My first trip to Disneyland and my first trip report.

[flower91882]

I always love reading everyone's reports, but I've never actually taken the time to write one myself, but here goes. Hopefully it doesn't suck.

Ok, a little background. I'm a lover of Everything Disney but I've Never been to Disneyland. Neither has my husband. I went to WDW a couple times as a kid and James went once in high school with the band. We both went to school in Florida. We spent our first spring break at the world and we made many subsequent trips. We went to grad school in Orlando and had annual passes for 3 years. We also got married there. So, we're pretty much WDW veterans. We've also been on two Disney cruises.

We've since moved back to the DC area to work (where we went to high school). I miss Florida and WDW very much.

Currently, we're planning three Disney related vacations!! First up DISNEYLAND, where it all started!! Then we're going back to WDW for my best friend's wedding and then on a Baltic cruise with the mouse.

Ok, so here are some details:

CAST:

Danielle <-- That's me! 26, lover of all things Disney. I love vacations, especially Disney vacations. I work as a Statistician, and professional Cheerleader....hahaha, I know, it's quite the mix. I grew up doing musical theater style dance. I also love crafty things.

James <-- That's my husband! Also 26. He likes Disney and is very supportive of my habit. He just enjoys going places with me. Of course. He's a scientist and PhD student. He also does mixed martial arts and plays the drums.

Dates:

We're leaving for CA on May 28th. We plan on working half a day and then metroing straight to Reagan airport for our 2:15 flight. We should get into the Ontario airport at a little before 8. Then we'll pick up the rental car and drive to our hotel in Anaheim. We're staying at the Portofino Inn & Suites. Hopefully it's decent. I've been to CA one time (when I was a teenager, so I'm not too familiar with the area). I do have GPS on my phone and maps printed, so we'll be relying on that.

We come back to VA on June 3rd.

I know they say traffic is really bad in LA, but does anyone know how it compares to DC? We have some of the worst traffic in the nation, so I wonder how much worse it is.


Well, more to come. Let me know how I'm doin. Also, I need to figure out how to post some pictures. Hints?

 

[DizNee Luver]

You're doing great!!!
Welcome to Disney-aholics.... admitting you have the DIS-fever is your first step to happiness......

I can't really compare traffic to D.C., never been, but we drive from Oregon to Anaheim & I get so excited when we hit L.A., I figure we're almost there..... then you sit & move a foot, sit & move a foot, repeat, repeat, etc, etc. an hour of this, you finally get to move off to the surface streets. The traffic (everytime we've gone) is like this from 6am to 10pm. Crazy busy!!

Posting pictures..... do you have a photobucket acct? If not, get one, it's free. You upload the picture & then copy the code (bottom one of 4 shown), press the little yellow box above the box you're typing in & paste code. Now I always seem to end up with extra words on either end, so I erase them.

 

[flower91882]

Thanks! I'll need to get on photobucket. It's blocked from work. Apparently, it's not 'work related', but I can try later some time from home. Are there any other sites that this works with? I have a shutterfly account, but I'm not sure if it works the same or not.

 

[flower91882]

Ok, so I think I figured this picture thing out. Here's one of us on our last cruise.

 

[flower91882]

Ok, so a little off topic.

We went to a mixed martial arts tournament this past weekend. It was the UWC, sort of like UFC, but just a different organization. it was TONS of fun! The crowd really gets into it. Of course, so did we, especially for the women's fight. James trains at the same gym as one of the women, so it was really exciting to watch her win!

The only issue was that some of the people that go to those things are pretty skeezy. The guys sitting behind us was extremely misogynistic (hollaring at anything that walked) and pretty racist. It kind of takes you out of it. I tried to ignore him, but I had a pretty tough time of it. There was almost another fight on the card if you know what I mean. hahahaha!

Ok, well here's a pic of me with the UFC champion Matt Hughes. My hair got in my face, but you get the idea.

In other news: Skiing this weekend!!

 

[DizNee Luver]

Yea, you got pics!! I believe you can use the Shutterfly, (which maybe what you did...lol)
Don't you hate when one person can totally ruin a good time!! I also try to ignore, but they make it almost impossible to do so!
As Forrest Gump would say "Stupid is as stupid does....."

