"IF I WERE A FRAGGLE..." BACKSTAGE MAGIC TRIP REPRT; Mar28-APR 3rd '10- W/PICS &VIDEO

[knewton64]

http://i608.photobucket.com/albums/tt165/knewton64/DSCF2832.jpg
(Some interesting characters hamming it up inside the teacups at Disneyland)


If I were a Fraggle, I would choose to be the character who "likes to do laundry and cooks radish soup a lot" because I enjoy his main principle of beliefs and they are:

That there are two things in life that are certain........1) Death and 2) Laundry :lmao:.


Anywho ----

MAJOR :woohoo:!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I just booked this trip!:yay: Ok.....I have been up since 8 am yesterday and haven't yet caught 20 winks ..I am SOOOO UP for this trip!!!! And all introductions aside, my name is Kris and well......I am a confessed Disney nut who loves all things Disney. Recently, I took a serious look at the ABD's "Emerald Isle" vacation but the conversion from U.S. to Euro isn't where I want it to be at this time (possibly in a yr or so I will revisit this). So, as a nice alternative solution to this rather delicious moral delima, I chose this trip of a lifetime for many reasons:

1) I wanna know more about the history behind Walt's dream.
2) and of course.....let the "inner Goofy" in me come out and enjoy new places and have fun meeting new people who also enjoy all things Disney.
3). SEEING THE JIM HENSON STUDIOS! I L-O-V-E THE MUPPETS! :cloud9:
4)
And speaking of the above reference, my favorite Disney character? Why.....it's Goofy.


OK - I have never been to DL and am looking forward to:

1) My very first trip to "Fantasmic' (crossing my fingers):goodvibes
2) My very first rice Krispy treat (dipped in chocolate of course):cloud9:
3) My very first seeing of the parades and fireworkspopcorn::
4). My very first ride onboard the Jungle cruise ride.
5). my very first ride in the teacups.
6). THE CALIFORNIAN GRAND HOTEL.
7). My very first SUCCESSFUL viewing of the "Hidden Mickey(s)" while seeing California Soarin (first & only time on the ride - Jan 2009 - ........I ducked!).
8). Seeing "Great Moments with Mr Lincoln" for the very first time (I tried seeing Hall of Presidents - Jan 2009 while in Orlando but it was closed for refurbishment).
9). misc...... OK.....will calm down for now. Will write more over the next few days
YYYYEEEEEEEEEEEEEEAAAAAAAAAAAAA YIIIIIIIIIIIIIIPPPEEEE!!!!


If anyone can give me some suggestions or tips as to better enhance this adventure, please feel free to post on this thread cuz I am looking forward to hitting the ground running when I get there.
Some questions I have for all of you are:
1) should I wear earplugs while watching the fireworks?
2) are there cd's of park music from either Disneyland or California Adventure? Where would I find them?
3).
4).

But one thing is for sure, The Fraggle "with no name" will be my traveling partner as he will be the appointed food critic and what not. And yes, in keeping with tradition of my trip reports.....any ABD "surprises" will not be a part of my trip report.....just lots of pictures and videos - where I am allowed to take them.


COMING UP NEXT:

my memories of having a conversation with Dr. Bunsen Honeydew & his trusty assistant Beaker (years ago) and e-gads and gazooks! Can I pay someone to help me pack??

T.T.F.N.

[dizzi]

Oh you are gonna have a blast!

DL is very cool.

I have only been once BUT.....We wee there for 1 day before a cruise and for 3 days after a cruise.

It is very different than WDW.

IT IS WAY SMALLER.

And at first i thought a bit cheesy dont get me wrong....I came to really like it and FULLY enjoyed myself BUT have done WDW about 25 times and had to get a Different mind set on.

I willpost a couple picshere and on our cruise board too.

[2GirlsMama]

Hoo-ray for you! This is my #1 dream ABD trip! I can't wait to hear what you think of the Muppet studio. Our entire family LOVES the Muppets!

I hope you have a great time planning, dreaming and traveling!!!!

[dizzi]

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u218/dizzi4disney/Lexar827.jpg

view from balconey at GAND CALIFORNIAN!!!!!!!

ENJOY!

[kristilew]

You are going to have so much fun! Love your trippy report name. (Mainly because I :love: fraggles!) Can't wait to follow all the details.

[TheTXTaylors5]

:thumbsup2 Thanks for the link. I'm along for the ride ...

:goodvibes Jennifer

[knewton64]

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u218/dizzi4disney/Lexar827.jpg

view from balconey at GAND CALIFORNIAN!!!!!!!

ENJOY!


Now that is a wonderful view:goodvibes ! What that is is considered (by ABD standards) a room upgrade - which means an additional charge by the ABD guest if they want that kind of a view. Though I do say I just encountered today quite a strange conversation(s) with ABD reps about what kind of a view we would have while staying at the Grand Californian.

AND it all had to do with me ONLY valueing a hotel room that has a balconey.
This I said as I relayed to them my experiences while at the Great Wolf Lodge at Williamsburg Va via my recently concluded ABD's Spirit of America trip (Sept 2009). I relayed to them that I am the type of ABD guest who really likes to unwind (after a "long" :lmao: day at the Disney parks or what not) with TWO chocolate chip / m&m cookes and wash it down with a chocolate milkshake as I have my feet propped up while I am relaxing/decompressing out on my hotel room balconey.

I went on to say that while at the Great Wolfe Lodge, I really enjoyed the full moon and the view of the outdoor water park while out on my hotel room balconey. For some unknown reason, these ABD reps assumed that I was wanting (WHAT IS KNOWN) a "Park view" (see above picture) or a view of Downtown Disney while I am at the Grand Californian.

**************THIS ISN'T WHAT I WAS LOOKING FOR **************


What I valued was a room with a balconey (high floor) but enstead I was hit with vague responses which in turn, I thanked them for their time...hung up the phone....then called right back. On the third phone call, a ABD rep by the name of DIEDRA informed me that (during the course of the conversation) that I could be given a room with "A view of a parking lot" for all she knew.
So , again I thanked her for HER time.....ended the call on a positive close ....then hung up AND CALLED BACK AGAIN.....FOR A FOURTH TIME.
This time, I got a hold of a rep who said the following:

That she said ABD holds a block of rooms that (at Disney's Grand Californian) are standard inside COURTYARD views and that your balconey will be determined upon what floor and where your room is located. feeling now more satisified upon hearing her answer, I thanked her and again....ended the call on a positive close.
So, a few hours go by and I think a little (after calming down over the way ABD rep DEIDRA customer DISserviced me), I am writing this as to "go to bat" for future ABD DISsers who desire this kind of a room with this kind of a view.
Therefore, I am calling back ABD Saturday for a FIFTH TIME to discuss this issue and to make sure that they have in my profile that I like a hotel room located on a high floor and that the comments section on this vacation of mine clearly state my requests for a No charge room upgrade (if avail) at either hotel and at Grand Californian; to either a park view or Dwntown Disney view.


So, to wrap up here on this silly issue...the reason why I feel so strongly about this issue is I feel highly offended by Deidra's remark about possibly receiving a hotel room with a view of a parking lot.:confused:
I wouldn't feel this way if I was a dot com'er reserving a room at my local Motel 6 or even gosh forbid......my local Howard Johnson's hotel/motel.....[B]but these two hotels (on this trip) are not of this caliber and that I don't feel it is necessary to treat ABD guests as such/B] as in the way Diedra verbally treated me.:headache:

Moreover, after I got to thinking, I am reading in the USA TODAY's money section recently that the hotel industry's occupancy levels (nationwide) has fallen on average by 14-16% over the last 12 months and...........yyeess.....I also work in the hotel industry in the hospitality section of it and I know that as a whole, the entire hotel / amusement park industry is hurting for business.

Therefore, this is why I feel compelled to push this issue and see where it falls.

*** WISH ME LUCK *****popcorn::







You are going to have so much fun! Love your trippy report name. (Mainly because I :love: fraggles!) Can't wait to follow all the details.

Ok.....now onto what I really wanna write about:cloud9:.

WIll write more about my fav subject this Sunday as well as the update on my "request" for a no charge room upgrage if available at either hotel.



T.T.F.N.

[dizzi]

Well that is very sad..........
As i would have hoped that ABD guest would have gotten the better rooms for all the money that they are about to spend or have already spent.

That is sad......As i had hopedto take many ABDs in the future.
And a hotel room view is the icing on the cake for me.

I DEFINITLEY would not want to look at a parking lot.........
ALTHOUGH, knowing what i do know when you are in WDW looking at a parking lot would mean just that parking lot and some trees (MAYBE)

AT DL parking lot view would have to be a little better (although, still not what i wold want from ABD) becasue you are so compacted in, that you would most definitley have to see surrounding hotels, several city streets, I would have to imagine that you might even be able to cathc a glimpse of the monorail from a parking lot view.............BUT STILL PARK OR GARDEN WOULD BE SO MUCH BETTER.

GOOD LUCK

[runskyhy]

I will be interested to hear how this goes. I also spoke with my TA about the GC for our ABD BSM trip next year. I want to put in a bed type request and my TA said she was told to call GC a month beforehand to set this up. There's enough else for me to do in these next 4 weeks that its on next year's 'to do' list! :rotfl2:

Good luck with your phone call!

[sayhello]

I'm going to throw out here a suggestion that if, once you get to the GC, you still don't like your room (view of a parking lot) that you bring it up to your Adventure Guides. When I was on Southwest Splendors, everyone but me and the family of 3 got rooms facing the river (it made sense for the family of 3, because all the river view rooms are King bed rooms, but for me...) The Adventure Guides *offered* to get me moved. So if you aren't happy -- say something! That's a part of the guide's job. No guarantee they can do anything if there's no rooms open, but you really need to ask.

In fact, I would suggest mentioning it to your Guides at the start of the tour. That way, they can communicate with the GC before you're checked in.

Sayhello

[knewton64]

:goodvibes A HUGE THANK YOU TO ALL WHO HAVE WRITTEN TO ME AND OFFERED THEIR SUPPORT AND OR SUGGESTIONS because it sure feels nice to have DISboards friends :goodvibes.

Ok....some pearls of wisdom to pass on to all of you so we can all avoid situations like one of us encountered on my recently completed ABD's "Spirit of America" trip (Sept 2009) which was:

They were housed (Hyatt at Penn's Landing via the Philadelphia part of the trip)......right next door to a wedding party.:scared1:

How do I know this?? Well, I make it a point to converse daily with all fellow adventurers and they told me. And yyeesss.......I met the Groom later on that morning while in the elevator (AFTER the ABD guests got moved) and said to him with my arm raised and my first clenched, "party on dude!"
With which he replied, "SWEET!" with both arms raised with fists clenced as he proceeded to do a rebel yell.


SO.......my pearl of wisdom I would like to pass on is I have learned the importance of making sure your "GUEST PROFILE" ABD computer screen is always up to date (whenever you call ABD) and that your guest preferences has been made very clear to ABD and to follow up on this approx 2 weeks prior to departure (with ABD) so that there is no confusion at hotel check-in.
Now....about that customer service issue with that ABD rep.....

Please keep in mind that it is very important to remember that it's not what one says but in how one says it and that furthermore, it is very important to have your "homework done" in relation to your issue and to be prepared to defend it.
So, I took a step back and gave ABD a call Saturday at 11:38am and did not finish with my phone call to them until 1:58pm. I know this because I was having fun working on a Disney photomoasic puzzle as I was conversing.:cloud9:
** And I finished about 1/3 of the 1000 piece puzzle **


ANYWHO -

The air was cleared (I recapped with her my previous posting and then some) and I get a feeling that I caught ABD's attention and that moreover I feel that it will be reflected in this upcoming ABD trip of mine:woohoo:
I can't say what nor do I feel comfortable revealing who I spoke with but I do have her internal phone number and have no issue speaking with her directly from now on. During the phone call, she also apoligized to me for that rep's incredibly poor behavior and assured me that ABD is here to take care of me. That felt good to hear because I have grown to love ABD and really appreciate what they do.
WE all have our "bad hair" days from time to time but I felt that this one rep needed some coaching and coaching she will receive from her supervisor.

Oh....and now for the good part:

From what started out as me coming home (while on the Disney cruise ship in January 2009) to 2 "big cookies" and a glass of milk always waiting for me in my refrigerator, has grown into a tradition for me. I always like coming home after a long day :lmao: at a Disney park or what not to something like that waiting for me.

Well....let's just say (after my over 2 hour phone call back up to ABD) that I have no worries about that NOR coming home to any hotel room during this vacation with NOT just a good view.....BUT A FANTASTIC VIEW including a balconey where applicable:dance3: & :woohoo: & :thumbsup2 & :cool1: !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
And I have no worries about other issues as well but they are minor - still, I don't wanna give away anything here but I feel that they will be reflected back thru my trip popcorn::.

So to wrap it up here everyone......please make sure that not only your Guest profile computer screen is up to date with ABD but to please make sure that you make it very clear to ABD your preferences and that if you are not satisified over anything during your trip, please speak with your ABD guide as they are here to help you to resolve any issue to your satisifaction.:cloud9:



NOW......onto what I really am here to talk about -



MY PRE-TRIP REPORT:)



OR AS MICKEY MOUSE SAYS..........

"And now, On with the show!"

[knewton64]

......hey - look who came a knocking on my front door the other day?
http://i608.photobucket.com/albums/tt165/knewton64/DSCF2852.jpg


So....the "Fraggle with no name" has decided to tag along with me and be the local food critic and what not for my upcoming "Backstage Magic" vacation. He prefers to be called the "Fraggle with no name" on account if you type his name into the computer, out will pop his name spelled as:
"****er":confused3
To avoid any confusion nor any hilarity over his first name, he just prefers to be called the "Fraggle with no name" or "FWNN" for short;).

ANYWHO -

I am having fun "studying up" on DL and Calif Adventure parks by buying the Birnbaum book the other day:hippie:. That book is soooooooo helpful and I would highly recommend it to anyone as a primer and a place to put your computer printouts from other things related to your trip. So, in between that and watching the Disney movie "Ratatouille" for the first time, I am beginning to have a pretty good feeling as to the pace of this trip which is:


* ;) Always expect the unexpected when you run with me on a Disney trip;)*


Speaking of that, FWNN has also brought along some party crashers who want to go with him on this trip:
http://i608.photobucket.com/albums/tt165/knewton64/DSCF2858.jpg


AND who am I to say 'no' to? HHHHHmmmmmmmmm...hope I don't exceed hotel occupany in my room:lmao:.



BUT.....about my Muppet conversation I had years ago with Dr. Bunsen Honeydew....

