newmouse2008
dis veteran
- Joined
- Nov 12, 2008
Greetings all!!! I find myself alone in California, sitting here in the hotel, watching it rain and needing someone to tell about my trip.......
The powers that be (Pete), sent me out on my first solo trip to Disneyland this week. My biggest concerns involved leaving my kids in hubby's hands for meals and homework and general stuff that normally falls into mom's hands.
Yesterday I arrived at the Disneyland Hotel and was ready to head out by noon. The rain arrived about the same time I did, so I hung around until mid afternoon before heading out for a walk to downtown Disney and beyond. The time change really wiped me out and I headed to bed early.
This morning I woke up early and headed over to Disneyland by 8am. I stopped by and picked up my ticket for the Halloween part on Friday on my way in.
Ok. let me stop here and say that I have been to Disney in Orlando dozens of times, many by myself for work. But coming here and walking into the park alone, knowing I would be here all day, not just a few hours was weird at first. no one to talk to, no one to share the experience with. My first stop was to find breakfast. Nancy had told me about the amazing french toast at Carnation Cafe on Main street. She was right!!! Cinnamon bread french toast was the perfect way to start the day. I was a little uneasy sitting at a 4 top alone while others waited. My young server checked on me often and was very nice, though I couldn't shake the feeling that the family next to me wondered why I was alone. How sad, the poor old lady, all alone in Disney. Everytime I glanced over they were smiling at me and and would wave or nod.
Half way up mainstreet I realized that I wasn't running to catch up to Pete or trying to figure out what direction my family wanted to go. This trip was all about me....... I slowed down and started thinking about what I wanted to do. the answer was easy... I wanted to walk at a nice easy pace, stop and check out the shops, watch the people, basically take my time and enjoy the details. Now we all know I am a weeper.... And it wasn't long before I found myself getting emotional about the history of it all, what it would have been like in the beginning, all of the families that have been here. Disneyland is so totally different than Disneyworld. It is so intimate here, small town. I could say the castle is little but I won't. Standing in front of it all I could think about was Walt Disney standing there years ago opening the park. Bigger is not always better, The sleeping Beauty walk thru was great (Stella would love it, just as much as I do). The cars running up and down mainstreet really make it feel like a small town. Walking around the park and going on the classic rides made this day very special. The Halloween decoration are everywhere and different than Orlando. The Haunted Mansion is unbelievable!! That alone is worth the trip. I went thru 4 times today and plan on going back tomorrow.
Mr. Toad, Dumbo,The Jungle cruise, the Tea cups and Small World, the Castle and the train ride all added to my morning adventures. The rain arrived shortly after lunch cutting my day short. I had a rainy walk back with my cute little Disney umbrella, stopping at the Jazz Kitchen for a quick lunch, before heading to my room to dry off, get a little work done and a short nap. The Mad Hatter and Goofy were in the crowded lobby making memories for the wet families while the waited for the rain to slow.
Room service brought my dinner (french onion soup and chocolate cake). The rain continues, Tuesday night and I am not doing homework, cooking dinner and telling Stella to get in the tub. Weird, but nice............ Just opened up my nightly "note to mommy" from Stella. I picture of a little girl sitting and talking to a squirrel. it reads.... I'll stop the world to be with you.........ok, time for a little cry........
T.
The powers that be (Pete), sent me out on my first solo trip to Disneyland this week. My biggest concerns involved leaving my kids in hubby's hands for meals and homework and general stuff that normally falls into mom's hands.
Yesterday I arrived at the Disneyland Hotel and was ready to head out by noon. The rain arrived about the same time I did, so I hung around until mid afternoon before heading out for a walk to downtown Disney and beyond. The time change really wiped me out and I headed to bed early.
This morning I woke up early and headed over to Disneyland by 8am. I stopped by and picked up my ticket for the Halloween part on Friday on my way in.
Ok. let me stop here and say that I have been to Disney in Orlando dozens of times, many by myself for work. But coming here and walking into the park alone, knowing I would be here all day, not just a few hours was weird at first. no one to talk to, no one to share the experience with. My first stop was to find breakfast. Nancy had told me about the amazing french toast at Carnation Cafe on Main street. She was right!!! Cinnamon bread french toast was the perfect way to start the day. I was a little uneasy sitting at a 4 top alone while others waited. My young server checked on me often and was very nice, though I couldn't shake the feeling that the family next to me wondered why I was alone. How sad, the poor old lady, all alone in Disney. Everytime I glanced over they were smiling at me and and would wave or nod.
Half way up mainstreet I realized that I wasn't running to catch up to Pete or trying to figure out what direction my family wanted to go. This trip was all about me....... I slowed down and started thinking about what I wanted to do. the answer was easy... I wanted to walk at a nice easy pace, stop and check out the shops, watch the people, basically take my time and enjoy the details. Now we all know I am a weeper.... And it wasn't long before I found myself getting emotional about the history of it all, what it would have been like in the beginning, all of the families that have been here. Disneyland is so totally different than Disneyworld. It is so intimate here, small town. I could say the castle is little but I won't. Standing in front of it all I could think about was Walt Disney standing there years ago opening the park. Bigger is not always better, The sleeping Beauty walk thru was great (Stella would love it, just as much as I do). The cars running up and down mainstreet really make it feel like a small town. Walking around the park and going on the classic rides made this day very special. The Halloween decoration are everywhere and different than Orlando. The Haunted Mansion is unbelievable!! That alone is worth the trip. I went thru 4 times today and plan on going back tomorrow.
Mr. Toad, Dumbo,The Jungle cruise, the Tea cups and Small World, the Castle and the train ride all added to my morning adventures. The rain arrived shortly after lunch cutting my day short. I had a rainy walk back with my cute little Disney umbrella, stopping at the Jazz Kitchen for a quick lunch, before heading to my room to dry off, get a little work done and a short nap. The Mad Hatter and Goofy were in the crowded lobby making memories for the wet families while the waited for the rain to slow.
Room service brought my dinner (french onion soup and chocolate cake). The rain continues, Tuesday night and I am not doing homework, cooking dinner and telling Stella to get in the tub. Weird, but nice............ Just opened up my nightly "note to mommy" from Stella. I picture of a little girl sitting and talking to a squirrel. it reads.... I'll stop the world to be with you.........ok, time for a little cry........
T.
I was there solo in 2009 and had a fab time touring at my commando pace. Then I'd slow down in the evenings and occupied a stray chair on one of the Fantasmic patio restaurants, and some couple or group always invited me to join their table. It was fun to hear of their day and surprising that they were mostly locals who came to just watch the show afterwork!
