SusanEllen
DIS Veteran
- Joined
- May 24, 2004
Is it time for me to jump on the Disneyland band wagon? It seems that suddenly theres a fair bit more mention of the first Disney park among this group than usual--Laurs did such a good report of her recent trip there, Danauk and Wickesy have both posted their pre-trip reports just today, and I recall that a few others (Lizzy Lemon among them) have told us that theyll be going to Disneyland soon. So perhaps now is the time to add my name to the list. I will be in Disneyland for 7 days/6 nights, from June 9 through June 15th. I know this is cutting it close for posting a pre-trip report, but besides the predictable excuses of having been too busy/too lazy I have had two fearsthe first fear, that filing a pre-trip report would obligate me to write a full report (see earlier reference to being lazy) and second fear, that announcing plans is a sure way to tempt Fate to mess with those plans. Heres hoping that Fate is looking the other way right now.
I suppose I should begin with an explanation of why, since I live in Tulsa, Oklahoma, U.S. A., Im posting on the UK board and not the US. The fact is I dont know anyone on the US board while I do have many dear friends on this one. A few years back I was lucky enough to be adopted by Kevin and Tammy Stringer and have had four lovely Disney vacations with themone in California and three in Florida (two of those with Debbie and Matt Churchill, too). In fact, I must tell you that vacationing with the Stringers is the ideal way to produce a wonderful trip report without lifting a finger, as Kevin is a master travel journalist and all I usually do is send links to his web page to all my friends with a note saying See how much fun I had! I have had one tiny experience writing a three day add-on trip report in 2006 to tell of my weekend at WDW after the Stringers returned home and left the Churchills and me to fend for ourselves. Debbie and Matt went to a new hotel offsite to give it a try and I checked in to my beloved Wilderness Lodge. Matt and I both wrote mini TRs, more or less epilogues to Kevins report. My offerings were kindly accepted by UK DIS readers and encouraged by that (and without Kevin along this time to do the work for me) I have decided to write again.
I used to go every year to Disneyland and to Walt Disney World. Actually, that was my late husband Scotts routine and when we met I quickly and happily fell in line. Since his death in 2001 the pattern has changed and though Ive managed to get to one Disney place or the other each year, only one year in the past seven have I been able to get to both. My most recent trip to Disneyland was in 2005 with the Stringers and it was starting to feel like Id been too long away. I decided to go, but then who was there to go with me? In addition to attaching myself to the Stringers and the Churchills for a number of trips, Ive gone through the list of my dearest friends (which includes my sister) to find trip companions and co-conspirators (some of them for more than one trip, bless their hearts) and afraid Ive gotten to the end of the list and am out of friends! Well, not really, but no one seemed available when I started thinking about a trip this summer. I decided to do a solo trip, something Id done once beforea trip to Disneyland, which was wonderful in its own way. That might sound a little lonely or desperate, but honestly, I never felt alone there. No doubt the many happy memories of things that Scott and I did there carried me through, but in addition to that I always had people to talk to, laugh with, and ride with anytime I wanted. You know the sense of security and camaraderie you feel when youre at Disney? Well, anytime I wanted a little company or conversation, there were always guests or cast members willing to oblige. I stayed at the Grand Californian which made me feel right at home--it looks so much like the Wilderness Lodge (designed by the same architect)--and opening right into Disneys California Adventure it couldnt have been handier or safer for me. Having had such a good experience that time I decided to go solo againbut then I didnt have to. My sisters very good friend Sharon who lives in northern California got wind of my plan and asked if she could go along. Sharon is funny and bright and very enthusiastic about Disneyland, so a perfect pal for this trip. Sharon has been to Disneyland many times through the years as her husbands business often takes him to LA. But precious man though he is, Howard has one fault (but its a big one)a very low tolerance for Disneyland. A few hours there and hes ready to go. The thought of staying for a week is beyond his comprehension, but hes willing to send Sharon with her brand new Disney VISA with his good wishes. So there you have us. Two ladies of a certain age with a love of Disneyland and with VISA cardsand no one telling us what we cant do!
Having already talked your ear off, Im not going to go through the itinerary day by day. I will tell you:
Where were staying: Paradise Pier with park view. The Stringers and I stayed at PP and thought it was a lovely place and convenient for our needs. Sharon and I decided that the hundred dollars a day difference from the cost of Grand Californian would go along way to paying for some of our other extravagances and that we would have the GC experience when we ate at Napa Rose, got massages at the Mandara Spa, and had breakfast at the Storytellers Café.
Where were eating: In addition to the Napa Rose (exhibition kitchen seating), we have ADRs (still called PSs in CA) at Hookes Pointe (Disneyland Hotel), Catal (DTD), Steakhouse 55 (Disneyland Hotel), and Ralph Brennans Jazz Kitchen (DTD). If you know Disneyland, you may have noticed the absence of Blue Bayou among the PSs. It was one of Scotts favorite places (back in the day when it was the only table service restaurant at Disneyland) and is still one of my favorites. We will go there for a lunch, just not sure which day yet. Also will try to work in The Vineyard room in DCA and Carnation Café on Main Street.
What well be doing: Besides the usual attractions, shows, rides, parades, and fireworks, we are going to do A Walk in Walts Footsteps tour of Disneyland and Cruzin California segway tour of DCA. We have massages scheduled at the GC Mandara Spa. We have riverside seating with the dessert treats for Fantasmic.
What were looking forward to most: For me--Being there. The new submarine ride. Toy Story Mania. The Indiana Jones ride enhancements and the new crowd interactions. For Sharonshopping as long as she wants, in as many places as she wants, for days and days and days.
