That's the 30th time we've heard that song.. A GRAND Xmas Adventure! Nov 13 TR 6/19!

[danimaroo]

What a great start of your trip even if you did get ground floor at the Grand Californian

Thanks! And yeah, while it was a bummer to hear it, trust me, we were quite happy with our room later on when we finally got to see it!

Awesome start!!! You guys and others have convinced me to switch our stay at AoA to renting DVC points in Dec. Trying a couple options for family of five is difficult but we might try your new home resort OKW!!! Also trying BC since I feel in love with the boardwalk area in feb.

Thank you! Ooooh yeah, definitely consider it! But if you are going to rent points, best to do it NOW because I know December is a VERY busy time for DVC members and can be hard to get in. BUT if you're going with OKW, and you book right now, you shouldn't have too hard of a time getting in there! OKW is just so lovely, but obviously, you know my feelings about BCV!

I'm in! What a great start!

I'm going to try to not be such a lurker for this TR. I found your September TR a couple days ago and spent all my time catching up with that. (I'm sure work appreciated that ha ha)

The boyfriend and I went on our first trip to The World in January and I never imagined I would love it as much as I did. I figured it would be a one and done thing. Now I'm trying to convince him to go back this September. I wanted to go in October for his birthday on Halloween, but after viewing the crowd levels I think September will be better. (We are not crowd people which makes it kind of hard for Disney World)

Anyways...back to this TR I've read a few blogs on Disneyland and the holidays and I am really hoping we can get out there to experience it next year so I'm excited to follow your journey!

Glad you're here, and even better, more commenting?! Heck yes! Haha. I maaay or may not be guilty of DISing at work when I have a free moment... not very often, but when I can, I do it!

I'm telling you, Disney World just sucks you in. It's the Disney bubble! But oh my gosh, if you can swing a trip in September do it. The crowds can't be beat (even better than late January) and it's just a fabulous time to go.. aside from the insane heat/humidity. We're not crowd people either, so we tend to stick with January or September, haha.

I hope you enjoy my TR and it helps out with any questions you have or tips you may be interested in!

So glad I don't have to go through withdrawal. Thank you

Hahaha, no problem! I'm continuing to feed people's obsession... but I have to say, I love when I finish someone's TR and they have a new one all ready to go! It's kind of the best.

YIPPEE..the TR has begun!!!!

YIPPY INDEED!! New update coming very soon!

Easy... I just make stuff up (kidding).

I have to say it. You just know the one time you decide to go later to the airport is the one time the lines will be insane. Guaranteed.

Ummmm, that's a creepy mural.

Yup... I'll take 80+ and dry over 70 and humid EVERY TIME!

Hey look on the bright side... ground floor means you get to the parks quicker.

I think you are so right. My one and only time there everything was so familiar yet so completely confusing. Um, why are the HM and Pirates so close together???? I think if I went again, it would all feel totally normal now.

Hahaha, I won't lie, I'm convinced I will be making things up during this trip report.

This is true, but we always go to the airport early. I say Matt is the one to blame, but I can be just as bad!

Creepy mural is totally creepy.

YES PLEASE! It was hot out but so much easier to deal with than Florida's lovely humid weather. ACK.

And so true! I'm looking forward to posting the room photos later in the day, which is like.. 4 updates away or something, wompwomp.

Yeah, we felt WEIRD the first time but the second time was way different, and nice! Nice to feel like we weren't in some really unfamiliar place.

How cute your poochie was when you were trying to leave. Poor little guy.

I LOVE how the timing worked out when you booked your reservation! I'm so impressed that you were able to get all of your days even at the 7 month mark. I'm also impressed with the way you worked around the dates. I may be guilty of making extended WDW resort reservations a time or two when trying to book coveted ADR's early in our trips. lol

I also love how you're incorporating your Tweets & Instagram posts into the TR. I remember seeing your trip live on IG, so it's fun to read the actual story now.

I have a good guess at what your lunch might have been! Can't wait to find out!

Hahaha, that's Milo for you. Funniest little nugget.

