Hubby got a Camera & I got Christmas!!! 51 Chapters Completed!! 926 Pics!

[kaoden39]

Welcome back . It is niced to be missed . WOW 1,100 + pictures. The decorations must have been beautiful. I am excited to see pictures of Disneyland this time of year. Rest up -- you have a lot of pictures and reviews to post.


Patty

Hi Patty!!

 

[DizNee Luver]

Welcome back . It is niced to be missed . WOW 1,100 + pictures. The decorations must have been beautiful. I am excited to see pictures of Disneyland this time of year. Rest up -- you have a lot of pictures and reviews to post.


Patty

Very beautiful & picture worthy for sure!! Mike didn't get a chance to work on them tonight, so he'll try tomorrow after work So my report may be delayed a bit.......I probably start the trip & the pics from the plane but once I hit the PPH....I really need the touched up photos. The pics of the PPH tree don't begin to show the brilliance in colors....so hoping to fix that issue before I post pics.

 

[ddwlms]

Can't wait to see the pics!! We just came back, right before you went, but i'm not much of a picture taker. There is always too many people in our group, with husbands that think it is a waste of time, so I try to capitulate.

 

[MommyWithDreams]

Welcome home my friend! I sure hope your pictures of us in front of the trees came out better than mine....mine were so blurry. Enjoy your time with the kiddos, can't wait to see your report.

 

[DizNee Luver]

Can't wait to see the pics!! We just came back, right before you went, but i'm not much of a picture taker. There is always too many people in our group, with husbands that think it is a waste of time, so I try to capitulate.

Welcome!!!
We had 10 in our group last summer & we still took over 4000 photos!! lol I do what I want!!!! (just ask the hubby......)

Please check back....hope to get a few photos up tomorrow evening!!!

Welcome home my friend! I sure hope your pictures of us in front of the trees came out better than mine....mine were so blurry. Enjoy your time with the kiddos, can't wait to see your report.

I posted them on FB & tagged you in them.....you might need to approve them for them to show up on your profile.

 

[kelmac284]

SO glad you had a nice trip! I was supposed to be there right now and I will admit I am having a tough time with it esp since now the odds of me going back ANY time in the future are slim. YES at this point we have the trip planned in Feb but we are going to not really have much park time. The cruise doesn't get in till 8 on Fri and by the time we get transportation, check in to the hotel etc I am figuring it will be close to noon. Then Shane is flying in to LAX at 10:30 and has to GET down there and meet up with us so we can't do anything without the girls till he gets there to "take over". Sat we are planning on doing the scavy hunt which will prob take most of the day and we are only there part of the day on Sunday so not even one full day to enjoy the parks. Normally I wouldn't care because on the past ladies' trips it wasn't about the rides but spending time with the girls but this time I am not going to be able to do much of either. I know there will be some people who don't want the girls or the ex around so I have not planned ANY activities where they have to be with us. Since this may be our last trip for a LONG time though I really wanted to actually spend SOME time with the girls and enjoy the park but we shall see I guess.

Anyway noff of that LOL. I am SO glad that you had a wonderful time and that you were able to see some of the girls!! I can't WAIT to see your pics and live vicariously through you!!

If you can't go what better way to still live in the spirit then take an armchair tour with you!! You always do an amazing job!!

Anxiously waiting...

 

[DizNee Luver]

SO glad you had a nice trip! I was supposed to be there right now and I will admit I am having a tough time with it esp since now the odds of me going back ANY time in the future are slim. YES at this point we have the trip planned in Feb but we are going to not really have much park time. The cruise doesn't get in till 8 on Fri and by the time we get transportation, check in to the hotel etc I am figuring it will be close to noon. Then Shane is flying in to LAX at 10:30 and has to GET down there and meet up with us so we can't do anything without the girls till he gets there to "take over". Sat we are planning on doing the scavy hunt which will prob take most of the day and we are only there part of the day on Sunday so not even one full day to enjoy the parks. Normally I wouldn't care because on the past ladies' trips it wasn't about the rides but spending time with the girls but this time I am not going to be able to do much of either. I know there will be some people who don't want the girls or the ex around so I have not planned ANY activities where they have to be with us. Since this may be our last trip for a LONG time though I really wanted to actually spend SOME time with the girls and enjoy the park but we shall see I guess.

Anyway noff of that LOL. I am SO glad that you had a wonderful time and that you were able to see some of the girls!! I can't WAIT to see your pics and live vicariously through you!!

If you can't go what better way to still live in the spirit then take an armchair tour with you!! You always do an amazing job!!

Anxiously waiting...

It's a bummer you didn't get to go this weekend!! At least Feb. isn't too far away. Your time will be limited (kinda like mine was this trip).....but I figure any time in DL is better than NO time.... I knew I wouldn't be able to do it all......so chose the priorities before arriving & tried to stick with a plan. It actually worked pretty good & I'm pleased with how much I got accomplished in the 2 1/2 days.

