Disneyland ... a trip full of surprises!

Cielei · 07-22-2012

We are back and I think I have all the pictures downloaded from the camera. I'll be starting the fun parts of the trip report soon .. the pictures!

We spent 9 days in the LA area with 6 days at the Disneyland resort. We had a couple of surprises that were unimaginable and completely awesome. (We did get to have our lunch at D 33 club and an early entry to california adventure!) It was an amazing trip with lots of fun ... how can you not have fun at disney?!

jimbo · 07-22-2012

Fantastic. I cannot wait to read you TR and see all your photos as I'm in the middle of planning at trip for next year.

Caseys Corner · 07-22-2012

Let it rip!

In need a Disney fix!

Cavey · 07-22-2012

Love to hear about D33!

Experiment6-2-6 · 07-22-2012

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cielei

We are back and I think I have all the pictures downloaded from the camera. I'll be starting the fun parts of the trip report soon .. the pictures!

We spent 9 days in the LA area with 6 days at the Disneyland resort. We had a couple of surprises that were unimaginable and completely awesome. (We did get to have our lunch at D 33 club and an early entry to california adventure!) It was an amazing trip with lots of fun ... how can you not have fun at disney?!

Sounds like you had fun!

Can't wait to hear about it!

A Goofy Family · 07-22-2012

Can't wait to hear all about your trip...we're in the thinking stages of doing a DL trip in a couple of years.

lovemysons · 07-23-2012

Can't wait to see your pictures!

Andrea · 07-23-2012

Oh, good. Someone who's NOT being a Disneyland TR scofflaw.

I want to hear about Club 33? Jealous!

princesslindsey · 07-23-2012

Can't wait to hear all about it!

jk8 · 07-23-2012

Don't leave us hanging!

Voldemort · 07-23-2012

Huzzah, a DL TR! Pictures please.

Cielei · 07-24-2012

It's been a busy few days! I think we need another vacation. Now, where was I?
Once upon a time, in a land far, far away ... hmm, I don't think that's quite right.

July 11-19
Cast of characters includes me, DH, DS1 - Thomas and DS2 - Alex. Special appearances by my mom, dad and brother (this is the brother who was in the terrible accident a couple of years ago).

We got up bright and early wed morning to make our flight - 3am to be exact.

The good news is that it is a long flight, and maybe we could get some sleep on the flight. That would be a big ... NO! The guy next to me (DH, DS1 and DS2 were across the isle from me) got plenty of sleep though ... I could tell by his LOUD snoring. We arrive in Las Vegas for a plane change and a message from my parents that their flight had been cancelled and they would be later getting to the airport.

I had a limo arranged to pick us up ... quick call and message to limo company and hope all is well because it was a quick layover and we are back on the flight to LAX.

We land .. 45 minutes early. Message from limo all is well and we have new pick up time arranged. SInce this was partially a working trip for DH, we accompanied him to get his rental car and picked up lunch at In and Out Burger - it was our first time trying it. Back to the airport to kiss DH bye and meet my family. They arrive ... 30 minutes early. What was in the skies that day? Early planes everywhere! Hugs and kisses and limo is there right on time.
mom, dad and my brother, JD.

Limo by Cielei, on Flickr
Thomas and Alex

Limo by Cielei, on Flickr

Cielei · 07-24-2012

We arrived at our hotel, Hilton Garden Inn, and got all checked in and settled. We spent a little time in the pool, pick up some drinks from Target which is basically across the street, and then headed to Downtown Disney for dinner. (I need to get the pictures for this part off my phone) We ate at Rainforest Cafe per my brother's request. While we were exploring, one of the caricature artists asked if he could sketch Alex. I, of course, say yes and by the time he had finished with both boys (you know I had to buy them and have both boys drawn), we had a crowd and he had a line for his services. After that, back to the hotel and sleep.

I can't wait to see mickey!!

Lego Store

Rainforest Cafe

Caricature

The next morning, we picked up rental cars and then headed to Huntington Beach for the day. This had to be the coolest, most overcast day of our entire trip! I couldn't believe how crowded it was and how many people were actually out swimming in the water. I ended up buying sweatshirts for us all it was so cold to me! We went to some brewery (BJ's maybe?) place just up main street from the pier for lunch. They have a huge mural on one wall across from where we sat. Alex is looking at it and wonders why all the trees are on fire. I explain that those aren't trees in the painting, but an artistic rendering of harvesting the wheat fields to brew the beer. Me to him .. I think it was just the artists stylistic choice or interpretation of that. Alex to me .. I think maybe he was just drunk.

