The Disneyland, San Diego, and Vegas, oh my! Trip Report - COMPLETED!! 2/18/11 About This Page:

[PrincessSharon]

Great to see you back at this, Marnie! I've heard about the crazy crowds at Fantasmic. The one and only time I've ever seen it at DL, I had reserved seating and I'm really glad I did. Sorry Colin got sick, but it seems to have passed quickly, so I guess the pancakes just didn't sit well with him. Loved all your animals pictures. I didn't visit the WAP (or whatever it's called now), but I did go to the zoo. I really enjoyed how close you could get to the animals at the zoo. And thank you for posting all those Legoland pics. It's not a place I'm ever likely to visit, so I really appreciated seeing so many. I feel like I've been there now. I especially loved all the little model cities, but I have to admit if I'd been there in person, I would've had to resist the urge to be all godzilla-y. Or at least fake a picture of me being all godzilla-y. Looking forward to hearing about your last day at DL.

[chezp]

Don't apologise about all the photos - I love seeing them. What a great place!

[disney_duke]

Thank you for posting all the photos! I really had no idea what Legoland is all about. And now I do - it's quite the sight to see! The details are amazing - I love all the little Lego people in the stands for the Nascar race. Too cute!! My kids would love it, just love it. My mind is working out a trip to California for 2012 now.....

[KMB733]

Glad to see you are updating again!! I'm loving all the pictures, especially the one's from LEGOland!!

[cubfancolleen]

Just found this report - not sure how I missed it when you first started.
So Cal can be pretty chilly in the mornings in the summer - I know I was surprised by that when we moved there. But I also grew to love the cool evenings - and miss those here in DC where it can still be 90-something at 10 pm in the summer!
We love Fantasmic at DL so much more than the WDW version - so I was sorry you had such a bad experience. We actually got to go to DL for a sneak preview of it before it opened to the public. I like how much more intimate it is at DL - where you're much closer to the action. I felt the stadium seating at WDW took away from the experience. To each their own, right?

We never went to the WAP when we lived in So Cal, not sure how long it's been around. And loved your Legoland pics as we probably won't ever see that for ourselves.

[OhToodles!]

So glad you're updating! I've added Legoland to the list of things to do when we head out West in several years. I'm hoping my boys will love it (I'm sure they will). It looks awesome!

[HollyH]

Great pictures of Legoland! I have many, many in my Photobook too. I am glad you're finishing this TR, and even more glad to hear you'll be writing a TR for Alaska. Funny, your family and my family seem to choose similiar vacations. We went to San Diego during the summer of 2009, and we'll go to Alaska this summer.

[HollyH]

Originally Posted by cubfancolleen

We never went to the WAP when we lived in So Cal, not sure how long it's been around. And loved your Legoland pics as we probably won't ever see that for ourselves.

I'm not sure how long the WAP has been there, but I can tell you that I visited it during the summer of 1984 when I stayed with my Aunt in Escondido.

[OCEANGRLLG]

Thanks for the updates! The pics at WAP and the Zoo are great! And you were not kidin when you said you had a lot of pics from Lego Land!!! They were really cool, the detail was great! I love a ton of pics in TR's!!!

[lindawdw]

What great pictures of Legoland! I don't think I'd ever visit there but I enjoyed seeing your pictures! Can't wait to hear about your last day in Disneyland!

[coffeechef]

thanks for the updates. Legoland looks like so much fun. My nephews are much older now, but they would have loved that. well they probably still would enjoy all the lego stuff, the rides might be as much fun as when they were younger.
We were in San Diego a few years back. I am glad that we did not eat at the o and we did not eat at Seaworld. To save some $$ with three teen boys we ate outside the Parks. San Diego Zoo is difficult to navigate and climbing some of those hills is a work out. We walked in the wrong direction several times.
And yeah the Fantasmic at DL is not a fun way to see it. We did get decent seating, but let me tell you if you don't keep your self spreadout, people will almost sit on top on you. I made the boys all sit with their legs stretched out,otherwise we found people would sit down righ in that little space between you and the person in front of you. It was a good show but not one I would want to fight the crowd with again. We stayed at the Hojo's , Did you like the Hotel? I thought it was very nice and a quick walk to the park

[Colexis Mom]

