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View Full Version : Malcon10t and MDM and Family - 10/29-11/2 Desert Inn Halloween



Malcon10t
11-09-2008, 02:40 PM
Group - Where do I start - My crew, Me, old, MickeyDogMom - 22, Youngest - 18

We joined my sister who had been there since the 27th, and her crew was - Sis, 30s, our mom, 60s, Niece1 - 7yo, Nephew1 - 5yo, Nephew2 - 3yo, Niece2 - 2yo, and Nephew3 - 4 mos. They stayed at GCH.

We are joined on 11/1 by SIL (29) NephewG1 -5yo and NephewG2 4yo.

We left later than expected on the 29th. We had hoped to leave by 2pm, but Youngest had a midterm so we didn't leave til after 5pm. We arrived at the Desert Inn about 930pm. Traffic was nonexistant. The room was clean. I even spent 2 days walking around in white socks, and they didn't get dirty!!! That is amazing to me in a hotel/motel. The beds were not the greatest, but they were clean. We had a parlor suite which worked out well. We checked in, got unpacked, and began the "Should we get dinner?" routine, but decided we were tired and hung out and decided to get a good night sleep and be up in the am. Now, here is one thing we did not like. The wireless internet. "Free". I would have rather have paid and had a solid connection. The connection faded often. Not fun.

10/30. We get up and head to the park. I call sis and arrange to meet. We go to Tomorrowland and get breakfast at the Terrace. Now, my sister had been there since Monday, but they had done few rides because of the ratio of children to adults. So, we take over and start heading on rides. We take off for POTC, Jungle Cruise, HMH, then MDM heads back to the hotel to handle dog issues, while I go with the others and we go on Poohs Psychadelic Adventures. Now the younger 2 are tired, and we have Goofy's at 730p, so my mom and sis take little ones back to the hotel, while Youngest and I take the older 3 to tour FantasyLand, then back to ToonTown. MDM rejoins us. We learn the 3yo is a rideaholic! We could not find a ride he was tall enough for that was fast enough for him. He LOVED Gadgets Go Coaster and Matterhorn. About 6, we take the monorail to DTD and to BuildaBear. MDM needs to make a bear. So my mom and sis join us, and we build some bears. Just before 730, we head to Goofy's. GREAT DINNER, GREAT ENTERTAINMENT. The 2yo niece cried when any character came near her. I *think* they spread the work backstage, as all characters were careful to make a wide berth around her. The rest of the kids got plenty of character time. We saw Chip and Dale, Pluto, Goofy, Jasmin, Minnie, the Wizard, and a couple others. After this we head back to crash and be up early!

10/31 - It's HALLOWEEN! And we get to go Trick or Treating! So, we send the day in Disneyland. We head back to the hotel about 5 to get ready for Trick or Treating. We go as Jedis again. We get there early and head in. It was fun to see everyone dressed up. All Cms we met were friendly and outgoing. We headed to Soarin first. We go to the station by Soarin first, then head to Soarin to ride. I opt to stay off with the babies and dog while everyone rides. Now, I also had my older son's tickets and we hadn't met them yet. So, just after everyone goes on the ride, leaving me with the 3 little ones and a dog, my son calls, they are at the gate.... So, I get brave, and put the infant in the back seat of the stroller, taking the 3yo out (infant rides in his moms front pack that she had... Its a Ted and Bills stroller.) So, here I am pushing a stroller with a 4mo old and 2yo, and hanging onto a 3yo and a leash for the dog. We maneuver back to the gate, get my son his tickets, meet his friends, and we head back to soarin. We had a great time trick or treating, seeing characters, and riding rides. Everyone had a GREAT time. We waited for the parade, and 3 of 5 kids were asleep... Not asleep, the 2yo. She is wide awake and on a sugar high. She is eating the candy as fast as her little hands and teeth can open it. She loved the parade (where characters kept a distance) and shrieked with joy as they danced around her. But, everyone said, as soon as she got back in the room and into bed, she was OUT for the night! On to tomorrow....

Malcon10t
11-10-2008, 08:48 AM
11/1/08 - My other SIL and nephews had joined us, so we met up in the park. I can't remember all we did, but we did do a lot of kid rides. The 4yo nephew had never been to Disneyland, so he was just in awe of EVERYTHING. He thinks he really went into outer space with Star Tours, and was wondering how we'd get back to Disneyland when we were on POTC. There wasn't anything he didn't like. At dinner, we tried the Plaza Inn. Those meals are HUGE!!!! We sat at the table and watched the fireworks which was great. After a little shopping, we headed back to the room.

11/2 - Up and out early to do last minute shopping and meet up with my son for breakfast/lunch at Mimi's. We woke up to find MDM had done something to her ankles, that a week later still has her having difficulty walking, and we will be having an MRI done. This was the "Big Dog's" last trip, as he returns for final training on the 15th.