TO BE CONTINUED....
(I'm off to watch the Disney movie, "The Parent Trap" for the very first time)
popcorn::


T.T.F.N.

[DisFan09]

During the course of booking four AbD trips within the past 3 years, I have spoken to most of the AbD agents, including Deidra, and they have ALL been friendly and helpful. Not once has any of the agents been flippant or rude to me.

I don't know what happened between "knewton64" and Deidra to elicit such a response from her (allegedly). However, I would caution everyone not to form any negative impressions of Deidra based solely on his comments, which were most likely taken out of context. We don't know what exactly was said, or how it was said, during his conversation with Deidra.

knewton64:

I'm glad the AbD supervisor was able to resolve the issue to your satisfaction. Have a great time on your Backstage Magic tour!

[knewton64]

During the course of booking four AbD trips within the past 3 years, I have spoken to most of the AbD agents, including Deidra, and they have ALL been friendly and helpful. Not once has any of the agents been flippant or rude to me.

I don't know what happened between "knewton64" and Deidra to elicit such a response from her (allegedly). However, I would caution everyone not to form any negative impressions of Deidra based solely on his comments, which were most likely taken out of context. We don't know what exactly was said, or how it was said, during his conversation with Deidra.

knewton64:

I'm glad the AbD supervisor was able to resolve the issue to your satisfaction. Have a great time on your Backstage Magic tour!


Whereas I highly appreciate your feedback, the issue I have concerned the lack of customer service I received from the above mentioned ABD rep. I understand clearly that we all have our good C.S.R. days and our bad C.S.R. days BUT....that doesn't mean that you say to a highly valued ABD guest (during the phone conversation on last Friday) that, "For all I know, yur gunna receive a view of a parking lot."

That above comment is what I found to be extremely unprofessional and extremely demeaning to this ABD guest. This, combined with 2 previous ABD reps being very defensive about this topic (which by the way, I didn't initiate) involked me into thinking what is going on here and why are they being so defensive. Please re-read my above post for any further clarification on this if necessary.

Moreover, I also work in the hotel /hospitality industry and I am very well aware that words carry meaning and to be aware of what I say to our valued guests.

Therefore, since she chose to act in this way, I chose to take a step back for 24 hours and think of how to approach ABD on this CSR verbal mistsep as I believe firmly that you too would feel just a little concerned about receiving this kind of customer service on your ABD trip (considering all hotels nationwide are incurring a 16% drop in occupancy over the last 12 months).

But rest asssured everyone (as I am very customer serviced oriented) , I have no ax to grind with the above mentioned ABD rep and should I encounter her again over the phone, I have no problem conversing with her....after all -

:hippie: ** WE ARE ALL HUMAN BEINGS**:hippie:


And lastly, yes - you (and others) are more than welcome to follow along in my trip report as I am looking forward to this adventure. I have done a lot of extensive reading and asking the right questions concerning this trip and will quite literally be hitting the ground running when I touch down at LAX in a little over 90 days.
I have done this because I believe very strongly in being an informed ABD guest as my biggest pet peeve is "running up the heel" of a Disney park guest who has their nose buried in a park map because they don't know where they are going :headache:.
On a lighter side, I have only witnessed one couple "Going Disney" on each other and that was within the first 10 minutes of me checking into the Caribbean Beach Hotel (Jan 2009). I have read about this and it was quite funny listening in (we were all at the hotel bus stop waiting for the bus to take us to one of the Disney parks) to their verbal fight. A fight while at all places - DISNEY.
What's your pet peeve? As a matter of fact, that opens the door to an interesting conversation so let me open up that question to all of you. What's your biggest per peeve while visiting a Disney park?
Feel free to list your answers below as the answers should be quite interesting to read;) .




NOW.....on with the show:goodvibes.

T.T.F.N.

[knewton64]

http://i608.photobucket.com/albums/tt165/knewton64/DSCF2363.jpg
(photo taken @ Smithsonian Institution of American History; Sept. 2009 during my ABD's Spirit of America trip)


and...
http://i608.photobucket.com/albums/tt165/knewton64/DSCF2364.jpg




Ok.....my rather unique Muppet adventure all started a long long time ago when I was in secondary school & was enrolled in a creative writing class. The assignment one day was to write a short story and gear it towards children.
I decided to write a story that concerned the learning of prepositions and surround it using a character of a frog.:goodvibes My short story got rave reviews (and a subsequent A from the professor) from all but then disaster struck a few months later as I learned a very important lesson in copywriting anything that you writepopcorn::. What do I mean by all of this? Well...

**It all had to do with Sesame Street**

So, here I am a few months later, flipping around the television channels in a vain attempt to find something to watch. I finally realize there is something to watch on the local PBS station but it would involve sitting through the last few minutes of Sesame Street. As I am noshing a bit on my meal, suddenly I drop my fork and stare blankly at the television screen; for I witness scene by scene, preposition by preposition......MY SHORT STORY!:3dglasses
After a few minutes of allowing my jaw to be picked up off the floor, I call my professor and ask him what should I do. He replied that I should call CTW and ask them. So, off I go and call up to NY to see what's up.
After getting bounced around from department to department, (they thought I was going to sue them), I finally landed in the legal department and spoke with a very nice young lady who advised me that their idea came into play 6 months AFTER I wrote my short story. I ended the phone call on a positive close and also obtained her fax number; which over the years has morphed into her e-mail address as we still keep in touch today.
Anywho - one year, she asked me (through her work contacts) if I would like to watch a filming of the Muppets. Of course, I replied that I would be delighted but I threw a curve at her & asked her if time permitted, would I be allowed a short conversation with them. She saw no objection to it & it was like I had died and gone to heaven watching the Muppets at work:cloud9:!

I sat quietly off in a corner and watched the days shoot and as they were wrapping up, look who I spy but Dr. Bunsen Honeydew and his trusty assistant....Beaker:woohoo:.

I couldn't resist in asking the Doctor if he had any remedies for my "cranium folicle deficiency problem" (it was during this time that I began to lose my hair and take on the look of Dr. Phil):lmao:. After conferring with Beaker for a few minutes, both he & Beaker went behind what looked like a Muppet closed door and then reappeared after a few minutes. What puzzled me next was Dr. Honeydew had something in "his hand" and I wanted to know what it was.

It was a miracle I didn't bust a gut in a vain attempt from keeping myself from laughing WHILE still keeping eye contact (Dr. Honeydew has eyes?;)) with him as he "handed" me his solution.

He "handed" to me a small Bean Bunny plush doll and said to sing to him every night and that should do the trick:lmao:. I accepted his remedy with dignity and grace, thanked both him and Beaker for their kindess and exited the room. My pace was rather quick and the moment I got outside, I felt I have never laughed soooooooooooooooooo hard in my life:rotfl2:!

Now.....if that remedy of his would just work!:rotfl:



So as I count down the days left until my ABD vacation of a lifetime, I wonder just what new adventures await me. Only time will tellpopcorn::.



UP NEXT:


OK.....WHO ATE MY DISNEY PHOTOMOSIAC 1000 PIECE PUZZLE?

[knewton64]

As stated earlier, I am currently working on a 1000 pieced Disney photomosiac puzzle that one of my DISmeets friends sent to me (from Disneyland) a few months back. Well, the puzzle is finished and there is good news in store for me when I head off to Anaheim in a few weeks and it has to do with buying another 1000 piece Disney puzzle to replace the one that I have been working on these past few weeks.
However,for some reason or another, the puzzle pieces were slowly disappearing!

:mad: **** I AM MISSING 16 PIECES!!****:headache:

Now how in the world can puzzle pieces disappear from out of my home when it's only me in that home?? HHmmmmmmmmmmmm............

....and it's a real nice looking puzzle that I want to mat & frame when I am finished with it. So how in the heck can it disappear on me??:confused3

Recently, I have gotten into putting together Disney puzzles as a way to decompress and unwind when I first get home from a stressfull day at work. I meet "Ladybug" (13 yr old female Beagle) at the bottom of the staircase and we say our usual hellos. After feeding her, I settle down at the kitchen table and relax over a cup of hot chocolate and meander for about 30 minutes on the puzzle:cloud9:.

Ladybug, as always, is a very inquisitive pup and just has to sniff everything to make sure it meets up with her approval.
So, these last few weeks, I have been showing her what I have been doing as I show her a puzzle piece and declare, "See....I am working on a puzzle."

Ummmm.....I think there was a translation problem here or possibly even a language barrier as I believe she heard:


http://i608.photobucket.com/albums/tt165/knewton64/DSCF2955.jpg
"Hey...I can work on eating puzzle pieces while he is at work..cool!":cool2:


Sigh! Yes.....she's the culprit but you know....dogs - you have to love them:).
I was able to deduce that she was jumping up onto the kitchen table to further investigate what I was working on and decided that the puzzle pieces looked too good to pass up.
I mean hey....she's an indoor/outdoor dog but gheesh! I have to have cinderblocks by each sliding glass door since she knows how to open them!

FYI: I am now working on a new Disney puzzle and YES - the puzzle "work area" has been Ladybugged proofed:laughing:.

So.....as I am out shopping in the Anaheim area in the next few weeks, I will not only buy her an early "birthday gift," but I will also be buying a replacement puzzle box as these items will be traversing their way back into Texas from what I can tell is going to be a ABD trip of a lifetime:cloud9:.



UP NEXT:

Dancing to the "double digit dance" while watching Disney's "Parent Trap," "Bug's Life," "Dark Crystal" and "Up" & just how many "Hidden Mickeys" are there on the Disney ride attraction, "Soarin' Over California"??



T.T.F.N.

[dizzi]

oooohh noooooo

I actually had a whole photomasiac puzzle disapear.

SERIOUSLY......WEmoved that puzzle from West Virginia..
Down here to FORT LAUDERDALE.........

It had already been glued together.

When we moved from our rental to our house we bought.........it is gone..

DUNNO where it went.......:confused3:confused3

[Piglets Mommy]

I can't wait to read more! I'd love to try the Backstage Magic ABD! I can't wait to hear all about it!:thumbsup2

[knewton64]

oooohh noooooo

I actually had a whole photomasiac puzzle disapear.

SERIOUSLY......WEmoved that puzzle from West Virginia..
Down here to FORT LAUDERDALE.........

It had already been glued together.

When we moved from our rental to our house we bought.........it is gone..

DUNNO where it went.......:confused3:confused3



......puzzles spontainously "combust" and disappear?:lmao:

[knewton64]

...... Captain EO is returning to Disneyland!



:cool1: ** WOOO WHOOOOOOO!!!! **:cool1:


Ok... I have never seen the program & am looking forward to this addition to DL; effective February 2010.
And hopefully....the "World of Color" show will be up and running as well before late March as well.


That, and I have FINALLY gotten up the nerve..........look for me to bring back my old thread, "Calling all Emerald Aisle DISsers" as I have decided to "take the plunge" and book that trip once rates & dates open up for 2011.
This will be a MAJOR trip for me (& 1st overseas) and I feel by then, the conversion rate from US to EURO will be a whole lot better.:yay:
I will be booking a pre-day & a post day - hey...I'm 1/2 Irish - so look out because the adventure continues!popcorn::
Estimated date of departure? May 2011.



T.T.F.N.


We now return to your regular scheduled programming;).

[knewton64]

http://i608.photobucket.com/albums/tt165/knewton64/DSCF2820.jpg



After a wild a wooly past few days, it's time for me to get back to all things Disney.
Ladybug received plenty of gifts from "Santa Beagle" and me? Well, I received the usual; a Disney gift card, some Disney dvd's, cd's and clothing. Of course, you know what that means.......time for me 2 take that gift card & gear up for some Disney Shopping in a few more weeks. :woohoo:.

** If I remember right, I have approximately 45 more days to go & I will be receiving my "Know before you go" packet of information from ABD **

Now......if I can just make it to the "Single Digit dance" without hyperventilating (just kidding here) I will be ok. I am such a "commando solo traveler" & I vow to do my best to SLOW DOWN and enjoy what I am seeing as I am moving from point a to point d. That and I plan to choose comfort over style in regards to what I will be packing clothing wise.
BUT FIRST, time for a small confession:rolleyes1.

I have a day off from work Monday & I plan on watching......for the very first time.....the Disney movie, "Aladdin.":genie:

I know I know I know......me....a Disney nut....& I haven't SEEN this movie yet but I feel it's very important to have some sort of a working knowledge of what you will be seeing while on this trip of a lifetime. Per se, there is nothing more embarrasing than walking RIGHT past that monkey (while at AK; January 2009....and by the way, what is his name??) and not realizing that he is from the Disney movie, "Tarzan."
And I vow NOT to go throught that again. Besides, atleast now I WILL KNOW what to say when inneracting with Jasmine & company;).

And that reminds me, also on my day off, I plan on breaking out my suitcase & begin packing a few things that I will be needing. Since I have now been through one ABD vacation, my words of wisdom about what to pack /wear all boils down to three words:

COMFORT OR STYLE??:confused:

I am also taking into consideration the weather and with it being highs in the upper 60's and lows in the upper 40's (late March to early April), I plan on
wearing causual comfortable clothing - which means shorts and pull over short sleeve button down shirts. I feel comfortable in this as I feel that we will be doing a lot of walking & moving about while on this trip.

Which is exactly what I need since I plan on hitting up the parks for their Mickey rice krispy treats.....dipped in B-O-T-H white and dark chocolate with a covering of plain m&m sprinkles ....
http://i608.photobucket.com/albums/tt165/knewton64/AbigolMagicKingdomRicekrispyTreatdi.jpg
(photo shot while at MK; January 2009 as I saw them but was too dang busy to try 1!)



.....while washing it down with a chocolate milkshake.....with extra malt:cloud9:.





:upsidedow*** I AM SOOOOOOOOO BAD****:upsidedow

HHmmmmm.....roadtrip to Claribelle's perhaps??:thumbsup2



Anywho -

I am also packing this way on account I detest paying for a second checked piece of luggage as I now see the benefits of packing (from my previous ABD trip) only one suitcase with no personal item brought onto the plane but a carry-on. My carry-on for this trip will be once again used for a misc bag (can't exceed 11 lbs) for a USA today, I-pod, etc.
On my previous ABD trip, my one suitcase (28 inch) was packed weighing in at 41 lbs at 59 total inches.
** And that was for an 8 day ABD trip **

One thing I will not be packing is my laptop computer, That WILL BE staying at home. Previously, I thought I would try something different and use the internet while on my "Spirit of America" ABD trip and it really (IMHO) really wound up interfering with my daily fun. To each their own I say but to me, no cell phones, internet nor laptop computers while on vacation is my rule.
Besides, what does the Disney promo dvd say about Disney planning??:idea:

So, between that and me FINALLY watching the Disney movie, "Who Framed Roger Rabbit," I can tell this is a vacation of a lifetime any Disney fan needs to go on and seepopcorn::.