 

[flower91882]

Back to our regularly scheduled program.

Ok, one thing you MUST know about me to understand this report. I do NOT do fireworks. I am PHOBIC of any type of explosion type noise. I Will have a panic attack, freakout and cry. So, you will notice how I plan Around that. Also, if anyone has been on any of the rides feel free to let me know what I should skip.


Plans, plans, plans....

Here are our plans so far:

Thursday, May 28th: Travel

Work 1/2 a day. Get to the airport around noon.
Flight #1: Reagan to Houston 2:15-4:34pm
Flight #2: Houston to Ontario 6:15-7:53pm
Get shuttle to and pick-up rental car.
Drive to Portofino Inn & Suites and check-in.
We'll eat at the airport probably between flights. I also want to see if we can find an In-and-Out burger somewhere between the airport and the hotel. Living my entire life on the east coast, I've Never been and would like to see what all the fuss is about. I love a cheeseburger!

Friday, Mat 29th: Disneyland/DCA

We'll start at Disneyland since it opens earlier. I figure we should take advantage. I'd like to take the train to New Orleans Square, grab breakfast at the River Belle Terrace (where Walt would eat breakfast) and perhaps get on the Haunted Mansion and Pirates. Then we'll take the train all the way around back to the entrance and hop on over to DCA.
We plan on doing the California, Hollywood and Bug's Land sections today. Lunch will be at the Wine Country Trattoria. We'll also stop for a wine tasting and a cheese plate at the Terrace. I would like to see Aladdin and the parade this day.

Dinner will be at the PCH Grill at the Paradise Pier Hotel, around 8pm, during any evening 'entertainment'.

Saturday, May 30th: Universal

Today we are going to Universal Studios. We'll go for opening, take a break for lunch at CityWalk. Any suggestions? I was thinking Wasabi for some sushi, but I don't know what's good. We'll also check out CityWalk.
I'm thinking about using the afternoon to catch a movie at the El Capitan theatre, but I'll decide on that when they post the schedules. Then we'll head back and explore Downtown Disney.

Dinner will be at Storyteller's Cafe in the Grand Californian Hotel around 8pm, followed by drinks at the Hearthstone lounge.

Sunday, May 31st: Hollywood

Hooray for Hollywood! I plan on driving up to Hollywood & Highland, parking the car and hopping on the Starline Hop-on/Hop-off bus. I'd like to see the La Brea Tar Pits, the Farmer's Market, the shops on Melrose, etc. Then, I'd like to have lunch at the Walt Disney Soda Shop. After lunch we'll walk around Hollywood blvd, maybe tour the Kodak theatre, or Grauman's, and walk down to the Jim Henson studios just to take a look from the outside.

Dinner will be at the Napa Rose in the Grand Californian Hotel around 7pm.

Monday, June 1st: Disneyland/DCA

Again, we'll go for opening at Disneyland. This time we'll start in Tomorrowland and then do Toontown.
Then, we'll head over to DCA for lunch at Ariel's Grotto. We will finish up DCA today with the Boardwalk area and anything else we'd like to hit again.

Dinner will be at Hook's Pointe at the Disneyland Hotel at around 8pm followed by drinks in the Wine Cellar.

Tuesday, June 2nd: Disneyland

This should be our Magical Morning day in Fantasyland. So, we'll start there. We'll head to Adventureland and have lunch at Bengal BBQ and the Tiki Juice Hut. Then onto Frontierland and Critter Country. If there's time we'll try and hit some of our favorites again.

Dinner will be at the Blue Bayou in Disneyland at around 7:30pm

Wednesday, June 3rd: Travel

Bye Bye Disney....
Check out of the hotel.
Return the rental car around 10am.
Flight #1: Ontario to Houston 11:33am-4:46pm
Flight #2: Houston to Reagan 5:40-9:44pm
We'll eat lunch and dinner in the airports.
We'll grab a cab home.

 

[flower91882]

Yea, you got pics!! I believe you can use the Shutterfly, (which maybe what you did...lol)
Don't you hate when one person can totally ruin a good time!! I also try to ignore, but they make it almost impossible to do so!
As Forrest Gump would say "Stupid is as stupid does....."

