Heading West to the "Original": Flight Home & Final Thoughts COMPLETE 4/10/06 - PassPorter - A Community of Walt Disney World, Disneyland, Disney Cruise Line, and General Travel Forums
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Well all, it has come time for a new trip report. I hope you all enjoy the hysterics of the pre-trip planning.
Destination: <font color="navy">Disneyland</font> Date: <font color="navy">Feb. 21-25, 2006</font> Adventurers:<font color="navy"> Me (34), Chuck (DH-28), Judy (DMIL-48), & Allan (DFIL-50)</font> Resort/Hotel: <font color="navy">TBD</font> Celebration: <font color="navy">1st Trip to Disneyland and DCA and we somehow convinced the In-laws to join us for their first adventure to any Disney park.</font>
Pre-Trip: How it all came about????
<font color="navy">Let’s rewind and head back to May 2005. Chuck and I are sitting in our local Buffalo Wild Wings with his mom and step-dad eating some wings, drinking some beer and playing some trivia. Chuck and I mention to them that we are considering going to Disneyland in February of 2006.
Now before I go any further, let me give you a little background on my in-laws. Judy is not a Disney fan by any means. She’s never been to a Disney park, seen maybe three Disney movies in her lifetime, and shakes her head at Chuck and I whenever we talk about going back to WDW. Allan has been to WDW once back in the mid-80s. He can’t remember much about it and is more of a fan of comic books and Star Wars.
Anyway…back to the story…Judy perks up and says, “Now if I was going to go to ANY Disney park, it would be Disneyland since it is the original.” [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/jawdrop.gif[/img] Chuck and I look at each other and know what is about to occur. She starts grilling me for information. I give her what I have so far as I had not done much research yet. She says she wants to go with us, and Allan agrees well because Allan goes where Judy goes.
Chuck and I are in the car heading back to our place discussing just what occurred and are in a bit of shock. Not that I am unwilling to share the Disney experience with others, but these are the last two people we thought would ever join us on one of our trips. We decide to gather the information for our trip and see if they continue to ask about it. For the next couple of months, I ask questions, find prices, and gather as much information as I can. I keep it all typed up and organized in a Word document and finally present it to Chuck, Judy, and Allan. Chuck doesn’t respond as he knows I will handle it all. Judy calls me insane to be this organized and says she will look it over. Allan immediately comes back and says he doesn’t know if they’ll have the money to go since they are now going to Vegas in November. [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/rolleyes.gif[/img] Now they go to Vegas once a year if not twice. We started planning this trip in May/June. Wouldn’t have you have planned ahead a little bit if you knew you were going on a trip in February???? [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/ukid.gif[/img] OK...maybe it's just me. [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/smirk.gif[/img]
About five or six emails go back and forth between the four of us stating that everything will be just fine and even Judy is telling him that there is nothing to worry about. He is adamant that they are not going. I stop answering the emails but then get all frazzled. By the time I get home from work, I have worked myself up into a mess. Chuck now gets to hear me rant and rave about how I don’t care if they don’t go and that we are going as we originally planned and so on and so on. Chuck being the wonderful husband he is just sits there and nods telling me it will be okay. Argh…I am just so frustrated at this point. [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/crazy.gif[/img]
Deep breath Dawn…deep breath. Judy calls me that night and tells me to blow Allan off. She tells me that the money will be there and to continue planning. I’m still frustrated, but move along in my planning. Around the beginning of October, I am checking out Southwest and trying to find airfare that is decent. I really wanted to avoid LAX but Orange County (SNA) is almost twice the price. Thankfully, I mention my dilemma on the boards and people suggested Ontario, CA. Woooohooo!!! [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/woot.gif[/img][img]/ubb/images/graemlins/thewave.gif[/img][img]/ubb/images/graemlins/woot.gif[/img] I find really decent prices and email Judy immediately. She calls me at work, and we check for shuttles to the Anaheim area. We find more than one and book our tickets. For each couple, it is $394.60 non-stop on the way there but a layover in Phoenix on the way back. I am happy. This trip is feeling more real.
Through the next month or so, we have many conversations at dinner or over email about what these parks have to offer. I’m not getting any feedback from Allan or Judy so I can’t tell what they are interested in seeing. I gave them the maps that Sarah (DopeyGirl) sent to me so they would have an idea on how the parks were laid out. ([img]/ubb/images/graemlins/thanx.gif[/img] again Sarah!!) Don’t they know I have a need to plan?!?!?!? I am not a commando planner in any sense of the word, but we all own Passporters so we all know what we do. [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/grin.gif[/img]</font>
Coming up: Do we ever decide on a hotel or any priority seatings???
