Diva & 27th Anniv Trip w/1500+ Pics, Photopass starts #765!!

[DizNee Luver]

Aw Laurie. Poor babies and poor mommy.

How is it those girls managed a PTPI without even going on the trip? I hope they are feeling better soon!

Looking forward to reading the report of a first time Diva as I hopefully will be in your shoes next year.

I think the twins got sick because they are unable to express feelings & I'm sure were very confused with our absence. Colds & allergies seem to be non-stop in this house.......so they probably just slept to deal with what they could't understand. They spent most of the day on me, but did venture off & play some.....so hopefully today will be even better for them!

 

[DizNee Luver]

Ok ladies & gentlemen, it's time to take your seats, buckle up, hold on cause here we goooooooooooooo!

Wednesday night (March 2), I had all my bags packed & ready to go & went to bed around 9pm. I tossed & turned & finally got to sleep around 11:30. My alarm went off at 3:45am......now any other time, this would have been very annoying......but today, I jumped right out of bed, ran thru a quick shower, put my bags in the car & we were off to the Portland Airport. The drive is about an hour from our home. Mike drove me to the curbside drop off area & I handed my bags over to attendant, said goodbye to hubby & made my way inside the airport.

So my biggest worry was getting thru security with out being pulled aside or heaven forbid a full body patdown......I would have freaked out & called Mike to come get me........seriously!! Approached the security, put my stuff in the tubs, waited to be asked to walk thru the metal detector & picked up my stuff on the other side.......WAHOO.......I made it thru!!

Made my way to gate C-4 for the Alaska Airlines trip to Santa Ana, leaving at 7:05am.

I waited & watched for Carol to show up.....figured she'd either have the lime green colored shirt on or something that had Disney on it to help me spot her right away. Don't remember exactly what time she got there, but probably around 6am. We waited for them to call us to board. I had never met Carol, so it gave us time to get to know one another as we waited. We boarded the plane, only to find out that someone was in our seats. We waved to the flight attendant who was trying to figure out where the other 2 ladies were supposed to be seated. They had been pre-boarding, as one of the ladies was in a wheelchair. So we were asked to step to the back of the plane to allow the other guests to get to their seats.

Come to find out, they were supposed to be seated on the other side, but 2 gals traveling together saw the 2 seats & sat down on the other side together.....even though their tickets had them in different rows, not together. So they were asked to go to their seats & Carol & I took the same row, same seats.....just on the other side of the plane. (couldn't see the point in having the 2 ladies pre-boarded to get up & change sides). Whew.....disaster averted (I had mentioned to the flight attendant my fear of flying & told her, Carol & I would HAVE to sit together) lol

So after sitting, the plane started backing out & the rain started.....goodbye rainy Oregon!!

Here are pics from above the clouds:

Found it really cool to see the mountains thru the top of the clouds!!

Landing at John Wayne Airport in Santa Ana.......We Made It!!!! Flight was supposed to land at 9:29am but think we got there just a few minutes early....yay for us!

I will say, flying wasn't so bad......the landing was probably the worse & it really wasn't a big deal........I could get used to this getting to Disneyland in 2 1/2 hours vs 2 days of driving stuff......lol

 

[kelmac284]

Yay you started your report!! Can't wait to read more and see the pics!! I love love your reports! You are always so detailed and have lots of great pics!!

Sorry the girls are sick. Are Addy and Anthony sick too? Hope they get well soon so you can enjoy being back home without it being too stressful!

Can't wait for the next installment!!

 

[Trentmom]

Yay, you started your trip

Glad they figured out the seats on the plane

Great pics of the scenery outside the plan. I always mean to do that, but end up checking my camera and forgetting about it

Hope your twins are feeling better soon

 

[DizNee Luver]

Yay you started your report!! Can't wait to read more and see the pics!! I love love your reports! You are always so detailed and have lots of great pics!!

Sorry the girls are sick. Are Addy and Anthony sick too? Hope they get well soon so you can enjoy being back home without it being too stressful!

Can't wait for the next installment!!

Thanx, I love doing them (especially because that means I went!!)

Just the twins are sick but hoping they'll feel better today!!

