Tikibird Goes West to Walk in Walt's Footsteps - June 2003, DLH- COMPLETED!!!
About This Page:

tikibird · 06-23-2003, 08:35 PM

Dates: June 7 – 12, 2003
Adventurers:
Sandy aka “tikibird” – 40
DH Andy aka “The Food Police – 41
DS Craig aka “Gonzo” – 22
DS Chris - 19
Resort/Hotel: The Disneyland Hotel
Celebration:
Longing to get back to see the West Coast Mouse!

Introduction:

We originally planned to participate in both the cruise and land portion of Mousefest this December. However, after I booked the package, I realized that we would be interrupting Gonzo’s senior year week of finals. We talked, and decided to cancel the cruise, and as we were all really wanting to get back to Disneyland, and missing Disney in general, we decided to go in May. However, after some research, it became clear that Pirates of the Caribbean would be down for rehab during May (and it is incredible – even better than the one at WDW), so we decided to risk the crowds and warmer (we thought!) weather to get to see Pirates.

I book through Your Magical Journals, so I am able to apply the deposit that I lost through the cruise cancellation. The Disney Club saves us another $200 (boy am I ever going to miss the DC!). After much discussion, we had decided to stay onsite, and we ended up selecting the Disneyland Hotel. I was going to book the Grand Californian, but read a review not to expect Wilderness Lodge, and at the price, I wanted at least Wilderness Lodge! Paradise Pier was the cheapest on-site property, but is blah in terms of theming. I was also intrigued on being able to see so much Disneyland history in one place, and saw a picture of furniture etched with Disneyland maps, so the Disneyland Hotel it is! With the package – we got the 2 days free on the tickets (buy 3 get 2 free), and the 5th night free on the hotel, which brought the price to about $154/night. We also got pins and lanyards, priority seating in a show at DCA, an ESPN card (which we never used), and most importantly, UNLIMITED fast passes!

As our departure nears, I get really sick with either the flu or a sinus infection. So sick, in fact, that the night before we are ready to leave, I tell Gonzo that I would rather stay home in bed. However, I take an antibiotic my mom had in supply, and am determined to drag myself out of bed in the morning, after getting a bit of sleep.

Day One – Part One - Saturday, June 7th – I Hope I Never Encounter Another Journey Like This One!
I get up at 4:30, as I no longer feel I can breathe laying in the bed. Our flight was due to leave at 9:30, so I wanted to leave at 6:30 to leave plenty of time to drive safely (it was raining), get through security and have breakfast prior to boarding the plane. However, The Food Police, as usual, determined that we certainly did not need to leave that early, and at 7:00 a.m. (I am now a wreck and downing Dayquil) BEGINS closing up the house. We finally leave at 7:10, and it is POURING down rain. As usual, the Food Police has to drop off garbage in a public waste can (this is a ritual that must be performed before every trip that is quite successful in irritating the rest of us), and we are on our way. Gonzo starts fighting with Chris about what music we will play in the car. Will this NEVER end – they are 22 and 19 for crying out loud! [img]images/icons/rolleyes.gif[/img] I start exclaiming that I don’t know why I spend money on these family trips and will never do so again, and am told that I always say this at the beginning of each trip, which is true. If only we could cut out the first half of the first day of each trip! I guess it is just the initial reaction of throwing four very different adults together for an extended period of time.

Anyway, we finally make it to the airport at 7:45 a.m. and it is still pouring down rain. The Food Police drops us off and we wait for him to park the car. After what seems like forever, he shows up and we head up to the check in counter for US Airways. What I saw there curdled my blood! There was a snaking line all the way to the door to check in!!! We stood in this line for about 45 minutes. Now, I used to have anxiety attacks sitting in traffic, as I hate not being able to get where I want to when I want to. Add that to the fear of not making the only direct flight out of Pittsburgh to Orange County and in my opinion, ruining the rest of our day, and I was get VERY anxious. I heaved a sigh of relief when we finally got to the counter. However, the e ticket machine did not work properly, and I had to ask for assistance. The man behind the counter was obviously not in a hurry, and took his good time to check us in. He gave us our luggage tags, and I was about to hand him our luggage. He said “Oh no, we don’t take this anymore – you have to go over there.” And pointed across the hall to another equally long, snaking line to luggage check-in. “You’re kidding” I said. “Nope,” he said. “New Federal Regulations.” I’m about in tears at this point, as I realize there is a good chance we will never make the flight now. [img]images/icons/frown.gif[/img]

It is another half hour or so until our luggage is hand-searched. This really makes me mad, as I realize that a good deal of this (the rest is due to layoffs) is because of some very evil people that committed a heinous act against our country. I also looked longingly at the empty Delta counter, whose flights I had cancelled when they changed our schedule, in favor of the US Airways direct flight.