Wonderful start! Your in-laws sound very much like mine! Eerie!!! [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/roflmao.gif[/img] [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/roflmao.gif[/img]
it sounds like there's been a stressful start to the planning process. [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/eek.gif[/img] I hope it gets smoother from here on in. [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/waytogo.gif[/img]
I hope you made a decision on a hotel by now and called to find out if there is any openings at the resort. If not, the good neighbor hotels may have openings. You can, at that point, call about a week before you go and try to get rooms at the resort hotel you decide on. You can call up to a couple of days before hand. After that, you will be out of luck. Cancellations are 72 hours before and after that people tend to just keep their reservations. Good luck on the hunt! If all else fails, my absolute favorite hotel, even though it is a bit of a drive, is the Residence Inn in Costa Mesa (not Fountain Valley). Ask for a Penthouse suite with a fireplace. They only have a few. They have a full kitchen with all the utensils and cookware you need, a full size refrigerator and french doors on the downstairs bedroom leading to the living room. It is so cool. They have a good breakfast (complimentary) where you can make your own waffles. I've never stayed at the one in Anaheim but by the looks of it, it looks more like a regular hotel as opposed to a bunch of condos like Costa Mesa's. It takes about 20 minutes to drive across town and if you don't take the freeways you feel like you have gotten lost at that point. But it is close to the John Wayne Airport if that is your point of entry. It is also across the highway from South Coast Plaza which I love. (Tiffany's, Chanel, Sears, Rainforest Cafe, carousel, Gap, etc.) It's not the outlets but it does have a lot of stores' newest merchandise like stuff you see in the magazine ads. If you can't find it there, you can't find it anywhere kind of thing. Anyway, good luck on your planning! Let us know how planning is going.
Re: Heading West to the \"Original\": Pre-Trip Part Two
Do we ever decide on a hotel and any priority seatings?
<font color="navy">We left off with the pre-trip planning in the middle of December and we still had not decided on a hotel. To say the least, I was a little paranoid that we weren’t going to get a decent place. December was a pretty busy month with the all of the holiday festivities. For part of their Christmas gift, I put together a Disney themed present for Judy and Allan. I included a Mickey Mouse and Grumpy T-shirt, a couple of DCA hats, two homemade autograph books (Chip and Dale for Judy and Buzz for Allan), some sharpies, a couple of character beanies and guest of honor badges. The present was a big hit and totally unexpected.
On the day after Christmas, I took matters into my own hands and decided to make reservations for at least two meals for our trip. If they wanted others, I would call once the decision is made. We have the Lilo and Stitch’s Aloha Breakfast at PCH on February 22nd and dinner @ Goofy’s Kitchen on February 23rd. You can’t experience Disney for the first time without a couple of character meals, right? The Lilo and Stitch breakfast is for Chuck though as he still gives me a little grief for going to ‘Ohanas without him in December. [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/smirk.gif[/img]
Finally, Judy and Allan came over to watch a movie on the new TV and have dinner. I cornered them into making a decision on the hotel. They balked at the idea of staying at any of the resort hotels due to the pricing which Chuck and I were fine with. I gave them the list of hotels and also brought up getawaytoday.com on the laptop. After looking over all the choices, they decided to go with one of the hotels on the website. They first went for location and found a couple. Next on the must-haves was a place that had smoking as Judy smokes The two that they had picked out had smoking rooms available. Last she needed a room with Internet access because she would have to check things for work at night. WE HAVE A WINNER!!! [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/woot.gif[/img][img]/ubb/images/graemlins/thewave.gif[/img][img]/ubb/images/graemlins/woot.gif[/img][img]/ubb/images/graemlins/thewave.gif[/img] They decided on the Portofino Inns and Suites. Chuck and I breathed a sigh of complete relief. We booked it immediately. The rooms come with 2 adult 3- day Park Hopper tickets which is perfect as the first and last day are mostly spent traveling.
