The happiest place on Earth for 28. (TR) About This Page:

[Alaskan Mom]

I had forgotten until I looked at my pictures again that I saw this lady on my way to the performance.




As I found my seat, this was on the screen.

DD's point of view.
After I left them in toon town close to Minnies house, the CM led us back to the building we were at yesterday and had us sit on the risers that were outside of it. As we walked there Goofy was in the same place and greeted us. We had to sit on the risers for awhile and the sun was out and it was getting hot. The CM said we were waiting for the dressing rooms to clear. Finally, we went in the building, there was a long hallway painted with blue trim with vending machines, Disney music was playing and there were cute people walking by us. The girls dressing room was on the left and it had benches, a large mirror covering one wall, coatracks, and bathrooms. I was getting dressed and had gotten to my socks but these wouldn't fit no matter what I did. We were supposed to be dressed in all black including socks or hose. I texted mom, she could do nothing but said I should ask if anyone else had an extra pair. (Mom later figured out that instead of being dad's dress socks they were his compression socks) One of my friends did have an extra pair of socks that she let me borrow. The CM led us back out to the risers and we had to sit for about 20 minutes in the sun wearing all black, some of us were getting sweaty. Before we left the CM took a group photo which is hanging at my school, then she led us through this weird ganky hallway to another building that had electrically looking things on shelves and racks of clothes in those zippered bags. We were talking about what clothes were in those bags, maybe one of them held Cinderellas ball gown...?
There was glass in part of the wall in the hallway we walked and we could see offices with people in them. There were Disney movie posters hanging on the walls and I saw a vintage Mickey poster. Suddenly we were outside again and between Fantasyland and Frontierland but in a construction zone. The ground was dirt and gravel, and there were construction workers. I could see Big Thunder to my right but there was a fence all around the way into the park except for the place where the CM was leading us had a gate. We had to stand there waiting for a bit while the CM left. Another CM in a suit came and talked to the teacher for a minute. It started to rain, and a couple of construction workers were arguing about paint colors. Finally we were led into the performance building.






We did okay, then the CM led us back to the dressing rooms but it was now getting muddy because it was still raining. After we changed we met by the risers again and the CM told us that we were now honorary Disney cast members they had a gift for us and she handed out Mickey ears with Disney performing arts stitched on them and a musical symbol. All of us thought the hats were very cool. We were led again down the path by Goofy who waved good by to us and through the door into toon town.

Up next, it's raining, it's pouring

[chezp]

Thanks for sharing all the detail - fascinating to read that.

[cattailmarsh]

Sounds like a very cool experience despite the rain hiccup & the wrong socks. Thanks for sharing.

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[Alaskan Mom]

Originally Posted by chezp

Thanks for sharing all the detail - fascinating to read that.

Originally Posted by cattailmarsh

Sounds like a very cool experience despite the rain hiccup & the wrong socks. Thanks for sharing.

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DD was tired by the time they got back and ready for lunch but she did try to remember details because she knew I would add it into the TR.

[Cam22]

Loved getting your DD's view of the pre- and post- performance. The Mickey ears sound very cool.

[PetMom]

That's really a memorable experience.
I would want yo visit Fantasyland. I didn't have much time to wander around during my last visit. Can you recommend me some sights that are worth visiting there?

[Alaskan Mom]

Originally Posted by Cam22

Loved getting your DD's view of the pre- and post- performance. The Mickey ears sound very cool.

The Mickey ears were awesome since only students who participate in the performing arts can get them and the kids understood that.

Originally Posted by PetMom

That's really a memorable experience.
I would want yo visit Fantasyland. I didn't have much time to wander around during my last visit. Can you recommend me some sights that are worth visiting there?

Fantasyland is a favorite since I was a kid, even though DD was 17, she wants to ride Dumbo and It's a Small World is her favorite ride because she collects dolls and she loves to spin so we always have to ride the tea cups. My favorite in Fantasyland is Mr. Toad's Wild Ride especially since it is now the only park that has that ride. Matterhorn loads on the Fantasyland side but it is not a 'kid' ride but fun anyway but usually has a very long line. To the left of the Matterhorn is Alice in Wonderland which we both enjoy. I usually do Fantasyland first thing in the morning because the lines there get very long, especially Peter Pan. We did manage to ride it this trip as you will see later and with the refurbishment it was pretty cool.

