An Anniversary Trip to Remember with a Sprinkling of Dis Divas!

[DizNee Luver]

Hello & welcome to another trip report from me!! I'm Laurie, wife, mother of 8, Disney Lover and happy to be here with a new report!! This was a much needed trip for us, as we have children with special needs and we needed some respite time to relax and reconnect as a couple. My days are filled with the kids, their needs, appointments, sports, school, etc......so down time was something we were both looking forward to.

My husband Mike & I spent 5 nights in Disneyland ~~ February 22-February 27, 2016. We stayed at the Disneyland Hotel and celebrated 32 years of marriage a few weeks early so it would coincide with the annual Dis Diva's Girls Trip that I have participated in 4 times over the last 5 years.

This report will have lots of pictures, food porn, on ride pictures, parades, fireworks, shows, etc. I hope you will following along and please feel free to post!!

 

[DizNee Luver]

We live 2 hours from Portland, Oregon and have an early flight.....so we stayed the night at my oldest son's place in Beaverton. Before heading to his apartment, we stopped for dinner at Chevy's Mexican Restaurant.



Mike ordered a HUGE meal of Pork Tamale, Beef Enchilada, Chicken Enchilada, Shredded Beef Taco, Chile Relano, Rice & Beans.







I ordered the Chicken Enchilada's with Rice & Beans.



Dinner was very yummy. We even were seated next to the guy that makes the fresh tortillas.....unfortunately, my pics didn't come out.

After dinner, we drove to my son Nick's place and spent time with him & our daughter in law before calling it a night. We would be getting up at 3:45am. Nick was really excited with a recent purchase of an air mattress bed. He set it up & Marie put sheets on it and a blanket we brought and we said good night.....after making sure every phone in the house was set to go off. (didn't want to oversleep). Comfy air mattress, but it was COLD. It's one that comes with a pump and it's about 2'-3' high. It was filled with lots of cold air. I couldn't get warm. I eventually moved to the couch and fell asleep.

Our phones all started going off & we got showered and dressed and then out the door. We left Nick's place at 4:15am towards the airport. He dropped us off curbside (he was heading to my house to help watch the siblings) and we got in line to check our luggage. We are flying Southwest, so we did their curbside check-in and then inside to get in the security lines. We were surprised to see how long the lines were. It moved at a steady pace until we got near the front and then they decided to have a security dog walk the line. We waited.....and waited.....and finally about 10 minutes later, the dog showed up. Once the dog walked the entire line, we were able to move forward and start the process of removing coats, shoes, etc. We got up to the belts, and they told us to leave shoes & coats on, just put carry-on items & pocket items on the belt and then walk thru the metal detectors. I guess since the dog sniffed everyone, we got the "fastpass" thru the security check area.

We found our gate and waited until it was time to line up. We were early in the "A" group and loaded and waited until it was time to take off.



Took this from the air.....thought it was interesting....seeing the edge of the clouds.



When we made the swing over the water and came inland, we started watching for Disneyland......there it is!



Excited to almost be there....but that was short lived....... We started coming down but then realized we were going up again......I was like "no~No~NO"!!!! I'm not a great flyer and knowing we were so close to landing and then for some reason we were climbing again....I started to panic. Pilot comes on and informs us that the fog is too thick to see the airport, so we were going to have to go circle towards the west for a little bit. Let me think.....west.....that means back over the water!! So not feeling it.......but we did get told that we would be circling Catalina Island, so I got some pics to pass the time.











The pilot comes back on to let us know that one of their planes was able to land & so we were heading back to the Orange County/John Wayne Airport. Since we got another chance to find Disneyland.....here are 2 more pictures. (we actually were closer this time)





We finally landed (15 minutes late......if we had landed the first time, we were a good 20 minutes early). We headed down to pick up our luggage and then walk to the transportation area. As we were pulling our suitcases down the sidewalk, Mike realized we were missing a wheel off one of our big suitcases. Well boo! We went and checked in with the Disneyland Express Bus. We prepaid our round-trips with them and wanted to give them a try. I've used a taxi and the Super Shuttle....so since we were actually staying at one of the 3 Disney Resorts, I wanted to try the bus.

