MY "ADVENTURES n DISNEYLAND, CATALINA ISLAND & OTHER ASSORTED STUFF" TR; SEPT '15 (W/PICS & VIDEO)

[knewton64]

** HAPPY EARLY FREAKIN' HALLOWEEN EVERYONE!!**

(just double right click over the above video w/your computer mouse & it will play 4 u)




Packing Bonine in your suitcase for the very first time while on vacation = $5.00.........
Buying a Souvineer drinking cup while on vacation = $15.00...........
Celebrating Halloween & one's Birthday while out at Disneyland, Catalina Island & Universal Studios = PRICELESS.







T-MINUS 1,440 MORE M-I-N-u-T-e-S AND THIS ADVENTURE IS UNDERWAY!!





UP NEXT:
CHECKING LADYBUG N2 HER HOTEL 4 SPOLIED POOCHES & HEADIN' 4 THE AIRPORT.





T.T.F.N.
&
CHEERS Y'ALL

 

[knewton64]

I'M BRINING BACK THE 'TR MOOD MUSIC' CUZ.........

(with a wee bit of some mood music to help set the tone)
pppssstttt!!! Just double right click w/yer computer mouse over the above video & it will play 4 u


.....I seeing that you can listen to it while reading this TR.
(its only good for that page that u r on)


Gotta luv it! I had 'the talk' with Ladybug
this afternoon & carefully explained to her that we are going to be away from each other for a while & I tell ya, the moment I said that, her ears drooped & she flashed me that "Precious Moments" look.

And I'll be danged if I too got a frog in my throat for a while &.....
well.....let's just say that my eyes got a little.


BUT...........
ya know what they say, "absence makes the heart grow fonder" and with a hug, I said the "B" word (buiscut) .....which means Milkbone treat & all was forgiven as it was a race to the Frig to see who could get there first and to L.B.'s treats.



ANYWHO -
a few last minute additions here............


I have been told that I've gotta check out the Lobby of the Disneyland Hotel and also by the elevators (lots of Historical things there Disney related) and to also experience the Monorail - so look for Yours Truly to have fun seeing these things.
Also -

Be on the lookout for me to be unofficially adopted by a small group of Dapper Day Fans as we will be all having a DISmeets meet up of sorts Friday 3:30pm at the Golden Horseshoe. Gonna b fun to see all the different outfits the families will be wearing.


And with that,
L.B. gets checked n2 her Hotel for Spoiled Pooches n 9 hours.......
(she's getting a bath, mani/pedi, her shots, her 'yearly' while there)
and she has 'been told' by me , "NO SINGING!"


Ok....to translate that, the last time she was there, she barked, barked & barked so much while there she sounded sooooooooo hoarse for about three days!!
I mean, it was cute but still!! SO NO SINGING!!


Now
me? Shoot, after I drop off Ladybug, I've got a serious date with some Shrimp Gumbo, cornbread & 1.....or two Margaritas to officially kick off this adventure.......

followed by me walking around the neighborhood for a while then attempting to get some sleep........

get up and head out to a late movie -
"Inside Out",


then it's off to DFW Airport & Disneyland!!





UP NEXT:
My initial reaction to........






T.T.F.N.
&
CHEERS Y'ALL

 

[knewton64]

" A QUICK DISNEY FUNNY FROM THE HEART...."



Ok.....I got one -
A few years ago, I was headin' to MCO and sat on the left hand side of the plane about a 1/3 of the way with an aisle seat.
and about 3o minutes into the flight, I decided to switch on my portable dvd player and watch some assorted DISney park / DCL dvds.
Wouldn't ya know it, outta da corner of my eye, I could see a cute young lady leaning over her seat (approx 2 rows in back of me and off on my right) to watch whatever it was I was watching on my dvd player.
So being the curious bugger that I am, I decided to play along and discretely move the dvd player a little move "over" to she could wacth along with me the dvd.
**** FLASH FORWARD TO DAY 4 OF MY 2012 DCL VACATION****


(you will see a pic of her in my below listed travel blog from that year)
= POSTING #40 OF MY KEY WEST DCL TRIP REPORT....

