Howard Johnson was recommended here on the DIS. You can get a 10% discount through mousesavers. It is a prime location for sure. They have a terrific new splash park for the kids. We really did miss the Disney feel you get from staying on sight. Disneyland has only three overpriced resorts because of all the neighboring hotels within walking distance. I soon discovered it just wasn't quite the same. Our hotel room was okay. The beds were new and comfy. The bathroom was pretty outdated with some cracks and holes in the trim. We did have an amazing view of fireworks from the balcany however that is almost unattainable at WDW.
After finding our room the girls wanted to call daddy right away. They feared he would be mad that we were in DLR without him.
They were relieved when daddy seemed excited for them and gave them permission to enter the Land of Disney without him.
We headed out toward DTD for our dinner reservations at Rainforest Cafe. I was excited to dine here. We never had at WDW because it wasn't included in the dining plan.
Here is what you see before you cross the street to Disneyland!
I was a little disappointed I didn't get to see the girls reactions as they saw DLR for the first time. I had turned around to go back and get the stroller. Granita went ahead with the girls. I had purchased the Maclaran Volo $100 for this trip. It is an amazing stroller and so worth the $. It holds up to 55 pounds and is a fold-up umbrella stroller. It pushes so easily and the handle bars are higher.
It had already been a lifesaver on the vacation. At the zoo we were able to walk right on the moving walkways with the stroller. Other families with the wider, average size strollers were turned away because they would not fit.
Even DD8 plopped in the stroller a couple times and it always worked like a gem.
I thought it was funny when Granita expected that we should be seated EXACTLY at the time of our reservation. I tried to explain we were lucky we were guaranteed seating. We were seated about 15 minutes after our reservation. The girls had a great time roaming the gift shop while waiting and making pressed pennies.
I loved the moving animals and atmosphere of this restaurant. I didn't find it at all chaotic like I had read in other reviews. DD5 loves elephants and a waiter was nice enough to let them stand and take a picture.
We loved watching the colorful fish in the tanks right next to us.
Granita and I had some drinks that were fun but neither of us could taste the alcohol.
I came equiped with a coupon for a free appetizer and they were nice enough to let me use it for my meal. I had great chicken quesadillas. We loved watching them bring the sparking valcanos (chocolate cake and ice cream). They would scream "valcano" as they walked by with the huge dessert wish had sparklers on top. We wanted to order one but were all too full at the end. The lightening storms every 20 minutes were a hoot! We had a great time dining at Rainforest Cafe.
When we left the Rainforest it was dark and after 9 p.m. We made the mistake of looking through World of Disney. It was CROWDED.
I later figured out the DLR had just closed so a ton of people must visit downtown after closing. I wanted to get Birthday Mickey ears for DD5. Granita took the girls and I stood in a huge line to buy the ears. Then Granita decided on a few things and stood in another huge line. You literally could not move. If I had not wanted to surprise DD5 with the ears I would have jetted straight out of there. While we were still in the store precious DD5 fell asleep in the stroller. I was so thankful I had turned around for that stroller.
There was no way I was going to carry her home on the one mile walk. She got a lot of compliments for being so lady-like while sleeping.
We tried to take a picture when we got back to the hotel but she woke up. Regardless she is still in the position she had been sleeping in with her legs crossed.
Alright, we made it back to the hotel and it was time for us to all tuck in so we could be there for rope drop in the morning.
Up Next: Our first day at Disneyland!
. Someday
