April 2002 Disneyland/DCA Trip - Chapter 6 Up
About This Page:

dsnytina · 04-09-2003, 04:45 PM

Stars of the Show:
Tina (29) Self-titled Disney freak and trip planner, wife to
Max (33) patient husband, hockey freak and Dad to
Cami (3) our blessing from God, granddaughter of
Nana (actually, Linda, and pretty sure she'd faint if I put her real age here!!!), my Mom, a closet Disney freak and wife to
Papa (actually, Roger, also wouldn't be happy if his daughter betrayed him and revealed his age here!)
Dates: April 25-May 2, 2002

Chapter One
The best laid plans...
Background Info
In September 2000, just after Cami turned 2, we took her and my Mom and Dad from Seattle and Max's Mom, Marlene from Minnesota, to WDW for a land/sea vacation starting with the Caribbean Beach Resort, and ending with a heavenly cruise on the Wonder for 3 nights. Knowing what we know now, we should have gone for a 7 night cruise. Having a hot, sticky, cranky toddler at WDW is a nightmare! (Well, to a commando Mom it is - everyone else swears they had a great time!) [img]images/icons/rolleyes.gif[/img] I sure wish I had a Passporter with me then! However, having a happy, clean, fun toddler in the Mickey pool on the Cruise was a joy from start to finish... [img]images/icons/cool.gif[/img]
Planning the perfect Spring get-away
Around Christmas 2001, my Mom and I started planning a vacation "of any kind" for the Spring of 2002. Before long, we had decided we had been absent from Disneyland for far too many years! We were curious about DCA, even with all the bad press. [img]graemlins/ukid.gif[/img] From the beginning, we offered Max's Mom the opportunity to come with us on yet another joint vacation, but unfortunately, she passed. We found out Alaska Airlines was having a terrific sale to fly from Seattle to San Diego. My parents have the wonderful [img]images/icons/grin.gif[/img] RCI/Worldmark condo system, and kindly offered a week's time at a condo in California. We scoured their choices online, and finally decided on Oceanside, since it's between San Diego and Anaheim. My parents planned on going to Mexico while we were so close, and my husband and daughter had never been before, so Oceanside was booked! [img]images/icons/cool.gif[/img] We had airline tickets, an awesome condo to stay in, a rental car lined up at the San Diego airport, 3 day Adult tickets for the price of a child I snagged at disney.com, now we just had to wait for April 25th to come!

[ 05-08-2003, 04:38 PM: Message edited by: dsnytina ]

AKLRULZ · 04-09-2003, 04:52 PM

Excellent - a DL/DCA report - I'll look forward to reading more about your trip!

dsnytina · 04-09-2003, 05:31 PM

Chapter Two
The day has come!!!
Saturday, April 25, 2002
Our flight left ridiculously early, so we'd have time to drive from San Diego to Anaheim today. Max, Cami and I drove to Nana and Papa's house at 4:30 and my brother had graciously offered to drive us to the airport. I get Cami settled in the mini-van, Max is putting our luggage in the back, my brother is warming up the van, sitting on the passenger's side so Dad could drive to the airport. Mom is coming down the sidewalk to the stairs that go down to their driveway, when all of a sudden we hear a noise, and where's Mom??? [img]images/icons/confused.gif[/img] I have never seen my brother move so fast. It's still just 5 am, and I am fuzzy with little sleep, but snap awake when he says, "Mom's down!" [img]graemlins/ukid.gif[/img] Mom's what??? I get myself out of the van just as he rounds the front of the van, helping Mom walk to the passenger's seat. Her ankle looks awful, the right foot is pointing at a 45 degree angle - not good! We get my Dad to come and get in the driver's seat. Thankfully, there is a hospital not five minutes from their house! After very careful but quick driving, we are in the ER instead of on the way to the airport. [img]graemlins/cry2.gif[/img] Mom is already saying that we should go ahead and go without her if her foot is broken. I'm still not thinking clearly, but have the presence of mind to call the airline to tell them we won't be making the 7 am flight. They take her back almost immediately for x-rays. Will they be able to come with us? Is this a sprained ankle or is something broken? [img]images/icons/confused.gif[/img] AAAAAaaargh!

