Solo day and family trip... two, two, two reports in ONE!

[kaoden39]

Cheryl, you'd better come by!

PPB and kaoden, I'm so glad you're still reading.

Of course I am. I am an ardent fan of your writing style. And most of the time we are of like mind.

 

[prettyprincessbelle]

Cheryl, you'd better come by!

PPB and kaoden, I'm so glad you're still reading.

Yes, mam'!

 

[DisneyMomma81]

Sounds like a great day in the parks ~ sorry about the start of the trip. Your TR's are great reads. How fun you'll be there early next month with your guys! Your last day is our 1st day ~ perhaps we'll see each other.

 

[bumbershoot]

The mention of the start of the trip reminded me of something I didn't even mention!


We had a flight that was supposed to leave just after noon. Being good little travelers who follow the rules, both B and I were there nice and early. We were dropped off separately by respective husband and child.

I had some troubles getting through security, b/c the TSA machines did NOT like my MP3 player (I think I mentioned that one). But it was all fine and we were smiley and I made it through without being searched or anything.

I love the seatac airport once you're past security, and I had plans to eat something, but was so ridiculously nervous about the flight and the trip that all I could deal with was an iced latte to try to wake me up.

So I went to the gate to try to calm down. Got a phone call from B. She was at one of the bars at the airport! It was barely 11am. So I headed down there, and she wasn't just having a brew, she was having a mixed drink. While I was still having my coffee! Yowza.


She finished her bevvie and we went to the gate to hang out. Alas, there was some sort of nasty weather down in San Francisco, so our flight was delayed. So the Virgin America gate people started amusing us by playing David Bowie music, saying it was Bowie day at VA. And they got a trivia game going. Since B remembered that I'm a Bowie fan she tried to get me to be a Joiner, but I'm just not one to do things like that. Afraid I'll fall while walking over, afraid I've sat in chocolate or have scary panty lines, etc etc etc. Afraid of being a fool.

B however IS a joiner, so when no one else was getting up, she went on over at the same time that a male fellow passenger also went up there. Long story short, I should have gone up there b/c one of the questions that I knew the answer to, they said if we got it, we'd win free flights for a year. D'oh! I didn't get over to B in time, and as I was getting up the gate agent said she was glad no one answered (his b'day is Jan 8 1947 by the way...same month and day as Elvis and my brother) b/c she would have lost her job. Dernit why hadn't I gotten up?

Well at the end of it, B and the guy both won, and they got two free drinks or movies for on the flight.

But the flight wasn't going anywhere! It was around 11:30 and they were anticipating it being AT LEAST 2:20 by the time we'd be boarding. But to stay close-ish and listen to the announcements.

By then my nervousness was going and I got hungry, so we went to the Africa Lounge (around the corner from the gate) and ordered nachos and two beers. The nachos took some time, and we were chatting. After about 10 minutes, we saw the server carrying our beers towards us. I said "wow that's a big beer" b/c B had gotten the 22 oz while I got the 16oz, and as soon as those words were out of my mouth, over the PA system we heard that our flight was boarding in one minute!!!!!

I was focused on those beers, but B said that about half the people in the lounge suddenly stood up after the announcement. The server had our eye, and we told her we had to go...she was a bit confused, but we just said that that was our flight, and since we hadn't even touched the beers, she said to just GO.

So we went.

We boarded and got comfy. VA has the loveliest plane interior! Instead of flat white or yellowish lights, it's all blues and purples and reds and pinks in there. The barrier between coach and first class looks like this (from coach):

Instead of a normal TV (lol, "normal" televisions in the backs of seats, wow we have come a long way) they have a system they call "red". This is Red:

As B said when I was taking those pix, you can't take me anywhere.


We discovered that you can text others in the plane through Red, so even though B and I were right across the aisle from each other, we texted each other instead of talking.

At one point later on, the perky flight attendant (reminded me of a brown haired Calleigh from CSI Miami) cracked up when she realized we were texting each other. Said that she and a couple girlfriends did the same on their way to Vegas once...


