*tap* *tap* Is this thing on?

ktulu · Post by **ktulu** » Mon Dec 10, 2007 10:32 pm

And we're back! This was one of the most enjoyable visits to the Disneyland Resort in a long time. I have about 500 pictures to sort through, resize and then upload to my website before I can share, but here is the verbal report. I won't go into the blow by blow detail of the trip, mainly because I don't remember it all :)

Before I get into it, I need to apologize to lady ulrike and glendalais. They both PM'd me and let me know where to find them. Since they were both working Friday night, I designated in my mind that was the time to go meet, after having dinner with my pops who drove down to meet us (and paid $11 to park in the Timon lot, way to go Dad...) To make a short story even shorter, we spent more time with pops then I anticipated, and then Abby was ready for bed. She didn't melt down in DTD, but she needed to sleep, so rather than subject her to more stimulation in the parks, we headed back. Plus my pregnant wife was looking tired as well, executive decision had to be made. I feel bad, especially since this is the 2nd time I was going to try and meet up with lady ulrike. I'm not sure when we'll get to head back either, since my next child is due to arrive in April. Another Christmas trip next year could work. Anyway, sorry guys! I really wanted to say hi and thank you for your hard work as CM's!

Anyway, back to the story!

This is the first time I can recall being at the Disneyland Resort at Christmas. I was blown away at the decorations. Until I walked through the gates of Disneyland, I was so not in the Christmas spirit. That all changed. The sights and sounds of Christmas all around me made my heart grow three sizes that day.

I've heard good things about HM, but words simply cannot convey what Imagineering has done there. My wife and I were blown away, so much in fact that we waited 45 minutes on our last day there and made it our last ride. It was our favorite "Christmas" ride of the park. IASW is awesome as well, but HM, wow. Simply wow. I applaud Disney for that one.

We didn't see much in the way of SG's, perhaps we were too caught up in what was going on around us, or maybe they all stayed home. Except for one lady at the Trams on Sunday. Large crowds waiting, tram comes and it's a mad rush to get on. Well, she didn't make it, but got on anyway with her kid and yelled at the CM "We're not getting off, we WILL be riding this tram!" the CM shrugs and keeps walking. She did not have a seat, and her little girl (maybe 1-2 yrs) didn't appear to have on either. Her husband stood by and watched as she flipped out, and I guess he said something to her because she threw something at him, then handed him a huge stroller, then their daughter and then got off. The next tram pulled up, they were able to get on and then started chewing out the poor CM. I was very close to yelling at the Dad (he took over for his wife at this point) "if you shut your pie hole we can all get going ya moron!" but decided just to watch instead. Honestly, there really needed to be more tram's running and probably a CM or two to keep order, but we got back to our car and to the airport in time, so I won't complain ;)

Now the more positive stuff. We didn't get dreamed by the Dream Squad, but we had a wonderful CM named Sandy who approached us on Saturday morning. She asked if we had just the one child, and we said yes. She told us how the day before she was not having a magical day and had lost the magic, so her manager sent her out with a special delivery from Mickey Mouse to bring the magic to a special guest, and that would help bring back the magic. She picked Abby to receive this. She gave her a signed picture of Mickey Mouse and a toy with 8 little cute characters in it. Abby in turn gave her hugs and kisses, and I think the magic was back. I even got a little teary eyed. The people we saw that were dreamed that day can have their stuff, that is all marketing anyway. What my little girl received was real.

On Friday night, we had a tram announcer that was in line with Cranbiz and Big Wallaby. He did his spiel, then, breaking through the hum of the tram, he sang Christmas carols, but not just any Christmas carols, ones that were modified to fit the trams. I wish I could have recorded it, the one that I do remember was "Oh Christmas tram, oh Christmas tram, how lovely are your benches!" Not just one line either, but whole songs! I was in like the 2nd car and ran back to get his name and tell him about two other great CM's who make their guests rides more enjoyable, Cranbiz and Big Wallaby, and also to personally thank him. His name is Greg, and if you are lucky enough to ride with him, be sure to thank him.

The majority of the CM's were wonderful, from the girl who gave me extra apples for my daughter (nope, we can't sell you the small bags, but I will give you one) to the numerous CM's who told me to hang onto my fastpass to use later since the line was short enough and I didn't need it. I know there is the tendency to just let the SG's go ahead and use it, but it was really nice of them!

We did see one CM take a "not a valid fastpass" at HM on Sunday. She told the other CM that the people didn't speak English, he told her that he still wouldn't have taken it. Bravo! I wouldn't have either. Oh well, if that is the worst thing that could happen on a trip, who cares, right?

We did encounter one CM SGT at IASM on Saturday night. We were with our friends and one of her 2 year olds (she has two, one was adopted) and boarding the boat when the CM stepped between the two of them, child heading toward the boat, Mom freaking out behind her and CM not paying attention. Yes, parents need to watch their children, but that was one of those situations where Mom was about to grab child when CM cut between them not really paying attention to what's going on in front of her.

After having the chance to visit DL and the MK, sorry WDWers, but DL is the best IMO. I know MK gets more visitors, but it seems like the SG's aren't quite as bad (at least from our vantage point), there was less smoking outside of designated smoking area's, and generally less rudeness. I'm not saying I won't go back to WDW. It's like choosing between two desserts, you love them both, but this one just makes you smile that much more. Plus POTC is better at DL ;)

Okay, pictures coming soon!

