Forever Young: A Disneyland Trip 50 Years in the Making COMPLETED 1/16/16 About This Page:

[rhinohunter]

Caught up again. Some of the long queues remind me of WDW at peak times although PPF seems to always be long lines (at least at WDW you are mostly inside). Glad to see you were brave enough to ride Splash.

[Huntermom]

I am a major ride wimp but have ridden Splash Mtn many times when I have traveled with just my DD who loves it. My secret is to close my eyes as we get to the top of the big drop. The drop is only a second or so, so if I open then once I realize we have begun the drop, we are close to the bottom. I also keep reminding myself that the drop only takes a second or two in a pretty long ride. But you were brave.

[KMB733]

Looks like you got some great pictures of Luke on California Screamin! You made some great purchases, I love the Mickey bag! Can't believe you're nearing the end of your trip, already!

[CinderAbby]

Good job braving Splash Mountain. The WDW version has 3 or 4 smaller drops actually. There is one (I think two though) before you go inside. One is inside that sends you to the laughin' place, the big one, and then another one at the end (this is the one where Lenny lost his glasses but Disney found them and he got them back ).

[Cam22]

Originally Posted by cubfancolleen

You can see how wet Luke already was in the ride picture! I love Splash Mountain, and I think I like the DL version best. Maybe because it was the first I rode?
That purse is so cute!!! And it was so sweet of Luke to point it out to you. You did a great job on the shopping there.

Luke was much more soaked than I was, but in this heat, neither of us minded at all. I'm thinking I'll brave the WDW version again this May so I can compare the two. Even though the drop scared me, I did enjoy the ride.

Luke is always so good and noticing things, especially Disney, that he know I'll like.

Originally Posted by chezp

You can't be getting towards the end of this trip already? Where has the time gone? This is a sign of a good trip report, as I feel as if you've only just arrived. Sorry you didn't get to ride Grizzly River Rapids - but on your next visit... I'm still rooting for December of next year....

Thanks so much! I was looking at photo files and it hit me before I started this day's report updates that it was our last park day, and I even wondered where all the time had gone.

I mentioned December 2017 to Luke and he hasn't said yes, but he also hasn't said no. I think DL at Christmas would be so magical.

Originally Posted by lindawdw

I loved all your purchases! It sounds like the perfect last day in the Parks The WDW version of SM has you sitting side by side versus the one in DL which is in a row which is great if you really need to hold on to someone! I can't believe your TR is coming to an end soon. I hope you're going to start a PTR for the F&G Festival trip!

I didn't end up holding on to him as you saw in the ride photo, but I had a death grip on the bars at the side. I will definitely start the PTR for our May trip when I finish this one. I already have some great stuff to report on it, and some stuff we're still hoping can happen.

[Cam22]

Originally Posted by rhinohunter

Caught up again. Some of the long queues remind me of WDW at peak times although PPF seems to always be long lines (at least at WDW you are mostly inside). Glad to see you were brave enough to ride Splash.

We really noticed a difference in crowd size from the weekdays to the weekends. I'm sure a lot of the locals come out then and add to the tourist who are visiting.

Originally Posted by Huntermom

I am a major ride wimp but have ridden Splash Mtn many times when I have traveled with just my DD who loves it. My secret is to close my eyes as we get to the top of the big drop. The drop is only a second or so, so if I open then once I realize we have begun the drop, we are close to the bottom. I also keep reminding myself that the drop only takes a second or two in a pretty long ride. But you were brave.

I like that advise to keep in mind that the drop only last a few seconds while the rest of the ride isn't scary, but quite enjoyable.

Originally Posted by KMB733

Looks like you got some great pictures of Luke on California Screamin! You made some great purchases, I love the Mickey bag! Can't believe you're nearing the end of your trip, already!

The ride rain actually stops for quite a few seconds before a countdown from 10 starts so I clicked away as fast as I could before he was zooming off where I could no longer see him.

[Cam22]

Originally Posted by CinderAbby

Good job braving Splash Mountain. The WDW version has 3 or 4 smaller drops actually. There is one (I think two though) before you go inside. One is inside that sends you to the laughin' place, the big one, and then another one at the end (this is the one where Lenny lost his glasses but Disney found them and he got them back ).

