One Happy Dog Family Lands it for Halloween -- 12/29 final post and MVMCP link!!!

[Happydog]

After our quick round about on the matterhorn, we made our way to the race track (like the Tomorrowland Speedway). This was so much fun! It was far more engaging than the one at WDW, because it takes you through some fun areas and bumpy off-road driving, etc. The imagineers had great fun with this concept I think. Here I have a few photos, it was hard to take pictures with the "driver" of our car...

There were other little details, like the “hot nuts” vendor cart…. Nuts for cars being very different things

So finished with our car rides, we stumbled upon Alice and her friends… We really felt late for something. I am not sure why. Maybe this statue made us feel like we needed to pick up the pace! LOL!

Here is the caterpillar you ride in, and a picture from the ground of the ride itself. I never knew this part of fantasy land existed. I loved it!

I never had a good outside shot, but here is one ... It was a fun ride the boys really liked it!

MORE coming up!!!!

 

[Happydog]

Then came the storybook cruise. The boys and I rode this oen, while DH ran to get fast passes again.

Oh here we go Pinocchio!

Here is the "fantasyland train" not the Disneyland Railroad... too cute!

Of course I was trying to get a photo of Cinderella's pumpkin and didn't quite get it!!!!

It reminded me of the neat minature village in Germany at Epcot. This was far more extravagant, and had all of the "storybook/princess" residences... it was neat.

Then we made our way past It’s a Small World -- which was great to see the whole area themed like the ride. I love the art work associated with this attraction! Unfortunately it was being refurbished so I could not ride it. NOT that my Fett brothers would have allowed that anyhow, but I did get my It’s a Small World ride in at the MVMCP!

And NO my to DS's are not paying their respect at the Alter of Disney...

Look, Jackie. Giraffes…. Just not the AKL type!!!

I was still happy to see it, because I remember riding it when I was a child.

STAY TUNED MORE on the way!!!

 

[Happydog]

Probably the highlight of our morning at Disneyland, was our time in Toontown. Okay, Toontown AND the Haunted Mansion!! As to Toontown, I will just say WOW. And leave it at that. There were so many fabulous interactive elements! Here are some of the photos I took…

Goofy showed up, having fun with everyone. It was a hoot. He was very friendly and there were not many people around so that made it nicer. We watched his antics, my guys were more interested in exploring all the fun in Toontown.

Minnie was standing on her porch, without any visitors, so I took her picture, and she waved at me.

There were so many surprises in Toontown. Phones that talked back, cars that made noises when you walked by, great details and even this one… when you pulled on the door it seemed like there was an explosion inside…

My guys determining they need to eat more veggies…

More fun at the firehouse… They had great fun trying to get it to set off the fireworks and the smoke and noise that would come when you pushed down on the detonator!

Toontown was filled with so many other elements that are not at Disneyworld. There was a ride, a Roger rabbit spin or something like that, but it was closed for refurbishment. I think different from Goofy's barnstormer... We still had a great time in this area of the park. It was tremendously fun! The boys particularly enjoyed all of the goofy elements and surprises…

Of course I know it was my last time to see the Toontown in Disneyworld when we were there a few weeks ago, and we did walk through, but I just can't wait until the new elements of Fantasyland are built. They will be amazing I am sure!

After Toon town, we went for our first trip to the HM. I am going to put ALL my details about the HM in ONE entry, later. SORRY to create more suspense, but it will be easier for me! WHAT fun, that is all I can say!!!

 

[Happydog]

So..... After our ride with Jack, we had to scoot out of the park to check out of our room. It was a short walk to the Grand Californian, and bell services checked our luggage for us (since we were spending the whole day there). We then strolled back over to the park in search of some lunch…
On our way back into the park, it looked a little busier. We didn’t want to walk, so instead we hitched this ride…

Our driver offered to pose with the boys, and this is one of my favorite trip photos, this and the La Jolla beach pictures!

So, I had been waiting the whole trip for some clam chowder in a bowl, and with lunch on our mind, we decided to have lunch, and then hit our second HM ride of the trip. We rode HM FOUR times … So as I said, I have consolidated all of our pictures, and will share them in ONE special HM post…

IN the mean time, here are a few photos from New Orleans… everything was so cleverly decorated and fun! I did get a few from the restaurant where we got lunch, look at all the cool Nightmare Before Christmas decorations!!!

Musicians playing while we ate.. I felt like I was in New Orleans -- without the humidity!!! I'll take it And of course there was also a visit from the Princess and the Frog crew... but I was too busy eating my chowder to take pictures!!

Well so after lunch we headed over to our SECOND ride on The Haunted Mansion.... so coming up later this week, our Haunted Mansion update!!!!

 

[Happydog]

Just wanted to stop by and say

Happy Birthday!!!​

[/CENTER]


Have a wonderful day HD!!!!

Now I will go back and catch up....again

Tracy

Happy Birthday Jennifer! I hope you have something fun planned today!

