Cookiedude's All-Singing, All-Dancing, All-Vomiting trip report (11/26-27)

[Cookiedude]

Okay so I'm sitting here waiting for DS9 to stop being sick (see other posts ) and figured what better way to focus on the positive than to tell you guys about the magical first two days of our trip.

Cast - Me, DH (actually boyfriend but DH sounds better ), my DS7, my DS9, his DD8 and his DS10.


Day 0 - Landing

After a really successful, really long flight from Australia to LA via Singapore we landed at LAX happy and excited and everyone in good spirits. Picked up by Primetime Shuttle promptly (where are all the sunday after thanksgiving travel crowds??) and get to Residence Inn Maingate about 45 mins after we landed. Cool!

Check in and I sneak ahead to put the presents from Mickey on each of the kids beds (Jack Skellington jammies, Buzz tees, chocolate coins, coloured pencils and a personal note from Mickey). That went down better than expected, the kids were STOKED and it made the whole arrival so exciting.

Nobody was remotely sleepy (I think it was morning our time) so we walked over to Downtown Disney. This was it! We were here! How surreal. A few hours ago (okay, more like 24) we were at home now suddenly spat out of an airplane into this dreamland.

Walked around a bit, picked up my will-call tickets, got autograph books from World of Disney. Kids were under strict instructions that there was no shopping until day 5 of the trip It worked a treat.

Day 1 - A Perfect Day at Disneyland

Kids did pretty well with the jetlag. Had to rouse them from sleep but what better way to do that than by whispering "who wants to go to disneyland today?" They were all wearing matching lime green Buzz tees, which I gotta say proved extremely helpful to do quick head counts and also for them to find each other. Not to mention getting picked for Jedi (more later).

We head into the park at about 9:30 for 10 opening, everyone really relaxed and happy and excited. The line was across the plaza to CA but it moved quickly once the gates opened. Walked in under the tunnel, catch first sight of the christmas tree and yep, burst into tears It's been a long crappy year! I'm at Disneyland! There's a giant christmas tree! Wahhhhh!

We see Pluto and I remember that the autograph books are back at the hotel. Doh! Kids take it well. Rent a locker for the backpack and jackets. Oops, too small. Rent a second locker and make mental note to get bigger locker tomorrow.

The kids had decided long ago that Buzz was to be our first ride, which was cool with me since it's new since I was last here in 04. Walked on, soooooo surreal to move through that line so fast and suddenly you're on the ride and hit by all that neon! Cool ride though, everyone loved it. Got stuck in front of something that must've got me a lot of points heh heh.

My plan had been to take it easy since I'd learnt from past trips that some rides mess with jet lag. But everyone seemed to be doing okay and there was no way I was keeping my Star Wars lovin' bunch of nuts from going on Star Tours. Walked on, front row, so cool. Had a quick look at Star Traders on the way out, reminded kids it's day 1 of 5 and no shopping yet

Wander over to Jedi Training Academy. There's 1 kid sitting there with 15 mins to go. Excellent sign. School the kids in what's going to happen and what they should do. Just as we're practising jumping up and down and looking excited, kid next to us throws up. It was so sad, he was going "I'm so sorry dad, I tried, I really tried" but the dad was just yelling at him to keep quiet Little did I know that throwing up was going to become quite the theme for us over the next few days

Anyway, Jedi Training starts and I can tell that there's a good chance one of the kids will get picked. I'd explained to them that it was likely that none or only one of them might get picked, they were so good about it. As it turns out, they all got picked! I couldn't believe it. They all did soooo good when it came to their turn to fight and were so proud of their certificates. Could this day get any better and it's just started!

All this time DS9 has been obsessing over the time. He's autistic and tends to do that, I think because time is such an abstract concept. So I promise to buy him a watch as soon as we find one.

