Birthday Surprise on the Fly (Updated 10/13-World of Color pg3)

[anewmac]

*Birthday Surprise on the Fly*

I have really gotten into posting trip reports ever since our Disney Cruise in 2008 (see links in my signature). The DIS hooked what can I say. Sadly though Im not a very good writer... and I mean this in so many different ways. Spelling, grammer, and just generally keeping up with posting. (I will tell you now, a week cruise takes me a year to finish) So if your still in for the LONG haul welcome! Actually were only doing 3days this time so it should only take me about 6months !

Before I go any further let me introduce my crew:

DH- Elbert (aka E, Mac) US Marine debating retirement.... ugg dont get me started! (I'm sure I'll vent about that later)

Me- Drea, wife of the Marine, Mom of 2 boys. Suffers from a case of OCVP (Obsessive Compulsive Vacation Planning, like most on this board, but I will tell you this trip it probably will not make an appearance .)

DS#1- Phoenix (aka P, Bubba) age 13 turning 14 on the Saturday we are at Dland. PlayStation efficianoto, the "whatever" kid, protecter of his lil brother (most the time)

DS#2- Justice (aka J, GG) soon to be 10, lover of cars... and food (kid after his moms own heart!), the "OK" kid, idolizes his big brother (most the time)

Here we are on our last vacation in 2011 a Carnival Cruise


Normally we (I) have our plans laid out MONTHS in advanced. I know pretty much what we are doing daily if not hourly. But not for this trip. In fact we will be in Dland in 7days and I havent even booked the hotel. There are different reasons for my lack of planning this time.

• Just recently about 2 weeks ago P said instead of a party or anything all he wanted to do was go to Dland with his family. I asked what he really was buttering us up for but he said no that was all. I still dont believe him but how can I turn down a trip to see my Girl Cindy!
• We live 2hours from the mouses house, so normally we just do a day then head home. But since its for P's bday I figure we would make a nice weekend out of it. Plus work has been killing me, and E so we really need a getaway.
• We've been to the Magic Kingdom many a times so it not like we dont know it. We usually hit it once a year (I know you die hard DIS'ers are going REALLY only once a year).. so I bring you back to my DH is in the Military we dont live the lifestyles of the rich and famous off his paycheck or mine LOL.
• Ive been so busy fundraising, I sadly just havent had any energy to really PLAN things for this trip. (See I signed up to do the Susan G. Komen 3day 60mile walk and need to raise $2300 fin order to participate. So if anyone would like to help donate a link is at the bottom! shamless plug over LOL)

Lets see Ive covered the title regarding the Birthday part (P's bday), the Fly (no plans), as for the surprize. WELLLLL, when P asked to go to Dland, E looked at me (I have trained him well) and I said dude way to expensive sorry sweetie, he was very understanding. Plus its over the Memorial holiday that wont be fun (ok this part is kind of true but E and I didnt have much other time off, so it was now or never). I said we can do dinner and a movie with a friend if you like, and he shrugged and said ok thats fine. Awww I love when they are so sweet... and GULABLE .. E and I were fine with doing Dland especially since they have a Military discount 3day park hoppers for $99 each. YEAH BUDDY!. So P has NO clue.

There was going to be an added surprize of them not having to go to school on Friday as we were going to pull them out for the day. But our school district just announced (last week) a cut so Friday will be a furlough day for the teachers, which means no school for the kids. Darn it was hoping lots of others would still be in school that day so the crowds wouldnt be TOO BAD lol.

Now within the next 6days I hope to get a lil planning done. At least a hotel for us to stay in as we are not doing the 2hour drive back and forth to home or the 45mins to my grandmas. I have always wanted to stay in the Disney hotel or one of those, but ya at those prices... not this time! I do need to do a little packing for us its only 3day but we still need a change of clothes LOL. Also a few places semi planned to pick from for either Breakfast or Dinner.

Stay tuned I usually am a lil more witty and excited, and I promise to be next chapter just tired tonight, its late, had to work and had a fundraiser. Man I just sound like a bore.. I swear I really am a funny girl! Full of excitement.

Easy Click on Chapters
Pre Trip
Sleeping in a Cardboard Box
Did someone say SHOPPING???
What's for dinner I'm Starving?
If it can go wrong, it has
P, you just turned 14 where are you going....I'm Going to Disneyland!!!!!!
Where do we start?
A sneak peak of CARSLAND
Hurray for Hollywood Complete with an breakdown from a non actor!
World of Color

Next Up: Sleeping in a cardboard box

[MAGICFOR2]

I'M FIRST! I'M FIRST! I THINK THIS IS THE FIRST TIME FOR ME TO BE FIRST!

I enjoy your writing, the fun comes through - and believe me you know how to have fun more than anyone! What a fun birthday surprise for P! How are you planning to tell him?

[Grog]

Since I really enjoyed your cruise TR, and I love DL, I thought I could get the best of both worlds by subscribing to this thread. Looking forward to hearing about the trip

[anewmac]

Originally Posted by MAGICFOR2

I'M FIRST! I'M FIRST! I THINK THIS IS THE FIRST TIME FOR ME TO BE FIRST!