[ 04-09-2003, 06:01 PM: Message edited by: dsnytina ]

dsnytina · 04-09-2003, 05:59 PM

Chapter Three
We finally leave…with or without them?
Saturday, April 25, 2002
When the x-rays come back to show that not one, but two ankles were broken [img]images/icons/shocked.gif[/img] , the doctors assure us that Nana will not be flying anytime soon! Papa, of course, will be staying home to care for her, but they both urge us to go without them. Man, that was a TOUGH decision. After all our joint planning and overall love for spending time together, the decision was made to continue on - just Max, Cami and I.
My brother had stayed around and gamely offered to still drive us to the airport. Since the airline had graciously agreed to let us fly out on the noon flight, we gulped, kissed Nana and Papa good-bye, and struck out for an adventure without them. Sigh. [img]graemlins/pout.gif[/img]
During the flight, we were still pretty shell-shocked and to tell the truth, I was pretty embarassed [img]images/icons/blush.gif[/img] that we had abandoned my Mom to go to Disneyland without her. I guess one of the deciding factors was that we had a 3 year old who had woken up that morning expecting to go to Disneyland!
Once on the ground, we got our luggage, went downstairs to the car rental shuttle, had the very best shuttle driver - a woman who actually sang to us. Wow! We're serenaded by the very first person we meet in California! Now, I'm starting to relax and get into the mood for this vacation. Before long, we're settled into a Ford Explorer and on our way to Disneyland!!! Who can say, "Wheeeee!"
My ever-savvy husband has to travel for business and had been collecting nights at the Best Inn & Suites all over Washington state. Well, amazingly enough, by the time we were booking our trip, he realized he had enough nights to claim his free night. Guess where their hotel in Anaheim is? That's right - across the street from Disneyland!!! Since we couldn't check into the condo on a Saturday (love condos, but don't they had the weirdest rules?) we needed a place to stay for this one night. Isn't God great? He supplied our need with a free night not 100 yards from the Happiest Place on Earth!
We arrive about 5 pm, starving! We had noticed some restaurants on the drive in, so took a walk-about to get some tucker. (Sorry for the Australian - don't know what came over me!) We settled on Mimi's at the end of the block. It was terrific - Cami's dessert was Worms in Dirt. Ha! Gummy worms in crushed oreos and chocolate pudding. She had a ball! [img]graemlins/yuma.gif[/img] Since it was obvious we wouldn't be wasting a day on our passes for the couple of hours left, we decided to just walk over and see Downtown Disney. Mostly, we just wandered and saw the outside of the buildings - they all looked so interesting, and everyone seemed to be in a great mood! We watched the fireworks from DL and then walked the 100 yards back to our hotel, swam and collapsed! [img]images/icons/grin.gif[/img] We made it!

[ 04-09-2003, 06:20 PM: Message edited by: dsnytina ]

loobyoxlip · 04-09-2003, 06:37 PM

Continue on. I've been meaning to come here and post my TR from last year but just never get around to it. But you've inspired me. The boys are watching a movie and I have a few free minutes. BTW, nice name [img]images/icons/smile.gif[/img]

*~*Tina*~*

AKLRULZ · 04-09-2003, 06:46 PM

Yikes - sorry about your mom's foot - major bummer. But looking forward to hearing more now that ya'll are there.

[ 04-09-2003, 06:46 PM: Message edited by: Dad2jbj ]

dsnytina · 04-09-2003, 06:46 PM

Tina ~
Must be Disney magic! Please write up yours - there seems to be a lack of DL/DCA reports, but a wealth of WDW reports!
Tina [img]graemlins/usa.gif[/img]
p.s. Your kids are gorgeous! Wish I had a scanner or digital camera!

