Bring It On, West Coast! East Coast Prepares For An LA & Disneyland Encounter (COMPLETE: TR POSTED)

'Kay, FABULOUS LIST HERE, as usual.

#cantrelate to being 21, I'll still be 4 months shy when I go :( enjoy the tiki bar for me.

Wait, I'm actually really excited for dill pickle popcorn as well. I HATE actual pickles but I love pickle flavored potato chips and the dill pickle popcorn sounds amazing.

YAAAS BEIGNETS AND JULEPS!!!! I'm so excited to try both of these! I don't know if the old mint julep had alcohol in it or not, but apparently the new one that DFB is reporting on is basically a lemonade with a hint of mint, and I'm really excited to try it.
 
'Kay, FABULOUS LIST HERE, as usual.

#cantrelate to being 21, I'll still be 4 months shy when I go :( enjoy the tiki bar for me.

Wait, I'm actually really excited for dill pickle popcorn as well. I HATE actual pickles but I love pickle flavored potato chips and the dill pickle popcorn sounds amazing.

YAAAS BEIGNETS AND JULEPS!!!! I'm so excited to try both of these! I don't know if the old mint julep had alcohol in it or not, but apparently the new one that DFB is reporting on is basically a lemonade with a hint of mint, and I'm really excited to try it.

Why thank you. :teeth:

I'll send all the pics and snaps, promise.

That'll be our cruisin' through Radiator Springs snack. Sh-Boom playing in the background and everything.

Ooooo, that sounds like a lovely compliment to my non-virgin Mint Julep hehe But literally, before you mentioned thinking about snacks I was planning on living off exclusively Mint Juleps and Beignets and maybe some water lol
 
Your snack list sounds great! I'm still so disappointed in myself that I never tried the beignets! One of my fave DL snacks was the Tigger Tail (it's basically a marshmallow wand covered in caramel and then covered in chocolate and sugary sprinkles- so yummy!)
 
Your snack list sounds great! I'm still so disappointed in myself that I never tried the beignets! One of my fave DL snacks was the Tigger Tail (it's basically a marshmallow wand covered in caramel and then covered in chocolate and sugary sprinkles- so yummy!)

Thank you! I can't not miss out on beignets. And omg, that sounds delish! I need to add that to my list now lol
 


CALL ME JOANNE
Real-Life Update

Hello my lovely TR readers!

A lot seems to have happened fast in under a week and I'm back at school, all moved in to my lovely little apartment. Not much has happened in this little apartment minus a quick run to Wal Mart to pick up some essentials. I don't even have a picture of me in my room. That's just how it's been, which is fine, I need the rest even though I won't be getting any once next week starts most likely.

But BEFORE I moved in, I went into Boston a few days ago for a very special, very EXCITING occasion...

And what was that?

SEEING MY QUEEN OF QUEENS, LADY GAGA, PERFORM LIVE!!!

To spoil the suspense, yes, it was AMAZING. Definitely one of the best concerts I've ever seen. I'm not sure it necessarily tops seeing the Queen Bey in concert, as much as it pains me to say that, but it was still incredible. Lady Gaga is seriously one of the greatest entertainers out there. She does it all, singing, dancing, playing musical instruments, EVERYTHING. It was unreal watching her just do that all without a wince (not to mention I got to see her perform all my favorite songs, many of which I've listened to too many times to be admittedly normal). On top of it, she remains so humble, being so grateful for what she is able to do, the platform she has and using it for the sake of others. Honestly, forever an inspiration to me in so many ways and I'd 500% would see her again. 70/10 would recommend you'd go see her so if the Joanne World Tour is anywhere near you, BUY THOSE TICKETS NOW!!! It's SOOOO worth it.

Here are some pics from the night. My mom, my best friend Jocelyn and our friend Kelly all joined me. Kelly and Jocelyn sat in the field box while my mom and I were on the turf. If you're wondering why I had a pink cowgirl hat hanging on me, it's because that's the color of the hat she wears on her Joanne album cover (it's the symbol for Joanne basically). There were many Joannes walking around with those on.











