My DLR trip, 2 Birthdays and lots of fun!

[got_ron]

Ok So this is my first Trip Report. Let's see how bad I mess this up!!

This is how this trip started.

June 2007 - I work at a supermarket and had one of those REALLY frequent HORRIBLE days.
So when my boyfriend got home and saw how miserable I was he asked what he could do to make
me feel better. Of course the only reasonable answer being:

"I want to go to Disneyland!!" (I think it actually came out as Dizzyland but oh well he got it)

So that day we started saving up for the trip. Here's the cast:

Me - Jenn
BF - BJ

After saving for a few months we realised BJ didn't have any luggage and Bentley's
was having their year end blow-out. YES! He picked out the brightest lime green suitcase I've
ever seen. But it totally matches mine, white with pink, purple, brown and orange polka dots.
So now we'll be able to find our luggage without too much trouble. His is actually bigger than mine. If you didn't realise the suitcases are sitting infront of my Harry Pooter 4 movie cut out...

Later We get a phone call from BJ's mom. "We're going to Disneyland in February."
BJ and I were planning around May if we had saved up enough, so I was like "February!!
NOOOOO!!! I can't listen to all your trip details, look at pictures and listen to all your
talk about planning this and that!" She said if we wanted we could decide to go with them but it
was up to us. Hmmm lets wiegh this out Disneyland in February with BJ's family or maybe
Disneyland in May by ourselves.... Disneyland in February - no question.

We call her back and tell her ok we'll go with you in February. So now here's the new and
improved cast list:

Me - Jenn
BF - BJ
BF's Mom - Diana
BF's Stepdad - Don
BF's Sister - Paige (9)

Novermber: Let the planning begin!!! So it turns out Diana and I are OVER-planners, which is
fun because we are just bouncing off eachother with ideas and questions. After running around
to 4 different travel agencies, none of them understanding what we want, Diana starts looking
on the Web. We're going back and forth - how many days, where to stay, extras, car rental,
flights. Finally about 2 days later we decide Feb 10th (my birthday) - 18th, DLH, 6 day hopper,
Universal, Pirates Dinner Adventure (we're all into pirates, a whole pirate to do for last Halloween
except me I was Alice and didn't quite fit in with the whole jail set up) and flights from Victoria to
John Wayne. We're all booked and now we have to tackle the passport problem. BJ and I sent out
our passport forms and in 2 weeks BJ's comes back rejected!! He didn't have the back of his care
card signed. Mine comes back a week later fine and dandy! YES! I'm the first to have my passport
with an actually not so bad picture! The rest of the passports come in, all accepted now we just
have to wait for BJ's. On January 18th we finally get BJ's passport.

Here's the rough itinerary:

Sunday Feb 10: My 21st birthday... get to airport at 4am for our 6am flight, stop over in Seattle
from 7 - 9:50am finally reaching John Wayne at 12:37pm. Pick up rental car, drop off bags at hotel
hopefully our room will be ready, go shopping wewant to check out that Disney outlet and then go to
The Pirate Dinner Adventure to celebrate my day like real scallywags.

Monday Feb 11: Disneyland/California Adventure, no real plan except Goofy's Kitchen at 5:10 for
dinner

Tuesday Feb12: No plan again DL/DCA

Wednesday Feb 13: Universal, I want to try that indorr skydiving I was on the city walk.

Thursday Feb 14: DL/DCA - hopefully BJ and I get to have the day to ourselves.

Friday Feb 15: DL/DCA

Saturday Feb 16: DL/DCA Reservations at Benihanna's at 5pm to celebrate BJ's b-day on the 23rd

Sunday Feb 17: DL/DCA

Monday Feb 18: Leave John Wayne at 11am, arrive in Seattle at 2pm, depart for Victoria
at 3:40pm arriving at 4:20pm


FEB 07 2008: I got a new job so today is the last day at my crappy supermarket job. The
only thing I will miss is the consant bad day's just so I can have a reason to plan another
trip to Disneyland. BUT at this new job I make more money so now I'll be able to afford
more trips... so really it's a toss up. I'm all packed I just need to put together the last
minute items. I also over-saw my BF's packing THANKFULLY!!!! I swear he picked out every
ratty and hole-filled shirt he had to take with him. I got a new Canucks jersey for my birthday present
from my dad and his fiance. I'll be able to show a little bit of Canuck pride down in California. This is me at the airport in Seattle.

If you didn't notice that on my chin, is the ONE zit I get a year... right before the trip, just my luck!!


