Mission: Characters - TR 10/27 - 11/11 (updated 1/13: all photos added, TR finished)

[Vala]

November 5 - Day 9 - part 2: DCA continued

More Aladdin pictures:

After the show we stroll through the stores and buy drawings in Off the Page. I got Shang from Mulan last year, but this year I really want to have a Chip & Dale drawing. While Andrea pays I notice Peter Pan is walking to the Drawn to the Magic stage. Oh-uh… I tell Andrea and we run over the Boulevard to catch the second half of the showing.

After the show I’m meeting Peter and Cinderella.

We hang around in the area until DCA is closing and finally bump into Sulley too.

TBC in part 3: Food porn - kind of.

 

[Vala]

November 5 - day 9 - part 3: Food porn - kind of.

Night time shots continued:

The Tropicool from Rita’s Baja Blenders was something we always had wanted to try too… Andrea gets Lemon Lime, I chose Strawberry.

I can definitely see this being refreshing on a hot day, but right now it remembers me of a slushie and I’m not a big fan of those.

And the Mickey pretzel of course:

Some night shots from Disneyland… taken before our return to the hotel:

Princess Tiana is coming to town:

At the hotel we check out the bar downstairs.

I can’t remember the name of Andrea’s cocktail anymore:

and this is what I got. I think it was called “Magical Star”, complete with glowing ice cube.

TBC in day 10: Shopping!

 

[bumbershoot]

Yes, I do believe the left side machines make the corn tortillas.

I forgot to mention how impressed I am with your Animation Academy pictures! DS got an animator's drawing once, and the guy that drew it still works there. We LOVE the AAcademy... And seriously, your pix are really good. The art teacher you had who wasn't impressed by your work obviously wasn't as good a teacher as the animators at Disney!

Yay for the Magical Star drink! I took a video of mine, LOL. And my glow cube still sits on my dresser.

 

[Vala]

Yes, I do believe the left side machines make the corn tortillas.

That's good to know, I'll stay clear from the left side then in the future.

I forgot to mention how impressed I am with your Animation Academy pictures! DS got an animator's drawing once, and the guy that drew it still works there. We LOVE the AAcademy... And seriously, your pix are really good. The art teacher you had who wasn't impressed by your work obviously wasn't as good a teacher as the animators at Disney!

I'm not sure how things are done in the US. Here you mostly got had theoretical classes about an era or a theme, and then you were told to do something in that style. Like for example the clouds before a thunderstorm, using watercolor effects. Somehow whatever I did never got the teacher's approval, even if I thought it was kind of good for once.

We never did the Animation Academy before, probably because this stuck in my mind.

But thank you for the compliment. As I said, I was quite happy too. I probably could have done Donald better, but I am very proud of Goofy.

The only A I ever got in Arts Class was funny enough for drawing a comic strip.

Yay for the Magical Star drink! I took a video of mine, LOL. And my glow cube still sits on my dresser.

I remembered too late that my new point and shoot camera had a video mode. Oh well, all the more reason for getting another one next year.

But my glow cube actually made its way home in my hand luggage and is sitting on my computer loudspeaker as I type.

 

[Vala]

Day 10 – November 6 - part 1: Shopping!

Rafael and my friend Val are picking us up for a shopping trip, plus we need to register for the sci-fi convention the three of us are attending tomorrow and on Saturday.

Our first stop is DSF… pin shopping. The actual ice cream store isn’t open yet, so we head over to Hollywood and Vine for Build a Bear and Virgin… to find the Virgin store closed. Huh? Great.

I buy some candy at Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory, and I need to mail some letters too. On our way to the post office we stumble into fans waiting for a signing with some of the actors from Twilight: New Moon. Oh too bad, I wish I would have known earlier. Of course they ran out of wristbands hours ago. My friend Heidi is a huge fan, I might have even tried and battled the lines.

Andrea wants real food before we get ice cream and insists we go to McDonalds. Since when does McDonalds count as real food…? But well, if you’re hungry…

This is across the McDonalds we were at – we had a good laugh:

DSF is already decked out for the Holidays too.

My “breakfast” is the Pin Traders Delight Sundae. This is without marshmellows – they really upset my stomach last time, and I am not taking any chances after the Monte Cristo worked so well.