I actually figured out how to take them straight from Facebook, which is where all of my pictures are anyway, so I don't have re-upload on a new site. Hooray!!

I think if he would have just made a couple dumb remarks it would have been tolerable, but man, this guy did Not shut-up the entire 4 hour event. Seriously!! At least we got comp tickets. It would have been worse if I had actually spent money to be there.

 

[DizNee Luver]

Sounds like a great schedule!! What a shame you will miss the fireworks...they are so beautiful & with them illuminating the castle to go along with the show it is so much more than fireworks (but if you can't do them, you can't do them....but still a shame)

The only comment I have on your trip is the walking around Hollywood. We did this in 2005 & were shocked at the condition of the "walk of fame". The streets & sidewalks were filthy, the stars were cracked & being pushed up by tree roots. There were a large percentage of "adult" type shops lining the street. There were also a number of homeless people laying on the sidewalks. Mann's Chinese Theater is the hangout for people dressed up in characters who will gladly get your child excited about having a picture with them (my son LOVED Spiderman) & then charge you to take the picture with your own camera!!!!! We couldn't get out of there quick enough. We took pics of some of the stars, the Kodak Theater, Mann's, the Hollywood sign & then booked it away from there. NOW, I have been told by other posters that they have cleaned up the area some since then, but some also say....not really any better. So as long as you're prepared...it won't shock you when you get there. Seeing the other sites down there should be fine (La Brea Tar Pits, Disney Soda Shoppe, etc) but thought I'd at least share our experience & you can investigate some more if you'd like.

 

[flower91882]

Sounds like a great schedule!! What a shame you will miss the fireworks...they are so beautiful & with them illuminating the castle to go along with the show it is so much more than fireworks (but if you can't do them, you can't do them....but still a shame)

I've actually never been that impressed with them. Probably has something to do with the fact that they are associated with such negative feelings. James is really sweet about it, he never minds missing them. He has seen Fantasmic, with my Dad. They went without me. I think he's actually seen most of the shows. Usually if we brought other people to WDW, they'd want to see the nighttime 'entertainment' so he'd go with them.

 

[flower91882]

Ok, so here is my planned dining schedule. What do you think? Am I missing any 'musts'? I want to make it to a lot of varied places.

Breaksfasts for the most part will be in the room. A granola bar or something. I'm already going gain 10lbs on the trip, I don't need That much food!

Thursday:
Breakfast: at work
Lunch: at work
Dinner: at the airport
Snack: In-and-Out Burger (anyone know of a convenient one between Ontario Airport and Anaheim?)

Friday:
Breakfast: River Belle Terrace (our 1 breakfast in the park)
Lunch: Wine Country Trattoria
Snack: Terrace Wine Tasting (and cheese plate)
Dinner: PCH Grill

Saturday:
Breakfast: in room
Lunch: Wasabi (or somewhere else in CityWalk?)
Dinner: Storyteller's Cafe
After Dinner: Hearthstone Lounge

Sunday:
Breakfast: in room
Lunch: Either at the Farmer's Market or the Walt Disney Soda Shoppe
Snack: Walt Disney Soda Shoppe (ice cream)
Dinner: Napa Rose

Monday:
Breakfast: in room
Lunch: Ariel's Princess Celebration (our 1 character meal. Ariel is James' favorite)
Dinner: Hook's Point
After Dinner: Wine Cellar

Tuesday:
Breakfast: in room
Lunch: Bengal BBQ & Tiki Juice Bar
Dinner: Blue Bayou

Wednesday:
Breakfast: in room
Lunch: at airport
Dinner: at airport


I'm still waiting for the entertainment schedule to come out for May, so that I can make sure we're eating during all of the fireworks and nighttime shows.

I also want to figure out a way to see the nighttime parade while still missing the fireworks, but we'll have to wait and see if that's possible.

 

[Michelle2]

It sounds like you have a great trip planned!
We also have the same things in the works as you do...except the months are a little different. We will be going to Disneyland in March (just a few weeks away) instead, and we will also be going to WDW this Sept. too.

I am hoping to be on one of the Baltic cruises, but it will be one of the first ones in June, but I know a few people on the July 18 one. So it sounds like we have a fun year in the works!

