Nick, Marie, The Diva's & Me!! Finally Finished 10-20-13!!

[nwdisgal]

Hi Laurie!

Had to check in now that the Diva trip is over and get my DIS fix. BTW, it was great to meet you at the M&G. . I appreciated getting to talk to you for a bit before you left. I hope to get a chance to talk to you so more next year and hang out some. Next year I think I am going to try and get there a day earlier so I can do some more rides and hang out with people more.

Hope you had a great trip. I appreciate your input on the PP. We stayed there and were very happy with it. There was only one morning when we went to the Beachcombers Lounge right before an Early Entry. It was crazy busy! The rest of the time it wasn't too crowded and it was nice having the nespresso, snacks, etc.

 

[DizNee Luver]

Love your WOC pic

Enjoy your last day to the fullest

Thanx!! We had a good last day and now I'm home!

Perhaps we more mature Mouseketeers need to go into training before a Disney trip Looks like your family is happy to have you with them no matter what shape you're in!

It's weird because I didn't have these issues in December......frustrating to have so many different issues this time.

Hi Laurie!

Had to check in now that the Diva trip is over and get my DIS fix. BTW, it was great to meet you at the M&G. . I appreciated getting to talk to you for a bit before you left. I hope to get a chance to talk to you so more next year and hang out some. Next year I think I am going to try and get there a day earlier so I can do some more rides and hang out with people more.

Hope you had a great trip. I appreciate your input on the PP. We stayed there and were very happy with it. There was only one morning when we went to the Beachcombers Lounge right before an Early Entry. It was crazy busy! The rest of the time it wasn't too crowded and it was nice having the nespresso, snacks, etc.

Hi Pam! It was great meeting you too!! I only participated in the Scavy Hunt. So, very little Diva time this trip. I really focused on Nick & Marie and made sure this was a trip they'd never forget (then with all my issues, I was limited on how much I was able to do too).

The concierge lounge is nice to have but I'm still not sure we get our monies worth out of it......but still fun to have access to it when we did want it. I'm glad you enjoyed your stay there!!

 

[princesszelda]

Glad you are back, can not wait for your TR.

 

[kelmac284]

Glad you had a nice trip and so sorry about your issues. I had some myself. I have a bad left knee and the last few trips it has been hurting and then now with my torn ligaments in my right ankle didn't really leave me anyplace to stand LOL. We had arranged for 2 scooters on the first day but they were never delivered and since my mom paid in advance I didn't want her to have to pay AGAIN for me so I just did without but man it was tough. Esp on the scavy day. Between the heat and my foot I was done in. Then on top of it I had a huge issue with my phone so I didn't even make Carthay. Then I was going to do the princess pic but we had to be in line for the cheer thing super early and on and on. I had fun and was glad I did the things I did but REALLY am missing diva time. Unfortunately we have cheer again next year but I hope to be able to see more people next time.

I am glad that I was able to see you when I did and glad you had fun and as always look forward to your report!!

 

[WDWJonasGirl]

I love this so far!!

 

[nicholaseck]

So I got all of the photos off my phone. Probably won't get them on Facebook for a few days. Don't want to post blurry and dim photos.

 

[DizNee Luver]

Glad you are back, can not wait for your TR.

Thank You....hoping to start maybe tomorrow (depends on whether Nick is able to share his iPhone pics with me so I can include them with mine.

Glad you had a nice trip and so sorry about your issues. I had some myself. I have a bad left knee and the last few trips it has been hurting and then now with my torn ligaments in my right ankle didn't really leave me anyplace to stand LOL. We had arranged for 2 scooters on the first day but they were never delivered and since my mom paid in advance I didn't want her to have to pay AGAIN for me so I just did without but man it was tough. Esp on the scavy day. Between the heat and my foot I was done in. Then on top of it I had a huge issue with my phone so I didn't even make Carthay. Then I was going to do the princess pic but we had to be in line for the cheer thing super early and on and on. I had fun and was glad I did the things I did but REALLY am missing diva time. Unfortunately we have cheer again next year but I hope to be able to see more people next time.

I am glad that I was able to see you when I did and glad you had fun and as always look forward to your report!!

I remember you mentioning the scooter issue.....frustrating when you are depending on it to help ease the pains and it's a no-show. I only ended up doing the scavy hunt with the divas (and the few minutes at the start of the party). Missed spending time with the ladies, but this trip was more about Nick & Marie and with me feeling sickly and sore.....I just didn't have the energy. I'm a tad sad since I won't be going next year!

I love this so far!!

Thanx Kaitlin....hope to get pictures & the report going very soon!!

So I got all of the photos off my phone. Probably won't get them on Facebook for a few days. Don't want to post blurry and dim photos.

The sooner the better......the "fans" are looking forward to hearing all about our trip!!!

 

[Markie Mouse]

The sooner the better......the "fans" are looking forward to hearing all about our trip!!!

Indeed, I will be waiting. I'm sure it was a blast besides being hurt. I was sick on my last trip, but I'm hoping this time I am 100% for this trip. Have you always had issues with you leg/foot/ankles/knees?

 

[DizNee Luver]

Indeed, I will be waiting. I'm sure it was a blast besides being hurt. I was sick on my last trip, but I'm hoping this time I am 100% for this trip. Have you always had issues with you leg/foot/ankles/knees?

Being in Disneyland is always magical.....this time just held challenges. I have issues with my stomach a lot. I'm pretty sure I have food allergies but haven't ever been officially tested. When I'm stressed, the stomach issues are 500 times worse. I also have fibromyalgia....so back & hip pain is daily living. The knees I have issues with off & on.....it just takes stepping off a curb a little wrong to set them off. The tendon only seems to get set off by my Teva sandals. Last time I had trouble was back in 2010 right after I bought them. Half way thru the trip, I felt something pop and ended up in an ace bandage for the rest of the trip. I wore the same sandals for the scavy hunt and by the end of it, I could hardly walk.

 

[DizNee Luver]

We are home & now it's time to share our adventure!!!!

Tuesday mid-afternoon, Nick drove down to pick me up. We headed back to Portland and his home. Marie was home and we headed to Applebee's for dinner. We went back to their place to pick up our luggage & headed towards the Portland Airport. We are staying the night at the Hampton Inn at the airport so we don't have to get up AS early and Nick & Marie would be able to leave their car there during our stay.

Here is our room. It was nice & comfy!!

When I checked in, I ended up being the "Guest of the Day" and received this bag.....lol

We watched a little tv and then called it a night. We had to be up early (I believe we set the alarm for 4am). We got up & dressed and headed downstairs to catch the shuttle to the airport. This was the dining/lounging area in the lobby.

We only waited a couple minutes for the shuttle bus and we were off to the airport. I think with one more hotel stop, it took us 5 minutes to get to the drop off area. We headed to the Southwest Curbside Check-in and got in line. I find using the curbside check-in the easiest way to go. They take our checked bags & print us new boarding passes. We're then off thru security and our gate. The line for security wasn't too bad for the Portland airport and we all got through with no problems. Made a stop at Starbucks for Nick & Marie & a gift shop for a Coke for me. We wandered (for quite a while) to get to our gate. I have noticed that Southwest seems to be a long ways away from EVERYTHING!! I usually fly Alaska & it always seemed very close to security, baggage claim, transportation, etc. Not so for Southwest.

We were in Boarding Group A and found seats together very easily. I paid for the early check-in and to me it was well worth the $10/per person to do so. They check you in and then assign you a boarding group and # by when you purchased the tickets. So we ended up being #32-35 for all the flights.

We were starting to taxi & look what started~~~the RAIN!!! Bye bye Oregon!!

So we flew to San Jose where we had to change planes. With all my flying fears.....I did ok. A few times Nick had to tap my leg and say it's ok. Marie was by the window and I had her take a couple pics for me.

We left Portland at 7:00am and were in the Orange County/John Wayne/Santa Ana Airport around 10:45am. We went and picked up our luggage and then walked (forever.......) to the transportation area. We took a Yellow Cab to the PPH. A cab ride from the airport to the Paradise Pier Hotel will run you just under $40 but remember to tip! The trip is 15-20 minutes tops. Not a long trip at all. I took these as we neared the resort!!

We've arrived!!!

 

[DizNee Luver]

We got out of the taxi and while Nick & Marie had our luggage taken to be stored, I went to get us checked in!!

I had prepaid for Nick & Marie's parkhopper tickets, so we received them at check-in.

I was given a really nice World of Color picture/poster as a thank you gift for Annual Passholders. I will show you a picture of it later......but I will say, because my luggage got opened on the return trip......the picture didn't fare well.

A picture with the Goofy statue in the lobby.

Our room wasn't ready, so we stopped in the gift shop to get Nick & Marie a lanyard and then headed to Disneyland.

The first thing you notice is the Main Street Station is totally tarped but had the photo printed on it to look like what is normally there. Very clever but still not the same.

