We're back!!

[kailuagirl]

And what a great time we had. It was awesome. First I want to thank all of you for all your tips, suggestions, support, you name it. You guys rock. If anyone has any questions or whatever, just let me know.

We got to the hotel on the 29th and cruised around downtown disney. We were able to watch the fireworks from there and it was awesome. It got us all amped up. We were in the parks for 4 days Tuesday - Friday and got to ride everything we wanted to in DLR (except Autopia). DD(2) had the best time ever and what a wonderful age to go. She loved the rides, the characters and would wait nicely in the lines for both. She took her little pen and autograph book up to the characters and wasn't shy or scared at all. It was so cute. She also wasn't scared on any of the rides, except slightly on Roger Rabbit, but all she did was put her hat over her head, so I'm not sure if she was scared or what. We got to ride the carrousel with the Alice in Wonderland crew and that was way cool. DD bought a Indy hat and the cast member was so nice, gave DD a First Trip button, Happy Birthday button and DH a button for his first ride on Indy. I wish I remembered his name

As for characters, they were rather hard to find. It was kinda a bummer. We did get 24 autographs, but I really wanted Mary Poppins. We were in line and they shut it down before we got to the front. They did that alot. It was a bummer. You are waiting in line forever and then the character leaves with no warning. The line for Princess Fantasy was crazy. It was always almost 2 hours. On Thursday I decided to check out the line at 5:30 and it wasn't bad and we only waited for 30 minutes. I was happy, but bummer Ariel wasn't in there, she is one of DD's fav. Pixie Hollow line was also crazy, but someone told me it moves faster (not sure). On Friday morning it was short so she was able to meet Tinker Bell and was in awe. DD didn't know what do to, she just stared with her mouth wide open (she loves the movie). It seemed that the same characters were always out, Mickey Minnie, Goofy, Pluto. Chip and Dale (but we always just missed them) and that was about it.

Unfortunately with the time difference, we never made it to the park for opening. Yes I know, we broke the number 1 rule!!! Ughhhh!!!! And we even had an early entry that we didn't use. DD who just turned 2 just couldn't get on California time for nothing so we just went on her schedule and it worked out ok. We usually got to the park around 10 and it wasn't too bad, but by noon/1 it was crazy. We rode most of the rides late at night before closing and there was basically no wait so I guess that made up for our us not getting there early. Although on Friday we got to the parks at 9 and was amazed that no one was there. Walk on Haunted Mansion, Pirates, Matterhorn, you name it. We were so bummed and felt we totally missed out by not getting there really early for all the other days but we really didn't have a choice, cranky baby all day or go later. Next time we visit it should be better and we can bribe her to go to sleep early

As for food, our best meal was at Cafe Orleans and Carnation Cafe. Yummmm. The rest of the places were well, just overpriced and not very good at all. Bummers. We loved loved loved Dole Whips. Loved the pickles. Couldn't find Tigger Tails (bummers again) The fudge in the candy shop is to die for. Man I wish I could get that now. Pretzels were just ok. We didn't have any PS but it wasn't a problem.

Got DD a silhouette, it is amazing how they do that so fast. Theresa did it for us. DD got a blinky balloon and it lasted for almost 10 days and we had to let out the air to come home. Great $12 if you ask me. Got my mickey pancake mold and egg mold. Yeah!! Bought a awesome frame for our pictures. DD got a magic wand that is really cute, an ariel purse and gloves, sunglasses, the ariel doll with blanket and a tinker spinner think (one day grandma and 2 aunties were there so she got a little spoiled).

We stayed at the BWPPI and it was great. Can't ask for a better location. We had a room in the back, first floor and it was very quiet and clean. I didn't see any critters, yeah!! We didn't go to the free breakfast so I can't give any comments on that.

The weather was great, not too hot at all, it was totally bearable, didn't need misters or anything. Parade was kinda a bummer. Fireworks were awesome. Whoever gave me the tip to watch from Its a Small World, thank you!! It's a great location.

We didn't spend much time at all at CAP. Rode just a couple rides, saw the Electric Parade, which was great and DD loved it. Bought her a bucket of Mr. Potato Head stuff. It's amazing how much you can fit in that box if you try and take your time.

Not to many Photo Pass people out. I still have to look at the couple we got.

If you made it this far sorry it was so long. So much to say and I tried to keep it short.

But thank you again everyone. If anyone has any questions, just let me know and I'll see if I can help. I can't wait to go back, I want to go now, right now. It was a great family vacation, one we will never ever forget.

 

[DizMe]

Wow!! Sounds like an awesome trip!! Do you mind if I ask how much the BWPPI costs? We have ressies at the end of the month for Hojos, but may have to change our dates and if the ent. rate isn't available I wanted to get an idea what else would be good.

Thanks for the wonderful trip report! It always makes me smile to hear about people having fun at DL, especially little kids!

 

[Gisele]

Welcome back!


I enjoyed reading your trip report, thank you for sharing your experience's. I did not find your trip report too long at all. Matter of fact, could be longer, if you are so inclined, I will read it.
It sounds like you and your family really did have an awesome time! That is how it should be, and hopefully will be again, during your next visit.
It is good that you were able to arrive not too long after opening. MM does not work out for me, not so far anyway, because I am not an early morning person. I can actually make it to DL though, before opening. I really quite surprised myself by managing to do that during my last visit. After prior visits, where I did not arrive until the early afternoon, I learned the hard way, to be a morning person.
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[kailuagirl]

We paid $116 per night, plus taxes, etc. for BWPPI. I booked it through Costco web site and you get a discount if you're a costco member. I think the normal rate was $125 or something like that. When I started looking I booked it at $149 so I was happy it went way down. We were really happy there, fridge was larger than I thought it would be, bed was comfy. I stayed there with my sister and nephew about 7 years ago and had a great time then also. Good luck in finding something nice and reasonable.

