Trip Report It's a Great Big Beautiful California- COMPLETED

OK...I would like to first apologize for all of the trip reports I have neglected. Work was chaos, the holidays consumed my world, and well...life happened...a lot. But...I will do my best to do more reading and commenting in the near future.

I also have a trip report of my own to bring you...a trip that I still can't believe has come and gone. The reporting is also going to take a little bit longer since I'm doing something a bit different this time. I'm going to be posting on here as well as another forum (I know...such a traitor), so it's going to be a more time consuming process.

Now, for those of you who don't know me and aren't familiar with my trip reports...I'm Sandy ... aka HouCuseChickie (and also TiggerTrigger in a few other places). Obviously, I'm the one with the hat and glasses!

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Sorry, huge pictures. I borrowed them from my Facebook galleries.

And another huge picture, but these are our girls (younger one pictured with me above)...
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That's Kendall (age 9) on the left and Sammie (age 7 and very toothless) on the right. It's hard to believe these two were just 4 and 2 on my first trip report.

Finally, we've got DH...who will be referred to as such throughout, unless I slip up. LOL. He probably wouldn't be too happy that I'm using this pic, but this was him at the end of "Movember" after growing out his moustache. We're all happy that he shaved it off on December 1st.

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So, that's us...but it's been a while since I did anything with my PTR, so some refreshers and updates on the details of the trip...especially the final details. And for those of you who have seen my previous reports, I promise you tons and tons of pics- and even a few videos, but let's recap a bit with the plan and get up to date on some things.

This all started as a "Let's go to Disneyland for the 60th anniversary festivities" trip, which spiraled into so much more. DH reminded me (aka- total guilt trip) that I'd promised him a ski trip. Well, the only way I could get this to work with Disneyland and not have it get too crazy with the budget (or so I thought) was to ski in California. So, the Big Bear- Mammoth-Tahoe debate was started and Mammoth won. All my CA friends said it was better skiing than Big Bear and it's closer and a smidge cheaper than Tahoe.

Plans and costs started to get crazy as dates and transportation started to factor in. We were planning on Disneyland from December 27th-31st and Mammoth on December 31st-January 3rd. In fact, this is what we had the girls believing were our vacay dates until the very end (more on that in a bit). But...I remembered how my parents saved a ton flying on Christmas last year and the dog's boarding facility would take her no later than December 23rd, so leaving on Christmas day started to sound like the better plan. In fact, the one-way cost of our Christmas day flights was something like $150 cheaper per person than the flight I was eyeing for the 27th. So, a Christmas day departure became a reality...and the trip grew by 2 days. But before all was said and done, the trip grew by 1 more day. January 3rd was a Sunday and flights were much more expensive than January 4th. The kids were still off from school on the 4th, so we extended the trip 1 more day. We also decided the extended trip would be the kids' big Christmas present. More on that coming up.

Somewhere in the process of this, as I was planning details of our drive to Mammoth, I found out that California has really strict tire chain laws during winter. Couple that with the taxes that can double the cost of your rental and I decided to bite the bullet and fly from LA to Mammoth. I waited and waited for prices to drop back to the lows I'd seen earlier in the year and by late September, it finally happened. Or so I thought. Just days before the trip, I realized I booked our air in reverse. Instead of LA to Mammoth, I booked Mammoth to LA. I was under a lot of stress at work at the time of this booking and even though I checked things at least 5 or 6 times, I misread all of it. It would have cost more than twice the price of those flights to change everything, so we just ate the cost, booked a rental, came up with a plan for the tire chains, and nervously prayed we wouldn't need to use our plan. There are a couple of silver linings with this that will come at the end of the report.