It is your b-day? Well, happy day, happydog! We need to get hooked up on FB b/c that is the only way I can keep track of these things. Hope it's a great day!!

Hey thanks you guys!! I sure did! I had a lot of fun!!! I am sitting here this morning, watching the sleety drizzle it is still grey outside and it is 9am! But with a latte and my laptop I am enjoying some quiet time. I am actually sitting here with the boys watching the Polar Express, they have hot chocolate and donuts.... a great Sunday morning start!!!

We had a great day yesterday. Though I mostly celebrated last week in Florida! But at home we had fun, got take out, went to get our Christmas tree and decorated it. It was a nice evening at home

 

[Happydog]

I declared that I have had enough with making copies, grading, and creating final exams for the day, so I came to play on the DIS.

The character pumpkins at Disneyland's entrance are very cute!

I cannot believe how empty Disneyland looks!

It is so interesting to see the differences between the MK and DL like seeing Sleeping Beauty's castle at the end of Main Street and the Astro Orbiter on the ground.

Oh my goodness! I remember being like your boys with my nose pressed to the glass during the submarine ride!

Hurray for the one-bedroom and your DS getting a part in the Aristocats!

I know! It was really quiet and the lack of crowds were great... We had a lot of fun that morning! The castles are very different. My DH said, "well clearly Walt thought BIGGER would be better the second time around!!! I think they are both lovely, but there is nothing like the castle at WDW... especially with the lights on it. AMAZING.

Yes, that submarine ride has been around for a while hasn't it!!

Oh! He is really excited! I think it is hilarious he will be in a Disney show! AND we are very excited for Vero.

I didn't know it was your birthday yesterday! I guess that's what I get for not being on the computer!

At any rate...

Happy Happy Birthday!!!!

Hope you had a wonderful one!!!

Oh thanks, Jackie!! I wasn't on the DIS hardly yesterday either!!

 

[Native NYer]

I hope you had a wonderful birthday.

I love all of your DL photos. DL has such a different feel that WDW.

Hi there! Well I have about four posts worth of text and pic links ready to upload and I will do them tomorrow or tonight, depending on the time! BUT, here is some fun news...

1. We were able to get a Vero 1 bedroom villa for the five nights after our 5 night Dream Cruise in June!!! I was very excited. I am really looking forward to the stay.

2. My 3rd grade DS, is in the school play (mostly 4th and 5th graders -- only 3 third graders signed up!) The play is Disney's Aristocats. My son got the part of Tolouse! One of the three kittens. The "tough" one. It makes me laugh, but it will be a lot of fun. There are 40 kids signed up, so I was really proud of him for getting a named part and a part with singing and lines! Not bad for being the youngest! So I guess I will be buying that DVD!

More to come!

Yay o the Vero 1 br! I hope you do a Vero TR.

Congrats to your DS! How exciting! I bet he's beyond excited. Has he started practicing his lines?
School plays are so much fun. We did a massive production of the Wizard of Oz last year and the 6th grade did Into the Woods. This year, the third grade is hosting a school-wide Amazing Race and the 6th grade is doing a production of Suessical. We'd love to do Wicked, but can't since it's on Bway right now.

 

[IluvXU]

Love the Disneyland updates. I really want to go someday... seemingly there are lots of DH's conferences, and so now that my kids are bigger the next trip I am going to have to go too!

So excited for your five nights at Vero. That is exactly what we had, long enough to get to do lots of the fun stuff. The one bedrooms are a nice size too!

 

[wigdoutdismom]

All I can say is that I'm just amazed by Disneyland.....
I wanna go really really bad. It looks like so much fun!!!

 

[Charleston Princess]

Wow! You were an updating machine yesterday, HD!

I may have to steal your hot chocolate and doughnuts idea for next weekend! Sounds like a perfect way to start off a chilly day.

Cool theming of the Tomorrowland Speedway! I think it would be much more enjoyable to ride that one than the one at the MK!

I remember being little and when we went to Disneyland, my favorite rides were the Alice in Wonderland one and the Storybook Cruise. Although, if memory serves me correctly, I think I was always scared of going in the whale's mouth. It probably seemed huge to me at five years old. LOL!

Oh, you so need to title that picture "At the Altar of Disney"! Too funny!

Hey, I'll take topiary giraffes!

Okay, the Disneyland Toontown is way better than our Toontown! So much fun! Connor would have a field day!

Adorable picture of the boys in the motorcar!

Ah, New Orleans Square! So pretty with all the Halloween decorations! Can't wait to read the Haunted Mansion post!

 

[Happydog]

I hope you had a wonderful birthday.

I love all of your DL photos. DL has such a different feel that WDW.



Yay o the Vero 1 br! I hope you do a Vero TR.

