It's our One Year Anniversary so we're going to Disneyland!! DAY TWO STARTED 7/24!

[ariel1025]

Hi Everyone!!

I am very excited to start this (pre) trip report and I hope that I will have some readers to follow along ... and help me out!!

First I will give you a little bit of background starting with introductions...

http://i106.photobucket.com/albums/m276/shanz1025/P1010130.jpg

My name is Shannon and I am 26 (soon to be 27) years old. I (of course) love everything Disney!!! I have so many favorite movies that sometimes the top spot changes. But currently my favorite Disney movie is "Beauty and the Beast" and my favorite (non Disney) movie is "Mermaids." I love listening to all kinds of music, but typically lean towards country music. However, I also hold a soft spot for old rock (i.e. Aerosmith, Queen etc)...I can't help it and you can blame my Dad for raising me on that stuff :goodvibes Besides movies and music I love, love, love to swing dance and take pictures. I have been to both WDW and DL twice and cannot wait to get back to both of them!!!

Ok, enough about me....

http://i106.photobucket.com/albums/m276/shanz1025/HPIM0840.jpg

This is my "partner in crime" (aka my Husband), Candido. We call him Candi for short because he is the 4th out of the bunch and well, I'm white and my Spanish accent sucks so Candi is a whole lot easier for me to say :lmao: He is 27 (soon to be 28) years old and is beginning to love Disney as much as I do, although he will probably never admit it :confused3 His favorite Disney movie is "Darby O'Gill and the Little People" (animated it would be "Peter Pan") and his favorite (non-disney) movie is "Stand By Me." For the most part, Candi will listen to any type of music and he goes through phases. However, currently he is in his "sports radio" phase that I am praying passes quickly...just kidding...sorta ;) He also loves to swing dance (thank goodness, I do need a partner after all :rotfl: ) and he is a major sports addict, with basketball being his favorite. Candi has been to WDW once and DL more times than he can remember...lucky duck!!

http://i106.photobucket.com/albums/m276/shanz1025/0668-1.jpg

We have been together for over 7 years and will be celebrating our One Year wedding Anniversary on May 24 of this year.

Here is how this trip came about....

We originally were planning on going back to Walt Disney World (that's where we spent our honeymoon). In the process we ended up buying into the Disney Vacation Club and set up all the plans. Well, as they say "life got in the way." Unfortunately, we weren't able to get the time off that we wanted for the trip. We compromised and moved the trip to September and figured it was "better late than never." Then the most magical thing happened....

I got a phone call today and it went like this...

Candi: "Hey babe, do we have any developer points left from our DVC contract?"

Me: "Yeah, why?"

Candi: "Well, how much does it cost to fly to California?"

Me: (as I am frantically typing in southwest.com on my computer) "depends on the dates, why?"

Candi: "Does our anniversary fall on Memorial weekend"

Me: "Yep, it's the day before, why????"

Candi: "Because Melissa (his boss) said we could have a four day weekend and I want to take you to Disneyland"

Me: :love: :cloud9: :love: :cloud9: (Speechless)

So, that's how the trip came about and I have been frantically planning ever since. And, of course after going to the DVC website to request the dates I came straight to the DIS!!!

Here are the tentative plans so far...

Dates: May 21-25, 2009

We will take a late flight (after work) out on May 21 and then take the latest flight back on Monday May 25. This way we can get as much time out of the trip as possible.

Hotel: I just put my request for the hotel in, but I put my first choice as Paradise Pier and my second choice as Disneyland Hotel. Either way it will be a standard view as we have already used part of our developer points and all of our regular points for the use year.

So, that's all I have so far....

I am SO excited!!! Now I just have to cross my fingers that the request is accepted...wish me luck!!

I would love all your input!! Do you think I made the right choice putting my first choice as Paradise Pier? Or should I have put Disneyland Hotel? I would love to stay at Grand Californian but we just can't this time. Either way I'm excited because I've never stayed at any of the Disney hotels at Disneyland!

[tiggersam00]

yay another TR from Shannon! I love it, so jealous of your DL trip, I have never been but I am very excited to hear all about it :):yay:

[MommyWithDreams]

I can't wait to read more....

[ariel1025]

yay another TR from Shannon! I love it, so jealous of your DL trip, I have never been but I am very excited to hear all about it :):yay:

Hi Samantha!!! I feel so special to have such a loyal reader :goodvibes You will definitely have to go some day...it's quite a bit different than WDW but still SO much fun!!

I can't wait to read more....

Hi and thanks for joining!! I love meeting new people on the DIS :goodvibes

[MommyWithDreams]

Ok so I'm going to become addicted I can tell already. I was just looking through your past TR to the world...and what great pictures. And for what it's worth...you looked BEAUTIFUL on your wedding day. The dress, your hair everything was perfect, I'm sorry others didn't think so. But you're right..it was your day and nothing else should have mattered.

[ariel1025]

Ok so I'm going to become addicted I can tell already. I was just looking through your past TR to the world...and what great pictures. And for what it's worth...you looked BEAUTIFUL on your wedding day. The dress, your hair everything was perfect, I'm sorry others didn't think so. But you're right..it was your day and nothing else should have mattered.

Awww you are too sweet :blush: That is such a nice comment and I truly appreciate it!!

[ariel1025]

I said I wasn't going to do it. I said I was going to go to work yesterday, get all my paperwork completed, then come home and check the DVC website to see if our reservations had been confirmed yet. I, however, was not going to be a crazy mad woman waiting for it to happen :rotfl: Yeah right, who was I kidding?? I did go to work (I'm not that insane ;) ) but I checked the DVC website (from my phone of course) at least once an hour. You would have thought I was waiting to see if my lottery check had been deposited or something :confused3 I then came home from work and continued checking the DVC website...sadly, even after I knew the offices were closed. Then today (when I don't have to be to work until noon) I was up at 7am checking the website again...geesh, am I the only one who is this pathetic?? Sadly, still no reply to our reservation request:sad2: So, what's a girl to do while she is going insane waiting on Disneyland reservation confirmations??


Wait...I know, I know....


Write a mini-TR of her last Disneyland trips of course...

[ariel1025]

So, my first trip to Disneyland was a Christmas gift from Candi's parents in 2005. They actually "gave" it to us early and we went about two weeks before Christmas.

The cast for this trip consisted of:

Shannon: Hey, that's me!! I was super duper excited to finally see the "original" (I had already been to WDW).

Candi: That's my Hubby!! He was my boyfriend at the time, but that was the same year he gave me my promise ring for Christmas (Did I mention I had a SPECTACULAR Christmas that year!!!)

Flora: That's Candi's Mom and this trip was her idea...gotta love a woman with a plan!!

Candido: That's Candi's Dad, he was kind enough to agree to the trip and had many "firsts" along the way ;)

Brian: That's Candi's Brother and he was like a little kid (I mean that in a good way) when he found out we were going.

Erica: That was Brian's girlfriend and we weren't exactly what you would call friends before this trip ... we did bond a little along the way though (I guess Disney brings out the best in everyone huh?)

This was the first time going to Disneyland for me and Erica (Candi's family had already been about a million times...tough life right?:rotfl: ). And this was Erica's first trip to a Disney park in general (she wasn't very excited about it though :confused3 )

I don't remember the exact dates of the trip, but that's not really important right?? :confused3

Alright...here we go....

So Candi's parents came into town the night before we were set to leave (they live about an hour from where we live) and we went over to give them their Christmas gifts before the trip. We ended up staying up most the night talking to them about how much fun we were going to have...we were all like little kids the night before Christmas morning...but for us this was the night before Christmas morning!! The next morning (at the crack of dawn) we packed up the car (yes we were driving over 11 hours to get there :scared1: ) and got ready to go. However, one minor problem was overlooked...there were 5 seats but 6 of us...???? We spent more time than I would have liked debating whether or not we were going to take a second car. In the end we did it (illegal style) and one person was in the back of the SUV with the luggage while everyone else sat in their seat. Man was it crowded!!! About a billion hours and half a dozen arguments later we arrived.....

We were staying at the Hilton Anaheim (across the street from Disneyland) with that many people going we couldn't afford to stay at one of the Disney hotels. But, I didn't care I was there...finally!! However, we were all exhausted, we had gotten a late start and had to take a ton of restroom breaks along the way...man, traveling with 6 people takes a lot of time!! I don't remember exactly what time we got there, but I know it was after midnight because I had called the hotel at 11:45pm to make sure they wouldn't give away our room if we didn't make it by midnight. I did however, stop for one picture on the way up to the room....

http://i106.photobucket.com/albums/m276/shanz1025/Disneyland%20-%20Christmas/2.jpg
So pretty!! I was in love with this hotel already and I had only seen the lobby!

So, off we all went to bed. Candi's parents had their own room (of course, they paid after all) and then we had an adjoining room that we shared with Brian and Erica. I didn't even bother to unpack, all I wanted was a shower and a bed...but, a shower is difficult when you have four people who all want it. The boys agreed to let the girls go first and I let Erica go before me because she clearly needed sleep more than I did (she was just a tad bit grumpy :rolleyes1 ). I laid down while she took her shower and next thing I know Candi is waking me up telling me "you better get up now if you want to shower before going to the park." What??? Geesh, Erica that was one long shower :rotfl2: Apparently, I fell asleep and nothing was going to wake me, Candi even had Brian and Erica leave the room so he could change me into PJ's and I had no clue the entire time :laughing:

Anyway, to the shower I went and while I was washing my hair it hit me ... It was real, I was at Disneyland!!! After my shower went next door to the parental unit's room and had breakfast (they had gone and picked it up while we were getting ready :hug: ) and then we were off....

http://i106.photobucket.com/albums/m276/shanz1025/Disneyland%20-%20Christmas/d.jpg

http://i106.photobucket.com/albums/m276/shanz1025/Disneyland%20-%20Christmas/25.jpg

Of course, I had to stop for pictures in front of the pretty tree!! For some reason Brian and Erica wouldn't take a picture...who knows :confused3

Ok,now we were really off...

http://i106.photobucket.com/albums/m276/shanz1025/Disneyland%20-%20Christmas/b.jpg
This was the only thing standing between me and my happy place....

http://i106.photobucket.com/albums/m276/shanz1025/Disneyland%20-%20Christmas/10.jpg
And there it was...I was finally standing on Disneyland property!! I think I might have started to cry a little...I was just so happy to be there and it was such a generous present and it meant so much....

[kaoden39]

Oh what a great gift for your anniversary.:goodvibes I am looking forward to reading your trip report.

[ariel1025]

Oh what a great gift for your anniversary.:goodvibes I am looking forward to reading your trip report.

Welcome!!! Thanks for joining in on the fun, I will need all the help I can get from Disneyland vets!! :goodvibes

[kaoden39]

Welcome!!! Thanks for joining in on the fun, I will need all the help I can get from Disneyland vets!! :goodvibes

Oh I am a vet. I started going to Disneyland close to 40 years ago.:scared1: Wow I am old. We are planning a trip for December. My teenage daughters and I are gonna start a pre-trip report soon.

[tiggersam00]

Love your previous TR! Your too funny, I love that you are making me forget about the upcoming trip by posting your old one, great idea!:cool1:

[ariel1025]

Oh I am a vet. I started going to Disneyland close to 40 years ago.:scared1: Wow I am old. We are planning a trip for December. My teenage daughters and I are gonna start a pre-trip report soon.

Oh wow, I can't imagine how different it must be now compared to when you first started going!! I can't wait to read your pre-trip report. How old are your daughters??

Love your previous TR! Your too funny, I love that you are making me forget about the upcoming trip by posting your old one, great idea!:cool1:

I don't know if posting the previous trip is making it easier or harder for me to forget about our (possible) new trip :rotfl: I love "reliving" it though, so either way it's fun :thumbsup2

[ariel1025]

It looks like I left off with me crying at the entrance to Disneyland. So, we actually enter the park and I am overwhelmed with emotion. It was decorated so beautifully for Christmas and I had been looking forward to this trip for so long....

Then I see my first Character :woohoo:

http://i106.photobucket.com/albums/m276/shanz1025/Disneyland%20-%20Christmas/v.jpg
It looks like she isn't very happy though :confused3 Oh well, I still love me some Belle!!

I was honestly shocked because it was so CROWDED...of course I knew it would be because of Christmas and everything...I just didn't realize it was going to be this busy. It was extrememly difficult to move at times :crowded:

Anyway, we finally get past the train station area and I see another beautiful Christmas tree

http://i106.photobucket.com/albums/m276/shanz1025/Disneyland%20-%20Christmas/19.jpg
Of course I have to stop to take a picture :goodvibes

http://i106.photobucket.com/albums/m276/shanz1025/Disneyland%20-%20Christmas/26.jpg
Some crazy person started yelling at them...apparentally somebody actually thought they could get a picture of the tree without any people in the shot...umm ok :confused3 do you see how many people are here today???

