Robin

We headed back into Adventure land we have been all over the park tonight.

We wanted to ride the Jingle Cruise. Always heard good things about this so, was excited to ride. Wait said 20 min we got in line. For some reason it was stuffy in line and it felt crowded. It seemed to take a lot longer than 20 min but, the guy behind us timed it exactly 20 min. They really had us packed in we ended up sitting in the middle. We had a good cruise director lots of jokes and cute decorations. After this we saw another cookie stop no one was in line. I walked up and asked for a cookie I was told that this was the exit and had to walk around to the entrance. Really there was not a single person in line. Ok walked up went into the entrance got are cookie and back up we went. Saw others being told the same thing I was. I guess those are the rules but, if there is no one there and you are just standing around I don't see why. We started to walk back to the hub the fireworks had just started.

We ended up stopping on the side of the castle. The hub was packed full we have been in that mess once before and never again! We could see really good no one was in front of us.  Not a bad spot for just walking up. Now the front of the castle is the place to be but my life is more important. The show was excellent! I understand that this was a new fireworks show. We had not seen the old one so, nothing to compare it with. We really liked it. We made are way through Liberty Square it now was a misty rain and was getting windy. We found are way over to The Diamond horseshoe got some eggnog and another cookie for the bag. We walked over to Mine train to check the wait. 30 min. I want to see the parade so that might be cutting it close.

We head back into Frontierland. I always like to watch parades at the beginning so head over to the starting point. It is rainy off and on and getting cold. We have some time my husband finds a bench near by to wait. I get are spot again up front no one in front of us. There was a CM handing out a roll of stickers telling everyone take one and pass it down. Something for free I'll take it. There was a couple of Cm's dancing to the music and people would clap and cheer for them when the song ended. It was nice to have something to pass the time. When it started to fill in I called my husband to come join me. Soon the parade started I loved it my husband liked it. I was getting cold the temps are still dropping. We decide to head back to Fantsyland it's now or never for Mine train. 

We find a super short wait of 10 min I was so excited. Glad we waited and not got in the 40 min line earlier. We rode we have never been in the stand by line and found it cute. Before we knew it was are turn. Loved this at night! We got off and my husband asked if I wanted to ride Space Mountain. I really wanted to ride but, I was tired and now I didn't feel like getting bumped around. The Mine train line now said 20 min we got back in line and rode again. This time we had a couple of min to play with some of the stuff while waiting. So in about 30 min we got 2 rides in I think that's pretty good. Now it was almost midnight we made are way back to the hub.

There was a show going on in front of the castle we stopped to watch for a few min. We looked around some of the shops on the way out. Wow this day went by so fast! We walked back to the van. On the way we saw a women laying in the parking lot with medical helping her. And a ambulance was just pulling in. I felt really bad for her what a way to end the night. We found are van with no problems and made are way back.

Up next how did we sleep? 

Ok we left off watching the dance party. What's next? Well more hot chocolate and cookies of course. We made are way over to Cosmic Ray's. They had a DJ set up in there. We got are treats. My husband got cider I got Hot chocolate we both got cookies and, headed over to the speedway. Wait was posted 10 min. We got in line and was up in no time. They had holiday lights up and was really pretty. It's getting harder and harder to get out of those cars. 

I wanted another shot at Buzz so, we headed over. We got in line which was right before you enter the building. People started coming out and saying it's down. So much for that we are not waiting. Head over to Space Mountain jump in line walk up and in there is a bit of a wait it was posted 20 min. Once in we notice that no cars are going not a good sign. While waiting it had started to cool off I put my sweatshirt on. The announcement was made the ride was down. I really want to ride this. They had a special holiday lights I wanted to see. My husband does not really like this ride it's to rough on his back. He was willing to ride though. A few min later the lights go on and another announcement was made. I also wanted to see the castle lighting that was coming up soon. My husband said let's go. I think he was secretly happy it was down. I talked him into a few more min. A bunch of people started to leave the line. I gave in and said ok has the people in front of and behind us started to leave. We had not even gotten out of the building yet when we could hear cheers. I knew we should of waited. Once out of course now the line is long. We decide to come back later. We head over to see the castle show. We stopped right over the bridge. We had gotten a spot right at the front of the walkway. We had about a 15 min wait. Of course one the show starts people are trying to stop and watch in the walkway. The castle is so pretty lit up!  After the show we head back into Tomorrowland. Monster Inc show is a family favorite and they are having a holiday theme. We head on in and get stopped waiting for the next show. While waiting my husband now put's on his sweatshirt the temps are dropping. The show was super cute and we really enjoyed it. There was plenty of empty seats. Up next Adventureland.

