Back to my Happy Place! FINAL UPDATE 6/28 - Pg. 20 Posts #291 & #292

[Aburns8]

What a fun time at DCA! I loved Off the Page as well. But I love the animation store at Hollywood Studios to. We got to stay at The Grand Californian. It is a beautiful hotel, but the rooms are not that spectacular. So be happy that you saved the money. You are never in the room that long any ways.

 

[Charleston Princess]

Loved your Kentucky Derby pics and let me just say I am about a million shades of green with envy that you saw Jim Cantore in person. Wow!

Looks like a fun time at DCA -- the show with Minnie in front of Soarin' looks adorable!

 

[Disluvney]

All I can say is "A-M-A-Z-I-N-G" trip! I enjoyed reading about your adventures in CA. Thank you for sharing

 

[Shannon84]

Great updates!! It looks like you had a blast at the Kentucky Derby

I think your Goofy pictures came out awesome!!

I really hope one day DF and I can find our way out to DL and I just love seeing all of the pictures from there!!

 

[Spartangirl]

That light box is very cool! Not sure I could justify the cost though......

I agree completely!!! There were some really cool ones though...

The Grand Californian is beautiful, I would love to stay there someday

It was really pretty! We ALMOST stayed there on this trip, but I just couldn't justify the cost for such a short trip!

What a fun time at DCA! I loved Off the Page as well. But I love the animation store at Hollywood Studios to.

We had a really great day at DCA!

We got to stay at The Grand Californian. It is a beautiful hotel, but the rooms are not that spectacular. So be happy that you saved the money. You are never in the room that long any ways.

I bet your stay was wonderful!!! I feel a bit better that we didn't stay there now...we really wouldn't have spent any good amount of time there anyway. Maybe in the future...

Loved your Kentucky Derby pics and let me just say I am about a million shades of green with envy that you saw Jim Cantore in person. Wow!

Thank you and LOL!!! You are too funny!!!

Looks like a fun time at DCA -- the show with Minnie in front of Soarin' looks adorable!

DCA was a really fun day! We loved the Minnie show...it really was very cute!

All I can say is "A-M-A-Z-I-N-G" trip! I enjoyed reading about your adventures in CA. Thank you for sharing

Awww...thanks so much!!! Glad you're enjoying my report!

Great updates!! It looks like you had a blast at the Kentucky Derby

Thank you!!! We LOVED the Derby!!!

I think your Goofy pictures came out awesome!!

Thank you!!! I always feel a bit self conscious with drawing...

I really hope one day DF and I can find our way out to DL and I just love seeing all of the pictures from there!!

You two would LOVE it!!!

 

[Spartangirl]

Wine Country Trattoria, A Friendly Little Competition, & World of Color

Before leaving for our vacation, I booked a World of Color package at Wine Country Trattoria because I knew that we only had one shot to see the show and I wanted to make sure that we had a good viewing area.

It was time for our dinner reservation, so we made our way over to Wine Country Trattoria.

We were seated promptly and given our special dining menus.

Bread was soon brought to the table...

Chris began with minestrone soup...

I started with a salad...

We both enjoyed the filet mignon for our entree...

For dessert, we were brought this lovely tray!

Our meal was fantastic and at the end of it, we were given our tickets for the World of Color.

Chris and I realized we had some time before we had to line up for the show, so we decided to see if Toy Story Midway Mania had finally opened up after being closed all day long.

IT DID OPEN and the wait was about 45 minutes, but we decided to jump in line.

You see, we had only been on this ride ONE TIME before and it was at WDW and my "shooter" wasn't working. Needless to say, Chris and I were ready for a friendly little competition and we were more than ready to try this ride for a 2nd time!

After waiting in line for less than an hour, we took our places on the ride and prepared to match off. We were neck-in-neck the entire time! I think Chris started to sweat with the thought that I might actually beat him!!!

Here are our final scores...

And the winner is...

He wasn't happy or anything???

With our hotel being so close to the park, we decided to head back to grab jackets before the World of Color.