We have 25 minutes to departure. We get through security in about 10, which leaves us 15 to get to the gate. Andy just makes the tram, as he always takes forever to get through security. I tell Gonzo to run when he gets off, and tell them we are on our way. Of course, the gate is at the far end of the terminal. I cannot run, but I power walk and am shortly gasping for air, given I am not in the best of shape and sick. Somehow we make it to the gate with 2 minutes to spare. I am utterly exhausted and feel like I am going to collapse, and drop to one knee to get out my ID to board the plane. “GET UP!” yells the US Airways employee, “You will have plenty of time to rest on the plane, and we aren’t holding it for anyone.” “But I was just trying to get out my ID” I said. “You don’t need it, just get on the plane.” Unbelievable – we just had the worst check-in experience of our lives, in a large part due to US Airways layoffs, and went through 3 separate security stops, and now they don’t want to check to see if I say who I said I am? Or even ask if I was okay? (I have filed a complaint with US Airways, but not yet heard back. [img]images/icons/mad.gif[/img] ) So, I finally make it to my seat, and felt so awful between what had transpired and how sick I was, that I just broke down into tears and literally sobbed. This was not how I had envisioned starting my vacation. I then realized that we had not been able to get breakfast, and the boys and I were really hungry, too (Andy had already eaten breakfast at home). Oh well, at least we made the plane. And then the announcement “We regret to inform you that the flight has been delayed 30 minutes because 40 pieces of your luggage has not yet reached the plane. “ NO KIDDING – guess who 5 of those 40 belonged to! I take as deep of breaths as I can given my congestion and calm down considerably.

We finally take off a half hour later. The flight was uneventful, and we did get a snack shortly into the flight. The Food Police reminded me that the bagel I was eating was full of carbs and I shot him a dagger of death look. I was too tired to have the usually silly time with Chris harassing Gonzo on the plane.

“About Schmidt” was the in-flight movie. Andy and Chris had already seen it, but Chris said it was good, so he watched it again, as did Craig and I. It was pretty good, but it always irritates me that US Airways charges $5 for the headsets. The view out Chris’ window is gorgeous – many mountains and deserts – but the air pressure on landing is brutal. We are in a lot of pain with our ears, and mine don’t pop until the next day.

Finally we land, just about right on time, even with the late start. Andy is cranky from sitting too long, and I still feel awful. I look out the airport window and it is GRAY!!!! WHAT??!!! We are in “sunny California” – it is not supposed to be gray! I came to California to escape the Pittsburgh gray - looks like it followed us west!!! But, I am happy to be at John Wayne airport – it is little and relaxed, a far cry from LAX (and today, Pittsburgh International!). I highly recommend flying into this airport if the cost is right.

We decide to head to the food court at the airport and grab a quick bite to eat. The Food Police has a salad (SURPRISE!), I have a hot dog and the boys have pizza. After lunch, we pick up our luggage, and I ask directions to the Emerald Aisle. Andy is better this time, and doesn’t take as long to pick out a car. When we drive up to check out, I show my reservation, using a code on Mousesavers that was supposed to be good. “Where is your coupon?” they asked. “I don’t have one” I said. After a bit of discussion, and my showing them the DC ressie I had cancelled, they check us out. At this point, I’m having no idea of how much I am being charged, but am thinking the worst.

We make it to the DL Hotel in about 20 minutes, with amazingly, no wrong turns! The Food Police and the boys take the luggage out of the trunk. I turn around and the car bumper has two HUGE black scuff marks on it from the suitcases! In addition, I thought I had read that it was going to cost $30/day for parking, which I was not prepared for. I’m ready to cry again. I’m tired, mad, cranky, sick and cant’ hear due to my un-popped ears as we head to the hotel lobby. Not even the giant Mickey is making me smile.

I request the Sierra Tower on check-in, but was told it was full. We could have the building we were standing in, at the front of the property, later in the day, or the Bonita tower, at the back of the property, right now. Immediate convenience wins out, and we head for our room in the Bonita tower, after being informed that parking is free (WHEW!). On the way out of the lobby, I noticed some Mickey Ears in the carpet, which makes me smile for the first time.

