Trip Report Hippity Hoppity Easter Disneyland Solo Report

Hello, and welcome to my little trip report about my recent solo trip to Disneyland!

Background: I usually travel to Disney with my husband, but I've taken a couple solo trips to WDW. This year since I have the Premier Passport I decided to take my solo trip to Disneyland.

Who: Me (Amy)

Dates: April 13-17 2017

Hotel: Best Western Park Place Inn & Mini-Suites (located directly across from the crosswalk to Disneyland)

Everyone is welcome to read and comment on my report but I will tag a few people on here who I remember following my other reports..... @figmentfan423 @MinnieM123 @Cesar R M @donaldtoo @MySmallWorldof4 @MOXOMUMD @JenniferS @PacNWTigger @Tuvalu @Gabe1 @betty rose @Songbird76 @sheriffwoody @bee @blgauger @BuddyThomas @fractal @93boomer @MouseDreaming @Wrangler-Rick @PUSH @Mr Ferret 88

 

[Figgy1]

James thinks it's unfair their Autotopia is so much cooler than out Speedway.

 

[MinnieM123]

James thinks it's unfair their Autotopia is so much cooler than out Speedway.

I had this crazy idea of a side-by-side attraction (although there's probably no where near enough room in MK) for these two together. You could have the older Speedway, and then Autotopia next to it--as more of a futuristic ride.

I also would have loved to have seen (from the original Future World in EPCOT), World of Motion, with Test Trak as the pavilion next to it--again, the old, next to the new. I mean, wouldn't that be a fun transition?

 

[ajrwdwgirl]

I'm glad that ASIMO has found a new home since he got kicked out of his old place. I really did enjoy that little show. Did you guys ever get a chance to check that show out?

I'm loving your parade pics! Steve isn't much of a parade guy, so I'm living vicariously through your pics.

I had never heard of ASIMO until I heard he was added to Autopia. My first visit was in 2007 so I think he and his show had been gone long before that.

I'm glad you like the parade pictures. I never cared much for parades either, but Soundsational changed that. Disney parades have been getting better lately. I don't like waiting a long time for parades either but I got lucky with the spots I've found lately.

 

[ajrwdwgirl]

I want to go to DL at Christmastime just to see IASW.

It is amazing. My hubs isn't a big fan of small world, he will sit through usually one time per trip. But when we went on the holiday version the first thing he said to me is, "We have to ride this again, it was so cool!". I like Haunted Mansion Holiday too, I wish WDW would do more holiday overlays.

 

[ajrwdwgirl]

Thanks for your great trip report! I've never gone to WDW or Disneyland alone and love to read about these trips.
Sounds like you had a great time.
I would fly out of Minneapolis, too, and wonder what the flight time was to Cal???? thanks!

The flight times can fluctuate, my particular flight left around 8pm, but there were earlier flights. I had to work that day so I had to take a late flight. This time I flew in and out of Orange County airport because the cost wasn't that much more and it is closer to Disneyland, but usually flying in and out of LAX is much cheaper. Suncountry has pretty regular flights out of Minneapolis to LAX, but they don't service Orange County. Delta and Southwest have regular flights to LAX and Orange county.

 

[ajrwdwgirl]

James thinks it's unfair their Autotopia is so much cooler than out Speedway.

It is a little unfair, but both are fun.

Spoiler

Autopia is more scenic and fun.

 

[ajrwdwgirl]

I had this crazy idea of a side-by-side attraction (although there's probably no where near enough room in MK) for these two together. You could have the older Speedway, and then Autotopia next to it--as more of a futuristic ride.

I also would have loved to have seen (from the original Future World in EPCOT), World of Motion, with Test Trak as the pavilion next to it--again, the old, next to the new. I mean, wouldn't that be a fun transition?

Interesting ideas. Everyone seems to mourn the loss of Horizons and even though I liked Horizons I thought World of Motion was better.

 

[ajrwdwgirl]

So to kill some time before the Flag Retreat I wandered around the Disneyland Gallery and looked at all the art work I can't afford but would love to have.

I saw this in the "vault" and later in the trip I saw someone buying the Shrunken Ned skull thing which was really pricey. I thought if they were going to buy the model they should also buy the print/sign but they didn't.

An area where animation cells get painted for sale.

A sketch artist at work. If I had any artistic talent, this would be my dream job. But I can barely draw a square so, I won't be a sketch artist in the future.

Here a couple paintings I would love.

And this is my new dream souvenir...

but not at this price...

I thought this was kind of cool and retro.

After looking at the art I went to see if there were any bench spaces for the flag retreat, and I was able to find a spot.

 

[ajrwdwgirl]

Some more of the flag retreat. I have watched it quite a few times at Disneyland and it is always impressive. I think I've only caught it once at the Magic Kingdom though.

