Inaugural Stay at the Disneyland Hotel (3 nights)- Sept 2009 About This Page:

[sbJasmine]

Travelers:
Me –SBJasmine 37
DD- 4
DH-46 (for only the last day :-(

Due to a free admission for DD being applied to an annual pass purchase, my daughter and I became annual pass holders this year for the first time. This has fully unleashed my true nature as a Disneyophile! Well, really that started last year during our first ever trip to WDW (but that would be another trip report.)
It is the night before we leave and I have tons to pack still but was inspired to do a trip report. I get so much out of reading the posts on the boards that I’m attempting to contribute. DD LOVES the Peter Pan story and associated items. In fact, her good friend Peter {imaginary} often lives at our house. He alternates between being called her big brother Peter or little brother. And yes, he is often blamed for various misdeeds like spilling milk. We had her birthday dinner at Goofy’s Kitchen and after laying eyes on the Neverland Pool, I kept hearing about how she wanted to stay at the Disneyland Hotel. I told her she would have to save a lot of pennies in her piggy bank for that.
Then several months ago I saw a great rate for annual passholders at the Disneyland Hotel and decided enough pennies had been saved ;-) I didn’t realize this was during the D23 expo so we’ll see how crowded things turn out to be.
We will head down Wednesday and stay until Saturday. I have made PS for Goofy’s Kitchen our first night, Ariel’s Grotto (another first) for Thursday and Carnation Café (lunch) and Café Orleans (dinner) for Friday. We really got spoiled on the Deluxe Dining plan last year at WDW so I wanted to be able to do some character meals and other sit down meals this trip.
My plan for tomorrow is to arrive in the early afternoon, if the traffic cooperates. Drop our bags at the hotel and take the Monorail over to Disneyland (another first!) I remember staying at the DL hotel back in probably 1977 when a friend had her birthday party as a trip to DL. About 5 of her friends were invited and we stayed for a few days. I LOVED being able to take the monorail to the park. It made a very lasting impression.
I think we will either explore around the Rivers of America, Pooh corner, Adventure Land areas or go over to California Adventure and try to finally go on Monsters Inc. In other attempts, the line has been 45 minutes or longer and that seemed too much for that ride. I definitely want to watch the evening parade before we head back to the hotel for dinner at Goofy’s Kitchen. Another option would be to stick around the hotel and go in the Neverland Pool before dinner….. Maybe I’ll let DD decide ;-)
Ok here is the start and I might actually try to update this while we are down there.
Can’t wait to start another Magical Trip.

[Colexis Mom]

Have a great trip!

[chezp]

Great start. I hope you have a wonderful time.

[bsblady01]

more please

[sbJasmine]

We started off magically with a very smooth drive and next to no traffic on our way. I loved being able to pull up in front of the Disneyland hotel and say "we are checking in!" Things got even better when the CM doing our registration was able to keep us in the same room for the 3 nights. I was going to have to switch the last night.

He mentioned at the beginning that sometimes someone special visits the lobby. At the end of checking in, I asked what time this 'special someone' might be around and he said "oh you mean that big guy behind you?" I turned around to see Goofy! He played around with the kids and then after we came back from parking the car he was just hanging out in the lobby areas. DD got to have a lengthy one on one interaction with him because no one else was around at that point. At that point, I knew the trip was going to be even more extra special!

Cast memeber and Goofy enjoying DD's little pet shop friends:

[chezp]

What a great welcome to the Disneyland Hotel!

[sbJasmine]

