Last Weekend's Disneyland Trip Report
I posted this originally at Houseofmouse.com, so instead of rewriting it, I'll just copy/paste
ravel dates: 1-16-09 - 1-17-09
Travel method: Our Car
Resort: Disneyland Hotel
Accommodations: View Room, 1 King Bed 10th Floor Dreams Corner Room
Ages Represented in Group:27 Mo, Wife 34, Me 38
Disney Resort Experience Represented in Group:27 mo - 4th Visit, Wife countless, Me Countless
Comments: Bought Deluxe AP, Got Fun Card, First Stay ever at DLH
Cast of characters: William (me), Melissa (wife), Kaylee (Daughter)
I have lived in Southern California my entire life, so Disneyland is both ubiquitous and a special treat for me. My first memories are of my late father holding me while waiting in line for the Haunted Mansion when I was a toddler. My wife was born in So-Cal, but spent her formative years in Utah, coming back to the Southland just before we met in 2000. The day before we met I had been to DL for the first time in 12 years, so for me DL is a very good luck charm, yes the entire park!
We have had several memorable trips to the parks over the last 8 years, notably on Halloween a couple years ago. This would be our DD's FOURTH trip, and she's only 27 months old! We started taking her when she was younger than 6 months, and this time she's really starting to express a preference for certain characters and areas. Even before we got there she had been pointing at the new Celebration banners and saying "Minnie Mouse" which is as cute as can be. She has a fairly steady diet of the best Disney Channel shows ([i]MM Clubhouse, MF Tigger & Pooh, Handy Manny [i]but NOT Little Einsteins), and she adores the Tinkerbell movie which we still have on DVR from it's premier airing on Disney Channel.
Several Disney special promotions happened to run concurrently for us this year creating a singular serendipitous moment in time. For the first time ever we as a family were able to purchase Annual Passes because of the SO-Cal Monthly Payment plan. We are in the same situation as most Americans, in that we have to watch pretty much every penny, and annual passes with their extremely high price all at once were pretty much an impossibility for us. However, when they announced the monthly payment program for So-Cal residents, we were ecstatic. Then when they announced the Birthday program and it's gifts for AP holders, a plan began to form: I would scour the message boards to discover if we could purchase APs on the Monthly plan and get the "Fun Card" for that day, which of course, you can!
Even better was that my wife's boss gave her two one-day park hoppers for Christmas (second year in a row!), as her daughter is VP of Internet Security for Disney! Whoo! So now, not only could we get APs, BUT we wouldn't have to put down a monetary down-payment because of those passes. We were also given a NICE cash gift for a late Christmas present from one of my wife's clients, so this was a trip where money was really no issue, a first for us! We really felt like "tourists" for a change.
Friday, January 16, 2009
On to the trip! Earlier in the week we had discovered the Annual Passholder rate at the Disneyland Hotel, and managed to get a single night booked for Friday night, my Birthday. Even though we only live in Los Angeles, a scant 45-60 minute drive, my wife likes to have a hotel room at the resort because well, she gets tired and wants to relax. We got the $149 rate, which was fantastic for us, and prepaid. This trip was shaping up nicely, especially since my wife got Friday off from work too.
Thursday night, I can't sleep. I'm like the adult on those commercials from a few years ago, where they show the kids in bed and they're restless because they know they're going to "The Happiest Place on Earth." We wake up EARLY (for us) on Friday morning, get ready, pack the car and we're off on the 10 Freeway by 7:30 AM. Despite a bit of morning traffic, we're at Downtown Disney by 8:20. We immediately head over to the Guest Services booth at the parks, and were greeted by a wonderful CM (who had a really nice rainbow ring, sorry I don't remember the name), who helped us get our Deluxe APs (one with parking) - all together $38.25 per month. So basically we have to go to the parks once every four our five months to pay for our passes! Awesome. Stepped to the next window and a different CM gave me my Fun Card and I had to come back to ask if our AP vouchers would be good at the Monorail Station from DTD to Tomorrowland, and of course they are. Good to know.
