D23 Expo 2013: Journey Into Imagineering

Date of Visit: August 10, 2013

The first thing we hit on the second day of the Expo was the Journey Into Imagineering exhibit. Lining up for entrance at 7:30 a.m. allowed us to get in at 9:30 a.m. and there was no line to get in the exhibit.  It was good we went there first, as by the time we were done it started to get crowded and there is not that much room to move around in the different booths or the center area in the first place.

Overall we enjoyed the Journey Into Imagineering exhibit.  It begins with a little presentation/show about imagineering and then you go through a door to freely explore the different booths.  Mik especially liked the miniature models in the Dimensional Design area and not just because they had the original Grumpy from the grotto at Disneyland.  We also enjoyed the Art Library exhibit with early concept drawings of Disneyland.

Destination:
D23 Expo
Anaheim Convention Center
800 West Katella Ave
Anaheim, CA

D23 Expo 2013: Mickey's of Glendale

Date: August 9, 2013

Mickey's of Glendale was the worst shopping experience at the 2011 D23 Expo, but it was also the one that gave Mik his story he tells over and over about him thinking the Sorcerer Grumpy pin was for me and I did not get one for him.  He knew he might not find anything this time, but at least we went in knowing it could be crazy and leave with nothing (well, actually we knew we would get at least one pin, as there is always something Sorcerer at least for me!).

The line to get into Mickey's of Glendale moved much slower than the Dream Store and then you end up in another line to get the pins, but we found the experience so much better than last time.  Sure, I think we spent more time getting to the pins than last time, but it was not stressful, as it was an organized line that wound through most of the store.  Now if you did not want pins you could wander the store and those people had to cut through the line at times, but for us it worked great as you still got to see the other stuff and could pick it up along the way if you wanted.

Mik was particularly happy to find a new Grumpy pin for his collection, especially since I really think the last one he got was at the last Expo.  They had ones representing the images on the construction walls around the Seven Dwarfs Mine Train ride being built at the Magic Kingdom.  He almost got the one with all the dwarfs, but I found him the one where Grumpy is with Doc painting the roses red and he liked that one better since Grumpy was more prominent in it and it is funny.  Of course, we also ended up with some Sorcerer Pins including a special one for the Expo.

Destination:
D23 Expo
Anaheim Convention Center
800 West Katella Ave
Anaheim, CA

D23 Expo 2013: Dream Store

Date: August 9, 2013

After getting into the D23 Expo taking almost until 10 a.m. this year and seeming to take much longer than last time and from past experience of the Dream Store being crazy, we decided to tackle it first, especially since it was the one store with things we knew we wanted to get.


This expo's experience at the Dream Store was so much better than in 2011 and not just because we did not wait as long to get in (that was only because we went there first, it would have been as long or longer if we went later I am sure).  The main thing that we liked was that inside it did not seem so crowded.  It partly seemed to be easier navigate because there were less on display, but it also seemed they allowed fewer people in at a time or at least the checkout line was contained in the checkout area while we were there.

I quickly found and got the Disneyland 4D puzzle. Since it was not crowded, except around the Vinylmations that they could barely stock as fast as people grabbed them, we also browsed to make sure there was nothing else we wanted before getting in the checkout line to pay and get pins.

Destination:
D23 Expo
Anaheim Convention Center
800 West Katella Ave
Anaheim, CA

Companion Restrooms at Dallas Fort Worth Airport

It has been awhile since I have flown through Dallas Fort Worth Airport with Mik.  In Tucson, we used to always choose Chicago over Dallas because Chicago seems to have fewer weather delays/cancellations and I have often had bad luck with Dallas.  Now that we are in Huntsville, though, Dallas is the only real option unless we are actually flying to Chicago, as Mik hates the narrowness of doing the aisle chair on American Eagle so much he would probably choose flying through Dallas to Chicago just to avoid that situation.  We still ended up spending more time than planned in Dallas, but this time it was because we volunteered to fly out later and earned ourselves some vouchers, which is kind of funny because we had used vouchers to get these tickets to go to the D23 Expo in the first place.

Anyways back to the point of the post, we now like Dallas a lot more because we found the companion bathrooms located by every restrooms we saw.  Mik particularly liked that they were large including having space to roll his wheelchair up next to the toilet to transfer over.

There was also a ledge to put backpacks and such down without actually putting them on the ground. 

The auto flushing annoyed him as usual, but he did like the sink being a sensor to turn on.  However, the sink still did not work all that well for him with the soap being far away and not with a sensor and the faucet being somewhat of a stretch and he has reasonably long arms.  Overall, though, that is minor when all that really matters is not having to decide what restroom to go into because your only companion is not the same gender as you.

Disney Mediterranean Cruise with Greece: Day 11 – Captain’s Gala Dinner @ Animator’s Palate

Date of Visit: June 24, 2013

Appetizer – Mik had the garlic and herb sautéed shrimp, which he thought were only okay.

Entrée – Mik had the Oven-Baked Lobster Tail. He liked the lobster, but he really liked the saffron rice that came with it.



Dessert – Mik had the Tropical Sundae (Sherbet, Coconut Cream, and Coconut Macaroon) and the Warm Chocolate Lava Cake. He liked both other than giving Dad his macaroon since he does not like coconut. However, he wished he had ordered them separately rather than getting them both at the same time because he did not realize he would get ice cream with the lava cake. Once he ate the lava cake with the ice cream the sundae had started to melt and it would have been better still more frozen.

Disney Mediterranean Cruise with Greece: Day 10 – Pirate’s Menu @ Lumiere’s

Date of Visit: June 24, 2013

The Pirate’s Menu is in all three restaurants on the night that there is the Pirates in the Caribbean Party. Around dessert time the servers come out and play Limbo and guests can join in if they wish. Our server entertained us with a pretend banjo made with the pepper shaker and a plate cover.

Appetizer – Mik went with the Pirates Golden “Pot Stickers” for his appetizer.

Soup – Mik enjoyed the Caribbean-style Conch Chowder.

Entrée – Mik thought the Dutchmen’s Dijon Crusted Sirloin of Beef was the best steak he had on the cruise. He substituted the sweet potatoes with a baked potato.



Dessert – Mik tried the Crunch Time Sundae (rum raisin ice cream and pineapple whipped cream) and the Rum Soaked Chocolate Cake. He liked the sundae, but not so much the chocolate cake.

Disney Mediterranean Cruise with Greece: Day 9 – Master Chef Dinner @ Parrot Cay

Date of Visit: June 23, 2013

Appetizer – Mik enjoyed the Citrico’s Shrimp for his appetizer.

Soup – Mik thought the Chicken Consomme soup was okay.

Entrée – Mik loved the Center Cut of Beef Tenderloin and to a lesser extent the Lobster Medallions that came with it.



Dessert – For Dessert Mik was going to order three things, but since it was his birthday he knew he would get a little cake, too. Thus, he started by only ordering the Chef’s Favorite Sundae (rocky road ice cream with roasted marshmallow, chocolate wafer, and fudge sauce) and the Sticky Toffee Date Pudding. He enjoy both, but his favorite was the chocolate Happy Birthday cake. After finishing those three, he ordered a fourth dessert of the Caramelized Apple Cheesecake, which he also liked, but still did not top the cake.