MadasaHatter Halloween w the cousins!

[MadasaHatter]

SEPTEMBER 30-OCTOBER 3 2011

VIRGIN AMERICA FLIGHT SFO -LAX COUSINS DROVE FROM SAN DIEGO

DISNEYLAND HOTEL/GRAND CALIFORNIAN

MadasaHatter, Cousins Ynez and Maude!

DAY ONE:
I fly from T2 SFO to LAX. I used to jump right off the plane and jump right on to the DISNNEYLAND EXPRESS bus and head straight to the park. No such luck these past few trips. I have SUPER SHUTTLE chick and RED SHUTTLE I FORGET THE NAME dude looking for Dland shuttles. IT takes a long time and then I have to loop around twice. Cutting in on my DISNEY TIME but still happy to be away and heading to the DLR!

Since my cousin Ynez (who I have seen a lot these days) and Maude (have not seen her in almost 20 years, baby cousin!) are not coming until FRIDAY morning I have decided to give the Disneyland Hotel a try for one night and check out the Monorail slides and refurbished rooms! Then check into the GC the next day! I get a room in the ADVENTURE TOWER. Nice lobbies but not terribly Adventurelandy. I thought the rooms would be themed but was aware what they all looked like and upon entering very nice and the bathroom was quite cool. Quick change into my retro swimming trucks for the 1955 monorail style sign slides. Went down the medium one. Very nice. Then went down the big one. AWESOME. Quite the woosh! I swam a bit in the pool and also saw all the construction. Dried off and decided to get a margarita at TRADER SAM'S. Really nice folks in there. Got to sit at the bar and that is quite nice. The volcano erupting is cool. Dashed off to the parks and not much time to visit so wanted to say hi to Disneyland. I have an AP by the by. I went and hit STAR TOURS as it was only about a 30 minute wait. This was my second time and it was awesome. Got different scenarios from the first time so was pleased. Then I headed to the GRAND CALIFORNIAN for my Cheese Plate and glass of wine. The best cheese plate in the world! SO tasty and nice to be relaxing. NOT a soul came in from the parks and I find that so strange but I got to enjoy the bar to myself and really mellow out my first night there. Back in the room and so very tired. THe only complaint I had was that there was no room service menu and I had to BEG to get one. I wanted to go to sleep and the phones did not work so they kept transferring me. I said to just put me down for a small pot of coffee and Denver Omelette but they said that I HAD TO fill it out. If they would have brought me one right away it would have been fine but it was their error. I was exhausted! I didn't complain to them but the whole IT'S NOT MY JOB is why service in America is inferior to other places. THAT was my only complaint and it was indeed minor. When I had to say please bring me a menu so I can go to bed it wasn't brought up the last time they came straight UP and were very nice. Squeaky wheel I guess.

DAY TWO FRIDAY

My room service was EXACTLY on time so maybe that was how they made it up to me and was a wonderful wake up call.....mmmmmmmhot coffeee.

Got into the queue before park opening and was there for rope drop. Yup. Star Tours. First car of the day and TWO NEW scenarios from the other day but one I had seen from the first time. Such a great redo on that ride! Then I got a FP for STAR TOURS.

I knew my cousins would be arriving in a few hours so figured I would ride only things they didn't want to or that I would like riding twice. Last trip I did not ride MR TOAD. WHAT was I thinking. So I rode that. Whew. What a treat. No line for DUMBO so had to survey FL. That is why I love that ride. Mmmmmmmm. I'm in D-land! THen I rode the MATTERHORN. No line. I rode the left. I had always heard that that side was the fastest. Is that correct??? But then no line for RIGHT side. I actually thought that ride was JUST as fast if not even BETTER. I also wished they sent the cars up at the same time because the ride is so cool.....hope they do that with the redo...... Then off to HM to check out the new GINGERBREAD house! No spoilers here but awesome. Then I got ANOTHER FP for Star Tours....I have my reasons.....