Again, Brian and Erica refused to take a picture...I just don't get it :confused3
And then there it was....

http://i106.photobucket.com/albums/m276/shanz1025/Disneyland%20-%20Christmas/21.jpg
It was so pretty (and no I never compared it to Cinderella's Castle :goodvibes ). I loved everything about Sleeping Beauty's castle...it was so charming. After I had my castle "fix" we started to explore.

http://i106.photobucket.com/albums/m276/shanz1025/Disneyland%20-%20Christmas/28.jpg
Love it!!

Then Candi's Mom says "ok, we can't break tradition let's go." I was incredibly confused and excited all at the same time. I kept trying to figure out where she was taking us

Then she said "ok Brian we didn't forget"
http://i106.photobucket.com/albums/m276/shanz1025/Disneyland%20-%20Christmas/31.jpg
Apparentally every time they go to Disneyland this is where they start their adventure. According to Candi it just so happened to be the first ride his brother ever rode (when he was around 4) and then every time they went back he would refuse to get on anything else until they rode "the vacation ride" :lmao: So it became tradition!

Due to the time of year they had it decorated for Christmas

http://i106.photobucket.com/albums/m276/shanz1025/Disneyland%20-%20Christmas/23.jpg

http://i106.photobucket.com/albums/m276/shanz1025/Disneyland%20-%20Christmas/32.jpg

I have to admit that I enjoyed riding more because I felt like family taking part in their traditions, than I did because of the ride itself.

After we left "the vacation ride" we saw that they were seating for the Snow White show so we decided to stay and watch

http://i106.photobucket.com/albums/m276/shanz1025/Disneyland%20-%20Christmas/34.jpg
Taking pictures of the props before the show began

http://i106.photobucket.com/albums/m276/shanz1025/Disneyland%20-%20Christmas/7.jpg
Bad, bad mirror ... putting Snow White's life in danger for telling the truth :sad2:

http://i106.photobucket.com/albums/m276/shanz1025/Disneyland%20-%20Christmas/s.jpg

http://i106.photobucket.com/albums/m276/shanz1025/Disneyland%20-%20Christmas/f.jpg

Awww, they lived happily ever after:love:

I really enjoyed the show and watching that one got me really excited to see Aladdin over at California Adventure later in the week. However, at that time we had more riding to do. Now what do you ride when you have just watched the Snow White show???

http://i106.photobucket.com/albums/m276/shanz1025/Disneyland%20-%20Christmas/30.jpg
The Snow White ride of course!!!!

Unfortunately, I don't have anymore of the pictures from our afternoon at Disneyland. I just wanted to relax and enjoy everything for the rest of that day. I can tell you that we had a really good time. There were a couple of complaints from a certain someone :rolleyes1 that Disneyland was for little kids. But for the most part everyone was able to ignore her. My favorite part of the day is when it had just gotten dark we decided go ride Big Thunder Mountain Railroad .... SO MUCH FUN!!! After our runaway train experience we all split up to do dinner. Candi and I wanted to go to Rainforest Cafe, his parents went to do room service and Erica wanted to get off Disneyland property so they took the car and went to Carls Jr :confused3

All in all it had been a great first day, but it wasn't over yet....

[Sarah84]

The upcoming anniversary trip sounds fantastic, and im enjoying your xmas trip report what a great xmas present :)

Im going to Disneyland for the first time in september and am so excited

[kaoden39]

Oh wow, I can't imagine how different it must be now compared to when you first started going!! I can't wait to read your pre-trip report. How old are your daughters??



I don't know if posting the previous trip is making it easier or harder for me to forget about our (possible) new trip :rotfl: I love "reliving" it though, so either way it's fun :thumbsup2

They are 14 and 15 years old. They were taking today about the pictures they plan on taking being of hot guys that they see there.:rotfl:

[kaoden39]

It looks like I left off with me crying at the entrance to Disneyland. So, we actually enter the park and I am overwhelmed with emotion. It was decorated so beautifully for Christmas and I had been looking forward to this trip for so long....

Then I see my first Character :woohoo:

http://i106.photobucket.com/albums/m276/shanz1025/Disneyland%20-%20Christmas/v.jpg
It looks like she isn't very happy though :confused3 Oh well, I still love me some Belle!!

I was honestly shocked because it was so CROWDED...of course I knew it would be because of Christmas and everything...I just didn't realize it was going to be this busy. It was extrememly difficult to move at times :crowded:

Anyway, we finally get past the train station area and I see another beautiful Christmas tree

http://i106.photobucket.com/albums/m276/shanz1025/Disneyland%20-%20Christmas/19.jpg
Of course I have to stop to take a picture :goodvibes

http://i106.photobucket.com/albums/m276/shanz1025/Disneyland%20-%20Christmas/26.jpg
Some crazy person started yelling at them...apparentally somebody actually thought they could get a picture of the tree without any people in the shot...umm ok :confused3 do you see how many people are here today???

Again, Brian and Erica refused to take a picture...I just don't get it :confused3
And then there it was....

http://i106.photobucket.com/albums/m276/shanz1025/Disneyland%20-%20Christmas/21.jpg
It was so pretty (and no I never compared it to Cinderella's Castle :goodvibes ). I loved everything about Sleeping Beauty's castle...it was so charming. After I had my castle "fix" we started to explore.

http://i106.photobucket.com/albums/m276/shanz1025/Disneyland%20-%20Christmas/28.jpg
Love it!!

Then Candi's Mom says "ok, we can't break tradition let's go." I was incredibly confused and excited all at the same time. I kept trying to figure out where she was taking us

Then she said "ok Brian we didn't forget"
http://i106.photobucket.com/albums/m276/shanz1025/Disneyland%20-%20Christmas/31.jpg
Apparentally every time they go to Disneyland this is where they start their adventure. According to Candi it just so happened to be the first ride his brother ever rode (when he was around 4) and then every time they went back he would refuse to get on anything else until they rode "the vacation ride" :lmao: So it became tradition!

Due to the time of year they had it decorated for Christmas

http://i106.photobucket.com/albums/m276/shanz1025/Disneyland%20-%20Christmas/23.jpg

http://i106.photobucket.com/albums/m276/shanz1025/Disneyland%20-%20Christmas/32.jpg

I have to admit that I enjoyed riding more because I felt like family taking part in their traditions, than I did because of the ride itself.

After we left "the vacation ride" we saw that they were seating for the Snow White show so we decided to stay and watch

http://i106.photobucket.com/albums/m276/shanz1025/Disneyland%20-%20Christmas/34.jpg
Taking pictures of the props before the show began

http://i106.photobucket.com/albums/m276/shanz1025/Disneyland%20-%20Christmas/7.jpg
Bad, bad mirror ... putting Snow White's life in danger for telling the truth :sad2:

http://i106.photobucket.com/albums/m276/shanz1025/Disneyland%20-%20Christmas/s.jpg

http://i106.photobucket.com/albums/m276/shanz1025/Disneyland%20-%20Christmas/f.jpg

Awww, they lived happily ever after:love:

I really enjoyed the show and watching that one got me really excited to see Aladdin over at California Adventure later in the week. However, at that time we had more riding to do. Now what do you ride when you have just watched the Snow White show???

http://i106.photobucket.com/albums/m276/shanz1025/Disneyland%20-%20Christmas/30.jpg
The Snow White ride of course!!!!

Unfortunately, I don't have anymore of the pictures from our afternoon at Disneyland. I just wanted to relax and enjoy everything for the rest of that day. I can tell you that we had a really good time. There were a couple of complaints from a certain someone :rolleyes1 that Disneyland was for little kids. But for the most part everyone was able to ignore her. My favorite part of the day is when it had just gotten dark we decided go ride Big Thunder Mountain Railroad .... SO MUCH FUN!!! After our runaway train experience we all split up to do dinner. Candi and I wanted to go to Rainforest Cafe, his parents went to do room service and Erica wanted to get off Disneyland property so they took the car and went to Carls Jr :confused3

All in all it had been a great first day, but it wasn't over yet....

Why is it every family has one? At least for a little while.

[ariel1025]

:cool1: :banana: :woohoo: :dance3: :cheer2: OUR RESERVATION WAS (finally) CONFIRMED!!!!!!!:cool1: :banana: :woohoo: :dance3: :cheer2:

Paradise Pier Here We Come....Let the (real) planning begin......

[kaoden39]

:cool1: :banana: :woohoo: :dance3: :cheer2: OUR RESERVATION WAS (finally) CONFIRMED!!!!!!!:cool1: :banana: :woohoo: :dance3: :cheer2:

Paradise Pier Here We Come....Let the (real) planning begin......

Yay! That is wonderful!

[Sarah84]

:cool1: :banana: :woohoo: :dance3: :cheer2: OUR RESERVATION WAS (finally) CONFIRMED!!!!!!!:cool1: :banana: :woohoo: :dance3: :cheer2:

Paradise Pier Here We Come....Let the (real) planning begin......

YAY! thats great news :cool1: :cool1: :cool1:

[tiggersam00]

:yay: Thats awesome Shannon!!!! :banana: :banana: :banana: Congrats!!! :banana: :banana: :banana: I can't wait to hear all about the upcoming trip (but please finish the X-mas trip too, it is making me realllllly want to go to DL):goodvibes :woohoo:

[ariel1025]

Yay! That is wonderful!

YAY! thats great news :cool1: :cool1: :cool1:

:yay: Thats awesome Shannon!!!! :banana: :banana: :banana: Congrats!!! :banana: :banana: :banana: I can't wait to hear all about the upcoming trip (but please finish the X-mas trip too, it is making me realllllly want to go to DL):goodvibes :woohoo:

Thanks so much everyone!! The only reason I was worried was because it was Memorial weekend and it took them a lot longer to confirm than when we reserved the other two trips. I guess they are just on "overload" because Bay Lake Tower and the Treehouse opened for reservations and everyone wants them :rotfl:

Don't worry Samantha I will still finish my Christmas trip :goodvibes

[ariel1025]

Ok, so I am a crazy woman when it comes to planning trips. I don't even get upset if plans change when we get there (as they sometimes do) but I have to know that the plan is there to fall back on!!!

I have about a million questions but I will try to take them one step at a time :laughing: It will be hard for me, but I know it will make the time go by faster if I stretch out the planning. So, I am going to attempt to do a "question of the day" type of thing.

With that being said...my first question is:

Where is a great place to go for our Anniversary Dinner? It doesn't necessarily have to be on Disney Property, but it's ok if it is too. I want somehwere that has good food and a romantic atmosphere. Possibly a restaurant overlooking the ocean???

[DizNee Luver]

The place everyone seems to rave about on property is the Napa Rose in the GCH. I haven't been myself, but have read some great reviews on the food & atmosphere.
Our romantic 25th Anniversary dinner is going to be at Hook's Pointe at the DL Hotel. Not near as fancy (as we're pretty much jeans & tee's people) but spending time alone with the one you love can even make McDonald's romantic :rotfl: (sorta)
Enjoy the planning stages.....so much fun!!!

[JennisSilly]

Honestly, Napa Rose is nice, but... for the price if you're willing to leave property you can probably find better.

On property there aren't really any restaurants that overlook the ocean.... being that Anaheim is inland :) But if you head down by Newport I'd bet you could find a ton of ideas- not that I can think of any right now.

Also in Down Town Disney, you have a few options depending on what you're looking for... House of Blues, then there's this other one that I cant think of for the life of me, they have the wine bar in the center of downtown disney but also a restaurant.

Now- it's not like uber romantic, but what used to be wolf gang pucks is now a character dining restaurant, that overlooks "paradise pier" and the water feature. You can actually eat outside over the pier, but the pricesses do then walk around to your table. Plus with the renovations, the water feature may still be drained.

Napa Rose like I stated is really nice, and the food is great, but I've also heard good things about Steak House 55 in the Disneyland Hotel.

OH and the Anaheim Garden Walk is now open, which is right down the street with tons of restaurants and trendy places! Currently these are their restaurants:

# Bar Louie Tavern & Grill
# Bubba Gump Shrimp Co.
# California Pizza Kitchen
# McCormick & Schmicks Grille
# P.F. Chang's China Bistro
# Pop the Cork
# Roy's Restaurant Hawaiian Fusion Cuisine
# The Cheesecake Factory

Their website is: http://www.anaheimgardenwalk.com/

Good luck! :dance3:

[ariel1025]

Hey everyone,

Sorry I haven't posted in so long....unfortunately it wasn't for a good reason...

We are having to cancel our Anniversary trip to Disneyland...

I kept thinking that if I didn't come on here and say it then it wouldn't be true, but I have to face the bad news and get over it :sad1:

I want to thank all of you for all your help when I started planning everything, I know one day we will have a Disneyland trip to plan and I hope to find all of you on here when we do :goodvibes

[DizNee Luver]

:hug: I'm so so sorry to hear that!! Its very hard to let go of something you've been planning & were excited to do. Hopefully this will only be a short set-back & you can still do a belated anniversary trip!!!

HAPPY ANNIVERSARY.....I wish you many more!!!!! :flower3:

[kaoden39]

I'm sorry to hear that. I had to cancel an anniversary trip last year myself so I understand.:hug:

[ariel1025]

:hug: I'm so so sorry to hear that!! Its very hard to let go of something you've been planning & were excited to do. Hopefully this will only be a short set-back & you can still do a belated anniversary trip!!!