Yeah, when you're trying to get a room, ESPECIALLY a studio at the Grand Californian, you have to be prepared to book as soon as the 7 month window opens. And even then, it could be booked by GC owners before you can even get to it... so in this case, I wasn't taking a risk and thank GOD I booked it when I did! CUT THROAT BOOKING, hahaha.

Well no kidding, it's one of the bigger things that is helping me write this TR and keeping it kind of detailed, hahaha. Except I'm working on day two and came across a tweet that mentions that I left my phone in our room while we were in California Adventure, soooo I can't wait to write about that!

Hahaha, I'm sure you do!

Count me in!!! My very first DL TR I can't possibly miss out on another Dani and Matt adventure!!!

YAY!! I'm glad you decided to come over to the West coast for a little Disneyland fun!!

Joining in and subscribing! I will be MIA for 3 weeks soon though so hopefully will be able to catch up next month!

I think you were either going for a Disney Classic with the Hot Dog or something a little more filling with Blue Bayou....

YAY! You should be okay, and it's something to look forward to once you're back!!

You may or may not be correct in one of those guesses.

Great update and start to the trip. I leave for WDW in 2 days and cannot wait!!!! Your TRs have help to make the wait more bearable!!!

EEE I hope you are having an amazing trip to WDW!!

So, we basically cannot get out of Alaska without flying through SeaTac - and almost always on this same flight that leaves around 130am and gets in at 545am. And so we have RITUAL WENDYS BREAKFAST in seatac everytime we are going anywhere. When they changed to their new menu I was soooo disappointed at first, but then realized it's not too bad. And, funny story, when we were flying to visit my fiance's family over christmas, there was a woman in the food court area playing a grand piano - AT 6AM. So we got live piano music while we were enjoying our wendys breakfast!

I cannot WAIT to see your room pics and such - I was trying to remember back to your instagram pictures but couldn't remember and then decided to see your TR postings!!

HAHAHA AMAZING! I love that you've been to that Wendy's. It's usually part of our go-to, or at least Matt's... but I had no idea they changed their menu, haha. Also, I love that they had a lady playing a grand piano in the terminal.. like it ain't no thang!

I know! I took room photos, but of course, didn't do that until later, so everyone is going to have to keep waiting, hahaha.

I'm sure travel days to DL are SO much easier compared to travel days to WDW!

WOW, th booking for VGC sounds insane. Pretty awesome that you were able to get in just in the nick of time. I can't imagine how excited you had to be to pull up there and know you were spending your trip there!!

Looking forward to more...

2 1/2 hour flight vs. 5-6 hour flight? Just a little easier, hahaha.. plus losing 3 hours when flying to WDW is rough!

It IS kind of crazy. I mean, if you want to get in, you don't risk waiting on getting that reservation, especially for Studio Villas. But I was super happy to get it for us! It was so awesome to know we were going to be staying there!

Joining in from Germany

A great trip report from WDW, now a brilliant trip report from DLR.

You´re simply the queen of trip reports

Thanks so much for taking the time to write such great reports

Awesome, I'm glad you've decided to join this TR, too!! I can't complain about being a Queen I guess.

Thank you for taking the time to read them and comment!

I'm here! I'm here! Looking forward to reading this TR! I NEED to go to DL.

YAY! YES you do. It's a pretty fabulous place to visit!

I'm here!!

Wow, the Grand Californian is beautiful...it really does look like the WL but all those wooden beams make it very California, if that makes sense! I hope you have pics of the room!

Main Street in Disneyland looks SO beautiful! It looks just like MK but different...greener, maybe. I just need to go there. I was SO close to skipping WDW this year to do DLR instead. Maybe next year. I couldn't pass up Food and Wine this year!

Can't wait to read more!

YAY! Happy you're here! It's funny because it is like the WL from the outside but the inside is way different! It's a very pretty lobby though.

Main Street in Disneyland is just so charming. It still has some of the original shops there, like the Magic Shop, and it's so refreshing to see it. It IS weird walking down it with no huge castle in front of you but instead a small castle and a huge mountain to the right, haha.

