Trip Report From East to West … Two Besties Tackle Disneyland (LIVE 2/20-2/26)

It’s been a long 22 months. It’s been the best of times, and the worst of times. And it was during one of those “worst of times” that the promise of this trip began.

I remember the moment exactly. Me, bawling in a supermarket parking lot, just completely and totally overwhelmed by lockdown after lockdown after lockdown, and my Bestie @NYwdwfan promising that we will make this trip happen.

And here we are. Exactly 5 weeks out, God willing.

So much has happened since my last live trip report … not all COVID-related. Some gains - a brand new hip, and a puppy that is the light of our lives. Some losses - our 2020 WDW trip, and 50 lbs.

Here are the 5 W’s:

Who?
Me - JenniferS - Canadian, huge Blue Jays fan. After almost 2 years of spending every second together, I’ll be travelling without my usual ride or die Mike … aka Hubby.
I have been to WDW more than a dozen times, starting in 1991.

I will let Bestie introduce herself.
Ideally this will be a tandem trip report, with regular input and photos from her as well.

What?
A first time visit (for both of us!) to the OG park. We will cry the first time we walk down MSUSA. Guaranteed!

We have 5 day ParkHopper passes, and plan on utilizing both Genie+ and ILL,

Where?
Disney’s Grand Californian Resort and Spa. I’m a Moderate girl, whereas Bestie has often stayed Deluxe at WDW.

When?
We arrive at LAX within 20 minutes of each other on Sunday, February 20th.
Park Days: 21st - starting at DL
22nd - starting at DCA
23rd - starting at DL
24th - starting at DCA
25th - starting at DL
26th - morning departures from LAX

Why?
Why not? Our original plan was to stay off-site, but an email discount code for GC was just too attractive to pass up.

If you’ve read any of my previous reports, you know I post live. Mike has always been a good sport about it. Hopefully Bestie will be equally accommodating.

We will eat well (oh boy, will we eat well), hit most of the rides (together and separately, because someone doesn’t like big drops or going boing boing), and will savour every second of our time together. It has incredibly been 3 years since we have seen one another in person.

I’ll share our dining plans in a separate post.

Me, ‘cause it’s been a long time!
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Mikey. Says he’s not sorry to have been excluded:
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And Daisy, the best thing to come out of all this COVID carp:
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NYwdwfan

Well-Known Member
For those curious about the boot camp (and yes - this actually sounds like fun to me):

Boot Camp in DCA (45 mins)$ 25.00
Hotel DCA Entrance

Unleash the beast! Participate in a spirited high intensity boot camp class in Disney California Adventure Park before the park opens. This class includes pushups, squats, sit-ups, and maintains a 12 min per mile pace when you jog/run around the park. Wear a good pair of exercise shoes!
 

NYwdwfan

Well-Known Member
Oh I don't think I mentioned...

I've been calling to see if any Disney Visa discounts opened up. We have the winter getaway discount of 25% but the visa one is 30% (but they are all sold out). When I called last week the agent told me that since I made all payments with the visa we each get a complimentary pin and lanyard set (Star Wars Galaxy's Edge themed) as well as a cooler bag. Score.
 

JenniferS

When you're the leader, you don't have to follow.
Original Poster
Oh I don't think I mentioned...

I've been calling to see if any Disney Visa discounts opened up. We have the winter getaway discount of 25% but the visa one is 30% (but they are all sold out). When I called last week the agent told me that since I made all payments with the visa we each get a complimentary pin and lanyard set (Star Wars Galaxy's Edge themed) as well as a cooler bag. Score.
Okay, that’s the pin taken care of ….
Now for the Starbuckies.
 

JenniferS

When you're the leader, you don't have to follow.
Original Poster
I’m looking at the long-term forecast, and at 12-14 days from now, we’re looking at low 70’s for a high, and much cooler temps in the early morning and at night once the sun goes down.

Park hours today were 9:00 am to 8:00 pm, but I guess with it being President’s Day week (is that a thing?), we will benefit from longer hours.

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JenniferS

When you're the leader, you don't have to follow.
Original Poster
The province of Ontario re-opens at midnight tonight. That means restaurants, gyms, and movie theatres can again start serving patrons.

My son and I have a date to go to the movie theatre on 2/11. (We’ll both be wearing N95 masks. It’s not like I eat popcorn anyway.)

As for restaurants, I can wait. We’ll be dining like Queens at DL.

The gym can wait too. I’m hoping to close a ring or two at DL. Bestie is currently digging out from 2 feet of snow. She’s got two rings essentially closed already. 😂
 

NYwdwfan

Well-Known Member
The province of Ontario re-opens at midnight tonight. That means restaurants, gyms, and movie theatres can again start serving patrons.

My son and I have a date to go to the movie theatre on 2/11. (We’ll both be wearing N95 masks. It’s not like I eat popcorn anyway.)

As for restaurants, I can wait. We’ll be dining like Queens at DL.

The gym can wait too. I’m hoping to close a ring or two at DL. Bestie is currently digging out from 2 feet of snow. She’s got two rings essentially closed already. 😂
Stupid snow 😡
 

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