10 Mths of WDW Planning leads us to~~DISNEYLAND!! Report Completed~Pic Heavy!!!

[lsulindy]

You're welcome! There is a metal fence if he just needs a little something to lean on, otherwise it may be possible for him to sit just outside Pixie Hollow and then when you're getting ready to go in......someone can go grab him??? It's worth asking. Also, if his GAC (it's for your dad?) says he can't stand for long periods of time, they may allow your whole group to go thru the special entrance and take you right back in. It really does depend on what the GAC specifies.

My dad has Parkinson's. His biggest issue is balance problems, and he does tire out easily. I'm not sure what his GAC will say. We didn't get one in WDW, and he'd usually just sit out some stuff to rest while the baby slept in the stroller. But, he's progressed a good bit since then and now the baby is an active 2 year old. I'm sure we'll figure it out. I just want to make it as easy on him as he can. Plus, he doesn't like asking for help or admitting that he needs it, so I like when I'm on top of things and can make a suggestion. He likes to see the kids experience everything though, so I don't want him to have to miss too much. My mom wanted to skip this trip, but dad told my sister that he had to go because this will probably be the last big trip he'll be able to take with the kids. Trying really hard not to focus on that, and focus on the fact that we get to take this trip with him!

 

[DizNee Luver]

With the GAC you wait at one of the entrances and hope the CM sees you and realizes you are there to ride and not just standing there watching......lol

Mike decided to stay out and take pics, so Tyler took Shyann and Anthony with him and I took Addy & Michayla with me. I guess I forgot to mention what happened with Derek. After laundry we had taken the Monorail into Disneyland. Basically, Derek got the boys all signed in and then he rode the Monorail back to DTD so he could go back to the hotel. He was overly tired and needed to get some rest. So the entire time we'd been in DL today, Derek was sleeping. Ok, back to the teacups!!!

The twins love the spinning!!!

 

[DizNee Luver]

My dad has Parkinson's. His biggest issue is balance problems, and he does tire out easily. I'm not sure what his GAC will say. We didn't get one in WDW, and he'd usually just sit out some stuff to rest while the baby slept in the stroller. But, he's progressed a good bit since then and now the baby is an active 2 year old. I'm sure we'll figure it out. I just want to make it as easy on him as he can. Plus, he doesn't like asking for help or admitting that he needs it, so I like when I'm on top of things and can make a suggestion. He likes to see the kids experience everything though, so I don't want him to have to miss too much. My mom wanted to skip this trip, but dad told my sister that he had to go because this will probably be the last big trip he'll be able to take with the kids. Trying really hard not to focus on that, and focus on the fact that we get to take this trip with him!

He probably won't consider using a wheelchair while there?? I think when you get the GAC, make sure you REALLY clearly state that he has balance issues and can only stand for very short amts of time.....but he wants to experience things with his family and grandkids. I would think for things like Pixie Hollow, that they would have you get in the wheelchair line and then go in with very little wait. (of course you also will need to know how long the w/c line is.....obviously they're not going to let you cut in front of the other GAC holders)

The reason I asked about the wheelchair.....my MIL went with us in 2010. She has hip &/or knee issues (I can't remember what it was).....anyways......we had suggested it and she blew a gasket. About the 3rd day.......she was miserable and guess what we got her??? A wheelchair!!!! Then she wouldn't get out of it!!! lol

 

[lsulindy]

He probably won't consider using a wheelchair while there?? I think when you get the GAC, make sure you REALLY clearly state that he has balance issues and can only stand for very short amts of time.....but he wants to experience things with his family and grandkids. I would think for things like Pixie Hollow, that they would have you get in the wheelchair line and then go in with very little wait. (of course you also will need to know how long the w/c line is.....obviously they're not going to let you cut in front of the other GAC holders)

The reason I asked about the wheelchair.....my MIL went with us in 2010. She has hip &/or knee issues (I can't remember what it was).....anyways......we had suggested it and she blew a gasket. About the 3rd day.......she was miserable and guess what we got her??? A wheelchair!!!! Then she wouldn't get out of it!!! lol

I suggested it. He wasn't amused! We'll see how it goes! We may wind up the same way!

 

[DizNee Luver]

After spinning, we headed next to Dumbo!! Time to ride in a flying elephant. Again you wait at the exit and the CM will come over to see your GAC and then when it's your turn, he CM hands you the lucky feather to hold. (this is how they count riders to elephants).

We all rode this one, with Mike in front of the rest of our large group. Addy & Anthony, Tyler & Shyann then me with Michayla.