I really should have taken a picture of that mural!!

We head back to the hotel, and 2 hours later, we finally made it back. My phone died on the way, but I knew which roads to take to get back. Unfortunately, my sense of direction was all messed up, and I went the wrong way on each road before getting it right. :reface: We had a late dinner at Buca and came back and packed everything up because we were moving to the Hilton the next day.

Next up .. Friday and Disneyland finally!!

jk8 · 07-24-2012

Great trip so far. I remember that about your brother! Wow, glad he is well.

Cielei · 07-24-2012

Friday morning, we got up early because I had reservations at Plaza Inn for breakfast with Minnie and friends. The boys are getting so big that this was the only character dining I was allowed to book this trip.

We were at the gates just before 7am. We were changing hotels on Friday; so, it was a crazy morning in our room. DH mentions to the boys something about their teddy bears being lost because we are changing hotels ... We are on Main street when I realize .. uh ... you have your teddies AT DISNEYLAND?!!!! Well, daddy said we had to take them with us ... :roll eyes: After breakfast, we bought the teddies a cozy little room (hello locker) to nap in all day.

This was my parents' and brother's first trip to Disneyland. On main street, "that's the castle ... it's awfully small"

Main Street by Cielei, on Flickr

07-22-2012	#1 (permalink)
Cielei Big Cheese Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Oswego, IL Posts: 508	Disneyland ... a trip full of surprises! We are back and I think I have all the pictures downloaded from the camera. I'll be starting the fun parts of the trip report soon .. the pictures! We spent 9 days in the LA area with 6 days at the Disneyland resort. We had a couple of surprises that were unimaginable and completely awesome. (We did get to have our lunch at D 33 club and an early entry to california adventure!) It was an amazing trip with lots of fun ... how can you not have fun at disney?! __________________ My Disney Countdown Counting down to: Disneyland 2012!!!!! So, whose up for another one? Last edited by Cielei; 07-22-2012 at 12:34 AM.

07-22-2012	#2 (permalink)
jimbo Big Cheese Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Yorkshire U.K to far away from Disney Posts: 969	Re: Disneyland ... a trip full of surprises! Fantastic. I cannot wait to read you TR and see all your photos as I'm in the middle of planning at trip for next year. __________________ "All your dreams can come true if you have the courage to pursue them" -Walt Disney. My Disney Countdown Counting down to: Disney time!! put on your ear's

07-22-2012	#3 (permalink)
Caseys Corner Disney or Bust! Join Date: May 2005 Location: Southern New Jersey Posts: 1,797	Re: Disneyland ... a trip full of surprises! Let it rip! In need a Disney fix! __________________ 1996 Dixie Landing 1999 All-Star Movies 2003 Port Orleans Riverside 2004 Pop Century 2005 Caribbean Beach 2006 Animal Kingdom 2006 Pop Century christmas in Disney 2007 Port Orleans French Quarter 2008 Port Orleans French Quarter 2009 All star Music 2010 Port Orleans French Quarter and Myrtle Beach 2011 All Star Music 2012 All Star Music Avatar by Ready2Go My Disney Countdown Counting down to: Against all odds. August 2012 going home to the Mick! Trip 2012 making memories. See you all soon.

07-22-2012	#4 (permalink)
Cavey MB's Rabble Rouser® Join Date: Sep 2004 Posts: 6,847	Re: Disneyland ... a trip full of surprises! Love to hear about D33! __________________ Hello? Is this thing on? My Disney Countdown Counting down to: Suddenly, it's an Art of Animation Lion King Studio trip Gone

07-22-2012	#6 (permalink)
A Goofy Family Mouse Meister Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Central Texas Posts: 1,254	Re: Disneyland ... a trip full of surprises! Can't wait to hear all about your trip...we're in the thinking stages of doing a DL trip in a couple of years. __________________ DVC Members Since 2003 '77 DL'99 ASMo'03 AS Sports'04 OKW/Pop'05 May-June SSR/WL Dec '05OKW'06 March OKW/Coronado SpringsJune'06 Keystone CO w/DVCMar '07 Hilton Head IslandMar'08 BWVMAY/JUNE '08 AKVDEC '08 OKWMarch'09 BWVDec '10 Keystone w/DVC March'11 OKWJune'12 Aulani Kids are off to college this Fall, no trips in the works. Honored to be Trailblazer's daughter & BDavis932's sister

		MouseBuzz.com > Mouscellaneous > Trip Reports
Disneyland ... a trip full of surprises!