So anyway, we were seated and got comfy.


And then.....lockdown. Seatac went on lockdown. There was some sort of security breech. They had to find some woman; our plane was boarded twice by armed agents of some sort, looking at us all to find this woman.

So we sat and sat and missed our take-off window and sat some more.

At long long last, the lockdown was lifted, so we assume they found their (wo)man.

Alas, we couldn't take off yet b/c of the "window" and b/c the flight was only 3/4 boarded! YES if we hadn't gotten up so quickly, we could have been waiting in the gate area when the lockdown happened, and we might have been able to go back to our brews and nachos. SIGH.


Finally the other people were boarded, we had to wait about 20 more minutes for a take-off window, and we took off.


Our flight landed in SF, and it was still naaaaaaasty weather there. I never realized just how close to the water you are when you're landing there until 11/1, yikes! We had been told that it was the same plane going on, so we didn't have to worry about anything. But the plane changed flight numbers, which is something I haven't experienced in the past, so everyone had to exit the plane.

We exited, rushed up the escalators to see if we could find food (B the omnivore found food, but the herbivore did not, which means it was around 4 or 5 and the herbivore had only had an iced latte and 3 bites of a cookie so far) and went back down the escalators just in time for our flight to be called. We were second and third last on the plane, but we had our same seats so we knew where we were going.


Landed at long last in San Diego, got our bags, found a cab, got to the condo. Called the ringleader who told us we MUST look "sexy" (after spending from 10am to 6 or 7 pm in an airport or on a plane!), we made our attempts at it and hobbled off in high heels for the $15 mixed drinks place where it all began. (did I mention that at around midnight I finally steered B-the-booze-lightweight-and-early-bird towards the condo, where we ordered a pizza and fell fast asleep? I think we were the only ones eating on the trip, LOL)



So anyway, I wanted to share the flight story b/c it was crazy and weird and unexpected. The seatac lockdown didn't seem to make any news anywhere but it happened!

 

[kaoden39]

Wow that was a interesting start to your trip. I'm sorry that the weather was bad in San Francisco. We had rain that didn't we? I will never forget the first time I flew into SFO it was a sobering experience. Wow. And San Diego airport wow I felt like I could read every licence plate on the freeway. Sacramento airport isn't so bad to fly in and out of.

 

[bumbershoot]

And San Diego airport wow I felt like I could read every licence plate on the freeway.

What's funny is that I never look out the window while landing in SD, but it sure is dramatic to see the planes! Brother drove me over to Coronado and it's astonishing to see how the planes just go right through town.....


Hubby has flown in and out of Hong Kong and Singapore, and I can't remember which one it is but one of them is a man-made island for their airport. He says it's amazing, but very scary....

 

[kaoden39]

What's funny is that I never look out the window while landing in SD, but it sure is dramatic to see the planes! Brother drove me over to Coronado and it's astonishing to see how the planes just go right through town.....


Hubby has flown in and out of Hong Kong and Singapore, and I can't remember which one it is but one of them is a man-made island for their airport. He says it's amazing, but very scary....

Oh gosh I can't even imagine.

 

[bumbershoot]

Okey dokey!

Because of extreme issues trying to book online, I had time to think "I don't think E and I should go early on the 5th, let's just all travel together".

So we're leaving on the 5th after hubby's work and will make our way by Disneyland Express to the extra-classy Motel 6.

Actually that might get changed, because of the most recent reviews on hotels dot com and tripadvisor. Might have to take the priceline tutorial and maybe bid on something instead.

Then up bright and early on the 6th, pre-check-in to PPH, store luggage, get over early for MM. Up on the 7th, MM again. (they'd better not change MM days!) Then we have most of the 8th before making our way to the DExpress and going home!

Short, sweet, simple.

 

[Sleepless Knight]

How exciting. I think you and your family will love Disneyland at Christmastime. I've been there every single year in December since 2003 and will see the Candlelight Processional this year for the first time(same time you're down there). Say hello if you see me and I'll do the same if I see you. Best way to spot me will be my lanyard with Disney Star Wars pins and Sleeping Beauty pins.

