I thought we were going to WDW.... but this is Disneyland - Page 3 - PassPorter - A Community of Walt Disney World, Disneyland, Disney Cruise Line, and General Travel Forums
As of January 1, 2019, we have closed our forums. This is a decision we did not come to lightly, but it is necessary. The software our forums run on is just too out-of-date and it poses a significant security risk. The server software itself must be updated, and it cannot be without removing the forums.
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There are other changes as well.
Why? Well, the world has changed. And change with it, we must. The lyrics to "We Go On" for IllumiNations say it best:
We go on to the joy and through the tears
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It's time to move on and move forward.
PassPorter is a small business, and for many years it supported our family. But the world changed, print books took a backseat to the Internet, and for a long time now it has been unable to make ends meet. We've had to find new ways to support our family, which means new careers and less and less time available to devote to our first baby, PassPorter.
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I'd love to be close enough to a Disney Park to go once a week or so! How very cool. (I'm still hoping to be able to meet you this summer and will PM you soon about the possibilities. )
So much has been going on since I last posted. Time to update.
In April, I had a real scare. My father (almost 92) took a fall getting into the shower, Had to call the paramedics to come lift him up off the floor. We had a doctor appointment the next day and he ended up having a CAT scan done to make sure there was no bleeding in the brain. He is on Coumadin and that can cause problems with head injuries. The CAT scan was clear, he also didn't brake any bones. All this was just a few days prior to his trip to Laughln, NV with the senior group. He was cleared by the doctor for his short trip.
Jessica and I have been doing our Saturday trips to Disneyland and having a great time. Last week on the 15th we went to the passholder Fantasmic 20th anniversary viewing. Had a great time but it sure was a long day. We arrived before park opening and stayed until after the 11:30 viewing was over. I was pumped up on Jet Alert to keep me up for the ride home. I thought about staying overnight at Motel 6, but just wanted to be home.
It was a stressful drive for me going to and from Disneyland that day. I got a new car. It is a Toyota Rav4 and I am not used to driving a SUV. My old car was a Nissan Versa. This rides so high to me, but I am getting used to it.,
The new car makes it a lot easier to get my scooter in and out of the car, much easier on the back. It also makes for loading up for our Girl Scout camping trip.... More about that later,
I can't wait to meet you guys Next Saturday the 26 it will be fun.
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Originally Posted by chezp
Glad your dad was Ok after the fall.
How cool to have those Saturday trips to Disneyland - colour me seriously jealous of that!
My father is amazing. I call him the energizer bunny... he just keeps going and going...
Our day trips to Disneyland are always a nice get a way. I am really blessed to have that as our playground. I wouldn't be jealous..... you are much closer to Disneyland Paris. I hope to get there some day,. maybe after I win a lotto
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Originally Posted by lauriep
I'd love to be close enough to a Disney Park to go once a week or so! How very cool. (I'm still hoping to be able to meet you this summer and will PM you soon about the possibilities. )
I am looking forward to your visit here, and meeting up.
Quote:
Originally Posted by TNTWheels
I can't wait to meet you guys Next Saturday the 26 it will be fun.
See you on Saturday.... We will wait to see Captain EO with you.
My father is amazing. I call him the energizer bunny... he just keeps going and going...
Our day trips to Disneyland are always a nice get a way. I am really blessed to have that as our playground. I wouldn't be jealous..... you are much closer to Disneyland Paris. I hope to get there some day,. maybe after I win a lotto
Not really - it's a 40 minute drive to Eurotunnel, 35 minutes to get across the Channel (plus you need to be there at least half an hour before for security checks etc.), then it's a good two and a half drive through France to get to Disneyland Paris, which is why we don't do it very often. It can be done in a weekend, we've done it before and will do it again in October, but it makes for an exhausting weekend - and don't even go there about the prices. They are insane compared to the US parks!
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Originally Posted by chezp
Not really - it's a 40 minute drive to Eurotunnel, 35 minutes to get across the Channel (plus you need to be there at least half an hour before for security checks etc.), then it's a good two and a half drive through France to get to Disneyland Paris, which is why we don't do it very often. It can be done in a weekend, we've done it before and will do it again in October, but it makes for an exhausting weekend - and don't even go there about the prices. They are insane compared to the US parks!
LOL... I meant that you are closer to DL Paris than I am. I think in shorthand...lol
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Update 6/30
Long over due for an update.
We went to the opening day at Cars Land. Leaving home at 4:30am, we got to the park around 5:30am. Ended up walking to the entrance as the trams were not working. It was a nice quiet walk and we got there fairly quickly.
I tried to get into the merchandise line, but it was closed off. Dilema... wait for DL to open or get into the long line for DCA. We chose the DCA line. When we got there the whole esplanade was one giant queue line with masking tape lines. It was divided into two parts with the media set up in the center of the esplanade where the star is.
