Nothing to See Here...

[mvf-m11c]

I am a patient person who would like to read a great TR and take the time to write it up instead of a short mini TR that doesn't give much details. Take your time Sherry with your TR and the photos on Photobucket are nice.

 

[TheColtonsMom]

I gotta get going on mine. For some stupid reason, the TITLE is holding me back.

Come up with a good temp title for me so I can get started!

How about

The Trip with no name

Or

I couldn't think of a d*@# thing to call this

 

[where's_my_prince]

Jasmine, I know. I have been slow in getting this going. At least I can say I am in the home stretch with the photo loading now. I keep running into technical glitches that mess everything up. Some of the photos I wanted to include/show at the beginning of the TR - like the ones from the PPH - are photos I actually took later on in the trip. So I am trying to load everything in sequence so I know where to find the photos I am looking for.

By the way, I noticed in your photo of the Mickey ears bath stuff from the PPH that they included an extra bottle of something (with no ears). I guess that must only be for the concierge guests? I didn't get that extra bottle - only the ears things.

Oh, and even though I don't have my own Duffy to bring to DLR with me, don't think for a second that Duffy got left out! He will be making a cameo appearance or two (or three) in my TR!!



I am behind on replying to people too. I know I was planning to go back and reply to some posts in this thread but I figured you all would forgive the delay as long as I was working on loading the photos (almost done with that, thank goodness!).

Molly - I will try to think of a good temporary title for your TR. I can usually think of better names for other folks' TR's than my own!!

it's mouthwash

a wide grin slowly began to spread across my face when you mentioned duffy ahahaha even more anxious now

 

[Sherry E]

Alllllllllllrighty! I am done with that horrid Photobucket loading. So who is ready for a Trip Report?!! This will be the first of many, many, many posts in this TR, and I will only be able to do a bit at a time. So bear with me.

I think I touched on a little bit of all of the "quests" that have been covered in our Christmas superthread. In case you are unfamiliar with these quests, they are informal missions to find as many Christmas trees, wreaths, window displays, ornaments, popcorn-turning dudes, etc., and get them on camera. Many of us on the Christmas superthread have participated in Tree Quest, Wreath Quest and any other quest we could think of. So, on my recent Disneyland visit, I went nuts with the camera and I think I got some so-so entries to a few of these quests.

And...in honor of deejdigsdis, I even snapped a few light fixture photos along the way! Lamp Quest!!


To refresh everyone's memory, I love love love Disneyland at Christmas time. I always have, but I think I have grown to love it more over the last few years. I have a new appreciation for it that I didn't have in the '90s, I would say. I would absolutely choose a holiday trip to DLR over any other trip if I had to make the choice. Also, because I don't have any family and I don't celebrate Christmas in the typical way that many families do, I kind of like to celebrate in my own way because I do love the season. And my own way of celebrating means going to Disneyland!!

My last "real trip" to DLR was back in December 2008 - and by "real," I mean a multi-day visit with a multi-night stay at one of the DLR hotels. I like to stay onsite if I can. For me it adds to the overall experience. In 2009, I only made one-day trips to DLR - and the way my year was going, I was lucky to even do that.

Because of money issues and issues with friends being - to use deejdigsdis' word - "interesting" (a.k.a. flaky), it was hard to get a proper DLR trip together last year. One day was just not enough - and one day during an extremely busy weekend, no less. I also made a quickie one-day trip to DLR in November of this year, with a few DIS'ers.

I vowed to make it back to DLR for a "real" holiday trip in 2010. I stashed gift cards aside for the better part of the year. I waited until I got a good PIN code offer for the Paradise Pier and jumped on that. I even skipped going to DLR for HalloweenTime - another one of my favorite times to visit DLR - so I could focus money and energy on the holiday trip. And, I resigned myself to the fact that I was totally okay with going on a solo trip in case my friends were being "interesting" again and didn't want to go.