HAPPY ANNIVERSARY.....I wish you many more!!!!! :flower3:

I'm sorry to hear that. I had to cancel an anniversary trip last year myself so I understand.:hug:


Thank you both for your kind words, that's exactly why I love the DIS ... everyone on here understandds the way the "Disney lovers" feel :goodvibes I'm sorry I didn't comment sooner..when we cancelled the trip I didn't check this thread for a while because I was too upset...guess I was kinda being childish :rolleyes1

If by any chance your still reading...check for an update coming soon...

[kaoden39]

I totally understand. I was the same way. I avoided Disboards for a while even. :hug:

[ariel1025]

Well, last I left off on here I was bawling my eyes out because we had to cancel our Anniversary Trip to the place where it all began ... DL :sad2: I'm not sure I ever explained what happened but I'm sure you can all understand with this one evil word...

TAXES!!!!!

Long story short they claimed that my Husband didn't file his taxes a couple years ago :scared1: and said we weren't going to get our refund this year because they were taking it to put towards those costs and fees and late penalties....ugh!! Well, we knew that he did file his taxes but couldn't find any of the documentation that they required to prove it.

Then to make our current life situation even sadder we found out that his parents could no longer go with us to WDW for the trip we are planning in September :sad1:

For a couple of weeks all I felt like doing was crying. We had spent so much time planning both of these trips and were so excited about them. Well, we knew that we had to cancel one of them so we ended up canceling the DL trip...we knew that we had more time to save money for the WDW trip at the end of the year.

And then the Angels finally smiled down on us ....

We got a call from my MIL and she said that she was very upset that they couldn't go to WDW like they had planned (they couldn't get that much time off of work) so they wanted to take us on a shorter trip this summer so we could still have a family vacation :goodvibes

In the end we all agreed that we would go to ..........
















Yep, you guessed it DISNEYLAND!!!!!

So now the trip is back on....for the same dates and the same hotel but there are TONS of other changes coming

I am so super excited and it's helped me to realize that dreams really do come true you just have to believe in them first :goodvibes

[kaoden39]

Wow! I am so happy for you! Everything is going to work out for you.:goodvibes

[DizNee Luver]

That's Awesome!!!!! Can't wait to hear the old/new plans!!!!! Isn't it amazing how a little Disney Magic can totally change your outlook on reality?!!! :wizard:

[Sarah84]

Thats such fantastic news that your Disneyland trip is back on :cool1::cool1:

[ariel1025]

Wow! I am so happy for you! Everything is going to work out for you.:goodvibes

Thank you very much :goodvibes

That's Awesome!!!!! Can't wait to hear the old/new plans!!!!! Isn't it amazing how a little Disney Magic can totally change your outlook on reality?!!! :wizard:

Thanks!! Disney Magic might control my outlook on life a little too much sometimes :rotfl: But it helps bring me back to the simple things that make life worth while :goodvibes

Thats such fantastic news that your Disneyland trip is back on :cool1::cool1:

Thank you very much :goodvibes

[ariel1025]

Well, like I said some of the plans have changed and some of them have not. We were lucky enough to be able to "re-book" our room without any complications and we even found a flight that makes us very happy :thumbsup2 So, without further ado ... our plans so far ....

Dates: May 21-25

Hotel: Disney's Paradise Pier Hotel

So that information is completely the same. Only difference is we have new members of our traveling party.

We are going to be flying Southwest because, well, they are the cheapest tickets we could find and we haven't ever had any problems with them. We will be flying into LAX instead of Orange County for several reasons. Flying into LAX allowed us to get a nonstop flight (both ways) and since we are all (especially my FIL) a little nervous about flying (will not think about all the plane crashes this year, will not think about all the plane crashes this year :scared:) we figured it was better to not have to take off and land multiple times :thumbsup2. It was also cheaper to fly into LAX, and really, how much more reasoning does a person need :laughing:

Ok, now here is where we really don't know how to plan anything...

Our flight will be landing around noon and then we plan on renting a car instead of getting the Disney shuttle (this is due to other plans for the trip). We were thinking of using Alamo?!?! Any opinions on this?

However, we don't know how long to give ourselves to get from LAX to DL at "noonish" time on a Thursday :confused: Again, any opinions or advice?

At any rate we figure we will either

1. Check into the hotel, get some lunch, rest and then hit the parks for the night

or

2. Get some lunch, enjoy the parks and then check into the hotel, get dinner and call it a night

This will be based mostly on what time we get to DL (before or after check in time). I am predicting that we will already be allowed to check in since check-in starts at 3:00pm.

So, that's all we have planned for our arrival day. We are thinking we might like to eat dinner at the Blue Bayou, but aren't too sure yet. We've never eaten there before but it sounds good. Feedback anyone?? This will probably depend on what time DL closes this night. If they close too early then we will grab dinner in DTD somewhere.

I also had a question about park tickets. We definitely want to get park hopper tickets and we want to go ahead and get tickets for all five days (even though we have other things planned on certain parts of other days). Currently the DL website has 5 day park hoppers for the price of 3 days ($179.00 per person). Does anybody know if this is the best deal I could get???? Any secrets anyone knows about?

Thanks everyone for jumping back on board :goodvibes I promise future updates will be more fun-filled :banana:

In case anyone needs a reminder (and because this TR needs some pictures :)) here is our new travel party

http://i106.photobucket.com/albums/m276/shanz1025/0882.jpg
Awww, aren't they cute :hug: That's my Husband's parents (Flora and Candido)


http://i106.photobucket.com/albums/m276/shanz1025/0639.jpg
And of course me (Shannon) and my Husband (Candido or Candi for short - and the purpose of not confusing him and his Dad when they are in the same room :laughing:) **Sorry about the super huge picture of us compared to them, photobucket is acting silly and it won't go smaller :confused3

[DizNee Luver]

We've never flown in so can't really help on estimating the times...but since we drive from the North thru LA, I will tell you it took us 2 hours from the time we hit LA to get to Anaheim & that was on a Saturday at 5pm.....so plan on it taking quite a while mid-week during the day. My guess is you are looking at getting in around noon & it will take you about an hour to get luggage & rent your car (that's an estimate based on a Hawaii trip & doing the same). I would get lunch before going to far, otherwise you all could be famished by the time you made Anaheim. Check-in is at 3pm, but if you arrive prior, they will pre-check you in & hold your bags....so you don't have to leave them in the car.

If you want to do dinner at the Blue Bayou or any of the other sit-down restaurants, I'd suggest you decide where & when & make your PS for them now. 714-781-3463 for Disney Dining

The Blue Bayou was very, very, very good but pricey! We shared an appetizer, split an entree & shared a dessert (2 of us & it ran us $70). The setting is relaxing & beautiful & we found the service to be very good, but you definately will need a PS for here....they are very popular.

Other suggestions for a sit-down meal would be the Rainforest Cafe or House of Blues in DTD (also have heard that the Jazz Kitchen is excellent) or the PCH Grill at the Paradise Pier Hotel. Those are just a couple, but there are tons of choices & you could peruse the menus on the dining thread to get a better idea of types of food & prices.

The parkhoppers are a good deal right now but I know others get tickets thru Costco & other places & maybe someone will be able to advise you better on that.

Looking forward to more!!

[ariel1025]

We've never flown in so can't really help on estimating the times...but since we drive from the North thru LA, I will tell you it took us 2 hours from the time we hit LA to get to Anaheim & that was on a Saturday at 5pm.....so plan on it taking quite a while mid-week during the day. My guess is you are looking at getting in around noon & it will take you about an hour to get luggage & rent your car (that's an estimate based on a Hawaii trip & doing the same). I would get lunch before going to far, otherwise you all could be famished by the time you made Anaheim. Check-in is at 3pm, but if you arrive prior, they will pre-check you in & hold your bags....so you don't have to leave them in the car.

If you want to do dinner at the Blue Bayou or any of the other sit-down restaurants, I'd suggest you decide where & when & make your PS for them now. 714-781-3463 for Disney Dining

The Blue Bayou was very, very, very good but pricey! We shared an appetizer, split an entree & shared a dessert (2 of us & it ran us $70). The setting is relaxing & beautiful & we found the service to be very good, but you definately will need a PS for here....they are very popular.

Other suggestions for a sit-down meal would be the Rainforest Cafe or House of Blues in DTD (also have heard that the Jazz Kitchen is excellent) or the PCH Grill at the Paradise Pier Hotel. Those are just a couple, but there are tons of choices & you could peruse the menus on the dining thread to get a better idea of types of food & prices.

The parkhoppers are a good deal right now but I know others get tickets thru Costco & other places & maybe someone will be able to advise you better on that.

Looking forward to more!!

Ok...if you are still reading....thanks so much for all the advice!!! I have been a bad, bad DISer but am getting ready to post a new update. As you stated, I assumed it would take a while to get through LA mid-week in the afternoon :scared: Thanks for the advice on tix through Costco, I actually have a membership and didn't even think about it. However, for those who want to know, it's actually cheaper to go through DL directly with their current deal ... :scared1: scary isn't it...Disney AND cheaper in the same sentence :laughing:

[ariel1025]

Hey everyone!!! First and foremost, my biggest apologies for not posting in almost a month :scared1: Unfortunately, life just seems to think it's more important than Disney planning :confused3 I wish I could say that things have calmed down, but they have not. However, with less than a month until our trip the "OCD" in me just cannot avoid planning any longer. Holy cow...did you catch that?

:banana: LESS THAN A MONTH UNTIL DISNEYLAND!!!!! :banana:

Now, this makes many people super excited, and don't get me wrong, I am, but I have SO much stuff to do to prepare and I am WAY behind. Did I mention that I am normally an over (the top) planner???? My Husband swears it's a disease...but you know he thinks me for it when we are enjoying the vacation :thumbsup2

So, where do I even begin??? Let's see....you already know the cast, where we are staying, the dates...hmmmm....well, let's start with the "To Do" list. I'm sorry if this bores anybody...feel free to take a nap and jump back in later :rotfl: it's just that putting it on here will help me feel more organized and if I feel more organized I will feel more calm :cloud9: Anybody out there feeling sorry for my Husband having to put up with a crazy person for a Wife yet??? Come on, don't be shy, it won't hurt my feelings:rotfl2:

To Do - Week of April 26:

1. Clean the house for the folks ... oh yeah did I mention my parents are coming to town for my Birthday this week??? I'm super excited and it will help this week go by faster, but it means a SUPER DUPER cleaning is in order. And...yes, I realize that my Mom doesn't really believe that my house is ALWAYS as clean as it is when they visit, but it won't stop me from pretending she does :lmao:

2. Go through and figure out what summer clothes still fit the both of us from last year. This could mean adding shopping to my list of things to do...but we will hope not...I HATE to shop for clothes!!!

3. If the above does not go as planned....go shopping for summer clothes. It will be warm when we are there right??? What are the average temps??

4. Order park tickets for Candi and I...his parents said they just want to buy theirs when they get there.

5. Find out about transportation from LAX...we have decided not to rent a car the whole time we are there...will update ya on that when I post the itinerary.

6. See if and where the traveling party wants to eat...if it's necessary to make ressies add that to the list...and hold my breathe hoping that it's still available. Did I mention how much it stresses me out to travel with three procrastinators :scared::sad2:

7. Make an "itinerary." Now, I understand we won't stick to it and I don't care I just want the comfort of knowing we have some sort of an idea of what is going on.

Ok, so that's my list for this week. If I conquer one a day we should be good, but we'll see how that goes :rolleyes1

I "pinky swear" that I will post A LOT more frequently from now on :goodvibes

Lots of fun stuff coming up.....

But for now, I leave you with my favorite picture from our "beach day" the last time we went to Disneyland together
http://i106.photobucket.com/albums/m276/shanz1025/Disneyland%20-%20Christmas/47.jpg

[DizNee Luver]

Hooray you made it back!!!!! Life does have a way of taking us away from the important things......like planning Disneyland trips!!!! :rotfl2:

Disney has a great deal with the 5 for 3!!! Glad you were able to take advantage of that!!!!

Can't wait to see what you get done this week......you have lots to do!!!

By the way :bday: !!!!!!!

[ariel1025]

Hey Ya'all!!

So, the master plan of "one a day conquering" on my to do list....yeah, it SOOOO did not happen. Since I am taking several days off for my parent's visit, my work decided to give me ten times more things to do this week to make up for it. Geesh, you would think they pay my bills or something :rotfl:

Well, as a refresher my list looked like this at the beginning of the week:

To Do - Week of April 26:

1. Clean the house for the folks ... oh yeah did I mention my parents are coming to town for my Birthday this week??? I'm super excited and it will help this week go by faster, but it means a SUPER DUPER cleaning is in order. And...yes, I realize that my Mom doesn't really believe that my house is ALWAYS as clean as it is when they visit, but it won't stop me from pretending she does :lmao:

2. Go through and figure out what summer clothes still fit the both of us from last year. This could mean adding shopping to my list of things to do...but we will hope not...I HATE to shop for clothes!!!

