Day 4: Ohhh, Ahhh, Shiny! About This Page:

[Diz]

Our flight from Philadelphia went off without a hitch. We were able to get coffee (very important!) and the boys some breakfast while we waited for our flight. DS#2 and I lucked out because the third person scheduled for our side of the aisle never showed up. We had extra room on a plane that was 98% full. DH and DS#1 were jealous! It was such a beautiful flight – the Rocky Mountains! It was funny because the pilot not only pointed them out, he flew around in circles showing us them for about 10 minutes! He was so much fun! And he flew around and around the Grand Canyon. For awhile, I thought we were on a tour plane! We left Philly at 8:00 am and arrived in LAX about 10:30. It was a smooth – but long flight. It was the longest we have ever taken.

DD’s flight from Orlando was scheduled to arrive about 9:30. She was flying Delta, we had US Air. I wasn’t sure how we’d get together. But I have one smart DD. Her flight was early – landed about 9 so she had a lot of time on her hands. She picked up her luggage and then took a bus from Delta over to US Air (apparently not an easy feat!) When we arrived in baggage, she was there. First words out of her mouth: I thought it was hot in CA! She had a coat on, but was freezing! This is going to be a reoccurring sight all week!

We had decided to rent a mini-van so off we went to find a Hertz bus. Thanks to mousesavers.com, I had seen that the enrollment fee for the Emerald Club was waived so I had signed up. We arrived at Hertz, found our mini-van in the Emerald lane – showed my driver’s license and credit card…and we were off! Fast, easy – except lugging 10 pieces of luggage out of the airport-onto the bus-out of the bus-into the van. But there were five of us – and we don’t pack light!

We grabbed some local maps while at Hertz, but I had also printed out directions on line before leaving home. They were easy to follow and before we knew it, we were on I-5 heading towards the Happiest Celebration on Earth!

In planning our trip, I was told over and over again how congested it was around DL, the hotels, the restaurants, etc. I even downloaded and printed the map to show my Dfamily so no one would be surprised. Well, let me tell you – it’s nothing like we expected! We must have come off the highway onto a strange entrance because all we saw were some hotels – but mostly apartment buildings and then we were at the entrance to the Grand Californian Hotel. After being told Welcome Home, we decided to use valet so the bags were unloaded and stored – the van safe and sound and we entered the GCH lobby. Very . It has the vastness of the Wilderness Lodge, but it is not a rustic wood – but a more artistic, smooth-lined…drop dead gorgeous wood. If you expect the WL view, you’ll be disappointed – but if you enter not expecting anything – you’ll just stand there in awe! I fell in !

And then the best part of the week was about to happen – the first of many encounters with – now hold your hats! You’ll be surprised! Friendly cast members! Having 2 cast members in my Dfamily, I can say – WDW has their share of friendly cms, but DL has an entire community of them! We were so impressed with check-in (DD was in disbelief)! The lobby has cms doing everything – always cleaning – one who just walks around the lobby saying hello to people, offering insights and advice – and then of course the usual guest services – concierge staff and dvc salesman. But not one of them had a frown; not one of them was rude! It was heaven!

We checked in and were given our room keys (not chargeable – but that’s to change within the next year the cm said). The 3 adults were given a separate paper for charging privileges. (We ended up using it only a few times - it wasn't as convienent as a charging room key. We decided to buy the DL gift cards and used them instead. They were quick and easy well except the first time. Let me stop, I'm getting ahead of myself!) We were given fast passes to Aladdin, Grizzly Run and Soarin’. But our room wasn’t ready. So we decided to have some lunch and figure out what we would do for the afternoon.

Up next: Now how far is it to DD so we can grab a bite to eat?

[DopeyGirl]

Great start!!! I was just at DL in June and am excited to read about everything!!!

[Suzie]

Funny thing about California, it isn't really that hot, except down near San Diego and the ocean is FREEZING, even in August we say people in wet suits.
I can hardly wait to read more!
Suzie

[Hanners]

Can't wait to read more!

