Hi Everyone
I know it has been a long time since I visited the boards. Recently life has thrown me some curve balls but all is turning for the best.
One of these curve balls involved my friend from first grade Julie (friends for 31 years). In February her mother suddenly died while speaking on the telephone with her. Julie was shaken up about this for quite awhile but is slowly but surely realizing how lucky she was to know her mom was at least happy when she died. Anyhow...to make matters worse; Julie is now going to start undergoing treatment for her thyroid cancer. This is not a new thing for her but will be her 7th time going under the knife with the possibility of her having to have a tracheostomy. SO why am I telling you all this....well Julie is a HUGE Disney fan and I am taking her to Disneyland on June 6 and 7. Not knowing what the future holds for her I want to make it the most special trip I can. So....can you all help me do this? I would love ideas, suggestions and even the phone number of someone who could help to make Julie feel special. Believe me I know there are people going through worse things...I just want to help my friend have a good time.

Thanks in advance and sorry the post is so long


Lisa

It is hard to know what to recommend without knowing Julie and what would appeal to her most. Off the top of my head, though, I would suggest the Fantasmic! reserved seating and perhaps one of the speical tours that they offer. I have never taken a tour so it is hard to say which one but perhaps someone else can suggest?

Also, are you staying on property? If you don't plan too that seems like it would be a special treat to me. Also, I love the idea of some of the gift baskets that vacation planning offers.

Finally, make sure she knows it is HER weekend. Perhaps buy her a Ridmax subscription so she can get into the planning with you, if that is her thing.

Have a great weekend and Good Luck to Julie.

It would be helpful to know a little more about Julie, like what rides/attractions/experiences she enjoys the most.

The VIP tour is a little expensive, but it's taylor made to what the guest wants and she'll get a lot of info/trivia along the way. Here's a link with more info (http://disneyland.disney.go.com/disneyland/en_US/parks/tours/detail?name=VIPTourServicesTourPage). There's other tours to choose from as well that aren't as spendy, like the Walk in Walt's Footsteps tour that might be ideal for a huge Disney fan.

Thank you so much for your advice; Julie likes everything Disney but apparently she is a fan of the villans.
I am going to look into the Fantasmic seating :) Thanks so much

Lisa

If you go to City Hall when you first get there, they can tell you the times and locations for character interactions. It's the best way to make sure you see some Disney villans.

Thanks so much. I will do that. I want this to be her best trip ever and with all the hints from here I know we will have a great time

Something else she might like, if you don't do the Fantasmic reservation seating, make a reservation for Blue Bayou and request sitting near the water (that request is done when you arrive for your reservation). Or like it was suggested here, if you are staying on property, get her a gift basket from vacation planning.

I'll try to think of some other fun things that you can do. Oh yeah, request to sit in the front of the monorail with the captain. Go on the Mark Twain and go all the way to the top and request to "steer" the ship. I'll think of more I'm sure.

Oh..that is a good one. She mentioned wanting to eat at the blue bayou. Does anyone have the number so I can call ahead or do I have to wait until I am at the park.

As for sitting in the front of the monorail..would I just ask one the CM's at the top. I am going to do my best to gather all the hints from here and GO FOR IT!! :)

THANKS AGAIN!!!

Lisa

The phone number for Disney dining is 714-781-DINE.

I hope you and Julie have a wonderful time. I second the Fantasmic preferred seating idea. :)

Villian Fan...make sure she sees the Queen in the window above Snow White in Fantasyland...not everyone knows about that.

Look into reserved seating for the parade. Lots of villians included!

I can relate to the stressful times. Just being inside DL makes me feel better, so plan on quiet dining inside the park and soak up the atmosphere!

Blue Bayou is a great choice. Jim Dear and Darling gave you the PS reservation number above. Check in at the restaurant about 15 minutes prior to your reservation. At that time, ask for a waterside table. My experience has been good at not having to wait too much longer to get one, maybe 5-10 minutes additional...And to me, the atmosphere is the best thing about the Blue Bayou!

Plaza Inn is also great. First of all, because it is one of the original restaurants at DL. It's beautiful inside and the food is quite good. There are no reservations there. I suggest sitting in the glassed in area towards Main Street facing First Aid. There is a CM entrance over there and you often get a glimpse of lots of characters going in and out.

I would also find out what childhood memories your friend has of DL and try to relive some of those moments. Like I remember riding in an animal cage on Casey Jr. as a kid and thinking how fast the train went! Sort of my first roller coaster. I just rode it yesterday and still get a childhood thrill!

