1st DL Trip--3/18-3/23 **UPDATED 3/29--last days

[Snoopygirl]

Well, we're back!

The Cast:
Me: Disney!!! Never been to DL
DH: Loves Disney.....thanks to me! Never been to DL either
DD7: Loves all things Princess . Been to DL once w/ her grandparents in Summer '05
DD3: Ariel! Never been to DL

This was a surprise trip for our DD's for their birthdays. It was hard to not let DD7 have a party! She kept asking why she wasn't getting one and I coudln't tell her....well, because we're taking you to DL in 2 weeks! But we made up excuses and she forgot about it.

Sunday, Day 1

DH and I had packed Friday night (DD's stayed at grandparents house over night) so on Sat. night after they went to sleep, we packed up the car. We woke up and got ready and then packed all the last minute stuff before we woke up the girls. We told them that we had decided to go to the beach and they were excited about that. We were on the road at 7:30am
We got on I10 and headed to Cali!! I had made chicken salad and packed our lunch. We were going to stop at a rest area and eat lunch but....wouldn't you know, both rest areas were closed. Good thing I didn't have to go that bad!!! We ended up stopping at the outlet stores and eating in the parking lot. What a sight!!! It was sooooo windy and here we all are in shorts and t-shirts cause we left warm weather in AZ. We were just a bit chilly.
Anyway, back on the road we go. Both girls finally fell asleep, but not til we were about 10 mins. from DL! I got out the camera and snapped these shots

I got out the video camera so I could capture the reaction when they finally figured out where we were. DD7 woke up as we got closer and she was saying how it looked familiar.....like when she was w/ her grandparents. The she saw the sign for Disneyland Dr. and was like, hey, why does it say that?? I thought we were going to the beach. Then she finally put it all together. She was so excited. Then DD3 got excited too !

We were staying at the GCH on points and I was super excited about it. We pulled up and they got our bags out and then DH went and parked the car in the self park lot. Not paying $14/day to park our car!!! Me and the girls went in and got checked in and all. Our room wasn't ready....it was just before 3 at this time. So we decided to just relax and take in the beauty of the hotel. Then it started..........our DD3 was getting cranky!!! Ugh!!! She did not want to sit...didn't want to walk w/ us....didn't want to listen. I told DH to start calling to see if the room was ready yet. We called about 5 times and each time they said just 10-15 more minutes. Finally, it was 4:20 and they were telling us it still wasn't ready. I was getting upset and DH said you better just get us in a room!

So here we are....room 5325

The view from our balcony(slight DTD view)

We had a room w/ bunk beds. Loved the room. Very spacious and clean and I really liked the decor. It was very quiet too. And we were right around the corner from the elevator.

My plan for this night was to go to Knott's and have the chicken dinner and do some shopping in the stores. So that's what we did. We got there and the chicken rest. was packed! I guess everyone had the same idea. We didn't get there til 5:30 also, later than I had anticipated. So we rode thru and left. We ended going to Tilly's right there on the corner of DL drive. It was decent. Then we needed to get milk so we would have it for the mornings. We went to Target and they had absolutely no milk. Finally got it at the 7 Eleven.

So we got back to the hotel, finished unpacking, and went to bed. I thought having the bunk beds would be a great idea but it ended up being a really bad idea! Our DD3 did not want to sleep on the bottom by herself but yet she wouldn't stop talking when she was w/ her sister on the top. Finally, after what seemed like an eternity, they finally settled down and we all went to sleep.

Next up: Magic Kingdom for the first time!!!

 

[Snoopygirl]

Monday, Day 2

I woke up at 2:30am!!!! And I could not get back to sleep. I went and sat out on the balcony for a bit....but it was kinda cold. Played solitaire on the computer for an hour. Then just sat around waiting for a decent time to start to get ready. I was planning on going to MK at 8 since we get EE for staying at the resort. We all got dressed and ready. Had breakfast in our room. Then headed out!!!

It is sooooo nice to be so close to the park!!!! I am spoiled now. There is no way I could stay anywhere else! We walked to the gates and waited in line. Then, finally, the countdown....and in we went!!! We headed straight for Fantasyland. The castle, thought not as big and dramatic as WDW, is really pretty!!! I liked it a lot! And the girls thought it was cool walking across the bridge. DD3 wanted to ride Dumbo so that's where we went first. Now, at WDW, Dumbo is really popular and the lines forms right away. At DL...no line at all. Everyone was at Peter Pan. Good for us!