Neither of us could remember since we hadn't ridden the WDW version in some time. We plan to ride it in May so we can compare the two. We just didn't remember getting that wet before the big drop unless we were hit by the water cannon.

[SuperDave]

SOme more quality times in the parks and you covered quite a bit with some good attractions and some nice purchases! Can't believe this TR is winding down!

[Colexis Mom]

What great purchases! Love the bag! Sorry you didn't get to ride GRR! . Love all the pictures!!

[Cam22]

Originally Posted by SuperDave

SOme more quality times in the parks and you covered quite a bit with some good attractions and some nice purchases! Can't believe this TR is winding down!

We really like the chance to visit each park one more time, getting in a small number of rides and activities that we hadn't managed earlier.

Originally Posted by Colexis Mom

What great purchases! Love the bag! Sorry you didn't get to ride GRR! . Love all the pictures!!

Thankfully, we knew by this point that we'd be back so GRR is just on the future trip list.

[Cam22]

Sunday, October 11 – Dinner at Carthay Circle with Heather


Back in the planning stages, I was nervous because at the 60 day mark nothing past lunch was available for Carthay Circle. So initially, I had set up the latest possible lunch time. Finally around the 40 day mark, I was able to cancel the lunch ADR and set up a dinner ADR for 6:00 PM. Heather and I had been talking on Messenger, and she let me know that she would like to have dinner with us at Carthay Circle. Since she is a foodie, I knew she’d be a great source of information this night, so I had made the reservation for the three of us.



After leaving Disneyland for the last time, we returned to our villa where we changed out of our wet clothes and freshened up. I had brought a casual little black dress for dinner, and momentarily, Luke wondered what he was going to wear until I showed him I had dressier clothes for him, too. I also just packed my wee little Mickey bag for the evening so I only had what I would need. When we were ready, we walked through the resort and out the special entrance to California Adventure. Bag check was very quick here, especially since checking my small bag was so easy.



From Grizzly Peak, we made our way to the front of the park and right up to Carthay Circle. I can’t remember now who arrived first, but soon our little trio was headed inside this signature restaurant. I’ll admit I was a little nervous that I wouldn’t like anything on the menu (even though I’d already studied it numerous times) and that I’d feel out of my league. We’ve done signature restaurants at WDW, so I’m not sure about the source of my apprehension. We were told we’d be taken up shortly. In the meantime we found an empty table and sat down thankfully, as my poor feet were beginning to hurt from our day’s wanderings.





Look closely and you can see Heather in the mirror behind me.


I don’t think we waited more than ten minutes before we were directed to the elevator and taken up to the dining room. Heather and I had used that time to catch up on each other’s trips.



Upstairs we were taken to a very comfortable booth with plenty of room to spread out. First up, we chose drinks. Luke picked the Carthay Club Mojito, which he found quite refreshing. He also had a Coke. I chose the Rosa Regale Sparkling Wine that I discovered a while back at the Top of the World lounge at the Contemporary at WDW. Thank goodness, Heather was with us because as it was poured, I kept wondering where the bubbles were. Heather quickly told our server that it was flat and that I’d rather have a glass from a fresh bottle. That is exactly what I got, too! Perfect wine for my dinner. From the receipt, I believe Heather had two wines over the course of the meal. I can tell one was a Coppola Rose, but the other is listed as Jean Luc SRA, not sure what that is.





I should note here that while we three were chatting away downstairs, Heather had wished Luke a happy birthday, and told him as a “little” present, she was going to be using a Cast Member 50% off discount coupon for our meals. You’ll see later that 50% allowed us to eat whatever we pretty much wanted. , Heather!



On to appetizers. Luke knew immediately what he wanted when he saw the words, Fire Cracker Duck Wings, coated in soy, lime, and Sriracha. Luke loves hot foods, and we always have Sriracha sauce on hand. He loved these. I had an easy time choosing this course, too, because I love pot stickers. These happened to be pork. Heather had Fritto Misto according to the receipt. Unfortunately, the menu has changed since we were there and so I don’t have details for either of our appetizers. Even worse, I totally forgot photos for this course.