You so have to go! Seriously... and maybe at Christmas time? Because it's just amazing at Christmas time.

I've been like a stage 5 lurker on the trip report boards, but I finally made an account and I love your reports. I am so pumped for all the DLR goodness about to happen. Like Grand Californian?! I am already dying. Looking forward to the TR!

Hahaha, I love that you called yourself a Stage 5 lurker. I'm glad you made an account though so you can comment!! And yeah, Grand Cali, it was kind of like a little dream or something.

 

[Luisa]

Subbing in - sounds like fun so far!

 

[danimaroo]

Chapter 2: Indiana Jones, I think we just became best friends.
Day One: November 13th, 2013

If you know us, you know we're big fans of the corn dog from the Little Red Wagon... and that's exactly what we had in mind! We got in line, then decided I'd go find us a table to eat at while Matt got our food. I lucked out and grabbed on on the other side of the wagon and people-watched. I realized that we were sitting right next to one of the big gates where a LOT of CMs walk through when coming on/off their shift.

Matt came over with our corn dogs and they were... HUGE. I couldn't believe how ginormous they were.. and neither could Matt.

twitter: YesyesYES.

Like, that thing weighed 2 pounds. And it was GOOD. I still stand by my statement that the Little Red Wagon has best corn dogs I've ever had.

While we were eating, we saw paramedics carrying a stretcher with what looked to be a CM on it, taking in oxygen. It's never fun seeing someone leave a Disney park on a stretcher, but it was amazing to see how quickly they dealt with it and got through the gates we were sitting near. We were both hoping whoever he was, that he'd be okay!

After we finished up eating, we basically beelined it over towards Adventureland.

We had ONE attraction that was a total must-do for us as soon as we finished eating.

As some of you will recall, Indiana Jones was closed during our last trip for a refurb, thus I never got to go on it. I was really bummed out about this since everyone and their Mom raves about this ride... so naturally, it was the first thing we were going on this trip.

Luckily, the wait was only listed at around 10-15 minutes, so we were on it in no time. Part of me was kind of sad though because I wanted to stop and look at everything in the queue but couldn't. First world problem right there. So I took super quick photos as we made our way through the queue.

My reaction to this attraction?

twitter: Indiana Jones was AMAZING. Oh my god, my mind has been blown. I rode the whole time with my jaw on the ground.

Seriously, I LOVED IT SO MUCH. It just blew everything I knew out of the water. The queue literally made you forget you were in Disneyland, and it was like you were suddenly IN an Indiana Jones movie. Then the attraction itself was just awesome. Obviously it's the same ride vehicle as Dinosaur, but a completely different attraction. I am not usually a fan of being thrown around and/or possibly breaking my hip on a ride/having to deal with terrifying dinosaurs popping out at me... but Indiana Jones? I don't care if I break a hip, that attraction is worth it.

After picking my jaw up off the floor, we headed over towards Matt's absolutely favorite attraction, the Haunted Mansion... but stopped on our way to quickly walk through New Orleans Square.

We also had to get Matt a churro. When you're in Disneyland, and you're rockin' your Disneyland Churro t-shirt, you really should have a churro in your hand.

This is Matt being happy with his favorite Disney snack in front of his favorite Disney attraction (while it's all snazzed up for the holidays).

He was gracious enough to let me have a bite of his churro. What a guy!

After he finished, I took a quick photo of the Haunted Mansion, saying..

twitter: So happy to be back here again.

Theeeen we finally got into line. I LOVE the Haunted Mansion Holiday so much. The way they just change the ride over entirely is beyond impressive... and for some reason, this was the first time I noticed the different version of the Haunted Mansion theme that they play outside. I think because the previous year we didn't spend a whole ton of time in the queue I just didn't hear it? I'm not sure, but it's one of my absolute favorite versions of the song, and I recognized it from the Haunted Mansion album that we own.

