Trip Report A Walk in Walt's Footsteps: Max's California Adventure

Hello to All - As the title suggests the Max family has returned from a fun adventure in the Golden State.

For those who have not read the PTR I have copied a link below:
http://forums.wdwmagic.com/threads/...-going-to-do-i-am-going-to-disneyland.929704/

If you do not want to read the pre trip report I understand - there are so many PTR, TR ,Live reports on the go it is a lot of work to keep up with everything.

We will start with the players:

Me - Max - turned 51 a few days before we left (and yes I wore my Bday button proudly - more to come on that one though). Trip number 25 to a Disney Resort ( WDW, DLR, DLP and TDL)

My DW - T - age is just a number - She really likes Disney, really loves DCA and is over the moon on going back to San Diego (Trip number 23 to a Disney Resort (WDW, DLR and DLP)

My older DD - S - 22 - just finished her undergrad in Music Therapy, working at a summer camp and starting her mandatory intenrship to become certified in September. Trip number 20 (WDW,DLR,DLP)

My younger DD - C - 20 (not yet legal to drink in your country) - almost halfway through Biomedical Engineering - just finished a school term in August (co-op program) - starting to work in September - same trip count as her sister.

Next up: Day 1 travel day and first day in park all in one!!

 

[DisneyGigi]

Day 3 - more shopping
View attachment 232677 View attachment 232678 View attachment 232679 View attachment 232680
S & C had gone back to the room for an early lunch (we had an early dinner)

Found Oswald!!!
View attachment 232681 View attachment 232682 View attachment 232683

Loved in sign just before the entrance to the Grand Californian hotel
How true - there is food and lodging ahead!!
View attachment 232684

Oswald!!!!! Loving this report, I don't know, if over time, I just made Disneyland better in mind, because of the short time I spent there- or if it was that I knew I was in Walt's park. Hope to go back there again one day, if I can ever get the hubby on board.
I second the new name Mac.

 

[amjt660]

Day 3 cont'd - and more Frozen

After Frozen we went to GOG again with a FP - all four of us this time
More queue pictures first

 

[amjt660]

Day 3 cont'd GOG and dinner
On GOG we got the Born to Wild song
so for those keeping track that is 3 of the 6

Next we went for an early dinner at Storytellers - which is a restaurant in the Grand Cali but not the super fancy one (Napa Rose - see @bee report)

Special lemonade for me

This was our most disappointing meal of the trip.
T and C ordered off the menu (because of their food allergies)
S and I went the buffet route.
No one was happy with their food quality.
Oh well -they can't all be the Carthay Circle!!

Back to room to get ready for the ball game
T picked this up this guy after our first GOG ride - he moved around the room but liked this spot best

We taxied to the game to avoid parking - we have never done Uber but in 20/20 retrospect it probably would have been cheaper

Our seats were great - first row of the first deck - paid 40 each on Stubhub

Got my Angels baseball hat - a tradition for me when I go to a new park - you will see a SD one later in the trip even though we did not go to a game this time.

 

[amjt660]

Day 3 - Angels game cont'd

This was a map in Guest services
We added out mark showing how far we had travelled to see an Angels came

 

[amjt660]

That is us is the orange section just the left of Toronto !

Other panoramic pics that I took that are too big to upload so I snagged them instead

And then C being C (you know she gets this from her mother!!)

Overall we had a great time at the game - the park is beautiful - the Angels won
A good end to a great day

Max

 

[amjt660]

Ahhhh Oswald!!! And you'd never lose cool points from me!!! Everybody on these forums is SUPER COOL. Myself included right?!

Oswald was a lucky find.
He was standing inside the entrance to one of the stores - the Photopass store near the entrance.
It was too hot to stand out even in the shade
I just came out the restroom as someone was leaving that store (so the doors were open)
Otherwise I would have missed him
Got my pic taken and then went to find S so she could join in
C was peeved when we got back to the room - she has an Oswald stuffy in her room
We looked later in the day but he was no longer there

Oswald!!!!! Loving this report, I don't know, if over time, I just made Disneyland better in mind, because of the short time I spent there- or if it was that I knew I was in Walt's park. Hope to go back there again one day, if I can ever get the hubby on board.
I second the new name Mac.

