Our Magical Mother Daughter Trip - Complete!

[staley7580]

I love all your pictures! They are just great! It makes me really want to go back to Disneyland now.

 

[blue donkey]

am enjoying your tr. i've never been to the redwood area in dca. will have to try it next time. i thought it was just for the little kiddies but it seems like they have some nice areas to walk around in.

quick question? did they shoot any water during the pixar parade in the evening? I'd like to watch it but not get soaked so I'm hoping at night they don't use waterguns.

 

[Jennifer03]

Jennifer, I am really loving your TR because it is loaded with pictures. And the thing is, you remind me of me when I was your age in terms of what you take pictures of! I used to do the exact same thing - I would take shots of everything from the second we set foot on Disney soil to when we left, in and around the hotel, just random crowd shots, at every attraction, just everything I saw, all the details, until everybody wanted to shoot me! I probably still would do it if I had the patience for it and if I traveled with people who had the patience for it! I LOVE that sort of narrative style of picture taking. You can tell a chronological story of your trip for people largely in the photos, so you don't even really have to verbally explain too much beyond that! And your pictures are colorful and clear, too. They complement the subjects, whether it be a plate of food, an attraction or a hotel room...

In fact, I should mention, that my recent stay at the PPH (which was my 3rd or 4th time staying there - can't recall exactly) was not exactly the best one I have had. There were some issues with the water in the bathroom and it just was not good (we did, however, have a GREAT, almost eye level view of the pool, which I know you will appreciate). BUT, looking at your photos, which really flatter the hotel rooms quite a bit, I am thinking to myself, "You know, that IS a pretty cute little hotel! I don't think I have appreciated the little details enough when I have been there." It almost makes me want to go back there again!

I am looking forward to more of the Trip Report!!

Thank you so much for your kind words. My goal for this trip was to take pictures of absolutely everything. I'm making a book using blurb.com and I wanted to fill it with as many pictures from the trip as I could. I'm sorry that your most recent trip to Paradise Pier Hotel wasn't as magical as it could have been. I hope you have a better experience the next time you go.

I love all your pictures! They are just great! It makes me really want to go back to Disneyland now.

I'm glad you're enjoying the pictures. Just remember, it's never too early to start planning your next trip to Disneyland. In my opinion, that's half the fun!

am enjoying your tr. i've never been to the redwood area in dca. will have to try it next time. i thought it was just for the little kiddies but it seems like they have some nice areas to walk around in.

quick question? did they shoot any water during the pixar parade in the evening? I'd like to watch it but not get soaked so I'm hoping at night they don't use waterguns.

I always thought the Redwood Creek area was just for kids as well. The Unofficial Guide listed it as an unheralded treasure at California Adventure, and said it wasn't just for kids. It was so peaceful and pretty in there, almost made me forget I was at a theme park!

No water guns were used when I watched the parade that night. They just blew lots of bubbles at everyone. I was worried about this before my trip, but had read on a website that they don't spray water when it's cold outside.

 

[Jennifer03]

My photopass CD finally arrived yesterday! So here are the pictures from our first two days.

 

[talie]

I love all the pictures! For whatever reason CA Adventures didn't really click with our family. You've got me wanting to give it another chance. Especially since we missed the Redwood Creek Trail and Pixar Parade.

 

[Yakety76]

I like this photo a lot. I especially like it with the border you added.

 

[wendylady36]

Those are great pictures of you and your mom!

 

[Jennifer03]

I love all the pictures! For whatever reason CA Adventures didn't really click with our family. You've got me wanting to give it another chance. Especially since we missed the Redwood Creek Trail and Pixar Parade.

Thanks! California Adventure didn't click with me the first time I went either. Before my trip that year I had several people tell me that California Adventure was boring and there was nothing to do. So I went in thinking that same way. This year I had done a lot of research and saw how much it had to offer. I had such a great time there and love it just as much as Disneyland.

I like this photo a lot. I especially like it with the border you added.

Thank you!

Those are great pictures of you and your mom!

Thanks so much!

 

[Hound 109]

Great report Jennifer.