Then I rode out of the park on the FIRE TRUCK to check out of of D-land Hotel and into the Grand Californian. I went to the front desk of GC at 10:15 to check in and fingers crossed see if a room would be ready. I have had early rooms but usually like 1:00 so wasn't expecting much. It was getting hot so if I could check into GC I would just grab my luggage and go......A ROOM WAS READY at 11:00!!!!! With a view of DCA!!!! A partial view mind you but still! I grabbed my luggage and high tailed it to GCH. I unpacked and put my stuff away in anticipation for two gals! Of course I got a call that they would be late. OF COURSE! So I went shopping. I had a 20percent off tickets from my AP purchase on line and bought at t-shirt for a co-worker's kid, an iasw Germany mug for my best friend and two MINNIE EAR HATS with big ol' bows on them for my cousins! I put them up on the hutch so they wouldn't see them immediately with the names facing outward.

They finally showed up around 12:30 and we got them to the room. Long family story short we had the best time getting re-aquainted and I really get along with those two cousins probably the best in my whole family. Really awesome time. Nuff said as you want to hear all about the DISNEY stuff.

I had made a 1:oo reservation at WINE COUNTRY TRATTORIA so we showed up LATE as they were hungry and I had the Haberno Margarita and it was just the right hint of spicy. I also had the tagliatelle and shrimp and WOO HOO loads of garlic but delicious. SO now they wanted to get to DIsneyland FINALLY at 2:oo. We got FP for HM and then I got them on STAR TOURS with my FPs that I got earlier. THen we got FPs for SM at some point too for MUCH LATER. They wanted me to go but I said....I already rode it twice and they should experience it without the hour wait!!! They loved it but Ynez gets really motion sick and said she liked it a lot but wouldn't go on it again! They were amazed at how hot it was and how long the lines were for everything so I convinced them to go to DCA and we got FPs for Soarin' and rode MONSTERS INC with a 35 minute wait. Neither of them wanted to ride ToT at all so I knew that was out. Back to the hotel for pool time and white wine in the room. Awesome. Once we showered etc. and we snacked a lot so we were good to go.

Back to DL for HM and then SM.....by the time SM was done the park was officially closed for the day but open for MICKEY'S HALLOWE'EN THINGY. THe castle was really cool and Maude wanted to check it out. We stood there and watched it change colors and wondered when we would be kicked out. We decided not to see and left for DCA. Soarin' we rode and the crowds were ENORMOUS. We had WOC picnic lunches reserved for the next day and they decided that taking advantage of our HOTEL MAGIC MORNING would be very beneficial.

We headed to TRADER SAM'S and it was all full except one table and a couple of bar stools. This couple headed for the table and then saw us and said, "We'll sit at the stools so you three can sit down." Awesome! We shared the TUNA POKE, FRIED BEANS, AND CHICKEN LETTUCE WRAPS. Ynez and I got that big island flaming drink.....and personally I thought it was disgusting. TOO SWEET. I like my booze bitter. Margaritas and Gin and Bourbon for me. THe spices were bizarre and just made it even more gooey. JUST ME. A tike bar should have a menu full of rum drinks but I only like a good aged sipping rum. So that was my first mistake of the trip. I think the size of TRADER SAM'S is perfect! If they built it bigger it would not be a bar. IT would be a giant TGIF sort of thing and it would be hard to staff. People were waiting when we left but it was a FRIDAY night. This ensures that the staff makes decent money. People feel like they are in a full bar so it is convivial and drinks can get to tables in a timely manner. I think it is a huge win win for everyone and I applaud Disney for doing something like that. LOUD? Yup. But it's a bar. I don't go to a bar for relaxation. When it gets too loud. Head on out. Perfect. I don't think I could spend HOURS in there because of that but it was perfect for our stay. Big thumbs up.

DAY THREE coming tomorrow. HIGHLIGHTS.....successful touring! FUn Gay Days....LOWLIGHT.....first time I got sick in Disneyland. Boo.......

