One Way Trip to Canada, Eh? FINAL THOUGHTS 08/10

[YukiPhnx]

Wow, that digital photo of the two of you look SO GOOD!!

The weather sounded very nice...I can't wait it to be nice up here.

You know, I've never had any real interest in going to DLR, but now I kind of do. It seems like fun! Also, the IL ride sounds awesome.

Oh yeah, I heard about the refurbs on SP.

I can't believe you couldn't find any backpacks for little boys. It's cute that he wanted a Woody and Buzz on skates.

 

[MAGICFOR2]

Wow, that digital photo of the two of you look SO GOOD!!

The weather sounded very nice...I can't wait it to be nice up here.

You know, I've never had any real interest in going to DLR, but now I kind of do. It seems like fun! Also, the IL ride sounds awesome.

Oh yeah, I heard about the refurbs on SP.

I can't believe you couldn't find any backpacks for little boys. It's cute that he wanted a Woody and Buzz on skates.

Thank you! I can just keep pretending it's us!

Soon, I think. We have sun and 60's here now, so it's moving North!

He wasn't disappointed with no skates - he loved his Ferb car set!

Cute Story: When I called, Myles, aged 6 said, "Whatever you get me will be fine." So Londynn, Age 3 overheard and when it was her turn on the phone she was trying to say the same thing, and she kept saying, "or whatever I want will be fine." She wasn't disappointed that we couldn't find a "Rapinzle that is Ariel's age", either.

 

[ibouncetoo]

We headed through the castle and stopped to enjoy this classic Snow White statue with her friends - if you listen close, you can hear her singing

Love the story behind this.....when the statues arrived and were uncrated, it was discovered that Snow White was the same size as the dwarves! So the imagineers designed this grotto so that the perspective would trick the eye.

.

 

[EastYorkDisneyFan]

Hi I'm coming out of lurkdom to provide some random facts that seam to be in need of correction. The Gazebo in DCA is for meet and greats with Capitan Mickey, Duffy has his own meet and great area which is on the left hand side of the bridge into paradise pier. The construction on Tom Sawyer island was for the premiere of pirates 4

 

[MAGICFOR2]

Love the story behind this.....when the statues arrived and were uncrated, it was discovered that Snow White was the same size as the dwarves! So the imagineers designed this grotto so that the perspective would trick the eye.

.

Those imagineers are so creative! Thanks for the story!

Hi I'm coming out of lurkdom to provide some random facts that seam to be in need of correction. The Gazebo in DCA is for meet and greats with Capitan Mickey, Duffy has his own meet and great area which is on the left hand side of the bridge into paradise pier. The construction on Tom Sawyer island was for the premiere of pirates 4

Thanks for clearing that up! And Welcome! Thanks for coming out of lurkdom!

 

[FauntleroyFAN07]

Thanks! You are just going to have to plan a trip to take Parker out to see Car's Land! Oh, and the new baby, too! Are you keeping the baby's sex a secret?

we plan to do a trip out that way, but not till both kids are much older so they can remember it better, since we prob wont go out there much.

 

[MAGICFOR2]

Wed April 27th dawned bright and sunny and full of promise! DCL had required us to choose a check-in time for the Port of San Pedro – trying to prevent a certain amount of congestion, I think. I had signed up for 11:30-12, thinking we wouldn’t have to be in traffic in the am. Leonard came home from work to drive us, along with Gail. I was surprised that it was an hour’s drive. I just pictured it straight down the road from DLR – isn’t everything?


As we got closer, I saw our first glimpse of the Wonder, and got butterflies in my stomach. Apparently, the butterflies took over the camera, because I missed the first shot!

Jim got this one as we turned into the parking lot.

We unloaded the car, said our fond good-byes and tipped the porter. There were people outside to direct us through the doors – which we approached through a DCL “cattle shoot.” It didn’t seem necessary to have this up, as it was totally clear of people – made us feel like celebs on the red carpet! It was 11:30 on the dot.

We were directed to the Castaway Club area, which is now a longer line than the regular line – note to self: Next time don’t take the “priority boarding” line at Castaway (although you might miss out on the free lanyard, I guess) I had seen on the DIS that the boarding number was assigned according to when we checked in online and what time we chose for arrival. We were just handed a card as we approached the line - #12. This would soon prove to be a joke.

We stopped at the health form desk and then we joined a very long line, and waited. And waited. And waited some more. We noticed that only about 3 clerks out of 10 were working. (I learned through a conversation with the line director they are not CMS, only contracted by Disney once a week – they process boarding for 3 different cruise lines) The rest were walking back and forth, waving their hands in the air and frowning. They called for Concierge and Platinum boarding, then boarding numbers 1 and 2. Hardly anyone checked in,. Hmmm the clerks who were working started shaking their heads and throwing their hands up while looking at their computer screens and then looking around for the clerks whose job it was to frown and wave their hands in the air. Not looking good.
After an hour in line, and probably only moving about 20 spaces forward, they called #3, #4? #5? #6? We were all laughing – no one was in the chairs waiting to board – no one. They kept announcing “numbers 1-6 are welcome to board, all other passengers please enjoy the cruise terminal until your number is called. Enjoy? There wasn’t even a water fountain available. We were looking through the port hole windows in front of us at the side of the ship, but it was unreachable! For security reasons, we were not allowed to take pictures inside the boarding area.


