Mickey goes to Disneyland

**mickey** · 10-04-2004

OK, well, I got the option to take my 7 year old daughter to Disneyland for a couple of days, so I jumped at it, and off we went. This was a surprise trip for my daughter, and she did not know we were even going until I woke her up at 4:30 to go to the airport, and she did not know where we were going until we pulled up to the Grand Californian. We checked into the Grand Californian on Thursday, September 30 at about 8:30 AM (yes, our flight left the airport at 6:25 AM, so it was a long day). Our room was ready, and we got a theme park view room right on the lobby, which was great. You can be a long ways away from the lobby in that place, and we got lucky, plus the upgrade to the theme park view was unexpected. We dropped our luggage and grabbed some breakfast, walked around DTD and waited for 9:30 to approach, when the park gates would open. We got into DL around 9:40, and waited for the rope drop. We walked over to Big Thunder Mountain Railroad, by daughter's favorite ride, and rode it three times in about 20 minutes (we were the first ones in line on the ride, which was cool). We ended up riding BTMR 12 times in 3 days, Splash Mountain 5 times, Indiana Jones 6 times, etc. On Thursday, the park was dead, until right before closing, when they had a special function for the re-opening of the Haunted Mansion themed with the Nightmare Before Christmas stuff. We met a friend of my daughter in ther afternoon. They live down the street, and I only found out they would be there a couple of days before, so we set up a meeting, it was quite a surprise for both of them. We spent the rest of the day with them, until parade time, when we were beat, and headed back to the resort to hit the hay.

Friday was a bit more crowded, with a couple of schools off for the day in the area, and that night, a lot of locals showed up for the Haunted Mansion Holidays. We spent the day hopping back and forth between the parks.

Saturday was Gay Days at Disneyland, which I found out only right before we left on the trip. It was very crowded, both parks, but it was fine, we used fast passes. While I am not sure how to compare this with GayDays at WDW, we had no problems at all, and my daughter did not even notice anything was different, of course, I didn't mention anything, and she didn't say anything.

A couple of things. First is that Big Thunder Mountain Railroad at Disneyland is much better and longer than the one at WDW. I really like Pirates more at DL as well, several more drops, and much longer. The Haunted Mansion holiday was fantastic, the ride should always be like that. I have heard they will change it in 2005 at WDW, start planning now, it is worth the trip. Disneyland also needs a complete overhaul of it's in park restaurants. Friday night, everything in the park was at least an hour wait to eat, even counter service restaurants. We waited for 30 minutes at one, and that got us inside the doors, with at least another 30 minutes until we got to the counter to get food. At WDW, I have never waited for more than about 5 minutes at most, if that.

The picture below is myself and my daughter on Big Thunder Mountain Railroad, you can tell she likes it.

**mickey** · 10-04-2004

This picture is my daughter standing in front of the Haunted Mansion all made up:

**mickey** · 10-04-2004

This last picture is also my daughter, after having been on Grizzly River Run 7 times in a row. She finally got soaked on the 7th ride, which made it our last:

rlander · 10-04-2004

Great pictures Mickey!!! Your daughter is a doll.

MickeyRon · 10-04-2004

Looks like an awesome time... Sorry about the wait times for food... My DD would have a melt down in lines like that!

**mickey** · 10-04-2004

Quote:

Originally Posted by MickeyRon

Looks like an awesome time... Sorry about the wait times for food... My DD would have a melt down in lines like that!

My DD was fine, I had the melt down. We walked back to the resort and ate at Storyteller's Cafe, which was not crowded, and was actually very good. We only ran into that problem on Friday for some reason, but it was awfuly crowded once California Adventure closed, and everyone came into Disneyland.

**roxie** · 10-04-2004

Quote:

Originally Posted by mickey

My DD was fine, I had the melt down.

LOL!! Your DD is adorable. Thanks for the pix and the TR!!

quartz7 · 10-04-2004

Love the Pic of the water ride. Your DD is so adorable standing there. Sounds like a great time.