UP NEXT:

'Dancing my cares away' while making "Ladybug's" hotel ressies, totals to date on my weight loss and making final plans for a ragin' cajun good time (food wise) while on this trip -

P.S. I gotta birthday coming up Dec 30th!!:faint:



T.T.F.N.

[knewton64]

Need help. For the life of me, I am having troubles locating a dvd of the movie, "Aladdin."

So I welcome suggestions on where I can find a copy.

Local library? Don't have a copy.

Q: Would Blockbuster carry it??

Q: what about Amazon.com????

any help on this would be greatly appreciated as I really would like to watch the movie so I know more of what I am looking at in a few more weeks while on this adventure:goodvibes.

Thanks everyone 4 listening.


T.T.F.N.

[Bobo912]

Need help. For the life of me, I am having troubles locating a dvd of the movie, "Aladdin."

So I welcome suggestions on where I can find a copy.

Local library? Don't have a copy.

Q: Would Blockbuster carry it??

Q: what about Amazon.com????

any help on this would be greatly appreciated as I really would like to watch the movie so I know more of what I am looking at in a few more weeks while on this adventure:goodvibes.

Thanks everyone 4 listening.


T.T.F.N.

I checked Netflix and they don't have it. Maybe Blockbuster would. It went back in the vault on January 2008, so it hasn't been terribly long ago. I ordered Snow White from Amazon.com when it was in the vault several years ago. It doesn't actually come from Amazon. You buy it from another seller and pay through Amazon. The one I brought was advertised as new and it had all the original inserts inside (ads and such), but the shrink wrap had been removed and then just sort of draped over the box. It was in perfect condition though. So no complaints.

[dwonderz]

Just got caught up - that's so cool!

Also love your title for the trip report (we were watching the fraggles just tonight)

[knewton64]

http://i608.photobucket.com/albums/tt165/knewton64/DogfromPiratesoftheCaribbean.jpg
(still video shot taken while on POTC attraction ride; MK - Jan 2009)


......to do some basic Disney research before you go:goodvibes & if necessary, check with the ABD call center if questions still remain.

WOW - WOW and I tell you what.....W-O-W! These past 3 to 4 weeks have been such a total blast for me as I have quite literally immersed myself in all things Disney; from books, dvds to cd, etc - you name it.....I have "researched" it.

All this research has lead me to see that Disneyland is vveerryy different from Disneyworld - which is a good thing.

Now I know you are asking yourselves, "Ok - so what have you been up to in the land of Fraggles & the House that Walt built?" popcorn::.

Good point & for starters I do say that it is very helpful to do some basic research on any ABD adventure so you will have an idea of what you are looking at. Keeping that in mind, here is what I suggest are good reference materials for this adventure:

1). book or dvd: "Walt: The Man Behind the Myth."
I have read the book & seen the dvd. Very informative & very helpful - even had a few "ah ha's moments & "I didn't know that" moments while reading the book.

2). dvd of the Jim Henson tv series: "Fraggle Rock" Season 1, 2, 3 or 4.
I really enjoyed the story development from season 4 vs season 1 as it was truely fascinating to see Jim Henson's work come to life. My fav character? Why - "F.W.W.N"......of course;).

3). Jim Henson movie, "Dark Crystal."
Loved it better than "Labrynth." Labrynth was hard to follow. Great music though.

4). Disney movies: "Bug's Life," "Aladdin," "Who Framed Roger Rabbit?," "Pirates of the Caribbean," "Tarzan," "Indiana Jones & the Temple of Doom," etc.

And especially the movie "Aladdin" as I am about to explain below.



5). Book: "Street Gang:" 'The Complete History of Sesame Street'. This book was quite a treat for me to read as it really gives a wonderful background as to how Jim Henson (and others) got it all started.

6). Book: Birnbaums' Guide to Disneyland.


Now a cute little funny has come out of all this "research" & it has to do with what happened a few months ago while I was on the Disney Wonder cruise ship.

popcorn::*** FLASH BACK TO JANUARY 2009 ***popcorn::


Here I am (vveerry new to All things Disney back then) having just a rocking good time seeing all four Disney parks in four days (SEE BELOW TRIP REPORT) - then I was off to the Disney Wonder cruise ship for the very first time.
Around day 3, I needed to head up for a bit to deck 9, so I headed towards the elevators. As I was getting in the elevator, I chanced upon a young man who was wearing a white colored turban and with what looked to be jump pants. We talked for a bit as deck 9 came up before we both knew it. I said goodbye and that was it.


*** NOW, FLASH FORWARD TO ABOUT 3 DAYS AGO ***

I am sitting down watching the Disney movie, "Aladdin" and enjoying a good sandwich and drink when a little ways into it, I literally spewed Dr. Pepper through my nose!

I freezed framed the scene that caught my attention and there.....in a Disney cartoon - was none other than the man I was conversing with (in the elevator) on the cruise ship!

NOW - DIDN'T I EVER FEEL LIKE A GOOF! I was talking to none other than Prince Ali and NEVER KNEW IT!:rolleyes1.

So, yes - very important - have some basic idea of what you are going to be seeing on an ABD adventure so you don't have a similiar experience happen to you:lmao:.


Anywho - on a different note -


FOOD....ah yes, that wonderful topic while out & about on your Backstage Magic adventure.

I am starting to feel more comfortable navigating my way in & around DL & Calif Adventure parks so I plan on heading out evening of day four (dinner on your own) to:

1) Carnation Cafe (Dl; main Street USA)
2) Blue Ribbon Bakery
(I MISS MY MICKEY RICE KRISPY TREATS - dipped in white & dark chocolate:cloud9:)

And.....

for evening of day 6, I plan on heading out to:*
1)Pacific Wharf Cafe.
2)Bakersfield Bakery.
(YA GOTTA HAVE YOUR MICKEY RICE KRISPY TREATS :cloud9:)


Morning of day seven (day I depart), I plan on heading out to*:
Downtown Disney &:
1) Labrea Bakery (I think thats the name of it)
2) AND yes.......I am on the hunt that morning for a.....Mickey Head shaped rice krispy treat - dipped in white & dark chocolate;).


* But these plans MAY change (what park I go to as well) depending on what we do as a group and what not the evening of day three.



Anywho -
where would I be without two Adventures by Disney call center representatives:

1) Alseen
2) Yvonne
These two have really gone above and beyond in helping me understand the ins and outs of all things Disney.....California style and I am really really appreciative of them. They have really helped me get pointed in the right direction in kindly answering questions about where to go for food and what not. :cloud9:.



T.T.F.N.



UP NEXT:

1)THINK PINK, 2)Mickey's Fun Wheel while sitting in Goofy's Gondola & 3)totals so far in my quest to diet in preperation for this upcoming adventure.

[knewton64]

I can't wait to read more! I'd love to try the Backstage Magic ABD! I can't wait to hear all about it!:thumbsup2


.......looking forward to it as well as I promise to take plenty of pictures / video and just like my Adventures by Disney "Spirit of America" adventure (see below trip report), it will also be interspersed with lots of pics/video as I like to keep my trip reports entertaining and informational with just a hint of quirkiness. And speaking of pics/video...

I promise to make sure I have permission FIRST to do so as I am getting the impression that there as some places that have some restrictions of some sorts (pics w/ a flash, pics w/o a flash, no pics, etc).
Don't worry though as I will be letting you know via my trip report where you can & can't take pics -

:)** MOUSES' HONOR **:)


Anywho -


Speaking of trip reports, I have found out a lot of information concerning/about the first two days of my BSM adventure and will be sharing it with everyone shortly.popcorn::



Until then -

[aspen37]

I'm loving your pre TR. Like I said on your SOA TR I will be on the April 13th BSM tour. I might have a few questions for you when you get back if you don't mind.
As a kid I lived in Southern California so We went to DL one or two times a year. I love DL. :lovestruc
The last time I was there was in 2003. I have only done one day trips to DL. This will be my first time staying on DL property, and spending multiple days at DL.
I hope they have the Rivers of America full of water when you go. I will be so sad if I miss Fantasmic. :sad1: I have never seen it DL or WDW.
I hope the World of Color is running when we are there too. They are saying late March for the show opening. Maybe you guys will get to see the first show. ;)

I have been bad and not done any research except read one TR about this trip. She did a great job with her TR. IT had alot of information about this tour.

I will be rooming with a friend I met thru the Dis on this trip. We will get to Hollywood a day early, and be staying an extra night after the ABD portion of the trip as well.

I can't wait to read more about your plans.

[aspen37]

I was catching up on so reading over at miceage, and was sad to learn that the World of Color is not scheduled to start until the end of April or the beginning of May. :sad: :sad:

[knewton64]

Just got caught up - that's so cool!

Also love your title for the trip report (we were watching the fraggles just tonight)


Thanks! Just something about those Fraggles that just bring out the case of the giggles in me - looking forward to seeing the Jim Henson creature shop as the moment the doors open up & I step inside, it's a mix of mentally running through my mind the Fraggle Rock theme song combined with the Willie Wonka song, "Pure Imagination.":goodvibes

In short, Fraggles just.....well....."ROCK":lmao:.


I'm loving your pre TR. Like I said on your SOA TR I will be on the April 13th BSM tour. I might have a few questions for you when you get back if you don't mind.
As a kid I lived in Southern California so We went to DL one or two times a year. I love DL. :lovestruc
The last time I was there was in 2003. I have only done one day trips to DL. This will be my first time staying on DL property, and spending multiple days at DL.
I hope they have the Rivers of America full of water when you go. I will be so sad if I miss Fantasmic. :sad1: I have never seen it DL or WDW.
I hope the World of Color is running when we are there too. They are saying late March for the show opening. Maybe you guys will get to see the first show. ;)

I have been bad and not done any research except read one TR about this trip. She did a great job with her TR. IT had alot of information about this tour.

I will be rooming with a friend I met thru the Dis on this trip. We will get to Hollywood a day early, and be staying an extra night after the ABD portion of the trip as well.

I can't wait to read more about your plans.


Thanks 4 coming on aboard this trip report! popcorn:: I can tell it's going to be a blast - will answer more of your comments below.


http://i608.photobucket.com/albums/tt165/knewton64/MeandPirateStitch.jpg
(picture of Pirate Stitch & I while on the Disney Wonder; Jan 2009)


..........this adventure is almost upon me & I haven't really BeGuN tO pAcK!!!!:eek:


we before we delve into that subject, onto a more favorable one in relation to this adventure:


:woohoo: **** FOOD **** :woohoo:


"F.W.W.N." (AKA "****er") & I have been discussing this topic these last few weeks & have even fielded a few suggestions from a few people. HHHHHmmmmmmm.....we have a looked and a looked all over the internet at many a place (for the first two days of this adventure) and still come back to one place:

PINKS.

Pinks is about 9 streets down from the Renaissance hotel and 3 streets to the right. If you were to Mapquest it you will see the specifics on the place. To he & I, Pinks is an out of the way place that just exudes the word "Adventure;" and that spells us - so we are going to run this by the ABD guides and if no issue, then to Pinks it is:woohoo:.
per se, we plan on cabbing it to it, then stretching our legs on the way back as that's a good way to also people watchpopcorn::. All in all, there is sooooooooo much to do out in Hollywood & we also plan to see Madam Tussauds Wax museum as well.

Also, wanna great pic of the Hollywood sign??

....just boogy on over to the Hollywood & Highland Center. Here is a short blip on it:


"Hollywood & Highland Center is the best place in town for views of the internationally famous Hollywood Sign. Originally erected to promote a Hollywood real estate development, the sign is now recognized around the world and can be best viewed from Levels 2, 3, 4 and 5. The optimum vantage point is from the bridge on Level 4, near Koji's Sushi & Shabu Shabu Restaurant. Stand in the middle of the bridge and you'll see the sign perfectly framed by the giant arch in the central courtyard.
Go to the info center (near Gramaun's Chinese theatre; 4th floor near the Sushi restaurant) & there you will have a perfectly framed shot of the sign. Don't have specifics on the name of the info center but if you google it under Renaissance hotel (Hollywood)and look up under attractions - you will see the specifics."


But about Pinks....
What's that you say? What is Pinks? Well - it's a place that sells sandwiches, hotdogs & what nots.
We have looked at their menu and like what we see & plan on seriously making a big dent in it:rotfl:.

This is one of the many reasons why I am sooooooooooooooo glad that I have lost 10 pounds so far on my ABD pre-trippy diet; which consists mainly of "Ladybug" (13 yr old female Beagle) & I getting in our daily hour walks around the neighborhood & watching what we eat.

Then come late march 27th - it's time 2 celebrate & say, "Diet? What Diet?":lmao:.



Anywho -


You combine that with what I had said earlier (a few postings ago) about those Mickey Rice Krispy treats & what not & I can tell this is going to be quite an adventure popcorn::.


Now onto a rough idea of my Day Four "On Your Own Time"
(approx 4-8pm at Disneyland)

Will be watching 3pm parade from the train station; so proceed to

1) Main Street USA: "Great Moments with Mr. Lincoln."
2) Ear Engine (Main Street USA): purchase Mr Potato Head parts.


Adventureland

3) Enchanted Tiki Room


Fantasyland
4) Matterhorn
5) Alice in Wonderland
5a) Mad Tea party.

and finish in Mickey's Toontown. Pst!.....I plan on catching up with the Rivers of America, Columbia Sailing ship & what not on my post day....

Anywho, after Mickey's Toontown -

Then take a rr train back to Main Street USA and...

....get a bite to eat at Carnation Cafe (half Turkey Sandwich on Pretzel Bread with the Loaded Baked Potato Soup perhaps?) & at the Blue Ribbon Bakery, a rice Krispy treat with soft drink to go 2 take back to the hotel (food opinion & pics forthcoming:goodvibes) but take my time as I meander through Downtown Disney and do some shopping.....and find a place that makes a mean margarita ;).



So as you can see, this is just a rough outline on what I plan on doing as YES YES YES - we (FWNN & I) highly recommend anyone going on this trip to please do your research before you go as this will further enhance & maximize your adventure.
And speaking of maximizing, We are currently sitting at about 80% occupancy & out of this are 12 minors. So hey - pretty full up motorcoach I'd say :goodvibes.


That does stink about the update (the attraction being delayed) on "World of Color."


QUESTION: Does anyone know where / what park / when "Captain E-O" is at??