Monday, July 26, 2010 – Last day in the Disney bubble and loads of laundry

We were up and at ‘em this morning. Decided to stop for breakfast at Denny’s, which was a couple miles from the hotel, rather than McD’s as I didn’t want a repeat of the drive down to San Diego with Colin. Tummies full, we hit the road for Anaheim. I don’t remember much traffic, or at least any traffic jams. I think we were closing in around 10 AM. We ended up parking in the parking lot (not the parking garage). I don’t know, I just can’t get my bearings around DL, as we were trying for the garage again and ended up in the lot. Oh well. The line for the buses was HUGE, so we decided to walk. And quite the walk it was (probably 20 minutes). We were heading back to California Adventure, since it had just opened again, and were afraid of bigger lines at DL.



I think we must have picked up FPs for California Screamin’ first. Next up was TSMM. I think the ride had been down, as when we were walking by, the queue had just opened, so we hopped into it. Not sure what my score was or who I rode with.



Apparently the carousel was next.





I think this must have been Colin’s first ride on California Screamin’. He finally got up the courage I think after doing the crazy coaster at LEGOland. How lucky for us that we got the green one! At least we were able to all ride together for once.





You can see my hand across on him making sure he didn’t fall out. He didn’t like it too much. Getting him on Rock n Roller Coaster might prove difficult! Lunch must have been next. I believe this place is now gone with the renovations going on. It wasn’t bad, and I think I got a 10% Disney Visa discount!



I think we rode Mulholland Madness again as we were passing by. Then it was over to A Bug’s Land (with a quick stop at the Mendocino Terrace for a glass for Sauvignon Blanc for me)! At least the sun had come out again to warm it up a bit! I’m sure the kids probably rode the Drive ‘em Buggies again. They loved it.







I think we did one last ride on Monsters, Inc. before heading out. Another favorite.











Apparently we stopped back at Redwood Creek for the kids again. I know I went in search of magnets of both DL and California Adventure, which were very difficult to find. But I found them in the end.







We took the bus back to the parking lot, and headed out to Matt’s Aunt’s house in Duarte. Since it was closer to 3:30 by the time we got on the road, we hit a bit of rush hour traffic. I think it was just a bit over an hour to get back. It was a quiet night. I must have done about 5 loads of laundry, if not more. We had a nice, quiet dinner, and then it was lights out.

Coming up next….How hot is too hot, the Dam, and the strip!

[Colexis Mom]

Tuesday July 27th, 2010 – How hot is too hot, the Dam, and the strip!

We packed up our things and Matt’s Aunt drove us to Ontario airport so we could pick up our rental car that we were driving to Vegas. We packed our stuff in, and were on our way for the long drive. I took a few pictures along the way, and watched the outdoor temperature gauge in the car rise from the mid 60s when we started to the mid 100s when all was said and done!















We stopped somewhere in the desert to get gas and some snacks (although we had quite a few from Matt’s Aunt). And then we drove past Vegas and headed toward the Hoover Dam. The traffic was fine, until we got closer to the Dam, and then we crawled the rest of the way there (due to car inspections by security).



We finally made it to the Dam, and into the parking garage. Out of the car, and into the 108 degree heat. Joy. Now by this time we’re tired (been in the car for close to 5 hours), cranky, and hungry. This made for a lovely visit to the Dam! I had bought our tickets online ahead of time, so we picked them up. http://www.usbr.gov/lc/hooverdam/service/index.html We were just doing the standard tour. As we were going thru the x-ray machine, the security guard said Matt couldn’t come in. Apparently he was a Boston Red Sox fan! And Matt was wearing his Yankees hat! Ha ha! I told him what fun it was living in our house with me a Red Sox fan and Matt a Yankees fan! Anyway, we had our requisite picture taken before the tour (sorry didn’t purchase – remember we’re tired and cranky by this point) and got in line for the movie. Saw that, and then headed to the elevators to go down to the Powerplant. Got lots of “Dam” jokes along the way!







Then it was back up to the top of the Dam, to take pictures. Although no one was in the mood for pictures because we were hot, tired, and cranky! Well, everyone except Matt! Which made everyone else even more hot, tired and cranky!



























From there, we stopped to have a bite to eat in the little restaurant they had, and then trekked back to the car and onward to Vegas.