I enjoy your writing, the fun comes through - and believe me you know how to have fun more than anyone! What a fun birthday surprise for P! How are you planning to tell him?

I have no clue yet.. any ideas LOL Was thinking maybe getting a hallmark card that plays music and getting a disney inspired one to say SURPRIZE .. or his "gift" (other than the trip) is a knock of flip camera (a minolta or kodak something like that LOL) he has wanted one. And giving it to him on Thursday and saying your gonna need this for for your Bday Weekend! Whatcha think?

Originally Posted by Grog

Since I really enjoyed your cruise TR, and I love DL, I thought I could get the best of both worlds by subscribing to this thread. Looking forward to hearing about the trip

AWW your so sweet! I have to say I love Dland too. Actually Cali Adventure is my fav cuz you really can do everything in that park in one day even on the busiest day. Thanks for following!

[anewmac]

Sleeping in a cardboard box

So with planning (or lack there of) over a Holiday weekend I was worried I wouldnt find anywhere to stay for 2nights. Or it would be an arm and a leg. and whats a gal with no time or very little options to do... I started getting picky. I checked out the Disney Friends and neighbors website then hotwire, then over to travelocity. I was up till midnight trying to figure it out. I wanted the Ramada Inn MainGate which is right across the street from the parks. Well since I waited so long it was sold out.

So the next one on my list was the Best Western which is RIGHT across the street also. But they didnt have any standard rooms left only a mini suite. Which is 2 queen beds and a sofa bed. Free continental breakfast, refridge, microwave, coffee maker and pool. So I booked it under the NO CAR special but then their website has an area to click and pay for their parking $8 a nite. I added that on and it ended up being under $260. But had I paid for the regulat rack rate it would have been $100 more.

I have a feeling this is going to bite me in the bum, and I will have to pay the difference when we arrive since we are driving there and will have a car. BUT why not try right LMAO. It was the last room available so better to ask for forgivness after the fact right then permission (isnt that how that theory goes? ) **feel free to flame on, I wear repelant!**

How can I pass up on being this close to the Land... this way I dont have to hear whiney kids complaining about walking to and from the parks! (yes those would be my whiney kids LOL. Plus there is an Ihop and a Dennys right near it if we need a late night snack(s)


Having booked that I feel some weight lifted off my shoulders. E's going to get the tickets tmrw at work. So thats another weight dropped. Just wish I could drop some of my own weight. Think its too much to try and get rid of 20lbs in 4days LMAO Ya I dream big!

Next Up: Did someone say.. SHOPPING?

[limace]

Sounds like my hotel indecision syndrome-ugh. Good job finding a great place to stay! What an awesome surprise for your kids.

[CRdisMom]

Love the photos. I just keep saying someday ill get back there

[DisneytheKid]

Great TR!

[anewmac]

A sneak peak of CARSLAND

After the boys dissiness wore off we made a beeline for Mickey's Fun Wheel.. of course we always get in the line for the moving cart.


E sat this one out something about his stomach being upset LOL.
So once we started moving towards the top we were able to see how World of Color (WOC) is produced.


Then as we inched higher and higher we came upon this awesome sight


Those Rocky mountain looks so real.


and like that we were making our way back down the ride. So we bugged the Grads in the cart with us to take a pic of us and then I took one of them. Then I reminiced about my grad night and the boys asked if I came to dland I then remembered nope I snuck into a club then .... I went about 2months after my graduation LMAO. So I lied sort of and said Yup I went to the Happiest place on Earth (to me) lol


When we got off we met up with E, and the boys let us know that we were heading over to A Bugs Land

Told E I was going to get him some Ears like this... scuse me sir your tags showing


But along the way we got nosy and found that there was an area to catch a view of Carsland right down Route 66


Over in the Blue Sky Wine Cellar (or what used to be it) They now put in artifacts and info all about whats coming to Disney CA


We hope on a bench to get a better look (wish I would have brought my zoom lens)


You could hear all the kids asking when can we go there... to which we answered ours with how about on J's bday?


To which J answered but I really want to go to Legoland for my bday.. SERIOUSLY KID! lol We deceided to go inside the Cellar and have a looksy around
Areal maps and pics


Clay models of the different cars rides and exibits


The shovel they broke ground with for Carsland. Only a true diser would take a pic of a shovel LOL, seriously people were looking at me like REALLY.. yes REALLY!!!


They had a couple games they put into the wine barrals for triva about disney. All I will say is I need to expose E to more disney culture, to enlighten him. Suprizingly though the boys P especially knew his stuff.


The Main Cheese, and his mouse


They also show a quick 5min movie about how Dland was started to what it is now. Pretty informative, when we go back next week (YEAH BUDDY) I'll take a video of it. J was busy watching it and didnt want to get in on the pic. And OMG is P smiling.. isnt that against the teenage handbook rules when your mom take a pick of you?


