DVC Family Heads West - DL Trip Report with PICS Completed!
- Thread starter tksbaskets
- Start date
LisainCalifornia
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what a great trip report! I love the pics. What handsome sons you have. You all look like you had a great family vacation.
Take care,
Lisa
Take care,
Lisa
tksbaskets
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don't get too excited TYPE-O NO inversions....off to edit.
DoOverDreams
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Thanks for the great report! We're going to be there next week, and reading this is getting me very excited!
I want to know, where did you get 2 great boys like that? I can't believe the smiling faces! For adolescent boys vacationing with their parents? Wow. And everyone looks like they are having so much fun.
Hmm, our rooms are DCA, which is supposedly Disney California Adventure view....at least that's what MS told me! And that's what our reservations have on the member site. I wonder what sort of view we'll get?
More Please!
I want to know, where did you get 2 great boys like that? I can't believe the smiling faces! For adolescent boys vacationing with their parents? Wow. And everyone looks like they are having so much fun.
Hmm, our rooms are DCA, which is supposedly Disney California Adventure view....at least that's what MS told me! And that's what our reservations have on the member site. I wonder what sort of view we'll get?
More Please!
Sleepless Knight
Jedi Knight Seeking His Jedi Princess
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Nice report. Your comment about Indy's ride vehicles reminding you of Dinosaur reminded me about this interesting fact. The Indiana Jones Adventure and Dinosaur have the exact same ride track and use identical technology.
tksbaskets
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Thanks Lisa - it was wonderful! Our sons are seniors this year so our family vacation time is precious. They do say if we keep going to Disney and on cruises they are happy to continue to vacation with the folks
Thanks for the great report! We're going to be there next week, and reading this is getting me very excited!
I want to know, where did you get 2 great boys like that? I can't believe the smiling faces! For adolescent boys vacationing with their parents? Wow. And everyone looks like they are having so much fun.
Hmm, our rooms are DCA, which is supposedly Disney California Adventure view....at least that's what MS told me! And that's what our reservations have on the member site. I wonder what sort of view we'll get?
More Please!
The boys are definitely our gift from God
I must admit at times they do act like any other teen.....sigh.Cool!
tksbaskets
DIS Veteran
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Disney's California Adventure!
OT- Just back from Grumpy's football game. Thought I'd spend just a little time to visit my trip report. Don't ask about the score. Grumpy got in and played well.
We woke up at 6:15 am California time (9:15 in Michigan) We headed down to Storyteller's and were able to get in for their character breakfast buffet. To those of you who ask how I get the boys to smile and pose for pics? Food helps!
Notice the nice motif around the ceiling. (and nice family with Brother Bear)
A few other characters visited too! Turk: (notice the different Red Wings Stanley Cup shirt on my DH!)
Chip (his nose is black like a chocolate chip)
Baloo
Dale
I was kind of hoping the moose characters would arrive but no... The boys headed up to the room to get ready for our day and DH and I check in with the Disney Cruise Line cast members and received our lanyards for being Castaway Club members (sailed before with DCL) I had planned our blitz for the day and planned to be at the GC private entrance for DCA at 9:30 am. We made it by 9:35 so I was pretty pleased with the troops!
The entrance to DCA from the GC spits you out by the Grizzly River Run. We were let in about 9:45. The line for Toy Story Mania was already there so we actually had to turn left and walk towards the front of the park to get in the end of the line. It didn't move until 10 am when the park opened. It was HOT today!
See the falls behind us? Here we are in the queue like a good Disney family.
For those with a map we walked around the left side of Grizzly River Run (saw the empty rafts), past Golden Dreams, and by Ariel's Grotto then we curved right along Paradise bay and eventually crossed the street to the Toy Story Midway Mania ride.
I'll leave you with my two favorite photos along the way for tonight and give you the rest of the day tomorrow.
Guess who we found? The Photopass people (a bit later in the day but the same spot)
Thanks for reading!
Next up: Was the hour wait worth it????
OT- Just back from Grumpy's football game. Thought I'd spend just a little time to visit my trip report. Don't ask about the score. Grumpy got in and played well.
We woke up at 6:15 am California time (9:15 in Michigan) We headed down to Storyteller's and were able to get in for their character breakfast buffet. To those of you who ask how I get the boys to smile and pose for pics? Food helps!
