Linda Mac's Orlando Adventures

Hello from Sunny California. My day started at 5:30 am with my alarm clock playing "When you Wish Upon a Star". Unlike most of my trips, this time I was very organized. Can you believe I have made a spreadsheet with park times, dining reservations, etc? I even used color in the cells. My trip began with an 8 am flight to Dallas, making a connection and finally arriving at the John Wayne Airport in Santa Ana at 12:30 pm.

My friend Rick agreed to stay at my house to act as the cats' servant while I am out adventuring. The NASCAR Cats (Junior, Princess Sterling and Kasey K.) would never allow me to travel if they had to stay in a kennel or as I call it, Kitty Jail.

I decided it would be best if I drove to the airport and Rick could take my car back to my house. I am still complaining about the fees I paid last time I parked at Orlando International. Why am I driving? Let's just say I am not a good passenger on days I have to fly.

Upon arriving at the airport, I proceeded to drive up to the wrong departing flights terminal, twice. I take sole responsibility for going to the wrong terminal the first time. When I looked at the list of airlines on the Terminal A sign, I didn't see American Airlines listed first. So I assumed -- yes, that is when things went downhill -- that American Airlines was in Terminal B. Who would have thought AeroMexico and Aerlingus would come before American Airlines? It was too early to remember my alphabet, I guess. No problem, I will simply drive to Terminal A. However, once I reached the main airport road I couldn't remember if I had just been at Terminal A or B. My navigator, Rick, told me A so I went back to B, again. I gave up and pulled up to the curb and figured I could do better on foot so off I went with my luggage in tow. Next time, I will be calling Happy Limo and skip the driving.

I mentioned that I felt like I was very organized for this trip. One big bag to check and one small carry-on bag with wheels for the laptop, cameras, chargers, paperwork in a folder, snacks for the flight, etc. With my new packing system, I was hoping to look like an old travel pro instead of having backpacks, oversized handbags and camera bags hanging all over my body.

I would come to find out that my packing plan had a major flaw...

It was a beautiful clear day in Orlando and I had a window seat on the plane (aka sardine can). When the plane took off, I was able to figure out where my house (it's a condo, BTW) and pool were located. It was very cool, but not nearly as cool as the "perfect" views I had of both Epcot and Magic Kingdom. As I reached for my purse to get a camera, it hit me that all my cameras were in my carrry-on bag in the overhead compartment. If that wasn't bad enough, we then flew over the large green Hidden Mickey that I had only heard about, but had never seen until today. It was a real heartbreaker to miss such an amazing photo op.

The stop in Dallas was uneventful, but I grabbed a quick snack at Dickey's BBQ. Hey, how could I come to Texas and not have Texas BBQ? Yummy! I asked them for an extra bag so I could put my camera and a few other items in it for the next leg of my trip. So now instead of traveling with backpack and purses, I am using plastic bags. So much for looking like a professional traveler.

Since I now had my camera within easy reach, I decided to pass some time by taking photos from the plane. I'm not sure what mountain this is, but I took the photograph after the pilot announced we had just passed Palm Springs, CA.

I finally arrived at the John Wayne Airport just after noon California time. When planning this trip, I debated between LAX and this smaller airport that is closer to Disneyland. I was so pleasantly surprised at the size and beauty of the airport. I noticed many major carriers at the gates. I would highly recommend this airport to anyone who may want my opinion. It was easy to navigate and the ground transportation was excellent and easy to find.

I didn't make any arrangements in advance for transportation to my off-site hotel where I will be staying until Sunday morning. After that, I will be moving to the Grand Californian.

Taxis were approximately $40, the shuttle van $20 a person, and the Disneyland Resort bus, which makes stops at all the local hotels, cost $15. I opted for the bus for no other reason then I liked the paint job on it. Don't ask, that's just me. LOL Riding the bus brought back wonderful memories of my Adventure By Disney because everyone on the bus began talking to the people around them about Disney vacations, both past and future ones. My hotel was to be the last of six stops on this trip.

OK, the spreadsheet said I was to check into my hotel, get unpacked, go over to Disneyland or Downtown Disney and have a relaxing sit-down lunch. After lunch, I planned to go to Disney's California Adventure to see the new parade and then finally, go over to Disneyland for their parade and call it a day. Sounded like a good plan, right?

The first stop the resort bus made was at the Grand Californian. At this point my whole plan went flying out the window. I was so excited to be this close to Disneyland that I jumped off the bus and decided I couldn't wait a minute longer (it's been 30 years since my last visit) to plant my feet on Main Street USA. I grabbed a map that said it was "A Guide to Disneyland" and off I went. What more did I need? As soon as I stepped out of the Grand Californian and into Downtown Disney I must have looked like a deer in headlights. I was speechless at the difference between here and Orlando. It just became even worse when I finally arrived in the Disneyland park.

I spent the next several hours just wandering around like a lost soul. This whole time I walked the park it seemed so surreal. Why was Star Tours in Magic Kingdom? Things like that. I was much too busy checking everything out to even stop for that sit-down lunch I promised myself.

I hope you enjoy the photos of my aimless wandering around Disneyland. I finally did have lunch as you will see in the first photo. LOL

I knew I was going in the Haunted Mansion, but everything was so odd -- including the location of the pet cemetery. And did I miss the tombstones?

The riverboat always looks wonderful in the photos.

I took a quick ride through the Pooh attraction since there was no line. It was cute and entertaining.

Pirates was a must-do ASAP. All I have heard for years and years is how much better the California version is compared to Florida's version of Pirates of the Caribbean. Well, do you know what? It is better! I did the best I could with these photos. I took them with a point and shoot camera, but without the flash. Don't want to break any rules on my first day.

Another must-do on my list was Mr.Toad's Wild Ride.

I hoped to stay in Disneyland long enough to see the parade, which Prince Caspian is leading, but that was not to be. I had run out of energy and needed to get to my hotel. But when I left Disneyland, I got my second wind. It was more like a breeze and California Adventure was calling my name. What's a few more minutes? And CA has an exit that leads right into the Grand Californian. I felt like a fish going upstream. The parade had just passed by as I entered the park and everyone was rushing toward the exit. I am guessing many of them were going to Disneyland to see the 7 o'clock parade, which was my orginal plan.

I will save my hotel review for a later date.

For Day 2 of my adventure, here's a hint. The Pony Express rides again. Hmmm...