So
here I am sitting down at Palo and really looking forward to enjoying a meal there when up walks a very nice young lady
who proceeds to ask me:
Q: Wasn't your plane into MCO delayed a bit????
(I reacted very surprised but someone stammered out a YES reply).
SHe then asked:
Q: Weren't you seated approx 1/3 of the way in the plane??
(OK, EITHER THIS IS GETTING EITHER CREEPY OR SHE HAS ONE HE** OF A WAY OF USING E.S.P.!)




What did it for me was:
Q: DIdn't you notice a cute young lady about 2 rows in back of you TRYING to watch your DISney movie on your dvd player??
(RATS!!!! SHE CAUGHT ME)!!!!!!



What she said next just floored me:
"THAT WAS ME!!"

She then said, "Hi! I will be your server today and Welcome to Palo."




Just goes to show ya "It's a Small World After all."




and yes, we still converse via email even today.




NEXT STOP -
DISNEYLAND!!





T.T.F.N.
&
CHEERS Y'ALL

 

[knewton64]

Quick 'change n plans..........



Was nice to have a house all 2 myself today -
puttered around the house a bit after chillin' out over some much needed shrimp gumbo, cornbread & I will admit, I can make a pretty wicked 'rita.....


Forgot that on PBS, there was a pretty neat program on tonight about Walt Disney.
So, dropped plans to see the Disney movie, 'Inside Out' and opted enstead to see the PBS tv special entead.

** LUVED IT**


IMHO, it trumps, "Walt, the Man Behind the Myth" dvd because it was so refreshing to watch a tv program about Walt and friends from a person not associated with the Disney company in any way shape or form.

To see more of an expanded background behind WHY all what they have done what we all have come to see and enjoy was just a sight to behold.


Held my attention as I was nibbling on a pretty wicked homemade pb&j milkshake (patterned after the 50's Prime Time Cafe milkshake) -

.....along with some homemade cc cookes ........layered ontop with some plain m&ms =


YYUUMM!!




ANYWHO -

So at the 11th hour we approach, my alarm clock has been set for me to get...

oh......

240 minutes of a quick cat nap
and I am off OFFICIALLY to LAX and .........


.and.............




WAIT FOR IT............



DISneyland!!




Oh......
one more thing -
FYI -
again, please keep in mind that for a few days, u will c me just/only posting quick like "tweets' on this blog b 4 u will c any pictures; unless unless unless I really get in the mood to download, attach to photobucket then post to DISboards so please be aware.

Don't worry tho cuz when I arrive back into my home country of "Realityland" in about 10 days, YES.....I will expand out on this blog, post pics and have fun retelling what I feel is gonna be a really fun and exciting adventure.

AND -
On the lighter side,
I just found out that I have been mysteriously & seriously upgraded on my airplane seat assignment by some Guardian Angels at American Airlines..........


Hmmmmmmm......could this be 'a sign' of things to come?????




STAY TUNED -




UP NEXT:
My initial reaction to PP, DISneyland & my new 'home' for the next 7 nights & more.





T.T.F.N.
&
CHEERS Y'ALL

 

[knewton64]

Chillin' out at DFW Airport now
while nibblin' on some much needed breakfast......


Got about 1 hour sleep last night -
can tell I am 'wired and ready' for some Disney fun.



listening now to some Disney music on my laptop
while
dreamin' of my Pacific Wharf Café Lunch in 400 more minutes.
and checking out the Disneyland RR & such.


and knowing me, I am bound to shed a tear or two seeing Sleeping Beauty's Castle.


ANYWHO -
This is way too cool -
Got a RREEALLY nice seat assignment on the Plane
(yes, I got upgraded)



Should touch down at LAX at 8:30am Eastern Time.




UP NEXT:
My reaction to seeing a lot of firsts on my day one.




T.T.F.N.
&
CHEERS Y'ALL

 

[knewton64]

Already been kissed my Minnie......
Been checked out for fleas by Pluto -
and don't get me started on....



Now about to head out for a Milkshake & a ride on the Disneyland RR.
and the H2O bath products??


-- WOWZERS!!-




T.T.F.N.
&
CHEERS Y'ALL

 

[knewton64]

Some Video from the day -

(Just double right click over the above video w/yer mouse & it will play 4 u )


ANYWHO
Ok - so who KNEW the HM wallpaper....
located at the very beginning where the pictures are -



encountered water damage (a few yrs ago) and could not be replaced!
(It's no longer being produced)
And.....

the Imagineers
resolved the issue by taking a picture of the LAYERED velvet wallpaper and putting it into place of the HHUUGGEE area of where the damaged wallpaper once was so.......
you the Guest never will never know the difference visually where the old wallpaper once was vs the new wallpapaer unless
you put you hand over the effected wallpaper vs
the old wallpaper.


