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

[All7OfUs]

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.

The parking does add into my like or dislike of a place, and if the room is the right price then I'm ok with it, ESPCIALLY if they are up front about it before you check in.

The only thing I'd be concerned about at the place you mention is the shuttle schedule. Do they run regularly and often?? Or leave you stranded waiting an hour or more? If they are #1 on T.A. then it sounds like they have that worked out. Can't beat a good price!

Subbing!

Oh! I'm so glad you did!! Welcome!

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.

I hope to get antoher update on either today or tomorrow. So there will be more of this story to read then. Been a long weekend full of fun stuff, but now am recovering in terms of catching up on shopping and housework. Eek!

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!

Yes, it is VERY Disney. Highly manicured and inviting!

We almost moved there last year to Battle Mountain for a minig job, but ended up not having to as my DH found a job here in the St. Forestry Dept.

3rd Chapter coming up either later today or tomorrow. Check back then.

 

[All7OfUs]

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

Maybe I can put a couple of the photos from the weekend up here- we had a great time!

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

Yeah!!! Another PNWer! Welcome and check back for Chapter 3 late today or tomorrow

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!

I totally should have known that you could get there through the GC! It looked like you could, but I wasn't sure.

I'll add one more con... breakfast we thought was included, at least a continental one, but wasn't. but that's ok, as you'll see in Ch. 3, we headed straight to lunch anyways.

Yeah, I'd say, you may not be using the pool a whole lot in November. Better to go with overall PRO/CON list stuff for this trip's choice.

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.

REALLY!?? We'll have to make sure we include you next time some of us get together!! I'm hoping early in the fall, we can get another DISMeet set up nearby!

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

THANKS!! It was not only safe, but very, very fun; maybe I can get a couple of pix up here with the next chapter.

 

[dekkerdisneydreamer]

Hi Liesa,
I've achieved Lurker status on your WDW TR (I can't seem to get a word in due to your steady stream of followers, not a bad thing!) so I thought I'd pop over here to say hello.

Disneyland was my first love, growing up in San Diego. Living nearer to WDW, we haven't been to Disneyland since 2000 when we moved. I truly look foward to seeing the land through your eyes, as well as the lovely ladies that you had with you. A generational ladies trip, it sounds like something I need to put together!

 

[kaoden39]

I have heard about people that were at the park and one of the family members became ill so they sent the shuttle on a special trip to get the family. It is a family owned business and they are great.

 

[cinderella-princess]

Subbing!! I'm loving your TR already and can't wait for more updates!

 

[All7OfUs]

Finally, finally we got to the Entrance Pavilion. Now came time for the most important decision of our day- well, after the decision of ice tea or water for lunch. But that’s getting ahead of myself. It was time to choose a ticket option. After the very kind CM explained all of our options, and us stepping aside to formulate a plan that ultimately would have to consider the next few days, we took up Disney’s “generous” offer of Southern California resident discount 3-day tickets for $139.

And in order to not put the cart before the horse in my story, I’ll just say now, I wish we’d read the fine print. But I can say, I learned the first of many things at the ticket window:

So Cal. Residents CAN purchase up to 6 tickets for guests when they purchase theirs! I had assumed (there wasn’t any time to really research this trip at all, remember Dear Reader) that they could get one for themselves and have to show ID for proof of residence.

Pretty happy with our tidy little savings of $15 or so bucks each, we made our way into the entrance courtyard where I took these:

See the happy looks on their faces? Yeah, that’s what it’s all about, people! We three were grinning from ear to ear, and couldn’t wait to get started! But where to first?

Guest Services in City Hall

I had so many questions about the rides that were accessible to the handicapped, and of course, those would determine the order of our day. After a few questions about how the process worked for wheelchairs, I learned the second thing new:

A wheelchair is equal to a GAC.

For most rides, we learned, you simply roll up to the exit of the attraction, grab the CM’s attention, and you will be accommodated from there. Not necessarily faster than anyone else (in some cases it may take even longer) but with dignity and grace a fair bit of extra time. More on our experiences with this later.
With a list of accessible attractions in hand, and assured that there was NO WAY a lack of fun stuff to do could impede our day of joy, it was time to get a very early lunch.

For weeks, since this trip became a distinct possibility, my mom and I had drooled over the thought of reliving a few memories of noshing at Carnation. I myself remember eating there since, oh… about 1973¸and my aunt and mom have been doing so since WAY earlier than that. So we headed for the red and white umbrella’d haven of good eats.

Crowds were light, and we got in pretty quickly to a shady table.

I am one of those eaters who simply isn’t hungry until later, so ordered a small cup of chicken noodle and a raspberry lemonade. One was pretty decent; one was not. Wanna guess which one?

