Going Outside My Comfort Zone

[mom2rtk]

I hope to see this show!!!!
I really love your countdown for my trip too. I have so may things going on...I need to email you my latest drama!!!

If you don't see this show, don't come back! OK, just kidding. A little.

And now you have piqued my curiosity. No countdown photo tomorrow until you email me!

 

[jenseib]

If you don't see this show, don't come back! OK, just kidding. A little.

And now you have piqued my curiosity. No countdown photo tomorrow until you email me!

I'll shoot you a short one soon!

 

[jenseib]

I can't believe how soon this trip is coming!! I need to go and really start packing today and see if I need anything. I am think I might need to buy a new night gown. LOL I don't have too many that are in great shape anymore.

Yesterday we got the itinerary for the conference. What a waste of an email that was. They said they are still planning and we will get it at check in. Basically we got a list that says things like "Welcome Event", " dinner and a planned actitivity", "Breakfast and meetings". Not a single time listed nor did they state what each meeting would be about or where breakfast, lunch or dinner would be. Or even which conference room the meeting will be held in. I do have an idea as I know some people who have done this conference before, but it doesn't mean our agenda will be the same.
I just had to laugh at how worthless that was.

I have now covered Sunday and Monday of my trip. Tuesday we will wake up and switch hotels. The one thing we do know is that we will be staying at the Grand Californian and I am assuming all our meetings will be held there as well. Again though, we didn't even have a start time for that, so I went ahead and emailed them to see if they could at least give us an idea at what time we would need to meet. They replied "around 2:30". So that gives us the morning to move to our new room and head to the parks. My roommate "T" made a reservation for Cafe Orleans around 11:30 this day I believe. She had a few must do places she wanted to eat at and I told her i was OK with going along and trying new things. And we do think we have an idea of some of the meeting dining events, so we will get to try a few other places as well during the conference.

I figure around 2ish we will head to our meeting area and get ready for whatever they have planned. The welcome event usually includes a nice meal, talk about what we will be learning and usually some kind of special event. I have seen that some in the past have done the Aladdin show and many seem to have special seating for World of Color. I am betting we have World of Color. It seems like Aladdin is an extra added to those who go during summer months when the parks are open later. Honestly, anything will be fun and a new experience for me, so I will be happy with whatever they have planned. (I just kind of wish I knew a bit more)

Wednesday and Thursday will be most likely breakfast at the conference room and then meetings. Usually in the afternoon they tend to take people on park or resort tours. Also a trade show is often fitted in there somewhere.
We should be done around 5ish each day and have the evening to ourselves. The downer is that Disneyland parks do not seem to stay open as late as WDW ones do. At least during the week both parks close at 8PM. That seems early to me, but I am sure we'll be fine and probably pretty tired.

Friday we will finish up and have a closing to it all. No time is given on when we'll be done, but I heard it could be anywhere from 11:30 - 1 PM. After that we are on our own. T and I decided we didn't want to rush out that day and actually when it came to flights, I was going to have to pay with a few body parts if I wanted to leave on a flight that evening, so we decided to stay 1 more night at the GC.
T made a reservation for Blue Bayou that afternoon and I am excited to try that out as well.
Fantasmic is also playing that night...and you know what..I have never seen it at WDW yet, so I am kind of excited to see it this time. I always fear that it will scare Claire, so we haven't done it yet. But I am thinking in the next year or so she may actually start to enjoy it. She gets scared by some really strange things....Haunted Mansion being one of them.

Sat. Morning I have a flight out at 8:25 AM, which means I really need to leave early. We have a voucher for the DL Express, but I have heard I might be cutting it short using them, so I might need to use the super shuttle. I plan to call today and find out if it is doable and go from there so I can finalize my plans.
I then have the long trip home. I believe I have a 3 hour layover in Nashville on the way home too. Yippee.....not! My parents and Claire will be picking me up that night around 10:10 my time and I am sure I will have a very excited little girl.

