Summertime and Disneyland .Oo-De-Lally!!

[BellaBaby]

So sorry to hear you were treated that way at your job!

It's a shame when these big companies feel they can treat a loyal 17 year employee this way.

I wish you the best of luck at your new job and soon enough you'll have your bonus check and be on your way to WDW!!

 

[lucysmom]

I am so sorry about your troubles at work. It seems that everyone has either had a similar experience or knows of someone who has. I am glad you have been able to secure new employment. Pixie dust to you!

 

[thornton0511]

Oh, wow! I can't even imagine how shocked you must have felt to get that news from your company. Glad to hear that it's all going to work out ok in the end though. And I don't blame you one bit, I'd keep silent too until I got that bonus check!

Wow. That is a lot to digest. Glad you have something else already lined up. It must be difficult to keep going in, but I would want that bonus check too. Hugs.

I know what you mean! While I happen to enjoy the experience of Disneyworld more than Disneyland, it is hard to ignore how special DL is. It certainly has a different feeling to it.
Loving this report so far! not done reading through the whole thing yet

I'm so sorry to hear this and that is so wrong to not value a good and loyal employee. I have had kind of the same experience in that I worked for years but when I had my kids I quit all together for a few years then I worked from home and then finally when the girls were in preschool I went back to work for my mom part time just to get out of the house and for some pocket money. (my ex was the bread winner back then). Well fast forward 13 years and we split up and I find myself now having to LIVE off my lousy part time income that was never supposed to support me but merely give me some extra cash. I am SO grateful that my parents have helped my girls and I out but I have been separated for three years and have looked for EVERY type of job both in my field (office work) and things like target etc. I couldn't get anyone to even talk to me. I think that companies would rather hire young kids that don't expect much then people who have been working for years that I guess in theory they think will expect too much.

I am glad to hear though that you have a new job waiting that will work well for you and again I am so sorry about what happened. I know it must be bittersweet. No worries on the report. We will be here when you have the time and GOOD LUCK!!

Oh Jenn. I am so so so sorry to read this. I work for a big company now too, so I totally understand the "looks good on paper" mentality. Well actually, I really don't understand it, but I can empathize. I just hate the "bottom line" mentality of the big corporations. How you can value or not value someone based on "what looks good on paper" is just so freaking stupid. Loyalty and respect just don't seem to exist in the "new economy" and I guess I will never understand that. I actually created a video a few years back dedicated to what was my old company before we were absorbed by a monster. And the main thing I focused on? The main thing that made us great? The people. Now I'm one of the few remaining as pretty much everyone else is gone.

I sincerely hope that this new job works out (I'm sure it will) and that you get that big bonus cheque you so deserve.

So sorry to hear you were treated that way at your job!

It's a shame when these big companies feel they can treat a loyal 17 year employee this way.

I wish you the best of luck at your new job and soon enough you'll have your bonus check and be on your way to WDW!!

I am so sorry about your troubles at work. It seems that everyone has either had a similar experience or knows of someone who has. I am glad you have been able to secure new employment. Pixie dust to you!

Thank you everyone for being so wonderful and understanding! I know sharing stuff like this has nothing to do with Disney and it's more of a personal nature. I appreciate all of the positive and kind words from all of you guys and it's just one more reason that I love the disboards and all of it's people. I'm about to embark on an incredible new journey and could not be more ready! And being able to spend a week at my happy place in WDW in between the closing of one era and the start of a new one could not have been planned better and it seems that everything is happening for a reason and falling in place just right. Thank you guys again!

 

[petals]

Sorry about your job. I always find that the people in the head office of these companies actually don't care about employees below them so long as the company looks good and nothing affects them like! <must not do the work rant> Hope it gets sorted for you soon

 

[thornton0511]

Sorry about your job. I always find that the people in the head office of these companies actually don't care about employees below them so long as the company looks good and nothing affects them like! <must not do the work rant> Hope it gets sorted for you soon

You are, unfortunately, right. At the end of the day it's a business and numbers count, not people. Thank you for your encouragement. I was pretty sick about it at first but then things started to fit into place and I am going to start a new career far away from this type of business (thank goodness) in the fall when we get back from our Sept WDW trip, so it's all going to work out

 

[thornton0511]

Almost The End of Our First Day's Adventures in Disneyland

After our little break and much needed nap we headed back to DL around 6:00pm. First stop….

