Dory's Squishy
Earning My Ears
- Joined
- Jul 8, 2008
- Messages
- 9
7/20/10 7/26/10
Hello, boys and girls. Welcome to the Fab Five trip report 2010. For those of you who are familiar with KC Mike, well, I am his DW. We are going to co-write our trip report because I tend to be a little critical of his trip reports due to lack of details. He will be posting pictures as well as giving us his perspective because lets face it, husbands and wives do not always see eye to eye.
Before I get started, I wanted to give you a little bit of our backstory. Mike and I have been married for almost 20 years. Our first Disney trip was when we were engaged back in the Summer of 1990. His parents took us on the trip to spend some time all together as a family before the wedding. We have gone on several vacations with Mikes parents and brother. I truly consider all of them my personal family. Our first Disney trip sparked a love for Disney in a way I just cant describe. In the past twenty years, we have spent our vacations at a Disney Park 10 times. Its funny because Mikes dad would just shake his head at us when he would hear that we were heading back to Disney after going so many times. He couldnt understand why we would spend every dime we had just to go back for another week. He loved to travel but just didnt share our Disney addiction.
Mike and I have three children, DD1 15, DD2 12, DS 12 (they are twins). Our family has had a very hard year. Just a month before our vacation in 2009 we lost Mikes dad to a fatal heart attack. Mikes mom insisted we go on the vacation so we went for the kids, but our hearts were so broken, we had a very hard time enjoying our Disney home. While we were there, I didnt feel good at all. Once we got back, I had to go to the ER. I was diagnosed with an ulcer, the first of many medical problems that summer which ended with my doctor finding a lump in my neck in September. It was thyroid cancer. Everything turned out okay, the cancer was only in the thyroid and they were able to remove all of it. However, the family receiving a cancer diagnosis right after losing Big Mike, it was a very difficult time for Mike and the kids. God and our family got us through a very tough year. So we felt another Disney trip would be in order. So whenever I hear a CM ask What are you celebrating, I always think to myself, LIFE.
So the planning began in March. We had been to Disneyland the last three years so I thought it was time to head back to Disney World. But I hurt my back in May and I knew that I wouldnt be able to walk all over DW so we canceled our DW trip and started planning a trip to DL. Its funny because after I hurt my back, I was so afraid to tell Mike that I didnt think I could make it in DW and if he would be okay going to DL. I was so scared that I would mess up his vacation. But he actually said that he really wanted to go to DL instead of DW in the first place, he just didnt want to hurt my feelings. In order to give me time to heal, we scheduled the trip in July. We were a little nervous about crowds and heat but we didnt give it much thought because were so excited just to go back and spend time with our kids, nothing else mattered.
And the trip report begins...
July 20th, 2010 - Daybed or no daybed?
We flew out of Kansas City on our Southwest flight early in the morning. We arrived in LAX at 9:30 a.m. We had heard a scary story about the Disney bus service and so I worried if we would have any trouble with our Super Shuttle service. I was also worried about the daybed issue at the Grand Californian. Since we have five in our party and the GC only has daybeds in about 10% of their rooms, I was freaking out as to how everyone would be able to sleep comfortably. We had no idea that this was the case until about a week or two before we left. I called GC when I heard about it and the CM was very nice but couldnt make any promises. She explained that the hotel was sold out for that week and there was just no way to guarantee a room with a daybed for us. But she did let us know of the wonderful sleeping bags they have available. I dont know about any of you but I dont like the thought of laying on a floor where hundreds of feet have walked. Not to mention the other things that they have found on hotel room floors in special investigations by 20/20. Mike and I decided not to take a chance, so we bought an air mattress just in case one of us didnt have a bed.
The night that I spoke with that sweet CM at the GC, she did give some good advice. She told me to call a few days before to remind them of our need for a daybed and to also call the hotel as soon as our airplane lands to get checked in as early as possible. So I did. Once we got into our position to wait for our Super Shuttle, I called the GC. The CM that answered was so friendly, I felt as if she knew me personally. After getting checked in and answering a few questions, I asked her if we were able to get a daybed. She said, Yes, just like you requested. Music to my mickey ears! She said that it would take about an hour to get from LAX to the hotel and that they would be waiting for us.
Shortly after my conversation with the CM, the Super Shuttle pulled up and we jumped on. We were the first on board so the driver had to circle around to find others who needed a ride. The van was very nice and the trip wasnt bad at all. We arrived at the GC in exactly one hour just like the CM had said. Our room wasnt ready so the Bell Service took our luggage and they told us they would call us when our room was ready. We headed to White snacks for lunch and then went to Disneyland.