 

[Eeee-va]

Glad you had so much fun! Thanks for sharing your experience! I have a hard time getting out of bed early, but I manage for DL. I'm rather older than 2, though.

 

[Kauinohea]

Sounds like you had a great time! We leave on the 23rd, and can't wait.

I have a 7 ,9 and 18 month old...and like you have decided to play the "time difference" thing by ear. Although I would love to go early everyday...not sure the little one will be up to it. I definately will try though!

Did you do any character meals?

 

[disneydreamer74]

Love to hear that you had a great time! I am sooo looking for a pancake mold this trip. Can you share where you found it? Pancakes is one of the few breakfast items DD2 will eat. MIckey pancakes will be a hit with her. Seems like I saw them at World of Disney in DTD last trip. Thanks!

 

[Sherwin]

Glad you had so much fun! Thanks for sharing your experience! I have a hard time getting out of bed early, but I manage for DL. I'm rather older than 2, though.

Oh boy, that's hard to do. When we used MMs and tried to show up for rope drop the next day, I felt like it was those early mornings when your alarm wakes up for school or work. But you have SO much more to look forward to than school or work .

 

[PinkBudgie]

We were there at the same time! I looked for LGMHs but didn't see any.

We did the opposite of you. We got up at 5am every morning, down to breakfast at 6:30, then off to the parks around 7am for 8am opening. We have APs so no MM for us. However, we were exhausted by 8:30 or 9pm with no naps in the afternoon so we just left and collapsed into bed.

 

[cruise cruise cruise]

No time difference for us, I wish there was....my kids are 6AM wakers and off to bed at 7PM. I can normally get them to stay up until 8 or so, but then they are still up at 6 and cranky as all get out. The problem, I LOVE Disney at night. Being out of the park to be in bed by 8 does not leave a lot of night time park hours. I am jelous that you get to sleep in and use the late evening hours to your advantage.
Sounds like you had a great vacation

 

[kailuagirl]

I found the pancake mold's at this shop on the right side on main street on a corner, kinda in the first bunch of stores at the end. It sold coffee and kitchen stuff. It was like $7 I think. It's so cute!!! I also saw it in the big store at DL on the left on main street, but it was harder to find and there wasn't as many. Those are the only 2 places I saw it. Good luck finding it and have fun.

 

[kailuagirl]

Sorry but what is LGMH??? Is it little green men something?

 

[kailuagirl]

No we didn't do any character meals, but will next time when she is older. I kinda wish we did the princess one though, I'm sure she would have loved it.

Your kids are gonna have a blast!!

 

[kailuagirl]

I forgot something, watch your balloons, the wind picked ours up and bumped it into this lady's head at CAP and she got so mad, she punched the balloon back into DH's face. I was like what the heck. That was our only bad encounter with someone rude.

And as for leaving your bag on the stroller, we always left ours and had no problem at all. We even left the balloon on it for 3 of the days. Thank goodness everyone was honest and didn't steal

 

[jacs1234]

What a great trip. I'm glad your two year old had such a fun time. I'm taking a 3 year old in November.

 

[teatime]

As for food, our best meal was at Cafe Orleans and Carnation Cafe. Yummmm. The rest of the places were well, just overpriced and not very good at all. Bummers. We loved loved loved Dole Whips. Loved the pickles. Couldn't find Tigger Tails (bummers again) The fudge in the candy shop is to die for. Man I wish I could get that now. Pretzels were just ok. We didn't have any PS but it wasn't a problem.

Ok, I hope you got the pics for the food thread!! I would love to know what you got a cafe Orleans

 

[PinkBudgie]

Sorry but what is LGMH??? Is it little green men something?

Lime Green Mickey Heads- You can get the paint samples from Home Depot in the shape of Mickey Heads. The green ones are called Alien Green. It is a way to spot other Disers in the park. I had mine hanging on my purse but didn't see any others.

 

[disneydreamer74]

I found the pancake mold's at this shop on the right side on main street on a corner, kinda in the first bunch of stores at the end. It sold coffee and kitchen stuff. It was like $7 I think. It's so cute!!! I also saw it in the big store at DL on the left on main street, but it was harder to find and there wasn't as many. Those are the only 2 places I saw it. Good luck finding it and have fun.

Great info, thanks a bunch. I will be on the hunt. That is the one thing I have to get this trip!

 

[pinkblush]

Thank you so much for the info about where to get the pancake mold! Were the egg molds in the same stores too or did you find them somewhere else? Thanks in advance for the info!

I found the pancake mold's at this shop on the right side on main street on a corner, kinda in the first bunch of stores at the end. It sold coffee and kitchen stuff. It was like $7 I think. It's so cute!!! I also saw it in the big store at DL on the left on main street, but it was harder to find and there wasn't as many. Those are the only 2 places I saw it. Good luck finding it and have fun.

 

[kailuagirl]

Yep, egg molds in the same store. I think they were $4 or $5 and 2 in a pack.