What's next? We go back to see if the riverboat is still running. My husband really likes this. They had just put the rope across so missed it.

We head onto Fantasyland and check on wait times for the mine train. 40 min was posted we have only been on this once before we have a discussion should we ride or wait till later.

I know 40 min is not bad but I think we can do better later we decide to wait till later. Small world wait is 5 min let's do it.   After this we have about 10 min till the part officially starts. We start to head over to the first treat stop. On the way I see people with cookies and drinks they had started to hand out early. We head into Pinocchio Haus and get cookies, hot chocolate and grape Fanta soda. I heard last year they had snow cones I would of liked that better. I'm not a fan of grape Fanta. I gave mine to my husband. I also don't like the fact that they are in plastic cups all going in the garbage. Next we get in line for Friars Nook and get another cookie. We had brought a bag with us so in the bag they go for another time when I need a Disney fix. We then head over to Storybook Snacks and get a snowman shaped pretzel. We sit down have are treat and send pics to are son back home. Sorry Brandon couldn't help to rub it in. We watched a little bit of the Storybook Dance party and talked about what's next.

Now we have only been on the Barnstormer once when my son was little let's go check it out. There was no line in fact there was a empty seat on our train and we each rode alone.  It's a fun little ride but I wouldn't wait in line for it. Next is a ride first for my husband and one I have not done again since my son was little Dumbo. We walked right thru and got on the next ride. OMG I could not believe the wait times.

Will are good fortune last? 

Thanks for the report loved reading it.

I knew that you could enter MK at 4 with a party ticket. We had a late lunch early dinner packed sweatshirts and was off. We decided to drive it was tempting to take the boat over on such a beautiful day. Thinking a head I knew it would be easier at the end of the night to drive. We got almost the last spot under the monorail. That will make it easy to find the van at night. We decided to take the ferry over. We just made it right after we boarded they closed it. We arrived right at 4 found lines to be short got in and got our part wristbands.  MK was very pretty I loved seeing the tree.It has been 5 years since we had had been for Christmas.I was able to make 2 fastpasses a head of time before 6 first was Buzz. We headed over there got in line and pretty much walked right thru and on we went. I lost big time. We had some time before next pass what to do? Well people mover of course. Now this had a long line my husband suggested we wait. I did not want to wait the line was moving fast we got in line. We did not wait very long and it was nice to sit for a few min after all the hustle to get here. After we hit bathrooms and ,got free water from counter service. We made it over to our next pass Pirates. We still had some time my husband suggested the  tree house. We have not done this  for a long while. We couldn't think of a reason why not.  After our work out of steps we headed over to  Pirates. Got the green light and got got in line. We waited maybe 10 min. I'm sorry to say that after being to Disneyland this version seemed sad. We could not believe how short this ride is. We still like it and will ride it but, not a favorite anymore. Now it's about 5:20 we are doing good on time. The park does not seem to busy. We walked over to my favorite ride of all the parks Big Thunder. Wait time said 20 min took about 15. There was a great CM singing Oklahoma while working. We got off and headed over to Haunted Mansion. We are really moving along and we are walking at a nice pace. It's so much easier with 2 adults. Again 20 min wait time was posted. We got in line and pretty much walked right thru. No time to play in line. Made it in to the stretching room and on the ride. After braving the ghost what's next? Party should be starting soon.  Does our luck with rides, weather and, crowds stay?

Today was the day I was most looking forward to. We are going to Mickey's very merry Christmas party! We have never been to any after hours event and I could not wait!

We got up showered, dressed and made breakfast. Today the sun was shinning and it was a beautiful day the high was going to be 84. Remember we are leaving this site?  We packed the tent back up and went over to the 1500 loop to check things out. When we checked in the CM gave us the choice of 1505 or 1506 we told her to pick for us. There was about 5 empty sites including the two choices we had been given. We then drove over to the Outpost. We headed in to see if are site was ready. . We got in line and waited about 5 min. A CM came over on a I Pad to help us. While we explained what was going on the super friendly CM that checked us in came out. She filled the CM in on what was going on. The new CM went into the back came out a few min later and told us it would not be long. And are site was 1505. We would get a text when ready.  It was now about 11:20. Off we went to Kroger to get something for dinner and a few other things. When we arrived back we still had no text. We decided to drive over to the site and see for ourselves. The site looked fine to us. We have a plug in cooler that we use has a fridge we took that out in plugged it in. Put the groceries away and I called the front desk. We still did not have a text on are site. While I was on hold a worker that clean the sites came over. I told her the site was fine to us and she didn't need to clean it up. Just then a CM came on the phone. I explained what just happened and she said ok if your fine with the site not being clean. While I was on the phone my husband had started to put up the tent. After this was done I had called home to my son and my dad to rub it in that I was sitting in Disney while they had to shovel . We had a cold drink and relaxed for a bit.

