Christmas, a Birthday, Dick Van Dyke, and an Engagement in Disneyland *Complete*

[RAPstar]

Hi all. My name is Robbie/Robert/Andy depending on who you ask. I'm an uber Disney and Universal fanatic. For about half of 2012 I lived in SoCal and got to go Disney every chance I got. Then I moved back home, and did about 5 different trips in 2013 (including two to Orlando and one to DLR that Dec). A bit earlier this year, my good friend, and WDW cast member, Mike asked me to go to DLR for the 60th and his birthday (Dec 12). At first I couldn't commit due to personal stuff I was going through (blame it on turning 30, lol). But a few months ago, stuff cleared up and I was able to commit to going. Of course, finding a good deal on the flight there helped a lot (under $80 on Virgin America). I was able to use points on Southwest for the flight back. So now, we're doing 4 days at the resort (2 half days, 2 full), staying at the Disneyland resort with another cast member friend of Mike's (heaven is a cast member discount, slightly over $800 for 3 nights), and trying to pack in probably too much. But 3 days is still better than the one day I tried to do everything in 2013, lol. Here's some pics from my 2013 day, and one of Mike and me for reference.

Please ignore my Crocs, lol.

 

[RAPstar]

Itinerary Day 1:

Uber to Love Field (thanks Virgin America)
Leave DAL 8:00am, arrive LAX 9:25am.
Wait till 10:30 for friends to arrive, pick up rental car, drive to Disneyland Hotel
Check in and head to Disneyland park (mostly characters this half day)

Disneyland:
Yes, I realize a lot of this could change/vary depending on how crowded it will be. I honestly usually don't do an itinerary like this, but I usually end up going to WDW at the slower times, and only do my favorite favorites.

1. Haunted Mansion
2. Space Mountain FASTPASS Booth
3. Seasons of the Force stuff if still there
4. Pixie Hollow
5. Disney Gallery
6. The Royal Hall
7. Mickey's House
8. Minnie's House
9. Big Thunder Ranch Barbecue 5:20pm
10. Space Mountain
11. The Disneyland Story presenting Great Moments with Mr. Lincoln
12. Paint the Night
13. Disneyland Forever

Retire to Trader Sam's for a drink (or 20 depending on how the day goes, and if we can get in)

 

[RAPstar]

Itinerary Day 2:

Breakfast at Tangaroa Terrace, or the Coffee House, or at the park.

California Adventure:

1. Radiator Springs Racers FASTPASS Booth (Return Time: 11:05am-12:05pm approx)
2. California Screamin'
3. Mickey's Fun Wheel - Swinging
4. Silly Symphony Swings
5. Goofy's Sky School
6. Grizzly River Run
7. Animation Academy
8. The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror
9. Radiator Springs Racers
10. Soarin' Over California FASTPASS Booth (Return Time: 1:05pm-2:05pm approx)
11. Disney ¡Viva Navidad! 11:45am
12. Disney's Aladdin - A Musical Spectacular 12:25pm
13. Soarin' Over California 1:40pm
14. Carthay Circle Restaurant 11:30am WOC package
15. Buena Vista Street Holiday Tree Lighting
16. Take a break from the park (swim, check out Grand Cali, whatnot)
17. dinner w/me and Mike at Steakhouse 55 for his b-day
18. Mater's Junkyard Jamboree
19. Sorcerer's Workshop
20. World of Color Celebrate 10:15pm

 

[RAPstar]

Itinerary Day 3:

Breakfast somewhere (maybe DTD, or in the park), or early lunch at Plaza Inn

Disneyland:

1. Space Mountain
2. Matterhorn Bobsleds
3. it's a small world
4. Roger Rabbit's Car Toon Spin
5. Alice in Wonderland
6. Mr. Toad's Wild Ride
7. Jungle Cruise
8. Space Mountain FASTPASS Booth (Return Time: 12:30pm-1:30pm approx)
9. Snow White's Scary Adventures
10. Cafe Orleans 11:30am (yes we're doing this and Blue Bayou, if BB would have lunch F! packages then it would solve the problem of wanting to get a monte cristo, lol)
11. Peter Pan's Flight
12. Finding Nemo Submarine Voyage
13. Space Mountain
14. A Christmas Fantasy Parade 2pm
15. Star Tours: The Adventures Continue
    
