June 13 - 15, 2010 Vera's Summer Night Adventure About This Page:

[mechurchlady]

We will have to stop at the store on the way to Disneyland.

My (insert vile cussing and hissy fit) so called neighbors work me up at 10:30 pm and I am going to bed now. No sleep and that was catch up time for me. I will be able to sleep an hour and am exhausted.

Need camera and cough drops.
fill car with water
finish packing
stop screaming out the back door
stop wanting to kick my heighbor's house
keep Mom quiet so I can sleep
stuff car
get Mom in car
have fun

That is the list and I am so in denial as this is another trip where
i am asleep at the wheel because of whatever. I want to have fun but how can I when neighbors are up at 1 am with mariachi music and screaming and god aweful thumping pseudo music.

Tummy is full of pineapple slices, goat milk and candied pecans as one cannot leave that in the fridge. Tossed everything but the watermelon and that has to go. If the electricity went out then I could end up with a stinky fridge full of bad food.

hugs and send lots of prayers that I can keep my cool and not over react to things like rude people and Mom being demanding. I want for once to do things like ride the bobsleds and eat pizza. I want to ride Casey Jr. so bad, that is my favorite ride and then bobsleds probably. I want one ME day in the parks, is that too much to ask.

I need to sleep, will let you know how things went.

[chezp]

[mechurchlady]

we back
me hurt
got to get off computer, arm problems

mom loved world of color, loved Fantasmic
we lvoed taste pilot's grill

45 minutes in the hot sun to get a burger and lettuce with fries at hungry bear. had to ask for the bacon and cheese. YUCKY YUCKY YUCKY, love cap locks.
they have no onions, peppers, tomatoes or buns like at taste pilots grill.

great spot under the silly symphany swings for private rest, love it there.

room messed up big time.
offered suite with two beds no disabled, SEE THE WOMAN IN THE WHEELCHAIR.
two beds and disabled at paradise pier
one king and disabled at DLH
so we take the king and around 3 pm the plaid lady got a hold of the hotel and they said it was two beds and disabled.
we get to room at 10:30 pm at latest and one bed, too high for mom and not a roll in shower.
finally we get the two beds with tub shower but a lovely, I want one, shower chair.
I had to go back to the 12th floor to drag our luggage to our room as bell service never came.
Mom spent whole trip sleeping in her chair even after the bed was lowered. bad attitude problem, one of many on both sides of the family. I did my share of fits, lol. first night not to bed until 11:20 or later.

got home and had to drive 8 miles iwth oil light on, she is idling rough and pinging bad.

Mom had cereal from room service and was very happy with that.
i better stop as i have to go to the store

WE HAD A GOOD TIME except for running into a lady at Fantasmic. Mom refused to let me talk to the lady and was going to go home and started rolling her chair away. who was that lady? will tell you later, cute as a button and a nice lady indeed.

night all
ready to go back and sleep for a month in the hotel.

[chezp]

Welcome back!

Sounds like you had an interesting trip - looking forward to hearing more about it.

[mechurchlady]

Planning and Pre-Trip
I had everything thing set for the trip. Tickets, confirmation numbers, everything in the wallet for easy access. Everything was in the suitcase the night before except personal items. I studied over and over all possible options like shows, parades, and events.

The plan included me going to bed at 7:30 pm and getting at least 5 hours sleep. i was a good girl and actually fell asleep before 8 pm. I was blasted away with mariachia music, thumping music, and screams which did not end until 1 am at least. I got to sleep again at about 6 am and was up at 9 am. I was exhausted before the trip began.

Mom was fretting about how I would get EVERYTHING into the car. I had the spare wheelchair in the back seat then the shopping bag on top of that. The shopping bag is from Whole Foods Market. It is very sturdy and held mints, food, drinks, paper towels, utensils, plastic bags, etc. Ont the seat behind me was my big suitcase with the folding shower caddy with personal items and the blankets. On top of that was Mom's small suit case. Up front was my park bag with my purse in it.

I filled up the car with water and then brought Mom out to the car. She got in the car and I put her chair back in the house. I made sure doors were locked, computer off, fridge emptied of stuff that might spoil, and we were off to DLR. OK, I forgot the old watermelon, lol. I did not bring the cereal samples either.

