We Moved to Disneyland!! Now What ? Stories from New DLR Locals - Updated 1/15

[sophies*mom]

Great podcast, how cool!

 

[tdashgirl]

I'm just not a podcast person .. but I'm sure you did awesome

Super fun Easter post. At the bail bonds/smog check place. And the 32 days at DL since getting passes -- SO JEALOUS!!!

 

[Casey's Mommie]

Just listened to the podcast. It was great, and you did a terrific job. It's so neat to be able to follow along with your adventures and I really want to thank you for sharing!

 

[sewmess]

I just caught up on your entire TR, although I think LR (Life Report) might fit better.

My oldest friend moved from LA to NYC when she was about y'alls age. From her experience in NYC and some of the things that went on in LA (she actually lived in Hollywood) I have great respect for people who take great leaps of faith to follow a dream.

And I am also very grateful for your local's view of DL. My DH was born in Orange County and basically grew up going to DL frequently. One of my favorite pictures of him as a boy is of him by the Snow White fountain with his Grandmother. I'll admit that I thought that was done away with years ago because all I've heard about DL is the new stuff. It made me smile to know it's still there.

Anyway, I'm following along on your journey now. Thanks for letting us come along!

 

[BirdyGirl85]

Taylor, I really enjoy reading your trip reports. You and Tracy are so adventurous for moving to California like that without a place to live at first and no job lined up right away. I would be afraid to do that. But you probably planned ahead and had quite a bit of money saved up.

It's so good to hear Tracy got a job and that she likes it. I would love to live near Disneyland and have an annual pass. Maybe someday... If I actually get my dream job to work in animation and if I get a job in Southern California, then maybe...

 

[tayalltheway]

What a fun update!

I love that you met the Easter Bunny and have the objective evidence to show for it.
Your Easter Eggs are gorgeous! I love the Pancho one.

And well done on getting through the first 3 seasons of the Suite Life on Deck in a week and the half.

We were glad we ended up waiting for the Easter Bunny too. The season just didn't feel complete without it! Glad you like the Easter Eggs.

And yes, I was definitely binge-watching that show (as I have done with many shows since...)

Here we go.....

This week's DIS Unplugged: Disneyland Edition podcasts are now available.

You can subscribe or download at this link: DIS Unplugged: Disneyland Edition 10/17/13

You can listen directly to Taylor's segment at this link: We moved to Disneyland!


After you listen to Taylor's segment, we'd love you to give some of our other segments a try.

Thanks again, Tom! I had a lot of fun talking with you guys, and I was happy with how it turned out.

Just listened to the podcast! How cool to hear you talking about your Disney love and experience, Taylor. You did a great job!

I was glad to hear that you are attending a Halloween party. I know it will be awhile until we hear this chapter, but its great to know that you are going and we will be hearing about what you think about it. I'm dying to know what costumes you conjured up!

As an avid fan, the only other thing I learned was that you have an interest in becoming a Dapper Dan. That would be so awesome! Maybe your illness will subside and Disney will make a smart move and hire you as one of these talented guys

And oh, I enjoyed your last TR chapter and so glad you got to spend some time with sweet Pancho. Heading to Big Thunder and hoping to see him is one of the first things we are doing when we finally get there! (in 2 weeks and 3 days!!!!!)

Thanks for listening! I'm glad that you liked it. We'll definitely fill you in on what happens at the Halloween Party (though, as you said, it will probably be a while before I get to that point in the report...)

And maybe someday I'll get to be a Dapper Dan. You never know!

We were SO excited to get to meet Pancho finally, and I hope he is out when you arrive!!

Hi Taylor,

I just listened to you on the DIS. It was fun to hear your words, after reading them for so long.

I'm still enjoying reading about your, and Tracy's, adventures in Disneyland.

I'm so glad you enjoyed it! And that you're still enjoying reading along

Taylor --

I just listened to your podcast segment and you did a great job! I'm not sure why you ever thought you wouldn't.

As soon as I got into writing about the Hallmark Channel Countdown to Christmas to let you know that it's coming up I was thinking, "I wonder if Taylor and Tracy have U-Verse." Drat! I only recently discovered that U-Verse doesn't offer the Hallmark Channel in its lineup when I was considering switching from my current cable provider.

