Heading West to the "Original": Flight Home & Final Thoughts COMPLETE 4/10/06
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loobyoxlip · 03-20-2006, 08:50 AM

That was fun to read, Dawn. Thanks. Started my morning out right with memories of DL [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/grin.gif[/img]

DawnDenise · 03-20-2006, 08:54 PM

[b]Day 3, Part 2: Duuuuuuudddde and a little California Dreamin’...I mean Screamin’

We left our party of four in the Animation building at Disney’s California Adventure. Now on with our regularly scheduled program.

As we are sitting on the floor, the crowds start to gather around us for Turtle Talk. With about 10 minutes to go, an announcement comes over the loud speaker to tell us we have 10 minutes to go. Nice of them huh? Apparently, it is a cue to everyone move towards the door and squish all innocent bystanders. We shake our heads, grumble under our breath, and stand up to join the mob. The 10 minutes goes by fairly quickly, and we are in the theater. I am immediately jealous of the kids because they sit up front. I so wanna go sit up close. [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/smirk.gif[/img] We find seats about halfway up and get ready for Crush to come entertain us. I try getting pictures using no flash photography but fail miserably. Being it is the first time I have seen this show, I really enjoyed it. I love the part with Crush wearing the bikini top. In this version, Dory did not come to visit us so I will be trying this out in WDW on my next trip. Everyone else remarks how they enjoyed it so I am happy I pushed. [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/grin.gif[/img]

There were no character meet and greets inside the Animation Building, so we head to a new area of the park. Chuck wants to do It’s Tough to be a Bug, so off we go to “A Bug’s Land.” Once we get there, Judy and Allan take restroom breaks while Chuck and I walk around to take in the surroundings. We do not go far from the entrance to It’s Tough to be a Bug but got quite a few pictures.

Heimlich with his Candy Corn

Judy and Allan join us within a few moments but not empty handed. Judy, who has a huge weakness for cotton candy, fulfills that urge. Allan hands Chuck and I a bottle of water. We head down into the underground for ITTBAB. I, of course, get the traditional picture of the honorary bug eyes.

Chuck and I love this attraction, and we are looking forward to seeing and hearing the reaction of Judy and Allan. As always, Chuck and I are grinning through the show. When the time comes for the stinger, Chuck and I almost lost it. Allan sounds like a little girl when he yelps in reaction. He almost stands up. [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/roflmao.gif[/img] It is all in good fun, but it does come up more than once later on in the trip. Judy particularly thinks the bugs leaving the theater first is the best effect. After this, it is time for Chuck and I to hit the restroom. We walk a little further into this area. The place is filled with flowers of all kinds and smells wonderful! We wander around but we have a mission to get over to Paradise Pier.

It’s about 2:00PM at this point, and we casually make our way over to the Paradise Pier area. I love the look of this area as it has that Boardwalk feel to it. Judy makes a beeline over to California Screamin’ to see what the wait is. We catch up with her to find out there is only a 25 minute wait and the fast pass return time is almost at 5:30PM. We decide to do stand-by. Allan wants to wait on the sidelines since he is not big on going upside down. He became the “bagman” for this ride and the three of us go off to wait. We pass the time talking about favorites so far on the trip and make comments on how well we are getting along. (We jinxed ourselves with that comment. [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/eek.gif[/img] ) We are about to hit the last part of the queue when we overhear some people that are about 4 people ahead of us calling for someone. Out of natural curiousity, we look and they are waving at someone that is standing outside of the line. They tell him to just jump the wall and come up with them. WHAT?!?!?!? Now Chuck and I are more of the quiet complainers. It bugs us but we usually give each other that look, roll our eyes, and move on. Judy, on the other hand, is not.

She immediately speaks up her disgust in a not so quiet manner. Chuck and I tell her to let it go that it does happen. She puts on her “I’m mad but gonna fake happiness” look and we continue on. We get locked in and off we go. This is an awesome coaster. It’s not herky jerky (and yes that’s the technical term for it) and long!! Definitely three thumbs up for us. We tell Allan that he would have been okay. We check out our picture but decline against buying it since all four of us aren’t in it.