 

[WDWJonasGirl]

I'm here!!! I can't believe you guys had to circle That happened to me in 2012, flying to NYC. Everything was going well until........we started circling. Then a little while later, they announce that because of storms in the NY area, they had to shut down the airports. To make matters worse, we were running out of fuel and we had to get diverted Of all places, we had to get diverted to..........................PHILADELPHIA!!! Um, we were heading there in the first place but it was cheaper to fly to NY and drive to Philly. While they were refuling the plane, they wouldn't let us off We finally got to NY but still had to drive to Philly. By the time we got to the hotel, it was 2 AM Thankfully, the hotel understood


Awesome Pic of Disneyland from the plane!!! I've never flown to John Wayne before (LAX is my local airport). I did manage to get one of WDW from the plane one time

 

[DizNee Luver]

Mike got a couple pictures of the bus before settling in for our ride to the Disneyland Hotel.





Our first stop was at the Grand Californian Hotel and then the Disneyland Hotel.



I think one family got off at the Grand (maybe 2) and the rest of the bus got off at the Disneyland Hotel. We headed into the lobby to check-in. I didn't think our room would be ready this early, but it was!! We got our room at a "convention" price with the Diva's but I thought I'd see if we could pay to upgrade to a room with a view. Unfortunately, the convention rooms are standards only and no upgrading. You can add concierge to the room but that's it. The gal did see we were celebrating our anniversary and was able to give us a room in the Fantasy Tower (which we were currently in) which overlooked the parking lot but also gave us a view of the fireworks in the evening. We said, that sounded good!.



We finished our check-in, were given our room keys & information packet and headed to the elevators for the 5th floor. We were just a few rooms down from the elevator......Room 2323.

This is what our room looked like. I just loved the headboard that would light up and if you wanted....you could hear the tin can music that plays to go with the fireworks/headboard.





















The bathroom was full of Disney touches.

 

[DizNee Luver]

I'm here!!! I can't believe you guys had to circle That happened to me in 2012, flying to NYC. Everything was going well until........we started circling. Then a little while later, they announce that because of storms in the NY area, they had to shut down the airports. To make matters worse, we were running out of fuel and we had to get diverted Of all places, we had to get diverted to..........................PHILADELPHIA!!! Um, we were heading there in the first place but it was cheaper to fly to NY and drive to Philly. While they were refuling the plane, they wouldn't let us off We finally got to NY but still had to drive to Philly. By the time we got to the hotel, it was 2 AM Thankfully, the hotel understood


Awesome Pic of Disneyland from the plane!!! I've never flown to John Wayne before (LAX is my local airport). I did manage to get one of WDW from the plane one time

Welcome Kaitlin!!

Circling is not my idea of a good time!! At least we knew the fog would break up quickly. Storms you were being diverted for would be more scary!!

Cool getting WDW from the plane.....that would be neat!!

 

[DizNee Luver]

Stepping back into the main room for a few more pictures.















This is our view from the wall to wall windows in the room.









These are out in the hallway & out by the elevators.







Back down to the lobby.







We went back out front to get a picture with the Mickey & Minnie Statues. We took a picture for a mom there with her kids & she returned the favor for Mike & I.







This is shop became a quick stop for a cold drink anytime we were heading up to our room.



The character topiary as we stepped outside.



Our tower for our 5 nights.

 

[DizNee Luver]

We still hadn't had breakfast, so we decided to see if we could get into Goofy's Kitchen....it was about 10am....so I figured we had about an hour before they would close(?). We hadn't planned any character meals and kinda was sad about that fact.







We went inside and checked in at the counter and they had available tables, so we paid and then got in line to see Goofy for a picture. Mike got these as we waited our turn.