I did appreciate the pace at which our food was coming out as we never felt rushed nor did we feel that we had gaps and waits that were unnecessary between courses. Moving on to entrees then. Luke picked the Sustainable Fish of the Day, but neither of us remember which particular fish it was now. It interested him because it was served with Tangerine-Jalapeno Salsa. Again he found his choice perfect.




I was in a mood for pasta and chose the Trofie Pasta with Smoked Chicken. It was served with roasted roots, Idiazabal cheese, and truffle butter. When the large bowl appeared in front of me, I knew there’d be no way I would finish all that. At least, not if I planned on having any dessert, and I did plan on having dessert. I did make a huge dent in this most generous serving though before calling it quits. In a few bites of the dish, one of the herbs or spices was a little overpowering, but it wasn’t often enough to spoil meal. Another very great choice!




Heather chose the Thick-Cut Pork Chop, which had been my second choice. It was served with Winter Squash Coulis, Brussels Sprouts, Pomegranate Gremolata. The Brussel sprouts here had turned me off it, though Heather liked them. She felt her pork chop was not cooked according to her directions, but wasn’t bad enough to return.





Finally, my favorite part of most meals – dessert. Luke said he really didn’t want anything to eat, so he opted for an after dinner drink, the B-52, made with Kalua, Grand Mariner, Irish cream, and coffee. In addition, he was brought a bowl of ice cream for his birthday.




My favorite desserts are almost always chocolate, and according to the receipt I got a chocolate dessert. But specifically what it was is no longer listed on the website as some of the desserts changed for the holidays. Sorry I can’t be more specific, but at least, I do have a photo.
Heather got a caramel turnover, and it appears I do not have a photo of it.




Heather’s discount came to $95, and our share of the bill was $131.49, our most expensive meal of the trip, but also one of the best. We were here for about two hours, and felt comfortably full when we left. Our server Sarah had been attentive and knowledgeable throughout our meal, and made our experience quite enjoyable.



On our way out I took a few photos of the upstairs area, including where we sat. The first photo you can see our now empty booth in the center on the left side. Sarah is standing beside it. The area leading back to the elevator has lots of photos depicting Walt Disney and his achievements.
Back outside while Heather and I chatted a little bit more, Luke was kind enough to get photos of the restaurant for me as well as one of Heather and me.








Back outside:








Then it was time to return to our villa and finish packing and preparing to leave the next day. We returned to the Grand California via the special entrance and as we walked by the Storytellers Café where we would have breakfast the next morning. Luke asked me if I had noticed the wording above the doors, which you will see below. It had reminded us both of Stefanie every time we noticed it as we walked by.





Back in the villa, we finalized the packing, except for what would be necessary to get ready tomorrow. Our pick up time with Disneyland Express was 10:00, so we wanted to mainly done before heading down to breakfast at 8:30. Once the packing was finished, lights were out so we’d be rested for an early start the next day. We’d had a great last day in the parks, so sleep found us very quickly.

NEXT: Almost, Almost, Almost . . . . Got It!

[SuperDave]

Looked like a great meal and glad you got to spend it with Heather! Loved the decor and overall feel of the restaurant!

[DMA]

What a great meal! And how nice of Heather to use her CM discount coupon!

I'm sorry that your trip is coming to an end! Disney days sure go by quickly!

[Cam22]

Originally Posted by SuperDave

Looked like a great meal and glad you got to spend it with Heather! Loved the decor and overall feel of the restaurant!

Dave, I'm positive you'd love Carthay Circle as it matches quite a few of the dining experiences you have commented on.

Originally Posted by DMA

What a great meal! And how nice of Heather to use her CM discount coupon!

I'm sorry that your trip is coming to an end! Disney days sure go by quickly!

Heather really was a sweetheart as we'd have probably shared an appetizer and I'd not have ordered a dessert without the substantial discount.

[dutchdisneyfamily]

A great meal with great company! I have wanted to try that when we get back there.