Notice the nice motif around the ceiling. (and nice family with Brother Bear)
A few other characters visited too! Turk: (notice the different Red Wings Stanley Cup shirt on my DH!)
Chip (his nose is black like a chocolate chip)
Baloo
Dale
I was kind of hoping the moose characters would arrive but no... The boys headed up to the room to get ready for our day and DH and I check in with the Disney Cruise Line cast members and received our lanyards for being Castaway Club members (sailed before with DCL) I had planned our blitz for the day and planned to be at the GC private entrance for DCA at 9:30 am. We made it by 9:35 so I was pretty pleased with the troops!
The entrance to DCA from the GC spits you out by the Grizzly River Run. We were let in about 9:45. The line for Toy Story Mania was already there so we actually had to turn left and walk towards the front of the park to get in the end of the line. It didn't move until 10 am when the park opened. It was HOT today!
See the falls behind us? Here we are in the queue like a good Disney family.
For those with a map we walked around the left side of Grizzly River Run (saw the empty rafts), past Golden Dreams, and by Ariel's Grotto then we curved right along Paradise bay and eventually crossed the street to the Toy Story Midway Mania ride.
I'll leave you with my two favorite photos along the way for tonight and give you the rest of the day tomorrow.
Guess who we found? The Photopass people (a bit later in the day but the same spot)
Thanks for reading!
Next up: Was the hour wait worth it????
The Disney Fanatic
DIS Dad's Club Member #1
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tksbaskets
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Toy Story Mania and Pixar Parade
Yes Disney Fanatic - It was worth it! We stood in the beating sun for 45 minutes until we finally reached the covered area where we snaked back and forth. (Passing the same people left and right) Mr. Potato Head kept us amused for much of it (until he experienced technical difficulties) Here he is:
He moves back and forth and even removes his ear. Way cool! We picked up our 3-D glasses and prepared to embark. The ride vehicles are back to back with two on each side. You have a 'gun' that you fire by pulling back the rubber band like ball behind. First you pull in the first shootin' gallery, then the car stops and you blast away (same on both sides) then off to the next area. Some ring toss, some you shoot darts to pop balloons, etc. A RIOT in 3-D
Grumpy was with me and DH and Donald behind. When we got to the end all happy I looked over to see DH and Donald talking with a cast member and getting back on. Evidently their guns wouldn't fire and they didn't have any action 
Being the savvy DISer I had DH fork over his and Donald's park passess and Grumpy and I hot-footed it to California Screaming for fast passes WHEW DH and Donald had a great second ride and came out happy!
Being Buzz Lightyear fans we give this
out of 4!
Did I mention it was HOT??? There was a heat advisory this day and I believe it. We all drank a bottled water before getting in the stand-by line for California Screamin'. By now it is about 11:10 and we none of us were hungry four our ADR at Wine Country Trattoria at 11:30. I called to cancel our reservations while we were in line. Frankly we were so hot we weren't hungry. VERY unusual for my family
I must give picture credit to another DISer who takes EXCELLENT photos and shared this one of California Screamin' (If only I could remember who's it was) This coaster was excellent! The ride was smooth and pretty long. The inversions were great! We immediately got in right back in line and used our fast passes when we were finished.
If you like coasters don't miss out on this one!! By now we were SO ready for a little break. We grabbed bottled water for everyone and the boys and I had an ice cream. We sat on the benches by Ariel's Grotto and thought "Man this is Florida hot".
We made our way around the back side of Grizzly River Run and through Sunshine Plaza working our way towards Hollywood Pictures Backlot. Tip there is no way out of Bugs Land but the main entrance. Ask me how I know....
Photopass op along the way!! Back side of Grizzly Peak:
We rode (all pretty much without a line) the Tower of Terror and thought that it was great but gave the edge to WDW where the car leaves the track. Next to Grumpy's favorite The Muppet Vision 3-D which was identical to WDW. Next we stopped in Monsters, Inc. Mike & Sulley to the Rescue. There was only a 15 minute wait and it was worth it.
By now we were hungry and unlike WDW with MANY dining choices, we went to Award Wieners and had a very nice hot dog, chips, and a drink. The best thing is we found seats in the shade and it was right around the corner from the Muppets. DH was pretty over heated and the boys wanted to swim so after lunch we went back to the GCH for some R&R. I have to mention again how nice it was to walk 10 minutes to our hotel entrance. No bus no fuss. WAIT!!!! I see the brown vest and hat signifying the Photopass Photographer. Line-em up gang
Next up: Golden Dreams, the Pixar Play Parade, and you find out if Goofy's Kitchen is still AWOL at the Disney Land Hotel.