Now here's where some of the biggest fun came in during the pre-trip time. In late November/early December, it hit me that I really needed a plan to give the girls all of their trip gifts as well as the big gift. We'd be leaving for the airport before 7am on Christmas morning, so there was no time for anything but the big gift that day. Now, we're a dual religion household and between me celebrating Hanukkah and DH celebrating Christmas...I figured we could work it all out with that. Before looking at the calendar, I decided we'd do gifts for the 8 nights of Hanukkah and the 12 days of Christmas. I just didn't realize that it would all match up perfectly so we'd have 20 straight days of gifts. It may sound like a lot, but it was all trip related stuff...stuff to show the girls that $ goes into the fun stuff and the necessities... and that it can be just as fun (if not more) to have it all be part of amazing experiences. Sammie still believes in Santa, so I also had to make it believable. So, I wrote a rhyming letter from Santa talking about how the Christmas gift is so big that DH and I would need to play elves for 11 of the 12 days of Christmas. It even had Santa's signature and the North Pole seal.

During Hanukkah, the kids got things like snow boots, Disney Vans, ski bibs, winter gear, clothes, etc. The 12 days of Christmas were a bit more fun. We started out with character hats for autographs like they requested when we were at the GF back in August, a whale watching cruise, made with the magic wands, a GoPro style camera to record their adventures, stockings full of pins/new lanyards/lip balms/etc., and one of my fave days- Star Wars tickets. We gifted them Star Wars tickets for the trip on the day the movie opened, but it's how we did it that made it a ton of fun. Back in 2014, we built lightsabers for them in DHS and they've held up really well. So, on Dec 18th, while the girls were eating breakfast, I came out of the bedroom wearing one of those audio Chewbacca mask and challenged DH to a lightsaber battle with Sammie's purple lightsaber. DH had Kendall's red one hidden under the couch and we battled it out in the living room. It would eventually hit the kids that they were seeing the movie, but initially, they were more interested in the mask. In fact, here's Sammie (as Chewbacca) wishing everyone a very merry Christmas.



My MIL almost ruined the surprise on Christmas Eve, but thankfully the kids didn't hear and they went to bed totally clueless. Before they woke up, I modified the countdown calendar they'd been using to show the 25th instead of the 27th as our departure day, had a new letter from Santa revealing the surprise, and put the packed bags around the tree- with bows on their packed carry ons. What's really amazing is that when the focus for gifts was shifted away from toys, the only thing the girls were really wishing for this Christmas was for the trip to get here sooner. So, they actually received their Christmas wish.

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The girls were so tired when we woke up them up and were reading without really comprehending when they first read Santa's note, but they read it a second time- it all clicked- and we had some utterly giddy girls.

Coming up...Christmas Day- Travel Day
 

HouCuseChickie

Well-Known Member
Original Poster
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I was really interested in seeing how Mack's lighting was done...

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Of course, he'd be past us when they did my favorite effect...

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I didn't see anyone crossing, but the break between Mack and King Triton is supposedly the one time they'll let you cross the street. Don't quote me on it!

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I LOVE these!!!

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My best pic of Nemo and Marlin...sad

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HouCuseChickie

Well-Known Member
Original Poster
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At least Donald turned out reasonably decent...

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Minnie not so much...

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Mickey's portion of the parade was the hardest thing to photograph. Heck...I just want them to slow it down so I can see how it works!

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These were seriously some of the best...

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Although, this botched one is pretty cool!

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I really wasn't ready for it to be over...I didn't want it to end (as the song says)! I really hope everyone gets a chance to see this parade. Words cannot begin to describe how amazing Paint the Night is in person. Let's be clear that I never liked Spectro, but even my beloved MSEP looks like an antiquated relic next to PTN. The energy of the crowd and cast members is also a huge part. I don't know if it's because Sammie and I were singing (Kendall gets really shy about this and just watched), but we had at least 4 or 5 of the performers in the parade approach us. DH disagrees, but I swear several were changing Sammie's wand color. I mean, you can see that several units have wands...so I think I'm right on this one. I know for certain we had CMs from the CARS dancing unit, the second group of fairies, at least one of the pinwheels, and even Lumiere came over to us. I was actually a bit nervous with how close he was, but it was cool because he was able to lean down a bit towards us. I know people are already wondering if WDW will get PTN for the 50th. I don't know, but if they don't, I have to hope that they get something on this level. SPECTACULAR!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Worth every bit of the wait and hassle in holding our place on the curb. And I still maintain my long held belief that it's all a bit more magical when you see it on main street, just with the sheer number of lights that go out.

