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

[Sherry E]

My two biggest disappointments as far as DCA is concerned is that I didn't get to ride Soarin' as it was down most of the day and I had been hearing about this ride since DCA opened and really wanted to ride it.Second that we didn't get onto the pier at all so did not get to ride TSMM as we have the Wii version of that at home and we all love it.

We could have gone back to DCA and picked these up but I had felt so robbed of DL while in DCA the day before I couldn't bring myself to go back the next day. We will however give it another shot in October...It can't be bad like it was for us all the time I have seen good reviews and great pics...Just a bad day to learn a new park for sure!

By the way I know you lurk around here but it's nice to hear from you once in a while!

I think DCA really did grow on a lot of people - maybe even most people. It took some time to get used to the California theme IN California. I think that seemed weird at first. But, indeed, if you can't get onto Soarin' OR TSMM - arguably, two of the best rides in all of DLR (not just in DCA, but in the whole Resort) - that would definitely sour you to DCA for a while. I hope your October DCA visit will be better!

Did you also notice that DCA seemed to lack those little (what I call) "kisses of magic" that Disneyland has all over the place? It seriously needs someone to go in and put in some cute details. There are details in the Soarin' queue and in the Monsters, Inc. queue, of course. But there are long stretches of space in DCA that are just kind of...blah...with no real Disney magic.

You know, when I first went into DCA - after the initial feeling out of sorts that I experienced and trying to get used to this strange, unfamiliar place - I sooooo enjoyed the fact that it was less crowded than DL. I didn't look at it as being a place that robbed me of DL time. My friends and I just sat there in the Paradise Pier area, chatting, overlooking the bay, and there was literally almost nobody around. It was empty, quiet, peaceful, picturesque (amid the screams of death from the Orange Stinger). DCA was actually a great place to escape to when DL got too crowded (which happens so much).

Unfortunately, that nice, quiet environment in DCA translated into a lack of interest in that park from all the people in Disneyland, and hence, a lack of business. So now they are doing this whole billion dollar makeover, and DCA wil never be the same. It may be better in lots of ways (heck, even if the Little Mermaid ride will seem out of place in DCA, it is 22 years overdue so I can't wait!!), but I will miss the days of it being nice and quiet! Although, I would not want to give up Toy Story and Soarin' for more quiet and solitude, so I guess I will just have to adjust!

Also, one big problem with DCA for me is that it's so small in comparison to DL, so when people pack into that park like sardines after the final changes are made in 2012, it probably won't be comfortable.

I am an unintentional lurker in TR's. I don't intend to lurk and not comment. The 'time factor' is a big issue for me. If I have work to do at home for my client, I may only have a second to pop into the DIS. When I do pop in, I may have to actually handle some moderating duties (moving threads around, closing other threads, deleting threads, keeping an eye on threads that may be troublesome, answering some questions for those who need help, etc.) and then sign off right away. Or I have to go over to the Halloween and Christmas threads and work on my first page info in both of those (you can see, I've developed those quite a bit), seeing as that has to be all ready by the time the next waves of people come to the DIS, ready to plan their Halloween and Christmas trips. Or I have to go to my own trip report and add some stuff in there before too much time passes and I forget to do that (reminder - need to post my darn PhotoPass pictures.), and before the TR drops to Page 2 or 3 of this section. Or I have other stuff to do at home, errands to run, e-mails to answer, etc.

Also, for some reason, I have more trouble opening up/loading pages of certain TR's and not others...I have no clue why...which puts me in a bad mood when I want to get in and comment on something quickly and I can't get in right away!!

So what happens is that I end up reading a lot of updates in the e-mail notifications I get for my subscribed threads (your included), and then I try to go back later and check the TR's for the actual photos that were posted and any other updates that may have slipped through the cracks.

And then when I get caught up on a good handful of TR's, I don't always have time to comment. I get caught up faster on all of them if I just read them and don't stop to comment. And yet, I want to at least comment here and there - especially to the people who have been kind enough to follow me in my own mega-TR. I have to set aside time to dash off a bunch of replies in different TR's - like I did last night! I just go down the line and insert comments in various TR's!!