UP next how was the party? Would we like it? Would it be crowded? Does the weather hold up?

Thanks for the well wishes!

Hi everyone! We just arrived back home yesterday after 4 great nights at the fort. We got lucky and missed 5 inches of snow at home and a day of a high of 15.

We went down to help out a friend that has a second home about a hour south of the fort. This trip was just me and my husband. In May we celebrated 25 years of marriage. His birthday is in September and mine is next week. We had lot's to celebrate.

We arrived Monday afternoon after helping out our friend. The weather was sunny and 84 it felt great! Check in took about 30 min. We got site 2020. I asked for 1500 loop told all full. My husband likes to joke around a lot. He told the CM we would be leaving and going home then. That poor girl I said he is just joking! We got the choice of staying for the one night and moving to 1500 for the rest. We said yes please. 2020 seemed ok I did not see any big groups but, we all know 1500 is the place to be. We set up the tent, made beds and, went out to eat.

It has become a tradition to eat at Sweet Tomatoes on are first night. After stuffing ourselves we headed back. We got ready for bed and just relaxed for a while we had driven down from Wisconsin pretty much straight and we had no energy left. I loved hearing all the sounds of the fort has I fell asleep.

We are back sadly and I wanted to report that I was able to get a cup of hot water from meadows for no charge. If your in the 1500 loop it took 10 min there and back.

Thanks,we might check this out next week when we go. I was wondering if anything would be out yet.

Thanks !

Thanks, I don't want to lug a ton of stuff with. I could bring the keurig  but it's only for a couple of glasses of tea. If anything I can go without. 

I just was wondering if I went into one of the stores or trails end they would fill my cup with hot water. In the past other campgrounds have done this for me.  

I would be mad that's a big price difference. Please update on what happens. I feel for you!

Thanks for the suggestion. Why would they ban it? To many people getting burned?

My husband and I will be heading to the fort next month. We will not be able to bring are camper. We will just have a tent. We are only doing 4 nights.

I don't want to bring a ton of stuff. If I bring my own cup will there be any place at the fort that will give me hot water for free? I just want it for a cup of tea in the morning.

Thanks!

Looks like fun! Now I'm hungry!

Tell your daughter she did a great job! I guess her burger was a little messy lol!

I felt like I was right there with you. I loved it!

It was so nice to go to Disneyland without pre picking when we wanted to ride something. It was nice to know if the park was super crowded we had the option to buy maxpass. For us we felt we did not need it we did fine with the paper ones but, it was nice to have a option. It seems lass stressful there more easy going.

Thanks for the pics!

No explanation on the problem. Last year when we were there it was down and I know the restart date kept getting pushed back. I'm glad that we got to see it. I would of been mad if we wasted all that time waiting. Sounds like maybe some things are still a issue?

Thanks for reading along we had a great trip!

We said good bye and went on are separate ways. I made it into one store and was looking around. My son texted me that he wanted to skip the show and ride more rides. I told him that was fine. Didn't really see anything and moved on to another store. My husband texted me that people had started to go into the show area. I told him to go in and save me a spot. I knew that you had to get in early to get a spot up front. I'm short and wanted a good view. My son texted that he got a treat a Pixar Pier Frozen Parfait. I asked him how it was? He then told me how he picked it up off the counter and spilled half of it. What he had left he enjoyed. Meanwhile I get another text from my husband that it's really filling up and I should get in there. So much for some relaxing shopping. I head back and make a stop at the ice cream place in Starbucks. I call my husband and tell him the menu. Nothing looked good at that moment to either of us. I just got a free ice water to go. I find my way to my husband. It's now 8:45 the show starts at 10:00. They have no seating for any of their night time shows. This better be worth waiting! My son decides to ride Toy Story again, it's a hour wait. 

Mean while people start to sit down on the ground while waiting. We sit also lean back on the railing yes, my husband got front row! We start to get as comfy as you can when a CM comes over and tells everyone to get up. It's like 9:10 we have a long wait. After about 10 min people start to sit down again. I'm not falling for this again we stay standing.

Of course we were never asked to sit again. My son gets done with his ride and yes it was a hour wait. The park is closing soon he is tired he says he is heading back. 