We rode that and then did the tea cups. The girls thought it was so funny to keep spinning and spinning and spinning. I got dizzy!!

We did a couple of other rides and then decided on the Matterhorn. Wow!!! That is a jerky ride! I can't believe we all went on it. I had DD7 w/ me and I was trying to hold on to her and enjoy the ride at the same time. That was hard. It was fun, though. We all liked it.

Now they decided they want to go on Buzz! Alright....fun stuff! Then back to Small World and the Princess Faire. We waited in line for the princesses for an hour....ugh! It wouldn't have been so bad if they let you take strollers in line. Our DD3 was running all over the place and DH had to keep chasing her. They really should let you keep them in strollers til you get to the front of the line! We finally got our turn!! Yeah...princesses!!!! We got lucky cause Princess Aurora was getting ready to take a break and Cinderella was coming....so we got 4 instead of 3....woo-hoo. Here are some pics......

It was 11:30 now and I had made ressies at the Carnation Cafe for 12 so we headed over there. We sat down and ordered and got to relax a bit. The girls had the PB&J (so cool!) and I had the Baked Potato soup and 1/2 Turkey Sand. DH had the Chicken Pot Pie. My soup was delicious and the sand. was good too. DH liked his meal and the girls had so much fun making their sandwiches!

After lunch we went to Adventureland and rode the Jungle Cruise. The line for Indiana Jones had a 40 min. wait so we thought we would do that the next morning before we went to CA. We wandered around and made our way to POTC. We got in line and it went pretty fast. By this time of the day, the park was getting crowded. But it wasn't too bad. I loved POTC!!!! I think I like it better than the one in WDW. It was really good. After that we went to HM. Liked that too and the girls weren't scared. It was good that DD3 wasn't scared to go on rides and stuff. We had been to WDW in Sept. and she didn't want to go on stuff and she would not go near any characters, only princesses. She was doing really good on this trip!!

By this time, I really wanted to ride Space Mountain!! So we went to Tomorrowland. We did the child swap for the first time on this trip. I went on first w/ DD7 while DH stayed w/ DD3. It did not go over too well. She was upset that she couldn't go on. But she got over it soon. Now, I'm torn on this ride. I really liked it....liked having the music and all. But it seems darker at WDW. Here, you could see the whole track. So, I like both about the same

Now, we had to leave that park....DD3 had an accident (I had been potty training for a month before and it wasn't going well!) So we went back to the room. I had made sure that everyone understood that since we were DVC, we would not have housekeeping. So we all hung our towels up and all. But, we get to the room and we had housekeeping!!! All fresh towels and beds were made. OK....maybe this was just a fluke. We changed and went back to the park.

Went on some more rides, walked around, shopped, and then found our spot for the parade. We got there a 1/2 before it started and got some popcorn and settled in. We were right by the ropes and had a CM standing there and she got all the kids up and out in the middle doing stuff and having fun w/ them. It was really cute.

After the parade we headed to Tomorrowland and got pizza at the Pizza Port. Very expensive pizza! It was just ok. It was getting late so we headed to Main Street, did a little shopping, then called it a night.

We got back to our room and we had turn down service!!! Wow, now this is really going to spoil me!! They had taken our DD's dolls and put them on our bed and took and photo and left us the photo on the bed!

I know....that doll has seen better days!!! But that doll is very loved and goes everywhere w/ us! She was at WDW too!!

Next up: Day 3---Calif. Adventure

 

[momto2nenas]

Great report so far! Love all the pics! Can't wait for more!

 

[MommyWithDreams]

Great pictures and awesome report cant' wait for more.

 

[CrAzY4DL]

Loving it!! Can't wait for more!!!

 

[bubblygrl]

Great report, and love the pics, can't wait for more!

 

[KimAshton]

Love this your DD's are so cute.

 

[Snoopygirl]

Day 3--Tues.

