A Dream is a Wish--Mini-TR [UPDATED WITH PIX posts 316 & 320] - Page 19 - PassPorter - A Community of Walt Disney World, Disneyland, Disney Cruise Line, and General Travel Forums
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I had wondered how the traffic would be for you all as Luke and I were totally amazed at just how congested it is in that area of the country. Sorry it was a pain, but you are now there.
Glad you made it and thanks for updating us. I love your TR's and refreshing view of the Disney on a budget. I love Disney but am convinced there is no place better at getting people to part with their money. I love that you don't feel you have to spend a small fortune to have fun.
I had wondered how the traffic would be for you all as Luke and I were totally amazed at just how congested it is in that area of the country. Sorry it was a pain, but you are now there.
Yes, we were such sillies to think we could just breeze in to LA on the Sun after Thanksgiving!
Quote:
Originally Posted by chezp
Glad you made it in the end, but my goodness, that sounds like quite the drive!
It was enough to make me pour a few margaritas, hence posting about my family of origin dynamics at 1am. Almost needless to say that we did not make rope drop today.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Huntermom
Glad you made it and thanks for updating us. I love your TR's and refreshing view of the Disney on a budget. I love Disney but am convinced there is no place better at getting people to part with their money. I love that you don't feel you have to spend a small fortune to have fun.
Thanks, Huntermom! Today, aside from the small fortune we all have to spend on entrance, I didn't spend anything in the parks! I was close, but didn't. That said, I had money in my pocket and was ready to spend if the moment struck!
We planned to leave the condo at 8:20 for a 9:00 opening. We were't out of the house till after 8:30. We arrived at the entrance at 8:49, and lines were already posting for 40 minutes at Peter Pan's Flight. They obviously dropped the rope early today. I was hung over and on less than 6 hrs sleep. Grrrr. There is a price to pay for being cheap and driving to Disney, it's stressful and the temptation to drink more on arrival was too strong! I planned to make the best of it.
I would describe our morning as "getting our Disney legs." I've never been in charge of touring plans for a group other than me and DS, so this was new for me. We did the following attractions:
Dumbo (felt much better after this simple thrill)
Storybook Canal Boats
iasw
Finding Nemo Subs
It was about 11:40 by this time, as we were moving slow and taking our time. I honestly didn't know what to do when PPF's line was so long, it took me a minute to let go. I decided we'd mostly just do what DS wanted.
At this time we pulled FP for Buzz Astroblasters, then we went for a late morning snack.
They've put tables along a waterfront next to Adelweiss Snacks, and it looked really peaceful and cute, so we decided on this spot for our late morning snack break.
Super-budget report: Snack consisted of tea (I got free hot water, just like everyone says you can! I brought the tea myself. DS and I had beef jerky, an orange, cookies, a granola bar, carrots and celery, all from my backpack. My folks had packed similar stuff, but theirs included pb and pickles on rye. I swear, they never ate that when I was a kid. WTH?
Then it was off to Toon Town, where I hoped to get DS on Gadget's Go-Coaster. He didn't bite, not at all into thrill rides, but we hung there a bit till about 1pm. We rode astroblasters (I scored 88,000) and made tracks back to the rental.
1st up: Nap. I set a timer for 40 minutes and told DS he couldn't come into the bedroom unless it was to nap till it went off. He made a nice lego space ship while I slept.
Additional budget report: I brought frozen meatballs I had made at home on this trip. I made up some marinara from a bottle, doctored it up a bit, threw in the meatballs and made a salad. When that was prepped, DS, Dmom and I went to the condo's hot tub. Ddad was out to "Total Wine and More", a discount beer, wine, and liquor place. He bought some beers and some wine to take home (5 bucks cheaper per bottle for his pick.)
We soaked, showered, ate, and were on our way back to the park at about 6:30. DS said he was too tired, but when I said he would have to stay with grandma, cause I was going to the park, he changed his tune. I fed him ice cream for a second wind, and packed his giant rubber snack and Mickey light up head from our trip down 2 years ago.
0nce at the park, we rider-swapped on BTMR, and DS processed whether he wanted to go on Pirates or not. He's been to DL once before (age 5) and WDW once (age 6). He's gotten close, at WDW he got through 1/2 the queue before bailing, but tonight he finally did it. He actually did the "wait wait, I want out" thing and I stalled until the boat started. Mean? Maybe. He liked the ride ok, it wasn't his fave, but he survived it. I asked for a 1st visit pin (idea from CM at WDW last time) and we wrote in "to Pirates" at the bottom.
Now it was about 8:30. My parents left to go back to the rental, DS and I rode Winnie the Pooh, talked to DH on the phone, and slowly moseyed out of the park. We watched the fireworks from the parking garage again. It's 11:15 and I'm turning out the light now!
Tomorrow, the plan is to rope drop RSR followed by TSMM. It's a no-break day. We are going to take a long picnic inside the Wilderness Explorer Trails, and will buy something in the evening to eat (thinking Cove Bar or Whitewater Snacks at the GC). We'll stay till we're bushed, then head home.
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The wait times for Peter Pan are so ridiculous for such a short ride. Sorry your plans got rearranged because of it. Sounds like you had a great day in spite of it.