I am breathing a little easier now as far as the planning goes. We have a night set up the first weekend in February to sit down so I can them the low-down on how everything works, like FastPasses, counter service, shows, and the different types of rides. We still need to decide on a company to pick us up at the Ontario airport and if we are going to use a car service to take us to the airport in Indy. Those are minor details at the moment and will be taken care of. [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/grin.gif[/img]
We are 24 days out and I have mixed feelings about trip. I am really excited as I have never been to Disneyland or DCA. I am nervous how the in-laws are going to react and hope that there are no major disagreements while we are there. Chuck promises me that he will do everything he can possibly do to keep them from stealing my “Disney magic”. I can’t help but [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/love.gif[/img] that man!!
I am trying to work out something to meet up with Karen (zacksmom_1993) and Zack while we are out there. [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/grin.gif[/img]</font>
Re: Heading West to the \"Original\": Pre-Trip Part Two
What a relief to have the hotel booked Dawn - at least that's now sorted out. [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/fairy2.gif[/img] that you and Karen get to meet while you're out there.
Re: Heading West to the \"Original\": Pre-Trip Part Two
Great update Dawn [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/woot.gif[/img] The hotel is the big one to get rid of! Can't wait for the rest of the plans [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/laugh.gif[/img]
Re: Heading West to the \"Original\": Our Adventure Begins
[b]Day 1, Part 1: Our Adventure Begins
<font color="navy">4:16AM comes way too early but after one snooze, Chuck and I are up and moving around. We had spent Monday finishing up all of our errands like taking Ana to the vet and then to the kennel, (Ana wasn’t too happy with her humans to say the least.), going to the bank to get some much needed moola, and picking up a few final things. We both grab showers and finish packing up the toiletries. Before we know it, we are packing the car and making one last run through the townhouse. We lock the doors and make our way over to the in-laws as that is where the car is picking us up. Chuck, who is not a morning person, is need of a caffeine fix so we make a stop at our local Speedway and grab a drink. We made it to the in-laws by 5:10AM.
As we are walking up to the door, Chuck asks if I want to make a bet. I start to laugh because we both know that Judy and Allan are known for not being ready. I tell him that I have faith they will be ready as we called them three times the night before to make sure they were packed. Judy lets us in, and they have all of their bags in the living room. [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/thewave.gif[/img] Allan had taken care of the transportation to the airport as he told us “he knew a man with connections”. [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/roflmao.gif[/img] Okay then…Allan gets the call that he is five minutes away so we take their 3 suitcases and two carry-ons outside. Chuck unloads his car and sets our luggage next to theirs. Now…I look to see a mini-van come up to the 4 way stop and then it stalls. I don’t pay much attention at first and then it pulls up in front of the house. Oh boy!! Gotta love these “connections”. He loads up the back of the van and we all climb in. Luckily, we do not stall on the 20 minute drive to the airport.
Since we checked in online and printed off our boarding passes the day before, we check in our bags. Now as we are walking to security, I tell Judy and Chuck that they have to take out the laptop and put it in a separate bin (learned this on my trip in Dec). Chuck and I get through security without any issues but Judy and Allan seem to be lagging behind. I am on a bench putting my shoes back on when I notice Judy and Allan bickering about something. They finally make it over to the bench and then Allan goes running back to security and picks up a carry-on bag he left over there. Judy is not happy and Chuck and I are trying to keep a straight face. Everyone is calm by the time we reach the gate and we have about 20 minutes before they will start boarding.
We are flying Southwest so we have the A, B, C group boarding. We are in the “A” group but aren’t rushing to get in line. We see some people that were in the “B” group that are screaming at a janitor because he slightly moved one of their suitcases to empty a trash can. These are definitely some wired screaming people. [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/rolleyes.gif[/img] Chuck tells me to quit staring but I am appalled. One guy flips me off, and out of natural reaction, I return the favor. That gets me one swift slap across my leg from Chuck. Luckily, they start boarding and that’s the last I see of them. Chuck and I find a row and leave the seat in between us empty in hopes that it wasn’t a full flight. Allan and Judy do the same thing in the row behind us. I pull our books out and the MP3 player and get ready for the four hour and 20 minute flight into Phoenix. We are lucky and are able to keep the seat in between us empty so it will be a comfortable flight.