We decided to go to MK for the EE and ride Indiana Jones before going over to CA. So that's what we did. My DH and DD7 rode the ride first while I waited w/ DD3. It was another cloudy, gloomy day but at least we weren't sweating! When they finally got back, DD7 didn't want to go on it again w/ me.....no way am I going alone!! I begged her to go w/ me and she finally did. All I have to say is.........AWESOME!!! I loved everything....the que(sp?) is great, they really did an awesome job on it. The ride was great! Reminded me of Dinosaur at AK in WDW. But I think I liked this one better. While we were on this ride, DH and DD3 went to Tarzan's Tree House. They were just getting done w/ it when we met up w/ them. DH said it was neat but a lot of climbing! He was tired!

We walked around for a bit and then I said that we needed to get to the other park so we could do the Disney Visa Meet & Greet first before it ended. We left the park and got in line for CA. We decided to not get a stroller for DD7 at this point....she would walk for a while which she agreed to. We headed to Ariel's for the greet and it started to rain lightly. Oh man!!! Not this. We went in and nobody was there and we had Chip & Dale and stayed there for 15 mins. It was really nice. Here are some pics.

I was so happy that DD3 was not afraid of the characters any more! She had so much fun!!

We walked to the carousel and let the girls go on that.

Then it was time for California Screamin'!!!!!!!!!!!!! DD7 and I rode it first. Man, another great ride!!!!! We both loved it. Than DH and DD7 rode it while I tended to DD3 (who decided to have a tantrum for about 15 mins.) It was still raining a little at this point and I was wondering how the rest of the day would be. DD3 finally fell asleep so DH and DD7 went on the swings. She really like that! I remember going on those growing up in Jersey at Great Adventure!! Ha! Anyway, as I was waiting for them, the sun came out and I was like, alright, it's going to clear up and get nice. But it didn't. Oh well. We went on a couple of rides and then decided to get lunch. I had planned on going to White Water Snacks for lunch and we did. It was nice and relaxing and we had a good meal. Sorry, I forgot to take pics of our food!

We went back in the park and headed to the Muppet 3D show and did the Monsters Inc. ride. Now, I have never seen the movie so I had no idea what the ride meant....all those doors. I was like, what is the deal??? Maybe I should watch it! It was windy and cold by this point and we made our way over to Bug's Land. What a cute area!!! We went on the caterpillar ride and it started raining again! Ugh! So we decided to go back to the room and change and get ready for our dinner at Ariel's.

Here's my review of Ariels:
We had ressies for 5:30 and we only waited maybe 10 mins. We sat down and then 3 other tables were seated around us. They all got service before us! We waited and waited. It was 15 mins. before we got any drinks! Not a good start. So, we ordered our food. Not a good selection at all. They have changed it since I had made my ressies 2 months ago. The kids ONLY get carrot and celery sticks w/ ranch for appetizers. Come on....I like my kids to eat healthy but they should have a choice! My girls tried it and did not eat it....big waste. The waiter made us order our desserts too while ordering the rest. I looked at the kids desserts and only 2 choices: apple slices w/ caramel or vanilla yogurt w/ granola and fruit. I asked....no ice cream or something like that??? What gives? So I said bring one of each. I odered: Onion Soup, Chicken and Biscuit Pot Pie, and the Choc. Cake. DH ordered: Onion Soup, Meatloaf, and Apple Crisp. DD's both got the Octa dog w/ Mac n Cheese. So the menu is not correct (the one I found online anyway) No good desserts for the kids. So anyway, once the princesses start, they just keep coming and fast! We got our soup and I think I had 3 spoonfuls of it and our meal was served. It was not hot at all. Just warm. Not very good. I had mentioned when I made the ressies that we were celebrating both their b-days and they only did it for DD7. All the brought out was 1 scoop of ice cream in a bowl w/ a candle. Not choc. sauce or whipped cream or anything. I didn't even say anything about DD3. I just wanted to get out of there. We got the bill---$87 and they added the tip in already. I wouldn't have given our server $11 for a tip!! He was not good at all.
Needless to say, we will not return to this place! But they did enjoy the princesses.....just make sure you are ready for them, they go fast!

After that, we headed back to Bug's Land to do the rest of the rides there. The girls had so much fun.....and so did we!