There was so much excitement in the air and everyone was in a good mood....even me. DD calls me Grumpy...lol. It was like a giant party in line. The front half started moving up way before the 9am opening. We then moved up to the front half. The first group was able to see the ceremony in person. We were able to view it in real time via a large screen. It didn't matter... everyone was clapping and hooting and cheering. The ceremony concluded with a small fireworks opening.
Bob Iger came out to the front gate and offically opened the park...whooohooo. Everyone was cheering and calling "Bob" over and over.
We were finally let in, and they were actually herding into Cars Land. I wanted to check out the merchandise first, but it was not open yet. So off to see Cars Land. We went right to RSR and when we got there the line was already at 120 minutes. Single rider line was partially full. I had my GAC and use the fastpass line and it didn't take long. We only went on once that day, even the fastpass line was sooo long.
After RSR we went to Luigi's Flying Tires. It was fun, but this line will move very slowly. There is no fastpass for this attraction. Mater's Junkyard Jamboree was so much fun. Kind of reminds me of Francis Ladybug Spin in Bugs Land and the old carnival ride of the whip. It is kind of bouncy....my eyeballs bounce on that one, but I enjoyed it. Again, no fastpass for this attraction.
It was so crowded in CL that we didn't try any of the foods there this day. They had the CM's doing crowd control by standing hand to hand in the middle of the walkway/route 66 street to keep foot traffic going in one direction.
We headed over to the Disneyland side just before noon and Jolly Holiday was our choice. We both had the tomato soup and grilled cheese combo. We did a few attractions there, including a ride on the Matterhorn.
Finally found the new GAC/Single rider entrance across from the Tea Cups. Soon we were boarded on our bobsled. Jessica took the front, and I had the middle seat. They way I was seated I felt like I was at the GYN..lol It was still bumpy, but we loved our ride. NOTE: I will have to try the front seat next time. It looked like there was more leg room. (Keep this in mind when I update later).
We went back to DCA and went back to Cars Land. RSR was just a nightmare so we went off to see if we could get our pins at the Animation Building. The CM told us the line started around the corner on the side of the building. The line didn't look too bad so I sent Jessica to get in the line while I found a ramp for the scooter. It didn't take too long to get inside and everything was very orderly. We were given color coded cards with numbers on them and went into the Animation drawing room to wait for our color/number to be called. Once inside the merch area, there were 4 zones. We each got 4 pins and Jessica got a Red Trolly Vinylmation. Well the check out was at the area where you wait for Crush. It was lined with cash registers. We were luck to pay really quickly and $107.00 (after the AP discount) we were on our way. I was very happy that we got our pins.
Went back to DL and took the Monorail over to the DL hotel. We had a meeting set up with my DVC guide. I wanted to voice my displeasure of how the discount at WDW is $125.00 for a premium pass while DL only gets $20.00 off.....GRR She said she couldn't do anything, but I had already emailed member services with my complaint. After sevral attempts I finally talked with member correspondance and they said it was a work in progress. We shall see, I don't have much hope. Maybe I should write to Bob Iger...
We walked back to DCA via DTD and stopped in WOD. Jessica found these light up glow mickey ears there and wanted it. They only had it in an AP package that included a lanyard and pin in the same print as the Mickey Ears. We really didn't want it all. It was a whopping total of $40.00 before the discount...
Went back into DCA and went to Screamin and TSMM. While walking around the shops we saw the same glow mouse ears without the pins. I told a CM and she brought her lead over. He took my recipt and gave me back the difference for the lanyard and pin. Now, if the pin was a limited edition, we would have kept it. We were heading out and walking by the area where WOC is and saw that the postal service was there. Went to check it out and they had the Disney stamps there as well as a special envelope with the opening day stamped on it. Will have to scan it and upload it later. It was very cool.
A last stop for dinner at Whitewater Snacks and we were heading out and back home. I missed most of the rush hour traffic. It was a nice day, but a very long one. I am glad we went and didn't miss out on being part of history.
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Sounds like an exciting day! You sound like me being a bit shopping-obsessed for the limited edition stuff! Glad you got your pins. I love the photos, especially the ones of the rock formations. They did such a great job with these.
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Originally Posted by lauriep
Sounds like an exciting day! You sound like me being a bit shopping-obsessed for the limited edition stuff! Glad you got your pins. I love the photos, especially the ones of the rock formations. They did such a great job with these.
I love to shop... just need the money for my spending ..lol
Quote:
Originally Posted by chezp
I bet it was insane, but how cool to be there on a wonderful day for the park's history.
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Originally Posted by Colexis Mom
How great that you were there for the opening of Carsland!
It was really an incredible experience to see the opening day. I am glad we did it, no regrets.
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but I'd still give anything to be just an hour from a Disney park! 
It was still bumpy, but we loved our ride. NOTE: I will have to try the front seat next time. It looked like there was more leg room. (Keep this in mind when I update later).
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