I'm BAA-aaaaack!
We got back on Sunday night at 6:30. Everybody was exhausted, but happy. We had a great time! The heat, however, was awful.
There was so much that happened unexpectedly. I had firm plans to do many things, and as so often happens, the plans changed often and suddenly, and we just rolled with it. There were a few grumpy spots, but mostly everybody was feeling pretty satisfied with our accomplishments.
The whole thing started off with me having a panic attack.....
Wednesday morning, September 11th. I woke at 4:00 and couldn't go back to sleep, so I got up and got ready for our 5:30 Uber ride. I was worried that we wouldn't be able to get a ride out in our suburban area, especially an UberX (4 of us with 4 suitcases) but it was picked up immediately, and he showed up early, no problem. He was a short, nervous guy who kept making really cheesy jokes, to dead silence from us. I apologized, "It's a little early in the morning for us to get it," and he said he gave us a free pass not to laugh since it was before 8 a.m. We got to the airport in 15 minutes (I love being able to fly out of Paine Field). DH, who was supposed to be carrying my backpack, had slung it in the back with the girls. When we got out and tipped the driver, and went into the terminal, I was digging out my passport when I looked around and said, "Where's my backpack?" Al and I looked at each other, rushed back out to the curb, but David the Uber driver was gone. I tried getting into the app and calling him, but he wasn't picking up. I was trying to remember what all was in in the backpack, if there was crucial paperwork -- not so much, not passports or anything, but my folder that had all the plans, itineraries and receipts was in there, as well as a couple of expensive phone chargers, and the first aid kit with medication (not daily meds, just like Tylenol, dramamine, etc). As I was simultaneously trying to recall how crucial the contents were and trying to call back David, my knees went weak, my head started to spin, and I felt like I was going to pass out. I handed my phone to Allen, sat down on the pavement, and put my head between my knees while he kept trying to get through. Al said he thought I was going to faint and was getting ready to catch me. I've had panic attacks before, but it had been several years. Once I recognized what was going on I knew I could sit down and get through it okay. Finally Al said, "Nothing is irreplaceable. Don't worry about it." So when I'd caught my breath, we went back into the terminal, where DDs 17 and 21 were looking puzzled. I was feeling silly for getting so rattled over a backpack. I think it was just the wrong start to our day that threw me for a loop. So we went through security. We are all TSA PreCheck, but DD17 still got stopped for having too much liquid in her carry-on. We ended up having to go back and check her bag... another trip through security... I got "randomly chosen"... oh great. Finally when we got through and went up to the terminal lounge, I was sitting there still trying not to feel rattled, when an announcement came over the PA: "Attention in the terminal; if you have left a backpack with an Uber driver, please come and identify yourself at the entrance." I scurried back out through security, and there was David, holding my packpack. Hooray! He said he felt lucky he'd opened the back to look for something else, or he might have missed it for days. I shook his hand gratefully, and later gave him a massive tip in the Uber app. Then I went through security for the third time!
Finally we got on the flight. I handed the flight attendant a package of Ghirardelli chocolate squares "for the flight crew." (if you do this, you will often get free treats and attention). We actually got going a little early. DD17 was anxious, but had taken a Xanax and put on a motion-sickness patch. She sat holding her sister's hand. The takeoff was smooth, and after we finished climbing, Fiona looked much happier and less stressed. The flight attendant came by with the cart-- "You were the one who gave us chocolate, right?" I said, "Yes, because you guys work so hard, and we really appreciate you." So she asked if she could get us a drink, with her eyebrows kind of raised at me, and I asked for champagne. Allen went to get out his credit card, and she shooed it away quietly, and gave us each our own split, and gave the girls a free package of popcorn.
We got to LAX about 15 minutes early, at 9:25. Our luggage was the first off (Fiona's carryon, plus Al's which he gate checked for free when they were running short of space). I had a text already from our Execucar driver, saying he was in the waiting lot. So I called him and he was there within 5 minutes. For the record, I liked Execucar. They were prompt, had beautiful large clean cars, and polite service including help with our bags. Also for the record: I didn't want to fly into LAX because of all the horror stories I'd heard about it. But it was fine! We didn't have to walk far at all to baggage claim, and going back, our gate was the first one. Also, I think because we left the airport around 9:45 a.m. on a Wednesday, we missed the worst of rush hour, because our trip was only about 45 minutes! It was great.
We were all pretty excited, especially the girls, as we got closer and closer to Disneyland. We pulled up to the hotel and tumbled merrily out of the car (definitely making sure we had my backpack and everything!). We were oohing and ahhing over the look of the DLH as we went into the lovely lobby. Then I went up to the counter and got a CM named Audrey (I think) a young, enthusiastic lady. Oh, boy. I put on my most excited, charming smile as I got us checked in, talking all about how excited we were and our plans, and my birthday (she immediately got me a button), and Club 33, etc. My kids said they were kind of embarrassed to watch me, because I'm not normally that sweet and enthusiastic, but it worked. She gave us a free upgrade to a pool view, moved us from the Frontier Tower to the Adventure Tower as I'd previously requested, and made sure we were all on the same floor (the girls were a couple doors away; when DD24 and DSIL came the next day, they were down the hall past the elevators. Perfect.). So that was awesome, and she was just the nicest CM. It was only about 10:30, and already one of the rooms was ready. So we were able to go up and dump all our stuff, use the restroom, get our various backpacks and fanny packs ready, and head out to the parks!
