Fab Five heads back to the Happiest Place on Earth

[KCmike]

I'm so glad I found your trip report! I'm loving the commentary and the photos. And your kid-less night? Priceless.

Sometimes its nice to get away from the kids, huh?
We will be celebrating our 20th anniversary this November and we are contemplating where to go. We have never been away from them. 20 years is a big milestone so we want to do something special. We are thinking of going to Cannon Beach, OR. I know its November and it might be cold but we have always wanted to see the Pacific Northwest together. Anyone ever been?

 

[SleeplessInSeattle]

One of my greatest vacations was along the WA and OR beaches in Nov. Of course I cannot vouch for what the weather will be like, but for us here in the Pacific NW, the weather can never detract from the beauty of nature. Cannon Beach and Seaside both enjoy very beautiful beaches. There are also some parks there that are well worth the visit just for the amazing ocean vistas they provide. There are boardwalks along the beaches, but I find walking on the beaches much more pleasing. You can seemingly walk for miles up and down the clear sandy beaches.

I'm really enjoying your trip report.

 

[KCmike]

One of my greatest vacations was along the WA and OR beaches in Nov. Of course I cannot vouch for what the weather will be like, but for us here in the Pacific NW, the weather can never detract from the beauty of nature. Cannon Beach and Seaside both enjoy very beautiful beaches. There are also some parks there that are well worth the visit just for the amazing ocean vistas they provide. There are boardwalks along the beaches, but I find walking on the beaches much more pleasing. You can seemingly walk for miles up and down the clear sandy beaches.

I'm really enjoying your trip report.

Thanks for your insight!

 

[KCmike]

Time for another picture update.

Couple of Big Chief Indian shots that I'm proud of.....

The Sun was hitting him just right.

Maybe their looking for Splash Mtn?

Couple of Wide Angle Mark Twain shots

 

[KCmike]

The day we got into Cal. Adventure early I witnessed Grizzly River Run without water.

And then when they turned the water on...

Here's a random DCA picture to finish this round.

 

[Dory's Squishy]

The Final installment – sadness

The Fab Five’s last day in the parks – KCMike makes a splash in Toon Town.

I’m sorry that it took me so long to finish our trip report. You know how life gets once you get back into the swing of things at home. It’s hard to find time to write with our busy schedules.

We decided to spend our last day at Disneyland. We spent the morning going on Jungle Cruise and Indiana Jones. We went to have breakfast again at the Riverbelle Terrace. Delicious as always. After breakfast, we went over to New Orleans Square to watch Tiana sing all our favorite songs from Princess and the Frog.

We walked through Sleeping Beauty’s Castle and rode on some Fantasyland rides. Mike and the kids went on Autopia and I videotaped. I think I had more fun then they did. After Autopia, Mike took DS to ride Space Mountain and us girls went to ride Buzz. Normally, I’m incredibly competitive on Buzz or Toy Story Mania but this time I just sat back and videotaped the girls having a blast. Since this was our last day in the parks, I was very sentimental. I had to hold back the tears all day. Who cries on Buzz? I must be crazy.

We went inside Innoventions, which happened to be my first time. It is very beautiful inside. I had no idea there was a house of tomorrow in there. What fun!

By early afternoon, we decided to go back to the hotel and swim. The kids didn’t want to go down to the pool so Mike and I went alone again. We talked about how the kids are getting older and wanting to do their own thing. It makes us sad but at least we have each other.

When we went back to the park, we went to see Billy Hill and the Hillbillies. We sat right by the stage in a little area that fits a family of five perfectly. Billy kept giving us funny looks as he played his songs. My youngest DD was sitting closest to the stage. He jumped in front of her at one point and it made her jump. We laughed so hard. That show is so awesome! It is one not to miss.

We spent the rest of the evening in Toon Town. We went to see Mickey’s house as well as all the others. Our daughters wanted to go on Roger Rabbit Toon Town Spin, which had a long line. While we were waiting for the girls to get through the ride, we took pictures around Toon Town. I asked Mike to get into some of the photos because he is normally the one behind the camera. There is a fountain directly in front of Roger Rabbit’s ride. The fountain has Roger on the top of it. Mike thought it would be a good idea to climb up onto the side of the fountain and pose like Roger. He didn’t consider how slippery the edge was. When he jumped on it, he fell into the water. Everything happened so fast. He climbed out and one side of him as completely drenched while the other side was dry. I don’t think I have ever seen him do something that hilarious. I felt so bad for him because he had to go around for the rest of the night in one waterlogged shoe.

