A Rollercoaster of a Trip - Paradise Pier - Halloween time

[Mickeybell]

Hi Everyone! I am going to do my first ever trip report!!! I enjoy reading everyones TR so much I thought I would do my own.

Cast: Myself (Michele), my DS 10 Brandon and my DS 4 Matthew.
Hotel: Paradise Peir
Time: Halloween Time!!! Sept 18-22

There was so many changes to this Disneyland trip before it actually happened! First we were going to go for 3 days in May and stay at the Carousel Inn and my husband was going to go also. We had some family stuff come up so we decided to do another Christmas time trip. (We had gone at Christmas time last year and absolutely loved it!) Since we were going to go at Christmas time and we had more time to save we changed the time to 5 days and decided to try a mini suite room at the Best Western Park Place Inn.

Well as you can see that didnt happen! My husband told me he probably was not going to be able to take any time off so I should still go but take my Mom instead. I was super excited to go with my Mom. We have such a close relationship. The last time I went with her to Disneyland was when my oldest was just 2 yrs old.

My mom and me decided that we didnt want to wait all the way till Christmas time so we made plans for Halloween time! The rates at the Paradise Pier were actually less then the BWPP so we decided to stay there. Which was beyond perfect because that was were we stayed on our trip back in 2004.

We were so excited planning every detail. What rides we were going to go on first... where we were going to eat.

The night before our trip we spent the night at my Mom's house to make it easier in the morning to go to the airport together.
That night we got a phone call saying my Uncle (my moms brother) had passed away. He had been sick for a long time and we knew that he wasnt doing well but that doesnt make it any easier. They live back East and my Mom flew out the next day.

We left the next morning to Disneyland. It was really hard to be excited and happy. I was trying really hard for my boys sake.

So I have never traveled alone before so this was definately a new experience for me. We get to the airport and I am dragging all my junk to the check in spot. Then going through security was a little nerve racking. Me and my husband usually drive. I stop at the Starbucks by our gate and got myself a Cafe Mocha and my boys some chocolate milk and some muffins.
We get to our gate and get all settled but then they changed it to a differant gate. Ok no probelm lets pick up all our junk and drag it over to the other gate. But then.. oh wait ... where is the kids carry on. Ahhhh! We run back over to the first gate and yeah there it is! Ok back to the right gate.

I decide to check what time it is on my phone and it wont turn on. I play with it for a few and then it turns on but the picture is upside down. That cant be good. Then its dead again. I tried to take the battery out and the SIM card out. Still no luck. (And yes it was fully charged.) At this point I can just feel the tears start welling up in my eyes. I am not going to start crying, my kids have been so looking forward to this trip. We are going to have a great time Dang It!

We get on the airplane and my boys are so thrilled. Its pretty much their first plane trip (my DS10 flew when he was 2 but doesnt really remember it too much). My DS4 Matthew kept saying "This is my first plane ride!" over and over again.

We finally get to the hotel and it is so nice! We got to the hotel around 12:30 PM. I know that the room probably wont be ready but I am really hoping it is. It would be great to get everything settled before we head off to the park. We check in and the lady on the desk was super nice. And yeah our room is ready! She gave my boys each a balloon (that made them even more happy if that is possible).

The room was great. I am spoiled now. We usually stay on Harbor blvd but now I want to stay at the Disneyland hotels. He He!!

Lamp over the bed.

Cute Mickey Lamp

Our standard room view. We didnt go swimming but the slide and pool area looked really nice!

 

[Mickeybell]

So after leaving a message from the hotel room phone for both my Mom and my husband to let them know we got there safely off to the parks we head! And we get met by these happy guys!

Ok now I am starting to feel the Disneyland magic wash over me. I am feeling really excited and happy.

We head over to Its A Small World. That has been our family tradition since the boys were born. We always go on it first. There is nothing like that song to make you feel the happyness that is Disneyland!

Here we go!

We had tried to get Fast Passes to Star Tours when we got to Disneyland but they were all gone for the day.
Next we need to eat something. We are all straving! We decide to just grab a quick bite over at the Pinocchio restuarant (name?). My burger was GREAT but I think it was just because I was so hungry!!!

After our lunch we stayed in Fantasyland for a few and rode Casey Jr.

Yeah! We are wild animals!!!

Next over to the Tea cups for the first of many rides!!!