Lines were quite short at 11:00, so we had our pictures taken and were through quite quickly. We strolled up Main Street, enjoying the sights and sounds. I picked up Maxpass for all of us, and pulled a FP for Indy. Then we headed to my favorite ride, and my traditional first ride in the parks, Pirates! The girls were so happy and excited. It was closed when Fiona was there for her band trip 15 months ago, so neither of them had been on it since they were 6 and 10 years old.
Then we were able to use our Indy FP already. Again, the girls hadn't ridden it since 2008, and loved it.
After this, everybody was pretty hungry, especially Fiona, who hadn't eaten anything much for fear of getting sick on the flight. We had reservations for lunch at Cafe Orleans at 1 p.m. It was only 12:40, but we wandered over there, and the hostess was happy to check us in. We were surprised how many people were standing around waiting. Well, it turns out that they were really backed up, and they didn't call us until 1:30! I had a couple of pretty tired, hungry and grumpy girls by that time. But with some food and sitting down, they were restored soon. I'd emailed ahead to Special Diets, and asked for a gluten-free Monte Cristo. DD21 (Rhiannon) thought that sounded good, so I let her have it, and Al and I both had the shrimp and grits, which was delicious. We started with the pommes frites, which the girls demolished. Rhiannon liked the Monte Cristo, but of course it was so rich she could only eat half. Fiona had the bourbon chicken, and said it was okay, but nothing special.
After this, we rode Haunted Mansion Holiday with the FP I'd pulled after Indy. Again, a new experience for everybody but me. Then we were all pretty tired and ready for a break, and I'd had a text saying our other room was ready at the hotel. So the girls started heading back there while Al and I used the restroom. I asked him if he wanted a Dole Whip, and then proceeded to try out Mobile Order. Wow, is that a sweet deal. There was a big line at the Juice Bar, but as soon as I hit "I'm here," it said ready, and I walked right up and got our Dole whip and Dole whip float. We enjoyed them as we walked back to the hotel.
Boy, though. That walk. That long, long walk through Downtown Disney, when you're already tired, and the place is absolutely packed with crowds, a high percentage of which are hot, tired, and cranky (and if they're infants, wailing). Folks, I know so many of you love "the Disney Bubble" and feel like you have to stay onsite, and the DLH is so classic and all. But lord above, that is a killer walk, especially BACK, when you're tired. Yes, it's a great hotel with wonderful history and great amenities. Yes, the artwork and details are awesome. But next time, it's back to a Harbor motel for me. Half the walk, 1/3 to 1/2 the price. Anyway.
We got back, and I called the bell desk to ask about our
Amazon Fresh grocery order. They had it ready, and brought it up to us: a couple racks of water, some various breakfast bars, gluten free muffins, yogurt, juice. We divided it between our two rooms and saved a percentage for the DD and DSIL arriving the next day. Then everybody crashed for a nap.
Well, the girls did. Al and I sort of tried but kept dozing off and waking up, and finally we admitted we were restless. So we got up and went exploring. We ended up in Trader Sam's, which I've been wanting to try the last two times I was there. It was so fun! I had a HippopotoMaiTai. Al had a Mosquito Mohito. We were able to sit at the bar and enjoy all the silly antics of the bartenders. Our bartender saw my birthday button, and yelled at the whole place, "LADIES AND GENTLEMEN, LET'S WISH A BIG HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO GAIL, WHO TURNS 23 TODAY!"
Then we walked around the pool, went into the gift shop, and bought pins for our Disney bounding outfits for the next day-- a Minnie pin for me, a Goofy pin for Al.
We had reservations for Carthay Circle at 6:50., so we woke the girls up and leisurely got ready to head back over to CA. I'd been able to pick up a FP for the Matterhorn, and also our Indy FP which we'd already redeemed, somehow turned into a multi-use FP because apparently it broke down very soon before or after we rode it. Not sure how that happened, but I wasn't going to argue. So we had a really nice dinner at Carthay. The waiter was very informative, funny and nice. They brought me out a special gluten-free birthday dessert, basically a hand made s'mores ice cream bar, without the graham crust, with a candle on it, and we all shared it. It was delicious!
After this, we walked back over to DL, to see if we could catch the parade. It was packed, and we were able to go through the back alley to Tomorrowland, and then around the Matterhorn, to find a spot not far from IaSW. It was okay; MSEP isn't my favorite, so that was a one-and-done for us. After that we used our FP on the Matterhorn. Bumpy, and again not our favorite, but fun. Then we made our way slowly over to BTMRR to use our multi-experience FP. Rhiannon wasn't too sure about it-- she's usually not a big fan of roller coasters-- but Fiona had ridden it a couple of times and knew she liked it. Al elected to stay with Rhi, so Fiona and I rode. The moon was almost full, and so bright we could see everything, even away from the lights. The view at the top of Blackspire Outpost was stunning! That was super fun. Fiona said later that it was her favorite ride.
It was getting late, and everybody was tired, so we headed back down through Main Street and back to DLH, The beds are so comfy! We all fell asleep at once, though the sensation of being in a strange place tends to make all of my family restless sleepers for the first night in a hotel.
TL : DR: Our first day had a few glitches, but all in all was a great success!
This is probably more than you ever wanted to read; I'm a former English teacher and I tend to write way more than necessary. But I enjoy it, because it becomes a record and a journal of the experience. Then I can go back later and remember all the detail that I recorded, which is a little bit like reliving the experience!
Stay tuned for Day 2!