Janelle

**Dana** · 10-04-2004

Mickey -

Your DD is gorgeous! She looks like she had a blast on BTMM. I love the way the Haunted mansion looked too. Very neat! Thanks for the report and the pictures.

pkc123 · 10-04-2004

Great trip report Mickey.Your daughter is so adorable.Thanks for sharing.

disneyguy · 10-04-2004

Mickey, it is great to put a face to you. Glad to hear you handled the situation well. Glad to see you had a great time with your DD!!!

anaheimboy · 10-05-2004

Quote:

Originally Posted by disneyguy

Mickey, it is great to put a face to you. Glad to hear you handled the situation well. Glad to see you had a great time with your DD!!!

I agree, its good to be able to have a sense of what you look like. Im glad you and your daughter had a great time at DLR.

Jen · 10-05-2004

Glad you had a great trip mickey! Your DD is soo cute!

Jen

inluvwithdisney · 10-05-2004

Sounds like you had a good time!!

I agree about the restaurants especially after our first visit to WDW and all of the choices they have!! The funny part is that DL does not have enough to choose from and WDW has so many you get overwhelmed!

Anyway, I am glad you had a good time and your daughter too! We love DL/CA!

PrincessJill · 10-05-2004

Aww your daughter is too cute!! Trip reports are more fun when pix are included. :) I'm so happy you both had such a great time!

10-04-2004	#1 (permalink)
mickey Administrator Join Date: Sep 2001 Posts: 6,232	Mickey goes to Disneyland OK, well, I got the option to take my 7 year old daughter to Disneyland for a couple of days, so I jumped at it, and off we went. This was a surprise trip for my daughter, and she did not know we were even going until I woke her up at 4:30 to go to the airport, and she did not know where we were going until we pulled up to the Grand Californian. We checked into the Grand Californian on Thursday, September 30 at about 8:30 AM (yes, our flight left the airport at 6:25 AM, so it was a long day). Our room was ready, and we got a theme park view room right on the lobby, which was great. You can be a long ways away from the lobby in that place, and we got lucky, plus the upgrade to the theme park view was unexpected. We dropped our luggage and grabbed some breakfast, walked around DTD and waited for 9:30 to approach, when the park gates would open. We got into DL around 9:40, and waited for the rope drop. We walked over to Big Thunder Mountain Railroad, by daughter's favorite ride, and rode it three times in about 20 minutes (we were the first ones in line on the ride, which was cool). We ended up riding BTMR 12 times in 3 days, Splash Mountain 5 times, Indiana Jones 6 times, etc. On Thursday, the park was dead, until right before closing, when they had a special function for the re-opening of the Haunted Mansion themed with the Nightmare Before Christmas stuff. We met a friend of my daughter in ther afternoon. They live down the street, and I only found out they would be there a couple of days before, so we set up a meeting, it was quite a surprise for both of them. We spent the rest of the day with them, until parade time, when we were beat, and headed back to the resort to hit the hay. Friday was a bit more crowded, with a couple of schools off for the day in the area, and that night, a lot of locals showed up for the Haunted Mansion Holidays. We spent the day hopping back and forth between the parks. Saturday was Gay Days at Disneyland, which I found out only right before we left on the trip. It was very crowded, both parks, but it was fine, we used fast passes. While I am not sure how to compare this with GayDays at WDW, we had no problems at all, and my daughter did not even notice anything was different, of course, I didn't mention anything, and she didn't say anything. A couple of things. First is that Big Thunder Mountain Railroad at Disneyland is much better and longer than the one at WDW. I really like Pirates more at DL as well, several more drops, and much longer. The Haunted Mansion holiday was fantastic, the ride should always be like that. I have heard they will change it in 2005 at WDW, start planning now, it is worth the trip. Disneyland also needs a complete overhaul of it's in park restaurants. Friday night, everything in the park was at least an hour wait to eat, even counter service restaurants. We waited for 30 minutes at one, and that got us inside the doors, with at least another 30 minutes until we got to the counter to get food. At WDW, I have never waited for more than about 5 minutes at most, if that. The picture below is myself and my daughter on Big Thunder Mountain Railroad, you can tell she likes it. Attached Images __________________ Frank Costanza: You can drop a grand in Disney World, like that.