 

[Sherry E]

Okey dokey!

Because of extreme issues trying to book online, I had time to think "I don't think E and I should go early on the 5th, let's just all travel together".

So we're leaving on the 5th after hubby's work and will make our way by Disneyland Express to the extra-classy Motel 6.

Actually that might get changed, because of the most recent reviews on hotels dot com and tripadvisor. Might have to take the priceline tutorial and maybe bid on something instead.

Then up bright and early on the 6th, pre-check-in to PPH, store luggage, get over early for MM. Up on the 7th, MM again. (they'd better not change MM days!) Then we have most of the 8th before making our way to the DExpress and going home!

Short, sweet, simple.

Sounds good! And you are resisting the Snowball Effect by deciding against going early with Eamon. Stay strong for us all... Fight the Snowball...Don't let it win...

If I DO end up going by myself for one day before my actual 'planned' (but tentative) trip in late December, I will probably try to go around that same time frame you are going, because it seems like a few DIS folks are going then. I am eager to see the decorations - especially at night!

 

[bumbershoot]

If I DO end up going by myself for one day before my actual 'planned' (but tentative) trip in late December, I will probably try to go around that same time frame you are going, because it seems like a few DIS folks are going then. I am eager to see the decorations - especially at night!

Woohoo!

Editing to add....if you could just get someone to take you to LAX, you could hop on Disneyland Express. Just take it to DLH and start your day! (and the reverse to get home)

 

[Sherry E]

Woohoo!

Editing to add....if you could just get someone to take you to LAX, you could hop on Disneyland Express. Just take it to DLH and start your day! (and the reverse to get home)

That sounds like a good (and less expensive) idea. I am going to scheme on that! I am still trying to figure out how feasible the actual planned DLR trip is for late December, so my 'impromptu' solo visit to see the decorations will be decided after I know the specifics on the other one, but it will all work out one way or the other. I am not too worried about it right at the moment. I am resisting the Snowball...Must resist...cannot buy useless Mickey gingerbread souvenirs... Must...stay...strong....

Looking at all your photos in your TR, it made me remember I have to go back and post some photos in my old Trip Report. I just put several in the PhotoPass thread, but I have to get some non-PhotoPass pictures into the TR!

 

[wendy darling]

What's funny is that I never look out the window while landing in SD, but it sure is dramatic to see the planes! Brother drove me over to Coronado and it's astonishing to see how the planes just go right through town.....


Hubby has flown in and out of Hong Kong and Singapore, and I can't remember which one it is but one of them is a man-made island for their airport. He says it's amazing, but very scary....

I was reading your Trip report (enjoyed reading it!!) when I came across this post.
I was flying into San Diego about 2 weeks after 9/11 happened (actually I was supposed to fly on 9/11 in the evening) when we got ready to land, the pilot got on the pa system and assured us that although we were flying VERY close to the buildings it was normal and that we should not be alarmed. If he had not done that I think the passengers (me included) would have freaked out!!

 

[goofycathy]

Wow I must have been there the same day because I remember being in line and seeing that family in the yellow shirts getting picked. I remember teasing my husband and saying "see next time I want to pick out nice bright matching T-shirts for our trip you wont object" and he gave me that "your right" look.
Sounds like you had a blast, we did too!

 

[bumbershoot]

I was reading your Trip report (enjoyed reading it!!) when I came across this post.
I was flying into San Diego about 2 weeks after 9/11 happened (actually I was supposed to fly on 9/11 in the evening) when we got ready to land, the pilot got on the pa system and assured us that although we were flying VERY close to the buildings it was normal and that we should not be alarmed. If he had not done that I think the passengers (me included) would have freaked out!!

I think they should announce it every time, don't you?

