Diva & 27th Anniv Trip w/1500+ Pics, Photopass starts #765!!

[DizNee Luver]

As always love the latest installment and that is great that PPH gave you the buttons and signed photo. They are really great about that. I can tell you we stayed here for mom's birthday on the ladies trip last year and they went above and beyond. Gave her ballons, a button made a cute little cake out of washclothes and gave us some mickey rice krispie treats as well as a coupon for a free photo through photo pass. We also got chocolates every single night.

We then stayed at Grand Cal the following June and I told them it was MY birthday and I practically had to beg just to get the pin and all I got was the pic of Minnie. Nothing else and we only got the chocolates on our first night. The room was MUCH smaller and they put us at the VERY end of like 3 LOOOOONG hallways! I have stayed at all 3 now and I have to say we prefer PPH the best! I like the restaurants and pool at DL the best but I look the actual hotel at PP much better.

We had planned to do dinner at PCH Grill again this summer but now that we are not going I don't know when we will make it back but I def want to go and the kids want to do the kitchen sink!!

Mom and I are going to try and stay there in Oct if we go and IF the prices are right!

Heck we may even stay there for the ladies trip again if the prices are decent. If that is still considered off season they might be who knows!

Also I wanted to say that we did the BBQ also last june and loved it and I had planned to take dh there this past Dec but it got rained out and then we were going to go on our summer trip THIS year but now we had to cancel so EVENTUALLY I will get back there lol. Don't know if we will go in Oct or not but if enough of us go maybe there will be interest in everyone who goes wanting to do a group meal!

I know when a bunch of us went in oct of 09 that is kind of what we did. We arranged to meet for 2 or 3 meals and then everyone kind of did their own thing the rest of the trip. It was nice because we got to see everyone and visit during a few meals and then people that were there with family still got to spend family time too and didn't feel like they were ignoring their family. It was nice!

Anyway as always anxious to see your next installment and have a nice time tonight!

I loved everything about the PPH, not once did we walk by a CM there & not get talked to......even if it was just a hello. We walked into the Grand many, many times & not once person said hi.

PCH Grill has the best dinners & the Kitchen Sink is just something else!!!! Hope you get to have one very soon!!! The girls would love it!

Catching up againg

Sorry about your panic attack. I am glad you were able to enjoy the rest of the day



Really enjoying all your pics, especially the ones in Mr. Lincoln Displays

I am getting really excited to plan a trip to Disneyland

Looks so awesome there

Both of your hotels look great

The panic attack sucked but I refused to let it control the rest of my trip!!

It was great looking at the displays with virtually no one else around!!

Disneyland is AWESOME!!!! Hope you get to go very, VERY soon!!

The good neighbor hotels we've liked was the HoJo, Carousel & Tropicana.....just as nice...rooms a bit smaller than the resort rooms.....but beds very comfortable!!

Don't you just love the new white bedspreads? Those are the same as at the DLH and I thought the Mickey heads on them were so adorable. I would love to have one even though I have always sworn I would not have a white bedspread.

I know.....white would be hard to keep clean, but it sure does brighten up the room!!!

Can you imagine the extra charge on your bill if you took it??

It's HOW MUCH???

I wish they had auctioned the old linens from here and the DLH online for charity or something. I would have loved to have one of the old attractions bedspreads from DLH.

We talk about those bedspreads all the time here.....wondering what they did with them......I would have given my left foot to have one of them!!! The colors on it wasn't the most appealing, but all the attractions on them made them a classic!!!!!

 

[MotoXPrincess99]

You're very welcome!! I was sooooooooo tempted to bring home the mickey head cover off the bed....but I was afraid they would notice......

Love Surf's Up!!!

Sounds like something I would have thought of doing too.

Have you seen Laurie's previous Surf's Up photos and review from her trip last year (complete with cost breakdown)? It's probably the most extensive Surf's Up coverage I've seen so far!

http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=37890162&postcount=1200

http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=37890379&postcount=1204

http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=37890463&postcount=1205

http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=37891342&postcount=1207

http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=37891409&postcount=1208

http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=37891498&postcount=1209

http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=37891676&postcount=1210

http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=37894510&postcount=1215

http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=37894555&postcount=1216

Going to check it out.