With hardly any time being lost, we were back in the park, finding our "reserved dining spots" for the show. Chris and I managed to get a spot pretty close to the center, so we knew our spot would be great! Here are a few pictures of the pier area that we snapped while we waited...

Finally, it was show time!!! Chris and I were really excited for this show because it was going to be a first for us and we knew that it was some sort of a water fountain show. Now let me say this...we are HUGE fans of the Bellagio Fountains in Las Vegas and the World of Color makes the Bellagio Fountains pale in comparison. Wow...just wow! Here are a FEW of the pictures that I took...

I think I forgot to take pictures a lot of the time because I was just in awe!

Here is a video clip from the last 2 minutes of the show...keep in mind that we couldn't "fit" the whole show in our camera frame...it was just massive!!!



What a fantastic way to end our 1st day in the parks! I think we both left on a "Disney high!"

Up Next: Disneyland...Finally! http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=45072328&postcount=254

 

[Charleston Princess]

Yeay for almost beating Chris at TSM!

The World of Color looks awesome!!! I bet it was wonderful seeing it in person! I am sure I would have chills from it!

 

[Aburns8]

I think that DCA is beautiful at night. World of Color looks amazing. I wish they would bring something like that out to WDW. Your dinner looked good. I think that is the way to go to make sure that you get a good seat!

 

[SoonerGirl]

The World of Color looks so cool! I can stand and watch the fountains in Epcot for forever, so I'm sure this show would totally mesmerize me!

 

[MeMom]

I have heard nothing but good things about World of Color. I would sure like to see it, but I doubt that will ever happen. I'll just have to be happy with youtube videos and the pictures of Disney friends.

There are so many things to comment on - filet mignon, walking around beautiful grounds, having a Disney high, Soarin'..... What a magical time you were having!

 

[derncare]

Hi! I just read your whole trip report! It's amazing and I can't wait to read more! We are headed to Los Angeles for Christmas and will be doing a trip just like this! You have supplied me with lots of helpful information! Thank you so much!

 

[Tracy161]

Wow!!! The pictures are amazing! When I was there a couple years ago, I never made it to World of Color and definitely regretted it! A must-do for next time for sure!!!

 

[Spartangirl]

Yeay for almost beating Chris at TSM!

I was so happy...it was fun watching him sweat a bit!

The World of Color looks awesome!!! I bet it was wonderful seeing it in person! I am sure I would have chills from it!

It was AMAZING!!! The videos really don't do it justice! I think Chris and I were both in AWE!!!

I think that DCA is beautiful at night. World of Color looks amazing. I wish they would bring something like that out to WDW.

I AGREE!!! I would LOVE to see WoC at WDW too!!!

Your dinner looked good. I think that is the way to go to make sure that you get a good seat!

Dinner was good...I think it made me a little less stressed knowing that we would have a good viewing spot without having to fight the crowds!

The World of Color looks so cool! I can stand and watch the fountains in Epcot for forever, so I'm sure this show would totally mesmerize me!

You would love it!!! Chris and I were both in AWE...it was AMAZING!

I have heard nothing but good things about World of Color. I would sure like to see it, but I doubt that will ever happen. I'll just have to be happy with youtube videos and the pictures of Disney friends.

It was WONDERFUL...we both LOVED it! I really do hope you get the chance to make it out to the west coast, MeMom. I think you'd love the WoC and seeing Walt's Park!

There are so many things to comment on - filet mignon, walking around beautiful grounds, having a Disney high, Soarin'..... What a magical time you were having!

It really was magical...I honestly wouldn't have changed a thing!

Hi! I just read your whole trip report! It's amazing and I can't wait to read more!

Thank you so much!!! So glad you're enjoying the ride!

We are headed to Los Angeles for Christmas and will be doing a trip just like this! You have supplied me with lots of helpful information! Thank you so much!

So glad I could help you out!!! You're going to have an AMAZING trip!!!

Wow!!! The pictures are amazing! When I was there a couple years ago, I never made it to World of Color and definitely regretted it! A must-do for next time for sure!!!

Definitely put it on your list, Tracy!!! I can't say enough good things about it...it was a highlight for us for sure!