3. If the above does not go as planned....go shopping for summer clothes. It will be warm when we are there right??? What are the average temps??

4. Order park tickets for Candi and I...his parents said they just want to buy theirs when they get there.

5. Find out about transportation from LAX...we have decided not to rent a car the whole time we are there...will update ya on that when I post the itinerary.

6. See if and where the traveling party wants to eat...if it's necessary to make ressies add that to the list...and hold my breathe hoping that it's still available. Did I mention how much it stresses me out to travel with three procrastinators

7. Make an "itinerary." Now, I understand we won't stick to it and I don't care I just want the comfort of knowing we have some sort of an idea of what is going on.

And now it looks like this


To Do - Week of April 26:

1. Clean the house for the folks ... oh yeah did I mention my parents are coming to town for my Birthday this week??? I'm super excited and it will help this week go by faster, but it means a SUPER DUPER cleaning is in order. And...yes, I realize that my Mom doesn't really believe that my house is ALWAYS as clean as it is when they visit, but it won't stop me from pretending she does :lmao:
I still have to do:
a. Living Room
b. Dining Room
c. Kitchen
d. Bathroom
e. Our Bedroom
f. Guest Bedroom

Yep....the whole apartment :rolleyes1


2. Go through and figure out what summer clothes still fit the both of us from last year. This could mean adding shopping to my list of things to do...but we will hope not...I HATE to shop for clothes!!! DONE!!! And, the best news is I only have to go shopping for a couple of tops and a pair of sandals....YAY!!!

3. If the above does not go as planned....go shopping for summer clothes. It will be warm when we are there right??? What are the average temps??

4. Order park tickets for Candi and I...his parents said they just want to buy theirs when they get there.

5. Find out about transportation from LAX...we have decided not to rent a car the whole time we are there...will update ya on that when I post the itinerary. DONE!!! We are going to take the Disney shuttle to and from the airport and rent a car for our beach day

6. See if and where the traveling party wants to eat...if it's necessary to make ressies add that to the list...and hold my breathe hoping that it's still available. Did I mention how much it stresses me out to travel with three procrastinators

7. Make an "itinerary." Now, I understand we won't stick to it and I don't care I just want the comfort of knowing we have some sort of an idea of what is going on.

Sadly, that's all I've gotten accomplished so far. I still have to try and do the remaining things before my parents get here. That only leaves me the rest of tonight and tomorrow until noon :eek::scared::scared1:

Ok, I'm off to go clean....YUCK!!!

But first I will post another favorite trip picture. Since my sister isn't able to come with my parents tomorrow :sad1: this picture is my favorite memory from my trip with her to Disneyland in 2005 :goodvibes
http://i106.photobucket.com/albums/m276/shanz1025/Disneyland%20-%20Christmas/of50332442.jpg

Thanks for "listening" to my stress out everyone!!

[tiggersam00]

Your trip is soooo close Shannon! You must be getting so excited!!!!! I hope it is amazing! Less then 3 weeks!

I can totally relate to the never ending list before you go away, and the cleaning:laundy:. Yuck, but is so nice to come home to a nice clean house IMHO. And how awesome that all the summer clothes still fit! The day i bust out the summer clothes is always a tough day for me lol! I never know what is going to happen lol!

Are you making any choices about the intinerary yet? I know it can seem crazy when it is so close without definite plans, but I bet you guiys will have a great time no matter what!

[blabbermouth]

happy birthday! did you have a good time with your parents? was your house cleaning up to their standards?? any new plans for DL?

[ariel1025]

Your trip is soooo close Shannon! You must be getting so excited!!!!! I hope it is amazing! Less then 3 weeks!

I can totally relate to the never ending list before you go away, and the cleaning:laundy:. Yuck, but is so nice to come home to a nice clean house IMHO. And how awesome that all the summer clothes still fit! The day i bust out the summer clothes is always a tough day for me lol! I never know what is going to happen lol!

Are you making any choices about the intinerary yet? I know it can seem crazy when it is so close without definite plans, but I bet you guiys will have a great time no matter what!

Hi Sam :goodvibes Eeek, I can't believe I am leaving in less than two weeks...I do not feel prepared at all :eek:

Oh trust me, this is the first summer that I haven't been TOO scared to pull out the summer clothes. A few items are a bit snug but enough fit to get me through the trip...and it's motivated me to start dieting again...I was doing so good for the wedding and I slowly fell back into what I call "fast food heaven" :rotfl:

We have made some choices on itinerary items...posting soon :thumbsup2

happy birthday! did you have a good time with your parents? was your house cleaning up to their standards?? any new plans for DL?

Thank you for the birthday wishes!! I had a GREAT time with my parents, I only get to see them every 6 months or so which made it even better that this time was on my birthday :goodvibes It's funny that you ask about my house cleaning and my parents standards, because they really don't care how clean/messy the house is, it just freaks me out for them to see it messy :lmao: But, yes, I was able to finish cleaning before they arrived :thumbsup2

We do have some new plans for DL...post coming up soon!

[ariel1025]

Ok, first things first



LESS THAN TWO WEEKS UNTIL WE LEAVE!!!!!!!!

Ok, I've composed myself now :rotfl:

Clearly, I am super excited that the trip is so close, but I am feeling a little bit stressed out too. Because of all the ups and downs along the way to planning this trip I feel like it's not, well, planned :sad2: Now, this is partly because we are traveling with Candi's parents and they don't like to plan :confused3 But, I also feel like the trip got put on the "back burner" for so long that the planning just kind of got ignored. No worries, I have figured out how to solve this dilemma....it's called....

A LIST :thumbsup2

You see, lists are my friend. Lists let me feel like I have control! I LIKE LISTS!! :goodvibes

Now, if anybody is keeping track we have exactly 11 days until we leave. That gives me 11 days to feel like I have a plan, all the while convincing everyone else that there is no plan. Sneaky? Yes! Do I care? Nope :rotfl2:

Ok, because I know you can't stand it any longer, here is the current list:

1. Make itinerary - we are halfway done with this and we (Candi and I) have come up with some super fun stuff :thumbsup2

2. Make a packing list - you see I love lists so much I have "make a list" on my list of things to do :lmao:

3. Make a list of things to buy for trip - oh lordy, there it is again, another list, now ya'll are thinking I'm pathetic aren't ya???? :rotfl:

4. Re-visit the rental car vs shuttle debate - I really thought this one was decided, but I guess it's not :scared:

5. Order park tickets - yep, still haven't done it :eek:

Alrighty, well, that should keep me busy for a couple of days...wish me luck!!!

Hope everyone is having a great weekend so far...be safe!!

And, because it wouldn't be right to end it any other way....

http://i106.photobucket.com/albums/m276/shanz1025/Disneyland%20-%20Christmas/43.jpg

My favorite souvenir from our last trip to DL....the pick a pearl thing. I let Candi pick it for me and we got a very large, champagne colored pearl. I put it on a simple necklace setting and wear it all the time :goodvibes

[ariel1025]

Hey everyone and HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY TO ALL THE MOTHER'S OUT THERE :hug:

I hope everyone had a wonderful weekend! We spent the day with my In-Laws which was very nice. We just relaxed with some fried chicken and movies...at my Mother-In-Laws request....sometimes she has the BEST ideas :goodvibes

Anyway, on the way home (they leave in a nearby town) Candi and I "finalized" our itinerary for the trip. This term must be used extremely loosely however....remember I am traveling with NON PLANNERS :scared1::scared1:

Anyway, without further ado

DISNEYLAND ITINERARY - THE FIRST ANNIVERSARY EDITION :goodvibes

Thursday, May 21:

Fly into LAX in the early afternoon

Find the Disney Express shuttle (and cross our fingers that we are there when they are picking up and not right after one leaves, otherwise we wait 30 minutes for the next one to come along. Oh yeah, did I mention I am traveling with Non planners who are also impatient :scared::lmao:)

Check into Paradise Pier Hotel (restrain myself from camera commando at the moment knowing everyone will be STARVING)

Go to lunch (Options are House of Blues, Rainforest Cafe, or Naples - we figured everyone will want sit down since we will be tired from the flight)

DISNEY LAND!!!!

Dinner (Blue Bayou?????? They just now decided that they DO want a reservation...do these people think I have magical powers or something :confused3 I will try my best to get a reservation made tomorrow....cross your fingers for me!! Back up options are any of the ones we did not eat at lunch that afternoon)

Time for nighty night after a long, exhausting but super fun day :cloud9:

Friday, May 22:

Probably quick breakfast somewhere (Candi's Dad is a breakfast eater, but nobody else is...any suggestions??)

California Adventure

Lunch will be a quick service restaurant

Dinner (any of the above that we haven't had yet)

End the night at Magic Kingdom (CA closes at 10 and DL at midnight)

Saturday, May 23:

Pick up rental car in the morning from Alamo (anybody know exactly where in DTD this is located?)

Breakfast at Dennys...my FIL LOVES Denny's

Huntington Beach

Lunch at Rubys on the Pier :banana: This place looks like so much fun to me!

When we get bored at the beach do whatever we feel like

Dinner at Cheesecake Factory at the Anaheim Garden Walk (anybody know where this is located??)

Parents will probably call it a night, Candi and I will go to the parks

Sunday, May 24 - HAPPY FIRST ANNIVERSARY TO US :love:

Church at the Crystal Cathedral - My MIL cannot go to Anaheim without going to church here

Lunch at this Chinese place they always go to after church - not sure of the name

Knottsberry Farms - yep, it's our anniversary and this is what we chose to do (please don't hate us we promise we will go to DL that night :thumbsup2)

Dinner - ???? Depends on where we are when we get hungry

End the night at DL

Monday, May 25:

Quick breakfast somewhere

Check out of hotel and have the front desk hold our luggage

Last time at DL :sad2:

CRY ALL THE WAY BACK HOME :sad1:

Ok, so there you have it...let's see how accurate it ends up being :lmao:

HAVE A GREAT MONDAY EVERYONE!!

[JennisSilly]

Okay, so my absolute FAVORITE place to eat (quick service) is in Disneyland- Bengal BBQ. This place is super yummy! It's skewered meats and veggies. The downside, it's always busy, and has limited seating (it's RIGHT in front of Indiana Jones). :dance3:

Also in Disneyland:

- The bakery on main street has good sandwiches, and of course the refreshment corner has the worlds best chili dogs.

In California Adventure, there are SO many good food options:

- Taste Pilots Grill, they have grilled and fried chicken, hamburgers, salad, and super yummy onion rings.

- Pacific Wharf Cafe: Yummy sandwiches, bread bowl soups, and salads

- Bountiful Valley Farmers Market: Wraps, Fried Mozzerella, and other really tasty options.

I also love to eat at Storytellers Cafe at the Grand Californian, the ambience is great, normally low key, and really great food.

The Garden Walk is like right down Harbor, off of Harbor and Katella (maybe like 2 miles from Paradise pier).

You'll also be there during the food and wine festival (I'm pretty sure) which means they'll have special signature foods specifically for that! :cheer2:

I'm jealous! We haven't been to Disneyland since November- normally we go at least once a month, but we're saving for our wedding... My family and i were just talking today about this pizza place in Down Town Disney ( OH GO THERE! Napolini- they're pizza is to die for, I swear they put crack in it to make you keep eating it!) anyway, we almost drove out for the day just to eat there!

Have fun!

[ariel1025]

Okay, so my absolute FAVORITE place to eat (quick service) is in Disneyland- Bengal BBQ. This place is super yummy! It's skewered meats and veggies. The downside, it's always busy, and has limited seating (it's RIGHT in front of Indiana Jones). :dance3:

Also in Disneyland:

- The bakery on main street has good sandwiches, and of course the refreshment corner has the worlds best chili dogs.

In California Adventure, there are SO many good food options:

- Taste Pilots Grill, they have grilled and fried chicken, hamburgers, salad, and super yummy onion rings.

- Pacific Wharf Cafe: Yummy sandwiches, bread bowl soups, and salads

- Bountiful Valley Farmers Market: Wraps, Fried Mozzerella, and other really tasty options.

I also love to eat at Storytellers Cafe at the Grand Californian, the ambience is great, normally low key, and really great food.

The Garden Walk is like right down Harbor, off of Harbor and Katella (maybe like 2 miles from Paradise pier).

You'll also be there during the food and wine festival (I'm pretty sure) which means they'll have special signature foods specifically for that! :cheer2:

I'm jealous! We haven't been to Disneyland since November- normally we go at least once a month, but we're saving for our wedding... My family and i were just talking today about this pizza place in Down Town Disney ( OH GO THERE! Napolini- they're pizza is to die for, I swear they put crack in it to make you keep eating it!) anyway, we almost drove out for the day just to eat there!

Have fun!

Thank you so much for all the suggestions on where to eat. I have written them all down and hope to try some of them while we are there!

