DisneyWHAT?? - oh, DisneyLAND - 3/16-20 - COMPLETE!! About This Page:

[simbarel]

[ QUOTE ]
Calder then promptly announced to the ENTIRE car that he wasn’t going to pluck his whiskers like I have to do with mine. Then Zack joins in to say that I should wax my whiskers…

Never work with kids or animals, folks. They’ll always upstage you!

Karen gave me some funny looks as we got off…

[/ QUOTE ]

Hyssssterical! [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/rofl2.gif[/img]

I'm loving your report, Eileen. We're scheduled to go back to Orlando soon, but I'm getting a hankering to go West. We would if we didn't already have AP's. Anyways...totally fun, thanks for sharing!

[Caldercup]

Sorry for the delay, folks.

I've been cleaning and scrubbing my house in anticipation of SOMEONE'S arrival tomorrow.....

An update in a moment.
Eileen

[Caldercup]

<font color="blue"> When we got back to the room for our "rest," Calder immediately hopped onto a bed and dumped out his Lego – there was no chance I was going to get him to rest and veg-out a bit. He had that Lego glaze in his eyes and he was determined to build and play.

I called Bob to see how the conference was going and he told me that just about everyone there was either Disney employees or former Disney employees now working for other entertainment companies. It was pretty cool! He said he had a present for me, but that I’d have to wait until he got back to the room to see it! He had to head back into the meetings, but would call us later.

As soon as I hung up with Bob, my cell phone rang again. It was Karen and she sounded frantic and very, very pissed off. Turns out that the Carousel Inn had canceled their reservation (for a completely bogus reason) and that they were being particularly unhelpful in finding them alternate lodgings. She wondered if Zack could come hang with us while she worked out the details. OF COURSE! I told her to send him over. Within a few minutes, Zack tapped on our door and then dragged his dejected body into our room and began pacing. Poor baby, he was totally bummed and really upset. I assured him that things would work out, but he was convinced that they’d have to drive home that night or sleep in their car. I did my darndest to re-assure him that they’d be fine (heck, they could tuck in with us for the night if need be), but he was inconsolable. My cell phone rang again and it was Karen – they had a room at the Tropicana, right down the street! Phew. I told Zack and he stopped pacing. Then he walked over to Calder (who hadn’t stopped building with his Lego) and watched him a moment. Zack pointed at one piece and said “I think you need that brick for that part.” He sat down and… that was that. Panic moment over – back to Lego!!

I had to struggle not to let out a nervous giggle! I’m generally not the type to panic, but his worrying was making me worry. But, then, like a cloud passing over, it was all gone…. &lt;sigh&gt;

Karen called back to tell me the whole tale with the unhelpful and downright bad person at the carousel. Basically, his boss told him to do a very dicey thing because they were booked full, but "lost" a room to damage and had to bump someone. In the end, Karen’s reservation was the one dropped, despite it being booked through one of the major travel websites with a guarantee of a room. Karen had to loop in the website folks and they basically did all the work to get them re-booked at a nearby hotel (The Tropicana) – even though it cost more than the Carousel – and they’d eat the cost and then make the Carousel pay the difference in the end. I think the part that burned Karen more than anything was that the guy at the Carousel was so particularly unhelpful. At one point, he said that he couldn’t do anything for her and Karen told him “Well, that explains why you’re working here rather than at the Disneyland Hotel!”

[img]/ubb/images/graemlins/grin.gif[/img] Note to self, don’t make Karen mad – she’ll cut you to the quick!

Karen wanted to check them in to the Tropicana, but she would meet us in the lobby in 20 minutes for our walk to dinner at Goofy’s Kitchen at the Disneyland Hotel. I got the boys to gather up their stuff and made sure that Calder had on warm clothes, since we were going to finish the night with Fantasmic!

Then it was down to the lobby, where I gave Karen a big hug and she was able to begin laughing about her whole ordeal with the Carousel. (I hope she’s posted everywhere she can about her bad experience! If you are thinking of booking with the Carousel – DON’T!!)

