"On a dark desert highway, cool wind in my hair" (DL/So.California TR) LOTS of pics!

Hey Beth, what floor were you on at the HoJo? It looks like 4th or 5th. . .
 
Yay! You started your report!:yay:

I like your room at the Hojo..pretty roomy!:thumbsup2

Looking forward to more!popcorn::
 
Yay! You started your trip report! :goodvibes

I made the mistake of reading it while my mom was in the room. She kept asking all sorts of questions: What hotel is that? Why did she take that picture of the workers? Is that Disneyland? :rolleyes: Gotta love moms!

I'm looking forward to reading and seeing more! :thumbsup2
:rotfl2:
You should have told her I have some sort of weird construction worker fetish. I wonder what she would have said to that! :rotfl:


Truly that song playing was a sign that all would go well. Did you walk to Disneyland from Hojo's any of the days? If so how far was the walk? I am trying to convince DH to stay at Hojo's instead of onsite to save money.

Michele
:hippie:
I thought it was a good sign. I am always looking for "signs" so I was thrilled when that came on the radio! :yay:

We only stayed at the HoJo that first night before moving to our usual hotel which is near Knott's. BUT I did walk back to HoJo that night and it wasn't bad. There were lots of families out walking so I never felt alone.

I can see how the walk might be long after a full day at the parks, but honestly so is walking to the tram and then to your car for those who do that.
As far as staying onsite, it's so different at DL then at WDW and I could never justify the money to stay at one of the DL hotels. Not when there are others just as close for so much cheaper. And since we have a large family we really need to save money where we can.

I guess it all depends on what's most important to you, but I'd stay at the HoJo again in a heartbeat and use the savings for other things like character meals or souvenirs. Plus we just aren't in the room much anyway when we are on vacation.

Why not book there for part of the time just to see if you like it. You might be really pleasantly surprised. :)


Hey Beth, what floor were you on at the HoJo? It looks like 4th or 5th. . .
We were on the 6th floor. I can't remember the room #, but once you got off the elevator and went to your right, we were the very first room you come to.
 
Yay! You started your report!:yay:

I like your room at the Hojo..pretty roomy!:thumbsup2

Looking forward to more!popcorn::
Yeah, it was nice. Roomy, and had everything you could want. Even without a breakfast at the hotel, you can always bring things in like muffins, trail mix, granola bars, etc and keep juice and milk in the fridge.

If you can get a good deal then it's worth it and it was nice to just walk back instead of waiting for the tram.

I don't have any pics of the Garden pool because I had the camera, but Ruben said it was good sized. He said it was really crowded when they first went there after dinner, so they decided to wait just a bit, and when they went back, it was practically empty.
 

Okay so as I'm making my way to California Adventure where the ladies were supposed to be working on their quest, I called Cheryl (toocherie) and she said her and Katie (MamaKate) and Katie's DD were over by the Redwood Creek area.
I headed over there and caught up with them in front of the River Rapids ride. It was so nice to see them again. :goodvibes And Katie's DD (darn it I can't remember her name!) was so nice and very cute. I wish I'd been able to bring Noelle, my 11 yr old DD, but it was a block out day and I wasn't paying 40 bucks for just a half day visit.

They were more then half way done with their quest and were showing me what all they'd had to do. It was so neat! Chris (Califgirl) was in charge of putting it together. It was several pages of various clues and pictures and you had to walk all over DCA to get the answers. It was clear Chris had put a lot of effort and work into it and I was very impressed!

Since they were supposed to be in teams of two adults, I said I'd tag along with them and not help at all to keep it fair. (Well, ok, I found one clue that no one else got. :rolleyes1 But only one.) They had to meet back in Sunshine Plaza at 6:30 I think it was, so they finished up and we all headed over there.
That evening was actually the first time I got to meet Chris as I'd seen her on the Girls Only trip but we hadn't really had a chance to talk or officially meet. She was very nice. ::yes::

When we got to the Sunshine Plaza, Chris was there with some other friends who'd participated in the quest. She tallied up the results and then had fun prizes for everyone! Even myself, which was nice since I really didn't do anything.

While we were waiting for her to tally things up, a different Cheryl (bsbllmom) showed up. It was the first time any of us had met Cheryl since she is new to our Girls Only thread and will be joining us for the first time on our 2nd trip next March.
I felt badly because she'd apparently been trying to call us and none of us heard our phones so when she saw us all sitting there talking she took a chance and walked up and asked if we were from the DIS. That took guts in my opinion! She was very nice and a lot of fun and I can tell she is going to fit right in with our little group of ladies. I'm glad she was able to join up with us that night.

