Thumper_Man
DDC 684
- Joined
- Jul 30, 2009
Got all the pictures uploaded over the last 3-4 days. Lady H is tackling day one this time. Hopefully we don't make you all wait as long in between chapters.
There is something almost surreal about going on vacation. You prepare for days, maybe even weeks (or months, if you are my DH) to get to this point and if you are lucky, all your hard work and effort pay off and you have the most extraordinary time, and then reality sets in and you're back at home.
If you're anything like me, that moment when the plane lands back at home base, and you get into your car and start driving home, almost the exact reverse of the way you came only a week or so ago, you start to wonder Was it all just a dream?
I want to keep that magic alive for just a little bit longer if I may, and tell you all about it. Think of it as a chance to fall into one of my dreams
On second thought, thats probably a little too close for comfort. I love you all, but a girls gotta have some secrets right?
(Cue daydream music, or the little blurry lines from old movies that indicate a dream sequence or flashback.)
At 4:45 that afternoon, we both rejoiced at the idea that we were now on vacation.
The only thing holding us back was the train and the traffic home. We got home at around 6:30 and hit the ground running.
We had already laid out the clothes we wanted to take with us,
and now it was just a matter of folding, and packing them into the space saver bags,
Last year my mom bought us this nifty little thing that can attach to any luggage and tell you how much it weighs.
(Did I really just say nifty? Ive been on an 80s kick lately, I may have to start playing some different music, its obviously going to my head).
T-Man attached it to his suitcase and lifted it up 47 pounds. Wow cutting it a little close there.
And for some reason my entire flip-flop collection had mysteriously made a home in my suitcase and did not want to move,
By 9pm we are still adding last minute things to the bags. Dont forget the hats. Dont forget the curling irons.
Dont forget the underwear! Dont forget the swimsuits. Dont forget well you get the picture.
The carryon had a couple of changes of clothes for the both of us,
if we have to continuously do laundry, at least we arent nekkid! Im pretty sure Disney frowns upon that. Although Donald Duck is half nekkid But I digress.
This is why, on Saturday, October 5, 2013, we got up at the incredibly crazy, no one in their right minds would be up at this time unless they were going to Disney, hour of 4:30am.
One of us, Im not sure which one, stumbles to the coffee pot in a zombie like state in hopes of becoming human one cup at a time.
T-Man has turned into a 6 year old at this point and is excitedly running around the house.
Maybe giving him coffee wasnt the best idea I ever had
Well you know the drill.
Once we hit the highway,
We still have a ways to go before we hit our exit
and we want to avoid the jams.
the traffic is at a stand still on the right hand lane.
All you see are headlights and taillights lining about a good 2 miles or so past the exit.
We laugh at the fools, because they should have been there at 4:30, instead of trying to get there at this hour. We wave as we pass by. Smooth sailing.
To give you an idea of what all the hoopla is about This was in 2011.
Smokey Bear
People from all over the place come to see this spectacle. Some camping out for a week or so before hand. Its really a great thing to see if you have never seen it.
For those of us that get a chance to see it every year, we go on vacation during the same week to get away from the traffic and craziness.
The line outside was a little less of a wait than the one inside, so we opted for that.
At one point, the attendant was working with all of them, giving them their gate numbers and what not, and there was still a bag left at the back of the line. Luckily one of the guys noticed it and hurried over to retrieve it, to make sure the attendant checked it in.
We stopped at our usual spot (This area really should just have our names written on it Reserved for T-Man and Lady H because every time we travel we stop at this same exact spot before heading to the security area)
When we finally made our way around them, we stood in line like everyone else. We were about 3 people away from the front of the line, when a woman behind me decided this would be a great time to use my carry on as a bench for her bag.
As I was about to say something to the lady, she starts digging through her bag (perched upon mine) and starts rambling an apology to the effect of
Sorry, I hope you dont mind, I just need to find *mumble mumble mumble*
To which I reply
Um...actually I do...The line is moving and we need to move up.
