Pee Before Pooh- It's a Real DIVE! (10/29)

[All7OfUs]

I subscribed.

So glad you're here!! Come back and say howdy often!

I'm in. Sounds like a special trip.

I think I might recognize your screen name from the WDW side, no? A very big welcome to you! It was a very special trip, and I'm pleased to be sharing it with you!

 

[Happy 2 B Me]

Hi there I am looking forward to your "Pee before Pooh" trip report.

I totally understand traveling with Lou Gherig's---husband was first told he had that in late 1992 and only had 1 year to 1 1/2 years to live. Well guess he proved the Doctor's wrong. He does have ALS but for what ever reason he is one of the VERY few that can live to old age with this god awful disease. They are finding out so much about ALS now except cause and cure. They did find that maybe 1% of 1% of ALS patients average 20-22 years after diagnosed. ( Mayo clinic agreed with " ALL" the other Dr's opinions. Oh, ya we went to a few just wanted one to tell me it was not ALS. Back then the only information I was able to get on ALS was via a teaching manual for nurses. Since we donate nicely to the ALS of NW-- we are sent information all the time. There are learning programs, get togethers, fund raisers, support groups etc. Your Aunt can get the same without donation if she lets them know she would like information. The MD foundation also will "GIVE" I think 2k each year to help your Aunt live a better life. Can be alert systems, phone, electric wheelchair, anything that helps Aunt live with ALS. We have not used but did sign up in case ever a time Insurance or Medicare did not cover an item.

You are a wonderful niece and daughter. I am going to enjoy reading this trip report. Sounds like it is going to be the type that I will hate to have end.

Not to rush you but I am WAITING to read more . Indulge me pretty please.

 

[kaoden39]

So glad you're here!! Come back and say howdy often!



I think I might recognize your screen name from the WDW side, no? A very big welcome to you! It was a very special trip, and I'm pleased to be sharing it with you!

Quite possibly I do visit a few threads over there. I made friends with some members through my time on the boards and I love visiting the WDW side. I hope to go to WDW in the next couple of years.

 

[All7OfUs]

Hi there I am looking forward to your "Pee before Pooh" trip report.

I totally understand traveling with Lou Gherig's---husband was first told he had that in late 1992 and only had 1 year to 1 1/2 years to live. Well guess he proved the Doctor's wrong. He does have ALS but for what ever reason he is one of the VERY few that can live to old age with this god awful disease. They are finding out so much about ALS now except cause and cure. They did find that maybe 1% of 1% of ALS patients average 20-22 years after diagnosed. ( Mayo clinic agreed with " ALL" the other Dr's opinions. Oh, ya we went to a few just wanted one to tell me it was not ALS. Back then the only information I was able to get on ALS was via a teaching manual for nurses. Since we donate nicely to the ALS of NW-- we are sent information all the time. There are learning programs, get togethers, fund raisers, support groups etc. Your Aunt can get the same without donation if she lets them know she would like information. The MD foundation also will "GIVE" I think 2k each year to help your Aunt live a better life. Can be alert systems, phone, electric wheelchair, anything that helps Aunt live with ALS. We have not used but did sign up in case ever a time Insurance or Medicare did not cover an item.

You are a wonderful niece and daughter. I am going to enjoy reading this trip report. Sounds like it is going to be the type that I will hate to have end.

Not to rush you but I am WAITING to read more . Indulge me pretty please.

First of all, WELCOME!! It's great to have another PNWer along with us!

Thanks for all the great info too!! I do know that she is VERY heavily involved with her local ALS Chapter/group, and has already been given an electric wheelchair that's worth something like $22,000! They feel very welcomed and cared for by the folks they've met there. I don't know a lot about the progression of her case, except that she's gone from a walker to a wheelchair full time in about a year. She will get a feeding tube next month, as it just tires her out too much to eat now. And that will certainly enter into the TR soon.

I have the next chapter written, but need to upload photos. Hopefully soon

Quite possibly I do visit a few threads over there. I made friends with some members through my time on the boards and I love visiting the WDW side. I hope to go to WDW in the next couple of years.