We have a fairly long walk, but through a beautifully landscaped property. A gorgeous waterfall is at the front of our building.

The Bonita Tower at the DL Hotel

Our room is located on the 12th floor, Room 5793, with a lovely view of the parking lot!

View from our room - Paradise Pier Hotel is on the left - notice the GRAY sky!

It is smaller than I had expected, with no day bed, but nicely decorated. I plop on the bed and look up and see Tinkerbell and pixie dust on the wallpaper border. Second smile of the day!!!

Tink Wallpaper Border w/Pixie Dust!

What transpired after this is a bit of a blur.

Crabby guys in our room

Gonzo is anxious to get to the parks, but Andy wants to stay in the room. Chris doesn't care one way or the other, and I am looking for more Dayquil so I can breathe. There is another round of “We are never going to take another family vacation,” and then I insist that Andy try to clean the scuff off of the bumper so we didn’t have to pay to have it replaced, before we go to the parks. Craig finally calms down a bit, and we leave the room – Andy with washcloth in hand to clean the bumper. We tell him we would wait for him by the pool.

And now, the bad part of the trip is over. I PROMISE – it gets much better from here!

Next up

Day One, Part Two - DCA, a Sleeper Hit and Dinner at Ariel's Grotto

[ 07-20-2003, 02:27 PM: Message edited by: tikibird ]

Mauimouse · 06-23-2003, 08:56 PM

Wow, too bad about the rough start. I can't believe how they treated you at US Airways. That is down right ridiculous.

Glad that you made it safe and sound looking forward to reading more. [img]images/icons/grin.gif[/img]

Tara O'Hara · 06-23-2003, 09:26 PM

Tiki, [img]images/icons/shocked.gif[/img] !! My goodness that is NOT a great start! I hope you are feeling better soon and that everybody gets to be friends again! I can't believe your airport debacle either [img]images/icons/shocked.gif[/img] ! I am looking forward to your trip greatly improving!!

**Colexis Mom** · 06-23-2003, 09:41 PM

Wow Tiki [img]images/icons/shocked.gif[/img] . That's not the way to start a vacation!! Looking forward to better days and the rest of your trip report!! Love the pics. Keep it coming!!

loobyoxlip · 06-23-2003, 09:53 PM

Oh, Sandy. I am so happy to be reading this. I am leaving for 2 days tomorrow morning, so I hope I have a lot of reading waiting for me when I get back. Geez, that was not very nice of USAirways. Jerks.

Sorry your guys were cranky. That room does look smaller than I expected! Can't wait to hear what you thought about Ariel's Grotto and DCA. [img]images/icons/grin.gif[/img]

LauraBelle V. Hime · 06-23-2003, 09:55 PM

Unfortunately, the best laid plans... [img]images/icons/shocked.gif[/img] ! I'm anxious to read the rest... [img]images/icons/grin.gif[/img] .

Don't Californians called it the "June Gloom"? Then sometimes (quite often) the marine layer doesn't lift until late in the afternoon.

**CRCrazy** · 06-23-2003, 10:18 PM

Ouch! Not a happy way to start the day! I really hope that things got much, much better from here!

Can't wait to read the rest, but I'm leaving in 28 hours - hopefully you'll have time for 1 more post!

Hope you're feeling up to snuff again - I flew home from Denver last year with a sinus infection - it took 3 full days for my ears to pop enough to hear again!

tikibird · 06-23-2003, 10:38 PM

Laurabelle - yes, I was informed about the June Gloom by a local while we were there, along with "Junior High Days" which I will go into more detail later!

Thanks for jumping down here to read this everyone!

Now, time for:

Day One, Part Two – DCA, Ariel’s Grotto, and A Sleeper Hit – Saturday, June 7th, 2003

Andy heads over to the parking lot to try and fix the car, and Craig, Chris and I stay put. I decide to explore a bit. The Neverland Pool is gated, so I use my room key to get in. What whimsical fun! It reminds me of the Disneyland song I wrote while waiting for our trip! The pool is pretty empty, as it is quite chilly. I’m hoping it warms up a bit during our trip so we can take a dip in this pool!

Neverland Pool - cool slide, too!