As I am saying this, I am trying to roll my bag, however, she is digging into her bag (once again, perched on mine), saying
I just need it for a moment. I wont be long. I know, Im sorry.
Now I am trying not to be rude.
Usually, if she would have asked before plopping down her bag, if she could use it, I probably would have been fine with it.
Its a sad day when you cant trust an older woman at the airport, you know?
Funny thing is, she is moving along with me, still trying to search her bag.
I finally have no other choice but to tell her to move her bag, as we are next in line. She reluctantly does so, giving me a huff and an exasperated look, then a final thank you before moving in behind me.
We stop at Quiznos for a couple of breakfast sandwiches and take them to go.
We were able to get away with no one sitting with us on this leg of the trip, which was awesome.
We got to the baggage claim and low and behold, our suitcases decided to join us for this trip. (Thank goodness!).
The moment we start heading down that row, T-Man almost laughs, and races towards a white car in the middle of the lot. The same exact car that I have back home. T-Man is excited. He wont have to learn how to operate a new vehicle, as he already knows how this one drives. This will be easy breezy.
If you followed along with our last TR from our first trip to the Land, you may recognize this site. I dont know what it is about this cathedral that just screams, Take a picture of me!
Angels Stadium. Now granted, both T-Man and I are die hard Dodger fans when it comes to baseball, but it was awesome to be able to drive in and at least check it out.
They used to have the best doughnuts in the world! So much better than Krispy Kreme. Sadly, even though we were near this place at least 3 times the whole trip, and repeatedly told each other we needed to stop and grab some for breakfast or grab some to go for the hotel...we never did.
Just as we started walking the aisles, I start to hear a familiar song...The Joker, by the Steve Miller Band.
I had placed that as Nebo and Smidgys ringtone before we left for vacation, to recognize when they were calling.
Its Smidgy, wanting to know what we were up to, and if we wanted to swing by for a spell until our room was ready.
When she called, she mentioned they were sitting by the pool.
It took us a few minutes to find them, there are two pools there, one seemed to be a themed pool, mainly for the kiddies and then there was a quiet pool of sorts. Smidgy finally found us as we roamed the courtyard aimlessly.
Before we got to the pool, we decided to get a parking permit from the hotel so that we wouldnt get towed for being there when we werent really staying there. Smidgy was able to get that without a problem.
At one point Nebo got up to throw the beer cans away and I swear all of us could have burned holes in the back of his head, from the way we watched him so carefully as he walked around the pool to the other side where the trash cans were and back. The last thing we needed was him slipping by the pool and either falling in, or falling on the concrete.
However, I think T-Man was struck with the thought that now he had to plan everything out and he hadnt done so...I saw a small look of fear in his eyes
we finally told them we would meet them the next day in front of Mr. Lincoln at 8:00am and booked it out of there before they realized the mistake of giving us reign as tour guides for the trip.
After looking at some of the what to do in Anaheim magazines,
Dave and Busters is a great treat for us since we dont get a chance to go here regularly, we take the chance when we can. I think Ive said this before...I cant remember if I did it on our last TR or on someone elses TR, so forgive the repeat if it sounds familiar, but, D&B is technically like an adult Chuck E Cheese. Except, it has awesome food and adult beverages and the games are a little more modified.
we also both ordered a Coronarita.
I guess technically I could have left that last one out...but Im sure T-Man would have found a way to squeeze it in somehow, so I might as well beat him to the punch.
Both were very good, and im pretty sure that we cleaned our plates completely.
The waiter came back with our check and we noticed that the check had items we never ordered on it. Seems this check was not ours. We were able to wave him back and get the corrected check, so we sent him on his way with T-Mans credit card. However, when he came back to have T-Man sign for the receipt, we noticed the amount was again, different. Right away, I thought, oh great, he was still charging us off the wrong check...Im not really sure what the difference was, but the fact remained that he had already run the credit card through for the charge.
He comes back a few minutes later and tells us that his manager was able to cancel the last payment and re-run the card for the correct amount, but he wasnt sure if the previous charge had gone through or not already. Sometimes they go through quickly, other times, not so much.