Cool view of the Matterhorn from the Tea Cups

Some great Halloween/Fall decorations over by the Big Thunder Round Up area

We decide that we want to go on Pooh Bear next then back over to Buzz lightyear. This is a theme of this trip... one side of the park to the next, back to the other side again! Ha Ha! If my husband was with us this definately would not have happened! He likes to be much more organized and orderly then me. My feet would later regret my park touring stratage or lack there of!

After a few more fantasyland rides (yes I told you we were back and forth!) and a look at the tinkerbell area at night we decided to grab a couple Mickey pretzels and watch the fireworks. We went infront of IASW and sat down, ate our pretzels and only had to wait 15 minutes for the fireworks. We had a great view. This was the first time we have ever watched them from here and we really enjoyed it. We didnt feel like staking out a spot a waiting for a long time infront of the castle. This spot is a great alternative if you have seen the fireworks before. And they do images on the face of IASW which I didnt know!

Here we are waiting for the fireworks to start. mmmm yummy mickey pretzels!

After the show we decide that we are all reallly tired so we head back to our room for the night.

My bed was so soft and comfy! We were all out cold in a matter of minutes!

 

[mommaU4]

Hi, love your report so far! I'm sorry about the passing of your uncle. As you said, even knowing it's coming, it's still never easy.

Your boys are adorable! And I love all your photos. Really looking forward to more.

 

[pattyduke34]

Great trip report so far....sorry about the passing of your uncle...Sounds like you are making this a geat trip no matter what! Looking forward to more!!

 

[WDWJonasGirl]

Subscribing!!

 

[Mickeybell]

We started our first full day with the Mickey Character breakfast at the Paradise Pier. Our package through the Disney Travel company came with a free character meal. My little guy has always been terrified of the BIG characters, but this time he was sure that he was not going to be afraid of them and was really looking forward to meeting them and getting their autographs.

Happy to meet Mickey!

Well... that was until he actually saw Mickey and the terror resurfaced!

This picture is kinda blurry of my big guy with Mickey because I was trying to assure my DS4 that he did not need to meet Mickey at the same time I was trying to quickly snap this pic.

My DS4 wanted nothing to do with this resturant and wanted to leave immediately! I told him he didnt need to talk to any of the characters but we were going to stay because his brother wants to meet them. After a bit of talking, I got him to calm down and enjoy his breakfast.

The boys really liked there meals, especially pizza for breakfast.

I didnt really care for mine too much but I am also not a huge buffet kinda of person.
There was only 3 characters walking around which was Ok for us because of DS4. But I remember going to Goofys kitchen before DS4 was born and we had way more characters than that.

We saw Daisy

Goofy

Goofy hiding his eyes like Matthew

And lastly Stich. He was very fun and silly.

Stich sitting at our table hiding his face into the wall like Matthew.

After our breakfast I headed over to the Disney Travel Company office in downtown disney. When we had checked in the day before the lady at the front desk told us to contact them about my mom not being able to come. I knew the ticket was nonrefundable but I figured what the heck and gave them a call. They gave us $200 in food vouchers for the unused ticket which was super great to me! They didnt need to do anything but they did and that was really nice.

So now off to California!

We walked onto Soaring! No wait at all yet. This was DS4 first time on Soaring and he absolutely LOVED it! He was laugh so hard the whole time. It is definately my favorite memory of this trip.
Next was Little Mermaid which was also a walk on! Cute ride.

Toy Story Mania broke down while waiting in line so we decided to save that one for later.
Usually I dont go on the Mickey Death Wheel but since I was the only adult there and my little guy wanted to go on it, I had to be brave!

We rode a few more rides, tried to do Goofys Sky school but is was broken down, so another one we will try to do later.

We then go through the maze of construction walls over to Monsters and Disney Jr.

With all the contruction walls up we actually forgot to head over to Bugs Land. Oops. Another thing for later.

We ate lunch at Taste Pilots Grill. Oh Yummy Ribs. So good! Sorry I didnt get any pictures I was too excited to eat!

We decided to try Grizzley River. Only my DS10 has been on it with his Dad on a previous trip. Well I felt bad for the other people in our raft. We had a screaming crying siren (DS4 not me Ha Ha) the whole ride. Oh well what are you gonna do?

After the terror of Grizzly we went back on Soaring to cheer the little guy up.

Next back over to Disneyland

I love going all the way around the park on the Disneyland train!

