Senorita Gimpy and Crew Take on Disneyland and the Panama Canal

[ReAnSt]

After the Haunted Mansion we, decided we wanted to find food. We were going to go to Rancho del Zocalo. However our plans changed as the phone rang. The rest of the group was ready to get back together. Since it was only 11 something we decided we would wait to eat. So instead of food we headed to Splash Mountain. Splash Mountain at WDW is one of my favorite attractions. I loved the one at Disneyland as well.

Handicap access is through the exit. When we arrived the exit area was very crowded as there were several wheelchairs already there. Also the ground was slippery because it is a water ride and water was all over the ground.

It is very similar to Splash mountain at WDW. Except you sit in single rows instead of next to someone. I was going to sit in the front, but I sat in the back as I was trying to avoid absorbing all the water in my boot. This was a good plan as Stephen and the others in the front got pretty wet.

Splash down

As we were leaving, Briar Bear came over started hugging all of us. Then he grabbed Rebecca (not me) he started dancing with her and totally took her away. It was a great Magical moment.

Then we went on the Winnie the Pooh ride. This ride loads outside but the ride is inside. Handicap access is through the exit.

This ride was cute. It is definitely different then the one at WDW.

 

[DMMarla07860]

you got some good pictures

 

[ReAnSt]

At this point we split up again. Stephen and I headed back to the Tiki room as we did not do it in the morning.

Here are some sights along the way

The handicap entrance for the Tiki room involves going in through the regular entrance. Off to the right hand side their is a closet sized elevator. It fits one person in a wheelchair and one other person. You close the door and it raises you like 2-3 feet, then you open the door in front of you and get out.

This is like it used to be at WDW before they changed it to New Management version. It was good to see this version.

While we were in the Tiki room. Stephen got an email on his Blackberry. It was an email from Continental. At first he thought it was a confirmation, for canceling our parents flight. After closer investigation he noticed that it was for a flight on Saturday. Turns out our parents we coming to CA.

As soon as we got out of the Tiki room we were going to call our parents. However the phone rang as we were leaving. It was our parents, Stephen answered with so you're coming to California afterall. They were shocked he knew.

We grabbed Dole Whips before we left the area. We contemplated getting floats but we did not.

We got another phone call and we met back up with the rest of the gang. We headed to Big Thunder Mountain railroad.

It was discussed that our parents were coming to CA the next day. Our parents had thought that we still had a rental car and could pick them up. We had already dropped it off. Diane volunteered to pick our parents up at the airport and bring them to Anaheim. She lives near the airport and was coming that way anyways.

Through the exit we went to enter the ride

It was quickly approaching 3pm, the time that Diane and her girls needed to leave. They wanted to go on Buzz lightyear, so we headed that way, but it was closed. We stopped at the petting zoo. As the girls wanted to stop there.

Before they left though we had to stop at Space Mountain. The Space Mountain at WDW needs to be updated like the one at Disneyland was a few years ago. It was totally awesome between the music, updated ceilings and other things it was a great ride.

Waiting at the handicap entrance to be left in

After Space Mountain we said our goodbyes. They had stuff they needed to go and do.

 

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So actually we had not said our goodbyes quite yet. As we all rode Alice in Wonderland together. I liked this ride, it loaded outside and you went inside but came outside again. They tried to load all 6 of us into one car, we told them no way. It would have been way too crowded.

After this we said our goodbyes. They headed to the park exit. We headed to the Matterhorn. If you go to the left hand side of the mountain, near Alice in Wonderland the line is much shorter then the other side. For the Matterhorn wheelchair access you get in the regular line, then they pull you off to the side when you can not fit through the normal line.

While in line we talked to a nice family. They were trying to join us so they did not need to stand in line for Finding Nemo subs. We told them according to the guide we needed to stand in the normal line or there was an alternate experience. At this time we thought those were the only options. We found out differently later. The family did not end up joining us.

I did not like the Matterhorn. I think it was mostly because of my injured foot. You are basically sitting really close to the floor. My foot kept bouncing around and I tried to keep it from doing so and was sliding all over the place. Watch out for the yeti. I would definitely try riding this again, when I am not injured.

 

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After the Matterhorn, we stopped and talked to the Cast member at Finding Nemo subs. We wanted to know if there was a wheelchair entrance, instead of just doing the alternate experience. I also wanted to know how many steps there were.

He told us there is a handicap entrance, but the access guide does not give you this information. He told us where the entrance was. I was not sure if I could handle the spiral steps or not. So instead we decided to go on the Monorail.

