A trip report??? Um, no. Well....alright, I'll give it a shot...

[mommaU4]

Here it is, the last post before we head off to Disneyland in the wee hours of the dawn.

I think I am now completely packed. That's what I think, but I am probably wrong. I have no doubt that I will be halfways there and remember something I forgot. But, for now, the suitcase is zipped shut.

I should say suitcases. Good grief, you'd think we were headed out for a month long safari in the middle of the desert with no amenities of any kind. No food either judging by all the snacks I have packed.

What can I say except, "Hello my name is Beth and I'm an overpacker." They say admitting the problem is the first step.

Anyways, the Disney Enchanted phone calls came in earlier!! Oh, you should have seen their faces. It was so cute. Hannah was up first with a call from Ariel. I put it on speaker phone so we could all hear.
Ariel talked about Halloween and dressing up in costumes, but then she said how she'd heard we were taking a trip to celebrate the holiday.

Hannah, who'd been playing it kind of cool up until that point, looked at me her eyes all bugged out. It was too funny. She was completely caught off guard.

Then came Lindsey's call from Sleeping Beauty. It was a good night call, and she talked about having good dreams and how she hoped Lindsey would dream of her favorite animal, a horse. So Lindsey turned to me with a surprised smile and says, "You told her?"

It went great, and it's nice that they still get tickled over a phone call. Someday a time will come where the only phone calls that make them that happy, are the ones from some boy on the high school football team.

As for Adam and Noelle, I ended up getting them some POTC and Princess fruit snacks, and 'Mater and Jasmine Pez dispensers. They were cool with that. Anything having to do with snacks or candy and they are satisified.

So, the kids are in bed and actually asleep! Miracles do happen. LOL

I am going to pop in a movie, Perfect Stranger with Halle Berry and Bruce Willis, and wait for my hubby to come home so we can try to get some shut eye.

Talk to ya'll when I get back Sunday night!!

 

[PooohBear]

Sorry I missed you Beth, but I wanted to wish you a wonderful trip !!!! I've been thinking about you today and wondering what you guys are doing


Talk to you soon !!!

 

[mommaU4]

We're back!!

Just got in tonight around 8:30. I am tired, broke, and have a ton of laundry and unpacking to do. BUT we had a great time!!

I'll start my TR either tomorrow or the next day.

 

[mommaU4]

Friday October 26

I'll start this off with a little advice: Do not stay up until almost 2 a.m. watching movies and recordings of Survivior the night before you are supposed to take off for Disney. Not a good thing when you are supposed to be on the road early.

Our plan was to leave the house no later then 6:45 a.m. Of course we didn't wake up until almost 6. So needless to say, that didn't happen.
I do believe our family is cursed in some weird way, to never leave the house before 8 a.m. because on every trip I can ever think of, no matter what our plans are, we always seem to get on the road around 8.

Which is what we did this day as well. But better late then never and off we went.

The first part of the drive getting out of Vegas was very stressful, even though I wasn't driving. There was traffic and everytime I saw brake lights and we'd stop, I practically grabbed my seat's arm rest in a death grip for fear that the car behind us wouldn't stop and we'd get hit again.

Great now I'm damaged goods, scarred for life from one little accident. Once we got out away from the city and all the cars, I was able to relax and enjoy the desert scenery. The further away we got the air became more and more hazy with smoke. I was surprised to see it smoky so far from the fires. I guess the wind was blowing it all out our way. I wish I'd taken some pics of the mountains, as in some places it was quite thick.

Anyways, our first stop was in Baker, home of the World's Largest Thermometer and Gateway to Death Valley. Thrilling, huh? LOL
We stopped for a restroom break and some breakfast.

Here's a pic of the thermometer that didn't turn out all that great, but you get the general idea. Also we came across this place that sells Alien Fresh Jerky so I snapped a pic of that. The alien was apparently into the whole country western scene. I wonder if alien jerky tastes like chicken?

The drive there seemed to take FOREVER but we finally made it to DL around 12:45. First order of business was to buy our annual passes and get our photos taken, which didn't take long.

So now we are officially new annual pass holders!!

After that was done, I realized that in our rush to get into the park, I'd left behind my cell phone and blankets that I'd brought to use for Fantasmic later on. Oh well, we'd parked so far I was not going to go back at that point. The kids were too excited.

So we went and picked up a birthday button for me. Then it was off to the rides.

