Matt's 2019, Spring Dapper Day Trip for Char's 10th Birthday with Napa Rose/Club 33!!

[whoever]

LOVE those Dapper Day outfits!!

We had Lilo, Experiment 626, and Cobra Bubbles..

 

[DizMe]

OMG, Matt, what a FABULOUS trip, as usual!!! Your girls are certainly lucky. I LOVE the outfits, and your pictures are always amazing. I wonder how I missed you, as I was with Sarah and Nancy that Dapper Day. Oh! I'll bet Leslie and I were at the Pimm's Punch cocktail class in DCA! That was really awesome but I'm sorry we missed you guys.

 

[whoever]

OMG, Matt, what a FABULOUS trip, as usual!!! Your girls are certainly lucky. I LOVE the outfits, and your pictures are always amazing. I wonder how I missed you, as I was with Sarah and Nancy that Dapper Day. Oh! I'll bet Leslie and I were at the Pimm's Punch cocktail class in DCA! That was really awesome but I'm sorry we missed you guys.View attachment 595380

Cheri, we didn't even know you or Leslie were in the parks I suspect, or if we did, we had other obligations.

 

[whoever]

Once done, we had Friends to meet up with....

It's Joe (@mre200200) and Theresa, Alli, and Ian!!

The CM (Marisa) working the Churro cart saw Char's Churro and Ian and Alli without some, so she made MAGIC HAPPEN...Churros for everyone!!! (well the kids)

Charlotte was doing what she does best... being MOMMA BIRD. She LOVES Alli and Ian. We've spent so many good times with them and Joe and Teresa. Just LOVE this family.

Oh Momma bird..

Amy and I couldn't resist a shot in front of the waterfall together.

Alli is SOOOOO Adorable!!!

 

[whoever]

Whooops

 

[DizMe]

Oh my gosh, what ADORABLE pictures!!! The kids are the cutest!! I love that Char plays Mama Bird . So you must be gearing up for the next big thing...

 

[whoever]

Oh my gosh, what ADORABLE pictures!!! The kids are the cutest!! I love that Char plays Mama Bird . So you must be gearing up for the next big thing...

Well, if Disney would get their act together, we could start planning a spring adventure. Sadly, things with Disney seem to be SNAFU right now. We had expected to back for a trip this October, with 21 Royal again, but that'll have to wait since it's unclear if that'll reopen anytime soon. We do have Vic's October trip for next year on the radar too. I'll MOVE HEAVEN AND EARTH for her to get to go to Club33 like each of her older sisters got to do for their 10th birthdays.

 

[whoever]

Oh, what should we do next? Oh... OBVIOUSLY, The Haunted Mansion!!! (And without the NBC overlay too!)

Are you watching me?

I do love a good wall sconce!

Until this picture, I had never appreciated the texture on this chair. It even makes a face from the right angle.

Ah, my arch nemesis... One day I will have the proper camera equipment to capture you in all your glory.

Someone is dying to get out!

Of all my HM props, this séance book is one I have yet to acquire.

If at first you don't see me...

Wait a second and I'll appear.

These happy haunts are always just hanging around.

I wonder how many times she's celebrated that SAME birthday...

He's been dying to meet you..

... or shoot you.

Just playing around...

OK, these frames are so amazing. I wonder how I can get some replicas...

Hmmm.... another pianist...

Who goes there carrying on about a pianist?

This gal... ahem.. ghoul is decked out with some nice bracelets.

Who wants their mommy? I mean mummy.

The Haunted Mansion's graveyard is a danger place to be headed...

bbb, bbb, bbb, that's all folks.... oh wait, wrong IP.

It's less scary when all the kids ride together.... well, unless you are Theresa.

 

[whoever]

After Mansion, we made our way to CRITTER COUNTRY (Gonna hate when they remove this to retheme).

Joe and Theresa looking MARVELOUS.

Charlotte being such a good steward..

And Amy looking so happy.

After a quick trip through Winnie the Pooh, it was time for some confections

What wasn't immediately gobbled was carried about with aplomb.

We made our way back to NOS, where my fam had a lunch reservation, but not before some GREAT pics outside of C33

I just love these folks (as I do many of my extended Disney family). The Flowers are AMAZING people.

These kids are gonna CRUSH it when they grow up.

Amy and Char looking beautiful in NOS.