So, the parade is over and I'm energized and sad all at once. I want to run down to IASW and try and see it from the beginning again, but it's time to leave. I mean...it is LATE! It's now after 11pm PT.

DH wanted to grab a soda on the way out...so I end the night with a pic of lights...

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We were at least right near the front of the park and there were still plenty of people in there locked in place watching the parade, so there was no major walk to get out and no crowds to fight. We got back to the room and I think everyone was asleep in minutes!




Coming up...A Mainly DCA Day for Dec 29th
 

MinnieM123

Premium Member
Never seen PTN (never been to Disneyland), so your pictures were an eye-opener to me--what a nice parade!

Also, I admire your patience protecting your viewing space. Tight crowds like that make me uncomfortable, so I tend to stand back (but still can see what's going on in a parade). But I'm happy you were right up front, so that the rest of us could see the images up close. :)

Also, I enjoyed the photos of the famous, "33". Wouldn't you just love to be invited in there?! (Oh well, we can dream! ;) )
 

Pooh'sBuddy

Well-Known Member
Yes!!! Paint the Night is fabulous!! I'm so glad you enjoyed it, and I agree with you wholeheartedly on both Disneyland Forever and PNT. We sat on the bridge to Fantasyland for the early PNT. It didn't get crowded until close to start time. That's awful that some people have no social skills and common courtesy whatsoever, but how wonderful that others helped you out of that funk. I'll send you a pic of my Dooney family.
 

HouCuseChickie

Well-Known Member
Original Poster
Great pictures of Paint the Night, I love that parade too. I made a recording of it while we were there in the summer and I listen to it often. Usually when I'm cooking dinner and dancing around the kitchen!

I had planned on recording it if I got a second chance to see it, but it wouldn't be the ideal circumstances to record anything. I do like using the music for workouts! I also realized after logging into said "other forum" that I left the tagging in both posts! LOL

Never seen PTN (never been to Disneyland), so your pictures were an eye-opener to me--what a nice parade!

Also, I admire your patience protecting your viewing space. Tight crowds like that make me uncomfortable, so I tend to stand back (but still can see what's going on in a parade). But I'm happy you were right up front, so that the rest of us could see the images up close. :)

Also, I enjoyed the photos of the famous, "33". Wouldn't you just love to be invited in there?! (Oh well, we can dream! ;) )

I am usually OK with the physical crowds...it's the attitudes that come with them that I could do without. I find it similar to driving in rush hour traffic...it's all tolerable until someone thinks they're too special to wait in the line to exit with most everyone else.

I would love to go into Club 33, but I don't think that's ever going to happen. At least there are pictures :)

Yes!!! Paint the Night is fabulous!! I'm so glad you enjoyed it, and I agree with you wholeheartedly on both Disneyland Forever and PNT. We sat on the bridge to Fantasyland for the early PNT. It didn't get crowded until close to start time. That's awful that some people have no social skills and common courtesy whatsoever, but how wonderful that others helped you out of that funk. I'll send you a pic of my Dooney family.

I still can't get over how much I loved that parade. I had heard that in the Hong Kong version, you can use the paintbrushes and wands to change the colors on the costumes, but I hadn't heard the same with DL's and we were so caught up in the moment that we didn't try it out. That's awesome that you guys didn't have to deal with the insanity of finding a spot. I'm on a couple other forums and some Disney FB groups and everyone had been complaining about how it's been a nightmare to find curb space. I believe they started a special dining option this month for preferred viewing.

Yeah...it's amazing how beastly some people can be. I'd like to say karma, but people who do stuff like that there are probably like that everywhere. Still, there were enough great people to make up for it.