AND
who knew RSR costed HOW MUCH to build?? -
(ppssstttt!!!! and also what's behind those huge boulders/cliffs u c in the background) -


Ah, the things I have learned today.....
ending with a 3 hour meal at the Chefs table @ Napa Rose.
(pssst!!! can't spill the beans just yet on Napa Rose but will once I get back to Texas)



But for now, I am off for a FULL DAY @ Universal Studios via
the VIP Tour.





T.T.F.N.
&
CHEERS Y'ALL

 

[knewton64]

Ok.....so where n the world can you go and have:


1) Clam Chowder n a bread bowl & 6 pads of butter
2) large glass of regular soda
3) 3 Ghirardelli chocolate bars
4) a large Ghirardelli milkshake
5) A 'Treasure Island' at Ghirardelli's as well.



6) 4 samples of Ghirardelli chocolate & numerous samples at the Boudin Bread Factory.
7) and can't just say just yet what I had at Napa Rose for dinner last night (nor to drink cuz its a surprise)

and..........

STILL LOSE 2 POUNDS???
(I weighed myself this am @ PP Gym and literally fell to the ground laughing)


Ok.....THIS IS CAN HANDLE.


Okeydokey -
onward to Universal Studios and some 'serious' flirting with one Ms. Betty Boop.





T.T.F.N.
&
CHEERS Y'ALL

 

[knewton64]

Been outta PP since 8am today & JUST got back.
(yes, I even took some HP pics as well....)
and met Mario Lopez.



ANYWHO -
Rode row one on A-L-L the Universal Studios Rides.......
Jurassic Park & Transformers ROCKED!!

And all of it was brought to life by a team of wonderful people -
our Motorcoach driver and I believe our Tour Guide's name was Monci.

(that's Monci, Me & the other group Tour Guide (Mathew) who joined up w/us on the Backlot Tour



Will tell more I promise but for now,
I am out and on the prowl for a ........


WAIT FOR IT......


WAIT FOR IT...........


NOW!!


A Milkshake and 3 pieces of assorted fudge at Downtown Disney.
(please give me a few hours & yes, I will be posting a few more pics & video but again, will expand out more on blogging, pics & video only when I get back into Texas n about another 10 more days....)





TTFN
&
CHEERS Y'ALL

 

[knewton64]

Nothing else like nibbling on some:

1) Cookies and Crème fudge
2) Milk Chocolate toffee
and two chocolate chip cookies

along with
3) quenching your thirst with a Cookies & Crème Milkshake from Haagen-Daz

while listening to some late night acoustical guitar jazz music @ Dwntwn Disney.

** JUST DOUBLE RIGHT CLICK W/YER CMPUTER MOUSE OVER THE ABOVE VIDEO & IT WILL PLAY 4 U **


Here is a pic of him ------

Can't get any better than this -



NO WAIT!
Got something even better than this -



Got an (am) island Hummer Tour of Catalina island followed up by a (pm) Eco-zip lining tour of sorts
with Yours Truly chillin' out later by having dinner out on the island while celebrating my birthday.


I
Was sweating MAJOR 'bullets' overnight
that I may be encountering some rather rough surf or just BAD weather n general due to severe weather (Chile encountered a HUGE earthquake overnight & east Coast will feel the effects weather while this am)
but I got a phone call from MEI Travel this am to let me know that the Warning got downgraded to an advisory so........


!!!!!!!!!!






More to come I promise.




P.S.S. Total weight gained from day 2 = 2 lbs.
( I knew this since I had some last night munchies)

Total weight gained from this adventure = ZERO.


T.T.F.N.
&
CHEERS Y'ALL

 

[knewton64]

(Me havin' fun Zip-lining earlier n the day)


EDITOR'S NOTE -
I am having issues downloading the above picture n2 photobucket so this is a pic of a pic hence that dang cursor appeared n the pic but I did check my email attachment & NO it isn't there which is good so no worries). Will fix this issue once I get back n2 Texas.