I do regret though not booking a pre-day (I do though have a post day) but oh well....there is always a next time!:yay:


But about the packing of my OnE SuItCaSe..........

I need to get up off the floor and begin packing! My idea of a packing list forthcoming.
http://i608.photobucket.com/albums/tt165/knewton64/PirateStitch.jpg
(pic shot of Pirate Stitch during my WDW /DCL adventure; Jan 2009 onboard the Disney Wonder)



UP NEXT:

The receiving of the "Know Before You Go" backpack (color?) and dreamin' of the California Screamin' & such out at Paradise Pier; pm of day 5....



T.T.F.N.

[knewton64]

http://i608.photobucket.com/albums/tt165/knewton64/takenjustrightbeforeugoontherideatM.jpg
(pic of entrance to POTC @ MK - January 2009)

A few days ago & after a rather long work week, (NBA allstar week and we were OVERSOLD all week at work!), I was in the mood for some much needed pixie dust in my general direction.:goodvibes
So, I head home with quite literally my tail between my legs - just totally spent emotionally. I get home and whip up a mess of cajun food while listening to some Disney music and seeing what's up with Ladybug.
After a while, we both sat down and have a bite to eat while watching our favorite Disney movie, "Mary Poppins" as the Disney music got shut off.....for a while.
About 20 minutes into the movie, there is a loud knocking on the front door with Ladybug just going banannas!
After seeing who it was, I quickly realized WHO IT WAS and soon it was a race to see who could get to the front door the quickest.

:cool1:************* IT WAS U.P.S.! *****************:yay:

I signed for the box and quickly raced back inside to see what they had sent me:

http://i608.photobucket.com/albums/tt165/knewton64/DSCF2963.jpg


********* LET THE COUNTDOWN BEGIN!!*************
http://i608.photobucket.com/albums/tt165/knewton64/DSCF2976.jpg



Nothing like cranking up the Mary Poppins' movie (my favorite Disney movie) through my stereo while nibbling on some great cajun food.:cloud9:. After a bit, it was time to:

:scared1:*************DUM DE DUM DUM!***********:scared1:

BEGIN PACKING!:eek:

So, up went the Disney music as I began to put a few items into My OnE sUiTcAsE:

1) an extension cord. I am a firm believer in this as I will have literally anything & everything plugged into it; from I-pods to I-pod chargers to battery chargers to what not.

2) I-pod speakers.
This is very important as I will be listening to Disney music on my I-pod while in my room & while getting ready in the am.

3) 6 gigs of digital film & digital camera.
Hey.....I like to take a lot of pictures & video..... YA THINK?;)

4) PONCHO & umbrella.
You never know when it's going to rain.

5) a personal item (book) for on the airplane, "It's hard to be a shrimp" by Pepe the Prawn.
6) socks & other items.

7) TWO pair of sunglasses.
You never know if you just might happen to break or lose one.

8) 2 small boxes of Tide laundry detergent & 2 boxes of Bounce.
(to do laudnry while at Disney's Grand Californian Hotel).

9) roll of quarters for the laundry.
9a) spare change for those pressed pennies!:yay:

10) phone card
(in case I get lost & need to call the ABD Guides).

11) 3 pair of shorts.
12) toilteries & emergency bag.
13) portable dvd player?? I am still deciding on whether or not to bring it for use while onboard the plane (& have it be part of my "personal items" 11 lb max I can carry onto the plane). To clarify, I am choosing to have a carry-on onboard the plane (a duffle bag w/lots of pesonal items) but have it not exceed the weight limit of a one personal item we are allowed to take onboard.
14)


Somewhere in my suitcase, I have noticed that "The Party Crashers" have just made themselves at home so - look for them to pop up in a few pictures.;)

Now earlier, I was lucky to have my OnE sUiTcAsE (ABD's Spirit of America adventure - Sept '09) to come under at 60 inches at 42 lbs - hope I can STAY under the weight limit again this time as I plan on buying j-u-s-t a few things while on this adventure:smickey:



Anywho - that's it for now - will & have to finish packing in about 14 days as this adventure is now just around the corner!popcorn::




UP NEXT:


ok...."Splash Mountain".......wear a poncho or no.....the debate continues. Pm me or post your responses below if you feel wear one or not & why as this will be my very first time riding the attraction.:woohoo:



....and a response from Stacey (the "Top seven things you must see while at Disney..." television person).:goodvibes


T.T.F.N.

[DisneyCruiser83]

That is great news! It is only a few weeks away now. :) I can't wait to read your trip report.
I vote poncho on SM, but I am too much of a wuss to ride it, so take my opinion with a grain of salt. :)

[aspen37]

Thanks for the pictures of the items you received. I have been wondering what kind of pack we would get in 2010.

As for Splash Mountain wear the poncho. I have been on where I got a little wet and I've been on when I have been drenched from head to toe.

I was going to start packing this weekend but never did. I think I will next week.

[airbear]

I have never been on the Splash Mountain at Disneyland but I have ridden Splash Mountain at Disney World a zillion times and I've never worn a poncho. Your level of wetness at the end of the ride depends on where you sit. Front seats usually get pretty wet. Back seats are much drier. By the way, I'm really enjoying your pre-trip report Knewton. Have a blast on your trip. Can't wait to hear about your adventure.:)

[aspen37]

I have never been on the Splash Mountain at Disneyland but I have ridden Splash Mountain at Disney World a zillion times and I've never worn a poncho. Your level of wetness at the end of the ride depends on where you sit. Front seats usually get pretty wet. Back seats are much drier. By the way, I'm really enjoying your pre-trip report Knewton. Have a blast on your trip. Can't wait to hear about your adventure.:)

I have been soaked a few times in the last row. At WDW Splash Mountain sits two in a row. I was told to sit in the back on the left and I wouldn't get very wet, I got soaked. The other thing is the water cannons, if they have them turned up it won't matter where you sit. We weren't coming down the hill the last time I got soaked we were on the other side of the drop and the water cannons we really turned up and everyone in our log was soaked from head to toe. It was a rather chilly day to start with and we had to leave so we could change. I now wear a poncho as much as I don't like it. I do like having it to sit on so my butt isn't all wet when I get off the ride though.

[airbear]

I totally forgot of the water cannons. I guess I just don't mind getting wet. All this talk makes me want to ride that thing right now.:yay:

[TotallyAngelic]

Hi Kris
Just came accross your new pre-trippie and I am so excited! This is the trip I have always wanted to do and am still hoping to do for my 50th birthday! I also want to do the one you did before, but this is the biggie! To walk in Walt's footsteps .... wow, what a thrill. You are so lucky:cloud9::cloud9:
So I am loking forward to reading all about your new adventures :woohoo:

[knewton64]

i have been soaked a few times in the last row. At wdw splash mountain sits two in a row. I was told to sit in the back on the left and i wouldn't get very wet, i got soaked. The other thing is the water cannons, if they have them turned up it won't matter where you sit. We weren't coming down the hill the last time i got soaked we were on the other side of the drop and the water cannons we really turned up and everyone in our log was soaked from head to toe. It was a rather chilly day to start with and we had to leave so we could change. I now wear a poncho as much as i don't like it. I do like having it to sit on so my butt isn't all wet when i get off the ride though.


WATER CANNONS???? DID SOMEONE SAY WATER CANNONS?? ------

:woohoo:Ok....I am sooooo there!:woohoo:


That sealed it for me! Look for me to be ON the front row......WITHOUT a poncho! YYEEAA:yay:
I now have that penned in as the last thing I do as DL (on my post day) before I go back home to change and then onto California Adventure.
....and I plan on getting a picture (I have never had a picture of me on a ride....until now) of me riding that flume ride.....I mean - WOW! that amount of a drop at that angle??

WOW! I am sooooo there! hhhhmmmm......can this ride be ridden at night time????

thanks for the tip!:thumbsup2


hi kris
just came accross your new pre-trippie and i am so excited! This is the trip i have always wanted to do and am still hoping to do for my 50th birthday! I also want to do the one you did before, but this is the biggie! To walk in walt's footsteps .... Wow, what a thrill. You are so lucky:cloud9::cloud9:
So i am loking forward to reading all about your new adventures :woohoo:



Thanks for the compliment about my ABD's "Spirit of America" trip report.:goodvibes

These two ABD adventures I really recommend to anyone as a way to see some our nation's history from a wonderful perspective and to also reflect on our heritage. Conversely speaking, my upcoming Backstage Magic adventure is also a wonderful way to see just how Diane Disney Miller's words really ring true when she said a few years ago that (in essence) the phrase "Walt Disney World" isn't just a corporate logo. She went on to say that there was actually someone behind that logo that made all of this happen.


This is one the many reasons why I am choosing to go on this adventure and yes, I expect to encounter many a moment of silence like when saw JFK's gravesight for the 1st time (Spririt of America trip; Sept. 2009).....and I am from Dallas Texas. Below is my experience on when I saw their graves for the very first time:


Here we were, getting off the tram (at the bottom of the hill via where the Lee house is) and the ABD guides asked us to walk up a few steps and then turn around.
At the mid section, I stopped and turned around. WOW! That is a wonderful view BUT....what happened next caught me completly off guard.
I walked up the 2nd set of steps (all the while looking at just how magnificent the Lee house looks) when all of a suddden, I realized that I am looking down at the gravesite of our former President and 1st Lady.
When I saw their graves, I just stood there, silently crying - that's how emotionally moved I was.

And yes, I have seen the 6th floor exhibit here in Dallas Texas.


And I expect many a moment like that on this upcoming adventure. Hope this is making sense. Apoligize for the rambling here.
Mr Disney & Mr Henson were such remarkable people & I feel very honored to be a part of this upcoming adventure.



Anywho -


about Stacey.....

I am an individual who keeps odd hours when it comes to Disney vacations. So, when I was at WDW in January 2009, I accidently came across "The Stacey television channel (ok that was a compliment!).
So, I gave her a ring via e-mail to see if "her channel" is also on at Disneyland. Well -

She replied very kindly: NO.

WWAAAA!!:headache:

I tell you what, If I had a Disney dream (of many), it's to have me on the DL channel as "Tracey" (hey.....Casey is the spokesperson for Disney Vacation club so why NOT carry on the tradition of names closely related to each other?) and promote Disneyland & California Adventure in the spirit of the other two I just mentioned;).

Ok....so does anyone out there KNOW what's on the Disney channels??

Q: Is there a DVC tv channel, DCL tv channel, WDW tv channel, "radio Disney" tv channel and a regular Disney channel?????





On a different note, I see that Disney's "Electrical parade" will be shown (8:45pm) during the time I will be there - which is good. Same for the fireworks (9:25pm).





ok....I will be putting in a few more updates more & more the closer I get to dated of departure


Up next:


Slight revisions on where I will be via pm of day four, five & six now that I see the park schedules are out. Will update on Sunday of this week so until then -



T.T.F.N.

[aspen37]

Just incase your interested here is a link to a thread showing some of the construction going on at DL/DCA, and new stuff that is finished. Tom did a great job with this posting.


http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2403132

[flafan]

I am so glad I found this pre-trip. I love the way you tell a story :thumbsup2 I will be following right along and am looking forward to hearing more. :goodvibes Now am I going to read your other reports, looks like I will be home for a while which is fine with me especially on this lazy Sunday morn.
:surfweb: More coffee please.

[knewton64]

Just incase your interested here is a link to a thread showing some of the construction going on at DL/DCA, and new stuff that is finished. Tom did a great job with this posting.


http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=2403132


OK - now that's way cool! :thumbsup2 Seeing ROA like that was very impressive. Thanks for allowing me to see those pictures.:goodvibes
More info listed below about ROA, Pirates Lair, Sailing ship Columbia & such.:headache:



I am so glad I found this pre-trip. I love the way you tell a story :thumbsup2 I will be following right along and am looking forward to hearing more. :goodvibes Now am I going to read your other reports, looks like I will be home for a while which is fine with me especially on this lazy Sunday morn.
:surfweb: More coffee please.


Thanks 4 the compliment! :goodvibes Ah - I can tell you are like me....needing a jolt to get you moving in the am. With me while on a Disney vacation, it's Three words....nay four words:

1,2) Dr. Pepper

3)and

4) STACEY:yay:
*************** BUT ****************


Since she isn't on ANY of the Disney tv channels while I will be a DL/ DCA, I get a feeling that I am going to be a little "outta sync" so if any of you know what's on tv out there, I would GREATLY apreciate it. She's a great motivator & I really do miss her presence.
I like watching those channels for a reason - which is I make it a point to NOT watch nor get caught up in any of the "outside world" news. Per se, when I am in Walt's world, I stay in his world and it really enhances the overall experience for me.
That & it really really gives me ideas (when I am decompressing from a hard days work :lmao: walking around all those Disney parks & such) on where my next ABD adventure will take me.


HINT: I have already purchased (& haven't watched it yet) a dvd of the Disney movie, "Darby O'Gill & the Little People" & am just awaiting on the area of August 1st to roll around. I have decided to take the plunge on this adventure & am looking forward to it; conversion rate or no conversion rate issues....



ANYWHO -


About those pesky park hours.......
Times for park hours are usually posted (on Disneyland.com for example) about 30-45 days prior to your adventure. So -


After looking at the park schedules, I get a feeling that my park adventure highlights will be roughly as follows:


Day 3: Tuesday March 30th (1/2 day at DL; after 7-8pm)
Disneyland is opened until midnight that day so I get a feeling that evening that we will be watching
fireworks:cloud9:. I have NEVER seen Disney fireworks so this is bound to be one of those "grab the kleenex" tissue moments for me.



Day 4: Wednesday March 31st (full day at Disneyland)
DL stays open until midnight again so I figure I will head out to the following during approx 4pm to midnights via "On Your Own Time:"


Will be watching 3pm parade from the train station; so proceed to

1) Main Street USA: "Great Moments with Mr. Lincoln."
Hall of Presidents was closed when I made my only visit to a Disney park (Jan 2009), so this I am really looking forward to.popcorn::

2) Ear Engine (Main Street USA): purchase Mr Potato Head parts.


Adventureland

3) Enchanted Tiki Room
nothing beats the original. :woohoo:

Fantasyland
4) Matterhorn
5) Alice in Wonderland
5a) Mad Tea party.
I walked right by it while at WDW (Jan 2009) but didn't have enough time to go back & ride it. A must for me. :goodvibes


...and finish in Mickey's Toontown. Pst!.....I plan on catching up with the Rivers of America, Columbia Sailing ship & what not on my post day....

OOPS! ROA, Columbia Sailing ship, Tom Sawyer's Island, Davey Crockett explorer canoes....all shut down due to being refurbished. So -

Anywho, after Mickey's Toontown -

Then take a rr train back to Main Street USA and...