We found Excalibur, and after a bit of going around in circles, we were able to unload our stuff and head inside. The first thing that caught me…….SMOKE. Everywhere. Ugh. Off to check in, while Matt parked the car. We then headed up to our room, which overlooked New York New York. At least we could watch the rollercoaster go by all the time! The room was bare bones, but what do you expect when you get it for $35 a night! There were some problems. The remote control didn’t work. The guy came right away to give us a new one. And the safe was stuck in the “closed” position, even though it wasn’t closed. A different technician had to come and fix that. Matt took the car back to the airport, while I took the kids down to the pool. Why do the pools in Vegas only stay open until 7 PM? It was now almost 6, so the kids could at least swim for an hour, which they did. We headed back upstairs after that and took showers. Matt made the mistake of waiting for the shuttle bus or something, instead of taking a cab back to the resort. It was closer to 9 by the time we headed out for dinner (and I think it was still a balmy 95 degrees). We ended up at the MGM Grand across the street, well, across the block rather, as nothing looked appetizing at Excalibur. Dinner was at Rainforest Café. They initially said the wait was 45 minutes, but we were seated within 10. Not bad. This restaurant is HUGE. We’ve eaten at the one at Disney, plus they have one at our local mall so we don’t venture there too often, but I knew it would have something for everyone. I had the best chicken wrap and fries of my life. Not sure if it was because I was so hungry (and not feeling well……all the smoke was making me feel sick) or what, but it was GOOD! After that, we walked around the MGM for a bit, saw the lions, and where we had to go for KA the next night.





Back to the room and lights out. We were exhausted.

Coming up Next…..How ‘bout some M&M’s? Walking the strip, and KA!

[Colexis Mom]

Wednesday July 28, 2010 – How ‘bout some M&M’s? Walking the Strip, and KA!

I’m not sure what time we were up this morning, or where we had breakfast (Starbucks maybe)? We headed out to the the strip with the intentions of seeing M&M World, which was just beyond MGM Grand. It was already hot. Now, this probably wouldn’t have been too bad had we done Vegas at the beginning of the trip, as in CT we had one of the hottest summers on record with over 35 days at 90 degrees or above. My central air at home had been on constantly for the 3 weeks before we left for vacation. However, since it was so unusually cool in southern California (mid 60s for most of our trip), this 40 degree temperature swing was not going over well. Plus, we had now been touring for almost 2 weeks, so we were just plain worn out. Sorry, back to M&M World.













































After M&M World, we walked down the strip a bit more, but the heat was getting to the kids. We decided to cross over the strip, and head for Aria and the new City Center area. We went inside to find an upscale mall (and thankfully air conditioning). And came across this store!










This was made out of cacti. Very cool!







We rode the tram that went thru City Center, and came across this pool at the Monte Carlo next door (I think it was the Monte Carlo). The kids were quite upset we weren’t staying there, since it had a lazy river and a wave pool. Lesson learned!



We came upon Jean Philippe’s Chocolate store. AMAZING!!






These are chocolate flowers and they are HUGE!




Lunch was at the Buffet at Aria. Quite a selection, but there was no discount for the kids! Expensive lunch. We also had an earlier snack (drink and cookie) at Wolfgang Puck Café. And we went to see Elvis! It wouldn’t be Vegas without Elvis.



After lunch, we headed back to the hotel for some pool time and nap time (for Matt). Tonight was KA (Cirque du Soleil) at MGM Grand across the block. Sorry, no more pictures at this point for today. I had gotten the tickets online. They were running a special summer promotion where you could get tickets on the cheap. I think it was $230 for the 4 of us, but they were category 1 seats (the best). In researching all the shows in Vegas, to me it seemed KA was the most kid friendly, and since it had martial arts, it seemed similar to Avatar (the cartoon, not the James Cameron movie) that the kids watch on Nick. The show was phenomenal. The kids absolutely loved it, and our seats were great (first section on the right at the back of the section). I’d highly recommend this show to anyone (kid or not). After the show, we were hungry, and I think just got fast food back at Excalibur and brought it up to our room to eat Then it was lights out.

Coming up next…….How much farther? A great meal, and a last day on the strip!

[chezp]

Wonderful updates Marnie! I cannot believe how hot it got!