Right at 10 the lights go dim and the show starts. I was just really getting into it when the show stops and the lights come back on. A announcement is made that the show will be returning momentarily. This message keeps on continuing. My son calls and says he made it back but a homeless guy was standing near the entrance of the RV park waving a stick and yelling. And someone was sitting on are picnic table. He just went into the tent and stayed in there. 5 min later he texted the guy was gone. I told him it was probably someone waiting for someone in the bathroom. Still that was are site and I think that was kind of rude it was like 2 feet from are tent.

We are discussing what to do and how long we should wait when the show starts back up. It has been a half hour the show has started over again from the beginning. The verdict,was it worth waiting 2 and a half hours? We loved it the best Disney show we have ever seen. It was spectacular! Would I wait that long again. Probably not I'm not sure when we will get back so for the time being it was worth the wait. We did get a little water spray on us but not wet. I'm glad we got the front row we could see everything just great. 

The park is closed time to say last good byes. Remember I had wanted to do some shopping so, that's what we do. My husband found a shirt he liked we bought that for him. We now make are way out in into Downtown Disney. We head into the world of Disney store and look around one last time. I sadly could not find anything that I really liked. We head out and back to the bikes. My son is now wondering where we are? We bike back to the RV park. That guy was still waving that stick and yelling. He did not bother us. We are all exhausted but in a good way. We had a great couple of days. We all really love Disneyland! If you have never been you have got to go. It is much more relaxed than WDW. 

The next morning we have breakfast I do laundry and we pack up. We head back to get the car that brought us here in the first place. The guy we bought the car from was again super nice and friendly! We had dinner at a place called Farmer boys. If you now what Culvers is it was like that. The food was ok and it filled us up. We head out for the long trip home.

We made it back safe and sound and it was nice enough to snow for us. As the saying here goes gotta love Wisconsin!

Thanks for reading along! 

We left off with us making a mad dash trying to make are fast pass time for Guardians. We get up to the Mickey head scan our now expired tickets and nothing. I told the CM standing there what happened and she let us in. We where very happy and thanked her like 10 times! We have never seen the movie or know anything about it. My son rode this last year and loved it, I was excited to try it. There is a ton of stuff to look at while waiting. We entered the preshow in about 5 min it was very crowded in there. We exited and waited in line for about 15 min. We get in the elevator and up we go and down we go up and down over and over. The song free ride was playing. I won't spoil it with all the details but, I loved it! My husband did not, he prefers TT. I can ride TT but, if I don't it's not a big deal. I'm really glad we got to ride this. Not sure if I would of waited with out a fast pass the line was long all day. I now want to see the movie.

 After all this excitement we needed a break. What should we do? Animation Academy of course. We always loved doing this WDW was sad when itclosed. My son choose to wait in the lobby and of course play on his phone. My husband and I lined up we just made it only a few people after us was let in. We waited about 5 min and was let in. We choose a row got are paper and pencil ready. Who would we draw? Baymax was the answer. We are not the most talented artist around but, this is just for fun. We did not do that bad he is not that hard to draw. After class we collected my son and debated on Turtle Talk. We decided no it was getting late. We walked out and decided to head over to the spot where are World of Color section was. The plan was I was going to do some shopping my son some rides and my husband just wanted to sit down relax and people watch. Up next does it go according to the plan?

We jumped in the van and rode down to Del Taco. My son downloaded a app so we all got a free taco. We ordered are food to go and, went back to the RV park. We had a nice dinner on the picnic table. The food was ok not bad but not something I would say wow that was good. It was getting chilly so sweatshirts were brought out. We had to get going we had a fast pass to use. We did not need the backpack the would save time in the security line right? We made are trip back and got up to the table. My son went on one side one person in front of him. We choose the other side one woman in front of us. Start pushing are bikes up giving some space because of the tires like we always do. When another woman cuts right in front of me. I did not say anything but let her go. She start talking to the women in front of her seems like they were together. She opens up her bag  for security and starts to unload. It looked like she had a seven course meal in there. Next to us now the line my son was in we watched people just pass us by. I now was starting to get angry. There was some people behind us we could not back out. I ask the security if we can just go past the table remember we have no bags. I got a firm no! Security is there for a reason we need to wait are turn. We have 5 min till fast pass time is up. We still have to lock up are bikes, get all the way thru Downtown Disney, scan are tickets and, make are way to the ride. She finally gets done and we can go on thru. Thanks a lot lady! I did tell the security guard that we got skipped. She said she was sorry that she did not see it happen. If she did she would of of made the woman wait. As we walked in my husband said to me that he saw the woman got a black mark on her white dress when she cut in front of me. That was why I left the space open so that would not happen. Well that did make me smile a little. Now it's at the end of are return time we head in quickly. Will they let us ride will we get a green light?