It's titled "Ghostly Music Box", and it's SUCH an amazing version of the song. If you're a WDW person who has never been to Disneyland/never have been during the holidays and you're curious about it, you can listen it here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SmLIK5vszlc

Our wait was pretty short, so soon enough, we were inside of the stretching portraits room!

I'd heard they changed up the inside of this room a bit, but didn't know exactly what they'd done. Lo and behold, Jack Skellington was appearing above us in CGI form (vs. the old huge stationary Jack face they'd previous used) and it was definitely surprisingly awesome.

There is a part of me that missed the old Jack, but I did enjoy their upgrade a lot, too.

We boarded our doom buggy and I took a few photos while also just enjoying our first ride-through.

This year's gingerbread house was AMAZING. It easily beat out last year's house, no question at all.

I mean seriously, LOOK at that thing!! It's always one of my favorite scenes on the Haunted Mansion Holiday, between the gingerbread scent they pump through and the amazingness of the gingerbread houses that they hand build every year.. it's fantastic.

I was also happy to get the next photo because Jack is EXTREMELY difficult to photograph. With the low light conditions and the fact that he's moving the entire time, I'd say this one turned out pretty good for him.

The singing pumpkins were fabulous, as always.

I also LOVE the Oogie Boogie animatronic.

This last shot (below) I was actually THRILLED with. Sally is one of the more difficult things to get a good photo of because you are on the moving walkway when you go past her, plus it's dark. So to have such a clear shot of her made me really happy.

Haunted Mansion Holiday is still one of my absolute favorites and obviously Matt's, as well. It's easily one of the top reasons you should try to make it out to Disneyland during the holidays.

Continued in next post​

 

[smile4stamps]

Yea!! I was right on what you were going to eat!!! Love those corn Dogs! I agree! best ANYWHERE!!


Awesome pics in the Haunted Mansion! Seriously awesome! I don't even see Sally that well in person!!

 

[DisneyKid4Life]

10-15 minutes for Indiana Jones??? Wow. And I was totally stoked for you to ride given your love of Dinosaur. But you're right, the comparison begins and ends with the vehicle. Awesome Imagineering. Which begs the question... Why did we get stuck with Dinosaur, lol.

I so want too ride the Holiday Haunted Mansion. It just looks and sounds so amazing. I really wish they could do this in WDW (I know they can't but I wish they could). Your photos really capture how amazing this is. Unbelievable.

 

[IheartDDuck]

Okay, first off, I would have cried if my iPad lost my notes. Seriously. Just would have cried. I applaud you for moving forward without them.

Woah, $6;95 for parking at Sea-Tac? I thought $12 a day at Milwaukee was cheap! Now, that's in comparison to the $35 a day at O'Hare......

That mural was definitely creepy!

Dude, that is cutthroat! We are planning a mega trip next August with my niece and nephews, and we've already figured that we won't be able to get a villa.

The Disneyland corn dogs are just otherworldly. Sooooooo good.

Indiana Jones is definitely one of the best rides ever! We absolutely love it.

Great pictures of Haunted Mansion Holiday. It's been quite some time since I've been there during that time of year.

 

[Tracy161]

Great update! Those corn dogs seriously look amazing!!! I am wanting one right now SO bad, haha!

I have only been to Disneyland once, back in 2010. However I have a feeling that your report will have me wanting to get back again sooner than later! I do remember going on Indiana Jones like 100 times!!! It's amazing!!! Jaw-drop inspiring for sure!

 

[marDgreen88]

Holy corn dog, that looks delicious.

Indiana Jones seems like it must be awesome! I don't really know what it's about, besides the obvious Indiana Jones-ness, but it seems cool!

 

[mollybuck]

That corn dog looks amazing! Also I love his churro t-shirt - we are a big churro eaten' family but I've never seen that one before.

Haunted Mansion Holiday is basically what convinced me my first trip to Disneyland has to be during Christmas. I love Oogie Boogie!