Once we had soaked in enough knowledge, we made our way to a Bug's Land (this is my fav land just for the cuteness factor, the rides are too lil kid for all of us anymore)


Also did you see the swarm of CM's. Im assuming with Carsland opening soon they were all in training. I would love to work there (Im thinking mostly for the perks LOL) A couple clients of mine are disney employees in their insurance division and one told me, "yeah when I have a rough day I just take a walk thru the park get on a ride and remind myself I work at the Happiest Place on Earth" must be nice. When I have a rough day and I head to Chili's for Happy Hour.

Are they actually getting along?


so as we are making our way towards the Churro stand (yes we know where every Churro stand in Dland/CA is, its a requirement of being Mexican LOL) But then the boys spotted a lil Pauly D. YEAH BUDDY. We fist bumped, snapped a pic and went on our way. Wonder if we will see Snooki?


I felt like Oprah when i passed them out to the 3 of them. You get a Churro, You get a Churro, You get a churro.. everyone gets a Churro!!!!!!


Before we made our way to go watch a bugs life show (cuz as I said we dont ride any of the rides in Bugs land. I saw the ToT and asked who wants to ride it. HA all 3 of my scardy cats said HECK NO as they remembered it from when we went to WDW.


Oh no someones getting tired ...


As the boys were finishing their Churros I spotted a tv crew, wonder if they were making a new commercial or something?


Once everyone had cleaned sugar off their faces we deceided it was time to hit up the Hollywood backlot.

Next up: Hurray for Hollywood Complete with an breakdown from a non actor!

[CRdisMom]

love the non smile smiles!

[MAGICFOR2]

Originally Posted by anewmac

A sneak peak of CARSLAND

Hey! Welcome back!

After the boys dissiness wore off we made a beeline for Mickey's Fun Wheel.. of course we always get in the line for the moving cart.


Love the moving cart! I have a hard time finding someone who will do this with me!


Those Rocky mountain looks so real.


So Cool! I can't wait to see it!



When we got off we met up with E, and the boys let us know that we were heading over to A Bugs Land

Told E I was going to get him some Ears like this... scuse me sir your tags showing


Some times you just have to wonder - did he lose a bet?

But along the way we got nosy and found that there was an area to catch a view of Carsland right down Route 66




You could hear all the kids asking when can we go there... to which we answered ours with how about on J's bday?


To which J answered but I really want to go to Legoland for my bday.. SERIOUSLY KID! lol We deceided to go inside the Cellar and have a looksy around


That's funny! He already had plans for his big surprise!

Clay models of the different cars rides and exibits


The shovel they broke ground with for Carsland. Only a true diser would take a pic of a shovel LOL, seriously people were looking at me like REALLY.. yes REALLY!!!


I think it's cool and would never stare at you for taking a pic!

They had a couple games they put into the wine barrals for triva about disney. All I will say is I need to expose E to more disney culture, to enlighten him. Suprizingly though the boys P especially knew his stuff.


The Main Cheese, and his mouse


Love this one!

They also show a quick 5min movie about how Dland was started to what it is now. Pretty informative, when we go back next week (YEAH BUDDY) I'll take a video of it. J was busy watching it and didnt want to get in on the pic. And OMG is P smiling.. isnt that against the teenage handbook rules when your mom take a pick of you?




Once we had soaked in enough knowledge, we made our way to a Bug's Land (this is my fav land just for the cuteness factor, the rides are too lil kid for all of us anymore)


Also did you see the swarm of CM's. Im assuming with Carsland opening soon they were all in training. I would love to work there (Im thinking mostly for the perks LOL) A couple clients of mine are disney employees in their insurance division and one told me, "yeah when I have a rough day I just take a walk thru the park get on a ride and remind myself I work at the Happiest Place on Earth" must be nice. When I have a rough day and I head to Chili's for Happy Hour.

What a great job perk!

Are they actually getting along?


Awww, I think Disney has that effect on sibs! Or they're trying to figure out how to get more money out of mom and dad for souvies.

so as we are making our way towards the Churro stand (yes we know where every Churro stand in Dland/CA is, its a requirement of being Mexican LOL) But then the boys spotted a lil Pauly D. YEAH BUDDY. We fist bumped, snapped a pic and went on our way. Wonder if we will see Snooki?


I felt like Oprah when i passed them out to the 3 of them. You get a Churro, You get a Churro, You get a churro.. everyone gets a Churro!!!!!!


That's funny! Look like your audience was pleased!

Before we made our way to go watch a bugs life show (cuz as I said we dont ride any of the rides in Bugs land. I saw the ToT and asked who wants to ride it. HA all 3 of my scardy cats said HECK NO as they remembered it from when we went to WDW.


Oh no someones getting tired ...


He looks so thrilled! Love the hat on him!

As the boys were finishing their Churros I spotted a tv crew, wonder if they were making a new commercial or something?


something, I guess.

Once everyone had cleaned sugar off their faces we deceided it was time to hit up the Hollywood backlot.

Next up: Hurray for Hollywood Complete with an breakdown from a non actor!

Great update Drea! I am noticing you are on the CA side, but Rita did not make an appearance?