Matterhorn. So far this seemed to be our family's favorite. The wait was not too long either once again. The first time I believe we rode on the left side and so this time we asked for the right. Not sure if they are really very different but we seemed to enjoy the right side a bit more. After our ride I knew that the evening parade was going to stop soon and I wanted to see it, even if the view was not great. My family members are not parade people….at all. They would just assume ride rides with shorter waits during the parade times. Well I like parades and I have decided too bad for them and if it's a parade that we have not seen we are going to watch it lol!

We found a roped off spot right by the entrance of Tomorrowland by the hub. It was not a great spot but it was better than nothing!

We were enjoying the parade and DS has really gotten into wanting to help video our trips which I love because it gets tough trying to take pictures and video at the same time lol.

We were really enjoying the parade and then all of a sudden we realized how bad of a spot we were in. People kept trying to cross from Tomorrowland through the hub to the other side but would get stopped by the rope and realize doh there's a parade running so I guess crossing through the hub is not the way to go. But instead of turning around and going back another way they would just stand there at the rope until a mass of people had accumulated. Were they going to wait the parade out to cross? About this time I realized what was going to happen as the CM dropped the rope and held the mass of crossing people in a "holding area" right in front of the hub.

They would all stand there until the float passed, and then they were allowed to cross. The problem is that this meant that for the entire parade we spend with a mass of people blocking our view in an area that we assumed was off limits for people. It was annoying. Poor Sydney could not see anything at this point. Probably my fault for not knowing and if the parade was important I should have found a good spot earlier. What do you do? I still think that it should not be hard to just tell people to go another way (not through the hub) for the 20-25 minutes that the parade is happening.

We finally got frustrated and slipped out of the roped off area we were in and decided to indeed go find a ride. It was just torture for Sydney to not be able to see anything and I felt so bad for her.

Not to worry though because we found a close ride with no wait at this point! Astro Orbiter YAY!!! This one was definitely on our list for this trip because we have not technically rode this at WDW…..and might not ever. We are not a heights loving family by any means and the one at WDW is so high! One year during evening EMH we actually were brave enough to get on the elevator and get all the way up to the ride. We stood there for a few minutes waiting our turn and watched the ride take off from the platform we were standing on. Nope. That was enough for us. We headed back down the elevator to the ground and never looked back lol. So seeing how this one is standing firmly on the ground we were excited to finally take a rocket ride!!!

I have to admit it was a lot of fun. Weird rocket sitting situation though. It was hard to sit comfortably and wear the seatbelt with two people in the rocket. And they lean so far sideways that I almost had a fit trying to get out when the ride was over lol.

to be cont......​

 

[thornton0511]

The End of Our First Day's Adventures in Disneyland
After this we were getting a bit hungry….actually we were starving! It was 7:30pm and we headed towards Fantasyland in search of food. I was smart and wrote down a list of QS places that looked good and what type of food each one served. The idea was to find what everyone was in the mood for and head in that direction. Everyone seemed to be in a Disney pizza mood so we headed to
Pinoc's Village Haus (hosted by Minute Maid lol)
We have one of these at our home in MK and it's a family favorite.

Even though there is no Small World window for my family to make faces in there was really cute themeing here!

We figured out what we wanted and proceed to order from the counter. I loved the décor in here! We got our food and found a table on the right side to eat.

The kids each had a kid's cheese pizza meal with a drink, carrots and apples

The hubs and I each went with the adult size pepperoni and water to drink. This meal was paid for with our Disney Visa Rewards Card.Okay listen. We are a family who LOVES Disney pizza. Yes I realize the quality that it is and we don’t care…..it's still good! This was not our usually Disney QS pizza. I don’t even know how to explain the taste….it was just off. Maybe it was a bad batch or something, I don’t know. But it was not what we were expecting. We forced our way through it however until we were no longer starving, but once we got to that point of not starving there was no finishing it off. It was yucky. There are so many great eating locations here and I feel like we bombed big time with picking this one. This kind of put us all in a bit of a rut and then there was a glimmer of sunshine…..in the form of Frozen!
We heard a bit of commotion coming from the entrance/exit on our side of the building which happens to be right next to the Frozen meet and greet. Before we knew it Anna and Elsa came busting through the door into the restaurant and walked right by us on their way to wherever it was that they were going. I guess the restaurant provided a quick cut through for them? Either way it all happened so fast that I did not have time to even take a picture but they were so close to where we were sitting and waved and said hello and Sydney was, at this point, on cloud nine. Heck we all were taken back a bit! At this point we were like "what stinky pizza?" lol. I love Disney!!!
After this it was time for us to head toward the Rivers of America to get a spot for Fantasmic!