Now remember Judy still has her fake smile on, and Chuck sees that I am getting bothered by it since she is just shrugging to my suggestions. He takes her off to a smoking area while I go find something to munch on. I have no idea where Allan goes in this part of the scenario but if I know him, he is near the railing by the water watching the ducks. I come back to see that they are still in a heated discussion. So here I am, standing in the middle of Paradise Pier with some French fries. I go and find a seat a little ways down and people watch. Allan arrives a few minutes later. We finish off my fries and notice that we are getting waved over.

Judy tells Allan that they are going to ride the Sun Wheel and we would meet them in over at Soarin’ since our time was opening up. I say okay knowing that Chuck will fill me in. They go off and Chuck gives me the rundown. Apparently she did not appreciate us telling her to be quiet. She’s over it but just wanted us to know her feelings and that cutting in line is her biggest pet peeve. I do not have much of a comment to it as I am the last one to make a big deal out of something petty. We walk around and take in the sights. We do grab a ride on the Zephyr as well.

Mulholland Madness

Now we meet up with Judy and Allan, and everyone is all smiles again. She apologizes and I say no big deal. We head straight into Soarin’ and are at a stand still. I guess Soarin’ was down for about 20 minutes which caused a back up even in the fast pass line. The wait is maybe 30 minutes which in my mind is better than the 60 minute for stand-by. We head into the loading area and we are ushered into line 1. I am thrilled because I know this means we are going to be in front row with no hanging feet. [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/thewave.gif[/img][img]/ubb/images/graemlins/thewave.gif[/img] We are soon boarding and all strapped in. I thought I loved Soarin’ when I rode it for the first time in WDW in December. Oh my goodness!! It is even more amazing without feet dangling. [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/grin.gif[/img] I can hear the “oohs” and “ahhs” coming from everyone else, and my happy feeling is restored.

Once landing back on solid ground, we head back over to the Hollywood Pictures Backlot to see if the line had gone down any for the new Monster’s Inc ride. We make a stop at the candy store as the smell of fudge couldn’t be resisted by Judy. We are standing outside the ride trying to decide if we want to wait when I see two characters. Who is it you may ask?? Well, it is the dynamic duo of Mrs. and Mr. Incredible. I take off to get in line with the others tagging along behind me. As I get to the end of the line, a CM unfortunately tells me that no one is being permitted in the line. BUMMER!! Truthfully, I think Mr. Incredible got my message that I was coming out but was upset that I was late for our meeting and told the CM to not let me in line. [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/rofl2.gif[/img][img]/ubb/images/graemlins/rofl2.gif[/img] Ok, maybe not but all I could get is the shot below.

After my disappointment, Judy offers me a piece of fudge, and we decide to bypass the new ride so I do not get to ride the newest attraction. This just gives me another reason for me to head back out west. We decide to walk through some of the shops. I go look at our pictures from when we first got there this morning, but three of the four were crooked and the other one, Allan is looking off somewhere else. We pass on those purchases. I do not realize how much time we had spent in the shops when I notice the time. It is about 5:45PM and we needed to head out since we had a priority seating at 6:15PM and needed to walk to the Disneyland Hotel.

Coming up: A Grand Time @ Goofy’s Kitchen and the bed wins!

loobyoxlip · 03-20-2006, 09:18 PM

[img]/ubb/images/graemlins/roflmao.gif[/img] Dawn. I think Mrs. Incredible saw you coming and didn't want you "posing" with her man again! [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/wink.gif[/img]

**chezp** · 03-21-2006, 01:57 AM

Another great update Dawn. I'm loving every word of this and am picking up ideas all the time for our trip. More please! [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/waytogo.gif[/img]

lauren-roxy · 03-21-2006, 10:41 AM

Great update Dawn!!! I think Mrs Incredible saw you coming also and nixed any plans of you getting a hand on her husband! [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/grin.gif[/img] Sounds like you guys are having a great time, despite the little hissy of the MIL, but it generally it seems that all of you are having a good time!! Can't wait to read more!!!

zacksmom_1993 · 03-21-2006, 11:55 AM

I'm so glad you liked Screamin' Dawn! [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/082502yes_prv.gif[/img] We missed our chance to ride it last weekend, but your photos and recap are the next best thing. Can't wait to hear about Goofy's Kitchen!

