Day 21: Goodbye Disneyland!
I had packed the night before. JJ had kindly taken some things with her, so according to the scale I was well under the luggage limit.
Quite proud of myself I left for half the day of Disneyland that still lay ahead of me. For the first time I had managed to get onto a late flight only departing 7 PM - had seemed useful in case there would have been a WDI release, but alas there was none. So I found myself strolling along Main Street after all.
And on the way to check out lanyards I find... they have unpacked new Marvel Dooneys at Disney Clothiers!
Now I have no clue about handbags. When the supposedly female love for handbags was distributed I was blatantly skipped. I don't get the fascination with Dooney bags at all. But that bag looked so good that even I knew Sabrina would be all over it. She had wanted one of these, but the "only one left" I had seen so far had some flaws she said.
So I run out on Main Street trying to find a cell phone signal and message her photos. That looks promising... hopefully my luggage allowance will survive.
In Tomorrowland Stormtroopers are patrolling.
When I leave Buzz Sabrina has replied: yes, she wants the bag, it's perfect. Alright, down Main Street again I go.
It seems a couple of shoppers had spotted that baby - the lady behind me in line didn't look too pleased when I bought it.
Meanwhile it's almost time for one last trip to New Orleans Square. And wouldn't you know it... today Syd shows up.
Figures. I get a hello and a good bye.
After the first set I try my luck at Mansion again... still no good photo of Hatbox Ghost. One day. One day!!!
Second Bootstappers set. Yes, I spent my last morning at New Orleans Square waiting for a bunch of pirates to show up.
For the second set someone else has showed up... Phoebe Blackheart, the fiddler.
It was only myself and one other girl really watching at that point, but the crowds were ridiculously bad in that area, probably because Pirates seemed to finally operate constantly.
Phoebe demonstrated how to play the fiddle behind her back, so the others had to try their luck as well.
That's one of my favorite shots... don't know how I got it because people were just squeezing through!
Wandering around in the next break. I get a snack on Main Street, Chocolate Cheddar Popcorn. I like Caramel Cheddar Popcorn, but that was even better.
The Bootstrappers seem to agree that New Orleans Square was too crowded. Raft set it is - they perform on the rafts to Tom Sawyer Island after playing some instrumental music in the waiting area.
That's Syd... always looking for opportunities.
Mean Jean also takes over the safety spiel. "People standing next to you may be used as flotation devices." And I happen to be standing next to Syd. I swear to god that was by no means on purpose.
Lunch Break. I leave for Tomorrowland Terrace, they had one Halloween Special I didn't get the chance to try.
I forgot the name of the Burger. Someone said it was the former Monsters U Burger. The fries have "ghostly parmesan ranch ooze." I fully admit I tasted neither parmesan nor ranch. Nothing to write home about. I imagine kids would love it though.
Waving Goodbye to Mr Hatter.
I just had time for the last Bootstrappers set, then I would have to make a beeline back to the hotel for my transfer.
A raft set again.
Well almost a raft set... they actually get off on the Island and played there for a while! I can't remember when I saw that happen last time. It was fantastic, I was the only one there. House concert.
On the way back Mean Jean looks at me when doing the prior spiel, smiles and tells me: "You know the drill." Yeah, I picked it up.
And then it's time to go. *sniffles*
The transfer to LAX is already waiting at the hotel. I grab my bags and we leave. And that's where a great vacation got a final dent.
I checked before, all paperwork said check in at British Airways. At the BA counter I am told no, go to the American terminal, it's codeshare, I need to check in there. Lugging bags through 42 degrees heat isn't exactly what I had had in mind, that's why I booked the private transfer.
At the American Airlines counter they weigh my bag and I am told I am 2 pounds over. Umm... the hotel scale said I am 3 under? The Dooney's in my backpack, that certainly can't be it. The lady tells me not to worry. But then she looks at my paperwork again and says I have to go to another counter cause I am booked with BA. Okay, fine, another line. I left enough time. At the end of the line they weigh my bag again - and suddenly I am EIGHT POUNDS OVER! Seriously guys, I don't know what should have happened in less than 100 meters that made my bag gain that much weight.
But nope, they don't budge... I am left with the choice between paying 84 dollars extra or being removed from the flight because I am "disruptive." I still don't get why repeatedly asking how two scales can differ by 6 pounds is disruptive, but well... I know what airline I will be avoiding in the future!
The plane ends up being nice and new and with a big Disney selection for the in flight entertainment. But I really could have done without having to write another complaint - that also went unanswered for the record. Service certainly left a lot to be desired too... I stopped counting how often a flight attendant bumped into me. And our plane was so late in the end that I would have missed my connection in London if that hadn't been even more late.
So yeah, that was it. Downsides: the flight back home, the Facilier Fiasco and the Diamond Duck ridiculousness. Partly I had the feeling I was in Paris - ask 6 people, get 7 different answers! And the weather of course, but nothing that can be done about it. Upsides: my local friends, unexpectedly meeting my Japanese friend, catching the Diamond Munks, a really great Kickstarter Day and finding Bullseye.