[ 04-09-2003, 06:47 PM: Message edited by: dsnytina ]

dsnytina · 04-09-2003, 07:35 PM

Chapter Four
Introduction to DCA/Practically Perfect Tea
Sunday, April 26, 2002
We awoke to a typically beautiful California day - about 65 degrees right from the get-go! (Coming from rainy Seattle this was heaven...lol!!! Oh, did I mention it was drizzling when my Mom slipped? Wet/dark/tired is NOT a good combo!) My wonderful husband [img]graemlins/love.gif[/img] went down to the free continental breakfast and brought back a tray for the three of us to devour! Cami wanted to wear her Minnie outfit - a red dress with white polka dots, actually cuter than the Minnie costumes they sell, and her WDW Minnie ears/baseball cap. She is so adorable in that, and got extra attention all day! I was literally chomping at the bit to be inside one of the parks! First things first, we had to check out, and since space is at such a premium along that block, we had to move our car from the hotel's parking lot to the Denny's parking lot right in front of the hotel. They said they have an agreement with them to be the overflow parking lot...we just stuck the little ticket in our window and tried to not think about whether we were about to be towed or not. We needn't have worried - the car was safe and sound later on. We hurried across the street - you've gotta love that! - to the plaza in between the parks and stowed our coats in a locker. On to DL! It opened before DCA, so we stopped in to ride the Fantasyland rides before they were obnoxiously busy. Well, this was the first time we had been to the parks since 9/11/01 and just the sight of the security check took us back there for a moment. [img]graemlins/usa.gif[/img] After that pause, we were in the park! We marvelled that there were already characters just inside the gates, before we even passed under the berm/railroad underpass! The first person we lined up to see was Peter Pan! He was by far the best character we have ever had the joy to meet. He actually sat down on the ground and took a few minutes to talk to Cami and sign her autograph book. By the time he was done, there was quite the mob around him. I sure wish people would queue up for the characters instead of literally pushing their kids in from the side!!! [img]images/icons/mad.gif[/img] Grr!
After a few more signatures, we went through the tunnel - actually paid attention the posters inside for once! - and on to Main Street. It still looked marvelous! Everyone says it - but here goes - it's like nowhere else on earth! [img]graemlins/love.gif[/img] Here comes the good part: We just step foot inside and who do I see but the Man himself, oops, Mouse himself. [img]graemlins/blush.gif[/img] Well, I'm an adult and what do I find myself doing? Running toward him saying, "Mickey!!!!" My husband swears I was the bullhorn announcing his arrival that morning. I swear I wasn't the only one screaming his name as I ran to him, but by the time I arrived (with husband and daughter trailing behind) there was one family in front of me, and about 20 behind me! Cami got a big hug and another autograph! What a way to start the day!
Off we went to ride our favorite ride of all - Space Mountain! Well, on the way, we just had to stop at the Astro Orbiters. I figured Cami would want to go on Dumbo, and if the line was HUGE, we could tell her it was just like this, but with elephants. (Who am I kidding, would any kid buy that line?) We are prepared to do the Kid Swap since she is just 3 3/4 and only 39" tall. SM has a required height of 40" to ride. Well, let me tell you, her Dad and I marched her to Wal-mart and bought her the highest heeled sneakers we could find! She had never been on a roller coaster and we wanted to start her off right. Well, it was early, so there was almost no line, and soon we were loading! Max decided he wanted to ride with Cami on her first ever roller coaster, so I had to ride all by myself. Well, once again, I'm totally in awe of this ride, but I point out the chocolate chip cookie on the ceiling to Cami as we enter the ride. From then on, it was non-stop screaming! [img]graemlins/dizzy.gif[/img] Little did I know - Max comes storming off saying that Cami screamed in his ear the ENTIRE time! Ok, maybe 3 is too young for SM... [img]graemlins/blush.gif[/img] We quickly turned our sights and feet toward Fantasyland and smaller, gentler rides!
So, what's the first ride we queue up for? The Teacups! We had the most insanely funny CM on this ride! I don't remember the jokes, but he was deadpan and wouldn't let up! Max spun our cup so fast we felt like we were flying! There's nothing like giggling with your 3 year old and your husband while spinning. He took our picture and it looks great with the rest of DL blurred in the background.
I suppose I should mention right now I have no way to get pictures in. Sorry! [img]graemlins/blush.gif[/img] In this day and age, you would think we would have a digital camera or at least a scanner!
The next ride we did was the caterpillar ride. Kind of a theme they have - the Alice corner of Fantasyland! Cami enjoyed it, and we enjoyed watching her! After this ride, things started getting busy, so we park hopped over to DCA.
We rented a stroller, which was a God-send later in the day! The first thing we hit was Soarin' over California...oh, wow! Did this ever exceed my highest hopes! We immediately went on it again! I had made reservations for Nana and Cami to go to the Mary Poppins Practically Perfect Tea so that Papa, Max and I could do some guilt-free hard-core riding for a couple of hours. Well, with Nana absent, I took over the honor of escorting our little Minnie to tea. Max walked us over to the hotel and then went back to DCA for some solo rides. Next up, the Practically Perfect (Semi-Formal) Tea.