 

[VintageDisneyRules]

We talk about those bedspreads all the time here.....wondering what they did with them......I would have given my left foot to have one of them!!! The colors on it wasn't the most appealing, but all the attractions on them made them a classic!!!!!

Lots of Disney items end up on ebay or are sold through different sites. One place is called Kingdon Collectables. I bought a parking lot sign from them last year. I also bought 4 yards of fabric on ebay that was used for bedspreads. I haven't made a spread yet. .

 

[VintageDisneyRules]

Rest of fabric. It's really nice with lots of rides shown.

 

[Trentmom]

This is why I told you that it was just as nice to stay offsite. The places offsite are nice and cheaper.

I loved everything about the PPH, not once did we walk by a CM there & not get talked to......even if it was just a hello. We walked into the Grand many, many times & not once person said hi.

PCH Grill has the best dinners & the Kitchen Sink is just something else!!!! Hope you get to have one very soon!!! The girls would love it!



The panic attack sucked but I refused to let it control the rest of my trip!!

It was great looking at the displays with virtually no one else around!!

Disneyland is AWESOME!!!! Hope you get to go very, VERY soon!!

The good neighbor hotels we've liked was the HoJo, Carousel & Tropicana.....just as nice...rooms a bit smaller than the resort rooms.....but beds very comfortable!!



I know.....white would be hard to keep clean, but it sure does brighten up the room!!!



It's HOW MUCH???



We talk about those bedspreads all the time here.....wondering what they did with them......I would have given my left foot to have one of them!!! The colors on it wasn't the most appealing, but all the attractions on them made them a classic!!!!!

Yeah, if I do stay offsite, it will be Carousel Inn or Ho Jo's for sure

The Disney hotels are so tempting

 

[DizNee Luver]

Lots of Disney items end up on ebay or are sold through different sites. One place is called Kingdon Collectables. I bought a parking lot sign from them last year. I also bought 4 yards of fabric on ebay that was used for bedspreads. I haven't made a spread yet. .

Rest of fabric. It's really nice with lots of rides shown.

Hmmmmmmmm, interesting.....might need to go check that out!!!! Of course, I don't sew........so getting fabric would make me go.....now what?!

Yeah, if I do stay offsite, it will be Carousel Inn or Ho Jo's for sure

The Disney hotels are so tempting

I can't speak on the regular rooms at the HoJo....we stayed in a premium view room......but they were large sized rooms.....lots of space, lots of counters to put stuff on, etc.

The Carousel rooms are the standard motel room size....not much room to move around.......not a whole lot of flat services to put stuff on either.

So food for thought when deciding. HoJo a little longer walk....but really I didn't find it a problem.....we walked on the opposite side of the street (closest to the park/across from all the motels & foot traffic) & found it quite enjoyable.....and the Carousel is very close to the pedestrian crossing for the park.

 

[DizNee Luver]

When I left off, we had shown off the buffet. So here's are plates (at least my plate & Mike's 1st one.....lol)

Mickey took a break & so Pluto stepped in for a few minutes. He was all alone.....so of course I had to go up & see him!!

I of course love that this is the only meal that's hosted by Mickey.....but this meal is extra special because of this guy...........

It was dance time.......so Minnie & Max showed off their moves.

Once we were done with our breakfast, our waitress brought out a special Anniversary Dessert for Mike & I.

Next to our table was Max!

Mickey was hanging out & waiting for families to come in.....so he was doing a little dancin' & posing when he noticed my camera.

Pluto came by our table. (or as Shyann calls him.......Doggy!!!)

We hung out after we were done, because Minnie was getting close to our table & she was the only character that hadn't been to our table yet.

After breakfast, we decided to head to the World of Disney store & do our "big" shopping. Being short of money, I would not be renewing my AP as planned today. (it expired that day). So figured I'd get that 20% discount on our souvenirs while I could!!! Now if you read my summer trip....you'll remember that my bill totalled over $800.....so you'll be proud of me this time......only $380!!

We had the bags sent back to the hotel & finally headed to the parks!!

 

[DizNee Luver]

We finally made it Disneyland at 12:15pm!!!! (this of course was my 5th day.....but this was Mike's 1st day!!)