We did the Jungle Cruise first where our skipper announced to everyone on board that it was my birthday and had them all start clapping, then he sang me a birthday song "This is your birthday song, It isn't very long." It was funny and the kids got a kick out of it.

We grabbed some Fast Passes for Indiana Jones and went onto POTC. I love the changes they made to it with Capt. Jack. It was the kids first time seeing the additions and they liked it too.

From there we went to:
Winnie the Pooh,
Tom Sawyers Island,
Indiana Jones,
took the train to Toon Town,
rode the Gadget Coaster,
watched the Princess coronation ceremony
the parade
went on Autopia
had dinner
took the train to New Orleans and went on Haunted Mansion and saw parts of Fantasmic
Splash Mountain
Winnie the Pooh again (the twins loved it)
then we went to the castle and did all those rides in Fantasyland
next was Buzz Lightyear and Star Tours.

It doesn't sound like much, but it sure took all day. The crowds were pretty high. Almost seemed like a summer day to me, but then I could be spoiled from years past when nothing was going on in October and the place was empty. But we had fun and it wasn't too bad, plus I loved wearing my birthday button, and getting lots of "Happy Birthdays".
It was nice also knowing we would be back and didn't feel the need to rush around commando style trying to fit it all in.

We stayed until the park closed at midnight, and then it was off to find our hotel.

I'll post some of the pics from our first day in the next post.

Oh, and btw, for our dinner we went to Red Rockett's Pizza Port. The line was long, way out the door, but it went pretty fast. Our total was around $47 which included a 10% discount for pass holders. Not bad for a family of 6.

DH and I got the: Count Down Chicken Fusilli - Fusilli pasta tossed with seasoned grilled chicken, sun-dried tomatoes, garlic and Parmesan cream sauce with a touch of fresh basil.

It was really good. And the kids got the kids meals which are pizza or spaghettti with grapes and carrots. Also some chocolate milk. They all said it was good.
Sorry no pics of the food. I thought about it and then just felt like everyone would have been watching me and wondering WTH I was doing.

 

[mommaU4]

Halloweentime billboard near the tram boarding:

The firemen band playing in front of the firehouse:

Pics of the Jungle Cruise:

The best one of all, the back side of water!!

Apparently the Winnie the Pooh ride warranted arms up in the arm:

 

[mommaU4]

Here are some pics of the parade. It was dark already and my camera is cheap and hates to take night pictures but I did anyways. So for what it's worth here they are, lol.

 

[mommaU4]

There was a full moon that night. It looked a little spooky with the clouds passing in front of it. Perfect for those at MHT.

Haunted Mansion

Pumpkin on Main Street

 

[mommaU4]

I almost forgot to give a review of our hotel.

We stayed at the Hilton Suites Anaheim/Orange. It was a nice place. It's very hard to find hotel rooms for a family of 6 that don't break the bank and aren't totally crappy.

Usually we have to either book two rooms, or get some sort of a family suite, which not all places have. That's one reason why we will never stay at the Grand Californian. I'm not booking 2 rooms at $300-$400 a night each!! LOL

So I found this place online and it seemed reasonable at $116 a night plus tax. Parking was free, wireless internet was not. There is no free breakfast like at some hotels but the room does come with a fridge and microwave, and the hotel does have a restaurant. Also there is a Del Taco across the street and a McDonalds down the block.

It's about 3 miles away from Disneyland so it's NOT for someone who doesn't have a car. They might have a shuttle but I'm not sure since we didn't need one.

They were very nice and helpful when I called to make my reservation and also when I called twice to confirm. I also called and arranged for late check-in since I knew we'd be at the park until midnight that first day, and that was no problem.

We found it fairly easily and got checked in quickly. BUT when we got up to our room, instead of the two double beds and sofa sleeper that I reserved, there was one king bed and a sofa sleeper.

So we hauled all our stuff back downstairs and told them they gave us the wrong room. The guy at the desk explained that they were sold out of the double rooms.

Now mind you, I am tired. I've had a 5 hour drive, followed by a busy day at DL, and it's now around 1 a.m. and I'm in no mood for news like that.
I told him I reserved a room with two beds and a sofa sleeper and he told me that when you make a reservation it's only a request not a guarantee.

WTH?????? I said then WHY didn't they tell me that when I booked the room and told the person I had a family of 6 and needed all those beds??? And why didn't they tell me that when I called TWICE to confirm??