We asked a cast member where the wheelchair entrance was. We got in what we thought was wheelchair entrance for the Monorail. It ended up that we got in the regular line. We went through the regular line, when we got to the turnstyle, I got out and walked through.

They left us leave the wheelchair at the station since we were just riding the full loop and coming back. We were not getting out at Downtown Disney. I was hoping to ride the new monorail but we did not.

All the Monorail does at Disneyland is stop in the park and at Downtown Disney, it is more of a ride then transportation. It goes through California Adventure, Downtown Disney and back to Disneyland

As we left the ride, we ran into the Cast member we asked about the Nemo subs, he asked how we liked the ride. We said we hadn't rode yet but were heading there next.

I was very nervous about whether or not I could make it up and down the spiral staircase. But I was determined to get on this ride. The cast member at the wheelchair entrance asked if I could climb the stairs, I said I hope I make it. They left us be the last ones to load. I made it down the steps without a problem.

Staircase

I really was glad I got to ride this attraction. I love Finding Nemo the movie. This attraction is very well done and I really wonder how they project under water. It is unfortunate that it is so slow loading, as the lines were 60- 90 minutes most of the time we were there.

I do feel bad for the cast member who works in the sub as they spend their time standing in this space.

I survived the trip back up the spiral stairs without an issue.

From here we went to Innoventions, it is built in a circular rotating building

They have all different activities and things of new technology you can try out and look at.

They were starting a show soon with a robot. So we went inside and waited to see Asimo. It has pretty cool technology. Asimo could run, go up and down steps and lots of other things.

So we wanted to leave the building. We were now on the top floor. We left the doors that say exit. We were outside the building. We saw the ramp that says do not run wheelchairs down. There was a sign for an elevator, we went looking for it several times, we could not find it. We found a closet and other things. You can not enter from these doors. There was no cast member up there. So we went down the ramp. We survived the trip down the ramp.

 

[ReAnSt]

So we were going to head back to the hotel now for a short break and to get dinner. Instead of walking to the front of the park we took the train from Tomorrowland. There is no wheelchair access at Main Street station. You must walk up and down the steps. Which they told us upon boarding. I was going down the steps I did not care.

Down the steps we went at the Main Street station. Stephen carried the chair down the steps.

We left the park. I was almost dumped out of the chair at the curb to the road, as I bottomed out. I did not fly out but we made sure to be careful there from then on.

We went to Perkins right next to the Park Vue Inn, as we thought we had a buy one get one free meal coupon. Turns out it was not good at that location.

I had a salad with shrimp and Stephen had a burger.

We then went back to the room and relaxed for a short period of time. As we wanted to head back to the park around 7pm. To ride the rides in Fantasyland and to get ready for fireworks and Fantasmic.

 

[ReAnSt]

After dinner and a quick break at the hotel we headed back to Disneyland around 7:15pm.

Our goal was to accomplish Fantasyland and then head to the front of the castle for Remember Dreams Come true

First was Storybook Canal Boats I really wanted to ride this. It is a boat ride by miniature versions of Disney character houses. Wheelchair access is through the exit.

First you get swallowed by Monstro the whale

Don't let the giant ducks bite

Aladdin

Casey Jr Train

So the worst part was getting up in the boat. The seats are kind of low and they want everyone to get up all at once. Well I was not very balanced and almost fell. So if you have issues getting from a sitting to standing position you might not want to ride.

From here we went to Toon Town. As it closed soon and we knew we could come back tomorrow. We rode Roger Rabbit's Cartoon Spin

I really enjoyed this ride. It was neat that Roger Rabbit had a ride. I need to rewatch this movie as I have not seen it for years.

We headed back to Fantasyland. We rode Mr. Toad's Wild Ride. I was so glad that this ride was still at DL because I miss it at WDW.

Then we rode Pinocchio's ride. Monstro was back

Full moon was in a few days

We rode Snow White. Then Peter Pan. They are both similar to the version's at WDW. We would have rode It's a Small world but it was closed.

 

[ReAnSt]

Loving your trip report, you write very well, I like all of the details you are giving. Can't wait to read more!!!

Thanks! You were on the same Eastern cruise I was on in September 2007.

Hi Becky
I was reminiscing about my Halloween cruise last year & headed over to find a cruise trippie to read & there was yours.
So far it seems you were off to a very rocky start. I hate that your parents didn't get to go.......did they get to come on the cruise at least?
Love the DL part so far........we are going to DL in Dec.
Keep it coming.

