DisneyWHAT?? - oh, DisneyLAND - 3/16-20 - COMPLETE!!
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**Caldercup** · 03-13-2006, 01:25 PM

Hello, my name is Eileen and I'm a Disney-aholic!
Hello, Eileen!

Okay, I'll admit it, this whole trip is an excuse to get to see Karen (zacksmom_1993) and her son Zack again! (There, I said it. Admitting it is half the battle - or so I'm told!)

Anyway, what I'm telling my husband is that we're "supporting" him when he receives a wonderful award for his ride at the Philadelphia Zoo to be presented to the Zoo and Bob at the Themed Entertainment Association Thea Awards -- held at Disney's Grand Californian Hotel in Anaheim.

In fact, at first, Calder and I weren't planning on attending. It would be a lot of money and Bob would be so busy with the conference and, since we were going on a big trip to WDW in June AND a Grand Gathering in December, I didn't feel right spending money going to California.

Plus, I hate flying cross-country. Hate it. Really despise it. Blech!

Then, my wonderful father (prodded by my equally wonderful "step"-mother, Joan) decided to gift me and my siblings with a large chunk of my mom's estate. LARGE CHUNK - quite substantial!! And it was a surprise. (You should've seen us at Christmas dinner when Daddy handed me a thick envelope that detailed all the financial planning he'd put into this. We were all crying [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/zcry.gif[/img] and I know my mom was proud of him for taking care of her estate so well. [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/zcry.gif[/img] Calder was flummoxed that we were all sobbing -- he didn't understand anything that was happening until later, when I explained to him about Grammy's estate and that she was still able to give us gifts, even from heaven.)

Okay, typing that made me start crying. [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/Lonely.gif[/img] I have to get a tissue.

Be right back!
Eileen

DawnDenise · 03-13-2006, 01:54 PM

Oh Eileen!!! I know you'll be coming back with more but I got all teary eyed reading it. [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/grouphug.gif[/img]

There is no harm in making an excuse to see Karen and Zack. [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/grin.gif[/img]

I love the title of your report because for the months before going that is all we heard.

Now..I have to get a kleenex. Looking forward to more!!

**Caldercup** · 03-13-2006, 01:54 PM

<sniff>

Sorry about that. [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/blush.gif[/img]

Anyway, after I deposited the big check, my husband (for whom I'd just arranged a big, spectacular 40th birthday party) called me from work. "I want you to come," he said. "You're receiving the award too!" (Which is technically true, since I'm the Creative Writer on the project.) "I can't get you into the award ceremony, since it costs $375 to attend if you're not one of the winners." Fine with me, bucko. Who wants to wear pantyhose and a formal dress when Mickey and Minnie are just steps away, beckoning me to Fantasmic!

So, I hopped on the airline websites and started looking at flights. I wanted to use AirTran because I have almost enough credits for a free round trip. Alas, they only have red-eyes on the way back and I can't imagine Calder putting up with that.

I did the Orbitz, Travelocity thing and then remembered that I had a coupon for use with United through the Entertainment book. I got a pretty good deal. Then I had to coordinate with Bob's company's corporate travel agent (which was a hassle!), but we got it all worked out and we're on the same flight in the same row.

Then, I bombarded Karen with questions about hotels and she gave great recommendations. Unfortunately, the area is extremely booked up for our timeframe (which didn't make me feel comfortable, until Karen explained that hotel bookings don't tend to relate to park crowds at Disneyland. Phew!). I really wanted to stay in the Candy Cane Inn, but we were finally set up at the Fairfield. (I think that's its name and the confirmation is on my laptop... I'll check and update you if I've had a brain fart.)

Disney is offering a special on tickets right now - "everyone plays for the kids' price"... THANK GOD! 'Cause Calder turned ten a few weeks ago and is now an "adult" in Disney's eyes and I'd've hated to pay that bill. I got us 4-day park hoppers that give us a bonus of one free "early entry." I bought Bob a 3-day, even though he'll be caught up in the conference for partial days on Friday and Saturday. I figured, if he wasn't too bushed, he might want to join us for dinner. We'll see!

I left all the PSs (that's what they're still called at DLR) up to Karen - who's been a doll to take all the planning on. For the first time in my life, I'm not obsessing about where we'll be and what we'll be doing. I'm planning on being a "go with the flow gal." [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/grin.gif[/img]

More later!
Eileen

lauren-roxy · 03-13-2006, 03:15 PM

Great start Eileen!!! Congrats to you and your husband on your award!!!!! Can't wait to read all about your trip, I always enjoy your trip reports!!!!!!

**Caldercup** · 03-13-2006, 04:35 PM

A few weeks ago (when I was supposed to be working on other projects [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/crazy.gif[/img] ,) I made our autograph books.

Calder's

Mine

I was going to make some pants out of some fun Mickey Mouse fabric that I bought months ago, but I've run out of time... unless I put off another project [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/grin.gif[/img] , but that would make the DH mad since it's a project for work! (We have a big presentation right after we get back from California.) If I manage to get them done, I'll be sure to post a picture here.