Our first stop was City Hall to inquire if the Lilly Belle would be out today (it had rained all night but was sunny today). She was not running today (I did find out why later in the trip...I'll share that later on)

The Disneyland Band was playing around the flag pole so we took a few pics.

Another popcorn cart......

We went & picked up a FP for Indy after stopping to look at the Wait Times Board.

We pretty much walked right on to POTC, followed by walking on to the Haunted Mansion. This is from the yard at HM.

While walking up the sidewalk into the HM, I snapped a quicky photo of the work being done on Splash Mountain.

We took some pictures from around the Rivers of America area......it's so beautiful!

The petrified tree.....a gift from Walt to Lillian who decided the gift would be much better at Disneyland than it would be at her home.

Another popcorn cart.....

 

[DizNee Luver]

We headed to BTMRR to pick up a FP, but due to the small crowds, it was closed......so we did the stand by line.......we waited less than 10 mins.

I'm not sure where Mike took these pics....but it had to be somwhere over by BTMRR.

After our wildest ride in the wilderness.....we went to use our FP for Indiana Jones. We got the front seat & I got to drive!!!

We decided to head to Fantasyland & went the back path past BTMRR. Mike had never been in the Big Thunder Ranch, so he went in & took some pics of the inside of the cabin. When I was in doing pics there over the weekend, there was a craft project going on in there.

We were getting thirsty, so we went over to Coke Corner to get a Cherry Coke...... ahhhhhhhhh

We took a spin on the teacups.....short line for Fantasyland!!

We headed to Space Mtn to see if a FP would be at a time we could use today or if stand-by was doable......neither were, so we caught the Captain EO show. I had never seen this. It actually bugged Mike when the seats kept bouncing. It bugged both of us that the bouncing wasn't in beat to the music....that sort of thing drives me crazy.....lol

We decided to take the monorail back to DTD, since we had a dinner ressie to get to. Before leaving the parks, I took a few pics from around the Finding Nemo Ride.

These were taken from the Monorail platform.

We got on the monorail & headed to DTD.

 

[DizNee Luver]

When we got off the monorail, we headed back to PPH, going the back way (to the backside of the hotel). Here's a few of the things I found picture worthy!

This huge surfboard is on the side of the PPH parking garage.

More things on the backside of the PPH.

Look at the sharp things coming out of the trunk of this tree!!! OUCHIE!!!

More stuff.....

It's a musical rock......lol

The arranged flowers inside the PPH.

The 2 signs in our elevator.......I was feeling snap-happy today....lol

Pics of the pool area from the 9th floor.

The lamp in the lobby area by the elevators on the 9th floor.

Mike spotted a firetruck after we got into our room....so he of course had to get a picture of that.....he used to be a volunteer firefighter & a paramedic.....so the "woo woo's" always excite him.

 

[DizNee Luver]

We took some more pictures of the view out of our room.

When I took pics of the room, I forgot to take a picture of the roll out table at the desk!

We heard at knock at the door & housekeeping was coming by to put chocolates on the bed & they also handed us 2 little rubber duckies.....so cute!!

More view pics.........

We headed over to the Grand Californian Hotel to the Napa Rose Restaurant. We had a 5:30pm seating at the Chef's Counter. They weren't seating people in the restaurant yet, so we took a seat in the lounge waiting area. These pics are from in there. I apologize for the lighting....but they keep it pretty dark in there.

We were greeted by one of the restaurant employees who told us we'd be seated in just a few minutes. A hostess came by within 5 minutes, & escorted us to the chef's counter. This is the menu.

We ended up in Seats 1 & 2. I had requested 3 & 4, but that was already taken (eventhough I called at the 60 day mark at 8am.....so they must take ressies earlier than that).....so we requested seats 5 & 6. They told me they couldn't guarantee those seats if a party of 3 or 4 booked after us. So I'm guessing that happened. Seats 1 & 2 are fine for watching the kitchen....but hard to see what's happening at the pass. Seats 1 to 4 watch the appetizer kitchen & pizza kitchen......seats 5 to 8 watch the entree & dessert kitchen.

 

[TheColtonsMom]

Those seagulls! That is another thing Colton brought home...al lot of "minemine mine mine" look mom I'm a seagull still like the Tiki room song better.

Wow that Mickey head fencepost or whatever it was (the 1st turquoise one) looks like it needs some love or a paint touch up anyways.

