Disneyland and beyond trip report (updated... the end!)

[diberry]

Wonderful - another chapter - you've kept us waiting a long time - but I'll forgive you!!!

That picture of you at the entrance to DLC is brilliant - it looks so bright and happy - and so do you!! I love the one of you two running away from that huge stone ball too - really funny!

The weather here is grey and wet and a shot of Disney sunshine is just what I need - thank you! Please don't make us wait so long for the next one!

 

[DGH]

That picture of you at the entrance to DLC is brilliant

yes
I had to wait that nobody was around.

I had to work a lot with Photoshop to wait for that

 

[diberry]

yes
I had to wait that nobody was around.

I had to work a lot with Photoshop to wait for that

As always you did a great job!!!

 

[crmscotland]

Great to read more about your trip. Love your photos - you both look like you were having a great time.

 

[MICKEY'S DREAMERS]

FINDING NEMO SUBMARINE VOYAGE was one of our favourite “rides” at Disneyland :
simply WONDERFUL !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
This attraction is only to be found in California and IMHO it’s OUTSTANDING !!!

You have views of a coral reef , with amazing fish, coral and plants ; you meet also Darla ( the "horrible" niece from Finding Nemo !!)

Then you step into Marlin and Dori , still looking for Nemo … and your submarine even reaches a undersea volcano – erupting lava !!!!!!!

DGH made a video clip on this ride … click on the link and wait a few seconds for a short footage to start : if you never tried this attraction … you’ll feel like being in that submarine !!

http://www.grumpymarco.com/mickeys_dreamers_g000016.wmv

While you waited in line to board your submarine , you could also hear those boring seagulls … crying : MINE !!! MINE !!! MINE !!!

We both adored this “voyage” !!! WELL DONE , Disney imageneers !!!! Even if the lines are often VERY LONG this attraction is well worth a long wait !!!!


That same morning … much to Marco’s delight … we could see how , even at Disneyland, cars break up !!
The driver and some engineers were desperately trying to fix one of the beautiful Main Street vehicles : poor fire engine !!

Both Marco and I love to catch one of these vehicles first thing in the morning, to get to the hub of the park …saving energies !!
Usually there are no waiting lines and you feel like “going back” at the turn of the 20th century; it’s our “magic” way to get to the Sleeping Beauty Castle !

Another highlight of our trip was watching the PARADE OF DREAMS :
I loved Ariel’s float

and was lucky enough as to have Grumpy himself stopping close to me …………

greeting … ahem … GRUMPING to the crowd !!!

As I am a NEVER GROWN UP kid … I loved also this float with the castle – hosted by PRINCE Mickey and PRINCESS Minnie !

While dreaming upon their adventures … I can pretend to be “a child” again myself !!!

There were “technical delays” during the parade … so I could enjoy for at least 5 minutes “grumpy” acting by the Grumpy character , who had stopped just in front of us together with the other Dwarfs !!!

SO MUCH FUN !!!!!!!! Many of his “gestures” reminded me of my dear Grumpy husband !!!

At the end of a very looong , tiring day the NEW grand fireworks show was a special treat to us !
It lasted more than 15 minutes, with wonderful lighting effects on the castle .
Marco had read somewhere that a few NEW pyrotechnics had been created just for this show; he was able to “capture” this smart shape of an HAPPY FACE !!!!

Isn’t this what we all love about Disney ?? HIS PARKS ARE SYNONYMOUS WITH HAPPINESS !!!!!!!!!

Time to leave …
Our days at magical Disneyland too quickly had come to an end !!
We had our last dinner at Millie’s restaurant , off property; this is one of our favourite eateries.

Marco DOES always enjoy their generous portions of All-American dishes !! while I love Millie’s warm atmosphere : food is “like Mom used to make it “ and “servers” seem to take special care of you and your needs … as if they were a dear AUNTIE or a lively COUSIN (depending on their age !!) … They often stop by , chatting or asking if you are going to eat ALL of your food … making for a lovely meal - family style indeed !!!!!
Our dishes were as usual DELICIOUS , my corn cake just PERFECT !!

We then turned back to our room for an early night : BY NOW THE MAGIC OF DISNEY HAD COMPLETELY ENVELOPED US …………….. and we were ready for a DIFFERENT “ MAGIC” :

HEY , tomorrow we’ll be heading towards …
HAWAII !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

( Really dreams do come true !)

Stay tuned !!!

 

[diberry]

Wonderful Laura! I'm so glad to be able to read another installment - they are always so happy and enthusiastic! Thank you!!