Yay, you started your trip

Glad they figured out the seats on the plane

Great pics of the scenery outside the plan. I always mean to do that, but end up checking my camera and forgetting about it

Hope your twins are feeling better soon

I'm glad the seat issue got fixed too.....otherwise I would have been a nervous nelly!!!

I always have my camera close at hand......it's like it's attached during these trips.



*+*+*Will try & get some Disney pics up in the next installment after I get babies thru the tub & kids fed breakfast......be back in a bit!!*+*+*

 

[Belle Ella]

Glad you got yours started! I remember you telling us about that chaos getting on to the plane. I'm so glad it all worked out though. And that you didn't ahve to fly down by yourself. I wish I wasn't quite so terrified of it, myself. But it's an easier drive for me and usually ends up being cheaper than flying.

 

[TheColtonsMom]

So happy the plane trip was not so bad for you! Not so bad seems a glowing review since you were so worked up over it. Glad they fixed it so you could sit with your new flight buddy!

Colton LOVED the out the window pics made him remember flying which he loves! Why have I never thought to do that? I usually snap a photo of colton when we get on the plane but I have never shot out the window like that.

The mountains through the clouds were cool!

 

[DizNee Luver]

Glad you got yours started! I remember you telling us about that chaos getting on to the plane. I'm so glad it all worked out though. And that you didn't ahve to fly down by yourself. I wish I wasn't quite so terrified of it, myself. But it's an easier drive for me and usually ends up being cheaper than flying.

Me too.....wasn't looking forward to being by myself.....It was great having Carol there to walk me thru the steps & to have a smiling face!!

`

So happy the plane trip was not so bad for you! Not so bad seems a glowing review since you were so worked up over it. Glad they fixed it so you could sit with your new flight buddy!

Colton LOVED the out the window pics made him remember flying which he loves! Why have I never thought to do that? I usually snap a photo of colton when we get on the plane but I have never shot out the window like that.

The mountains through the clouds were cool!

I loved seeing the mountains above the cloud line instead of from below......had to ask Carol if those actually were mountains......lol

 

[DizNee Luver]

So when we got off the plane, we headed to the baggage claim area......the wait was pretty short & then we headed out to the taxi, bus & shuttles to find our ride to the Carousel Inn. We didn't pre-arrange anything & thought about riding the Disneyland bus shuttle but they stop at the resorts first & we were anxious to get to the motel. We decided to take a cab.....not a cheap way to go, but direct from airport to motel. We shared the fare & tip, each paying $20. Here are some pics I took from the cab as we neared Disneyland!!!

We pulled up to the Carousel Inn & look what was up at the Valet Parking desk!!!!

Here's a few pics at the motel: (room pics will come later in the report)

After storing our luggage, Carol & I made our way to the park!!

We went thru the gates together, but went our separate ways once we hit Main Street. Look what time we got to Disneyland!!!

Matterhorn!!

My first stop was at the Teacups to meet up with Janelle, her dad Larry & her son Ayden. Ayden loves the teacups, but neither Janelle or her dad can ride them......so I was thrilled to take him!!! They were waiting & watching the riders when I showed up. It was great to finally meet Janelle in person. Janelle is one of the first people I started conversing with on the Dis a few years ago.....so I was very excited to meet up with her.

Ayden was ready for me to take him on all sorts of other rides, but they had plans on running over to DCA to get WoC Fastpasses & I would be meeting up with the early arrivers for lunch. So we said our goodbyes, but were hoping to meet back up for the Princess Fantasy Faire photo the next day.

 

[DizNee Luver]

After the goodbyes, I decided to head in the direction of Frontierland, since this was where we would be meeting for lunch. It was still early, so I wandered around, looked thru the shops & snapped pics as I moved around.

I headed back out to Main Street & got a couple photopass pics done. It's really a weird feeling having those done when you're by yourself. But I had a good chuckle with the photographer at the Partner's Statue.......the only thing he wasn't saying was "Pose it, work it", etc.

I took a ride on the train back to New Orlean's Square. At this point I was feeling a little strange being at Disneyland without my family. It is such a big part of our lives & the best memories we've had together. I wasn't sure what to do or where to go......we usually let the kids decide what to ride or go look at......so at this point I was looking forward to finding some of the other Divas so I wasn't wandering alone.

