My magical Disneyland Vacation - Trip report - Day9 updated Jan 17 /07
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crazydisney · 01-07-2007, 01:42 PM

Day 3 – December 29, 2006

Today we packed up all of our belongings and loaded the car because we are off to Anaheim, but first we are going to stop at the USS Midway. The USS Midway is a retired Navel Aircraft Carrier that has been turned into a museum. It houses many retired aircraft that you are able to get right up close to. When we arrived at the museum we were given a head set to listen to on our self guided tour. We toured the ship and listened as we went along to many interesting stories and information on how the aircraft was run. We were able to see were the men slept and ate as well as learn what conditions the sailors endured during their service. We observed many military people touring the ship as well as families of military personnel. This museum obviously is an important part of American history.

DH, Grandpa, DS and DD went on a flight simulator ride and it was pretty wild. The flight simulated at flight during operation dessert storm. After that we went up to the flight deck to see all of the air craft that have been restored. One of the aircraft we saw was featured in the Top Gun movie. The other aircrafts varied from helicopter gun ships to bombers. The tour took us about three hours. One thing we missed was the island (the island is the command center or the tower). We also noticed that the USS Ranger and the USS Regan were also in port. This attraction was one of DH favourites, he would have like to spend more time there but we were anxious to get on the freeway before rush hour traffic started. First off though we needed some lunch so we headed over to Point Loma Seafood’s.

Point Loma Seafood’s was very busy when we arrived. People were lined up out the door but we had heard this was the place to eat so DH and the kids went to look for a table while we waited in line. It was crazy, people were everywhere. Locals ahead of us said the wait would be worth it and it was. The four adults ordered the Fish and chips and Mom and Dad also ordered a clam chowder soup. The kids had chicken fingers and fries. Beer was $2.50 and Grandpa and DH had one and Grandma had a glass of wine. Everything was very good and we were glad we had waited it was neat to eat right on the waterfront. After lunch we took a walk along the pier and we saw a pelican sitting on one of the large ships.

crazydisney · 01-07-2007, 01:43 PM

Day 3 – Continued

We again really appreciated the navigation system that helped to lead us to Anaheim it really took the guess work and stress out of the trip – thanks again Lola. Traffic was light for part of the trip, but it became quite heavy about half way there. It took us about 2 hours to reach Anaheim.

We were able to catch a glimpse of Disneyland as we drove by; we were all so excited. We are all can’t wait for tomorrow and our first day at Disneyland.

The Candy Cane Inn is beautiful, the grounds are lush and green, plants and flowers are everywhere. Everything is very well manicured and stunning. We checked in and got our keys. We were on the second floor facing Disneyland. Our room is adjoining with Grandma and Grandpa, and we have a nice table and four chairs on the balcony right outside our room. Our room is spacious and clean; we are very happy with the Candy Cane in. We unpack and get settled and it is time to eat supper. We have decided to go to Downtown Disney to explore and eat supper. We took the shuttle, which runs every 30 minutes to Downtown Disney. The shuttle is great and the driver is friendly.

We were all very overwhelmed as we entered the resort. Disneyland sure knows how to do things right. The whole resort is decorated and music is playing as we entered the park. There are so many sights and sounds we don’t really know where to begin. We walked around taking it all in, we are truly in awe. We decided to eat at Tortilla Joes. This was a really neat restaurant and we all enjoyed our meal. We ate outside on the patio – kind of neat for us Canadians in December, as Jazz music was playing in the square. A children’s balloon maker made hats for the kids as we waited for our meal.

We went back to the hotel and got ready for bed. Tomorrow is our first day at Disneyland!

**Colexis Mom** · 01-07-2007, 02:23 PM

Another great day! Glad you enjoyed the USS Midway, and Totilla Joe's [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/laugh.gif[/img]

More please [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/laugh.gif[/img]

**DrDolphin** · 01-07-2007, 02:52 PM

Glad to hear Tortilla Joe's is good - since we will be eating there at the end of next month!

**chezp** · 01-07-2007, 02:54 PM

Sounds like another great day - I'm glad you enjoyed the USS Midway, it exceeded my expectations when we visited in April. [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/smile.gif[/img]

loobyoxlip · 01-07-2007, 03:29 PM

Awesome! We love the Candy Cane Inn, too. By far our favorite Good Neighbor Hotel. Glad you enjoyed Tortilla Jo's. We'll be dining there next month. More, please.

crazydisney · 01-08-2007, 10:12 PM

Day 4 – December 30, 2006

Today is the day we get to go to Disneyland! We arrived at the gates at 6:30 am because today is an early entry day and we get to go into Disneyland 1 hour early as part of our 4 day hopper passes. The gates opened at 7:00am and we headed straight to Fantasyland.