I can't read every single TR ever posted on the DIS in full, but I at least want to keep up with a few of them from my DIS-friends, like yours, of course, Michele's/kaoden39's, Mariezp's, Bumbershoot/Molly's (over in the WDW section), deejdigsdis', Jazz/Belle Ella's, Bret/mvf-m11c's, Tksbaskets', Laurie/DizNee Luver's.....and I know I'm forgetting someone... Some of these folks are on my Facebook friend list, so I can always keep in touch with them and hear a bit about their travels that way, but it's not the same as an actual TR.

Did you say you were on Facebook, Sherri?

 

[kaoden39]

Although I did not like DCA at all the first time I went I fell in love with it in the following visits. I started noticing the subtle only in California touches, and I love them. I think that it is a great thing for the people that come to visit they get to see a touch of all of California when they visit. I get a huge thrill walking under the Golden Gate bridge and visiting the wharf. Am I a geek? Oh yeah I am.

 

[TheColtonsMom]

I think DCA really did grow on a lot of people - maybe even most people. It took some time to get used to the California theme IN California. I think that seemed weird at first. But, indeed, if you can't get onto Soarin' OR TSMM - arguably, two of the best rides in all of DLR (not just in DCA, but in the whole Resort) - that would definitely sour you to DCA for a while. I hope your October DCA visit will be better!

Did you also notice that DCA seemed to lack those little (what I call) "kisses of magic" that Disneyland has all over the place? It seriously needs someone to go in and put in some cute details. There are details in the Soarin' queue and in the Monsters, Inc. queue, of course. But there are long stretches of space in DCA that are just kind of...blah...with no real Disney magic.

Not just on the rides though (we did love Monster's inc) the lack of CMs with brooms & maps, the the lack of crowd control and I really think the layout is so much harder..wish they had a hub instead of having to go through the other lands to get to PP for example.

You know, when I first went into DCA - after the initial feeling out of sorts that I experienced and trying to get used to this strange, unfamiliar place - I sooooo enjoyed the fact that it was less crowded than DL. I didn't look at it as being a place that robbed me of DL time. My friends and I just sat there in the Paradise Pier area, chatting, overlooking the bay, and there was literally almost nobody around. It was empty, quiet, peaceful, picturesque (amid the screams of death from the Orange Stinger). DCA was actually a great place to escape to when DL got too crowded (which happens so much).

Unfortunately, that nice, quiet environment in DCA translated into a lack of interest in that park from all the people in Disneyland, and hence, a lack of business. So now they are doing this whole billion dollar makeover, and DCA wil never be the same. It may be better in lots of ways (heck, even if the Little Mermaid ride will seem out of place in DCA, it is 22 years overdue so I can't wait!!), but I will miss the days of it being nice and quiet! Although, I would not want to give up Toy Story and Soarin' for more quiet and solitude, so I guess I will just have to adjust!

You know when the Little Mermaid movie came out I fully expected them to revive the submarine ride at that time..(it had already been sitting there closed for a while) thought it was the perfect fit. I agree that she belongs in DL not DCA. I like the "idea" of DCAs remodel being mostly Pixar. Therefore I think Carsland does fit, But I look forward to there being a LM ride finally it is way past due even if placed in a weird place.

Also, one big problem with DCA for me is that it's so small in comparison to DL, so when people pack into that park like sardines after the final changes are made in 2012, it probably won't be comfortable.

really as crowded as DL was that week we were really expecting less crowd at DCA based on other TRs etc and it just wasn't. (this may have been 1 of many factors that made me so uncomfortable) It is smaller and I know there were fewer people there than at DL but the crowd control was awful maybe they have never dealt with it that busy before? they def need to adjust before all these new big rides/lands open or they are in trouble. This went into the decision to make this years trip in October as hopefully the bugs will be out of crowd control that far after LM and GSS open. We are also looking forward to the new Star tours being open then, but I know DL will handle the crowds as they always do



I am an unintentional lurker in TR's. I don't intend to lurk and not comment. The 'time factor' is a big issue for me. If I have work to do at home for my client, I may only have a second to pop into the DIS. When I do pop in, I may have to actually handle some moderating duties (moving threads around, closing other threads, deleting threads, keeping an eye on threads that may be troublesome, answering some questions for those who need help, etc.) and then sign off right away. Or I have to go over to the Halloween and Christmas threads and work on my first page info in both of those (you can see, I've developed those quite a bit), seeing as that has to be all ready by the time the next waves of people come to the DIS, ready to plan their Halloween and Christmas trips. Or I have to go to my own trip report and add some stuff in there before too much time passes and I forget to do that (reminder - need to post my darn PhotoPass pictures.), and before the TR drops to Page 2 or 3 of this section. Or I have other stuff to do at home, errands to run, e-mails to answer, etc.

