We had a GRAND trip to Disneyland! March 2014 TR NEW 7/29 p.12

[KatMark]

Catching up after Mark's surgery and Easter weekend.

No, we don't own DVC. We had hoped to buy this year, but some unexpected things came up (new car, new furnance/air conditioner ). But I would like to rent if we know when we'll be going at the seven months.

What a fun day. I love the pic of you and the girls. I'm glad you got on some attractions. I'm sorry you had to walk off the Monsters ride and hope the Mermaid being down and other things was not a sign of the rest of the trip.

I am just drooling over the ice cream right now.

Can't wait to see your room "view" photos.

 

[Dancegrl624]

Loving the TR!!!! I need to get out to DLR one of these days...probably when Cole is older. The 2 1/2 hour plane ride to Orlando is very manageable with him now but I don't know about a cross country trip. I think I might need help with that since I don't really like flying!

Can't wait to see pics of the room!

 

[luulu1999]

LOVING your report...just got caught up! I loved Mater's Junkyard Jamboree!! I couldn't stop laughing the whole time I was on it but was also trying not to smash my kids You were there on my birthday

 

[Todd Lee]

Still waiting to see the room... I just hate cliff hangers!

 

[Mndisneygirl]

I looked at the Ghiradelli many times but never went over there....now I wish I had! That looks so good!
We had a ton of rides down for refurbishment while we were there and I was sad we couldn't ride some of the ones I wanted to, but that is just a reason to go back...right?
I had no idea that the Monsters ride was an actual ride till we got in line. I thought it was like Monsters Inc in FL.

Oh, that was some GOOD ice cream! We sure didn't need all that, but it was yummy!
Most of the rides that were closed were just temporary and we got to do them later. The only one that we really missed was Big Thunder, but it was down for 14 months! It opened for DVC and AP previews 2 days after we left! Monsters was cute!

Such a bummer that rides were down! I hope you didn't miss them entirely.

Another shame is that Monsters Inc went down. I love that ride. My youngest rode that over and over when she was a toddler. She couldn't get enough of it. I wish WDW had the ride instead of laugh floor...

Cant wait to see your room!

Yeah, we got to them later, so it was okay, but I was concerned!
Room is coming up!

Carsland looks amazing. Sucks about Monsters inc ride though

Carsland was awesome! I have many more pics to share later. We made up for Monsters another time, so no biggie.

I think Carsland would be sooooo fun!!

It is fun! I kind of wish they'd put one in at WDW, but part of me thinks it is cool to just have it in California. It really seems to fit better.

I think I may have requested that room. Didn't get it but requested it.

Can't wait to see the view!!!!

You got a lot done at CA. I had issues with RSR being down so frustrating.

I hope you get another shot at it! It was a great room!
The fact that rides - especially RSR - go down so frequently is sort of worrisome. What's the deal?

Totally a bummer for the down rides, but the ones you did look super fun!

Beautiful pictures of the park and I love the pics and you and the girls!

Holy ice cream - wow - those sundaes look simply amazing!

That Monsters, Inc ride looks really cute. I hate getting stuck on rides but it can be fun to see the lights come on and go backstage a bit!

Can't wait to see what you room looks like!

Yeah, we managed to make do with some rides! We were just so happy to be there! Thanks - the park is quite beautiful in a lot of areas. Some, not as special as others.
Monsters is cute - we made it back to complete the ride later.
Room is coming up - I'll stay up tonight to show you!

I don't know why but I find it hilarious that there were slot machines in the car rental area. It's too bad that it was so smoke filled there. Here in Louisiana, the casinos have banned smoking inside.

I was going to ask how long it took to drive to Disneyland from Vegas but I saw that Mary Ellen asked the same question. 4 hours doesn't seem that far to drive especially when you have those lovely mountains to look at.

The resort looks beautiful and I am anxious to see the room that you were assigned.

I would have been like ya'll and gone straight to a park. You can tell from your smiles that you were happy to be there and were enjoying yourselves.

It seemed so weird - I knew there were slots in the airport, but the little car rental area? Of course, it did seem to take a while, maybe it's something to do while you wait!
Yeah, 4 hours - that's NOTHING! I'd go all the time if I was that close to a Disney park!
The resort is beautiful! I'll be putting the room pics up tonight after I get the girls to go to bed.
We were THRILLED to be there! It was better than I expected (CA) and remembered (DL)!

 

[Mndisneygirl]

Catching up after Mark's surgery and Easter weekend.

No, we don't own DVC. We had hoped to buy this year, but some unexpected things came up (new car, new furnance/air conditioner ). But I would like to rent if we know when we'll be going at the seven months.

What a fun day. I love the pic of you and the girls. I'm glad you got on some attractions. I'm sorry you had to walk off the Monsters ride and hope the Mermaid being down and other things was not a sign of the rest of the trip.

I am just drooling over the ice cream right now.

Can't wait to see your room "view" photos.