Oh and pizza made with crack...I'm so there :lmao:

[ariel1025]

Just to refresh everyone's memory....ok, ok, really because I need to remind myself what to do :rotfl2: here was my list of things to accomplish



A LIST :thumbsup2

1. Make itinerary - we are halfway done with this and we (Candi and I) have come up with some super fun stuff :thumbsup2

2. Make a packing list - you see I love lists so much I have "make a list" on my list of things to do :lmao:

3. Make a list of things to buy for trip - oh lordy, there it is again, another list, now ya'll are thinking I'm pathetic aren't ya???? :rotfl:

4. Re-visit the rental car vs shuttle debate - I really thought this one was decided, but I guess it's not :scared:

5. Order park tickets - yep, still haven't done it :eek:


I am happy to say that we have accomplished almost all of them.

1. Make itinerary CHECK
2. Make packing list CHECK I am always adding to it though
3. Make list of things to buy CHECK I am always adding to this too
4. Rental car vs shuttle debate CHECK

So, all I need to do is order park tickets :scared1: Have to wait for payday for this one!

Ok, now that leads me to the title of this post....

One week from today I will be.......packing and getting ready for our morning flight to DISNEY LAND!!!!

This weeks list of things to do include:

1. Order park tickets (on Friday)
2. Buying things on "need to buy" list (this weekend)
3. Tidying up the house (still pretty clean from when parents came - just need to do a few odds and ends)
4. Do laundry
5. Reserve rental car (Friday)

Hope everyone is having a great week!!

http://i106.photobucket.com/albums/m276/shanz1025/Disneyland%20-%20Christmas/21.jpg
ONLY EIGHT DAYS TO GO!!!!

[kaoden39]

Woo hoo!

[ariel1025]

Woo hoo!

YAY, thanks for the Woo hoo...I LOVE woo hoos :goodvibes:laughing:

[ariel1025]

WE WILL BE ENJOYING OUR FIRST (PARTIAL) DAY IN DISNEYLAND!!!!!! :banana:

Estimated forecast is 75 and partly cloudy...not sure I like the partly cloudy portion of the forecast, but I'll take Disneyland anyway I can get it :goodvibes

The park hours are:

DL - open until 9:00 pm
CA - open until 6:00 pm

I'm pretty sure we will just ignore California Adventure this day and head straight to Disneyland.

I'm SOOOOO excited, I can't wait to see our room...I've never stayed at one of the Disneyland hotels before (we stayed at the Hilton both the other times we went).

Oh, and I didn't have any luck getting a Blue Bayou reservation...oh well!

I hope everyone enjoys the rest of their day.

[kaoden39]

WE WILL BE ENJOYING OUR FIRST (PARTIAL) DAY IN DISNEYLAND!!!!!! :banana:

Estimated forecast is 75 and partly cloudy...not sure I like the partly cloudy portion of the forecast, but I'll take Disneyland anyway I can get it :goodvibes

The park hours are:

DL - open until 9:00 pm
CA - open until 6:00 pm

I'm pretty sure we will just ignore California Adventure this day and head straight to Disneyland.

I'm SOOOOO excited, I can't wait to see our room...I've never stayed at one of the Disneyland hotels before (we stayed at the Hilton both the other times we went).

Oh, and I didn't have any luck getting a Blue Bayou reservation...oh well!

I hope everyone enjoys the rest of their day.

You know just because you didn't get your PS for Blue Bayou doesn't mean you won't get in there. Chances are that you may be able to get in that day. I have seen it happen. And there are also a few nice places in the resort hotels like Hook's Pointe and Steakhouse 55 athe the DLH.

[prettyprincessbelle]

Oh my gosh! You're leaving so soon! I hope you have a fantastic time. What a wonderful place to spend your anniversary!!! :lovestruc

Belle is my favorite too. And Beauty and the Beast is my favorite movie also! :yay:

Is Candi a junior since his Dad has the same name? DBF's name is Jesus and his Dad is Jesus too, but they have different middle names, so he's not a junior. I didn't even knew that's what made you an "official" junior until I asked how come he's not a junior. :confused3

[ariel1025]

Oh my gosh! You're leaving so soon! I hope you have a fantastic time. What a wonderful place to spend your anniversary!!! :lovestruc

Belle is my favorite too. And Beauty and the Beast is my favorite movie also! :yay:

Is Candi a junior since his Dad has the same name? DBF's name is Jesus and his Dad is Jesus too, but they have different middle names, so he's not a junior. I didn't even knew that's what made you an "official" junior until I asked how come he's not a junior. :confused3

Awww, thank you :goodvibes

Isn't Belle just the greatest? She's so beautiful and smart...I love her!!!

Candi is actually the 4th!!!!! With any luck we will one day be having the 5th :thumbsup2

Oh, and it's my goal to get a picture next to the "happily ever after sign" that's in your siggy!! Please tell me it's still there somewhere :confused3

[blabbermouth]

Oh, thanks for the reminder. I want a pic there too!

My DF is sad b/c his parents named him Jason, and he wanted a Portuguese name! Heehee. But his dad's name is Isaac, so most people don't think of that as Portuguese anyway. His brother's name is Isidro (sp?!) though, and that's pretty sweet.

Yay! Less than a week to go.

[JennisSilly]

The sign, is actually painted onto the wall- so it should totally still be there =) :cool1:

It's located in Disney Animation in Hollywood Backlot Studios in Disney's California Adventure. When you walk in the hall says, "Once upon a time.." and when you walk out it says, "And they lived happily ever after".

Disney Animation is actually really cool, it's a big open room with large screens that various scenes or pictures flash up on, and there are about 4 rooms (exhibits) to go into: Turtle Talk with Crush, Sourcer's workshop is my FAVORITE (aside from Turtle talk with Crush) in there you can do the "which Disney Character am I" inside Beast's library, as well as the "voice over" where you act out or sing a Disney scene. There are 2 other rooms but I can't remember off hand what they are. My favorite shop is also attached to this attraction- it's full of Disney paintings- oh so lovely!:cloud9:

Have fun! :dance3:

[ariel1025]

The sign, is actually painted onto the wall- so it should totally still be there =) :cool1:

It's located in Disney Animation in Hollywood Backlot Studios in Disney's California Adventure. When you walk in the hall says, "Once upon a time.." and when you walk out it says, "And they lived happily ever after".

Disney Animation is actually really cool, it's a big open room with large screens that various scenes or pictures flash up on, and there are about 4 rooms (exhibits) to go into: Turtle Talk with Crush, Sourcer's workshop is my FAVORITE (aside from Turtle talk with Crush) in there you can do the "which Disney Character am I" inside Beast's library, as well as the "voice over" where you act out or sing a Disney scene. There are 2 other rooms but I can't remember off hand what they are. My favorite shop is also attached to this attraction- it's full of Disney paintings- oh so lovely!:cloud9:

Have fun! :dance3:

WAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHOOOOOOOOOOOOOO :woohoo:

This makes me so happy. I LOVE the animation studio AND Turtle Talk With Crush and Disney pictures AND NOW THAT'S WHERE THE SIGN IS PAINTED....AWWWW IT'S LIKE DISNEY HEAVEN :cloud9:

Your reply totally made my day :goodvibes

[ariel1025]

Geesh, I can't believe I forgot my "One Week From Today" post yesterday.

So....

One Week From Yesterday we will be enjoying our first (full) day in the land of Disney!! We will probably go to California Adventure for at least the first part of the day, but will most definitely end the night at DL.

Hours for the day:

DL: 9:00 am - Midnight
CA: 10:00 am - 10:00 pm

The forecast appears to be 75 degrees and sunny :thumbsup2

For lunch it will probably be a quick service somewhere...I mean really, who has time to eat on a weekend trip to DL :rotfl: And a special thanks to 'Jenissilly' for all her recommendations :goodvibes

Dinner that night will be one of the following

a) attempt a walk-up to Blue Bayou
b) somewhere in DTD

I can't believe how close it's getting!!

Have a great weekend everyone!!!

[ariel1025]

You know just because you didn't get your PS for Blue Bayou doesn't mean you won't get in there. Chances are that you may be able to get in that day. I have seen it happen. And there are also a few nice places in the resort hotels like Hook's Pointe and Steakhouse 55 athe the DLH.

I'm so sorry I forgot to reply earlier :sad2: Thank you for the heads up about BB. I kind of figured there was a chance to still get in, but I don't want anybody to get their hopes up. It's easier to say now that we didn't get it and then hope that it will happen when we get there :goodvibes

Oh, thanks for the reminder. I want a pic there too!

My DF is sad b/c his parents named him Jason, and he wanted a Portuguese name! Heehee. But his dad's name is Isaac, so most people don't think of that as Portuguese anyway. His brother's name is Isidro (sp?!) though, and that's pretty sweet.

Yay! Less than a week to go.

Isn't that one of the best picture spot opportunities??? I think so :thumbsup2

That's funny about your DF. My Husband hates it because he has a hispanic first name but a very "white boy" middle name :rotfl:

[JennisSilly]

WAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHOOOOOOOOOOOOOO :woohoo:

This makes me so happy. I LOVE the animation studio AND Turtle Talk With Crush and Disney pictures AND NOW THAT'S WHERE THE SIGN IS PAINTED....AWWWW IT'S LIKE DISNEY HEAVEN :cloud9:

Your reply totally made my day :goodvibes

You're welcome!! I'm so jealous- I wish we were heading out to Disneyland! I'm actually going to San Diego for work this week and it's such a short drive...but no such luck!

Sigh, with a wedding in 26 days and then a honeymoon in Disneyworld, it'll probably be fall before we get back to Disneyland- maybe we'll get back before, my AP expires in July.

Have a great trip!

[ariel1025]

Hey everyone!! We are back :sad1: We had an awesome trip (that went by WAY too fast) and we can't wait to go back!! I am uploading pics to photobucket right now, but I have over 1,000 so it may take a while. Hope to make my first entry tonight!

Hope everyone had a wonderful holiday weekend!!!!!

[Sarah84]

Glad you had a great time, look forward to reading all about it :)

[tiggersam00]

Yay you back Shannon!!! I can't wait to read your TR!!! And I will patiently wait for all 1000 pics:rotfl2:

[figmentfan814]

I'm excited to see your shots from Disneyland; its been 5 years since I've been out there and I can't wait to see the changes. Was the Food & Wine Festival still going on during your trip?

[ariel1025]

Glad you had a great time, look forward to reading all about it :)

Thanks :goodvibes Update is (finally) on it's way :thumbsup2

Yay you back Shannon!!! I can't wait to read your TR!!! And I will patiently wait for all 1000 pics:rotfl2:

Hi Sam!! Clearly, I need some of your picture uploading patience .... I screamed several "un-Disney" words to photobucket over the last two days :lmao:

I'm excited to see your shots from Disneyland; its been 5 years since I've been out there and I can't wait to see the changes. Was the Food & Wine Festival still going on during your trip?

Oh wow, I think you will be surprised at the changes ... it had been 4 years since we had been and we saw several things that were different. And, of course, the construction has just begun at California Adventure.

The Food & Wine Festival was still going on, but unfortunately, we didn't end up participating in any of the extra festivities :sad2:

[ariel1025]

Alrighty, after several arguments with Photobucket I am now ready to share our Anniversary Celebration with ya'll :thumbsup2

On Wednesday, the night before we left, we began the super fun task of packing, at which point I exclaimed that I was so excited I wouldn't be able to sleep. I turned our bedroom TV to the Disney channel happily awaiting my late night line up of "Wizards of Waverly Place," "Hannah Montana," "Suite Life of Zach and Cody" - shower during "That's So Raven" (sorry but I've never been a fan :confused3) and then pick back up with "Life With Derek" Super fun stuff :woohoo: Yeah ..... I was asleep before "The Best of Both Worlds" was being sung during opening credits :lmao: I guess I was way more exhausted than I had thought.

Thursday morning I was awake before the alarm clock went off and rolled over to see Candi lying there smiling at me :cloud9: Of course, he claims I was talking about Mickey Mouse in my sleep ... I mean seriously, what kind of crazy person does that :rolleyes1

We hopped out of bed and packed up the last minute items (toothbrush, hair brush etc) and then I took a quick shower - you know since I never made it to my least favorite Disney show to do so last night :laughing:

Right on time (which was technically 30 minutes early - but, shhhh we won't tell them that ;)) Candi's parents showed up and we loaded up the Navigator and headed on our way to the airport.

I had printed out our boarding passes the night before - yeah Southwest :cheer2: - so all we had to do was check our baggage and then proceed through security. All of which was a breeze. This, of course, meant we waited for over an hour to board the plane - but, better to be early than late right???

I finally saw our plane pull up and got super excited because it was painted like the state flag of New Mexico. A few minutes later I figured out it was because we would be flying to LA with the Governor on board - talk about major security on that flight!

Our boarding section was called and we were able to find two rows of seats together in the section I like to sit in (right behind the wing of the plane - don't ask, but I always prefer to sit there) and waited for lift off. They closed the door to the plane and I (a little too joyfully) bid farewell to New Mexico

http://i106.photobucket.com/albums/m276/shanz1025/Disneyland%202009%20-%20Day%20One/DSC_0034.jpg
Bye Bye New Mexico - I won't miss you at all :rotfl:

http://i106.photobucket.com/albums/m276/shanz1025/Disneyland%202009%20-%20Day%20One/DSC_0037.jpg
And then we were off - Disneyland here we come!!!!!

