1st trip to Disneyland and so much more! updated 6/26 with stars!!

[mommaU4]

So off we went to Red Rock Canyon.

Hi there! Love your TR so far! Your kids are so cute.
And I just had to post when I saw the Red Rock Canyon pics because I don't live that far from there. Maybe a 5-10 minute drive.

 

[Disneynut71]

Wednesday

Back to DCA. For some reason I did not bring my camera to the park at all today. I have no pictures

Arrived about 10 mins before opening so we sat on a bench and developed a game plan for the day. DS wanted to ride the rapids again so he did a quick ride there and DD and I watched Muppet 3D. I really wish they would change the movie on this. It is really getting old.

DS caught back up with us and we rode Monsters Inc again (we just love this) and ran over and saw Playhouse Disney. Now DD and I saw the traveling show of Playhouse Disney Live and this was almost the same show. I Like the older version with Bear in the big blue house and winnie the pooh but DD loved this version. As long as she is happy, thats all that matters.

I asked DD is she was interested in riding Tower of Terror. She said yes and was very excited. DS chicken out and said he would wait for us at the exit. DD was very brave. A few girls around 8 or 9 years old were freaking out but DD stayed strong. I explaned to her how the ride goes so she was ready.

The one at DCA is a bit different then DHS. When the elevator goes up it moves forward at DHS which is what I thought would happen at DCA so I was very surprised when it dropped all of a sudden. The ride was great. DD was so short you couldn't see her in the picture. lol. She said the ride was fun but was no where near ready to ride it again.

Kids were a bit tired and wanted to go and swim. We decided to head back to the hotel. As we were leaving the park DS found the magic cart. Let me tell you DS would be absorbed with this the rest of the day. He spent at least an hour there and spent a good chunk of his birthday money. DD and I checked out the princess gear at World of Disney which is always fun.

By the time we got back to the hotel I was exhausted. I made sandwiches for the kids and we laid down for a rest.

After our nap DD decided she wanted to wear another of her princess dresses. She decided for what she calls "red dress Belle". Now I have learned from the past year of wanted to dress as a princess to do her hair.

Since I had several people ask I will explain a bit. I put some hair gel in her hair and pull her hair back in a ponytail. From there I put her hair in four parts Spary with Hairspray and curl down and pin. Once I do all four sides I spread the hair to make what looks like a bun. Pin to hold any extra hair and spray. I add spary glitter and a crown.

I forgot I had a picture on my cell phone.

Back to DCA and headed over to Bugs Land. It's tough to Be a Bug. One of my favorites. It was great to see. Just missed the Tree of Life. My DD loved all the rides there. We had to ride them twice.

Tortilla factory and bread factory. Nice but small. DS wanted to ride the Sun Wheel. I took one look and no way could I get on there. I hate that the seats rock back and fourth and when they are sliding I can't do it.

Time for one more ride. DS wanted to ride Orange Stinger. DD is not tall so we again shopped while DS rode.

We Left DCA and decided to go across the way and head into Disneyland. Just walked around had some dinner at Village haus. Park was busy tonight. DS wanted to ride Matterhorn again and DD wanted to ride Alice. After the ride we started to walk back and found Toon Town. All I can say is Much Much better then WDW. We were floored we haven't been back here sooner. The best was no one was back there. Maybe 20 people total. Roger Rabbit's Car Toon Spin was a blast and the kids had fun running around the post office and such. Gadget's Go Coaster was fun. Kids wanted to ride and ride and ride. I tried to get off but they wouldn't let DD ride without me on. so after the third time I had to call it quits.

We wandered into the 5 and 10 and found the coolest thing. You can make your own ears. The kids had so much fun and the cost about the same of regular ears. We had so many people ask us where we got them. I am so surprised that is the only place in the park you can get them.

Park was closed after that. We headed back to the hotel and crashed shortly after we got in. Going to try for Magic Mornings...if we can wake up.

 

[IndyBride]

It sounds like you've had a fabulous trip so far! You kids look like they are having so much fun! But- I'm confused- did your DS get a hair cut?

 

[Disneynut71]

It sounds like you've had a fabulous trip so far! You kids look like they are having so much fun! But- I'm confused- did your DS get a hair cut?

Yes! After one day in the heat he was begging to chop his hair off.

 

[kmab00]

I'm just joining in here! Great report! I love your little girl's hat! That is too cute!! We were in DL in April too and it was SO COLD so I feel your pain! Great trip report and great pictures! I love your little girl's dresses! Too cute!!