We walked down the street and managed to get across without having to wait for the interminable light! We walked past the park entrances and out through Downtown Disney, which looked to be a fun place once the sun set! Karen said that there are usually bands on weekends and the place can really be hopping! I had to pull on Calder’s hoodie as we walked past the Lego store – he wanted to go back in! Then it was out to the Disneyland Hotel.

My cell phone rang and it was Bob – he’d gotten caught in a conversation while sitting in the lobby checking his email and he’d lost track of time. He was hoofin’ it out to us and would be a moment late. Karen headed in to the lobby to check us in for dinner and I waited for Bob…

[Up next: Two Goofys, a blue butt, and checkers takes over…] </font>

[Colexis Mom]

Wow, that just stinks of the Carrousel [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/mad.gif[/img] I'm glad Karen was able to get another room, and that you guys were there to watch Zach while she worked out the details [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/waytogo.gif[/img]

I can't wait to hear about dinner, and the surprise that Bob has for you [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/laugh.gif[/img]

[lauren-roxy]

Great update Eileen!! That really stinks about Karen's hotel, that is not right at all. Can't wait to read more!!

[Eeyoresmom]

How horrible of the Carrousel. I would definitiely write their head quarters a nasty letter.

Can't wait to hear about the blue butts!

Karen and Zach . . . have a safe trip up to Philadelphia. Hope you're not afraid of a few snow flurries [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/wink.gif[/img]!

[bsblady01]

more please

[iamgrumpy]

Great update Can't wait for more! Thats horrible what the Carosel did to Karen!

More please!

[chezp]

What a nightmare with the Carousel. I'm glad that was finally sorted out.

[DawnDenise]

Yikes!!! [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/eek.gif[/img] What horrible service the Carousel offered! Glad Karen was able to get it all straightened out.

More please!! [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/grin.gif[/img]

[Caldercup]

<font color="blue"> When Bob showed up, I took him inside to find Karen paying for the meal while checking in, as is the policy at this restaurant. And, what I found particularly funky about Goofy’s Kitchen, is that you have to also pay the gratuity upfront. – what if you get lousy service? Can you get a refund?

We sat down to wait for a table and Karen brought over the collectible pins they were giving out as a promotion for Annual Passholders. These were cute!


Pluto was out in the lobby, posing for pictures. I don’t know if they do the photo package “hard sell” like they do in WDW, but we didn’t feel like taking the chance of finding out [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/grin.gif[/img]

They called us for our table and we wrangled the boys from whatever was holding their attention (I think it was a TV in the lounge.) We walked through the restaurant, which has these neat “flowing” low walls. They’re curved and have curvy tops. We were led up to the back room – the room where I’ve since heard that the characters are sometimes slow to visit. Bob was seated with a large picture of Goofy right behind him, which I personally found apropos! Zack sat next to him and Calder on the other end. Karen and I were sitting with our backs to the room. Why is this important? Well, the boys were basically not in the “character zone” where easy character opportunities arise. No, that spot was taken up by the two ladies….

Goofy was working our room and did a little flitting about from table to table, with no rhyme or reason to his pattern. Just as he was approaching our table, the music in the lobby started up and Goofy made a bee-line to join in on the Macarena. [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/rolleyes.gif[/img] When the dance was over, he walked off to another room. Karen assured us that he’d make it back before our meal was over.

Well, if the characters weren’t coming, I was heading up to the buffet! We were all hungry, even my nutritionally-challenged son… I started with a lovely chipotle corn chowder that was absolutely delish! Then I had some Caesar salad that was very good, but, which later I wished I hadn’t had. It was filling! Bob started right in on the prime rib [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/yuma.gif[/img]

As we were eating, the Mad Hatter was working the room – and constantly talking. I don’t think he even took a breath as he segued from one topic at one table to another topic at another table without pause. He didn’t’ even stop talking when he posed for pictures. As he got to the table behind us, he noticed that the teenage son wasn’t really into character interaction. Well, the Mad Hatter can’t let that pass by. He asks the boy’s name and then turns to the entire room and announces, “Everyone, this young man behind me is named Mitch.” The room yells “Hi, Mitch!” The Mad Hatter continues, “Now, Mitch is a teenager and you know how they are. Mitch doesn’t want a big fuss made about him, so I’m sure you’ll all be well-behaved and not pay any attention to Mitch – not one bit of attention please. Mitch just can’t stand it.”