Well, as it turns out - and I know this is what Mariezp was wondering - my "interesting" friend Shawn wanted to go with me this year (unlike last year). She only went on the first day of my trip, though, and she did not stay at the hotel with me. But, my usually reliable friend Jackie did not show up this year! That is very unlike her. She always makes an appearance on Disney trips. But this year Jackie was tied up with her husband's family from Australia and she couldn't meet us. I never heard form her while I was at DLR. I thought she might try to sneak over to meet me for dinner or something, but she never called.

This was a really good trip for me because I had the best of both worlds - I had company and I had lots of alone time. And I have learned that if I ever do have to make a 100% solo trip, I will be fine...as long as I have my camera!! Of course, I prefer riding the rides with friends, and it's nice to have company for dinner or something. But I ate dinner solo, and I was too busy taking photos for two days in a row to even make it on any rides! I can get along fine on a solo trip. In fact, on my next DLR trip (whenever I decide that will be), I may try to work in even more solo time! I think I needed at least one more day all to myself (I was a woman on a mission with the camera!).

Ah well....so on to the trip!!

Day 1 - December 12, 2010 - Part One​

Shawn told me that she was going to pick me up at "4:30 or 5:00" on the morning of Sunday, December 12th. I assumed that what she meant was that she was going to leave her house (in Anaheim) at 4:30 or 5:00, which would have her arriving at my place (in Beverly Hills-ish area) at roughly 5:15 or 5:45 a.m. The funny thing is, I had been reluctant to ask her to get me early enough to make it to DL for Magic Morning because I thought she would not want to get up before dawn!! And she was the one who suggested picking me up so early!

Well, I didn't get much sleep on Saturday night. And I was in the shower at some crazy, unearthly hour like 2 a.m. (I'm sure my neighbors were thrilled with my middle-of-the-night bathing.)

I thought I would have a good couple of hours, at least, to finish packing my suitcase before Shawn arrived. However, I got a text message from her at 3:40 a.m. that said, "I'm on my way. I got an early start." I knew it would only take her 40 minutes to get to me because there would surely be no traffic on the 5 freeway at 3:40 a.m.

At that moment I could have chosen to panic because I was not fully packed, or I could just start hurling things in the suitcase and hope they were what I needed. I chose the latter. I did not panic. I was nowhere near ready to leave, but I had a general idea of the things I needed in the suitcase and I starting purposefully hurling them in, hoping I didn't leave anything out. I imagine that I was back in my Tasmanian Devil mode, kicking up a tornado of activity around me, muttering curse words to myself all the while.

At about 4:10, I got another text message from Shawn. She was about to get off the freeway exit nearest me. I still wasn't ready. I calculated that it would take her about 10 minutes to get to me from that freeway off ramp, and I hurriedly got dressed, shoved some extra things in my bags and was suddenly all ready to go and stand outside - in the dark - to wait for Shawn.

Well, I waited. And I waited. In the dark. And waited some more. And I stared suspiciously at some creepy guy who was out for a stroll at 4:15 a.m. (who goes for a walk in the dark, at that time?).

And still no Shawn.

I looked down the street, where she should be turning. No Shawn.

These are the bags that I packed in a frenzy (that's my Mouse of 1000 Faces purse next to my suitcase):

Finally, I get a call from Shawn. She got lost. Somehow, she either got off at some different exit or she went the wrong way down some street...and ended up in the sticks of Downtown Los Angeles (nowhere near where I live, by the way)!! She had no clue where she was, other than to say "There are a lot of tall buildings." She is a bit, er...navigationally challenged, I would say.

Because I was still standing outside and I didn't want to wake all my neighbors up with my talking, I had to lug everything back inside while Shawn figured out how to escape from Downtown L.A., so I could give her directions.

Shawn eventually got to me at about 5:15 a.m. That was okay with me because I hadn't expected her to get me so early in the first place. And we would still end up at the hotel in time to check-in and get to Magic Morning.

So we were off and running to the Paradise Pier Hotel....

Next up...the two sentences that you want to hear when you check in at a Disney hotel....