I know what you mean about being Walt's park
Just wait till I tell you about Day 4
You see we had a plan to ......
No, you will have to wait - but not for long!!!

Ma(x or c) - your choice

 

[littleroo]

I am sorry you are having an identity crisis currently!!! Loving the report and pictures! You have a wonderful family!!

 

[amjt660]

I am sorry you are having an identity crisis currently!!! Loving the report and pictures! You have a wonderful family!!

Serious subject or rant? - Andrew
Funny with puns firing? - Max
If the post goes south and offends? - blame that one on Clarence

Max

 

[amjt660]

Day 4- Tuesday August 29 - Dreams do come true
Early entry to DLR (9am instead of 10) - we had no issues making it to these so called "early" entry days.
S in front of the Mickey floral

Max selfie (I think I am addicted - in a good way)

The whole crew on this fine morning

The starting point for a tour - curious why I have a picture of this???

A Braille map of the park - in 10 trips I have never noticed this one

Pictures around the entrance

 

[amjt660]

Day 4 - Walking in Walt's footstep tour ( or Page 6 and I finally explain the title of this trip report!!)
2 more pictures of the plaza buildings (fore shadowing alert!!)

Like many other Disney families we try to find something new to do with each trip.
So far this trip we have GOG Mision Breakout, Red Rose Tavern, Frozen stage show,
But the really big new thing that everyone was anticipating was our very first guided tour of a Disney park

We checked in a little after 9 for a 9:30 start time.
First task was to select lunch - with Dairy/Soy/Almond/Cranberry/Corn/Chocolate allergies (not all one person!) and a vegetarian it took us a few minutes to ensure we ordered meals that all could enjoy.

Our tour guide was Carlos. He was excellent - well informed and easy to talk to/ask questions.
We started in the main street usa entrance plaza with a good history lesson on Walt, the buidlings and then walked up Main street.
Reviewed some of the names on the windows and then stopped at the Partners statues in the Hub

Max family selfie with Carlos (he was happy to be included - I am not sure of most people do this sort of thing)

Now Carlos was chock full of information and interesting facts about the park
I tried to capture a few but it was not easy.
All the ones in my notes are things that I did not know before (the learning never stops my friends)

Fun Fact 1 - Did you know from the hub you can see clearly into all lands except Adventureland
Adventureland has a sharp left turn once you enter - this was by design to keep it more mysterious!!

After telling us about the raising of the drawbridge on day one we walked into Fantasyland and we knew we were going on a ride
Alas we walked past PP and around the corner to Alice (Yeah - one we have not rode on this trip!!)

Fun Fact 2 - The carousel was actually bought from an amusement park in Canada (near Toronto)
(well fun fact for me )

We rode Alice (the dark ride not the teacups) - imagine having a tour guest get dizzy and sick - not cool - good ride choice Carlos!!)

We then walked over to Frontierland and he discussed the petrified tree gift to Lillian

As we walked into New Orleans square we discussed the Royal Suite but we didn't go in.

Fun Fact 3 - It is called the Royal Suite because it is on Royal street - not because it is associated with royalty!

We were shown the original Club 33 door...

And the new entrance complete with an intercom buton

 

[DisneyGigi]

Day 3 - Angels game cont'd
View attachment 232748 View attachment 232749 View attachment 232750 View attachment 232751 View attachment 232752 View attachment 232753 View attachment 232754
This was a map in Guest services
We added out

Oswald was a lucky find.
He was standing inside the entrance to one of the stores - the Photopass store near the entrance.
It was too hot to stand out even in the shade
I just came out the restroom as someone was leaving that store (so the doors were open)
Otherwise I would have missed him
Got my pic taken and then went to find S so she could join in
C was peeved when we got back to the room - she has an Oswald stuffy in her room
We looked later in the day but he was no longer there



I know what you mean about being Walt's park
Just wait till I tell you about Day 4
You see we had a plan to ......
No, you will have to wait - but not for long!!!