10-04-2004	#2 (permalink)
mickey Administrator Join Date: Sep 2001 Posts: 6,232	Re: Mickey goes to Disneyland This picture is my daughter standing in front of the Haunted Mansion all made up: Attached Images

10-04-2004	#3 (permalink)
mickey Administrator Join Date: Sep 2001 Posts: 6,232	Re: Mickey goes to Disneyland This last picture is also my daughter, after having been on Grizzly River Run 7 times in a row. She finally got soaked on the 7th ride, which made it our last: Attached Images

10-04-2004	#4 (permalink)
rlander Happy Disney Dreams Join Date: Feb 2003 Posts: 2,455	Re: Mickey goes to Disneyland Great pictures Mickey!!! Your daughter is a doll.

10-04-2004	#5 (permalink)
MickeyRon Grand Sorcerer Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Ohio Posts: 1,353	Re: Mickey goes to Disneyland Looks like an awesome time... Sorry about the wait times for food... My DD would have a melt down in lines like that! __________________ Mickey Fan! Planned Nov/Dec 2007... BWV, Shareton Safari, SSR... 2007... WLV (Rented Points!!) 2006... ASMOV and RENTING DVC POINTS @ SSR 2004... ASMOV -- ON SITE!!! FIRST TIME! 2003... Silver Lake Resort (off property) 1982... Epcot Only Trip (off property) I forgot about this trip! 1976... Camping somewhere in Orlando (off property)

		MouseBuzz.com > Mouscellaneous > Trip Reports
Mickey goes to Disneyland

10-04-2004	#8 (permalink)
quartz7 Mouse Meister Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Parker, Colo Posts: 1,083	Re: Mickey goes to Disneyland Love the Pic of the water ride. Your DD is so adorable standing there. Sounds like a great time. Janelle __________________ Janelle The very center of Disneyland! Proud Mama of DD Jazzy 14 DS Trevor 10 DC(cat) Tinkerbell 2 Offsite.......1992 Polynesian, Grand Floridian, Contempory.....1994 Disneyland Hotel.....2000, 2001, 2005 Polynesian......2004, 2006 Disneyland Hotel............June 2008, Oct. 2008 Disneyland Hotel.....June 2009

10-04-2004	#9 (permalink)
Dana Super Mod/Packen' Kracken Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Joisey Posts: 23,782	Re: Mickey goes to Disneyland Mickey - Your DD is gorgeous! She looks like she had a blast on BTMM. I love the way the Haunted mansion looked too. Very neat! Thanks for the report and the pictures. __________________ ~82 off-site~91 off-site~97 ASMusic~ ~00 ASMovies~02 Wilderness Lodge~04 Animal Kingdom Lodge~ ~05 Animal Kingdom Lodge & Polynesian~ ~05 Port Orleans French Quarter~06 Old Key West~ ~07 Port Orleans French Quarter~08 Old Key West~ ~09 Saratoga Springs~10 Port Orleans Fench Quarter~ My Disney Countdown Counting down to: 10 day do all or die trying trip. 270 days 2 hours 23 minutes

10-04-2004	#10 (permalink)
pkc123 Big Cheese Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Right Here Posts: 553	Re: Mickey goes to Disneyland Great trip report Mickey.Your daughter is so adorable.Thanks for sharing. __________________ Preston Dec 91 Off property~Oct 96 ASM~Oct 99 ASM~July 01 Off property~Aug 02 Wyndham Palace~July 03 ASM~Sep 04 PC~Sep 05 PC~Sep 06 PC~Sep 07 PC~Sep 08 PC~Sep 09 PC~Sep 10 POFQ "Show the world the warmth of your smile." x´¨) x¸.•´ ¸.•´¨)xxxx¸.•¨) (¸.•´xxxxxx(¸.•`xxxpkc123 ´¨) My Disney Countdown Counting down to:* Our 1st time at a moderate.....with free dining!!! 304 days 10 hours 53 minutes

