It's time for a trip to Disneyland!

Disneyland April7-10th

Why: Agent Training Program
Who: Me, Jess, Danielle
Where: Paradise Pier

I was so excited when this training opportunity came up! We lived in LA for a year and central California for two. We have been to Disneyland countless times and stayed at several hotels off property as well as the Grand Californian and Disneyland Hotel. Since we let 2 1/2 years ago I've only been back once! I was way overdue!

Thursday, April 7th - Departure Day

We woke before dawn so dh could take me to the airport. M flight left at 6 am so I slept most of the flight. I got to LA really early though! About 7:30. At LAX I just missed the shuttle and waited about an hour.

Man it was cold! I was not excited about the cold! I did however get sentimental as soon as I stepped outside. I really miss California! I hope the Air Force sends us back one day!:)

I spent the bus ride answering emails and getting quotes on my iPad. I heart my iPad by the way. :D

We arrived at Paradise Pier and I was welcomed off the bus and walked inside.

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As soon as I started checking in I was back on the iPad!

Then it hit me. I am at Disneyland!! Get off the Internet! Take in the atmosphere! Enjoy it all!

My room wasn't ready so I took my welcome packet to a bench and checked it all out. Then I got back on the iPad. :lookaroun

But just for a few minutes! :D

Then it was time to go explore!

I went in the bathroom and changed into flip flops. Shoot! I looked down and realized I forgot to paint my toenails!

I walked across the street to the Grand Californian first. This is one of my favorite hotels at any Disney property. We have stayed here many times and I think it's worth every penny!

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I walked out to Downtown Disney and mosied around slowly. I love DL's Downtown Disney. The atmosphere, the restaurants, the convenience. Love it!

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I snacked on some Weltzel pretzel bites while I walked.
 
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Disneyfalcon

Disneyfalcon

Well-Known Member
Original Poster
We rode the rockets next.

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Then we left the park for Downtown Disney. We shopped for a little while before Dani had to catch her flight.

I said goodbye and was off on my own. I went to one of my longtime favorites for lunch Taquilla Joes. Yummy food!

After that I walked over to DCA.

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I didn't realize they had opened up a walkway from Bug's Land to Tower of Terror! When did they do that?

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Disneyfalcon

Disneyfalcon

Well-Known Member
Original Poster
Next I went to get a treat for my kids. Sourdough Mickey! Their absolute favorite!

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After that I went to Disneyland for a little while. I wandered around until I was hungry enough for a Dole Whip. I waited about 30 minutes in line. Mercy!

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After that it was time to go catch my shuttle.

It was a great trip, I'm so glad I got to go! It was wonderful to see old friends and awesome to get reacquainted with the happiest place on earth.
 
WDWFigment

WDWFigment

Well-Known Member
Disneyfalcon said:
Thank, Tom! Picture compliments always mean a lot coming from you.

You do have to be staying there to get up there. I tried to show my card and even told a sob story about how last time we stayed at VGC the viewing deck wasn't open yet - which was true by the way. I'll pm you for what worked for me.:)

I'm sure Desert Inn will be great. Sometimes the Disney hotels and points are just too much! When we stay at VGC we only get a studio as opposed to our usual one bedroom. The points there are so high!
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Sounds like you used the same method we used to get into the Top of the World lounge at BLT. Thanks for the heads up!

We've heard good things about Desert Inn (it's actually closer than Paradise Pier and DL Hotel!), so we're hopeful that it will be good. Even with the AP discount, Grand Californian was just too much. Maybe next time!

Awesome photos from Cali Screamin'. I wasn't expecting much from it as it's a "plain" coaster, but I actually thought it was pretty cool. Plus, now it has the NPH announcement, and as we all know, he is Legen-dary!
 
Tiggerish

Tiggerish

Resident Redhead
Premium Member
I popped in here to see some great pictures, and I wasn't disappointed!

Looks like it was a fun trip; I think that short trips are just as enjoyable as long ones, it's always good to recharge the batteries.
 
Disneyfalcon

Disneyfalcon

Well-Known Member
Original Poster
WDWFigment said:
Sounds like you used the same method we used to get into the Top of the World lounge at BLT. Thanks for the heads up!

We've heard good things about Desert Inn (it's actually closer than Paradise Pier and DL Hotel!), so we're hopeful that it will be good. Even with the AP discount, Grand Californian was just too much. Maybe next time!