Yes Disney Fanatic - It was worth it! We stood in the beating sun for 45 minutes until we finally reached the covered area where we snaked back and forth. (Passing the same people left and right) Mr. Potato Head kept us amused for much of it (until he experienced technical difficulties) Here he is:
He moves back and forth and even removes his ear. Way cool! We picked up our 3-D glasses and prepared to embark. The ride vehicles are back to back with two on each side. You have a 'gun' that you fire by pulling back the rubber band like ball behind. First you pull in the first shootin' gallery, then the car stops and you blast away (same on both sides) then off to the next area. Some ring toss, some you shoot darts to pop balloons, etc. A RIOT in 3-D
Grumpy was with me and DH and Donald behind. When we got to the end all happy I looked over to see DH and Donald talking with a cast member and getting back on. Evidently their guns wouldn't fire and they didn't have any action Being the savvy DISer I had DH fork over his and Donald's park passess and Grumpy and I hot-footed it to California Screaming for fast passes WHEW DH and Donald had a great second ride and came out happy! Being Buzz Lightyear fans we give this
out of 4!
Did I mention it was HOT??? There was a heat advisory this day and I believe it. We all drank a bottled water before getting in the stand-by line for California Screamin'. By now it is about 11:10 and we none of us were hungry four our ADR at Wine Country Trattoria at 11:30. I called to cancel our reservations while we were in line. Frankly we were so hot we weren't hungry. VERY unusual for my family
I must give picture credit to another DISer who takes EXCELLENT photos and shared this one of California Screamin' (If only I could remember who's it was) This coaster was excellent! The ride was smooth and pretty long. The inversions were great! We immediately got in right back in line and used our fast passes when we were finished.
If you like coasters don't miss out on this one!! By now we were SO ready for a little break. We grabbed bottled water for everyone and the boys and I had an ice cream. We sat on the benches by Ariel's Grotto and thought "Man this is Florida hot".
We made our way around the back side of Grizzly River Run and through Sunshine Plaza working our way towards Hollywood Pictures Backlot. Tip there is no way out of Bugs Land but the main entrance. Ask me how I know....
Photopass op along the way!! Back side of Grizzly Peak:
We rode (all pretty much without a line) the Tower of Terror and thought that it was great but gave the edge to WDW where the car leaves the track. Next to Grumpy's favorite The Muppet Vision 3-D which was identical to WDW. Next we stopped in Monsters, Inc. Mike & Sulley to the Rescue. There was only a 15 minute wait and it was worth it.
By now we were hungry and unlike WDW with MANY dining choices, we went to Award Wieners and had a very nice hot dog, chips, and a drink. The best thing is we found seats in the shade and it was right around the corner from the Muppets. DH was pretty over heated and the boys wanted to swim so after lunch we went back to the GCH for some R&R. I have to mention again how nice it was to walk 10 minutes to our hotel entrance. No bus no fuss. WAIT!!!! I see the brown vest and hat signifying the Photopass Photographer. Line-em up gang
Next up: Golden Dreams, the Pixar Play Parade, and you find out if Goofy's Kitchen is still AWOL at the Disney Land Hotel.
CrazyDuck
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Guess who we found? The Photopass people (a bit later in the day but the same spot)
WOW your photo is sooo much nicer than the photopass people! Am enjoying this Trip report... sad that they moved it off the Disneyland board!
tksbaskets
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tksbaskets
DIS Veteran
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Pixar Play Parade!
We enjoyed our pool time (and DH nap time) and were refreshed when we went back to DCA for the 4 pm showing of California Dreams - which I recommend to any DCA visitor.
We staked our our spot to watch the 5:15 pm parade. Right outside of California Dreams. It looks like a big stone gazebo. There was some shade to the right of the building. Yes, those are my guys lounging on the side of the gazebo
The parade will be coming from our left and going to the right. Fun parade but watch your camera/video recorders. Just about everything shoots water
I'll share my favorites:
Up next - another try at Goofy's Kitchen
We enjoyed our pool time (and DH nap time) and were refreshed when we went back to DCA for the 4 pm showing of California Dreams - which I recommend to any DCA visitor.