You inspired me to take a family photo of my Disney bags. It's not nearly as massive as some of the collections I see in the FB groups, but I'm starting to feel like I have a problem now that I've looked at the pic.:oops: And yet I still want that IASW bag whenever it comes out. LOL :D
 

Pooh'sBuddy

Well-Known Member
I still can't get over how much I loved that parade. I had heard that in the Hong Kong version, you can use the paintbrushes and wands to change the colors on the costumes, but I hadn't heard the same with DL's and we were so caught up in the moment that we didn't try it out. That's awesome that you guys didn't have to deal with the insanity of finding a spot. I'm on a couple other forums and some Disney FB groups and everyone had been complaining about how it's been a nightmare to find curb space. I believe they started a special dining option this month for preferred viewing.

I heard about the bridge from people on the DL touring plans chat. A new dining package? Well, I'm not sure what to think about that.

You inspired me to take a family photo of my Disney bags. It's not nearly as massive as some of the collections I see in the FB groups, but I'm starting to feel like I have a problem now that I've looked at the pic.:oops: And yet I still want that IASW bag whenever it comes out. LOL :D

Ha! An IASW bag is a wonderful addition no matter how many you have. :cool:
 

HouCuseChickie

Well-Known Member
Original Poster
December 29th

Today's plan...DCA. We'd be getting in at 8am, but we weren't planning on getting there quite as early since DCA sees lower crowds than Disneyland. And by not as early...we were planning to get to bag check between 7:30 and 7:45am. This morning was rough since this is the first time we were out late the previous night. Still, it's a heck of a lot easier to wake everyone up for a day at Disney vs. a day at school or work.

As you can tell by the light, it's still pretty early when we start making our way to DCA.

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In no time, we are on Disney property and making our way to bag check...

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They had multiple bag checks open, so the line wasn't bad.

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None of the lines were particularly long, but that's because they were letting people in ahead of the park officially opening. It took us a few more minutes because they hadn't gotten my picture the day before, but that didn't take long.

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Of course, we took a little bit longer because they didn't get to take my picture the previous morning, but we were on our way in right after that. My number 1 objective at park opening was to get fast passes for Radiator Springs Racers, but it would be eaasier if it was just me. I left DH and the girls up front in hopes that Oswald would come out early, took a quick pic of the car below, and handed off my camera to DH. So, now all I have is my camera phone and I join the crowds behind the rope at Carthay Circle that would be "running" for RSR FPs.

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Still, the view was pretty nice in my waiting spot.

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Considering I've seen worse waiting at the DHS rope for the TSMM run (pre FP+), this didn't look too bad.

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I tried taking a couple of pics of the DCA tree before rope drop, but the light isn't the greatest.

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The CMs manning the rope called out some instructions on where to go for what...and then the rope dropped...and the line became a bit more structured.

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I noticed that most of us just formed into a line, but a number of people rode the outer edge and essentially cut off everyone by creating their own "special people" merge just as the line takes the left bend towards the actual FP machines. My real concern here was getting a FP time that conflicted with our breakfast reservation at Storytellers Cafe. I had a 10:45am breakfast reservation booked, to serve more like an early lunch...so we needed to work around that.

The FP line moved quickly, but I was watching the app and watching the FP times bumping closer and closer to being a concern. I wound up with a 10:15am start to our FP window. It would be cutting it close to ride and get to breakfast, but we were going to do our best to make this work.

I was heading back towards the front of the park when I saw CMs handing out FPs to the first showing of Aladdin. Tempting since the show was ending to be replaced by some Frozen thing and what I'd seen on YouTube was not only visually awesome, but the Genie was hysterical. Unfortunately, this time was in direct conflict with our breakfast, so I declined the FP.

As I'm nearing the front of the park, my phone rings and it's DH. He and the kids are in line for Soarin' and he said all of the CMs in line have told him to get me to run to meet them there. Ummm...OK? Here I am griping about people cutting the FP line and he wants me to be "one of those people" and go cutting through the entire Soarin' line? But I can hear the CM in the background telling him to tell me what to do and I'll be honest, we saw A LOT of space saving in standby lines for FP runners the previous day. So, I head to Soarin'.