Ok this trip started out pretty good. We stayed at the Waddeling Dog in Victoria the night of the 9th. We got up at 3:15am to be at the airport by 4. We actually made it, trying to get 5 people ready at 3:15, packing the car and driving to get to the airport, unpacking the car and getting all of our stuff to the check in line. It was unbelievable we had time to spare. BJ and Paige spent a little time at "arcade" which really consists of 4 games. Don was showing me this new ipod thing. It was wierd and Diana just hummed around. Anyways at 4:15 the ticket booth opened LATE!! We got our tickets and went to wait in the line for security which hasn't opened yet. The lady infront of us, we were second in line, was standing right where the sensor was for the doors to open. Well since security was closed the doors are locked... EVERY time she moved an inch the doors would bang trying to open. Why couldn't she move back 2 inches!! No one is going to cut in front of her. If you can't tell I was pretty peeved! It being 4:30 in the morning I wasn't quite that forgiving. Finally Security is open and BJ starts panicking. He's so silly, he's just all worried the "B" word is going to pop out of his mouth, or he won't remember the answer when they ask him something. We all get through with no incidents... BJ a little more sweaty then before.

We sit and wait for the plane. The flight was uneventful, a few bumps but it was ok. We get to Seattle a 6:40 and it's raining. Ahh, my Canucks jersey is getting wet!! We had to walk across the tarmac because the plane was so small! We had to take 3 subways and go though customs before we got to our gate, again BJ panicking about customs now. We get to our gate c17 and they wouldn't let us check in. We go walking around to find some food. We got some italian, can't remember the name, it was ok. I just got hashbrowns and they were COVERED in a very strong cheese. I'm not really a cheese person. I order cheeseburgers with no cheese... so I didn't really enjoy that. An hour before our next flight we go check in to c17 and was told it's been changed to D11, all the way past the far away italian place we ate at and way down! We all trek down to gate D11.

So were waiting to get on the plane and finally a little late they let us on. So were sitting on the plane everyone's on board the doors closed and were waiting... and waiting and waiting. About 10 mins later the captain makes an announcement. "There's a problem with one of the naviagtional lights. We'll just use the back-up"... it took you 10 mins to figure that out So were waiting and the captain starts the plane and the engine immediatley goes out. Tries 2 more times. "Ok just another hiccup, It looks like we have no auxilory engine, and our regular engine isn't starting. We're going to bring in a air cart to jump start the engine." Wow talk about feeling safe!! By now I'm like ok let me off NOW!!!!!! oh but no the air cart comes and can't start the engine. The engine fails twice "This air cart isn't producing enough wind, were going to get another one." Finally they get another Aircart that starts the engines and I just am about to open up those emergency exits and jump! Do they really think I want to fly with a plane that has to be JUMPSTARTED!! Finally we start moving 40 minutes late. We had absolutely the worst turbulence I've ever felt. My butt came off the seat higher then it did on ToT!! Finally with all limbs attached we arrive in one piece. I just about through myself on the ground!

BJ, Paige and I get all the luggage while Don and Diana go figure out the rental car. They decided we needed a bigger vehile then what the first anticipated so that has to be fixed. Get to the car, get everything packed in and finally we're on our way to DISNEYLAND!!

So before we left Diana made this binder with maps and info and just about everything you could imagine, so she's directing us by this map and something goes wrong... we're seeing mountains and bushes, no houses or any civilization. Don pulls over and gets out his GPS and it sets the course, finally we're on our way to DISNEYLAND!! uh again.

About half an hour later we arrive at the Disneyland Hotel. We walk in the lobby and whose there. It's Goofy!!! I get a hug and 2 kisses from Goofy much to the displeasure of BJ. We check in and we're upgraded!! DTD/Park view, Dreams 7th floor tower room 2561. We unpack a little and get back to the car. We're going to the Pirates Dinner Adventure! I'm a little nervous with all of the bad reviews I've read here but let me tell you, I enjoyed it much more then Medieval Times. I found this one more interactive, the food wasn't great but the before show appitizers were. The appy's were Greek salad with pasta, meatballs, meat, cheese, crackers, raviloi and shrimp. The show was really awesome. Since it was my birthday I got to participate and so did Paige. My competion was I had to run to get a flag, hook it on a rope and haul it up the rope to the top. I got my rope up first

As we're driving to the hotel we see the fireworks. They're very pretty and can't wait to see them up close. We take a quick trip to DTD to run through the World of Disney store. We didn't buy anything but all in all it was a pretty good birthday minus the feeling like I was going to die part.