Ma(x or c) - your choice

I am anxiously awaiting the details!

The one and only day I got to spend at Disneyland, was the night the Angels won the World Series in 2002. We listened on the radio as we passed the stadium going back to San Diego. I adore baseball, thus why we were listening. Loving this report even more now.

 

[amjt660]

I am anxiously awaiting the details!

The one and only day I got to spend at Disneyland, was the night the Angels won the World Series in 2002. We listened on the radio as we passed the stadium going back to San Diego. I adore baseball, thus why we were listening. Loving this report even more now.

Glad that you are enjoying it - I am having fun reliving it through writing the report.

Is your favourite baseball team going to be playing into October?

Max

 

[DisneyGigi]

Glad that you are enjoying it - I am having fun reliving it through writing the report.

Is your favourite baseball team going to be playing into October?

Max

I am a Brave's girl, win or lose, but I always watch and root, usually for the underdog, every year.

 

[lostpro9het]

Is your favourite baseball team going to be playing into October?

I am a Brave's girl,.

Nope!

I am a Brave's girl, win or lose, but I always watch and root, usually for the underdog, every year.

The Braves kinda count as underdogs, I suppose, every year so i see why you root for them.

 

[amjt660]

Day 4 cont'd- the tour!!
Fun Fact 4 - Club 33 members do have a place in DCA to hang out - 1901 lounge is for them in the Carthay
Get it - 1901 - the year Walt was born

Fun Fact 5 - Both Haunted Mansion and Pirates of the Carriabean were originally designed to be walk through exhibits
But the 1964 Worlds Fair changed all that by giving WED ride options (boats and peoplemover style) to allow those 2 rides to be soooo much more.

I realize my fun facts may be common knowledge to some - but they truly are new and fun for me

So as a tribute to the Worlds Fair we next rode its a small world
(another ride we had not been on yet on this trip!)
The outdoor queue puts WDW version to shame

Snapped this one on the walk by (alice)

and saw this meet and greet but could not stop - we was on a tour you know!

As we walked past the Matterhorn Carlos mentioned that the Matterhorn originally covered up an ugly tower from the Skyway.

Fun Fact 6 - I asked about the Jungle Cruise - when did it become a joke?
He did not give me a direct answer but did confirm that it started out as a serious journey thorugh the jungle and eventually over time became what it is today.

We then walked back down Mainstreet and went to the Opera House

We watched Great Moments with Abraham Lincoln (another Worlds Fair attraction)
(and the third ride/attraction that we had not seen yet on this trip)

Then it was time
For the ultimate Disney experience

For those who don't know Walt had an apartment in Disneyland - located above the Firehouse.
He and Lillian would stay there, with their children and grandchildren
It is not open to view..... unless........

YOU ARE ON THIS TOUR!!!!!

Disney fan boy dream come true.
I was standing in Walt's apartment, hearing about his time in that space, from Sandi and Paula
Sandi had been a CM and had met Walt
I was in heaven
Picture taking was not allowed
But we were shown the couches that they had were pull out beds, the dressing room, the washroom with a shower with 3 shower heads.
1955 and Walt had 3 shower heads - 2017 and I still only have 1!!

Sandi told us about the lamp that is always left on - 24/7/365

They took our picture in front of the couch that was Walt's bed.

And they she told us about Walt in November of 1966, talking to a Disney ambassador in the apartment
He looked out the window and said - "look at all those people in my backyard"'

I melted.

 

[DisneyGigi]

Nope!



The Braves kinda count as underdogs, I suppose, every year so i see why you root for them.

