The $16,000 "Free" Disney Trip Updated 12/11 COMPLETE
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BelmontBelle · 11-18-2008, 06:47 PM

I'm loving your trip so far! The tour sounded great, I'm looking forward to Karen's pictures of ghost hunter Zach. Hope you both hurry back!

Lemap760 · 11-18-2008, 10:23 PM

The Ghost hunter tour sounds like fun.
You gotta give that kid some credit for not giving up easy on what he thought was a freebie treat.

scdisneyfan · 11-19-2008, 09:29 AM

I really wish that they had that tour at WDW too! It sounded like a blast....love the key as a souviener too!! It really sounds like you are enjoying yourself. Cant wait for more and more pictures.

PrincessSharon · 11-19-2008, 02:20 PM

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Originally Posted by mom to 3 princesses and 1 prince

I often wonder about the origin of certain things. Can you imagine the group of people sitting around the table coming up with the happy haunts tour? "We could get a girl to pretend to be a ghost...and she'd run up behind the tour guide and scare her away...yeah, that sounds good!"

That must be a fun group to work with!

Sounds like a good tour, and right up my alley! I love that creepy/fun stuff!

The tour was really fun, and even more so if you were willing to play along like we were!

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Originally Posted by mom to 3 princesses and 1 prince

On another note: I got the Ichabod Crane video to show my girls for the first time and realized as I was watching that I'd never seen it, myself. They were getting freaked out about it, and I reassured them that it would be like a Scooby Doo episode, and they'd find out at the end that it was Brom Bones. Imagine my surprise when it ended and there was no explanation! Left us all with a creepy feeling! I was really lucky that nobody had bad dreams that night!

Note to self: always preview creepy movies, even if they're Disney ones!

It is creepy isn't it!

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Originally Posted by Meggera

That tour sounds like so much fun. Did you see the film in the First 50 Magical Years or did you just view the exhibits? We really enjoyed the film. It was the first thing we did there when we went for the first time. Another great update!

We saw the film, too, which is really good!

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Originally Posted by ilovedisney247

Great update! I can just imagine the looks you got from guests not in the know during the tour!

Especially when they'd see our Ghost Hunter in her getup!

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Originally Posted by zacksmom_1993

We saw the movie too!

I have to see that movie every time I go for the one scene where Steve Martin is "interviewing" Walt and it goes a little something like this...

Walt: "Well, Sunday was always Daddy day with my girls."
Steve: "Uh-huh"
Walt: "And, I would sit on a bench somewhere and watch the girls on the merry-go-round..."
Steve: "Right"
Walt: "And, I thought to myself that there should be some sort of enterprise built where children and parents could play together."
Steve: "That's a great idea!"

It makes me laugh so hard, like I start giggling in anticipation at the beginning of the movie, and then I shake in my seat, and when it's actually on I shove my fist in my mouth to keep from laughing too hard. I think Sharon thought I was having a seizure, but she didn't seem all that concerned.

Karen, you forget how much alike we are! I knew immediately what you were shaking about!

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Originally Posted by zacksmom_1993

On a side note, I do have lots of pictures to share (especially of Zack getting his ghost-hunter on,) but I'm having computer problems at home. So, I'll probably get them all loaded this weekend. But great job so far Sha!

Yeah! Can't wait to see them (again)!

PrincessSharon · 11-19-2008, 03:14 PM

Day Three – Monday, October 27
“Hey, I know you!”

I woke up and heard construction sounds coming from the GCV, which made me think it was much later than the 7:00 it actually was. I stepped out onto the balcony to get some daytime photos.

You can see the top of Space Mountain. (Follow along the top of the trees/buildings from the Matterhorn all the way on the left and where you see spires sticking up, that’s SM)

Here you can see Splash Mountain and the Matterhorn. (Splash is that brown mountain above the building and just to the right of the tree.)

Karen (Zack was still ) was packing up to head back home so I jumped in the shower. After Karen had packed up and showered, we ventured out to check out the fountains and get some breakfast. We discovered that the fountains weren’t on (don’t know if it was because of the hour). We checked out the koi pond.

I thought the fake bird was mean The poor fish think they’re constantly being stalked. I even noticed one had a nervous tic. Well maybe not.

We passed another little Disney touch at the DLH, a group of Disney gardeners. I had to take a photo of Minnie and send it to Eileen, since it seemed that Minnie was channeling my buddy!

Then we stopped in for breakfast. I got a bagel and hot chocolate in the really cute holiday mug. Karen got something for herself and Zack, and we headed back to the room. Once Zack was ready and we had all eaten, we headed out.

There had been some discussion about whether or not we should take the monorail. Although the monorail lets out right next to the Nemo subs, the monorail is technically a ride, so the first monorail doesn’t leave DTD until park opening. We decided to participate in the running of the guests and hope there wasn’t a WIWF tour mocking us.