PrincessSharon · 03-21-2006, 03:36 PM

Dawn, I'm just getting caught up on your terrific TR. Sounds like everyone is having a blast! Your detailed descriptions and pictures are making me feel like I am back at DL! Can't wait for more!

MAria R · 03-21-2006, 04:33 PM

Great update!!!

**DrDolphin** · 03-21-2006, 06:38 PM

FANTASTIC update!!! Can't wait to read more!

**Caldercup** · 03-21-2006, 11:02 PM

What a bummer that you didn't get to grab... uh, I mean MEET Mr. Incredible. I hope you have better luck later on!
[img]/ubb/images/graemlins/grin.gif[/img]
Eileen

**Colexis Mom** · 03-22-2006, 06:25 AM

Fantastic update Dawn [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/zwavin.gif[/img] Love the pictures [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/laugh.gif[/img]

DawnDenise · 03-22-2006, 06:09 PM

Day 3, Part 3: A Grand Time @ Goofy’s Kitchen and The Bed Wins!

We finally make it out of DCA and make our way to the Disneyland Hotel. We take our time and notice that Downtown Disney is really hopping on Thursday night. They have a lot of outdoor performers and it really makes the atmosphere. It is getting a little chilly and I did not prepare for the evening today and bring a sweatshirt. Sounds like shopping time to me. While the others have a smoke break, I run into World of Disney. I find a Goofy sweatshirt that I like and then see a certain book that Judy had taken a liking to about Disneyland. I add that to me bill and meet the group outside. I hand Judy her book, and she immediately gives me a hug. She tells me she wouldn’t have bought it herself but really wanted it. Awwww…what a good daughter-in-law I am. [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/grin.gif[/img] I put on my newest purchase, and we make our way to dinner.

We arrive at the DLH and take a lok around. I really like the Neverland Pool area. Sorry, no pictures as Chuck, Allan, and Judy all go ahead of me to hit the restroom, and Chuck had the bag. I decide that the next time Chuck and I come out this way, we are staying here. (Shhh..he doesn’t know what I am planning.) I met up with the gang inside and check in. They tell us it will be a few minutes and then direct us to the register to pay. Allan beats me to the punch and pulls out his credit card before I could. We find out that we can get 10% off if we have an AAA card. Well, Allan quickly pulls that out as any chance to save money is a very good thing.

We wait for about 5 minutes, and we are taken to our table. Now Goofy’s Kitchen is a huge restaurant on two platforms. It looks like a really fun place, and I think we are all happy to be sitting for longer than a minute. Our waitress gets our drink order and fills our water glasses. Chuck must have been a little dehydrated as he drinks his glass and mine. We begin to notice how crazy busy this place is and there are a lot of birthdays that people are celebrating.

Upon returning with our drinks, the waitress tells us to help ourselves to the buffet. Allan and Judy go up first while Chuck and I hang back and keep an eye on everything. I have to say we were going to have a lot of character interaction tonight. Every time I looked in a different direction, a new character comes out the door. Little did I know that where we are sitting was the plague. [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/crazy.gif[/img]

Chuck and I go get food after the others return and the buffet has a lot of different options. I first go for the Caesar salad and a roll. Yummy!!! We all finish our first plates and make it for seconds. We still have had no characters come to visit. We have had many come scooting by the table to get to a birthday celebration. Since we have a late dinner time, I figure all the parties would clear out and then we would be able to have some character time.