10-04-2004	#11 (permalink)
disneyguy Moderator/DC's Airmouse Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Maryland Posts: 3,195	Re: Mickey goes to Disneyland Mickey, it is great to put a face to you. Glad to hear you handled the situation well. Glad to see you had a great time with your DD!!! __________________ New to DC? Looking for An Abreviations List? Click Here. *Just keep swimming, swimming, swimming...* --------------- Its been far too long.... Most recent: POFQ Feb 2005

10-05-2004	#13 (permalink)
Jen Go Navy! Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Kissimmee, FL Posts: 2,866	Re: Mickey goes to Disneyland Glad you had a great trip mickey! Your DD is soo cute! Jen __________________ Defender of Chit Chat ...11 trips to WDW since 1981 Avatar of the Week: Wicked Step-sisters at the Pirate and Princess Party, 2007 MBer's i've met: erin, cavey, gingita, chastmastr, quakercub, soundgod, catfish1999, slartybartfest, cousin mike, jenbarnwell, lovemysons, val32, wishuponastar, princessalyssa, iluvwdw, mickaholic4077 and empressjenny My Disney Countdown Counting down to: Moving to Florida in... ...we're on our way to our new home in Kissimmee!!

10-05-2004	#14 (permalink)
inluvwithdisney I need it to be May 28th! Join Date: May 2003 Location: Disney ~~ In my mind!! Posts: 2,783	Re: Mickey goes to Disneyland Sounds like you had a good time!! I agree about the restaurants especially after our first visit to WDW and all of the choices they have!! The funny part is that DL does not have enough to choose from and WDW has so many you get overwhelmed! Anyway, I am glad you had a good time and your daughter too! We love DL/CA! __________________ AVATAR: My kitties: DISNEY & EPCOT Disneyland ~~ Offsite~~ August 1991 Disneyland/Calif. Adv. ~~ DLH ~~June 2001 Disneyland/Calif. Adv. ~~ DLH ~~ Sept. 2002 WDW ~~ POR ~~Sept. 2003 WDW ~~ POLY~~ Sept. 2004 WDW/Disney Cruise ~~ POR/Disney Wonder ~~ December 2005 WDW/Disney Cruise ~~ POR/Disney Wonder ~~ August 2007 WDW & US/DC/SW ~~POR ~~August 2008 Proud member of Disney Overplanner AnonyMOUSE My Disney Countdown Counting down to: 16 DAYS with the MOUSE!! 9 days WDW/7 days Eastern Carribean Cruise!!! Playing and cruising with the MOUSE!!!!

10-05-2004	#15 (permalink)
PrincessJill Earl Grey, please. Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: FL Posts: 2,394	Re: Mickey goes to Disneyland Aww your daughter is too cute!! Trip reports are more fun when pix are included. :) I'm so happy you both had such a great time! __________________ Avatar: The Tea Caddy - "Twinings Tea in the classic English tradition" Fall 2010 WDWCP Hopeful!

Thread Tools
Show Printable Version Email this Page
Display Modes	Rate This Thread
Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode	Rate This Thread:

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
Mickey Bars	smee57	The Mouse Trap	19	04-05-2005 12:43 AM
Why do people...	Cavey	WDW Theme Parks	138	01-30-2005 09:08 PM
Eeeeeeeeeee!!!!	_Ariel_	WDW Theme Parks	17	08-27-2004 01:57 PM
Only Two Days Tink!!!!!!	inluvwithdisney	The Mouse Trap	13	08-03-2004 03:26 PM
NOT gonna make it!!!!	inluvwithdisney	The Mouse Trap	25	07-21-2004 09:05 AM

User Name		Remember Me?
Password