What's not to miss before the end of the 50th?
 

We're unexpectedly coming to DL next weekend (22nd). We most likely won't be back for at least a year, so I want to make sure we don't miss anything that can't be repeated. We'll definitely see fireworks, probably from whatever spot we can grab 15 minutes ahead of time. Is the DL exhibit still in Mr. Lincoln? What am I forgetting?

I'm hesitant to schedule a meet, as it's the weekend before MA and I'm sure none of you want to be in the park. Not to mention DL with a baby and a toddler goes at an insanely slow pace. But if anyone wants to meet for lunch or dinner or drinks, we would love to see whoever.

I forgot to mention that we'll be there from Saturday through Tuesday, but only doing the parks three of those days. Any suggestions on how to pass the time on the fourth day? I don't think a beach will take all day.

Fireworks
Great Moments with Mr. Martin (Steve, not Isaac)
Golden Mouse ears
Dole Whips

And I already have plans to be there Sunday afternoon. If you wanted to meet up for lunch I can come up a bit earlier.

There are 2 parades. Parade of Dreams and Block Party Bash.

If you want a decent spot for fireworks without much waiting, the end of Mainstreet, left side of the street, a little past Coke Corner is a pretty good view and is usually free until about 30 minutes before the show.

Yes, the Opera House still has the Display of Disney artifacts as well as the Steve Martin movie, both worth seeing.

Make sure you take a group family photo in front of Sleeping Beauty Castle while it's still decked out for the 50th. Ask another, hopefully confident guest, or even a friendly Cast Member to take it with your camera. Or, it might be worth the money (this time) to purchase a Disney/CM photo if you see one of the roving CM photographers in the area.

Also, since there's news and rumors about the entrance of Disney's California Adventure being majorly redesigned later this year, why not take another group family photo in front of the CALIFORNIA letters and/or Golden Gate bridge. :)

In addition to the above -

Indi might enjoy pointing out any golden 50th "Hidden Mickeys" he sees around the park. Many are pretty easy to spot.

Gold ride vehicles - even if you don't get the golden Dumbo or Teacup, you can have a family photo in a gold one just outside the attraction. This goes for Pan and Toad as well.

Between the April Swanking and my brother's birthday, we won't be able to meet up with you. :( :( :( Why the short notice trip? Sounds wonderfully impulsive! I'm sure you'll have a blast.

Although it didn't work out too well for Moonliner, I don't see why we can't arrange a Perfect Spot fireworks campout for you as well. As far as I'm concerned, it's a gift we provide to all out-of-town LoT swankers ... and it gives us locals a chance to view the 'werks from the perfect spot (which we don't much do without a good incentive).

What days will you be at the Park? I'm hoping we can arrange a fireworks campout for you ... we wait, and you just show up about an hour before. It's glorious, and it's our pleasure .... providing there's a date that some of us can be at the Park by, say, 6pm.

I agree with ISM

The fireworks are a must. And iSm will no doubt find you a great spot. :)

I recommend the Parade of Dreams parade if only to watch the parade stop. I think it's cool.

You won't be able to avoid the bling-ed out castle. :D

The film about the 50th at the Opera House is good.

I second most of the things mentioned, but if you only do one parade I recommend the Blck Party Bash at DCA. That really was a lot of fun. The interactive portions were great. Even BT, the chronically cranky, was up doing the twist with the performers!

Sounds good, I'll IM you.


Thanks for the tips. I didn't know that about DCA. (And thank God! :p )


Aww, we'll miss seeing you guys, but we will return someday. We had several trips planned for this year, but my travel mood was seriously being dampened by Michael's yearning for a motorcycle. He's wanted one for forever, and the main reason he hasn't gotten one (aside from me being convinced he will splatter his brains on the concrete) is because we've taken so many vacations. So I sucked it up and told him he could get a motorcycle before we went anywhere else. Fortunately, Michael's mom had two park hoppers that she wasn't able to use that expire April 27th. Michael noticed that I was writhing in agony every day from the prospect of no travel for a year, so he took pity on me and took the free tickets.



Awww, that is so sweet! We're coming into town on Saturday the 22nd, but it looks like that is going to be our SoCal day (since we're driving up during the night so the little ones will be sleeping), so we'll be in the parks Sunday, Monday, Tuesday. Tuesday we'll most likely leave as soon as the baby goes to sleep so we have a good chance of driving while they sleep.