My DS10 went on Matterhorn all by himself (DS4 thinks its too fast)
He is getting so big, sometimes it feels like he was just 4 and I blinked and now he is 10!

My two happy boys!

That evening we stopped by the lego store and of course had to get some cool lego stuff!

We finally head back to our room and waiting for us was a tray with a glass of red wine, cookies and milk! Yeah! My husband had that sent up for us. So sweet! And yeah I could use a glass of wine!
I give my hubby a quick call on the hotel phone to thank him.

I also gave my mom a call because she had left me a message to call her back. She wanted to let me know what was going on with the funeral arrangements for my uncle. While we were on the phone we got disconnected twice...So I called her back each time.

Well... like I said yesterday this is my first time ever really traveling by myself and I always have my cell phone but it broke too. I knew I was calling long distance on a hotel phone and knew it would cost a lot more than normal. But I had no idea what bill I had instore for me... (more on that tommorrow).

 

[tksbaskets]

What a great trip report! I love your mix of pictures and prose. Thanks for sharing!

Looking forward to more.

TK

 

[reyasmommy]

Oh my goodness your boys are super adorable.

Quick question.... I'm currently trying to decide on where to stay for our trip. We're the beds are PPH hotel comfortable? Did you LOVE it there? On a scale from 1 to 10, what would you say?

I'm trying to decide if I want to spend the entire trip there. Or stay at Disneyland Hotel for 3 nights and 2 at the fairfield.

 

[Mickeybell]

Oh my goodness your boys are super adorable.

Quick question.... I'm currently trying to decide on where to stay for our trip. We're the beds are PPH hotel comfortable? Did you LOVE it there? On a scale from 1 to 10, what would you say?

I'm trying to decide if I want to spend the entire trip there. Or stay at Disneyland Hotel for 3 nights and 2 at the fairfield.

I actually really liked the Paradise Pier. We are used to staying at the hotels over on Harbor so that is more of what I have to compare it to. I felt like it was so much more magical staying at a Disney Hotel. We never left the magic. There was little Disney touches all over the room. The CM were all really nice. I have to say my bed was SOOOOO comfortable! I have a bad lower back and I usually sleep really bad when I am in a bed besides my own. I slept better those 4 nights then I have at any other hotel ever.

The only complant I have about the hotel was the elevators. Oh my godness! If you are leaving or coming back at a peak time it takes multiple times to get on an elevator. Definately frustrating when its late at night and you are tired!

It is much better than any of the hotels I have stayed at on Harbor (Fairfield, Camelott, Carousel). I did stay at the Disneyland Hotel quite a few years back and I think that one is even more "Disney" (if that makes sense) then the Paradise Peir. Next time if we can afford it I would really like to stay at the Disneyland Hotel with the new rooms. But I would want to make sure all the construction is done.

I would definatley stay at the Paradise Pier again! I already told my husband that he is in trouble because now I am spoiled. Ha Ha.

I dont know if any of that helps but no matter where you stay Im sure you will have a wonderful time!

 

[Mickeybell]

Hi! Back to do more of my TR.

Well as I had mentioned on this morning I realized just how expensive it is to use a hotel phone. That morning I had gotten up around 5am (by accident I did not really wanted to wake up that early!) to find a letter under my door. It said my charges so far at the hotel was $318 and my credit card had been declined. AHHHHHHH. Oh my god. I only had a small credit card with me with a $300 limit. I wasnt planning on charging anything to the hotel so I figured it would be ok. That couldnt all be from the phone could it?
I went into freaking out panic mode. I counted exactly how much money we had, how much I still had on my Disney Gift Cards, and how much I had in food vouchers. OK... I still have plenty... We will be fine.
So I called the front desk and they nicely explained that yes that was all from the phone. I went down and paid the $300 with my credit card and the remaining 18 with cash. I was told I didnt need to put cash down but I would not be able to have "phone or charging privileges". I was beyond embarrassed!
I guess everytime I dailed a number it cost $25. Wow...live and learn.

This morning was our magic morning. The park opened at 9am for MM so we got there around 8:40. We got so many rides done this day! We went on Peter pan first of course!

Picture of the crocodile while waiting to get on Peter Pan. My DS4 LOVES that crocodile!

Mr Toads Wild Ride

In front of the little door by Alice. I couldnt believe my DS10. His head touches the wood roof! I have pictures of him next to this door when he was way smaller then the door!