Before you take flight, the CM comes around and gathers the "feather" and makes sure everyone is buckled up. Here we go!!

When we safely landed, we headed over to King Arthur's Carrousel. They have a chain closing the wheelchair entrance & so you wait for a CM to notice you. They have you open the chain and come in to a waiting area.

More of the carrousel next post!

 

[DizNee Luver]

I suggested it. He wasn't amused! We'll see how it goes! We may wind up the same way!

It's still an option, especially if you bring it up as a way to keep him from overdoing, getting too tired, etc. Not that you THINK he needs to use one. Even healthy, younger people will use a wheelchair on occasion due to over-exertion at the parks.

With his balance issues, does he use a walker??? Maybe he'd be more willing to use one of those (they have the ones with a built in seat). I'd be scared to death of him falling with balance issues and the occasional dumb-dumb in the crowd that decides they have to be across the park 5 minutes ago and so they run over everyone in their quest. Even just normal line crowds could cause him to be bumped.

 

[DizNee Luver]

We waited for our turn on the Carrousel and I got some nice loves from Michayla!!

Shy was a tad impatient......

It was our turn and they let down a ramp for us to cross over to the carrousel. Once we have our horses & the ramp is back up....they open the gates to the rest of the guests to get on the ride.

.......bad mommy......checking to see if there were messages or missed calls on my phone (and maybe a quick check on FB) instead of paying attention to my kids........... This was before the ride started!!

Shy very happy to be riding on the carrousel!!

Michayla & Shyann both enjoyed the carrousel!!!

 

[DizNee Luver]

Shy (and the rest of us) all wanted to ride BTMRR!!!! FAST TRAIN!!!!

Right before we got on the train, I get a text from Derek letting me know he was on his way back to the parks. I told him we were on BTMRR and to meet us up at the Big Thunder BBQ for our dinner ressie. We would meet him there.

We got on and Mike got some pictures during our ride!

Another fun ride!!!!

We headed to the BBQ to meet back up with Derek.

 

[lsulindy]

It's still an option, especially if you bring it up as a way to keep him from overdoing, getting too tired, etc. Not that you THINK he needs to use one. Even healthy, younger people will use a wheelchair on occasion due to over-exertion at the parks.

With his balance issues, does he use a walker??? Maybe he'd be more willing to use one of those (they have the ones with a built in seat). I'd be scared to death of him falling with balance issues and the occasional dumb-dumb in the crowd that decides they have to be across the park 5 minutes ago and so they run over everyone in their quest. Even just normal line crowds could cause him to be bumped.

I'm very worried about bumps. My mom has tried to talk him into a cane before. He's stubborn. I make try to suggest it again. I just hate bringing it up.

Love all the Fantasyland pics. The nostalgia factor really gets me! I'm a sucker for Dumbo and tea cups shots!!

 

[DizNee Luver]

I'm very worried about bumps. My mom has tried to talk him into a cane before. He's stubborn. I make try to suggest it again. I just hate bringing it up.

Love all the Fantasyland pics. The nostalgia factor really gets me! I'm a sucker for Dumbo and tea cups shots!!

It's a hard situation....I really hope, as a family, you'll be able to talk him into some sort of "help". What time of year are you going??? Disneyland doesn't have a whole lot of "down" time anymore.....so crowds, pushing is a HUGE factor in planning. Now I'm nervous for him!!!

Fantasyland I think brings out the child in all of us. Walt knew what he was doing!!

 

[Trentmom]

Love your toon town. It is so cartoonish. All the decorations there are great :thumbs

How cool they use feathers on Dumbo. On ours, they just use a boring pain chip looking thing, in different colors.

Looks like girls were having a blast today.

I know I am missing stuff, but loved all your pics

 

[DizNee Luver]

Love your toon town. It is so cartoonish. All the decorations there are great :thumbs

How cool they use feathers on Dumbo. On ours, they just use a boring pain chip looking thing, in different colors.

Looks like girls were having a blast today.

I know I am missing stuff, but loved all your pics

ToonTown is so much fun to explore!!

They've used the feathers for as long as I can remember. They're pretty plain too.....just a feather shape.

The girls did so good!! They really loved doing the rides!

 

[DnA2010]

There are some really super photos of you and Michayla in these last couple updates, I especially love the ones at lunch time! You both just look soo happy!

Looking forward to the BBQ! (I am actually munching popcorn right now!)

 

[DizNee Luver]

There are some really super photos of you and Michayla in these last couple updates, I especially love the ones at lunch time! You both just look soo happy!

Looking forward to the BBQ! (I am actually munching popcorn right now!)

