[daisyd]

Hi honey, I'm home!
We returned last night after a trip to my brother's home on the central California coast, and 3 nights at the Candy Cane Inn and 2 days at DL and CA! We had a wonderful trip.

Cast: Me 35, DH 38, DD 3 1/2, DS 2 and my DMom 67 who was making her first trip to DL in 15 years. My DS11 is on a trip with his dad fishing, swimming and doing all the things he loves to do in Maine. We missed him a lot.

We loaded up the family Truckster on the 31st and drove the 5 hours to my brothers. We had a great stay there. He has two kids that are 4 and 1 so grandma got some quality grandchild time. We played on the beach, walked along the embarcadero, went to the park and went to the saddest aquarium in the world, lol. Our stay was too short, but we left feeling pretty excited about our next stop.

Day 1:
On Tuesday the 2nd, we left for Anaheim. When we got to LA, instead of taking 5 down to DL, we took the 215 to the 57 to Ball Rd, per my best friend's advise. Although it looked like we went way out of our way on a map, it was the same travel time, and the freeways were a lot less crowded, making for a less stressfrul trip. I love a good carpool lane!!

We arrived at the Candy Cane Inn at 1pm, and our premium room was ready. It is a large room with 2 very comfy queen beds, an armoire, a night stand with drawers, a small closet with iron and board, a table with 2 chairs, a fridge, coffeemaker and microwave. The bonus with this room is the floorspace. Plenty of room for another luggage stand, two strollers and a pack and play without falling all over eachother.

The motel is a nice, clean quiet place in our experience. The staff is very friendly, the grounds are lovely and the room was immaculate.

After we unloaded the van, we decided to catch the shuttle bus and head to the Rainforest Cafe at DTD. Once we arrived, we had about a 15 minute wait before we were seated. I had only eaten at a RC in Las Vegas, and that was several years ago. I ordered the Cobb salad, and it was big enough for 5 people! DM had the fish and chips, DH had the chicken fried chicken and the kiddies had mac and cheese.

We left happy and full and wandered around the book store (Compass Books?) and the Disneyland Hotel. It was late afternoon and we decided it was time for a swim! So we walked back to the shuttle stop and returned to the CC.

After our swim and baths we had a bite to eat in the room, and I tried to settle the kids for bed. They were still awake at 9:25 so I took them out of bed (we are on vacation, afterall!), and we went up to the second floor of the hotel to watch the fireworks! They thought it was great, and went to sleep quickly afterwards--dreaming of fireworks and Mickey Mouse

A link to my photos will follow later tonight, as will our two days in the parks!!

[Dana]

I ma loving day 1. Can't wait to read the rest and see those pictures. Welcome home to DC.

[Dopey]

Hey, welcome back Daisy. I knew that you would be happy with the Candy Cane Inn. It's a nice place.

I just said good bye to a guest who lives in Orange. They said that they see the fireworks every night. But don't like Disney and try to stay as far away from there as they can. Can you believe that? I wanted to cry.

I hope the next installment of your trip is coming soooooon.

[dznygrl]

daisy, loving the TR so far! Can't wait for the pics and to hear about your days in the parks!

Dopey...they live in Orange but try to stay as far away from Disney as possible?? That is just sad! I would think living there would be a nightmare for anyone who doesn't like Disney. There are so many Disney outlets, and so many cast members...it kind of feels like the whole area is "infested" with Disney and its employees!

[Dopey]

Originally Posted by dznygrl

daisy, loving the TR so far! Can't wait for the pics and to hear about your days in the parks!

Dopey...they live in Orange but try to stay as far away from Disney as possible?? That is just sad! I would think living there would be a nightmare for anyone who doesn't like Disney. There are so many Disney outlets, and so many cast members...it kind of feels like the whole area is "infested" with Disney and its employees!

I know, dizzygirl. I was really feeling sorry for them. How dreadful. I wish that I could switch places with them. Go figure.

[daisyd]

Thanks for the welcome home's!!!

The board seems to be slow for me tonight Pirates must be in my PC--followed me home from POTC!