WALK BACK TO CRITTER COUNTRY AND .....DUM DE DUM DUM!!!! DUM DE DUM DUM DAAAAA!!!!


C-H-E-C-K OUT SPLASH MOUNTAIN....IN THE DARK...SITTING ON THE FRONT ROW AND WITH N-O PONCHO!!!!:woohoo:.

Then, squish squish my water-soaked bod in the general direction of Main Street USA, air drying all the way and subsequently get a bite to eat at Carnation Cafe (half Turkey Sandwich on Pretzel Bread with the Loaded Baked Potato Soup perhaps?) & at the Blue Ribbon Bakery, a rice Krispy treat with soft drink to go 2 take back to the hotel (food opinion & pics forthcoming) but take my time as I meander through Downtown Disney and do some shopping.....and find a place that makes a mean margarita .

Mental Note: pack an extra pair of tenny-shoes in my suitcase!
(and baby powder).


Day 5: Thursday April 1st (full day at Disney's California Adventure)


DCA stays open this day until 10pm so after a group get together during the am, I am just going to CAMP OUT in the "Paradise Pier" section of DCA & then boogy on back to the front entrance for our farewell dinner (5:45pm). So I am guessing & this is a big guess, that we would have enough time to see the 8:45pm Showing of Disney's "Electrical Parade." AGAIN, this is another "Grab the Kleenex" moment for me as I have never seen this parade before.:cloud9:


Day 6: my post day:

I have a severe wanting (Haven't 100% decided on this...yet) to Rope Drop at Disneyland BUT.....that means no departing breakfast for me with the rest of my fellow adventurers. So I am thinking of asking one of the ABD guides if they can be extra extra extra kind and "box up a breakfast snack & drink" for me (they are bound to look at me like I am a little Goofy but hey....it's worth asking) & put in my refrigerator in my room to nibble on later that evening when I get home.

** This way I can see Pixihollow:yay: **

Ok ok ok....what can I tell you.....I think Tink's cute and besides, there are only a handfull of Disney characters that can make me blush & that's 1) :cutie:Bo Peep (when she blew me a kiss when I was taking her picture) and 2) :cutie:Minnie Mouse (when I asked her for a kiss &... she kissed me right ontop of my forehead); both taking place during my one and only trip to a Disney park - January 2009 at WDW.

Anywho -

After finishing up at DL, a quick hop on over to DCA &:

A must see for me: Disney's "Aladdin - A Musical Spectacular" @ 12:10pm.

.....etc.


So, this is just a brief (BRIEF??:lmao:) outline on what I'm thinking is either up my sleeve or ABD's. I will drop this, be on the lookout for more surprises coming from me because my famous motto is:


"While traveling with me on a Disney adventure, expect the unexpected"popcorn::



I will pop in this same time mid next week as I have set a deadline to finish packing my OnE sUiTcAsE (ok....an explanation behind my typing there....I am such a two person suitcase & it is such a pain to be compressed into one suitcase but I dread those extra baggage fees!) & "Ladybug" has an appointment to get her nails trimmed & a bath.......by non other that yours truely.


Gotta love Dogs:goodvibes.




T-minus 624 hours and counting......


Until next time -



SEE YOU REAL SOON -http://i608.photobucket.com/albums/tt165/knewton64/DSCF2914.jpg

[TotallyAngelic]

WOW .... your plans sound amazing and very well planned out :goodvibes

Can't wait to hear about it in reality ..... visiting Disneyland is one of my dreams ! ( hoping to do so in 2014)

[flafan]

Your plans sounds amazing. :thumbsup2 I will checking in often to hear how everything went. Packing should not be a problem you have done it before :lmao: Did you ever get a copy of Aladdin? just curious, I saw them selling on EBAY. Have fun you are so close now. :woohoo::woohoo:

[jacksparrowfan]

Looks like you have a great trip planned for yourself. But, you have it right..."expect the unexpected". The Guides are full of wonderful surprises along the way. Sit back and enjoy the ride! When they "set you free", they may have something planned that you can come back to. You never know!

Breakfast on the last day has been at Storytellers within the Grand. It is a buffet breakfast with the characters. So, maybe they will give you a voucher for breakfast in the park, or something else? I think they accomodated people who have to leave on a flight very early so just maybe they will get you taken care of. Doesn't hurt to ask.

Looking forward to your trip report and what they have in store for this year! Have a magical Disney time!

[aspen37]

I have read on another TR that breakfast is at your leisure the last morning. I think you can eat and still make rope drop.

[jacksparrowfan]

Breakfast was usually from 7 to 9am. And, one can go anytime during those hours to eat and say goodbye. It's kind of sad to say goodbye to your new friends. But, you will keep in touch forever!

[knewton64]

Looks like you have a great trip planned for yourself. But, you have it right..."expect the unexpected". The Guides are full of wonderful surprises along the way. Sit back and enjoy the ride! When they "set you free", they may have something planned that you can come back to. You never know!

Breakfast on the last day has been at Storytellers within the Grand. It is a buffet breakfast with the characters. So, maybe they will give you a voucher for breakfast in the park, or something else? I think they accomodated people who have to leave on a flight very early so just maybe they will get you taken care of. Doesn't hurt to ask.

Looking forward to your trip report and what they have in store for this year! Have a magical Disney time!


I figure by the time "I get done with those 2 ABD guides," they are bound to be like Maria (one of the guides on my just completed "Spirit of America" adventure) & refer to me as their 'walking billboard' :laughing:when it comes to all things Disney.
Per se, Maria & I hit it off just well as be both had a blast kidding one another along with some gentle teasing. It was all in good Disney fun and yes -

I feel that I will fit in just nicely (being a solo traveler) with the group as there are 4 other people traveling with the group who also do not have children.


You know, you bring up an excellent point as I am beginning to bring to a close all what I have been doing (behind the scenes) and beginning now to focus in on just watching in amazement this adventure unfolds in front of me.
I still have a few more things to wrap up before I go as at this 11th hour, I just e-mailed someone out in Hollywood & asked him for any other suggestions in where to go to people watch &/or eat. Gotta love it - he's out at the Oscars tonight just a mingling with all those movie starspopcorn::!


***** I AM SOOOOOOOOO JEALOUS **********:worship:


So depending on his answers, I may drop going to Madam Tussauds wax museum the afternoon/ evening of day two.



Anywho -




Your plans sounds amazing. :thumbsup2 I will checking in often to hear how everything went. Packing should not be a problem you have done it before :lmao: Did you ever get a copy of Aladdin? just curious, I saw them selling on EBAY. Have fun you are so close now. :woohoo::woohoo:


About the Aladdin movie.....


That's a wonderful and well put together movie!:goodvibes. I enjoyed watching the dvd and am also wanting to see the musical (at DCA) on the early pm of my day 6. But hey, I am getting ahead of myself here....

Glad to see you are enjoying my trip report(s). I like doing them and when done, I put them in a scrapbook sort of a photograph album; complete with park maps, what nots & other assorted whozits - kinda a nice way to preserve wonderful memories of a really cool adventure.




Now, about that comment a co-worker made to me today:


She told me that I need to either buy smaller clothes or quite losing too much weight!:goodvibes

With that, I threw back my head and let loose a BWAAHAAAHAAA cackle of a laugh as she replied a "What's that supposed to mean?" reactionary comment.
Then I showed her that picture of the Mickey Moused shaped rice krispy treat as I said that I want one of those on days 3 through 6 of my adventure (ok.... & combined with lots of Dr Pepper or a milkshake).

You should have seen the look on her face:rotfl:.

I then followed up with telling her about Pinks (evening of day 2)- as I FINALLY decided on having a "Three Dog Night" which consists of:

3 hot dogs, wrapped in a giant tortilla, 3 slices of cheese, 3 slices of bacon, chili & onions.


There is more to what I will be ordering (including to go) but hey, you know what they say about a picture being worth a thousand words ;)



....and with that, she let me know that looks like I am in for a rockin' good time out in LA LA land & DCA/DL.:goodvibes but hey......Pinks just could be just one stop of a few - depending on the answer I receive from the e-mail I sent out a few days ago. Details forthcoming....


To rope drop or not at DL? Well, I am still riding the fence on that issue. It's one of those "depends things" that I am going to have to play it by ear and see. I know! Don't ya love it! Me the perpetual Disney planner & I am stumped on this issue. There is more to this but all I can say is "Expect the unexpected" when it comes to my Disney adventurespopcorn::.
Besides, the ABD guides might just catch me off-guard and do something that will catch me totally off balance....:goodvibes.




So to wrap up here, I plan on finishing packing no later than this upcoming weekend (put me at about 12 days out) as I detest last minute packing, Ladybug gets dropped off at "her hotel" 24 hours prior & all that's basically left for me to worry about is what to order at Cracker Barrel the am I depart 4 LAX.

....unless I get a e-mail from "America's Sassiest Lifestyle Guru" letting me know his opinion on what's up out there in the land of that great big 'ol Hollywood sign (he's in Hollywood but the radio station I listen to here in Dallas Texas has him on the air in the am).



UP NEXT:

On a quest to find the nearest "Cracker Barrel" near me & just where in the world can I say hello to Mary Poppins & Bert? Are they also at DL or DCA? Can some kind soul please advise?

Will partially explain why in my next installment...popcorn::




T.T.F.N.

[DVC'96]

I am anxiously awaiting your trip report! I hope to take this trip myself someday. I would be preparing weeks ahead of time myself.
I also enjoyed your previous report. Happy travels! :surfweb:

[flafan]

Thanks for posting more updates I LOVE THEM!!!! I love to plan and organize but it has been so long and with no upcoming trips I must live through yours.
Please Please Please go to Pinks and get the "Three Dog Night". If you do you must take a photo. For a girl who just started a losey diet. I must live through food porn now. :rotfl2::rotfl2::rotfl2::rotfl2:

Oh and do the rope drop. Sleeping is overrated especially when there is park touring to do ;)

[Piglets Mommy]

Wow, You are getting really close now. I'm so excited for you. My DH says Pinks is a really neat..he went there while at a business mtg. at the Rennasaince. They did what you are planning...cabbed up, ate, and walked back, enjoying sights along the way.

[knewton64]

i am anxiously awaiting your trip report! I hope to take this trip myself someday. I would be preparing weeks ahead of time myself.
I also enjoyed your previous report. Happy travels! :surfweb:

Hey, I am only now about 325 hours away from this adventure but who is counting?:lmao: I have decided not to bring my laptop but I do plan on seeing if I can get away every now & then to post an update. - Can't wait to see what my room looks like at both hotels:cloud9:.



thanks for posting more updates i love them!!!! I love to plan and organize but it has been so long and with no upcoming trips i must live through yours.
Please please please go to pinks and get the "three dog night". If you do you must take a photo. For a girl who just started a losey diet. I must live through food porn now. :rotfl2::rotfl2::rotfl2::rotfl2:

Oh and do the rope drop. Sleeping is overrated especially when there is park touring to do ;)


There is a rumor that "F.W.N.N." wants a slice of marble cake & two Yoo-hoos.....to go - so this oughta be quite an adventure to Pinkspopcorn::. As always, what would a trip report be without pics of food;).

Ah but about the rope drop, that reminds me, I have to make a run to the nearest Walmart & buy some Chexmix (& pack it in my OnE sUiTcAsE) ......which goes great with lotsa lotsa & dare I say lotsa (I think I just created a new word there "lotsa":laughing:) Dr. Pepper.....which is the method to my madness in the am while on a Disney adventure; esp WHEN I DO A ROPE DROP:woohoo:.


Yes, it's official - I have thought about it & thought about it and decided that I AM doing a rope drop at DL (am of Day 6). In January 2009, I made the mistake the 1st time I did a rope drop at MK; staying to the far right entrance as I really wanted to "be first" through the entrance. Oops! Now I realize it's much better to do the following:
So, this time I plan to be at the CENTER of the rope drop & TAKE MY TIME going through the turnstiles :cloud9:. Tho, I do say I was blessed with some extra pixi dust I could take home from my very first experience doing a rope drop:yay:. It was there I also learned how to do the Mickey & Minnie pose....
In short - ROPE DROPS ROCK!


wow, you are getting really close now. I'm so excited for you. My dh says pinks is a really neat..he went there while at a business mtg. At the rennasaince. They did what you are planning...cabbed up, ate, and walked back, enjoying sights along the way.


This will be my very first visit into LaLa land so it oughta be fun. And to think, the walk back is just a straight shot from Pinks. Promise to take pleny of pics where I can & or am allowed to.



Anywho -



On to my fav topic: ** Mary Poppins & Bert **


As you may have already picked up, Mary Poppins is my favorite Disney movie & some kind soul was nice enough to pm me & let me know when/ where they usually hang out. So, that's my next Disney challenge - to see if I am lucky enough to run across them as a short conversation with the two of them will just be the pinacle of what is already turning out to be one incredible adventure.

So keep your fingers crossed on this one as there is more to this story in my Mad Hatter-like attempt to say a kind hello to two beloved Disney characters.





UP NEXT:


Doing the "Single Digit Dance" while chilling out over "A Goofy Movie" & some Dr Pepper.popcorn::
....and soothing over some hurt feelings of a Dog who is upset that she can't go to California with her best friend - me.




T.T.F.N.

[DisDancerina]

I just read your PTR (up to here) and am SO excited for you! It sounds like your trip is going to be a heap of fun! I wish I could do something like this; it'll be an unforgetable experience for you! :cool1:

[knewton64]

I just read your PTR (up to here) and am SO excited for you! It sounds like your trip is going to be a heap of fun! I wish I could do something like this; it'll be an unforgetable experience for you! :cool1:


Thanks! I promise to take pictures & video WHERE I am allowed to as I have never been to Disneyland nor DCA and am really looking forward to it. Makes me wonder who I just might run into while out in Hollywood. Or as that Radio DISney song would say:

popcorn::**** WELCOME TO HOLLYWOOD **popcorn::




http://i608.photobucket.com/albums/tt165/knewton64/151.jpg
(pic taken while at Smithsonian Institution of American History; "Spirit of Amer" adventure - Sept 2009)



Well, the time has come for me to be loaded up into the ol' cattle shoot and to get ready for that door to open up in about 120 hours from now:goodvibes. My OnE sUiTcAsE is all packed and ready to go.....so is LAdybugs as hers is the following:

1) one pillow WITH pillow case.
2) zip lock bag of dog treats.
3) leash.
4) 2 chew rags.
5) 2 chew toys.

and her fav blanket.


