Katherine's 10th Birthday Trip for Dapper Day and Club 33!!

I'm sure the doors out of the Grand Salon and Salon Noveau are both alarmed, so I doubt somebody could bypass those.

Yes, I'm sure they do.

The video I'm describing was uploaded 4 years ago (before the expansion). They were able to get through to where the old lift was.


Found it....

****

Edited to add: Hoping you didn't think I was implying I was going to sneak into Club 33! I guess it would be neat to see the club one day, but I'm not that desperate! :rotfl2:
 
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Ah... via the court of angels. I've actually been up there when the Salon Noveau was still storage. It was technically backstage, so I won't post a pic, but yes, that is where you could get into the club down the bathroom hallway. Nowadays, that's the actual entrance.
 
Really enjoyed the report and the photos. It's always nice to see people who really appreciate what it means to be able to dine at Club 33.

Thanks for sharing!
 
We relaxed for a bit after dinner and then went down for a quick swim at 5:25. We don't always make it down to the Grand's pool, and they are definitely not as fun as the DLH pools, but Katherine and I went in for a dip..

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Here's Amy getting me back for taking pics of her in her bathing suit. I have a HECK of a farmer's tan going on. I also have to say, she's sitting on the OTHER SIDE of the POOL and snapping these. Total Paparazzi.

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In line for the Redwood Slide

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Katherine and I swimming in the Redwood Pool

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After we finished our swim, I grabbed the camera to look at pics and happened to notice the moon was out in the early evening... It feels REALLY close..

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We wrapped up the pool and hit the room at 6:25.. We were feeling pretty hungry, so we decide to hit Disneyland and head to one of our favorite meal locations in either park...


Plaza Inn...!!!

Katherine got a huge slice of Red Velvet cake because... BIRTHDAY GIRL.

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We decimated both plates. I think there was itty bitty pile of bones left and that's all.

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Plaza Inn always appears expensive on the front end, but once you immerse yourself in its delicious offerings, it's actually a bargain. You get more for the $ than anywhere else in the park in my opinion.

We wrapped up around 7:40 and headed towards Matterhorn. Katherine is pretty much it's biggest fan. You'll see that later in this TR.

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The new features have done wonders.. The ride is still HORRIBLE though. They NEED to smooth it out. Probably requires major refurbishment and new ride vehicles though... :(

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We rolled off Matterhorn at 8:03 and headed towards the core of fantasyland. Peter was a ridiculous mess of a wait, but Toad was relatively short...

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I've never looked backwards on the attraction (or in this case, a literal ride).

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I think my camera saw more than my eyes did here. I've never seen this detail before.

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We were actually pretty tuckered out, so we started heading back towards Main street and the gates.

But not before I shot some pics of the Castle... I LOVE it at night...

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And NOT before stopping to take some pics on the way out with the PP+ photogs!!

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Back at the Grand on the way to the elevators, I snapped some pics of what they are doing (or by the time I have written this, already done) to the rooms. I can't say I'm a fan. It's OK, but it isn't Craftsman or Bungalow. Just telling it like it is.

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Thankfully I've preserved the Grand's previous luster in my own personal bedroom back in Phoenix!!!!

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Finally arriving at the room at 9:05, we called it an early night to prepare for the next day... it was Dapper Day after all!!
 
We dressed for Dapper Day and left the room a little after 8AM. We arrived at StoryTellers and met our group. There was a mix of people just visiting who were friends and people going into the park. We had a BLAST!!

Our guests included some people you might recognize. Starting clockwise from the top of the table, we have Joe, I'm assuming Steven's youngest daughter, but I can't confirm honestly. Next, Steven's Oldest daughter, Sam and next to her, Steven himself. Sean and Sophie rounded out that side of the table with Kelly taking up the head at the near end. Followed up by Penelope, Katherine, Amy, Ian, Theresa, and Alli rounding out the table.

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Amy's Dapper Day Pin. She was going as Splash Mountain!!

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Katherine and Sophie with Chip!

