Hey everyone, we made it there and back safe and sound. Now we are planning next years trip.

Trip report: DH, 31; me, 31; Makenna (mak) 4; Tommy 2
Stayed at Anahiem Maingate Hotel
Dates March 7-11


Thursday, the day before we left I had to run Mak to the doctor. Yes, we had a nasty ear infection and cold; her brothers ears were fine but he had a nasty cold too. We got some meds at the pharmacy and left town for the airport (flew out of portland. OR) We stayed overnight at a super 8 with free week long parking.

March 7: up and checked out of the Hotel at 5 am. Headed to the airport via hotel shuttle. Had breakfast and let the kids get out some energy. Boarded the very full flight at 720. Had a gaggle of cheerleaders on board (Makenna was ecstatic!) Landed at 1000 had our bags and waiting for disneyland express till 1115. I was disappointed with the Disneyland express. they didn't play any movies or anything like we were promised. Our driver had no clue where he was going (as far as hotels went) we spent an hour on the bus. Our Room was ready and I was pleasantly suprised (after reading reviews of the hotel I was scared). The room was small, but clean and we could see the fireworks. Tired we headed to the parks for lunch and fun. Tommy fell asleep on the walk there, but woke up after about 40 minutes ready to eat.
We started Tommy out a little rough, my bad I didn't listen to advice on this one. Haunted Mansion and Matterhorn. He didn't like those at all. We had to fight to get him on anything after that. BOY did I learn my lesson. After going on Casey jr and storybook canal he relaxed a bit and we ended up going on pirates of the carribean and he loved it!
Friday we ate at Royal Street Veranda and the Golden Horseshoe.

March 8: Up and at'em had breakfast at the IHOP and tried to make it in for TTMM but were a little late so we decided to wait until Monday. Rode Dumbo first for Tommy: over and over and over. When the line reached 20 minutes we forced him away (begin a meltdown for an hour :( )

(I have to go I will edit and post more later)

Glad you made it there and back safely! Sorry to hear about the meltdown. I honestly think that is why I waited until my sons were over the age of 5yrs before I ever took them to DL. It seems like it can be way overstimulating sometimes. Well that and when I was there as a teenager, I saw soooooo many parents forcing their toddlers to meet characters that were probably terrifying to the little ones. LOL! I remember hearing a parent say "This is the happiest place on earth and YOU better BE HAPPY!" It was then that I thought some people were nuts. LMAO! Looking forward to reading about the rest of your trip!

Glad to hear you arrived home safe and sound...can't wait to hear about the rest of your vacation.

Okay, more of March 8th :) Tommy's meltdown lasted about an hour, then we went on Buzz light year, over and over and over. Boy did he like that ride. Tommy and I took things slow, we watched the Jedi training show wandered around watching rides. Went over to Toon Town and played for a while. Mak and Will went on the Matterhorn, Splash Mountain, Space Mountain, then joined us in Toon Town. We went to DownTown Disney for dinner at the Rainforest cafe but the line was too long so we ended up going to Tony Roma's; Mak passed out waiting for a table so we went back to the Hotel.

Sunday, March 9 Up an at'em to make it at opening. We fed the kids poptarts and made coffee in our room. Headed out a little later than we wanted, 7:45 but the walk was quick. When we got there there was no line to get in, HMMMM thats odd. Then we ran straight to Nemo. The line was 60 minutes, What? already? We decided to pass on Nemo. Will Took Tommy to Pirates of the Carribean, I took Mak to BTMRR. It was in line that I realized why the line to get in was so short: Daylight savings time, DUH!! :) he he. About 1230 we headed to the Rainforest Cafe Tommy slept through lunch, but Makenna finally ate (a salad, but it was something). We headed back through Downtown Disney to Club Libby Lu. Makenna got right in for a Hannah Montana hair-do/makeup/shirt and scarf package. It was so worth $40!!!!!!!!! She loved it and actually with everything we got it was quite a good deal. We finally Hit DCA for a little bit. Mak and I went on Soarin' over CA, then Will went on Tower of Terror. We all went on Monsters inc. Tommy and Will went on Monsters again, Mak and I went to Grizzly River Run. We had Premium Seating arranged for Fantasmic, we got in line at about 6:40 or so. Tommy was running up and down the stairs (driving the nervous Mommy INSANE) then he coughed so hard he threw up (eww, but it happens) It was only a little bit so I was able to clean up the mess with a couple of baby wipes. After we picked our seats (front row center) We got Tommy something real to eat for dinner, well as real as chicken nuggets are anyway. Our seats were SO worth it! The kids like most of it. Our treat boxes included five little things of cheese, crackers, grapes, cheesecakes, little cream filled chocolate things, MMMM it was good, but between the 4 of us we only really ate 1 of the boxes. we all got hot chocolate and the kids also got some water bottles. Again, this was SO TOTALLY WORTH IT! WE didn't hang out for the fireworks because Mak started to freak out for some reason. I think her ear was hurting, and the booms of the fireworks just hurt.

