Jolly Holiday at Disneyland for the 60th Holiday Anniversary (Dec.3-10th)

[CaptBane]

Day one Dec 3,2015:
We started the day very early 4:00 am Phoenix AZ time. Double checking bags and getting coffee (Lets face it too excited to sleep anymore!) Hit the road at 7:00 am for the Phoenix Sky Harbor airport for our flight to John Wayne (SNA) airport. Checked bags without a problem, and headed for the gate which we found without much difficulty after a relative quick security screen (They had to pat down the 13 year olds cuffs on his jeans). Then found a place to have 'breakfast' a couple of very good sliders for Jade and I and a bean and cheese burrito with fries for the kiddo.

After the 'breakfast' we headed back to the gate to wait the hour or so before boarding. At around 10:00 AM they called the first group for our flight, and then we were on board. The flight went smoothly with us landing at John Wayne (SNA) without incident and cute M.I.C.K.E.Y. song form one of the flight attendants. Baggage Claim was quick and painless and then it was off to catch the Disneyland Express to our hotel. After a call from Best Western to make sure that we had ordered an Amazon Fresh delivery.

Arrived at Best Western Park Place Inn at about 12:30 PM Disneyland time. And to our joy and a amazement the room was ready! And up we went to drop bags and get the cold into the fridge. Checked the room and it was clean as a whistle.


Desk and Amazon Fresh Delivery


The Kiddo on the couch/bed and coffee table


King Size bed


Bathroom (Jade says the bathtub is comfy and the water stays hot for a long time)

After checking in and dropping the bags off it was off to Mimi's Cafe for an excellent lunch with a wonderful Server Jacqueline (Thank you so much for a wonderful experience that helped continue or great day!)


Mini French Bread Loaf served warm and scrumptious


Hot chocolate served in a Special cup for Jade!

After lunch back to the hotel for some relaxation and a recharge before dinner at Goofy's Kitchen!

Stay Tuned Next Stop Goofy's Kitchen (Pics and review coming up!)

 

[CaptBane]

Day One: Dec, 3 2015 cont.

Goofy's Kitchen:
Left the hotel at around 5:30 PM to head for Down Town Disney, a stop at World of Disney for a few souvenirs and on to the first real Disney Experience Goofy's Kitchen...We checked in about an hour early for our reservation. We were able to listen to the Dickens Carolers (Who were really good) at about 7:00 PM (our reservation time we were seated. A huge Thank you to CM: Francine who made sure that we got our table on time.) we met our waiter Bill who was a hoot and a half and really seemed to enjoy his job, he laughed and joked with all his tables and was quite enjoyable.

We met Goofy, Chip, Dale, Minnie Mouse, and Pluto. Yes very few characters for the a 'premium' dinner...but you did feel like you were safely ensconced in the Disney bubble...and it continued a good trend to a what was turning out to be a very good travel day..

The food was probably typical of buffet food.


Roast Beef


Shepherds Pie and Vegetable Potstickers


Roast Turkey


Mac and Cheese


BBQ Pork Ribs
These are just some of the highlights from the entrees that were served now a few deserts...


Creme Brule (this was surprisingly good.)


Bread Pudding (This we didn't try)


Cookies and Cream brownie bites


White Chocolate Mickey Head Brownies


Strawberry Cheesecakes (This was really good)

Again just a few examples of what was served (Jade has pics of everything that was on buffet tables which she will post in a separate thread when we get back home)

All in all Day one was quite successful and not stressful at all, flying was much easier than riding the bus and having a room directly at the cross walk is positively spoiling us. The decision was made over dinner that from now on we are flying rather than greyhound again.

Stay Tuned Day Two first day in the park starts tomorrow! Wish us luck!

 

[DLfan4]

What is Amazon Fresh Delivery. is it an online grocery delivery.. would you recommend using them again?

 

[CaptBane]

What is Amazon Fresh Delivery. is it an online grocery delivery.. would you recommend using them again?

Amazon Fresh is part of Amazon where you can get cold things, like cheese, salami,ham and butter. Along with drinks Pepsi, Golden peak tea and others.

They delivered everything we ordered within an hour or so of our arrival at the hotel. And Yes I would recommend them.

 

[CaptBane]

Day Two: Dec. 4, 2014:
The started around 5:00 am, after a couple of quick showers it was over to Capt. Kidds upstairs for a real continental breakfast, Danish, bagels, sasuages,eggs, coffee, juice and so on...so far loving Best Western Park Place Inn.