The flight was a little less than the estimated two hours and we were able to breeze through LAX terminal and baggage claim - wait a second, I thought this was supposed to be a crazy busy airport? Oh well, no complaints.

We made our way outside and boarded the rental car shuttle - yep, plans changed at the very last minute and we ended up getting a rental car the whole time, instead of take Disney Express and getting the rental car later. All of us were full of giggles on the shuttle

http://i106.photobucket.com/albums/m276/shanz1025/Disneyland%202009%20-%20Day%20One/DSC_0052.jpg
The driver must have thought we all overdosed on Disney pills!!

http://i106.photobucket.com/albums/m276/shanz1025/Disneyland%202009%20-%20Day%20One/100_0071.jpg
Candi was trying not to show how excited he was - so as punishment I am posting this goofy "I will not smile, I will not smile" picture of him :rotfl2:

http://i106.photobucket.com/albums/m276/shanz1025/Disneyland%202009%20-%20Day%20One/100_0070.jpg
And to keep things fair ... here is an absolutely awful picture of me. But, it's my first picture of the trip and everyone travels in T-shirts, ponytails and make-up free right??? Yeah, just go with it and make me feel better :laughing:

Soon enough we made it to the Alamo rental place and used the kiosk to check-in. I ended up getting a killer deal through Costco (saved almost $100) so we decided to just have the rental car for the whole trip in case we wanted to leave property - ok, I think whoever suggested the leaving Disneyland part was taking something other than Disney pills :lmao: We got our printout thingy from the kiosk and proceeded to row 10 to pick out our rental car. The options were a variety of colors of Pontiac G6s - which we own - and to which Candi said "I am not renting the same car I own. So, the only other option was a Dodge Avenger. We ended up with that and attempted to drive out of the rental center - that's where we hit our first snag of the trip .....

[figmentfan814]

I hate LAX, so its good to hear that you didn't hit any problems at the airport. You have me hooked, waiting to hear what happened popcorn::

[disneygirlsx3]

I have not posted on your thread yet but I have read your wedding journal (let me just say that you were a beautiful bride) and I have been following along with this one so I just wanted Hi

I live somewhat close to DL and try to get there with my girls as much as possible. I hope you and your family enjoyed themselves and I'm waiting for more popcorn::

:hippie:,:love:, and :laughing:
Jennifer

[ariel1025]

I hate LAX, so its good to hear that you didn't hit any problems at the airport. You have me hooked, waiting to hear what happened popcorn::

I was SO worried about LAX because I had heard nothing but horror stories. However, it was almost half the price to fly into there so I figured we would just have to suck it up and deal with it. In this instance it wasn't bad at all so I felt very blessed!!

I have not posted on your thread yet but I have read your wedding journal (let me just say that you were a beautiful bride) and I have been following along with this one so I just wanted Hi

I live somewhat close to DL and try to get there with my girls as much as possible. I hope you and your family enjoyed themselves and I'm waiting for more popcorn::

:hippie:,:love:, and :laughing:
Jennifer

Thank you very much for such a kind compliment :goodvibes And thank you for joining in on this adventure too!

[ariel1025]

Well, we are all packed up and situated in our little Avenger that I affectionately named Bob and we were on our way out of the Alamo parking lot. I had just told Candi how I was impressed with how smoothly Alamo had been with the online booking, kiosk check in etc ........


..... yep, you guessed it, I SPOKE TOO SOON!!!!!!

We gave our kiosk printout, Candi and Candido's drivers license and our credit card to the guy who lets you out of the parking lot and that's where the confusion began. Now, I am not trying to be mean, but, it took this man FIFTEEN MINUTES to figure out why both drivers listed had the same name, and I so wish I was joking. We tried every way possible to point out that the pictures on the drivers licenses were different and that they were TWO different people with the same name. But, the man kept telling us that we had to list the two drivers names and not the same driver twice. We proceeded to try to explain they were father and son with the SAME name (yes, it would have helped if their DL read III and IV but alas, they do not). Finally, he understood (or at least pretended to) and scanned the barcode on the car to let us out of the lot. We knew something was going on when, after scanning, he gets on the phone instead of handing us our paperwork. He then tells us the car is not allowed off the lot and we have to back it up and pick a new car. Umm, do you see the line of cars behind us, we can't back up. We tell him we will pull out and pull it back around and he FREAKS OUT (I guess he thought we would take off with it) and starts going down the line telling everyone to back up because we aren't allowed out of the lot. I don't even want to think what people were thinking about us ... seriously, I think they thought WE did something wrong because of the way they guy was telling them. Oh well! We finally are able to get the car back into the parking lot and Candi's parents and I unload the car while Candi goes to find a new one.

Wanna guess what he came back with???

Yep, a G6, the car he swore he wouldn't rent because we already own one :rotfl2: Apparently, he tried his darndest to avoid it, but the other Avenger didn't have keys in the door and the Acord's seat was broken and wouldn't move back. So, a G6 it was. I affectionately named her Bobette (we have thing with the name Bob and all versions of it ... long story). I decided she would be a girl because there is no way a girl would be stubborn enough to refuse us rights out of the parking lot :lmao: Sure enough, there were no problems with Bobette (other than some cosmetic blemishes that we made sure to point out so that we wouldn't be charged them upon her return).

FINALLY, we were on the road and on our way to Disneyland!! I programmed in the hotel's address to my phone's GPS and we were off like a herd of turtles. Surprisingly, there was little traffic on the roads and we were able to merge onto the freeways without anyone honking at us ... it was Disney magic and miracles I tell ya!! Well, we were cruising along and I tell Candi that he needs to get into the carpool lane to be ready for our next exit. He, of course, argues with me ... see stubborn just like Bob the Avenger :rotfl: and of course, I was right and we missed the exit. No fear, in about 10 seconds my phone tells me it's recalculating my route and it only sets us back 2 minutes (of course, that WAS 2 minutes of Disney time, but I let it slide .... it was our Anniversary trip after all ;)).

Candi's parents are taking a power nap in the backseat of the car (I argued with him, but his Dad insisted I sit up front) and Candi and I are talking like excited little children. And then I let out a big scream "LOOK LOOK LOOK"

http://i106.photobucket.com/albums/m276/shanz1025/Disneyland%202009%20-%20Day%20One/DSC_0057.jpg
Candi's parents were cracking up when they realized why I had woken them up with my screams of glee. I proceeded to take pictures of all Disneyland signs I saw until we got to the hotel. Don't worry, I won't post them all.

***I was just super stoked because Candi had given me our Anniversary gift before we left and it is the SUPER AWESOME NIKON D5000!!!! This camera is frickin' amazing!!! Seriously, the photobucket pictures don't do them any justice, they look 100 times better in person!! Anyway, I ended up going camera crazy because of this super awesome gift!!!

Ok, so anyway, we are driving along following the Disneyland signs, anxiously awaiting the arrival to our hotel.

http://i106.photobucket.com/albums/m276/shanz1025/Disneyland%202009%20-%20Day%20One/DSC_0062.jpg
WAHOO we're getting close!!!

http://i106.photobucket.com/albums/m276/shanz1025/Disneyland%202009%20-%20Day%20One/DSC_0067.jpg
WE'RE HERE!! I was seriously, jumping around the front seat like a five year old. Candi asks me "should we park and walk across or just check-in first?" Ummm, gee babe, what do you think? :laughing: Needless to say, we parked in the temporary parking and walked inside to check in.

Check-in went pretty smooth, but I was kind of upset because the guy who checked us in was very grouchy. He did not have the Disney spirit at all. He pretty much grumbled all the information to us about our room number and sent us on our way, avoiding all our questions in the process. Now, I don't want to sound like I'm being childish or whining, but he was really grumpy and not at all what I have come to expect from Disney, and, in my opinion, to make matters worse, his name tag said he was the Manager :eek: Oh well, we figured he was having a bad day and went on the quest to find our room.

http://i106.photobucket.com/albums/m276/shanz1025/Disneyland%202009%20-%20Day%20One/DSC_0080.jpg
There it is!!! Home sweet home for the next five days!! Candi's parents were in the adjoining room (this is important to note for later). Candi and his Dad went back out to bring up the luggage while his Mom and I did the most important job, taking pictures of the room for your guys!!!!!

http://i106.photobucket.com/albums/m276/shanz1025/Disneyland%202009%20-%20Day%20One/DSC_0071.jpg
One of the two beds (I think they were double and not queen because they felt smaller than my bed, but I could be wrong). They were very comfortable beds!

http://i106.photobucket.com/albums/m276/shanz1025/Disneyland%202009%20-%20Day%20One/DSC_0072.jpg
The desk area. Inside the drawer was a cord for the internet, but wireless was also available.

http://i106.photobucket.com/albums/m276/shanz1025/Disneyland%202009%20-%20Day%20One/DSC_0074.jpg
I loved all the nautical touches everywhere, I thought they were super cute!!

http://i106.photobucket.com/albums/m276/shanz1025/Disneyland%202009%20-%20Day%20One/DSC_0070.jpg
The lamp on top of the entertainment center. I really wish you could buy these, I love him!! The entertainment center had the TV and then a shelf area that had a door on it which had a safe and a mini fridge/freezer.

(Sorry, that's all the pictures I have because Candi showed up and everyone was starving!!)

Next to the entertainment center was a couch and a really cute picture of California Adventure and then there was also a really good size closet in the room. The bathroom was pretty much, your ordinary bathroom, but I thought the tubs were bigger than usual which is a HUGE plus to me!

http://i106.photobucket.com/albums/m276/shanz1025/Disneyland%202009%20-%20Day%20One/DSC_0084.jpg
This was our room key, I thought it was super cute too!!

We never ended up using the pool, but it was the view from our room so I have pictures!!

http://i106.photobucket.com/albums/m276/shanz1025/Disneyland%202009%20-%20Day%20One/DSC_0075.jpg
Waterslide!! It doesn't actually release into the pool it just ends in a puddle of water, which, I think, is good for smaller kids to be able to use it too.

http://i106.photobucket.com/albums/m276/shanz1025/Disneyland%202009%20-%20Day%20One/DSC_0076.jpg
And, the pool. That's the Disneyland hotel in the background.

Alright, guided tour over :laughing:

We then proceeded out to find somewhere to eat.

http://i106.photobucket.com/albums/m276/shanz1025/Disneyland%202009%20-%20Day%20One/DSC_0085.jpg
Uh oh! That's the "I'm starving and will be grumpy soon if you don't feed me" face!!!

We exited through the back of the hotel and made our way to Downtown Disney. I couldn't believe all the pretty flowers there were

http://i106.photobucket.com/albums/m276/shanz1025/Disneyland%202009%20-%20Day%20One/DSC_0087.jpg
We don't get pretty things like this in New Mexico, only cactus LOL

http://i106.photobucket.com/albums/m276/shanz1025/Disneyland%202009%20-%20Day%20One/DSC_0090.jpg
Candi's parents heading to DTD, I think it's such a super cute picture!

http://i106.photobucket.com/albums/m276/shanz1025/Disneyland%202009%20-%20Day%20One/DSC_0093.jpg
There's the Disneyland hotel, we must be getting close ...

As stated, everyone was starving so we decided the first menu we came across that sounded good would be where we ate.

http://i106.photobucket.com/albums/m276/shanz1025/Disneyland%202009%20-%20Day%20One/DSC_0100.jpg
First place we found was ESPN Zone, but everyone said they didn't feel like hamburgers and such. So onward we went.

http://i106.photobucket.com/albums/m276/shanz1025/Disneyland%202009%20-%20Day%20One/DSC_0099.jpg
Next place we ran into was Rainforest Cafe, so we stopped to check out their menu
http://i106.photobucket.com/albums/m276/shanz1025/Disneyland%202009%20-%20Day%20One/DSC_0101.jpg
this little guy wanted to help us out with our decisions (he sits on top of the outdoor menu and I think he is cute and creepy at the same time!)

Everyone thought that this menu sounded like it had a lot of variety so we decided to check in. We were told the wait time was 15 minutes. Perfect, just enough time to play around in the gift shop ....

[prettyprincessbelle]

The car rental story is just cracking me up. Seriously that man never heard of 2 sons with the same name? Wowwww!!

I love the pictures. And what a wonderful surprise gift from your DH! I would have cried!

I can't wait for more!

[disneygirlsx3]

That is so crazy about the car rental agency!! Come on there are so many people out there that have the same name and they aren't even related. Then to add to mass confusion by making you turn around to come back in:lmao:. I hope that you guys can laugh it off now, but I would of been soo mad.

To bad about the manger at Paradise Pier.

I hope the rest of your trip gets better.

Beautiful pics!! It makes me feel like I'm there.

Jennifer

[kaoden39]

Oh what fun at the rental car company. Geez. I haven't stayed at the Paradise Pier for years. I get a kick out of the pool being on the roof like it is. I agree about the toad at the Rain Forest he is kind of ugly/cute.