I go up the first ramp inside the building and excuse myself so I can meet my husband, but he's not there. Yet the CM up there knew and kept waving me forward to the down ramp in the next section of the line. The CM at the bottom of that ramp had me use the empty area to the left side fo the left line to joint DH and the kids right up at the front. The CM said something like "glad you made it" and sent us down to the loading lines for us to watch the pre-flight video and get on the ride. I felt really awkward about all of this, but if the CMs are telling you to do it...well...it still felt odd, but OK in a way too. Please don't judge!

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So, Soarin' was Soarin'...except everything you've heard about DCA's is true. The film is definitely in much better shape and the scents are more distinctive. And did I mention...we were in row 1...so no dangling feet. The only problem...it made me miss Epcot and WDW. When we got to the end of the film, I kind of wanted it to be MK and not DL. Hard to explain, but when I see it in Epcot...it always kind of feels like we're saying hi to DL at the end and since we were at DLR...I kind of wanted to say hi to MK at the end. Oh, and I was kind of imagining that I would walk outside and it would be Epcot. Yeah...I was missing Epcot. Still, it's a great ride and I guess because I'm a WDW person, I can't wait to see the new video (I know a lot of DL people are not happy about the change).

So, we leave Soarin' and head off to explore...

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It was also at this time that I checked and saw no Oswald pics. I knew there was a possibility he wouldn't be there. Apparently, the CM told DH that sometimes he's out right at park opening and sometimes it's not until lunch time. Oh well.

More walking...

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We see the entrance to Radiator Springs...

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Standby for RSR is already like 70 min, so we keep walking.

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HouCuseChickie

Well-Known Member
Original Poster
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Yeah...we decide to head into Paradise Pier.

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I see one ride we're definitely going to ride...

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And one that had us all on the fence...

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We head to California Screamin' first, because we know that's a must for all of us...even though DH hates roller coasters and the kids have never been on anything more intense. And yes, as a person who was drooling over what I could see when we passed Knotts...I know Disney's most intense coasters are more tame compared to those and what you'd find at a Cedar Fair or Six Flags park. One day, I will make it to Cedar Point! Not sure what I'll do besides go to the park...but I've wanted to ride Milennium Force since it came out in 2000. No loops or anything...just a simple out and back with a 300' drop at an 80 degree angle of descent. Sweet!

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It said 20 minutes, but it was more like 10-15.

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I actually teared up a bit while in line. See, both kids were measured (although, I think they were only looking for Sammie) and while they both measured up to the 48" requirement, it got me thinking about Disney trips. We've been taking the girls to WDW since Dec of 2010. On that first trip, neither were tall enough to ride any of the 40" rides (age 2 and 4 at the time) and Sammie was even too short to ride the Barnstormer...and now here they are...getting ready to go on their first 48" ride that also goes upside down. MILESTONE!

So, everyone LOVED IT! If crowds weren't going to be an issue and there weren't other things we wanted to see and try...I probably would have gotten in line again. While RNR at DHS has the advantage with theme, I think California Screamin' is a much better ride. It's only a 108' drop at a 50 degree angle, but it's a drop...and on coasters...I love a drop. And now that I know the kids loved it...it means I'm going to have some riding buddies!

You know I can't resist taking some pics of lights in the area...

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And we wave good-bye to California Screamin'...

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And say hello to the carousel and such while everyone leaves me behind to use the restrooms.

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(oh look- there's a whale...second one we've seen this trip if you count Monstro from the previous day in DL- LOL)

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And after a minor fiasco with Sammie leaving her cinch-pack back by the carousel, we're off and walking...

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You probably noticed bits and pieces of the signage for TSMM back there. The line was about a 45 min wait, which isn't awful, but we've never LOOOOVED and had to ride this ride. I could hear and see Mr. Potato Head and that was enough for me.

Still walking...