[MadasaHatter]

DAY THREE- Room service was nice and early and we had coffee and the girls split eggs and bacon and I had a Mickey Mouse Waffle with BERRIES. Berries. Berries. My cousin thinks it was the berries and they were indeed a bit zingy. I felt fine though and had cofffee too. WE got to the MAGIC MORNING late but there were no lines at all so that was cool. BAM! WE did PP, Pinocchio, Mr. Toad, Dumbo and Teacups was only me and Maude but Ynez took pics. Alice of course STorybook, Matterhorn ALL before the crowds set in. We walked right onto HM and BTMRR and INdiana Jones all in two hours. THe cousins were very pleased with the lines. WE even had time for pics and we FP for SPLASH MTN! I must say that INDIANA JONES has not been that good in years. THe car whipped and turned, I could see all the effects and the timing just seemed really on. Very pleased.

WE decided to rush over to DCA and try and slam in TSMM before the crowds got big and BAM we only had to wait about 20 minutes so we really were rocking the park. WIth ToT out for the Cousins and SCREAMIN' down we really had done the whole park. WE decided to save GRR for the pool break in the afternoon. SO it was back to D-land in time to ride the MARK TWAIN for Gay Days. My cousin Ynez joined me a few years back and thought that was a total hoot to be on a boat full of red shirts. We grabbed Iced Latte's at that little NOS place and that might have also done me in. THe boat was as fun as always and it was hot and crowded. SO CROWDED that we realized they had let too many people on the boat was listing to the left with everyone on the port side waving to NOS. IT started leaking and they asked everyone to even out the boat! Which of course we did. About the time we rounded SPLASH it hit me. I got immediately sick and told the cousins I had to get RIGHT off the boat. I made it without getting sick and told them to ride SPLASH MTN without me and went back to the room. I got in bed and slept for a couple of hours. It was nice being so close and in a comfy bed. I am pretty sure I had food poisoning. THe heat and excitement and too much coffee and that rum drink all added to it but the only thing I ate that the cousins didn't eat was the waffle so we figured that was it. SPLASH broke down so they rode a few other things that I am not sure of. I felt a little better so went to get the picnic lunches and thought I would ride GRR but it broke down too! A dip in the pool actually cooled me off but I had NO desire to eat the picnics and went right back to the room for another nap as they enjoyed the pool. They let me sleep and enjoyed the pool so we were too late to meet the RED SHIRTS at iasw but we made it in plenty time for the parade. We found a shaded spot on Main St. and there were plenty of RED SHIRTS I sat down as I waited for the parade as I was still weak. I felt sick again and wanted to try the F! Fireworks WOC round so bowed out of the RED SHIRT Tiki Room meet up....very sad. I had a Neon Green Hawaiian shirt over my red shirt so I gave it to Ynez. Sick again and down again for a nap.

They had a ball at the Tiki Room but Maude thought she could get a Bud Light there and was dissapointed in that. Her nursing had helped and I had been drinking SPrite all day and my tummy was finally settled but not really wanting to eat. THey said to stay in the room but I wanted to make sure I would sleep through the night as we were ALL going to sleep in the next morning as they were leaving and I was staying SUNDAY night alone. So OFF TO F! I did feel much better. Still tired but better. We stood near the RIVER BELLE TERRACE and they are shorties but could still see very well. THe show was great and we left RIGHT after the Mark Twain passed us and had NO trouble getting out through Adventureland and getting through the MAIN ST. Crowd was smooth too. I was surprised. Maude said we should watch the fireworks. I sat on the sidewalk in front of a tree and they started. Limited view so I told them to go stand in the TOWN SQUARE part and let me sit as I had seen WISHES many times. Even with a limited view I saw about 75% of the fireworks and being tired that was ENOUGH! It was restive and wonderful. LOVE that show.