 

[Dizzy4DL]

Goodness, not having a set schedule on a trip like this would drive me nuts!

So jealous of you getting to stay at the Grand! We always spend a little time in the lobby while shopping in DTD, it's such a peaceful place.

You mentioned seating at WOC, you may already know this, but you stand at that show.
It's beautiful though!

 

[mickeystoontown]

The no set schedule would be driving me nutso! While I don't plan out all of our days, I still like to know what day I am going to be where. Hopefully, they'll provide you with a more detailed schedule soon. I know that will put your mind to ease.

 

[Woth2982]

Your plans sound great! I am very jealous you are staying at the GC! That is on my wish list, yet I can never seem to pull the trigger on booking that hotel! May I make a small suggestion on the Fantasmic viewing? Try and find out if there is a meal or something for reserved seating. People can be VERY rude there with saving spaces. My sister and I would stand in a spot that did not appear to be reserved by people (ie no coat or anything on the ground) and people would not so nicely tell us they were saving that spot. We decided next time we go we are going to do a meal or dessert party to get the reserved viewing area so we don't have to deal with people. The viewing is sadly not as convenient as it is in WDW.

 

[dolphingirl47]

Your plans sound great. I love the Grand Californian and World of Color is truly magical. This is now my favourite Disney show. I also saw Fantasmic at Disneyland first and I do prefer it there. I can highly recommend the Monte Cristo Sandwich at Cafe Orleans. I had the three cheese version and it was amazing. Just be prepared to split or to take the rest to go.

Corinna

 

[KathyRN137]

Wow, Jen!

I was going to post how awesome it is to have a two-for-one pre-trippie but then you added the cruise! Now it's a three-for-one!

Sometimes having not so much time to plan can be a GOOD thing!

Looking forward to more,

Kathy

 

[mom2rtk]

Only 5 days to go. You have a lot to do. Be sure to pace yourself or you'll end up like these guys.........


IMG_8048 by mom2rtk, on Flickr

 

[mom2rtk]

I know you haven't been to DLR before, so anything they schedule would be grand. But it would sure be nice so you know what other things to concentrate on in the time you have leading up to the start of the conference.

You will love Café Orleans. If you get a chance, try the chicken gumbo. Katie and I both loved it! We also shared a Monte Cristo, but were really there for the gumbo.

What a great way to see Fantasmic for the first time! It really is much better at DLR right there on the Rivers of America. That of course makes it a PITA because there is no seating, but it's an impressive show.

 

[Beth D]

Happy belated birthday Jen! Sounds like you had a great evening!

It sounds as if your plans are coming together quite well! Is this your first trip to DL? If so, ride POTC! It is SOOO much better than at MK.

 

[mom2rtk]

Only 4 days to go..... time to strike up the band! Jen's coming to visit Mickey!



Bandleader Mickey by mom2rtk, on Flickr


And as an FYI..... when you get in line to see Mickey, you can see him as Sorcerer Mickey, Bandleader Mickey or Steamboat Willie. We really wanted to meet Steamboat Willie, so of course we went through the line twice and found the other two. Maybe next time?

 

[jenseib]

Goodness, not having a set schedule on a trip like this would drive me nuts!

So jealous of you getting to stay at the Grand! We always spend a little time in the lobby while shopping in DTD, it's such a peaceful place.

You mentioned seating at WOC, you may already know this, but you stand at that show.
It's beautiful though!

It is driving me crazy!
I am super excited to be staying there as I know if I ever get Skip out there he will probably go for budget friendly!

And yes..I meant preferred viewing section. LOL Heck I am too excited. We could be staning on our heads and I would be OK with it.

The no set schedule would be driving me nutso! While I don't plan out all of our days, I still like to know what day I am going to be where. Hopefully, they'll provide you with a more detailed schedule soon. I know that will put your mind to ease.