 

[JDUB]

Holy huge corn dog!!! That thing looks bigger than the turkey legs. Lol

Haunted mansion holiday looks totally awesome. My kids are huge NBC fans and would love that ride!!! Too bad I'm stuck on the east coast

 

[onelilspark]

The first time we were on Indiana Jones, the ride stopped half way through. Of course, we didn't realize anything was out of the norm until everyone on our vehicle reacted

We were stopped in the room with the snakes and my Dad is terrified of snakes. All I could think of is that I was so glad he wasn't with us! He would not have been happy.

We were right past the half way point on the ride, so we got to walk the rest of the ride, which was pretty cool to see everything!

 

[MamaRoo]

Yay!!! So happy to be reading your Disneyland TR. I have learned a TON about WDW from your reports, (I've never been!), but now you're in MY park. Can't wait to go along on your adventure!!

 

[hakunamomtata]

Oh my goodness. I hold you solely responsible for the craving I've got for a corndog now! It looks AMAZING.

Also, your TRs are some very convincing details as to why I should visit DL. I have always been so in love with WDW that I haven't ever given DL a second thought. But you make it look amazing! It's definitely going on my bucket list now.

Sidenote - I work with an intellectually disabled client who I started reading your TRs to since he can't travel but LOVES Disney...and he asks me maybe 4 times a day if you wrote more. He loves it! D'AW!

 

[Pimama]

Corn dog...nom nom! We just went in February and our first stop- Corn Dog Castle. I've never had them from the Little Red Wagon?! It's always been closed for us, or had huge lines, that's what we get for traveling so far off season...

And where do you park for $6.95?!?! I need to know!

Indiana Jones is worth a trip to DL, really just so awesome, it's hard to explain!

Great HM pictures, love the music from NBC....this is Halloween, this is Halloween...

 

[khertz]

Holy moly, that is one gigantic corn dog!!!

I have seen the Indiana Jones movies, but they aren't my favorite. The ride is INCREDIBLE, though!! I can't stand Dinosaur, but even having the same ride track, Indiana Jones is so much more amazing than Dinosaur any day. The rooms are so HUGE!

I hope one day when we are back in DL, we can be there for the holiday overlays. It's so cool how you get to experience basically a whole new attraction with the HM overlay! They were putting it all up on our last trip in August 2012. Great pictures of the animatronics!!

 

[Aristocath]

So glad you are writing a DL Holiday trip report! I really want a corn dog and a churro now. I've only flown into Long Beach once and I loved it- it feels like Old Hollywood to me. I also share Matt's concern about having enough time to get through security.

 

[MotoWifey185]

Great update! My dh and I love those corn dogs too. Except for whatever reason we never get them at the wagon, we always get them from corn dog castle in DCA and they are the same thing!

I love Indy too! It's my DH's favorite ride ever. It sadly was closed again during our trip earlier this month though. I can't believe it was a 10-15 minute wait that late in the day either. Looks like a Tuesday in November is a pretty great time to go!

I love the Phantom Manor Music Box, I have it downloaded onto my ipod! I think one reason you may have not heard it, was because I am pretty sure they didn't always play it out in the front where it is easily heard. I had only ever heard it by the FP distribution center for HMH when they used to have it open. I want to go back to see HMH sometime. A DLR trip isn't in the plans until next Jan or Feb but since we're only a 6 hour drive away we may be able to sneak a weekend trip in in November.

 

[Pesky]

OMG, those corn dogs look HUGE! Did you ever see the corndog story? It's hilarious. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N29y12uDVp4

 

[Nermel9]

Those corn dogs look ridiculous! You know, I don't think I've ever actually had a corn dog, but maybe whenever I get myself to Disneyland, I'll try one...I mean, if I'm going to have one for the first time in my life, I might as well have the best one, right?

Adventureland looks so cute! Everything in Disneyland just looks so adorable!

Indiana Jones sounds awesome! But OMG that Haunted Mansion/NBC overlay... I keep thinking I want to go to Disneyland next year in August for the D23 convention, but maybe I should go in November instead...I feel like if I don't see it for the holidays I'll regret it, and how often am I going to fly myself to California?

 

[rentayenta]

I'm in and enjoying your report. Can't wait to see your villa.