Glad to hear Mark's doing well! Yeah, we were just kicking ourselves for not buying way back when DH and hs mom first toured the DVC at Boardwalk back in like 2000. But we really didn't have any $ then, and would have had to finance. But it's good now - I'll be adding on points in the future!
Renting is a great deal - good value!
We had so much fun right off the bat! We managed to get on some rides and we made up for the closures later.
The ice cream was fantastic!
Room pictures coming up!

Loving the TR!!!! I need to get out to DLR one of these days...probably when Cole is older. The 2 1/2 hour plane ride to Orlando is very manageable with him now but I don't know about a cross country trip. I think I might need help with that since I don't really like flying!

Can't wait to see pics of the room!

Thanks! DLR is a lot of fun! I imagine a cross-country trip might be tough while he's so young. It's about the same to either side for us. But wee usually drive to WDW (I hate it, but it gets me there!)
Room pics - TONIGHT!

LOVING your report...just got caught up! I loved Mater's Junkyard Jamboree!! I couldn't stop laughing the whole time I was on it but was also trying not to smash my kids You were there on my birthday

THank you! I'm glad you caught up - I don't move too fast!
I really enjoyed celebrating your birthday!

Still waiting to see the room... I just hate cliff hangers!

Sorry, I'll get right on that! Go get your snacks!

 

[Mndisneygirl]

Okay, you've all been patiently waiting - here are the room pictures!
First - the fabulous view from the balcony!



Looking to the right

This was interesting because we could see the "backstage" areas behind the shop and QS place next to Goofy's Sky School (the big blue ride). I saw CMs having a smoke on break behind the buildings. Weird to me that we would be able to view that from our room!

Looking to the left


We had a great view of the World of Color show - just to the right of the show.

Inside the studio:
Our bed - quite comfy


The fold out sofa (and Paige!)

They didn't complain about sleeping on it, so I'm assuming it was fairly comfortable! They are starting to gripe about sharing a bed, but they have to suffer a bit longer. Until I have enough points for a 1 BR or a room that sleeps 5, they have to share.

Another view


Looking back from the "living" area toward the door


Table and chairs - we used this for dumping "stuff" and charging phones!


TV


Blurry Kitchenette


Wished I'd remembered the coffee and filters…Dang it!

Bathroom vanity - this is outside the toilet/bathtub room and there's a big closet to the right.



Tub/shower and toilet room

This didn't "wow" me, but it was plenty nice.

cont.

 

[Mndisneygirl]

Night time shots of our VIEW - this was later - after World of Color









That white roof is the overhang on our balcony. There was no room above us, which was great!

without the overhang roof in the shot!


I loved the "rainbow" Mickey's fun wheel!


I think that's all I've got for now! I will tell you that we did A LOT more after we checked out the room!
Sorry Todd Lee - another cliff hanger -
We just may have gone to see Disneyland too!!!

 

[KatMark]

WOW! WOW! WOW! What a spectacular view. Well, I definitely know I want to stay there now.

Terrific pictures, Sheree. I hear you on the girls on sharing a bed; I remember when the boys were getting tired of that.

I can't wait to see where you go next.

 

[annmarieda]

OMG! You make me want to stay there so badly!! That view is amazing. I just can't justify the expense.... or the points (even if there was availability when we are going..cause there isn't)

Still..... I want to stay there!

 

[MEK]

That's a beautiful view from your room. Just lovely. Did you request a certain room location/view?

 

[Mndisneygirl]

WOW! WOW! WOW! What a spectacular view. Well, I definitely know I want to stay there now.

Terrific pictures, Sheree. I hear you on the girls on sharing a bed; I remember when the boys were getting tired of that.

I can't wait to see where you go next.

Thanks Kathy! It was so exciting to see that view! We could hear park music from our room - before opening! So cool.
Don't you think it's time I get to see the castle? Gosh, we've been there for about 5 hours!

OMG! You make me want to stay there so badly!! That view is amazing. I just can't justify the expense.... or the points (even if there was availability when we are going..cause there isn't)

Still..... I want to stay there!

Sorry? I know - it was very exciting for us. We were worried there would not be availability at 7 months, knowing how few studios there were. But I had been hopeful we were going early enough in March to beat some spring break crowds. We got lucky! I hope maybe someday you can stay there!

That's a beautiful view from your room. Just lovely. Did you request a certain room location/view?

We really enjoyed that view! No, we made no requests at all! I had read about where the good views were, but decided there just weren't that many rooms so I wasn't going to bother. When he told us that we were getting a good room, he wasn't kidding! As soon as we got the text, I was sure I'd seen that number on the list of "good view rooms"!

 

[annmarieda]

Sorry? I know - it was very exciting for us. We were worried there would not be availability at 7 months, knowing how few studios there were. But I had been hopeful we were going early enough in March to beat some spring break crowds. We got lucky! I hope maybe someday you can stay there!

There is absolutely positively no reason for you to be sorry! I may envy your room...but honestly I am super about you staying in it. (perfect way for me and some of the other disers to live vicariously ) I will stay there someday, I am sure. I just need more points. (isn't that always the case?) I also have to be mindful of that 7 month. I think given the time of year that we would be going... that is going to be a tricky one.

 

[Poolrat]

Thanks Kathy! It was so exciting to see that view! We could hear park music from our room - before opening! So cool.