Me and T-Man look at each other and then back at the waiter. He continues to apologize and tells us that the mistake should be corrected without any problems, but just in case we see two charges, know that the first one will be taken off in the next day or so. He finishes with a polite yet fearful, I hope thats OK.
T-Man right away logs into our account from his phone to see if anything is showing as pending...so far, nothing is popping up...Lets hope it stays that way.
We leave the tip, and yes, we did tip the guy because he did do a pretty decent job throughout the meal, and at least he owned up to the mistake and didnt try to get out of it.
Once done there, we head to the back where the games are. We havent even stepped foot onto Disney property and we are already turning into little kids
We scanned our cards again, and the battle went on. We played about 4 rounds, I won 2 and I think T-Man won 2.
Once back at the room, we change into our suits, grab a couple of beers and head to the hot tub. Another couple got there just at the same time we did. We smiled at each other and each couple sank into the water on opposite ends of the tub.
Luckily, I think T-Man and the other guy break the ice by saying hello to each other and we start up a conversation.
They stayed around for a few and then decided to go to bed. T-Man and I stayed a little longer, until the ants decided to try to invade our drinks.
Next up...How did we do on our first outing as tour guides?
Makes you wonder if all that pre-planning was worth it.
But then you have to think about all those people you passed with your fastpass, or all those people trying to get into the restaurant you had the ADR for, etc.
I find the credit card bill that shows up is a pretty good indicator of reality.
One of the downsides to doing these things at work...
I'm picturing Wayne and Garth, from almost any Wayne's World skit, invoking a dream sequence.
Wait just a second!
T_Man gives me grief about 'catching trains' and then you post this????
So the trains don't stop for you guys either and you have to jump out.
Check.
The final frontier of saver bags.
These are the voyages of Mr and Mrs Bunny
Their five day (or so) mission: to explore Disneyland
To seek out Nebo and Smidgy
To boldly guide and prevent injury to Nebo, like no one has done before!!!!
whoa
where'd that come from?
I think my blood sugar must be a little low
or high...
whatever
One half-decent souvenir and you're toast.
flip-flop collection?
Are you that person that picks up those random single flip flops you see on the highway all the time?
<gasp>
That's it!!!!
I've always wondered why every time you see shoes/boots/flip flops on the road there's only just one.
It's because you pick up the other one.
OMG.
I'm so happy I know the truth now.
curling irons
plural
So one for each of you obviously.
Yes.
Unfortunately.
Now I can't get the picture of Bunny Boy's underwear out of my head.
And I really, really want it gone!!
The what?
:
But just think how popular you could become!
That's what time Ruby gets up... five days a week.
I get to sleep in 'til 5 when I'm on days.
I know.
They grow up so fast.
It seems like just yesterday he was behaving like a 5 year old.
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You're charged with asphalt.
and are charged with breaking and exiting
Do you think I'll stop?
No, probably not.
I love jam.
PB&J... mmmm.....
I'd never avoid one.
Why do they call it a 'stand still' when they're all just sitting there?
Shouldn't it be a 'sit still' or perhaps a 'lack of rolling'?
I was so expecting you to get stuck in your own traffic jam when you said that.
That's pretty nifty... neat... keen.... cool.
'cool' is always 'in'.
Did you happen to catch the last episode of Big Bang Theory?
The part about Smokey Bear?
It looks pretty amazing. I'd love to catch it some year.
<sigh> add it to the list.
Inside line and outside line?
Luckily?
Not for you.
You almost got a free bag.
Actually, I find it nice that you're able to travel enough that you have a 'usual spot'.
What???
What the heck is with that?!?
You're way more polite then I am Heather.
I probably would've pretended to not see her and just turn my back and walk away.
"Oh, dear. Look at that person back there. All their belongings fell out of their bag. Too bad."
People like that, who expect you to be their personal doormat, don't deserve any respect.
Wow.
I'm pretty bitter today, aren't I?
