Just got here today!

[alaskanmommy]

We arrived at DLR today at 5 this evening! We immediately checked into the Disneyland Hotel and got a room with a view of DTD, which is really cool with all of the holiday lights. We got settled in and headed to DTD to walk around and check it out. It was super-packed! I guess it is a Sunday of a holiday weekend but I was a still surprised how busy it was. The Frozen themed ice rink is cute but really small and there are some small huts next to the ice rink selling goods and food items. We really wanted to skate but the times are in 1.5 hour chunks and it's $17 per adult!! We saw Frozen the other day and it was fantastic! One of my favorites now!

We had a reservation at Ralph Brennan's Jazz Kitchen, it was PACKED! We got the southern cheese bread appetizer. I got the fried chicken with Mac and cheese and bacon-braised greens. It was very tasty! My DD11, got a turducken special (thanksgiving menu) with garlic mash and greens, it was really dry. My DH got the Mahi-Mahi special (thanksgiving menu) and he said it was really dry as well, like it was under a heat lamp too long. Nothing was very warm when we got our meals. The highlight of the meal was the Double Chocolate Bread Pudding Soufflé, it was awesome and huge! I think we would have had a better meal if it wasn't sooo busy!

Tomorrow we will be doing CA for early entry, hopefully I will have time to post some more. Please LMK if you have any questions! Until tomorrow!

 

[alaskanmommy]

We are currently sitting at the pool (DD11 is swimming) watching and listening to the fireworks while waiting for our laundry to dry. A nice end to our first night!

 

[disneydeb64]

Sounds great so far Have a great time!!

 

[kailuagirl]

Hopefully the crowds will leave tonight Have a great time and please keep us posted on how the crowds are. This is my favorite week to go and we couldn't go now and we had to go in Oct as we were in the area for a wedding. But plan to go back next year

 

[alaskanmommy]

Thanks! I'm hoping the crowds will be leaving soon, fingers crossed! Thanks for reading! BTW, I ❤the Disneyland Hotel!

 

[Sherry E]

We arrived at DLR today at 5 this evening! We immediately checked into the Disneyland Hotel and got a room with a view of DTD, which is really cool with all of the holiday lights. We got settled in and headed to DTD to walk around and check it out. It was super-packed! I guess it is a Sunday of a holiday weekend but I was a still surprised how busy it was. The Frozen themed ice rink is cute but really small and there are some small huts next to the ice rink selling goods and food items. We really wanted to skate but the times are in 1.5 hour chunks and it's $17 per adult!! We saw Frozen the other day and it was fantastic! One of my favorites now!

We had a reservation at Ralph Brennan's Jazz Kitchen, it was PACKED! We got the southern cheese bread appetizer. I got the fried chicken with Mac and cheese and bacon-braised greens. It was very tasty! My DD11, got a turducken special (thanksgiving menu) with garlic mash and greens, it was really dry. My DH got the Mahi-Mahi special (thanksgiving menu) and he said it was really dry as well, like it was under a heat lamp too long. Nothing was very warm when we got our meals. The highlight of the meal was the Double Chocolate Bread Pudding Soufflé, it was awesome and huge! I think we would have had a better meal if it wasn't sooo busy!

Tomorrow we will be doing CA for early entry, hopefully I will have time to post some more. Please LMK if you have any questions! Until tomorrow!

The huts near the ice rink and Earl of Sandwich are called "chalets" by Disney to enhance/support their whole "Winter Village" concept in Downtown Disney (which is 100% better than the Village they had going on last year). I took a bunch of photos of the chalets and menus and all of that on 11/15. Apparently the Ghirardelli chalet is giving out samples of peppermint bark, just as the Ghirardelli in DCA is doing.