Hmmmm.....ya think she jjuusstt a little bit spoiled??;). Her "daily hotel "room & tax"? JUST $12 bucks a day! Ok.....there's something just WRONG about this:rotfl: but hey, the "hotel Manager" (her vet) just loves her so I feel that she will be in good hands while I am away.

BUT - while I was packing her "suitcase" and mine, she was running back and forth between the suitcases & then running to the top of the stairs just a whinning:scared1:.
So, 4 dog treats later, all was well but for a while, she was mad/ upset & thought I was going to leave her.

All well - ya gotta love dogs:goodvibes.



Anywho -


Had fun the other day watching "A Goofy Movie" and getting all caught up with the Goofster & his son. Hey speaking of Max, I hope I can obtain his autograph & picture. Now that's a good Father/Son duo.
I have never asked for Disney character autographs so this should be fun for me to experience. Hmmm....add that to my shopping list - one autograph book:woohoo:, one puzzle, one lanyard set, 2 dvd's, 2 cd no wait - make that 3 cds, 2 short sleeve shirts, 2 park attraction ride pics, Goofy pirate ears, 2 shot glasses, 2 DCA magnets, one pair Mickey ears, OH AND MORE FOOD, assorted "stuff" while out at Hollywood, 4 "chip clip" DL/DCA refrig magnets, postcards, Mr. Potato head parts, etc...



:woohoo:SHOPPING RULES!:woohoo:


Ok, it's about that time for me to wind this puppy on down and be thinking real seriosuly about this upcoming weekend. I may pop in once or twice before then or if not, then will give it my best to do so while on my adventure. So until then, strap on yer boots cause here I come into Hollywood/DL & DCA!

.....drinking lots and lots of Dr. Pepper (or Mr. Pibb);).




UP NEXT:


I RODE SPLASH MOUNTAIN WHEN THE TEMPERATURE WAS WHAT?? ** R U KIDDIN ME? **

**********(PIC FORTHCOMING 2 PROVE I RODE IT popcorn::)**********




and.....does anyone know if Disney's Grand Californian hotel has a soda fountain and or sells those refillable drinking soda mugs?? Need more info on this if some kind soul can please respond.
Or does the DL hotel resort sell those mugs??






T.T.F.N.

[aspen37]

I can't believe that your trip is already here. :cool1: :cool1: Have a great time! I can't wait to hear about your trip. Have a safe journey.

[TotallyAngelic]

Wishing you an amazingly wonderful and magical trip Kris .... hope it lives up to all your extectations and more :goodvibes Have the best time and I look forward to all the details when you return :goodvibes

[flafan]

It is getting close now. I am so excited for you and looking forward to hearing every detail/ Be safe and Have tons of fun :cool1::cool1:

[DisDancerina]

I hope you have a safe/fun trip! Have fun!! :banana::banana:

[knewton64]

I can't believe that your trip is already here. :cool1: :cool1: Have a great time! I can't wait to hear about your trip. Have a safe journey.


I have promised Tink (his unofficial nickname) w/in these last 24 hours to relax & take in this adventure but rest assured, get on your walking shoes because I have added a few things to my pm of day 2.

----------



Wishing you an amazingly wonderful and magical trip Kris .... hope it lives up to all your extectations and more :goodvibes Have the best time and I look forward to all the details when you return :goodvibes


Yes, I feel that it will live up to my expectations. So much that I am now seriously looking at ABD's "Emerald Aisle" for May 2011 - but first is my Oct 2010 DCL Disney Magic 9 day cruise:goodvibes.

Just hope that Fri Oct 29th 2010 is a day for MNSSHP! - keep your fingers crossed for me on that one cuz I am hearing that tickets go on sale for it on April 1st 2010.popcorn::

Anywho -

--------------



It is getting close now. I am so excited for you and looking forward to hearing every detail/ Be safe and Have tons of fun :cool1::cool1:

Oh yes - I joke around and have fun while on my Disney vacations but I really do have to stress that I am always aware of my surroundings.



I hope you have a safe/fun trip! Have fun!! :banana::banana:


Oh what fun adventures await for me? Good point. Just a few more hours and it will all unfold infront of me....:woohoo:




Anywho -


Just a quick update to let all of you know that I have decided to check out the Roosevelt Hotel and grab a snack of some sorts at the In & Out place during pm of day two of my adventure. I am really into Hotels & their what nots & checking out In & Out oughta be a fun addition to my plans as well.

RUMOR OF THE DAY:


I heard two days ago that Fantasmic is indeed being offered during my adventure. **** MAJOR:woohoo: ****


Hmmmm....looks like it did pay off for me to buy and break in a new pair of tenny shoes just a few days ago.

Because it looks like I am off again enjoying all things Disney -



KEEPING IT REAL DOWN HERE IN DALLAS TEXAS




T.T.F.N.




UP NEXT:


KNOW the theme song to Fraggle Rock? Well, break it out because I will be using each stanza of it on a daily basis for the title of each day of my trip report & the unoffical word of each day will be the individual names of the Fraggles (including Doc).




T.T.F.N.:smickey:

[airbear]

Have a great trip, looking forward to your trip report. Your pretrip report is hysterical. Out of curiosity, what are the ports for your 9 day magic cruise? I have 2 disney cruises planned for 2011 and I am getting input from anyone I can about them. I've never cruised with DCL before.:)

[AStamm]

Can't wait to hear ALL the details of the trip and learning more about what to expect when I'm on the same trip in June.

Have a fabulous time!

[DisDancerina]

Fantasmic! is back up?!? :O

[knewton64]

Fantasmic! is back up?!? :O



.......ok that is only a rumor. Someone from ABD said that to me a few days ago. I need to follow up on this to confirm.


Anywho --


ok.......I am here now at the Roosevelt Hotel having fun and checking out the sites. Gotta love it - I am about to look at one of their rooms!:woohoo:.

Hmmmmm... wonder how much the daily rate is....
No what a minute - I don't wanna faint;).


Ok......the "ground rules". I will pop in here and there these next few days but will edit when I get home and also attach pics to each posting.


All I can say I WOW! This is one cool adventure & it's only a few hours old:goodvibes.


Maldovo picked me up from LAX and the 3o min ride was just a beautiful way to get accalamated to the area. And what an area it is!popcorn::.

So far I have visited Mels, the Disney soda shoppe and the Kodak theatre.
Took a zillion pics so far and some video of the Roosevelt hotel. the streets are filled with tourists and what nots with the temp today being in the mid 70's.

It's 3pm now (east coast) & we are supposed to meet up for our meet and greet in 1 hour.

One of the guides is Kristin (my twin) and both of them come across as very sweet and very personable.


Ok....been real - I am off and running again. Gonna to see one of the Roosevelts' rooms.


Up NEXT:


having fun at the Meet & Greet, misc & WOW - love the LA Scene....
WOW - I can truely tell I am at home with this:goodvibes.


T.T.F.N.

[TotallyAngelic]

Hope you have an amazing vacation and a magical experience on the ABD tour. Look forward to hearing all about it :goodvibes

[knewton64]

Hope you have an amazing vacation and a magical experience on the ABD tour. Look forward to hearing all about it :goodvibes

....with the unoffical word for the day being:

WEMBLY


.....After boogying on back to the Renaissance Hotel around 3:30pm, it was a quick hop in the shower & to get ready for the Meet & Greet.


meet alot of wonderful people and had fun playing Disney Trivia contest:goodvibes.

Anywho - the meal was veal w/potatoes and veggies.

Around 7pm, dinner was breaking up and I headed off for madam Tussauds. While out, I had a blast taking a few pics of Legally Blonde wannabes & such before heading back to the Disney soda shop around 9:50pm.

made it back to the hotel around 10pm w/a quick shout out to all of you. Quick note - pay close attention to LA traffic laws.


All right- its been real - cYA Next time - pics will be uploaded when I get back into Texas.



UP NEXT: Worries for another day at the Jim henson studio.


TTFN

[flafan]

:cool1::cool1: You made it - I can not wait to see all the photo's and hear about all the fun you are having :surfweb: Watch out for those Legally Blonde types they could be trouble:lmao::lmao: but hey you might that:rotfl2:

TTYL

[knewton64]

.....and the unoffical word for the day is "F.N.N.N."

that and inneracting with dem "Legally Blonde" wannabes is "totally" priceless.

Anywho -


these are just cryptic notes for me to correct and enlongagte out when I get back into Texas and I will also upload pics onto the threads as well so please dont worry.



So - finally got to bed around 11:3opm and 3;30am came around b 4 I knew it. I tumbled out of bed and threw on yesterdays clothes and went out for a long walk to the Canyon Run" area - its about a 1 1/4 mile up the road. basically turn left out of the hotel and anopther left at the light and walk about a mile down the road & u will see it. There there are places you can jog and what not and you will also see a wonderful view of the city and what not. Great pic taking place I sugest. Just ask concierge foir more info if necessary.

Anywho -

gopt back aorund 6am and threw myself in the bathtub for a hot bath. get to know housekeepiong as they will really help you with toilteries and such. Me? I use 4 bottles of hotel shampoo in my daily baths as it really helps me to distress after a "long Disney" day;).

I meandered up to the Twist area (2nd floor) of the hotel for our breakfast meet but before I enjoyed that (AT the Disney soda store), I just had to have 2 Dr peppers and a nestle crunch bar.breakfast was a 8am

And while at the soda store, I just had to nibble on 2 huge mickey waffles, scrambled eggs & eng muffins and........3 glasses of Dr pepper.


Hmmmmmm.....after about 30 minutes, I was wired and ready for the day! Ineracting witht the other adventurers was no issue for me as I don't feel that would be an issue for anyone on nay subsequent adventures. this is a fun trippopcorn::.


Breakfast was fun - got hit up with Disney trivia so be sure and brush up on yer trivia. The subsequent tour of the El Capitian theatre was a total blast. NO - they dont sell a cd of the organ music but......if ya camera video tape it, ya go around having to go on line to buy it. Have the web address if ya wanna buy it and will post it next week.

the el Capitan theatre was breath taking and I could tell a lot of work really went into it to restore it. So anywho - after that, we boogied on down to the jim henson studios.Ok........I was in just in heaven there! Great place and loved talking to "Lawrence" the muppet for the day. Ok...just a tip, ya gotta know yer Muppets to really enjoy tis leg of the adventure. Seeing all what I saw just really blew me a way, I could tell that .....well......lets just say that while we were there, We say Joe Jonas........YES -


**** I SAID JOE JONAS! ********


and yes, we got our pic taken with him!!!!

TTOOOOOOOOO COOL !!!!!!!!!!!


and whiole I had a mouth full of food (during lunch) guess who walked by at the Henson studios???


RANDY JACKSON!!


So - ya never know who u will run into on this adventure.


During this day, I had fun asking the front desk person at Henson who ran the Skexis character u will see at Brian's office. He re[lied that it was a combo of a person inside as well and muppetry. Just an fyi for all you Muppet fans.


I also was just full of ? today as today I really felt I was in my element. Both the guides picked up on it as fun was shared by all.


************* oops!!! I am developing amnesia!!! ************



suddently, It's 5pm and I am quickly thumping this out. So whats up for tonight???


More of checking out the radio disney song "Fabalous" wannabes - just pay attention to cross walks!

and I will be checking out Pinks & a late showing of Alice in Wonderland.


In short, lotta walking today - great food and a great atmosphere - this is an adventure I would highly recommend to anyone wanting to be immersed in Disney history 101.


UP NEXT:


Hitting the shopping phase of this adventure at Mic keys of Glendale and what not and hmmmmmmm....DL stays open until MIDNIGHT....so me thinks we will be having a blast ON>>>>>>>


SPLASH MTN:goodvibes

and my first reaction to stepping into a magical land I have never seen before.


TIP 4 THE DAY: Bring plenty of video cards with you & the Disney Soda shoppe - NOT TO BE MISSED. Just be aware that the atmosphere changes quite a but after 1opm on the streets.not saying bad just different.



T.T.F.N.

[Piglets Mommy]

It sounds like you are having a great time!

I can't wait to read all the details and see the pics when you get home.

Enjoy the rest of the trip and keep soaking up the Magic!!!!!!

[TheTXTaylors5]

:banana: We'll be on this tour in two weeks!!!!! I can't wait! For now, I can live vicariously through you. :cloud9:

Please keep us updated on Fantasmic. Everything I read, led me to believe it wouldn't be up and running until June 2010. :confused3

:goodvibes Jennifer

[corky441]

:banana: We'll be on this tour in two weeks!!!!! I can't wait! For now, I can live vicariously through you. :cloud9:

Please keep us updated on Fantasmic. Everything I read, led me to believe it wouldn't be up and running until June 2010. :confused3

:goodvibes Jennifer

Oh yes - we have to know if this is true ....:yay:

I'm part of the DISunplugged adventure trip along with Bill & Jennifer and the other 40+ DISers :woohoo:

This would just make it for us :thumbsup2

Anxiously awaiting the rest of your report :surfweb:

[flafan]

So far So GREAT!!!! Joe Jonas REALLY?????? Must see photo, my daughter will just lose it I will love it :rotfl2: Tonight Pink's Yahoo I am dying to hear about it an dsee Photo's. Thanks so much for checking here. It is so nice not having to wait too long. ;)

[aspen37]

So far So GREAT!!!! Joe Jonas REALLY?????? Must see photo, my daughter will just lose it I will love it :rotfl2: Tonight Pink's Yahoo I am dying to hear about it an dsee Photo's. Thanks so much for checking here. It is so nice not having to wait too long. ;)

They have a recording studio there, this is where they recoded both versions of "We are the World". Could you imagine being there when they did that recording!!!! ;)

[aspen37]

It sounds like your have a great time!!! I can't believe that we will be starting our trip exactly two weeks from today. :cool1: :cool1:
I can't wait to hear more about your trip.
Enjoy the rest of the trip!

[Dodie]

Now all of us who are going on the DIS trip on 4/13 are hanging on your every word! Can't wait for an update! Thanks for doing this.

[aspen37]

Now all of us who are going on the DIS trip on 4/13 are hanging on your every word! Can't wait for an update! Thanks for doing this.

::yes:: ::yes:: ::yes::

[TheTXTaylors5]

:surfweb: Checking in to see what is new today.

We need an update!!!!!!

Inquiring minds want to know what is going on out there ... :rolleyes1

:goodvibes Jennifer

[jacksparrowfan]

Now that they are at Disneyland, the days and nights are packed with fun. By the time you get back to your room you just fall in bed. :upsidedow I can't wait to find out the "new" experiences for this year. :)

Looking forward to your final report! :goodvibes

[izzie-wizzie]

Hi! can i just say i just found/read this thread and its so informative and exciting

Me and dbf have planned to visit California for the first (and probs only!) time next year - all we knew is wanted to do Disney and see the sights. So this morning i came across ABD as I was researching the Disney Studios (and how its near impossible to get into) - that ABD offered a tour there!