You catch so many nice details with your photos (that my 9 y/o & I miss when we Commando thru the parks). I also often stay at the PP & visit many of the same rides so reading your report brings back great memories for me.

I agree with you about Heimlich's Chew Chew Train....that ride cracks me up....& your pictures remind me of why I like it (& the rest of the bugs life area). Thanks for your great report & for posting so many wonderful photos.

I hope my son & i get to go when he's 23.

 

[Sherry E]

Thanks! California Adventure didn't click with me the first time I went either. Before my trip that year I had several people tell me that California Adventure was boring and there was nothing to do. So I went in thinking that same way. This year I had done a lot of research and saw how much it had to offer. I had such a great time there and love it just as much as Disneyland.

I will echo the sentiment that California Adventure didn't click with me the first time I went, either!! I think it was a combination of things. Living in California all my life, I was one of the ones who thought it was silly to have a California-themed park IN California, and I was annoyed that Disney seemed to throw out its original idea (from back in the '80s) of putting in Westcot - the West Coast version of Epcot! Plus, California Adventure needs a lot of extra touches of magic in many areas; it is kind of lacking that spark that Disneyland has. And, I had also heard it was really small and boring, like you heard, Jennifer!

But, I was willing to give DCA another chance beyond the first visit and now, I must admit, DCA has grown on me! I kind of like that it has its own personality and is not a carbon copy of Disneyland. Even though I don't really drink, I like the fact that DCA serves alcohol for those folks who do drink. DCA still needs some work and some touches of magic, and maybe in the next few years, as DLR gives DCA a makeover and subtly changes the theme here and there, it will be better. Hopefully, it won't be worse. But I do like it - in fact, during our trip in October, we spent one entire day in DCA, only going into DL to eat dinner, and then we went right back to DCA again for the TOTP. My friend seemed bored and irritated with DCA and when I would want to walk down a certain path we hadn't fully inspected yet, she would dismiss it and say, "There's nothing down there," and start to walk away. I, on the other hand, like to see everything. I like to look at all the little details - even if there are just shops and facades and restaurants and no rides down that way. I don't like to dismiss things so easily! That is how you stumble upon hidden gems in both DCA and in DL - by exploring the roads less traveled and out of the way!

 

[disney-inspired]

You are SOOOOO pretty!
Just had to say

 

[Jennifer03]

Great report Jennifer.

You catch so many nice details with your photos (that my 9 y/o & I miss when we Commando thru the parks). I also often stay at the PP & visit many of the same rides so reading your report brings back great memories for me.

I agree with you about Heimlich's Chew Chew Train....that ride cracks me up....& your pictures remind me of why I like it (& the rest of the bugs life area). Thanks for your great report & for posting so many wonderful photos.

I hope my son & i get to go when he's 23.

Thank you! I almost didn't go on the Chew Chew Train because I thought it was just for little kids. I'm glad I changed my mind because it was such a cute ride. I love hearing what Heimlich says.

I will echo the sentiment that California Adventure didn't click with me the first time I went, either!! I think it was a combination of things. Living in California all my life, I was one of the ones who thought it was silly to have a California-themed park IN California, and I was annoyed that Disney seemed to throw out its original idea (from back in the '80s) of putting in Westcot - the West Coast version of Epcot! Plus, California Adventure needs a lot of extra touches of magic in many areas; it is kind of lacking that spark that Disneyland has. And, I had also heard it was really small and boring, like you heard, Jennifer!

But, I was willing to give DCA another chance beyond the first visit and now, I must admit, DCA has grown on me! I kind of like that it has its own personality and is not a carbon copy of Disneyland. Even though I don't really drink, I like the fact that DCA serves alcohol for those folks who do drink. DCA still needs some work and some touches of magic, and maybe in the next few years, as DLR gives DCA a makeover and subtly changes the theme here and there, it will be better. Hopefully, it won't be worse. But I do like it - in fact, during our trip in October, we spent one entire day in DCA, only going into DL to eat dinner, and then we went right back to DCA again for the TOTP. My friend seemed bored and irritated with DCA and when I would want to walk down a certain path we hadn't fully inspected yet, she would dismiss it and say, "There's nothing down there," and start to walk away. I, on the other hand, like to see everything. I like to look at all the little details - even if there are just shops and facades and restaurants and no rides down that way. I don't like to dismiss things so easily! That is how you stumble upon hidden gems in both DCA and in DL - by exploring the roads less traveled and out of the way!