I fiddle around with the GPS and notice that the Disney Employee Center is really close, not even 5 miles. Despite the name this is a place where you can supposedly buy exclusive pins without being a CM. Pretty please can we go there? We still have time before the convention registration starts and even more time before I have my appointment at Bibbedi Bobbedi Boutique.

Rafael doesn’t really have an idea about the address, but say he’ll give the GPS a try. After getting lost three times we finally make it and find ourselves in front of a large office tower. There is a parking garage next to it, but it does have signs at the entrance saying “CMs only” and “visitors with permit.” We’re neither, so Rafael grudgingly agrees to circle the building until we find parking on the street.

I very enthusiastically head for the exit of the building, but then Val grabs my arm. “We can’t go in there. Look, they even have a reception desk.” Hey, if you don’t want to go just stay here, but I am going in there!

Then I spot the familiar green and white sign saying “Starbucks.” I grin, point there and tell the others: “If someone asks, we want coffee.” Not that I ever touched a coffee pot since I was force-fed some when I was ten. But if it brings me closer to pins, I am buying coffee.

Turns out the “Disney Employee Center” is kind of a glorified kiosk. But they do sell pins, and the CM at cash does confirm I can buy them. I don’t think she understand why I almost did a happy dance though.

Searching for parking did cost us more time than we thought, but at least that means no lines anymore when we finally hit the convention hotel for registration. Of course registration doesn’t go smoothly either… why am I actually expecting the employees of that organiser to be helpful? Due to that last delay we hit really bad traffic on the way back to Anaheim, and I am seriously running late for Bibbidi Bobbedi and even more late for the meet with a fellow pin trader.

TBC in part 2: Bibbidi Bobbedi Boutique

 

[Vala]

Day 10 - November 5 - part 2: Bibbidi Bobbedi Boutique

Val, Rafael and Andrea go to park the car while I rush to the castle. Unfortunately I didn’t take into account that I’d hit parade time. A very special level of hell must be reserved for those who go against the traffic at parade time with their strollers – and that level is even more special if you have a triple stroller. I didn’t even know those things existed!

I make it only a little bit late for my Bibbidi Bobbedi appointment, but of course the pin trader I was meeting has given up. Can’t say I blame her. Thankfully she’s really understanding when I get hold of her later.

I’m the first “adult princess” of the day, and that has some cast members slightly confused. Also as you may have noticed on the pictures posted my hair is really short. (We did check with the Fairy Godmothers a couple of days before if they could actually do something and were told they could, either Pop Princess or Disney Diva – just the classical bun look would be out.)

Before:

The Fairy Godmother in Training that gets stuck with me is really nice, but one can tell she has trouble with my haircut. She apologizes frequently that she’s not been doing it too long and technically is still in training. She almost forgot to give me my sash, but besides that I think she did a great job.

I had booked the package that included having the nails done. I guess technically one could do with the cheaper one, but it’s only $ 5 and the nail polish does smell delicious. Plus the story about Tink and her friends making the polish out of strawberries and glitter is really cute.

My diabolical trio is MIA, but then suddenly another pin trader I knew from online shows up looking for me. At first I don’t even get that she’s looking for me because we didn’t really agree to meet. She just remembered I mentioned the appointment and came to say hi and trade for a pin we had been talking about. Isn’t that sweet?

I’m almost finished when the trio shows up. Rafael giggles. “Hi Cindy Lauper.”

Well, I like it.

Presenting the Haunted Mansion princess.

In a spur of the moment decision I decide to do the photo package too. Thankfully they can squeeze me in.

Rafael, Val and I get a castle shot done

and go to grab dinner at Bengal Barbecue while Andrea gets in line for the Fantasmic package. It’s 6.30 PM again and she’s second in line this time. Generally looks like this day things are going more slow… it’s almost 8 PM until the line is that long again.

Chieftain Chicken Skewer from Bengal Barbecue:

Safari Skewer:

And Tiger Tails – guess who asked for Tigger Tails by accident?

After a quick ride on Haunted Mansion Holiday it’s time to get seated. This time we use the entrance at the podium right away so I can leave the scooter.

I’m completely surprised that we get to see the “Remember” fireworks. I am convinced those were not on the schedule when we left. Even Tink is flying.

When we leave to go back to the hotel respectively car we bump into Mickey and Minnie. I never saw characters out that late, it’s way past 10 PM at that point.

TBC days 11 + 12: non park days.

 

[Vala]

Day 11 and Day 12 – November 7 and 8: non park days.