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I think it's crystal clear what we're approaching, so I ask everyone the ever-important question...Swinging or Non Swinging?

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HouCuseChickie

Well-Known Member
Original Poster
The answer was a big fat neither. It's too bad because I was hoping they'd go for non-swinging since it seemed like a great spot to take pictures.I mean, unlike being up high at WDW where you just look to see the other parks and resorts, etc. - at DL you have the mountains in the distance which really adds to the views. So, we keep walking.

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So, this was what got the next vote to try...

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I really thought they'd ask for Jumpin' Jellyfish...but no.

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I was actually relieved that they didn't ask to ride the swings. I have this old fear stemming from riding the ones at Great Adventue in NJ. Nothing bad ever happened on them...just someone planted a really ugly idea in my head of what it would be like if your swing had a catastrophic failure.

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So, to the Golden Zephyr we went and lots of pictures I took...

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And we're on the ride...

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Nice view up here even though we're not too far off the ground...

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catmom46

Well-Known Member
Loving your trip report! It's funny because I was at DLR for my b-day last week (staying one night at Disneyland Hotel and one at Grand Californian), and I found myself taking pics of lights thinking I would post any that you might have missed. :D

I'm also a huge roller coaster enthusiast, but loops nowadays don't sit well with me, so it's drops and speed all the way for me! I've been to Cedar Point once back in my college days, and that was when Magnum first opened. I remember waiting in line in nervous anticipation, thinking how high it looked, and it's crazy that there are so many other coasters much higher and faster now!
 

fractal

Well-Known Member
Enjoying the report!

I also stayed at HoJo's with my son back in 2012. Not a bad walk at all, but I agree with you about missing the "bubble".

Pretty cool that they let you meet your family at Soarin', which in DCA is called Soarin' over California. It's the best version of the ride.

Looking forward to Radiator Springs stories!
 

HouCuseChickie

Well-Known Member
Original Poster
Loving your trip report! It's funny because I was at DLR for my b-day last week (staying one night at Disneyland Hotel and one at Grand Californian), and I found myself taking pics of lights thinking I would post any that you might have missed. :D

I'm also a huge roller coaster enthusiast, but loops nowadays don't sit well with me, so it's drops and speed all the way for me! I've been to Cedar Point once back in my college days, and that was when Magnum first opened. I remember waiting in line in nervous anticipation, thinking how high it looked, and it's crazy that there are so many other coasters much higher and faster now!

Hey...I love light pictures!!! We went out to eat (locally) over the weekend and I was really tempted to take pics of lights at this random restaurant. I think I would have freaked out the staff! Happy Birthday!!! :)

It is wild how tall some of these giga coasters are these days. I remember driving from Vegas to LA and I insisted we stop in Primm, NV so I could ride Desperado at Buffalo Bill's. Back then, that was a pretty extreme coaster just on height alone, but now the biggest novelty is that it comes out of the casino. I know what you mean on the loops. I'm OK on a traditional loop, but corkscrews seem to impact me more these days.

Your pics are making me want to get to DL even more than I already wanted to!!
I will gladly go to Cedar Point with you!! I loved the Millennium Force! Gatekeeper was awesome too! Here's a teaser:
Millennium Force:
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Gatekeeper:
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Millennium Force is on the left:
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OMG- that first picture!!! First glances and I'm like...I MUST RIDE THIS!!!

It's definitely worth a trip to DL when you can work it in. As much as I missed the bubble feeling and Epcot, it's this bizarre yet magical blend of a Disney theme park and a walk through Disney history.

Enjoying the report!

I also stayed at HoJo's with my son back in 2012. Not a bad walk at all, but I agree with you about missing the "bubble".

Pretty cool that they let you meet your family at Soarin', which in DCA is called Soarin' over California. It's the best version of the ride.

Looking forward to Radiator Springs stories!

I remember you guys staying at the HoJo. That factored some into our decision when considering the Good Neighbor options.