I thought I'd "seen" you before. I do hope you can get to Orlando soon, just like DLR, it has some unique things very much worth visiting!

 

[All7OfUs]

Throughout my flight I was full of angst at what this trip might be. I had been warned that DA’s health has recently been quite rapidly declining,g and I expected to see her totally unable to do any care for herself whatsoever. That ended up only being partially true.

The travel itself was completely uneventful, so I won’t bore you with the details of my microbag of 5 peanuts, the chatterbox next to me, or the toilet that didn’t work in the rear of the aircraft. Suffice it to say, I landed safely and was good to go.

Enter The Villian.

Villians take on many forms-this one takes the shape of a step uncle whom our family lovingly calls “DonkeyMan” in code. Without taking up pages and pages of rant, let’s just say he is toxic on every level. He is the kind of person who thinks you are a complete idiot and totally unable to live up to his expectations or knowledge base. He preaches to the choir all day long, publically berates anyone he can, and is simply irritating. Here is one example: About an hour before I was ready to leave for on the 28th, he says, “When will the real Liesa show up?” I asked what he meant, and he replied, “I see someone else in there, and I just wondered when the real you would shine through.” Ummmmmmm, okaaaay. I again said, “What do you mean by that?” and he said, “Well, you just think about that.” Whatever, dude.

Before we left he called up my mom and reamed her out over how little we knew about the handicapped, how incompetent we were going to be at caring for her, the car we had rented is WAY too small (only to offer theirs after we paid another $100 to upgrade), we knew NOTHING about handicapped rooms, blah, blah, blah… The morning we left, he made sure to suck up over 2 hours showing us how to put a transport chair in the trunk, how to roll out her shower mat, telling us to make sure her Ensure was cold, etc..., etc…, etc… Generally, I consider myself a pretty intelligent woman, and I understand he just wanted her to be well taken care of, but this tipped the scale into just plain offensive. I’ll stop there. It was great to roll out of the driveway at 8:45- a half hour ahead of our original goal of 9:15!! Good riddance.

McDonald’s coffee with added senior discount, was a welcome breakfast, and we made pretty good time racing down up I-5 at nearly 80!! Holy CRAP they drive fast in So. Cal!! I was seeking thrills, but wanted the safer variety. On a track. With reliable brakes. I did earn the bragging rights of NOT being flipped off once though, nor did I have any accidents along the way. Yay for me!

Soon we entered Anaheim proper which looked absolutely NOTHING like it did in 1986 when I worked there as a CM at the Blue Bayou. I may as well have been on the moon. In some ways it was rather nice, as it was kind of like being in a brand new place, at least to me. Gone was the sign of my childhood- you know the huge, iconic “DISNEYLAND” one? I was a teensy bit melancholy at that, but quickly brushed it off as I almost creamed a few peds trying to cross Katella. Dang, no points today. But I did find the Anabella after having to flip a U-turn because we didn’t Google before we left. And that sounds like a rather good jingle, does it not?

Check in was flawless and our hotel was WAY above and beyond what we had ever hoped for. It was completely perfect for all of our, and most importantly, Aunt Cherrie’s needs. The shower was truly a roll in, the toilet was higher where she needed it (you are now about to enter a crash course on all things handicapped- does this remind you of someone?), and glory be! there was a fridge to keep the Ensure cold. The only beef I have with this place is the $12 parking charge. I had just paid a flipping $150 for a hotel room and they want to exact more? Oh brother! We dumped our stuff, and made our first of 4 million “visits”. I think we made it all the way to Harbor Blvd. before someone said, “Guess what…” again.

What we didn’t anticipate was a LOOOOOOOOOOOOONG walk to the park entrances. Past here:

I had asked repeatedly about walking distance to and from the hotel, but this was pretty far while pushing a chair. Nevertheless, it was a beautiful walk under the jacaranda trees

and we marveled that we were actually here together

about to embark on a journey of a million smiles.

Up next: Hey! That’s a $15 savings!

 

[kaoden39]

That is a nice walkway isn't it? But, wow what a walk.


