[WishUponAStar]

Our ride photo on California Screamin'! I love it! I took a pic. of every single ride photo on this trip, and for some reason every person in that front-right side seat always had the BEST expression on Cali. Screamin. I got that seat once during our trip but you'll have to wait & see what stupid thing I did in our pic.


After it got dark, DCA fans... if you'll notice they started dismantling Mickey's right ear on Cali. Screamin'. Not sure what's going on with that


Triton's carousel


I LOVED these signs that were around the barricades to the entrance of [what once was] the SunWheel.

[cinderbella]

Originally Posted by WishUponAStar

We met my favorite blue guy near the Monster's Inc. attraction. My Dad made me cut him out of the pic b/c he said, "I look RIDICULOUS there, DO NOT post that on your Mouse website."

I love your Dad!

I am glad to see this up so fast! I've been sick so it makes me happy to get up and read this!

[WishUponAStar]

My Dad decided to try out the Maliboomer. I would go on this ride but there is this huge plastic shield in front of your face that REALLY freaks me out. It's not the shooting you up into the sky in .5 seconds that bothers me, it's that plastic shield. Not sure why it bothers me so much but I've never been on the Maliboomer.

My Dad is the brave one on the far right


Ewww, some nasty girl's feet.


You can say that again...


Trippy glow things being sold near Grizzly. I thought it was kinda weird to see this cart even though the light parade was 'dark' that night.


A canoe of characters

[MissDisney]

This is sooo cool! I lvoethe shot out your window. I HAVE to get to DL. And the private entrance? The greatest luxury I ahve ever heard of!

Sephora... yeeehawww!

[mickeyspal]

Love your TR's!

[Dana]

Loved the intro to the report...very sappy and sweet..perfect. I can't wait for more report. your pictures are always awesome.

[WishUponAStar]

By the way, I should mention that his whole life my Dad has had sort of a 'green thumb.' He loves everything remotely related to horticulture, the environment, plants, vegetables, fruits, flowers, and dirt. I guess this is where I developed my great love & respect for bugs. BUT, the ENTIRE 4 days my Dad found it necessary to point out EVERY single kind of plant & tree he saw. I mean EVERYTHING... I really started to believe he was WAY more interested in anything growing than anything else we saw. ANYWAY, he knew exactly which kind of variety lemons that were growing on this tree & he'd be really annoyed with me 'cause I am just going to call it a 'lemon tree' right now.

A pretty lemon tree growing next to the Grand Californian pool:


It's always heated to 82 degrees


The Grand lobby


Zooming in on the piano player

[WishUponAStar]

The nighttime view from our balcony


Checking into Goofy's Kitchen. Not sure what the white smudge on my camera is. I think it's something the photographer does so you'll buy his photo package instead.


YAY! Miss Minnie! (Do my Dad & I look alike? I never knew which parent I resembled more)



Oh my gosh, I freaking LOVE this peanut butter pizza! They didn't have it out when Daniel and I went last June so I was excited to see it!

[DisneyFreak78]

Fabulous trip so far. I'm loving the hair it's looking so cute. And jeans, I love it! Can't wait to read more.

[Experiment6-2-6]

Originally Posted by WishUponAStar

A pretty lemon tree growing next to the Grand Californian pool


It's always heated to 82 degrees

I remember the first time I took my heir apparent through the pool area at the Grand Californian..

It was nightime, very quiet, and just as wonderful..

He asked, "Why don't we stay here?"

sigh.

[WishUponAStar]

The last couple photos from Day 1:

Dale, the cheeky little chipmunk.


Yum-EEEE!


The host with the most!

[MissDisney]

The Downtown Disney area just loooks so great. Seems like nighttime at DL might be cooler than nighttime at WDW?

Anyway -- I have heard of the peanut butter pizza before, but it looks not good to me. I don't really like PBJ, so I am probably a bad judge. The other desserts, though, look excellent! Here's a recipe I found online. I will give it a try this weekend. Maybe for Super Bowl, if you like it so much Wishy!

Peanut Butter and Jelly Pizza
Chef Mickey's
Disney's Contemporary Resort

1/4 oz quick-rising yeast
1 1/2 teaspoon light brown sugar
2 cups bread flour, plus extra for kneading
1 teaspoon kosher salt
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 to 2 1/2 cups peanut butter
1 cup grape jelly
Clean squeeze bottle

Directions

In a large bowl combine the yeast, sugar and 1 cup of flour. Stir in 1 cup of warm water and let the mixture stand for 10 minutes. Add the salt, oil and a second cup of flour. Stir until dough pulls away from the side of the bowl. Turn dough onto a floured surface and knead 5 minutes, adding additional flour as necessary to keep the dough from sticking. Divide into 3 balls. Place the balls on the floured surface, cover with a dishtowel, let rest 10 to 15 minutes.

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Flatten each dough ball into an 8 to 10 inch round with slight rim, formed by pinching the sides up. Place the rounds onto lightly oiled baking sheet and bake until golden brown, about 10 minutes.

Remove the pies from the oven and cover each with peanut butter. Put the jelly and 2 tablespoons of water into a clean squeeze bottle and shake until mixture is smooth. Start in the center of the pizza and move around and out toward the rim. Squeezing the jelly over the peanut butter in a swirl pattern. Drag a toothpick from the middle of the pie to the edges to create a flared effect shown above. Repeat on the other pies. Serve warm. Makes 3.

[Peppertink]

Wow! Great start to your TR:) Great view...we had a very similar view at GC....just a few doors down....closer to looking directly at Naples.(Just past it actually....looking at the building that houses Indiana Jones). Anyway....mmm...that soup at the Wharf!!! Can't wait to get me some!!!

[momofaprincess]

I love your TR so far! It's awesome that you got to spend some special time with your Dad! The comment about him not wanting to be on your "mouse site" cracked me up!!! LOL And I think his nonchalant facial expression on California Screaming is priceless!!! and that kid in front of him--hilarious!!!

The picture will the white "smudge" in it look like what you see in those ghost pics...Perhaps someone's spirit was also with you and your Dad!

Can't wait to read more!!

[dixie]

Jess I am loving this TR and the photos too. If ever we get the chance to do DL then based on what you've shown in the photos I would choose the Grand Cali it looks truly fabulous.