Here is a link to some of my photos. They are not in order, and are not the best in the world (I have way too many of the Electrical Parade, lol). The batteries died in my digital camera the second night. Oh well, we have video.

daisyd's shutterfly pictures

I'll have to post the rest of the TR tomorrow!!!

[Disneywife]

What a great set of pictures! I especially liked the Electrical Parade - doesn't Disney realize what a hit it would be if they brought it back to Main Street?!! It just isn't the same at DCA (but still fun to experience!)

Great shot of Mickey scaling the Matterhorn!

[missy H]

Great Pictures, can't wait to read more!

[Pooh Fan]

I loved your pictures. I can't wait to read about the rest of your trip.

[daisyd]

Good to know they aren't too bad, lol.

Day 2:

Our day began with breakfast being brought to our room at 7:15 in a pretty basket. Caraffes of milk and oj, cereal, bagels and cream cheese, hot tea and fresh fruit. After the kids finished their special treat of Fruit Loops and the adults were dressed, we caught the 8:30 shuttle to the parks. We had decided we were going to take things slow this trip, so that's just what we did.

We easily went through the security check and the turnstiles into Disneyland. It wasn't too crowded yet as the park opened at 8am. We took in the sounds and sights as we strolled up Main Street. We stopped infront of the partners statue for some photos, and then through the castle. I remembered to look for the spike! I always think of it after I return home.

We walked right on King Arthur's Carousel (DD's favorite--twice), then waited 15 minutes for Dumbo, waited about 20 minutes for Peter Pan and about 10 minutes for the teacups. My DH spun us sort of fast, and my mom was feeling the effects, so we decided to wander over to Space Mountain for a couple of fastpasses. We took our sweet time getting there and stopped in Innovations (?is that the name?) on our way. We left and went to SM for the fast passes. I waited 15 minutes in line just to get the fastpasses for a return between 4:45 and 5:45pm (is that normal for a popular ride? We aren't that savvy with FP). The standby line was 105 minutes!

Buzz was at his burger place, so my mom got in line with my DS. After about 10 minutes, a CM came over and said he'd be leaving after he saw the child two before mine. Oh well, next time. We decided to eat lunch there as the line at Rocket Reds was unblievable. Ahhhh, there is just something about a cheeseburger at Disneyland. They really are a sort of comfort food, they take me back to my childhood.

Buzz came back for only a few minutes a couple times. One time he returned there was a little boy, maybe 3 years old, dressed from head to toe in his Buzz costume. Buzz went over to him in the crowd, and gave him a hug. The look on that little boy's face was pure Disney Magic

The park was quite full by the time we finished lunch, and DS and DD were tired already (my kids are great sleepers--12 hours at night, and DS takes a 2+ hour nap ever day that hey hadn't been getting at their Uncle's house, lol)

On our way back to the hotel, we were told by a couple on the shuttle bus that SM had just broke down and that it had happened the day before and never reopened

After a good long nap, we walked back to the park, and went on the Jungle Cruise!! I learned the my DH had never been on it I was shocked, and he loved the ride :) Who was this man I was married to, lol? I guess I always assumed he had been on most of the rides, but it turned out he had really only ever been on a handful of them. He listed the rides he had been on, and I asked him what he had done every trip he'd taken to Disneyland (this was his 5th trip for Pete's sake and he'd never been on the JUNGLE CRUISE??) Silly boy just didn't get it. But I tell you, he was feeling the Magic this trip !

Anyway, DL was still crazy, so we ate somewhere (I cannot remember where) met Pluto and Chip and Dale, found our Happiest Faces on Earth contribution, bought some new shades for me and went to DCA.

It was so much less crowded here. We wandered slowly over to Triton's Carousel. I just love the colors in this carousel. We played a few boardwalk games and shopped. I was looking forward to ridin Screamin', but it was still closed. We watched Maliboomer and my heart skipped just watching it launch . We got a couple FP for Mullholland Madness, and went to the plaza area (is it called Bay Area park? Near the water, by the Palace of Fine Arts) The kids ran like wild animals with the other kids that were running like wild animals. My DH and I went in search of icecream before the parade. We ended up going to Catch a Flave. We ordered chocolate swirl and were suprised to see it was vanilla icecream swirled with chocolate sauce, not chocolate icecream! Man, that was good!