I was not a happy camper and told him there was no way I could fit 6 people on a king bed and one small sofa sleeper. He said he'd arrange to have 2 roll-aways brought up to the room right away, free of charge, and in the morning we could switch to a room with two beds. He said if we were out at the parks, just to leave our stuff there and they'd move it for us.

So I really had no choice. The roll aways were brought up right away. And he was really nice about it. I was just irritated that this info wasn't told to me when I booked. Quite frankly, I wouldn't have booked there in that case, because I need to make sure of what I am getting.

Anyways, it all worked out. We finally got to sleep around 2 a.m. The next morning I decided just to keep the room and not fool with switching. We were really only there for a few hours at night to sleep and shower in the morning. And the room is big. It's divided into two parts, with one area having the sofa sleeper, a tv, a wet bar area with the fridge, micro, sink, and a table and chairs. Then there is a door and the bed with another tv and dressers. The bathroom has two doors and can be accessed from either room.

I think this is a nice hotel. I would recommend it to anyone with a car, and no more then two kids, so if you do end up with a king bed and the sleeper, it won't matter.

I was going to take pics, but after all that, and it being so late, I didn't. But here is a link to their website and some pics. They are pretty accurate.
http://www1.hilton.com/en_US/hi/hot...sionid=178380B49281223923B801FB2D52377B.etc34

 

[mommaU4]

Hmmmm. I wonder if anyone is even still reading all this gibberish....

 

[BecBennett]

I'm still reading!

There's always something that gets left behind. That's the law of travelling. Usually for me it's beach towels... I always feel daggy going to the beach or the pool with a big bath towel... Oh well.

I think your camera took great night time pictures. Or are these just the ones that turned out? lol. My night time ones are usually just a blur of colour...

That's no good about the hotel room, really you'd imagine that if someone reserves a room, that's the room that they'd get... Maybe it's a way of making sure that the majority of their rooms are booked out, regardless of what's in demand... Stupid hotels...

 

[jordansmomma]

I am reading

 

[PooohBear]

So where's the rest of your report great pics, the kids look so happy

Sorry about the hotel problems, that sucks they didn't tell you beds weren't guaranteed, but that sounds typical of hotels

 

[mommaU4]

I'm still reading!

There's always something that gets left behind. That's the law of travelling. Usually for me it's beach towels... I always feel daggy going to the beach or the pool with a big bath towel... Oh well.

I think your camera took great night time pictures. Or are these just the ones that turned out? lol. My night time ones are usually just a blur of colour...

That's no good about the hotel room, really you'd imagine that if someone reserves a room, that's the room that they'd get... Maybe it's a way of making sure that the majority of their rooms are booked out, regardless of what's in demand... Stupid hotels...

Oh good! I'm not talking to myself. Well, no more then usual anyways, lol.

The nighttime pics all came out about like that. I thought they seemed too dark. So I only took a few. We really need a better camera. Oh well.

Yeah, the hotel room was kind of a pain. Why bother to pick a room at all if they are just going to give you whatever they want once you get there?
But to be fair, they were very nice to us and it was a nice place so if DH and I were traveling alone, I would stay there again.

Thanks for reading!!

 

[mommaU4]

I am reading

 

[mommaU4]

So where's the rest of your report great pics, the kids look so happy

Sorry about the hotel problems, that sucks they didn't tell you beds weren't guaranteed, but that sounds typical of hotels

Boy, you sure are demanding.


I like it!!!

It's on it's way. I was rushing around today doing errands and then Ruben and I went out to lunch at the Planet Hollywood Hotel. We went to the new Earl of Sandwich they opened. (like the one in Orlando) YUM!

I'll write more later. Are you packed yet??

 

[mommaU4]

Saturday, October 27, 2007

Okay, so onto day two. Since we were up so late the night before, I decided to let everyone sleep in a little bit. We woke up around 8:15. Since I knew there was no free breakfast in the hotel, I brought some things for us to eat in the room. That's why it was nice to have the microwave and the fridge.

Breakfast was different choices including: bagels with cream cheese, blueberry muffins, chocolate chip muffins, yogurt, strawberries, apple slices, grapes, bananas, granola bars, trail mix, oatmeal and milk.
All easy to pack, store, and eat.

Once we were ready we headed off to California Adventure. Almost as soon as we got there, the High School Musical 2 show started. It was cute and the kids really liked it.