We found a place to sit for the fireworks in front of the castle. This time we sat a little northeast of the Partners Statue. It was a perfect spot. We could see Tink and Dumbo. No trees were in our way. What a difference one side of the statue is from the other. After Magical, we went over to Rivers of America to watch Fantasmic one more time.

Since we didn’t have to get up early the next day, we stayed after Fantasmic and rode on Pirates. The ride that we started this vacation with was the ride we finished with. We walked slowly down Main Street and said our goodbyes to Disneyland.

The next day, we slept in and checked out at 11:00. The GC held our bags for us since our Super Shuttle wasn’t picking us up until 2:30. We went to the Rainforest Café for lunch, which was just okay. We did some last minute shopping and then headed back to the hotel. Our shuttle picked us up and took us to the airport. The most painful part of our trip was when we had to leave. We hope to come back sometime in 2012 so we can see Cars Land and the Little Mermaid Ride. Until then, we will be reading the disboard trip reports from others.

Thank you for reading about our journey. Magical wishes to all.

 

[albertamom]

Thank you so much for your beautiful trip report. I love Mike's pictures so much, and for some reason today decided to click on the link to his TR. How lucky for me that today is the day you finished it up!

We took our first DLR trip when our kids were 5 and 6, and everyone said that they were the perfect ages, but I seem to love our trips even more as they get older. I love to hear about families with older kids who find such joy in their Disney vacations. It is truly a magical place, and even though the family dynamics change (and they may want to stay in the room eating poptarts, instead of joining you for breakfast), there is no place like it for family togetherness.

Thank you for sharing your family and your magical trip with us. I am now absolutely aching to return!

 

[AussieDisneyNut]

Thank you both for such a wonderful and detailed trip report. Our family is planning a trip for next year and it is so great to hear and see your experiences.

 

[BillyFan]

Fantastic trip report! I really enjoyed the commentary and the pictures! And I'm assuming there are more pictures to come, as I don't recall seeing any from your visit with the Billys?

 

[KCmike]

Thanks everyone for the nice comments. We had such a wonderful trip. The Grand Californian is such an amazing place. There are so many more pictures to share for the future. I have some great shots of the Golden Horseshoe and Elvis Billy. I will upload those to photobucket and try to share with you by tonight. I have to say that on our final day (checkout day) it was nice to have a later flight out. Usually in the past we checkout in the early early dawn and it is hard to enjoy ourselves the night before knowing we had the early flight staring us down. We ended up eating at RainForest and then walking over to the Disneyland Hotel and looking at the waterfalls one last time. We saw how they were tearing down the old look and we peaked into one room to see firsthand how the new look was coming along. It looks nice. We also strolled along the koi pond area (they were already gone) but the waterfalls were still going strong. I got some shots there as well and paid my respects. I really enjoy that area and it will be sorely missed. We ended up walking back towards the GC and just relaxing in the massive lobby just taking it in one more time. It's always so sad to have to leave. The supershuttle was on time and ready to pick us up. I definitely have to give a big thumbs up to this service. It went very smoothly and its nice to not have to rent a car for the week. The one day car rental also went very smoothly for us from Alamo at the Downtown Disney area.