It's now about 8:45 AM, and we head back over to the DLH, where we check in early, though our room wasn't ready. No biggie, we get our parking pass, the CM who checked us in gives me my Birthday Buttons, which I put on my new from Christmas Indiana Jones hat that my Mom gave me. The Desk Clerk at the DLH front desk, who again, I can't remember names, was FANTASTIC. This is the level of service that I loved to have at hotels. I worked front desk for a resort in San Diego (The Dana Inn & Marina) for a couple years, I know the pain in the butt guests can be, and this clerk just rolled with all my goofy talking and excitement.
After reparking the car, we ride the monorail over to Tomorrowland and get into the park just about 9:15 am. First up: Fantasyland, and a short wait for Peter Pan, as good as always and I'm glad we got on before the lines started. Every time we're in DL PP has the longest line of any in Fantasy Land. Next up The Carousel which DD loved. Walked over to ToonTown (not open yet) and bought a couple of items at the Small World Shop (Minnie dressed as Tinkerbell plush and some girlie items for the DD).
Found Pixie Hollow and despite almost 45 minute wait, loved it. Mom is very much into Tink and the fairies, and we never liked Ariel that much, so this is a welcomed change. Got to meet Rosetta and Tink and discovered that there are sheets of temporary tattoos hidden in the flower bulbs. Very fun, and great re-theming. The shooting jets of water in the early queue line were most welcome as it was getting a bit hot.
More items were purchased at the Pixie Hollow carts, and I dubbed that area "a scary place" for the wife. She would return to these carts, oh yes she would.
Walked over to Tomorrowland and took a ride on Buzz Lightyear's Astro Blasters, our first. VERY fun, and I get competitive, so perfect for me. The wife/daughter combo kicked my butt. I really like the touchscreen kiosks to send your photo to you. This is a great innovation that they should use on EVERY ride, instead of selling you the prints right there. Love the gift-shop too.
Lunch time came too quickly, we got burgers at the Tomorrowland Terrace, neglected to use AP Discount, darn, could have saved about $2.00. Also got to watch the Jedi Training show which was well, well worth it.
After lunch, we walked through Frontierland over to New Orleans Square and PotC, my favorite ride. Perfect as always, and DD is really starting to dig it and not be scared. Afterwards went and got a single fast-pass for Splash Mountain, but didn't use it later. Walked back to the Main Street area through Adventureland, purchased a Mickey Mouse as Indiana Jones figure for Daddy.
I should, at this point, mention that I'm a Pressed Penny collector, and had prepped my wants list ahead of time and gotten two rolls of Quarters. I also had gone and purchased 50 Canadian pennies, as I had read that they stretch better than the modern American pennies, which are 95% Zinc - when stretched an American penny will show silver looking streaks that over time will tarnish black. Canadian pennies don't do this. All my penny supplies were house in a small Tootsie Roll bank that I got my wife for Christmas, very handy. In any case, most of my needs were at the Penny Arcade on Main Street (it was closed last time we were here in April 08).
After penny stretching and the wife's traditional fudge purchase, which she was very upset about since apparently they don't do the fresh cut fudge in January), we decided to try and check into the hotel room. Now we had called several times prior to 2:30 but the room wasn't cleaned and ready yet. Since Check-in time is 3:00 PM we we're upset, a bit disappointed, but not upset. We headed to the Tomorrowland Monorail station, but were told that since it was hotter than 80 degrees they had to shut down the Monorail until the temp decreased. The Windows were the culprits and this is an ongoing problem (among others). So we walked back to the hotel, and at this point my shoes were killing me and I needed a relaxing foot bath.
When we got to our room, 10th floor corner, overlooking Downtown Disney from just out in front of the ESPN Zone, there was a birthday cake waiting for me, in a Pirate Treasure Box! I'm a sucker for "added value" so this was fantastic! I know my wife set it up earlier in the day, but it was a great surprise, and one I'll never forget (and of course I shared).
