Trip Report Golden State of Mind: Our August 2017 California Adventure

11 Days
10 Nights
9 Miles walked on our busiest day
8 Months of planning
7 Days with a rental car
6 Hotels
5 Boat rides
4 Flight segments
3 Disney park days
2 East coasters
1 Unforgettable vacation​

Hello and welcome to my trip report! For those who don't know, here is the essential information:

Me (Bee): 28, opera singer/voice teacher
DW (M): 28, writer/academic administrator
We: grew up in Florida, have visited WDW many times, have been together 10+ years, have been married almost 3 years, now live in NJ just outside of NYC

Dates: August 4-14, 2017
Flights: Southwest, EWR-MDW-SMF and LAX-MDW-EWR
Transportation: Rental car, Lyft, local public transportation
Major locations: Sacramento, Napa Valley, San Francisco, Muir Woods, Sequoia National Forest, Los Angeles, Anaheim
Lodging: 6 different hotels varying from 1-3 nights in each

And here is a link to my PTR: Not our typical Disney trip

I will add the usual disclaimer about us having only smartphone cameras. I am working on uploading all my photos to a third party site which is free and allows me to easily embed them here; however, they only allow 150 uploads per day so it will take some time. All my photos are uploaded and ready to post!

The first six days (August 4-9) we toured various parts of northern and southern California. From August 10-13 we visited Disneyland, including both parks and Downtown Disney. On August 14 we flew home to New Jersey. If you'd like to skip ahead to the Disneyland part of this trip, click here. Otherwise, continue reading for the entire trip report!

 

[bee]

Where were we?? Oh yes...

Day 8, cont.

After having visited the real San Francisco it was fun to see the Disney-fied version of it.

L: M's iced mocha. R: my frozen mocha. YUM!!

After Ghirardelli we checked out the sourdough factory.

As we exited we waved and said, "Good morning," to a CM named Genevieve who was cleaning the sidewalk. She saw our "First Visit" buttons and asked where we were from and we had a nice conversation. She was really interested in hearing about our whole trip and what we do for work, and as we said goodbye she gave us some doubloons from Pirates in Disneyland!

We had some time before our Radiator Springs FP so we explored around us...

We wanted to buy a few souvenirs for friends and family so we checked out...

We didn't buy this, but I was amused by it!

Up next: Back to Radiator Springs!

 

[bee]

Day 8, cont.

The nice thing about waiting longer in the FP line the second time around was that we had more time to take in the details of the queue!

Up next: Another Jamboree

 

[bee]

Day 8, cont.

It was time for a repeat of Mater's Junkyard Jamboree!

Up next: Wine Country Trattoria

 

[bee]

Day 8, cont.

We arrived at Wine Country Trattoria about fifteen minutes before our reservation. This time we remembered to request indoor seating!

I had the Kenwood Zinfandel.

M had the red sangria.

We shared two appetizers and an entree.

Rustic Bruschetta

Caprese Salad

OH YEAH, BREAD!!!

Spaghetti Agli Olio

This meal was tasty and filling but not too heavy, and it was a good break from the heat. Our server (I didn't note her name! Grrr!) was great and told us we could get beer to go!

North Coast Brother Thelonious

We would definitely recommend Wine Country Trattoria for a DCA day!

Up next: Givin' Soarin' a second chance

 

[bee]

Day 8, cont.

At some point before or during lunch I scored another FP for Soarin' (YAY MAXPASS!!!)

We really tried to like Soarin' Around the World more but still found it underwhelming. As @fractal posted earlier, I wish they had an option to see the California version, at least in DCA.

And with that it was time to head back to the Anaheim Inn for a rest! Guess what we found on TV??

Up next: Back to the park, and more MaxPass!

 

[bee]

Day 8, cont.

At some point during our break in the room I acquired a FastPass for Toy Story Midway Mania. So when we reentered the park, we headed to Paradise Pier first.

When we passed this area, I read aloud where it says, "Kruger's Net Repair." M responded, "What kind of Net? The Internet?"

Time for Toy Story!

Though I started off strong, M beat me in the end.

While we waited, I got a FP for Goofy's Sky School.

To this I say: OUCH!

Up next: A land of bugs??

 

[bee]

Day 8, cont.

Although M tells me that we have seen It's Tough to Be a Bug in Animal Kingdom, I have no recollection of this. I believe her, of course, but wanted to see the show in DCA.

I understand why everyone says this show is scary! It made me nervous as a 28-year-old adult; I can't imagine seeing it as a kid!!

We decided to explore the rest of the land.

Flik's Flyers was fun. We loved seeing all the details everywhere.

We were both expecting to be able to spin our own ride vehicles on the Ladybug Boogie...that didn't happen, of course!

Playing with iPhone Portrait Mode.

Up next: Our final rides in DCA

 

[bee]

Day 8, cont.

Next we rode that weird German caterpillar ride. It was just...weird.

Then it was time to head out of ABL. The whole time we were there I kept thinking what a cute and detailed land it was. Too bad the movie it's based on isn't more relevant. I don't know if it's been officially announced but I imagine this will be converted into something Marvel-y in the near future.

More Portrait Mode playing

Since we had a World of Color dessert party reservation we didn't want to eat a huge dinner. We decided to try a Cozy Cone! On our way we passed...

...a parade!

We shared the Chili Cone Queso with vegetarian chili. It was pretty good but [unpopular opinion] I didn't see what is so magical about this place.[/up]

We also each had a Vodka and Pomegranate Limeade:

While we were drinking these two CMs came up to our table and asked us to show our IDs since we were drinking. I guess they are having problems with people buying drinks and giving them to minors? Obviously I had to show ID when I bought them.

We really liked the atmosphere of the Cozy Cone Motel. Even the flowers were orange!

It was time for one last turn at the Jamboree!!

I thought all the rave reviews of Cars Land were spot on! It's so immersive and well done, and I like that there is one "E-ticket" semi-thrilling (for Disney) ride, plus two more family-friendly rides.

Up next: World of Color Dessert Party!

 

[bee]

Day 8, cont.

By this time the CMs were setting up signage and queues for the various World of Color viewing areas. We found the line for the dessert party and were the second party on line.

As we waited we chatted with another guest waiting for the party who was also a WDW veteran. Like us, she and her family love WDW and had planned a trip to Disneyland as a one-time thing just to see what it's all about. Also like us, she had been blown away by the parks and knew she'd have to return some time!

Also while we waited, a CM came around with a iPad to check everyone in. When it was time to be seated we had our choice of a tall table or a short table and a general choice of what area to sit in since we were near the front of the line, then a CM assigned us a table based on our preferences. We chose a low table in the front row and we were brought to a table almost directly in the center o the viewing area. Score!

After a host CM seated us, our server brought our plates and took our drink orders.

Sparkling wine, plus bread for the table.

I guess I didn't realize when I booked that we'd be seated with another party of two. We actually ended up being seated with two from a party of six, while the other four were at the table next to us. It was a tad awkward because we were all seated in close proximity but the two at our table were talking to their friends the whole time (understandably).

While we waited for the show there was a little game we could play on our phones. Basically the Mickey Wheel would flash different colors and we had to remember the pattern and tap the matching colors on the screen.

I didn't take any photos during the show as I wanted to just enjoy it. I really liked the combination of music, light, projections, and of course, COLOR!

As for the dessert party, I'm not sure it was worth the $79/person we spent on it. While I'm glad we had a reserved seat for the first time we saw it, it's hard not to compare it to the WDW dessert parties with buffets and bottomless drinks (RIP IllumiNations Sparkling Dessert Party ). I didn't like all of the desserts and I wished I could have picked what I got, plus we only got two glasses of wine each. Again, I don't regret trying it, but I wouldn't do it again.

I had secured another Soarin' FP at some point, but we ended up not using it. Instead we decided to check out Hollywood Land, which we hadn't visited earlier in the day.

We caught a glimpse of the Disneyland fireworks on the way!

Mike and Sulley had a five minute posted wait. Why not??

I don't know exactly why, but this reminded me of a Universal ride. Not a particular ride, just the general feeling of one.

And with that we said Goodnight to Disney's California Adventure. We had a lot of fun exploring a new park and I concluded that DCA is an excellent second gate park.

Okay, totally random plant story. When I was in upstate NY for an opera, the singer staying in the room next to me (let's call her A) bought a plant to brighten up her room. On the last night we were there another singer, who lives locally (we'll call her C) came and hung out with us at the dorm. A showed C and me the plant, which wasn't doing so well since it had been living inside in a dorm room for three weeks, and C said she would take it home because her mom is a botanist and would know exactly what to do to help it. Later, while M and I were in San Fran, C sent A and me a photo of the plant, which was looking much better under her mom's care! BACK TO the TR...when we got back to the hotel, I noticed this plant (the one with pink flowers above) was exactly like the one A had bought and then given to C! So I had to stop for a photo to send to them!