The Nemo submarine voyage looks and sounds wonderful - is it new? I loved the video clip - it looks spectacular! - thank you DGH!!!
The Parade of Dreams looks wonderful too - so bright and colourful! I love Disney parades!! I think we're all "NEVER GROWN UP kids " on here!!
Now I can't wait to hear more about Hawaii!!
Thank you for the Christmas bauble in my siggie!!!

 

[MICKEY'S DREAMERS]

Diana !!

I guess the Nemo submarine voyage opened in June 2007 !!! It's quite SLOW in loading people ... but we LOVED it !!
It reminds me of my first visit at Disneyland - with my dear parents - when I was a teen !!!!

I see from your counter that you'll SOON be heading towards DLRP !!! The Christmas decorations will be up ,won't they ??

Laura

 

[kesharn81]

thanks for the info - useful thread...

this seems useful information...thanks for

sharing...

 

[kesharn81]

thanks for the info - useful thread...

this seems useful information...thanks for sharing...

 

[MICKEY'S DREAMERS]

ALOHA , Hawaii !!!!!!!!!

Visiting Hawaii islands has been a dream of mine for many many months !!!
Marco was unsure though about going back : we had cruised to that enchanting “paradise” years ago … but nowadays we do not trust at all the only cruise company that visits the islands …
So … at last Marco and I decided we would travel by plane and visit just two islands : Oahu and Big Island ( aka Hawaii).

This DREAM helped us so much to go through the looong rough months before the trip: we read every kind of book or brochure or on-line info about Hawaii ; by August we felt like “ GOING BACK HOME !!!! “.

YES !!!! Apart from DISNEY PARKS … Hawaii is the only HAPPY PLACE where we two would love to stay … FOREVER !!!

(We could admire this awesome sunset while dining in Kona)


But to us Hawaii doesn’t mean only beautiful beaches and awesome scenery ;

NO, Hawaii is a STATE OF MIND !!!


I’m afraid I don’t know English well enough as to explain what I mean : visiting those islands you get closer to Nature and to yourself , you learn to look at people with the “aloha” spirit of the locals and come home being a “better “ person !!! and of course you die for going back !!!!!!!!!!

Our flight from Los Angeles to Honolulu was uneventful … though I was FREEZING in that United plane …
As you can see

I was wearing many “layers” to try and be a little warmer …
While we were approaching Hawaii though … my DGH ( who usually does not care at all about how we are dressed ) started to ask me to “comb my hair” , to take those extra – jumpers away, to wear my "posh" jacket … ????????????????????????
I was tired and cold - and didn’t understand WHAT he meant .

OH YES !!! Now I understand !!!
LOVELY Grumpy husband had organized an extra special gift for our arrival to Honolulu : a LEI greeting !!
Do you remember those old movies , in the early 1900s , where malihini (visitors) arriving to Hawaii all the way through the Atlantic ocean were greeted at the pier with fresh flowers ?
Well , at our airport gate I “discovered !” a lovely young girl waving a sign for -Laura Gale - who gave me a WELCOME kiss and then presented me

this gorgeous fresh orchids lei !!! I wasn’t able to say a word !!!
I was so happy and very emotional too !!
From all of my “studying” about Hawaiian traditions I already knew that a lei means warm love and aloha … this was such a sweet GRUMP welcome !!! I could not believe how lucky I am !!!

See ? this is my VERY GRUMP hubbie , the one who thought of that lei-greeting for me !!
After more than 30 years of marriage and …the many troubles we went through during this last year !!! WOW !!

A LEI is truly a symbol of the Hawaiian spirit of ALOHA and I was very glad that out hotel in Waikiki offered “lei-making classes” each day . It’s a way of becoming part of the Hawaiian culture !!

Our teacher , Matt, always managed to give us a very informative still fun lesson : he explained how PANIOLOS (the legendary Hawaiian cowboys) used to collect the most beautiful flowers they came across to up in the pastures to offer them to their “girl” …and why they started to tie the flowers up in a garland , a LEI .

I “attended” many of these lei-making classes while in Hawaii – having much fun and meeting lovely people !!! You see , a lei always goes with a bright smile !!!

To be continued

 

[diberry]

WOW! Another installment already - brilliant!!
The scenery in Hawaii is spectacularly beautiful and, I imagine, very relaxing! It looks such a peaceful place and I know just what you mean - sometimes you have to get away from your usual hectic life and just get a different view of things - it refreshes the soul and gives you back your enthusiasm for life!
Loved the photo in the plane!
What a wonderful DGH you have - such a lovely thought to have a lei greeting and what a wonderful start to your stay in Hawaii! I'm so glad you had this fantastic holiday after a very difficult year for both of you!
Looking forward to reading more and seeing more of your photos!!