Saturday morning we leave early to the Marriott at LAX for the sci-fi conventions we were attending: a Stargate SG-1 show and the Annual Farscape convention.

This is completely and totally off topic, so I’ll spare everyone rambling about that unless someone really wants to hear about it. LOL

I’ll post one picture though, the reason why Val managed to convince me to go to Bibbidi Bobbedi Boutique: The Jedi Princess and her minions.

Technically the plan had been both of us on the shot with Joe Flanigan (Major John Sheppard from Stargate: Atlantis, or shortly the one with the red light saber) and Paul McGillion (Carson Beckett from Atlantis, the one with the blue sabre). But Val had a family emergency and had to rush home, so I flew solo there in the end.

I had some cute and funny photo session shots done over the years, but this one definitely topped them all.

The light saber effect has been photoshopped in though, the real light up effect didn't show up at all with the special lights used in the photo shoot area.

After the show was over Sunday evening we were heading back to our new home for three nights: The Grand Californian.

We make a Target stop along the way - we need some more food and I’m a bit afraid Andrea might get nuts if she doesn’t get at least a couple of DVDs. We don’t find everything she wanted, but quite unexpectedly the first season of Castle is on sale… and Nathan Fillion so rules.

Check In at GC is very smooth, and we’re being given a nice room near the secret entrance to DCA. Here’s some shots from the room:

You may have spotted the DVD player on one photo. So I can officially confirm now that at least some standard rooms do have them.

We watch an episode of Castle (curiosity beats being tired) before falling asleep.

TBC in Day 13: Santa Claus is coming to town!

 

[Stitch4Bine]

Love your updates!

You make one heck of a princess! I didn't know they do adult princess makeovers at the BBB - guess I'll have to convince my hubby that I just have to have one next time we're at Disney

That Jedi pic with Joe and Paul is classic! I wouldn't mind reading more about the conventions (but you already knew that didn't ya? )

Your room at the GC looks a lot like the one we had at the WL at WDW last year. I love the rustic yet modern furniture!

I never thought to ask the artist doing the animation classes for their drawing. What a neat souvenir!

Can't wait to read more and see more pictures (maybe some from the con, too? )

 

[roxy72]

Wow, what a fun trip report!! You two were there for so long, but I can see how you spaced out stuff to last the length of the trip.

That's so cool you got a makeover at the Boutique. I don't know if I could do that, although it would be fun. You said their nail polish smells good? What does it smell like? Also, are the Tigger Tails pretty much toasted bread, like a toasted pretzel kinda? I've never had them and am curious now.

 

[Vala]

You make one heck of a princess! I didn't know they do adult princess makeovers at the BBB - guess I'll have to convince my hubby that I just have to have one next time we're at Disney

As long as your hair isn't really, really short and they can do something with it they don't seem to care about your age.

I never thought to ask the artist doing the animation classes for their drawing. What a neat souvenir!

I read about that on here. Not sure if I would have dared without knowing that they do give it away.

Can't wait to read more and see more pictures (maybe some from the con, too? )

We'll see... maybe an off topic post next weekend.

You said their nail polish smells good? What does it smell like?

Strawberries. It tastes like strawberries too... me being the "my thoughts are elsewhere" person that I sometimes am started biting one of the nails by accident.

Also, are the Tigger Tails pretty much toasted bread, like a toasted pretzel kinda? I've never had them and am curious now.

The bread on the picture is called Tiger Tails - Tigger Tails are dipped marshmellows that you can buy in the candy store in Critter Country. I just mixed up the names there when I ordered.

The Tiger Tails are just like bread you put on a charcoal grill. I don't really like them (they taste too bland for me), but Rafael does really like them. Here they'd offer them with some spiced butter, that would taste much better for me.

 

[Eeee-va]

I'm checking in late, but your Aladdin pictures are so gorgeous! I'm glad you had such a fun trip!

 

[Vala]

I'm checking in late, but your Aladdin pictures are so gorgeous!

Thank you. I was quite happy with them too. First time ever I was more busy with picture taking than paying attention to the show.

 

[Vala]

Day 13 – November 9 - part 1: Christmas in Toontown

We get out early for Rope Drop – Andrea still has her Toontown Magic Morning tickets, and I want a good space in front so we can get there fast.

A lot of the Christmas decorations are already up.