I knew you lurked here you have made comments to me elsewhere so I knew you stopped by but it had been a really long time since you posted here so I was glad to "see" you. I know you do alot around here and both holiday threads have been invaluable to me and I am sure many others. As soon as this TR is over I will go get some pics up on your Christmas thread too.

Also, for some reason, I have more trouble opening up/loading pages of certain TR's and not others...I have no clue why...which puts me in a bad mood when I want to get in and comment on something quickly and I can't get in right away!!

So what happens is that I end up reading a lot of updates in the e-mail notifications I get for my subscribed threads (your included), and then I try to go back later and check the TR's for the actual photos that were posted and any other updates that may have slipped through the cracks.

And then when I get caught up on a good handful of TR's, I don't always have time to comment. I get caught up faster on all of them if I just read them and don't stop to comment. And yet, I want to at least comment here and there - especially to the people who have been kind enough to follow me in my own mega-TR. I have to set aside time to dash off a bunch of replies in different TR's - like I did last night! I just go down the line and insert comments in various TR's!!

I can't read every single TR ever posted on the DIS in full, but I at least want to keep up with a few of them from my DIS-friends, like yours, of course, Michele's/kaoden39's, Mariezp's, Bumbershoot/Molly's (over in the WDW section), deejdigsdis', Jazz/Belle Ella's, Bret/mvf-m11c's, Tksbaskets', Laurie/DizNee Luver's.....and I know I'm forgetting someone... Some of these folks are on my Facebook friend list, so I can always keep in touch with them and hear a bit about their travels that way, but it's not the same as an actual TR.

Did you say you were on Facebook, Sherri?

Yep I am on facebook, but I have kind of been neglecting it since I started hanging out on the DIS. My friends call what I do lately "drive by " facebooking. I should prob go give them some love too

Although I did not like DCA at all the first time I went I fell in love with it in the following visits. I started noticing the subtle only in California touches, and I love them. I think that it is a great thing for the people that come to visit they get to see a touch of all of California when they visit. I get a huge thrill walking under the Golden Gate bridge and visiting the wharf. Am I a geek? Oh yeah I am.

I think the GG Bridge was beautiful and I am sorry they are removing it but I look forward to Buena Vista St. I hope they don't change Soarin' before October as I would really like to experience it in its original all California splendor at least once before they remove all the CA from the park. I hope this park will "grow on me" it can't possibly make a worse impression than it's first impression after all.

 

[DizNee Luver]

My family loves DCA. Our first trip in 2005 was our first time to this park. We knew it wouldn't have the charm of DL, but wanted to give this park a fair shake. We dedicated one full day here & found that we were able to do quite a bit more at this park, then we could in a day at DL. The crowds weren't as big & it seemed more open. My favorite parade was being run at this park (DEP), so staying into the evening was a breeze. We did find the park to be more "grown up" but if you look into Animation Academy, Muppets 3-D, Aladdin the Musical, Bug's Land, etc. we found it to be very kid friendly.

With all the construction, the park is lacking that Disney magic, but you do have to give them credit for decorating all the construction walls to at least make them interesting. The new stuff going in will be very exciting to see!! We kinda joke that DCA will become Pixar-Land, since they tend to be leaning that way. They needed to put Ariel's new ride at DL & put Buzz Lightyears ride in DCA....then it would be set up for a Disney & a Pixar side.

I'm sorry you missed Soarin'. It really is a well done ride. The Toy Story ride is fun (I agree with Sherry, a bit hard on the forearm muscles....lol) but the wait time is a huge deterant for us. It's good & fun, but not wait in line for over an hour fun......at least not for us.

I'm glad you'll get to go back in October & experience it again!! The Ariel ride will be open when you go back.....take lots of pictures for us that are super curious!!