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And Ian

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And Sophie again

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And back to Katherine.

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I love the message... FROM THE SEED TO THE HARVEST FROM THE KITCHEN TO YOUR TABLE

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Katherine's headpiece for her Matterhorn ensemble.

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Joe hamming it up with Goofy.

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Katherine's Turn.

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Steven

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And Sam..

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Alli telling Joe what's up.

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And Soph totally NOT trusting whatever Sean is feeding her. She hasn't changed from before or after..

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Katherine

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Love these chairs.

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Some random shots.

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We wrapped up breakfast at 9:50, said our goodbyes and see you laters to the group and headed back to the room for a quick freshening up for 20 mins before we headed into DCA for some photo opportunities.

If you haven't already guessed, for Dapper Day, we were going as attractions. I was Grizzly Peak. Amy was Splash Mountain. Katherine was the Matterhorn. I think the outfits turned out great.

Me in front of Grizzly Peak!!

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So my outfit... top to bottom, Green wool hat, USFS official green cardigan with patch, a Grizzly Peak Pin above the USFS patch. A wool vest, blue button down shirt, and a green wool tie to match. Ruck Sack Satchel (Camera bag) Some tan trousers (I think these are my official Indy trousers), and rounding it all out, my Alden 405s (Official Indy adventure boots... look them up.. and so comfy).

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Close up of the pin.

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Some teasers of Amy's outfit... more on that later..

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I'm not sure why, but the DLR photogs NEVER get us perfectly in focus with my Camera. I wonder if they are just used to point and shooting with their Nikon D7100s vs. my fully-manual setting D600. Kinda frustrating.

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And here we find a 1940-1950s Willys Pickup. I'm kinda fond of these things because I've owned 10 Jeeps over my lifetime and currently have a 1952 Willys wagon waiting for my furniture/cabinet/window projects to clear out of the garage so it can move in for its restoration, restification (Modern axles, a 5.3/4L60e/NV242, Vintage air, etc.). I always had intentions of painting it forest service green and white, but now I'm going to have to get some Grizzly peak magnetic decals made up and put them on the doors.

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Here's my Willys wagon sitting down at the other house.

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My photoshoots done, we decided to head over to Disneyland for Katherine and Amy's attraction shots. We entered the hallowed gates at 11:18 and made a bee-line for the Matterhorn.

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Katherine's ensemble from head to toe was her Matterhorn fascinator with pin which Amy made, wool sleeveless long vest, white shirt, alpine skirt which Amy made, and her suede boots.

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Katherine's attraction sufficiently posed for, we decided to head to the West side for Amy's, but along the way, we stopped for some pics on the train.

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Katherine actually took this pic of Amy and I. I think she might have a future as a photographer. Shame I'm selling my D600 since I bought a D750 a few weeks ago. Still have that old crop-sensor D80 for her to play with since it isn't worth anything.

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Family photo time

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I just loved this angle.

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Katherine goofing off.

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Any Amy's attraction. Head to toe, she has a small hat with the vulture pin, her poke dotted sunglasses to match the poke dotted bandanna she has wrapped around her purse. Red beaded necklace, wool jacket with her Brer Rabbit pin, pink gloves like any lady would have, her Song of the South fabric dress she made, her wicker purse with the aforementioned bandanna which ties into the story of Brer rabbit striking out with his pole and bandanna. And all rounded out with some blue shoes to complete the ensemble.

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Here is a close up of the vintage Song of the South Fabric.

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And some various poses with Chickapin Hill framing out the shots...

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Since we were in the neighborhood... a trip on Splash was definitely in order!!!

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Space in the distance, and the Colombia under refurb in the foreground.

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Just loved the splash and sun-flare here.

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Katherine ALWAYS has her hands up on the small drops, but is usually hanging on for dear life on the big drop.

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Brer Fox getting ready to ruin our day.

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Picture is out of focus, but you can see the inspiration for the poke dot bandanna.

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I might need to put up some signs directing people to my laughing place one of these days...