I drove up to Rosecrans and there was no traffic at 10 pm, we went to CVS and got Mom some cough drops, 4 cheap cameras that were on sale half price, and a personal item for Mom. I then easily got onto Rosecrans and hit the freeway about 10:30 am. We were in DLH at about 11 am and traffic was pretty light being it was a Sunday.

I had to talk to the guy at the booth then drive to a person in the middle of the road then to the car port. I parked right next to the front walkway as that is the flat spot. The valet was very patient and nice, he knows us from past trips. They took all our stuff and put it into storage then parked my car in valet parking.

It was a nice sunny day. We went into the hotel and were quickly waited on. Then came the nightmare 12 hour ordeal. NOTE: Mom is next to me in a wheelchair.
The lady offers us a PREMIUM VIEW ROOM, oh goody gumdrops. I made the reservation months ago for TWO BEDS and a roll in shower. So we could have the suite with two beds and NO disabled amenities at all not even grab rails in the bathroom. We could have two beds with disabled room in Paradise Pier. We could have a PREMIUM VIEW ROOM with ONE king sized bed and disabled.

We took the king with disabled and I grumbled and complained because I was there at 11 am which was 4 hours early and we had made specific reservations. We do not have a cell phone so I took Mom to ESPN Zone for lunch then did the parks. I called from a phone in the parks and got a lecturing travel agent who told us that the room was not ready at about 2 pm. At 3pm I was in city Hall to do business and the plaid got me a travel agent instead of the hotel. it was the system. They said we had a room with TWO BED. I am skipping the other stuff. for now.
After World of Color I walked all the way to DLH and stopped at the bell desk to have our bags sent to the room. We go to the 11th floor and there is one king sized bed and a tub shower. I talk to the bell person and he left our stuff in the rooom.

I finally get a lead who promises to move us to the room one floor above where we were last time. Right above that room, sweet. I take mom down to that room and wait for luggage to come. They had lowered Mom's bed thankfully but she was one unhappy person and she was in full shut down mode and hard to control. She sat in that bed the second day and then spent the night in her chair. She was in such a mood about the bed that she had me prop up her feet and slept in her chair.

I wait for luggage and at 11:17 pm there was no luggage. I am exhausted, crying tired, and hurting. No midnight snacks for Mom, nothing. I go to the 11th floor and drag, throw, kick and wheel our stuff to our room. I got comped 4 bottles of Dasani waters.

Mom wore me ragged with orders on how things were to be unpacked and stored. I did not get to sleep until after midnight and had to be up at 6 am for breakfast. I HURT. I wanted to sleep but I think that first night I got 3 hours sleep then a couple more after breakfast. I did get to wash my feet, I was too tired for anything and having to fight for the room we needed did not help. If we had gone to the perfect room then Mom would have been in a better mood and I would not have been stressed out so bad.

WARNING: when staying at DHL make sure you bring a ladder. I literally had to make a running belly flop onto the bed. I have enough problems at home with the hospital bed but I was jumping or climbing or doing gymnastics to get into bed.

I am off now to rest, so tired from the trip.
hugs
Laurie

[chezp]

I am so sorry to hear about the start to your trip - what a nightmare you had with the room and the luggage.

[mechurchlady]

The luggage was good for me as I burnt up some nervous energy and vented on stuff that I tossed. I expect a 3 star hotel to have bell captains to schlep my luggage however it is no big deal for me as I have dragged luggage through airports, rental car parking lots, and motels.

On boards people will talk about how they waited hours and hours for something to get done like luggage or a leaky faucet being fixed. I had two choices which were to deal with a cranky tired lady while waiting hours or do it myself. The big suitcase lost its pull strap when Delta or Song airlines did major frame denting but it has wheels. The small one was empty nearly.

AS I say, be prepared. Wait until I get to the barbecue chicken and ribs, yummy for the tummy good.
==================================

After we finished checking in I had to go to the bell services desk and retrieve our luggage. I then had to dig and find blankets, snacks, and my zip up hoodie among other things.

WARNING: Do not pack perishibles in your luggage unless you are certain you will be in your room upon check in. I brought salad dressing that had been opened previously. It sat in my luggage for 12 hours before being back in the fridge.