We were greeted by Goofy who immediately noticed our buttons. We did a few pictures and then he posed us with me holding up 3 fingers & Mike holding up 2 (for 32 years), he put our other hands together and then got behind us & did 3 & 2 as well.





These were the pictures we got in the photo package they offer.





Here is a picture of the button's we wore all week. They don't have the Happy Anniversary buttons anymore.....but later in the trip....2 different places handed us the anniversary ones.

 

[DizNee Luver]

After seeing Goofy, we were shown to our table. We spotted Pluto and so we decided to stay at the table before heading to the buffet.





We didn't see any of the characters near by, so we used this time to go find us some food.







Minnie came by for a visit.





Then Chip stopped by.





Followed by Dale.





We finished our breakfast and decided to check out the sweet treats.





Minnie came by for a quick drink of juice.



Breakfast was good and hit the spot. We ran up to our room to drop off our picture packet we purchased at the meal and then headed out towards Downtown Disney & Disneyland. The Sorcerer's Hat........





Mike spotted these painted tile pictures done by the children of CHOC (Children's Hospital of Orange County).







We would be stopping her later in the week for a lunch........yummy Earl of Sandwich!

 

[kelmac284]

YAY!! Another report!!! Love it so far. The pics from the plane were cool and you got some GREAT one of DL/DCA. You know of all the times I have flown into OC I don't remember ever seeing Disney from the air but then I always sit on the aisle and always on the left side of the plane if you were walking in so maybe I am on the wrong side but those pics are AWESOME. You have NO idea how hard it was flying into OC airport when we went to and from Mexico knowing we were that close to Disney and esp the day we came back was when some were arriving. But I am hoping we can FINALLY get back in 18!!

Love the DL hotel and love those rooms etc. It has been awhile since we stayed there but I do love it as well as the pool etc. We always seem to get the frontier tower but I personally think Adventure is the best cuz it faces the parks and has the best fireworks views.

That is cool that you got into Goofy's. I LOVE their food and the characters are fun but I just can't deal with the prices. I wish it wasn't so much cuz it is so fun and yummy! Your food looked awesome and cute pics with the characters!!!

Every trip we go we always go to the grand and hang out in the lobby and usually eat at storytellers as well as look in the acorn and we always go to the DLH and look at the one shop close to the pool as well as the lobby. I love SH55 as well. And of course trader sams.

Looking forward to the next update.

 

[kelmac284]

Oh and LOVE the catalina pics. That is still something on the bucket list to do! And would you believe I STILL have not been to Earl of Sandwhich since it came here. Have eaten at the one at DW but never here. I guess when it is lunch we are usually never that way but I def want to do that again.

I am pretty sure we are going to go in August but right now we are still mapping out our Southern trip for June. I am watching though for airfare sales so that we can use our credits. We have enough to hopefully fly down on Jet Blue and home on Southwest. So just kind of waiting and watching for the dates and times to go on sale.

I will be glad when that is booked though and barring anything outrageous that one should DEF happen. We need to use those credits or lose them. Jet Blue by Sept and Southwest by Dec. So I am sure it WILL happen just a matter of timing.

After that though I think we won't be doing anything again until April when we will take another short trip down for Shelby's 16th birthday (that is April of 17). Still no diva trip because we are hopefully doing a BIG trip next summer. It is all hinging on my mom closing a big land deal but if she does then hopefully we will def be able to do Europe. That is the goal but it is so huge and so expensive that it is just unknown. If nothing comes together by the end of this year we will prob do our East Coast trip that we cancelled from last year. We weren't going to do anything else but that but when I heard about Food and Wine we decided to take a few days next April to check that out and let Shelby FINALLY be able to go for her birthday. She has always wanted to go on her actual birthday but because of when it is when never could but it would work out since it is on a Thursday. We could fly down that afternoon and then just stay Fri through possibly Mon and experience food and wine and celebrate her 16th. We did a lot for Katy so it is shelby's turn next year