 

[mvf-m11c]

I have my dinner right by me and can't wait to read your TR Sherry.

 

[kaoden39]

I hate that when I am at the corner of walk and don't walk. And LA is an easy place to get lost, I am sure it is because it was sooooo early that Shawn got lost.

I know that awkward feeling of being out in the dark and seeing a strange man walking down your street. I am never sure how to react to that situation.

I can hardly wait to hear those words....

 

[funatdisney]

Off to a great start, Sherry!


Shawn must have been very lost. It took her an hour to get to your place after she texted you at 4:10am. It must have been very bewildering for her to be lost downtown somewhere.

 

[Sherry E]

Ugh. I was all ready to get into the Trip Report further, with Part Two - the arrival at PPH - when I discovered that my phone (landline, not cell phone) is not working. It's dead. It was working yesterday afternoon, but now there is no dial tone or anything, and when I call the landline from my cell phone, I get a fast busy signal. I have a hunch this has something to do with all the rain we have been having. It's been pouring. Something in the AT&T network must have gone awry. If it were an inside wiring issue, I would probably hear some sort of dial tone and not get that busy signal when I call myself. Anyway, this is important because that's the number my client calls me on. I don't have him call me on my cell, because he would call it all the time and use up my minutes without thinking twice.

The worst part is that when I called the AT&T repair line to set up an "appointment," they didn't have any openings until Sunday - 6 days from now!!! I am supposed to wait until Sunday without the phone working? That's crazy business!!

There is always something going out around here - the cable, the Internet, now the phone...

So I am going to keep trying to get an actual, live person on the phone at AT&T (I got the automated system before) and see if I can find out if there is trouble in my area with other phones.

I hope to get back to this Trip Report later today or tomorrow.

 

[funatdisney]

If it is not one thing it is another. Hope your phone issue gets resolved, Sherry.

 

[kaoden39]

Sherry, we use to have that problem with our phone. It turned out that when it rained the water would get into our underground box. Once they replaced that it was all fine. Have you thought about leaving a message online or seeing if you can chat with a human online?

 

[Sherry E]

Sherry, we use to have that problem with our phone. It turned out that when it rained the water would get into our underground box. Once they replaced that it was all fine. Have you thought about leaving a message online or seeing if you can chat with a human online?

I'm sure it has to be rain-related. My phone was working last night - maybe even this morning. Then, somewhere during the course of the day it died. And it's been raining all day. I live in an apartment building, so I'm not sure where the box is. I'm sure the AT&T guy will be able to figure out where it is. It's not indoors, as far as I know. I wonder if I am the only one whose phone is out. Maybe I should ask the neighbors.

In any case, yes, I tried to get a human and the website was super slow, while on the phone number they claim that you will be waiting at least 15 minutes to talk to a person. I have a hunch they have had some rain-related trouble in other areas and people are - pardon the pun - flooding them with phone calls.

 

[kaoden39]

I'm sure it has to be rain-related. My phone was working last night - maybe even this morning. Then, somewhere during the course of the day it died. And it's been raining all day. I live in an apartment building, so I'm not sure where the box is. I'm sure the AT&T guy will be able to figure out where it is. It's not indoors, as far as I know. I wonder if I am the only one whose phone is out. Maybe I should ask the neighbors.

In any case, yes, I tried to get a human and the website was super slow, while on the phone number they claim that you will be waiting at least 15 minutes to talk to a person. I have a hunch they have had some rain-related trouble in other areas and people are - pardon the pun - flooding them with phone calls.

Oh no, I am a fan of puns. No need for a pardon.

I would ask my neighbors, and my guess is you are not alone on this.

 

[TheColtonsMom]

Oh no, I am a fan of puns. No need for a pardon.

I would ask my neighbors, and my guess is you are not alone on this.

I used to work cstr service for AT&T and a 15 minute wait is actually more of a trickle than a flood. Plus back then (not sure if policy is same now) they quoted a 33% higher wait time than they expected you to have to wait, then when someone answered sooner than expected they thought we were wonderful. That was their theory always tell them it will take longer than it will actually take. Phony (pardon the pun) cstr svc.