[DawnDenise]

Can't wait to read more!! I am soaking up all the info I can on DL!!

[PrincessSharon]

Great start! Your report is taking me back to my DL trip last month. Hurry back with more, please!

[dsnytina]

Wonderful beginning!
Can't wait to hear all about your adventure!
Tina

[Minnie Lor]

Ok, you snagged me. I wasn't going to read because I've never been and am not planning on going to DL but this is too good. More please

[Diz]

Day 1: Part 2

I’ll try not to split my days up anymore – but this first day was such a day of new beginnings. I was looking forward to going to DL for the very first time. I wanted to soak it all in. I’ll have to do 3 Parts because of my ramblings – sorry!

We were sitting in the absolutely amazing lobby of the GCH deciding where to go and eat lunch when DD and I looked at each other and said – the gift shop! That’s right, there’s nothing more bonding than a mother and daughter shopping! We went in the store – it is small, but it has some really nice treasures. Need a wedding ring? For $1,500 you can buy a Jose Hess Collection piece – gold band with a Mickey icon in diamonds. Absolutely gorgeous! Lots of GCH merchandise and 50th Anniversary items. Even though it was a very small place, there were always at least 3 cms on duty to help – and help they did. They were always ready to answer questions and give advice. We didn’t buy anything this round – but when you have no room, it makes it easier to say let’s wait.

We were new to this GCH and thought, just how far is it to DD so we can grab a bite to eat? We didn’t even have to ask a cm for directions – the hotel is guest friendly. There were signs leading you to CA, DL, DD and more! Just look up and you’re guided along the way. Now if I was going to DD from the WL it would take at least 20 minutes to drive there. From GCH to DD, it took us about 2 minutes to walk! Now, we’re talking! Shopping at our finger tips! The World of Disney right outside our hotel door! What more can you ask for?! (Well to be a millionaire would be nice!)

If there was one word I would use to describe DD, it would have to be festive. The first thing you notice is music – everywhere! It’s piped in, but it keeps you upbeat. It’s now about 1 pm and we were hungry. We thought of Rainforest Café, but decided we wanted to try something different. It is after all our first meal in CA. We walked from one end of DD to the other – saw the DL Hotel, Paradise Pier, a huge ESPN Zone. The guys wanted to go there, but we swayed them away to try something new. We decided on Mexican. We are, after all so very close to Mexico! (Closest we’ve ever been at least!) So we go into Tortilla Jo’s. And real Mexican culinary fare it was. The tortillas were hand-made right before your very eyes at the tortilla station. This isn’t a place you can go and get appetizers at a cheaper price. The appetizers cost around $8-$10 each. You had regular menu items for that cost. The most expensive item was $18.50 for the catch of the day. My Dteens tried Picadillo Tacos (beef and potatoes) 2 for $7.50; Carne Asada Tacos (grilled steak) 2 for $7.50 – but they weren’t overly impressed and DS#1 absolutely hated his so I shared with him; DH tried a rib platter $14.50 that he thought was out of this world; I had a steak fajita $16.50 that was delicious. Just a note: This is not a quick place so don’t go if you’re rushed. The food is cooked to order, not sitting out under warming lights waiting to be placed on plates. The service was interesting. Those on staff this day looked like Cabana boys. Lots of smiles and I thought at any given moment they were going to dance and sing. It was a good lunch – lots of food, but my Dteens weren’t impressed. I guess in a few years when they can drink margaritas they’ll want to give it another try.

Now came decision time. Which park would we go to first? Of course, the original – DL! We decided to go and get a feel for the place and then we’d go back to see our room later.

Entering DL, we reminded ourselves that everyone said the place is small so don’t think we’re at WDW. When you enter the turnstiles, you look up, slightly to see the railroad station. Yup, it’s small. In front was a flower arrangement for the 50th with a standing Mickey and a circle of flowers making a 50 on the ground. It was gorgeous! We looked up at the train entering the station and was surprised to see that the seating was like that of the Animal Kingdom’s Wildlife Express Train to Conservation Station. You face forward! Strange. It only surprised me because Walt loved trains so much!