07-23-2012	#7 (permalink)
lovemysons Time to cause trouble Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: In my house Posts: 8,373	Re: Disneyland ... a trip full of surprises! Can't wait to see your pictures! __________________ ´¨) x¸.•´ ¸.•´¨)xxxx¸.•¨) (¸.•´xxxxxx(¸.•`xxx´¨)Make just one person happy. ´¨) My Disney Countdown Counting down to: Visiting Mrs. Foo Bummer it's over.

07-23-2012	#8 (permalink)
Andrea Dole Whip Apostate Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Shasta in my heart Posts: 4,238	Re: Disneyland ... a trip full of surprises! Oh, good. Someone who's NOT being a Disneyland TR scofflaw. I want to hear about Club 33? Jealous! __________________ x´¨) x¸.•´ ¸.•´¨"...make sure you don't grow up stupid.¸.•´¨) (¸.•´xxxxxxxxxxxxIt's bad for the world."xxxxxxxxxxx ¸.•´ xxxxxxxxxxxxx--Tami Taylor, Friday Night Lightsxxxxxxxxxx(¸.•`* My Disney Countdown Counting down to: Disneyland! I am the luckiest EVER! 64 days 5 hours 56 minutes

07-23-2012	#9 (permalink)
princesslindsey Big Cheese Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Canton, Illinois Posts: 890	Re: Disneyland ... a trip full of surprises! Can't wait to hear all about it! __________________ Lindsey 1992 Caribbean Beach~First visit!~1995 Disneyland Hotel~1997 Wilderness Lodge 2002 (Feb.) Disneyland Hotel~2002 (April) off site~2002 (July) AKL and Cruise~2004 off site 2005 off site~2007 OKW~Proposal!!!~2009 (Feb.) OKW~Honeymoon!!! 2009 (Dec.) POFQ~Christmas Grand Gathering of 20 ~2010 Caribbean Beach 2011 (Jan.) CBR Pirate Room ~2011 (Aug.) Polynesian~2012 SSR 2013 Disneyland Grand Californian My Disney Countdown Counting down to: Cruising the Caribbean 181 days 18 hours 56 minutes

07-23-2012	#10 (permalink)
jk8 Disney Cruise Alumni Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: IN - the Tiki Tiki Tiki Tiki Tiki Room Posts: 2,864	Re: Disneyland ... a trip full of surprises! Don't leave us hanging! __________________ Julie 2012 Disneyland! 2011 Bay Lake Tower and 4 night Disney Dream!!! 2010 CBR and 7 Night Disney Magic Western 2008 OKW - first DVC stay! 2008 WL and 7 night Disney Magic Western! 2007 POFQ 2006 Pop Century 2006 CR & 7 night Disney Magic Eastern!!! 2004 POP Century 2004 offsite My Disney Countdown Counting down to: AKL Villas + 7 Night Western on the Disney Fantasy! Cruisin!

07-23-2012	#11 (permalink)
Voldemort Mouse Meister Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Across from the Big Blue Wet Thing Posts: 1,226	Re: Disneyland ... a trip full of surprises! Huzzah, a DL TR! Pictures please. __________________ Dirty deeds, done dirt cheap* * ninja kitties available for additional fee >^..^< Editorial Kitteh has extensive vocabumalary My Disney Countdown Counting down to: I am neither going anywhere nor doing anything, harrrumphh

07-24-2012	#12 (permalink)
Cielei Big Cheese Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Oswego, IL Posts: 508	Re: Disneyland ... a trip full of surprises! It's been a busy few days! I think we need another vacation. Now, where was I? Once upon a time, in a land far, far away ... hmm, I don't think that's quite right. July 11-19 Cast of characters includes me, DH, DS1 - Thomas and DS2 - Alex. Special appearances by my mom, dad and brother (this is the brother who was in the terrible accident a couple of years ago). We got up bright and early wed morning to make our flight - 3am to be exact. The good news is that it is a long flight, and maybe we could get some sleep on the flight. That would be a big ... NO! The guy next to me (DH, DS1 and DS2 were across the isle from me) got plenty of sleep though ... I could tell by his LOUD snoring. We arrive in Las Vegas for a plane change and a message from my parents that their flight had been cancelled and they would be later getting to the airport. I had a limo arranged to pick us up ... quick call and message to limo company and hope all is well because it was a quick layover and we are back on the flight to LAX. We land .. 45 minutes early. Message from limo all is well and we have new pick up time arranged. SInce this was partially a working trip for DH, we accompanied him to get his rental car and picked up lunch at In and Out Burger - it was our first time trying it. Back to the airport to kiss DH bye and meet my family. They arrive ... 30 minutes early. What was in the skies that day? Early planes everywhere! Hugs and kisses and limo is there right on time. mom, dad and my brother, JD. Limo by Cielei, on Flickr Thomas and Alex Limo by Cielei, on Flickr __________________ My Disney Countdown Counting down to: Disneyland 2012!!!!! So, whose up for another one?