Then we went back to ride the Zephyr and Mohulland's Ma0dness before the park closed. It was cold and we froze on the Zephyr! Then we went to the store at the front of the park and picked up our free 5 x 7 photo of the Disney Visa Meet and Greet. It turned out pretty good.

We walked over to DL and stopped in the Blue Ribbon Bakery (which we visited quite often on our trip) and got hot chocolate to warm us up. We rode on IASW and POTC and each one we had our own boat! That was cool. It was neat being there so late because it wasn't crowded at all. We just walked around and shopped some. Then we decided to take the monorail out of the park to DTD to leave that way. That was a fun ride and we got to see into the Nemo ride. That is going to be cool! Then it was back to our room and out for the night.

We did miss a lot of rides at CA....but we will be back some day and be able to do more!

Here are some pics from the day...

 

[ozbrooke]

Loved your trip report and you got some great photos - I loved the parade photos!

 

[Snoopygirl]

Wednesday--Day 4

We did our usual breakfast in the room and then headed out to DL. We hadn't been to Toon Town yet so that's where we headed first. I reallly liked it. It was very cute and I think I like it better than the one in WDW. We walked around and then headed into Minnie's house. Then went to Mickey's house next door. I didn't realize that this is where you go to see Mickey. It was very crowded in the house and I was like....why is there a line??? Oh...this is the line to see the big guy! Well, that took and hour!!!! This is where I got cranky but we stayed in line and saw him!

It was already almost 12 and I had wanted the girls to do the Jr. Chef thing so we headed over. There was a CM standing outside and I told her we wanted to do the 1pm class and I didn't know if we needed to sign up or anything. She said it wasn't busy and to just come back before 1. So we walked down Main Street for a bit, went to the restroom, and were back at 12:50. Well, there were kids just putting their hats on up on the porch and I told DH to go ask if they started yet. The girl said yes and that she was by herself and couldn't take anymore and that we needed to be there 45 minutes before the time. Well, I was so mad and upset!!! I couldn't believe it....I was so excited for my girls to do this. Man, so we walked away and I found a bench so I could have a pity party for a minute. Then I got up and decided to not get so upset about it.

The kids wanted to ride Buzz.........again! So we did. Our DD3 just gets so excited on this ride....it's too cute!

After that, we got fastpasses for Autopia then walked over to BTMRR. The line was long so we walked around in the New Orleans area. I really like the area here....it's so quaint. And I found the door!

We made our way back to BTMRR and DD3 was just tall enough to ride so we hopped in line. It didn't take too long and soon we were on. It was a blast and DD3 loved it. She is a true rider!!! I'm lovin' it. Then we went back to Autopia and got on. I liked this way better than the one in WDW. Except that my car seemed to go sooooo slow. DH and DD7 were in the same lane in front of us. They stopped a couple of times and I still couldn't catch up to them.

We decided to head back to the hotel for a break, change DD3, and decide what to do for dinner. We took the monorail out of the park. When we were back in the room, I called the front desk to see if they could get us in to Storytellers Cafe. They could and we got ready and headed down. The restaurant is very big and the decor is very nice. You can either have the buffet or order off the menu. We decided to just order from the menu. I got the Spaghetti, DH got the Baked Chicken, DD3 got Chicken Strips, and DD7 got the Create Your Own Pizza. It was all very good.....WAAAAAY better than our dinner at Ariel's the night before!!! I don't ever order spaghetti out but I was in the mood for it and let me tell you.....it was sooooooo good!!!

making her pizza

ready for the oven

ready to eat!

DH's Chicken

spaghetti

Chicken Strips

After dinner.....we went back to the park!!! Our last night...boo-hoo. The kids wanted to go back to Toon Town and ride the rollercoaster. That's a fast one! Then we made our way to the play area by Goofy's house and stayed there for a 1/2 hour so the kids could run and play.

DD7 really wanted to ride Space Mountain again. The wait was 50 mins!!! UGH! But she begged me to ride it again. DH said we could just go on and he would stay w/ DD3. They decided to go in Honey, I Shrunk The Audience and then they would ride Buzz again. So we go get in line. Oh man, we went up to the roof and inched, and inched around. I was so tired and then we were thirsty. But we knew it would be worth it in the end. We had a blast!!!! Great way to end the trip! We met up w/ DH and DD and rode Space Orbiter and then headed down Main Street. I couldn't believe after all this planning and waiting, that it was going to be over soon. Bummer!!!