If you weren't aware, Lady Gaga and her mother, Cynthia, run the Born This Way Foundation, which is a foundation that supports LGBTQ+ youth by providing shelters for those that were kicked out of their homes due to their true identity along with many other ways to support the LGBTQ+ community, a community, as many of you know, is very close to my heart (and that I'm obviously a part of). They had a positivity wall of sorts where you could write words of positivity. It was right next to Mickey, of course, and I decided to write on it, quoting one of my queen's lyrics. I'll just let you guess what that was, but it definitely put me in good spirits. I love spreading positivity in any way I can, it makes me more of a positive person.





I took many videos of all her performances as well as some of her speeches, but I won't bombard you with all that. Her two latest hits have been The Cure and Million Reasons so I thought those would be the ones you'd most like to see so here they are:

THE CURE (click to watch!)



MILLION REASONS (click to watch!)



Before she sang The Cure, she talked about one of her back-up dancers, Ian, who is from Boston, and how during the last time she toured (ARTRAVE: The ARTPOP Ball), he was going through Chemo and relating it to the lyrics from The Cure. It was one of many poignant moments of connecting her songs to why she wrote them. I wish I could transport y'all to that night because it really was amazing how she would make these genuine, beautiful speeches that connected to those present that night or the present circumstances.

The concert ended after Million Reasons when Gaga announced she was going to the House of Blues across the street, which created a WHOLE heap of problems. A huge crowd had formed outside of it, which made it nearly impossible to get from where we were sitting to where my mom and I had planned to meet up with Jocelyn and Kelly. Luckily, we did but I have never been in such a tight crowd in my life. We took a breather after, going to a club to wait out the ensuing traffic out of Fenway Park then went back over to our parking area to leave. Overall an amazing night!

I don't really have much to say in terms of this trip so real life updates will be coming infrequently versus my very frequent prior updates, especially since I'm in school now. I'm probably going to buy my Disneyland tickets very soon so that might be an update. For now, I hope this will suffice. I wish everyone who is heading back to school, a lovely semester and to, as always, have a magical day!

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CLEARLY I am a LITTLE behind, but judgeth not.
We took this trip last September, at the end of one of hubby's business trips.
I was totally a Los Angeles, Hollywood, Rodeo Drive, Disneyland tourist and HAD to do everything. We squeezed it all into 4 days (3 Disney days and 1 non Disney day).
I can 100% relate to the NEED to channel your inner Julia Roberts on Rodeo Drive... it was a MUST for me.
"Big mistake... BIG. HUGE...I have to go shopping now."

And I'm another vote for eating at In N' Out. The burgers are good, but it's a west coast tourist MUST!
 
All so many good things to hear. And I TOTALLY forgot to make note of Toontown because I NEVER SAW IT IN WDW so I DEF need to see it in Disneyland with a stop to see the Boss man.

ToonTown in WDW was my FAVORITE, so the one in DL (being fantastically and magically HUMONGOUS) was heavenly!!!! I could live there. Seriously.
 
Thank you! I can't not miss out on beignets. And omg, that sounds delish! I need to add that to my list now lol

YES! The beignets were beyond amazing! I grew up within driving distance to New Orleans (home of THE Cafe Du Monde) and DL beignets were spot on... minus the surroundings of the real French Quarter. :thumbsup2
 
CLEARLY I am a LITTLE behind, but judgeth not.
We took this trip last September, at the end of one of hubby's business trips.
I was totally a Los Angeles, Hollywood, Rodeo Drive, Disneyland tourist and HAD to do everything. We squeezed it all into 4 days (3 Disney days and 1 non Disney day).
I can 100% relate to the NEED to channel your inner Julia Roberts on Rodeo Drive... it was a MUST for me.
"Big mistake... BIG. HUGE...I have to go shopping now."

And I'm another vote for eating at In N' Out. The burgers are good, but it's a west coast tourist MUST!

That's ok. Glad you've made your way over tho! :welcome:

Omg I'm going all Julia Roberts on Rodeo Drive. Gonna find one of those nice white hats she had and taking stupid touristy photos with it on, quoting the movie the whole time.