I cant believe how much we did this day. We went on Peter Pan, Pinocchio, Snow White, Mr Toad, The Carousel, The Tea Cups, Alice, Buzz light year, Star Tours (which was amazing!) Tiki Room, and the Jungle Cruise! Thats just crazy.

Tiki Room

After all these rides we decide we need some lunch. My DS10 suggested Icecream. What the heck, why not. Yum. Only at Disneyland.

I have to say this was the best icecream ever!

Two years ago we went to Disneyland during Halloween time but some how never made it over to the area that has all the pumpkins by the Big Thunder BBQ place (name?). So I made it a point to get over there this trip. Its really cute over there.

Next we decided to go over to Toontown. We got fast passes for Rodger Rabbit, which worked out great. We were able to explore Toontown and ride the little roller coaster then just walk onto Rodger Rabbit!

Around 3:30 I realize that if I dont eat I am not going to be able to go any farther. I have eaten nothing but sugar all day. We headed over to Cafe Orleans to see if there was any tables available (we didnt have PS). I have always wanted to try eating there and since I still have quite a bit of those food vouchers left I figure now was a great time!

OMG! Those Fries are the BEST! They are even better then I could have imaged. I NEED MORE NOW! Ha Ha!

I got the Monte Cristo. I wanted to try it. It was good but I think next time I will get something else. It was so filling. I could only eat part of 2 pieces. Definately something that should be shared!

The boys each got the mac and cheese. They were really happy with it. It was a good size portion and super cheesy!

 

[ddwlms]

totally loving this TR, and your pictures. Thanx for sharing. --and your boys are adorable.

 

[Mickeybell]

After filling our bellies and resting our tired feet we headed over to Pooh again and Splash Mountain for my DS10. That was the one ride I was bummed that I couldnt go on this trip. My DS4 is pretty timid when it comes to fast rides and he absolutely refused to try Splash. My DS10 used the single rider enterance (at the exit) the few times he rode this ride. It made the wait for me and my little guy a lot shorter.

Waiting at the exit of Splash.

We then decided to head back over to California. We still needed to do bugs land (since we forgot about it yesterday), Goofys Sky school and Toy story mania.

I love this picture of my boys by the falls

We tried to go into Bugs Land but we were told by a CM that the Land was closed for a private event.
Back over to the paradise pier area to ride Toy Story mania. This time it didnt break down but we had a 40 minute wait time. That was the longest wait we had for any ride our whole trip. I really like that ride but we only ever ride it once a trip because of the always long lines.

On the King Tritons Carousel being silly

More sugar! Churros Yeah!

We once again tried to ride Goofys Sky School but it was again closed down due to some problem. After riding a few more rides (Jumping Jelly fish, Golden Zephyr, Little Mermaid). We decided to spend the last hour of our night back in Disneyland.

As we walked in we realized the parade was about to start. The area of main street when you first walk in to your right was pretty open for spots to watch the parade. We were able to go right up and be only behind one row of people. And the group in front of us was sitting so my DS4 was able to stay sitting in his stroller. Talk about perfect timing. We didnt have to wait at all and we got a great view. Then part way threw the parade the gentleman in front us, saw my DS4 and scooted over and said he could come up next to him. I thought that was really nice. We didnt ask he just offered. Super nice.

After a bit of shopping we headed back to our hotel. My mom had again left a message for me to call her but I would not be able to because of the hole phone issue. She ended up calling in again and I was able to let her know I would not be able to call her and asked her to call my husband and let him know so he wouldnt worry. My mom was really upset. I told it was fine we had plenty of money not a big deal just a live and learn situation, but I really didnt want to stay on the phone because even though they said it would not cost anything if someone called in, it still made me nervous. Sometime one CM says something and another says something else.
Well unknown to me my mom called the hotel and talked to them about the phone bill. She explained the situation with our family death and my cell phone breaking and that was why we had used the hotel phone. We had no idea the cost would be that high. Rich was the CM she spoke with and he was able to reverse $172 fee charged by the hotel. The rest was from the phone company so they couldnt reverse that part. It was about 11pm and I was awoken to my phone ringing and it was Rich, he said that he had just spoken with my Mother and that they were crediting back the $172. I was shocked. I had no clue my mom was going to call but I was definately happy to have the credit back. I thanked Rich very much for doing that.
Ok time to go back to sleep it was a very long day and I was exhausted!!!