They called up through #13 with no takers. Finally, they had a staff meeting up in the front – a “huddle of suits” Then an announcement that the system had crashed and they would need to re-boot , “thank you for your patience and please continue to enjoy the terminal.” Enjoy? There was nothing to enjoy, believe me. At this point it was 1:00 pm, and there was no apology – low blood sugar and thirst were kicking in, and my back was killing me. I squatted on the floor a couple of times to stretch my back. Some of the older passengers were starting to make noises about diabetes, need to eat, etc. One lady started posting on Twitter, and I told her to tell Disney to send out some food!

I think at this point there should have been some communication between the ship – they were up there twiddling their thumbs waiting to feed us – they should have started bringing sandwiches and water out. Bad Form. Goofy did come out to greet cruisers on the “new” side of the line.


With a loud cheer, the system was back up and magically there were 10 clerks working!!! The line started to move forward at lightening speed!!!! They had made the announcement that we could board at will, so we were in! There are no Mickey ears, but we stopped in a room on the way out to the ramp to have our boarding pic taken.

Sorry this is redneck - I purchased the pic and I can't get my scanner to load it, so I had to take a pic.

We walked up the seemingly endless ramp – zig sagging our way up to deck 3. We were announced with the usual fanfare, and a CM immediately greeted us and asked how we were. “Hungry!” She directed us to Parrot Cay, and even though it was in my plan to look for a sit down lunch, we just headed for the elevator like sheep.

The Wonder is exactly like the Magic, except for the color schemes, and a few themes. The Chandelier and atrium are like underwater colors, and the character statue here is Ariel, with the restaurant being Triton's.

. Two very disgruntled ladies cruising for the first time caught up with us and were very disgusted with the computer situation. They thought we should be compped and presented with a very profuse apology. They were angry that our rooms weren’t ready yet. We were told the rooms would be ready at 2. I told them it would get better and told them to go to Deck 3 to the sit down lunch because I felt they would relax and get a better feel for the quality of DCL. But they insisted on following us to the buffet because we knew where we were going. We headed to Beach Blanket Buffet

Now the buffet was sadly lacking at this point – only one kind of questionable looking sandwich, and a caesar salad, a salad bar with only a few items, some shrimp, some cheeses, but no fruit. For hot foods, there was carved roast beef and some schnitzel – There were a few desserts, and the pop machine was open. I was a little worried at this point that the food was going to be sub-standard now due to budget cuts. I was to find I would be very happy with the food! My lunch:

Strawberry Yogurt soup, Pork Schnitzel, Roast Beef, Bread, cheese, potatoes, Peel and eat Shrimp.

The view at the port is a little industrial, but I was still enjoying the sunshine outside on the deck, and there were palm trees!

The DOTD servers were coming around the deck, but they kept going all around our section and then running dry before they got to me.

I finally had a glass of fruity rum bliss, and vacation had started!!!

Next: Anchors Aweigh! Part 2 - Sail Away - Psyche!

 

[YukiPhnx]

Wow, what a mess you had to experience!!

The thought of those clerks waving their arms in the air and frowning is SO FUNNY, haha. Too bad you weren't allowed to take pictures. I wonder what was REALLY up with the system...

I hope those ladies had a good time, despite the bad start.

Ahh...looking at photos of the terminal just reminds me of the only cruise I've ever been on, with RCCL. Makes me really nostalgic. I'm hoping to book a cruise for next Feb, but it really depends on my finances.

Your cruise has begun! Can't wait to hear more!

 

[Charleston Princess]

Tammie, I didn't realize I had quite so much catching up to do on your trip report! Like from the very beginning! LOL!

Sounds like a lovely time was had visiting with family in California, and I always love seeing pictures of Disneyland. I haven't been since I was about five, and I keep trying to convince Charles we need to go! I want to ride the Matterhorn again, and I have never been on the Indiana Jones ride -- I really want to do that!

How horrible about Gail getting hit by the shopping cart!

What a mess about boarding the cruise and such! I think I let out a little sigh of relief when you finally had a drink in hand! Woo hoo!!!

 

[MAGICFOR2]

Wow, what a mess you had to experience!!

The thought of those clerks waving their arms in the air and frowning is SO FUNNY, haha. Too bad you weren't allowed to take pictures. I wonder what was REALLY up with the system...

I hope those ladies had a good time, despite the bad start.

Ahh...looking at photos of the terminal just reminds me of the only cruise I've ever been on, with RCCL. Makes me really nostalgic. I'm hoping to book a cruise for next Feb, but it really depends on my finances.

Your cruise has begun! Can't wait to hear more!

They are really lucky we were Disney people, because we kept a pretty good attitude overall. One positive I forgot to mention was that they were playing Disney songs overhead, so that helped a little.

I'm not sure - I saw one of them several times on the cruise, and she was always frowning.