Your uncle sounds like a relative of mine, I think every family has one. When we went for the first time again after a decade I was amazed at the changes. It is something to see isn't it? I kind of miss the old set up I think it was less confusing.


Oh and before I forget $15 to park at your hotel? Do they offer a free shuttle? I think it is terrible that all the hotels seem to charge for parking. And if you drive to the park there is another parking fee unless you have the premium AP. It can really rack up.

 

[WDWJonasGirl]

Loved the update!!

 

[DizNee Luver]

It can be quite a walk, but at least it's a beautiful one!! Usually pretty quiet too......totally opposite of walking on Harbor Blvd.....noise, noise, noise!!

LVE the World of Disney Store....so that gave me a big smile to see the picture!!

 

[Happy 2 B Me]

Poor ole step- uncle. The comment towards you was a bit strange. Even though my husband is a lot older then I am ( just a few more years till social security. This should give an idea of my age) he does no do or say some of the stuff older people do. Well most time and if he does I tell him to quit acting "OLD". Wonder if old people just don't give a heck.

I have to say on behalf of step-uncle and your aunts care. I totally understand. As a care giver for so long I have a few issues such as no one can take care of husband like I do and the dreaded what if he is having a bad day and no one can understand his speech. LOL even when husband was in nursing home for a few months getting rehab I made sure they knew how I did things LOL what a gumba I can be LOL. But I do understand what he might be thinking.

The walk path sure did look nice. Did you pass Candy Cane inn on way to park? Almost looks like that walk way to.

Looking forward to rest of TR

 

[All7OfUs]

That is a nice walkway isn't it? But, wow what a walk.


Your uncle sounds like a relative of mine, I think every family has one. When we went for the first time again after a decade I was amazed at the changes. It is something to see isn't it? I kind of miss the old set up I think it was less confusing.


Oh and before I forget $15 to park at your hotel? Do they offer a free shuttle? I think it is terrible that all the hotels seem to charge for parking. And if you drive to the park there is another parking fee unless you have the premium AP. It can really rack up.

In hindsight, I think we went the wrong way.... we could have entered on Harbor, but instead went down the walkway putting us on the OTHER side of DTD, past PP. Ah well... .live and learn. We weren't going commando on this trip, so it didn't matter, except, well... I don't want to get ahead of myself.

yes, the old set up was WAY less confusing! At least to me. Granted the main lot on Harbor was closed and everyone was being made to park in the Toy Story lot and bussed in. We found that out the next morning...

Nothing peeves me more than having to pay extra for parking! Especially since it was one of the nicer (ie. more expensive) places.

Loved the update!!

So glad you are enjoying it!

It can be quite a walk, but at least it's a beautiful one!! Usually pretty quiet too......totally opposite of walking on Harbor Blvd.....noise, noise, noise!!

LVE the World of Disney Store....so that gave me a big smile to see the picture!!

And the weather was perfect too, which was a dazzling bonus! And yes, there was only a few other people on that walkway, which made me think... hmmm... I wonder if we really took the shortest route? Longer and quiet, or noisy and quick... those are the choices.

We did pop in a bit, but later on. I'll get to that later. They certainly pack a lot in there!

Poor ole step- uncle. The comment towards you was a bit strange. Even though my husband is a lot older then I am ( just a few more years till social security. This should give an idea of my age) he does no do or say some of the stuff older people do. Well most time and if he does I tell him to quit acting "OLD". Wonder if old people just don't give a heck.

I have to say on behalf of step-uncle and your aunts care. I totally understand. As a care giver for so long I have a few issues such as no one can take care of husband like I do and the dreaded what if he is having a bad day and no one can understand his speech. LOL even when husband was in nursing home for a few months getting rehab I made sure they knew how I did things LOL what a gumba I can be LOL. But I do understand what he might be thinking.

The walk path sure did look nice. Did you pass Candy Cane inn on way to park? Almost looks like that walk way to.