After checking into our room in the Dreams Tower we were off to the DL! I thought the location of Dreams was perfect-- on the side closer to Downtown Disney and without all the traffic of having registration and gift shop in the lobby like the Magic Tower. We took the Monorail over to DL which was such a treat. It is a very short walk from the DL hotel and someone a thrill to get to 'ride' into the park that way.
Because it was the last day Haunted Mansion would be open before the holiday install., I thought we might give it a try. I was not sure if it would be too scary for DD. We got through the very short line and into the first room, before the elevator room. I could tell from the expression on DD’s face that it was going to be a little too much for her so we took the exit. I didn’t want to start the trip with her spooked or more importantly deal with any nightmares. She gamely said, “We can do it when I’m 5 or 6.” So we headed over to Pooh’s ride instead (where frankly I find the Hefflalump parts a bit “scary” ;-) We wandered back to explore Tarzan’s Treehouse and leisurely walk around. This is the first trip where I have relaxed and just wanted to experience things rather than feel I had to rush to certain rides etc. (well we do a little of that here and there later in the trip.)
We meandered back through Downtown Disney, stopping to enjoy the live music they have at various spots. One of the many things I’m learning from my daughter is how to slow down and enjoy things I might not have before. Like all the fountains and actually stopping to listen to the music. The D23 Expo was starting the next day and there was a big Haunted Mansion event this night. We saw many people dressed up in Haunted Mansion attire and wearing a special badge as we walked through Downtown Disney.
Now it was time for Goofy’s Kitchen! We had a very short wait and were both (well probably me more than DD) super excited to hear that Pocahontas was in attendance that night at Goofy’s. We have never met her. Goofy stopped by while we were at the buffet but signed his name for us. We saw him later. We had to wait over an hour and a half maybe closet to two hours before Pocahontas made it to our table. I think we just missed her as we sat down. But I was determined! We did see the other characters while we waited and DD got to do the Goofy ‘making a cake’ little dance they put on. We saw: Pluto (at check-in,) Goofy, Chip, Dale, Sleeping Beauty, Minnie and then the lovely Pocahontas. DD drew Grandmother Willow next to Goofy’s drawing and showed it to Pocahontas. I must say I was actually quite impressed with the drawing (and not just because I’m her mama :-)
After this, we quickly changed and went into the Neverland Pool! As we floated around, DD said "It feels like our dreams have come true!"
Goofy's Drawing
Dale


The long awaited and lovely Pocohontas:

[shnewell]

Sounds like a magical trip so far!

[sbJasmine]

Thursday 9-10
We got up early so we could be at the gate at park opening. When we got to the lobby, I was happily greeted by some coffee. How nice to be able to sip that while walking through Downtown Disney. We got breakfast at La Brea Bakery. I wasn't hugely impressed but it was quick and DD had a nutritious breakfast at least.

It was a Magic Morning day and I wanted to make the most of the shorter ride lines. While waiting in the entrance plaza, it seemed like the queue was even longer than other times I’ve been waiting for park opening but this time it was at 9am instead of 8am like during the summer.

Once we were in, we headed straight for Peter Pan. Peter’s ride is a particular favorite for DD as Peter often ‘visits’ our house. It also happens to be one of the rides with the longest queues at DL. We were one of the first groups on it and when we got off, the line was already getting long. So I was thankful for the Magic Morning magic....

After this we went on many of the other Fantasyland rides: Dumbo, Mr. Toad, Alice, Tea Cups, Snow White, Pinocchio, Sleeping Beauty’s Castle Walk Through (a new favorite for DD) and Small World (her other fav.) I chuckle in the beggining of Pinocchio and think they must have showcased the “actors’ life for me” song on purpose with Hollywood so near by...

One note on the Castle Walk Through, I held DD up right in front of one of the Goon windows not knowing that something pops up suddenly while you are looking through. She seemed fine with this but it was startling. Just an FYI if you have little kids.

This photo is actually from the next day but I thought it fit the Peter Pan theme. When we got off of Pinocchio who should be hanging out near the exit but Peter himself. I thought DD would be beside herself. She was actually quite shy (I think she has a little crush on Peter.) Luckily he was hanging out for quite a while and she worked up her courage to go up and say hi.
After our fill of Fantasyland, we headed over to Calif. Adventure (I'll include that in the next post.)

[chezp]

Sounds like a great time so far - I love Goofy's drawing, very talented!

[Nicole626Stitch]

Can't wait to hear about the rest of your trip! Especially the Carnation Cafe, our favorite DL eatery!

[dsnytina]

Can't wait to read more!

[sbJasmine]

I haven't had a chance to write more for a while so here is another photo in the meantime. DD is enjoying looking at one of her most favorite rides as the clock strikes. This was the number one fav for her until going on Pirates this trip.... more on that later but suffice to say we are now listening to 'Yo Ho Yo Ho a pirates life for me' on repeat in the car. We bought the Pirate Party CD at the shop in New Orleans square after the ride.

[chezp]

Great photo!

[Colexis Mom]

Just getting caught up! Glad you're having a great time!