 

[Sherry E]

My family loves DCA. Our first trip in 2005 was our first time to this park. We knew it wouldn't have the charm of DL, but wanted to give this park a fair shake. We dedicated one full day here & found that we were able to do quite a bit more at this park, then we could in a day at DL. The crowds weren't as big & it seemed more open. My favorite parade was being run at this park (DEP), so staying into the evening was a breeze. We did find the park to be more "grown up" but if you look into Animation Academy, Muppets 3-D, Aladdin the Musical, Bug's Land, etc. we found it to be very kid friendly.

With all the construction, the park is lacking that Disney magic, but you do have to give them credit for decorating all the construction walls to at least make them interesting. The new stuff going in will be very exciting to see!! We kinda joke that DCA will become Pixar-Land, since they tend to be leaning that way. They needed to put Ariel's new ride at DL & put Buzz Lightyears ride in DCA....then it would be set up for a Disney & a Pixar side.

I'm sorry you missed Soarin'. It really is a well done ride. The Toy Story ride is fun (I agree with Sherry, a bit hard on the forearm muscles....lol) but the wait time is a huge deterant for us. It's good & fun, but not wait in line for over an hour fun......at least not for us.

I'm glad you'll get to go back in October & experience it again!! The Ariel ride will be open when you go back.....take lots of pictures for us that are super curious!!

Ooooh...you are not kidding! The forearm muscles are worked out after even one ride on TSMM!! My friends and I always groan in agony in between each game/round because the forearms are burning! But if there were no line or a much, much shorter line for that ride, I could go on it many times in a row (like with POTC!). My arm would be useless after that, but I'd try!!

I agree, Laurie - Buzz seems like it would be better suited in DCA. The Little Mermaid really seems out of place for DCA, and yet I know that was their only logistical choice for where to put it. They didn't have the space for it in DL, sadly, but it would be a much better fit in DL.

You're right, too, about the construction walls being interesting in DCA. That's one bonus! At least they have cool stuff to look at. Even at the Disneyland Hotel, they have some nifty retro stuff on some of the construction walls (like around the area where the waterfalls used to be). They have old attraction posters up (I put photos in my TR) on those walls, so it's not boring.

 

[DizNee Luver]

I don't even want to talk about the DLH remodel.......sad, sad, sad!!

I loved the old retro feel.....I would have given my right arm for one of the bedspreads with the attractions on it. The pics I've seen of the new rooms make it look like any other nice hotel......too dark for my likings!! The headboard is kinda cool.

Taking out the waterfalls.......heaviest of sighs!!! I feel with all the changes, DLH will lose it's charm. I loved walking the grounds....so peaceful & beautiful.

K, done whining.......

 

[kaoden39]

I don't even want to talk about the DLH remodel.......sad, sad, sad!!

I loved the old retro feel.....I would have given my right arm for one of the bedspreads with the attractions on it. The pics I've seen of the new rooms make it look like any other nice hotel......too dark for my likings!! The headboard is kinda cool.

Taking out the waterfalls.......heaviest of sighs!!! I feel with all the changes, DLH will lose it's charm. I loved walking the grounds....so peaceful & beautiful.

K, done whining.......

I am looking forward to the changes.


The change to this last was nice and I am sure the next will be too. Change is good.

 

[Sherry E]

I don't even want to talk about the DLH remodel.......sad, sad, sad!!

I loved the old retro feel.....I would have given my right arm for one of the bedspreads with the attractions on it. The pics I've seen of the new rooms make it look like any other nice hotel......too dark for my likings!! The headboard is kinda cool.

Taking out the waterfalls.......heaviest of sighs!!! I feel with all the changes, DLH will lose it's charm. I loved walking the grounds....so peaceful & beautiful.

K, done whining.......

Laurie -

Not whining...venting! Expressing!

I will greatly miss the waterfalls and the koi ponds. They were so pretty and picturesque. Those were my favorite parts of the grounds of the DLH - we used to always make a point of walking behind the 'falls to get sprayed by the mist back in the '80s and early '90s. I have fond summer memories of staying at the DLH and walking around the 'falls and koi pond. I actually cannot envision the DLH without them - they even survived the last round of major changes to the DLH (in the late '90s).