Since reading what this behind the magic trip offers - I have been so excited, and have decided that we are 100% going to do this.

Can't WAIT to find out more how you enjoyed the trip - obviously your still there now, so have a WONDERFUL rest-of-trip! :goodvibes

Izzie

[knewton64]

I regrefully inform all of you that I have encountered a Disney Grand Californian hotel /ABD issue (from yesterday afternoon on) that has sytematically destroyed any memories I have had of this adventure - resulting in me just wanting to get the heck out of here (I am still at DGC & dont leave until 3:30pm today) & GO HOME.

One would think that home would be DGA but I get the impression that their front desk has absoutely no clue as to how to service the Guest.

Then - to add insult to injury. I asked one of our ABD guides for assistance on this issue & had also asked for a follow up voice mail yesterday - which would then allow me to enjoy my last full day in the Disney parks so I would then have everything all set & ready to go for today with no delays.

GUESS WHAT?

NO VOICE MAIL was left for me.:confused3

I have spent way toooooo much time on this positive challenge as this has gone on now for the last 2 1/2 days and I feel enough is enough. This needs to go to Disney Corporate offices!
I should be having fun at the parks and SPENDING MONEY AND HAVING FUN but NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO! I am having to fiddle with this silly issue and having to coach Disney CMs HOW TO DO THEIR JOB! So in addition to my issue, here are some additional things have have also occured to me while this issue was occuring:


1) For example, and for a slight bit of negative humor here this am, 2 front desk CM's (Jason & Nicole) refered to me as "MR NEWMAN."

They have acess to my guest information, yet they refer to me as "Mr Newman?"


WHAT GIVES????


2) a Disneyland shoppe on Main street told me that should what I have purchased happen to be a duplicate from what you have already purchased, just let the Disney hotel know about it and they will get your monies refunded.

Sure enough, I had a duplicate. So off I went to DGC guest services this am to have a refund take place.


Funny thing, Guest services at DGC said JUST THE OPPOSITE of what the Disneyland store had said just the other day!!



AND YET TO THINK.....I AM A FIRST TIME VISITOR TO THIS PARK!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!


And yet my dream job is to go to work for the Disney corporation so they can see how servicing the Guest is actually done. Seriously, I would love to be a ABD guide for "Quest" or "Splendors" that would be what I would love to shoot for.

But I digress - that's minor. A little irratant but minor.




So I through my hands up in complete despair and & am leaving the House that Walt built with tears running down my face and am in one depressed state of being & mind.

I JUST WANNA GO HOME! TO TEXAS!

Like from 8am to right now in Dwntown Disney (12:48pm on 04-03-2010) I too also walked around both Disney parks yesterday in such a daze that it was obvious to me that after a while, I was realizing that the Magic was gone. For example, all I was seeing was NOT MARY POPPINS NOR THE DAPPER DANS but enstead I was seeing young boys and girls dressed up COSTUMES portraying the above mentioned characters!

1)I tried to go to San Adreas faults & get a milkshake.

i could not, I just wasn't in a Disney mood.


2) I tried to go to Ritas and have a margarita

I could not. the Disney spirit was just GONE.



3) I tried to go to the Wine tasting place as well inside DCA but just wasnt in the mood. I felt the magic was just gone. I was trying - I was putting forth effort - I just felt that the Disney magic was shot down the drain all thanks to three Disney CMs and no....I will not reveal their names.


4) Morevoer, I tried to get a pretzel and a sundae and the Coke soda shoppe at Disneyland but I just couldn't recapture the Disney magic.

So it should be pretty obvious to you the reader that I was hungry but the magic was just shot outta me as I just felt like I was walking around in a daze.

So, I thought possibly some shopping would pick up my spirits.



NO.


I couldn't bring myself to do any shopping either.


So I staggered onto the Matterhorn.

BIG WHOOP.


I was there I realized that I need to go back to the hotel and just call it a day - a day that I hope NO ONE OF YOU E-V-E-R have to experience.


THATS SAD & quite embarrassing WHEN A D-I-S-N-E-Y branded hotel systematically ruins the magic for you by the incredibly poor customer service and a ABD guide doesn't do her job either.


This is why everyone, I have asked that ALL OF THIS BE FORWARDED on over to Disney's corporate offices. I am extremely upset and very dismayed that this is an acceptable level of customer service and that a ABD guide has no idea how to do her job either & provide a Guest adventurer a return voice mail.

But she has gone on to her next adventure. So I guess I don't matter to her nor the Disney company anymore.


So here I am, still stuck at the lousy hotel, wishing I could be jetted back to Dallas Texas ASAP so I can mentally/emotionally & logically get back to work & show to myself how servicing the Guest is SUPPOSED TO BE DONE.

I know! going to work right away just after a vacation??


yes - that is correct.





So - I am supposed to be departing from this "5-star hotel" around 2pm today & meet with some higher ups who will be discussing with me their lousy customer service and how they plan on saving this Guest.

Now, Am i saying that DGC is a bad hotel? NO I AM NOT.


I am saying that for this particular experience, it was a horrible one for me.


AND I AM A F-I-R-S-T time visitor not only to the state of California but to Disneyland and such.




I just feel that I am not in the mood to continue on with this blog. I feel that I need to delete all pics / video that & have taken (& I have taken alot) & throw away any memory of this "adventure" & just move forward. I feel very disheartned by this whole mess and just am not in a Disney mood. Which is very rare for me because I am such the kid at heart.

But yes - I don't feel like moving forward with this blog.



Will I ever come back to the state of California & Disneyland??


I will answer it this way - I am meeting with some Disney higher ups at 2:30pm today and will listen to what they have to say. I get the feeling that their response will be a BBUUSSIINNEESS answer and not an answer that will be condusive for me to feel welcomed back into Walt's World.

Not because of my actions but because I get a feeling their responses will be NO to what I have to say. And I have already said it overnight when I was on the phone with the overnight hotel phone person for well over 2.5 hours VERY early this am.


you would think that this company would be interested in saving me as a Guest since I average approx 3 hours a sleep a day while on this adventure (I was out and about SPENDING MONEY AND HAVING A NICE DISNEY TIME) but hmmmmmmmmmmmmmm.....


I just get a suspicion otherwise.

So to wrap up here, hopefully I will be given an opportunity for a "DO OVER" on this vacation. I am trying to remain positive on this issue. It is my hope that one day I can pick back up this blog and begin again recapturing the Disney magic that has just left my heart.



Time will tell -


Kris N-E-W-T-O-N

P.s. Anyone reading this from Disney Travel services or DGC, I am also requesting that this be forwarded onto Disney's Corporate offices so they can see what this hotel (DGC) & that ABD guide has done to this 1st time DL/ DCA visitor as this is also ONLY MY 2ND visit to a Disney park overall as well.
Furthermore, please make a copy of this and read this letter to all new hires as they need to see what damage can be inflcited onto a Disney guest when YOU THE CM, don't do your job.

[izzie-wizzie]

Oh my gosh! Soo sorry to hear that you have had a less-than-magical time, :grouphug:

I truly hope you get issues sorted out and they can buck up their ideas - I've defo heard quite a few reports how service at disney california hotels does not match the standard at WDW and I hope this is something Disney will finally notice and fix (although Im just speaking from other TRs).

[knewton64]

Oh my gosh! Soo sorry to hear that you have had a less-than-magical time, :grouphug:

I truly hope you get issues sorted out and they can buck up their ideas - I've defo heard quite a few reports how service at disney california hotels does not match the standard at WDW and I hope this is something Disney will finally notice and fix (although Im just speaking from other TRs).

...you bring up a good point. I read about that as well as I have tried to give them every benefit of the doubt as well since I am spending approx $25-$30 and hour on this trip for R&T alone; not including incidentals.

But for some reason, the "LOVE AND SHOVE" mentality is alive and well here at Disneyland / DCA.


To be continued....



Kris Newton

[aspen37]

Hi Kris! I'm sorry you had a less than Magical Time. :grouphug:
I will be on this tour on April 13th and was wondering what happened at the GC. From your post I'm not sure what happened. I hope the Disney higher ups tried to fix the problem.

I hope you have a safe trip home.

[Failecub]

I regrefully inform all of you that I have encountered a Disney Grand Californian hotel /ABD issue (from yesterday afternoon on) that has sytematically destroyed any memories I have had of this adventure - resulting in me just wanting to get the heck out of here (I am still at DGC & dont leave until 3:30pm today) & GO HOME.

One would think that home would be DGA but I get the impression that their front desk has absoutely no clue as to how to service the Guest.

Then - to add insult to injury. I asked one of our ABD guides for assistance on this issue & had also asked for a follow up voice mail yesterday - which would then allow me to enjoy my last full day in the Disney parks so I would then have everything all set & ready to go for today with no delays.

GUESS WHAT?

NO VOICE MAIL was left for me.:confused3

I have spent way toooooo much time on this positive challenge as this has gone on now for the last 2 1/2 days and I feel enough is enough. This needs to go to Disney Corporate offices!
I should be having fun at the parks and SPENDING MONEY AND HAVING FUN but NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO! I am having to fiddle with this silly issue and having to coach Disney CMs HOW TO DO THEIR JOB! So in addition to my issue, here are some additional things have have also occured to me while this issue was occuring:


1) For example, and for a slight bit of negative humor here this am, 2 front desk CM's (Jason & Nicole) refered to me as "MR NEWMAN."

They have acess to my guest information, yet they refer to me as "Mr Newman?"


WHAT GIVES????


2) a Disneyland shoppe on Main street told me that should what I have purchased happen to be a duplicate from what you have already purchased, just let the Disney hotel know about it and they will get your monies refunded.

Sure enough, I had a duplicate. So off I went to DGC guest services this am to have a refund take place.


Funny thing, Guest services at DGC said JUST THE OPPOSITE of what the Disneyland store had said just the other day!!



AND YET TO THINK.....I AM A FIRST TIME VISITOR TO THIS PARK!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!


And yet my dream job is to go to work for the Disney corporation so they can see how servicing the Guest is actually done. Seriously, I would love to be a ABD guide for "Quest" or "Splendors" that would be what I would love to shoot for.

But I digress - that's minor. A little irratant but minor.




So I through my hands up in complete despair and & am leaving the House that Walt built with tears running down my face and am in one depressed state of being & mind.

I JUST WANNA GO HOME! TO TEXAS!

Like from 8am to right now in Dwntown Disney (12:48pm on 04-03-2010) I too also walked around both Disney parks yesterday in such a daze that it was obvious to me that after a while, I was realizing that the Magic was gone. For example, all I was seeing was NOT MARY POPPINS NOR THE DAPPER DANS but enstead I was seeing young boys and girls dressed up COSTUMES portraying the above mentioned characters!

1)I tried to go to San Adreas faults & get a milkshake.

i could not, I just wasn't in a Disney mood.


2) I tried to go to Ritas and have a margarita

I could not. the Disney spirit was just GONE.



3) I tried to go to the Wine tasting place as well inside DCA but just wasnt in the mood. I felt the magic was just gone. I was trying - I was putting forth effort - I just felt that the Disney magic was shot down the drain all thanks to three Disney CMs and no....I will not reveal their names.


4) Morevoer, I tried to get a pretzel and a sundae and the Coke soda shoppe at Disneyland but I just couldn't recapture the Disney magic.

So it should be pretty obvious to you the reader that I was hungry but the magic was just shot outta me as I just felt like I was walking around in a daze.

So, I thought possibly some shopping would pick up my spirits.



NO.


I couldn't bring myself to do any shopping either.


So I staggered onto the Matterhorn.

BIG WHOOP.


I was there I realized that I need to go back to the hotel and just call it a day - a day that I hope NO ONE OF YOU E-V-E-R have to experience.


THATS SAD & quite embarrassing WHEN A D-I-S-N-E-Y branded hotel systematically ruins the magic for you by the incredibly poor customer service and a ABD guide doesn't do her job either.


This is why everyone, I have asked that ALL OF THIS BE FORWARDED on over to Disney's corporate offices. I am extremely upset and very dismayed that this is an acceptable level of customer service and that a ABD guide has no idea how to do her job either & provide a Guest adventurer a return voice mail.

But she has gone on to her next adventure. So I guess I don't matter to her nor the Disney company anymore.


So here I am, still stuck at the lousy hotel, wishing I could be jetted back to Dallas Texas ASAP so I can mentally/emotionally & logically get back to work & show to myself how servicing the Guest is SUPPOSED TO BE DONE.

I know! going to work right away just after a vacation??


yes - that is correct.





So - I am supposed to be departing from this "5-star hotel" around 2pm today & meet with some higher ups who will be discussing with me their lousy customer service and how they plan on saving this Guest.

Now, Am i saying that DGC is a bad hotel? NO I AM NOT.


I am saying that for this particular experience, it was a horrible one for me.


AND I AM A F-I-R-S-T time visitor not only to the state of California but to Disneyland and such.




I just feel that I am not in the mood to continue on with this blog. I feel that I need to delete all pics / video that & have taken (& I have taken alot) & throw away any memory of this "adventure" & just move forward. I feel very disheartned by this whole mess and just am not in a Disney mood. Which is very rare for me because I am such the kid at heart.

But yes - I don't feel like moving forward with this blog.



Will I ever come back to the state of California & Disneyland??


I will answer it this way - I am meeting with some Disney higher ups at 2:30pm today and will listen to what they have to say. I get the feeling that their response will be a BBUUSSIINNEESS answer and not an answer that will be condusive for me to feel welcomed back into Walt's World.

Not because of my actions but because I get a feeling their responses will be NO to what I have to say. And I have already said it overnight when I was on the phone with the overnight hotel phone person for well over 2.5 hours VERY early this am.


you would think that this company would be interested in saving me as a Guest since I average approx 3 hours a sleep a day while on this adventure (I was out and about SPENDING MONEY AND HAVING A NICE DISNEY TIME) but hmmmmmmmmmmmmmm.....


I just get a suspicion otherwise.

So to wrap up here, hopefully I will be given an opportunity for a "DO OVER" on this vacation. I am trying to remain positive on this issue. It is my hope that one day I can pick back up this blog and begin again recapturing the Disney magic that has just left my heart.



Time will tell -


Kris N-E-W-T-O-N

P.s. Anyone reading this from Disney Travel services or DGC, I am also requesting that this be forwarded onto Disney's Corporate offices so they can see what this hotel (DGC) & that ABD guide has done to this 1st time DL/ DCA visitor as this is also ONLY MY 2ND visit to a Disney park overall as well.
Furthermore, please make a copy of this and read this letter to all new hires as they need to see what damage can be inflcited onto a Disney guest when YOU THE CM, don't do your job.