I hope you do get to cruise in Feb. Vacationstogo.com has alot of last minute deals out there - you should be able to find one you can do! Of course I am partial to Disney, which they carry, and sometimes here on DISunlimited they have last minute deals too.

Tammie, I didn't realize I had quite so much catching up to do on your trip report! Like from the very beginning! LOL!

Sounds like a lovely time was had visiting with family in California, and I always love seeing pictures of Disneyland. I haven't been since I was about five, and I keep trying to convince Charles we need to go! I want to ride the Matterhorn again, and I have never been on the Indiana Jones ride -- I really want to do that!

How horrible about Gail getting hit by the shopping cart!

What a mess about boarding the cruise and such! I think I let out a little sigh of relief when you finally had a drink in hand! Woo hoo!!!

Jackie, that's okay - I know how it is to be so behind on TRs.

Oh, you really should come out to DLR - after all the construction is done, of course. DL is still alot like MK, but there are fun differences, and the rides are longer for the most part. And CA is it's own kind of park, although some of it is like DHS. And US and Medieval Times are really fun out here too - we didn't enjoy them in FL.

It was a relief to finally feel like our cruise had started!

 

[anewmac]

aww so good to see pics of the VT Bridge. Thats my hometown... I dont go there much though lol.

My nephew works down there so he may have been one of those waving his arms in the air LOL.

Glad you finally got a DOTD. now vacation has officially started LOL

 

[MAGICFOR2]

aww so good to see pics of the VT Bridge. Thats my hometown... I dont go there much though lol.

My nephew works down there so he may have been one of those waving his arms in the air LOL.

Glad you finally got a DOTD. now vacation has officially started LOL

Well, Welcome Home! What does VT stand for?

Yes, the drink made it all better

 

[dizneeat]

OH MY GOSH!!!!!!!!!!!!


How in the world did I never see the link in your signature??????????


I am SOOOOOOOOOOO SORRYYYYYYYYYY it took me so long to realize and finally sign on! I promise I won't miss any more updates.

Now going back to read! Thank god it's Sunday, so I should be able to finish it in one go!

 

[MAGICFOR2]

OH MY GOSH!!!!!!!!!!!!


How in the world did I never see the link in your signature??????????


I am SOOOOOOOOOOO SORRYYYYYYYYYY it took me so long to realize and finally sign on! I promise I won't miss any more updates.

Now going back to read! Thank god it's Sunday, so I should be able to finish it in one go!

Hi Karin! Welcome! It's great to have you here - whenever you can be!

 

[dizneeat]

Yikes! What a mess up at check in!!!!!!!!!! You are ONE brave lady - I'm not so sure I would have stayed all that quiet!

But I love the start to your vacation with your family time and DL day! Oh, how I wish we could squeeze in a DL day ourselves too!

Love it so far! Can't wait for more!

 

[MAGICFOR2]

Yikes! What a mess up at check in!!!!!!!!!! You are ONE brave lady - I'm not so sure I would have stayed all that quiet!

But I love the start to your vacation with your family time and DL day! Oh, how I wish we could squeeze in a DL day ourselves too!

Love it so far! Can't wait for more!

I couldn't believe they didn't do something to make us comfortable!

It would be great if you could visit DLR! I know it's so much easier for you to get to the East Coast, and then there are 6 parks. But LA has Universal (a good one) and Sea World and Hollywood and the beaches and lots more, plus they have packed alot into those two parks at DLR!

Thanks for reading!

 

[anewmac]

Well, Welcome Home! What does VT stand for?

Yes, the drink made it all better

VT= Vincent Thomas it was named after a congressman.. or wait winkpidia says assembly man from Pedro LOL. Back in my grandma's teenage days she used to take a ferry across (or swim LOL)

and there is your West Coast Disney Port history lesson for the day.. lol

 

[eandesmom]

AACK! I'm a little scared about boarding now, Jeff will NOT be fun to wait with if that's the case. Really hoping the kinks get worked out before we go. And, based on this report, we are heading for sit down lunch the minute we get on.

DOTD looks yummy though!

 

[FauntleroyFAN07]

they should hav egiven you your DOTD free since you had a hassle at the boarding area.

 

[MAGICFOR2]

VT= Vincent Thomas it was named after a congressman.. or wait winkpidia says assembly man from Pedro LOL. Back in my grandma's teenage days she used to take a ferry across (or swim LOL)

and there is your West Coast Disney Port history lesson for the day.. lol

Thanks, I feel so smart now!

AACK! I'm a little scared about boarding now, Jeff will NOT be fun to wait with if that's the case. Really hoping the kinks get worked out before we go. And, based on this report, we are heading for sit down lunch the minute we get on.

DOTD looks yummy though!

You will be boarding in Vancouver, so it will be whole different crew! We boarded in LA. Let's hope everything goes fine.

Yes, the drink made it almost worth waiting for!

they should hav egiven you your DOTD free since you had a hassle at the boarding area.

Jim says forget the DOTD, they should have brought out sandwiches and water! Lot's of people said what you said!