 

[DizNee Luver]

YAY!! Another report!!! Love it so far. The pics from the plane were cool and you got some GREAT one of DL/DCA. You know of all the times I have flown into OC I don't remember ever seeing Disney from the air but then I always sit on the aisle and always on the left side of the plane if you were walking in so maybe I am on the wrong side but those pics are AWESOME. You have NO idea how hard it was flying into OC airport when we went to and from Mexico knowing we were that close to Disney and esp the day we came back was when some were arriving. But I am hoping we can FINALLY get back in 18!!

Love the DL hotel and love those rooms etc. It has been awhile since we stayed there but I do love it as well as the pool etc. We always seem to get the frontier tower but I personally think Adventure is the best cuz it faces the parks and has the best fireworks views.

That is cool that you got into Goofy's. I LOVE their food and the characters are fun but I just can't deal with the prices. I wish it wasn't so much cuz it is so fun and yummy! Your food looked awesome and cute pics with the characters!!!

Every trip we go we always go to the grand and hang out in the lobby and usually eat at storytellers as well as look in the acorn and we always go to the DLH and look at the one shop close to the pool as well as the lobby. I love SH55 as well. And of course trader sams.

Looking forward to the next update.

Oh and LOVE the catalina pics. That is still something on the bucket list to do! And would you believe I STILL have not been to Earl of Sandwhich since it came here. Have eaten at the one at DW but never here. I guess when it is lunch we are usually never that way but I def want to do that again.

I am pretty sure we are going to go in August but right now we are still mapping out our Southern trip for June. I am watching though for airfare sales so that we can use our credits. We have enough to hopefully fly down on Jet Blue and home on Southwest. So just kind of waiting and watching for the dates and times to go on sale.

I will be glad when that is booked though and barring anything outrageous that one should DEF happen. We need to use those credits or lose them. Jet Blue by Sept and Southwest by Dec. So I am sure it WILL happen just a matter of timing.

After that though I think we won't be doing anything again until April when we will take another short trip down for Shelby's 16th birthday (that is April of 17). Still no diva trip because we are hopefully doing a BIG trip next summer. It is all hinging on my mom closing a big land deal but if she does then hopefully we will def be able to do Europe. That is the goal but it is so huge and so expensive that it is just unknown. If nothing comes together by the end of this year we will prob do our East Coast trip that we cancelled from last year. We weren't going to do anything else but that but when I heard about Food and Wine we decided to take a few days next April to check that out and let Shelby FINALLY be able to go for her birthday. She has always wanted to go on her actual birthday but because of when it is when never could but it would work out since it is on a Thursday. We could fly down that afternoon and then just stay Fri through possibly Mon and experience food and wine and celebrate her 16th. We did a lot for Katy so it is shelby's turn next year

When we stayed at the Disneyland Hotel in 2009 for our 25th Anniversary, we were in the Adventure Tower, Corner room overlooking DTD. It was awesome! We didn't spend enough day time hours for the view to really matter. If we had the kids, we would have spent more time in the room but we pretty much were on the go most of the time. It was fun to watch the fireworks from our room. I will say, I still favor the Paradise Pier Hotel, View Rooms of World of Color & DCA. We've stayed there I think 3 times and had the view rooms each time.....love, love, LOVE them!!

The main pool was closed so, overlooking the pool would have been meh this time. They did fill it up the first day we were there but it didn't open....I imagine it takes quite a while to bring back up to temperature.

We do so many character meals that I don't even notice the price anymore. Yeah, it's spendy compared to other options out there.....but we don't mind spending the extra money for the fun we have.

We passed thru the Grand to get the DCA entrance, looked around the gift shop but didn't spend any other time there. It's too dark.....it just doesn't call to me and have zero interest in staying there. That's one of things on my negatives list for considering the DVC. We can use our points to stay at PPH or DLH but we don't have a kitchen or kitchenette if we do that.