Looking forward to rest of TR

I totally get that there are some things that only he could do, and that's the way it should be, but he was like this before too, and really had little to do with only caring for cherrie. Here's another example of his rude behavior... his parting shot to me as we were leaving his house on Tuesday? "Have a nice life.". Yeah, nice.

Her speech is getting really hard to understand. We learned to interpret pretty well after a couple days of listening, but did have to have her repeat things once in a while; I think that is one of the harder things to see go. sniff, sniff!

 

[kaoden39]

When we went last year in June we had to pay to park at a Best Western which I thought wasn't all that nice of a place. Especially since I think they are over priced for their rooms.


I have already decided that next trip we take we are staying at the Ayre's. It is further out but they have a shuttle. They are ranked number 1 on tripadvisor.com. Frankly they are a wonderful hotel for the price.

 

[Belle Ella]

Subbing!

 

[jnjusoioa]

Awesome update. I enjoyed finally having the time to read it. It sounds like it is going to be a great trip. That is so awesome that you were a CM there. How very cool. Sounds like the hotel was nice, other then the walk and the extra charge, I am not sure why hotels do that these days but oh well. Can't wait to read and see more of your trip. Happy 4th Weekend.

 

[kylie71]

Happy 4th Weekend!
That walkway picture is so... Disney! To me anything manicured and pretty is Disney like, I live in the high desert of Northern Nevada!
Thanks for the second chapter. I'm really looking forward to more!
Enjoy your holiday weekend!

 

[All7OfUs]

Just a quick drive-by post to say HAPPY 4th to each of you!! I wish I had time to reply right now, but it's almost midnight, and I have to be up early!!
Tomorrow our family is traveling back to 1865 for our first Civil War Re-enactment, and I've only just now finished my hat, dress, shoes, bloomers and hoops. Exciting, but a TON of work! I will be back Tuesday afternoon, after the weekend hoopla to post replies and say howdy! Meantime, enjoy a wonderful and SAFE holiday weekend!

 

[kaoden39]

Just a quick drive-by post to say HAPPY 4th to each of you!! I wish I had time to reply right now, but it's almost midnight, and I have to be up early!!
Tomorrow our family is traveling back to 1865 for our first Civil War Re-enactment, and I've only just now finished my hat, dress, shoes, bloomers and hoops. Exciting, but a TON of work! I will be back Tuesday afternoon, after the weekend hoopla to post replies and say howdy! Meantime, enjoy a wonderful and SAFE holiday weekend!

It sounds like great fun!! I hope you have a safe and happy holiday weekend!!

 

[Escape2Disney]

I'm another Southern Oregonian subscribing! Can't wait to hear the story!

 

[reyasmommy]

I'm really enjoying your TR thus far.

We stayed at the Anabella on our last trip, and I'm debating on staying there again or the Portofino. I'm thining it's the same distance as far as walking distance, but I could be wrong?

I really, really, really loved the Anabella though. When we went they didn't have the $12.00 parking fees, so that is one mark in the CON section on my PRO/CON list.

I thought it was a beautiful hotel, the walk was easy and beautiful ((Did you take a short cut through the Grand Californian? )) and it had a great pool. Not sure how much we'll be using it in November though? We got the conceirge room which I'm not sure was worth the money, but we had a nice little semi private patio area that I loved using at night.

Anyway, enough about me. Look forward to reading more of your trip. Have a Happy 4th of July!

 

[Sjwillia]

Count me as another Oregon reader too. I am just north of Salem a few miles. Great trip report. I am looking forward to more.
HAPPY FOURTH OF JULY.

 

[WDWJonasGirl]

Just a quick drive-by post to say HAPPY 4th to each of you!! I wish I had time to reply right now, but it's almost midnight, and I have to be up early!!
Tomorrow our family is traveling back to 1865 for our first Civil War Re-enactment, and I've only just now finished my hat, dress, shoes, bloomers and hoops. Exciting, but a TON of work! I will be back Tuesday afternoon, after the weekend hoopla to post replies and say howdy! Meantime, enjoy a wonderful and SAFE holiday weekend!

Thank you!! I hope you have a safe Fourth of July too!!