It is just a southern thing.. but I always root, when it matters, for the team that isn't supposed to win.

 

[DisneyGigi]

Day 4 cont'd- the tour!!
Fun Fact 4 - Club 33 members do have a place in DCA to hang out - 1901 lounge is for them in the Carthay
Get it - 1901 - the year Walt was born

Fun Fact 5 - Both Haunted Mansion and Pirates of the Carriabean were originally designed to be walk through exhibits
But the worlds fair changed all that by giving WDE ride options (boats and peoplemover style) to allow those 2 rides to be soooo much more.

I realize my fun facts may be common knowledge to some - but they truly are new and fun for me

So as a tribute to the Worlds Fair we next rode its a small world
(another ride we had not been on yet on this trip!)
The outdoor queue puts WDW version to shame
View attachment 232954 View attachment 232955 View attachment 232956 View attachment 232957 View attachment 232958

Snapped this one on the walk by (alice)
View attachment 232959
and saw this meet and greet but could not stop - we was on a tour you know!
View attachment 232960

As we walked past the Matterhorn Carlos mentioned that the Matterhorn originally covered up an ugly tower from the Skyway.

Fun Fact 6 - I asked about the Jungle Cruise - when did it become a joke?
He did not give me a direct answer but did confirm that it started out as a serious journey thorugh the jungle and eventually over time became what it is today.

We then walked back down Mainstreet and went to the Opera House
View attachment 232961 View attachment 232962
We watched Great Moments with Abraham Lincoln (another Worlds Fair attraction)
(and the third ride/attraction that we had not seen yet on this trip)

Then it was time
For the ultimate Disney experience

For those who don't know Walt had an apartment in Disneyland - located above the Firehouse.
He and Lillian would stay there, with their children and grandchildren
It is not open to view..... unless........

YOU ARE ON THIS TOUR!!!!!

Disney fan boy dream come true.
I was standing in Walt's apartment, hearing about his time in that space, from Sandi and Paula
Sandi had been a CM and had met Walt
I was in heavan
Picture taking was not allowed
But we were shown the couches that had pull out beds, the dressing room, the washroom with a shower with 3 shower heads.
1955 and Walt had 3 shower heads - 2017 and I still only have 1!!

Sandi told us about the lamp that is always left on - 24/7/365

They took our picture in front of the couch that was Walt's bed.
View attachment 232963

And they she told us about Walt in November of 1966, talking to a Disney ambassador in the apartment
He looked out the window and said - "look at all those people in my backyard"'

I melted.

I had read, somebody on your pre trip report say, that Walt's apartment wasn't a part of the tour anymore, then right before, I saw photos posted, that were in the apartment. I almost posted, but didn't. So glad you guys got to do this! Amazing!! <3

 

[75disney]

The tour of that apartment is worth the cost of the whole tour! You are a very lucky man.

 

[MinnieM123]

Then it was time
For the ultimate Disney experience

For those who don't know Walt had an apartment in Disneyland - located above the Firehouse.
He and Lillian would stay there, with their children and grandchildren
It is not open to view..... unless........

YOU ARE ON THIS TOUR!!!!!

Disney fan boy dream come true.
I was standing in Walt's apartment, hearing about his time in that space, from Sandi and Paula
Sandi had been a CM and had met Walt
I was in heaven
Picture taking was not allowed
But we were shown the couches that they had were pull out beds, the dressing room, the washroom with a shower with 3 shower heads.
1955 and Walt had 3 shower heads - 2017 and I still only have 1!!

Sandi told us about the lamp that is always left on - 24/7/365

They took our picture in front of the couch that was Walt's bed.

AMAZING! I had heard that he had an apartment in Disneyland, but I never knew that guests could tour it (even on a special tour). Wow. That's all I can say is WOW!!!

 

[littleroo]

So So Jealous!!!! Definitely something I will have to do!! Great picture, too.

I am going to have to discuss shower heads with my husband tonight!