Oh, Ya sometime on Sunday evening I tried to go on Indiana Jones but all the sudden all the lights came up. I was lucky the Jeep hadnt gone much past the dock. The CM's were nice enough to us but we couldn't leave yet. Then the started calling for evacuation procedures and truly no one knew what to do. The man who I assumed was an engineer, finally started telling them to get ladders and gave them some clear instructions. Finally I was free (after 45 minutes) I did NOT go back on that ride.

Monday March 10. we got in to TTMM which we all loved, Tommy especially. Then We headed over to DCA I took Mak on Tower of Terror. I wasn't going to but she badgered us until we caved in. She liked it until about 2 hours AFTER the ride was over then said she would wait until next year to go on it with her daddy. We let the kids play in the water park, while I had a margarita. and we cooled down in the heat of the day. We had a great time. Changed our clothes and headed over to use our fastpasses for space mountain and Splash Mountain. After Space Mountain, Makenna and I went on Star Tours and were stuck in Tomorrowland until after the fireworks (mak covered her ears and eyes until the show was over. Once Will and Tommy came back over to us we took off for the Hotel.

Oh Ya, before space mountain we got in line for Nemo, it was only 25 minutes :) it was a great show, but I wouldn't have wanted to stand in line for 60 minutes for it.

Tuesday March 11 Early Entry day!!!!!! So much fun. All day was slow. We walked on most rides and the rides with lines were the normal e-ticket rides. We also did Minnie and Friends which was Totally worth it. The kids were in HEAVEN, the best bowl of fruit loops makenna ever ate! (or should I say the most expensive? :) We did all of our favorite rides a couple more times and left the park by 8 oclock. I had packing to do and our bus picked us up at 430 am to take us to the airport.

Flight home: the kids slept all the way.
Drive Home: kids wanted to see their Nana and watch the DVD player.


Overall the trip was great. Tommy had fun, Mak had even more fun. I was so happy to take things slow and actually saw things that we just passed by before. It truly was magical for all of us. Infact we are planning another trip for March of next year (including taking my 13 year old sister as a babysitter/ride partner :) )

It sounds like you guys had a great vacation and it's so cute that your daughter was able to get the hannah montanna makeover. What was your overall opinion on the advanced seating for fantasmic? were considering doing this but are wondering what the seats are like and it you can see well enough to merit paying the price? That was a great trip report and i really enjoyed reading it.

I thought iFantasmic seating was great. We were in the front row so there wasn't anyone in front of us. We were spoiled and we will do it again. The only problem was for my Husband he was in the corner and couldn't see anything after it passed to his left becuse of of pillar. He still loved his seat though.

That sounds awesome...thanks so much for your input.

Glad you made it home and had a good trip - so did we! Too bad we didn't see you at fantasmic- LOVED the seating - we were front row too - in the section right to the left of the center lighting scaffolds - I was the first person in line to get seats!!! Lucky me! I agree though - we will NEVER go back to the old way - this was to good! We did MTTMM too - on Wednesday - we were the family of the day! It was kind of fun - I'll do my report soon - but we just got home yesterday - SOOO much to do :rolleyes: