Who- Me (old) MDM (22), Escape Artist 20, Youngest 18, Pup 1 13 mos, Pup 2 8 mos, and joining us for Fri-Sun Ken and Barbie aka Heir and Princess (22 and 20).

How - Car

Where - Carousel in the View Suite

Experience - Well, it is home away from home....

8/20 -
Plan - Leave EARLY, arrive Anaheim noon-1pm, hit the parks...

Reality - No one likes to get up early and I forgot a couple things at work, so we left about 830am. The Heir called and asked us to stop by their apartment. We said "Remember, we have the dogs." He calls the office and they tell him "Service dogs, no problem..." So, about 2pm, we wind up at their complex in West LA. Pull up to guard gate, guard says "No dogs." We say "Service dogs." He says "No dogs." After many calls, my son comes down, MDM waits in car whle I go see apartment with other kids. All during this, Heir is on the phone "discussing this" with the complex, who keeps calling the guard to tell him service dogs are ok. Finally, they get the owner of the complex who calls the guard and says Service dogs may come in. The guard goes "How was I a psychic and to know they were service?" Ummm, cape, tags, OUR WORD. I think he is in deep doo doo, he wasn't there when we left. We stayed about an hour then hit the road.

Got to Anaheim about 5pm. Checked into the Carousel and relaxed. Went to Mimi's for dinner, then back to watch fireworks from the room. Opted not to go to the park and wait til morning! We are LAME. Time for bed....

The guard goes "How was I a psychic and to know they were service?"

Did you have enough eyedrops for the eyerolls? Doc's company sells them. Let me know if you want me to set you up. I go through a lot of them.

I like real time TRs. It's like a blog. :)

Adrienne

Oh, my son was fit to be tied. He let the office manager know this could be a lease breaker, if his family couldn't come visit him, then there were serious issues.

But, on to today. We were up early and in the park by 9. Headed to Cafe Orleans and had a nice breakfast. Enjoyed watching the Mark Twain. Left there about 10 and headed to POTC. Came off that to a message from my son. Life is fun with a child in law enforcement. After we got off the phone, we headed to Big Thunder, then to Space, Autopia, and Buzz. It was about 1230, so we opted to head back to the room and go shopping.

We ran to Target and Character Warehouse. Got a few cute items, but nothing fantastic. Got back and relaxed, then headed back to the park. Went on TOT. Family beside us was taking a 4yo on, so MDM reassured them if he liked roller coasters, he would probably tolerate or like it. He was so cute. When I saw him, he looked terrified, but said he liked it and wanted to go again. After TOT, we headed to Toy Story Mania. We wait in line for 70 minutes, only for it to break down. Then they sasy they should have it up soon, so we wait for 10 more minutes and finally get to ride just after 8pm. After we get on it it breaks down again. BUT WE RODE IT!! I did poorly, but I always do. But I did like it! Then the kids rode Maliboomer, and then we followed the Electrical Parade out of the park. I had no clue how hard it is to get out of the park when that is going on! I stopped at Greetings and picked up some fudge and a Smore Sandwich. We headed back and stopped at Quizno's to ick up dinner. We again watched the fireworks from the room. And now watching the men's volleyball. And MDM and Youngest are playing Scrabble, but Youngest is getting fined for making up words. I really like this room. It is comfortable to just hang out in.

More tomorrow......

BTW, how far in advance did you book your room? Every time I look, it is N/A.

Thanks for your posts. Have a great time, as you deserve it:)

Enjoying your TR M10t! :)

I can't believe the way that guard treated you! Isn't there a state law (or is it federal?) regarding service dogs? I thought they could go anywhere and everywhere. :confused:

I booked it about 2 months ago. Just keep looking, people cancel them all the time. If you go to their reservation calendar, and click "Clear Dates", then click on the "View Suite", it will show you when it is open. There are only 3 rooms. We are on the 4th floor room. Just a warning, it is LOUD in the morning in this room. We knew it, so not an issue. It gets us up in the am.

As for the Service Pup, there are a few areas they are not allowed, such as restaurant kitchens and surgical suites. But, yes, the guard was totally in the wrong. And he has been put in his place my son said. We have been denied access before. South Coast taxi service is a major offender. Amtrak had a conductor tell my daughter she couldn't go to the dining car. After notifying Amtrak about the issue, we had travel vouchers......... We had *1* employee in a Pizza Hut come over and loudly tell MDM she couldn't have the dog in the restaurant. Before the lady was even done, another employee and manager were right there explaining to the employee MDM is fine and apologizing to MDM, then offering us free pizza (we declined, it was 10 seconds and they fixed the problem, no need for pizza!)

But, today has been a good day.

Don't follow the parade. If you are down by Golden Dreams, cut out by GRR and Soarin if you can get to sunshine plaza while the parade is still going it is much easier to exit. No big crush of people. It sounds like you are having a great time.

We had a great time, my son, who moved to LA last Christmas joined us for several days. As for following the parade, well, we didn't actually follow it, we were trying to cut around it, but it isn't the easiest thing to do!

Friday was another laid back day. We went into the park, spent a few hours, rode some rides and had Goofy's for dinner! It was a blast. Saturday, more park, Cafe Orleans for MONTE CRISTOS!!!!

We had a good trip, pretty laid back. Only thing I missed doing was Fantasmic! and seeing Billy Hill. So, next trip will have to OD on Hillbillies.

I kept my eyes out for you guys!! Sorry to miss ya!

Enjoying your TR M10t! :)

I can't believe the way that guard treated you! Isn't there a state law (or is it federal?) regarding service dogs? I thought they could go anywhere and everywhere. :confused:
Both actually. Also some little thing called ADA in which if the owner of the building hadn't called the guard and let them in or refused to let them in, they could be owning a building right now. It is also illegal to ask for paperwork as well, but as the poster mentioned, tags, cape, thats enough. I hope they don't let this issue rest if the guard is still employeed there.

Maybe this is a dumb question, but what do you do with the dogs and the rides? Do they wait at the exit for you, or is there a special place for them? Do they go on the rides with you? I'd imagine it would be scary to be a dog going on Splash Mountain or Tower of Terror!

-Foodie :)

The dogs can't ride the rides with height requirements. Those rides, we do the same as "Child Swap", my daughter rides with one of her siblings, when she comes off, I ride with one of the kids. The other rides, the dog rides with us.

That's cool! Thanks for letting me know!

How close is the Carousel to the DLR? Are the beds pretty comfy? We are going in Jan for my 30th bday with my mom and dad, hubby, daughter (3), and son(1). Do you think this hotel works well for young kids? I like the Carousel View Suite, it sounds perfect! We are also loking at the Marriott Residence Inn Garden Grove. The only bad part is that it is too far to walk...

How close is the Carousel to the DLR? Are the beds pretty comfy? We are going in Jan for my 30th bday with my mom and dad, hubby, daughter (3), and son(1). Do you think this hotel works well for young kids? I like the Carousel View Suite, it sounds perfect! We are also loking at the Marriott Residence Inn Garden Grove. The only bad part is that it is too far to walk...Residence Inn Maingate is a 15 min walk. Carousel is maybe 7 minutes? You walk about 300 feet to the crosswalk, cross through the tram area, and through bag check.

The beds are the best in the Anaheim area. Both my daughter and I love them, and we NEVER agree on hotel beds. I think it would work great with young kids as you could either put them to bed early in the back part of the room, and stay up late, or even put them in the front bedroom and close the doors and still watch TV.

Nice to read your trip report and hear you had a quiet and relaxing time!

So sorry about your puppy confrontation with the security guard. I certainly understand your stress. I rarely get hassled with our puppy-in-training, but it does happen. However, the vast majority of our experiences have been very positive. Can't be too harsh on someone who just isn't aware and usually once they learn of the situation, they are apologetic and cooperative. But you do get those "authorities" sometimes who just don't get it.