But I'm old school - I miss the old DLH from pre-Downtown Disney days. I would bet that if a lot of brand new visitors to DLR these days were to see the old DLH and compare it to today's property (not counting the rooms themselves), they would prefer that version of it too. Who could argue with more Disney-specific restaurants when Disney needs more restaurants on its property? There were many more restaurants, more shops, more overall 'Disney' feel...It was a whole resort in and of itself. I like Downtown Disney well enough, but if given the chance I would much, much rather have the old DLH property back. I know they have to upgrade the rooms after a while, but I wish they had kept the DLH intact.

Ah well...change happens whether I like it or not. Sometimes I like it and sometimes I think it's best to leave well enough alone, but what can I do? I can't change their changes so I have to deal with it.


Anyway, I don't want to hijack Sherri's TR any further with my walks down memory lane!!

 

[TheColtonsMom]

My family loves DCA. Our first trip in 2005 was our first time to this park. We knew it wouldn't have the charm of DL, but wanted to give this park a fair shake. We dedicated one full day here & found that we were able to do quite a bit more at this park, then we could in a day at DL. The crowds weren't as big & it seemed more open. My favorite parade was being run at this park (DEP), so staying into the evening was a breeze. We did find the park to be more "grown up" but if you look into Animation Academy, Muppets 3-D, Aladdin the Musical, Bug's Land, etc. we found it to be very kid friendly.

We tried the same thing 1 whole day dedicated to seeing this "new" park..just obviously picked the wrong day. And don't get me started about the Electrical Parade...when we first started planning our trip EP was due to return from WDW. Wish it had but I am afraid it will not in the near future...first no room with the construction, they aren't even running the Pixar play parade much less something as big as the EP, Even after construction ends, not at DCA in any case. They have their "Nighttime spectacular" and they close rides for that so where when they are doing WOC 1-3 times per day is there room for another nighttime extravaganza. We really did have a good time with what we got to do, but we missed so much and it was sadly some of the things we most wanted to see.

With all the construction, the park is lacking that Disney magic, but you do have to give them credit for decorating all the construction walls to at least make them interesting. The new stuff going in will be very exciting to see!! We kinda joke that DCA will become Pixar-Land, since they tend to be leaning that way. They needed to put Ariel's new ride at DL & put Buzz Lightyears ride in DCA....then it would be set up for a Disney & a Pixar side.

The posters were really cool got to see some retro stuff that I have not seen in a while

I'm sorry you missed Soarin'. It really is a well done ride. The Toy Story ride is fun (I agree with Sherry, a bit hard on the forearm muscles....lol) but the wait time is a huge deterant for us. It's good & fun, but not wait in line for over an hour fun......at least not for us.

Like I said we have the Wii version of TSMM and after playing we ache all over since you get up and move around instead of the car moving beneath you..so sometimes I wish it was just my forearm LOL

I'm glad you'll get to go back in October & experience it again!! The Ariel ride will be open when you go back.....take lots of pictures for us that are super curious!!

Pictures are a promise, this next trip I will be taking at least one of the cameras back from DH, He did OK and I really wanted to be in the moment but there was so much I wish he had photographed and he can't read my mind. Not only will Ariel be up so will Goofy's sky school and star tours 2 so we are excited about seeing all 3)

I agree, Laurie - Buzz seems like it would be better suited in DCA. The Little Mermaid really seems out of place for DCA, and yet I know that was their only logistical choice for where to put it. They didn't have the space for it in DL, sadly, but it would be a much better fit in DL.

I wish they could just switch that stuff...but you know Buzz lightyear is really the only character Disney currently has that is "futuristic" so he does fit into Tomorrowland too and Tomorrowland always needs help keeping up with Tomorrow

I don't even want to talk about the DLH remodel.......sad, sad, sad!!
Taking out the waterfalls.......heaviest of sighs!!! I feel with all the changes, DLH will lose it's charm. I loved walking the grounds....so peaceful & beautiful.

K, done whining.......

I am looking forward to the changes.
The change to this last was nice and I am sure the next will be too. Change is good.

Laurie -

Not whining...venting! Expressing!

I will greatly miss the waterfalls and the koi ponds. They were so pretty and picturesque. Those were my favorite parts of the grounds of the DLH - we used to always make a point of walking behind the 'falls to get sprayed by the mist back in the '80s and early '90s. I have fond summer memories of staying at the DLH and walking around the 'falls and koi pond. I actually cannot envision the DLH without them - they even survived the last round of major changes to the DLH (in the late '90s).