We staked our our spot to watch the 5:15 pm parade. Right outside of California Dreams. It looks like a big stone gazebo. There was some shade to the right of the building. Yes, those are my guys lounging on the side of the gazebo
The parade will be coming from our left and going to the right. Fun parade but watch your camera/video recorders. Just about everything shoots water
I'll share my favorites:
Up next - another try at Goofy's Kitchen
tksbaskets
DIS Veteran
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Goofy's Ballroom
We had reservations for 6:30 pm so we went right from DCA to the Disney Land Hotel. Goofy's Kitchen was still closed but they were serving dinner in the ballroom on the second floor. We made the best of it (and were charged lunch rates for dinner).
First your group is taken for a private photo with Minnie TIP - unless you have more willpower than me, don't have the official photographer take your picture. They will bring them to your table for a mere $32. The Cast Member will take a pic with your camera
The food was pretty good but the atmosphere was nothing like I think we would have had in the actual Goofy's Kitchen. We did see one character we have never encountered!
We didn't linger after diner. We headed to the bakery in DTD to pick up muffins and bananas for our breakfast the next day.
Because it's another early entry day at Disney Land!!
We had reservations for 6:30 pm so we went right from DCA to the Disney Land Hotel. Goofy's Kitchen was still closed but they were serving dinner in the ballroom on the second floor. We made the best of it (and were charged lunch rates for dinner).
First your group is taken for a private photo with Minnie TIP - unless you have more willpower than me, don't have the official photographer take your picture. They will bring them to your table for a mere $32. The Cast Member will take a pic with your camera
The food was pretty good but the atmosphere was nothing like I think we would have had in the actual Goofy's Kitchen. We did see one character we have never encountered!
We didn't linger after diner. We headed to the bakery in DTD to pick up muffins and bananas for our breakfast the next day.
Because it's another early entry day at Disney Land!!
tksbaskets
DIS Veteran
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Thanks! You will love your stay at the Grand Californian! Very nice. I was surprised that the some of the eateries open late and close early (Whitewater Snacks for example). Be sure to tell us all how you like it
tksbaskets
DIS Veteran
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Our Last Full Day at Disney Land
With our belly full of yummy muffins we were at the gate at 6:40 am. This day we weren't QUITE so commando so we stopped for Photopass and castle pics on our way to Space Mountain.
We rode SM
took a spin on Buzz Lightyear
then off to Star Tours (while DH rode Buzz a couple more times) Star Tours was identical to WDW.
Our new ride was the Matterhorn Bobsleds. There are two different queues for it. An Alpine theme complete with music and wishing you a good ride auf Deutch. You ride front and back in the sleds and they are built for two adults or two adults with two little kids. Lots of winding and turns but quite fun with a Yetti thrown in for thrill factor. Not so long a wait today so we went twice in a row. (DH who is a bit prone to motion sickness declined going the second time)
We went over to Adventure land and got fast passes for Indiana Jones and rode using the stand-by line
Yo Ho another ride on Pirates:
We had a very fine (but expensive - over $200 for our family of four) lunch at the Blue Bayou Restaurant. Our reservations were for 11:30 and we got right in and were seated by the water. It was really fun to watch the boats go by from the Pirates ride. It was fairly dark in there but not so much that we couldn't find our food!
My lunch:
We settled our lunch with a tour through the Haunted Mansion
By now it was almost 1 pm and our search for the 'special' Photopass ops commenced. First to the river! Don't you love the view?
"Do you have the Captain Hook Shot?" This was one of many -
Off to the castle. "Can you do the Tinkerbell shot?"
"Minnie too you say????" I really like this one!
Now a dash towards Star Tours to fight Lord Vadar
I love these. As you can see by my sig we went to WDW for Star Wars Weekend
Now for my own Jedi
You didn't think we forgot about our fast passes did you??? Off we went for our final ride on Indiana Jones and took in the live show Indiana Jones and the Secret of the Stone Tiger. It was a nice show. The little ones got to sit down on carpets in front of the stage. The show was cute and so was Indy.
Next we stopped by the Tiki Room. It was nice and we enjoyed a Dole Whip treat while waiting to get in. Sing with me..."In the Tiki Tiki Tiki Tiki Room, in the ...."