Nobody picks on my friends!!!
Actually, that is kinda funny.
Hey Lady! (and I use that term loosely) Take a hint!
Huh.
I love Quiznos, but have never had one of their breakfast sandwiches.
Didn't even know they had them.
I defy anyone to claim that they aren't at least a little nervous until their bag shows up.
I do the exact opposite. I look for the coolest car I can find that I haven't tried before.
It's a Mormon temple for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints.
Gotta love Google.
Well... ahem.... ummm....
I can tell you what they look like... but it'll get removed.
Umm.... let's just say they look like part of the female anatomy that is usually more pronounced on women then on men and is located in the chest area.
Which makes it really funny when you say that they get in the way when you try to take pictures.
I'm not a big baseball fan, but I'd've checked it out too, if I had the chance.
I can top that! I haven't seen one of those.... ever!
If you hadn't said they had doughnuts, I would never have known.
Best doughnuts in the world!!!
Want some?
No!
There were two pools... and you were roaming the courtyard aimlessly...
Try roaming around one of the pools next time.
It should help.
Really?
They'd tow guests of a guest?
Was this a gated lot or something?
I guess I wouldn't even think of that unless I was going to leave my car parked there for a few days or something.
Really, it's a minor miracle that he didn't slip!
Looks pretty normal.
The pressure's on, T_Man!
Guaranteed that Nebo didn't have to look at a "what to do" magazine.
Bet he had the evening all planned out already.
Did you like it?
Nevermind. Apparently, you liked it.
And it's a cute picture of you.
Good. 'Cause there are starving children in.... name your cliché
I'm sure it was an honest mistake...
But doesn't it sound like a scam?
First it's the wrong bill, then the wrong amount...
wow.
Not okay.
How about reversing the over-charge and not charging us for our meal?
Or giving us a dining credit for a possible future visit?
I thought Thumpy was already acting like a 6 year old?
Nice!
We have that game at our local movie theater.
Kay one the top prize once, too.
"Then we all lunged at each other! Each person was trying to force the other out of the tub!
Cries of "Our hot tub!" "No, it's ours!" rang out into the night."
I like my version better.
So that's why they went marching!
Thanks for the chapter!
When you have paid for the majority of it ahead of time, the credit card bill isnt as crazy as it probably could be at the end of the trip.
Where were you when we were trying to come up with a title?
Hi Im Heather and Im the flip-flop crusader!
Im only in it for the flip-flops Someone else goes by for the boots and other shoes.
Actually, I took 3 All for my own use (T-Man can get his own!) used none Go figure.
Oops My apologies, carrion.
Better?
And never be let into another Disney park again!
Now that you said that, I was watching a re-run of Modern Family last night, where the Gay couple is talking, and one of them mentions he brought the other lunch, PB&J, to which the other replies with, Pear, Brie and Jambon, my favorite!
PB&J will never be the same to me anymore
Sit still doesnt quite roll off the tongue when describing a gridlock. Sounds more like a parent telling a rambunctious child what to do in a doctor's office...
I must have missed it somehow. I love Big Bang Theory, so it surprises me that I cant recall anything about Smokey Bear Hmm
Well, you have a place to stay if you ever decide to head on over.
It really is a great thing to see if youve never been. Some of the balloons are really cool. They have a Darth Vader one that was incorporated a few years back and now have a museum dedicated to the fiesta.
At the front area of the airport here in Albuquerque (and Ive seen it in other places too), right where either your loved ones, or the shuttle drops you off, they have a kiosk set up for check-in. This is usually easiest for people like us who have already checked in and printed out the boarding passes, but still need to check in luggage. Depending on the weather, and the line itself, the line outside tends to be quicker.
During times like this day, where its early in the morning, its usually a little less busy outside because everyone wants to stay warm inside. We brave the cold for the quick service.
Nah If I dont own it, I dont touch it. I dont want to risk being the one that makes a bomb go off or the one that gets accused of stealing something.