Well enough dilly dallying – I have to see Main Street! We enter under the train on the right side and my first thought – where’s Tonys! The rocking chairs on the porch?! Oh that’s right, we’re not at WDW! We go onto Main Street and say, where’s the castle? Just kidding. We look up Main Street and there it is, Sleeping Beauty’s abode. Elegantly decorated with crowns for the 50th. And yes, small. All week I would look up Main Street and move my eyes to the sky to see the castle and at first all I’d see is clouds. I’d adjust my gaze down and finally there it was. It became rather funny because even though my mind said look low, my eyes always over shot!

First difference besides Tony’s missing was the activity! The crowd was light, but there was the Barbershop Quartet singing their tunes – the double decker bus, the fire-type mini-truck were out to transport you to the castle area. On slow days at WDW, you’re lucky if you see anything special on Main Street. Here at DL, it was bustling with live entertainment all over the place!

Second difference and a huge one! At WDW you have lines and lines of characters around the circle near City Hall - standing, waiting to give you a smile, a picture and an autograph. Not at DL! I started walking and all of a sudden, Dick Van Dyke, the chimney sweep, came running in front of me, holding onto a little guy's hand. They were on a mission! Then I turn and there's Mary Poppins, umbrella in one hand and a little girl on the other - strolling down the lane. Talk about fun! You never know who is going to run past you! It is like a charater party all over the park! This was just the start of a week filled with characters popping up in the most unusual places and times! I never knew who would be walking beside me!

We strolled up Main Street, but stopped ourselves from shopping. We stopped and looked at the castle. DS#2 was still upset we couldn’t eat dinner there. We walked around the castle, not through. We wanted to view Matterhorn – a must do ride for us all. We continue to just look around when my Dkids said, what are we going to ride first? We ended up back near It’s a Small World and their eyes filled with horror! Yup, mom chose It’s a Small World. After the ride DS#1 said, I can’t believe you chose this for our first ride at DL, shaking his head the whole time saying it! LOL! But the ride was the same, but different. Longer. The wait was normal, about 5 minutes. My Dkids decided they liked it better than WDW. DH hates the whole song thing so his vote doesn’t count.

Our next stop was back to Matterhorn. The wait was about 5 minutes again. DD and DS#2 sat up front, then DS#1, DH and I rode alone – but all of us were together on the same bobsled for our very first ride, which was . It is a bumpy ride! It is very though. We could feel the old-time DL magic begin to start!

For all of us who to plan, you’ll understand when I say – I had plans in mind for today; but so far, we went with the flow! I really didn’t think we would ride any rides this first day. I thought we’d spend the time around the hotel resting after our trip. So for tonight, I had planned something special! I wanted our first night to come off with a bang. So after Matterhorn, it was time to head back to GCH. We needed showers and to change.

My Dkids couldn't help but go through the stores on the way back down Main Street. What impressed me was the name on the store was the item sold inside. If it said watchmaker, there were watches inside. If it said penny arcade, there were penny games inside. That was very

Up Next: Just how many ticket stations are there at DL?!

[beths3]

more please!!

Beth

[Colexis Mom]

Another great update

[Fantasmic! kid]

Wow, I really like the way you write this! (and the way you are doing your visit too!)

Out of curiosity, which side of the Matterhorn did you take? Did you take the Fantasyland side (the side that's more scenic), or the Tomarrowland side (the side that's more like a thrill ride)?

[snoozy]

Great report so far, waiting for more

[Tink and co.]

More please! It's getting me excited for our next trip!

[Diz]

DAY 1: PART 3

We headed back to the GCH after having a few great hours in DL. We were excited! This was going to be a good week!