[ariel1025]

The car rental story is just cracking me up. Seriously that man never heard of 2 sons with the same name? Wowwww!!

I love the pictures. And what a wonderful surprise gift from your DH! I would have cried!

I can't wait for more!

Thanks, I love pictures too (clearly :rotfl:). I actually did cry when I opened it, I knew that he was planning on getting me a combined birthday/anniversary gift (they are 3 weeks apart) but I was still shocked when I realized that it was the camera!!

Update on the way :goodvibes

That is so crazy about the car rental agency!! Come on there are so many people out there that have the same name and they aren't even related. Then to add to mass confusion by making you turn around to come back in:lmao:. I hope that you guys can laugh it off now, but I would of been soo mad.

To bad about the manger at Paradise Pier.

I hope the rest of your trip gets better.

Beautiful pics!! It makes me feel like I'm there.

Jennifer

Hi Jennifer :goodvibes We actually laughed about the incident pretty quickly after it happened, but at the time it was extremely frustrating. Thanks for reading along!!


Oh what fun at the rental car company. Geez. I haven't stayed at the Paradise Pier for years. I get a kick out of the pool being on the roof like it is. I agree about the toad at the Rain Forest he is kind of ugly/cute.

This was our first experience with renting a car and it didn't exactly makes us excited to do it again :laughing: Oh well, we laugh about it all the time now!!

[ariel1025]

Alrighty, buzzer in hand, we headed into the gift shop to play around during our 15 minute wait.

Of course we had to take a picture with the Bob the Gorilla ... I mean he just seems so lonely sitting there all alone :rotfl:

http://i106.photobucket.com/albums/m276/shanz1025/Disneyland%202009%20-%20Day%20One/100_0075.jpg
My MIL still had the Disney giggles ... too cute!!

http://i106.photobucket.com/albums/m276/shanz1025/Disneyland%202009%20-%20Day%20One/DSC_0114.jpg
Uh-oh, he still has the grumpy face ... hurry little buzzer my Hubby needs to eat :laughing:

I spent the rest of the time checking out all the neat "extras" that were around the gift shop. It never ceases to amaze me how much thought was put into the details of the Rain Forest Cafe. I think it is a perfect choice for a Disneyland Restaurant ... expensive, but ... oh wait, yep that would make it a perfect fit :lmao:

http://i106.photobucket.com/albums/m276/shanz1025/Disneyland%202009%20-%20Day%20One/DSC_0122.jpg
Even my FIL let the "kid in him" come out ... I mean seriously, where else would a grown man allow himself to be caught playing with a Monkey puppet wearing a leather jacket. Oh how I love what Disney does to people!!

Almost exactly 15 minutes later our buzzer went off and we were taken to our table. We were hoping we could be seated by the giant waterfall, but they said there weren't any tables available there ... I only saw 1 table being used there, but oh well :confused3

Ok, now remember how everyone was starving and wanted a "real" meal not just hamburgers and french fries??? Yeah, well I am the only one who did NOT order a hamburger and french fries ... so much for variety right?? :rotfl2: I ordered the pita quesadilla ... I was slightly worried since I am used to homemade tortilla and super cheesy (not to mention greasy) quesadillas but I was pleasantly surprised. Everyone enjoyed their food and (finally) we all had our Disney smiles on (geez boys, what the heck took you so long??).

We made our way out of the Rainforest Cafe with full bellies (and slightly less full wallets) and made our way towards Disneyland :woohoo:

First stop was the will call window for our tickets. I was going to have them delivered to the house but kept having nightmares about forgetting them, so we decided will call was a smarter choice ;) We had a very friendly CM at the will call window and within a few minutes we had our tickets in hand and could (finally) make our way into the park!

http://i106.photobucket.com/albums/m276/shanz1025/Disneyland%202009%20-%20Day%20One/P1010818.jpg
I thought this ticket was super cute and absolutely perfect for our Anniversary!!

http://i106.photobucket.com/albums/m276/shanz1025/Disneyland%202009%20-%20Day%20One/DSC_0138.jpg
We finally made it!!!!

It was about 4:00 pm when we arrived and Disneyland was going to be open until 9:00 so we all figured we would ride a couple of rides and then call it a night early so we could hit the parks full force tomorrow ......

[ariel1025]

FINALLY .... WE ARE IN DISNEYLAND!!!

First Stop
http://i106.photobucket.com/albums/m276/shanz1025/Disneyland%202009%20-%20Day%20One/DSC_0142.jpg

So we could pick up
http://i106.photobucket.com/albums/m276/shanz1025/Disneyland%202009%20-%20Day%20One/DSC_0145.jpg

Now it officially felt like our Anniversary trip :love: While we were in there we also asked for a second set of buttons for my In-Laws. Please don't hate me ... their Anniversary technically isn't until June, but they've never ever gotten to do anything special for their Anniversary and I knew it would make them feel good to hear people telling them "Happy Anniversary." I just didn't know how much trouble my FIL would get in when he was asked how long they've been married :lmao:

With that out of the way we started making our way down Main Street ... man oh man! I just love the charm of it all, it always reminds me of all the great things in life and my worries instantly disappear. Walking hand in hand with Candi down Main Street is absolute perfection in my dictionary!!

http://i106.photobucket.com/albums/m276/shanz1025/Disneyland%202009%20-%20Day%20One/DSC_0146.jpg
I really like all the decorations they had up for the "What Will You Celebrate?" campaign, I think they are so cute!!

http://i106.photobucket.com/albums/m276/shanz1025/Disneyland%202009%20-%20Day%20One/DSC_0154.jpg
This was one of my most favorite decorations!

We hadn't made it too far down Main Street when I realized that in the midst of all my picture taking we had lost Candi's parents!?!? We started looking around when Candi saw them through this window

http://i106.photobucket.com/albums/m276/shanz1025/Disneyland%202009%20-%20Day%20One/DSC_0156.jpg
These toffee bars are my MILs absolute favorite and she couldn't resist herself ... and I think my FIL was trying to make up for forgetting how long they had been married :rolleyes1 Boy, were those things yummy!!

Once we had our candy fix we set back out to explore. Now, our goal all along had been to go straight to Small World, because it's a tradition of Candi's family. But Candi's Mom decided that without Brian (Candi's brother) there it just didn't feel right to do that (it was because of him the tradition was started). So, instead we opted to just walk and ride whatever sounded good and when we got tired we would leave.

of course, we had to stop for the obligatory couples pictures in front of the castle!

http://i106.photobucket.com/albums/m276/shanz1025/Disneyland%202009%20-%20Day%20One/DSC_0169.jpg

http://i106.photobucket.com/albums/m276/shanz1025/Disneyland%202009%20-%20Day%20One/DSC_0171.jpg
Oops ... half the castle is missing and my eyes are half closed :laughing:

http://i106.photobucket.com/albums/m276/shanz1025/Disneyland%202009%20-%20Day%20One/DSC_0172.jpg
There we go ... that's what she looks like in her full beauty ... I love it!

The first thing we decided to do was the Sleeping Beauty castle walk through.
http://i106.photobucket.com/albums/m276/shanz1025/Disneyland%202009%20-%20Day%20One/DSC_0184.jpg

It has always been my MILs favorite movie because one of the fairies has the same name as her (Flora)! I really enjoyed the walk through but it can get crowded really quickly! I would have liked to spend more time looking at everything in there because it's totally my thing, but all the people kind of forced us to speed through it. Oh well!

After the castle walk through it was time for
http://i106.photobucket.com/albums/m276/shanz1025/Disneyland%202009%20-%20Day%20One/DSC_0194.jpg
http://i106.photobucket.com/albums/m276/shanz1025/Disneyland%202009%20-%20Day%20One/DSC_0199.jpg
Awww, I never get tired of a happy ending!!

Once we completed the Snow White ride, we continued our storybook rides by riding Pinnochio. This was my first time riding it and Candi told me how when he was little he thought this was the scariest ride ever ... too cute!

After Pinnochio we continued our adventure by riding
http://i106.photobucket.com/albums/m276/shanz1025/Disneyland%202009%20-%20Day%20One/DSC_0215.jpg
Mr Toad!! This was another first for me, and that is when I realized how much I stuff I had missed out on the last two times I came to Disneyland. It was so nice to spend this trip at a nice, relaxing pace - instead of rushing around to certain destinations the whole time. We were all having a great time and it was so neat to hear stories of all Candi's trips here growing up. It made me start imagining trips that we will get to take with our kids to Disneyland ... shhhhh!!! We won't tell him I'm talking about babies just yet :laughing:

Anyway, back to Mr Toad. The most disgusting thing happened while we were getting on this ride. Candi's parents loaded into their car and started off on their wild ride when all of a sudden I hear my MIL scream really loudly. Of course this freaked Candi and I out because we had no idea what was going on. When we made it out of the ride we found out that right as their car took off a HUGE coackroach dropped from the ceiling onto my MILs head, when she felt something fall on her head she instinctually reached up to grab it and the coackroach took off up her arm and into the sleeve of her shirt:scared1:. EEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEPPPPPPPPPP, I'm getting chills just thinking about it!! So, unfortunately, they spent their whole ride trying to get the icky thing off of her ... I felt so bad. For the next hour she could still feel it crawling on her and it was really freaking her out.

After that we stopped and grabbed a coke and a snack so she could sit down and relax for a minute before we continued to do anything else. That's when we realized that we were making really good time that day. Even though we were just strolling along and stopping all the time to look at things, we had been super lucky and the lines we practically non-existent so we hadn't really been in the park for very long and we had already ridden several rides and seen a lot of really awesome stuff. Hopefully this was going to be a sign of things to come :thumbsup2

Once we had relaxed for a little while we continued our voyage and decided to ride something I was really looking forward to. This was something else I hadn't ever ridden and for some reason it was on my "must do" list for this trip. Now, don't laugh at me but it was....
http://i106.photobucket.com/albums/m276/shanz1025/Disneyland%202009%20-%20Day%20One/DSC_0231.jpg
The Storybook ride!! I have no idea why, but I really, really wanted to ride this. Again, there was hardly any wait so we got in line and waited for our boat. Of course my Hubby was feeling "mean" and mischevious and decided to tell his Mom "oh my gosh, HOLD STILL! There's something on your back"

Here's her reaction...
http://i106.photobucket.com/albums/m276/shanz1025/Disneyland%202009%20-%20Day%20One/DSC_0220.jpg
This was right after he told her he was kidding, so she was kind of laughing, kind of freaked out and kind of mad all at the same time ... he's so mean!!!

Anywhooo...the next boat came and it was our turn to ride. The mini pumpkin carriage was my absolute favorite part

http://i106.photobucket.com/albums/m276/shanz1025/Disneyland%202009%20-%20Day%20One/DSC_0237.jpg
It is SO cute ... it still makes me smile!

Once we got off the boat my FILs feet were really starting to hurt him. He is not used to wearing tennis shoes at all .... he is a Rancher so he lives in his cowboy boots and he started wondering if he should have just worn his boots. We told him we could go back to the room so he could change or we could call it a night ....

[kaoden39]

Oh my goodness!!:scared1: Your poor MIL I would have totally freaked out. Ooh I am not sure I could ride on it again after that and honestly when I go on it next I am apt to be looking at the ceiling the whole ride. How nice of you to get buttons for them to celebrate too. And believe me they are by far not the first people to celebrate on a different day. It looks like you meandered down Main Street. I love to do that. I am anxious to hear more.

[cinderella-princess]

I love your trip report and pictures so far! I know what you mean about the perfection of walking down Main Street with your husband - it's the best! It always hits me then that I am actually there and I know what a great time we are going to have. :)

[ariel1025]

Oh my goodness!!:scared1: Your poor MIL I would have totally freaked out. Ooh I am not sure I could ride on it again after that and honestly when I go on it next I am apt to be looking at the ceiling the whole ride. How nice of you to get buttons for them to celebrate too. And believe me they are by far not the first people to celebrate on a different day. It looks like you meandered down Main Street. I love to do that. I am anxious to hear more.

I know I felt so bad for her, it was really freaking her out even when she knew it wasn't on her anymore! I love taking my time going down Main Street, it is my "perfect place." :goodvibes

I love your trip report and pictures so far! I know what you mean about the perfection of walking down Main Street with your husband - it's the best! It always hits me then that I am actually there and I know what a great time we are going to have. :)

Thank you so much :goodvibes I totally agree with you, I never feel like I am "really" there until we are on Main Street!!

[ariel1025]

Just to re-cap real quick .... I had a MIL that was still freaked out that she had creepy crawlies all over her and a FIL that had throbbing feet. So, what do you think we did????













WE FORGED ON OF COURSE!!!!! WE ARE TROOPERS :goodvibes

We checked - double checked - triple checked and Candi's Dad said that he wanted to continue on. The crowds were too minimal to pass up and we were all having a good time :thumbsup2 With that decision made, we decided it was time .....

http://i106.photobucket.com/albums/m276/shanz1025/Disneyland%202009%20-%20Day%20One/DSC_0240.jpg
It's A Small World ... this is a family favorite and I was super excited to check it out after all the renovations.