The wait times for Peter Pan are so ridiculous for such a short ride. Sorry your plans got rearranged because of it. Sounds like you had a great day in spite of it.
Yup. My dad voted for Th to be our "magic morning" day, so at 6:30, we'll be lining up at rope drop, ready to take on Peter Pan.
As for the lines being ridiculous, I'm actually as guilty as the next person. Flying over London at DLR is about as good as it gets for me. This moment is what I suspect keeps the lines so darned long at DL, and I'm ok with it. It's awesome!
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Originally Posted by chezp
Sounds like a great first day at the parks!
It was a good first day, and I'm learning more and more about what makes a good day with this group's dynamics. SO glad I have 9 days to figure this out!
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Originally Posted by pamcarey
Glad you've arrived! Sounds like a rough second travel day! Hope you're enjoying the parks!
It was a rough travel day, but a lot of that is coming from the fact that my ddad is kind of an A*$H*$#&. (use your imagination, if you want to ) He's my greatest ally and supporter, but also a favoritist who can be quite nasty and moody. I'm learning to let it go in this setting. It's ok but, tough. The ride was long, but he didn't make it easier. We're in good shape and looking forward to our first break day tomorrow.
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Originally Posted by MayraLR
Great first day in the parks!
It was. I didn't count on having to figure some stuff about about what touring style would work for our group, but between today and tomorrow, I'm figuring stuff out. Splitting up is apparently essential. I'm ok with that.
We made rope-drop easily this AM. The plan was to line up for RSR first thing, then head over to TSMM. We scrapped that when DS stated he wasn't sure about RSR. He wanted to hit Soarin' 1st thing. No one minded, so we did that. It was great!!! This attraction is so stinking solid, nothing new, nothing bad. Just a great idea with great energy. It's worth the tiny bit of motion sickness DDad and I experience at times.
After Soarin', we headed over to TSMM, and I picked up RSR FP quickly on the way. We were off ot TSMM. DDad decided to sit that one out, he was afraid of more motion sickness. I think I scored in the 9,000 range, but I can't remember. I bested DS easily, but that's not hard to do. It was my first time on this ride and I liked it. It's not the kind of attraction I would want to see more of, but I thought it was good for what it was. It would be better if the scenes between the games were more 3D instead of just paintings on walls.
Next up was Ariel's undersea adventure. I liked this the first time I rode it 2 yrs ago. Based on my experience, I like the ride at WDW better. I also am beginning to understand why some Disney parks opinion writers dislike this one. A lot of the animatronics are reproduced in various locations througout the ride, and it's just a synopsis ride with clips of good music with nothing really revolutionary, even for it's time. That said, we always enjoy it. I think Ursula's scene is better at WDW.
Up next, DS wanted a snack, so Dmom stayed with him while he downed jerkey and tangerines. DDad joined me for Screamin', and judging by our photopass pics, we loved it! In reality, we both enjoyed the ride quite a bit.
Next was wilderness explorers, where DS went through the ceremony and earned his Sr. exploerer badge. DS loved climbing around here, and we all enjoyed a picnic lunch.
Budget report: Had fruit and BLTs (microwaved bacon) from the condo. We ate up in the Mt. Shasta Lookout. Perfect!
RSR Fp was next. DS freaked out after the ride started, and screamed that he wanted off over and over, but he loved the ride once he accepted he was stuck.
Next we went to Hollywoodland and Olaf's snow fest followed by Aladdin. Great on both counts.
Budget report: Again, I had tea made with free hot water and my take-in Earl Grey. This time I "stole" some creamer too. Am I evil? Tea was strong and good. On my way to the cafe for creamer I nearly injured myself tripping over a curb. I wish I had a video of it. I didn't see a curb, went flying forward but managed to barely keep my feet until I caught myself on the side of a building. EPIC!
DS made a small model of Arandelle, then we saw Aladdin. We heard a number of jokes from CMs later in the day about #savealaddin. We really liked the show and I get why folks hate to see it go. I thought the most impressive parts were the great singing and the amazing scenery changes.
After the show, DS and I split a very beautiful double scoop waffle cone with a peppermint-dipped waffle cone. This was not a splurge, it was an investment. I have noticed that icecream can pull DS out of any mood state and give him both a second wind and a mind-boggling hyperactivity. It was a great tool.
We aimed for the sh-boom moment in Radiator Springs, but it's been switched to a Christmas Song. Whatever. It was anticlimactic.
At this moment, DDad decided to go home to cook, DMom decided to shop (AKA secretly drink 32 oz diet soda without Ddad knowing) and DS wanted ot go back to Wilderness explorers. I joined DS and chatted with DH on the phone while he played.
Next, Dmom and I hit up Bug's Land, and we rode everything. The rides are lame, but I thought Flick's Flyers was well-themed. The area is frankly georgeous after dark. We enjoyed.
As we left via Hollywood land, Dmom and DS stayed to watch the Pixar Parade. I went to Goofy's fly school. DDad returned thereafter with contraban fermented grape juice. Whoo hoo!!! Party on.
We ended the night with a trip around DL on the railroad.
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and on less than 6 hrs sleep. Grrrr. There is a price to pay for being cheap and driving to Disney, it's stressful and the temptation to drink more on arrival was too strong! I planned to make the best of it. 
G'night! 
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