I remember taking off from, hmm, Orange County airport I believe, and the pilot let us know the way they had to take off....fast, pointed up more than usual, and gaining altitude very quickly then leveling off quicker than a normal takeoff. I was SO glad for that info, b/c I'm more used to the leisurely take off with a long time to get to altitude, and it would have been scary without the warning!

Wow I must have been there the same day because I remember being in line and seeing that family in the yellow shirts getting picked. I remember teasing my husband and saying "see next time I want to pick out nice bright matching T-shirts for our trip you wont object" and he gave me that "your right" look.
Sounds like you had a blast, we did too!

Very cool!

I'll admit I have an urge to get/make matchy shirts, but there's just no chance hubby would wear one happily. I mean, he'd wear one, but not happily b/c he would feel that the brightness would accentuate all that he's trying to lose. Now if I could make up some sort of button up Lassiter-esque shirt for him and we could match him, he'd wear that, but I think that would be much more expensive than getting some t-shirts!

 

[prettyprincessbelle]

I'll admit I have an urge to get/make matchy shirts, but there's just no chance hubby would wear one happily. I mean, he'd wear one, but not happily b/c he would feel that the brightness would accentuate all that he's trying to lose. Now if I could make up some sort of button up Lassiter-esque shirt for him and we could match him, he'd wear that, but I think that would be much more expensive than getting some t-shirts!

I really like those!! Totally not DBF's "style", actually more my Dad's. I should buy him one for Christmas. I think I saw a Wall-E one on Disneyshopping...

ETA: Okay, it's a Bolt one. And it's $74, yikes!

 

[Hound 109]

Great report Bumber.

Just caught up (had read previously about your experience with the $200 tickets to see the Material Girl).

But i got a few questions & comments:

I will NEVER stay there, just saying it's a long stinkin' walk. Biggest problems with the walk for me are: shopper's mecca and I'm not a shopper, and it's not in a straight line...I like straight lines, like, oh, say, Harbor Boulevard from HoJo, LOL.

Better than a long stinkin' bus ride.

Bumber....even though we are alike in many ways (hate shopping, likeing most things disney, Screamin' ROCKS!.......We are so NOT alike in many ways. I love curvy routes & lines (like the PP to DL).....& sausages & stuff.

After leaving the Fantasyland hat shop, I noticed the Matterhorn. And I thought "where are these two entrances I've read about?" I walked over, and I realized that the two boarding areas are in the same area, but you get to them in separate ways. Is that right, Matterhorn experts?

I do know that I approached it from the Alice/Tea Party area, walked in, turned right-ish, and was seated almost immediately.

When I left, I noticed that the left side of the structure had another line, and that line continued (the people were walking, not stopped, but still it was more of a line than what I had been in) all the way around the mountain down to Nemo.

Anyway, I rode the Matterhorn, and it was great fun.

The boarding areas are next to each other. If it's not busy (like early during MM), the LINES will be short & the end of the lines will be not far from each other. During more crowded times, the LINES could be wrapping around the Matterhorn (one line on around the Alice side & the other line around the Nemo side).

As i've stated often, I like to ride one side then the other early during MM (when there is virtually NO line). One fun ride.....but TWO different tracks & experiences.

And even though I wasn't in the SR line, they took me out when they found out I was a single rider, and I got on a different "flight" than those in front of me.

I was at the end of the row next to the mother of a 4 year old boy. He was SO cute. When we boarded, I discovered that I was in the top row! First time, woohoo!

Front (top) Row of Soarin' is the ONLY way to go.

I'm trying to be slow (what, you can't tell?) but it's not in my nature to drag things out.

Like other trip report authors?

My second never-before-done thing was a sudden decision to see It's Tough To Be A Bug! I've heard quite a bit about it and I trust what I've heard, but just to be sure, since I was alone, I decided to go.

.....And...yeah, people are right. Not a show for my son yet. Heck, not a show for ME yet! When Hopper gets angry and calls for the "black widow spiders", do you know what I did? I literally whimpered, put my head down, and hunched over with my head in my hands.