 

[kaoden39]

I used to work cstr service for AT&T and a 15 minute wait is actually more of a trickle than a flood. Plus back then (not sure if policy is same now) they quoted a 33% higher wait time than they expected you to have to wait, then when someone answered sooner than expected they thought we were wonderful. That was their theory always tell them it will take longer than it will actually take. Phony (pardon the pun) cstr svc.

My mom did cstr svc for BofA. So I know how they do the time manipulation. Also I think Kaiser does that. And honestly I think they are doing the csr a favor. That way the customer might be nicer.

 

[Sherry E]

I used to work cstr service for AT&T and a 15 minute wait is actually more of a trickle than a flood. Plus back then (not sure if policy is same now) they quoted a 33% higher wait time than they expected you to have to wait, then when someone answered sooner than expected they thought we were wonderful. That was their theory always tell them it will take longer than it will actually take. Phony (pardon the pun) cstr svc.

We're on fire with the puns in this thread!!

I can see that, Sherri - let the customer think they will wait longer than necessary and then they think you are wonderful if you answer ahead of schedule. Sneaky!!

The only problem is the 6 days (from when I called) that I have to wait without a landline. That seems very long! I know it's a holiday week, but when it comes to something like a phone - which is pretty important - I am surprised they don't have more available technicians.

My phone is still not working - and I should point out, it's not the actual phone/handset itself that is the problem. I have 3 different extensions and none of them are working. Now the busy signal that I get when I call my landline from my cell phone is a slow busy signal. Yesterday it seemed faster. To me, that sounds like something outside the building is getting wet from all the rain. I suppose it could be indoor wiring, but my guess is that it's more likely rain-related.

Anyway, hopefully next time I post here it will be with Part 2 of Day 1 at Disneyland!!

 

[kaoden39]

You know if it weren't a work related phone I am sure it wouldn't be as much of an issue. Did you ever get a hold of an actual person? I hope they can get to it sooner than 6 days.

 

[Sherry E]

You know if it weren't a work related phone I am sure it wouldn't be as much of an issue. Did you ever get a hold of an actual person? I hope they can get to it sooner than 6 days.

No actual person. Things have changed so much from the old days of phone repair, when you could just dial 611 and get a live person right there who could check your phone right away and tell you if they noticed something wrong on their end. If not, they would send someone out to fix it the next day. None of this waiting a whole week business!! Now, they do everything they can to prevent you from getting an actual person.

Also, there have been budget cuts around the state and some workers have lost jobs in the last couple of years, including utility workers like DWP, etc. I bet that AT&T has lost some of its repair people.

 

[Sherry E]

Forgot to mention - if you all want a sneak preview of some of the more Christmasy photos that will ultimately appear in this TR, I posted a bunch of them in the Christmas thread:

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?p=39275438&posted=1#post39275438

See Posts # 167, 168 and 169.

Don't worry - I have tons and tons more to share here. Those in the Christmas thread are just a sampling. And when they make it into this TR, they will be in sequence with other photos from the day.

 

[kaoden39]

No actual person. Things have changed so much from the old days of phone repair, when you could just dial 611 and get a live person right there who could check your phone right away and tell you if they noticed something wrong on their end. If not, they would send someone out to fix it the next day. None of this waiting a whole week business!! Now, they do everything they can to prevent you from getting an actual person.

Also, there have been budget cuts around the state and some workers have lost jobs in the last couple of years, including utility workers like DWP, etc. I bet that AT&T has lost some of its repair people.

That is the sad state of our economy at work. And now that these big business have realized that we will willing put up with this shoddy service because we have no choice things will not change for the better with the economy.

Sorry I am of my milk crate now. Are you going to have to give your cell number to your client now?

 

[kaoden39]

Oh those pictures are wonderful!! Thank you. I love all of the different ornaments they use on the trees. And so many things they use that I never would. Like the canoe ornament. They are so creative.