We made our way through the shops as far up Main Street as we could get, then walked (fast, but not running though we did see one person hit pavement I always feel sorry for that person, because you know his family’s mad at him for slowing them down ) over to the Finding Nemo Submarine Voyage.

The route Karen chose took us past Pixie Hollow, and Tink waved to us as we passed. We were happy to see that the ride was running and even better, there wasn’t much of a wait. The line was moving fast and as I walked along I saw Mark and I think we both recognized one another at the same time, but were going in different directions so we turned around and waved to one another. Even though we passed right by Chez and Mark, they were a good bit behind us, so we decided to ride and wait for them when we got off.

This was, of course, my first time riding the Subs. I was excited because I’d heard such good things about it. It wasn’t what I expected (I expected a copy of The Seas), but it was great. I’d say I even liked this one a little better! We took a submarine voyage to explore the reef and an underwater volcano (oh yeah, and to find Nemo, too). I even managed some good pictures before we “dove deeper.”

DARLA!!!!!

When we exited, we didn’t see Chez and Mark, so we figured they were in the middle of their dive. Zack and Karen went to watch the Jedi Training Academy (and per Karen, that is the time to take your child – nearly every child present was selected to take part in the show ). When Chez and Mark came out, we exchanged hugs (I hadn’t seen them in like 2 weeks! ) and then headed over to Karen and Zack.

Someone suggested the Storybook Land Canal Boats, much to Mark’s dismay. Cheryl told him that he’d escaped it’s a small world at 2 Disney parks, so he had no choice but to ride the Canal Boats. On the way over, we got a glimpse of Monorail Blue.

The Canal Boats turned out to be quite an interesting experience! First, they loaded our boat so much that we were only about an inch above the water (or so it seemed). Then our CM. He was quite an interesting fellow. He had the most peculiar technique for delivering his lines. It was something like a cross between a cheesy radio announcer and a complete monotone. If that doesn’t make sense to you at all, then you’ve got it right! It was bizarre, and got us all giggling (which was even funnier considering we were seated right in front of him!)

I managed some photos. But the giggling got more and more out of control as the ride went on.

Trying hard not to laugh

By this point, Mark couldn’t keep a straight face

When it ended, he made us all stand up at once so we wouldn’t capsize the boat (told you we were overloaded!). That was strange, because we certainly all got in one at a time without turning the boat over.

Chez and Mark headed off for more attractions while we headed to Main Street to try to get some characters (and Karen needed to upgrade her and Zack’s tickets to APs). On the way, we saw Aladdin and Jasmine.

I have to say that’s one thing I really loved so much more about DL. There always seemed to be random entertainment and characters popping up! Speaking of random entertainment, I was hanging around waiting to see Goofy in his skeleton costume when suddenly, a concert broke out! Actually, it was more of a marching band, being conducted by none other than the Big Cheese himself!

I absolutely adored Mickey’s outfit (but then I’m a sucker for a man in uniform 5 or 6 NYPD officers were on my train yesterday – in their dress uniforms no less – and that about made my day! ) Anyway, that little girl in the first photo was chosen to be the guest conductor. The funny part was that the band actually followed her conductor-isms or whatever you call it and when she’d wave the baton slowly, they’d play slowly, then she’d suddenly start going faster and they’d follow suit. She never did catch on!

While Karen and Zack took care of business, I met Cruella DeVil, who was traveling with her own private paparazzi (who looked suspiciously like a Photopass photographer). I got a picture with her, but I can’t find that Photopass card, so I can’t share it.

After a bit I was excited to see Mickey come out (Mickey is quite the quick-change artist, because it was like 5 minutes after his band performance!). I queued up, but noticed Mickey even if he is a bigger star than Cruella wasn’t traveling with his own personal paparazzi. So I offered to take a photo of the woman in front of me (who was also alone) if she’d return the favor. As I went to take the picture of her and Mickey, who should come flying into the frame but Goofy! I think that woman was as big a Goofy fan as I was because she totally geeked out and was almost crying! I got a great picture for her, and she composed herself enough to return the favor.

I was the last one to get a photo with both of them (cuz I’m special don’t ya know ). I noticed the woman whose picture I’d taken had gotten back in line to see Goofy again.

It was close to our reservation time for lunch at the Blue Bayou, so I headed into the AP center to see how much progress Karen had made (the line was pretty long – in fact, that was probably the longest line Karen waited in all weekend). She wasn’t quite done, so she told me to go ahead and she’d catch up. Zack had decided that he’d like to spend his last moments riding rides.

Continued…

PrincessSharon · 11-19-2008, 03:22 PM

I strolled over to New Orleans Square and found Chez and Mark and also got to meet Becky (Tink and Co.) and her friend Cheryl. I checked us in and requested a table by the water, but they’d all been given out so we got one almost by the water. Karen joined us shortly and we ordered. I studied the menu but ended up with the Monte Cristo sandwich again.

It was tremendously huge and I couldn’t finish half of it. Since I was heading to my room to see Karen and Zack off, I took the rest with me (but never ate it ). We spent lunch talking about several topics including the fabulous upgrade Becky and Cheryl had scored at the Paradise Pier! We got a big pile of chocolate doubloons with the check ().