......Since I was sitting forward, if there was a sting-in-the-spine at some point, I missed it. And at the end, when they tell you to let the bugs exit, everyone reacted like there was a feeling going on (like in Honey I Shrunk The Audience), but I didn't feel it (like in HISTA).

If DS wants to see it, we'll sit near the exit and know the procedure for leaving early. And we'll spend some time in the queue and the theater waiting area.

It's a great show, but probably best for ages 6 & up. I love the black widows coming down....& the Stink Bug .....& the critters who leave the building first (tickling your tush & ankles as they pass).

& Bumber...you need a good 10 minutes to enjoy the theater lobby....funny, funny movie posters to enjoy.

I made my way out of DCA and over to the picnic area. I spent quite a bit of time rearranging my stuff. A CM sweeping the area looked at me funny, since I had my suitcase open, changing shoes, moving things here and there...oh well! At least I had ample time to make sure I had nothing in my carryon that shouldn't be there.

I've never been in that area. I've seen it on the map.....is it a nice area? Do you have pictures of that area. Thanks.

Combine those things with the AP rates and that results in AP7 rates in early December for PPH. Hey, we get MM on Sunday, so that's good, right?

You're darn tootin' it's good. I've done this 4 times. & a Sunday (with MM) is a great day to visit.

(now just don't get lost walking from the PP to the DL front gate. )




Great Report Bumber!!!!!

(but about hubby & those matching shirts.....he's right & you might want to rethink. )

 

[bumbershoot]

Bumber....even though we are alike in many ways (hate shopping, likeing most things disney, Screamin' ROCKS!.......We are so NOT alike in many ways. I love curvy routes & lines (like the PP to DL).....& sausages & stuff.

The curvy route thing is an ancient OCD-ish tendency. I sometimes count steps, trying to make left and right "even", and I don't like backtracking (shopping trips are done in as circular route as possible vs going one way then back on a street). DTD makes me nutty b/c you can't make things "even" b/c I can't find symmetry!

But here I am, with a plan to stay at a hotel where this will be necessary. Ach, the things you do when hubby suddenly says he's "yearning" to go back to Disneyland! Imagine what you would do if your wife suddenly said that!!!!! After fainting of course.

As i've stated often, I like to ride one side then the other early during MM (when there is virtually NO line). One fun ride.....but TWO different tracks & experiences.

Good to know! I'm afraid of the crowds we're going to encounter, but I'll do my best to go back to back during MM.

Front (top) Row of Soarin' is the ONLY way to go.

I know this now! I had thought before that the feet dangling wasn't THAT bad, and that being able to see them helped with any queasiness I experience. I mean, I HAD experienced a lessening of dizziness by looking at the feet or my fellow passengers. But sitting at the top this time, I experienced no illness at all! So the feet weren't needed. Don't quite understand it, but it was my experience!

Like other trip report authors?

Hound I like your TR so much better than mine. So I was trying to stretch it out, waiting for inspiration so I could be as amusing. But I couldn't, so I didn't get a Hound-ish report, I got a Bumber-ish report, which I guess is OK but I sure do love the loooooong and drawn out ones! Speaking of those I have to go check on the French WDW visitor who has such incredible reports from trips she takes with her mom (marivaid or something like that).

& Bumber...you need a good 10 minutes to enjoy the theater lobby....funny, funny movie posters to enjoy.

Will do!

I've never been in that area. I've seen it on the map.....is it a nice area? Do you have pictures of that area. Thanks.

It's a very "retro" concrete area. Concrete tables and benches. It's a good meeting spot, it's quiet (a little area of calm), few people know about it, and it's cool looking in the retro concrete sort of way.

I'm looking to see if I have pix. But if you read on micechat, they often meet over there for their events. It's how I discovered it, b/c the secret helpers at their gumball rally met there to stay hidden from the active participants.

I'm 99% sure that the area in the first 7 pictures or so (other than the first shot in DTD) in this report were taken in the picnic area. 2 years of foliage growth and changes take away that 1%, but especially the shot where you see the monorail support and the green lockers behind that make me almost absolutely positive that that's the area.