07-24-2012	#13 (permalink)
Cielei Big Cheese Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Oswego, IL Posts: 508	Re: Disneyland ... a trip full of surprises! We arrived at our hotel, Hilton Garden Inn, and got all checked in and settled. We spent a little time in the pool, pick up some drinks from Target which is basically across the street, and then headed to Downtown Disney for dinner. (I need to get the pictures for this part off my phone) We ate at Rainforest Cafe per my brother's request. While we were exploring, one of the caricature artists asked if he could sketch Alex. I, of course, say yes and by the time he had finished with both boys (you know I had to buy them and have both boys drawn), we had a crowd and he had a line for his services. After that, back to the hotel and sleep. I can't wait to see mickey!! Lego Store Rainforest Cafe Caricature The next morning, we picked up rental cars and then headed to Huntington Beach for the day. This had to be the coolest, most overcast day of our entire trip! I couldn't believe how crowded it was and how many people were actually out swimming in the water. I ended up buying sweatshirts for us all it was so cold to me! We went to some brewery (BJ's maybe?) place just up main street from the pier for lunch. They have a huge mural on one wall across from where we sat. Alex is looking at it and wonders why all the trees are on fire. I explain that those aren't trees in the painting, but an artistic rendering of harvesting the wheat fields to brew the beer. Me to him .. I think it was just the artists stylistic choice or interpretation of that. Alex to me .. I think maybe he was just drunk. I really should have taken a picture of that mural!! We head back to the hotel, and 2 hours later, we finally made it back. My phone died on the way, but I knew which roads to take to get back. Unfortunately, my sense of direction was all messed up, and I went the wrong way on each road before getting it right. :reface: We had a late dinner at Buca and came back and packed everything up because we were moving to the Hilton the next day. Next up .. Friday and Disneyland finally!! __________________ My Disney Countdown Counting down to: Disneyland 2012!!!!! So, whose up for another one? Last edited by Cielei; 07-24-2012 at 12:30 PM.

07-24-2012	#14 (permalink)
jk8 Disney Cruise Alumni Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: IN - the Tiki Tiki Tiki Tiki Tiki Room Posts: 2,864	Re: Disneyland ... a trip full of surprises! Great trip so far. I remember that about your brother! Wow, glad he is well. __________________ Julie 2012 Disneyland! 2011 Bay Lake Tower and 4 night Disney Dream!!! 2010 CBR and 7 Night Disney Magic Western 2008 OKW - first DVC stay! 2008 WL and 7 night Disney Magic Western! 2007 POFQ 2006 Pop Century 2006 CR & 7 night Disney Magic Eastern!!! 2004 POP Century 2004 offsite My Disney Countdown Counting down to: AKL Villas + 7 Night Western on the Disney Fantasy! Cruisin!

07-24-2012	#15 (permalink)
Cielei Big Cheese Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Oswego, IL Posts: 508	Re: Disneyland ... a trip full of surprises! Friday morning, we got up early because I had reservations at Plaza Inn for breakfast with Minnie and friends. The boys are getting so big that this was the only character dining I was allowed to book this trip. We were at the gates just before 7am. We were changing hotels on Friday; so, it was a crazy morning in our room. DH mentions to the boys something about their teddy bears being lost because we are changing hotels ... We are on Main street when I realize .. uh ... you have your teddies AT DISNEYLAND?!!!! Well, daddy said we had to take them with us ... :roll eyes: After breakfast, we bought the teddies a cozy little room (hello locker) to nap in all day. This was my parents' and brother's first trip to Disneyland. On main street, "that's the castle ... it's awfully small" Main Street by Cielei, on Flickr Main Street by Cielei, on Flickr __________________ My Disney Countdown Counting down to: Disneyland 2012!!!!! So, whose up for another one?

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