It has been explained to us through Guide Dogs of America that puppies-in-training technically can be refused and not qualify under ADA rules. If I am absolutely refused at a restaurant, I usually talk to management and see if we can resolve the problem. If that doesn't work, then I explain that I'll pass this information onto the over 300 families who are in the area, and we all just won't patronize the establishment. It's just easier that way.

But, in the case of an apartment refusing to let you visit your son, that's a different matter. But it seems that you got it straightened out.

Not that it would have worked on that particular guard, but GDA has printed up a business card that I now carry. On the back it reads:

"As volunteer puppy raisers for Guide Dogs of America (a nonprofit organization), our responsibility is to socialize and give basic obedience to future guide dog puppies for 15 to 18 months.

Since it is essential that each puppy be exposed to many situations which will be encountered later as a guide dog, we rely on the cooperation and courtesy of all merchants and public officials by allowing the puppy access to stores, restaurants, public buildings and public transportation. Each puppy proudly wears a bright yellow jacket, identifying its mission as a future guide dog in training.

We greatly appreciate your cooperation and support."

Anyway, back to Disneyland...when's your next trip? Christmastime?

The guard was being a PITA. The management approved the dogs coming in, and despite calling the guard and telling him to let us in, he still refused, until the management called the OWNER of the building and he called the guard...

Next trip, Halloween!!!! Then Christmas! (And maybe, slim maybe, for Candlelight Processional.)

Residence Inn Maingate is a 15 min walk. Carousel is maybe 7 minutes? You walk about 300 feet to the crosswalk, cross through the tram area, and through bag check.

The beds are the best in the Anaheim area. Both my daughter and I love them, and we NEVER agree on hotel beds. I think it would work great with young kids as you could either put them to bed early in the back part of the room, and stay up late, or even put them in the front bedroom and close the doors and still watch TV.

Thanks for the info! I noticed you said it was loud in your room... How loud?? We are thinking of staying at the Residence Inn at Garden Grove not Maingate, that one has stairs and stairs don't work with a 1 year old...:p Do you know how far the one at Garden Grove is from DL? Your input is awesome!!

Thanks for the info! I noticed you said it was loud in your room... How loud?? We are thinking of staying at the Residence Inn at Garden Grove not Maingate, that one has stairs and stairs don't work with a 1 year old...:p Do you know how far the one at Garden Grove is from DL? Your input is awesome!!Its about a mile and a half south on Harbor. The place that was loud was the Carousel, in the room directly under the breakfast room. You have a 100 or so people coming and going, moving chairs, etc... I havne't had a problem at Maingate, haven't stayed at Garden Grove, it's too far for us.

Its about a mile and a half south on Harbor. The place that was loud was the Carousel, in the room directly under the breakfast room. You have a 100 or so people coming and going, moving chairs, etc... I havne't had a problem at Maingate, haven't stayed at Garden Grove, it's too far for us.

Thanks! Hopefully it will work out! I am so jealous that you get to go to DL so often!! I want to go so badr ight now! My husband wants to se the Haunted Mansion Holiday but will miss it when we go.:crying: He loves that thing!

We are off to Disneyland on Sunday, staying in the Carousel View room.

I have a question about the suite. Do any of the bedrooms have doors that close? Hard to tell from the virtual tour.

I have small children and need to be able to put them in a quiet place for bed at night.

I am also jealous that you get to go so often!

We are off to Disneyland on Sunday, staying in the Carousel View room.

I have a question about the suite. Do any of the bedrooms have doors that close? Hard to tell from the virtual tour.

I have small children and need to be able to put them in a quiet place for bed at night.

I am also jealous that you get to go so often!Yes, there are doors to 2 rooms. As you walk in there is a room to the right with a king bed and TV. Door closes. To the left is a queen bed in an alcove area. Straight ahead is the living room area. There is a room off the living room with frosted glass doors that opens into the living room area. It has a queen. The couch pulls out to a full sofa sleeper.

Thanks!! That helps a lot.