Off to Innoventions because the kids ... okay DH ... want to see ASIMO. I was like dudes, seriously? Innoventions? Right now? But my mantra was to take it easy this trip so I did and off we went. The kids had so much fun playing on this mat on the floor with different sports games projected onto it that responded to movement. Hard to describe. Kinda like Wii or Eye-Toy I guess. They played on that thing for a full 20 mins and had to drag them away to see ASIMO, which they really enjoyed. They're still talking about it. DS9 remembers facts verbatim so delights in telling me things like how long ASIMO is airborne while running (I think it was 0.38 seconds).

Grab lunch - churros - $20 yikes! But ohhhh soooo goooood. Buzz again then off to Pirates. Walk on. Enjoyed the new things since my last visit but had some Chattys behind me who really ruined it. I like setting the scene going through the bayou by BEING QUIET, listening to the banjo etc. But no they were like "can you believe what she wants to implement at work?" "I know, like, what is she thinking?" Dude! We're on Pirates here! At least chuck in an "Arrr, she be mad, she be" or something. Sheesh. So get off and go straight back on again, much better the second time. Shop at Pieces of Eight and get Pirate Mickey Ears for the boys. Way cute.

Let's see ...BTMRR (way faster than I remember! been a few years since I did this one since when I was here in 04 it was just reopening after the accident). Grab Indy fast passes, which weren't needed as it turned out. The lines were just so small all day, even though there seemed to be a lot of people walking about.

Hop off Indy for the second time and notice it's getting dark already. At 4:30pm? What's up with that?? And man when it gets dark it gets coooooold.

Grab some hot dogs at Coke Corner. Had hilarious interaction with CM who served me. He just could not understand me, which I found really funny. Dude. You sell two things - hot dogs and chili. How hard is it to understand "five hot dogs please" even if it is in an Aussie accent

Toss up whether to leave for the day or stick it out for the parade. Everyone seems happy so decide to go for it. Do a quick Jungle Cruise (fun at night, sucky skipper though) and then grab some curb. It was almost all gone at 5pm! For a 6:30pm parade on a quiet day! While we wait I duck over to Town Hall to get 1st Time buttons for my DH and his kids. A super nice CM lady at the door said no problem and reached into her pocket, producing three buttons just like that. Now, these things aint small. Made me wonder what else she had in there. We sit near the christmas tree and it's just so beautiful all lit up. Meet some nice American families either side of us. Hear the castle-lighting-snow-thingy music start up and RUN into Main St with the kids. It was simply breathtaking. No other word for it. I watch my kids frolic in the snow and ... yes, again ... shed a little tear. Watch the parade sipping hot chocolate and munching on gigantic cookies. Love the dancing snowflakes. See Mickey for the first time.

Parade ends and a million people head towards the exit. Where did they all come from?? And why are they leaving when the fireworks starts in 10 mins?? We go against the crowd back down towards the castle. End up with a spot right in front of the partner statue! So cool. Five mins to go and we hear "Ladies and gentleman, boys and girls, due to unfavourable weather conditions ...." NOOOOOO. The crowd groans. Look around at the perfectly still night and wonder about the definition of unfavourable. Just as I'm trying to explain it to the kids we get another announcement - the fireworks are on! Huge cheer erupts from all. Fireworks were amazing. Little DS7 wants to be held so we watch them cheek to chubby little cheek. About halfway through he whispers in my ear "Mummy, thank you for deciding to come to Disneyland" and kisses me on the cheek. Take a quick glance around to see if I'm in a Disney commerical. Nope, real life. Cool.

Wait for the mob to thin a bit then head on out. Kids collapse into bed, happy and exhausted. I too lapse into a coma about 5 seconds after my head hit the pillow.

Tap tap on my shoulder. It's DS9. We'd forgotten to buy his watch

 

[Cookiedude]

Day 2 - It's A Low-Season World After All

Yep, after all the speculation about whether this week would or would not be crowded, it was walk on city all day. Simply sublime. In the words of the mom behind us who was running (yes running) down the Space Mountain line with us to ride for the second time in a row "Isn't this the best Disneyland day EVER? This is so much better than being at school"

Anyway, slower start this morning, jet lag kicking in. Wander over to the park about 10am. Man, what's the deal with this line at bag check??? Stretches all the way to the bus stops. We luck out and get in the fast line, are in the gates of DL by 10:10am.