We watched the Electrical Parade (another first for DH), then used our FP for MM. It was a fun little coaster!!! I giggled and screamed the entire time. We caught what we could of the DL fireworks from DCA. After a coffee we headed back to the CC for some much needed sleep.

Writing this down, it doesn't seem like we got much accomplished, but we really were very busy. I am sure I am forgetting thing we did

[dznygrl]

Sounds like a great...not too overtiring...day! Boy, I need more of those on my Disney trips. Being a park commando is not always all it's cracked up to be!

I your pics! Why why WHY was Mickey climbing the Matterhorn? I feel left out because I don't know this...but that is SO COOL!!

P.S. That is a really late time for your Space Mountain FPs, but it's because SM just reopened. It's bound to be CRAZY for a while! It's a bummer you didn't get to use them!!!

[daisyd]

Dznygrl, I used to commando through DL. Knew it like the back of my hand. But then I stopped going so often, and now with little kids, it's take it slow or everyone gets cranky, and that is no fun

I did remember where we ate the night before. It was at the Plaza, and it was just okay. Maybe the little darling that was running on the bench seating we were sharing, and jumping on me as his mom yelled empty threats at him from her chair, made the experience just okay, lol. He was a cute little boy, but him hovering over me with a spoon of ketchup was a bit much

Day 3 we skipped breakfast in the room because we were off for my favorite breakfast in DL--the pancakes at River Bell Terrrace. I had been thinking about these pancakes since last year! I"m not much of a pancake girl, but these were DELIGHTFUL!!! So, we get to the parks about 8:30 and decide we should go visit IASW before the line gets out of hand. So we head back to the ride and walk on it! Do I need to ask why the clown dolls are in there? Aren't the child like dolls enough? And does anyone else think that ride gets longer everytime? *sigh*

After IASW, we head over to the River Bell for breakfast, and I see where every person in the park is--in the line to get pancakes! I have the clever idea to walk to the Adventureland entrance and see how long that line is. It's short, only 4 groups out the door. I phone DH and he, DM, and the kiddies join me in this 'short' line. Now I have been inside this door, so I know it's not too bad on the inside. As we stand there for 5 minutes, DH decides to go to Splash Mountain for FPs. He takes off, and returns to find us standing 10 feet away from where he left us. He dind't get the Fps because the return time was for 2-3pm (this is at 930 in the morning!) and we knew we'd be napping at that time. After standing in the food line another 10 minutes, we decide to give up the pancake dream , and go hit Pooh as there was no line when Dh was over there earlier. As we walk past the restaurant, I see the line we were in originally hadn't moved either, and it was even longer. The thing that got me was that nearly the ENTIRE patio was empty!!! Hmmmmmm...

We go to Critter Country and get on Pooh after a 10 minute wait. We then get in line to meet the bear of little brain, Eeorye and Tigger. We get some great photos, and the kids act like they have been waiting all their life to meet these 3. They are happy, happy, happy.

We are pretty hungry, and head to the French Market for lunch. It wasn't open yet, so we wait. We get in and order. Dh had the pulled pork that looked very good, kids had nuggets and mac and cheese, DM had chowder in a bread bowl and I ordered the French Dip. I don't know what I was thinking when I ordered. I love a good french dip, and they had a sample one made up and I ordered it anyway Lets just say if you like potroast and brown gravy, go for it. I'll pass next time, lol. On the upside, the fries were good!

We go back to Fantasyland and ride the Casey Jr train, and I think KAC again. We decide to head over to DCA and see a couple shows and go on some rides, but DD had a melt down on our way in the gate at DCA, so we grab some FP's for Soarin' (it was about noon, and our return was for 4:15-5:15) and head back to the CC to let the kids swim, bathe and nap. At 4pm DS was still snoozing, so DH, DD and I leave DM with DS and head to Soarin'. What a great ride, and DD loved it! We phone DM, and she thinks DS is waking up, so DH leaves me and DD to go get the two at the motel.