No we did not stake out a place hours before the show, but we did get there at a decent time. we found a spot in the standing only roped off area right behind the sitting only area. Not too shabby.

While we waited for the show to start the kids sat down in front of us and played on DH's smartphone with the understanding that when the show started they would have to stand. I really liked how organized the CM's are with this whole deal. They were really on top of sitting in the sitting area and standing in the standing area. Good for them! They even showed no mercy for strollers left in the out position in the middle of the seating area. This seemed to really throw some people for a loop who thought that they could keep their kid in the stroller for a raised, comfortable view of the show. Never mind those people who are sitting directly behind you on the ground. Sheesh people. It was either fold it up and put it in the back or leave lol.

And then there was this lady. Good luck lady. Hope your party can find you soon cause you can't be doing all of that when the show starts.

Then it was time! EEKKKK!!!! Here we go, I was so excited.

I loved how they incorporated Sailing Ship Colombia into the show! Ultimate pirate ship for a Capt Hook/ Peter Pan standoff!

The visuals here in DL are so much better than WDW. Everything was so close and so clear!

And then I finally got the chance to meet Murphy!

Wow this dragon is hands down the most awesome of the two!!!! WDW does not even compare.

Mark Twain with characters!!! Right in front of my face lol!!!

This show is incredible!!! Yes it is definitely better than the WDW version. Everything was WOW factor…..everything.
After the show we were not quite ready to call it a night yet. No….there was still one more thing to be done.

We had to ride POTC one more time. At night. Because we haven’t experienced it at night yet. The reasoning of an 8 year old lol. Makes sense to me! And it was conveniently right there too.

And honestly with a classic ride that is this incredible how in the world could you say no?

Love this ride!!! And in the end I was even able to catch a drunken Jack Sparrow lol

After this we decided that now we could call it a night. We headed back toward the entrance of the park. I stopped by the Firehouse one last time to thank Walt for an incredible and unforgettable first family adventure in his park. Thank you Mr. Walt Disney. 59 years later and you still have families coming to your park and leave with a sense of awe. You definitely did something right.

Wonderful first day at Disenyland!!!
​

 

[rteetz]

What a first day! I can't wait to go sometime in the future. We are in WDW right now and enjoying every minute of it. That also sucks about the parade spot, I've heard its a very good parade. Can't wait to hear more.

 

[DisneyKid4Life]

I'm not a parade person either, but I do like the Soundsational Parade. I have a feeling the Festival of Fantasy is going to remind me of this, and that's good by me.

OMG I've ridden Astro Orbitors ONCE in WDW when I was a kid. TERRIFIED ME!!!! It really does feel high. That's probably why they keep it at Dumbo level in Disneyland.

Oh wow, even without a photo, your Anna/Elsa encounter is one that I'm sure won't be forgetten. And that's really all that matters.

I agree Jenn. Fantasmic! in the west is far superior. The Pinocchio section, Peter Pan, MURPHY!!!!! I guess WDW is a "grander" experience and Dland a more intimate experience. Frankly, that's how I compare the WDW and DLand in general.

 

[amandaw]

That's an amazing 1st day!

My guys aren't big on parades either so I already know I'm going to have to tell them we're watching them in DRL no matter what. In fact, they better be prepared to watch the new parade in WDW this October.

You have me very excited to see Fantasmic in DL! Honestly, I didn't think I'd put it high on our "must do" list but now I definitely will.

 

[kelmac284]

Nice update. Sounds like a fun first day!! FYI in the future down by the train station is a good place to watch the parade. If you can get there a bit early there are usually benches up top you can sit on and it is a perfect unobstructed view. We enjoy parades but they haven't had a new one in awhile and honestly my kids are to the age that unless we happened to be tired and wanting to relax and watch one we don't usually do it that much. But just a little hint if you should happen to go again.

And yes Village Hause is not very good in my opinion. To be honest I feel that the food at DW is FAR superior than DL. There are SOME good options but overall I feel that DW's is much better with more variety and it's just better.

