum.

And when I was there, they didn't allow any photography inside the museum. They've subsequently relaxed the rule. I need a re-do.

I'm excited about visiting the family museum since it will be my first time. On top of that, there are special exhibits on Mary Blair's and Marc Davis' work for a limited time. Planning to spend a full day there so I'm not rushed.

If I didn't have the museum plans, I would have spent my last 4 days at Yosemite, but that will be another time.

A full day will be about right, if you don't end up being overwhelmed by the sheer volume of stuff there. Take your time and enjoy it. I'm really envious.

 

[francis6306]

Hey there! I'm venturing back over to the Dis & found this! I'm glad I'm not too far behind since it took you so long to get started- this works well for me!

Yay staying onsite!

You just had to bring up that WDW Cold Snap of 2010! Everytime I think I've forgotten about it… I remember!

Katie is growing up! Man… she needs to slow down. She is just a reminder that my girls won't stay small long either.

Oh and my girls think that Starbucks has the best juice. My husband and I had our first date at Starbucks, so it's kind of a big deal for us!

The room at PP looks really cute!

I love the Tree in the lobby! I have nothing to compare it, but I love the theming of it!

I'm loving the flashback pics! I can see my TR's looking like that in the future!

The castle looks so pretty all decorated for the holidays!

It's so weird to me to see all that Orleans stuff in the park at DL. Funny how things seem out of place when you are different places!

I love the meet and greet area for Elsa & Anna in DL!!! You have a BEAUTIFUL Elsa! I am so glad that we got to meet E & A in Epcot. The Princess Hall is just not "enough" of the movie for me. I really think they should have bumped Merida if they were going to move the girls to MK. I'm really quite shocked that they didn't. But they have FP already set up and easily done at the PH, and I'm not sure that would have worked for the Merida spot… Anyway, since I didn't do a TR for our March trip and I know you aren't on FB here is one of our E &A pics.



Oh and you see the capes I made for the girls (Since finding an Elsa dress was NEXT to impossible)? When Anna and Elsa saw them, they asked the girls where they got their "Ice Capes" and the girls said from me. Anna said "Your mother has Ice Powers too?" and my girls LIT UP! It was adorable! I just got a little taste of what you must feel like with your homemade dresses!

 

[aboveH20]

Posting from Grand Californian with finicky internet so will be brief.

Bottom line, my son wasn't directly affected by shootings. As a Navy vet attending college he's older than most students.

Yes, sons are spreading their wings and I'm happy for them. Older son graduated from NY school with film degree and after seven years in NYC is trying Los Angeles. So far he's always managed to get work in his field.

I thought of you and your daughter on Sunday! After arriving mid-afternoon I headed to Disneyland for lunch at Carnation Cafe. I left without sunscreen and was too lazy to go back to the room for it. I went through bag check, got in a VERY long line for admission and then remembered ticket and room card are two separate cards, unlike Disney World . My "ticket" was sent to me a couple weeks ago and was safe in my suitcase. Happy ending, when I went back for my ticket I got sunscreen and then didn't want to trek all the way back to DL for lunch so went to Earl of Sandwich. . How's that for a happy ending?

I still feel so discombobulated here -- especially at Disneyland where things are similar but different. My maps are worn out here, whereas I never use them at WDW.

Saw Aladdin today - wow! Tonight is World of Color.

Thanks, again for all the info you've shared. Very helpful.

 

[mom2rtk]

Hey everyone!

Sorry to let things go around here. Those of you who have been on my other trip reports might recall that happens in early June most years. We just got back from summer vacation. No Disney, but lots of great photographic opportunities on our road trip to Utah. If I could, I would pick up and move there tomorrow. It's an amazing area full of natural wonders and lots of great things to do. I'll post some photos when I can. And I'll be back to the regularly scheduled programming very soon!