Good point. I didnt think of it that way. Maybe we do travel a little too much
Ever since the one year that my bag took an additional trip without me, I always have a fear that it will try to do it again.
At least someone else picked up on this. That is the first thing both T-Man and I said as we passed it. Im glad we werent the only ones!
I only watch baseball if I can watch it live. I find it completely boring on TV.
But it was cool to check this out in person. Never been to a major league stadium before.
Where were you when we needed you smarty-pants?
I would disagree, but when someone offers a compliment, I have learned to smile and take me and say Thank you
Both Lady H and I have increased the size of the TR link in our signatures. Lets see if anyone else catches on now. If not, then I'll go and grab them by the hair, then drag them back to our TR.
Or I guess I could do something like this.
New TR from Thumpers.
We Hopped All The Way To Disneyland Just For Some Dis Meets
Thumpers Log. Sunday October 6, 2013.
The Thumpers are assigned a task to show WDW veterans around Disneyland. Given the Thumpers have only been to Disneyland once as a married couple, this would not be an easy task. To further complicate matters, one of the WDW veterans has vision problems and certain restrictions are given to the Thumpers when trying to come up with a plan. Are the Thumpers doomed to fail right from the start?
0530 and the alarm goes off.
Our big bags stayed in the car overnight.
Plus there is no way I wanted to get them down just for one night.
Part of the reason I picked the Best Western was because they had a complimentary hot breakfast in the morning.
We still have our usual morning routine. Let me recap what that routine is for those that didnt follow our last TR.
One of us will get up and get coffee (or turn the coffee pot on if said coffee pot doesnt have a built in timer) for the other person and himself.
Then well take shower and get dressed.
We used to be really good at being on schedule or ahead of schedule. Seems as we get older, we hope to be on schedule or not too far behind.
See, were not only meeting with Nebo and Smidgy this morning, were also meeting another Diser this morning: Queenbetsey and her DH.
Right now were going to have to swallow our food whole. Forget chewing, our stomach will eventually digest it in a weeks time or so.
By the time we park, get through bag check and get to the turnstiles to have our pictures taken (Ill explain more on this later), get into the park; we should have about 2 seconds or so to spare.
The time is now 0630 and Im ready to go. Lady H is still putting on makeup.
While Lady H beautifies herself (although I often tell her she doesnt need to, shes naturally beautiful),
To our wonderful surprise, the breakfast area is already open.
We each grab a plate,
Our resort is hop, another hop and jump away; or 2 blocks away if traveling by car.
We knew for sure we didnt want to use the ART hotel shuttle this trip (even though we still would land up using the ART shuttles).
Did anyone figure out why I mentioned we still landed up using the ART shuttles? Good for all of you. Moving on.
Wait, I see a hand way in the back. You didnt figure it out? Let me explain.
Naturally you pay more for using the Disney parking lot, but ART seems to provide more shuttles for the parking lot then they do for the hotel routes. I agree with what youre all thinking right now. They should as were paying them more.
There are 2 entrances, but visitors are only allowed to use one.
There are also 2 exits which coincidentally are located next to the 2 entrances. Guests are allowed to use either one.
Imagine the surprising look on our faces when we read that the lot is already full. Full? At 0740 in the morning?
The CM tells us no, but this isnt the proper entrance. Its an entrance for employees only. The guest entrance is off of Harbor Blvd. We were on Katella.
Heres a visual for you:
They very easily couldve collected our money, let us park, slapped us on the hand and let us know we need to use the other entrance next time; but NO!
We also get a grand tour of the parking lot in our own car. Well in Thriftys rental car that we rented from them. Ive yet to figure out why they are doing things the way they are doing them. Let me provide another visual aid for you.
Prior to this trip, I prepaid for parking for 2 days. Well pay for the other 2 days later on in the trip. We hand the CM at the correct entrance our prepaid parking voucher. He hands us back a receipt that will allow us to go in and out of the lot all day.
Soon we park, the shuttle is there waiting for us and were off to DL. Were still making good time until .. THE BAG CHECK LINE!