DH and his kids do walk on Splash while we do Pooh. Meet them coming off Splash and they got dreamed!! Won the lanyards. Had to explain to them what the "cool badgey things" were DH wanted to find a CM to trade with but I convinced him to keep them. Get Pooh's autograph then head off to HMH. Wow. I really really loved it. Jump off and get right back on. Get stuck right in the "kidnap the santy claws" song part, still have it in my head Head over to Buzz again and on the way we see that pirate who lurks about pretending to pickpocket unsuspecting visitors. He was hilarious!

Do Buzz again, walk on Star Tours. It was so dead, we had to sit and wait for more people to come along before launch!!! Had this cool older CM who did this little spiel about R2D2 fixing almost everything on board, it was a really nice touch and made the ride that much more fun. Boys do Astro Orbiter. I like watching them go on things independently, see how they interact with CM's when I'm not there. Very sweet.

DS9 reminds me about the watch Head to the clock shop on Main St and find a neat Mickey digital for $20 (!!) but it's the one he wants and there's not a lot of choice. See him visibly relax once I put it on him. Sit on the curb to wait for DH and listen to the Dapper Dans do christmas carols. They are so good.

Have picnic lunch on a bench in front of the castle, then shooting gallery, BTMRR, Star Tours, Astro Orbiters, then walk on Space Mountain twice in a row. The kids LOVED it and declare it the official BEST. RIDE. EVER. Head over to IASWH (awww) and Toontown, do Roger Rabbit twice which is twice too many for me. Wander through Mickey's house. DS7 so excited he runs ahead ... and promptly out the Exit door back into Toontown. Oops. Few panicked moments later and we find him and regroup, go see Mickey. Awww. Hop on the train and back to Main St. Everyone tired, it's getting cold, we call it a day. But not before DS7 does an impromptu tap dance routine for me in front of the christmas tree Funniest thing I've ever seen him do. Have no idea why he did it.

 

[kylieh]

How hard is it to understand "five hot dogs please" even if it is in an Aussie accent.

I have a friend who claims "just remember to put on your best John Wayne accent". Claims it works!

Mummy, thank you for deciding to come to Disneyland" and kisses me on the cheek.

It's moments like these.. I hope the kids get better soon. I'm sure in a day they will be fully back to normal.

 

[Disney owl]

thanks for sharing

 

[momto2nenas]

You have me laughing! Loving the report.. no sickies yet.. I know its coming though right?

 

[staley7580]

Other then the barf fest, sounds like you guys are having a good time!!

 

[Cookiedude]

Day 3 - We're Going to Barf City, Gonna Have Some Fun

Barfing. Everyone. Everywhere. See other posts for details.

Day 4 - We're Going to Barf City, Coz It's Two to One

Barfing continues and recovery from yesterday. Spend day poolside while housekeeping nuke our room and take home a very large tip.

Day 5 - The Barfers Go To Disneyland

A.K.A DS9's Tenth Birthday.

Everyone seems okay this morning. Nobody barfing, everybody back on their feet. Let's get out to Disney! YAY! Hmm. It appears to be raining. Pfft, what's a little rain after our trip to Barf City? This'll be fine.

Okay, where's this damn ART stop. Oh, next to the tree. That's not a bus stop, that's ... a sign. Why is there no shelter? I must've wondered this aloud because the lady next to me said "Because it's southern california. It never rains here." Yeah. I'd heard that. They lied.

A very nice family waiting next to us had an extra poncho so we decided the birthday boy got to have that one. Waiting waiting. Tick tick tick. Rain rain rain. ART finally arrives fifteen minutes late.

So we get to Disneyland in slightly bedraggled state but not too bad. But in the time it took us to walk to the main gate the heavens opened and we were well and truly soaked. Ran and got the very last adult ponchos at that store opposite the Emporium, thought that was a good sign. While DH rigged up the kids I ran over to Town Hall and grabbed the birthday button and made a booking for Happiest Birthdays on Earth. Cool. Fetched the kids and headed off triumphantly for the Tour Gazebo where part one of our birthday extravaganza - Discover the Magic - awaited us. Look at us! We are wet and cold but we are the Barfers! Nothing can defeat us!