When we get in there’s an announcement they’ll be doing tapings for the Christmas parade… Ryan Seacrest will be hosting, and Demi Lovato is the star guest. Didn’t they want to do that yesterday? Maybe I should have checked the schedule online after all.

We squeeze in second line and Andrea grabs breakfast at Blue Ribbon Bakery. (Sorry, no pictures, it really was too crowded.)

When the rope drops we make a beeline for Toontown. Either it is a really slow day or everyone is staking out spots on Main Street for the Parade. We are first to arrive! The place is completely deserted.

I wasn’t really aiming to meet Mickey again. But he’s the first to spot us, jumps and claps his hands and comes running towards us. Guess I am meeting him after all.

We also see Pluto, Minnie and Goofy.

The Christmas decorations are up too, including a very nice Christmas tree right in front of the performance area.

Now the characters come even closer:

Unfortunately if you’re sitting to the side this doesn’t exactly give you a great view.

After the performance we meet Chip and Dale

before we leave. Donald is the only character we don’t see out again. Weird. The week before Halloween we saw him all over the place.

TBC in part 2: A frog princess in New Orleans Square

 

[Vala]

Day 13 - November 9 - part 2: A frog princess in New Orleans Square

IASW is still closed and they’re working on painting the railings. Too bad… I was really hoping for a soft opening.

After another spin on Buzz we go to check out New Orleans Square looking for the exact place of Tiana’s Meet & Greet.

There’s a photographer out near Big Thunder Mountain again, so we stop for a picture:

At New Orleans Square we find this little guy, among other shiny things.

Turns out that the Meet & Greet is really located in the Court of Angels. Please, someone tell me I don’t have to go up those stairs?!

Then it’s time for Tiana’s Showboat Jubilee. A friend of mine has been really enthusiastic about the whole Princess and the Frog thing and we promised to check it out for her.

It’s a bit unclear where to go – the first CM we find tells us to wait in the Mark Twain loading area… where after 10 minutes another CM informs the waiting group that no, we can’t get on the boat. We stroll off to find a place to stand at the Rivers of America. (If you’re looking for the ideal space, try standing at the Rivers near the Frontierland sign that’s embedded in the walls. Perfect view.)

I will fully admit that I was kind of sceptic about the movie – but the show is fantastic and really convinced me to give it a try.

When the show is over we rush to the Meet & Greet area. No one’s there, except some CMs. What? Okay, I didn’t really expect 2 hour lines like when Pixie Hollow opened. But I did not expect us to be first in line.

The CMs tell us that Tiana will be out in about 20 minutes. I tell them it’s okay, we’ll just wait – the area looks closed off at that point. Then they offer we can come inside and start the line. We don’t have to go up the stairs, they set up a quite cute area near the small fountain. If someone wonders what that noise was, that was the mountain falling off my heart.

When Tiana and Naveen arrive

there’s exactly five groups in line. Color me stunned.

Tiana and Naveen are nice and pleasant, introduce themselves and try to chat a little.

When we leave the line has grown by exactly three families.

TBC in part 3: Louis got a fan club!

 

[Vala]

Day 13 - November 9 - part 3: Louis got a fan club!

Andrea really likes Louis the alligator and asks if I’d mind seeing the show again. I most certainly don’t, so I stake out our prior spot again while she grabs lunch for us from Golden Horseshoe.

The second performance is just as fantastic as the first one.

As you may guess from the amount of photos dedicated to the different characters Louis is doing pretty well in building up his fan club.

Afterwards we head for Critter Country one last time and again there’s three characters out: Pooh, Eeyore and Tigger. Yeah! Andrea says she’ll sit out, so I get in line. Christmas decorations are up here too:

The CMs announce that the three will go on a break soon and only Pooh will come back. No! I am lucky though, when I made it up to the front and the CM realizes I am on my own I am allowed to go through as the last person. The CM with Eeyore doesn’t realize that though and tells everyone Eeyore is going for some honey now until her co-worker points out that there’s one visitor left – me.

We say good bye to Haunted Mansion Holiday with a last ride

and then slowly pin-trade our way back to the entrance and over to DCA before we leave the parks through the secret entrance. A friend of mine is coming in for some more pin trading and I don’t want to be late again. I can’t resist taking some shots at the castle though – last time I was there with the Christmas decoration up the stage for the filming blocked everything.