Usually I don't "fix" any photos & jump right into my TR's....but I really want to share what I was seeing & unfortunately the camera didn't capture all the beauty (I think because of the lights on the trees, etc) So trying to get them as close as we can before I show them.

 

[kaoden39]

Laurie,

There might be big news on my trip report if you go see.....just saying.

 

[DizNee Luver]

Laurie,

There might be big news on my trip report if you go see.....just saying.

Going right now to check it out!!

 

[DizNee Luver]

Well let's get this party started!!! This will be a short chapter....but a start nonetheless!!!

~~CHAPTER ONE, I need a blow dryer!!~~

On Monday, Dec. 5th, we met up with our old landlords to do our check-out of the place in Salem. As most of you know, this whole moving thing & getting the Salem place up to their unrealistic standards has been a major stressor & money taker. We actually got a different guy to do the check-out & think things went really well. He commented on the paint not matching, but when I produced the email with their paint codes & our receipt showing we bought what they told us too....he said, we'll then "you're covered".....so I best not be charged for painting!!

Anywhos......let's move on. After finishing up in Salem, Mike drove me up to my oldest son's home in Portland. Nick was going to drive me to the airport in the wee hours. We figured it would be easier for him to do this vs Mike driving me & leaving our home around 3am. Nick had to work until almost 1am, so I got to spend the evening with his fiance Marie. We watched Christmas specials & she made spaghetti for dinner. After dinner, I casually asked if she had a blow dryer I could use in the morning & she informed me that she's NEVER owned a blow dryer......WHAT???? Well I had to have one, so we had to go out in the ca-ca-ca-cold to go buy one. Well at least now they own one!! So we spent a nice evening together & then I tried to go to sleep at 10pm. I was sleeping on their couch & of course, being away from home, the excitement of the trip, being afraid of oversleeping & being a foot longer then the couch.....I didn't sleep too well. I heard Nick come in & then watched the clock until about 2am. I finally passed out & was awakened by my alarm on my phone at 4:30am. I got up, showered, Blow Dryed the hair & we were off to the airport.

Nick dropped me off between 5:15-5:30am & into the Portland Airport I went. Checked in curbside & made my way to security. Breezed right thru & found my gate to wait. I had one checked bag~~I used my big suitcase & put a smaller suitcase inside so I'd have the space to bring home stuff. I hardly had anything in the luggage....was kinda funny but worked out great for the return trip!

Here's my plane:

Waiting our turn on the runway:

I love taking pics from the air......here's some of the snowcapped hilltops & mountains.

The patchwork quilt aerial shots always fascinate me.

The flight went smoothly & for a person that's fearful of flying....I'm becoming pretty good at this flying thing. The flight is just over 2 hrs & we landed shortly after 9am at the Santa Ana airport.

I picked up my checked bag & waited for Molly (bumbershoot) to make her way down to the exit so we could meet up & share a ride to the PPH. Molly got there about 9:30 & we made our way out to the transportation. A taxi will get you there the quickest but will run you about $40 with tip, the Disney bus had just left & would be at least 30 mins before the next one arrived. I believe it runs $17 one way. The other option is going out to the shuttles. We got hooked up with one immediately, but then had to wait for about 15 mins to see if anyone else would be needing one. The shuttle runs $10 but figure in a tip. We finally we got on our way & the trip (depending on traffic) takes 15-20 mins.

This was taken in a moving van.....but here was the destination!!!

That concludes the first chapter.......next Chapter will be Ooooh, that's B-E-A utiful!!!

 

[GoofySon'sMom]

So excited to read your report! Glad you had a great time. We loved the PPH and I am looking forward to seeing it in its holiday finest!

 

[MommyWithDreams]

Great start! Laurie....that SW plane you took a picture of is the one we flew in on. I was surprised it was a bright yellow...not the norm for SW but how funny that you got that picture lol

 

[kaoden39]

What a wonderful start!!!



My girls don't blow dry their hair, they wouldn't have one either. I just don't get it!

 

[DizNee Luver]

So excited to read your report! Glad you had a great time. We loved the PPH and I am looking forward to seeing it in its holiday finest!

Hi Vicki, great to see you here!!! I love PPH.....more than the other 2 resort hotels......I'm kinda in the minor on that...but maybe the pier is more laid back like me.

Great start! Laurie....that SW plane you took a picture of is the one we flew in on. I was surprised it was a bright yellow...not the norm for SW but how funny that you got that picture lol

Must have known there was a connection there......

What a wonderful start!!!



My girls don't blow dry their hair, they wouldn't have one either. I just don't get it!

Thanx Michele!! Marie has very curly hair & she said if she ever used a blow dryer on it, it would make a huge afro.....lol So she's never used one & probably never will.

 

[kaoden39]

Hi Vicki, great to see you here!!! I love PPH.....more than the other 2 resort hotels......I'm kinda in the minor on that...but maybe the pier is more laid back like me.



Must have known there was a connection there......



Thanx Michele!! Marie has very curly hair & she said if she ever used a blow dryer on it, it would make a huge afro.....lol So she's never used one & probably never will.

Actually makes total sense to me.

 

[Happy 2 B Me]

Great start Laurie. Oh how well I know the hair dryer saga. With out using a blow dryer my hair would stick out like Bozo LOL. Oh ya we have spent time out of our way a few times so I could have a blow dryer. I also use a blower type curling iron. It has prongs on a round tube that blows warm air. Good thing is my hair is like horse hair once I fix it, it lasts until next washing.

Well you did get your wings last trip so of course you are a seasoned traveler now.

I am with you PP is my fav resort. I have no reason as to why. Must be I have had great trips when staying there. I actually think it is clsoer to DL then DL hotel, unless you use the monorail. I would sleep in the dog house if I was able to vist DL again. Not sure when or actually if I will ever be able to experience Disney magic again. I am so blessed to have been able to treat the kids and grand kids with a wonderful 6 day stay at Disneyland Hotel and watching them enjoy all the rides of both parks. I would do it again if I could travel.

Enough about me --- looking forward to trip report installments. I hope all of you do a trip report . It is nice to see the difference in experiences.

Patty

 

[DizNee Luver]

Actually makes total sense to me.

Great start Laurie. Oh how well I know the hair dryer saga. With out using a blow dryer my hair would stick out like Bozo LOL. Oh ya we have spent time out of our way a few times so I could have a blow dryer. I also use a blower type curling iron. It has prongs on a round tube that blows warm air. Good thing is my hair is like horse hair once I fix it, it lasts until next washing.

Well you did get your wings last trip so of course you are a seasoned traveler now.

I am with you PP is my fav resort. I have no reason as to why. Must be I have had great trips when staying there. I actually think it is clsoer to DL then DL hotel, unless you use the monorail. I would sleep in the dog house if I was able to vist DL again. Not sure when or actually if I will ever be able to experience Disney magic again. I am so blessed to have been able to treat the kids and grand kids with a wonderful 6 day stay at Disneyland Hotel and watching them enjoy all the rides of both parks. I would do it again if I could travel.

Enough about me --- looking forward to trip report installments. I hope all of you do a trip report . It is nice to see the difference in experiences.

Patty

I have to blow dry a small portion of my hair otherwise, disaster. I have a small cowlick that has grown into a weird part on the back of my head.....my once thick hair is now thinning & has caused this thing (sucks getting old)....anywho's, I use the blow dry just on the top of my head to make sure I get this covered & then I plaster my head with hairspray.....lol

I agree......I think the PPH is much closer than the DLH. The monorail isn't very reliable so you better be planning in the time to walk. The DLH doesn't look the same at all now....I will have pics of all the changes. I liked the retro feel to it, but that is now gone. The PPH is the brightest & I like it because of that. I don't like the dark colors.....depresses me.

Hopefully Patty you'll get a chance to go again in the future!!

 

[WDWJonasGirl]

Love it so far!!

 

[DizNee Luver]

Chapter Two~~Ooooh, that's B-E-A utiful!!!

Mike played a little bit with photoshop & tried to get the color right, but unfortunately that wasn't happening....so I'm going to go ahead & get back to my trip report & post the pictures as they ended up on my camera. I'll try to explain what I saw in person on some of them.

We arrived at the Paradise Pier Hotel, paid the shuttle driver & headed to the front doors & standing before us in the lobby was a beautiful Christmas tree covered in green lights with pink, purple, orange, yellow & blue ornaments. It was stunning & brilliant in color. No matter what setting I did on the camera, I never could capture what I was visually seeing. It almost sparkled!! Absolutely beautiful!!

Here's a close-up of the ornaments & details:

After stopping long enough to get a few pics of the tree, Molly & I made our way to the front desk to pick up our room key. Sherry had arrived on Sunday & had sent us a text with our room #. We showed our ID & got our room keycards. Before I could head up to the room, I had to run into gift shop & get a holiday shirt to wear. NO WAY was I gonna go into the parks for Christmas time without a Mickey Holiday shirt on!!! After my purchase, we were on our way up to the room.

We were in 1132, 11th floor, park view room (yes, Sherry got a room upgrade 2nd year in a row!!) Yay for us!!!! Here are a few pics of the room:

Our view:

After dropping off the suitcases & changing into my holiday shirt...I was ready to go out & venture & start my picture bonanza. I said goodbye to Molly until later & was off. My first stop was back into the gift shop to take some pics of the Christmas offerings they had.

This wreath was around the lights in the lobby/hall areas in the PPH.

I made my way outside & stopped long enough to get a picture of the Bird of Paradise flowers that adorn the flower beds around the hotel.

Next installment will be Chapter Three~~It's A Grand Ol' Tree!

 

[kaoden39]

Oooh pretty!!