Cherrie ordered a children’s grilled cheese sandwich, as that was what she thought would be easiest to eat- even still it took her an hour to eat most of it, and that with difficulty. We had been warned by The Villian that she had begun to choke on her meals, badly enough that she has twice passed out and 911 had to be called; this was the part of the trip I was most worried about. Happily, I can say there was never one issue with her choking and all of our meals were delightful full of laughter and stories. Mom ordered a turkey sandwich, which was pretty big in my book and she shared a bit with me. THANKS, Mom!

So, now I’ve left you wondering which part of my meal was poo-poo gross: the lemonade was fake stuff full of diet-y chemicals that left a horrible taste in my mouth. I should have gone with iced tea! I’m not sure I have EVER in my whole life sent something back or complained, but I just could not drink that stuff. I asked for some water, and when she asked if something was wrong, I asked if this was a “diet drink”. She went to the back to ask, and sure enough, it was loaded with aspartame or some other poison; I was pleased to have not been charged for it, although I certainly didn’t expect that- I should have asked.

So, first things first after tanking up? Yeah, you know us well by now, my Peeps!! The bathroom.

There is a quite convenient and lovely bathroom right around the corner- literally, we sat right in front of it while eating- so we hit that baby up, and thus begins the Saga of Pee. Now, I would be very remiss indeed in my TRing if I didn’t show you a few pix from our bathroom foray, wouldn’t I?

This light fixture caught my eye, and I couldn’t help but admire it’s Arts and Crafts sort of look.

It’s interesting that they did go Arts and Crafts or Mission style back here being on a Victorian Era street, because for weeks we three had been talking about my own house and going that style with it. You see Cherrie has been an interior designer/decorator for years and was quite good at what she did. Before she passes away, I want her input into my home, so I can always have a little piece of her with me to look at every day.

Ok, I digress… While they finished up the “task” I wandered into the nearby shops and took some photos.

I also hunted around for some prizes for the game winners on the WDW thread(s) I have going. If you’re wondering, Glenn, Dan, et al…. I did not find them yet- it was a 2 day quest that took careful hunting.

We slowly strolled up Main Street taking in the sights. I was super excited to get to see the 4th of July decorations up:

But we were disappointed to have just missed these guys:

- a perennial favorite of mine. But now it was time to head off to a perennial favorite of Mom’s and Cherrie’s, one their own mother loved over and over….

Next up: The Adventures of Tiki-Leaky Liesa

 

[All7OfUs]

Hi Liesa,
I've achieved Lurker status on your WDW TR (I can't seem to get a word in due to your steady stream of followers, not a bad thing!) so I thought I'd pop over here to say hello.

Disneyland was my first love, growing up in San Diego. Living nearer to WDW, we haven't been to Disneyland since 2000 when we moved. I truly look foward to seeing the land through your eyes, as well as the lovely ladies that you had with you. A generational ladies trip, it sounds like something I need to put together!

OH, hey Sheresa! I'm so glad you are jumping in here!!! Holy cow, that other thread moves WAY too fast! I, seriously, can barely keep up, and honestly it keeps me behind on the plethora of other threads I'd love to keep up on. You know I love the company, and the good friendships I've made, but oy! This one is SO much more manageable! I likey!!!

Mine too! DLR has such a charm and manageable "smallness". I really love it there.

I'd say be very careful planning a generational trip- it is such a different kind of dynamic played out. Gone will be the "get lots done and seen" mentality, and there seems to be more of a "let's do what they want to" kind of game. Fun, yes; different? Definitely!

I have heard about people that were at the park and one of the family members became ill so they sent the shuttle on a special trip to get the family. It is a family owned business and they are great.

Then that's certainly good news!! Sounds like you have nothing to worry about them with the shuttle!

Subbing!! I'm loving your TR already and can't wait for more updates!

Hi CP!!! So glad you're here! A warm, hearty to you!!! More is up!!

 

[WDWJonasGirl]

Love it!!

 

[dekkerdisneydreamer]

Uh oh. I hope the ticket foreshadowing is not too traumatic.....

I love the Carnation! That would be a treat indeed on a trip if we were able to stop there. I also love the 4th of July decorations. So pretty, and very Victorianesque!

A generational trip will definitely be years in the making. I have a one year old little girl, and don't forsee getting out to California to see family with her until she's about 5. The plane ride alone with her now would probably put me into panic mode.

 

[kaoden39]

I love the stage area in the Coca Cola Corner. We visited that last February and we managed to see the Mad Hatter, Alice, the Queen of Hearts, with Tweedle Dee and Tweedle Dum play musical chairs with kids. It was one the most enjoyable things to watch. It's those little things that make it so fun.

 

[JH87]

The title of this TR is amazing.
I will definitely be keeping up

 

[All7OfUs]

Love it!!