And of course I almost forgot to take a picture of my special favourites from Nemo:

My friend Jackie and I have dinner at Tortilla Joes. Andrea wants to start packing and stays behind... only to experience a fire alarm in the GCH! Thank god we decided on going out... 5 floors down the stairs on crutches would not have been pretty.

TBC in Day 14: Something old, something new, something borrowed, something blue.

 

[Vala]

Day 14 - November 10: Something old, something new, something borrowed, something blue.

Pictures taken from our hotel room at Grand Californian:

And some more shots in our room:

When we enter for our last Magic Morning there’s again several characters out on Town Square. I want to say good bye to Chip and Dale, so we get in Chip’s line. He recognizes me and gives me a big hug, then motions that Dale is coming over and we’ll wait for him to take a picture. Thank you Chip.

Some more rides on Buzz later I do have a new highscore. Nowhere near the one they robbed be off, but hey… it’s a start.

Pixie Hollow does have a line like last year meanwhile… looks like others realized meanwhile that the line was a breeze, and it’s not a breeze anymore.

Assorted shots from Fantasyland during Magic Morning:

TBC in part 2.

 

[Vala]

Day 14 - November 10: Something old, something new, something borrowed, something blue. - part 2

We’re headed for another showing of the Showboat Jubilee when there’s a speaker announcement: the Disneyland Band is playing at the castle. On a Monday? Why isn’t this on the schedule?! Change of plans, we’re staying for the concert.

Excuse the picture quality, I was trying not to get in anyone’s way with the scooter.

After that it’s just time for another performance…

We just have enough time for the Meet & Greet with Tiana and Naveen – better play safe and get another picture while I can, plus I want them to sign the park map for my friend.

It’s a little more busy this time, but still not what I expected. I’m third in line this time, this gives me a nice view and I can tape the arrival of the parade.

TBC in part 3

 

[Vala]

Day 14 - November 10: Something old, something new, something borrowed, something blue. - part 3

Andrea also asked if we could go to Café Orleans again, so this is our stop for lunch. We have – you guess it – the Monte Cristo.

And yes, I cleared the plate a third time. I wish I had any idea why this dish isn’t bothering me.

Christmas Decorations at New Orleans Square:

Turns out Café Orleans is quite a good place to snap more photos of the Showboat Jubilee if your camera has a strong zoom.

Leaving the Café we bump into the arriving Princess again and I decide to get in line for the Meet & Greet again. Hey, all good things come in threes, right? This time one of the dancers passing gives me beads too.

We do some more pin trading until it’s 2.10 PM… we really have our last chance to see Alice and the Mad Hatter at Coke Corner today. Rafael’s in the area and has some spare time, so he comes to say good bye. We look for a seat there and have extremely delicious Cherry Cokes. (Definitely a spot I will visit again next year.) Mad Hatter arrives on time, but Alice is late. That way I get a picture with him.

And we get to listen to him performing with the piano player.

Windows at Coke Corner:

We’ve been listening for a while when Chip & Dale come out of a door in the back of the seating area.

Some kids yell out for them. But then Chip catches sight of me, jumps and comes running towards me to give me a that big hug that for a moment I am afraid the scooter might topple over. Andrea snickers. Okay, okay, I admit it… I may have taken too many photos with them.

TBC in part 4

 

[Vala]

Day 14 - November 10: Something old, something new, something borrowed, something blue. - part 3


A couple of minutes later the next visitors are passing through. A cast member working at Aladdin’s Oasis walks through the door. And he’s got someone in tow… someone large and blue. Oh my god. The Genie?! The Genie is out?

They wander of in the direction of Adventureland, pretending to look for Aladdin. Forget about Alice, I want to see the Genie. I ask Rafael to toss out the rest of my coke and take off. Andrea yells after me: “You can't follow them like a 3 year old." “Of course I can… it’s the freaking Genie!” – yelled back from quite a distance away.

After a lot of “searching” they find Aladdin near Indiana Jones and Aladdin and Genie start taking pictures and signing autographs. You can tell from the stupid grin on the photo how happy I was.

Rafael has to leave, and another friend is coming to say goodbye, so we make our way back to GCH through DCA again.

Shots from the Grand Californian lobby:

TBC in Day 15: Time to say goodbye

 

[onelilspark]

I love the Jubilee pictures! I adored the movie, but I'll miss all the hubbub down at Disney, what a bummer!