Then we rushed over to DCA and not a soul yet getting through the gates! Crazy lucky and I was not moving very fast. THe park was almost closed and there was a big line for WOC near GRR. WE ignored it and went to Little Mermaid before it closed. We walked right on. The cousins thought it was wonderful. I think it is really bright and cute. With no wait it is a favorite ride for sure. I had read on here that the Little Mermaid (In UNDER THE SEA number) and Ursula were ripping. THey looked fine to me and it does look like they solved the animatronics problem to keep that from happening. So that was good to see. THen we walked up to WOC and it started in 5 minutes. THere was TONS of room in front of us and the crowds had rushed the front area. Maude wanted to join the crowd but Ynez thought we were fine and I was still tired and wanted to lean up against the fence there. We all stayed and they agreed that the view there was perfect. WHen that ended we decided to hit FINDING NEMO and iasw before heading back. They were tired but really glad they saw both of those rides. THey loved the new iasw and NEMO they thought was a really clever use of the old sub ride. They aren't as big of Disneyland fans as I am but asked lots of questions and thought that they were great. They decided SPLASH would be too cold too late and opted for the room again.

It worked I wore myself out again and was asleep before they even got into bed. I slept great and woke up my usual self hungry the next morning.....DAY FOUR was a slow mellow recovery day full of music and seeing CAROL CHANNING at Gay Days! REally really cool....tune in later.....

[Tink Lover]

Hi Mad, I'm enjoying reading your posts ... I knew you were going to be on your trip sometime before the end of the year, couldn't wait for your trip report - I think you do such a great job. Glad to hear that you enjoyed the "swoosh" of the new monorail pool ... didn't know about the cheese plate, now you've got me so curious (I love cheese plates) ... what a sweetie you are for having ears waiting for your cousins - did they like them? you left out their reactions ... make that a double sweetie to collect FP's for them to use when you saw them ... glad to see you got re-acquainted with Mr. Toad (I think that visiting h_ll is extra nice on a cold and rainy day, myself!) ... so sorry to hear about the sickness, that is NO FUN especially if it was food poisoning, yuck ... you sure sound like you took it all in stride very well though - my hat is off to you. And you got to see the real live CAROL CHANNING? How exciting - she's such a lovely and unique lady, that must have been a thrill. She must be getting up there, though - did she perform? or get introduced to the crowd somewhere? or did you recognize her INCOGNITO?

[tea4two]

Hi Mad, I'm enjoying reading your posts ... And you got to see the real live CAROL CHANNING? How exciting - she's such a lovely and unique lady, that must have been a thrill. She must be getting up there, though - did she perform? or get introduced to the crowd somewhere? or did you recognize her INCOGNITO?

I, too, am enjoying your trip report! (And thank you for introducing us to your cheese plate tradition -- it's one of our DLR traditions now, too!)
Please, do tell about Carol Channing. Although, I just can't imagine her ever being INCOGNITO anywhere!

[MadasaHatter]

Howdy TL!

Thanks for reading my post. I love doing the trip report. I feel like I have relived the trip all over again! I do go on but it is good for writing skills and it helps others as I have learned from posts too!

Yes, the cheese plate is a must and HOW lucky was I that I did it before I fell ill. Whew.

The cousins were surprised and totally ecstatic and asked me what they owed me. I said you don't owe for a gift sillies. They wore them all the time and I had my plain black old school ears. Yeah the FP idea hit me upon leaving the ride as I did not want to wait in the heat of the day nor did they and my cousins motion sickness was another factor in the end. They loved it but didn't need to ride it again!

Okay as far as MR TOAD goes....I finally read THE WIND IN THE WILLOWS and he does not enter Hades ever in the book. He is rotten and crazy and steals cars but he ends up in jail and dresses like a washer woman to escape London so I have NO idea where Disney got hell in the ride!!! I don't remember that film so will have to look at it at some point. I rode it with the cousins the next day so I felt much better for having skipped it last time.

Sick is sick. Can't help it. I was lucky to have a nurse for a cousin, staying at the GC so close and REALLY REALLY lucky to have woken up and rode HALF OF THE PARK before it hit. THat made going back to the room all the better. I did luck out.

As for Carol Channing you have to wait for day FOUR (you too tea4two).....coming soon....maybe now....

[MadasaHatter]

Oh and tea4two.....are you a song and dance man/gal or do you love tea? Are you all hoping that JOLLY HOLIDAY BAKERY will serve an Afternoon Tea hosted by Mary Poppins and dancing penguins......fingers crossed.