[Alaskan Mom]

After meeting the girls in a rainy Toontown; and stopped to get rain gear we headed for California Adventure.


On main street, Karen is in the poncho on DD's left. DD is in purple carrying the umbrella.
The first order of business was lunch, we went to Smokejumpers Grill because teenagers want quick and cheap. Since it was raining everyone else was there too. There were no tables available inside so DD got one outside (had an umbrella) but everything was wet. Karen and I went inside to get in line. While we were waiting, CM's were trying to put out more tables and Karen snagged one . Both of us were trying to text or call DD to have her come inside but the phone signal wasn't working. Finally Karen was able to get through and DD was very happy to come inside.

I ordered a burger and DD got Chicken tenders, I don't remember Karen's order.




After lunch, I wanted to see how long line was at Soarin' and wasn't bad - I think 15 minutes so we hopped in line for that. The first time DD rode Soarin' in WDW (she was 12) and kept her eyes closed the whole ride. She didn't like that her feet dangled off the floor. But she had said that she would look this time. I had forgotten how much it seems like flying but everyone agree that it was an awesome ride. It was still raining...



So we headed for the Animation academy. We took Karen to Turtle Talk with Crush, I think I enjoyed it more than her. We also did the drawing lesson.




DD's busy being artistic.


Here's my drawing, I thought it was pretty good, at least better than the last time I attempted this class. DD's drawing? Not the character we were supposed to draw...


She is on the artistic side.

We ventured outside and it was starting to clear up but I felt cold due to the damp and hadn't gotten my souvenir yet so I took a shopping break. I found a Minnie jacket that fit and I liked, in fact I'm wearing it now.


Up next: Radiator Springs

[chezp]

Wow, that is a lot of rain for a part of the world that I know hasn't seen much of that recently! Your DD is really talented - that drawing is amazing.

[SuperDave]

Love the drawings from your daughter as so well done!

[Cam22]

So unusual to get rain while at DLR! But so neat that you all just forged ahead. Both your drawings are great.

[Alaskan Mom]

Originally Posted by chezp

Wow, that is a lot of rain for a part of the world that I know hasn't seen much of that recently! Your DD is really talented - that drawing is amazing.

We saw sprinkles on a couple of different days but it really rained for a bit this day. I had to take a pic of her drawing because I liked it too.

Originally Posted by SuperDave

Love the drawings from your daughter as so well done!

She's talented, in second grade her teacher suggested I have her take a college art class . He saw her talent then that I just thought was good coloring.

Originally Posted by Cam22

So unusual to get rain while at DLR! But so neat that you all just forged ahead. Both your drawings are great.

When I took DD the first time, 2009, we went in early December and it poured for a couple of days, we were really soaked. Thanks!

[Alaskan Mom]

We were getting close to our fastpass time and I wanted to see Radiator Springs before hand since everyone here who had been raved about it so that's where we headed next. I took pictures as we went along. Luckily the rain had stopped when we came out of Animation Academy.





Our fastpass time was ready so we made our way to the line for RSR.


Here's Karen in line.


And DD.







Many of my pictures inside the ride were blurry so I won't subject you to those.







The ride was so fun! We all loved it. I had been on test track in WDW and it was pretty good but RSR really upped the fun factor. Scenery on the ride was amazing.

We didn't have a plan so walked a bit and saw this ride, the line was way to long but we found a seat and watched the dance.



While we were sitting, this guy came rolling by.


We were thinking about getting a snack so made our way to the cozy cone.

I got a cheddar garlic bagel twist and a red apple freeze. Neither was anything to write home about. The bagel twist had a good flavor but was dry so hard to swallow down. DD tried my apple freeze and didn't care for it much, I didn't finish it.

DD got popcorn and a drink.


These are very clever buildings though.


I loved the orange flowers!

On the way out we met a photographer so stopped for these.







Up next: Curveball ahead

[SuperDave]

Looks like a good time in the park and especially RSR!

[Cam22]

Radiator Springs is so well themed, and the Racers are very, very cool!