Thank you......it melts my heart when she gets in those lovey moods. When she was an infant (and even a toddler), she didn't like to be held or cuddled and in fact.....she would arch away from you. So I absolutely love when I get my lovings from her!!!

The BBQ.......YUM!!!

 

[kaoden39]

When Scotty and I went to Beverly Hills in 2006 I was amazed at how much more expensive it was to stay in that area versus the Anaheim area. We ended up staying for some exhorbanant price at a Marriotts Hotel. Their service was horrible and I wrote an email to the company and complained. Thet ended up comping us 40% off of our stay.

I do not undersand why they allow the street performers to be like that. They end up losing a lot of tourist money in the area because of it. If I owned a business in that area I would fight it.

How cool you were able to attend your brothers service.

What???? He didn't like In n Out's french fries? That is a travesty!!!

I am so farrrrrr behind. That will teach me to get sick. :/

Is the tree in the PPH real? I can't really tell from the picture.

I really love the ornaments but they are so heavy. I am afraid to hang them on the tree.

I love how Belle at the Lego store looks like the characters do on the Lego video games.

Wow!! 40% is a great discount!!

I love the beach ball pillows on the bed.

Too bad about the menu change. That stinks. I love that the chef made the special meal and it looks like she really enjoyed it.

Poor Anthony. I hope that was the end of being sick.

I think that the prices of the hotels are outrageous. I think that because Disneyland has so many hotels in the area that are within walking distance they would be priced better.

Oh my gosh!! Santa Claus!!!

That fruit parfait looks so good! I really think I would leave the granola out too.

Did I see Winnie the Pooh butt from the train? I think I did!!

Oh boo on missing the Hungry Bear!! This was one menu change that was good!

No Tigger hug? Oh no!

Yay!! I am thrilled to hear the girls both enjoyed BTR!!

Bicycles!! I just cannot get away from bicycles!! Hahaha!!

Big Al!! My dad loved Big Al. Every time he was on my dad would just chuckle. Thank you for that memory.

Can you imagine how tedious i must be to hang all of the wreathes and garland on the miniatures. You have go to have steady hands for that.

I am done for now. My eyes are starting to cross. I will read more tomorrow.

 

[DizNee Luver]

When Scotty and I went to Beverly Hills in 2006 I was amazed at how much more expensive it was to stay in that area versus the Anaheim area. We ended up staying for some exhorbanant price at a Marriotts Hotel. Their service was horrible and I wrote an email to the company and complained. Thet ended up comping us 40% off of our stay.

The prices are crazy and we would have skipped staying there if we knew about the wax museum being closed!

I do not undersand why they allow the street performers to be like that. They end up losing a lot of tourist money in the area because of it. If I owned a business in that area I would fight it.

It's horrible and really deters from the historical aspect of the Walk of Fame!!

How cool you were able to attend your brothers service.

I love hearing my brother preach!! I always said he'd either become a preacher or a comedian!

What???? He didn't like In n Out's french fries? That is a travesty!!!

I thought the fries were delicious!!

I am so farrrrrr behind. That will teach me to get sick. :/

I'm sorry you've been sick!! Hope you're on the mend!!!

Is the tree in the PPH real? I can't really tell from the picture.

I don't think any of the trees are real that they decorate with.

I really love the ornaments but they are so heavy. I am afraid to hang them on the tree.

I only have a couple of the big ones and when I put them on a live tree last Christmas I found the sturdiest branches to put them on. This year we had a fake tree, so that worked ok.

I love how Belle at the Lego store looks like the characters do on the Lego video games.

I haven't seen any of the games but it fits into how the Lego people look......but for a princess she looks a tad frumpy.

Wow!! 40% is a great discount!!

It was an amazing discount!!

I love the beach ball pillows on the bed.

They're cute......but don't even think about taking one of them! I believe they are $65 or $85 if one of them disappears!

Too bad about the menu change. That stinks. I love that the chef made the special meal and it looks like she really enjoyed it.

Yeah, we are more of the "comfort" food types......I don't think every restaurant needs to go to the fancier style of foods.

Poor Anthony. I hope that was the end of being sick.

His sickness was very short lived that night. Enough for me to miss dinner with the family.........

I think that the prices of the hotels are outrageous. I think that because Disneyland has so many hotels in the area that are within walking distance they would be priced better.

You'd think that, but I guess we're the only ones that have that logic......lol

Oh my gosh!! Santa Claus!!!



That fruit parfait looks so good! I really think I would leave the granola out too.

It's huge too!