We showered and went right to bed, since we had an early morning at Disneyland ahead of us!!

Up next: Day 9! Back to Disneyland! Magic Morning! Yummy meals! Lots of rides! New friends!

 

[Tuvalu]

Em and I love Mike and Sulley To The Rescue! Once we rode it three times in a row without getting off (no line). The CMs thought we were nuts but we didn't care....we are HUGE Monsters Inc. fans!

 

[fractal]

DCA is such a great park!

I enjoyed the plant story, but at first I thought you were going to tell us how singing to it helped it recovery.

 

[coachwnh]

It was time for one last turn at the Jamboree!!

Such a fun ride!!! The music cracks me up. Can never get enough of it!

 

[bee]

Em and I love Mike and Sulley To The Rescue! Once we rode it three times in a row without getting off (no line). The CMs thought we were nuts but we didn't care....we are HUGE Monsters Inc. fans!

I haven't seen Monsters Inc. in forever! It's on my rewatch list!

DCA is such a great park!

I enjoyed the plant story, but at first I thought you were going to tell us how singing to it helped it recovery.

Haha, the singing may have been what caused the problem in the first place.

Such a fun ride!!! The music cracks me up. Can never get enough of it!

Yes, we loved the music! And we loved getting tossed around and laughing our way through the entire ride!

 

[LisaBelle]

I am finally all caught up. I am loving every part of your TR! Would love to visit Napa someday. The Disney museum looks like it's right up my alley. So happy you and M enjoyed DLR so much! I definitely want to make a west coast trip and see it all in person. Thanks for sharing and looking forward to more.
Hope the apartment search is going well!

 

[Tony the Tigger]

We're back home! Hoping to finish this California report soon and then get started on the WDW report!

Still not sure where we'll be living and when we'll be moving there. Life is an adventure!

Have you considered NW Jersey along I-80?

I lived in Budd Lake for a few years, much less expensive, but pretty, and easy access to Newark, NYC, etc., although the traffic can be tough.

 

[Figgy1]

Day 8, cont.

Although M tells me that we have seen It's Tough to Be a Bug in Animal Kingdom, I have no recollection of this. I believe her, of course, but wanted to see the show in DCA.

I understand why everyone says this show is scary! It made me nervous as a 28-year-old adult; I can't imagine seeing it as a kid!!

We decided to explore the rest of the land.

Flik's Flyers was fun. We loved seeing all the details everywhere.

We were both expecting to be able to spin our own ride vehicles on the Ladybug Boogie...that didn't happen, of course!

Playing with iPhone Portrait Mode.

Up next: Our final rides in DCA

 

[Figgy1]

I don't blame you for being scared seeing the state bird is the mosquito. My boys were never afraid but then again I always had to frisk them for critters

 

[Figgy1]

Have you considered NW Jersey along I-80?

I lived in Budd Lake for a few years, much less expensive, but pretty, and easy access to Newark, NYC, etc., although the traffic can be tough.

Excellent idea!!!!!!!!!!!!! Maybe something along the train line. @Tony the Tigger stay safe and I hope you don't get hit by Irma

 

[75disney]

Em and I love Mike and Sulley To The Rescue! Once we rode it three times in a row without getting off (no line). The CMs thought we were nuts but we didn't care....we are HUGE Monsters Inc. fans!

We really enjoyed it as well. We are big Roz fans... My daughter can do a great Roz imitation, "Watching. Always watching." Loved the Roz animatronic at the end of the ride.

 

[75disney]

Really enjoying your trip report. No California Screamin' for you? You were smart to do the dessert party for WOC. We just got fast passes and we got in line at 8. At 8:15, they let us into the viewing area. We found a spot near a railing, maybe in the second level above the water. Thought we had a clear view. Then a little later, they let people fill in the ramp to the lower level to our direct left. Now we had a sea of people between us and the water. We could only see the top half of the water screens. Very disappointing! Plus the CM who was at the top of the ramp must have told this one couple next us about the rope drop because they were hanging out next to us talking to the CM. When the rope dropped, they were the first ones down the ramp. Oh well. Live and learn. My daughters still really enjoyed the show. I enjoyed Fantasmic much more.