At the GCH, we were given what we booked - City View. We were on the 5th floor, room 5105. Talk about a close room to the elevator! We were just down the hall around the corner. Not a long walk at all! We didn’t know what to expect. We hadn’t looked online at any pics of the rooms - we wanted to be surprised. We opened the door and thought - same set up as Yacht Club. It was a nice size room - and finely decorated. The redwood tree furniture was gorgeous! We immediately found some hidden mickeys and then it was time to see the view. We opened the curtains and we had a nice view of - drum roll please - the parking lot. LOL! It was a really nice view though! The palm trees were as tall - a lot taller than the 5th floor and they were everywhere! It really was a nice view. When making the reservation, I had debated the CA view, but it was double the price of the city view - and decided we would need the extra dollars for souvenirs. I’m not disappointed in that decision at all.

Well everyone began to get ready. I noticed there was a flashing red light on our phone. With just checking in, I figured it would be an old message for the former guests. But nope! The cm said, “Mrs. Haggerty we have a surprise for you at guest services”. Hmmm...surprise?! DH and DS#2 were ready so they offered to go and see what it was.

When they returned they had two envelopes - one marked Mr.& Mrs. Haggerty and the other Mrs. Haggerty. The first would be for our anniversary on the 13th and the other for my birthday on the 14th. DH wanted to open them, but we decided to hold on to them for the proper days.

Everyone was finally ready and off we went! Back to DL for our first-night’s surprise! Because I thought we’d be too tired to tour the park, I decided to get the Fantasmic Dessert Buffett for our first night. I wanted to start our trip off with a bang. We reached DL gates within minutes. It was just about time for the evening parade so everyone decided to check out Main Street some more. Mom, however, had to pick up the Fantasmic tickets. This is one of those bad times - that will turn out good in the end.

The tickets must be picked up at DL Guest Services - by the person who made the reservation - and with the exact credit card you used to purchase the tickets over the phone. I think this is a little extreme and should be changed!

Now are you ready for an adventure? Just how many ticket booths are there at DL???

I start heading towards the gates to go to Guest Services which is outside the park. I stopped in City Hall for some information and in general conversation I was telling the cm where I was heading next. He told me Guest Services closed early today so I would have to go to ticket booth #5. I looked at him like, “you’ve got to be kidding?” He saw the look and said, I’m serious. Ticket booth #5 is outside the park gates. I head outside the gates. Look around and see several ticket booths open. I ask a cm standing by where ticket booth #5 was - that I had to pick up Fantasmic tickets. She said you don’t go to ticket booth #5 - you have to go to Guest Relations. I said Guest Services was closed. She said yes it is, but Guest Relations over there (she points across the way towards CA) is open.

Now I am new to DL and try to tell myself - if you’ve done more homework you would have picked up the tickets earlier in the day so this is my own fault. I hear an announcement for the parade. I really wanted to see it, but nope - need those tickets so off to search for Guest Relations. Guess what. It’s closed. Back to find ticket booth #5. Another cm points me in the direction and there is a line longer than I care to see. I get in line. 30 minutes later the cm in the booth told me that yes if Guest Services was closed I could pick up the tickets there - but Guests Services is now open! I look at her with daggers in my eyes, at least I felt like I did. I couldn’t believe it. 30 minutes for nothing. But wait she says, I see you have a Dvisa card and I have a coupon book for you. At this point I say to myself - well, so what! See how disorganization can ruin your mood! I leave with my little coupon book in hand - head over to Guest Services and guess what - another line! I’m ready to scream now. I would definitely miss the parade.

I wait another 15 minutes. This time it wasn’t only the number of people in line, it was the problem with the Fantasmic Dessert Buffet rules: 1.. The person making the Fantasmic reservation had to be present and 2. You had to have the exact credit card. There were two groups who did not follow the rules. One was very loud and very nasty to the cm and was holding things up big time. It was the husband - his wife made the reservations. The cm asked him, can’t you get your wife and bring her here - he says no she’s in France. He said it so convincingly that everyone in line and the cm believed him. He pulled out the same credit card (exact number) but with his name on it. The cm tried to explain rule #1 and rule #2 again and said there was nothing he could do. Just then miraculously, his wife jetted in from France. She walks up behind and asks, honey is there a problem. If mobs ruled - the entire family would be banned from Disney forever. He explains the problem, she pulls out id, credit card and gives the cm more attitude. While her back is turned to her 4 or 5 year old in the stroller, the boy looks up at his mom, sees a pony tail and begins to pull so hard that she is physically pulled backwards, onto the stroller and then the stroller, the mom and the boy to the ground. Unbelievable! I guess you could say we at least had a show while we waited!