 

[ToodlesRN]

Was your flight on Alaska Air? the 9:37am flight? We flew out of Seattle on the 12th of Feb on AA at the 9:37am flight and our plane was leaking oil out of the engine! They pulled the air craft and we didn't arrive to John Wayne until 3:45 vs 12:30! Just wonderinf if it could have been the same plane???

Your off to a good start with your report!

 

[got_ron]

That's wierd it was Alaska but we got in about 1:30-45. Wow I can't believe there were 2 planes.

 

[Ferry Joy]

After I started reading your report, I started looking at leaving from Victoria. After, your "fun" flight , I'm not so sure. We live in the Gulf islands.
Go Canucks - straight to Disneyland!

 

[got_ron]

The flight from Victoria was finw but as soon as we hit Seattle, everything went wrong. I don't think Seattle like me very much haha. Next time I'll probably fly Victoria, Vancouver, Orange County.

 

[MommyWithDreams]

YAY a new trip report to read!!! Great start. I would be flipping out if I were on that plane. I'm already nervous about our flight on Sunday. I can't wait to read more. I Hope you're flight home was BETTER!

 

[KimAshton]

I would have told them to get me off the plane. I would have freaked.

 

[got_ron]

SORRY!! I've been so swamped with this new job! But I'm going to write some more before work.

OK Monday Feb 11th.

Before heading out to the parks we went into the gift shop! I bought a lanyard an Enchanted pin, my new favourite Disney character and let me tell you how disappointed I was with the lack of merchandise. The pin is the only thing I found. I bought some stuff for BJ to get the free Jungle cruise pin. We walked to the gates and were there about 8:20ish. They let us in at 8:30. We got some photopass pictures. Did I mention I MADE Diana pre-order a photopass CD. So we did the traditional one by the Mickey head and then the one looking down mainstreet.

We waited for the park to officially open then went straight to Haunted Mansion except BJ who got FP's for Indy. I didn't get to go on this ride on my first trip to Disneyland so I was kind of nervous. So we wait for BJ, go in with no line, and we're in the streching room, it does it's thing and I thought it was really neat. When the lighting and screaming starts Paige lost it. She's bawling and so we just rush through the corridor and jump on the ride. She's okay when we're sitting down, when we get off she say's she doesn't want to go again. Off to Splash. We sit down I'm in the front, PAige, Diana then BJ then Don. So most of the weight is in the back. I wore my poncho I loved that poncho. So we rode it and we get pretty wet! The CM see's my B-day pin and asks if we want to go again. I think you can guess the answer! for some reason We get soaked even with the ponchos!!

We go back to Indy and wait through the line and as soon as we're about to step on the cars the lights come on and they say it will be a few minutes until it's running again. Well we're almost there so we decided obviously just to wait. Rode Indy and I liked it we were in the back and that big snake really seems like it's going to get you. I got FP's for BTMRR. We did some pin trading and met Cruela de Vil then hopped to DCA!

We got FP's for Soarin' and went on GRR, I'm already soaked right! Diana and I wore our ponchos again. SHE GOT SO SOAKED!!! We went to the Redwood Creek since that wasn't open last time either. I'm jumping around on the nets and my purse strap broke Walked all the way around to Screamin' thats a long walk with the pier blocked off for Toy Story Mania. 10 minute wait. Don didn't go on so it was just BJ Diana Paige and I. We had lunch at the Wine Trattoria. I had the Chicken Panini sandwich. I really enjoyed it. BJ had the Lasanga Rustica. He said it was very good but too small of a portion for him. I didn't eat the italian salad that came with it. It tasted like olives. I have issues with olives. Diana wasn't feeling well so she and Don went back to the hotel and BJ, Paige and I rode some rides.

Guess want we did first PIN TRADING!! We went on the Golden Zephyr, then the Orange Stinger. Wow, I used to like the rides at fairs like the stinger but obviously not anymore. I couldn't stop worrying because my chair kept groaning. We went down the pier into that shop there into the jewellry part and while Paige was looking around the CM was talking to the handicapped woman in a wheelchair and her friend. We overheard the woman saying to the CM that she loved Belle and she wanted to trade for a Belle pin since she had a Tinkerbelle one. I had a Belle one I was going to trade so I kind of butt in saying I had one to trade. The woman was so happy and I felt really good about helping her out. So me and BJ are waiting for Paige near the counter and the CM says That was really nice of us. He brings out 3 pins. He tells us there's one for both of us and our DAUGHTER!!!!! I'm 21 and BJ is 19 and we have a 9 yr old daughter!! But that really nice because I already felt really good about helping her out and that just made it a little extra special.