I'm still beyond appalled with myself that I forgot about In N Out because YES, I HAVE to go there. Definitely will be a first night late night dinner and maybe every night after since I won't be staying on property. My stomach is YEARNING FOR IT.

ToonTown in WDW was my FAVORITE, so the one in DL (being fantastically and magically HUMONGOUS) was heavenly!!!! I could live there. Seriously.

I'm so excited! I really want a pic with the trolley the have over there :teeth:

YES! The beignets were beyond amazing! I grew up within driving distance to New Orleans (home of THE Cafe Du Monde) and DL beignets were spot on... minus the surroundings of the real French Quarter. :thumbsup2

Oh wow. That's crazy. I've only had the ones they have at the POFQ resort in WDW so I'm fully prepared to be SHOOK by the Mickey beignets if they are THAT good.
 
That's ok. Glad you've made your way over tho! :welcome:

Omg I'm going all Julia Roberts on Rodeo Drive. Gonna find one of those nice white hats she had and taking stupid touristy photos with it on, quoting the movie the whole time.


DO IT AND TAKE A LOT OF PICTURES PLEASE!!! It will be OH-SO-GOOD!:laughing::laughing::laughing:
 
No More Screaming, No More Painting, All Still Magical
Real-Life Update

Hello my lovely and patient TR readers!

I'm so sorry that I literally haven't updated since September. This semester, although supposed to be a break semester of sorts for me, was busy. I guess I'm just so used to being busy, I find new ways to be busy and well VOILA, here we are! But I'm going to catch you all up real quick.

If you've heard me say "busy semester" before that usually means either it was a really good semester or one that was awful. Thankfully, this falls into the good semester. It was my first semester as Events Manager of my school's musical theater club (Cabaret Troupe) and while it was a lot of extra work on top of my regular school work, I definitely made myself an invaluable member on the club's executive board. It feels nice to be appreciated.

Alongside that, I also performed in two shows, our club's Rocky Horror Picture Show Interactive Viewing as a lip-syncing Frank N Furter (because how else do you perform alongside a movie?) and in our premiere cabaret, Cabar-GAY as Paul (singing a solo and his iconic monologue from A Chorus Line) and Zaza (singing I Am What I Am from La Cage Aux Folles... in drag). Here are some pics:







I like to think of myself as a chameleon of a performer.

RHPS also occured during Halloweekend, the most wonderful time of year, and I had the best costume going as Evie from Disney's Descendants (daughter of the Evil Queen,
played by Sofia Carson).

I even had a bomb photoshoot to go along with it.



After that, I also got to see Fun Home the musical, which was amazing. It's touring now so if it comes by anywhere near you, GO SEE IT. You'll thank me.



Also I was treated to a special evening at my school when Paul Simon, legendary singer-songwriter came for a concert/interview/talk-back with the audience. It was really cool.

He's not the most warm personality, but he has quite the fascinating stories about some of the most iconic figures in the music biz. It was pretty neat. I'm glad to say I was in the presence of a living legend and got to learn about him in a very unique environment. He also sang two songs for us, such a bonus.



We're gonna ignore the fact that stress and school and FINALS even happened and skip to, amidst all of this, I did FINALLY buy my Disneyland tickets!



I bought three day park hopper tickets with MaxPass and a Magical Morning. So I'm pretty set for the ultimate Disneyland adventure!

Well...

ASIDE from the fact I won't be able to see Soundsational, Paint The Night or ride California Screamin', but that's ok.

:tink:I'M GOING TO DISNEYLAND IN 21 DAYS!!! :tink:

I'll be back with a much more detailed update on other things later. I just wanted to post this one to say I'm alive and the trip is still on and more updates are coming as well as the eventual TR per usual.

Oh and to let you know that you all need to see Coco and Star Wars Episode VIII: The Last Jedi!

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That's all for now. Have a magical rest of your evenings!