If youve read this far (a great favor to me I assure you), please, do one more favor for me. Keep your fingers crossed for the next few days, making the wish that Fate doesnt find out about my plan.
Report Index
Day One, June 9th
Day Two, June 10th
Day Two, Part 2
Day Three, June 11th
Day Four, June 12th
Day Four, Part 2
Day Five, June 13th
Day Five, Part 2
Day Six, June 14th
Day Seven, June 15th
I suppose I should begin with an explanation of why, since I live in Tulsa, Oklahoma, U.S. A., Im posting on the UK board and not the US. The fact is I dont know anyone on the US board while I do have many dear friends on this one. A few years back I was lucky enough to be adopted by Kevin and Tammy Stringer and have had four lovely Disney vacations with themone in California and three in Florida (two of those with Debbie and Matt Churchill, too). In fact, I must tell you that vacationing with the Stringers is the ideal way to produce a wonderful trip report without lifting a finger, as Kevin is a master travel journalist and all I usually do is send links to his web page to all my friends with a note saying See how much fun I had! I have had one tiny experience writing a three day add-on trip report in 2006 to tell of my weekend at WDW after the Stringers returned home and left the Churchills and me to fend for ourselves. Debbie and Matt went to a new hotel offsite to give it a try and I checked in to my beloved Wilderness Lodge. Matt and I both wrote mini TRs, more or less epilogues to Kevins report. My offerings were kindly accepted by UK DIS readers and encouraged by that (and without Kevin along this time to do the work for me) I have decided to write again.
I used to go every year to Disneyland and to Walt Disney World. Actually, that was my late husband Scotts routine and when we met I quickly and happily fell in line. Since his death in 2001 the pattern has changed and though Ive managed to get to one Disney place or the other each year, only one year in the past seven have I been able to get to both. My most recent trip to Disneyland was in 2005 with the Stringers and it was starting to feel like Id been too long away. I decided to go, but then who was there to go with me? In addition to attaching myself to the Stringers and the Churchills for a number of trips, Ive gone through the list of my dearest friends (which includes my sister) to find trip companions and co-conspirators (some of them for more than one trip, bless their hearts) and afraid Ive gotten to the end of the list and am out of friends! Well, not really, but no one seemed available when I started thinking about a trip this summer. I decided to do a solo trip, something Id done once beforea trip to Disneyland, which was wonderful in its own way. That might sound a little lonely or desperate, but honestly, I never felt alone there. No doubt the many happy memories of things that Scott and I did there carried me through, but in addition to that I always had people to talk to, laugh with, and ride with anytime I wanted. You know the sense of security and camaraderie you feel when youre at Disney? Well, anytime I wanted a little company or conversation, there were always guests or cast members willing to oblige. I stayed at the Grand Californian which made me feel right at home--it looks so much like the Wilderness Lodge (designed by the same architect)--and opening right into Disneys California Adventure it couldnt have been handier or safer for me. Having had such a good experience that time I decided to go solo againbut then I didnt have to. My sisters very good friend Sharon who lives in northern California got wind of my plan and asked if she could go along. Sharon is funny and bright and very enthusiastic about Disneyland, so a perfect pal for this trip. Sharon has been to Disneyland many times through the years as her husbands business often takes him to LA. But precious man though he is, Howard has one fault (but its a big one)a very low tolerance for Disneyland. A few hours there and hes ready to go. The thought of staying for a week is beyond his comprehension, but hes willing to send Sharon with her brand new Disney VISA with his good wishes. So there you have us. Two ladies of a certain age with a love of Disneyland and with VISA cardsand no one telling us what we cant do!
Having already talked your ear off, Im not going to go through the itinerary day by day. I will tell you:
Where were staying: Paradise Pier with park view. The Stringers and I stayed at PP and thought it was a lovely place and convenient for our needs. Sharon and I decided that the hundred dollars a day difference from the cost of Grand Californian would go along way to paying for some of our other extravagances and that we would have the GC experience when we ate at Napa Rose, got massages at the Mandara Spa, and had breakfast at the Storytellers Café.
Where were eating: In addition to the Napa Rose (exhibition kitchen seating), we have ADRs (still called PSs in CA) at Hookes Pointe (Disneyland Hotel), Catal (DTD), Steakhouse 55 (Disneyland Hotel), and Ralph Brennans Jazz Kitchen (DTD). If you know Disneyland, you may have noticed the absence of Blue Bayou among the PSs. It was one of Scotts favorite places (back in the day when it was the only table service restaurant at Disneyland) and is still one of my favorites. We will go there for a lunch, just not sure which day yet. Also will try to work in The Vineyard room in DCA and Carnation Café on Main Street.
What well be doing: Besides the usual attractions, shows, rides, parades, and fireworks, we are going to do A Walk in Walts Footsteps tour of Disneyland and Cruzin California segway tour of DCA. We have massages scheduled at the GC Mandara Spa. We have riverside seating with the dessert treats for Fantasmic.
What were looking forward to most: For me--Being there. The new submarine ride. Toy Story Mania. The Indiana Jones ride enhancements and the new crowd interactions. For Sharonshopping as long as she wants, in as many places as she wants, for days and days and days.
If youve read this far (a great favor to me I assure you), please, do one more favor for me. Keep your fingers crossed for the next few days, making the wish that Fate doesnt find out about my plan.
Report Index
Day One, June 9th
Day Two, June 10th
Day Two, Part 2
Day Three, June 11th
Day Four, June 12th
Day Four, Part 2
Day Five, June 13th
Day Five, Part 2
Day Six, June 14th
Day Seven, June 15th
yes indeed !