Sorry if I misread and missed this, but I don't think you ever said what your issue was. Do you mind if I ask what it was that happened, or didn't happen as the case may be?

[corky441]

So much drama... But you never say what happened! I can't begin to fathom what they could have done to set off such a rant.??

[Icemann]

What did ABD do to you that was so bad.You did a good job of trashing them now what was so bad that you are scared for life. :confused3

[TheTXTaylors5]

DH and I depart in 8 days for our ABD Trip. Your post has me curious as to what exactly happened to ruin your ABD Tour. We will be on the tour in a week and I don't want the same thing (whatever it is) happen to us too. Can you please be a little more specific on what happened???????? :confused3

I have read and reread your post and still don't get "it". :surfweb:

:goodvibes Jennifer

[TotallyAngelic]

Oh no ..... this sounds very serious. I am also wondering exactly what happened to make such a great Disney fan have such a profound change of opinion. What exactly did they do to make you so upset as it mut have been catastrophic. So sorry you have had such a disappointing and upsetting trip :sad2:

[Tozzie]

It sounds like it is an issue with the Hotel and not with ABD. I went on this trip last year and it was fantastic.

[flafan]

OH NO- :eek: This makes me so sad. There is nothing worst then being soooo excited for an adventure and have several people ruin it for you. It does not seem fair. Please keep us updated on your progress with getting this reconciled.

Have a peaceful day. :hug:

[hgrajales]

OMG!! I've read and re-read this thread or should I say "ridiculous rant" and nowhere in the posting does this person state "what went so wrong"? What was soooo devastating that they would want "DO OVER". Or, is that they are just setting the stage for a "free trip"?? I am sure that any issue encountered at any of the Disney Parks would be resolved immediately and promptly.

TELL US WHAT WENT SOOO TERRIBLY WRONG THAT NO ONE IN THE ENTIRE DISNEY ORGANIZATION COULD NOT CORRECT. Or are you complaining that 1 or 2 employees pronounced your name incorrectly?? OMG, the end of the world is near!!!

[hgrajales]

Also, it's not fair that someone would come on this board and trash the trip that so many people are looking forward to and NOT provide details as to what went wrong. So, please let us know, so we can determine if it's the end of the world and cancel the trip.

1. Did anyone else in your group experience the same issues? Were their issues resolved and not yours?

2. How was the trip up until you experienced your issue?

[WeLoveABD]

I have to agree with the above posts--need more specifics, if you can. We can't imagine the ABD guides not being all over any issue that came up--what did they have to say about what happened (and the corporate folks you met with?) The Grand Californian is our favorite Disney hotel--I'm biased being on the West Coast, but while we have enjoyed WDW properties, there is something really solid and relaxing about the GC. (Unfair probably to compare the huge WDW park to Disneyland--so different in size, in location--so urban here, so green and wet in Florida...the crowds are huge in Florida, but can spread out, unlike the crowds here...). In any event, I am sorry to hear you left unhappy--especially having such an upbeat start, and with prior very upbeat adventures...do conclude your story and let us know how things worked out!

[sayhello]

OMG!! I've read and re-read this thread or should I say "ridiculous rant" and nowhere in the posting does this person state "what went so wrong"? What was soooo devastating that they would want "DO OVER". Or, is that they are just setting the stage for a "free trip"?? I am sure that any issue encountered at any of the Disney Parks would be resolved immediately and promptly.

TELL US WHAT WENT SOOO TERRIBLY WRONG THAT NO ONE IN THE ENTIRE DISNEY ORGANIZATION COULD NOT CORRECT. Or are you complaining that 1 or 2 employees pronounced your name incorrectly?? OMG, the end of the world is near!!!I have to agree with you. I know this is probably not politically correct to post here, but now I remember why I stopped reading knewton64's posts... He had the same sort of unfounded rant about a wonderful ABD sales CM a while back. Really trashed her (by name) and never did really say what she'd done that was so horrid. The key for me here was the "do over". Sounds like somebody is bucking for a free trip.

I'm going to remain skeptical until knewton64 provides some details. And maybe even then. I think this is a very sorry way to end his Trip Report, and a disservice to the folks reading it in anticipation of their own trips.

Sayhello

[3guysandagal]

A cryptic last post to say the least.

Not knowing what happened here, I'm going to throw in my 2 cents.....

I get the feeling someone did not get their balcony with a view.

Just sayin'.....:goodvibes

PS...notice my ticker?
..............I
..............I
..............I
...........\..I../
............\.I./
.............\I/

[Icemann]

I have to agree with you. I know this is probably not politically correct to post here, but now I remember why I stopped reading knewton64's posts... He had the same sort of unfounded rant about a wonderful ABD sales CM a while back. Really trashed her (by name) and never did really say what she'd done that was so horrid. The key for me here was the "do over". Sounds like somebody is bucking for a free trip.

I'm going to remain skeptical until knewton64 provides some details. And maybe even then. I think this is a very sorry way to end his Trip Report, and a disservice to the folks reading it in anticipation of their own trips.

Sayhello
I felt the same way as you,thats why I stopped reading his TR.Just because he didn't get extra shampoo for his bubble bath is not a reason to trash ABD don't know this for sure just a guess.The Mods need to take this down if he doesn't repy in a timely manner >

[Adventurer4life]

Well I must say that I am quite shocked. I heard of this blog site from the very same man here, knewton64. Why am I shocked, well my family and I happened to be on the very same AbD trip with this man, and let me tell you there is always another side to a story!

Please do not let this unhappy man's comments sway you, you will not be disappointed with the Backstage Magic trip, or any others with AbD. We all had an amazing time, in very large part to our WONDERFUL Adventure Guides! No thanks, mind you, to this man. What with his constant draw for attention from the Guides, awkward questions, weird stories, always holding up the group and much more – the Guides put up with it all without blinking an eye!! Believe me, the whole group felt his presence and not in a pleasant way, we distanced ourselves from him for these reasons. :mad: And, as a matter of fact, at our farewell dinner together, he had talked on and on about what a wonderful time he had, and how everything was great, that the Guides were wonderful, Jim Henson’s was amazing and how he just LOVED his interactions with all of the CMs…yet here he is, unbelievable.

I don't know what his "big problem" was but I can only imagine, based on my knowledge of him from this trip; my husband and I overheard the man requesting the most ludicrous things!! All I can say is that knowing the two Guides, I know that they would have done whatever was within their power to fix his "problem" and I am willing to bet that he just didn't like the answer or solution offered. If it was someone at the GCH, again disregard his rant, everyone we encountered was top notch! My family and I, not only plan on coming back to the GCH, we plan on going on another AbD trip soon!

I won’t waste any more time on this man, but to say this, ignore what he posts as he is CLEARLY just looking for something free. Looks as though he will stop at nothing and is more than willing to drag some wonderful people ( AbD & GCH CM’s) through the mud in order to get what he wants. Knewton64 should be ashamed of himself.

[3guysandagal]

Well I must say that I am quite shocked. I heard of this blog site from the very same man here, knewton64. Why am I shocked, well my family and I happened to be on the very same AbD trip with this man, and let me tell you there is always another side to a story!

Please do not let this unhappy man's comments sway you, you will not be disappointed with the Backstage Magic trip, or any others with AbD. We all had an amazing time, in very large part to our WONDERFUL Adventure Guides! No thanks, mind you, to this man. What with his constant draw for attention from the Guides, awkward questions, weird stories, always holding up the group and much more – the Guides put up with it all without blinking an eye!! Believe me, the whole group felt his presence and not in a pleasant way, we distanced ourselves from him for these reasons. :mad: And, as a matter of fact, at our farewell dinner together, he had talked on and on about what a wonderful time he had, and how everything was great, that the Guides were wonderful, Jim Henson’s was amazing and how he just LOVED his interactions with all of the CMs…yet here he is, unbelievable.

I don't know what his "big problem" was but I can only imagine, based on my knowledge of him from this trip; my husband and I overheard the man requesting the most ludicrous things!! All I can say is that knowing the two Guides, I know that they would have done whatever was within their power to fix his "problem" and I am willing to bet that he just didn't like the answer or solution offered. If it was someone at the GCH, again disregard his rant, everyone we encountered was top notch! My family and I, not only plan on coming back to the GCH, we plan on going on another AbD trip soon!

I won’t waste any more time on this man, but to say this, ignore what he posts as he is CLEARLY just looking for something free. Looks as though he will stop at nothing and is more than willing to drag some wonderful people ( AbD & GCH CM’s) through the mud in order to get what he wants. Knewton64 should be ashamed of himself.

Very interesting.
Thank you for posting.

[corky441]

I'm beginning to get a grasp on all this. I think I can put Kris in the "OMG I can't get a 7:00pm ADR at Le Cellier - my entire vacation is ruined" group.
He definately is an Uber planner and wants and needs every second of every day in order, when reality gets in the way he crashes and burns

[sayhello]

Well I must say that I am quite shocked. I heard of this blog site from the very same man here, knewton64. Why am I shocked, well my family and I happened to be on the very same AbD trip with this man, and let me tell you there is always another side to a story!

Please do not let this unhappy man's comments sway you, you will not be disappointed with the Backstage Magic trip, or any others with AbD. We all had an amazing time, in very large part to our WONDERFUL Adventure Guides! No thanks, mind you, to this man. What with his constant draw for attention from the Guides, awkward questions, weird stories, always holding up the group and much more – the Guides put up with it all without blinking an eye!! Believe me, the whole group felt his presence and not in a pleasant way, we distanced ourselves from him for these reasons. :mad: And, as a matter of fact, at our farewell dinner together, he had talked on and on about what a wonderful time he had, and how everything was great, that the Guides were wonderful, Jim Henson’s was amazing and how he just LOVED his interactions with all of the CMs…yet here he is, unbelievable.

I don't know what his "big problem" was but I can only imagine, based on my knowledge of him from this trip; my husband and I overheard the man requesting the most ludicrous things!! All I can say is that knowing the two Guides, I know that they would have done whatever was within their power to fix his "problem" and I am willing to bet that he just didn't like the answer or solution offered. If it was someone at the GCH, again disregard his rant, everyone we encountered was top notch! My family and I, not only plan on coming back to the GCH, we plan on going on another AbD trip soon!

I won’t waste any more time on this man, but to say this, ignore what he posts as he is CLEARLY just looking for something free. Looks as though he will stop at nothing and is more than willing to drag some wonderful people ( AbD & GCH CM’s) through the mud in order to get what he wants. Knewton64 should be ashamed of himself.Thanks for posting this, Adventurer4life. Hopefully people who are upset by Knewton64's post will read this far, to hear from you what really happened. I hope you had an excellent time despite all that!

A cryptic last post to say the least.

Not knowing what happened here, I'm going to throw in my 2 cents.....

I get the feeling someone did not get their balcony with a view.

Just sayin'.....

PS...notice my ticker?
..............I
..............I
..............I
...........\..I../
............\.I./
.............\I/Gotcha! :thumbsup2

Sayhello

[Tozzie]

While I don't know what happened I can say that at least one of the guides, he posted the name earlier, on this trip was a guide on my backstage magic trip last year and she was awesome, as was our other guide. I hope no one in discouraged from taking this trip. I and many other people who have been on this trip have posted what a wonderful trip it was There are even some who have done it for a second time and I enjoyed it so much I will be taking it again. SO please don't anyone who is going on this trip panic, you will not have issues and will have a once in a lifetime experience, that I can promise.

[runskyhy]

While I don't know what happened I can say that at least one of the guides, he posted the name earlier, on this trip was a guide on my backstage magic trip last year and she was awesome, as was our other guide. I hope no one in discouraged from taking this trip. I and many other people who have been on this trip have posted what a wonderful trip it was There are even some who have done it for a second time and I enjoyed it so much I will be taking it again. SO please don't anyone who is going on this trip panic, you will not have issues and will have a once in a lifetime experience, that I can promise.

I agree with Tozzie. We took this trip this past January during 5 straight days of rain and temps in the upper 40s, yet we felt ABD actually made the trip better than not (because of their concerns for the weather and its effects on park closing times.) No vacation is problem-free, but this is a solid, fun, one-of-a-kind experience!

[knewton64]

Hi Kris! I'm sorry you had a less than Magical Time. :grouphug:
I will be on this tour on April 13th and was wondering what happened at the GC. From your post I'm not sure what happened. I hope the Disney higher ups tried to fix the problem.

I hope you have a safe trip home.

And I am glad to have sent me a reply (since u r leaving on this adventure very shortly) as I don't mind responding to you & the others per what has happened as I am also being very very mindfull of what I am saying - as it's for a reason.
I do stress that what I had written in the last 2 postings stand as is as I feel it is very important to let all the divisions of Disney Corporate offices know that this is not how you service the Guest; especially a first time visitor into Disneyland and such. And no, room upgrades and such have nothing to do with the issues I have now layed at the doorstep of Corporate.
Now to set all of your minds at ease, please keep in mind that time to time, we are not all a perfect being and that from time to time, others need to step in - from an outsider point of view - and express that back to that entity.
therefore, I feel that it is necessary to express this point of view to all of Disney's Corporate offices for review as I feel that the Disney magic has been lost in my heart due to the "Goofiness" of 2 front desk reps at Disney's Grand Californian hotel as well as one ABD guide in particular.
I am being kind / respectful here per the above comment as this has also caught the attention of the mgmnt team at Disney's Grand Californian hotel. She (member of mgmnt) has acknowlwdged and even admitted to their front desk misstep and has asked me to please be kind and give her approx 30-45 days to work something out between her and corporate.

Now, to take a step back and address it from this way before I get back to what happened - this was asked of me earlier this am.


What happened in an overall way can be best summed up by a question that was given to me by a ABD rep who said:

"Based upon the first 4 days of your adventure, did you have a bad time or a good time?"


I responded that I had a good time and really felt that I was in my element. I then paused &

[DisneyKevin]

This thread is very cryptic and without many details and due to that, there is a great deal of speculation as to what happened.

As a there are quite a few people reading these boards, myself included, who are scheduled to take part in the ABD Backstage Magic trip, I'm going to assume that this is an isolated incident based on the posts of the many other people who have been thrilled with this Adventure.

It seems that whatever occurred is now between the OP and Disney management and that the OP has decided to keep it that way as his last post explaining the incident is without detail and has been edited.

All of that being said, I believe this thread has run it's course and with that, I will be closing it.

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact me.

Thanks,
Kevin