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Yeah, all the closures at once is really annoying! But maybe lower crowds? Crossing my fingers-because I really don't know how to predict DLR crowds these days! Oh, and guess what-I found another DCP pin (in a slightly different design) on one of the pin boards so now I have 2 to give you!

I don't think you'll regret hoppers or Maxpass at all! It's just so convenient to be able to book anything via phone rather than running around the parks!
 
I'm so glad you had such a fun semester! Ugh, I loved your Evie costume and also the fact that you saw Paul Simon???????????????????????????????? Any time anyone important comes to Pace it's a #PerformingArtzONLEE event. GLAD YOU HAD FUN AND WE SURVIVED FINALS 2K17!!!

I'M SO GLAD YOU HAVE YOUR TICKETS!!!! I see u with the MaxPass ;) so jealous!!! You're going to have a great time and I can't wait for this TR!
 
I'm glad it's been such a fun semester for you! And only 3 weeks until Disneyland, yay!!

I'M SO EXCITED! I can't believe it's already here! :goodvibes

Yeah, all the closures at once is really annoying! But maybe lower crowds? Crossing my fingers-because I really don't know how to predict DLR crowds these days! Oh, and guess what-I found another DCP pin (in a slightly different design) on one of the pin boards so now I have 2 to give you!

I don't think you'll regret hoppers or Maxpass at all! It's just so convenient to be able to book anything via phone rather than running around the parks!

That'd be so nice! But I just found out that I was wrong about Soundsational that the closure was temporary (?) and that the Small World holiday will still be open until the 22nd so I at least get to ride that. I'll be hardcore mourning Haunted Mansion Holiday though and just Haunted Mansion in general because that's my fave :'(

Omg yay! My friend I'm staying with is a fellow CP alum so I'll have to give that to her.

MaxPass sounds like such a blessing. I've heard nothing but good things. It'll definitely be so useful for a first timer trying to do it all in just three days.

I'm so glad you had such a fun semester! Ugh, I loved your Evie costume and also the fact that you saw Paul Simon???????????????????????????????? Any time anyone important comes to Pace it's a #PerformingArtzONLEE event. GLAD YOU HAD FUN AND WE SURVIVED FINALS 2K17!!!

I'M SO GLAD YOU HAVE YOUR TICKETS!!!! I see u with the MaxPass ;) so jealous!!! You're going to have a great time and I can't wait for this TR!

Thanks! Evie will go down and infamy. And yeah, fun fact about Paul Simon, his daughter actually graduated last year so I went to school with her and had NO CLUE. I looked her up and I recognized her but NO CLUE. Also, one of my good friends is the grandson of Penny Chenery, the owner of Secretariat. My school is CRAZY.

And YAS TO SURVIVING THE WORST FINALS WEEK IN KNOWN HISTORY!

MaxPass is gonna make this trip LIT. I can't wait to be obnoxiously emo texting you while I cry over everything Cali and Disneyland. ;)
 
Such a fun PTR to read! Followed you on Instagram so I can't wait to see your trip as it happens. I hope you have a wonderful, magical trip. (From a mom of 2 college students -- daughter is in her final semester for her BSN and son is finishing up his master's and applying for PhD so we know some finals stress around here.)
 
Such a fun PTR to read! Followed you on Instagram so I can't wait to see your trip as it happens. I hope you have a wonderful, magical trip. (From a mom of 2 college students -- daughter is in her final semester for her BSN and son is finishing up his master's and applying for PhD so we know some finals stress around here.)

Well, hello there and :welcome:

Glad to have you along! I promise my Insta will be FAR more active than it is now once I touch down in Cali. :thumbsup2
 
A Year Ago Today... The End of A Forever Era
Real-Life/Throwback Update

Hello everyone!

Sorry it's been another long break in updates. It's been a lot busier break than I originally expected with Christmas, New Year's... I just couldn't think of what to update you with while I'm trying to keep my life steady. In light of that though...

MERRY CHRISTMAS!

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HAPPY NEW YEAR!