Could you imagine your husband buying you a 5 ton petrified tree stump as a gift. Um honey where are we going to put it? Why don't you set it up at work? I do think it is a cool thing but such an odd gift.

As always I love the way you see through the lens...a different view of things I hve seen multiple times LOVE it!

 

[DizNee Luver]

Those seagulls! That is another thing Colton brought home...al lot of "minemine mine mine" look mom I'm a seagull still like the Tiki room song better.

Wow that Mickey head fencepost or whatever it was (the 1st turquoise one) looks like it needs some love or a paint touch up anyways.

Could you imagine your husband buying you a 5 ton petrified tree stump as a gift. Um honey where are we going to put it? Why don't you set it up at work? I do think it is a cool thing but such an odd gift.

As always I love the way you see through the lens...a different view of things I hve seen multiple times LOVE it!

It was funny, when I went to take a picture of it, a CM had just rode a segway behind the slatted fence (that I used for the background)....he peered over the fence & said....there are nicer ones to take a picture of closer to the doors. I said....I know.....but I like the slats for a background. It was in front of a gate for employees & it's probably been hit a number of times. lol That's why I took a pic of another one.......just so I didn't disappoint the CM.....lol

Not quite the gift I'd be thrilled with...but who knows....living with such a brilliant & creative mind like Walt's.....this probably didn't surprise her any......

 

[DizNee Luver]

So here are some pics of the kitchen from our seats.

The chef came over & asked if we had any questions. Mike told him he was going to try the Vintners meal & I said I'd let him choose for me. He asked if I had any allergies & I told him coconut. I also told him I didn't like nuts & mushrooms. He asked if those were allergies, and I said no.....just don't like them. I told him I loved seafood. He seemed a bit pre-occupied & he did seem to know the guy in seat 3. He spent a lot of time conversing with them. This didn't really bug me until the food started coming out with nuts & mushrooms for me & only one seafood dish........ why ask if you're not even going to try??

There was a glass case in front of our seats & we noticed this cheese inside. It's from the Rogue Creamery in Central Point, Oregon. We used to live there & had been to that place.....so I, of course, had to take a picture of it!!

Another picture of the kitchen.......

They brought out this bread basket.

Neither Mike or I are wine drinkers, so he went with a dark beer & I got a margarita on the rocks.....yum!

The chef started all of us with an Amuse-Bouche of chicken liver mousse on a toasted brioche with a port reduction. I thought I was going to throw up right then & there.........ick!

Our 1st Course:

Mine--Winter White Asparague & Belgian Endive Salad with marcona almonds, organic prosciutto & tangerine almond vinaigrette. (nuts!)

I enjoyed the salad with the nuts pushed to the side.

Mikes--Citrus Roasted Rare Ahi with sauteed octopus, marinated calamari & pine nut aioli.

Mike enjoyed all of it. I got to finally taste ahi tuna & I loved it!!

This was the Sous Chef/Head Chef for the evening (I never did catch his name)......I was disappointed that Chef Sutton was off this evening.

More kitchen pictures.......

Our waiter took a picture of Mike & I.

This was our 2nd Course.

Mine--Pan Roasted Diver Scallop on a sauce of lobster & lemon, accented with vanilla.

It was my favorite thing all evening. If I ever went back, this would be what I ordered as my entree......it was so good!!!

Mike--Salmon & Muscle in a pineapple curry.

Mike liked his again......I didn't try it because I don't like curry.

More kitchen pictures........

 

[TheColtonsMom]

Napa rose is just not on my radar. I do cook like this on occasion when the mood strikes me but almost everyone who has reported on this chefs table thing has gotten at least one ewww from me so prob won't ever do this. That chicken liver would have ruined my appetite!

I LOVE Ahi Tuna very hard to get up here but have had it shipped once or twice...Expensive but for a special occasion. You live where you can probably buy it at the grocery store! Go buy an ahi tuna steak and put it on the grill wonderful! It amazes me that the stuff in the can is even distantly related!

The rest of your meal so far looks really good...next time you might just have to say you are allergic to coconut, nuts and chicken liver (that is cat food in my book!)

 

[DizNee Luver]

This was our 3rd Course.