 

[DizNee Luver]

I decided to take pics around NOS as it was all decorated up for Mardi Gras. I especially loved the large ornate masks on the lamp poles.

I walked up by BTMRR & saw that Chris & Jen were in line, so I waited for them at the exit of the ride.

While we were chatting, Jen got a text from Capri, so we walked down towards the entrance to Frontierland to meet up with her.

From left to right: Capri, Chris & Jen

 

[sierranevada]

I'm on board - love reading your trip report!

 

[kaoden39]

Wow Laurie you got a lot done. It looks great so far.

 

[DizNee Luver]

I'm on board - love reading your trip report!

Hi Bridget!!!! Glad you're here!!!

Wow Laurie you got a lot done. It looks great so far.

Thanx Michele!!! You know me.....once I get going.....I get on a roll!!

 

[kaoden39]

Hi Bridget!!!! Glad you're here!!!




Thanx Michele!!! You know me.....once I get going.....I get on a roll!!

It's that urge to get it all out.

 

[kelmac284]

Love the latest installment and love all the great pics. I never get so many great pics like you!! That is so cool you finally met Janelle. I am so bummed I missed her. She lives in the same town as me and we STILL have not met. It is crazy! We are just too busy I guess. One of these days though I am sure. Maybe we will get lucky and she will join us on the next ladies trip!!

As always looking forward to your next installment!!

 

[TheColtonsMom]

I imagine I will feel the same way you did on your first morning...It must be a little strange to realize the only one making decisions is you. It was cool to see when left to your own devices what you chose to see through the lens and where you wandered. I have never been alone at DL either.

 

[DizNee Luver]

It's that urge to get it all out.

The urge & also the memory is going as I age!!

Love the latest installment and love all the great pics. I never get so many great pics like you!! That is so cool you finally met Janelle. I am so bummed I missed her. She lives in the same town as me and we STILL have not met. It is crazy! We are just too busy I guess. One of these days though I am sure. Maybe we will get lucky and she will join us on the next ladies trip!!

As always looking forward to your next installment!!

That is strange you two have never hooked up.....need to remedy that.....lol

I imagine I will feel the same way you did on your first morning...It must be a little strange to realize the only one making decisions is you. It was cool to see when left to your own devices what you chose to see through the lens and where you wandered. I have never been alone at DL either.

I really would have been lost without my camera......I knew at least I could take pics!!

 

[Belle Ella]

Loving it so far, Laurie! It's fun to see the things you did on Thursday when I wasn't there.

Question for you: I am having the darndest time remembering who else was on Thunder with you when I got there on Friday. So who we were at Pioneer Mercantile with and watched the Enchanted Tiki Romm with. It's driving me bonkers. I should have beent aking more group photos. I learned my lesson for next year.

 

[DizNee Luver]

Ok, where did I leave off?? Ah yes, meeting up with Chris, Jen & Capri!! We had time before our lunch, so the four of us went & rode POTC.

We headed over to Rancho del Zocola & found Dianna & her mom, Sheila waiting.

I got the kids chicken taco meal with rice, applesauce & a water. My opinion of this restaurant remains the same......not so good. The chicken had no flavor, the rice was dry & flavorless & I watched them scoop up the beans that look very watered down. So pretty much the same as in 2005.

I LVE mexican food and was hoping with all the favorable reviews of late, that I would be pleasantly surprised.....but unfortunately that didn't happen. I also got a bag of the Limon Chips (which I loved last time) & even didn't enjoy them this time either. Oh well.....the company was good!!

These were a couple of the other meals.......enchiladas? & tortilla soup:

Left side: Carol, Jen, Sheila, Wendy
Right side: Steph, Capri, Dianna, Tammy (standing), Chris & Melody

More pics from the meal:

Jill joined us, bringing us to 12 people for the lunch!!

Chris, Jill & Tammy.

After lunch, I headed out to the World of Disney in search of 2 pins I was picking up for Vicki (I got to meet her last summer during our trips).......I didn't want to forget!

I took a couple of pics of the big Disneyland sign in the middle of the esplanade, the new signage & a peak at the entrance into DCA.