After Breakfast it was off to the park after getting our tickets scanned and the countdown it was off to Adeventureland...first ride of the day Indiana Jones (Walk on), the a quick hop over to the Haunted Mansion (Walk on through the front door! Don't think I've ever done that before) Then back over the Jingle cruise with Capt. Kyle who was quite funny. Then around to critter country for a ride on Winnie the Pooh also a walk on. After a few pictures Santa's chair and the store it was back around to ToonTown, a quick Autograph from Mickey Mouse and then over to Roger Rabbit, guess what...Yeap a walk on! So far the crowds are quite managable. Then it was up to the Disneyland Railroad for a trip back to Main Street USA to meet our tour guide for the Welcome to Disneyland Tour.

We met our Tour Guide Patrick and promptly at 10:30 we left the garden to begin our tour. Off to DCA first where we got on The Little Mermaid and learned some trivia (did you know the giant letters that once stood outside DCA were donated the California State fair?) ...then Back over to Disneyland where along Main Street were told about the attractions and through Adventureland for more trivia (Did you know that no one goes into the jungle on the jungle cruise for fear of disturbing the eco system created.) Then off to new orleans square for a ride on Pirate, whose line was enormously long...then off to the New ORleans Square train station and a ride around back to Main STreet. The tour was very entertaininga and worth the 20.00 dollars a person.

Then back to the hotel for lunch before returning to Downtown Disney and carriage ride, located behind earl of Sandwich. Jen the cast member was very help and made sure we were first in line for having waited so long since they were running behind a bit. The ride was nice and you get a picture aboard the carriage.

Then off to DCA for World of Color Celebrate, after the dinner at Smoke Jumpers, a stop at the Mad Tea Party it was over to our show which was excellent in my personal opinion.

Stay TUned for Day 3: Candle Light Procession and Paint the Night are among the highlights.

 

[CaptBane]

Jade here
We also met a nice diser on the tour-
Hi Valiamo

 

[DLfan4]

Amazon Fresh is part of Amazon where you can get cold things, like cheese, salami,ham and butter. Along with drinks Pepsi, Golden peak tea and others.

They delivered everything we ordered within an hour or so of our arrival at the hotel. And Yes I would recommend them.

Thank you. thats good to know. great trip report.

 

[CaptBane]

Day Three: Dec, 5 2015: Candlelight Procession:
The day started early 4:30 am dressed and headed out by 5:30 across the street and upto security where we found out that the bag check doesn't open until 6:30. So it was over to Starbucks for a some coffee. Then back to security and up to the gates where we were second in line and able to get a front bench. Which Jade held all day.

The kiddo and I were off to Fantasyland, where we were able to walk on Snow White, Pinocchio,Mr. Toad, Storybook Canal,and Alice in Wonderland and Mr. Lincoln. Then back down Main Street where we gave Jade a bathroom break (By this time the crowd is picking up quite a bit.) Met Flyingdumbo! Hi! And ran through the mad house to get lunch (McDonald's) And back to the park,through security and the gates (Which they had a opened extra gates). The rest of the day was pretty much sitting and waiting for the candlelight processions.

Saw both Christmas Fantasy Parades, and the flag retreat while we waited. No Street shows to keep us entertained unfortunately.

The Candlelight Procession began exactly on time and was excellent. Geena Davis was the narrator and did an excellent job.


Stay Tuned for Day 4: Minnies Breakfast and Tomorrow Land! (aka Temporary Star WarsLand)
Will add pics later today or tomorrow

 

[CaptBane]

Day Four: Dec. 7,2014
The started with a walk to the Matterhorn Bobsleds, second in line and we were ready to go! Unfortunately the ride wasn't. So off to It's a Small World Holiday, which was a walk on. After Small World back over to the Matterhorn, which we noticed that although the bobsleds were running there was no one on board (Or there was and the yeti got them!) So off to Hyper Space Mountain Fast Pass line...And then over to Minnie and Friends for our Character breakfast.

We saw Chip,Dale,Rafaki, Max,Fairy Godmother,Winnie the Pooh, Eyeore, Rabbit, Capt. Hook, Max and of course Minnie Mouse!
Breakfast Breads


Chicken Fried Steak


Classic Egg, Bacon,Sausage, Hashbrowns breakfast.


Chip

Dale


Winnie The Pooh
Rafaki


Minnie Mouse

Capt. Hook

Eyore

Thats all the pics the post will let me attach so we will continue, After breakfast it was off to Starwars Launchbay where we got our picture with Darth Vader..which was very cool. Will post a copy later. THen it was off to HyperSpace Mountain, which also broke down on us and but was quickly fixed and were on our X-wing to destroy the Star Destroyer. I swear they Sped the ride up and made it darker. Then over to Star Tours, which was also awesome!

THen it was back to the hotel for a break before heading back to DCA for some Street shows,the Tree Lighting and Aladdin. All were great to see. Then a trip over to Disneyland after watching Five and Dime on Beuna Vista street.

We saw Paint the night parade which was awesome, and then Fire works which had the projections on the Matterhorn and Sleeping Beauties castel. They were both great shows. THen back to the hotel to end the day.

Day Five: Day off!