So, you know what’s coming next…. Just about anything Mitch did, someone in the room yelled something to him. He got up to get another helping from the buffet and someone yelled, “Hey, Mitch! Make sure to try the pasta salad.” A little later on, I heard someone tell the waitress that Mitch looked like he needed more soda. When Mitch and his family got up to leave, people from all over the room wished him well and yelled “GOODBYE, MITCH!”

Calder thought this was a riot. Just wait until HE’S a teenager…

Then it was our turn with the Mad Hatter. He was a total riot and talked non-stop. Bob loved playing up with him and they had a good time while the Mad Hatter signed all of our autograph books (with a cool sig!)


[Notice how the MH hasn't stopped flapping his jaws!]

I don’t know what it was about the spot that Karen and I sat in, but we seemed to be in the exact area where people liked to bump into us. As the Mad Hatter was leaving, a mom tried to get a picture of her kids with him. She kept backing up to get them into the frame and eventually was leaning way back against me. I even put my hand up to touch her (gently letting her know that I was RIGHT THERE.) Did it help? No, she just leaned against me even harder – as if I was offering her some sort of physical support for her photograph… sheesh.

Karen’s encounter was much better… and funnier! For the past few minutes, Rafiki was working the room and was playing up with Mitch and his family. He started backing up for a group shot and backed up into Karen’s arm – his tail and blue butt were right in her face. He spun around and I started teasing both of them. Karen’s comments were hysterical about her “luck with men” and Rifiki played into it totally and basically started mauling Karen, making tons of kissing noises at her. I was laughing so hard, but I kept snapping pictures.


[I [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/love.gif[/img] this pic - can't you just HEAR what she's saying?!]

Then Rafiki thought he’d try his luck with me and came over, backside first! I held up a hand. “Sorry, Rafiki. The only blue butt I’m allowed to touch is his.” I pointed to Bob who put his hand over his eyes and shook his head. Poor Rafiki couldn’t contain his laughter and I heard a huge guffaw come from inside his “head.”

He headed off to another table (not butt-first!) and sat down on one of their chairs. I just loved this photo op:


Then it was time for Karen’s surprise for Calder. She had set the meal up as a birthday party for him and had arranged for a special toy bucket with a cake in the lid. (Calder’s birthday had been two weeks before, but he was still psyched to celebrate!) Our server made a big noise and all the characters in the area and the other servers from our room gathered together and sang a little clapping song. Dale was particularly interested in celebrating.


Zack warned Calder that the cake in the bucket was pretty bad – and, man, was he right. Yick!!

[more in a minute] </font>

[CindyD]

Sorry to hear about the trouble with the Carousel, I'm glad that Karen found another place to stay!
Great Updates!!

[Caldercup]

<font color="blue"> Calder and Zack were basically finished with their meals and started to play with the HCOE kid’s toy CJ had been given with his kid’s meal. It had a magnetic checkers board and the boys started playing – to the exclusion of all else in the restaurant.


It really seemed like Dale wanted to celebrate Calder's birthday with him, but the boys barely paid him any attention.
[&lt;-- Zack doesn't even look up]

Dale pulled a chair from the other table over and sat down. He took Calder’s Sharpie and started drawing on the paper tablecloth:


Then he signed his autograph book and made sure to add a special note:


And did my son show any gratitude? Nope!

We all made a fuss over Dale, but I felt bad for the poor guy… [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/frown.gif[/img]

Chip came over and tried to distract Calder and Zack from their game -- and, except for this one shot where Calder looked up (after his dad took away the checkers board), Chip was unsuccessful.


Goofy had better luck, mainly because Zack was prepared with a costume to match his favorite character. Goofy was impressed, but rather mellow about his doppleganger:


</font>

[Colexis Mom]

Great updates Eileen [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/zwavin.gif[/img] What great sigs they give there [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/love.gif[/img] And what a great dinner [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/laugh.gif[/img]

More please [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/laugh.gif[/img]

[lauren-roxy]

Great update Eileen!! I love the pictures from your dinner!!! Sounds like a pretty awesome time!!! Can't wait to read more!!!