And then Cheryl (Becky’s friend, not Chez) volunteered to take photos (and she took a bunch!). Here’s mine

A trio (or quartet – it was kind of dark to see how many of them were setting up) was getting ready to play as we were paying the check.

We said our goodbyes (though I knew I’d be seeing all of them later) and Karen and I headed out to collect Zack. It took us a bit – Karen had given Zack her iPhone, but when I called, he wasn’t answering. She had to finally call her sister and have her sister call Zack. He recognized that number, so he picked up and she told him where to meet us. We found out that he’d ridden 5 rides (major ones like Space Mountain and Indiana Jones) while we’d been eating lunch!

We headed out of Disneyland and strolled through Downtown Disney. Zack wanted one last look around the LEGO store, so Karen gave him her phone and told him to meet her in the lobby.

Alice and Kirsten came up to help Karen with the luggage and we said our temporary goodbyes. A few minutes later there was a knock on the door. I looked out the peephole and there was someone peeping back in at me! Zack! He wanted to know where everyone was. I told him they had gone down. I offered to call Karen to find out exactly where she was, but Zack still had her iPhone! Luckily, I was thinking on my feet and called Alice, since her number was in my recent calls and arranged for them to meet Zack.

I waited a few more minutes to make sure Zack wasn’t coming back then headed back to the park. On the way, I mailed a postcard to my parents. I stopped at Guest Services to find out where I could find a stamp and the CM there told me not to worry about it! I was really impressed with the service, but now I’m not sure my parents ever got the postcard. They usually put them up on their fridge and I don’t recall seeing it. I’ll have to ask them if they ever got it!

I had thoughts of meeting up with Becky and Cheryl (not Chez) since they were spending their last hours in the park, but I needed to take care of something else first (and here’s a hint – I didn’t have dessert at the Blue Bayou).

I was distracted when I got to the hub and paused to take some photos.

I called Becky and left her a voicemail that I was back in the park. Then I checked out the pumpkins that had been carved to represent all the different lands.

Adventureland

New Orleans Square

Frontierland

Critter Country

Fantasyland

Toontown

Tomorrowland

And wouldn’t you know it, another impromptu show broke out (well impromptu for those of us who don’t check the times guide ). This time it was a band with Mary Poppins and Bert.

Once that was over, I was ready to take care of that important matter. There was a long line, but I’m savvy enough to know that there’s another line in the back, and that had nobody on it! Before long I was enjoying my treat…

Dole Whip!

There’s a line on the outside of the stand and another one inside the entrance area – it has a name which escapes me at the mo’. Anyway, there’s rarely a line back there, so remember that the next time you’re at Disneyland and hankerin’ for a Dole Whip.

As I enjoyed my Dole Whip, I got a call from Becky that she and Cheryl (not Chez) were over by the Matterhorn. I found them there and asked them what they wanted to do (after all, I still had 2½ days to play). They suggested the Autopia, which I hadn’t done yet. I think the Autopia is really cute, but man do you get a workout pressing the pedal. Especially if you have long legs like I do. It’s not the most comfortable position, I assure you.

Becky and Cheryl wanted one last crack at Toy Story Mania so I figured I’d join them. We walked over to DCA and found the standby to be 25 minutes (yeah, the parks were very quiet). I liked that Mr. Potato Head was outside the attraction, because that certainly helped him be a more effective barker.

I have no idea what my score was, or even how I finished between the three of us. I don’t think I was last, because I would’ve remembered (at least I think I would’ve remembered). The ladies had one more thing on their agenda before their flight back to Nevada. Ice cream!

It hadn’t really been long since my Dole Whip, but sharing DNA with my mother means you never turn down ice cream! I ended up getting a cone (with a flavor that was very similar to Baskin-Robbins’ jamocha almond fudge ). We sat and snacked and chatted and I enjoyed spending their last moments in the park with them. I really liked these ladies and immediately felt comfortable with them, which is no surprise since they’re Passporters (well at least one of them is).

I thought about texting a photo of my ice cream to DM, but she’s still working on lesson one: text texting so I was sure she’d be lost with a photo!

I bid Becky and Cheryl bon voyage and went to find a spot for the new Pixar Play Parade.

Up Next: Get Me an Umbrella!

tinker_me_happy · 11-19-2008, 03:52 PM

Great update... Love the treats! I'm so glad you put the pictures of Storybook Land in!! Kind of freaked me out a little bit... I did a double take and was like "WOW I REMEMBER THAT! THAT WAS IN DISNEYLAND?!?!?!" It was pretty weird! I have pictures of it and I never new where it was from!! My Gram took me and one of my cousins there, across country on a Greyhound Bus trip when we were kids. I remember a lot of the trip, but didn't remember that part of Disneyland! Pretty Cool!!

**Caldercup** · 11-19-2008, 04:15 PM

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