 

[travelmel]

Awwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww what a sweet Grump!

Sounds like a lovely trip so far!

I posted a really long and wonderfully well written (HA HA ) reply after you last Disney post but it must have been deleted! !

Anyway, I loved your TR.. you are so enthusiastic and it feels good to get swept away in it all along with you two.

I was a HUGE fan of Nemo as I was a HUGE fan of the sub ride when I was a kid. I'm glad to hear you adored it as well as I did.

Wasn't Alladin something??!! It's good to know that even though I may never see WDW or Tokyo Sea I have still seen some of the greatest things right here in my little "home park"

On to the Island Adventure!

 

[MICKEY'S DREAMERS]

I posted a really long and wonderfully well written (HA HA ) reply after you last Disney post but it must have been deleted! !

Anyway, I loved your TR...

I have still seen some of the greatest things right here in my little "home park.

Melissa !!

SORRY that you have lost your "long and wonderfully well written" post : here are to you !!

I'm glad you are STILL reading our adventures ... I like to share our memories , then I print it all - with all the replies ... to keep as NICE MEMORIES for years to come !!

Haven't you tried the new sub ride yet ?? it is amazing !!!

DGH and I think that your "little home park" is REALLY UNIQUE - with a special flavor that no other Disney park has !!!!!!!!!!!!

CIAO, laura

 

[travelmel]

Hi Laura!

Thanks for the hugs!

Yes, I have tried the Nemo... I was saying that it is my favorite because it takes me back to my childhood memories.

 

[MICKEY'S DREAMERS]

Yes, I have tried the Nemo... I was saying that it is my favorite because it takes me back to my childhood memories.

Ah yes, SORRY !! I didn't get it right !!!

I guess I LOVE SO MUCH Disneyland California because , as you say, it takes me back to my first trip ever in US : I was a teen and that castle is one of my fondest memories !! I can still recall the delicious smell coming out from Main Street bakery ... and Mom holding a VERY BIG pastry !!!

YOU are so lucky living close to this MAGIC park !!!

laura

 

[MICKEY'S DREAMERS]

For our staying at Honolulu (Waikiki) we had chosen the Outrigger Reef on the Beach because of its rich cultural program and (they advertized) strong commitment to the growth of Hawaiian culture and traditions : EXCELLENT choice !!!

The “welcoming” hall

and all the “public” rooms have an awesome “Hawaii flavour” , with beautiful display of art and artifacts !! … most of which from the Bishop Museum .
The hotel also offered daily hula classes and ukulele lessons !!! WOW !!!!!!!!

HULA was a lovely activity – led by “not so young” hula dancers - who shared with us “malihini” their beloved art of hula.

Luana ( in light brown dress) was so graceful and VERY patient while teaching us the hula-basics !! She also explained the significance of the ancient oral history and the role played by hula.

During my first hula lessons I felt shy and VERY SLOW in body movements …
By the end of the week though … dear Luana had invited me to join herself and her “hula-group” , while they were performing traditional dances for the hotel guests :

She said that being a malihini (visitor) I was quite good in dancing to the “Hukilau” song !!

While I was practicing hula , Marco made new friends at the ukulele classes !!
Lorraine (to the right – wearing a red traditional muu-muu)

explained that this string instrument started as interpretation of the small “guitars” brought to Hawaii by the Portuguese ; and that Queen Lili’ uokalani ( the last monarch) named it UKULELE ("the gift that came here”) from the Hawaiian words UKU (gift) and LELE ( to come).

It looks like Marco was very good at playing this instrument : his teachers , Matt and Lorraine , were very pleased by his “improvements” !!
Well, of course DGH wasn’t as good as Del Beazley - who played in our hotel for the Aloha Friday Luncheon… According to the success of the TV show , that artist surely was well renowned on the islands.

We both very much liked the ancient and modern tunes they played that Friday !!!


Another “cool “ feature of our hotel was the Shore Bird restaurant : at the bountiful buffet we could taste a few “local foods” - like lomilomi salmon , poi and teriyaki beef .
But , most of all, we had fun and loved their “ grill-your-own- steak or fish”:

This is not a bad picture … there was a lot of smoke at the grill …

Another night also DGH wanted to try the grill … and ended up with a FLYING steak !!!

No need to say that we met many charming people during our days on Oahu :
Marco was very pleased by these new “female” friends ; THEY kept waving at him : “Aloha, Italy !!”

NOOO, no way that I could be … jealous ; but - anyway - I decided to pay him back in his own coin … !!!!!!!!!