The flight itself is uneventful. We get our snack box and drinks. Judy tries to talk me into getting an adult beverage but I decline as I thought 8:00AM was a little early. I actually finish my book about 2 hours into the flight and decide that it’s time to watch a movie. I pull out the laptop and put in Lion King. Why did I choose Lion King? Well, the length of the movie is the length of my battery life. I am barely 20 minutes into the movie before I am out for the count. Next thing I know, Chuck is telling me to put my laptop up as we are beginning our decent. I put everything the laptop away and decide to pull out my camera. It’s time to take my first pictures from the airplane. Naturally I take one of Chuck first. [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/grin.gif[/img]
Now I thought we had a non-stop flight when I started writing the trip report but it turns out we stop in Phoenix both ways. Not a big deal. We do have a 2 hour layover but that meant a much needed smoke break for Judy and Chuck. We find a bar. Now 8:00AM was too early for a drink but 10:45AM…nope. I order an amaretto sour, Chuck gets a beer, and Judy gets a rum and Coke. We finish our drinks, and the other two have had their nicotine dose. We decide to grab something small at Wendy’s and head over to the gate to eat. We board around noon and luck out and get the free seat in between again. Judy and Allan aren’t as lucky. This is only a 50 minute flight so I just read the in flight magazine and Sky Mall. Why is it some of the stuff in the Sky Mall looks so interesting up at 20,000 feet but you would never think of buying it otherwise? [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/smirk.gif[/img] I did grab one more picture in flight using my black and white setting on my camera.
We land without any problems and head straight to baggage claim. My first opinion of Ontario airport is that is small, efficient and very clean. It’s very easy to navigate. As the men are getting the bags, Judy and I step outside with all the carry-ons so I can call the shuttle service. I am using Express Shuttle and they find my reservation and tell me to check in with the transportation woman across the street and she will call our charter van. The men join us and we cross the street with bags in tow and she tells us it will be about five minutes.</font>
View from Shuttle Waiting Area
<font color="navy">True to her word, our shuttle arrives and the driver loads all of our bags. We climb in, and he verifies where we are going. We settle into our seats and off we go. We are just chatting away when I notice that the driver keeps talking into his phone and pulling out maps from every direction trying to help another driver. My first thrill ride in California begins. We are in the carpool lane going about 80 MPH. Normally, this would not bother me as I have a lead foot. Unfortunately, our driver is not paying attention to the road at all. His head is in a map with one hand occupied by the phone. We keep inching closer and closer to the inside barrier wall. At this point, my eyes are being covered and my head is down. Chuck is about to say something when the driver says, “Oh crap…I missed your exit.” I bust out laughing at this point. We eventually get turned around and we finally make it to Portofino Inns and Suites. I resist the urge to kiss the ground as I exit the van. I settle the bill, and Chuck insists that I still tip the guy a little something. I must admit that I did not do a whole lot of researching when it came to the shuttles but the Ontario Airport website recommended them. Next time, more research will be done or we will rent a car. [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/082502yes_prv.gif[/img]
We gather our belongings and head in to check-in. It’s about 1:30PM and we are able to get our rooms immediately. We head to our rooms and walk-in and I see two double beds. Our reservation clearly states a King for both of us and a smoking room for Judy. We head back to the front desk, and within 5 minutes, we are given new room keys and directed to the tower across the way. Judy and Allan are on the 2nd floor, and Chuck and I are on the 5th floor. We separate and agree to call in about 30 minutes with our plans for the rest of the day.
We are pleasantly surprised at our accommodations when we walk in. I’ll let the pictures tell the rest about our room.
After bathroom breaks for both of us, Chuck plops down on the couch and turns on the TV. I begin unpacking and get our suitcases out of the way. I call Judy and we decide to take a nap and meet up around 4:00 to head toward DTD. I finally take the time and look out our big window. I snap a couple of pictures as I can see parts of DCA from our hotel.</font>
See the back of the Tower of Terror
See the Sun Wheel and Mailboomer
<font color="navy">Now Chuck crashes in a matter of minutes. I think he fell asleep before I finished unpacking. I know at some point I was talking to myself. [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/grin.gif[/img] I, on the other hand, am wired. I watch some TV and then freshen up. I get Chuck moving again and we are downstairs waiting on Allan and Judy a little before 4:00.</font>
Coming Up: Doing a little shopping, a little eating, and a little drinking in DTD.
Re: Heading West to the \"Original\": Our Adventure Begins
Great start to the trip Dawn!!! [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/rofl2.gif[/img] [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/rofl2.gif[/img] [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/rofl2.gif[/img] I busted out laughing at you laughing at the driver.
Re: Heading West to the \"Original\": Our Adventure Begins
Great start! I was not impressed with the way SW does their seating on our recent trip. The lines were [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/crazy.gif[/img] for us. I also loved you story about your drive [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/roflmao.gif[/img] [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/roflmao.gif[/img]
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