As always looking forward to the next installment.

 

[ProudMommyof2]

Sounds like a great 1st day!! Mind if I ask how early you got there for fantasmic?

 

[elaine amj]

I was smart and wrote down a list of QS places that looked good and what type of food each one served. The idea was to find what everyone was in the mood for and head in that direction.

This sounds like a super useful list. Do you have it typed up anywhere? I would love to get a copy of it

 

[scottny]

They have the characters in NY too?
Yes. Spiderman here just got arrested for beating up a cop.
Beautiful room and view.
LOL. You got locked in a bathroom again.
That is nuts $20 for sunscreen.
That must have been a sight when you washed her feet. LOL
Sunburn is the worst.
Nice dinner.
Nice turn down service.
Disney bond. Woo-hoo!
I know that hotel.
We park in garages every time we go into the city and here where we live the building has a spot. You do NOT want to move the car if you find a spot in Manhattan.
The room looked nice but I would not like having people passing the window.
Not bad of a walk.
The main entrance is pretty. I have not been in almost 20 years now.
Love the pics as you walk around the park.
I thought Dinosaur and Indy had the same track. I like both.
I ate at Blue Bayou in Paris and it was very good. The atmosphere was great being we had a table next to the water.
Olaf looks so cute looking down on people.
Video link is private.
Sounds like a nice meal.
Stinks about the losing of the job but good you got another one already.
Too bad about the mass of people in front of you for the parade.
Looks like it was magical first day. Can’t wait for day 2.

 

[thornton0511]

What a first day! I can't wait to go sometime in the future. We are in WDW right now and enjoying every minute of it. That also sucks about the parade spot, I've heard its a very good parade. Can't wait to hear more.

Goodness I wish I was in Disney right now lol. Hope you are having a wonderful time!!!

I'm not a parade person either, but I do like the Soundsational Parade. I have a feeling the Festival of Fantasy is going to remind me of this, and that's good by me.

Yes Rob I was thinking the same thing! You may not be a parade person but I know for a fact that you are a Move It Shake It Celebrate It kind of person lol!!
OMG I've ridden Astro Orbitors ONCE in WDW when I was a kid. TERRIFIED ME!!!! It really does feel high. That's probably why they keep it at Dumbo level in Disneyland.

Ha! It is Terrifying for sure!!! Loved that it was ont he ground in DL!
Oh wow, even without a photo, your Anna/Elsa encounter is one that I'm sure won't be forgetten. And that's really all that matters.

Yes it was one of those things.Pretty stinking cool even if it was only for a moment
I agree Jenn. Fantasmic! in the west is far superior. The Pinocchio section, Peter Pan, MURPHY!!!!! I guess WDW is a "grander" experience and Dland a more intimate experience. Frankly, that's how I compare the WDW and DLand in general.

Yes I think that they are both wonderful and WDW version will always hold a special place in our hearts because we saw it on our first ever trip to Disney ever and were just blown away! We had never in our lives seen anything like that before. But I do think that DL version is a bit superior comparing the two

That's an amazing 1st day!

My guys aren't big on parades either so I already know I'm going to have to tell them we're watching them in DRL no matter what. In fact, they better be prepared to watch the new parade in WDW this October.

Hey you gotta do what your gotta do right?! LOL!!! Good Luck to ya!
You have me very excited to see Fantasmic in DL! Honestly, I didn't think I'd put it high on our "must do" list but now I definitely will.

Oh my goodness you absolutely have to see it! It is AMAZING!!!!

Nice update. Sounds like a fun first day!! FYI in the future down by the train station is a good place to watch the parade. If you can get there a bit early there are usually benches up top you can sit on and it is a perfect unobstructed view. We enjoy parades but they haven't had a new one in awhile and honestly my kids are to the age that unless we happened to be tired and wanting to relax and watch one we don't usually do it that much. But just a little hint if you should happen to go again.

Hey that's great advise! I will definitely have to remember that if we go back for sure!
And yes Village Hause is not very good in my opinion. To be honest I feel that the food at DW is FAR superior than DL. There are SOME good options but overall I feel that DW's is much better with more variety and it's just better.

Yeah the pizza was a bit disappointing. We had some good meals while in DLR but I will have to agree that the food side in WDW is better. But they seem to put more emphasis on it in WDW too.
As always looking forward to the next installment.