Congrats to your DS! How exciting! I bet he's beyond excited. Has he started practicing his lines?
School plays are so much fun. We did a massive production of the Wizard of Oz last year and the 6th grade did Into the Woods. This year, the third grade is hosting a school-wide Amazing Race and the 6th grade is doing a production of Suessical. We'd love to do Wicked, but can't since it's on Bway right now.

It does have a different feel, you are right! I was a little out of sorts/lost at times because it wasn't fully familiar! BUT I wish I could have spent a few more days there, so I could have really gotten the feel. BUT next time!

Oh I lokve all those shows you mentioned! How fun! He is excited, yes.. and I am really looking forward to our cruise and our Vero week. It should be wonderfully restful and I'll get my Disney fix.

 

[Happydog]

Love the Disneyland updates. I really want to go someday... seemingly there are lots of DH's conferences, and so now that my kids are bigger the next trip I am going to have to go too!

So excited for your five nights at Vero. That is exactly what we had, long enough to get to do lots of the fun stuff. The one bedrooms are a nice size too!

Thanks! I really enjoyed writing up this trip, because it was so new to me! However good luck for you to go, I am sure you will enjoy the chance to tag along with your husband!!!

I am totally excited to go to Vero, your comments about Vero from last year really made me pursue it!!! I was excited when we got the 1 bedroom. It should be a great time!

 

[Happydog]

All I can say is that I'm just amazed by Disneyland.....
I wanna go really really bad. It looks like so much fun!!!

It is a great time, you would of course love it! It was so much fun to spend Halloween there! Looking forward to sharing the rest of the day!

Wow! You were an updating machine yesterday, HD!

I may have to steal your hot chocolate and doughnuts idea for next weekend! Sounds like a perfect way to start off a chilly day.

Cool theming of the Tomorrowland Speedway! I think it would be much more enjoyable to ride that one than the one at the MK!

I remember being little and when we went to Disneyland, my favorite rides were the Alice in Wonderland one and the Storybook Cruise. Although, if memory serves me correctly, I think I was always scared of going in the whale's mouth. It probably seemed huge to me at five years old. LOL!

Oh, you so need to title that picture "At the Altar of Disney"! Too funny!

Hey, I'll take topiary giraffes!

Okay, the Disneyland Toontown is way better than our Toontown! So much fun! Connor would have a field day!

Adorable picture of the boys in the motorcar!

Ah, New Orleans Square! So pretty with all the Halloween decorations! Can't wait to read the Haunted Mansion post!

There really are some unique differences, and some which are better than at WDW. I think it has a lot to do with the timing of when attractions were built, reimagined, etc. But all in all it really is a different park. Just "familiar".. I am going to get that HM entry up this week. Trying to sort out everything I need to do for that OTHER holiday looming in a week... I had to take that picture of the Giraffe for you!
Donuts don't find their way into our house very often, but it sounded good!

 

[Charleston Princess]

Trying to sort out everything I need to do for that OTHER holiday looming in a week...

I know it! Christmas is coming much too quickly this year! I still haven't done my Christmas cards yet!

 

[eandesmom]

I'm totally behind but just stopping by to say Hi!

 

[Happydog]

So I thought I would start this post with some random fun Disneyland fall decorations… I took several I realize and since I am not really reporting in chronological order, I am putting them all together here… I love Disney seasonal decorations. I have a hard time deciding between Christmas and Fall/Halloween, but either way, both seasons are gorgeously done up!

It is easy to get into the spirit of the season at Disney, no matter the season!
I love the decorations -- they make me smile even still.

So after our wonderful lunch, we decided to take our second spin on the HM… AFTER which, we explored Frontierland and some of the fun there – including these CM’s who were staging a funny show… we also explored Tom Sawyer’s island, which was a great place to run around! FIrst the show outside the Golden Horseshoe... it was a three part show, they came, did a bit, then left and came back to continue the "saga" they were trying to marry off this lovely "bride"

Both Tom Sawyer islands are great fun. The one at Disneyland had more of a Pirate theme... as well as the fort.

More on Tom Sawyer's Island coming up!!!!

 

[Happydog]

Just a few more pics from Tom Sawyer's Island...

Final few here are looking at Disneyland the New Orleans square from Tom Sawyer's Island...

Okay, WHO is ready for the HAUNTED MANSION and the Jack Skellington OVERLAY??!!

 

[jenjolt]

OOH OOOH Me ME ME ME! I'm ready I'm ready!!! I'm really ready!!! Let's see it!! Oh pretty pretty please

Love all the fall decorations at Disney!! It is such a fun time of year to go!!!!!!!!

 

[SoonerGirl]

Hey there HD! I'm back from my DIS hiatus and all caught up on your report. You're really making me want to head back to DL, but I'm holding out until they get all of the referbishments at DCA done

What did you think of Space Mtn there? Much different from WDWs version isn't it? And, I absolutely adored DLs Toontown, you are so right - there is just so much to see and do, such a fun, cute area!

 

[wigdoutdismom]

Bring on the Haunted Mansion!!!