Why thanks!! Sure is fun to write it all out!

Uh oh. I hope the ticket foreshadowing is not too traumatic.....

I love the Carnation! That would be a treat indeed on a trip if we were able to stop there. I also love the 4th of July decorations. So pretty, and very Victorianesque!

A generational trip will definitely be years in the making. I have a one year old little girl, and don't forsee getting out to California to see family with her until she's about 5. The plane ride alone with her now would probably put me into panic mode.

Well.... not TOOOOOOOOOOo traumatic, but impactful, shall we say, nonetheless...

They used to have an out-of-this-world tuna sandwich something akin to the Anchor's Aweigh at CHH at WDW. I would always get that when I was a kid. Ah well... tis no more.

The festoons were so pretty and added such a fun atmosphere to the ragtime of Main Street.

Yeah, sounds like you're a ways off with a Cal. trip with family. Meantime, it's always fun to dream

I love the stage area in the Coca Cola Corner. We visited that last February and we managed to see the Mad Hatter, Alice, the Queen of Hearts, with Tweedle Dee and Tweedle Dum play musical chairs with kids. It was one the most enjoyable things to watch. It's those little things that make it so fun.

WOW! That indeed is a magical experience to get to watch! How terribly fun! I can just see the Queen being mean in a fun way.

The title of this TR is amazing.
I will definitely be keeping up

It's even funnier that it was actually a one-liner than was really said!!

Lots more to come- 2 more days in fact, after this one; and this one should take a fair bit of time.

 

[reyasmommy]

I'm having a pretty gloomy day, but looking at your photos makes it a little bit better, thank you!

 

[DizNee Luver]

There is just something about Main Street that fills the soul........the sights, sounds, smells just make your heart smile!! Love Carnation Cafe & those red & white umbrellas......so nostalgic!!

 

[kaoden39]

The best part of the Queen was when she posed for pictures with a group of nuns. It was great. We saw them several times that day always with a different character or on a ride having a blast.

 

[Belle Ella]

Great post!

 

[kylie71]

Great post! I love Main Street and the Carnation Cafe. It's a must every single trip!
We use that "potty" too! The just remodled it!
I can't wait for more...

 

[rentayenta]

I am loving your report. I can feel the emotion in your posts about the love you have for the amazing women in your life. It's such a nice thing!

 

[All7OfUs]

Dear Readers,

I hope that you can forgive me for taking a much needed hiatus from writing. Some things here in real life needed some attention, and suddenly the “stuff that makes summer” came on full swing. My yard had been neglected for too long, and here in the Great Pacific Northwest, one must pack in all they can in the few short weeks there are of the warmer months. On top of that, I wanted to put some writing attention to the blog I have going that recounts the stories of our lives while we live in Central Asia. If you’re interested in reading, you can find the link there below in my siggie- that picture of the camel.

I have finally found a few spare moments to get this new chapter up though, so please enjoy!!

With lunch behind us, it was time to start taking in all the attractions we could, given that we had to choose from those that my aunt could either load directly on, or transfer (sort of) easily to. With the help and advice from Guest Services that wasn’t such a difficult endeavor. From the “list” handed to us, and after minimal discussion, it was unanimous that we head to THE TIKI ROOM!! Yes, that crazy bird squawkin’, scary Tiki god rockin’ place where the entertainment is truly fowl. We made our way up the schnazzy elevator and entered in where we hip-hopped our way through the ORIGINAL, very much better version of the TIki,Tiki, Tiki Room. We clapped, we sang; we laughed, we reminisced.

Along the way, here is what we saw:

It didn’t take too long to be on our way again, making headway towards New Orleans Square, where I was really looking forward to seeing again. Some of you know, but imagine most of you don’t, that I was once a CM at the Blue Bayou once upon a time; a very wonderful time, in fact. It would be fun to try and remember where all the “secret” CM entrances are and play seek and find for something tasty and refreshing.

But first, we made our way through Adventure Land:

where my mom and aunt encouraged me to have an adventure of my own on the Jungle Cruise. We all would have enjoyed it, but sadly, the handicapped accessible boat was out of commission indefinitely. Sad.

Nevertheless, I did enjoy every moment of my cruise up the Zambezi and Irriwaddy Rivers.

(Hmmm…. I think Mark Davis has been here.)


Take a moment now to enjoy a few (okay, maybe even a few too many) photos from the Jungle Cruise:

The backside of water made me keenly aware that enough time had passed since visiting the facilities yet once again. So before heading here:

we made one more trip to the place that was the ever-present theme of our trip together.

And that brings me to the “end” of this installment of Pee Before Pooh.

 

[kaoden39]

I think it is sad that the accessible boat was out of commission. I love the pictures. You are on your way to my favorite land. I think New Orleans Square is the best part of Disneyland.