Sounds like a great 1st day!! Mind if I ask how early you got there for fantasmic?

Thank you! I don't remember exactly but I believe it was like 45 minutes before the show started? We got extremely lucky though because I remember as we walked up they started to rope off our standing area and it filled up very quickly. We just happened to be there at just the right time.

This sounds like a super useful list. Do you have it typed up anywhere? I would love to get a copy of it

I am so sorry but I don't still have the list! I had written it down in my travel journal and usually during our trips I will scribble a lot on my pages and by the time we get home they are a mess lol. I can telly ou that I did go to allears.net for reference on all of the restaurants and menus. They update pretty regularly with the menus and prices and I find it very useful in my planning. Hope that helps

 

[thornton0511]

They have the characters in NY too?
Yes. Spiderman here just got arrested for beating up a cop.
Oh my goodness gracious!!!
Beautiful room and view.
Thank you!
LOL. You got locked in a bathroom again.
I know it's like a thing we me now lol
That is nuts $20 for sunscreen.
yeah no kidding
That must have been a sight when you washed her feet. LOL
it was not one of our best moments for sure
Sunburn is the worst.
Ugh yes it is
Nice dinner.
Thanks!
Nice turn down service.
It was a nice, unexpected surprise
Disney bond. Woo-hoo!
kind of how I felt too
I know that hotel.
it is recommended a lot here on the dis
We park in garages every time we go into the city and here where we live the building has a spot. You do NOT want to move the car if you find a spot in Manhattan.
Ha that's what I was thinking. My DH's brother and ex wife lived in Brooklyn for a few years over a decade ago and they always had some stories. I have only been once. For a graduation present from high school I went for a theatre camp thing and remember it being like nothing I had ever seen before here in Texas lol! Really want to go back at some point with the family. Maybe when the kids are a bit older.
The room looked nice but I would not like having people passing the window.
Yeah kind of how we felt
Not bad of a walk.
it really was not bad at all. one of the few things we liked
The main entrance is pretty. I have not been in almost 20 years now.
sounds like a good excuse to make a return visit
Love the pics as you walk around the park.
thank you! it was just so wonderful!!
I thought Dinosaur and Indy had the same track. I like both.
they are alike in a lot of ways
I ate at Blue Bayou in Paris and it was very good. The atmosphere was great being we had a table next to the water.
Oh that sounds so wonderful!
Olaf looks so cute looking down on people.
Video link is private.
had no idea! Thank you for telling me and I will go back and make it public!!
Sounds like a nice meal.
thanks
Stinks about the losing of the job but good you got another one already.
thank you Scott. It's a good thing and I am just ready to get started!!!
Too bad about the mass of people in front of you for the parade.
yeah it was a bummer. what do ya do right?!
Looks like it was magical first day. Can’t wait for day 2.

Thanks Scott! Planning on posting more today!!!

 

[thornton0511]

A Plethora of Breakfast
This morning we were up and going early once again. Still not having a problem getting up due to my internal alarm clock. We got dressed and headed to the main building for breakfast that was included with our stay. This was something good that the motel had going for itself.

We had no issues being here right at 6:30 when breakfast started! Oh my goodness this place had quite a lot of items to choose from too.

First there was your typical breakfast breads

Followed by a serious mountain of bagels

You have your Danishes

Your muffins

My kids' personal favorite….donuts

Then there was an area for condiments and such

Basket O Fruit

Yogurt, Cheese, and Eggs

And a really really bad picture of the orange juice dispenser. They also had a coffee maker and milk dispenser right next to this.

We opted to sit outside next to the pool when we noticed this

More stuff!!! Lol this outdoor cart had an assortment of cereals and milk. I suppose with all of the stuff inside they had run out of room.

We found a patio table and filled our bellies. The weather was amazing and it was nice and peaceful. We may not have been in love with the CCI but I gotta give them props for their breakfast!
We then headed back to the room to finish getting ready and grab our stuff. Then we took the 10 minute walk to DLR and to bag check. What would the day hold for us today?

​

 

[thornton0511]

WIDE RIGHT!!!

Today was going to be a DCA rope drop kind of day. Since we had spent yesterday at DL it seemed to make sense. Plus this morning Disney was hosting magic mornings or whatever at DL and NOT DCA so I wanted to use this to our advantage. We had made it through bag check at were at the gates by 7:15am for an 8am park opening. Not too shabby.