It is so nice of you to plan this for your friend. I'm sure it will have great meaning and enhance both of your lives!

Let us know what you decide!

Enjoy your trip!

As for sitting in the front of the monorail..would I just ask one the CM's at the top. I am going to do my best to gather all the hints from here and GO FOR IT!! :)

Yeah, when you go to get on the monorail, go up to the very first car, where the captain sits and ask if you can ride there. It can fit like 5 people. If not there, then sit in the very back car. It is cool either way. My kids liked both views.

Okay...so I have made the reservations at BB already and will be looking into more exciting and fun things to do. The last time Julie and myself were at Disneyland together was way back in 1985. I am trying to remember some of the crazy things we did back then.

I called her today and told her I have magic elves (mouseplanet) helping me out to make it a rocking trip. She is getting so excited and said she can not wait to not have to think about realty for a couple of days.

Please keep all of your suggestions and ideas coming. I really appreciate all of them.

Lisa

I've heard recently, that you can get a seat on the engines of the DL RR. You have to do that from the Main Street Station and you have to ride all the way back to that station. I think that would be a blast.

And for the record, you friend Julie has a very special friend! :)

I hope you both have a most magical time. :)

Hi Second Star
Thank you so much for the compliment; I am in San Jose too. I am going to look into the train ride; that would even be fun for me too :)

Lisa

Another train idea....if the Lilly Belle is on the tracks you can go to Main street and talk to the CM's, if they have enough staff they let commoners ride in her...that would be an amazing treat.

Thank you so much I am going to do that.

Julie will be going in for all of her pretreatment tests right before we leave. So a trip to Disneyland will be in order after all of the poking and prodding.


Keep up the ideas...I can not wait to here more

Thanks again

Lisa

The train ride on the tender is well worth the wait. it is up to the discretion of the train personnel, though -- sometimes they are training and don't have the seat free -- so make sure to give it a try early in your stay, so you have time to ask again if they can't work you in just then.

I am a firm believer in the magic of mouse ears on adults. Besides CM's going out of their way to great you by name (how DO they know? ;) ), they tend to signal that you are ready for a day of fun. My friend and I wore our ears for three days and were given a little extra attention, and were chosen to perform in the Parade (back when that was happening).

Thanks for the ears advice. That would be fun :) We are leaving in 21 days. I am getting so excited and so is Julie.

We are actually meeting the night before and having a sleep over; that in itself will be great

Lisa

You are a SUPER friend! I hope you guys have the most magical time ever!

We did the Walk in Walt's Footsteps tour last August - it might be something to look into that is special. You get to see the lobby of Club 33 and learn a little about it's history. It was a lot of fun for us - we learned a lot about Walt and the history of the park. I don't know if they do it eery time, but our group also got to ride in the Lilly Bell car of the train. That was really cool - especially when you think about all the famous people who rode in it over the years.

I'd also try giving Gues Services a call and see if they have any suggestions. There may be other things they can suggest - although everyone's covered all the ones I could think of already!

I am going to call guest services on Monday and see what I can arrange. Thanks again for all of your help

I just thought of one more fun little thing that we did on our last trip! About half way down Main Street on the right side as you are facing the castle - stop in at the silhouette shop! If you've neve done it, it's fun. The lady that does silhouette's has been doing it forever, does it freehand just by looking at you - and they are an amazing likeness! For a little extra, she'll even do a silhouette of any character you choose and make it like they are sitting next to you in the silhouette. It doesn't take long, but is a fun keepsake (frames sold there too of course!). I have my silhouette with Mickey (DH with Captian Hook) hanging in our living room they were so cute!

If you've never done this before, it might be something special to add to the list for a great keepsake!

I love that idea of getting the silhouettes. What a great idea :) Thank you so much

I would get an autograph book, they have slots for pictures in it and I would get pictures of you two together with characters and have them sign it for her.

Awesome ideas everyone..I am getting so exited. Today Julie is having her biopsy and I told her to just keep thinking about Disneyland.

We are going to have so many things to do...

Lisa

I would second the VIP tour. We did one over Christmas and I think it was my favorite trip to Disney. They could help get you seatings for all the things/shows you might want to do. Plus, if you tell them the reason for wanting to do the tour, they will probably do whatever they can to make it the most special day they can. Mine was on my birthday, and our guide, Mirna, did so many little special things.

You could also make a scavenger hunt for villain things or villain bingo.

I would also consider videotaping some of the trip so that you can make her a tape to watch when she's going through rough times. Definitely get a photo album and give her that, too.

Best of luck to you and your friend. Cancer has hit my family far too many times.