We headed out the doors and to Downtown Disney. Mom freaks out when we cross that roadway as that is where the wheelchair broke a wheel. Mom had to eat NOW. She also had to have her Pringles or she would die from low sugars. I lvoe my mother but she can be a wee bit melodramatic like her daughter.
We sat toward the back area and had Houston and Yankees in a raining baseball game, Cleveland Indians game, soccer, and something else. The restaurant can get very noisy but normally is fine. Mom would not split a meal so she had a burger with onions, literally so I asked the waiter for mayo, mustard, lettuce, tomatoes, etc. Talk about mistaken orders. She loved the fries and burger and iced tea.

The chef came out and I got chicken and ribs and fries with iced tea. I love their ribs and chicken as they use a commercial sauce that is not too spicy like Cannonball and not super sweet like the one used at Troubador Tavern in Fantasyland. Not perfect services but adequate and we paid about $40 for the meal.

Bad Parenting: Across from us was a young couple sitting together and behind them was a little boy and his father. Dad was so engrossed in paying the check that he allowed his kid to bounce on the seat, lean over the seat back, annoy the young couple with his intruding into their booth, and bang on a very large framed picture. I watched them little mitts banging and waited for the artwork to come down. Cute how them kids can run around restaurants and into waiters, oops. I was lucky to be the observer that time.

Break time as I have to remember what day was what as we took the monorail to Tomorrowland. We never have problems with bags.

[disneydani]

Ouch, sounds like a rocky start, Laurie. I am so sorry you didn't have the correct room category for you and Mom.

danielle

[mechurchlady]

Originally Posted by disneydani

Ouch, sounds like a rocky start, Laurie. I am so sorry you didn't have the correct room category for you and Mom.

danielle

Mom and I were born about 10 miles apart in Los Angeles county. Mom was very upset over the room on the third floor being 60 degrees. Yes, they do keep us chilled to the bone apparently. The other room was not so cold. It would have been worse if we had not had the long walk from World of Color to cool us down. I was a bit heated from too much walking but really folks 60 degrees is a wee bit frigid.

Dani you were nice to meet and sorry about Mom being in her mood. She eats and sleeps at certain time and the stress of the day just made things worse.

I have day three figured out but Sunday midday and Monday are blurred together so give me time to sort things out.

[disneydani]

Our room was quite chilly, too....we kept bumping up the thermostat to find a comfortable level.

No worries about Mom....we all have our rough moments! It was lovely to meet you and thank you in person for all the great pre trip advice you gave me!

danielle

[mechurchlady]

Where do I start? I took a long time on the room. You know it is time to change the carpet when the area under the bed and desk is a darker color.

After digging out supplies and packing them in my tote bag we headed to ESPN Zone. The wait was short and we got a table near the kitchen. I talked about this already, lol.

We headed out to the Monorail and there was a short line. They had the chains up and were prepared for long lines. OMG, first time I have seen such a long line as it stretched to the elevator. On the way we saw a stage area near Rainforest Cafe. Finally one monorail left and there was a guy in a scooter a few groups ahead of us that was waiting and would not enter the pen where guests wait to board.

CM finally told him to go ahead. Mom was uncertain about waiting so long, very long but I reassured her it was going to be the next train. WOOT, the guy got on and then Mom as there was just enough room for the smaller scooter and her. We talked and then showed them the elevator. You know me and giving out information. It was a hot and clear day.

The east side of the Matterhorn can be a pain to navigate because of guests parked along the lagoon to gawk at the lagoon and the groups that are half in line and half out of line. No trouble getting through to the bobsleds entrance area. They now allow smoking in the area north of the monorail. That used to be a nice place to park and shady. There is no barrier so at times the smoke wafts into the nonsmoking area but does not seem to be a problem.

I hate that down hill area just past the snack shop. We went to Small World and the wait was not too bad. JJ was loading and they all are so nice to us especially Mom. We rode twice from what I remember but it could have been once. JJ was on the controls when we came out. He is a nice dude.

We headed up the hill for the train and I nearly dumped Mom. A lady was wandering around and I started to pass her when she did a quick left turn right in front of the wheelchair. I pulled hard left and back on the wheelchair to avoid her. It was on a hill so the chair started to tip on two wheels. The woman had no clue that she was in a public area or that she was walking in front of people.