GRUMPY PIRATE · Post by **GRUMPY PIRATE** » Tue Dec 11, 2007 12:12 am

WOW Sounds like you had a lot of fun!! We are thinking about going soon!!

glendalais · Post by **glendalais** » Tue Dec 11, 2007 1:15 am

ktulu wrote:Before I get into it, I need to apologize to lady ulrike and glendalais. They both PM'd me and let me know where to find them. Since they were both working Friday night, I designated in my mind that was the time to go meet, after having dinner with my pops who drove down to meet us (and paid $11 to park in the Timon lot, way to go Dad...) To make a short story even shorter, we spent more time with pops then I anticipated, and then Abby was ready for bed. She didn't melt down in DTD, but she needed to sleep, so rather than subject her to more stimulation in the parks, we headed back. Plus my pregnant wife was looking tired as well, executive decision had to be made. I feel bad, especially since this is the 2nd time I was going to try and meet up with lady ulrike. I'm not sure when we'll get to head back either, since my next child is due to arrive in April. Another Christmas trip next year could work. Anyway, sorry guys! I really wanted to say hi and thank you for your hard work as CM's!

No worries. I don't think you would have liked to be in my location anyways, lol. It was chaos Friday night, lol.

ktulu wrote:On Friday night, we had a tram announcer that was in line with Cranbiz and Big Wallaby. He did his spiel, then, breaking through the hum of the tram, he sang Christmas carols, but not just any Christmas carols, ones that were modified to fit the trams. I wish I could have recorded it, the one that I do remember was "Oh Christmas tram, oh Christmas tram, how lovely are your benches!" Not just one line either, but whole songs! I was in like the 2nd car and ran back to get his name and tell him about two other great CM's who make their guests rides more enjoyable, Cranbiz and Big Wallaby, and also to personally thank him. His name is Greg, and if you are lucky enough to ride with him, be sure to thank him.

I LOVE that guy! I've been meaning to give him a Great Service Fanatic card and compliment him over at City Hall, I'll go and do that tomorrow after my shift :) :. It's a great way to welcome our guests to the resort.

Overall great to hear that you enjoyed your visit to the DLR. Hopefully, you're able to come back soon, i'd be a nice way for your newborn to spend his first Christmas ^_^!

BRWombat · Post by **BRWombat** » Tue Dec 11, 2007 10:06 am

Welcome back to Texas, ktulu! Great stories -- loved hearing about the tram guy!

lady ulrike · Post by **lady ulrike** » Tue Dec 11, 2007 10:34 am

ktulu wrote: We did encounter one CM SGT at IASM on Saturday night. We were with our friends and one of her 2 year olds (she has two, one was adopted) and boarding the boat when the CM stepped between the two of them, child heading toward the boat, Mom freaking out behind her and CM not paying attention. Yes, parents need to watch their children, but that was one of those situations where Mom was about to grab child when CM cut between them not really paying attention to what's going on in front of her.

Figures your one CM SGT moment is on my attraction. Oh well, actually when I read the start of this paragraph, my heart dropped and then I saw that it wasn't quite as bad as it could've been, they were just careless and not out and out rude.

Princess Susi · Post by **Princess Susi** » Tue Dec 11, 2007 10:59 am

I love the story about the CM and the magic. That one had my throat choking up. Oh, those durn CMs know how to make you happy, don't they? :D: That is why we love them. Sounds like an excellent trip. Isn't DL beautiful at Christmas? That is why we go every year, we just cannot resist the siren song of DL at the holidays, but we always pull up anchor before NYE! Do NOT want to part of that HUGE crowd.
We are heading down in 9 days. Cannot wait!!!!
Now we are just waiting to see some pics Ktulu! CAN'T wait!!!!!!!!! :D:
susi

ktulu · Post by **ktulu** » Tue Dec 11, 2007 11:35 am

lady ulrike wrote:Figures your one CM SGT moment is on my attraction. Oh well, actually when I read the start of this paragraph, my heart dropped and then I saw that it wasn't quite as bad as it could've been, they were just careless and not out and out rude.

Nope, she was just in her own world, which wasn't IASW at the time :D:

susislicker wrote:I love the story about the CM and the magic. That one had my throat choking up. Oh, those durn CMs know how to make you happy, don't they? :D: That is why we love them. Sounds like an excellent trip. Isn't DL beautiful at Christmas? That is why we go every year, we just cannot resist the siren song of DL at the holidays, but we always pull up anchor before NYE! Do NOT want to part of that HUGE crowd.
We are heading down in 9 days. Cannot wait!!!!
Now we are just waiting to see some pics Ktulu! CAN'T wait!!!!!!!!! :D:
susi

DL is more than beautiful at Christmas. Even the CM who said he heard the same Christmas songs 20 times a day was cheerful, or maybe he really liked Christmas music...

Okay, so here are the pics I liked and a few others I wasn't so thrilled about. I didn't upload every photo, there are quite a few duplicates of Abby and the Characters. I love photography, but I'm usually too caught up in the fun to stop and take photos. Or I'm too caught up in the awesomeness that is Disneyland.

Ladies and Gentlemen, boys and girls, children of all ages, darph. I present, the pictures (or the link to them...)

http://www.grabowskifamily.net/gallery/ ... p?album=56

GRUMPY PIRATE · Post by **GRUMPY PIRATE** » Tue Dec 11, 2007 11:39 am

wow, looks like she made the rounds!! did she get pics with all her favorites?

Good pics!!!

Princess Susi · Post by **Princess Susi** » Tue Dec 11, 2007 11:53 am

I LOVE the pics of your little one with the Princesses and Minnie and Mickey, my fave characters of course. What wonderful pics all around! Now I am IMPATIENT about going next week!!!!!!! Beautiful photos. Thanks for sharing! :D: susi

Purpura · Post by **Purpura** » Tue Dec 11, 2007 1:04 pm

I liked those pics too... Funny thing... I saw the Toyland trumpeters picture and suddenly the parade music started in my head. Hehe

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