 

[flower91882]

It sounds like you have a great trip planned!
We also have the same things in the works as you do...except the months are a little different. We will be going to Disneyland in March (just a few weeks away) instead, and we will also be going to WDW this Sept. too.

I am hoping to be on one of the Baltic cruises, but it will be one of the first ones in June, but I know a few people on the July 18 one. So it sounds like we have a fun year in the works!

Wow, we do have pretty much the same vacations planned! I'm jealous that you're going to DL so soon!

I'm really hoping that some of the people on the June Baltics will post their navigators. I'd really love to have some before going and since it's never been done, I'm not sure how much info Disney will have. I really want to know when all the different dinners are going to be. I've been on two Disney Cruises and have missed the Animators Palette show dinner BOTH times! At the same time, I don't really mind missing Pirate night. Of course, not even sure if they are going to have that on the Baltic ones. Although, the Did do them on the Meditteranean ones, so I'm guessing they will.

Thanks for reading!

 

[DizNee Luver]

If the Disney Electrical Parade is back when you're there, it runs in the evening at DCA. If you RUN when it's done, back to your motel (really, really fast) you will avoid fireworks. There is not much of a break between the parade ending & the fireworks starting at DL. Otherwise, plan on high-tailing it to a venue at DTD to escape the noise.
In fact, you could probably use the exit directly into GCH & spend time in the lounge..... Hopefully then you'll be able to see the parade & escape without any anxiety!!

 

[pjhorton21]

Comparing DC traffic to So Cal Traffic: I was in the DC area last spring - you should feel right at home as far as traffic goes. It really depends on the direction - you actually shouldn't see much from ONT to Anaheim that late - at least not bumper to bumper stuff. Your trip to Universal will be slow and go, so leave yourself plenty of time.

There is an In-n-Out just west of Ontario Airport on I-10 (1 exit west of the Archibald/Ontario Airport exit, on Vineyard Ave.). It is on the south side of I-10 (you can't miss it, there's the traditional huge In n out sign).

I would like to suggest you eat at Steakhouse 55 at the Disneyland Hotel. My wife and I ate there last week and it was incredible!!!

Have fun!

 

[flower91882]

Comparing DC traffic to So Cal Traffic: I was in the DC area last spring - you should feel right at home as far as traffic goes. It really depends on the direction - you actually shouldn't see much from ONT to Anaheim that late - at least not bumper to bumper stuff. Your trip to Universal will be slow and go, so leave yourself plenty of time.

There is an In-n-Out just west of Ontario Airport on I-10 (1 exit west of the Archibald/Ontario Airport exit, on Vineyard Ave.). It is on the south side of I-10 (you can't miss it, there's the traditional huge In n out sign).

I would like to suggest you eat at Steakhouse 55 at the Disneyland Hotel. My wife and I ate there last week and it was incredible!!!

Have fun!

Thanks!

We are trying to plan plenty of time to/from the Hollywood areas. How long would you suggest?

Also, if we were to do Steakhouse 55, what restaurant would you replace with it?

 

[flower91882]

90 Days out!!!

 

[anewmac]

OK In n Out, i see you have directions to one.. now make sure you go for Animal Style.. extra sauce, grilled Mustard buns, extra pickles. That is if you like that stuff. (notice I start with the important stuff 1st. FOOD LOL)

As for your Drive to Universal. Its should be that bad on a Sat... DEPENDING on when you take off. After 1030-11am, there will be traffic. So try and get out early is my suggestion.

Cant wait for more!

 

[flower91882]

OK In n Out, i see you have directions to one.. now make sure you go for Animal Style.. extra sauce, grilled Mustard buns, extra pickles. That is if you like that stuff. (notice I start with the important stuff 1st. FOOD LOL)

As for your Drive to Universal. Its should be that bad on a Sat... DEPENDING on when you take off. After 1030-11am, there will be traffic. So try and get out early is my suggestion.

Cant wait for more!

I'll keep the food in mind. That might be more for James, although, neither of us love pickles on our burgers.

I figured that early on a Saturday shouldn't be too bad. My concern is more Afterwards when we're trying to get back for dinner. I think we should be allowing ourselves enough time . Hopefully!

 

[flower91882]

OH, and thanks for stopping by Drea!