Next: Almost time to say goodby
With our belly full of yummy muffins we were at the gate at 6:40 am. This day we weren't QUITE so commando so we stopped for Photopass and castle pics on our way to Space Mountain.
We rode SM
took a spin on Buzz Lightyear
then off to Star Tours (while DH rode Buzz a couple more times) Star Tours was identical to WDW.
Our new ride was the Matterhorn Bobsleds. There are two different queues for it. An Alpine theme complete with music and wishing you a good ride auf Deutch. You ride front and back in the sleds and they are built for two adults or two adults with two little kids. Lots of winding and turns but quite fun with a Yetti thrown in for thrill factor. Not so long a wait today so we went twice in a row. (DH who is a bit prone to motion sickness declined going the second time)
We went over to Adventure land and got fast passes for Indiana Jones and rode using the stand-by line
Yo Ho another ride on Pirates:
We had a very fine (but expensive - over $200 for our family of four) lunch at the Blue Bayou Restaurant. Our reservations were for 11:30 and we got right in and were seated by the water. It was really fun to watch the boats go by from the Pirates ride. It was fairly dark in there but not so much that we couldn't find our food!
My lunch:
We settled our lunch with a tour through the Haunted Mansion
By now it was almost 1 pm and our search for the 'special' Photopass ops commenced. First to the river! Don't you love the view?
"Do you have the Captain Hook Shot?" This was one of many -
Off to the castle. "Can you do the Tinkerbell shot?"
"Minnie too you say????" I really like this one!
Now a dash towards Star Tours to fight Lord Vadar
I love these. As you can see by my sig we went to WDW for Star Wars Weekend
Now for my own Jedi
You didn't think we forgot about our fast passes did you??? Off we went for our final ride on Indiana Jones and took in the live show Indiana Jones and the Secret of the Stone Tiger. It was a nice show. The little ones got to sit down on carpets in front of the stage. The show was cute and so was Indy.
Next we stopped by the Tiki Room. It was nice and we enjoyed a Dole Whip treat while waiting to get in. Sing with me..."In the Tiki Tiki Tiki Tiki Room, in the ...."
Next: Almost time to say goodby
tksbaskets
DIS Veteran
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- 4,457
Hard to believe our time is almost up!
We walked back to the castle and waited to take one of the cars. Bordering the Partners statue were many charming little statues. Here are a few:
Riding in style to the front of Disney Land:
Zeroed in on a Photopass guy:
Our last activity of the day was watching the Steve Martin narrated "Disney Land: The First Magical 50 Years" Please don't miss this treasure.
Well loyal DISers this is the end of the Disney Land portion of our vacation. We went back to the Grand Californian to swim (I wrote out post cards) and relax that afternoon before packing up for our Disney Cruise! We had dinner at ESPN in DTD. Personally I wouldn't recommend it. We waited a long time and had mediocre food.
Sunday 6/22 we had another fine Storyteller's Breakfast and bid farewell to the Grand Californian. We hat a top notch experience and definitely plan to visit again. Perhaps when we can stay at the new DVC Grand Californian Villas?
Hope you had as much fun reading as I did sharing our Disney Land vacation! I'll end my trip report with my favorite Photopass Photo in front of the train station. Look who ran into our photo to give us a little Disney Magic.
We walked back to the castle and waited to take one of the cars. Bordering the Partners statue were many charming little statues. Here are a few:
Riding in style to the front of Disney Land:
Zeroed in on a Photopass guy:
Our last activity of the day was watching the Steve Martin narrated "Disney Land: The First Magical 50 Years" Please don't miss this treasure.
Well loyal DISers this is the end of the Disney Land portion of our vacation. We went back to the Grand Californian to swim (I wrote out post cards) and relax that afternoon before packing up for our Disney Cruise! We had dinner at ESPN in DTD. Personally I wouldn't recommend it. We waited a long time and had mediocre food.
Sunday 6/22 we had another fine Storyteller's Breakfast and bid farewell to the Grand Californian. We hat a top notch experience and definitely plan to visit again. Perhaps when we can stay at the new DVC Grand Californian Villas?
Hope you had as much fun reading as I did sharing our Disney Land vacation! I'll end my trip report with my favorite Photopass Photo in front of the train station. Look who ran into our photo to give us a little Disney Magic.
reyasmommy
DIS Veteran
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- Jul 20, 2007
- Messages
- 1,952
Really enjoyed your trip report!! Thank you for sharing!
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