No way Jose! We are going to Disneyland! 3/13 - Movin' on Up!

[MEK]

Grand Californian Hotel is just lovely. I loved how connected everything is and what a great walk to the parks. I also love are the parks are right across from each other.

The MK is so beautiful. Very similar, yet different as well. Very cool that Star Tours is in the park.

The castle and main street are so magical. I hope I get a chance to visit one of these days.

 

[blessedby3]

Wow Brook! I have been soaking up every word and picture you posted Everything looks like so much fun! All the buildings look so much smaller than the ones at WDW...even the castle looks small. Thanks so much for all those pictures. I love walking through the park with you guys I didnt realize they have Mr. Toads Wild Ride. That was a must do when I was growing up in FL in the '70's. My friends and I loved it then I cant wait to read more

 

[Lovemy3babes]

Oh wow, it's the same but it's different. So neat Brook! I haven't had much interest in Disneyland honestly but your pictures are changing that. Great, great update!!

 

[MRYPPNS]

I haven't been to Disneyland since 1988.....everything looks so tiny compared to WDW... BUT, I do remember that everything seemed much more detailed (like Animal Kingdom is) at Disneyland vs Magic Kingdom.

(If you haven't already thought of it) I travel with glow sticks on ribbons for the kids. They get one during the day so when we end up in a dark part of a ride or show they have their little light. It's just enough to light up my face or their seat area and comfort them. I put a caribeaner (sp?) on the ribbon so they can attach it to their belt loop or the stroller between rides

 

[tiggrbaby]

Love the pic of you flying on Dumbo!

 

[disneyfan61]

Yay Brook made it to rope drop!! And then the gate would not work??
Too funny!!

Wow it does look just like WDW when you first walk in.

I am enjoying seeing all the DL differences.

 

[Caretames1]

Holy Updates Batwoman! I have the family looking over my shoulder and enjoying this!

The GC is HUGE! I like the theming, I like the WL, and would love to stay there someday.


Please no one hurt me, but we here all agree that the castle in DL doesn't seem as impressive as the castle in WDW.

It' neat to see all the similarities and differences between DL & WDW.

Too bad Henry got leery of the dark rides, hopefully he'll change his mind again!

 

[dolfinjuls]

I am loving all of your detail! Awesome updates!

 

[keys1388]

I'm loooooving this trip report so far! Believe it or not, I've never been in PP or GC, so I enjoyed looking at the pictures of those hotels! I just think the Fantasylands of the DL and WDW can't even compare. Disneyland's version is so beautiful and un-concrete looking. Those tracks in Tomorrowland used to be a ride called Rocket Rods. I have some fabulous pictures of 15 year old me waiting in line to ride them, and I remember the ride kept breaking down.

 

[annmarieda]

I am enjoying your report so very very much. It is bringing back some very fond memories... I am conflicted by them. Some like the fact that dumbo has water makes me nostalgic. Some though, like the size of the castle and how it doesn't sit so prominent in the skyline of the park.. make me remember why I have been choosing to go to WDW. Still, it is nice seeing those familiar places that made me fall in love with Disney as an adult.

And... dtd. It is a slightly different beast there in DL. I do like that the hotels are right there. No need to bus all around.

 

[that's nice]

Thanks for explaining the layout... It's clear to me now.



Ok. Stop me if I'm wrong. Cup 1 was 100% full of coffee. Cup 2 was 50% full of coffee. Couldn't you have just poured 25% from cup 1 into cup 2 and had 2 cups that were 75% full of coffee. That would leave room for your sugar, cream, etc? Maybe I'm looking too deep into this...

You guys had a great view from your room.... I love the palm trees too!

The GC looks absolutely amazing!

WTG being at the gates!!! Boo to your gate not opening!

I feel like I know Main St. pretty good from playing Epic Mickey!

That castle doesn't give the 'wow' factor as Cinderella's castle does in MK. It looks so tiny.

I love all your pictures (as always!)

How funny how Henry changed in a few months.. maybe he thought they were different because you weren't in WDW? I've been trying to talk Juliana into riding TOT in November... so far I've been unsuccessful.

 

[MotoWifey185]

Ohh gosh, awesome updates!! I miss it soooo much and I can't wait for our weekend trip at the end of this month. I love all of the pictures you include. And no tomatoes coming from me, I'm not a fan of Mr. Toad either. Oh and wowww inside the GCH is absolutely gorgeous.. I may be hooked. But then again I love the beach feel of the PPH. And if we stay there we could definitely afford a park view. Haha decisions decisions!! I can NOT wait to read more, get on it missy!

 

[claryche]

The last time I was at Disneyland was in 1996, and now looking at your pics, I totally don't remember it. I guess it's because of the 7 trips to Disney World since then are clouding my memory. It's amazing how different and how similar they are at the same time. You should do a blog and compare ride to ride at both locations. And other things. It would be great information for your friends and also your clients. And you always take the best pics and best notes, that I'm sure the blog would be awesome.

The trip report is great so far. Keep it coming.

 

[babydinosaur03]

Hi Brook,

I've been following your other travel report and followed you over here to read the Disneyland report. Loved this update so much I had to come out of lurkdom!

I was at DL in 1982 at age 5, so of course I remember almost nothing of it! Waiting for something to jog my memory. We have like 2 photos from that trip.

We live on the East Coast, so our family goes to DW; would LOVE to take them to DL some day.

Great update!

 

[DisMomAmy]

Yay for Rope Drop! I agree that the buildings look smaller. But I love all the trees.

Alex LOVED Tower of Terror when he was littler but then got scared of it... I think they realize that there is something to be scared of. I hope Henry made out OK with the rest of the rides.

 

[Pinkgirl]

Thank you for the link to the map! I've never been and am totally confused by the closeness and smallness of the area! Well done for making Rope Drop - am I being dense or does the park not open until 10am? After WDW it all seems really small but there also seems to be so much of it waiting to see if it is going to get croweded.

 

[petals]

Could they have made that castle any smaller It looks tiny compared to the WDW one.

 

[Woth2982]

Oh I am having twangs of longing for the west coast. I love being on East Coast time in LA, I went to Goofy's kitchen on my own last year and was able to be a walk up because I was up so early!

 

[CreightonsMomma]

You have me cracking up at this last update!! You made it to rope drop!!!

Loved the update. I hope Henry isn't afraid of the dark rides for the whole trip and he gives them a try! Glad you were able to ride them, though.

 

[stayhomemom77]

Ok. Stop me if I'm wrong. Cup 1 was 100% full of coffee. Cup 2 was 50% full of coffee. Couldn't you have just poured 25% from cup 1 into cup 2 and had 2 cups that were 75% full of coffee. That would leave room for your sugar, cream, etc? Maybe I'm looking too deep into this...

I was thinking the same thing. Since you knew you'd be getting more coffee anyway...why not have 3/4 cup each and then refuel later on in the travels? Then again, I don't drink coffee...maybe 3/4 cup wasn't going to be enough for you?

My kids are THRILLED with your DTD pics! I can always count on MeMom and Brook to take pics of things other people don't.

Can't wait for more!