[MadasaHatter]

DAY FOUR SUNDAY

I wake up. At 9:30!!!!I really slept again. I have an appetite! Woo hoo! The cousins are still asleep. So I dress and right about when I am ready to head out Ynez wakes up and says she will go with me. I say no just wake up and pack and shower I need to eat and I will join you for breakfast. So I go to Catal and get eggs and bacon and toast and coffeeeeeeeeewhichIknowIshouldn't have but just drank a wee bit and all was well. Still weak but feeling better. When I got back they were up and moving about and were hungry so we went to STORY TELLERS at around 10:30 and there was a huge wait. SO we went back to Catal and we had breakfast and a really nice chat again. Really bummed they were leaving. Then we went to the WORLD OF DISNEY because they both had gifts to buy for lots of babies of friends and DAMN can those girls shop forever. Ynez finally said WE NEED TO GO.....now it is about 12:30. They both say that they hate good byes and I said fine, you go back to the room and I will go to Disneyland. Problem solved....we hugged in front of the store and I went back in to the park.

Back in Disneyland! Rode some more Main St. vehicles and got a FP for something. I wanted to go on INDIANA again but it broke down. I have never had so many rides breaking down but maybe all the money is being pumped into the re-do of the parks??? OR maybe just unlucky?? I have to say that with the ridiculous crowds they should have made sure that CA SCREAMIN' was open if they were closing Disneyland at 6:00 on a Friday. I am sure they had lots of complaints that they won't have next year. Also it really was bad to have PIRATES down in NOS with the huge crowds for HMH at THAT TIME. I know they have to shut rides down but it really was kind of a mess. I have been going to GAY DAYS for 6 years now and this really was the most crowded I have ever seen the parks! Having DCA open next year with CARSLAND and BVST. will be amazing. I may even try the MICKEY'S HALLOWEEN if I get motivated and have a friend with me that will dress up too!

OK back to touring. I went to see BILLY HILL which I would have made the cousins do if I were not sick. IT started out kind of like they were dialing it in I thought but WHAM then they go into full throttle and entertain the heck outta the crowd. They did a couple of new numbers (or ones I don't always see.) I think it is time to let the "train thing" go for a while. I like it but am a little tired of that. I don't think I have EVER seen a show without that. They are such great performers. I rode SPLASH and that was interesting. I approached the SINGLE RIDER/WHEEL CHAIR line and it was a bit confusing so I asked someone in the wheelchair line if they were the same and she assured me they were the same line. I kind of hesitated and she said "You don't have to believe me." so I believed her until after 10 minutes I notice people going in and I ask a CM and no they are indeed separate lines so I said "You liar! You have ruined my trip! How many others have you ruined!"......no......I did not say that. I just went in and didn't say anything. I don't even think she noticed. Fun fun fun. What a great ride. Then upon exiting the CANOES were open. I love the canoes. None of my friends want to do them so that was a treat! I got to sit in the back alone behind one person that COULD row and one that COULDN'T row so it was nice to be able to switch paddles. I love that trip. I grabbed a FP for STAR TOURS for around 10:oo also. I ain't no dummy! I am sure I rode the MAIN ST Cars and Such and probably took the MONORAIL outta the parks.

Then back to the hotel for a splash in the pool! ANd I think I had a little lie down. I had something to eat but not much. I made plans to have dinner with my Hollywood pal TANK after CAROL CHANNING. She spoke at 6:30 in a ball room at the GC for 20$ a head. It went to her foundation to bring arts back into the schools. REAGAN was the first president to defund the arts in schools and it is trend that has continued. It has been proven that the creativity of the arts helps engineers, doctors, scientist etc and Einstein even states that the theory of relativity (look it up, I guess it was a big one!) came to him from a symphony! That's pretty impressive. Being a professional actor I believe in it whole heartedly, she told stories about going to Disneyland and hanging out with WALLY BOAG (Sp??) and the crowd went wild. SHe told about beating Barbra Streisand for the Tony. SHe talked about Drag Performers doing her. SHe told a racy story about Ann Miller. Amaaaaaazing and that gal is 91 years old. She is starting to show her age and is a bit feeble but her comic timing is amaaaaaaaaaaaaaaazing.