The train CMs cannot remove people from the train so we waited half an hour in the hot sun. I waited with mom then the train left without us so I put her in the shade and when the train came I got Mom but was told no ride. I finally left and went down the hill to rest in the shade. I was getting sick from the heat. The next train came and we were able to baord. I hate going with Mom at times because it is all about her. I wanted to ride the Lily Belle but could not do so because of her. I had my chance twice on this trip.

I closed my eyes and rested through the diorama. Mom was having fun and commented on stuff. A very nice lady conductor let us off at New Orleans Square. We went from the back of the train to the front of the train and exited near Haunted Mansion. Normally I park Mom then get snacks but we went past the long long ice cream line and saw one person at the popcorn line. I got us diet Coke, water and popcorn. As I went to park Mom a couple plopped on the bench. I finished parking Mom and plopped in front of her to share our snack. The man got up to give me the seat on the bench but finally I got him to understand that I feel better on the ground. I have sciatica and sitting crossed legged on the ground helps me feel better.

We talked with the couple, Mom did a lot of the conversing this time. It was so peaceful and cool in the shade. Mom loves people watching. Eventually we went to the phone by the train station and I called the hotel but got the travel agency. No room yet and I was sternly told that she was a travel agent, did the hotel give me the number. I hung up. We head up New Orleans past the Blue Bayou and what a line for Pirates. Over the bridge which is not as hard as going down hill. The momentum is so great that I barely can stop the wheelchair. Through the traffic jams to Jungle Cruise for a quick ride. We had a good skipper and the jokes were good. We headed up Main Street to City Hall for my pit stop and to use the phone in City Hall. It was around 3 pm at that time. I talked with the CM about her calling the hotel as the phone line was busy to the hotel. She got the travel agency like I did but this one was nicer. They said it was a double bed and disabled. Third floor in the main building. The plaid CM lady was so nice and she comped me with a hug. Plaids are so nice usually and she was very sweet. Long day and to come in and have people treat you nice makes the bad things go away.

I went back to the fire station as that is where I park Mom when I have something to do in that area. Mickey was there giving autographs and Mom said he was supposed to go in but was having fun with the guests. She had fun watching Mickey. We exited and got a hand stamp. Across the esplanade we went and Mom had in her hand our passes. We both love the flowers at Disneyland. We entered DCA with no problems and headed up to Sunshine Plaza. I lost track of time and somehow was late for Ariel's Grotto. I park a lot and rest so that probably was the reason. I took the path up to the Sky Cellar and Mom loved the plants.

I was going to go down the ramp but the Pixar Parade was on. I put Mom in the nook east of the stairs and she watched most of the parade. I was in pain but she does not know that. She loved the rats on the bungee cords and the bubbles. There was more water and bubbles this time. Small changes in the parade it seems. I could go on and on about her and the parade. She loves Pixar and animation.

We went down the center ramp and met a ninny. The dude was chasing bubbles with his kid while people on the ramp were trying to get past him. Standing in one place would be easy for me to pass but a darting ninny is not passable. I snarled of course. We then walked to Ariel's Grotto and Mom asked about the show and commented on the flowers. We were 30 minutes late for dinner so they put us in the outdoors. There was not one princess at our table. The sun was hot and Mom was up against the wall as our table was in the sun. I put a napkin on my arm to avoid sunburn. Every table was in the sun. From now on it is a to go box or indoors. Service was average. I will talk about dinner later as I must nap now.

I loved the tri tip.

==============

[chezp]

Sounds like a good day in the park!

[mechurchlady]

Originally Posted by chezp

Sounds like a good day in the park!

I forgot the most important part of the day. On the way to DCA we bought two pickles and ate half of one probably at the firehouse.

There were bad things like the noisy neighbors at home, the woman who walked in front of us, the near heart attack when a child nearly got smashed by a wheelchair, standing in the hot sun for the train, etc. Overall though it was a fabulous day in the parks. Good food, sweet CMs, fun rides, flowers, birds, trees, characters, and World of Color.

psst, I have told elsewhere about World of Color but there is so much more to our day. It was a grand adventure for Vera and Laurie. There are still two nights and two days to go.

[disneydani]

We never did get those pickles....good excuse to head back to DLR one day!

Glad you and Mom could enjoy some good times together.

danielle