We headed under the train bridge and got the picture we all love to get as we go in.

The other side of the train station.

A look up Main Street!

We stopped at City Hall so I could look into getting a Guest Assistance Card for my anxiety/panic attacks. We also asked for the "Just Engaged" buttons and they no longer make them!!!! I was shocked!! Just think of all the proposals at Disneyland and for them to no longer offer these was weird!!

We headed up Main Street and look at that horrible crane!!! The crane means my favorite ride is CLOSED!!!! I love Big Thunder Mt Railroad and will be glad when they're done with the extensive refurb.

It was probably close to 2pm and we never had breakfast or lunch.....so we made a stop at the Little Red Wagon for a corn dog!!

Super delicious!! Can't find these anywhere & I get a hankering for them once in a while!!

RED WAGON: 3 CORN DOGS, CHIPS & COKE/WATER, 15% PREMIUM AP DISCOUNT, TAX = $22.36

 

[kelmac284]

Yay and it begins!!

Man I didn't know you weren't doing the diva trip next year. Bummed!! Well maybe you will do a family trip and we can at least see you on the way through!

You know I STILL have never had a corn dog. I really want to try one but it seems with my group they always want a regular meal. Someday I've got to do it!

 

[DizNee Luver]

Yay and it begins!!

Man I didn't know you weren't doing the diva trip next year. Bummed!! Well maybe you will do a family trip and we can at least see you on the way through!

You know I STILL have never had a corn dog. I really want to try one but it seems with my group they always want a regular meal. Someday I've got to do it!

Mike & I are really hoping to do a WDW trip for our anniversary next Jan/Feb.....but our concern is who will watch our kids. Derek will be gone now and who knows about Tyler. Nick could probably do a week but not the 2 weeks we're hoping for. So I'm just not sure what's going to happen at this point. We don't have any other trips on the horizon for the family.....but if Mike & I can't get away alone.....we'll look at a family trip again.

I had my first corn dog when I went for a couple days in December 2011. Man oh man.....it's so good!! (but really too much for one person, unless they have a huge appetite) It would make for a good snack for you & one or both of your girls to share!!

 

[Trentmom]

YAY, you started.

Looks like a nice hotel at the airport

I am glad you did okay on the plane.

Can't wait to hear about your time in the parks

Corn dog looked tasty

 

[DizNee Luver]

YAY, you started.

Looks like a nice hotel at the airport

I am glad you did okay on the plane.

Can't wait to hear about your time in the parks

Corn dog looked tasty

Hampton Inn's usually are a nice hotel.....a safe bet!!

I did take a pain pill (that can make me loopy) before taking off....which helped!!

Nick & Marie spent way more time in the parks than I did this trip......but I've got pics from them I'm adding into the report.

The corn dog was definitely tasty!!

 

[PHXscuba]

We headed up Main Street and look at that horrible crane!!! The crane means my favorite ride is CLOSED!!!! I love Big Thunder Mt Railroad and will be glad when they're done with the extensive refurb.

I am also so disappointed that BTMRR will be closed most of the year. It would probably be our family's consensus for favorite ride too. I wish they'd at least get the crane down so it didn't mock my inability to ride it!

PHXscuba

 

[DizNee Luver]

I am also so disappointed that BTMRR will be closed most of the year. It would probably be our family's consensus for favorite ride too. I wish they'd at least get the crane down so it didn't mock my inability to ride it!

PHXscuba

I know......it's like it's going "nah nah nah nah nah".....

 

[DizNee Luver]

I forgot to mention that right after I got off the airplane in Santa Ana.....I got a voice mail from the twins teacher. I figured it had to be important since she knew I was out of town. Michayla had darted out the door and they yelled for her to come back & she whipped around and gouged her forehead on a coat hook. Poor baby.......

She still has a knot and bruising and it will be a week tomorrow. Made me sad that she got hurt and I wasn't there.

 

[Markie Mouse]

Oh man, Red Cart corn dogs! I can't wait for those. Sorry to hear about your little girls incident. Do you have a tradition for the first day at the 'Land or do you just wing it?

 

[DizNee Luver]

Oh man, Red Cart corn dogs! I can't wait for those. Sorry to hear about your little girls incident. Do you have a tradition for the first day at the 'Land or do you just wing it?

We used to have a tradition of riding Peter Pan first.....but now that we're flying and getting in after opening.....that has changed. When we drove down, we'd start early on our first morning and hit Peter Pan before the crowds got bad.