A Trip to Club 33 and World of Color: MillerPoppins and "Tim" conquer Cali

Alright kids...we are back for another round of Disney having fun. Except this time, it's on the West Coast! So to back track or catch any of you up to speed that didn't see the pre-trip report, Tim and I have relocated to Orlando and am now working for the "Mouse". We are so happy and are really having a great time! So where do people who live at Disney World go on vacation? Disneyland of course! Well, the whole trip was based around a trip to Las Vegas for a wedding that Tim was in. So we figured while we were that close, why not squeeze a small trip to Disneyland in? Tim lived in Vegas for four years and I'm not much of a gambler, so did we really want to spend a whole week in Vegas? Plus, Jennie had relocated to Cali and we wanted to check out her new digs!

And to also back track, "Tim" is not really Tim. His real name is Randy. You see, we worked in an environment where we couldn't really be open about our relationship. So to protect ourselves from having someone randomly find out about us online, I changed Randy to "Tim" and did not post any of this photos. So for those of you who thought I just didn't post his photo because he was a criminal...that probably would have been a lot more exciting. :lol:

So our trip started out around 6am in the morning on April 22nd from Vegas. We had been doing 4 days of playing, sight seeing and doing wedding activities. So let's just say I was hurting a bit from pre-evening activities...ok maybe a lot. Randy and I hit the road for the four hour drive out to Cali, which I slept most of. When I woke up, we were in downtown Anaheim rolling up to Disneyland Ave! Originally, we thought we would just stay at a cheap hotel in the area. But then we figured, why not have the chance to be guests again at a Disney resort? So we opted for Disney's Paradise Pier Hotel! It was right next to California Adventure and thankfully in our budget. So we rolled out and up to the entrance of Paradise Pier and in we went. We were both praying for a room ready for check in but it was only 10am. Thankfully, Anthony who checked us in didn't just get a room that was ready, he upgraded us too! SCORE!!! Originally booked for a standard room, we now how a deluxe room with park view...yessss. So far Cali, I'm a happy girl.

Both of us were super excited! It was the first time that I ever got a First Visit button. They weren't around for my first visit at the age of 7 so I was certainly excited to be able to add it to my pin collection. Anthony gave us all our paperwork (including park brochures that featured two of our favorite Disney related films-The Little Mermaid for Randy and Star Wars for me. Yeah...a little reversed then the normal couple), our keys and sent us heading up to the 11th floor. We were off! A minute or two up the glass elevator and we had arrived!

A few steps later, we were in our room with a SWEET view!!!

Well hello California Adventure! You sure are a lovely view!

And the room was absolutely ADORABLE!!!!!

We showered up and got ourselves ready for a full day out in the parks. Ray, Jennie's fiance soon met up with us in the room and we headed out. It was actually a bit chilly when we arrived so we made our way out with sweatshirts and myself in jeans. But after being the Vegas desert, it was a welcome coolness. We headed down and across the street. The way to the parks from our place was to cut through the Grand Californian.

Ok so there are going to be comparisons...cause it can't be helped at this point. But I couldn't get over the similarities to the Wilderness Lodge in FL, just a bit more subtle.

The place was so vast and large that pictures couldn't do it justice. And to be honest, we were just so excited to get to the parks!

 

[MillerPoppins]

As we passed through the Grand Californian, I was told we were heading in to their Downtown Disney area. I had always been told that California's Downtown Disney was more catered to that area. It wasn't as touristy. Kinda what WDW is trying to do to Downtown Disney. To make it more current and not just feature Disney Merchandise. So I was really interested to see what their blend of this was like.

The entrance from Grand Californian into Downtown Disney.

Just like everything else out there, DTD is smaller. But it's really cute. They have all the best things that are in DTD FL's, but some other items that seem to work well in Cali. Like a Sephora, a Jamba Juice and some other boutiques.

Again on this trip, Tim was responsible for the camera. I took some photos but he took most.

Shockingly, we did not step into World of Disney while we were there. We didn't do much souvenir shopping while we were there cause Randy and I are big believers in stuff to take home cause our photos are the best ones.

We were getting closer. And I was getting mushy. I knew it was coming and I knew what was going to happen when I stepped near the entrance to Disneyland. I kept taking deep breaths and sips of water. But my emotional moment was pushed aside once we got through bag checks. The entrances to both parks are literally right across from each other. Like walk out of one park and walk directly into the other. Really cool. So convenient to be that close to each other.

So we veered left, passed through the gates and there it was. Walt's park.