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Can't see Katherine cowering...

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Really enjoyed the report and the photos. It's always nice to see people who really appreciate what it means to be able to dine at Club 33.

Thanks for sharing!

I appreciate every opportunity I've been presented. Trust me when I say, I don't take the privilege lightly. I'm so thankful to my two hosts who have allowed me to visit the club. Every time I get to go is an absolute treat!! I'm thinking this upcoming trip maybe Katherine and I could steal away from the other ladies and do a late-night father-daughter meal near park closing. Katherine REALLY wants to be escorted to the park entrance by the CMs after park-close.
 
There's going to be a slight pause in this TR while I work on the "Art of the Craft" tour portion of it. Please accept my apologies for the intermission.
 
I love your reports. The teacup and saucer at Club 33 was inspired. I was blessed to get in on the lounge side in October, so seeing this menu was cool.

eta: we're headed to the parks at Christmas this year, so I really liked seeing all the decorations in your photos.

Your wife is stunning, btw.
 
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Still following along and loving all the pictures! Never have made it to a Dapper Day...maybe someday. We tend to only go in the area around Sept-Dec with an occasional spring break trip thrown in, so unlikely. Looks like a lot of fun, though.

Very creative costumes! Judging by a few of the pictures, it looks fairly warm (not sure when this Dapper Day was?). I was looking at your daughter's boots and thought, how in the world did she wear UGGs in that heat! lol But then I realized it was tied into her costume - love it!
 
I love your reports. The teacup and saucer at Club 33 was inspired. I was blessed to get in on the lounge side in October, so seeing this menu was cool.
I actually wish I had taken a pic of the lounge menu when I went! Everything C33 is a great time. So blessed that I've been afforded so many opportunities to experience the club.

eta: we're headed to the parks at Christmas this year, so I really liked seeing all the decorations in your photos.
I never did my Christmas Solo Trip report, but that's on the docket to complete. I was lucky enough to get to book the holiday tour, and it was great, I'd highly recommend it, but you literally have to be on the phone with someone the second they open in the morning to get a spot.

Your wife is stunning, btw.
Aww... she'll appreciate that.
 
Still following along and loving all the pictures! Never have made it to a Dapper Day...maybe someday. We tend to only go in the area around Sept-Dec with an occasional spring break trip thrown in, so unlikely. Looks like a lot of fun, though.
We've done Dapper Day February, 2014, September, 2014, February, 2015, November, 2016, and April, 2017. We apparently like Dapper Day...(links in signature for outfit pictures)

Very creative costumes! Judging by a few of the pictures, it looks fairly warm (not sure when this Dapper Day was?). I was looking at your daughter's boots and thought, how in the world did she wear UGGs in that heat! lol But then I realized it was tied into her costume - love it!

We were all sweating. It's actually been MUCH hotter when they had it in February and September. Now that it's moved up to May, its pretty toasty and usually much better in November.

Dapper Day is great, but we can't do it all day any more and the parks get super crowded, so we typically duck out now for a Cabana break and go back into the park in regular clothes in the evening.
 
I never did my Christmas Solo Trip report, but that's on the docket to complete. I was lucky enough to get to book the holiday tour, and it was great, I'd highly recommend it, but you literally have to be on the phone with someone the second they open in the morning to get a spot.

What is this holiday tour you speak of? I wasn't going to add a tour this time around (we did the welcome tour last time), but if it's interesting info I may just consider it!
 
What is this holiday tour you speak of? I wasn't going to add a tour this time around (we did the welcome tour last time), but if it's interesting info I may just consider it!

There is a Christmas-themed tour. Honestly, the most memorable part of it for me (until I go back and do the darn TR) was the reserved seating over by Small world for the Christmas parade as well as getting hot chocolate in a souvenir mug and a gingerbread man. Now you have me wishing I had done a write up on it earlier. It literally sells out each day which comes available in the first 15 mins tour services are open, so it is a wildly popular tour. There may be some TRs of it floating around here done by others.
 

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