*** Warning mass pictures ahead .......

http://i106.photobucket.com/albums/m276/shanz1025/Disneyland%202009%20-%20Day%20One/DSC_0241.jpg
How can you not enjoy being on such a classic ride?

http://i106.photobucket.com/albums/m276/shanz1025/Disneyland%202009%20-%20Day%20One/DSC_0243.jpg
Candi was super proud of himself because he was the first one to notice any of the changes. It was so cute, he turned to me and said "see love, I DO pay attention to all your Disney jabber" :laughing:

http://i106.photobucket.com/albums/m276/shanz1025/Disneyland%202009%20-%20Day%20One/DSC_0244.jpg
I love how all the new additions fit right in with the original ride dolls!

http://i106.photobucket.com/albums/m276/shanz1025/Disneyland%202009%20-%20Day%20One/DSC_0245.jpg
This Pinnochio reminds me of those Weeble Wobble toys ... I spent the rest of the evening singing "weebles wobble but they don't fall down" :rotfl:

http://i106.photobucket.com/albums/m276/shanz1025/Disneyland%202009%20-%20Day%20One/DSC_0246.jpg
I almost missed this one and then proceeded to almost fall backwards out of the boat trying to get a picture before we passed it ... oops!

http://i106.photobucket.com/albums/m276/shanz1025/Disneyland%202009%20-%20Day%20One/DSC_0249.jpg
I was so excited that they added Pumba ... he's one of my absolute favorite Disney characters!!

http://i106.photobucket.com/albums/m276/shanz1025/Disneyland%202009%20-%20Day%20One/DSC_0256.jpg
This was my favorite addition ... Stitch is too stinkin' cute here!

http://i106.photobucket.com/albums/m276/shanz1025/Disneyland%202009%20-%20Day%20One/DSC_0261.jpg
There were several more additions including Toy Story, Mulan, Little Mermaid ... overall I think this made the ride 100 times more fun ... we had a blast trying to be the first one to detect a new scene, even my FIL got in on the fun. We loved it!!!

Now, with that out of the way we had a decision to make ... do we continue on to Toon Town or turn around and ride some "big kid" rides??

[blabbermouth]

Wow, I can't believe I've missed so much of your report! Nice new camera, there are some great pics here. Funny about the rental car issue, but glad it was fun since then.

[ariel1025]

Wow, I can't believe I've missed so much of your report! Nice new camera, there are some great pics here. Funny about the rental car issue, but glad it was fun since then.

Thanks for the picture comment :goodvibes I had so much fun playing with my new camera.

WOW!! It's getting close for you ... only six days ... you must be getting so excited!!

[ariel1025]

http://i106.photobucket.com/albums/m276/shanz1025/Disneyland%202009%20-%20Day%20One/IMG_0851-1.jpg

We stood around for a little while contemplating what to do and in the end decided we would head over to the "big Kid" rides :thumbsup2

Now, I had a secret mission to make it on (the new and improved) Space Mountain on the first and last day of the trip. So, I tried to convince everyone that that's where we should head, but Candi's Dad wasn't so convinced. He, for some reason, remembers Space Mountain as being like a "real" super duper twisty curvy upside down roller coaster :confused3 and was really not wanting to ride it. His exact words were "I may be young at heart, but I'm not young and I value my heart" :rotfl: I then felt like the parent because I responded by saying (I kid you not) "just try it once, if you don't like it I promise I won't make you ride it again" :laughing:. He still wasn't having it at that moment, but said that he would give the Matterhorn a try because he remembers it as being a "smooth and easy" ride. I (somewhat reluctantly) agreed.

As we were making our way towards the line I needed to make a "girly" stop so Candi's parents said they would hop in line for the Matterhorn and wait for us. Again, please don't hate me, we almost NEVER do this, but I really had to stop and Flora wanted to take advantage of Candido's willingness to ride things before he changed his mind. So, Candi and I went in search of the restrooms and his parents hopped in line. Oh my goodness, I felt like we walked a million miles to get to the restroom. I am not the best with maps (yep, even the Disney ones) and had us going in the wrong direction. Candi took over map reading duties and found a restroom, but it was under construction ... finally we made it and then took off running to the Matterhorn guessing that his parents had probably already ridden. Not so much, they kept letting groups go in front of them to avoid being in a part of the line that we couldn't get to them. We finally caught up with them and did the naughty "hop in line with your family" (I pinky swear that was the ONLY time we did that ;)) and within ten minutes we were on the Matterhorn.

Now, I apparentally was the only one who remembered you sit like this
http://i106.photobucket.com/albums/m276/shanz1025/Disneyland%202009%20-%20Day%20One/IMG_0848-1.jpg
In each other's lap (but with our own seat belts) and it had Candi's parents cracking up. They were in the seats in front of us and I could hear my MIL giggling about how she hadn't sat on my FIL's lap since they were teenagers :love: So, remember how my FIL was willing to ride the Matterhorn because he remembers it being a smooth ride? Yeah, well it wasn't so smooth ... in fact I think both Candi and his Dad got elbowed in the stomach on several occasions ... all by accident of course :goodvibes But, we all had a blast and were laughing the entire time :thumbsup2

After the Matterhorn my FIL really didn't want to ride Space Mountain, but I promised him that it wasn't such a rough ride (and crossed my fingers that it wasn't now that it had been renovated :rolleyes1). He finally gave in ....

http://i106.photobucket.com/albums/m276/shanz1025/Disneyland%202009%20-%20Day%20One/IMG_0853.jpg
and can't you just see the excitement in his face :rotfl2:

No?? Look harder!! Still can't?? Ok, ok ...
http://i106.photobucket.com/albums/m276/shanz1025/Disneyland%202009%20-%20Day%20One/IMG_0857.jpg
I bet you can see the excitement in my face though!!!!

There are not words to explain how much I had been looking forward to riding this after the renovations. Both times I had been to Disney land it had been down for the renovation and although we had ridden it in WDW, I couldn't wait to see the difference!!!!

This was the longest wait we had the whole day, which was completely expected. But, all in all not too bad, about twenty minutes. Finally we were loaded into our spaceship and I couldn't wait for take off!

http://i106.photobucket.com/albums/m276/shanz1025/Disneyland%202009%20-%20Day%20One/IMG_0858-1.jpg
Here's Candi's Dad giving us the "I don't know about this look"

OMG!!!!!!!!!!!! There are no words to tell you how much I LOVE LOVE LOVE the new Space Mountain. IT WAS AMAZING!!!! I turned to Candi and said "we have to ride this again" and then I turn around to see this

http://i106.photobucket.com/albums/m276/shanz1025/Disneyland%202009%20-%20Day%20One/IMG_0860-1.jpg
Flora goes "yes, yes, let's get back in line" but Candido said "count me out" we start laughing at him and then our ship passes the crowd of people waiting and we hear the CM say "enjoy trip two". The whole ship starts clapping and cheering .... well, maybe one unnamed person wasn't :rolleyes1 and off we went again!

http://i106.photobucket.com/albums/m276/shanz1025/Disneyland%202009%20-%20Day%20One/IMG_0861-1.jpg
That one simple piece of Disney Magic absolutely made my day! I could have left the park right then and there and been completely happy :goodvibes

http://i106.photobucket.com/albums/m276/shanz1025/Disneyland%202009%20-%20Day%20One/IMG_0862-1.jpg
Here is our "redneck" picture of our second trip into outer space ... which I loved just as much as the first time ... Candi's Dad was much more relaxed and had a much better time as well :thumbsup2

[Sarah84]

Great report so far and i love yours pics :)

[caligirl stuck in va]

love the TR so far! you always look so happy in your pics - very infectious!

[blabbermouth]

Yes, I am so excited! Reading your trip report isn't helping. I can't wait to ride Space Mountain either! :scared: It's a bit hard to concentrate on my work today, that's for sure! Aww, your poor FIL having to go around twice... but yay for you guys! Candi's parents are so cute!

[ariel1025]

Great report so far and i love yours pics :)

Thank you very much :goodvibes

love the TR so far! you always look so happy in your pics - very infectious!

Thanks!! I love being able to let loose and act like a kid again - that's why I'm always so happy in Disney :thumbsup2

Yes, I am so excited! Reading your trip report isn't helping. I can't wait to ride Space Mountain either! :scared: It's a bit hard to concentrate on my work today, that's for sure! Aww, your poor FIL having to go around twice... but yay for you guys! Candi's parents are so cute!

I am guessing you are in DL right now ... I hope you are having an excellent time :goodvibes

Candi's parents are super cute and they crack me up - at home they are always so serious, but the moment the plane landed in California they acted like two teenagers all giddy and in love :lovestruc

[ariel1025]

To say we were having an awesome first day would have been an understatement!!! We had experienced minimal crowd levels, short wait times AND got to ride Space Mountain twice in a row without getting off :woohoo: At this point, though, we were all starting to get sleepy so we decided that we would head out for the night.

We took our time exiting the park - soaking in all the beauty of Disneyland at night.

http://i106.photobucket.com/albums/m276/shanz1025/Disneyland%202009%20-%20Day%20One/DSC_0264.jpg

In my opinion, nighttime brings about a whole different type of atmosphere and I love it just as much as the daytime. If you asked me to pick a favorite between night and day at Disney I wouldn't be able to do it. I know it's the same park but it's a whole new experience.

Candi and I took our time strolling along behind his parents talking about the day. We had our ups and downs with the day, but overall we couldn't have asked for anything better.

http://i106.photobucket.com/albums/m276/shanz1025/Disneyland%202009%20-%20Day%20One/DSC_0271.jpg
We finally made it to the end of Main Street and bid farewell to Disneyland for the day.

Although we were all tired we decided to take our time walking back to the hotel - which seemed much further walking back to than it did walking away from :rotfl:

Once we got back Candi and I ordered food from the restaurant downstairs and his parents headed upstairs. We ordered enough food for a small army - including some of the most delicious chili I have had in a long time - and all sat around his parents room eating.

It was a perfect way to wind down before we called it a night.

[ariel1025]

I'm pretty sure most of us fell asleep pretty quickly ... it had been a long day for everyone.

I was the first to awake the next morning, quickly followed by Candi. I had been dreaming that our work did not deposit our paychecks into our account (if you read my Honeymoon TR @ WDW you know this actually did happen to us there) and I flew out of bed still mostly still asleep... end result .... me landing on the floor and Candi going "calm down Babe the park isn't even open yet" :lmao::rotfl::rotfl::rotfl2: I explained to him why I flew out of bed like that and he immediately hooked up the laptop so we could check just to feel better about it all. Sure enough our paychecks were in there safe and sound ... we both breathed a huge sigh of relief and went back to sleep. Well, Candi went back to sleep I couldn't so I took a shower instead.

By the time I finished my shower I heard moving around in the next room and decided to go see what his parents plan of attack for the day was. My FIL only had two requests ... FOOD and FAST! I told him I would go check out allears and see where we should try to eat while Candi and his Mom finished getting ready. Candi was ready to head out the door in about 5 minutes but we were still waiting on my MIL ... and waiting ... and waiting ... and waiting some more. We took that opportunity to take some morning pictures

http://i106.photobucket.com/albums/m276/shanz1025/Disneyland%202009%20-%20Day%20Two/100_0090.jpg


http://i106.photobucket.com/albums/m276/shanz1025/Disneyland%202009%20-%20Day%20Two/100_0091.jpg
Flora stopped to take a picture but then went back to getting ready :confused3 I didn't really get it .. she looked fine to me, but I learned a long time ago not to rush her.

At this point Candido ate his wive's $20 chocolate toffee from the night before and started telling us about their night. Apparently, they were woken up in the middle of the night by a huge crash. At first they thought me or Candi fell out of bed ... nope that would have been this morning :rolleyes1 ... and when we didn't answer their knock on the door to see if we were ok they realized that the frame above the closet had fallen off. We told them we would go let the front desk know and meet them downstairs. Front desk was relatively friendly and said it would be fixed by the time we returned to our room that day.

Finally, Candi's Mom was ready to go and we headed towards DTD. Since we were going to eat in Disneyland we hopped on the Monorail and I started to feel the excitement of our first full day in the parks.

http://i106.photobucket.com/albums/m276/shanz1025/Disneyland%202009%20-%20Day%20Two/DSC_0001.jpg

http://i106.photobucket.com/albums/m276/shanz1025/Disneyland%202009%20-%20Day%20Two/DSC_0002.jpg

After a quick ride into DL we headed towards the Plaza Restaurant. In the end Candido decided he would rather go somewhere without characters and we decided on Carnation Cafe instead.

http://i106.photobucket.com/albums/m276/shanz1025/Disneyland%202009%20-%20Day%20Two/DSC_0003.jpg

We were seated right by Main Street which made me super happy and our server was very friendly. I had the Mickey waffle with fruit - how can you start the day at Disney with anything else?!?! Everyone else had Oscar's choice. We all really enjoyed our breakfast and were pleasantly surprised at just how great our seats turned out to be ....