 

[Mickeybell]

totally loving this TR, and your pictures. Thanx for sharing. --and your boys are adorable.

Thank you!

 

[Laurawill]

Sounds like you and your boys had a great time and it is so nice to hear about Disney's willingness to help with your situation (the vouchers and the phone bill). Those are things that really helped improve some less than desirable circumstances.

 

[WDWJonasGirl]

Subscribing!!

 

[Mickeybell]

Sounds like you and your boys had a great time and it is so nice to hear about Disney's willingness to help with your situation (the vouchers and the phone bill). Those are things that really helped improve some less than desirable circumstances.

Yeah! Disney was absolutely wonderful. I feel they really want your time to be magical and they go out of there way to make you happy. Amazing customer service!

 

[vettegirl]

Enjoying the TR! I love staying at the DL hotels too! They are so magical and cozy.

 

[miss.potatohead]

Your boys are adorable! Can't wait to read more!

 

[Mickeybell]

We were on our last day. Wow it sure goes by quickly! This morning we decided to start off in California. We used the Grand California Hotel enterance into the park for the first time. That was cool. We walked right onto Soaring. Then had breakfast over at the Taste Pilots. I had thier breakfast burrito. It was sooooo big. I couldnt even finish it!

After breakfast we decided to try Goofys Sky School again. And for the first time our whole trip it was actually not broken down! Yeah!
As I have mentioned earlier my DS4 does not really like fast rides but he does like the little rollercoaster in Toontown. He said he wanted to try Goofys Sky school. Well just as we are about to get in the ride car he starts panicing and freaking out. I told him we didnt have to go so we waited for his big brother at the exit. DS10 really liked the ride. He wanted to go again and I said that was fine because the line was nice and short. But he didnt get to ride it again because... it broke down AGAIN! There was a car stuck at the top. We then went and rode the Jumping Jelly fish and I noticed that they were still stuck there. All I could think was I was so glad that my DS10 was not stuck up there with out me. (He doesnt like heights and Im sure he would have been a bit freaked out)

The only "characters" my DS4 would go near!

Back over to Disneyland to reride all our favorites!

Eating more churros! Waiting for Star Tours fasspasses. I really love the new Star Tours ride. It was even better then I had imagined!

Another thing that I did for the first time this trip was to walk up into the castle. The special effects in the windows are great. And every time we walked up to a new part of the book to read my little one would say "What happens next! What happens next!".

Dumbo!

We hadnt taken a ride on the Riverboat yet so we headed over there. I convinced my boys that we should stay on the bottom level to try something different since we always go to the top. (When really I just wanted to sit down on the bench and be in the shade!)

We had Hungry Bear for lunch. Yummy. I had the Turkey and Provolone Sandwich. Again it was really a good size portion and I could not finish it all! I got the onion rings with it because I really dont like sweet potatoe frys. I wish they still had the choice of the regular ones there.

Since we were on this end of the park my DS10 went on Splash again. While we were waiting I saw Eyeore just standing all by himself next to Pooh Corner waving to people. I love Eyeore! (Him and Tinkerbell are my favorites!)

Later we grabbed a corndog and popcorn to snack on!

We stayed till the park closed and did our last minute shopping on mainstreet. Then on our walk back to the hotel we decided to stop at the Uva Bar for a glass of wine and a rootbeer float. (Not that great of a picture my camera's batteries had died so I was using the video camera to take this pic.)

And so that was the end of our time at the most magical place on earth! I really wasnt ready for it to end but then again I never am! It hadnt turned out exactly the way we had planned it but it was a trip that was very special that I will always cherish. It was wonderful to have that time with just me and my boys.

We usually only get to go to Disneyland once a year but since my mom was unable to come with us on this trip we are planning another one for the beginning of spring! Both she and the boys were really looking forward to doing Disneyland with Grandma. So we will be able to go to Disneyland again this year! And my husband really missed not being able to go with us and he is now talking about trying to squeeze a long weekend in around Christmas time! Yeah! It makes it easier to not be in Disneyland when you have a trip thats not another year away to look forward to!

Thank you all for reading my trip report! It was really alot of fun to do!

 

[tksbaskets]

I enjoyed the heck out of your trip report. As a mother of two sons myself I think it's so special that you got to spend this time with your boys at the most magical of places.

Even better that you'll be going back with family and your hubby in the near future. I'm hoping there is another trip report in your future then.

Be sure to post here so I can go and follow along if you do!

TK