 

[Disneynut71]

I'm just joining in here! Great report! I love your little girl's hat! That is too cute!! We were in DL in April too and it was SO COLD so I feel your pain! Great trip report and great pictures! I love your little girl's dresses! Too cute!!

I have been reading your trip report as well. Your post of Hollywood reminded me of some of our sights you posted. I will post a some in a few days.

 

[Disneynut71]

Thursday...Magical Mornings

We made it!! I was so surprised we made it to Magical Mornings. DD dressed in her Cinderella Dress. Figure finally we can ride Nemo. We rush over and it's down...big surprise. CM told us at least a few hours. Doesn't look like we will be riding Nemo this trip

Figure we will try Space Mountain...Yeah 5 min wait. My DD has claimed this is her favorite at Disneyland!

DS wanted to ride the other two mountains, but DD wanted to hit princess faire. We started walking over jumped on Buzz Lightyear (5 min wait) then Star Tours (no Wait) Let DS ride the mountains and then ran to Princess Fantasy Faire.

DD was in her glory. Started making a crown then story time with Cinderella. We had a few minutes before the Coronation Ceremony so we took a few pics and DD danced around.

Coronation started and DD was so happy. Dancing around. Mulan, Aurora and Belle was there. Was worth the wait. DD will never forget.

After we bought the decorate a cookie kit. DD was so excited...but it wasn't until she decorated the entire cookie she told me she didn't want to eat it and to give it to brother. Brother was more then happy to eat it!

We plan on hitting the beach today so we decided to head out. We jumped on the train. Today was the first day we rode the train back to station. I was very surprised when we saw the desert and dinosaurs. Very, Very cool.

Left the park and started talking about where we were going to eat lunch. We walked into Grand California and found White Water Snacks. This was a great Counter Service. One of the best of the trip. This was our first time we spotted a cat.

Kids and I had to do a double take. A cat walking around a resort. Kids wanted to take it home..

Please mom.

After we ate we walked back to our hotel and got our stuff together for the beach.

FYI, The resort keeps driving directions for all the local sights. Guest Services gave us directions to the beach and Hollywood (where we were going on Friday) and off we went.

Gotta go for now...be back later for part 2

 

[kmab00]

Love that dress and her hair...how cute!! I didn't know that the desk kept driving directions for all of those places! That's one of the main reasons we didn't rent a car ourselves...for fear of getting lost!!

Great update! Can't wait for more!!

 

[Disneynut71]

Thursday...Part II

We decided to head to Huntington Beach. Hopped in the car and we were on our way. We were so excited once we saw the ocean. The view was beautiful.

We decided to swim a bit...hey we have never seen the ocean before have to take a swim. DD was afraid of the waves so at first she wouldn't go any further then her feet. DS was body surfing.

DD and I started collecting shells. We found the further we went in the water the larger the shells. I think we collected about 30 different size shells.

DD finally would allow me to walk her up to my waist high. We were having fun until a big wave crashed into our faces. Ouch salt water and eyes do not mix well. We tasted the water a bit too. Very surprised on how salty the water is.

Before we knew it 3 hours had gone by and we were hungry. We changed our clothes and walked back to the car. I grabbed my camera and money and decided we would eat at the beach, but first some more pictures.

My son decided to pose for his GQ cover...

Can't forget the princess shot

We decided to have dinner at Ruby's

I was a bit worried going to a place on the pier, but it was very cool. They seated us on the second floor with a view of the ocean.

The kids liked it...

Kids got paper cars that they got to put together and stickers to fix it up.

I had the Santa Fe Turkey Burger...which was sooooooooo good. Kids had grill cheese and fries.

While we were eatting we saw the coolest thing, Dolphins jumping in and out of the water. I couldn't get pictures they were just too fast. We will always remember this place and will visit again when we visit Cali again.

Here are a few more pics...

I captured a beautiful sunset...cont

 

[Disneynut71]

Our Beach Sunset...

I have never just stopped and see the sunset. I just had to share.


Tomorrow Hollywood....

 

[quest4dl]

Really enjoying your trip report! Oh my! Both your kids are so adorable! Our trip overlapped with some of your trip too.

Btw, we're kind of 'neighbors' - we live in Schaumburg. Your kids seemed to manage the time difference pretty well. Mine were pretty pooped by 9:30 p.m. (boys ages 7 (nearly 8) and 11).