We relaxed in our room, which had such a killer view, I'm bummed I forgot to take night pictures from the balcony. We refreshed, and got ready for night time. I can't remember the last time we stayed until the park closed, and with a 10 PM closing time, we were determined to make it as late as possible.
Monorail back to Tomorrowland, walked over to Rancho Del Zocalo and got dinner. Crowded, but I think it's the best value for the money of the cafeteria style eating. Remembered AP Discount, got $2.00 off. After dinner, staked out a place for Fantasmic, and waited to enjoy that show. I've never been a "show" person when it comes to Disneyland. Sure I enjoy them, but not to the extent that others do. So I had never seen Fantasmic, and we managed to get unreserved standing right in front of Tom Sawyer's Pirate Island (or whatever they're calling it). Suffice to say, blown away.
Also we went a LITTLE crazy buying lightups for the night, two necklaces (the $5 kind), and light up ears and a laser-sword ($15 total). After a traditional hot-chocolate (in souvenir mug, of course) we walked around a bit more and then took the monorail back to DTD and a well-deserved sleep. Put "Wall-E" on the in-room DVD player and the DD was out light a light within 10 minutes. I watched the entire movie, but was out shortly after. A perfect birthday.
Oh did I mention pretty much EVERY CM wishing me a Happy Birthday, and some of them engaging me in conversation regarding the smudged "9" in the "2009" on my button. Really made me feel special. Plus I noticed so many folks with birthday buttons on, it's really a great promotion.
Saturday, January 17, 2009
Coffee in the lobby, family out to DTD and onto the Tomorrowland Monorail for the umpeenth time this trip. First ride: Finding Nemo. As a big-old fan of the old Sub ride, I'm ecstatic that it's been completely revamped and is again popular. Got right on because of early morning entry, gotta love the perks!
Wife needed breakfast, so she went and got a plate at Tomorrowland Terrace (again, forgot the AP discount, could have saved $1.50), and I rode Buzz Lightyear doing my best Chow-Yun Fat impression - btw - two guns don't work very well. Overnight I had looked up tricks and tips to get a better score, but that didn't work with dual wielding. Oh well, next time.
Met up with family, and we walked back to Fantasyland, rode Alice in Wonderland and on to the Princess Faire, where I TRIED to stretch pennies. Encountered the first real snag of the trip when one of the machines worked, but didn't give me my pennies! Waited for a refund from the overwhelmed CM, but never got one because I had to go check out of the hotel.
Wife and DD stayed and went to Toontown where they had a blast. They rode the train over to the main entrance and exited and entered DCA, while i went and got our bags ready for the bellman to put in storage. The best part was riding the Monorail back to DTD I was the only one in the front compartment with the driver, a fellow UCLA Bruin. We talked a bit about the game, but then I got the inside scoop on the issues with the Mark VII Monorails. Apparently the skirts were too wide initially, and the trains smacked right into one of the concrete track skirts on it's first run. Also the cabs are too wide and the trains don't fit into the stations with the aforementioned messed up windows open. The CM (David) was awesome, and made my day.
After dealing with Hotel business, I walked over to the Grand Californian and entered DCA over by Grizzly Rapids. Met the family up front, did a bit of shopping and walked to the back lot. Rode Monster's Inc for the first time, and enjoyed it quite a bit. Took pics on the outside cab/door. Then I ran over to Tower of Terror and rode it by myself while the wife went to grab a beverage and wait for Disney's Playhouse. I re-met them at 12:20 and we sat for the show, which was wonderful. Again, I'm not a big show person, because limited time at DL/DCA previously meant all the "big" rides and not the "silly" shows. Now that we're AP holders, we decided to do things differently this time and not worry about the "bigs" and do stuff we hadn't done EVER before.
