We had a GRAND trip to Disneyland! March 2014 TR NEW 7/29 p.12

[wakica]

The hotel looks SO nice!!!

Can't wait to see park pics

 

[Poolrat]

I will be back in Vegas for my conference and then heading to DL. I am not brave enough to drive it so I will do the short flight.

The drive looks like a great adventure for all of you. Can't wait to be back in DL. So much I need to do again. Hopefully I will get over my jet lag while in Vegas so it won't hit me at DL.

Looking forward to hearing all about your trip.

 

[Dismamx2]

Just started reading your trip report, thanks for sharing

I am interested to hear/read what your beautiful daughters thought of the parks and rides etc, my girls are similar ages 11 & 14 and we are visiting Disneyland CA for the first time in July, we have previously visited WDW and DL Paris.

Looking forward to more

 

[petals]

luvin all the pics especially the one of the two girls walking with their arms around each other. sisterly love

 

[KatMark]

Wonderful update, Sheree!

I love the pictures as you are driving into California with the mountains with snow and then palm trees.

I love your pictures of the Grand Californian. We have no idea where we are staying when we go next year...we don't even know where to begin.

The pools look really nice. I'll just in case others disagree with me, but my personal feeling is that children do NOT belong in hot tubs.

Okay...moving on.

I love the photo of your daughters walking in front of you with their arms linked.

Can't wait to hear about first park day.

 

[eandesmom]

YAY you are there! And checked in by noon, great view awaiting and on your way to the park. Doesn't get much better than that.

 

[annmarieda]

Someday I really hope to stay at GC.. I have always thought that entrance from the hotel into CA is too cool! I can't wait to see more pictures!!

 

[Poolrat]

The pools look really nice. I'll just in case others disagree with me, but my personal feeling is that children do NOT belong in hot tubs.

.

Oh I can give you so many reasons to support that.

 

[Viva Las Disney]

The view from our room:

If this picture was landscape you could probably see my house, it's just a few miles to the right of your picture up against the mountains. I love Las Vegas but live as far from the Strip as possible.

Not sure what they were inspecting for. They just waved everyone through.

This drives me nuts every time I drive to southern California. Every day they are forcing tens of thousands of cars to slow from 75mph to 5mph only to wave them through without ever even stopping anyone to be inspected, I always wonder why such a "green" state would intentionally waste millions of gallons of gas every year.

Welcome home!
ARRIVAL!!! It’s so different from WDW where there are so many signs and entrances to property. Here you are just driving down the road and “poof” it’s right there!


We arrived right around noon. Dave had said we might not need a park ticket for today, but since we arrived so early, we quickly agreed that we were going to a park today!!

I love the GC, I've never stayed there but the architecture is amazing. I love the whole GC, DH, PPH, Downtown Disney area.

I'm probably in the minority but I really enjoy the drive from Vegas to Anaheim, long stretches are boring but I find that relaxing, the best part is it's only 4 hours so I can leave in the morning and be in the parks by the afternoon. Vegas and DL couldn't be more different and I love that I can travel between the 2 "realities" so quickly.

Looking forward to reading more about your trip. I haven't been to DLR since the beginning of March but I'll be there in 10 days, I can't wait to be back.

 

[Mndisneygirl]

I'm in. Love a good DLR and GCV report.

The inspection area in California is checking for fruit, specifically fruit flies. Years ago a major outbreak of flies killed tons of crops.

and Thank you!
They sure weren't checking very hard! I don't think any cars actually stopped!

Since we got married, we've always been in the middle of the country, or a completely different one, so I know how you feel.
My Mom was funny a few years ago, because we were talking about Disney, and she thought we had gone while we lived in Georgia. It would have been less than an 8 hour drive. We didn't though. We went the Spring Break before we moved to Georgia, and for New Year's after we moved away. My sister still lives there, and she hasn't been anymore than I have in the past few years.

It will probably take something else drawing us to California to get us to Disneyland. WDW is just so nice with all the options right there. We'd end up venturing out into the rest of California more if we went to Disneyland. I couldn't justify it otherwise.

If I lived in Georgia I would sure try to get to WDW more often than we do now! But I know when we live near stuff, we just have so much "normal life" stuff going on that we don't do those things! There is so much to do in the LA area alone, you could spend two weeks there. Another week in Northern California, too!

The hotel looks SO nice!!!

Can't wait to see park pics

I'm not sure I properly welcomed you - so
and thanks! It is a very nice hotel. You want to see park pics too? I can help with that! I've got an update with park pics coming up!

I will be back in Vegas for my conference and then heading to DL. I am not brave enough to drive it so I will do the short flight.

The drive looks like a great adventure for all of you. Can't wait to be back in DL. So much I need to do again. Hopefully I will get over my jet lag while in Vegas so it won't hit me at DL.

Looking forward to hearing all about your trip.