ANYWHO -
While standing n line @ Haagen-Daz, I convinced 6 people that we all oughta start a petition on Change.org that Marcelines should be next door to Haagen-Daz rather than across the street......this way YOU the Guests' steps would therefore be SHORTENED between the 2 stores - thus you would be able to enjoy your treats that much quicker.....





and with that, I just got n from Long Beach and the Catalina island area approx. an hour ago and spent these last 60 minutes or so checkin out Dwntwn Disney and having my fav evening 'Good Night Kiss' treats that I am gonna miss come September 23rd on.



Will write more I promise and post more pics /video but gotta stress, I gotta throw myself nto the bathtub for a wonderful and much needed H20 laden bubblebath......
and
ta get ready for a pretty wonderful date with Goofy and Friends @ 7:30a inside the kitchen of Goofy's -
and to then meander on over to DCA and the tour, "Disney's California Story" followed by a DISmeets of sorts @ 3pm at the GHS.


Wine tasting n early pm??
Seeing the Fireworks 4 the first time??
Parades seeing 4 the first time as well??


STAY TUNED
&
UNTIL NEXT TIME -





T.T.F.N.
&
CHEERS Y'ALL

 

[knewton64]

GET YER POPCORN READY CUZ.....

Well,
today is the day I begin to have fun rreeaallyy inneracting with the Disney characters while asking kindly for their autographs.

Now, there is
nothing more 'funner' than carrying on a serious conversation with the characters while watching their reactions is just priceless.

AND -
there are some I have never met so will let cha know just how much Disney fun I can 'stir up' with em.



ALLRIGHTEE -
time for me to jump back n2 the bathtub and enjoy a smidge more of my H20 bath products bubblebath of sorts ( Jerry, Krystal, Patrick, Katrina, Francine & all @ PP for really taking excellent care of me).



Oh, and one more thing,
Google, "Dapper Day Disneyland" and just imagine seeing that today wherever u go inside Disneyland and or the Disneyland Hotel today.......



Gonna b a fun day I can tell.




T.T.F.N.
&
CHEERS Y'ALL

 

[knewton64]

(one of many 'Dapper Day' pics I took today)


and

(I love the many different period hats the Women wore)


ANYWHO-
Just left the Tikki room & turned right
and
into an unobstructed Hub view (by Jolly Holiday) of the Parade & Fireworks.

Now exiting DL after the Fireworks??


But it was well worth it.



So to my Guardian Angel @ Guest Relations DL; a heartfelt thank you for your kindness earlier today really put the Magic into my Day and combined with seeing Disneyland Forever and the Paint the Night parade has brought this beautiful day to such a wonderful close.




(had fun watching these 3 guys conversing at the table and just how well they were relaxed and having fun made it so much easier for me to get this shot & IMHO, they defined the word, "Dapper" for us guys)


UP NEXT:
Cultivating some Magic while on tour and seeing WOC 4 the first time.





T.T.F.N.
&
CHEERS Y'ALL

 

[knewton64]

A few more "Dapper Day" pics -


(A very very nice group of people I met this afternoon for a Dapper Day DISmeets........P.S.S. pppsstttt!!!! Don't worry!! yes, I have more shots of you & will be posting them over the next few weeks; esp when I get back into Texas)......


and how about one more until I get back to "Reality-land & can post more....




ANYWHO -
Now for the fun part of today...........
(Saturday Sept 19th)



I am now off for a "Cultivating the Magic" tour followed by something I haven't seen also.......



The inside of Carthay Circle Restaurantthis evening and some much needed dinner
followed by a performance of World of Color -


So....
what other interesting & fun people am I gonna meet today??





STAY TUNED -





T.T.F.N.
&
CHEERS Y'ALL

 

[knewton64]

'IT'S A BUCKET LIST KINDA A THING'





This afternoon, I finally had the opportunity to check out some much needed Potato Soup (and Lemon-aid) while out at Carnation Café......

YYUUMM!!


That's what I get for being a fan of Ryan Scott (out in San Francisco) -
anywho -


the soup worked its magic n2 my system as I was off and running again .....
this time to meet up with two of the nicest ladies I have ever met -

WHO SOUNDED NICE
(okokokokokok.....that was an inside joke - now to the two of you, a heartfelt thank you for saying 'hi' and the power of sharing Disney stories just really put a wonderful cap on what turned out to be a beautiful day)


......over dinner at Carthay Circle and from there we made our way on over to World of Color.......with me holding a rather large plastic cup of Merlot wine.