After prizes were given out, it was off to dinner at the Wine Country Trattoria. It was there that we met up with another DISer, January (daisy_77) who I actually met on the Ladies Only WDW trip that I started back in '06, and have kept in touch with ever since. She will also be joining us in March, but for this trip she was there with her 3 yr old DD Maddie, who was shy at first meeting all these strangers, but is really so adorable! And was so well behaved all through dinner.

So our dinner group was January, Maddie, Cheryl, Chris, the other Cheryl, Katie, her DD, and myself. The food was really good! They served some breadsticks to start with and those came with some sort of spread that was delicious.

I ordered the Chicken Alfredo Lasagna (layers of tender pasta, citrus marinated chicken, spinach and Italian cheeses with a creamy Alfredo sauce) which was very good. When they first served it I thought the portion seemed on the small side, but it was really very filling. I think 3 of the others ordered it as well, and as far as I know they all liked it. So a thumbs up for that dish. :thumbsup2
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Chris ordered the Lasagna Rustica (robust meat sauce layered with tender pasta, Italian sausage, ricotta and Parmesan cheeses, herbs, and a touch of classic bechamel cream) which she said was good as well.
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Katie's DD ordered the PB&J, which wasn't served as cute as they do it at Carnation Cafe. Although the bread was in Mickey shapes which was a nice touch.
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Here's a shot of the ladies after we finished eating. Chris is in front on the left, January is peeking out from behind her, Cheryl is across from January, with the other Cheryl next to her, followed by Katie.
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The dinner was fun, and the food was good. I'd definitely recommend eating there. After the meal, Katie and her DD, and Chris had to head home, so the two Cheryl's, January, Maddie, and I all went to watch the electrical parade, and posed for more pics.
The two Cheryl's and January:
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Me, and the two Cheryls:
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After the parade, Cheryl (toocherie) had to leave, so January, Cheryl, and myself walked down to the new Toy Story Mania ride and were able to see Mr. Potato Head in action. So cute!
While we were walking around, the fireworks over in DL started so I called Ruben to see if the kids were watching from the balcony and he said they had a perfectly clear view and were already watching them.

After we made our way through the park, January and Maddie went across to DL to use up some FPs, Cheryl said good bye and headed home and I walked back to the hotel. Not a bad walk at all. Then again I hadn't been walking the parks all day! LOL There were lots of families out walking as well so you definitely don't feel alone or scared even though it's late and dark out.

I got back to the room and the kids told me all about the fireworks, and swimming. Then it was off to bed. Busy day planned for tomorrow including our very first character meal. :yay:
 
It looks like you all had a lot of fun that night. I wish I could've gone. :( Guess I'll just have to wait until March. :goodvibes

I look forward to reading more! popcorn::
 
Looks like it was a fun meeting. Another site I visit is having a scavenger hunt while we are there but Dh doesn'y want to do it. Your meeting looks fun. I kind of want to eat there so it was nice to see the food thank you.

Michele
:wave:
 
It looks like you all had a lot of fun that night. I wish I could've gone. :( Guess I'll just have to wait until March. :goodvibes

I look forward to reading more! popcorn::
I wish you could have come too! I'll be there again in October with my family and I'm going to see if we can put together another mini meet like this one. So keep that in mind. ;)
 
Looks like it was a fun meeting. Another site I visit is having a scavenger hunt while we are there but Dh doesn't want to do it. Your meeting looks fun. I kind of want to eat there so it was nice to see the food thank you.

Michele
:wave:
One of the ladies said she's also had the Chicken Panini and that it's good too. Another one said she'd been there before and the service was just so-so, but it was fine while we were there, so I guess it's just one of those hit or miss things. The food would bring me back. Then again, I love pasta dishes and breadsticks. ;)
 
In September when we go I plan on eating everywhere we want to. It will be the first time we have ever done Disneyland by ourselves. It should be fun.

Michele
:cutie:
 
Hi Missy! Good to see you over here. With you, Jenna, January and myself it's like a little reunion. :rotfl:

I'm off to run some errands but I will be posting another update this evening sometime. And for those who can't wait, I already posted just a few of my food porn pics on the DL dining thread: http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1253888&page=40 Page 40 and 41. :thumbsup2

Those are just the pics from DL. I have food porn from other places in CA too that I'll post here in my TR as I come to those days. :)
 
Beth, I have only one complaint--now I have that song going thru my head!
 
Ok!! How come I keep getting the red x for your pictures!!:confused3

GRRRRRRRRRRR!!!:mad:
 
I saw you pictures on the DL dining thread and clicked on the TR link...I'm so glad I did. Great so far! Also, I loved the dining photos!!
 
Beth, I have only one complaint--now I have that song going thru my head!
Oh, but it's a good song to sing isn't it! Come on everyone join in....