Now previously my wife was talking about our last day at Disneyland. I have to say that the Roger Rabbit water fountain had it in for me. I was trying to act like a goof and stand like Roger on and next to the fountain and I took my eyes what I was doing and slipped and my left foot/leg went into the water. I couldn't believe it. How silly am I? One of those memorable moments though that I will have for a long time. That night was perfect though the rest of the way. We sat in front of the castle stage right in the hub. This is the perfect place. Anywhere from the middle to the right center of the hub (say like noon to 1pm on a clock). We then easily made it to Fantasmic! by way of the walkway through Rancho Zocalo bathrooms and then on down. Fantasmic! was wonderful again. We saw it three times that week. We saw WOC twice. I got to do things I've always wanted to do as well. Things like the canoe ride, Great Moments w/ Mr. Lincoln, ride in the Lilly Belle (what a special moment!!), watch people swing dance on Saturday night with my wife, and get my oldest daughter to finally start enjoying Splash Mountain. I had my two favorite meals twice (Riverbelle Terrace for breakfast and Plaza Inn for dinner). I've got pictures of that too!!! My youngest kids were in the Celebrate Parade and my family stayed with me one night and closed down the park. The weather was everything I dreamed it to be. We went in July and the highest it ever got I believe was 80. It was just perfect. I will miss California so much. We've been struggling with where to go for our anniversary. Cannon Beach seems ideal but I personally really want to go somewhere warmer while its colder here in KC. We think we've decided to wait for Cannon Beach and take the whole family there for summer vacation next year. It would be nice to be able to take our dog with u s for the first time as well. I know they have alot of places that allow dogs and our daschund would love the ocean. We had it narrowed down to Yellowstone, Washington DC, and Oregon. Our anniversary is coming up in November and we're not share where to spend some quality time. Maybe a cruise? Something short and inexpensive would be nice. Not sure if we would like it though. We would like to be on or next to the ocean and just watch the waves come in. We checked out Virginia, the Carolinas, and Florida. Just not sure what is right.

Anyways I will post some other favorite shots to wrap this up and then I will be off to the Picture of the Day threads among others. I know 2012 will be here before we know it.

Thanks for reading along. For those yet to take their trip. DL is an amazing place. A place where a family can play, have fun, relax and enjoy each others company. It is my home away from home. Thank you honey for allowing us to take the family there so often. Here's to our next great adventure!

 

[KCmike]

Alright here are the photos I promised. It will probably take two entries but here is my first one. Settle in as this will be alot of photos.

Disneyland. The original and still the best.

The kids goofing off in front of the Golden Horseshoe

Wide shot of Golden Horseshoe

My favorite meal at Plaza Inn

Love the nostalgia look of this shot

On top of the world...I mean land!

Silly Symphony

Alright that's probably enough for this one. Hope you all enjoy.

 

[franandaj]

Those are awesome pictures! I wish I had your perspective!

 

[albertamom]

This has very quickly become my favourite thread!

Love, love, love your pictures, and love, love, love Disneyland!

 

[KCmike]

Those are awesome pictures! I wish I had your perspective!

Nothing to special about my perspective. I just shoot what I see and then I get lucky. Thanks though.

 

[KCmike]

This has very quickly become my favourite thread!

Love, love, love your pictures, and love, love, love Disneyland!

Favorite thread, really? That is very sweet of you. Thanks.

 

[KCmike]

Alright who's up for another round of shots?

Corona Del Mar/Newport Beach

Aladdin and his magic carpet

Up Close and Personal

I wish I could have purchased a poster of one of the rides

Can't remember if I had posted this one before or not.

It's like I'm right on the traintracks looking towards DCA

Inside the Lilly Belle

That should do it for this round. See you on the boards.

 

[KCmike]

Inside Buzz

 

[tinkermell]

Hi Mike and Dory'sSquishy! (Sorry, I don't know your name)

I thoroughly enjoyed reading all of your TR. One of the nicest ones I've read. I know how much this trip meant to you, after all the hard aches you have been through this past year.

Dory/, you have a nice way with words, and Mike? What can I say. Your pictures are fabulous. Well worth the camera rental I would say. I have been also keeping up with you on the "DL Picture of the Day" thread.

Thanks again and take care!

 

[KCmike]

Hi Mike and Dory'sSquishy! (Sorry, I don't know your name)

I thoroughly enjoyed reading all of your TR. One of the nicest ones I've read. I know how much this trip meant to you, after all the hard aches you have been through this past year.

Dory/, you have a nice way with words, and Mike? What can I say. Your pictures are fabulous. Well worth the camera rental I would say. I have been also keeping up with you on the "DL Picture of the Day" thread.

Thanks again and take care!

Thank you for your kind words. That is very sweet of you.

 

[KCmike]

So on our last day we ventured towards DL Hotel. We had stayed there last year and really enjoyed it very much. I have to say though we are very spoiled after staying at GC. The proximity and the sure elegance of that resort is amazing. So we thought on the last day since we had a late fly out to KC we would recall fond memories of last years vacation. I have to say that I love taking shots with the Canon 10-22 ultra wide angle lens. I would love to be able to add it to my small collection but the cost is just too much for me right now. Anyway I hope you enjoy my next collection of photos.

Next up will be my shots of the koi ponds and DL waterfalls which I believe are now no more. So sad.