After the flag retreat I decided to head over to the Disneyland Hotel to have dinner at the Steakhouse 55 lounge. I thought it would be fun to take the monorail to Downtown Disney, when I got in line for the monorail a cast member said it would be at least a 30 minute wait! I figured I could walk over to the Disneyland Hotel in less time, so I began my walk. I did make a stop at First Aid to get a bandaid as my shoe was rubbing weird. Even with that quick stop I made it in way less than 30 minutes. By the way it is my second time utilizing services at Disneyland's First Aid, and they are super nice there and have nice facilities. I have never used first aid at WDW, so I can't compare. Luckily my need for first aid both times were for very minor things, but I saw the set up in the back and it is very modern and has a lot of equipment.

 

[ajrwdwgirl]

I made it to the Disneyland Hotel and to the Steakhouse 55 Lounge. There were plenty of tables free at the lounge but no seats at the bar and in order to order off the regular restaurant menu you have to sit at the bar. Luckily after about 5 minutes a group of people left the bar and there was plenty of space.

I started with a beer,

Then I ordered a rib-eye, medium well. Rib-eye is my favorite type of steak.

And more importantly, I got the truffle mac and cheese. DELICIOUS!

I wanted some dessert and I was pretty confident I could take down the 24 Layer chocolate cake, so I got it.

And I failed. I could have taken it with me but I didn't want to carry it around. That was probably a good call, but that night back at the hotel I could have finished it.

I had to take my camera out in the bathroom...ewww I know but the wall paper was really cool!

And time to leave and head back to the park. Cool door mat on the way out though.

 

[ajrwdwgirl]

I stopped at the Wonderland Gallery on the way back to Disneyland. Lots of cool stuff in there. I ended up buying some postcards of some of the art I liked.

Back at Disneyland

Time for some tiki birds

I also watched Remember Dreams Come True, one of my favorite fireworks shows. Too bad the people with balloons couldn't hold the balloons down during the show. They were a little annoying.

I didn't try taking many pictures as I just wanted to enjoy the show.

 

[MinnieM123]

A sketch artist at work. If I had any artistic talent, this would be my dream job. But I can barely draw a square so, I won't be a sketch artist in the future.

Agreed--what a great "job". But, they'd never hire me. My drawing skill set is lacking--I can't even draw stick figures!!

 

[fractal]

Would love to see a flag retreat. Thanks for the pics!

Did you take a Dole whip or Citrus Swirl with you into the Tiki Birds?

 

[amjt660]

Loving the report
The Steakhouse 55 is a great spot for dinner
A lot more quiet and relaxing than Goofy's kitchen next door

24 layer chocolate cake - c'mon - mama never raised a quitter!!!!
Good attempt
You will need to order less entrée next time!!!!

Max

 

[Minnesota disney fan]

Thank you for the beautiful pictures
I have never seen the flag retreat, so thank you for those great pictures.
Looks like you are having a great time, and love following along.
We won't be able to do our annual trip to WDW this year, so reading these reports helps with the withdrawal

 

[bee]

I'm abandoning all other plans for our August trip so I can get this cake.

But really, DW and I have been watching British Bake Off so I'm a little obsessed with layer cakes right now. I found a video of the 24 layer cake being made and I can't stop drooling!



I'm enjoying your wonderful report and it's getting me extra excited for our trip!!

 

[Cesar R M]

I made it to the Disneyland Hotel and to the Steakhouse 55 Lounge. There were plenty of tables free at the lounge but no seats at the bar and in order to order off the regular restaurant menu you have to sit at the bar. Luckily after about 5 minutes a group of people left the bar and there was plenty of space.

I started with a beer,
View attachment 203795

View attachment 203796

Then I ordered a rib-eye, medium well. Rib-eye is my favorite type of steak.
View attachment 203797

And more importantly, I got the truffle mac and cheese. DELICIOUS!
View attachment 203798

View attachment 203799

I wanted some dessert and I was pretty confident I could take down the 24 Layer chocolate cake, so I got it.
View attachment 203800

And I failed. I could have taken it with me but I didn't want to carry it around. That was probably a good call, but that night back at the hotel I could have finished it.
View attachment 203804

View attachment 203801

I had to take my camera out in the bathroom...ewww I know but the wall paper was really cool!
View attachment 203802

And time to leave and head back to the park. Cool door mat on the way out though.
View attachment 203803

omg, looks so delicious!!!

 

[Figgy1]

Thnx for the Tiki Birds one of my favorite benches

 

[sheriffwoody]

Loving your report! Don't know why I didn't notice you'd started it until now! It's making me miss Disneyland . I am always one of those annoying people having to trade in a printed ticket oops! If they had separate lines, it would be better. Also, I totally missed all of the musicians when I went! We must have just not been in the right places for them! Kind of a bummer, I would love that.

But really, DW and I have been watching British Bake Off so I'm a little obsessed with layer cakes right now

I LOVE THAT SHOW!!! I have been watching it on Netflix. I can't bake at all, so it's so fascinating to watch.

 

[ajrwdwgirl]

Would love to see a flag retreat. Thanks for the pics!

Did you take a Dole whip or Citrus Swirl with you into the Tiki Birds?

No citrus swirls at Disneyland, which is sad because I enjoy those a lot more than Dole Whips. I thought about a Dole Whip but I was still too full from dinner.