I know...I guess I was just in this silly sort of state where I wanted Soarin' Over California to end in FL. Which I'm sure is making every Californian cringe! :D

Thanks for reading :)
 

HouCuseChickie

Well-Known Member
Original Poster
December 29th continued...

We decide to start walking towards Radiator Springs...

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Those of you have been to DCA know this was not the quickest way to get there, but it's the best way if you've never been and want to enter with this view...

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So, we head in and take a look around...

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It's just a little bit sunny...

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I know some would call this a mistake, but with a TS ressie fast approaching and me not being in love with the idea of anything on the menu, we skipped food in Carsland.

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And with Luigi's Flying Tires having closed down, RSR was really the only thing we wanted to ride. But we did see a few of the more notable vehicles...

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Ultimately, I just wanted to see the details.

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I'm sure everyone has their preferences, but the holiday decorations in this part of DCA are some of the best in all of DLR.

And naturally, they throw in some hidden Mickey's...

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And we're walking some more...

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This pic still makes me sad. So, we got the kids this camera and I don't know if it's user error or if I broke it, but our videos kept overwriting...and I wouldn't find this out until Jan 3rd. So, anything the kids shot on their new camera was lost. DH suggested it may be the size of the card I put in it...i.e. not enough storage. I haven't gotten around to try and figuring it out yet.

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DH started getting antsy about making it to breakfast on time. There was really nothing we wanted to do at this point, so we decided to test/time what we thought would be the fastest route from Radiator Springs to the Grand Californian. The GC has a private entrance that feeds into DCA over by Grizzly River Run and while it's supposed to be for GC resort guests, the CMs told us we were eligible to use it if we had a table service meal booked at one of the GC's restaurants. So, we head out of Carsland and make our way to the GC.

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HouCuseChickie

Well-Known Member
Original Poster
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It was kind of funny...I went over to this one area thinking it might be the entrance, even though it didn't exactly look like one. Everyone got a good laugh. And then we found the real thing.

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I don't remember exactly how long it took, but the walk wasn't too bad and it seemed like we should be able to make it in time if the RSR FP line didn't lag too much. So, we now start heading back...

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And we've made it back...

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We have close to 10 minutes until our FP window opens...so the plan was to hang back. Still, we didn't want to get stuck in a slow moving line, so I went up to a CM just to find out how long the FP line was running. It was going to be close, but still sounded doable. The CM had asked why, so I did mention having a breakfast reservation. I went back to wait with DH since there really wasn't anything else we'd do in that time. About a minute later, the CM I had just spoken to came by and asked what time our FPs were for. I showed her the FPs, she signed them and told us to go get in line. I can't say I've ever had a CM sign a FP, but I wasn't complaining.

So, make our way through the line, taking pics of details along the way, and keep hoping we won't hit any major back ups.

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HouCuseChickie

Well-Known Member
Original Poster
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I had to take a pic of all of the birds roosting up there. I wonder how often they have to clean up all of the bird droppings.

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And we're still in line. It actually was moving fairly quickly, but there are just so many details that it's hard to not try and take them all in.

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We're now just about at the front of the line...

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We load into our car and we're off (even though the girls are a bit bummed that we didn't get the blue car they'd wanted)...

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If you've never been on RSR or seen it on YouTube, the first part of the ride is just a nice leisurely drive.

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You then head inside, they prep you for your race while driving through various scenes...

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And then you take off and race the car next to you. It only goes about 40 mph (compared to Test Track's 60mph speed), but the turns and camelback humps that give you some nice air time make it a lot of fun. The racing aspect also adds a nice touch...especially since our car won.

It's time to leave and get back to the GC. I remember it being about 10:27am, so we didn't have any time to waste.

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HouCuseChickie

Well-Known Member
Original Poster
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I figured I'd already taken so many pics of the walk the first time we made it, that I didn't take much of anything until we got closer to the GC.

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There were no problems going through the GC entrance...and we have arrived!

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Coming up...the wait, a breakfast with character, and how to spend our afternoon
 

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