16. Sleeping Beauty Castle Walkthrough
17. Pinocchio's Daring Journey
18. Storybook Land Canal Boats
19. Mickey and the Magical Map 3:30pm
20. Blue Bayou 7:30pm F! package
21. Indiana Jones Adventure
22. Pirates of the Caribbean
23. Fantasmic! 10:45pm
24. Big Thunder Mountain Railroad
25. Haunted Mansion

 

[RAPstar]

Itinerary Day 4:

Storyteller's Cafe 7am
DCA for characters (Olaf and Oswald mainly), maybe the Frozen sing-along just cause I haven't done it yet lol
head back to airport (or something, my flight is 2 hours later than theirs)

 

[Disney127]

Sounds like a wonderful plan! Celebrating birthdays at Disney is awesome plus love the holidays at the parks. Looking forward to reading about your trip. We can't wait for our trip - so excited to be at Disney again!

 

[RAPstar]

Made a few cosmetic changes, nothing big (well except the dinner at Steakhouse 55 for Mike's birthday). And here's a few more pics from my past visits to Disneyland, just cause.

I like this pic a lot, but you can barely see the castle. Poor short castle, lol. <3

Also, fun story, these pics are on concurrent days, except the Mickey pic. My first trips to DL/DCA were in January. It was warm-ish during the day when I went to DCA (the pic with Goofy), but when I was leaving after WOC, I tried to text someone about it and I couldn't move my fingers they were so cold. So the next day I wore the jacket to DL (and I'm still mad that I left that jacket on the plane to Chicago ) and I wore it all day, lol.

 

[macraven]

ok, found you and reading!

 

[tink1957]

I'm here and can't wait to hear about your latest adventures. Hopefully one day I'll make it to Disneyland.

 

[schumigirl]

Some great pics there already!!! Is the Disneyland Castle quite small??

Looking forward to reading of your plans........

 

[Lynne G]

I'm in. Great start. Ready to read about Disneyland during the 60th.

 

[RAPstar]

Just past the one month mark!! Can't wait!!!

 

[RAPstar]

Booked the DL express bus to the hotel today. Less than 2 weeks left. I also have a small surprise for the Monday I'm there that I'm being super hush hush about so stay tuned!! So excited!!!

 

[tink1957]

 

[RAPstar]

ONE MORE WEEK!!!

 

[RAPstar]

OMG, I'm so stressed out about this trip. I don't do crowds, I hate feeling rushed, I don't like crowds, I'm not that great at planning, and I really don't like crowds. Did I mention I don't like crowds? I've only ever really been to Disneyland when I was living in CA and would go pretty much every off day, so I never really had to "plan" anything. Even with WDW, the only thing I really have to plan anything other than ADR's. And the last time I was at DLR, the friend I was with planned everything cause they are extremely more type A than I am. And knowing how type A I am, I don't see this trip being relaxing at all, even during the planned relaxing times. Mainly the meals. It's times like this I wish they served alcohol in Disneyland itself. Maybe I'll just load up on mimosas before I go to the park. Or something. Ughhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh

 

[tink1957]

Relax Robbie...just breathe...you're going to Disneyland...you will have a blast.

 

[Lynne G]

AHH Robbie, it's like going home. You will be relaxed. Take it all in, and ignore the possible crowds. As a former regular, you can find places to chill and avoid a crowd. Gosh, so close, and so jealous! Have an awesome time!

 

[ADLFAN]

Try to remind yourself to go slow and soak up those awesome details, the music, the excited guests, the treats, and the shows! You have some super full days planned with big table service meals! I wouldn't be surprised if you couldn't keep up with that schedule, but don't be discouraged, just go with what works for you guys. And definitely try to enjoy the hot tub and awesome pool area at the GCH! I usually find that my plans go out the window in favor of what looks appealing to explore next! Have fun!!

 

[RAPstar]

Shocking news for those who know me or have read my previous TRs: I am just now packing. Repeat, I am just now packing. lol