I can totally understand why people would rather not drive it alone- a lot of it is just so desolate and rather boring. We are a little weird about driving. But I do appreciate certain aspects of our road trips. You do see things you wouldn't otherwise, you can pack whatever you want, and you are in control of the the timing.
I hope next time you don't have too many jet lag problems and get to see the "rest"!

Just started reading your trip report, thanks for sharing

I am interested to hear/read what your beautiful daughters thought of the parks and rides etc, my girls are similar ages 11 & 14 and we are visiting Disneyland CA for the first time in July, we have previously visited WDW and DL Paris.

Looking forward to more

Thanks for joining in! I can tell you up front that they loved it!!! They had some new experiences that they really enjoyed. We have been to DL Paris too (I did a report - it's in my sig). I'll try to include some of their thoughts. Sometimes Sarah likes to type up a little commentary, so I'll see if she'll put something together.

luvin all the pics especially the one of the two girls walking with their arms around each other. sisterly love

Thanks! Yeah - they seem to get along pretty well when we're on vacation and they have no one else to be with and no place to get away from each other! HA!

Wonderful update, Sheree!

I love the pictures as you are driving into California with the mountains with snow and then palm trees.

I love your pictures of the Grand Californian. We have no idea where we are staying when we go next year...we don't even know where to begin.

The pools look really nice. I'll just in case others disagree with me, but my personal feeling is that children do NOT belong in hot tubs.

Okay...moving on.

I love the photo of your daughters walking in front of you with their arms linked.

Can't wait to hear about first park day.

Thanks Kathy! I can't remember if you are DVC or not. GC is the only DVC they have and it books quickly at 7 months. But all the hotels on property seem really nice - and they have a lot of "good neighbor" hotels very close by! I hear they are nice and have good rates too.
You will not get any disagreement from me on the kids in hot tubs. Now, I should say, we own one at home. And my kids go in it. It's not as hot as the ones at hotels and they have time limits. Most of the time when we go in, they don't (often it's after they are in bed). But, when we are traveling, they are only allowed if it's not busy (like no one else) and to just sit for a few minutes. These kids that JUMP in and swim around - that's a whole other thing. No way would I ever permit my kids to do that, even if (or maybe especially) if I was right there. I think it's rude, unsafe, etc...

Thank you - I like that picture too! I'm trying to remember if we staged it, but I don't think so!
Park pics will be coming soon!

YAY you are there! And checked in by noon, great view awaiting and on your way to the park. Doesn't get much better than that.

We were so excited! I was dying to know what the view was like - I had some vague recollection of good room numbers that I'd read about on the boards, but of course I left ALL my notes about DL at home! Every food I wanted to try, where it was, things to remember…Yup, all sitting in the office at home.
But we somehow managed to have fun anyway!

Someday I really hope to stay at GC.. I have always thought that entrance from the hotel into CA is too cool! I can't wait to see more pictures!!

It was just fabulous! That's one thing that I thought they had the advantage on over WDW - proximity to the parks!!

Oh I can give you so many reasons to support that.

I am so sure you do! I agree with you!! No need to duck around here.

Getting my update ready now!!! Should have it up this afternoon!
Stick around!

 

[Mndisneygirl]

If this picture was landscape you could probably see my house, it's just a few miles to the right of your picture up against the mountains. I love Las Vegas but live as far from the Strip as possible.

Oh cool! Had I known, I would have waved as we drove past!

This drives me nuts every time I drive to southern California. Every day they are forcing tens of thousands of cars to slow from 75mph to 5mph only to wave them through without ever even stopping anyone to be inspected, I always wonder why such a "green" state would intentionally waste millions of gallons of gas every year.

I'm glad I'm not the only one who thinks it's ridiculous! So dumb.

I love the GC, I've never stayed there but the architecture is amazing. I love the whole GC, DH, PPH, Downtown Disney area.

I'm probably in the minority but I really enjoy the drive from Vegas to Anaheim, long stretches are boring but I find that relaxing, the best part is it's only 4 hours so I can leave in the morning and be in the parks by the afternoon. Vegas and DL couldn't be more different and I love that I can travel between the 2 "realities" so quickly.

Looking forward to reading more about your trip. I haven't been to DLR since the beginning of March but I'll be there in 10 days, I can't wait to be back.

Have you stayed at other on site hotels? The Disneyland hotel looks very nice too! It was just beautiful to walk around the whole area and we loved it!

If I lived in Vegas, I would probably love that drive! HA! It's short, and easy. I can see what you mean about the two "realities!" Wait til I get to the Vegas part of the trip!

I hope you have fun on your upcoming trip to DL! Where will you be staying?

 

[Mndisneygirl]

We got in and headed to Carsland first. (of course!) Radiator Springs is so COOL! The racers were down, so no getting in that line.







The girls said they’d try Luigi’s Flying Tires first. So hardly any wait for that – and we were on our first ride at DCA!