Today, I made a quick stop at Barnes and Noble after work and picked up the Birnbaum Disneyland 2006 book. I've pre-ordered the PassPorter Disneyland, but it won't be shipping until after we get back. Oh, well. I DID download the preview section that they offered to people who preordered it (That was a terrific idea, Dave and Jennifer!) I took a few guide books out of the library a few weeks ago, but the only one I managed to find interesting was one called Disneyland Detective (read about it here at Amazon.com ) I highly recommend this book for anyone who's interested in the design and "secrets" of Disneyland's Magic Kingdom. I've learned so many little tidbits that I'm anxious to see first-hand.

Karen called me last night and we gabbed for about 90 minutes (thank goodness for those free weekend minutes!)

So, without further ado, let me tell you the plans so far.

We fly out early on Thursday, March 16th. We get in around noon and, 'til we pick up the rental car and get to Anaheim, I'm guessing it'll be close to 1 or 1:30. We may run straight to a park unless we need to freshen up a little. (I may still be drowsy from the meds I'll be taking to survive the long trip!!)

Karen and Zack will leave home right after school and should get to us by about 10PM. I have a feeling that Calder will be sacked out by then (being that it'll feel like 1AM to him), but I'm ready to hang out with my pals - either in the hotel or in a park!

On Friday, Bob has the first day of the conference and should get done around 5PM (unless he decides that he has to also attend the schmoozefest afterwards.) He can join us at a park if he wants to. Karen knows the PSs, but I think one of them is for dinner on this night.

Saturday will be all parks - all day! Except poor Bob -- he has more conference stuff through lunch. Then, if he feels up to it, he can join us or he can rest before getting dolled up in his tux. (It's a pretty one with a buttercream yellow vest and Windsor knot tie.) The rest of us will be partying like it's 1999!

Sunday is a play day. Karen has PSs for a late breakfast for all of us and I'm hoping we'll get to spend time into the early afternoon together. Bob doesn't have to leave for the airport (to get to the NEXT conference - poor fellow!) until that evening.

Calder and I will stay in Anaheim one more night and then take a noon flight back to Philadelphia.

There ya go - that's as much of a plan as I've got right now. [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/grin.gif[/img]
Eileen

**Eeyoresmom** · 03-13-2006, 05:28 PM

Have a great time Eileen. And Congrats to your DH (and apparently you, too) for the award. I'll definitely have to get over to the zoo and check it out.

**Caldercup** · 03-13-2006, 05:29 PM

Tanya - the ride is called Dodge Wild Earth and it's in the Rare Animal building (the one that's immediately to the right of the impala fountain, right after the entrance.) You'll probably recognize Calder - he's in all the print ads around the ride.

Eileen

snoozy · 03-13-2006, 11:17 PM

You are all going to have a wonderful time at Disneyland. Have fun planning and keep us posted [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/grin.gif[/img]

**chezp** · 03-14-2006, 02:22 AM

Great updates Eileen - what a magical trip you've got planned there. I can't wait to hear all about it. [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/smile.gif[/img]

**Fortissimo** · 03-13-2006, 10:16 PM

You are going to have a wonderful time! Congrats to you and your husband for the award!

**Colexis Mom** · 03-14-2006, 06:10 AM

What a great time you're going to have Eileen [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/zwavin.gif[/img] I can't wait to hear all about it! Safe travels [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/fairy2.gif[/img]

DawnDenise · 03-14-2006, 07:55 AM

You are going to have such a great time!! Congrats to your DH and you on your award!!! I can't wait to hear all about it!!

sarahbelle · 03-14-2006, 12:31 PM

Sounds like a great trip! The Fairfield is a nice hotel, and the location is good. There is a Mimi's restaurant and a Millie's restaurant in front of the Fairfield-both are great if you are looking for a non-park meal.

**Caldercup** · 03-14-2006, 12:42 PM

Great! Thanks for the info on the restaurants!
Eileen

**Caldercup** · 03-15-2006, 11:32 AM

The time is draaaaaaggging...

Can't it be tomorrow already?!

I finished a big project for DH last night and hope that I won't be forced to work on the presentation at all while we're there, but we'll see.... I'm at my regular "job" now, but I'm hoping to leave in a few minutes - all my To Do's are done! YAY!

I have one shopping stop to make so that the dog sitter will have food to feed our pooches. Then it's on to packing and prepping.

In terms of the planning, I just printed out the projected weather. It looks like it'll be chilly, so no shorts needed! There's also some forecasted rain, but we won't mind, especially since Karen says that the parks clear out when it rains. It does mean that Calder will be swimming without me. Our hotel has a heated pool, but I can't stand it when the air is too cool.

I found a shuttle service to use to get us back to LAX on Monday (Bob will be taking the rental car back to the airport on Sunday night for his flight to southern CA.) It's called the "Disneyland Resort Express" and has character images all over the bus, so that'll cheer me up as we drive away from the Happiest Place on Earth.

Other than that, I just have to battle my nerves for the flight and my anxiousness to see our friends. But I'm soooo psyched to see and fall in love with Disneyland. I can't wait.

Karen has a surprise planned for the boys, but I'll tell you about that when I get back.

Wish me luck on the flight, everybody!
Eileen