 

[Disneynut71]

Really enjoying your trip report! Oh my! Both your kids are so adorable! Our trip overlapped with some of your trip too.

Btw, we're kind of 'neighbors' - we live in Schaumburg. Your kids seemed to manage the time difference pretty well. Mine were pretty pooped by 9:30 p.m. (boys ages 7 (nearly 8) and 11).

I see you stayed at the Grand Californian. We want to try that next time. I hope to stay in the new Villas.

I was surprised by the kids being so awake as well. They slept later in the morning, which stinks for me since I am so use to waking up at 5 everyday. I would just sit around till 9 when they would wake up.

 

[quest4dl]

I see you stayed at the Grand Californian. We want to try that next time. I hope to stay in the new Villas.

I was surprised by the kids being so awake as well. They slept later in the morning, which stinks for me since I am so use to waking up at 5 everyday. I would just sit around till 9 when they would wake up.

Well I admit I was pretty militaristic (is that a word? - lol!) about getting them up early for magic mornings. It gets pretty busy by early June so it makes a huge difference in the amount of wait time if you can make it to Magic Mornings - we had them 3 out of our 4 days at the park. The first day they got up easily and it got progressively harder to get them up - partly because they were adjusting to PST and partly because the long park days were taking their toll. They were old enough, however, to understand the merits of getting up early (we were at the gates by 6:30 a.m. and none of us are normally early risers!). We did take short breaks during the day and tried to head back by 9:30 p.m.

The GC is a beautiful hotel but pricey - fortunately we had a decent discount since we had a senior (my mother) with us. I booked on the premise that I was unlikely to head back to California anytime soon. However, we had such a good time, I'm going to have to re-think that but this time we'll stay cheaper at HOJO's. The kids are older now and we didn't need the daily pool breaks like we used to.

 

[chrissiecutie]

Great pics!

 

[Disneynut71]

HOORAY FOR HOLLYWOOD​

It's Friday and today we head for Hollywood!!!

But first I have to drive to my cousin's house in Simi Valley. She tells me oh it shouldn't take longer then an hour..... boy was she wrong!!!

We passed 3 accidents and 2 1/2 hours later we finally made it. Got the quick tour of the house and out the door we went.

Hollywood, my entire life I wanted to see it. I know I only seen a very small part but it was smaller then I expected but still very cool.

It was kinda funny, my cousin tells me we will see the walk of fame, Grauman's Chinese Theatre and El Captain. As soon as she said El Captain I was overly excited I said with joy" I want to go to the Disney Soda Fountain" but more on that later.

First things first...my Cousin explained a few things first.

1. do not take pictures with characters unless I plan to pay.
2. If I do take pictures with or of them and don't plan to pay run or they will yell at you.

*note to self do not take pictures of characters

First the Hollywood sign. Oh I was so happy when I saw this. I have seen it in movies, on TV and books...etc but never in person. I took so many pics.

We also saw the Kodak Theatre

inside the mall

and outside

Grauman's Chinese Theatre

Here are a few prints I liked...

Donald Duck

The Harry Potter Crew

One of my favs...Julie Andrews

Tom Hanks

Last but not least Jack Nicholson

Cont...with the stars.........

 

[Disneynut71]

cont...Hollywood

On to the Walk of Fame!!

My son and I took so many pictures, the rest of this post will just be stars... I hope you enjoy....

One of the main reasons I came to California

A lovely Princess....

We wish to welcome you to Munchkin Land

I assume Walt should have one but I couldn't find it. Here is the next best thing...

Sorry it's a bit blurry. I was just so excited for what was coming next!!!!

 

[Laurabearz]

Great report! Fab Pictures!! Thanks for sharing and I can't wait to see more!

 

[perlster]

Hollywood, the geographic location (which is not a city) is small, but TV & film production in Los Angeles County has and does take place over a much larger area. Burbank, Universal City, Studio City, and Culver City all have major production facilities - and tours are available.

 

[Disneynut71]

Hollywood, the geographic location (which is not a city) is small, but TV & film production in Los Angeles County has and does take place over a much larger area. Burbank, Universal City, Studio City, and Culver City all have major production facilities - and tours are available.

Thank you for the info. I will look at those other tours on my next trip.

 

[Disneynut71]

Great report! Fab Pictures!! Thanks for sharing and I can't wait to see more!

Are you back from your trip?

I hope you had a great time if you are. Let me know if you write a trip report. I would love to read it.