However, after the show, we both decided we were done for the trip. We had a quick lunch at Napolini at DTD and headed for home, our first trip as Deluxe AP holders was a success. The merchandise haul was not slight either, as it seemed like my wife bought everything with a Tinkerbell on it. Of course, that's not possible, but it sure seems like it. She got a beautiful Tink scrapbook at ToonTown (the ONLY place they had it), and we're going to start our 2009 Annual Pass year scrapbook.
ravel dates: 1-16-09 - 1-17-09
Travel method: Our Car
Resort: Disneyland Hotel
Accommodations: View Room, 1 King Bed 10th Floor Dreams Corner Room
Ages Represented in Group:27 Mo, Wife 34, Me 38
Disney Resort Experience Represented in Group:27 mo - 4th Visit, Wife countless, Me Countless
Comments: Bought Deluxe AP, Got Fun Card, First Stay ever at DLH
Cast of characters: William (me), Melissa (wife), Kaylee (Daughter)
I have lived in Southern California my entire life, so Disneyland is both ubiquitous and a special treat for me. My first memories are of my late father holding me while waiting in line for the Haunted Mansion when I was a toddler. My wife was born in So-Cal, but spent her formative years in Utah, coming back to the Southland just before we met in 2000. The day before we met I had been to DL for the first time in 12 years, so for me DL is a very good luck charm, yes the entire park!
We have had several memorable trips to the parks over the last 8 years, notably on Halloween a couple years ago. This would be our DD's FOURTH trip, and she's only 27 months old! We started taking her when she was younger than 6 months, and this time she's really starting to express a preference for certain characters and areas. Even before we got there she had been pointing at the new Celebration banners and saying "Minnie Mouse" which is as cute as can be. She has a fairly steady diet of the best Disney Channel shows ([i]MM Clubhouse, MF Tigger & Pooh, Handy Manny [i]but NOT Little Einsteins), and she adores the Tinkerbell movie which we still have on DVR from it's premier airing on Disney Channel.
Several Disney special promotions happened to run concurrently for us this year creating a singular serendipitous moment in time. For the first time ever we as a family were able to purchase Annual Passes because of the SO-Cal Monthly Payment plan. We are in the same situation as most Americans, in that we have to watch pretty much every penny, and annual passes with their extremely high price all at once were pretty much an impossibility for us. However, when they announced the monthly payment program for So-Cal residents, we were ecstatic. Then when they announced the Birthday program and it's gifts for AP holders, a plan began to form: I would scour the message boards to discover if we could purchase APs on the Monthly plan and get the "Fun Card" for that day, which of course, you can!
Even better was that my wife's boss gave her two one-day park hoppers for Christmas (second year in a row!), as her daughter is VP of Internet Security for Disney! Whoo! So now, not only could we get APs, BUT we wouldn't have to put down a monetary down-payment because of those passes. We were also given a NICE cash gift for a late Christmas present from one of my wife's clients, so this was a trip where money was really no issue, a first for us! We really felt like "tourists" for a change.
Friday, January 16, 2009
On to the trip! Earlier in the week we had discovered the Annual Passholder rate at the Disneyland Hotel, and managed to get a single night booked for Friday night, my Birthday. Even though we only live in Los Angeles, a scant 45-60 minute drive, my wife likes to have a hotel room at the resort because well, she gets tired and wants to relax. We got the $149 rate, which was fantastic for us, and prepaid. This trip was shaping up nicely, especially since my wife got Friday off from work too.
Thursday night, I can't sleep. I'm like the adult on those commercials from a few years ago, where they show the kids in bed and they're restless because they know they're going to "The Happiest Place on Earth." We wake up EARLY (for us) on Friday morning, get ready, pack the car and we're off on the 10 Freeway by 7:30 AM. Despite a bit of morning traffic, we're at Downtown Disney by 8:20. We immediately head over to the Guest Services booth at the parks, and were greeted by a wonderful CM (who had a really nice rainbow ring, sorry I don't remember the name), who helped us get our Deluxe APs (one with parking) - all together $38.25 per month. So basically we have to go to the parks once every four our five months to pay for our passes! Awesome. Stepped to the next window and a different CM gave me my Fun Card and I had to come back to ask if our AP vouchers would be good at the Monorail Station from DTD to Tomorrowland, and of course they are. Good to know.
