Disneyland Dreaming...Pt 1

Greetings!

After a LONG blogging hiatus, I thought I would post again after my most recent trip to Disneyland. Sadly, it might also be one of my last trips for a long time. But more on that later.

As many of you know, my husband is in the Coast Guard, and recently retired. Which meant saying good-bye Kodiak and hello....well....we weren't sure where. Our parents live in states we weren't interested in relocating to, and we really wanted warmer weather, which meant WA state (where I lived for 18 years before getting married) was out. So where to go? I immediately voted CALIFORNIA. I mean what's not to love? Beaches, mild weather, DISNEYLAND. So my hubby jumped right into job search while I gleefully began dreaming about having an AP and a San Diego address. Every time we got a call about a possible job interview I screamed YES and started looking at houses. Houses in CA were really expensive. Perhaps even outrageously expensive?  But I said "it's worth it!" and rolled on. Got a no to San Diego, but then interviews in San Francisco came in and I was ready to go again. Volunteer at the Walt Disney family Museum? Yes! I'm you're girl! So as we planned and schemed as  the deadline for leaving Kodiak loomed closer and closer. We still had no firm job offer, and we were getting nervous. So as a back up plan? Florida was put into play. And the more we looked, the more reasonable it became. Cheaper houses, military friendly and WDW near by? Sounded good to me! Hubby started applying for jobs in the Tampa area, and I began planning our road trip from Kodiak to Tucson (our temporary stopping point to visit my parents). And I began thinking: wait...if we're only a 2 hour drive to WDW from our new location in FL, how on earth will I ever justify going back to Disneyland? 

So many boxes.....

So I begged for a small stop in Disneyland. I even got decent military rates at the Disneyland Hotel. I was afraid that it would be my last time seeing the Happiest Place on Earth for a good long time. Amazingly, my hubby caved and agreed. But then, a week after we had decided to move to FL, a Hail Mary pass was thrown from a different company in San Francisco. They wanted to interview! Suddenly all our well laid plans were thrown into a tail spin. We quickly decided it was worth it to delay FL a little longer, and take the chance CA might work out after all, despite the high cost of living. We would drive to the Bay Area right from the ferry from Kodiak, and drop off my hubby. While he interviewed and waited for an answer, the kids and I would keep driving to Disneyland. Seemed like a great solution. He hates the crowds and lines at any theme park, and I could get a mini getaway while he waited for an answer. I felt a little guilty about the cost of a Disney Hotel, but being alone with 2 six year olds also made me want the convenience and safety of being "on property". (I know, I know. But I'm a giant chicken, OK?) 

We showed up at Disneyland at about 8:30am after driving from SF to Burbank the night before. Leaving early on a Sunday meant virtually no traffic on I-5, which was perfect. As we pulled up to the guard gate with our Alaskan plated, grungy, road weary car, the extremely nice cast member directing traffic immediately pulled out a "free valet parking" pass for me. Score! We checked our luggage at the front desk so we could get moving to the park. We decided to walk through Downtown Disney to enjoy the early morning ambiance. (And to stop at World of Disney to buy hats and autograph books, of course). Then turnstiles! Main Street! Glorious return to my Happy Place after a year away! My goal on this trip was 1) expose my kids to as many things as I could that they didn't get to see last year 2) minimize wait times as much as possible. I've had a lot of back problems over the last year and standing only makes it worse. That last thing I needed was to be out of commission as the only responsible adult. 3) revisit some of our favorite rides as long as they didn't make my daughter's motion sickness act up.  I then immediately ignored goal #3 when my son begged me to start the day with a roller coaster. I was only too happy to oblige with a visit to Big Thunder Mountain!  After meeting up with an extremely nice Twitter friend (who also happens to be a CM), we sped through the queue and were seated in rows 1 and 2. BTRR was closed for refurbishment on our last trip, so I was eager to see the changes. First off-the ride was SO much smoother! Goodbye crazy lateral shifting on the corners. Matterhorn could use some of these same changes-I simply adored the new track. The special effects were a great surprise as well (although the final effect wasn't perfect). I was delighted with the improvements and changes. Although, after looking at my slightly green faced daughter, I quickly ruled out any more Coasters that day. 

Obligatory castle shot

In Part 2, I'll continue on with more tales of our time in Disneyland and California Adventure, as well as a behind the scenes tour of Walt Disney studios. 

Donation Request

Hello! I have a different purpose for my blog today. As most of you know, I live on a remote island in Alaska, called Kodiak. We have VERY limited shopping choices here, especially when it comes to Disney products. There isn't even a Disney Store anywhere in Alaska! And as you can imagine, shipping charges are pretty expensive. So here's where my request comes in.

Every year for the last 31 years, the Kodiak Coast Guard Spouses Association has had an event called the Stiles-Clark Auction. We use the money raised for numerous local charities, as well as to fully fund our Santa to the Villages Program,


Santa to the Villages is 40 year old program where the Coast Guard delivers gifts, fruit, and knitted goods to children who live in the remote villages of Kodiak. The gifts are delivered both by ship and by helicopter by active duty Coasties dressed up as Santa and elves. I was lucky enough to be an elf last year and visited our local elementary school with Santa to deliver candy canes. It's a fun, unique and important program.

