We’re off! After yet another catch up with relatives and friends Sunday morning through brunch (that was the 7th farewell!), we arrived home with just three hours to do all those little jobs that can only be done on the last day. The only thing we forgot was to dump the small amount of milk left in the fridge – which of course was switched off, doors open.
We were ready - with 45 minutes to spare – which is more than can be said for some. We usually opt to get picked up by a shared Shuttle and accept that instead of taking 30 minutes to the airport, we allow an hour. Unfortunately, it took nearer 90 minutes as people had either been picked up already (cash customers), or weren’t ready and by the time we’d returned, they’d gone. So three stops were a total waste of time for us and also of course for the poor driver.
We just had to chill and Air NZ Premium Check in was a friendly, efficient breeze. After dumping the luggage and filling out a departure card, it was straight up the internal escalator direct to a dedicated immigration official. Dedicated he may have been. Smiling he was not.
Scanning was OK with the usual temporary hiccup when the X-ray showed up my sugar jar… A tastie ham toastie (well fougasse if you want to be posh) and a coffee (with sugar) before an on time boarding and departure.
Premium seats on a 777-300 are the AirNZ ‘pods’. Fairly spacious and fairly comfortable, but I still didn’t really manage any sleep. The on board entertainment system is wide ranging. Three recent episodes of Top Gear, (one of which I’d missed), some country music (there was no traditional jazz option…) and two meals later, we arrived on time at LA.
Now we know this is one of the most hated airports but it was a short wait, a very friendly immigration official and by the time we got to the luggage carousel, our luggage was already there – all of it this time.
A FREE luggage trolley to the Green bus stop (far left once outside the terminal building) for the hourly “Disneyland Express” coach, due at 1:45. Now someone is being a bit naughty here, as two shuttle vans marked “Disneyland Express” stopped and the drivers tried to entice us on board… The coach was on time but a warning; either a prepaid voucher (which we had) or credit card only. One young family with two kids were not having a good day here and only had cash, but had expected to be picked up, so we took their money and put it our card. Then before the coach had even made the next terminal stop, they had contacted their friends and hopped off again! We gave them their cash back and managed to get a refund from the ‘conductor’.
An easy Sunday run to Howard Johnson’s at Anaheim, but the traffic around the Disneyland Hotel on this this Memorial Weekend was horrendous. Check in was as usual at HoJo’s, very friendly after a short wait and we managed to lug all our luggage (is that where it got its name from?) without a trolley to our room in block 2. The room was overlooking the pool, which was full of happy (read noisy) kids. No problem. The double glazed windows cut out the noise.
Now it is fair to say that HoJo’s only ever really presents itself as a family hotel, but it ticks all the boxes. Coffee machine with 4 modern coffee pottles (similar to the Nespresso), topped up/replaced daily; wide double bed; large flat screen TV in the right place; fridge; microwave; ironing board and iron (whatever that is); in room safe and free WiFi. A nice friendly little shop and both swimming pool and kids water play area and a large spa pool. Although no use to us, even car-parking is free. A five minute walk to any number of eateries and a ten minute walk to Disney is fine by us.
We had short nap (big mistake…) as it was still Sunday in LA even after the 11.5hr flight then opted for Denny’s, as from past experience, their range of options suits us. A light (cheap) snack of toasted turkey, avocado and cheese sandwiches with a cup of creamy broccoli soup plus a small glass of juice each came to just under $17.00 plus tip.
A stroll to the new shopping area “Anaheim Gardens” which looks to be taking off. Certainly, Bubba Gump’s was doing a roaring trade, whilst my previous favourite, Tony Roma’s Ribs was not. Totally over-priced now, so no wonder.
We crashed out a bit early according to the physical clock, but our internal clocks were totally screwed. The noisy Disney fireworks at 9:25pm preclude really early nights anyway.
May 26th – Monday, Memorial Day tomorrow, so we are not really expecting anything other than huge crowds at both Disney Parks so we’ll just wander in without any intention of riding. We haven't set the alarm either, so goodness knows what time we'll be out of bed.
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