On a dark desert highway, cool wind in my hair
Warm smell of colitas, rising up through the air
Up ahead in the distance, I saw a shimmering light
My head grew heavy and my sight grew dim
I had to stop for the night
There she stood in the doorway;
I heard the mission bell
And I was thinking to myself,
’this could be Heaven or this could be Hell’
Then she lit up a candle and she showed me the way
There were voices down the corridor,
I thought I heard them say...

Welcome to the hotel california
Such a lovely place
Such a lovely face
Plenty of room at the hotel california
Any time of year, you can find it here

(now you'll really have it stuck in your head! :rotfl: )



Ok!! How come I keep getting the red x for your pictures!!:confused3

GRRRRRRRRRRR!!!:mad:
:confused3 I don't know. I'm sorry. I wish I could figure it out. It seems like they are showing up ok for everyone else. :(



I saw you pictures on the DL dining thread and clicked on the TR link...I'm so glad I did. Great so far! Also, I loved the dining photos!!
Thanks! Glad you could join us. :)
 
Oh, but it's a good song to sing isn't it! Come on everyone join in....

On a dark desert highway, cool wind in my hair
Warm smell of colitas, rising up through the air
Up ahead in the distance, I saw a shimmering light
My head grew heavy and my sight grew dim
I had to stop for the night
There she stood in the doorway;
I heard the mission bell
And I was thinking to myself,
’this could be Heaven or this could be Hell’
Then she lit up a candle and she showed me the way
There were voices down the corridor,
I thought I heard them say...

Welcome to the hotel california
Such a lovely place
Such a lovely face
Plenty of room at the hotel california
Any time of year, you can find it here

(now you'll really have it stuck in your head! :rotfl: )



:confused3 I don't know. I'm sorry. I wish I could figure it out. It seems like they are showing up ok for everyone else. :(



Thanks! Glad you could join us. :)

Oh Beth as if I didn't sing the song everytime I see your thread. Now I have to download that song onto my IPOD.:rotfl:
 
Morning on the second day came way too early, but I will say I did get a decent night's rest which is unusual for me since I rarely sleep well away from home. The beds at HoJo were pretty comfy. At least the one's we had were. Since we'd only booked one night there to try it out, we had to check out and haul all our stuff back down to the van and then head over to Paradise Pier for our 9:10 breakfast with Lilo and Stitch.

I was very excited for a couple reasons.
First, this was our first character meal as a family. I'd been to one on the WDW ladies trip, but always had a hard time paying the high prices for all 6 of us. This time however, I decided to splurge and go for it!

Second, this vacation was counting as my twin's birthday trip since we wouldn't be able to make it back next month for their actual b-day, and I had arranged for a birthday song and for a b-day dessert. Also I had NOT told any of the kids where we were eating. They thought we were just heading over to check out the hotel since we'd never been in there before, and I couldn't wait to see their surprised faces.

Last but not least, joining us for breakfast was January and her DD Maddie and I was eager to spend more time with them and introduce her to my family. :)

We arrived at the hotel with time to spare and decided to take some pics before checking in for the breakfast. The girls are wearing their "2 times the fun, but Double the Trouble" Minnie and Daisy tees.

January had walked over from her hotel and was already there. We didn't have to wait long, but while we were waiting I went into the gift shop there by the restaurant to buy new autograph books as I'd left the twin's books at home.

The CM in the shop noticed the girls b-day crowns and pins and asked if they wanted a Disneyland b-day button with their names on it. Of course they said yes so we did that and then it was time to be seated for the meal. They gave us all leis and gave the twins another different b-day button, and now I'm thinking there isn't any more room on their shirts to pin anything else! :rotfl:

When we first walked in Minnie was waiting off to the side to pose for pictures. I loved how she was dressed! So cute.
DSCF4426.jpg


Sitch came to our table almost immediately, before we'd even been up to get our food, much to Maddie's delight. She loved him and just giggled and giggled whenever he came near. My kids were cracking up over how cute she was with him.

January, Maddie and Stitch:
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DSCF4428.jpg


Lindsey, and Noelle with Stitch:
DSCF4429.jpg


Hannah and Adam with Stitch:
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Maddie with Stitch. See, she just couldn't get enough of him! LOL
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DSCF4441.jpg


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And of course the FOOD! It was all really good. I'd definitely recommend this buffet to anyone.
My breakfast plate:
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The birthday dessert that each twin received:
DSCF4444.jpg



The whole experience was a lot of fun, and while I don't have much to compare it too, I can't imagine any of the other character meals could be much better. They did other activities during the meal such as hula dancing with Lilo, and a conga line with Goofy that the kids really enjoyed.
The characters came by several times and Stitch had fun trying on the twins b-day crowns and just being silly with them.

So the good news is, we loved our first character meal!
The bad news is, we loved our character meal and I want to go again! Sshhh, don't tell my husband! :rolleyes1 ;)

Up next, we are finally off to the parks!! :yay:
 





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