So here's where I need your help. I would love to have some "Twitter Baskets" for the Silent Auction and have it filled with Disney items. If you have a travel agency or business you want to plug, you can include your business card. If you want to just donate a Vinylmation, I'll consolidate everything into 1 basket with your twitter handle on the basket for credit. I will take photos of the final products and put it on twitter for everyone to see. The auction is on Oct 5th, so we have time to buy the presents for the kids.

Here are some links about the program, including Facebook pages and a link to the Anchorage TV Station who had a short report on what Santa to the Villages is about

http://www.ktuu.com/videogallery/73689527/News/Assignment-Alaska:--Coast-Guard-Santa-to-the-Villages

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Santa-to-the-Villages/379212152172406
Santa to the Villages, Kodiak, AK.

https://www.facebook.com/pages/...Stiles-Clark-Auction/19366645735384

If you are interested in donating, please DM me at @AlaskaDisneyGrl or email me at AlaskaDisneyGrl@gmail.com

Thanks so much!
Keri


- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad

Monster vs Monster

I've had Monsters on the mind lately. I'm talking about those endearing monsters from both Monsters Inc and Monsters University. My kids have the Read Along stories for both movies on constant repeat in the car, so I've been hearing the tales of Mike and Sulley a lot. And it's given me time to think. Who do I identify with, and how does it change in each movie?




In Monsters Inc, I absolutely adored Sulley. How could you not love the big guy? He was blue and furry, a superstar at his job, and he was able to tolerate Mike. I must admit, I thought Mike Wakowski was annoying in MI. When Sulley found an adorable, lost child, his instinct was to protect her, and to break the rules to do so. Mike, on the other hand, seemed to only care about following protocol and breaking the scare record. I couldn't imagine how the two of them ever became friends. Sulley was the charasmatic hero who shone brightest in his scenes with Boo. Mike seemed like a he was along for the ride, with nothing significant to contribute.




When I first heard the reviews of Monsters University, I was surprised the focus was a bit more on Mike. I had a hard time wrapping my head around the thought that Mike had become an endearing character. Because I live in Kodiak, we often have to wait a couple months for movies to come to our small island. Although I avoided trailers as much as I could, I still heard through Twitter that it was a fantastic movie. When I finally saw the movie on a trip to Juneau in June (and on a 2nd viewing last weekend when it came to Kodiak), I was amazed at how the tables were turned. Suddenly I was sympathizing with Mike. From the start of the movie, when he was ostracized by his classmates, I could identify with the little guy. I was also the hard worker in college, who studied all the time to keep up with those with natural talent. I was never one if the 'cool kids' as Sulley was. Suddenly I was looking at the adorable, heroic Sulley with new eyes. He started college as a slacker, brooding and somewhat bullying. Although he redeemed himself at the end, it was enlightening to see both Sulley and Mike in a new light.

So now, when my kids beg for Monsters Inc, I'm a more tolerant of Mike's excessive worrying and rule following. I'm happier at the end of the movie when Mike finally gets to be the star. And I look at Sulley as a more flawed hero, who has had pressure to succeed from the start. I have a more equal appreciation of both of them.


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Twitter: My Window to the World

When I first found out I was moving to a small island in Alaska, I must admit, I was freaked out. I couldn't believe how far from everything I loved I was going to be. Our first Coast Guard tour was in Miami Florida. Really far from my family in Seattle, but only 2 1/2 hours from Walt Disney World. WDW saved me in that 3 year tour. On my most homesick days, I could drive up to Orlando and be surrounded by my friends Mickey, Goofy and Minnie. I might be missing Mt Rainier and Puget Sound, but I could still ride Space Mountain and take a Friendship Boat across World Showcase Lagoon at EPCOT. Then I had twins, and moved to Northern Virginia and was so busy I didn't have time for much of anything. We did manage 1 WDW trip in October 2011 for the Food and Wine Festival. But DC has a lot to offer with museums, parades, festivals, and shopping. I missed being close to anything Disney, but at least I had a Disney Store near by if I needed a fix.

But then I got the news. After 4 years in the busy metropolis of DC, we were moving to Kodiak Alaska. Far away from family, friends, and Disney. I was in shock. The only way off this tiny island was by plane or ferry boat. And it's expensive to leave too. There's no malls, not even a Target, so finding anything Disney related was going to be next to possible. I'm not just a Disney geek, but a pop culture geek. So I was also losing access to first run movies, IMAX theaters, even 3D experiences. I couldn't imagine how I'd make it through the next 3 years. In the midst of my angst over moving, something wonderful happened. I found Twitter.