OK I have to get ready for work! I'll try to write more tonight but Diana just called saying our photopass CD came today!! YAY!!!

 

[got_ron]

OK I'm going to finish Monday.

So BJ and Paige and I head out of the shop and PAige says she wants to go on the Sun Wheel. So we're walking and then she say's she wants to go on a swinging gondola I freaked out enough on the stationary ones on the last trip but I bucked it up and said OK. The line was packed so they're putting groups together. We get a Mom and her 7-8 year old son. We start to go up and as soon as we start moving we're swinging and Paige starts laughing her head off!! I'm freaking, Bj's just sitting there and Paige is laughing. Then to my utter disbelief the boy oppisite to us starts clapping his hands and saying in a sing-song voice the WHOLE ride "Death-Trap, Death-Trap" Now I know why some people call it the Sun Wheel o' Death!!! There's nothing like feeling like you're going to die and a little boys singing songs about it!

So we head to the hotel and as soon as we walk in Diana say's that we've been upgraded to Concierge level. Awesome!!Thank You Sandy fron the frontdesk!!! So I was unpacking stuff from my purse and there's a knock on the door. I go to answer it and it's mousekeeping. "We heard there's a birthday" (Diana had made BJ and I a sign) They sang me a song, and gave me a cake made out of towls and ribbon it was AWESOME!! They also gave me a signed black and white picture some of my favourite characters Pooh, Tigger, Eeyore and Piglet!

That really made me feel special! We go swimming before we have to head for Goofy's kitchen. So we go there and check in and Minnie is taking pictures out front. We're ushered in and sat down and as soon as our butts hit the chair there's Goofy!We're taking pictures and Goofy signs my book and he's about to give it back when this music starts... Goofy grabs my hand and drags me and Paige to the floor where he starts doing the macerana. Now here's this 21 year old in a crowd of kids very enthiastically doing the macerana. I'm like because I know how and all these kids are like and then here's the Mad Hatter " Go Goofy Go Goofy " Then goofy starts disco dancing. I didn't know Goofy was so groovy! We sit down and the Mad Hatter comes to the table and I'm wearing my birthday button and he tells me how upset he is that it's not my unbirthday The Mad Hatter asks what her favourite ride was and guess what she said The Haunted Mansion Then Alice comes and also tells me she is dissapointed that it's not my unbirthday
She writes in my book "Happy Birthday " Then the Mad Hatter starts screaming "Mr. Phillip, Mr. Phillip" Have you seen that little blonde weed!" Alice pops up from our table and tells the Mad Hatter "I'm not a weed, I'm a girl" Then the Mad Hatter runs up to our table "Mr. Alice, Mr. Alice!" Alice says "I'm NOT a HE!!" Then the Mad Hatter drags her away. Prince Phillip comes and chats for a bit and Diana decides to test him and asks where Sampson was, and Price Phillip said he was back at the castle of course. You don't bring your horse to dinner! That impressed me. So the whole time we were eating we were seeing Brer Fox on the other side of the resturant. He never once came over and he kept repeating tables. So that sucked, because BJ wanted to meet him.

We went to Disneyland on the monorail and rode Buzz. I got 40600, even though I knew which targets gave higher points. I guess I just can't aim. We went to pirates and it was a walk on. I liked the new additions but my only problem was that Jack looked so realistic that all of the others looked really fake. We dwaddled arount NOS, went on BTMRR. I really like that ride. BJ was freaking out because I had my hand up and he thought I would get hurt I bought psotcards for the fairy godmailer kids I had. Then we went back to the concierge lounge to watch the fireworks and the went to bed.

I'll write more later though I'm not sure if anyone is reading it! haha

 

[pitchmom]

I'm reading it Sounds like you had a great time!

 

[Ferry Joy]

I am still reading! Checking regularly for updates.

 

[CupidsKiss]

Even though I was with you on this trip i am reading this and enjoying it again vicariously...man this trip did rock!