While we are eating, we do get Dale to come by, and Judy is very excited to see him as Chip and Dale are her favorites. Right after that Minnie makes an appearance and she is disappointed because no one offered her a book to sign. I go ahead and ger Minnie’s autograph again. Who am I to disappoint a mouse?

We have a break in the action and decide that dessert is in order. Now here is where we begin to feel like the plague. The music starts going and all the characters are up doing the Macerena with the kiddies. When it dispurses, all the characters go back to the back of the restaurant and start back there again. We get refills on our drinks and decide to wait them out as Judy really wants to see Chip. I am fine with that decision, so we wait. The restaurant is beginning to empty, and the characters are moving faster. Within about 15 minutes and another refill, we are bombarded with characters.

Please note that my apparel changes and my hair in the midst of the character greetings. [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/roflmao.gif[/img]

The funniest thing about the interaction with Belle is Allan. Allan tells her we saw her earlier today and that she was wearing her ball gown. She plays along beautifully and says she remembers us, and she is glad to see that we are enjoying a good dinner. We are all laughing pretty hard by this part. We decide to leave at this point after leaving our waitress an additional tip since she was so nice about us sitting there waiting. It was a good meal and lots of characters (we still missed Max and Baloo somehow). I definitely want to do it again but I know where not to sit.

We take another bathroom break and then go sit outside for awhile. We sit there talking for probably about 30-45 minutes mostly about Chuck’s siblings. Both Allan and Judy try to convince us to go with Vegas with them when they take Chuck’s sister out for her birthday. Luckily, we already have our fall vacation in the works with money down so we had to gracefully say no. Overall, it is a good evening. We make our back through DTD and head back to the hotel.

As we are walking back, we stop into a little bar that is hooked to the hotel across the street. We have a couple of drinks and continue a pleasant conversation. We are the only ones in the bar and the bartender talks to us the whole time. Jeff, as we come to find out, is a very nice guy and not too bad looking in that California tanned way. [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/blush.gif[/img] We have two rounds and then finally make our way back to our rooms. We decide to meet at 8:00AM to head to the parks and to grab something small there for breakfast.

Chuck and I get back to our room and take turns with the shower. I go first and when I come out, my klutziness comes into play. I am next to the bed and I hear Chuck yelling for his shampoo. As I turn around to head back to the bathroom, my pinky toes scrapes against the frame and I feel that awful toe pain. As I am hopping around, I go give Chuck his shampoo. At this point, I look down and see the bloody mess my pinky toes has become. After a few choice words, Chuck opens the shower curtain to see what I was cussing about. All I hear is “Ooohhhhh…that looks like it hurts.” Nooo…really. I get a wash cloth, the bottle of Tylenol, and limp my way back to the bed. After cleaning it up, we survey the damage and it is not pretty. Chuck gets redressed and heads over to the local 7-11 for some supplies as I do not think a simple band-aid is gonna work.

He returns, and we try to devise the best bandage for this situation which will allow me to still walk the whole next day. Where is MacGuyver when you need him? [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/rofl2.gif[/img] We get it all banadaged up and I down some Tylenol. Chuck and I start laughing as we are lying down because only I can find a way to hurt myself while on vacation. We drift off to sleep while watching the Olympics again.

Coming up: Will the gimp survive?

loobyoxlip · 03-22-2006, 06:40 PM

Oh, no, Dawn!! I hope your next day wasn't ruined by your hurt toe!! [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/eek.gif[/img]

Goofy's Kitchen was a blast when we went. I thought it odd how you pay first, though.

MAria R · 03-22-2006, 07:39 PM

Oh my, I hope that toe doesn't cause you too many problems.

**Caldercup** · 03-22-2006, 08:33 PM

Isn't it weird that you pay for the meal - and pay the tip - BEFORE you even sit down for the meal. What if the server is terrible? I really think that it's a bad way to do it. I wonder if the craziness of the place made it too easy for people to skip out on their checks.

But it seems like you managed to see alot of characters despite having the "plague..."

Oooh, that toe sounds like it hurt. I hope it feels better when you wake up!
Eileen