Well finally the only two windows that were opened - that each had guests that weren’t following the rules - were finally empty and ready for the next person in line - me and the family behind me. Yay! I go up to the window - smile, ask how they are, give them my id, my credit card and answer all the questions quickly and succinctly. I had a parade to get to! Within a couple of minutes, everything is signed and the cm hands me the tickets. This is when I say, I’m glad to have these in my hands. I have been all over creation trying to get them this evening. She looks puzzled and says - what do you mean? I tell her about my little adventure. She leans over and whispers to me - well to make your night better I’ll let you in on a little secret. They seat you by the order you check in so be sure to be at the podium as early as you can - you’ll get to pick your viewing spot. I thank her and off I go - happy to have the tickets and happy because the parade hasn’t begun yet.

And then I look up at the entrance gates to DL - the lines are all the way back to CA!!! I’m not joking! Not one of them is short! I lower my head in unbelief - tell myself the parade will be there the rest of the week - and I get in what looks like the fastest moving line. Halfway to the gate, I look over and see DH walking towards me. I say - what are you doing out here? He said I came to help. I thought I’d wait in line for the tickets and let you see the parade. I say to him, you don’t know rule #1 and rule #2 do you? He looks at me like I’m crazy. I say never mind. He asks what took me so long anyways. I give him one of those wifely looks - and he draws back in fear. No really I tell him - later. We finally get back into the park and head to Main Street where my Dkids are watching the parade. They had a spot for us, but it was long gone. We found some stairs sitting back from the sidewalk next to one of the shops. No one was there - so we went in. I stood on the top stair which gave me a little height over the sidewalk crowd in front. It wasn’t a bad place to watch 2 minutes of the parade. Yup, it was done within two minutes of our arrival. Oh well - another time - but I can honestly say I saw part of the parade the first night!

Our Dkids saw where we were standing so right at the end they high-tailed it over to us because not only was it a nice place to watch the parade, it was a great haven from the crowds! We waited for it to die down and then we headed off for New Orleans Square.

This is our first adventure to the left side of DL. We didn’t know what to expect. We entered through Frontierland because I recalled reading somewhere that it was a larger walkway then through Adventureland. We saw the shooting gallery and the Golden Horseshoe. We wondered if they still served food with a cowboy show. We saw the river boat and a quick service place or two. We walked by Pirates and saw the Fantasmic stage. Part of Tom Sawyer’s Island. Interesting. We found the podium and checked in . We were number 4. Not bad - a family of 2 and 2 families of 3 were in front of us. The cm took our name - checked our tickets and told us to return in a half an hour.

We hadn’t had dinner yet so I offered for my Dteens to get something to eat. But they were too excited. They didn’t want to leave the spot! I couldn’t blame them, because I was too! So we stood watching the crowds, talking and listening as more and more came to check in at the podium. We found out that the Balcony viewing area was closed to the public that evening - that’s why we couldn’t get the balcony, but were able to get by the water. We tried to see what VIP had the balcony, but they had a sweatshirt hoodie on so it was impossible to see them.

There was a huge group that checked in as #5. They were obnoxious. They were standing around the podium, hiding it from view. Other guests would come with tickets in hand, look around and go to leave because they couldn’t see the podium. We stopped them and told them to cut through the crowd. The group never got the idea to step away. They just stood there, talking to the cm, saying to each other - if we are friendly, she’ll let us in first. The rest of us roll our eyes.

