MacMama0930
I've Found My Laughing Place
- Joined
- Jul 31, 2016
- Messages
- 1,016
What began as a possible solo journey turned into a father/daughter trip. (Which PS - meant a lot more to me than I ever thought it would because as a busy wife, mother of two, how often do you get solid days with just your dad?!).
Our journey started out aboard the Pacific Surfliner train that takes you through parts of the CA coast that you almost never to get to see. It was a beautiful. Of course it also takes you through the backyards of inner cities in the greater Los Angeles area! The train took almost 6 hours and probably added about 2 hours onto our trip, but we didn't care because there's virtually no stress involved! We both hate traffic, and my vision actually impairs me from driving that distance.
We arrived in Anaheim and took the ART to DLR. That was our first mistake. We wanted to go to the DLH entrance but it doesn't take you there, which meant we were left at the main entrance and security lines, with our roll on luggage. This wasn't ideal as my dad had pocket knifes and his "medicine". We had to explain to security and then had to be escorted out through the DTD entrance. Whew. But it was frustrating.
We checked in and got upgraded to a deluxe view room, which overlooked the pool, in the Fantasy Tower. We got our AP special promo fast passes and dining vouchers and headed out!
We arrived on Sunday, 11/13, around 3pm, and the parks weren't too bad! I was happy about that. Between pulling fast passes and utilizing SRL, our whole trip was flawless in terms of limiting waits, which was important for my ADHD father! We didn't want to see the parade since we were doing the holiday tour Monday, so we explored DCA and did SRL at Grizzly, pulled FP for ToT, I think we took in Soarin' somehow, too. Went back to DL to watch the fireworks and while beautiful and touching, it didn't have the same "wow" factor as Halloween Screams. Waited in the FP return line for HSM only to have it break down...oh well. We did get to ride it a couple other times during the trip, but the visual effects seemed very dim and not at all spectular like I had heard. Still felt primarily like an all dark roller coaster.
Monday, we awoke early to a) check out of DLH and check into GCH b) to utilize MM. My intent with the hotel change was to simply check it out and also because a new reservation also meant new FPs and new dining voucher! PS the Grand is beautiful. I probably like DLH better, but proximity wise, I'd choose the Grand when I go again.
At MM rope drop we went to ToT and then Soarin' then headed over to RSR where we used SLR and walked right past an already 40 minute wait, only to end up in the same car! Nice! We ate a cozy cone Mac and cheese thingy and OMG, yum. We both loved it.
Went back to DL to meet up with our tour peeps. It felt very quaint, very VIP. Wasn't feeling the staticky ear bud thing and both my dad and I ended up bored. Timing wasn't really on our side because it was at 2pm and it was probably the hottest, most crowded time in the park. Every time she stood in front of a holiday overlay attraction and talked about how neat it was only to NOT put us on it, I had a teeny tiny internal tantrum. The parade seating was marvelous. Plus, it was a good group of people, who were fun to talk to. The collectors pin was precious, and I don't even collect them (but maybe now I will!). But the hot chocolate? Cmon Disney, it's like 90 degrees, who wants hot chocolate? Improvise people! The parade was adorable and I really wished my kids were with me to enjoy it.
After that we went to DCA to use some FP. Oh ha, last time I was there, there was a line wrapped clear around the whole flipping park for a RSR FP and they were gone by 10am! Monday, we walked up - WALKED UP - to the FP kiosk at like 11:00 and pulled FPs for a 5:30-6:30 return. Score! RSR right after dark, for the first time, it was excellent!
Then we treated ourselves to the WOC dessert party. It was great. No surprise there. We did it last month and I'll save up to do it every time we want to see the show. It's fabulous. I won't give away too much from the holiday show, but I was sincerely touched by an unexpected gesture...I began to tear up during Let There Be Peace on Earth - because, well, LET IT BEGIN WITH US!! It was a great show. Disney's imagineers are just geniuses, in epic proportions.
Tuesday was MM at DL and we worked our FP/SRL like pros and just knocked out so much. We did everything we wanted. Seamlessly, really. It's a lot different when you're not worried about the needs and wants of two little people, ya know? Just my dad and I, power walking, park hopping, inappropriate joke telling...it was SO MUCH FUN. Stopped at Elias and Co. and had them make custom stockings for my kids. They turned out beautiful, nice, well made stockings with my precious little snowflakes' names etched on the top in cursive. Swoon. They will hang at every Christmas as long as I live!!
Like I said, I will treasure this trip forever. My dad is still young and healthy, but I don't take my folks for granted. I know there will come a day when my dad won't be here and I have this trip to look back on, and laugh about, and probably cry about. Or who knows, maybe this was just the first in what will now be an annual father/daughter Disneyland trip?! Only time will tell.