In spite of … new friends and acquaintances
at the end of our (too short !!) days in Waikiki DGH and I signed in for the VOW RENEWAL on the Beach :
the lovely ceremony was performed by a practicing Hawaiian Kahu ( or priest, his name was La’akea Arista ) .
We two and other couples were led down a flower-covered path in the sand to the water edge and treated with an inspiring hula ; then we were lightly sprinkled with ocean water – while vows were recited.
Afterwards we all were gifted with a final hula

danced to the beautiful Hawaiian wedding song : lovely Kawira interpreted “a circle of love that has no beginning and no end “.

An intimate and moving ceremony indeed !!

That was my SECOND time in Hawaii to be very very emotional !!!!

Next instalment : PCC !!!

 

[TotallyAngelic]

Hi Laura
I am feeling so emotional after reading about your wonderful time in Hawaii - you have really captured the essence of the islands in your description and you can tell just how much it means to you. You look so happy in those photographs and the photo of you and Marco on the beach after your now renewal is just so beautiful. What a place to renew your vows!

 

[MICKEY'S DREAMERS]

Ciao Sarah !!!

THANKYOU for your kind comments !!!

Both DGH and I have been SO HAPPY during that trip ... as well as during the "planning" months ahead !!!
Now those days are among our sweetest memories : people of Hawaii are just UNIQUE !!!

laura

OFF to enjoy YOUR trippie !!!!

 

[MICKEY'S DREAMERS]

Mahalo nui! Thank you to the more than 600 University students who are “working” at the Polynesian Cultural Centre (PCC) as guides, artists, dancers… : they DID share with us, visitors, the “aloha” spirit, leading us through an unforgettable experience with the people and cultures of Polynesia.

The PCC, while preserving the heritage of these islands, provides educational opportunities for young people coming from Polynesia and Asia. Most of them are on scholarship sponsored by the center itself.

During the two days spent at the PCC we met many of those students: the most wonderful and caring people ever! DGH and I will forever treasure their smiles, sense of humour and their words of wisdom.

There are seven villages, each of them representing some traditions or activities from one specific Polynesian group of islands.

In Samoa there was a “coconut demonstration”; we learned how they pick up coconuts climbing the trees, how they open them and how they make fire from coconut leaves (no … no lighters !)

In the village of Tonga (aka the Friendly Islands) drummers call to the community to show respect for us, their guests. A special chant invites everyone to visit in this place.

After long hours under the sun, both DGH and I were so grateful to our “student-guide” who had found us a nice SHADED seat to watch the pageant parade called “Rainbow of Paradise”.
There were several canoes gently sliding on the lagoon among the various ”islands”. The villagers were performing traditional dances and chants from their native islands.

Here are the “happy people of Samoa”, as they describe themselves: their traditional clothes come in shade of magenta and pink to honour the beautiful sunset of their islands.

The sound of a conch shell told us the arrival of the Hawaii high chief; he wears the royal helmet and cape, which anciently were made of red and gold plumage of hundreds of birds (they were released after that a few feathers were ”picked” from each of them). The queen wears a pa’u (a yellow dress).

In the Fiji village our guided wanted us to “sample” a bit of an ancient “art”: how you can create lovely decorations out of … strips cut from palm leaves.

When our caring guide knew that DGH and I have been married for more than thirty years he offered to help me with the making of these two lovely “kissing” fishes. !!!

In this short show the people from Aotearoa welcome visitors to their place; the Poi balls spin in rhythmic motions, resembling a TUI, the beautiful native bird of New Zealand !

The Tahitian villagers challenged the men in our little group to one of their traditional dances: I’d never suspected that DGH could be so intriguing while shaking his hips and knees !!!

The whole park was beautiful and very well kept: this is the landscape where Elvis Presley shot the wedding scene in the Blue Hawaii movie.

The evening show, named Horizons, was outstanding, really inspiring and moving.
Each village called us, as “esteemed guests”, to sail through the horizon to their islands of paradise with spectacular choreography and music.
The main dancer was the Fijian girl who, in the afternoon, had a picture taken with DGH.

This dance from Hawaii recalls a time when men walked and talked with ancestral gods.

And the grand finale of that amazing show was SIVA NAIFI AFI, when a young man shows courage and bravery performing the traditional fire knife dance !

Time to leave the PCC: while we were greeting our “guide” and many new friends, we felt that we would gladly return again and again to this special place !

To be continued ... LUAU & North Shore !!!

 

[travelmel]

The Bachelor Party!

The Bachelorette Party!

The DBlushing Bride and DGrumpy Groom!

Congratulations! You two look awesome. Beautiful day, beautiful water behind you, beautiful everything. I'm so glad you were able to do all those wonderful things. What an amazing experience.