It's outside of bag check, on the DTD side, so if you're coming from DTD you just go left left left once you pass the funky water fountain thing. It's behind tall wind-blocking trees/shrubbery.

(now just don't get lost walking from the PP to the DL front gate. )

I will try to not get lost! Since the first time we stayed at PPH I goofed and did NOT actually have the secret shortcut route, this time will be very different. Mainly b/c we'll be bypassing the Lego store (thank goodness).

That reminds me, while I still have three weeks left I should see if there's anything good on clearance at disneyshopping, to bring along in lieu of souvenirs at the higher disneyland prices!

(but about hubby & those matching shirts.....he's right & you might want to rethink. )

Oh yeah, I'm sure you are right about the overall shirt concept.

Interestingly, HE is the schmoopy goopy one in our relationship, and I'm sure he would love to match *somehow*.

While on our honeymoon cruise I kept pointing out all the older couples in their matchy matchy outfits but I also noticed he did not get as weirded out by it as I was.

It's mainly the brightness factor. I'm 100% sure that he would love to have matching button up short sleeved un-tucked shirts with Eamon (when left to his own devices in getting clothes for E in the morning, he generally picks out things that match himself on a normal daily basis!). And he'd think it was funny if I had something in the same fabric. Just as long as it wasn't bright.


Thank you so much for reading, Hound!

 

[bumbershoot]

It would be nice if we could kick this cold! Or if it would just stay at one main symptom, instead of changing itself around every day. I think "ooh I'm better" b/c x is gone, get up, and find out that y is going on. Frustrating!

Got our invoice/reservation thing from PPH yesterday, yay.

Am reading it, and it states, under the "birthday magic" section, that they have Winnie the Pooh buckets! I wonder if that's true, or if this is a paper from 5 years ago? We're not celebrating any birthdays at all, but gosh, that might be fun to get anyway...hmm....

Guess I need to call Vacation Planning, eh? I was thinking about doing that anyway, but I guess they are closed already today. Drat. Why couldn't I have read my invoice earlier?

Is there actually a workout room at PPH? "Health facility" is mentioned in the discussion about the Resort Fee, but gosh I don't remember that! Weekday paper? Gosh how helpful when you're staying on the weekend? So glad my Resort Fee goes to a paper I won't get, parking I won't use, and internet I may or may not use. Won't be calling anyone from my room.... I don't normally grump over resort fees, but I do sure wish they could just be included in the rate!

OK this post has been sitting here for ages and ages, since various things have happened at home. I've lost track of my brain so I'll just post it!

 

[kaoden39]

It would be nice if we could kick this cold! Or if it would just stay at one main symptom, instead of changing itself around every day. I think "ooh I'm better" b/c x is gone, get up, and find out that y is going on. Frustrating!

Got our invoice/reservation thing from PPH yesterday, yay.

Am reading it, and it states, under the "birthday magic" section, that they have Winnie the Pooh buckets! I wonder if that's true, or if this is a paper from 5 years ago? We're not celebrating any birthdays at all, but gosh, that might be fun to get anyway...hmm....

Guess I need to call Vacation Planning, eh? I was thinking about doing that anyway, but I guess they are closed already today. Drat. Why couldn't I have read my invoice earlier?

Is there actually a workout room at PPH? "Health facility" is mentioned in the discussion about the Resort Fee, but gosh I don't remember that! Weekday paper? Gosh how helpful when you're staying on the weekend? So glad my Resort Fee goes to a paper I won't get, parking I won't use, and internet I may or may not use. Won't be calling anyone from my room.... I don't normally grump over resort fees, but I do sure wish they could just be included in the rate!

OK this post has been sitting here for ages and ages, since various things have happened at home. I've lost track of my brain so I'll just post it!

I am still fighting a little bit with a cold, and now DH has it. I know what you mean about the resort fees, I don't understand why it just isn't included with the price you have to pay it anyway. And honestly when you are there do you ever really have time to workout? I am so busy doing Disney things to workout.