But I'm old school - I miss the old DLH from pre-Downtown Disney days. I would bet that if a lot of brand new visitors to DLR these days were to see the old DLH and compare it to today's property (not counting the rooms themselves), they would prefer that version of it too. Who could argue with more Disney-specific restaurants when Disney needs more restaurants on its property? There were many more restaurants, more shops, more overall 'Disney' feel...It was a whole resort in and of itself. I like Downtown Disney well enough, but if given the chance I would much, much rather have the old DLH property back. I know they have to upgrade the rooms after a while, but I wish they had kept the DLH intact.

Ah well...change happens whether I like it or not. Sometimes I like it and sometimes I think it's best to leave well enough alone, but what can I do? I can't change their changes so I have to deal with it.


Anyway, I don't want to hijack Sherri's TR any further with my walks down memory lane!!

I don't just want to cry I did cry ALOT before leaving on this trip. I had my heart set on the DLH and we ended up not staying there for reasons discussed earlier in this report. I realize now I wanted it the way it was. I really do not like the new facade the blue windows are ugly and they are going to mess up pics. I loved the old retro balcony look. I want all the shops and restaurants back. I want to ride the monorail right to the grounds, I want the remote control Jungle cruise boats and the koi pond and the waterfalls. I am never getting that now. I hope when all is said & done that it will be a different but still dreamlike place to stay. I agree the new rooms look like any other but the headboards are cool.

As far as DTD goes I would trade it for the old grounds in a minute. (except maybe World of Disney that could fit on the old DLH grounds right?) Some of the stores are amazing and the same goes for the restaurants but really the fact that I have to budget trips to the Lego store etc on my Disney vacation bug me. I would rather spend my money on disney...I can buy legos at wal-mart or online cheaper. We go to the Rainforest Cafe when we visit the kids in Az the one at the Az Mills mall is by far superior as far as the food & service go.

Anyone is welcome to hijack my trip report at any time I love debating and commiserating with other DISers so talk about whatever you would like

 

[BellaBaby]

Hi Sherri!

I am still here following along, just haven't been posting as I'm all over the DIS trying to learn as much as I can about DLR before our trip in June.

Great updates, that Colton is such a cutie!! I promise to pipe in now and again!!

 

[skiingfast]

Anyone is welcome to hijack my trip report at any time I love debating and commiserating with other DISers so talk about whatever you would like

I'm still waiting to see how the dining plan worked out.

Also do you buy legos off ebay?

 

[smile4stamps]

Hi! I'm really bad at commenting on TR I read but wanted you to know that I've read yours and loved it! I'm sorry you had a unpleasant time at DCA. I actually love a # of attractions there and it wouldn't be a complete DLR trip without doing many of them.

October was REALLY busy when I was there last year but I don't think near as busy as when you were there at Christmas. Hopefully you will be able to experience a lot more next time.

I loved your character meals. I've done Goofy's and Minnies and hope to do a few more on my next trip! I don't have kids but I love the character meals! Again Sorry Goofy's didn't work out for you. I preferred Minnie's myself but plan on giving Goofy's another shot.

 

[TheColtonsMom]

Sorry to all about the cliff hanger I left you on but here is my excuse.

My horse Rowan who is due to foal late March early April (which is actually early anyway) has been trying to foal early so we have been on 24/7 baby watch since late February. All I have done for weeks is eat sleep & sit with that horse. Had she had her way that little one would have been born in subzero temps and we would have a good chance of losing it if help to keep it warm were not at hand. So we have been sitting with her in shifts. The weather has finally let up and we are now no longer below zero today was a high of 26 so we now only have to sit up at night when it is cold. I am off tonight unless she goes into labor. The vet thinks we made it through the crisis and she may make it to term after all. Keep your fingers crossed.

So anyway I will get a new episode up in the next couple of days, but for those who were wondering....we DID NOT chicken exit the Haunted Mansion.

Oh ya one more tidbit of news from Montana while we were off with the horse waiting for a baby.... Colton's Chinchilla gave birth to twins this morning. Since Mom's name is R2D2 and Dad is General Grevious the twins are Luke & Leia (yes one boy one girl) pics will follow...Thanks for being patient with me yet again!