I was late to meet my friend for dinner but we went to STORYTELLERS and our waiter was having a bad night so I sent him away to handle some things as we were just having a good chat anyway. Being nice always pays off and he brought each of us a cupcake. It was moist and tasted freshly iced and just a really swell thing to do. WE went up to my room and had some wine. Me just a little tiny bit and TANK and I sat on the balcony and watched the lights of WOC which was really cool.

WE said good-bye and I went back into Disneyland and went on Star Tours and got the same tour I got the first night!!!!! Weird. THen HMH in the dark is the bomb with all the pumpkins. I did my favorite thing the last hour. Just walked all over the park. Adventureland was empty and the lights were so very cool. THe detail in the park was perfect. The music and the torches in AL. THe neon of TL. The twinklking bulbs all over Main St. I really got to take advantage of being alone through out the whole park. THAT is why I love Disneyland.

DAY 5 a perfect farewell to the parks!

[MadasaHatter]

DAY FIVE MONDAY

I went in for rope drop as I had a 7pm flight. I figured why fly out early when it is only an hour flight, right? I have an AP. Right? I of course did STAR TOURS. Wasn't in the front but I did get a new combo so I have seen most of them at this point. Really it is an awesome ride and I am very happy with the redo. The fact that I was sick made it much more exciting going into the parks because there was a lot I didn't do. I rode some stuff but opted out of the JUNGLE CRUISE. It isn't as much fun alone. I think I did HMH once more. ANd I think I did Splash. I had a Mickey Mouse pancake at River Belle Terrace and I think that will be my last. IT wasn't even crowded but by the time the person in front of me dug around in her purse and took a long time my PANCAKE was COLD. Cold. Cold pancakes aren't good and that is the second one I have had. You should pay first and then get it. Oh well. I enjoyed the view from the terrace.

Then I had to go back and pack and it is always sad. I checked my luggage and then headed back to the park to catch the BOOTSTRAPPERS. The Pirate band in front of NOS. There were some new members from last time but I love the sea chanties. THey are all about a bonnie lass and booze. Come to think of it a lot of songs are about drinking and a pretty gal. But really amaaaazing musicians and funny funny funny. So glad I caught the show and in the shade too. I then really felt that there was no more to be done in Disneyland without getting all "Just one more.....ooh......and one more......ooh ooh......and one more....." So I opted for a slow and steady farewell down Main St. by stopping and watching Burt and Mary Poppins doing there thing in front of the castle. Rode the Fire Truck down and the Fire House Band was playing. SO it was a perfect farewell with all the music going....leave on a high note! ANd now headed back to DCA to finish my day!

SO a note on the redo's of Disneyland. OK. Number one. So. Excited. JOLLY HOLIDAY BAKERY? A big fat yes. THat building has just sat there for AS LOOOOOONG as I can remember and it isn't shoved in the corner like the AUTOPIA that seems to upset a lot of folks! So even if you no like Autopia it truly is out of sight and mind. But now that Bakery should be very cool and I hope there is afternoon tea served with Burt and the Penguins??? How cool would that be? I would pay for that. AND please please please restore my precious SODA FOUNTAIN in the Carnation Restaurant. What is Main St. without a Soda Fountain???? Just plain WRONG! I would go in the afternoon and sit and have a delicious phosphate or knickerbocker sundae and get my shoes shined and wonder about our boys going to was in WW1, sure times were tough but we all pulled together.....oh my......I digress.....It is so sad seeing that beautiful fountain behind a fast food style counter. NOW as for the PLAZA GARDENS being refurbished for PRINCESS FANTASY FAIRE....I do like the look of the old school Disneyland Walt Was There dance floor but.....it is time. Time to let go. TIme for something new. When Walt died there were THREE Princesses....now there are ten. It is time for them to have an area and the fact that it will be swing dancing on Saturdays still as WAAAAAY cool. I think it would be cool if it morphed into Frontierland and Pocahontas was there in an Indian Village sort of setting. How cool would that be! I think Tiana should be in NOS and Jasmine in AL as I am a stickler for detail but that is just me. I guess Mulan would be in China....where would that be? I suppose she could be visiting her European pals....and what about a Latina princess????WHOA.....major digression....I am mad after all.....