Yes, ABC Family and Lifetime will have a lot of Christmas movies coming up as well, and the Lifetime movies are often similar to the Hallmark movies (though Lifetime's selection tends to lean on the more serious side a lot of the time). It may take a while for the brand new 2013 Hallmark movies to make it to Netflix, but see if you can find any of these older gems (just a few years old) somewhere online, as they are full of sweet Christmas-y goodness:

Farewell, Mr. Kringle (it stars Christine Taylor, who is Ben Stiller's wife)

The Most Wonderful Time of Year (it stars Brooke Burns, who was on Baywatch, and Henry Winkler)

Debbie Macomber's Trading Christmas (a variation on the Cameron Diaz/Kate Winslet movie The Holiday, starring Faith Ford, who used to be on Murphy Brown)

The 12 Men of Christmas (not a Hallmark movie, but very similar in tone, starring Kristin Chenoweth)

Debbie Macomber's Mrs. Miracle (starring Doris Roberts from Everybody Loves Raymond and James Van Der Beek, from Dawson's Creek)


I will also give a shout out to Naughty or Nice, Matchmaker Santa, Christmas Town (I found it on another channel, not Hallmark) and The 12 Wishes of Christmas (I found it somewhere other than Hallmark, but it's the same type of movie).

It was much easier to speak eloquently about Disney than it is to talk about other things in life, as I learned. I had a lot of fun doing the podcast, and I'm glad you enjoyed listening!

Thanks for the movie recommendations. I'm sure I'll be able to find some of them online or on the TV channels we do get. Yay, Christmas movies!!

Great job on the podcast! Count me as one of those readers who reads your report as a way of living vicariously through you and Tracy!

If they invite you on again, you should do it. I'm sure you'd be able to offer a lot of advice and a unique perspective.

Oh, and I think I met the German version of you and Tracy this summer! We were at the Disney Jr show so the kids could wish Minnie a Happy Birthday (they didn't seem to care that Minnie had her birthday in Sept last year and in July this year!) DH and I sat on a bench at the back while the kids were on the floor in the front. A young couple sat down next to me, so I moved over a bit and started chatting with them. I asked them how old their kids were and they said, in very broken English, "No kids, just us! Just wanted to see the show." And the husband laughed through the entire show. He probably likes Jake and the Neverland Pirates as much as my DS4!

Thanks for listening to the podcast. I'm glad that you get to live vicariously through our trips to the parks!

Now that I've got my nerves out of the way, I would definitely go back on for another episode if they asked me. Maybe someday they'll want to do a podcast all about Pancho, in which case I could be the perfect guest!

That's a funny story about the German couple. I'll be honest that Disney Jr. Live is something we have yet to do. Maaaaybe someday haha...

Taylor - It's great hearing you! I'm really enjoying the audio of your voice. Now when I read your report, I can not just read and visualise your experience, I can hear you in my mind as well.


: That sounds so bad on so many levels.

Don't worry, I understood what you meant by it. In a non-creepy way.

Fun podcast! Glad you did that.

Thanks! I'm glad too!

Great podcast, how cool!

Glad you liked it!

I'm just not a podcast person .. but I'm sure you did awesome

Super fun Easter post. At the bail bonds/smog check place. And the 32 days at DL since getting passes -- SO JEALOUS!!!

That's quite all right. You probably know most of the information I talked about from reading on here anyway!

I'm glad you liked our Easter summaries. It was a fun time of year to be at the parks a lot. And yes, I too miss that month when we went to Disney almost every day. We still get over there a lot, but NEVER that often anymore.

Just listened to the podcast. It was great, and you did a terrific job. It's so neat to be able to follow along with your adventures and I really want to thank you for sharing!

Thanks for reading and for listening! I'm glad that you enjoy what I have to share

I just caught up on your entire TR, although I think LR (Life Report) might fit better.

My oldest friend moved from LA to NYC when she was about y'alls age. From her experience in NYC and some of the things that went on in LA (she actually lived in Hollywood) I have great respect for people who take great leaps of faith to follow a dream.

And I am also very grateful for your local's view of DL. My DH was born in Orange County and basically grew up going to DL frequently. One of my favorite pictures of him as a boy is of him by the Snow White fountain with his Grandmother. I'll admit that I thought that was done away with years ago because all I've heard about DL is the new stuff. It made me smile to know it's still there.

Anyway, I'm following along on your journey now. Thanks for letting us come along!

Thanks for reading! I'm glad you're enjoying.

Yep, the life in NYC was definitely an interesting one. The dream didn't quite work out as "planned" there, but it was something I needed to try!

I'm glad to be able to provide a look at DLR from a local perspective, and I'm happy to report that the Snow White fountain is still as beautiful as ever

Taylor, I really enjoy reading your trip reports. You and Tracy are so adventurous for moving to California like that without a place to live at first and no job lined up right away. I would be afraid to do that. But you probably planned ahead and had quite a bit of money saved up.

It's so good to hear Tracy got a job and that she likes it. I would love to live near Disneyland and have an annual pass. Maybe someday... If I actually get my dream job to work in animation and if I get a job in Southern California, then maybe...

I'm so glad to hear you enjoy reading along! We definitely have an adventurous streak, though some may say we're a little fool-hearty... We DID plan as much and save as much in advance as possible, but it was definitely still a risk. Just glad it's paid off so far!

We're so glad that Tracy's job has been great so far as well! I hope that someday you get to live the SoCal dream too. I'm sure you can make it happen if that's what you set your mind to

 

[tayalltheway]

Chapter 78
A Foolish April

​

 

[AussieMumma]

We just listened to the podcast you were in, it was great, we really enjoyed it. Of course really loved the mention of us Aussies haha

We are heading to DLR about two and a half weeks before Easter, I hope the crowds aren't too bad then?!
We fly in on Sunday 30th March then only have the next three days in the parks before heading to Miami for our B2B Disney Cruises We were considering only one cruise and then coming back to DLR at the end of our trip but that will be the days just before Good Friday which from what I've read is crazy busy time?!

I'm thinking I will write my first ever TR for this next trip. It will be nowhere near the standard of yours but hopefully might keep someone amused!

 

[Eddygirl]

Still following and enjoying your TR (LR) so very much!! Just listened to the podcast too.....yay!! Really enjoyed that too! Now I can put a narrative voice to your writting.

I was so excited when you guys discovered the Matterhorn Macaroon!!! My DD (now 13) and I shared one on our trip Sept 1012. We loved it soooo much we made a lunch out of one paired WITH a Dole Whip Float. THAT, my friend, is a must try. Coconut pineapple heaven!!! They were seriously made for each other!

I was just in San Diego on business and managed to extend my trip by one day to go to my beloved DL. 3 weeks ago tomorrow I was in my happy place! It was strange being there without DH, DD or DS...but I managed! I have the best family....they were a bit jealous, of course, but they ordered my PH as a present. The ONLY thing my DD (13) requested I bring back for her was a Matterhorn Macaroon!!!!!! I went first thing to the JHB as I was afraid if I went on my way out they would be sold out! *Gasp!!* That would have been disasterous!! I purchased 2 just in case one got squashed. The ladies packed them up in soda cups and they went with my all over the parks...even on Screamin'! I picked up a Mickey cookie for DS on my way out. They travelled in my carry-on in tupperware safely home to very happy kids.

On another note....the day I went by myself I was feeling kinda guilty and sad as I lined up first thing for rope drop, missing my kids and almost teary eyed......Yah...that would be the day I got picked TO OPEN THE PARK!!! Sorry kids, but Mama keeps the Honorary Citizen button. That sucker is MINE!! hahahaha!

I so look forward to reading more......and not to sound like a creeper, I may or may not have kept an eye out for you guys when I was there.

 

[tayalltheway]

We just listened to the podcast you were in, it was great, we really enjoyed it. Of course really loved the mention of us Aussies haha

We are heading to DLR about two and a half weeks before Easter, I hope the crowds aren't too bad then?!
We fly in on Sunday 30th March then only have the next three days in the parks before heading to Miami for our B2B Disney Cruises We were considering only one cruise and then coming back to DLR at the end of our trip but that will be the days just before Good Friday which from what I've read is crazy busy time?!

I'm thinking I will write my first ever TR for this next trip. It will be nowhere near the standard of yours but hopefully might keep someone amused!

I'm glad to hear that you listened and that you enjoyed it! Of course I had to give a shout-out to all you Aussies!

Crowd levels are going to be different next year than they were this year because Easter this year was at the end of March while next year it's not till mid-April. I would guess that around March 30th will be after the bulk of Spring Break crowds are gone, so you should be all right. As for Easter itself, though, that's probably more of a crapshoot. This year, Easter weekend wasn't anywhere near as bad as the weeks leading up to it had been, but again, that might all change with Easter being in April. Besides, back-to-back Disney cruises sounds AWESOME!

I'll definitely read along if you do decide to write a trip report! I say go for it!!

Still following and enjoying your TR (LR) so very much!! Just listened to the podcast too.....yay!! Really enjoyed that too! Now I can put a narrative voice to your writting.

I was so excited when you guys discovered the Matterhorn Macaroon!!! My DD (now 13) and I shared one on our trip Sept 1012. We loved it soooo much we made a lunch out of one paired WITH a Dole Whip Float. THAT, my friend, is a must try. Coconut pineapple heaven!!! They were seriously made for each other!

I was just in San Diego on business and managed to extend my trip by one day to go to my beloved DL. 3 weeks ago tomorrow I was in my happy place! It was strange being there without DH, DD or DS...but I managed! I have the best family....they were a bit jealous, of course, but they ordered my PH as a present. The ONLY thing my DD (13) requested I bring back for her was a Matterhorn Macaroon!!!!!! I went first thing to the JHB as I was afraid if I went on my way out they would be sold out! *Gasp!!* That would have been disasterous!! I purchased 2 just in case one got squashed. The ladies packed them up in soda cups and they went with my all over the parks...even on Screamin'! I picked up a Mickey cookie for DS on my way out. They travelled in my carry-on in tupperware safely home to very happy kids.

On another note....the day I went by myself I was feeling kinda guilty and sad as I lined up first thing for rope drop, missing my kids and almost teary eyed......Yah...that would be the day I got picked TO OPEN THE PARK!!! Sorry kids, but Mama keeps the Honorary Citizen button. That sucker is MINE!! hahahaha!

I so look forward to reading more......and not to sound like a creeper, I may or may not have kept an eye out for you guys when I was there.

Thanks for still reading along! I'm glad you liked the podcast!!

That Matterhorn Macaroon/Dole Whip Float combo does sound really good! Now I want to try it.

Your little solo trip sounds like a blast! I'm glad that you got to experience Disneyland from a totally different perspective (with the endorsement of your family!), and it sounds like you got them some awesome souvenirs even if they couldn't make the trip.

That's AWESOME that you got picked to open the park! What a cool opportunity! And it's not creepy at all that you were looking for us in the parks. Wish we could have met up! Maybe next time...

 

[tayalltheway]

Chapter 79
Angels in the Outfield

​

 

[Eddygirl]

Disneyland Ducks: The Real Kings of the River.



Cool....a hidden Mickey!!!!!!! We loved finding those!!!!!

I had the beignets from the Jazz Kitchen for the first time 3 weeks ago....holy hannah......now I crave them!!!! I NEED to figure out how to make them! bought a Mickey cookie cutter last year on our trip and make Mickey cookies (chocolate dipped ears, of course) for the kids once in a while when we need our Mickey fix. Good souvenir for under 5 bucks!!!! Maybe I should make beignets mouse shaped!!! Thanks, Taylor....it is after midnight and I want those little pillows of heaven NOW.....

PS....have no clue if I was able to quote your photo of the ducks on the Hidden Mickey!!! Sadly I could not work with Tracy at "Cool Tech".....​

 

[Luisa]

I haven't had a chance to listen to your podcast yet, but have downloaded it and hope to do so tonight. I'm really looking forward to and being able to put a voice to yours and Tracey's story.
I've only got 4 weeks until I leave for my trip and I've been taking lots of notes from you report on things I need to do that I haven't done before- like meet Pancho! I've never really spent much time in that area, although I did have a very happy time visiting with some little goats on one trip. The boats are another must do for me now too, basically I think I want this trip to be more about taking it easy and really enjoying the detail not just the rides and shopping!
Very glad to hear Tracey's job is going so well and that the people she works with are a nice group, I always think that if you work with great people then any job can be fun!

 

[PrincessInOz]

Great updates!

I'll be interested to see how the Mickey Beignets stacks up against the Ralph Brennan ones.

 

[tdashgirl]

I need to try the Ralph Brennan beignets again. It's been YEARS since I've had them and want to compare them to the Mickey ones which I've had much more recently

I sailed on the Columbia during my last visit - loved it. The detail downstairs is amazing.

So cool about Tracey's job and she looks cute in glasses

 

[tinkerbells mum]

I'm finally all caught up again and what a lot to catch up. It was great seeing your photos of Disneyland at Easter we were in WDW over Easter this year and loved it. Glad Tracy's work is going well you seem to have really settled in to your new life xx

 

[Belle83]

Yay for updates! I love Mickey and Minnie's Easter outfits, so cute!

 

[tayalltheway]

Disneyland Ducks: The Real Kings of the River.



Cool....a hidden Mickey!!!!!!! We loved finding those!!!!!