 

[Spartangirl]

First of all, I want to apologize for taking so long with an update...I've been swamped lately with teacher evaluations, school ending in the next couple of weeks, and various other commitments. It's terrible when "life" has to get in the way of the DIS! Anyhow, I just wanted to say "thank you" to any readers who are still out there sticking with me!!! I'm on the final day and should be wrapping this TR up in the near future. Just a few more updates!!!

On with the TR...


Disneyland...Finally!

It was finally time to go to the Happiest Place on Earth! We got up, ate a quick breakfast, and were on our way!

The next few pictures just bring a smile to my face...

This is just a cool sign...

We're here...City Hall!

Mainstreet USA...

The Partners Statue and Sleeping Beauty Castle...

I'm convinced that there is NOTHING like walking down Mainstreet USA for the first time each trip. It is truly magical...the sights, the sounds, the smell, and the feeling!

Of course we had to take some pictures in front of the castle...

We headed to Fantasyland first to ride Mr. Toad's Wild Ride.

This ride is such a classic and we just love it!

Up next we grabbed FPs for Space Mountain. Standby was already at 50 min......looks like this was going to be a busy day!

Chris spotted Buzz, so we headed there next.

I wasn't much competition for him on this one, but we both had a lot of fun!

Next was one of our favorites, The Haunted Mansion.

After the ride, we headed into New Orleans Square...it was time for a Mardi Gras celebration!

We loved the festive decorations and even had beads thrown to us!

Look...there's the elusive Club 33!

Continued in next post... http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=45072395&postcount=255

 

[Spartangirl]

Continued...

There were more decorations and it was just a fun atmosphere all around!

As we walked down by the riverfront, we could hear music playing. There was a band playing and Minnie, Chip, and Dale were dancing...what fun!

Look at Minnie in her festive gear!

A nice man offered to take our picture down by the water...

Seeing this got our minds turning...

We were due for a ride on Pirates!

Chris and I were inspired to become pirates at the end of the ride!

Even with the crowds, our morning was fantastic and we couldn't wait to see what the rest of the day would bring!

Up Next: Bayou Bash, a HUGE lunch, and more rides! http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=45141160&postcount=269

 

[MAGICFOR2]

Wow! WOC looks so amazing! You managed to get some great pics! The Wine Country meal seems a step up from what I've seen there before - is the special menu a little more upscale for the WOC package?

First of all, I want to apologize for taking so long with an update...I've been swamped lately with teacher evaluations, school ending in the next couple of weeks, and various other commitments. It's terrible when "life" has to get in the way of the DIS! Anyhow, I just wanted to say "thank you" to any readers who are still out there sticking with me!!! I'm on the final day and should be wrapping this TR up in the near future. Just a few more updates!!!

On with the TR...

Life gets busy sometimes - We're still here - excited for an update!


Disneyland...Finally!

It was finally time to go to the Happiest Place on Earth! We got up, ate a quick breakfast, and were on our way!

The next few pictures just bring a smile to my face...

This is just a cool sign...

I love this one, too. I always take note of it, and it gives me chills. I can just hear Walt saying those words - they hold so much promise for the day!

After the ride, we headed into New Orleans Square...it was time for a Mardi Gras celebration!

We loved the festive decorations and even had beads thrown to us!

Looks so festive and fun!



Continued in next post... http://www.disboards.com/showpost.php?p=45072395&postcount=255

Looks like a great day so far! Of course you're in the happiest place on earth, so of course you are!

 

[MAGICFOR2]

The Bayou Bash band is really colorful! I love it when you come upon seemingly impromptu fun with the characters!

Cute pirates! Somehow not too threatening!

Thanks for the updates - looking forward to more!

 

[SnowWhite09]

I'm still here and enjoying your report!

 

[AussieDisneyNut]

WOW! What a fantastic trip report ... I have just been glued to the computer for the past hour or so reading it in its entirety You have inspired me to consider including LA and Hollywood into a future trip to Disneyland, those VIP/behind the scenes studio tours look awesome. Glad your trip had so much Disney magic . Thanks for sharing.

 

[Jennifer48]

Hooray you made it to Disneyland!!