More on this and the rest of my day over the next few days/weeks......
my camera battery 'died' at aprox 6pm so I have to let that dang thing get charged b4 I can begin posting pics.


Oh and one more thing - rest assured that I have PLENTY of video - its just that downloading anything here at PP takes FOREVER.....(I feel like that part of the Frozen song where it says, 'FOR THE FIRST TIME IN FOREVER')

so I am choosing to wait until I get back to my 'Home Country" to elongate out this TR as well as post more pics & video (I am now at 16 gigs of film soooo far).



One of the many highlights of the day:




Goin ALL around Disneyland and seeing the different names on the Windows as well as having that part in HM (where the water damage took place) being pointed out to you by the 'Cultivating the Seeds" Tour Guide (Jordan).


P.S.S. you can request a printout like you see above by going to DL Guest Relations and requesting that the print one out for you.



I am tired but having the time of my life -



more to come I promise......including the new place my WOC friends have introduced me to when it comes to sweets and such. By the way u2, for unofficially adopting me for a few hours tonight.


UP NEXT:
Gotta a quick turnaround with Storytellers @ 7:45a followed by 'Walk in Walt's Footsteps" tour at 9:30a and.........

keep yer fingers crossed cuz I am rreealllyy trying to catch a ride on the Lilly Belle.



T.T.F.N.
&
CHEERS Y'ALL

 

[knewton64]

Ok.....so it was 3am n the morning and what was I doing??



** LAUNDRY**


OMG!!!!! But ya know, atleast its now outta da road which means I can do focus in on today's plans:

1) power fast walk up and back twice from PP to DL.
2) a much needed roadtrip to Storytellers afterwards & breakfast.
3) "Walk in Walt's Footsteps" tour.
4) boxed lunch via the WIWF tour.
4a) Carmel popcorn @ Dwntwn Disney.
5) Aladdin the Musical
6) FINNNNNAALLLLLYYY!!!!! I get to c "Mickey and the Magic Lamp at DCA.
7) Milkshake & other fun sweets at.......... (a surprise)

and later on.....
8) Fireworks?? Parade?????


Who know where I will end up at but stay tuned for more of Yours Truly and what else I can get n2.



P.S.S. TIP OF THE DAY:
If ya rreeaallyy wanna have fun, when you first walk through the check in area of either DCA or DL, very subtly & quietly make "that whistle" sound.......

ya know THAT WHISTLE if you have been at either park
and
then act all innocent
for about 15-20 seconds and the reaction of the CMs are just hilarious.


and then, just when they RREEAALLY think they made an error,
look right at them and make 'that whistle' a little louder so they will know it
actually came from YOU.


Already caught 2 CMs thinking the error was on their part.
All in good Disney fun I do stress, all in good fun.




T.T.F.N.
&
CHEERS Y'ALL

 

[knewton64]

Got got in for a while -
catching my breath and kickin' off my shoes for a bit
b4 I head out for DCA and some much needed food & drink.

PEOPLE - IT'S FREAKIN' OVER 100 DEGREES OUTSIDE !!!!!


ANYWHO -
So, I will be off shortly after my food & drink to then find me some sweets for me sweet tooth.

Hmmmmm.....I 'just wonder' where I am off to next:



oh and yes, to GUEST SERVICES AT DL:
Thank you for your kindness n granting some much needed wishes my way as the hot temps just was a beatin' me down today.
and at the same time, I am glad 2c you finding out the correct answer to the 'Dream Suite' question of: "What's the correct name of the song that is being played while the picture (above the headboard in the Master bedroom) animates??


And with that, yes - I do have lots of pics & video to share with all once I get back into Texas and yes, I will elongate out this TR - its just PP internet is sooooooooooooooooooo dang slow and it takes like forever for anything to load.



ANYWHO -
been fun, but I am out dat door again.