 

[got_ron]

Ok we had MM on Tuesday morning at 9, so we ate breakfast at concierge and got into the line at about 8:20. BJ and Paige pin traded to pass the time away. Our first ride of the day was Space Mountain except for Don who rode Buzz. After Space we all went on Buzz. Then we headed over to Fantasyland and rode Snow White, Pinocchio and the Tea Cups. We span SO FAST that Diana couldn't stop burping. I wish I had that picture When NOS opened we rode Haunted Mansion, Paige was great this time. She didn't cry at all. We then went on Splash. The wieght was very even this time and we hardly got wet at all. After that Paige wanted to wait for Pirate's Lair to open so BJ got a churro, his food staple for the week though they were a bit doughy inside. So we caught the first raft over to Pirate's Lair. The funny pirate on the raft made a joke about Paige having Pooh on her bag, even though it's been done to death it was still funny. So we get to Pirate' Lair and we start heading to the back of the island and we find Jack's treasure and a photopass photographer... but no Jack so we look around and the Jack pop's out of the bushes. He kinda scared me.

Look at Jack eyeing Diana We all know what he was thinking!

So we explore a bit more and then Don, Diana and Paige leave Disneyland to go shopping BJ and I head to Toontown on the train. We ride Roger Rabbit and go see Mickey. Then we walked over to Tommorowland, stopping along the way to get a fantasy script. BJ's birhtday present for me. They asked my favourtie character I said Belle or Jack suprise me. We got a FP for Space then went to NOS and rode pirates. We ate at the Hungry Bear. Mine wasn't so good but BJ liked his burger.

Sorry for the shortness but I've got to get to bed. I'll try to update more later.

 

[MommyWithDreams]

hhaahah love that picture of Jack....and his wandering eyes!

 

[CapnJackGroupie]

Loving your TR! We're heading to CA in one week - so excited!!! I haven't been to DL in 9 years and this will be a first for both my kids!!

 

[piratehannelore]

Hey, registered just so I could say..the natives want more! Great trippie!

 

[toocherie]

We didn't buy anything but all in all it was a pretty good birthday minus the feeling like I was going to die part.

Ok--can I just say I was at this sentence--I WOULD have been off that plane --I can't imagine after going through all that!!!!!

Can't wait to read more!

 

[Danauk]

Great report, love the pictures.

 

[got_ron]

After eating I grabbed some FP's for Splash, then we rode to BTMRR. We saw so many Dreamers but no dreams. BJ shot at the shooting gallery and didn't miss a shot until I told him to shot at the moving bucket! oops! I should have kept my mouth shut! We walked through the castle and saw Mary and Bert then back to the hotel to meet Don, Diana and Paige. I think I forgot to mention that they had forgotten that I had their park passes before they left so I grabbed FPs for them and we had to go meet them. Now the trouble starts!! I empty out my lanyard pouch to give them their FPS and my purse form stuff I don't need. So we go to the GCH entrance to DCA and I ealise I forgot my sunglasses, BJ goes back for them giving me his lanyard so he can run better. Diana leaves to find BJ since he was taking a LONG time, then Paige starts crying because Diana has taken 3 minutes so far to look for BJ. BJ shows up out of breathe and Paige starts crying more because now it's been 5 minutes and Paige thinks she's lost. Finally Diana shows up and we all go into DCA except me. My park pass is on the bed where I left it.... thats about me right now with myself, So BJ and I walk back to the hotel room, it was nice that he came but I was so mad by then I kinda wanted to be alone so I could kick something and it not be him. So finally after 40 mins we get into DCA and Diana calls and says that their in line for TOT. uh oh now this is the ride that I'm most nervous about. last time I went, I cried. so I say we might as well or I'll just lose my courage. I almost chicken out but BJ reminded me that when I was on the Sun Wheel of Death I said that if that ride would just stop I'd go on TOT 4 times... well it did stop and I had no intention of going on TOT 4 times! So I went and didn't cry... there was a lot of whimpering. I'm so sad... So we leave and see Dopey, of course I stop and get his autograph, then we go on Soarin'. We go to White Water Snacks and I get a chili dog, how is that a snack? a foot long dog and mega helping of fries??? thats more like lunch and dinner for me. We go to World of Disney and get a scrapbook for my birthday from Diana. BJ and I go back into Disneyland for my Fantasy script and it's really pretty! We take the monorail back and go to Concierge and then bed!

Wednesday is Universal Day!!




Thank You to all who are leaving comments!! Thanks!! Glad to know someone is enjoying it!!

 

[MAGICFOR2]

I know how you feel about TOT! Actually, the last time I rode was in 2006 at DL - It was way more fun than DHS! Before that, I would get the dread in the pit of my stomach, and feel like I knew I was going to chicken out at the last minute, and then while riding, I knew I was going to die! The pics always reflect the "I''m gonna die!" look!