Yo Ho Yo Ho A Pirate's Life for We Halloween *2012* PTR has begun!

[kaoden39]

That would only make sense to a MOM!!!!!!

You know you are so right about that!!

 

[DizNee Luver]

Poor Colton!!! I won't get on Tot & won't let me kids on it either (the little ones)......this because my older boys said it's a big NO for us.....lol

It's amazing how much you can do in a day at DCA.....even with all the construction....there's just something fun about this park. I love wandering around in Bugs Land......love getting pictures of all the little details.

 

[TheColtonsMom]

Oh I so want to remove those pics of Colton & I on the ladybugs I looked like hell...the red in the face is a clue that the blood sugar rollercoaster was doing a loopdy loop and my hair looks awful!!!! My hubby has asked me to leave them as they go with the story so from here on out I am going to preview them bigger before I post them LOL!

 

[deejdigsdis]

Your DCA crowds sounded absolutely miserable. That experience would sour me on DCA for sure. The crowd situation for us at DCA a few weeks ago was so different. My son was walking along and I said, "Stop right there...I want to take a 'crowd' shot." He looked at me funny and said, "But there aren't any crowds..." I said, "Exactly!" He had his own Golden Zephyr all to himself. When the ride ended he could stay on and just keep going. I hope you have a better experience when you go back in October. DCA has grown on me a bit more with each trip. I wasn't one that was expecting it to be another Disneyland. For me, it was taking me AWAY from Disneyland. When I'm there I want to spend all my time at Disneyland. But I've come to appreciate it more with each trip.

 

[kaoden39]

Your DCA crowds sounded absolutely miserable. That experience would sour me on DCA for sure. The crowd situation for us at DCA a few weeks ago was so different. My son was walking along and I said, "Stop right there...I want to take a 'crowd' shot." He looked at me funny and said, "But there aren't any crowds..." I said, "Exactly!" He had his own Golden Zephyr all to himself. When the ride ended he could stay on and just keep going. I hope you have a better experience when you go back in October. DCA has grown on me a bit more with each trip. I wasn't one that was expecting it to be another Disneyland. For me, it was taking me AWAY from Disneyland. When I'm there I want to spend all my time at Disneyland. But I've come to appreciate it more with each trip.

That is the way I feel about it. I really didn't like it the first visit but I have grown to love it.

 

[deejdigsdis]

That is the way I feel about it. I really didn't like it the first visit but I have grown to love it.

And think how much more we'll enjoy it when everything's done and all the walls are down!

 

[kaoden39]

And think how much more we'll enjoy it when everything's done and all the walls are down!

I know. I am excited to see it next week even with all of the walls.

 

[TheColtonsMom]

Your DCA crowds sounded absolutely miserable. That experience would sour me on DCA for sure. The crowd situation for us at DCA a few weeks ago was so different. My son was walking along and I said, "Stop right there...I want to take a 'crowd' shot." He looked at me funny and said, "But there aren't any crowds..." I said, "Exactly!" He had his own Golden Zephyr all to himself. When the ride ended he could stay on and just keep going. I hope you have a better experience when you go back in October. DCA has grown on me a bit more with each trip. I wasn't one that was expecting it to be another Disneyland. For me, it was taking me AWAY from Disneyland. When I'm there I want to spend all my time at Disneyland. But I've come to appreciate it more with each trip.

I did feel like I was being "robbed" of DL time all day. I have heard from many people that it grows on you and we have not given up on it.

 

[TheColtonsMom]

Another comment on DCA before we move on to our last DLR day (notice no update yesterday I feel a bit reluctant to start the last day for some reason I think I just don't want it to end)

My feeling as we left DCA was that maybe Disney shouldn't have gone into the bar business. All day long we were bumped and battered by people who were way past happy drunks. I can't imagine dealing with the frustrations of this crowd when drunk but there were an awful lot of people who had consumed too much and were very out of control, people I would not have my son in the presence of under normal circumstances. There were many more people in arguments and disputes over stupid things like getting bumped in line. Once night fell we went from a skid row drunk atmosphere to a night club atmosphere when Electronica started, Once again way too much alcohol being consumed (by people who had been drinking all day already) so we didn't spend much time at Electronica before deciding it ws time to head for the hotel.

I have to assume it was alot of people burning off their stress after Christmas or warming up for New Years. I think the same crowd in DL would have been much easier for me to handle too as I am familiar with that park. Dealing with getting around in an unfamiliar place in this type of crowd was stressful for me.

I have heard/read about good DCA experiences I know we can have a better time another day. If we make another Christmas trip however we will avoid DCA.

At the time and on the ground we knew DL had closed their gates for the day and did not know since we already had our tickets we could have hopped back over there even after they stopped ticket sales. I do wish I had known that.

 

[deejdigsdis]

I know. I am excited to see it next week even with all of the walls.

Oh yes, a trip while the walls are up is still a very good trip. I think the walls are pretty cute, too.

I did feel like I was being "robbed" of DL time all day. I have heard from many people that it grows on you and we have not given up on it.

Given your experience, that is a good word for it. "Robbed" of DL time. Man, I'm not sure I would want to go back to DCA after such a fiasco first time visit.

Well, I for one will be sad to see your TR come to an end. I hope you are planning on doing one after your October trip.

 

[TheColtonsMom]

When we awoke on Day 5 It was pouring rain. I have to say after 3 days of crowds my heart lifted at the sight. Remember at this point we had not even managed to get to most of the big rides partially due to the crowds.

We packed our bags and donned our ponchos. Stopped at the bell desk to drop our bags off for the day. We danced through the rain down the street to the PPH for breakfast.