Now I'd had a Twitter account before I moved, but I didn't use it much. But as I settled into my new life in Alaska, and had more time on my hands, I began to explore Twitter more and more. What I discovered was amazing. A whole community of people who were as Disney obsessed as I was. And more importantly, people I could learn from. I began to become more than just a Disney fan. I began to learn about the history of Disney. I found out about "It's Kind of a Cute Story" and "Poster Art of the Disney Parks" through Twitter and bought the books. I read blog posts about EPCOT and how it has slowly lost its way from Walt's original vision. I remembered WDW trips as a child where I rode the Skyway and saw World of Motion and realized how special that was. I now know the names Tony Baxter, Marc Davis and Rolly Crump, thanks to Twitter.



My Christmas present!

I found others who loved movies, TV shows and random pop culture references as much as I did. The best show I was introduced to through my Twitter friends was Dr Who. How did I never know about this wonderful, amazing and charmingly bizarre show? Thanks to Twitter I started watching, stuck with it through the first season, and have become a full fledged Whovian. I have a lot of other movies and shows on my list that other Twitter peeps have suggested as well. To be able to discuss my favorite shows with others have led to long and fun discussions about Once Upon A Time, Downton Abbey, and Game of Thrones


My lock screen-I'm so obsessed w/Dr Who

Thanks to Twitter, I can still see the parks through everyone's pictures. And what pictures! Amazing long exposures and intricate details. I could see the opening of Sunshine Tree Terrace with the return of Orange Bird. I lived vicariously through the food photos at the Food and Wine festival and groaned along with everyone else at the large crowds and drinking team shirts. I watched the Voyage of the Little Mermaid open and could compare the DCA version to the WDW version. All from Kodiak! The transition to this small island was a lot easier than I thought it would be. Not only did I meet some fabulous people here on the Coast Guard base where I live, but I found a whole new community of people on Twitter I could chat with. On Twitter I'm not defined as a mom, or a Coast Guard spouse, or the wife of the Commander Officer of Kodiak. I'm just AlaskaDisneyGrl. And my new friends in Kodiak realized how much Twitter means to me too.



My birthday present from my friends in Kodiak


I look forward to more lively discussions, more reading of amazing blog posts, more pictures from my favorite photographers, more Podcasts, and hopefully, one day, the opportunity to actually meet some of you in person.

Until then,
@AlaskaDisneyGrl


- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad

Trying out for the blogging team

Hello!
I've been saying for quite a while now that I wanted to blog again. Now that our big trip to Alaska is over, I was unsure what else I wanted to write about. But after becoming immersed in the world of Twitter, and reading other's blog posts, I decided that a blog didn't have to focus on my family. So I'm going to try going in an new direction, by making comments on things happening out in the big world while still being isolated on a small island that is only accessible by boat or plane.  I will admit, I might still mention my kiddos from time to time, because I am a stay at home mom. But I don't consider myself a "pixie-duster" who thinks Disney can do no wrong. I like to look at things with a clear eye, compliment when deserved, and suggest change when warranted. I want my kids to grow up knowing who Oswald, Rolly Crump, and the Sherman Brothers are.  In short, a place to write down my thoughts and see if others feel the same.
My current big project is our upcoming trip to Disneyland and Disney's California Adventure! It has been quite an ordeal getting it all planned. Not only is it logistically difficult to get off of Kodiak, but this is the first time I've ever taken my kiddos to DLR (Disneyland Resort). I've managed to get a hotel right across the street from the entrance, and a 2 bedroom at that. This means at night the kids can crash in their own room while the hubby and I can stay up and chat if we want to. I have a feeling we're going to be as tired as the kids though! Our last time in DLR was in January 2006. We had only been married for 5 months, and were going from Miami FL to Australia for our delayed honeymoon. I had insisted to stay in LA for an extra day so we could spend a day at Disneyland before continuing on to New Zealand/Australia for 2 weeks.  I had a feeling it would be a long time before we were able to come back. We did everything I loved there: Ate at Blue Bayou, saw the Haunted Mansion, enjoyed Fantasmic with desserts on the balcony above Pirates of the Caribbean, and shared a kiss under Walt's apartment by the Fire Station.  Now it's 7 1/2 years later, and everything is completely different.

Dinner at Blue Bayou 1/06

We'll be going to DLR with our 5 year old twins, a boy and a girl. This won't be their first Disney Park experience, however. When we were stationed in Florida, we went to WDW all the time, but when the kids were born in 2007, we didn't get back to WDW until 2011.  We brought the kids, who had just turned 4.  Although it was fun, it was also exhausting. We used a stroller, and took lots of breaks to minimize any possible meltdowns- which worked great! We also stuck to the very easy rides. This time, there will be no strollers, a lot of walking, and hopefully some braver kids who can try out some of the more "intense" rides, like Matterhorn or Splash Mountain.  We shall see.  I'm very excited to see all the changes in DCA as well. Everything I've seen and heard about Cars Land makes me feel like a kid again! I'll be excited to share with everyone how it all comes out. For now, we continue to keep the Disney portion of the kids a surprise.  Hopefully I can hold out on keeping my lip zipped until we leave!
Tang'rciqamken camiku (Alutiiq for "See you Next Time")
Keri