While waiting, we were discussing that the HM was to be closed for Halloween decorating. DS#1 wanders over to take a peek and returns with the greatest news - it was open! We found out that it was open tonight and tomorrow only! Then it would be closed the remainder of our trip. That was it. Any problems that had happened within the last 2 hours was washed away with excitement. I the HM and was disappointed when a cm told us it would be closed. Can anyone guess where we went after Fantasmic??? I know, you don’t have a clue, right?!

Well, back to business. It was time to go in for our dessert buffet. My Dteens teased me - but we can’t have dessert before dinner, mom! The cm called #1, #2, #3 and then went to call #5. What?! I go right up before the large group gets a chance to go in - and I say, what about #4. She looked at me and said - sorry, I thought I called it. She had it marked off, but I had my ticket where she had circled 4 and she had our name by her #4. Problem solved. We were escorted in, showed the dessert table and asked where we wanted to sit. There were 5 of us. We could have sat in the middle rows, but, I saw a pole in the way. I didn’t want anyone to have to look around it. The 2nd row on the far right was open - 5 chairs - perfect. We chose that spot. As soon as we sat down, a cm came and took our drink orders. I didn’t expect to have drinks brought to us! That was a nice touch. We went up to the desserts and tried everything! They were delicious! Lots of cookies - and things I don’t even know the names of! We tried one of everything by the end.

As we are eating - talking - having a ball, DD is shivering! Yup, her coat wasn’t enough! She was frozen! The cm brought her hot cocoa - cup after cup! LOL! She said - why didn’t you tell me to bring a heavier coat?! I laugh and say, but it’s only 70 degrees!

Right as the show was going to start, the man in front of us turned to his wife and said - honey, is this the most perfect 40th birthday celebration I planned for you or what?! I look at DH and say, why don’t you ever plan something like this for me? He just rolls his eyes! The cm who was doing drinks had returned at least 5 times by now asking if we wanted anything else. Just before the first firework, he brought some waters - nice touch!

Once the show started, we found that our seats were excellent! The chairs on the far right of the seating area are exactly near the center of the Fantasmic stage. It was perfect! We really enjoyed the show. And then a nice surprise happened. We were allowed to stay seated for the fireworks. When the show began, my Dteens leaned over and said - it’s Wishes! And then a little way in, it changed over to celebrate the history of Disneyland - and it was awesome! but decided right there and then that this is one show to see more than once and to see in front of the castle! There were some fireworks/lights that we couldn’t see from the back of the park. The entire show was fantasmic from beginning to end!

But was the Fantasmic Dessert Buffet worth it? To my family, every penny! It was such a perfect beginning to our trip! Even now that it’s over, we wouldn’t change our minds!

Well the show is over, the crowds make their way out - and we head to...can you guess? Haunted Mansion! It was so strange to be going up the front stairs and in the door directly to the lobby. No long, winding line through the graveyard. This is when we thought WDW’s queue was better. Once in our doombuggy, we found the inside to be brighter than WDW. When you go through the graveyard, you can actually see the tombstones and read them. There were some differences, not too many. For this first ride, I couldn’t say which one was better overall. We exit the ride and I say - let’s do it again. My Dfamily; however, wanted food. It was late and they were hungry. What desserts aren’t enough?!

So we begin our trek out of the park, through DD and to GCH. What was special about this walk? Through DD there were at least 3 groups performing music/song/dance. It was wonderful! DD was alive with people having a blast! DH and DS#1 decide to head to the room while the rest of us took a walk around - seeing what we could have for dinner. Nothing struck our fancy so we decided to splurge. We would have room service. We headed back to the room - ordered hamburgers and turkey sandwiches to share. The food was okay - nothing to write home about. The cm was fun. He talked to us and gave us ideas of things to do. After eating about $45 worth of food, that was it. The 3-hour time difference had hit home. We went to bed - smiles all around. Disneyland is nothing like we expected. It was fun. It was like being at a party all day long and even into the night at DD. We fell asleep knowing that this was going to be a blast!

Next Up: I didn’t know those little green men could dance! And the: To go where no man has gone before...experience!