Yes, I love that California Adventure is not an exact copy of Disneyland. It's different and has many attractions that are just as nice as those found in the original park. Like you, we spend an entire day there. It's certainly worth the time to explore.

You are SOOOOO pretty!
Just had to say

Thank you. You are very kind.

 

[Sherry E]

Jennifer, you were saying that you almost skipped Heimlich's Chew Chew Train because you thought it was just for little kids. We didn't make it on that ride, either (YET!), but I wanted to go on it. In fact, because we stayed in DCA so much longer on this last trip in October than we had in the previous trips last year, we took time to wander through A Bug's Land. I have to say that I think A Bug's Land is actually an underappreciated and overlooked area of DCA - and I am 41 years old! Of course, as usual, my friend was trying to dismiss it and make a quick getaway, but I trudged ahead because I wanted to see what was back there. First of all, I think all the rides are adorable - kids' rides or not, they are too cute! Secondly, I love how, around every turn, there was some sort of water feature. We must have encountered at least 4 water features in ABL. There were giant dripping faucets and other little fountain things, and it just seemed like a very 'alive' sort of place, if you know what I mean. It must be a great place to go in the heat of summer!

I also love the little details put into ABL, down to the light fixtures. That is exactly the sort of thing that I LOVE about Disney - the attention to detail and to really sticking with a theme. I love how, if you stand next to certain bushes or other plants in ABL long enough, you can hear little chirping or rustling noises which are piped in from behind the bushes! It reminds me of when Critter Country in DL used to be Bear Country, and you could hear the ambient noise-sound of a bear snoring when you walked through that area!

And now I hear that A Bug's Land is going to be decked out in giant ornaments and decorations for the holidays - I can't wait to see it! My next mission in DCA is to visit the Redwood Creek area you showed us pictures of. We completely missed it last time, and it sounds really nice!

 

[Jennifer03]

Jennifer, you were saying that you almost skipped Heimlich's Chew Chew Train because you thought it was just for little kids. We didn't make it on that ride, either (YET!), but I wanted to go on it. In fact, because we stayed in DCA so much longer on this last trip in October than we had in the previous trips last year, we took time to wander through A Bug's Land. I have to say that I think A Bug's Land is actually an underappreciated and overlooked area of DCA - and I am 41 years old! Of course, as usual, my friend was trying to dismiss it and make a quick getaway, but I trudged ahead because I wanted to see what was back there. First of all, I think all the rides are adorable - kids' rides or not, they are too cute! Secondly, I love how, around every turn, there was some sort of water feature. We must have encountered at least 4 water features in ABL. There were giant dripping faucets and other little fountain things, and it just seemed like a very 'alive' sort of place, if you know what I mean. It must be a great place to go in the heat of summer!

I also love the little details put into ABL, down to the light fixtures. That is exactly the sort of thing that I LOVE about Disney - the attention to detail and to really sticking with a theme. I love how, if you stand next to certain bushes or other plants in ABL long enough, you can hear little chirping or rustling noises which are piped in from behind the bushes! It reminds me of when Critter Country in DL used to be Bear Country, and you could hear the ambient noise-sound of a bear snoring when you walked through that area!

And now I hear that A Bug's Land is going to be decked out in giant ornaments and decorations for the holidays - I can't wait to see it! My next mission in DCA is to visit the Redwood Creek area you showed us pictures of. We completely missed it last time, and it sounds really nice!

A Bug's Land is adorable and I love all the little details. I remember seeing a bench that looked like it was made out of giant popsicle sticks. I never noticed the chirping sound in the bushes though! I'm going to have to listen for that on my next trip.