The exterior of Goofy’s Kitchen has a Goofy Topiary. Right next to it is the Coffee House, where I see you can purchase refillable mugs, but for coffee and tea only. Looks like they have decent coffee, too, not just the Nescafe stuff. I’ll have to check it out!

Goofy's Kitchen Exterior

Chris and I pose in the area in front of the pool, and I take a shot of the DL verson of da hat, which leads right into the Downtown Disney area.

DL Version of DaHAT!

I then decide to get creative with the camera, and Andy emerges from the parking lot, and informs us that the scuffs are gone. WHEW!!! I’m starting to feel much better now!

I’m very excited to see the DD area, which we literally walk right into from the DL Hotel Property. This was just being built our last trip in December 2000, so we are pleased to see all the new shops and restaurants, including a Rainforest Café, one of our favorites!

This first time we walk through DD the walk seems a bit long, but in retrospect, I think this was just because we were so anxious to get to DCA. We pass the Grand Californian entrance to DD, and LaBrea bakery, where I had heard such good things about the chocolate cherry sourdough bread (one of my missions for the trip is to try this!).

Soon we are in the middle of a plaza with Disneyland on our left and DCA on our right. You can literally walk from park to park, which we think is very cool! CALIFORNIA is spelled out in huge letters in front of DCA, and we enter under a replica of the Golden Gate Bridge.

I know many people have said that they don’t like DCA, that it isn’t a good value. But we all liked it on first sight. We wanted to either ride or get a Fastpass for Soarin over California first, so we go right, as I had read to do. We find it quickly, and the posted wait time is 45 minutes. I’m still really tired, so I suggest we wait it out the first time, and just enjoy the queue for the first time. I get a bit of a struggle from the rest of the family, but they then admit this is a good way to start the day at the park.

The queue isn’t anything spectacular, but does make you feel like you are in an airport hangar. Our wait is a bit shorter than the 45 minutes, and I ask if we can be seated in the front row, as I had heard this makes for the best experience. Only two seats are available in the front, so we let Craig and Chris use them, and Andy and I take the second row.

The ride is constructed to make you feel like you are hang gliding over various parts of California. All I can say is “WOW!” This is an incredible attraction! At the end, you “soar” right over Disneyland, at which point, I hold Andy’s hand. The magic has, at last, begun! [img]graemlins/love.gif[/img]

After Soarin, we walk past Grizzly River Rapids, which we would have liked to have tried, but it was way too cold! We head down to Paradise Pier to try Mulholand Madness, which alas, is having technical difficulties. I really love the theming of this part of the park. Yes, it looks like an amusement park, but Disney has done it up right!! Chris and I decide to go on the Stinger, which Andy and Craig decide to sit out. This is great fun – a swing ride inside of a giant Orange!

To be continued….

kimdisneynut · 06-23-2003, 10:46 PM

Sorry to hear about your first day. I know the mouse will make you all better.

Kim

PS - I LUV WDW · 06-24-2003, 08:13 AM

What an awful start to your vacation! Let us know if you ever hear from US airways.

Quote:

John Wayne airport

<font size="2" face="Comic Sans MS, Arial">My parents love using this airport when they are in that area! My Dad recommends it to everybody when they say they are making flight arrangements to the LA area.

And to quote a fabulous moderator, "More please" [img]images/icons/grin.gif[/img]

Pam

Mouseketeer · 06-24-2003, 10:27 AM

What a rough start to your vacation! I'm glad to hear it gets better, though. [img]images/icons/grin.gif[/img]

I'm enjoying reading about the Disneyland hotel. I've never been to Disneyland, but I'm starting to think it might be fun to go for their 50th anniversary. Can't wait to hear more about your adventure.

Lynda

Tara O'Hara · 06-24-2003, 11:41 AM

Quote:

you “soar” right over Disneyland, at which point, I hold Andy’s hand. The magic has, at last, begun!

<font size="2" face="Comic Sans MS, Arial">[img]graemlins/cry2.gif[/img] HOW CUTE!!
Doesn't this ride ROCK?!?!

P.S. Your haircut is adorable! [img]graemlins/love.gif[/img]

**disneyknut** · 06-24-2003, 01:46 PM

Great start Sandy... I always wnjoy your trip reports.. Glad to see your day improved!
BTW... quick question.. how long is the flight from Pittsburgh to CA? I'd love to visit Disneyland but not sure I could handle a long flight & don't want to risk being the Griswolds if we'd drive [img]images/icons/shocked.gif[/img]