One look at the CM's face and I knew what she was about to say. "Discover the Magic has been cancelled today due to the weather". Well that was the last straw. I burst into tears. The culmination of the past few days was just all of a sudden too much. Ever since I'd waited up until midnight exactly 30 days ago to call Disney from Australia and book this tour, I'd been so excited about this day and how much DS was going to enjoy this tour particularly. It wasn't supposed to be like this!! That poor CM she didn't quite know what to say. She asked me if there were any rides we really wanted to go on that we hadn't been on yet and I stupidly said oh no, that's okay. NEMO! I SHOULD'VE SAID NEMO! Instead she gave me a coupon for 6 free hot drinks, which was so nice.

Deep breath. Explain to the kids that the tour was cancelled. They all want to do Space Mountain but I decided that might just be a tad too rough for my kids after the last few days, so DH and I split up for the morning. DS7 and DS9 - I mean DS10 - head over to Pirates. Complete walk on and man did we get soaked walking over there. This rain is relentless. Really really enjoy being on the ride. Gives me time to put my chin up and resolve to make this a fantastic birthday regardless of our extremely jinxed few days thus far. Kids want to go straight back on Pirates, walk in and I think it must be closed because there is nobody waiting on the dock and all empty boats going past! I let DS10 choose all the rides today as a birthday treat, so he chooses Pooh (awww). Head all the way over there and it's closed. By this point I am sooooo freezing that my hand is shaking uncontrollably when I hand over the money for the beanie and gloves from the hat shop in Critter County. Ahhh. Nice and toasty. Until I walk out into the rain again. Debate whether wet gloves are better than bare hands.

All day the boys were so good, never complained about the weather once. Go on Jungle Cruise and get a terrific skipper. And that's when it happened. He noticed DS's birthday button and led the boat in an impromptu birthday song (This is our birthday song, it isn't very long) That was just the beginning of an endless sea of Happy Birthdays being fired at him from every direction everywhere we went. Now, okay, I know he's autistic but he's come a long way and really seems to like interacting with people now so I thought this would be a nice thing for him However I noticed that his face was getting tenser and tenser with each new greeting. Finally he turned to me and said "Mummy that is SO ANNOYING!" So I took it off and he was very much relieved.

Um let's see, what else. Lots and lots of hot cocoa (OMG sooo good when it's cold and rainy) and did some Fantasyland rides and IASWH (awww, I love that and what a way to lift your spirits). Okay, 1:30pm, time to check in for Happiest Birthdays thingy. Stand in the rain outside Plaza Inn only to find out it's moved to Golden Horseshoe due to the rain. Meet up with DH and head over there, get Mickey party hats and punch in Happy Birthday souvenir cups. Pat-E-Cake comes out and does his thing, all of which I found harmless fun and pretty entertaining. We get the cakes to decorate and upon hearing that the cakes are going to be judged, DS freaks out and doesn't want to do his So I do mine and swap it for his plain one, but he freaks out about that too in case "they find out we swapped" As it turns out, apparently we all were the best cake decorators Then Mickey and Minnie appeared on stage and all the birthday people got to have photos with them and dance a conga line. He actually joined in with that part, which surprised me. So all up, a fun time for me and DH and the other kids, not so sure about birthday boy. And I still have that happy birthday song in my head.

Back out into the ... wait could it be? The rain has stopped! Yay! OMG it is soooo fricken cold. Stored all the ponchos in the locker and stopped by Tiki Room (man I love that thing) then on to Pirates again via Bengal BBQ (mm mm mm).

Really getting into the spirit of Pirates despite it being the third time today, float out into the battle scene and soaking up the foggy-cannon-blast-filled atmosphere when I look up just past Captain Barbossa's ship to see TEMP ERROR in five-foot high letters floating in the clouds If ever I needed a sign from God reminding me that things are going to get better, that was it It was seriously the funniest thing I have ever seen at Disneyland.