We rode the following rides on our first day.

• Peter Pans Flight
• Dumbo the Flying Elephant
• The Matterhorn Bobsleds
• Astro Orbiters
• Pirate’s of the Caribbean
• Winnie the Pooh
• Splash Mountain
• Haunted Mansion
• Star tours
• Buzz Light Year
• Indiana Jones
• Jungle Cruise

For lunch we ate at the Blue Bayou. What an experience that was. The restaurant is located off the Pirates of the Caribbean ride and you feel as if you are in New Orleans right in the bayou. The ambiance is amazing, we all enjoyed our meal. DH and Grandma had the famed Monte Cristo sandwich and it was divine it came with a blackberry BBQ dipping sauce;Grandpa had the Jambalaya which he said was delicious but spicy. I had the prime rib – wow is all I can say. DS had the kid’s mac and cheese and he said it was the best he had ever had. DD had the kid’s citrus chicken with pasta and marinara sauce, and she ate every last bite. I also tried the mint julep and it was very refreshing. We all were able to keep our menu as a souvenir.

In the evening we saw the Christmas Fantasy Parade which was one of the best parades we have ever seen. We then had supper at the Redd Rocket’s Pizza Port where they sell pizza by the slice. Following our supper we went to the Honey I Shrunk the Audience show which was a lot of fun. After that show we saw the Believe...In holiday magic Fireworks spectacular. Never have we witness such a lengthy fireworks display and at the end there is even snow that falls from the sky (really it is bubbles that look like snow). It was the perfect ending to the perfect day.

We went back to the hotel very tired and we all went straight to bed. What a day

It is not hard to believe in the magic…

bsblady01 · 01-09-2007, 12:11 AM

more please.

**chezp** · 01-09-2007, 01:50 AM

What a wonderful day and what a great meal at the Blue Bayou - when we go back to Disneyland, we're going to have to try that place (it was closed on our April trip [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/pout.gif[/img] ) More please! [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/waytogo.gif[/img]

**Colexis Mom** · 01-09-2007, 09:04 AM

What a great day you had!!

lauren-roxy · 01-10-2007, 02:45 PM

Great report so far and I am all caught up!! I agree with you about the Navagational system, we have one in our van and will never buy another vehicle without it!! Sounds like everyone is having such an awesome time!! Can't wait for more!!!

**DrDolphin** · 01-10-2007, 11:06 PM

Wow what a busy day you had!!! Great update!

crazydisney · 01-11-2007, 09:03 AM

Day 5 – December 31, 2006

Today we have decided to rest and take a much needed break from the theme parks. It is also the day we get to go to a character breakfast. The kids, DH and I are off to Goofy’s kitchen. We arrived at 9:40 for our reservation and hardly waited at all to be seated. Goofy’s kitchen is a breakfast buffet filled with many choices such as bacon, scrambled eggs, sausage, eggs benedict, hash browns, omelettes, tamales, PB and J pizza, hot dogs, Mickey shaped pancakes and waffles, French toast, cinnamon buns, croissants, pastries, fruit, salads and many desserts plus coffee, tea, milk, and juice. As you enjoy your meal Disney characters come buy your table to sign autographs and take pictures. We saw Goofy, Pluto, Belle, Alice, Baloo, Chip, and Dale. It was another great moment on our trip.

After breakfast we headed to downtown Disney for some souvenir shopping. We all found some great things to help us remember our trip. We spent about three hours going through all of the shops and looking at all the interesting things they had to offer. We headed back to the hotel and went to the pool for a swim.

By the time we got back to the hotel Grandma and Grandpa were back from their shopping trip, to the block at Orange, and we showed each other what we had purchased. Grandma and Grandpa had had a late lunch so we went for dinner at Mimi’s on our own. Everything there was great. I had a roast beef dinner; DH had a BLT sandwich with French onion soup. DS had kids Spaghetti and a baked potato and DD had mini corn dogs with a baked potato.

Back at the hotel DH took the kids for a swim and then we celebrated New Years a little early with champagne for the grown-ups and sprite for the kids. Grandma had picked up some sausage, cheese and crackers, along with shrimp and cocktail sauce. It was a very nice way to ring in the New Year even if it was only 10:00. Off to bed we all went because we had to be up early to get to California Adventure.