Xoxo
Our journey started out aboard the Pacific Surfliner train that takes you through parts of the CA coast that you almost never to get to see. It was a beautiful. Of course it also takes you through the backyards of inner cities in the greater Los Angeles area! The train took almost 6 hours and probably added about 2 hours onto our trip, but we didn't care because there's virtually no stress involved! We both hate traffic, and my vision actually impairs me from driving that distance.
We arrived in Anaheim and took the ART to DLR. That was our first mistake. We wanted to go to the DLH entrance but it doesn't take you there, which meant we were left at the main entrance and security lines, with our roll on luggage. This wasn't ideal as my dad had pocket knifes and his "medicine". We had to explain to security and then had to be escorted out through the DTD entrance. Whew. But it was frustrating.
We checked in and got upgraded to a deluxe view room, which overlooked the pool, in the Fantasy Tower. We got our AP special promo fast passes and dining vouchers and headed out!
We arrived on Sunday, 11/13, around 3pm, and the parks weren't too bad! I was happy about that. Between pulling fast passes and utilizing SRL, our whole trip was flawless in terms of limiting waits, which was important for my ADHD father! We didn't want to see the parade since we were doing the holiday tour Monday, so we explored DCA and did SRL at Grizzly, pulled FP for ToT, I think we took in Soarin' somehow, too. Went back to DL to watch the fireworks and while beautiful and touching, it didn't have the same "wow" factor as Halloween Screams. Waited in the FP return line for HSM only to have it break down...oh well. We did get to ride it a couple other times during the trip, but the visual effects seemed very dim and not at all spectular like I had heard. Still felt primarily like an all dark roller coaster.
Monday, we awoke early to a) check out of DLH and check into GCH b) to utilize MM. My intent with the hotel change was to simply check it out and also because a new reservation also meant new FPs and new dining voucher! PS the Grand is beautiful. I probably like DLH better, but proximity wise, I'd choose the Grand when I go again.
At MM rope drop we went to ToT and then Soarin' then headed over to RSR where we used SLR and walked right past an already 40 minute wait, only to end up in the same car! Nice! We ate a cozy cone Mac and cheese thingy and OMG, yum. We both loved it.
Went back to DL to meet up with our tour peeps. It felt very quaint, very VIP. Wasn't feeling the staticky ear bud thing and both my dad and I ended up bored. Timing wasn't really on our side because it was at 2pm and it was probably the hottest, most crowded time in the park. Every time she stood in front of a holiday overlay attraction and talked about how neat it was only to NOT put us on it, I had a teeny tiny internal tantrum. The parade seating was marvelous. Plus, it was a good group of people, who were fun to talk to. The collectors pin was precious, and I don't even collect them (but maybe now I will!). But the hot chocolate? Cmon Disney, it's like 90 degrees, who wants hot chocolate? Improvise people! The parade was adorable and I really wished my kids were with me to enjoy it.
After that we went to DCA to use some FP. Oh ha, last time I was there, there was a line wrapped clear around the whole flipping park for a RSR FP and they were gone by 10am! Monday, we walked up - WALKED UP - to the FP kiosk at like 11:00 and pulled FPs for a 5:30-6:30 return. Score! RSR right after dark, for the first time, it was excellent!
Then we treated ourselves to the WOC dessert party. It was great. No surprise there. We did it last month and I'll save up to do it every time we want to see the show. It's fabulous. I won't give away too much from the holiday show, but I was sincerely touched by an unexpected gesture...I began to tear up during Let There Be Peace on Earth - because, well, LET IT BEGIN WITH US!! It was a great show. Disney's imagineers are just geniuses, in epic proportions.
Tuesday was MM at DL and we worked our FP/SRL like pros and just knocked out so much. We did everything we wanted. Seamlessly, really. It's a lot different when you're not worried about the needs and wants of two little people, ya know? Just my dad and I, power walking, park hopping, inappropriate joke telling...it was SO MUCH FUN. Stopped at Elias and Co. and had them make custom stockings for my kids. They turned out beautiful, nice, well made stockings with my precious little snowflakes' names etched on the top in cursive. Swoon. They will hang at every Christmas as long as I live!!
Like I said, I will treasure this trip forever. My dad is still young and healthy, but I don't take my folks for granted. I know there will come a day when my dad won't be here and I have this trip to look back on, and laugh about, and probably cry about. Or who knows, maybe this was just the first in what will now be an annual father/daughter Disneyland trip?! Only time will tell.
Xoxo