Then we got FPs to 'Soarin and went to get in line for the Aladdin show. I love that show. OMG, the Genie was so darn funny!! Everyone was busting up. Even my son, who would normally try to play it cool in a show like that, was cracking up over the Genie's comments.

From there it was onto get FPs for TOT, and then to Monster's Inc which was a new ride for me. It was cute. Much better then that silly Limo ride that was first there. After the ride we were walking in that show area that's just in front of the ride and we saw one of the famous Disney cats. He/she was so cute!! I sat down on a bench and it came right up and batted at my fingers.

We went into the area they call Candy Corn Acres, which is so cute btw. Goofy was there so we got in line to take pics with him. It was almost our turn when some lady shoves her way in and says to him, "Can I take a picture with you?"

Um, hello!!! What the heck do you think we are all doing standing around here?? Goofy put up his finger for her to wait, and pointed to the line. Then the CM told her she had to get in line to have a turn.

How rude. If I was Goofy, I think I would have chosen a different finger to put up.
I just hate that some people have a such a sense of entitlement, like the rules we all have to follow don't apply to them. Ugh, okay, sorry, rant over. lol

Next on the list was:
Soarin (love that ride!)
Turtle Talk (kids liked it, it was just ok for me)
Tower of Terror
lunch at Taste Pilot's Grill (either we were all starving by then or the food was really good!)

After we ate, we went to see Golden Screams. I wasn't sure what it was, and I was not impressed at all. DH fell asleep during it. LOL

From there we went to:
Golden Zephyr
Jumpin Jellyfish
Mulholland Madness
Orange Stinger (three times! there was no line)
Maliboomer

The kids played in the little area with the boat and we watched the Block Party as it went by.

Finally we made our way over to Califonia Screamin', which the older two had been waiting for. DH took them on that while I took the twins on King Tritons Carousel.

We stopped in the Mission Tortilla building there and the kids got to see how they are made. The guy there gave me a whole package of warm tortillas because I still had on my birthday button from yesterday. That was nice. And the kids gobbled them up.

From there we headed to Bug's Land. By then it was dark and the place was almost empty. The kids went on every ride in that area at least three times. We just sat on a bench and watched as they went again, and again, and again. LOL It was nice to just relax. Yes, I am getting old....

Finally we dragged them out of there and went over to Grizzly River Run. It's always fun to watch people get soaked.
After that they went to go play in the Redwood Creek area. I love it in there. The one area in the back with the bridge and the waterfall over the rocks is so pretty. And peaceful at that time of night.

The kids went on that tire swing over and over again. It looked like something that would give a person whip lash, but they really had fun. We stayed in that one area for a good 40 minutes at least. There was hardly anyone around.

By then the park was ready to close, so we headed across to DL just in time to watch the fireworks. After those were over the older kids went on the Matterhorn with DH, and I took the younger two for some ice cream and hot cocoa.

We were going to try and stay until midnight but the kids were tired and wet from the Grizzly ride at CA, so we decided to catch the train back to the front of the park and head back to the hotel.

It was a good day. Not too hot, not too crowded, and lots of fun.

(Pics in next post.)

 

[mommaU4]

See the girl in front there? I was so close to wearing the same outfit that day. Whew, close one, that would have been embarrassing.

 

[Katy Belle]

Loving your report! We've never been to DisneyLand and you are giving me a clear picture of what its like. Now I have to figure out WHEN we can go!
Keep it up!
Katy

 

[mommaU4]

Loving your report! We've never been to DisneyLand and you are giving me a clear picture of what its like. Now I have to figure out WHEN we can go!
Keep it up!
Katy

You've never been?? Say it isn't so!!

I know some people really prefer spending their time and money at WDW, and I like it there too, but Disneyland is totally different. It's got a more home town feel to it. I guess since I grew up going there and that's where all my memories are, it will always be special to me. So I'm a little biased.

Anyways, I am glad you like the report. Hopefully you'll be able to make it out to DL soon and then you'll be able to post your own trip report!

 

[mommaU4]

It's been a busy day here. I was going to post the last part of the TR but I won't have time. I've got to get all the kiddos ready for Trick or Treating and I doubt by the time they are done dragging me all over the neighborhood, that I'll feel much like typing.

I'll try to finish it up tomorrow though for those still reading.

Oh, and one more thing: