Senorita Gimpy and Crew Take on Disneyland and the Panama Canal

[podsnel]

Yay! So happy your Mom & Dad made it!! Glad your Dad got a little rest in- So, how was the Indiana Jones ride? What is it like?

 

[ReAnSt]

Sunday, August 17th

So today was embarkation day. I got up uber excited. We needed to be at the bus pick up location at 8:30am. Then Dad started talking about how he was still not feeling well and was not going. We tried to tell him he could get on the ship and sleep for the first few days till he felt better. It did not work. He was not going which meant my Mom was not going either. As she would not leave him. She tried to convince Stephen and I to not go either. We decided we were going anyways.

So we frantically threw our stuff that we needed for the cruise in our suitcases. Then we tried to find airfare for our parents, as once we left they would have no computer. My Dad wanted to leave this day. Well the only flight had a layover and it would have taken about 18-20 hours to get home.

I do not think so. I was not sending him through that many hours of travel when he did not feel well.

So we knew they would need someplace to stay overnight, so we checked with the hotel. They had a room, it was a different room but they had space. We found them a flight Monday morning. They would need to leave for the airport around 4am. We needed to find them transportation to the airport. We found the shuttle that would take them to the airport and it ran early enough.

So we booked the airfare. We booked the hotel and arranged the shuttle. It was now about 8:20am. 10 minutes to bus time. We ran and grabbed breakfast. Then we grabbed all of our bags, our Mom helped us to the bus stop. The bus had not arrived yet. We had arranged with a group of DISers bus transportation to the port. The group had booked 4 buses.

This was all of our luggage plus one 21 inch upright rolling suitcase. We did laundry once. Sunday, August 17th

So today was embarkation day. I got up uber excited. We needed to be at the bus pick up location at 8:30am. Then Dad started talking about how he was still not feeling well and was not going. We tried to tell him he could get on the ship and sleep for the first few days till he felt better. It did not work. He was not going which meant my Mom was not going either. As she would not leave him. She tried to convince Stephen and I to not go either. We decided we were going anyways.

So we frantically threw our stuff that we needed for the cruise in our suitcases. Then we tried to find airfare for our parents, as once we left they would have no computer. My Dad wanted to leave this day. Well the only flight had a layover and it would have taken about 18-20 hours to get home.

I do not think so. I was not sending him through that many hours of travel when he did not feel well.

So we knew they would need someplace to stay overnight, so we checked with the hotel. They had a room, it was a different room but they had space. We found them a flight Monday morning. They would need to leave for the airport around 4am. We needed to find them transportation to the airport. We found the shuttle that would take them to the airport and it ran early enough.

So we booked the airfare. We booked the hotel and arranged the shuttle. It was now about 8:20am. 10 minutes to bus time. We ran and grabbed breakfast. Then we grabbed all of our bags, our Mom helped us to the bus stop. The bus had not arrived yet. We had arranged with a group of DISers bus transportation to the port. The group had booked 4 buses.

This was all of our luggage plus one 21 inch upright rolling suitcase. We did laundry once. We refused to pay all the crazy fees for lots of luggage.

We told our Mom she could go to Downtown Disney and told her food places nearby so they could eat. She gets stressed in situations that are unknown. We told her she could call us until about 6pm. After that they could email us. She needed to pack everything up so they could move rooms.

They hotel allowed them to stay in their room after check out, until their new room was ready. They also helped them with lots of questions and information. To ensure they got what they needed as they knew Dad was not feeling well.

We saw a bus stop in front of Park Vue Inn. So Stephen ran over to see if it was one of our busses. It was the bus for the 4 of us. Although it was only 2 of us. The rest of the people at the stop were getting on a different bus. It just happened this way due to numbers. Let's just say I do not know if all of our luggage plus the 4 of us would have fit. Good thing that they did not plan on filling the busses with more people.

 

[ReAnSt]

Yay! So happy your Mom & Dad made it!! Glad your Dad got a little rest in- So, how was the Indiana Jones ride? What is it like?

Keep reading. He did not make the cruise.

Indiana Jones is kind of like Dinosaur at Animal Kingdom. In the sense that you are in a similar vehicle and track system. It kind of bounces you around. They have Indiana Jones themed things throughout the ride.

 

[Disneygrl36]

Awwwww I'm that your parents didn't acutally get to go on the cruise after all. At least your Mom got some fun time at Disneyland.
Is your Dad ok now??????????

 

[MaryAz]

I am sorry your parents did not make the cruise! Looking forward to reading about the cruise and seeing the great pics!

 

[podsnel]

Keep reading. He did not make the cruise.

Indiana Jones is kind of like Dinosaur at Animal Kingdom. In the sense that you are in a similar vehicle and track system. It kind of bounces you around. They have Indiana Jones themed things throughout the ride.

Oh, I'm so sad for ALL of you, Becky! I am glad you and your brother went, but that must have been very stressful for all of you and a hard decision to make....Hope your Dad is doing better now- did your parents have trip insurance?

 

[ReAnSt]

Awwwww I'm that your parents didn't acutally get to go on the cruise after all. At least your Mom got some fun time at Disneyland.
Is your Dad ok now??????????

A few days after they went home he was feeling much better. He has had on and off sinus infections since.

Oh, I'm so sad for ALL of you, Becky! I am glad you and your brother went, but that must have been very stressful for all of you and a hard decision to make....Hope your Dad is doing better now- did your parents have trip insurance?

We all had trip insurance. It was not through Disney so it covered everything from rental car, flights, hotel, etc.

 

[ReAnSt]

So we are on the bus. First we are supposed to make a grocery store run. We drive around and do not find the store, turn around and drive some more. Turns out we had the wrong address. We had 915 and the address was 9150. Or a similar number. The address had us way far away from where we were supposed to be. We ended up finding the store. After a quick stop, we hit the road again to the port. After about 45 minutes we arrive. I think it was about 10:15am.

Now I was not smart enough to keep a camera out with me on the bus. I should have known better. So my pictures start again once we are at the port.

We later find out that we were one of the first busses to arrive. Some of the others did not stop at a store. Or their was confusion about if the bus was for them. Even the others that were left at the stop we got on at. Got there awhile after we did.

So we unloaded the bus. Told the porters to take our bags and then headed inside.

A touch of Disney decoration

We rode the elevator upstairs with a port employee as our escort.

We got in line to check in at the Port

Before long we were checked in. They forgot to give us our Castaway Club lanyards, so Stephen ran back for some.

We were number 13, I was hoping that it was not bad like as so many are superstitious of the number. I am not. Although I could not believe how high the number was. It appeared that as we waited they were putting smaller amounts of people in each group then at Port Canaveral

The port at Los Angeles was divided into two sections, you had to go into the second section to board the ship. But people could sit over on the 2nd side. We tried to get over to the other side. But it was full, so we had to sit on side the elevator and escalators unload to. So we sat on that side for a period of time.

We found out that some bags were just left on the curb, from our bus if a porter was not told to claim them. Although everyone did get their bags.

Eventually we moved to the other side of the building. They had a few activities going on this side. There was a band, kids activities, and characters.

We got in line for Mickey as the line was short. I am not one to spend time in character lines. But while waiting in the port I have nothing else really to do.

At this port you board on deck 4

Before long we were on the ship and they announced our names. We were finally on the Magic despite all the craziness. It was odd getting on the 4th deck instead of the third.

 

[ReAnSt]

So we headed to get food. We wanted to go to Parrot Cay as it would be much easier for me to handle since we can put bags down and then go to the buffet and get food. Much easier with a wheelchair or crutches. However it was full and would be a wait so we headed up to Beach Blanket Buffet. A nice cast member helped us with our trays to a table.

It was pretty empty when we got there

After lunch we wandered around the ship for awhile. Taking in the sites of the Port of Los Angeles.

Beverage Package Anyone???

Before long it was time to head to our room

Castaway Club Gift

 

[MaryAz]

I am sorry your parents did not make the cruise but are doing ok healthwise. I am glad you posted more TR and pics. Brings back great memories.

 

[ReAnSt]

We then headed up to deck 10 for a Disboard meet. It ended up that this was one of the few things we ended up doing with the Pirates as the disboarders nicknamed themselves. There was a small turnout, considering there were actually over 500 members and associated people on this cruise. Although most things that happened on the ship, Disboarders were definitely involved. We were from all over the world including the UK, Canada, United States, Australia, New Zealand, etc just to name a few places.

Helicopters like this kept flying overhead, as their tours left not too far from the port

Pirate wristbands, waiting to be picked up. Thank you Tina

Before long it was time for Orange people to take over the ship. AKA lifeboat drills. So we headed back to our room and grabbed our lifevests.

Don't we look so thrilled

We were in the WD Theater which is a first for us, normally we end up outside

We got to ride up in the elevator and then stay in the back of the theater

The drill was soon over, we went back to the room. Ditched the vests and headed to deck 10 for the Sail away party. We wanted to get there so that I would have a spot to see from, although we later found out they have a wheelchair viewing area on deck 9.

 

[ReAnSt]

Port of Los Angeles is definitely a shipping port

They gave us these fun spinners for sail away, they said Panama Canal on the and August 17, 2008, our sailaway day.

Even the Goodyear blimp was out flying around

Kids club staff

Bobby Bananna

Blimp overhead

On the Dumbotron,

 

[ReAnSt]

The Leonard Brothers; these guys were awesome, they helped make my cruise great and I really hope that DCL brings them back for awhile. They used to play at the Rock and Roll club at Pleasure Island. I think I saw them perform there at least once.

We headed away from the sail away party to watch ourselves leave, although it was awhile before we actually left

The tall ships festival was this weekend in the Port, so some cool ships were around

Where we are heading

Their life boat drill went on forever, they are finally leaving so hopefully we can leave after the do

buh bye Port of Los Angeles- It was fun and I hope to return to CA some time

Sailing away

Coast Guard

 

[ReAnSt]

I was hoping that the fire boat would be out and would squirt water in the air before we left, like I saw in videos of the Magic leaving this port previously, alas it was not.

More tall ships

This restaurant, used their PA system to give the Disney Magic a send off and wish it well on its journey and hoped it returns soon.

Heliopad the helicopters that were flying overhead kept leaving from

Pelican

They had a banner wishing the Magic a good trip, I could not see good enough through the camera to take a full picture though

We saw some sea turtles, dolphins and seal lions heading out to sea, but I did not get any pics.

 

[smeecanada]

Hi, Becky and Stephen.

Having great fun reading your trip report. Hard to believe it was two months ago. Time flies. Hope you are going to upload your pics to the Pzone. You have some great photos.

 

[ReAnSt]

We eventually headed to our room. Our luggage had arrived so we started to unpack. We discovered two stowaways in our luggage.

We headed to the show. It was All Aboard. We met Ponz and he took us through Sessions to the lower level, so we could sit closer to the stage, and so I did not have to go down a bunch of steps. He was a great Cast member and tons of fun. More about him later.

Jeremy- this CM was on the initial Magic sailing

Christiaan our Cruise director, he is lots of fun, his wife is expecting a baby in January.

Cap't Tom

I like this Lilo painting

We stopped in Shutters to find ourselves, even though we did not buy any pictures there the entire cruise

We headed outside on deck 4, it was a bit chilly we had been warned that the Mexican Riveria cruises are not always warm.

We headed inside and checked out the Panama Canal merchandise

 

[ReAnSt]

Hi, Becky and Stephen.

Having great fun reading your trip report. Hard to believe it was two months ago. Time flies. Hope you are going to upload your pics to the Pzone. You have some great photos.

It is on my list of things to do. I took way too many pics.

I hope that you are doing well.

 

[ReAnSt]

We headed back to the room to change for dinner, we were in Parrot Cay tonight

We were seated at a table of 14, we had people from all over. Had our parents cruised with us, they would not have been at the same table. We would have changed this. This probably had occurred because they had canceled and rebooked.

Some pictures of our food, I am not sure what everything is.

Dinner to awhile, since it was the first night and we had a large table. After dinner we headed to Rockin' Bar D

 

[dmja716]

Becky,
Great trip report so far.
I love your tye dye pirate shirts, did you make them???

 

[podsnel]

WOW! Great report today, Becky!!! Love all the pics- was the calamari good ay Parrot Cay?