It's now about 8:45 AM, and we head back over to the DLH, where we check in early, though our room wasn't ready. No biggie, we get our parking pass, the CM who checked us in gives me my Birthday Buttons, which I put on my new from Christmas Indiana Jones hat that my Mom gave me. The Desk Clerk at the DLH front desk, who again, I can't remember names, was FANTASTIC. This is the level of service that I loved to have at hotels. I worked front desk for a resort in San Diego (The Dana Inn & Marina) for a couple years, I know the pain in the butt guests can be, and this clerk just rolled with all my goofy talking and excitement.
After reparking the car, we ride the monorail over to Tomorrowland and get into the park just about 9:15 am. First up: Fantasyland, and a short wait for Peter Pan, as good as always and I'm glad we got on before the lines started. Every time we're in DL PP has the longest line of any in Fantasy Land. Next up The Carousel which DD loved. Walked over to ToonTown (not open yet) and bought a couple of items at the Small World Shop (Minnie dressed as Tinkerbell plush and some girlie items for the DD).
Found Pixie Hollow and despite almost 45 minute wait, loved it. Mom is very much into Tink and the fairies, and we never liked Ariel that much, so this is a welcomed change. Got to meet Rosetta and Tink and discovered that there are sheets of temporary tattoos hidden in the flower bulbs. Very fun, and great re-theming. The shooting jets of water in the early queue line were most welcome as it was getting a bit hot.
More items were purchased at the Pixie Hollow carts, and I dubbed that area "a scary place" for the wife. She would return to these carts, oh yes she would.
Walked over to Tomorrowland and took a ride on Buzz Lightyear's Astro Blasters, our first. VERY fun, and I get competitive, so perfect for me. The wife/daughter combo kicked my butt. I really like the touchscreen kiosks to send your photo to you. This is a great innovation that they should use on EVERY ride, instead of selling you the prints right there. Love the gift-shop too.
Lunch time came too quickly, we got burgers at the Tomorrowland Terrace, neglected to use AP Discount, darn, could have saved about $2.00. Also got to watch the Jedi Training show which was well, well worth it.
After lunch, we walked through Frontierland over to New Orleans Square and PotC, my favorite ride. Perfect as always, and DD is really starting to dig it and not be scared. Afterwards went and got a single fast-pass for Splash Mountain, but didn't use it later. Walked back to the Main Street area through Adventureland, purchased a Mickey Mouse as Indiana Jones figure for Daddy.
I should, at this point, mention that I'm a Pressed Penny collector, and had prepped my wants list ahead of time and gotten two rolls of Quarters. I also had gone and purchased 50 Canadian pennies, as I had read that they stretch better than the modern American pennies, which are 95% Zinc - when stretched an American penny will show silver looking streaks that over time will tarnish black. Canadian pennies don't do this. All my penny supplies were house in a small Tootsie Roll bank that I got my wife for Christmas, very handy. In any case, most of my needs were at the Penny Arcade on Main Street (it was closed last time we were here in April 08).
After penny stretching and the wife's traditional fudge purchase, which she was very upset about since apparently they don't do the fresh cut fudge in January), we decided to try and check into the hotel room. Now we had called several times prior to 2:30 but the room wasn't cleaned and ready yet. Since Check-in time is 3:00 PM we we're upset, a bit disappointed, but not upset. We headed to the Tomorrowland Monorail station, but were told that since it was hotter than 80 degrees they had to shut down the Monorail until the temp decreased. The Windows were the culprits and this is an ongoing problem (among others). So we walked back to the hotel, and at this point my shoes were killing me and I needed a relaxing foot bath.
When we got to our room, 10th floor corner, overlooking Downtown Disney from just out in front of the ESPN Zone, there was a birthday cake waiting for me, in a Pirate Treasure Box! I'm a sucker for "added value" so this was fantastic! I know my wife set it up earlier in the day, but it was a great surprise, and one I'll never forget (and of course I shared).
We relaxed in our room, which had such a killer view, I'm bummed I forgot to take night pictures from the balcony. We refreshed, and got ready for night time. I can't remember the last time we stayed until the park closed, and with a 10 PM closing time, we were determined to make it as late as possible.