DCA....I really spent some time in BLUE SKY CELLARS and watched ALL about Buena Vista St. I hope that is done in the spring so I can plan a visit before the craziness of the summer months. I also got to see TOW MATERS JUNKYARD JAMBOREE being tested live! It was really cool seeing a ride with my own eyes in the early stages. People were riding just one vehicle and there was a guy under a tent with a lap top computer. So cool. Then I went and finally rode ToT always a great time with a 13 minute MAX! THen off to see ALADDIN which I hadn't seen in years. Genie was very funny and AL and JAS were great. Amazing singers and actors. No flying carpet. Again I have to weigh in here. LOVE the show. Great fit. Time for a new one! I think it has been there for at least 5 years! They keep it fresh. THey keep it funny. But come on? Little Mermaid, Mary Poppins, Beauty and the Beast, Cinderella for old school fans??? ALice in Wonderland? TONS of things that they could do! Why not rotate shows between all the parks? My friend is a show director at WDW.....I'll get him on that.

I know I rode Goofy's Sky school for sure and very disappointed they didn't have GOOFY Wa ha ha ha sound effects the whole ride and the sounds of chickens squawking when you fly through them. Sound effects sound effects sound effects. Only one Goofy VO at the end. They need to get on that. WHo do I talk to???

REALITY LAND.... flight super delayed so I hung out in the GC lobby. Took a later shuttle and that was super late. The Disneyland Express. I had plenty of time but there were lots of UPSET people on that bus and I can't blame them. WHen we pulled out of the DH I saw all the walls being pulled by the staff so it looks like the renovations are practically done. I flew home delayed/on time and was in bed by 11pm with Disney dreams in my head already trying to plan a XMAS trip which probably won't happen due to my busy schedule. We will see. It would be a day trip but that is enough to walk around and soak up the XMAS magic. OK. If I left anything out let me know. THanks for reading. Change cups, change cups, move down, move down! No room at the table!!!!!!!! I'm mad!!!!! As a Hatter! PS How come I never see the March Hare???? Gotta work on that one!

So about the refurb of the park on that Mary Poppins note....

[tea4two]

Oh and tea4two.....are you a song and dance man/gal or do you love tea? Are you all hoping that JOLLY HOLIDAY BAKERY will serve an Afternoon Tea hosted by Mary Poppins and dancing penguins......fingers crossed.

LOL, Oh, how I wish I were a song and dance gal! (Maybe in my next life?) So DH and I make do by supporting live theater whenever possible. And, yes, I do love tea, so the whole idea of a proper Mary Poppins afternoon tea (and how could anything Poppins not be proper and practically perfect?) with penguins (!)... well, in total agreement with you, I would so pay for that!

By the way, so glad to hear that you recovered from your sudden bout of illness and that you enjoyed your trip. Your cousins sound really fun -- maybe they'll accompany you to the Halloween Party next year?

[MadasaHatter]

It is my firm belief that we all have a bit of the ol' song and dance in us. I love an afternoon tea also! Tea with the Mad Hatter in Fantasyland would be awesome idea too. I really loved watching the Mad Hatter work with the Disneyland band in front of the train when I was there. GOSH I love the music at Disneyland. I really do have high hopes for JOLLY HOLIDAY and The restaurant re-do!

[EJ4Disney]

Thank you so much for a great trip report. I totally enjoyed.

[MadasaHatter]

Oh, you are welcome. It is one of my favorite things to do now completing a successful tour of the DLR! It really centers me back and just makes me want to return sooner. I love the feedback too! I am amazed at HOW MANY people look at the report and how few say HEY! Hey!