Hi Melanie! How are you doing? Have fun a DL. I definitely want to go back and do more. Make sure you pack warm clothing. It was chilly in the evenings when we were there.

you got some good pictures

Thanks!

 

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So we went to seek out a spot for the Dreams Come true fireworks. We found a spot and Stephen, went to go do something. I can not remember what. Turns out what we thought was a spot as well as lots of other people was a walkway. So I told them I would move as soon as he came back for me.

We ended up in front of the partners statue concrete on the pavement, looking at the castle slightly to the left. I'm not sure how early we got there. All I know if that everyone was trying to walk through all the people sitting on the ground. They kept trying to squeeze around the wheelchair. At times I thought I was going to tip over as people kept running into the handholds. They were also stepping on my feet. Can I say it was not a pleasant experience. The people next to me started yelling at people for walking through.

There was a nice walkway behind us. Where I was previously sitting that was hardly being used. Hence the reason we thought it was a place to stand. I have never experienced this at WDW. I am normally in the same area in front of the castle at WDW. I think it is how they route people is different. Not sure but myself and the others around me were not happy with everyone walking through. I thought about using my crutches to whack people.

Putting the crutches to good use

Right before the fireworks were about to start they made everyone stand up. So even though the fireworks were way in the air, I could only see the backs of people's heads. So I stood up. Well there were still people walking through. They almost knocked me over more then once as they walked right into me. Stephen kept telling me to fall on them.

We could have went in a wheelchair area but chose not to. People were not just running into me. They were running into everyone.

We should have been further to the right as trees were in the way.

I loved this fireworks show. It is the best fireworks show I ever saw. My pictures do not do it justice. It is a lot better then Wishes.

After Remember Dreams Come True, we joined the Exodus of people heading to Rivers of America for Fantasmic. It is quite chaotic as they lead everyone that direction, those who are leaving have to u-turn out of the park. We made it to the wheelchair viewing area. It is right at the water's edge across from Pirate's Lair. We went as far left in this area as we could. We had about 15-20 minutes to wait before Fantasmic started.

For those of you who have never been to Disneyland there is not theater with seating for Fantasmic. It is held around Rivers of America, and you just stand there to watch the show. Most people sit until before the show starts.

Splash Mountain

They have a Peter Pan Segment on the pirate ship

I loved this version of Fantasmic. It is some much better being on the actual river then at WDW.

 

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We talked about whether we were leaving or not, as it was approaching 11pm. We decided to go see if Buzz Lightyear was open.

It was open. Since this is a relatively new attraction, you enter through the regular entrance and they pull you aside to board.

This has a moving walkway to the cars. They can slow it down if you want them to. In this version you can remove the guns from the car.

We rode Peter Pan

Then we headed out of the park. We stopped in some shops.

By the time we got back to the room it was basically midnight. We contemplated calling our parents as they should have been up getting ready to go to the airport. Since we had done everything we wanted to at Disneyland, we were not getting up super early to go there. We planned on sleeping in as we were going to go to California Adventure and it only opened at 10am. By the time we got to bed it was probably 1am.

 

[renegade7]

Thanks for doing a trip report. It is great to hear the back story up until we met waiting for the pirate bus.

Look forward to the rest. I am hoping to get mine up one of these days.

 

[Disneygrl36]

Becky,
I am doing fine, thanks for asking. Still plugging along at the old weight loss thing.....go up a few pounds when I loose my resolve for awhile & then back down when I get my momentum back. I don't know that I will ever make it back to where I want to be, but I will keep on plugging.

Great pictures of Disneyland. I know it might sound sappy, but did you feel Walt's presence? I have heard lots of people say they feel his touch & that it is really apparent that he left his personal stamp on DL. I have been struggling over what we will pack to wear in December....but it is looking like mostly warm clothes I think. Seems like it should be warmer in California huh?

Sooooo glad that your parents got to come!!!!!!!!! Can't wait to hear more.

 

[podsnel]

Hi Becky! You always give such great details in your reports, I am so glad I get to read another one before I head out on my cruise Nov 1st! So sorry about your foot, but WOW- lucky you, a back2back eastern/western and then a panama canal trip all in one year!! That is awesome!! SOOOOO glad your Mom & Dad got to go!

Looking forward to reading about it all-
Ellen

 

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Saturday, August 16th

So today we slept in as we were going to Disney's California Adventure and it only opened at 10am. We got up and grabbed breakfast at the hotel.

The patio to eat breakfast on at Park Vue Inn. You can see fireworks from here, or so I am told.

A Little visitor

Then we headed to California Adventure. We missed park opening by a few minutes. First we headed to Soarin' to pick up fast passes. Well the Machine was messed up and we did not get a fast pass. We used another machine and could get one pass. There was no cast member nearby, we went and hunted one down, they helped us out.

We headed to Toy Story Mania, as we knew lines would get longer during the day.

At Toy Story Mania we had to wait in the normal line for wheelchair access. I think we waited about an hour.

Some of the game ads

Having a bit of trouble with the 3-d glasses

Since wheelchair loaders go in the regular line, they are given the option of getting on a car at the regular loading dock. It is right there, to get to the wheelchair loading area you go by the regular area. The issue is not loading, it is getting back out of the attraction, as there are 18 steps to exit. They ask if you can handle the steps. We opted to not take the steps. I probably could have handled them though. We ended up waiting longer since we did not get on at the regular section. They have a section that pulls out and the track switches to put the wheelchair accessible car on the ride track.

This car also had a button in addition to the normal pull string trigger

Notice I have no button on top

I enjoyed this ride. I am sure it is the very similar to the one at WDW. You wear 3-d glasses and move around a track stop at screens and play games, shooting objects at different things.

 

[ReAnSt]

After Toy Story Mania we headed to California Screamin'. I am a roller coaster lover. However I was leery of this ride with my foot after my experience with the Matterhorn. I think we got in the normal line and then got pulled aside at some point. As I know we boarded from the opposite side of the track. There may have been an elevator as well but I can not recall.

My fears were totally unfounded, it did not jerk around at all. Going upside down did not bother my foot either. I loved it.

From here we headed back to Soarin' as we knew we would soon be getting a call from our parents telling us that they were near our hotel. We told them that we would meet them at the hotel.

We made it to Soarin' and got in the fast pass line. We got on the ride, we were not on long and the phone rang. We called our parents back and told them that we were on our way.

They unloaded their stuff, we took a break. Then we headed to Disneyland. We decided they would accomplish more there then at DCA. I definitely want to return to DCA as there are some things I definitely still wanted to do.

 

[ReAnSt]

Once in the park we headed to Adventureland and hit the Jungle Cruise. Today we entered through the exit.

The bamboo is huge

After this we were going to head to Indiana Jones. My Dad was hungry so we went to find food. This was easier said then done. He was on a restricted diet and we really did not know what was where. So we walked and walked some more. This really did him in. Between the heat, it was not really hot but he had been inside for several days, plus not walking around much. It was more then he should have done.

We ended up finding food. My Mom waited in line here and Stephen went over to Rancho de Zocalo. He ended up coming back with food faster then she got food at the place my Dad and I sat down.

My food it was yummy. It was the chicken tacos

My Dad on the other hand ate a few bites and was done. He was not feeling better. He ended up walking back to the hotel and heading to bed. Now I had thought when he got there that was what he was going to do, but he did not.

The rest of us rode Indiana Jones. Then Pirates.

 

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Then to Haunted Mansion, the moving angled walkway was still broken.

We headed to Tomorrowland

We rode Buzz Lightyear again. Then the Monorail

 

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The we rode Finding Nemo Subs

Spiral Staircase

Don't shake the bag

Mine Mine

Then we got on the train and took it to Toon town

Minnie's House

Toon Town at DL has everything from a bank, to city hall, to food places in cartoon style it is way more detailed then at WDW.

We got a snack and checked out the shop.

We rode Roger Rabbit's Cartoon spin

 

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More Toon Town

Hello is anyone there??

The we headed back to Fantasyland

We got dinner at Pinocchio Village Haus

We called our Dad he was still sleeping and had no clue what time it was. We asked him if he was coming to the park he said no. So we told him to get food to eat. There was some in the room or he could go to a nearby restaurant.

Hamburger

Pizza

 

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Wishing Well

Buzz Lightyear- I do not think we had rode it earlier as we only rode it once this day

We staked out our spot in front of the castle, for Remember Dreams come true. We went further right. Since I had more people to surround me I did not get knocked around as much, but people were still walking through.

After the fireworks we joined the crowd to Fantasmic. We got in the handicap section again, there were more people and it took longer since we were over further.

Waiting for the show

The show was once again really good

We headed back to the hotel. Dad was still sleeping. To his knowledge he had not eaten anything. We made sure he ate some food. We all headed to bed.

Tomorrow is cruise day.