There is absolutely positively no reason for you to be sorry! I may envy your room...but honestly I am super about you staying in it. (perfect way for me and some of the other disers to live vicariously ) I will stay there someday, I am sure. I just need more points. (isn't that always the case?) I also have to be mindful of that 7 month. I think given the time of year that we would be going... that is going to be a tricky one.

Going at the end of Oct and the first 2 nights were already booked at 7month. So I sit on the waiting list. I have the last 2 nights booked and options for the first 2 nights.



Sheree you got an amazing view. I was on the 4th floor and if I leaned out and looked right I could see world of color. Also if I leaned left I learned I could see DL fireworks. Discovered that on the last night.

I am really looking forward to going back there. So much I feel I could do better.

 

[jenseib]

Big Thunder was running empty cars while we were there and I was wishing we would luck out and get a soft opening....but that never happened.
Your view is awesome!!!! We were right behind Goofy's Sky School on the
2nd floor and it was so strange to see the backstage area. We said the same thing.

You night shots are beautiful. I love the colorful wheel too and I have a ton, but I don't think any of mine are as nice as yours at night. I guess I need to go back!

 

[danceintherain]

When I was that age, I was lucky if I even got a bed to sleep in when we traveled. My parents usually tried to cram as many of us as possible into one room, or we stayed with family.
Sharing a pullout couch with one of my sisters would have been lovely.
(my kids are going to hate my "when I was a kid stories"....)

For both of the weddings we had in the past month we got a room with a king bed and a pull out couch. Luckily G is only 3, because both pull out couches were awful. The first one was basically just a four inch piece of foam, and it wasn't even very high density.

 

[Lovemy3babes]

Hi Sheree! I finally made it back to the Dis. Reading along....

 

[dlhm70]

Seems like a great start to your trip. Really enjoying your trip report can't wait for more!!

 

[Mndisneygirl]

Going at the end of Oct and the first 2 nights were already booked at 7month. So I sit on the waiting list. I have the last 2 nights booked and options for the first 2 nights.



Sheree you got an amazing view. I was on the 4th floor and if I leaned out and looked right I could see world of color. Also if I leaned left I learned I could see DL fireworks. Discovered that on the last night.

I am really looking forward to going back there. So much I feel I could do better.

I hope ou have a great trip in October!
Yeah, that view was spectacular! I kept going out and just looking and listening to music! Cool that you could see DL fireworks too!
It's always good to go back and do it again and improve!!

Big Thunder was running empty cars while we were there and I was wishing we would luck out and get a soft opening....but that never happened.
Your view is awesome!!!! We were right behind Goofy's Sky School on the
2nd floor and it was so strange to see the backstage area. We said the same thing.

You night shots are beautiful. I love the colorful wheel too and I have a ton, but I don't think any of mine are as nice as yours at night. I guess I need to go back!

We were "THIS CLOSE" to getting to ride as DVC in previews! We missed it by 2 days! CMs were riding the last two days we were there!
That night view was so great. Thanks for the compliment on the pictures. I never know how my pictures are going to be - I don't try to do anything too special - I barely know how my camera works and it does have a bunch of settings, but it's pretty basic. Any excuse to go back works!!!

When I was that age, I was lucky if I even got a bed to sleep in when we traveled. My parents usually tried to cram as many of us as possible into one room, or we stayed with family.
Sharing a pullout couch with one of my sisters would have been lovely.
(my kids are going to hate my "when I was a kid stories"....)
That's a riot! I seem to recall lots of sleeping bags on the floor when I was a kid!

For both of the weddings we had in the past month we got a room with a king bed and a pull out couch. Luckily G is only 3, because both pull out couches were awful. The first one was basically just a four inch piece of foam, and it wasn't even very high density.

Poor kid! The Disney pull outs are pretty decent - at least the girls weren't complaining about that!

Hi Sheree! I finally made it back to the Dis. Reading along....

Hi Kelli! Glad you're here!
I've been hitting a wall getting updates done - so you can take a week off and not miss anything! Hopefully I'll get an update up soon, but we have dance competition coming up, so we won't be home much this weekend.

Seems like a great start to your trip. Really enjoying your trip report can't wait for more!!

Thanks and (I don't think I've welcomed you yet). We had a great start, middle and end to our trip! Please stay tuned, but be warned, I move these TRs at a snail's pace! If I get one update done a week, I'm racing! HA!


Thanks for sticking around guys! I know it's been a while since I updated. Life has kept me away from the DIS lately and I hope to remedy that soon. My DDs have a dance competition this Thursday night, Saturday and Sunday, so I'll be tied up with that. Maybe I can squeeze an update in between now and the weekend!

 

[eandesmom]

Your view was incredible!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Much better than ours. Not that ours was bad (well the 2nd room anyway) but yours was about as perfect as can be!

That sofabed was SOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO much worse than the other DVC ones we've had it wasn't funny. The E's complain too (about sharing) and well, tough. I don't prefer a studio and sharing the room with them either but sometimes you just have to do what you have to do, points only go so far. They'd readily agree that they'd rather share, than miss a trip!