 

[Jennifer03]

Tuesday, November 4, 2008

We woke up at 6:00 AM and ate breakfast in the room as usual. When I came out of the bathroom after taking my shower my mom told me it was raining! Oh no! I looked out the window, and sure enough it was raining quite heavily. I quickly went online to check the weather forecast. It said the rain should stop around 11. I looked out the window again, and the rain had already stopped and the sky was beginning to clear! It was only 7:00 at this point.

We arrived at bag check at 8:00 and asked a cast member when they would start checking bags. He said they would start at 8:30, so we just waited around there.

We saw the California letters had been changed, but decided to take pictures there on Wednesday morning. We didn’t want to waste any time. After going through bag check we headed for Disneyland and were the first in line at gate 8.

A few minutes before the park officially opened for Magic Morning, they opened the gates. The cast member scanned my pass and I waited at the turnstile while watching the quick little opening ceremony. At 9 AM we were finally able to enter Disneyland! We walked down Main Street and headed for Fantasyland.

Our first ride was Peter Pan, one of my favorites!

We didn’t ride the teacups, but I still wanted to take a picture on the way to Alice in Wonderland.

Usually my mom and I both sit in the back of the caterpillar on this ride. But for some reason the cast member told me to sit in the front by myself. I found this odd since we’ve never been told we couldn’t sit together on any ride. I still had fun though.

Pinocchio’s Daring Journey was next on my list, but it was temporarily down at that time.

So we headed over to Snow White’s Scary Adventure. This was when I noticed the line for Peter Pan was already out the door! Boy was I glad we rode it first thing. We rode in the mine car named Dopey, which I liked since he's my favorite dwarf.

When we got off the ride, Pinocchio was open so we got in line for that.

After riding everything we wanted to in Fantasyland, we took some pictures around the castle.

Next: Tomorrowland!

 

[Sherry E]

A Bug's Land is adorable and I love all the little details. I remember seeing a bench that looked like it was made out of giant popsicle sticks. I never noticed the chirping sound in the bushes though! I'm going to have to listen for that on my next trip.

I am trying to remember where exactly in A Bug's Land we heard the noises from the bushes/plants. If I recall, we heard them in a couple of different locations, I think. I am trying to remember where we stopped, because that is when we heard things. If we had kept walking, we wouldn't have heard any bug noises. I THINK that one of the places might have been outside the restrooms. I could be wrong, but I recall stopping there. I know my friend was standing by a plant or bush or something, and all of a sudden a rustling of some kind from behind the bush startled her. And then I think another noise - like chewing or something - came from that same location. We also stopped by the little spinning Ladybugs - so we may have heard a bug noise from the foliage there too! I thought it was such a cool touch to add to ABL that a lot of people probably don't catch the first or second time they go there! I saw the giant popsicle stick bench! I guess that is what the holiday ornaments are going to be like - oversized and exaggerated! I can't wait to see them! I bet they even have a cool bug holiday tree of some kind!!!

 

[travelmel]

When I first saw this pic I was like, "Why is that giant screen up like that?" Then I realized it was a reflection. LOL Silly me.

Ok, back to the report....

 

[travelmel]

]

Your mom has Mickey Ears due to the CA Screamin behind her! Do they put people in that position all the time? I never noticed it before!

that's awesome!

great pictures, BTW.

 

[Sherry E]

I had seen some other PhotoPass pictures with the perfectly placed ears behind people's heads, and I desperately wanted one. However, when I asked one of our PP photographers to do that for me, she said okay, and when I looked at my photos, I didn't have ears coming out of my head like Jennifer's mom does in that photo. I had a whole mouse head coming out of my head and it just looked wrong. So I got the feeling that the PP photographer didn't know how to do it right. So then I tried to do it on my about-to-die camera. I got a nice picture of my friend with the well-placed ears. She took one of me, and, again, I had a whole head coming out of my head! No one can get me with the ears! They don't realize that you have to actually frame it right and position yourself and the subject a certain way to get the ears just so. People tend to want to just snap the picture with no work involved and be done with it!

 

[MickeyNikiNaka]

Love it!! Keep it coming!!!
Thanks for all the pictures!