DD wants to go on Tritions Carousel, again, but I took her to the Animation building to see the princesses. Jasmine, Aurora and Mulan are all there in that nice, mostly empty airconditoned building We get in line, and are told that Aurora and Jasmine are going to take a break. Now DD has only seen Mulan once, and was only half interested in it. The two princesses leave, and it's our turn to meet Mulan. Let me tell you I have a new favorite princess! DD clung to me like a baby koala (but was not saying no or crying, just being unsure) We stood back a bit and Mulan started speaking to her about her hair clips, and her comb in her hair, and that was it, they are friends for life. We posed for a picture (I forgot to pick up ) and said good bye and walked over to catch a glimpse of Turtle Talk With Crush. DD was hungry, so we left before it started. On our way out of the building, I paused to look at the figurines. I am not a figurine colector, but was seriously considering pawning my jewelry to buy a snow White collection they ahd when my phone rang. Dh and crew were on the bus. We grabbed a drink and some fries at Award Weiners and met up with the rest of the family.

Back into Disneyland we head for Toon Town. We stopped along the way to wave at Ariel. Toon Town was packed and very dirty . I couldn't believe it. Trash was overflowing from the cans and litter was strewn across the ground. DH decides he needs to eat, so he gets inline at Daisy's Diner for a couple pizzas for him and the kids, and DM gets a hotdog from Pluto's. The food took a while, but it was fair. I had to use the ladies room, so I went over and jsut couldn't believe what I saw in there. It was if not a single CM had been in ALL DAY. I told a CM at a drink stand and he ran across Toon Town to grab the only custodial CM, so he could radio it in. We left TT, and never looked back.

We went on Pirates (only a 10 minute wait) then on the Haunted Mansion (walked on) and the Disneyland Railroad. We decided to get over to Fantasy Land before it was to hard to get around for the Parade, Fantasmic and the fireworks. We went on the carousel, the teacups, and a couple others. We watched the fireworks fron FL, near the teacups. Not the best location as we missed everything infront of the castle, but we saw most of them, and we saw most of Tinkerbell. I loved the show, even if we missed part of it (gives me somethng to see in December, when we go back!).

After the all clear from the fire marshall we rode Alice in Wonderland, and decided to call it a night. The crowd was gone from Main Street for the most part, so it was quite a nice stroll. I stopped in the Emporium to spend a small fortune, and said good bye to Disneyland. We caught the bus back, and slept like rocks.

Day 4 had us sleeping in past 8:30 with another goodie breakfast basket delivered, and then we headed back to DTD to do some more shopping at World of Disney and Marceliene's Bakery. We took our time and a few more photos, before heading back to the CC. Another perk of the premium room is a 2pm check out. We actually left about 1pm, for a long, uneventful drive back home.

We had a great trip. Just now as I type this, DH is burning the video from the camcorder onto a DVD, and I can hear IASW, lol.

BTW, my DH walked by earlier and asked why I wrote this TR so detailed (he meant to say boring, lol). It's so I can print it out and put it in the album with the photos, because I'm sure the kids will one day want to know what they ate at DL, lol.

Thanks for reading!

[Disneyfever]

Great TR! Sounds like you really know how to do DL with kids. I'm glad you and your family had such a good time. I'm sure it was very nice to have your DM with you too.

[dznygrl]

Dopey - I want to switch places with those people too! I feel so awful that they're missing out on the Magic.

daisyd - I know my Park Commando self will probably screech to halt as soon as I try to take kids. Maybe that's for the better. (For my health and sanity!) I'm sure I could enjoy things a lot more if I slowed down occasionally. BTW, I'm really glad you wrote such a detailed trip report! I've been hanging onto every word!!

[dznygrl]

Originally Posted by daisyd

So, we get to the parks about 8:30 and decide we should go visit IASW before the line gets out of hand. So we head back to the ride and walk on it! Do I need to ask why the clown dolls are in there? Aren't the child like dolls enough? And does anyone else think that ride gets longer everytime? *sigh*

AAAAAHHHHH!!!! Since WHEN are there clown dolls in there?!?!

I'm never riding it again. Uh-uh. No way.