Mine--Sauteed Portobello Mushrooms with a fried sweet potato brie cheese dumpling.

Remember me mentioning my dislike for mushrooms?? Well I was pleasantly surprised with this dish....I actually liked it. So either the chef didn't hear any of my dislikes or he wanted to change my mind. He didn't check back to see if I enjoyed it, so I'm thinking he just didn't pay any attention.

Mikes--Roasted saddle of Rabbit and puntarella salad, treviso radicchio, green asparagus & pancetta mustard vinaigrette.

Seems to me, that Mike ate all of it....so it must have been ok. I had no interest in trying this dish.

Our 4th Course.

Mine--Maple Leaf Duck Breast with hot almond cauliflower couscous in a blood orange vinaigrette.

Didn't like the duck at all & the couscous was good, if he had left out all those stinking nuts!! I had never tried blood oranges, so that was new. They kinda taste like a mix of oranges & grapefruits.

Mikes--Pan Roasted Veal Loin Lasagna, ragu of wild black & gold chanterelles & sauteed sweetbreads.

Mike liked it.....even the sweetbreads. Again, a dish I didn't get anywhere near.

More kitchen pics.........

Our final Course.

Mine--Manjari Chocolate Decadent Devil's Food Cake with a Passion Fruit Creme Brulee and blood orange sauce.

Not a huge fan of chocolate, but the creme brulle was delicious!!

Mikes--Meyer Lemon Meringue Napoleon with mango & strawberry salsa.

He loved it!

We received our bill........ $212 including the tax.......add another $42 for the tip= $254 !!! OUCH!

Now it's something we'd always wanted to try, it was a fun experience but I can tell you we are not that kind of eaters. We have a big family, so budget meals is pretty much all we know. There were some highlights to the meal but for the most part......so not our thing. But we can scratch it off our "bucket list".

We took a picture with the chef before leaving.

These pictures were taken outside the restaurant:

Goodnight Napa Rose.......

 

[DizNee Luver]

Napa rose is just not on my radar. I do cook like this on occasion when the mood strikes me but almost everyone who has reported on this chefs table thing has gotten at least one ewww from me so prob won't ever do this. That chicken liver would have ruined my appetite!

I LOVE Ahi Tuna very hard to get up here but have had it shipped once or twice...Expensive but for a special occasion. You live where you can probably buy it at the grocery store! Go buy an ahi tuna steak and put it on the grill wonderful! It amazes me that the stuff in the can is even distantly related!

The rest of your meal so far looks really good...next time you might just have to say you are allergic to coconut, nuts and chicken liver (that is cat food in my book!)

Napa Rose was more on Mike's radar than mine.....he's adventurous & will try new things......he's a foodie of sorts. I'm super picky......so trying some of that stuff was just not a comfortable thing for me.

I tried the chicken liver thing......but one bite of it, literally made me do the gag thing!

 

[TheColtonsMom]

We received our bill........ $212 including the tax.......add another $42 for the tip= $254 !!! OUCH!

OUCH is right I'm sticking to Blue Bayou..pricey enough for me! You could have bought more souvineers! Or extra days at Disney!

 

[Sherry E]

I enjoyed seeing your Napa Rose photos, Laurie. You think you guys are not really Napa Rose people? You at least had it on your bucket list to try.

I am sooooooooo not a fine dining/Napa Rose kind of girl that I would never even put it on my bucket list! Not one thing shown in your photos appeals to me - in fact, some of it grosses me out! I know I'm in the minority, as most folks want to experience fine dining establishments. I don't need that experience, however! I think I will get through my life okay without ever needing to eat that food! I see it as such an unnecessary (huge) expense.

I just ordered some stuff from Vons and had it delivered earlier today - and I was excited because I could whip out my George Foreman grill and make some juicy burgers! Oh, and Barilla pasta was on sale for 88 cents, and DiGiorno pizza was on sale! Those are the things that make me happy in the realm of food! Mmmmm...now that's good eatin' to me!

But at least you can say you tried NR and have your own perspective on it, rather than just reading other folks' reviews.

 

[TheColtonsMom]

EEEEK You could have used that money to renew your AP! I forgot you said you weren't able to renew it. But if you are married to a foodie this was the perfect time to do it...you could never have done this with all the kids.