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After last year, they both weren't nearly as memorable but a heck lot less stressful and physically & emotionally taxing. Still, it was lovely being home for both occasions. I had two very low-key and lovely family parties for Christmas along with a party with friends. For New Year's, a group of friends and myself went down to Boston, suffering through the record-breaking freezing temps for First Night and then spent the end of our evening at Machine, a gay club, where I got to meet Shangela, a famous drag queen and see her perform. It was a super fun night. I can only hope 2018 is reflective of NYE.


And with this trip only UNDER A WEEK AWAY, it seems to be.

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Some quick updates since I only briefly went over these, but since it is winter/off-season for Disneyland, I run in to the typical ride refurbs and closures. These of which include:

Splash Mountain
Dumbo
The Haunted Mansion
California Screamin'
Grizzly River Run
Mickey's Fun Wheel

Not too much of a loss on most accounts. The major ones are Mansion and Cali Screamin' (which is being turned into the Incredicoaster for Pixar Fest), but I've been on Mansion and well... I guess I'll ride Incredicoaster on a return trip. Small World Holiday is still open. Mickey's Soundsational Parade is actually not gone for good?? And re-opens the day before I get to Cali?? (Fact check me.) No Paint The Night, but... one less nighttime show to fit in. I'll get my World of Color and Fantasmic fixes for sure. So everything seems to fall into place for the better. I'M SO PUMPED! You have no idea.

At the same time, I can't help but think about what I was doing a year prior to now. Today was the final full day of my CP, which was also the final day I had in the Magic Kingdom. An emotional day to say the least, but one of the best days ever to be honest. Forgive me if I reminisce on this day as well as the days leading up, especially since I never really got to reflect on it in a TR.

The two days leading up to my last day in the Magic Kingdom were my last days working. They both were very stressful days since the Kingdom post-New Year's is still pretty hopping. It got so busy on my last day of working that Magic Kingdom hours were EXTENDED. It was the only day I know of that happening, but hey I got to stay an extra hour.

The day before however was where the goodbyes really started. One of my friends who had been on her CP for an entire year got her last two days off versus the rest of us who only had our last day off. So her last day was a day earlier than everyone else. Unfortunately, this day was the day everyone called out. This meant we both had double the work. However, we both weren't going to let that ruin our last days. And it wasn't for naught. We both were able to sneak off to watch Wishes for her last time as well as ride Space Mountain with the lights on with one of our favorite coordinators then get to say goodbye. It was a great night, bittersweet, but lovely nonetheless.

The following night was my last official night working in Magic Kingdom. The morning of, I met with some of my co-workers for breakfast at 'Ohana then spent the day with one of them meeting characters around the Kingdom before saying my final goodbye.









As I mentioned, an hour was added to my shift because of how busy it was. We weren't short-staffed this time though, but it still was rough. I opted out of a lunch to get paid more so I was near running on fumes. However, I still got to go sneak off and watch Wishes with two other CP besties. Then, before my shift ended, as a treat for our final night, the Fantasyland leader and the Tomorrowland leader led us skip the line and ride Seven Dwarfs Mine Train. After, we had a photoshoot around Tomorrowland to commemorate our last night. All culminating in my final shift ever as a Disney Custodian.







It all finally leads up to "a year ago today..." My final day playing in my favorite park. It was primarily a day of meeting all my faves (people and non-people) for one last time and subsequently crying every time I had to say goodbye. It was also a day of saying my final goodbyes to defunct shows like Wishes and the original Magic Kingdom rope drop. There are so many stories from this day like my final double FoF where Mickey & Minnie both noticed me, ugly sobbing into Goofini, getting a hug from Peter Pan, seeing friends for the last time on many surprise occasions, all the hugs... it was an unforgettable day, but a sad one that left me crying my way all the way to the bus stop at the Contemporary after park closing.

I'll stop talking and let you enjoy some pics from that day.



























I made a lot of promises, but the biggest was that I'd always find my way back and come visit. Luckily, that will come to fruition in some capacity this time next week when I see Disneyland for the very first time! And next time you hear from me, I shall soon-to-be on my way to California.

Until then, as always, have a magical day!

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