On the way over to Fantasyland we stop by the coffee cart next to the hub and manage to completely stress out the CM by trying to use the coupon for six free hot drinks. Seriously. She was all "I don't know what to do with this, what do I do with it (shows it to the other CM) see it says six free hot drinks it doesn't say what kind how do I use this I can't use this (turns to me) like what so you want cocoa or something like that, you want six hot cocoas is that what you want?" Duuuuuude. Chill. I tell her I only want three, thinking this would help. "See! They only want three, we can't use this, I don't know how to do this, how are we going to do it I mean it doesn't say WHICH hot drinks and now they only want THREE so how are we going to use this????" The other CM just takes a pause and goes "Um, we turn it over and write three hot cocoas on the back ...?"

Did IASWH after the lights came on. How gorgeous is that?? As we walked up in line all the lights suddenly went out. DH and I laughed "See, that's because the Barfers are in line. We're jinxed I tells ya!" ... only to realise a few seconds later that the lights go out so that they can do that little show thing with the flashing pictures to the Nutcracker music

Right. It's nearly parade time. Let's stay here near the pretty lights of IASWH and watch the parade, what a fantastic way to end this fun but unusual Disney birthday day, right? Get excellent spots, churros in hand, roll out the dancing snowflakes. "Ladies and gentlemen, boys and girls, Disneyland is proud to present ... the Disney Rainy Day Cavalcade!!" Ah, I was thinking this might happen. Too slippery for the dancers, it'll probably just be the floats. Oh well, better than nothing.

Hmm. That appears to be Santa driving towards us in the first car. Not a good sign.

Closely followed by a small double-decker bus crammed with EVERY character and a couple of miscellaneous elves all frantically waving and trying to generate as much energy as twenty minutes worth of ACTUAL parade.

I'm sure the kids enjoyed all ten seconds of it.

After they passed by there was this kind of stunned silence when everyone realised THAT WAS IT? Now THAT was the funniest thing I've ever seen at Disneyland Still laughing at the thought of the looks on the faces of all those poor people camped out on the curb in Main Street for two hours as the two - count 'em - two cars rolled past them. Gotta love Disney for at least trying to make the effort though.

Quick turns on Carousel, Pinnochio (man that thing still freaks me out) and Star Tours and our Birthday Day was officially complete. Return home to find a HUMONGOUS birthday cake waiting in the fridge for us compliments of the hotel staff

 

[bumbershoot]

On the way over to Fantasyland we stop by the coffee cart next to the hub and manage to completely stress out the CM by trying to use the coupon for six free hot drinks.

Wow, I hope that CM remembers what to do next time! We got one of those slips for a free hat, b/c DS's brand new hat was stolen from our stroller (from under other things) while the stroller was parked, and the hat store figured that one out...you'd think "hot drink" would be easier!

I have a friend who claims "just remember to put on your best John Wayne accent". Claims it works!

When i worked at amazon.com, if I got a particularly difficult customer on the phone, I didn't quite go into John Wayne territory, but I would put on a very midwestern accent, and that usually calmed people down. It's so non-threatening, and you're pronouncing almost every word just like the (American) dictionary says you should, so it usually helped.

So I can imagine that trying to sound like John Wayne would help Americans without the ability to understand accents to understand one!



Humongous cakes are such good presents!!!!

 

[Rapunsel]

Can't say I have yet to do a family vacation like yours. Took the gang to Hawaii a few weeks ago and all was good. But I totally feel for you and laugh at the same time. Especailly as I have family here from Australia and she has been laughing also.


Hope that you can enjoy the rest of your stay. Hope all the kids are doing well and to just add to the fact.. Try watching the national lampoons Christmas vacation. Perfect Christmas movie and right up your alley.

One day I know I will have a post about DBF hisDS9, My DS6 and DD3.

Take care

 

[Cookiedude]

Try watching the national lampoons Christmas vacation. Perfect Christmas movie and right up your alley.

That's our favourite christmas movie! We watch it every christmas eve "If I woke up tomorrow with my head sewn to the carpet I wouldn't be more surprised" is one of my favourite all-time movie quotes.