I had the beignets from the Jazz Kitchen for the first time 3 weeks ago....holy hannah......now I crave them!!!! I NEED to figure out how to make them! bought a Mickey cookie cutter last year on our trip and make Mickey cookies (chocolate dipped ears, of course) for the kids once in a while when we need our Mickey fix. Good souvenir for under 5 bucks!!!! Maybe I should make beignets mouse shaped!!! Thanks, Taylor....it is after midnight and I want those little pillows of heaven NOW.....

PS....have no clue if I was able to quote your photo of the ducks on the Hidden Mickey!!! Sadly I could not work with Tracy at "Cool Tech".....​

I applaud the effort! Honestly, I have no idea how to quote just one picture, so I wouldn't have done any better. Guess I shouldn't work at CoolTech either...

I hadn't noticed the Hidden Mickey! That's a fun one though. Good eye.

Hope you weren't kept awake last night with cravings for beignets. I think the only way for you to satisfy that craving is going to be to make some Mickey-shaped ones and report back about how they were.

I haven't had a chance to listen to your podcast yet, but have downloaded it and hope to do so tonight. I'm really looking forward to and being able to put a voice to yours and Tracey's story.
I've only got 4 weeks until I leave for my trip and I've been taking lots of notes from you report on things I need to do that I haven't done before- like meet Pancho! I've never really spent much time in that area, although I did have a very happy time visiting with some little goats on one trip. The boats are another must do for me now too, basically I think I want this trip to be more about taking it easy and really enjoying the detail not just the rides and shopping!
Very glad to hear Tracey's job is going so well and that the people she works with are a nice group, I always think that if you work with great people then any job can be fun!

Hope you enjoy the podcast when you get a chance to listen!

Your trip is coming right up! I hope that you get a chance to see all the things you've never gotten to do before. I love the idea of taking it a little easier and enjoying all the little details. Maybe we'll get to meet up while you're here!

I agree about Tracy's job. What you're doing is often less important than the people you're doing it with, and she has a fun crew.

Great updates!

I'll be interested to see how the Mickey Beignets stacks up against the Ralph Brennan ones.

Thanks! It's just such a tough call between the two types of beignets... The Mickey ones are maybe a little doughier while the RB ones are slightly crispy on the edges. I don't know. They're both delicious, so maybe I should just leave it at that...

I need to try the Ralph Brennan beignets again. It's been YEARS since I've had them and want to compare them to the Mickey ones which I've had much more recently

I sailed on the Columbia during my last visit - loved it. The detail downstairs is amazing.

So cool about Tracey's job and she looks cute in glasses

You should definitely try the RB beignets again. They're very good!

The Columbia is great! As is the Mark Twain! I just love the boat rides around the Rivers of America...

We're definitely glad about Tracy's job. And I'll pass on your compliment about her glasses

I'm finally all caught up again and what a lot to catch up. It was great seeing your photos of Disneyland at Easter we were in WDW over Easter this year and loved it. Glad Tracy's work is going well you seem to have really settled in to your new life xx

Glad you got caught up again! I've been doing a bit of an onslaught of updates, so I know it must have taken a while to read them all. We really enjoyed all the Easter decorations. I bet that was a great time to be in WDW too! We definitely have settled in here pretty well, and I'm very glad Tracy likes her job!

Yay for updates! I love Mickey and Minnie's Easter outfits, so cute!

Yay! I really liked their Easter outfits too. Honestly, they can put Mickey and Minnie in pretty much any fun outfit, and I'll enjoy it! ​

 

[tayalltheway]

Chapter 80
Hello, Goodbye

​

 

[dizneefan13]

Ah, the Market House. I am going to miss it a LOT! I am one of the few people in the world that think Starbuck's is way overblown. Its overpriced and it is, for my taste, not even that good.

Being a true Pacific NW'r I love my coffee and have found lots of individually owned coffee shops to surpass the flavor of Starbucks and offer reasonable prices. I will miss Market House tremendously and I'm not ashamed to even say I didn't think the coffee was that bad. That's just between us though. If I said that on the regular forum I'd be shot. LOL

One of our Disney rituals was to enter the parks, saunter down Main street to the Market House, buy our refillable! coffees, mine with vanilla, DH's with lots of cream, then sit outside in that little cove area and just relax and drink in Disney and our coffees. I even liked to browse in the MH. It had such an old timey feel and a cute little ambiance all its own. I even found a few things to buy sometimes, that I didn't notice in other shops.

Anyway, I love seeing your Market House photos. Like I said I will be sad to walk by it and not stop for a visit when we enter the parks now.

Another great report, Taylor. I've enjoyed how fast you are getting to the updates right now.