Next up was Mater’s Junkyard Jamboree. Too much like a teacup or spinny ride, so I opted out. Tried to take pics – but couldn’t get in a good spot to catch them when they came around.
This is Mater's "Petting Zoo"!


They had meet and greets with Mater and Lightning McQueen at the Cozy Cone Motel!


cont. in next post...

 

[Mndisneygirl]

We’d pulled FPs for Soarin at some point (I don’t remember) so we went to ride that – pretty much the same – their screen isn’t much better than the one at WDW! Still a great ride!
On Buena Vista Streeet:





Off to Hollwyood Land!


Then we went off to see Sully and Mike at their ride: Monsters Inc: Sully and Mike to the Rescue!


It’s really cute – I think we waited 20 minutes maybe in line?







BUT THEN…

We got stuck! For a LONG time. Apparently we were near the end of the ride (not that I would know that) and then the lights came on. While I always think it’s cool to get a little behind the scenes look, I would have liked to finish this ride since I’ve never been on it before. Eventually - probably less than 5 or 10 minutes, the CMs came and we exited our cars and were walked out of the ride. Don’t think that’s ever happened to us before!

From there we headed over to the Pacific Wharf and Paradise Pier sections of the park. We were getting hungry! In Pacific Wharf there are lots of QS options! I’d heard about the Chinese place, so Sarah and Dave went over there. Paige wanted Mexican so we walked to that place and ordered stuff there and met up at a table in the middle. All the food was really good –fresh and yummy! The Chinese won over the Mexican I think. I also went to the Margarita stand and got a nice cold one! It was really hot in the sun! But I loved it – it felt so good to be WARM!
Food Porn!





After that – Dave and the girls went to Ghiradelli while I finished drinking and they came back with dessert!! We could have fed another 4 people! They should have shared, but oh well, we're on vacation!




Leftovers!


We went toward Paradise Pier to check it out. There is so much packed into this park and yet it doesn’t seem that big! This is where Toy Story Midway Mania and the Little Mermaid rides are, along with some wild California Screamin roller coaster that I will never go on. They also have lots more food options here. We went to check out LM – but she was closed. I was beginning to worry that things would be closed and we’d never get to ride stuff!


I think I got a better picture of this on a different day - the sun was in the wrong place today!



The World of Color viewing area


Then we got the TEXT that our room was ready!! YAY! Rom 6504! Since we had stayed close, it was no big deal to head back to GCV from there – hand stamps were obtained and we went to check out our room!


OH.

MY.

GOSH!!!

Jessie was NOT kidding when he said it was a great room!


But you'll have to wait to see it because I have to go take kids to dance!

I'll try to get those pics up yet today!

 

[jenseib]

I looked at the Ghiradelli many times but never went over there....now I wish I had! That looks so good!
We had a ton of rides down for refurbishment while we were there and I was sad we couldn't ride some of the ones I wanted to, but that is just a reason to go back...right?
I had no idea that the Monsters ride was an actual ride till we got in line. I thought it was like Monsters Inc in FL.

 

[annmarieda]

Such a bummer that rides were down! I hope you didn't miss them entirely.

Another shame is that Monsters Inc went down. I love that ride. My youngest rode that over and over when she was a toddler. She couldn't get enough of it. I wish WDW had the ride instead of laugh floor...

Cant wait to see your room!

 

[petals]

Carsland looks amazing. Sucks about Monsters inc ride though

 

[Disney Mommy 3]

I think Carsland would be sooooo fun!!

 

[Poolrat]

Then we got the TEXT that our room was ready!! YAY! Rom 6504! Since we had stayed close, it was no big deal to head back to GCV from there – hand stamps were obtained and we went to check out our room!


OH.

MY.

GOSH!!!

Jessie was NOT kidding when he said it was a great room!


But you'll have to wait to see it because I have to go take kids to dance!

I'll try to get those pics up yet today!

I think I may have requested that room. Didn't get it but requested it.

Can't wait to see the view!!!!

You got a lot done at CA. I had issues with RSR being down so frustrating.

 

[MEK]

Totally a bummer for the down rides, but the ones you did look super fun!

Beautiful pictures of the park and I love the pics and you and the girls!

Holy ice cream - wow - those sundaes look simply amazing!

That Monsters, Inc ride looks really cute. I hate getting stuck on rides but it can be fun to see the lights come on and go backstage a bit!

Can't wait to see what you room looks like!

 

[mickeystoontown]

I don't know why but I find it hilarious that there were slot machines in the car rental area. It's too bad that it was so smoke filled there. Here in Louisiana, the casinos have banned smoking inside.

I was going to ask how long it took to drive to Disneyland from Vegas but I saw that Mary Ellen asked the same question. 4 hours doesn't seem that far to drive especially when you have those lovely mountains to look at.

The resort looks beautiful and I am anxious to see the room that you were assigned.

I would have been like ya'll and gone straight to a park. You can tell from your smiles that you were happy to be there and were enjoying yourselves.