Monorail back to Tomorrowland, walked over to Rancho Del Zocalo and got dinner. Crowded, but I think it's the best value for the money of the cafeteria style eating. Remembered AP Discount, got $2.00 off. After dinner, staked out a place for Fantasmic, and waited to enjoy that show. I've never been a "show" person when it comes to Disneyland. Sure I enjoy them, but not to the extent that others do. So I had never seen Fantasmic, and we managed to get unreserved standing right in front of Tom Sawyer's Pirate Island (or whatever they're calling it). Suffice to say, blown away.
Also we went a LITTLE crazy buying lightups for the night, two necklaces (the $5 kind), and light up ears and a laser-sword ($15 total). After a traditional hot-chocolate (in souvenir mug, of course) we walked around a bit more and then took the monorail back to DTD and a well-deserved sleep. Put "Wall-E" on the in-room DVD player and the DD was out light a light within 10 minutes. I watched the entire movie, but was out shortly after. A perfect birthday.
Oh did I mention pretty much EVERY CM wishing me a Happy Birthday, and some of them engaging me in conversation regarding the smudged "9" in the "2009" on my button. Really made me feel special. Plus I noticed so many folks with birthday buttons on, it's really a great promotion.
Saturday, January 17, 2009
Coffee in the lobby, family out to DTD and onto the Tomorrowland Monorail for the umpeenth time this trip. First ride: Finding Nemo. As a big-old fan of the old Sub ride, I'm ecstatic that it's been completely revamped and is again popular. Got right on because of early morning entry, gotta love the perks!
Wife needed breakfast, so she went and got a plate at Tomorrowland Terrace (again, forgot the AP discount, could have saved $1.50), and I rode Buzz Lightyear doing my best Chow-Yun Fat impression - btw - two guns don't work very well. Overnight I had looked up tricks and tips to get a better score, but that didn't work with dual wielding. Oh well, next time.
Met up with family, and we walked back to Fantasyland, rode Alice in Wonderland and on to the Princess Faire, where I TRIED to stretch pennies. Encountered the first real snag of the trip when one of the machines worked, but didn't give me my pennies! Waited for a refund from the overwhelmed CM, but never got one because I had to go check out of the hotel.
Wife and DD stayed and went to Toontown where they had a blast. They rode the train over to the main entrance and exited and entered DCA, while i went and got our bags ready for the bellman to put in storage. The best part was riding the Monorail back to DTD I was the only one in the front compartment with the driver, a fellow UCLA Bruin. We talked a bit about the game, but then I got the inside scoop on the issues with the Mark VII Monorails. Apparently the skirts were too wide initially, and the trains smacked right into one of the concrete track skirts on it's first run. Also the cabs are too wide and the trains don't fit into the stations with the aforementioned messed up windows open. The CM (David) was awesome, and made my day.
After dealing with Hotel business, I walked over to the Grand Californian and entered DCA over by Grizzly Rapids. Met the family up front, did a bit of shopping and walked to the back lot. Rode Monster's Inc for the first time, and enjoyed it quite a bit. Took pics on the outside cab/door. Then I ran over to Tower of Terror and rode it by myself while the wife went to grab a beverage and wait for Disney's Playhouse. I re-met them at 12:20 and we sat for the show, which was wonderful. Again, I'm not a big show person, because limited time at DL/DCA previously meant all the "big" rides and not the "silly" shows. Now that we're AP holders, we decided to do things differently this time and not worry about the "bigs" and do stuff we hadn't done EVER before.
However, after the show, we both decided we were done for the trip. We had a quick lunch at Napolini at DTD and headed for home, our first trip as Deluxe AP holders was a success. The merchandise haul was not slight either, as it seemed like my wife bought everything with a Tinkerbell on it. Of course, that's not possible, but it sure seems like it. She got a beautiful Tink scrapbook at ToonTown (the ONLY place they had it), and we're going to start our 2009 Annual Pass year scrapbook.