The sights and smells are delightfully overwhelming as you are walking to the park. Disney really knows how to take you to a place that really is the happiest place on earth. Nothing compares to it. When I walk through the turnstile and I am greeted by that big beautiful Mickey face, tears fill up in my eyes. I cant let any of my family see my face because they would think something is wrong. They would not understand that Im just overwhelmed by that wonderful feeling I only get when Im stepping in this magical land. We head down Main Street. Im loved the American flag banners. It really takes you back to those good old days. Sleepys Castle looks as beautiful as always.
We rode Pirates first which happens to be our familys favorite. I believe we rode it three times that day. We also went on HM and Pooh. Around 3:30 p.m., we received a call telling us that our room was ready so we went back to the hotel. Our room was beautiful. It had two queen beds and a greatly appreciated daybed for my DS. We also had a refrigerator, a dresser, a balcony overlooking the front entrance and plenty of space for a family of five.
If you have never stayed at the GC, please do so. I know that it is very expensive but the location, the pools, and the atmosphere are just amazing. The lobby is so warm and inviting. They play this very soothing music overhead and it completely relaxes you. I even asked if I could buy the CD of it, and the CM stated that it wasnt available for purchase because it was just made for the hotel alone.
After we rested for a few hours, we headed back to DL. My back was hurting by this point so my DH rented a wheelchair for me. I thought I would be totally embarrassed by being wheeled around but Mike was so sweet about it. When he brought the wheelchair up to me he said, Your chariot awaits. It just melted my heart, I fell in love with him all over again. I am in awe of how well he takes care of me.
We wanted to see Fantasmic! since it was closed last year. Since I was in the wheelchair, we had to go to a special area for wheelchairs. The section is way over on the side, close to where the Mark Twain docks. I didnt know if we would be able to see the show very well. There was no need to worry because it was a wonderful view. The dragon was amazing. The villain section was really scary but fortunately Mickey saves the day. After Fantasmic!, we went back to the hotel. It was so nice to not have very far to walk. When everyone was settled in their beds, we turned on the TV to the Bedtime Story channel and fell asleep to Belle telling us how she fell in love with the Beast.
Stay tuned for day #2 The Wonderful World of Color .
Hello, boys and girls. Welcome to the Fab Five trip report 2010. For those of you who are familiar with KC Mike, well, I am his DW. We are going to co-write our trip report because I tend to be a little critical of his trip reports due to lack of details. He will be posting pictures as well as giving us his perspective because lets face it, husbands and wives do not always see eye to eye.
Before I get started, I wanted to give you a little bit of our backstory. Mike and I have been married for almost 20 years. Our first Disney trip was when we were engaged back in the Summer of 1990. His parents took us on the trip to spend some time all together as a family before the wedding. We have gone on several vacations with Mikes parents and brother. I truly consider all of them my personal family. Our first Disney trip sparked a love for Disney in a way I just cant describe. In the past twenty years, we have spent our vacations at a Disney Park 10 times. Its funny because Mikes dad would just shake his head at us when he would hear that we were heading back to Disney after going so many times. He couldnt understand why we would spend every dime we had just to go back for another week. He loved to travel but just didnt share our Disney addiction.
Mike and I have three children, DD1 15, DD2 12, DS 12 (they are twins). Our family has had a very hard year. Just a month before our vacation in 2009 we lost Mikes dad to a fatal heart attack. Mikes mom insisted we go on the vacation so we went for the kids, but our hearts were so broken, we had a very hard time enjoying our Disney home. While we were there, I didnt feel good at all. Once we got back, I had to go to the ER. I was diagnosed with an ulcer, the first of many medical problems that summer which ended with my doctor finding a lump in my neck in September. It was thyroid cancer. Everything turned out okay, the cancer was only in the thyroid and they were able to remove all of it. However, the family receiving a cancer diagnosis right after losing Big Mike, it was a very difficult time for Mike and the kids. God and our family got us through a very tough year. So we felt another Disney trip would be in order. So whenever I hear a CM ask What are you celebrating, I always think to myself, LIFE.
So the planning began in March. We had been to Disneyland the last three years so I thought it was time to head back to Disney World. But I hurt my back in May and I knew that I wouldnt be able to walk all over DW so we canceled our DW trip and started planning a trip to DL. Its funny because after I hurt my back, I was so afraid to tell Mike that I didnt think I could make it in DW and if he would be okay going to DL. I was so scared that I would mess up his vacation. But he actually said that he really wanted to go to DL instead of DW in the first place, he just didnt want to hurt my feelings. In order to give me time to heal, we scheduled the trip in July. We were a little nervous about crowds and heat but we didnt give it much thought because were so excited just to go back and spend time with our kids, nothing else mattered.