[Tracemountain]

Well MadasaHatter you have done it again! A delightful & insightful trip report which makes me long for the magic of Disneyland! So how many different trips/tours are there for Star Tours? Do you think you have experienced all of them? Would you stay at Disneyland Hotel again? The "swoosh" slide sounded cool! How much cheaper is DH than GCH a night? Being Tracemountain I have to ask if Space Mountain had a Halloween theme too? As in the past I remember an outside Halloween light show and ghouls in the ride. I have not seen the original HM in years as I have been their for the Nightmare Before Christmas motif. How was the new Gingerbread house in the ballroom you mentioned? Is the Goofy sky school a rollercoaster or are you in separate planes on a track? Sorry you were ill but sounds like you rebounded like a trooper, a storm trooper that is

[MadasaHatter]

Hey Tracemountain! You wacky sis you! You gave me plenty of questions to answer!!!

They say there are 50something trips for the ol' STAR TOURS but I think there are really about TEN DIFFERENT SCENES that can be spun in different combos....right?

DH is not THAT much cheaper than the GC and I like the GRAND'S ROOMS BETTER. I like sitting out on the balconies. No balcony at the DH.

The same GALAXY GHOST thing you have indeed experienced.

THe new HOUSE was cooler but I loved the GINGERBREAD ZOMBIES from last year!

GOOFY'S SKY SCHOOL is just MUHOLLAND MADNESS (the mouse trap roller coaster by GC at the end of PARADISE PIER. Same ol' silly ride but painted blue with new theming. More sound effects for Disney magic!!!!

I am a STORM TROOPER!

[Tracemountain]

Hey MadasaHatter, my kooky bro, so in a previous discussion post I noticed that someone mentioned the ending on Little Mermaid ride was made up and a bad abrupt ending. Just wanted to get your opinion on the matter. When is Carsland slated to open? Wish I could of gone...it would have been great to see the cousins and of course you and taken in the magic of Disneyland as it has been a while!!! "WISHES"

[MadasaHatter]

Hey Tracemountain!

First off all of you alls....Tracemountains mostest favorite Disneything is "WISHES!" from the fireworks. SHe just can't get enough of that!

Abrupt ending? Well, in story telling terms it is a bit abrupt....in Disney rides it is actually frightfully developed. In thinking about it a bit, cutting to the chase in a ride is the best way to go....it is much easier to stage say a number like Under The Sea rather then trying to create a tableau of the climatic ending scenes without making multiple scenes....you sort of need a film for that.

Carsland is slated to open 2012. I talked to an Imagineer last trip in April and she said that the hope is BEFORE Memorial Day weekend but she wasn't going to hold her breath. The rate of the way they were doing Buena Vista St it should be done by spring and I must say CARSLAND really looks like it is ahead or ON schedule. Fingers crossed.

[Tracemountain]

Oh MadasaHatter do not lie to our fellow MP peeps! I found the "WISHES" from the fireworks to be irritating and thus funny to mimic.

I look forward to my maiden voyage on the Little Mermaid ride to see for myself this capricious ending.

So, Carsland could be open for Jelle & Company trip in 2012? That would be delightful.

[MadasaHatter]

Yes CARSLAND will be open in autumn FOR SURE!!!

SO you have been irritating me all these years when I have always thought you were sincere???? Hmmmmmmmmmmmmmm......you are mad too!

[MidwayManiac]

MadasaHatter, thanks for the trip report. I only wish your trips to DL were more frequent so there were more of them!

I appreciate your perspective on developments in/around Main Street, Plaza Gardens, Fantasy Faire, and the suggestion of something new for Hyperion which, btw, I had not thought of but sounds completely sensible. I like that your extensive knowledge of the parks past & present yields thoughtful suggestions and insight.

The report was entertaining with a lotta food for thought. Nice.

[MadasaHatter]

Wow, a glowing review from Midway Maniac is indeed quite the compliment. I have an AP and am going in NOVEMBER! My friend will be at a convention there. How cool is that. I will have all sorts of opinions for you all again soon. Gotta try Trader Sam's again!