For a long time, I had no urge to see or go to Disneyland. I felt like Walt Disney World had so much to offer compared to out there. Sure they had a Matterhorn. But there was no Epcot. They had the original It's A Small World. But we had the better Castle. Then I realized that the real thing that Disneyland had that made me want to go there, besides employing one of my best friends, was that it had the history. This was Walt's park. Sure, WDW was too. But Walt built this from the ground up, was there for the opening, still has an apartment over the firehouse and still has touches of his own personal work throughout the whole park. It breaks my heart that Walt never got to see WDW and what all has come to be since he began this dream of his. Actually of his whole empire. And so when I stepped through the gates, the tears fell. Fell for the fact that I was actually there. Fell for the fact that Walt will never know how many lives and families he has touched. And fell for the fact that almost two years after bringing Randy to the parks for the first time, we were there to experience it together. And he was just as excited as I was.

So the crying and the effects from the night before are why my face looks like it's inflated for this picture.

Ray just laughed. He didn't realize how much of a mush I was.

 

[sam_disney]

fantastic start to your trip report!

Would love to see Disneyland! I also feel so sad that walt never got to see wdw. I always think that when I visit wdw!

Anyway,, looking forward to more !! xxxx

 

[LuLaSue]

Love it! You look sooo happy!!!:sohappy:

 

[Ariel484]

Love it so far, Karen! And HOORAY for a room upgrade! :sohappy:

Hope to run into you again in FL...I'll be back for Marathon Weekend 2013, and I think Holly may be as well. Maybe there's a roommate meet-up in our future?!

 

[Californian Elitist]

For a long time, I had no urge to see or go to Disneyland. I felt like Walt Disney World had so much to offer compared to out there. Sure they had a Matterhorn. But there was no Epcot. They had the original It's A Small World. But we had the better Castle. Then I realized that the real thing that Disneyland had that made me want to go there, besides employing one of my best friends, was that it had the history. This was Walt's park. Sure, WDW was too. But Walt built this from the ground up, was there for the opening, still has an apartment over the firehouse and still has touches of his own personal work throughout the whole park. It breaks my heart that Walt never got to see WDW and what all has come to be since he began this dream of his. Actually of his whole empire. And so when I stepped through the gates, the tears fell. Fell for the fact that I was actually there. Fell for the fact that Walt will never know how many lives and families he has touched. And fell for the fact that almost two years after bringing Randy to the parks for the first time, we were there to experience it together. And he was just as excited as I was.

It baffles me how a lot of WDW guests don't have the want or urge to go to Disneyland, given its significance and rich history. It's Walt's park and his greatest creation... I don't understand why anyone wouldn't want to see the original park, the one and only one Walt Disney built. All the Magic Kingdom parks around the world can trace their roots back to Disneyland. I understand the resort is much smaller, as well as the park, but I really don't see how that matters.

I'm glad a lot of people like you decided to give it a chance! It's always cool to try things outside of your box and experience new things. Hope you and your gang had fun!:wave:

 

[PolynesianPrincess]

Can't wait to read all about your trip!!

You know, I always had a small interest in visiting Disneyland, mostly because of the Matterhorn, when I was younger. Now I want to visit and see EVERYTHING they have thats different than down in Florida. Reading the Disneyland TR's on here, I really hope I can make a DL trip happen in the next few years!!

 

[GOT2SAMMIES]

Great Start! Can't wait for more! Oh by the way..I cry when I get on the monorail cuz I know I am that much closer to WDW , I am a musher too! Sooo If I ever get a chance to get to Disneyland I would certainly lose it! Dont be ashamed of your mushyness!!!

 

[plaz10]

Love it so far, Karen! And HOORAY for a room upgrade! :sohappy:

Hope to run into you again in FL...I'll be back for Marathon Weekend 2013, and I think Holly may be as well. Maybe there's a roommate meet-up in our future?!

No no no...you all want to come down this September (mid September to be more precise - not late September for all you ToT runners!) so we can have a girls cruise meet up!!!

But fortunately for you Shannon (unfortunately for me...haha) I may be moving to Ohio by next year.

 

[diddy_mouse]

Great start to your report! And that's one nice view from your room!

You have a great description of visiting Disneyland for the first time. I have yet to go as an adult, but I can't wait to visit the park where it all began. And I agree with you when it comes to the history. I honestly think that's what will overtake me when I walk through the gates.

 

[Disneyfalcon]

Woohoo, you're back! Yay for an upgrade! We've had that view before an it's awesome!!

I agree about Disney World fans who never want to go to Disneyland. They just dismiss it without even realizing how much they are missing.

Your description of going in the park for the first time was just wonderful!

 

[Ariel484]

No no no...you all want to come down this September (mid September to be more precise - not late September for all you ToT runners!) so we can have a girls cruise meet up!!!

But fortunately for you Shannon (unfortunately for me...haha) I may be moving to Ohio by next year.