Awesome photos from Cali Screamin'. I wasn't expecting much from it as it's a "plain" coaster, but I actually thought it was pretty cool. Plus, now it has the NPH announcement, and as we all know, he is Legen-dary!
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I need to try it at Top of the World!:)

Screamin is Awesome! I loved the new announcement.

Thanks for reading!

Tiggerish said:
I popped in here to see some great pictures, and I wasn't disappointed!

Looks like it was a fun trip; I think that short trips are just as enjoyable as long ones, it's always good to recharge the batteries.
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Thanks Siobhan! Short trips are good sometimes. It was such a nice break from the everyday grind.:)
 
sweetpee_1993

sweetpee_1993

Well-Known Member
Great wrap-up, Tammy! I totally enjoyed it. Your pics were great, as always. Thanks so much for all the info along the way, too. I'll definitely be wearing you out for tips and planning help when it gets closer to our cruise in 2012. :animwink:
 
Disneyfalcon

Disneyfalcon

Well-Known Member
Original Poster
sweetpee_1993 said:
Great wrap-up, Tammy! I totally enjoyed it. Your pics were great, as always. Thanks so much for all the info along the way, too. I'll definitely be wearing you out for tips and planning help when it gets closer to our cruise in 2012. :animwink:
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Sounds good! Thanks for reading, Kelly!:)
 
Cosmic Commando

Cosmic Commando

Well-Known Member
xodisneybelleox said:
I felt of the 3 resorts, PPH was the "least" Disney... but the room was great, and the view - well, breathtaking to say the least :) My next visit I will be staying at the Grand Californian. I could have sat in the lobby all day lol!
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The reason PPH doesn't feel like a Disney hotel is because it was an existing hotel that was bought and then rethemed. :)

Anyway, thanks for the TR! All of your pictures look great. I was especially impressed with the Monsters, Inc. shots... so hard to get good shots on a dark ride. It's also nice to see some views of the hotels. We have a DLR trip penciled in for 2013 after a little of the Carsland craziness dies down. I'm really hoping for the GCH and this really gets me excited!
 
Disney_Belle

Disney_Belle

Well-Known Member
Cosmic Commando said:
The reason PPH doesn't feel like a Disney hotel is because it was an existing hotel that was bought and then rethemed. :)
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Yeah it used to be the Emerald Hotel. You can tell it wasn't originally built by Disney... just kind of splashed with Disney. Though they did a really good job with the carpets in halls and the theming of the rooms. The lobby area was where you could tell it wasn't originally Disney.Though - we were at Disneyland so that is all that mattered lol!
 
Disneyfalcon

Disneyfalcon

Well-Known Member
Original Poster
Cosmic Commando said:
The reason PPH doesn't feel like a Disney hotel is because it was an existing hotel that was bought and then rethemed. :)

Anyway, thanks for the TR! All of your pictures look great. I was especially impressed with the Monsters, Inc. shots... so hard to get good shots on a dark ride. It's also nice to see some views of the hotels. We have a DLR trip penciled in for 2013 after a little of the Carsland craziness dies down. I'm really hoping for the GCH and this really gets me excited!
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Thanks Cosmic Commando! I started worrying that they said no photography, not "no flash photography" so I stopped taking pictures halfway through. I normally pay attention for that, but I've ridden it before and didn't think about it.:)

You will love the GCH!
 
mouselvrmom

mouselvrmom

Well-Known Member
Well, I finally read your trip report, and I didn't want to not comment... :lol:

Loved those pics!! We sure did love DL! We'll have to go back sometime.
 
HollyBelle

HollyBelle

Well-Known Member
Ummm... how did I totally miss your trip report when you first posted it?! :eek: Thank you, Jenn, for bringing it back to the top. Awesome report, Tammy. Your photography keeps getting better and better! Now I'm thinking I really need to plan a Disneyland trip. :D
 
Disneyfalcon

Disneyfalcon

Well-Known Member
Original Poster
HollyBelle said:
Ummm... how did I totally miss your trip report when you first posted it?! :eek: Thank you, Jenn, for bringing it back to the top. Awesome report, Tammy. Your photography keeps getting better and better! Now I'm thinking I really need to plan a Disneyland trip. :D
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Holly! You shouldn't be reading trip reports!! You should be writing them!!:lol:

Thank you very much for reading. All Disney fans should try Disneyland at some point!
 

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