Next up: Our last day at the GCH and then Newport Beach and Hollywood.

 

[disneyfanatic4]

I enjoyed your TR and absolutely loved your photos. Thanks for sharing

 

[Snoopygirl]

Thursday--Day 5 & Friday--Day 6 Our last day at Disney

We woke and had to pack. Man, I hate to leave! We had so much fun and I really love Disneyland!!!
We called down to Bell Services and had them take our bags and hold them for us. We were going to walk around DTD and have lunch and possibly stay long enough for the kids to do the Grand Quest at 4pm.

Off we went to DTD. We walked down to the Lego store.

Then we walked toward the Disneyland Hotel. There's the hat!! Got a couple of pics and then we walked around in the lobby and the gift shop. Wow, this gift shop was way bigger and better than the one at the GCH!

DD's in the DLH Lobby

We did some more walking around and then we started to get hungry for lunch. There is a Wetzel Pretzel at DTD and I have never had one of the hot dogs there so that is what we decided on. They were really good. We all enjoyed them. And we had some of the yummy strawberry lemonade too. We sat and enjoyed our lunch and took a break. It was a beautiful day and the sun was finally out and shining. I went in the confectionary store and bought a couple of egg shaped rice krispie treats for the DD's for their Easter basket and them got them the Mickey shaped ones to eat right away.

Then it was time to go into The World Of Disney. We did some damage in there! Ugh!

DD3 started to get cranky and was whining and all and my DH didn't feel like waiting til 4 for them to do the Grand Quest so we headed back in the hotel and asked for our bags. DH went and got the car and we packed it up. "Bye Disney." We'll definitely be back!! Soon, I hope!

We had ressies at Best Western Newport so we headed there. It took longer than I thought to get there because of the traffic. The kids were looking forward to going to the beach and playing in the sand. We finally got there and checked in. The place was small but it wasn't that bad. The rooms had just be redone and they are quite roomy. The bathroom was huge. We got the girls changed into their suits and made our way to the beach. It was windy and a little chilly but they didn't care. They had a blast playing and feeling the water.

I grew up in New Jersey and went to Long Beach Island every summer (my grandparents had a house there) and I just looooooove the beach. That is the one thing that I miss the most about Jersey. I just sat on the towel and took it all in........so beautiful!!!!

After about an hour, we went back and bathed the girls and headed out to find some dinner. We drove along PCH and made our way to Ruby's Diner. We ate too much cause we all got ice cream.

The next day I wanted to go back to Knott's and do some shopping. I am a huge Snoopy fan and I couldn't be that close and not go. We strolled around and bought a few things for my parents and I got a couple of things for myself. When we got back to the car, we decided we should head home to AZ. Then my DH was like, hey, I thought you wanted to go to Mickey's Soda Shop in Hollywood? I thought we should just leave but I could tell he wanted to go. So we headed there. Man, the traffic in CA is just awful!!!! We finally got there, found a parking lot, and went into the soad shop for lunch.

When we were done our meal, we headed out to the street and walked over to the Chinese Theatre.

We got back on the road and headed back to AZ. Boo-hoo. Vacation is over.
Now it's time to start planning our next trip! We are going back to WDW in Sept. '08 and hopefully we can do Disneyland again in '09.

We had a great trip and I loved the GCH!! Disneyland is great. It was cool walking there and knowing the Walt had walked there at one time.

Thanks for reading!!!

 

[tinkermell]

What a great TR. I loved all of your pictures, and your girls are adorable. Lucky you, already planning your next trips!!!

 

[Alex2kMommy]

I loved your TR! Your daughters are adorable, and such fashionable littlel Disney fans with the Crocs, Disney t-shirts and jackets and pin lanyard! Even DD3's little puppy backpack/leash!

I'm sorry you missed out on the birthday party thing; someone else posted they'd been told the same thing: It isnt' busy, come back later. And the same thing happened to them! The birthday party CMs need to stop telling people that!

 

[rentayenta]

Love the trip report and pictures. What a beautiful family you have.