 

[TheColtonsMom]

Hi Sherri!

I am still here following along, just haven't been posting as I'm all over the DIS trying to learn as much as I can about DLR before our trip in June.

Great updates, that Colton is such a cutie!! I promise to pipe in now and again!!

Hey you posted more than I did the last few weeks so who am I to complain?

I'm still waiting to see how the dining plan worked out.

Also do you buy legos off ebay?

Well the short answer to the dining plan is that we really had to work it instead of it working for us...they really need to give you some bonus for prepaying...10% off or something...we ended up doing more sit down meals than ever before and more PS for sure (good thing during that busy week) We did not lose money but it took work and planning to do it. For our next trip we are going to prepay our character meals but as for the rest because we did like the food being paid for before we left we will be putting our food budget on Disney gift cards...and we will also be putting our souvineer budget and the money for our AP upgrade on DGCs too. I plan on carrying very little cash and one credit card for emergencies on our next trip. A more thorough analysis will be forthcoming when time allows.

I buy legos all over the place but he has so many generally it is for holidays/birthdays etc. and it is either individual specialty pieces or a special set he wants. I buy alot on amazon and occasionally on ebay or toys r us. With so few big stores close by I am an online victim. I try to stay off ebay in general unless I am looking for something specific because I am totally bad about the auction thing...I go to real auctions all summer (up here they are a sporting event and there are 2 auction companies in our small town) if I spend too much time on ebay I won't ever go on vacation again!

Hi! I'm really bad at commenting on TR I read but wanted you to know that I've read yours and loved it! I'm sorry you had a unpleasant time at DCA. I actually love a # of attractions there and it wouldn't be a complete DLR trip without doing many of them.

October was REALLY busy when I was there last year but I don't think near as busy as when you were there at Christmas. Hopefully you will be able to experience a lot more next time.

I loved your character meals. I've done Goofy's and Minnies and hope to do a few more on my next trip! I don't have kids but I love the character meals! Again Sorry Goofy's didn't work out for you. I preferred Minnie's myself but plan on giving Goofy's another shot.

Thanks I am glad you are enjoying it! I like to hear who is out there occasionally. Like I said before we are giving DCA another shot in October and have decided we are doing it day 1 that way we will know what is there and be able to go back if we want to. Our next trip also will mbe longer and I hope much less crowded which is why we vetoed a summer trip this year with 3 new attractions opening.

We had never done a character meal before this trip and I must say there will never be another trip without at least one. I can't imagine how long we would have spent in character lines at Christmas and how often they would have left before we got to the front of the line. At Halloween we are prob doing 2 and at least one will be Surf's Up and likely we will be giving Goofy's another shot too.

 

[kaoden39]

Hi Sherri!! Glad to see you back.

 

[TheColtonsMom]

Hi Sherri!! Glad to see you back.

Glad to be back...hopefully I will get over to see how your TR is going before I pass out...

 

[kaoden39]

Glad to be back...hopefully I will get over to see how your TR is going before I pass out...

I just added a bunch because I had stopped working on it because I have a lot of real life imposing on me. You know how that goes.

 

[WA Kay]

I am just getting back into the DIS boards after being gone for 20 months or so and I have to say that your TR sucked me in like a good book. I was going to post on my own when I saw yours and decided to take a peak.

Well... that was a couple of hours ago and I can't blink. I enjoyed it so much that I couldn't stop reading.

You have a lovely family and I look forward to reading the rest.

 

[TheColtonsMom]

I just added a bunch because I had stopped working on it because I have a lot of real life imposing on me. You know how that goes.

I read it all before passing out last night enjoying it so far...real life always seems to get in the way doesn't it.

I am just getting back into the DIS boards after being gone for 20 months or so and I have to say that your TR sucked me in like a good book. I was going to post on my own when I saw yours and decided to take a peak.

Well... that was a couple of hours ago and I can't blink. I enjoyed it so much that I couldn't stop reading.

You have a lovely family and I look forward to reading the rest.

As someone who totally understands the "sucked into a good book" and the "now I can't blink" comments all too well I have to say thank you so much for one of the nicest compliments I have ever gotten. I hope you enjoy the rest as much as you did the beginning.

 

[kaoden39]

Thank you for the kind words. Life is just so contrary sometimes.