It was interesting to fly around Catalina Island as I have seen many pictures and reports from Sherry....so it was neat to actually see where it was.

Earl of Sandwich is delicious but they need to get a gluten free bread (that is good like their other options).....right now they don't have GF at all.

 

[DizNee Luver]

We made it up to the security check area and both Mike & I were pulled to the side for the additional check. Emptied pockets & removed our anniversary buttons and walked thru the metal detectors. We passed!!





Next we headed towards the main gates to exchange our printed email tickets for real ones. Super easy exchange and inside the gates we went. First stop was to get pictures of the floral Mickey and Lilly Belle Train.













There was a Photopass Photographer there, so we got in line to get a few pictures done.











We purchased a whole whopping 3 pictures ($29.95) of all the Photopass pictures we had taken over the week.....this is one of them.



We walked under the tunnel and onto Main Street USA!

 

[DizNee Luver]

We decided to head to Space Mountain since somehow on the last 2 or 3 trips, I have missed getting on this ride.....not sure how that happened....but it did. To my surprise it was now Hyperspace Mountain. I was not aware of this....... The Fastpass return time was late afternoon and we wouldn't be able to do it at that time, we decided to do the Standby line. The wait posted was 25 minutes. I can't even tell you the last time I took the standby line for this.....it has been years!!!













I was surprised on how much I actually enjoyed the Hyperspace Overlay. I'm not a huge Star Wars fan, so it's hard for me to get excited over all the hubbub of the Star Wars Land coming.....so I wasn't sure if I'd like this or not....but I did!! Here's our on-ride photo:





The next place we headed to was Big Thunder Mountain Railroad.....our favorite!! First we stopped to get a few pictures of the castle.





We picked up a Fastpass for BTMRR and then got in Standby line which was 15 minutes.

 

[DizNee Luver]

These are from when we were doing our ride on BTMRR.



















This is across from the ride.....wonder if it will stick around after all the refurbishments are done.....I believe it's the last remaining sign of the original mine train ride~~Mine Train through Nature's Wonderland.



We had a little time to kill before our Fastpass return on BTMRR, so we headed down toward the Mark Twain Riverboat. They weren't doing trips around the Rivers of America, but it was open to look around. We spotted this guy and decided to get some pictures & make a "deal with him". Don't mess with Dr Facilier aka the Shadow Man!



















Facilier's face cracked me up!

 

[DizNee Luver]

I found a bench to sit on while Mike wandered a bit around Frontierland and got these pictures.





















It was time to return for our Fastpass ride on BTMRR. This time, Mike decided to enjoy the ride and only snapped 2 pictures. Love this ride!!





We next went to ride Pirates of the Caribbean....wait time said 10 minutes, but it was a pretty long line. I'm thinking it was closer to 15+ by the time we made it inside. (crowds surprised me for a Monday)





We would be having dinner here later today~~Blue Bayou Restaurant!!





Unfortunately we need a more specialized lens for these dark rides....but here are a few that he was able to get.















When did this become a "wet" ride? The seat was dry when we started but after the drop, we had water gushing under our rears......I HATE GETTING WET!!! I wasn't happy to get off the ride with a wet tushy.....ugh! I refused to ride this the rest of the trip........

 

[DnA2010]

Yayyyyy!!! You've started! Will do a proper reply tomorrow, but excited!

 

[DizNee Luver]

Yayyyyy!!! You've started! Will do a proper reply tomorrow, but excited!

Glad you found me!!

 

[kelmac284]

Nice update. Love all the pics!!

 

[WDWJonasGirl]

Awesome!! The bus pics are cool and I love the buttons

 

[DizNee Luver]

Nice update. Love all the pics!!

Thanks Kelly!

Awesome!! The bus pics are cool and I love the buttons

Thanks......I borrowed their sharpie to write the 32 years on our buttons!!