I don't want to put anybody out, but we would love to see people for a fireworks meet. :) Indi is especially excited about the fireworks, seeing as how this is the first year that he actually enjoys them, as opposed to thinking we were being bombed by Russia or something. I'm hoping the baby will sleep (ha!).


I certainly hope you have Murakami stalking stories to tell! :p

We saw BPB in September. That thing is loud! We were up pretty close and it scared baby Jade, so I didn't watch it. Indi loved it until a well meaning costumed performer tried to pull him in to dance. He was convinced they were trying to take him and freaked big time. We'll probably try again, but I really want to see the DL parade. From the train station, of course.

Oh my son loves the parade so much. My sister bought some guy's parade videos off of Ebay that are old parades from WDW and seriously my son could watch those dvds all day. (Should I be worried that he wants to watch Disney parades all day??? Nah....)

I wish I could come out to finally meet you!! I don't think I could make it but someday I hope we will meet. (Since you do seem like such a swell girl :) ......)

Oh and on a side note, your husband is not the only one who complains about wanting a motorcycle. The only thing is I am all for it again because I miss his old bike and we had so much fun on it. But alas I am still in school and one income is NOT going to pay for a new toy for him. Plus if he gets a bike I get a Vespa, which means we REALLY can't afford it. (oh, Vespa my dear. Someday you will be mine.....)

Lol, I want a Vespa too. I really wanted a motorcycle as a kid, as a grown up I think they are death machines. It isn't his driving I worry about, it's all the other idiots on the road that don't see motorcycles. Asking him never to get one though, would be like asking me never to go to DL again. So, le sigh...

I wish you could come out too! Hopefully next time!

Yeah that is my only real concern is the OTHER drivers. My boyfriend has been riding since he was a 5 year old Mowgli look-alike on dirt bikes so I trust him to an extent. And to an extent I mean he is one of the only people I knew that actually could fall asleep while riding.

Maybe one day you will get a Vespa. Don't lose hope!!! And sure, there is always a next time!! But I know you will have a swingin good time!!! Have fun!!!

Last year Michael's dad's best friend died because he fell asleep on a bike.

Thanks for the good wishes! I know we'll have a blast!

Oh I am so sorry to hear that. I mean it seems so crazy to actually fall asleep while riding. (I feel like a jerk for making light about it.:( )

Oh sorry! I didn't mean to make you feel bad. I never actually met the guy. Motorcycle accidents just really freak me out because there is nothing to protect you other than what you are wearing on your body. Michael is taking a two day riding class though, so that makes me feel a bit better.

Saturday SATURDAY SAAAAAATURDAYYYYYYY
 

The weather has been really spotty, though next weekend is supposed to be nice..

The beach. Huntington, Newport or Laguna aren't super far. Huntington has some bays in Huntington Harbor but there are no waves. I'm not sure if Newport or Laguna has any bays. I also don't know if the lifeguards are out in force yet, and the water is still going to be cold. Regardless you can still have fun in the sand and looking at pretty shells.

There are tide pools in Dana Point that are really nice, but may be hard with the baby.

I'd suggest Legoland I think Indi is a bit to young. You could venture into LA... see the La Brea tar pits. Be warned, they smell! Or the childrens museum (it used to be really cool, not sure how it is now).

Are the happiest turkies on earth still at Disneyland? If not, where did they go? And how happy are they now?

One disappeared a couple months ago with no explanation. I haven't checked myself but am told that neither turkey is present any longer.

[quote=BarTopDancer]The weather has been really spotty, though next weekend is supposed to be nice..

The beach. Huntington, Newport or Laguna aren't super far. Huntington has some bays in Huntington Harbor but there are no waves. I'm not sure if Newport or Laguna has any bays. I also don't know if the lifeguards are out in force yet.[quote]

Newport has a bay. Upper Newport has a road that takes you to a bird sanctuary and loops back to Jamboree Road, just below Fashion Island (upper crust shopping mecca!). Lower Newport has the yachts of the rich and famous (think "The O. C."). The Balboa pier has a very wide sand beach area to enjoy and is close to ample parking. The lifeguards are out for the Easter Week break, but I don't believe they come out in force until after Memorial Day. The towers are manned on the weekends, though.

Laguna Beach is a little further south, but is a fine beach. The area around Main Beach is surrounded by art galleries and restaurants. Parking is a bit more difficult, but can be found on some of the back streets just off of PCH.

As far as the waves are concerned, it's mostly in the 2 to 3 foot range unless there is a south swell. Then the waves can get up to 6 to 8 feet. During the spring, however, the swells usually come from the west, which will not affect Laguna or most of Newport beaches. West swells do affect Hunington Beach and can be a concern for rip tides. One thing to take into concideration if you plan on frollicing in the waters: IT'S COOOOOLD!:p

Thanks for the tips BTD and Hades. I think we've decided on going to the beach to build sand castles and fly our kite, followed by dinner somewhere that we don't have in AZ. I would not dare to venture into the water in April, so waves and such are not a concern. We may stick our feet in, but that is it.

Now we just need to decide on a beach. I honeymooned in Newport, how the heck did I miss all that stuff? The only thing I remember about the area is a really cool movie theater that we saw Dancer in the Dark in, and a crab restaurant that we had yummy brown clam chowder at.

We love love love Dana point (I bought my first skateboard there), but the beach we love so much requires much walking across rocks and climbing to get to, so that's out. Plus it's by a high wall of rocks so the kite flying wouldn't work. Here's what I'm looking for in a beach: as few crowds as possible, yummy non-chain, not too expensive food nearby, as close to DL as possible. Anything fit that criteria?

I recommend Huntington Beach, by Main St. You can eat at Sugar Shack Cafe and enjoy the beach.

I'll also recommend Harbor House Cafe to eat at and Belmont Shores to explore (it's even in LA county).

Try Seal Beach. You can fly kites on the north side of the pier, and the beach is flat and kid friendly (small waves). There's a good playground just to the south of the pier. There's a nice cheap mexican food restaurant just across from the pier. Seal Beach is relatively close to DL. Katella to Los Alamitos Blvd and head south.

Ok, change of plans. We'll now be there Tuesday through Friday, next week, not tomorrow. Also, does anyone know if you can upgrade a pass from a 3 day to a 4 day at the gate? It's one of those adult at a child price tickets. The online cost difference is only $20, but would they make me pay for an upgrade to full price at the gate?

Are we having a meet? We're home now.

I'd say the thing not to miss before the end of the 50th is the start of the 51st :)

Oh no! :(

I'd love a meet if anyone can make it. It is weekdays though.

I hope you are all planning a "taking down of the decorations" meet.

Well, a Friday evening meet might be possible. I personally could not make it in time to camp out for fireworks. But I could show up after work and we could have a fireworks and 3 rides meet till midnight! (Assuming that everyone else is weekday working, too.)

I think there must be a sharing of cell numbers

I think Michael still has Lisa's card in his wallet from the meet over two years ago.

My cell is still the same.

OK, what dates are you going to be here? I'm so confused right now I don't know what the date is today!

We'll be in the parks the 26th through the 28th (at the beach the 25th). Better resend your cell, just in case he's cleaned out his wallet.

Hmmm - Friday I have the day off, but that's becasue we're going to Coachella, so we might not be able to make an evening meet then - but earlier in the week...

What time are you leaving on Friday?

Earlier in the week is good for us, as we'll be making the drive back Friday night. We're more than happy to do multiple meets, but we'll probably have to leave around 11pm on Friday, so we can be back home before the young'uns wake up.

Let's try for a weekday evening meet. I'm flexable.

Friday day is difficult for me because I have clients until midday.

I'd love to see you all for longer than we did last time. (That was happenstance!)

I can most likely come up Friday after work for dinner and child-friendly debauchery.

Cool. We're toying with the idea of Fantasmic on Friday, as that's the only day it's on. I'm not set on it though. I'm not sure if Michael is or not.

cool. those are the days i am Tinkerbelle. i will wave at you.;)
yes, you can upgrade the Parkhopper at the box office for the same cost as online.

have a wonderful visit!

Oh, I thought we were talking this week, not next. Yeah, Friday would be out for all's going to Coachella, and earlier weekdays would be out for me. Bah.

(At the rate fireworks have been cancelled lately, your chances are barely 25% on any given night anyways)

Pffft, no meet and no mojo?! You really are Grumpy Smurf, aren't you! :p

Pity fundage prevents us from going to Coachella. That would be the perfect weekend for it. I shall have to begin planning in advance next year.

She did say she'd be up to more than one meet. Bah.

Sorry, but I can't go to the Park on school nights.

You can't go Friday night? Did you decide to forgo MA and go to Coachella instead?

No, I said I could go Friday night. But a whole lots of people on our usual Welcome Wagon are going to Coachella and thus would not be availble on a Friday night.

Don't make me pull over you two. I'm happy to have however many meets big or small. Yet, if some can't/don't want to attend, that is perfectly ok too. It will be awhile before we're back, but this is by no means the last time we're there. If Friday night isn't a convenient time for most to come to the park, no biggie. I'm always here on the boards and IM for you people to bask in the glow of my online company. ;)

Friday night meet:

6pm at the Hub?

Call if you come later. PM me if you need my cell number.

We're back from our too short trip. I found that while three days used to be more than enough for us when we went more often, it was far too little this time. I'm dismayed at the prospect of not returning for a year or more. This was an especially great trip because Indi (who just turned three) is now 41" tall, and thus could ride some E tickets for the first time. Here's the highlights:

Wednesday: Found us at the park early, unusual for us. Hit a couple rides in Fantasyland, discovered that Indi would have been more than happy to spend the whole day on Donald's boat. Rode more rides, ate a lot, met up with Euro and NA and an assortment of others (gn2dlnd was one. motorboat cruiser? was he there? I confess I'm much better with real names than screen names.) that stayed for a few minutes at the train station at seven. I was underwhelmed by the parade, especially the lame music.

We escaped on the train (after sinking a bench :p ) over to HM. Then off to the corn dogs where Snow White was most definitely not serving food. Off to the tiki room, which was a huge hit for Indi, then a last minute viewing of the fireworks. These were freaking awesome and I wish they were keeping them forever. Then out the gates for a very swanky and very cold conversation (as I had forgotten my jacket in Arizona), which left me without a voice the next morning. The conversation was well worth it, and it turned out to be a good thing, as the next morning I found an awesome Pirates sweatshirt that I felt obligated to buy.

Thursday: Spent the day at DCA, got very little done, decided to ride Monsters the next day as we didn't want to stand in a 40 minute line for it. Catch a Flave was closed. GCH mug that allows free refills either dropped or was stolen from the stroller. I hope the bastard that found/took it chokes on his root beer. Indi loved Soarin', but the best part by far was at the end when we flew over DL he exclaimed, "Let's go down!"

Friday: Got lots done, but not nearly everything. Forgot to go back for MI and forgot to see the show in Mr. Lincoln. Indi loved Splash Mountain, and wasn't scared by the drop (or so he says). He said he liked Matterhorn, but declined to ride it again with Michael, until later when he asked what Yeti's ate and we told him snow. Then after he and Michael rode, he said that he roared back at the Yeti (or Eti, as he said) and would not let the Yeti scare him. So now Matterhorn gets a thumbs up from him as well. BTD wasn't able to make the meet, but is was just as well, as we were tying up loose ends by that time of night.

At the NA and Euro meet we talked about NA having a genetic imprint of Boston that allowed her to get around easily. The same must be true for Indiana, as whenever he was bored or we were taking too long eating he would simply leave. When we would ask him where he was going, he would answer, "To ride the train" or "get some ice cream." He was pretty confident that he knew where everything was, and getting lost didn't even occur to him. He did keep trying to go into Innoventions, but in his defense, he thought it was a big boat. :p

So in all, a very fun and much too short trip. Stayed at the Hilton Anaheim thanks to Priceline, and found it to be a very outdated, yet convenient hotel, for any of you out of towners that might someday consider it. A good time was had by all, the next theme park to be visited is most likely Tokyo Disney, but I will sorely miss DL (and even miss DCA a little).

wow! what a terrific trip report:)

I am so sorry to have missed your visit. i was sick at home thursday and friday.

glad you had a good time!!

We did meet, but it was really brief because we were on our way out dinner. I wish we could have stayed longer. Still, nice to meet you finally. :)

No worries! Hope you are feeling better!

Are you Jim, or was that Gn2dlnd? Was your Matthew the tall skinny guy in grey? Nice to meet you too!

Cool trip report! Glad you had a cool time.
:)

Jim is Gn2dlnd. Matthew was the guy in grey. :)

MickeyLumbo is Mickey. ;) LOL

see ya real soon!