And the trip report begins...
July 20th, 2010 - Daybed or no daybed?
We flew out of Kansas City on our Southwest flight early in the morning. We arrived in LAX at 9:30 a.m. We had heard a scary story about the Disney bus service and so I worried if we would have any trouble with our Super Shuttle service. I was also worried about the daybed issue at the Grand Californian. Since we have five in our party and the GC only has daybeds in about 10% of their rooms, I was freaking out as to how everyone would be able to sleep comfortably. We had no idea that this was the case until about a week or two before we left. I called GC when I heard about it and the CM was very nice but couldnt make any promises. She explained that the hotel was sold out for that week and there was just no way to guarantee a room with a daybed for us. But she did let us know of the wonderful sleeping bags they have available. I dont know about any of you but I dont like the thought of laying on a floor where hundreds of feet have walked. Not to mention the other things that they have found on hotel room floors in special investigations by 20/20. Mike and I decided not to take a chance, so we bought an air mattress just in case one of us didnt have a bed.
The night that I spoke with that sweet CM at the GC, she did give some good advice. She told me to call a few days before to remind them of our need for a daybed and to also call the hotel as soon as our airplane lands to get checked in as early as possible. So I did. Once we got into our position to wait for our Super Shuttle, I called the GC. The CM that answered was so friendly, I felt as if she knew me personally. After getting checked in and answering a few questions, I asked her if we were able to get a daybed. She said, Yes, just like you requested. Music to my mickey ears! She said that it would take about an hour to get from LAX to the hotel and that they would be waiting for us.
Shortly after my conversation with the CM, the Super Shuttle pulled up and we jumped on. We were the first on board so the driver had to circle around to find others who needed a ride. The van was very nice and the trip wasnt bad at all. We arrived at the GC in exactly one hour just like the CM had said. Our room wasnt ready so the Bell Service took our luggage and they told us they would call us when our room was ready. We headed to White snacks for lunch and then went to Disneyland.
The sights and smells are delightfully overwhelming as you are walking to the park. Disney really knows how to take you to a place that really is the happiest place on earth. Nothing compares to it. When I walk through the turnstile and I am greeted by that big beautiful Mickey face, tears fill up in my eyes. I cant let any of my family see my face because they would think something is wrong. They would not understand that Im just overwhelmed by that wonderful feeling I only get when Im stepping in this magical land. We head down Main Street. Im loved the American flag banners. It really takes you back to those good old days. Sleepys Castle looks as beautiful as always.
We rode Pirates first which happens to be our familys favorite. I believe we rode it three times that day. We also went on HM and Pooh. Around 3:30 p.m., we received a call telling us that our room was ready so we went back to the hotel. Our room was beautiful. It had two queen beds and a greatly appreciated daybed for my DS. We also had a refrigerator, a dresser, a balcony overlooking the front entrance and plenty of space for a family of five.
If you have never stayed at the GC, please do so. I know that it is very expensive but the location, the pools, and the atmosphere are just amazing. The lobby is so warm and inviting. They play this very soothing music overhead and it completely relaxes you. I even asked if I could buy the CD of it, and the CM stated that it wasnt available for purchase because it was just made for the hotel alone.
After we rested for a few hours, we headed back to DL. My back was hurting by this point so my DH rented a wheelchair for me. I thought I would be totally embarrassed by being wheeled around but Mike was so sweet about it. When he brought the wheelchair up to me he said, Your chariot awaits. It just melted my heart, I fell in love with him all over again. I am in awe of how well he takes care of me.
We wanted to see Fantasmic! since it was closed last year. Since I was in the wheelchair, we had to go to a special area for wheelchairs. The section is way over on the side, close to where the Mark Twain docks. I didnt know if we would be able to see the show very well. There was no need to worry because it was a wonderful view. The dragon was amazing. The villain section was really scary but fortunately Mickey saves the day. After Fantasmic!, we went back to the hotel. It was so nice to not have very far to walk. When everyone was settled in their beds, we turned on the TV to the Bedtime Story channel and fell asleep to Belle telling us how she fell in love with the Beast.
Stay tuned for day #2 The Wonderful World of Color .
!!! Reading about your trip from both perspectives is really fun!!Thanks for sharing!!