Sooooo...those are happy tears then I take it?! Come on, Ohio is just fine! Although I would recommend maybe not wearing lots of Steelers stuff if you come to the Cleveland area. I don't think people will throw things at you or anything, but you might get some looks. :lookaroun (And I know from experience...my dad, born and raised in the Cleveland area, is a die-hard Steelers fan.)

September is completely out of the cards for me this year, unfortunately. Some day I will get that ToT medal...some day!! And I would LOVE to see WDW in the fall. Flying is just so *%$@#!& expensive.

 

[Disney_Belle]

I'm looking forward to the rest of this report! I finally got to visit DL for the first time and I too, was so excited to finally get a First Visit button! I also shed a tear or five going into the gates at DL. It's a great experience. DL has so much to offer. It's beautiful, charming and I cannot wait to get back there. We had a theme park view room at PP too and the view is just breathtaking!especially at night!

I'm so happy you're so excited about this trip and gave Disneyland a shot! It's amazing!

 

[plaz10]

Sooooo...those are happy tears then I take it?! Come on, Ohio is just fine! Although I would recommend maybe not wearing lots of Steelers stuff if you come to the Cleveland area. I don't think people will throw things at you or anything, but you might get some looks. :lookaroun (And I know from experience...my dad, born and raised in the Cleveland area, is a die-hard Steelers fan.)

September is completely out of the cards for me this year, unfortunately. Some day I will get that ToT medal...some day!! And I would LOVE to see WDW in the fall. Flying is just so *%$@#!& expensive.

They are just...tears. Lol. Nothing is definite yet but my fiance is seriously looking into ortho surg residency at a hospital near Akron. We'll see...

Yes I think I'd leave my Steeler decor INSIDE the house only. And I'd probably take the penguins logo off Bill's car - just in case.

I'm not running the ToT either - we leave the 20th. But so many of our cruisers are running it and talking about their meet ups and I'm super jealous. Lol. So I'm trying to get as many people to come in EARLY Sept - and it is not working. Hahaha! Flying is awful. Thats why I want the fiance to get a residency in Florida - we'll save so much money! :lol:

(Sorry for the off topic convo, Karen. Proceed with the fabulous TR!)

 

[Ariel484]

They are just...tears. Lol. Nothing is definite yet but my fiance is seriously looking into ortho surg residency at a hospital near Akron. We'll see...

Yes I think I'd leave my Steeler decor INSIDE the house only. And I'd probably take the penguins logo off Bill's car - just in case.

I'm not running the ToT either - we leave the 20th. But so many of our cruisers are running it and talking about their meet ups and I'm super jealous. Lol. So I'm trying to get as many people to come in EARLY Sept - and it is not working. Hahaha! Flying is awful. Thats why I want the fiance to get a residency in Florida - we'll save so much money! :lol:

(Sorry for the off topic convo, Karen. Proceed with the fabulous TR!)

Apologies in advance to Karen for the continued mini-hijack!

I lived just outside of Akron for 4 years, so let me know if you have any questions! :wave: And I , too, am jealous of the ToT meet-ups.

 

[PolynesianPrincess]

Apologies in advance to Karen for the continued mini-hijack!

I lived just outside of Akron for 4 years, so let me know if you have any questions! :wave: And I , too, am jealous of the ToT meet-ups.

You ladies should just come for the ToT race then!!!
But.... since you can't.... we will really miss you

 

[Maryssa*]

And the room was absolutely ADORABLE!!!!!

:O Wow!! You can watch World of Color from that room!

 

[MillerPoppins]

fantastic start to your trip report!

Would love to see Disneyland! I also feel so sad that walt never got to see wdw. I always think that when I visit wdw!

Anyway,, looking forward to more !! xxxx

Thanks! I always think and wonder if Walt was alive and of sound mind, what would he think of what his empire has become. I wonder if he would be happy. Thanks for reading!

Love it! You look sooo happy!!!:sohappy:

Thank you! I really was!

Love it so far, Karen! And HOORAY for a room upgrade! :sohappy:

Hope to run into you again in FL...I'll be back for Marathon Weekend 2013, and I think Holly may be as well. Maybe there's a roommate meet-up in our future?!

That would be awesome! Loved getting a room upgrade cause that never happens to me! It was amazing.

It baffles me how a lot of WDW guests don't have the want or urge to go to Disneyland, given its significance and rich history. It's Walt's park and his greatest creation... I don't understand why anyone wouldn't want to see the original park, the one and only one Walt Disney built. All the Magic Kingdom parks around the world can trace their roots back to Disneyland. I understand the resort is much smaller, as well as the park, but I really don't see how that matters.

I'm glad a lot of people like you decided to give it a chance! It's always cool to try things outside of your box and experience new things. Hope you and your gang had fun!:wave:

I'm really happy we did. It was so great to see Walt's park.

Can't wait to read all about your trip!!