Yes. And you are like me. I don't plan ride to ride, but I like to have an idea of what the day will be like. I only have a couple more days, so I am just going to live with the boring schedule they gave us.

Your plans sound great! I am very jealous you are staying at the GC! That is on my wish list, yet I can never seem to pull the trigger on booking that hotel! May I make a small suggestion on the Fantasmic viewing? Try and find out if there is a meal or something for reserved seating. People can be VERY rude there with saving spaces. My sister and I would stand in a spot that did not appear to be reserved by people (ie no coat or anything on the ground) and people would not so nicely tell us they were saving that spot. We decided next time we go we are going to do a meal or dessert party to get the reserved viewing area so we don't have to deal with people. The viewing is sadly not as convenient as it is in WDW.

I never expected to get to stay there in my life, so I am pretty excited about it.
We have looked at a meal but the meal itself didn't seem like something either of us would enjoy, so we decided to skip it for now. We may change our mind, but I will be ok.....and when I complain later, you tell me "I told you so".
I am not even sure if there is a dessert party, but that would actually not be too bad. I am now going to search that.

Your plans sound great. I love the Grand Californian and World of Color is truly magical. This is now my favourite Disney show. I also saw Fantasmic at Disneyland first and I do prefer it there. I can highly recommend the Monte Cristo Sandwich at Cafe Orleans. I had the three cheese version and it was amazing. Just be prepared to split or to take the rest to go.

Corinna

I have heard from others they prefer the Fantasmic there as well.
And that is the sandwich I have been eyeing. But it does look big.

Wow, Jen!

I was going to post how awesome it is to have a two-for-one pre-trippie but then you added the cruise! Now it's a three-for-one!

Sometimes having not so much time to plan can be a GOOD thing!

Looking forward to more,

Kathy

I am so excited Kathy. I have a lot of fun things coming up. I just need to get everything organized for myself...which is slowly but surely coming along.
I actually wrote out my planner the other day and only have a few bear spots that need to be filled in with conf. #'s and that kind of stuff. Now with my parents, I have to yet help them plan as they want to do other stuff, and they are slow to decide too.

 

[jenseib]

Only 5 days to go. You have a lot to do. Be sure to pace yourself or you'll end up like these guys.........


IMG_8048 by mom2rtk, on Flickr

I am about like those guys right now!! I did some packing today and and I just played with my phone for about an hour to get a booked downloaded to listen to on the plane.. Thank goodness for Carey who talked me through it. Sometimes I am really smart.....this was not one of those time. LOL
Time to shower and call it a night.

I know you haven't been to DLR before, so anything they schedule would be grand. But it would sure be nice so you know what other things to concentrate on in the time you have leading up to the start of the conference.

You will love Café Orleans. If you get a chance, try the chicken gumbo. Katie and I both loved it! We also shared a Monte Cristo, but were really there for the gumbo.

What a great way to see Fantasmic for the first time! It really is much better at DLR right there on the Rivers of America. That of course makes it a PITA because there is no seating, but it's an impressive show.

I keep hearing how you don't need that many days at DLR because it is smaller, but I really think I will. I want to do as much as I can and you know how much I like MK at WDW. I could go 7 days in a row just there.
I wish we knew what was planned, so like you said I can prioritze the things we won't be doing on Monday. But I guess if it's wonderful enough I can try to get Skip there next year! He is on a mission on learning how to earn airline points. LOL
I can't wait to go camera happy. it will be a whole new set of pictures!

Happy belated birthday Jen! Sounds like you had a great evening!

It sounds as if your plans are coming together quite well! Is this your first trip to DL? If so, ride POTC! It is SOOO much better than at MK.

Thanks. It was good birthday!
I have not been there, and yes, I have heard POTC is much better there, which I am really excited to see as POTC is my favorite ride at WDW.

Only 4 days to go..... time to strike up the band! Jen's coming to visit Mickey!



Bandleader Mickey by mom2rtk, on Flickr


And as an FYI..... when you get in line to see Mickey, you can see him as Sorcerer Mickey, Bandleader Mickey or Steamboat Willie. We really wanted to meet Steamboat Willie, so of course we went through the line twice and found the other two. Maybe next time?

Yay!!! I am going to be doing a march.....and then again in March. I crack myself up!

I did not know that. One thing I am not sure about is how much character time I will find as I will be with adults. I might have to sneak in one or 2...for research purposes. I would love to see Steamboat Willie though.

 

[jenseib]

The time is ticking down for DL. I really have not felt so unready before. Probably because this is all new to me and I haven't had enough time to do all the research I like to do. I have been reading my Passporters book here and there, but it really needs an update. As far as I know they only have the one version.

Today I packed! I still have to do the carry on and back pack, but I stuffed my big bag FULL. I also included a smaller bag inside for extras to bring home. I think it weighs about 45-48 pounds. I sure hope that is right and not over 50. I just don't won't to condense it down to 2 bags going there. I can handle it coming back, but I feel lazy going. LOL!!

We also did some shopping yesterday. I have realized that Claire has grown yet again. She basically had no shorts that fit and she only has one swim suit that is borderline OK. She had like 6 that fit last year.
So we bought her some shorts and a swimsuit yesterday. She will be trying that suit out Sat. at the hotel pool.

We also got her some new shoes. She has been complaining that her current shoes are starting to hurt her toes. So we got her adult shoes now. I got her 2 pairs of sketcher tennis shoes that were both on clearance and really cute too. The yhave a memory foam inside and she says it's like walking on a pillow. So glad she is happy and has a bit of room to grow again. (though she needs to stop)

I also bought myself a swim suit. I hate to spend the money, but sadly I have gained so much weight in the last year that my other suit would be showing a good about of butt crack!!! it takes a lot of material to cover this booty! And I like the skirt bottoms and tankini tops. Well I guess skirt bottoms are not in style anymore as most places have shorts this year. Short just don't look so nice on me. Finally I did find a skirt that fits.....but I really need to lose some of this weight. This is the heaviest I have been in a lot of years and it's depressing.

So I am all set for this trip and when I get home I will wash and then organize for the next trip, which will only be 3 weeks away then. I already pulled a few things out for Skip and Claire, but Skip is going to need to try on shorts to see if any fit him anymore. And thats like pulling teeth. Claire has warned him that he will have to do a fashion show and Mom will be tugging at parts to see how it looks. LOL

 

[Dizzy4DL]

My daughter just got those exact shoes too! She said they are the best sneakers she's ever had. I can't believe how quickly they grow into adult sizes.

Lol about the fact that mom will be pulling on parts....

 

[jenseib]

My daughter just got those exact shoes too! She said they are the best sneakers she's ever had. I can't believe how quickly they grow into adult sizes.

Lol about the fact that mom will be pulling on parts....

You know how it is....got to see if they can bend and not rip the seam out the back.

 

[dolphingirl47]

Only 4 days to go..... time to strike up the band! Jen's coming to visit Mickey!



Bandleader Mickey by mom2rtk, on Flickr


And as an FYI..... when you get in line to see Mickey, you can see him as Sorcerer Mickey, Bandleader Mickey or Steamboat Willie. We really wanted to meet Steamboat Willie, so of course we went through the line twice and found the other two. Maybe next time?

Oh, I did not know this. Is this at Mickey's Toon Town? This has to go on the list for November.

Corinna

 

[dolphingirl47]

You will be absolutely fine. Disneyland does not need nearly as much planning as Walt Disney World does. It is more laid back.

You sound pretty organized and well done on the successful shopping trip.

Corinna

 

[mom2rtk]

3 days to go......... Glad you're practically packed. I hope your trip is practically perfect in every way!



Practically Perfect Pair by mom2rtk, on Flickr