This is still my biggest pet peeve about DLR. I have a new one, but its still not as bad as this one.
Lines could move so much faster if they had a non-bag line.
...
Regardless, being we each have a bag, we know they need to be checked.
Since we were last here, Disney is now requiring anyone with a multiday ticket (I believe 3 or more days) to have their tickets scanned and their pictures taken to be associated with their ticket.
The equivalent to this at WDW would be the fingerprint scans.
Finally the CM saw how long we had been waiting and just waved us through. No picture taking this morning. I hope this doesnt become a problem later.
Once we walk under the tunnel and get there, no one is there. Looks like were the first to arrive.
I still havent come up with a touring plan yet. Now the pressure is really setting in.
Once piece of advice I always give is, dont try to compare any park to other theme parks. Enjoy it for what it is. If you go in comparing, you will not have a good time.
Oh man I got stuck parking in that lot one time now I head to the mickey and friends lot.
Totally agree with you on the multi day ticket pet peeve,
I also was nervous about showing our home turf to Smidgy and Nebo it is so very different than WDW and much smaller. Folks who have been to wdw where it is all green and open have a shock when they come here and are smack dab in the middle of the city.
Also I was at quite the loss to figure out things that were not in the dark so to speak. as you know quite a bit of our attractions are inside.
Our morning went something like this:
One of us got up and made the coffee for us while Lance was drinking his I was getting Stanley,*the wonder dog* squared away, you know food water taken out etc. Then the "what to wear" battle, "Do I HAVE to wear the matching shirt? the other guys will make fun of me"
"yes lance you need to wear the shirt or else you can pick something out for yourself" I don't know aout other husbands out there but mine for some reason just gets befuddled at the concept of picking out his own clothes.
Then off to DL. and a barrage of questions, all of which I have answered already a 100 times and we are both nervous I mean we are meeting Disboard legends right?
Do these people have no morals???
Well, I happen to know that she does, while he most certainly does not.
What's a vacation without making it into work?
Oh, man! I love complimentary hot breakfasts!
Eggs: "My you look sunny this morning!"
Bacon: "You look as happy as a pig in a poke!"
Spuds: "Hey good lookin'! I've got my eyes on you!"
Ya walk outta there and you feel like a million bucks!
I remember what's coming next.
uh.... does that mean I'm psychic?
Well said. I recall which one is the brewer and which one the befeficiary of said brewer.
You wild and crazy kids you.
Ah, I remember what it was like to be young and in love...
Have kids.
You'll never be on time, again.... ever.... for anything.
I am so jealous!
So wish I could have been there!
2015... 2015...
Probably around 6 or so.
The white zone is for immediate loading and unloading of passengers only. There is no stopping in the red zone.
The red zone is for immediate loading and unloading of passengers only. There is no stopping in the white zone.
Are you sure?
Did you use them both?
Hmmmmm????
Did you see any signs (then or later) that pointed to the right entrance, or designated this one as employee only?
That cracked me up.
"We want a non-bag line! But it's not for us! Just get one!!!"
Geez. Then why do it in the first place?
You could've chewed twice!
You are so in trouble.
What if your favorite thing to do in all the world is comparing things?
Thanks for the chapter, T-man!
Are sure you've never met Nebo and Smidgy in person?
Sadly, there were no spuds. There were eggs, bacon and sausage. And waffles. This at least made up a little for the lack of spuds.
Can I have the million bucks to go along with that feeling?
Well at least you're still in love. That must count for something.
We may be the jealous ones now. I don't know if we can be there in 2015. Depends when in 2015 you will be there. We're going to Cancun in November 2014.
Plus we'll have a new boss in 2015. Pray that we still have jobs then.
Don't be getting ahead of us now. We're not there yet.
At the time, there were signs; but very hard to read. It wasn't until you were actually right there that you could read them. Plus with so many cars going by, you couldn't see it long enough to read it.
Here's a picture from Google. At this point, you would actually be closer to them then you would be in the left turning lane at the signal.
To beat the scam of companies reselling multi-day tickets.