You know, I always had a small interest in visiting Disneyland, mostly because of the Matterhorn, when I was younger. Now I want to visit and see EVERYTHING they have thats different than down in Florida. Reading the Disneyland TR's on here, I really hope I can make a DL trip happen in the next few years!!

It really was awesome to be able to step into Disneyland. I think I appreciated it more knowing WDW as well as I do. It makes you value the great things we have here because of it. I'm so happy we went.

Great Start! Can't wait for more! Oh by the way..I cry when I get on the monorail cuz I know I am that much closer to WDW , I am a musher too! Sooo If I ever get a chance to get to Disneyland I would certainly lose it! Dont be ashamed of your mushyness!!!

I'm such a mushball at Disney. But Disneyland to me was always Walt's park and I'm a sap for Walt Disney himself so it was really something to be there. Thanks for reading!

Great start to your report! And that's one nice view from your room!

You have a great description of visiting Disneyland for the first time. I have yet to go as an adult, but I can't wait to visit the park where it all began. And I agree with you when it comes to the history. I honestly think that's what will overtake me when I walk through the gates.

I'm really glad I went as an adult. It was great to value the historical part of it and not just view it as a plain theme park. I think tracing some of the historical points made it even more enjoyable to me.
Thanks for reading!

Woohoo, you're back! Yay for an upgrade! We've had that view before an it's awesome!!

I agree about Disney World fans who never want to go to Disneyland. They just dismiss it without even realizing how much they are missing.

Your description of going in the park for the first time was just wonderful!

Thank you so much!

I'm looking forward to the rest of this report! I finally got to visit DL for the first time and I too, was so excited to finally get a First Visit button! I also shed a tear or five going into the gates at DL. It's a great experience. DL has so much to offer. It's beautiful, charming and I cannot wait to get back there. We had a theme park view room at PP too and the view is just breathtaking!especially at night!

I'm so happy you're so excited about this trip and gave Disneyland a shot! It's amazing!

I am too. The first time button was so exciting! It was nice to be a first timer again...lol!

They are just...tears. Lol. Nothing is definite yet but my fiance is seriously looking into ortho surg residency at a hospital near Akron. We'll see...

Yes I think I'd leave my Steeler decor INSIDE the house only. And I'd probably take the penguins logo off Bill's car - just in case.

I'm not running the ToT either - we leave the 20th. But so many of our cruisers are running it and talking about their meet ups and I'm super jealous. Lol. So I'm trying to get as many people to come in EARLY Sept - and it is not working. Hahaha! Flying is awful. Thats why I want the fiance to get a residency in Florida - we'll save so much money! :lol:

(Sorry for the off topic convo, Karen. Proceed with the fabulous TR!)

No worries. My trip reports have a history of being hijacked! :lol:

:O Wow!! You can watch World of Color from that room!

We could and we had the sound channel. But there was only one showing the night that we were there and we wanted to see it front and center so we watched it from the park. We really wanted to see it from that room.

I apologize for the delay since my first post everyone. I've been sick and out of work with a virus. More writing is on the way within the next few days!

 

[MillerPoppins]

We stepped under the train station and on to main street. Wow...what an amazing feeling.
It felt like magical. Not that WDW main street doesn't, it really does. But this was a historic magic. I could literally feel Walt there and it was incredible.

We slowly walked towards the castle while Randy snapped away and as we turned the corner, there she was.

Sleeping Beauty Castle...it was like the cute little summer home for the Princesses. We walked up Main Street and took in all the sights. The store fronts and some of the shops themselves seemed to be going under some serious refurb, but I didn't care. I was happy so far with what I was taking in.

As we made our way into the central hub, my eye wandered to the left and saw what I had been really looking forward to seeing. I read about it online and couldn't wait to actually step foot in it. The Jolly Holiday Bakery & Cafe.

Now those of you who know me on here should remember that Mary Poppins is my absolute hands down favorite Disney movie. I wear a watch with her on it every day. I have four different copies of Mary Poppins on DVD for the extras. I met Julie Andrews and cried like a baby. To counter that, I'm a HUGE foodie. Put those two together and I really can't describe the euphoric level of excitement and happiness I had. And, it's fairly new! We went in to scope it out.

The outside...adorable. Just as cute as I had hoped. Inside...mobbed. Which is good. Apparently Mary is proving to be lucrative.

As always, with anything that Disney touches, the details were incredible.

Inside, the place was packed. We weren't hungry at this point, so we just squeezed through for some photos.

I was in love.

As we made our way out, deciding that lunch there the next day was a complete necessity, we caught this.

And yeah, I cried some more. Don't judge me.

 

[Southern_Tink]

I'm very much enjoying your report! My husband and I are interested in going to Disneyland one day, we've always only gone to Walt Disney World. I would love to experience the history that Disneyland has to offer. Can't wait to read more!