Originally Posted By Dalia3001 Hi all! I have posted on this site before, planning a few trips to Disneyland, and have always been so happy to get everyone's feedback. I can't contain my excitement over the trip I am planning now, so I had to post something about it immediately, knowing there would be someone out there who would be happy to read my story. In January, I was diagnosed with Hodgkin's Lymphoma. I was supposed to get married June 3 of this year (my fiance and I went to DL to celebrate our engagement last October) that date falls right at the end of my treatment, so instead of the big wedding we had planned, my husband and I got married at the county clerk's office in February. The great news is, I am now in remission, and will be done with treatment on Monday, June 4th!!! My husband and I will be having a big wedding reception on September 9th, and his family is coming from Australia for it. To thank my family for the big reception they're throwing for me, and his for coming all this way, I am taking us all to Disneyland; his parents, my parents, his sister and her husband, my brother, my husband and I. I was able to get a 3 bedroom suite at the Grand Californian, and one additional room for less than I would have paid for all of us to have separate rooms at the Paradise Pier! I was shocked the suite was even available, because the website said the GC was sold out on that day. I even splurged for concierge level service. I had been saving up some money to spend on upgrading flowers, etc., for the reception, but spending it on this feels so much better. One thing being sick has taught me is that experiences with the people you love are worth so much more than money, and way more than fancy flowers, or lights or something at the reception!!!! My family and my husbands family and my husband have all been so wonderful while I've been sick, it makes me so happy to be able to give them something back. Now for my question, right now I can only think of one. The inspiration for this trip was my husband's sister, who wants more than anything to have her photo taken with Winnie the Pooh. What is the best way to manage that? Is Winnie available during early entry, by any chance? Or is there some other good way to get to him without spending hours in line? I have gotten pretty good at knowing how to avoid lines, etc. for rides and shows, but I have never been one for the character photo ops, so I would love to know the best way to manage that. Also, is there anything that is going to be closed at that time besides HM : ( and the monorail? That's all I saw at the refurbs.com website. I think I saw somewhere that the Matterhorn will be closed too! That's a shame, but I we will all survive. Thanks in advance for your help, because as usual, I'm sure I will come up with a million questions!!!
Originally Posted By Dalia3001 One other question, any guess on crowds for those dates? We went on weekdays in mid October last year and it was PACKED. I'm hoping things won't be so crazy this time.
Originally Posted By tink_26 First- congrats on your recovery!!! I know you will have a great time with your family! Winnie the Pooh is at the exit of the pooh ride and splash mountain. He is there *i think* from 10-6, with breaks here and there. There is a line, but it seems to go pretty fast. Let us know how the trip went!
Originally Posted By CindyH You might also want to book a character breakfast at the Plaza Inn - I've heard reports of WTP there (as well as Tigger and other friends). Congrats on your remission and the wedding, you'll have a great time at DL!
Originally Posted By Dalia3001 I was wondering about the Plaza Inn character breakfast, but I thought I read somewhere that they changed recently to Mickey and friends instead of WTP and his friends. If they're no longer at the plaza inn, are they at another character dining venue? And is there a time which would be better than others to line up near the Pooh ride?
Originally Posted By Horse Crazy If the schedule is 10-6, I would get there a little before 10 and wait. We did that last year, and we were just second in line to see WTP. By the time we got our pics done, the line was pretty big.
Originally Posted By dzy76 Congrats Dalia on your remission and your marriage! I'm a nurse and I know what you mean about time with family being the important thing, doing things that really mean something to you now, never wait. I would suggest lining up a little early for pooh at his character site (as above). Well worth the wait!
Originally Posted By Dalia3001 Thanks so much for your advice! I am so excited and happy; my mom and I (she has taken me to each and every chemo and radiation appointment) had the best time at the hospital today talking all about our Disneyland plans!
