Background, me and dd who is 6 (I am a single mom) we have been to DL twice before, April of 05 and Jan of 06. In Jan we both got sick with strep throat while there, so it wasn't as fun as we had planned. Both times have stayed at DLH.
Planning this trip, I really wasn't planning a DL trip, but never browse travel web sites for fun and amusement. In late sept I found a great deal, and I discovered MHT, my dd loves halloween, so after a week of trying to decide if we should go or not, I checked the DL web site and discovered MHT was sold out for the 22nd (the day we could go) so I called and found they did have a few tickets left, but they take them off the web site when they are close to sold out, so I ordered them, then booked the trip.
Left Portland Friday afternoon, arrival time at SNA was 4:19, I was hoping to make the Parade of Dreams at 7. Flight got in early, karmel shuttle was timly and traffic wasn't as bad as I feared. Arrived at HOJO at 5:15 ish. Checked in, no line and off to our room.
I was worried about HOJO since we have always stayed on site before. The room was very very large. Two doubles, which I was worried about because DD likes to sleep with me when we travel, but it was a large double and no problem dd and her "doll" fit fine. We were in building four, on the ground floor facing the pool. I was worried about pool noise, but with the door closed you couldn't hear anything.
Off to DL for the parade, had to stop and get our tickets, didn't expect that line....... in for the parade.
Fast passed Buzz then found a spot for the parade. After the parade did IASW, then tea cups. then off to buzz to use our fast passes. It was very crowded and we were tired so back to the hotel to watch fireworks. Watched fireworks from the parking lot, (which works for us, because DD doesn't like the loud noise so a distance away is good, but it was still loud.)
Up the next morning to be there when they opened at 8. Stopped at McDonald's for breakfast to eat in line, (food cheaper off site). thanks to the CM behind us in line that gave my dd disneyland stickers.
Once they opened we did tea cups (twice) dumbo, alice in wonderland, ISWA, buzz, astro oberoter (spelling????) and pooh and the tree house all by 9:30. then off to CA for opening at 10. Did all the bugs land stuff, (most twice) the visa meet and great, golden zepher and jumping jellyfish (twice each) (the kid's favorite ride) all by 11.
Note on disney visa character meet, we arrived at 10:30, from 10-10:30 they have mickey and pluto, then 10:30 -11 chip and dale, then back to Mickey and pluto. By arriving at 10:30 we so both groups of characters and we were the only family there.......great pic's/
Then ariel's grotto for lunch, good food. characters good, but better interaction last time.
then we rode a few more rides and saw High school musical pep rally. Kid loved that. Note, at sunshine plaza it faces the enterance, we went down to the second stop and no people waiting.....
rode some more then back to the motel. Swimming we went. Kid loved the pool at HOJO. DD spent a lot of time in the small kid pool (sorry for the water fight, she loved it) and mom got to relax for a change........
Decided not to go back to the parks and have an early night. Had dinner at Mimi's and thought it would be great given the reviews we saw. I was pleased to see no crowds when we got ther at 5:30, seated immediatley in a room that was maybe 1/3 full. Service was awful, it took forever to get our good, people that ordered after us got served first. Food was ok, but not great (tried millie's late and loved it see part two.....)
got post cards at the gift shop, 50 cents each. DD had a great time picking them out and writing messages on them, sent 10. (good thing I take addresses and stamps with me this trip.) then off to bed.........
I love vacations, dd and I have such a great time alone, and I noticed I didn't think about work at all. That is a vacation.
Planning this trip, I really wasn't planning a DL trip, but never browse travel web sites for fun and amusement. In late sept I found a great deal, and I discovered MHT, my dd loves halloween, so after a week of trying to decide if we should go or not, I checked the DL web site and discovered MHT was sold out for the 22nd (the day we could go) so I called and found they did have a few tickets left, but they take them off the web site when they are close to sold out, so I ordered them, then booked the trip.
Left Portland Friday afternoon, arrival time at SNA was 4:19, I was hoping to make the Parade of Dreams at 7. Flight got in early, karmel shuttle was timly and traffic wasn't as bad as I feared. Arrived at HOJO at 5:15 ish. Checked in, no line and off to our room.
I was worried about HOJO since we have always stayed on site before. The room was very very large. Two doubles, which I was worried about because DD likes to sleep with me when we travel, but it was a large double and no problem dd and her "doll" fit fine. We were in building four, on the ground floor facing the pool. I was worried about pool noise, but with the door closed you couldn't hear anything.
Off to DL for the parade, had to stop and get our tickets, didn't expect that line....... in for the parade.
Fast passed Buzz then found a spot for the parade. After the parade did IASW, then tea cups. then off to buzz to use our fast passes. It was very crowded and we were tired so back to the hotel to watch fireworks. Watched fireworks from the parking lot, (which works for us, because DD doesn't like the loud noise so a distance away is good, but it was still loud.)
Up the next morning to be there when they opened at 8. Stopped at McDonald's for breakfast to eat in line, (food cheaper off site). thanks to the CM behind us in line that gave my dd disneyland stickers.
Once they opened we did tea cups (twice) dumbo, alice in wonderland, ISWA, buzz, astro oberoter (spelling????) and pooh and the tree house all by 9:30. then off to CA for opening at 10. Did all the bugs land stuff, (most twice) the visa meet and great, golden zepher and jumping jellyfish (twice each) (the kid's favorite ride) all by 11.
Note on disney visa character meet, we arrived at 10:30, from 10-10:30 they have mickey and pluto, then 10:30 -11 chip and dale, then back to Mickey and pluto. By arriving at 10:30 we so both groups of characters and we were the only family there.......great pic's/
Then ariel's grotto for lunch, good food. characters good, but better interaction last time.
then we rode a few more rides and saw High school musical pep rally. Kid loved that. Note, at sunshine plaza it faces the enterance, we went down to the second stop and no people waiting.....
rode some more then back to the motel. Swimming we went. Kid loved the pool at HOJO. DD spent a lot of time in the small kid pool (sorry for the water fight, she loved it) and mom got to relax for a change........
Decided not to go back to the parks and have an early night. Had dinner at Mimi's and thought it would be great given the reviews we saw. I was pleased to see no crowds when we got ther at 5:30, seated immediatley in a room that was maybe 1/3 full. Service was awful, it took forever to get our good, people that ordered after us got served first. Food was ok, but not great (tried millie's late and loved it see part two.....)
got post cards at the gift shop, 50 cents each. DD had a great time picking them out and writing messages on them, sent 10. (good thing I take addresses and stamps with me this trip.) then off to bed.........
I love vacations, dd and I have such a great time alone, and I noticed I didn't think about work at all. That is a vacation.