After checking in we had just enough time to snap a few pics by their wonderful Christmas tree. Pictures do not do this tree justice the beachy theme of the whole hotels decor and the twinkling green & blue lights are really Lovely.

We were seated after about 5 minutes at the table just in front of the stage. Which we now know was a perfect spot!

As you enter you get your pic snapped with Mickey and they will be by later to sell you the pic. The photographer was more than happy to snap some with our camera though.

Due to so many picks this post will be continued.....

 

[TheColtonsMom]

Micky was a busy guy he didn't do the table hopping thing but between photo ops he did some dancing with the kiddos.

Pluto came by our table and asked Colton to help him teach the other kids how to do "the swim"

We got ourselves some food from the buffet...This buffet had things that we saw on no other buffet all week.. Chorizo & Eggs (a favorite from when we lived in so cal & arizona you cannot get Chorizo sausage in Montana) Mini churros & breakfast pizzas which were both a big hit with Colton

Minnie came by for a visit

Then Colton's all day flirt fest with Daisy duck started. Now whenever Colton greeted a female character weather it was Daisy or a princess he kissed their hand. He got a lot of fluttered eyelashes and acting shy but nothing like the interaction it started with Daisy.

When he kissed Daisy's hand she giggled and mimed to not let Donald see him doing that, then let him kiss her hand again. This type of back and forth went on for a few minutes then the character handler called her up on stage & she took Colton with her it was time to dance.

We ran into Daisy later on main street at a character line up. As we walked by she hopped out of her own line and with a look over her shoulder at Donald who was doing his own meet and greet, she held out her hand for another kiss then hopped back to her line up. Colton was tickeled! Encounters like this happened a couple times that day. What fun!

Continue again...

 

[TheColtonsMom]

Next up to the table was Stitch who visited our table and showed Colton how to surf

Between shows many of the kids practiced their surfing... They had carpet tiles cut into surfboard shapes and now I need to go buy a remnant or two and have them bound Colton really wants some of his own.

As always when dealing with the little people Colton got down on her level when he showed this little one how to surf

Last thing before we left Colton stopped the character handler and asked for his autograph and thanked him for helping with all the fun. I don't think this happens very often because this guy was really shocked & touched.

Our review...Mickey's surf's up was by far the favorite character meal of this trip. Our table position was perfect for interactions as the character handler pulled them up to do their stage bits right after they visited our table they all pulled Colton up on stage to help them out. I may ask for this table in the future.

I have heard this breakfast is sometimes quite empty, not sure if that is due to PPH being the breakfast farthest away from the park? The food was good and was not the same old same old we had at the other 2 breakfast buffets.

I highly recommend this we had Mickey & Minnie Pluto and Daisy the most of Colton's top 6 that appeared at any of the meals this week. There were more activities than at any other breakfast we went to and by the time it was over we were energized and ready for the day at the parks.

A rainy day and a start like this...pixie dust all over the place I knew today would be magical!

Next up DL in the rain....

 

[TheColtonsMom]

Oh yes, a trip while the walls are up is still a very good trip. I think the walls are pretty cute, too.



Given your experience, that is a good word for it. "Robbed" of DL time. Man, I'm not sure I would want to go back to DCA after such a fiasco first time visit.

Well, I for one will be sad to see your TR come to an end. I hope you are planning on doing one after your October trip.

Believe me as soon as this TR is over the PTR will begin. It has been all I could do not to talk about the next trip here until this one is complete LOL

 

[cloudconnected1039]

Your pictures of Surf's Up is making me so much more excited now!!! And I'm a big fan of chorizo and eggs as well Sounds delicioussssss

 

[6Smiles]

Mickey's Surf's up looks like a lot of fun. I am so tempted because of Stitch (my 2nd oldest DD's fav) and Daisy (one of my favorites). I like all the interaction and the food looks good.

Did you walk to PPH? Did you feel like it was a long walk?

We felt it was a long one, but maybe if it was scheduled on a non-park day hmmm......

Love all the pics. Can't wait for more.

 

[kaoden39]

Sherri, I know what you mean about the alcohol in the parks. I think that it is one thing to drink in DTD but another to drink in the park itself. I think that when you involve kids into the mix that it just isn't a good idea. I am sorry that your visit was like that and I hope next time that it will be better for you.

 

[TheColtonsMom]

Your pictures of Surf's Up is making me so much more excited now!!! And I'm a big fan of chorizo and eggs as well Sounds delicioussssss

You are going to love it!

 

[TheColtonsMom]

Mickey's Surf's up looks like a lot of fun. I am so tempted because of Stitch (my 2nd oldest DD's fav) and Daisy (one of my favorites). I like all the interaction and the food looks good.

Did you walk to PPH? Did you feel like it was a long walk?

We felt it was a long one, but maybe if it was scheduled on a non-park day hmmm......

Love all the pics. Can't wait for more.

We stayed at the Anabella Hotel which is literally a hop skip & a jump from PPH. When we left PPH we cut through the GCH to DTD so it really wasn't that bad, but had we not cut through the GCH it would have been long.

 

[TheColtonsMom]

Sherri, I know what you mean about the alcohol in the parks. I think that it is one thing to drink in DTD but another to drink in the park itself. I think that when you involve kids into the mix that it just isn't a good idea. I am sorry that your visit was like that and I hope next time that it will be better for you.

I think it is one of those things that DL has over other theme parks. Just too many things that can go wrong when you throw alcohol into a mix like that. There were people that had clearly had more than enough and who is taking responsibility for when to cut someone off if they are moving from one CS to another. When I first heard you could get a beer or a glass of wine or a margarita in DCA I thought wow after a long day with the kiddos wouldn't it be nice to have a drink. My opinion has changed. I wish the alcohol was out of the park. Leave it in DTD.