At 7:30am the CM's started to show up and get ready. I was all giddy inside. I was also nervous. We were officially going to give Wide Right a go and see how that would work for RSR. I had heard some horror stories about the masses of people and all of the pushing and shoving. And this was summertime after all and not the slow season. I made sure to educate everyone in my family about what the goal was, what to do, and what to expect. We had become somewhat fearless thanks to TSMM rope drops at HS and also the migration of people after a Fantasmic! show so we felt pretty confident. Well somewhat anyways. Anytime you try something for the first time you never fully know what to expect. At 7:45am they opened the gates and began letting people in to Buena Vista Street. Oh the adrenaline of getting through the turnstiles and down that street. It was insane lol! We have definitely got a system down with the four of us and know what we are doing. It is so funny .

It paid off though and we were the second family behind the rope. All the way on the right side. Like, as far as you could get in that corner. We had claimed our territory and were prepared to defend it from anyone who tried to weasel their way in. Not….gonna….happen.

This is what it looked like behind us. Look at all of those happy people folks. Oo-De-Lally Summertime at Disneyland. Or in this case Disney California Adventure.

It was getting close to 8am and my heart was racing you guys. There were a whole lot of people surrounding us and let's face it. None were headed to Bug's Land. Then I noticed the Cars Land people. I see you Cars Land CM's! They seemed to be having some sort of quick meeting before heading our way. Probably a pep talk to get them ready for all of us lol. There was a family that appeared with them at some point and I am assuming they had a special thing going on and were given a VIP access to the park or something. Then the time came for the park into and the gasoline pump rope was picked up by the CM's as we all got ready to go. Oh my goodness my heart was literally beating out of my chest at this point. AAAHHHHH!!!

And then we were off!!! I told you my family has a system for this kind of thing. I was in charge of Cory and all the backpacks so that DH could carry Sydney. As the line started to merge to the right, into us, I placed Cory in front of me holding on to his hand at an angle and DH got right behind me holding Syd. We formed a single file line. We were doing good and then we came across and intersection with new people coming at us from the right. GAH it was secret entrance resort people. Now they were coming from all sides lol. We stood our ground however and all four of us stayed right on that sidewalk line. Then stupid people tried to run up on us from behind and jump ahead by means of the sidewalk. Then when the CM's yelled at them to get over they would try to squeeze in and push us back. Not today. I hate cheaters. We stood our ground. Good Golly Miss Molly it was intense…but very very organized. I was so happy when we got in the queue.

We were going so fast that I really did not have time to take a lot of pictures. But this queue was as amazing as I thought it would be.

This is how many people ended up in front of us. I would say that is pretty darn good maneuvering!

As people started weaving in and out behind us DH noticed quite a few people….adults…..jumping over the rails to cut as many people as they could. This kind of stuff makes me so sad. And scared too. Seriously if this is how grown up people act when it comes to a ride how will they act if something really bad happens? I try not to think about it too much.

We anxiously waited for our car to arrive. So incredibly excited to finally be here. And so incredibly relieved to have all of the rope drama over with lol.

We hoped in our yellow car and buckled in tight. We were ready to go!!!

Wow you guys this ride is as amazing as you can imagine! Props to Imagineers on this one. And they know just when to cue the music too as you are coming around spots and up to the waterfall bridge. Wow….just wow!

The inside, dark portion of the ride is equally fascinating. The new technology they use with the animatronics is amazing!

The race at the end is soooo much fun! We had a blast. Totally Awesome Ride!!!! And as far as using Wide Right? I think if you can manage yourself and your party in a situation like that it is totally worth doing. It worked for us anyways. Our kids are a bit older though so I would imagine with little ones in might be a bit more intense. It definitely works though and fortunately not too many know about it so that always helps.
​

 

[amandaw]

My heart was racing just reading about RD for RSR! I guess we'll have to give the "wide right" a try next year but just thinking about it makes me anxious. I'm glad y'all made it safely & without losing your place.

That is just ridiculous that adults were line jumping for a ride. It's just sad that grown people would act that way.

The ride does look absolutely amazing though! I am very excited to experience it!

 

[sophies*mom]

My heart was racing just reading about RD for RSR!

Mine too! lol

You have a great trip report going here! I am really enjoying it!