Did I see Winnie the Pooh butt from the train? I think I did!!

Good eye!!

Oh boo on missing the Hungry Bear!! This was one menu change that was good!

Well, not according to my older boys! They weren't as interested in going because of it.

No Tigger hug? Oh no!

I know...... But this trip really was about the twins for me.

Yay!! I am thrilled to hear the girls both enjoyed BTR!!

Me too!!! That meant we could ride it multiple times!!

Bicycles!! I just cannot get away from bicycles!! Hahaha!!



Big Al!! My dad loved Big Al. Every time he was on my dad would just chuckle. Thank you for that memory.

I was so happy to see them!!

Can you imagine how tedious i must be to hang all of the wreathes and garland on the miniatures. You have go to have steady hands for that.

I know.....but those miniatures have a lot of details!!

I am done for now. My eyes are starting to cross. I will read more tomorrow.

So glad you're here....I was really missing your input!!!

 

[kaoden39]

So glad you're here....I was really missing your input!!!

It was really hard for awhile after I cancelled our trip. Then I got the flu and I am now starting to get well.

 

[DizNee Luver]

It was really hard for awhile after I cancelled our trip. Then I got the flu and I am now starting to get well.

Boy I understand the cancelling trips part.......so depressing when it's the thing you've been planning and getting up every morning for. I remember when we had to cancel our October trip to DL in 2011......then my step-mom passed when we would have been on the road........so I've always said, there's a reason for things to happen. Doesn't always make us feel better.....but when you do get to go back~~~it will be just that more fantastic!!!!

We were disappointed about having to give up on WDW.....especially after all the work/planning that I put into it. DL is home, but there is still that craving for WDW.


ANNOUNCEMENT:

Mike & I are looking at going to WDW late January/early February next year (2014) for our 30th Anniversary!!!!! Just the two of us for close to 2 weeks!!!!!

Right now everything is in the early stages, but we're hoping to book and pay for the package when my inheritance comes in. We do have a few obstacles that we need to deal with first~~~we found out the owners of the house we're renting (and asked for long term stability for the twins) is going to put the house on the market at the end of our lease (early Nov). So this is not an expense we had planned on. We were wanting to find a place we could stay years & years in. Now we have to find a house big enough for our crew plus stay in the tiny town we're in so the kids can stay at their schools (super important......especially for the twins). So we will need money for that, Nick's wedding, a new car (used), etc. Hoping we can cover most of the package (leaving some unpaid and hoping for a great special or free dining). I will keep you updated!!!

 

[DizNee Luver]

Derek was waiting for us when we reached the Big Thunder BBQ. I checked in our family and we were seated at our picnic table. The little stage show started shortly after sitting down. I've never seen any of these 3 performers. The last couple years it had been the same people......I didn't feel this gal demanded your attention like the other gal.

The dessert menu!!

The kids!

The kids were asked to come up on stage and help act out "Up on the Housetop".

The kids had fun getting up there.....even Shy was trying to do the motions!!

 

[DizNee Luver]

The buckets of chicken, ribs & sausage showed up at our table (the ribs were supposed to be kept separate due to gluten) but all of them were mixed, so Shy had to wait for a new bucket of meat. We also got a bucket of baked beans, coleslaw, corn cob wheels and a plate of cornbread.

The performers came back out and did another song that required helped from the kids. So the three headed back up on stage to ring bells for "Jingle Bells".

After the song, the kids came back to the table......Shy's meat showed up while she was on stage.

If you are interested in one of the desserts, you will need to order them near the beginning of your meal as most of them take some time to cook. We ordered the Smore Bake!!!! This is when it arrives at the table:

Then they add the hot fudge!!

The Smore Bake is a brownie with marshmallow, graham crackers and hot fudge on top.......delicious!!!!

Since Shy can't have the brownies or graham crackers, they brought her a bowl of vanilla ice cream and then I added some of the extra hot fudge from the family dessert.

Michayla was ready to move on!

Part way through dinner, Michayla started to fuss, so I got up and wheeled her into the Jamboree area (where Billy Hill performs). It was pretty empty back there.....one~because it was getting dark and two~it was dropping the occasional raindrop out of the sky. We wheeled around and Pluto came out. So I grabbed a Photopass photographer who was just standing around and asked if he could get our picture since I hadn't grabbed my camera. So Michayla & I had our pic done with Pluto and then Tyler showed up to let me know that the dessert was going to be coming out. So he had a quick pic done with Pluto too before we headed back to the BBQ for our dessert. I will have those pictures to share when the Photopass CD comes in.

A couple random shots after dinner.