You just missed Jennifer Garner and Ben Affleck! One of our DIS'ers in the Disneyland at Christmas/Holiday Season Superthread told us about her A-List celebrity sighting today -- she saw Ben and Jen outside the Grand Californian Hotel, about to leave. They must have been in the parks this weekend. I was actually shocked that they'd be there on a holiday weekend, as the major celebrities usually like to go to the parks on weekdays when they think it will be less crowded (a.k.a. fewer people to recognize them).

Keep watch for any other A-Listers who may be hanging around the parks on Mondays, Tuesdays or Wednesdays. I've seen celebrities on my December trips, in the early to mid-week.

 

[chai]

You just missed Jennifer Garner and Ben Affleck! One of our DIS'ers in the Disneyland at Christmas/Holiday Season Superthread told us about her A-List celebrity sighting today -- she saw Ben and Jen outside the Grand Californian Hotel, about to leave. They must have been in the parks this weekend.

We spent 10 hours at DCA today (27 rides/shows!) and never saw them. Genie (Aladdin show) did do a Ben Affleck joke, though.

 

[Gisele]

I don't look for "celebrities"

 

[alaskanmommy]

Good Morning! We are almost on RSR! Only about a 15 minute wait after park opening! The Carsland decorations are really cool. I especially like the hubcap Christmas tree and the air filter wreaths and garland. We are going to try to get a fast pass for RSR this evening to do it in the dark! Opening is pretty crowded this morning, similar to when we were here in May last year. Hope everyone has a great day!

 

[Gisele]

Good Morning! We are almost on RSR! Only about a 15 minute wait after park opening! The Carsland decorations are really cool. I especially like the hubcap Christmas tree and the air filter wreaths and garland. We are going to try to get a fast pass for RSR this evening to do it in the dark! Opening is pretty crowded this morning, similar to when we were here in May last year. Hope everyone has a great day!

Have a blast man! My brain is still waking up! Lol
Say hello to the pirates for me please.

 

[alaskanmommy]

Have a blast man! My brain is still waking up! Lol Say hello to the pirates for me please.

Almost on TSMM, about a 15-20 minute wait currently. CA just opened to everyone and lots of people are coming in. After this we are headed to Soarin and getting a FP for the AP WOC tonight.

 

[wiigirl]

Hope you have a great time!

 

[alaskanmommy]

Hi there! We decided to park hop to see how DL was today. It's pretty busy! We are waiting to get in Star Tours with a 20 minute posted wait. I think it will take longer. I'm hoping these crowds are leftover from the holiday weekend and will leave soon!

 

[alaskanmommy]

We have ridden Star Tours and my daughter got to be the Rebel spy! We ride Pirates as well! We ate lunch at Rancho Del Zocalo, it was pretty good. Now we are stuck on Indiana Jones in the arrow shooting room....... Park is fairly busy, we are going to hit Hm next if we ever get off this ride!

 

[DisneytheKid]

Hope you all have a great time!

 

[alaskanmommy]

Hope you all have a great time!

Thanks! We had a great first day. We are waiting on the curb for the Christmas parade to start and just watched the tree lighting! The park is beautifully decorated for Christmas! We managed a Lot of rides today and will head to Steakhouse 55 after the parade for a mice relaxing dinner! Hope everyone's having a good night!

 

[love2go2disney2]

Glad you are having a Magical time at Disneyland!!

 

[Astylla]

I'm loving the "play by play" experiences. I really hope you enjoy Steakhouse 55 - we will be there on Sunday

 

[lucysmom]

Two weeks for us. I love reading your posts It makes me feel like I am tagging along with you. Have fun.

 

[Gisele]

Thanks! We had a great first day. We are waiting on the curb for the Christmas parade to start and just watched the tree lighting! The park is beautifully decorated for Christmas! We managed a Lot of rides today and will head to Steakhouse 55 after the parade for a nice relaxing dinner! Hope everyone's having a good night!

I'm loving the "play by play" experiences. I really hope you enjoy Steakhouse 55 - we will be there on Sunday

Agreed! Please give me your doggie bag....here is my address.



No, really!