I had fun checking out electrical outlets, and found more than I expected. Overall, it was a good trip with everyone wanting to go back again next year for Halloween!

MammaSilva
11-10-2008, 09:16 AM
It sounds like you guys had a great trip once again...I love the parks with the little ones. Hope MDM's ankles are ok!

jenniebean
11-10-2008, 10:56 AM
It sounds like the trip was great! I hope nothing serious is wrong with MDM's ankles... or if anything is a little off, that they're healed in time for the next trip! I think that if I had seen dogs dressed as jedis in the park for the trick or treat party, I would have just followed them around taking pictures the whole night-- Star Wars + puppies = my favorites.

Malcon10t
11-10-2008, 12:10 PM
Thanks! She is had too many injuries to list. She's been in casts and boots more than anyone we know. The doc can't "see" anything wrong, and surprisingly, there is no swelling. We *think* it started with the boots she wore with her jedi costume. And he got on her for not wearing her braces, then finding out she didn't get the new braces he prescribed. So, braces are on their way. She had gone almost a year without wearing them because "they felt better".... He thinks a legion may have dislocated. So, MRI time... for a claustrophobe...

And we had a blast!!!! The puppy was adorable as a Jedi!

frozenpond
11-12-2008, 06:22 PM
We were at the parks the same time you were. I kept telling my DH & DS to look for a puppy...they thought I was crazy. ;)


Had a blast! I would go again during Halloween in a heartbeat! The Trick or Treat party was awesome, even my 12 1/2 year old son thought so.

Malcon10t
11-12-2008, 06:48 PM
We were at the parks the same time you were. I kept telling my DH & DS to look for a puppy...they thought I was crazy. ;)


Had a blast! I would go again during Halloween in a heartbeat! The Trick or Treat party was awesome, even my 12 1/2 year old son thought so.My 23yo son said "Pay $37 to go trick or treating?? Nooo..." I said "I already paid for your ticket, so you are going." I even had 2 extras his friends used. Afterwards he said "THAT WAS GREAT!"

anniedg
11-12-2008, 10:07 PM
Sounds like a great trip! I'm impressed with your preschooler/toddler/baby/doggie wrangling skills! Any pictures of the Jedi Pup?!?

Hope the MRI goes well! No fun at all.

DisneyPrincessCat
11-13-2008, 05:05 AM
We were at DL at Halloweentime as well and did not do the Halloween trick or treating. Next year! DEFINITELY! I am going to make those reservations. Every trip report I have read about it sounds like so much fun and my big kid (hubby) will love it. He likes candy!

It was crowded on a couple days we were there on the weekend of the CHOC walk. Then after that weekend was over, it got less crowded. I did not know CHOC walk was that weekend, but it would not have mattered. I know that is a terribly crowded day at DL. We were meeting friends from Texas who were there THAT week, so we went. It was fun, crowded, but fun! We spent many an afternoon in the Golden Horseshoe with The Billys, our favorite attraction!
Sounds like you had a great time and hope MDM is okay!

Malcon10t
11-13-2008, 05:30 PM
I am waiting for MDM to get her pics up so I can post a few. Especially of the size difference for the pup from this year compared to last.

Oh, one big thing. I have always been the one who says "You don't want to ride, fine, you can wait with me." I figure if they really want to ride, they will eventually do it. My niece (7yo) has always stayed of the Mountains/fast ride. Last trip, I explained to her Indy was just a bumpy jerky car ride. I also told her she didn't have to ride, but if she wanted to ride, she could sit with MDM and the Heir. She took a deep breath and decided to try. She liked it. This trip, she tried Matterhorn (and loved it) and BTMRR. She couldn't bring herself to try Space Mountain again, I figure a few more trips and she will. She isn't like her brothers. (The 3yo would get ticked having to stay off the "go faster" rides. He is only 37".)

MickeyDogMom
11-16-2008, 09:05 PM
You forgot to mention:

~ Gma and I had a wonderful fight.

~ Nephew one thinks I am the person who takes him on all the rides. I swear his mother (my aunt) must talk me up behind my back because he thinks I'm the best.

~ My ankles were KILLING me. I can't recall feeling pain like that without at least some swelling or bruises.

~ All the other Jedi's KNEW I was the best. :D I had Padawan's and Jedi dogs!

~ I did NOT like the hotel. The dog potty spots were WAY too far from the hotel room. It was so not worth it. And that breakfast... ewww. I'm NOT a picky eater (I eat Malcon10ts food ;) ) and that was grody.

MickeyDogMom
11-16-2008, 09:47 PM
And... I was so proud of both my pups.

~ Belle was great.

~ The CM told me on TSMM that their "test dog" had "freaked out" on the ride. I was sure Sunke would be fine. He fell asleep. :) Out cold.

Now I want to know... how do I get my dogs hired for the job of "test dog"?