dsnytina · 04-09-2003, 07:37 PM

Steve:
Thanks for the encouragement! Loved reading your latest on the WDW board!
Tina

tikibird · 05-01-2003, 03:50 PM

Wow, sorry about your mom's fall!

However, I'm glad you got a free room right across the street, and sounds like your time at DL was great! I can just imagine you running to Mickey shouting his name! [img]images/icons/grin.gif[/img]

Great installments, can't wait to hear about tea!

dsnytina · 05-06-2003, 07:31 PM

Feeling slightly embarassed that I've stopped posting. I will get back to it soon! [img]graemlins/blush.gif[/img]
Tina
God Bless America [img]graemlins/usa.gif[/img]

dsnytina · 05-07-2003, 06:41 PM

Chapter Five
Mary Poppin’s Practically Perfect Tea
Sunday, April 26, 2002

Someone wrote a wonderful trip report about the MPPPT, and it sounded like a perfect break for Cami. Of course, I came in my park touring clothes – shorts and a tank top, with tennis, no less. [img]graemlins/blush.gif[/img] ALL the other parties were at least semi-formal. It looked like prom night for little girls. At least Cami had a dress on…
The entire event was wonderful, from the beginning plate of three desserts [img]graemlins/yuma.gif[/img] to the extra care they took to make sure Cami got a substitute for the PB&J that they normally serve. (She’s allergic to peanuts, like a huge amount of kids these days.) Each of us got our own pot of tea, and although I poured her tea for her, she drank out of that porcelain cup and ate off that charming plate like she’d been doing it every day of her life! Isn’t it amazing if you treat children like they are capable of accomplishing something, they usually do it? Mary Poppins was incredible with costume changes, singing, and coming around to every table. Cami had drawn her a picture on the plane, and she actually got misty-eyed when she realized that this little girl wanted to give her something she had made!
Are the rumors true? Has this wonderful character meal been discontinued? I certainly hope not!
Next up, California Screamin', Triton's Carousel

dsnytina · 05-07-2003, 06:41 PM

Chapter Six
California Screamin' and more
Sunday, April 26, 2002

When we met back up with Max (utilizing the handy dandy two-way radios he remembered to bring), we found out he had ridden all the thrill rides like the commando that he is! (Must say, I was slightly jealous!) First thing I wanted to do was ride CS!!! So, I jumped in line and waited no more than 10 minutes for my first Mickey Mouse Coaster experience. Just the sight of the Mickey head on CS makes me smile - now I was getting to go upside down through it! Loved it!!! Thankfully, the designers of this park must have taken into account how many adults with kids would come and want to ride CS - King Triton's Carousel is right next to it, and Cami must have ridden it 10 times that day between her Dad and I riding CS! She loved every minute of it, even though the song doesn't change! One nice thing about this carousel is that adults get to ride it, too! So, around and around she went while the big kids went on the coaster! After we got our thrill ride fix, we took Cami on the Jumpin' Jellyfish (just right for a four-year old) and the Sun Wheel (fun for all of us). We though that the Sun Wheel should have gone around a couple more times for the amount of wait time this thing has, but I guess that's the bane of all ferris wheels!
We got hungry about this time and had heard about the bread bowls at the Pacific Wharf Cafe, so headed over there. Max and I each got a bowl of soup, and they were excellent!
Max and I aren't really parade people, but we wanted Cami to see the Electrical Parade, so we staked out a place and stayed until closing at 9pm! Our little trooper was drooping as we carried her out, across the street and headed for the condo in Oceanside. She was already asleep when we arrived an hour later. Max and I brought everything in, then pretty much collapsed. The next day was hanging out at the condo/sightseeing in Oceanside. Chapter 7 will have our full day at Disneyland!

[ 05-08-2003, 04:37 PM: Message edited by: dsnytina ]