I had to take a few of Amy's hand-made dress.

It's the little details...

And Char's hidden Pin...

These next few, NOBODY is going to appreciate but me. It's the details that bring me back to Disneyland and separate it from the lesser parks for me. A now defunct perfume shop... Still ROCKING awesome theming.

 

[whoever]

We would split up the party here as we had Cafe Orleans reservations and J&T had a penchant for French Market.

We would have the Steak and Potatoes ($25.00) – Chef’s Choice of Steak, Potatoes and Seasonal Vegetables paired with Chimichurri Sauce. They gave us what I would suspect was Sirloin. It was cooked a PERFECT Medium rare. The veggies were amazing too.

An order of Pommes Frites is ALWAYS a must at Cafe Orleans. Pommes Frites ($8.00) – traditional French Fried Potatoes tossed with Parmesan, Garlic, and Parsley served with Cajun Spice Rémoulade

Char got the kid's beef. Chef’s Beef Specialty ($12.00) – Seared Steak served with Popcorn Rice, Seasonal Vegetables and Fruit. The Broccolini was a nice touch as always.

A full round of Mint Juleps for the table. I'm so glad they eliminated the green dye from them..

We finished with some Mickey Beignets which had GLOVES in addition to the normal Mickey silhouettes.

During our stay at CO, I took a few pics of the SELDOM appreciated street numbers. This first one disappointed me SO BAD. Like Disney, last time I took this pic, it wasn't HAPHAZARD GARBAGE of a facade. Get your game together.

THIS was the last pic of that address I took:

And YES, I'm a stickler for the maintenance of the address theme in NOS... 40 Esplanade Road has never looked so SHABBY

This one was a bit more in line..

The look on my face when Amy asks if I'm ready to leave...

 

[DizMe]

I love this. It takes me back to when things were the way I understood and enjoyed. I'm just...unprepared for the new Disneyland, at least as far as the planning part goes.

 

[whoever]

About 1PM, we had finished with our meal and it was time to meet back up with our friends....

The kids having been separated for a good hour were overjoyed to be back together again.

Hidden Easter egg. I feel like I hadn't noticed the bunting/fireworks recently.

Hmm... what to do next? Given we were able to get immediate fast passes for pretty much anything, we elected for Star Tours! Buzz was also immediate fast passes, so we took on Zurg and defeated him next.

With time ticking away, we had to be selective with our next attraction. Why not a grand circle tour of Disneyland from the steam locomotive?

Returned to the Tomorrowland station, we would make use of our next attraction as transportation as well as for its attraction value. The Monorail over to the DLH station.

While we were waiting, got some great pics of the lagoon.

And I just LOVE seeing this tree in bloom. I imagine it wreaks havoc for the clean-up crews with all those blossoms though.

Some interesting perspectives from the Monorail if you don't blink. Amazing that most of these details go unnoticed by most park attendees I would hazard to guess.

Shall call this shot the backside of Esplanade..

The Grand looking as majestic as always.

Disneyland Drive is so underappreciated.

Parting is always a sad affair. Until next time Flowers!!!!

 

[whoever]

I love this. It takes me back to when things were the way I understood and enjoyed. I'm just...unprepared for the new Disneyland, at least as far as the planning part goes.

Indeed. Gone is the spontaneity of being able to just enjoy the park with no set agenda.

 

[whoever]

As we were outside of security, we took the scenic route back to the lobby of the Grand. I just LOVE the entrance.

Bell services sent to retrieve our luggage and valet sent to retrieve the Axiom, we waited. I always love the porte-cochere

It's back. Hope there's enough fuel left in the tank to get us back to AZ for the first fuel fill up.

We pulled out of the Grand at 4:30 and hit the wind farms at 6.

Charlotte got creative with the seat belt and just racked out. Poor girl had a late night and busy day. She was definitely LOVING the whole vehicle to herself.

An hour and a half later, we were crossing into AZ, but running low.

Topped off, but that hit the pocket book. 27 gallons to get from AZ to Disneyland and back to AZ...

Char stirred from her slumber and wanted some Wendy's from the truck stop.

Just under two hours later we were pulling into our driveway. Unloading only 3 of us is always a treat vs. all 5.

What a great trip, and now 2/3 or the kids have gotten their special 10th birthday rite of Disney passage.