T.T.F.N.
&
CHEERS Y'ALL

 

[knewton64]

LIFE'S LESSONS - PART ONE

(from Storytellers this morning) -


One of the many things I am gonna miss about DL is NOT orange juice with your Mickey Waffles......
but
HOT COCOA with yer Mickey Waffles!!
(see that's me jumping up & down since I have soooooo much sugar n me afterwards hehehehehehehe......)



and
the other Lesson is to always take the time to see Disneyland through the eyes of a child and it was so much fun to see Bert & Ms Poppins work their Disney Magic on this little girl you see here dressed as a literal carbon copy of Ms Poppins.


and yes, I did see both the Mother, Father & a few 'in the audience' shed a tear of two when Ms Poppins hugged that little girl.




ANYWHO -
now about my evening........


I don't know what it was but the word WINE just was a grabbing at my heartstrings so after a small respite back at PP, I was off again to DCA and what kicked off a very wonderful and quite relaxing of sorts fun filled evening.


Now what did Yours Truly do and see?
Well, heres where I see I gotta pick this up tomorrow as I can feel my energy just 'not be
there for me and well.......this here me needs to catch 20 winks b4 I have fun flirtin' with Minnie and friends at 8:30a followed by dinner at Blue Bayou.



My body just ain't responding properly and yet I am having the time of my life -


ONLY AT DISNEYLAND.




T.T.F.N.
& CHEERS Y'ALL

 

[knewton64]

Some assorted pics from my adventure -
(and to you over at Napa Rose, thank you for striking up a conversation w/me as we were all walking back to our Hotels & such after the Fireworks, parades, etc. last night cuz after the shows, I was really wishing that someone would just immediately catapult me back on over to PP asap.)


ANYWHO -
I'm getting there, once I get back into Texas, yes - be on the lookout for a Guest compliment from me to all of you at NR along with some pics, etc.

ok.....here is a small tease on just what of many things I had to nibble on last night -

(ya can get this on over at DCA - and all I gots 2 say is YUUMM!!!)


Had fun conversing with someone special in my heart (during the lunch @ one of my tours) who remembers her Father working for Disneyland and meeting Art Linkletter, etc. Was fun just listening to her.


Also, was a treat talking to a nice couple last night while I was 'nibbling' on some fantatstic wines over at DCA. for overhearing my conversation w/Laura (my server) and helping me to plan my day today.


and yes, it has been such a treat to see the little ones dressed up in their fav Disney character with the best one I have seen so far was the most adorable Princess Leia I saw the other day.

T.T.F.N.
&
CHEERS Y'ALL

 

[knewton64]

HOW TO GET YER EXCERCISE N IN 3 EASY STEPS AT DISNEYLAND..........




Yesterday, I was really rreeaallyyy rrrreeeeaaaallllllllllllyyyyyyyyy wanting one those Pirate Chest souvineer popcorn containers (OMG!!!! I am now having the craving for some DL popcorn even as I am typing this!!)


So, YOURS TRULY walked all the FREAKIN' way around DL looking for it!!


Now, I first started looking near POTC.......NO DICE!
Then, I switched gears and looked at Frontierland popcorn stands.........NO DICE!!

ok......WHO HAS A CAR??



the sun was just a beatin' down on me, but I went to all the lands, drinking water along the way - and at ever stop??? NO DICE!!


I needed a .


Finally, I took pity back at Mainstreet USA the popcorn person there and grabbed 'the first available' iced cold Sprite and regular popcorn souvineer popcorn bucket......
sat down at the benched facing Sleeping Beauty's castle and just had the time of my life saying my thank you's to Walt & friends for all what they have done to bring to us the things that we love to see about al things Disney.

and also looking back on what truly has been one incredible adventure I will never forget -

(been having fun celebrating my birthday all week among other things to celebrate)


And on the way back to the PP hotel, I sweet talked numerous restaurants into letting go some iced water.......

and put the whole shooting match into my now empty popcorn bucket.
So, with 'a few' popcorn still left in it, I was sucking on that iced water like it was the last thing left on this Earth.



IMO, that's how hot it was!!




So with memories of a wonderful day up underneath me, I 'just had to go there' and say to the CM's as I was leaving......

pointing to the bucket of iced water I said,

"This brings all new meaning to 'Get a bucket of ice and chill.' "




and with that, I am off to have a much needed breakfast with Minnie and Friends.....among other things on what will be my last full day here in Paradise.




T.T.F.N.
&
CHEERS Y'ALL