COMPLETED! Kylor & Jalen's SURPRISE Disneyland vacation
About This Page:

**DopeyGirl** · 05-08-2005, 12:57 AM

TINA!!! Great update!!! And now that I know I will be at DL in just SIX weeks

I am even MORE excited to read all about it!!!

**chezp** · 05-08-2005, 03:09 AM

[ QUOTE ]
TINA!!! Great update!!! And now that I know I will be at DL in just SIX weeks

I am even MORE excited to read all about it!!!

[/ QUOTE ]

What great news Sarah - I hope you'll be doing a trip report as well. I need to find out as much as I can before our trip next Spring!

loobyoxlip · 05-08-2005, 11:04 AM

Wed. April 27th

We woke up about 7 am (OK the boys woke up and then woke me up

) I quick showered and we all dressed and were out the door at 7:55, on our way to the Lilo & Stitch breakfast at the Paradise Pier hotel. We decided to wait for the 8:00 bus. Well we sat down at the bus stop...and we waited, and we waited. Finally Kylor says "Why can't we just walk. It's good exercise"

OK, that got me. We started walking. We got to the bus stop area at the front of DLR and there was still no D bus, so I was glad we didn't wait!! Geez. It was the first bus of the day and already running late

Anyway, we went through bag check, walked through the area between DL and DCA and went out the bag check area to get to Downtown Disney (so a pointless bag check for us - oh well) We walked down all of DD and back towards the Disneyland Hotel where we took a left. We finally found our way into the Paradise Pier hotel and followed the signs to the restaurant. We checked in and were told a 10-15 minute wait, maybe less. She gave us our buzzer, we sat on a bench and less than a minute later our buzzer goes off telling us 'Your table is ready' Hehe. We met the host and he gave the boys each a lei. Jalen put his on; Kylor didn't

Too old, I guess

We were seated in the back right by a window. The sun was pretty bright and the host came over offering to close the blinds. I wasn't sure b/c even though it's bright, heh, it's SUN - which I knew wouldn't be shining when we got home. But he just looked so eager to close the blinds that I let him. He tells us as he's closing them that they were just installed last night and this is the first time he's gotten a chance to use them. Well, glad I could make his day

He was very excited about the new blinds

Our waiter came over and got us all o.j. and water and a coffee for me. He was VERY attentive and a wonderful server who came to our table throughout our meal probably 6-7 times. He got a great trip, that's for sure

We were told to go help ourselves to the buffet whenever we wanted, so I sent the boys first while I enjoyed my coffee. A few minutes later Jalen came back pouting; apprantly the buffet is a little high and he can't reach anything. So I go back up with him and pass Kylor going back to the table with a plate of bacon and 1 other thing (I can't remember what, but it wasn't much) Jalen had me get him a few baby muffins, some sausage, and Mickey Mouse pancakes. I myself got 2 Mickey head waffles with strawberries and whipped cream (um, yummmmmm

) , bacon, pineapple, strawberries, some pastries, tater tots, and 2 Mickey head chicken nuggets (2 trips total) It was good food. Kylor went up for some cereal and one point and the milk was empty at the buffet. He came back and said 'The milk was gone so he said he would get some for me' I assumed he meant a buffet person was going to fill the dispenser so I sent him back up there to get his milk. While he's gone, our waiter comes over with a kids cup full of milk, saying it's for my other son. Whoops. Kylor came back and I apologized - I was wrong. I didn't think our waiter would be helping him out at the buffet, too, but I guess so. That's service. Also while Kylor was up getting some MORE food, Minnie came by:

My coffee was never cold, our juice and water was always filled. We had a great meal, and a lot of that had to do with our waiter. I was a happy girl

After we were done, we waited a little bit while Lilo and then Stitch did the rounds. Stitch was on his best behavior today. Usually we meet a Stitch who is just crazy (last year he covered Kylor's face during the photo) I even told Stitch thank you for being a good boy today

We got our bill and I had a coupon for 10% off, so he took that off our bill, I paid and we were on our way out. One last photo:

This is in the Paradise Pier lobby. This lobby is small and not themed at all. I was pretty disappointed in this hotel. Oh, well.

We were going to take the monorail from DD to DL but they were on a 45-minute delay

Um, OK. So we again walked all the way down DD to the gates of DL and waited in line to get in. Probably about a 10-minute wait and we were in. There's a big wall in front of the area where you would normally have all the pretty flowers when you first walk in. We saw some people peeking through the cracks in between the walls and I asked them if they could see anything. They said you could see part of the "50" shaped flowers and the Mickey topiary. So I took a little peek. How cool

We headed to Tomorrowland and there was like a 10 minute posted wait for Buzz Lightyear's Astro Blasters.

This is a new ride to us since we were here last April. So we took the roped off queue and watched as several people jumped the ropes to get in front of us

Whatever. The line still moved quickly and pretty soon we were on!!

This is SOOOO fun. I went with Jalen and Kylor was behind us by himself. I didn't get many points b/c I was taking all these cool photos of the boys. I asked the people behind Kylor if they minded me taking flash photos and they were like 'um, no' - like confused that I would even ask. Just trying to be respectful, that's all.

After we were done we browsed in the little shop for a bit and then walked past the entrance and there was NO line. So we hopped back on again. This time since there was no one behind me, we stopped and I got a picture of the big Buzz that greets you before you get on the ride. He has these cool holographic like eyes. They were kinda spooky. Looked like he was looking right at me.

This time the ride stopped right before we got on so they could put a wheelchair passenger on (he was about 10 cars ahead of us) I knew this meant we would get stuck inside the ride while they took him off, so I was planning on racking up the points.

I shot at this same target the entire time we were stuck and went from 40,000 to about 100,000. Haha, it was fun.

Up next: A long wait for Splash and some cool murals

**DrDolphin** · 05-08-2005, 11:31 AM

OH!! I

the laser guns on the DL version!!! I hope they rehab DW buzz and put those in -- wow -- how cool!!!

**chezp** · 05-08-2005, 11:32 AM

That breakfast sounds like a lot of fun Tina - that's definitely going on my "must do" list for our trip.

**CRCrazy** · 05-08-2005, 12:34 PM

I love the Buzz pictures of the boys - Kylor looks SOOO serious, and I love Jalen shooting in one direction - while looking the other way!!!

**DopeyGirl** · 05-08-2005, 12:36 PM

That picture of Jalen with Minnie is just TOO cute!!! with the lighting it almost looks like it's professional (with retouch and all!)

Sounds like you had a great breakfast and Buzz sounded like it was FUN!!! I

the WDW version, but maybe I will be able to aim better with the DL laser guns!!!

PrincessSharon · 05-08-2005, 02:35 PM

It sounds like y'all are having the best time! And your boys are too cute with those huge smiles!

Hurry back with more, please!

lauren-roxy · 05-08-2005, 03:36 PM

Great update Tina!! Breakfast sounded wonderful!! Can't wait to read more, your pictures of the boys are just awesome!!!!

snoozy · 05-08-2005, 03:49 PM

I really want to go on Buzz, it sounds like alot of fun. Your trip sounds like it is wonderful and even more special because it was a surprise for the boys.

I am so happy you ate at the PCH Grill at the PPH. I think its one of the best places to eat at the DLR and the service is always top notch. The entire PCH Grill staff goes out of their way to serve you well, we have never had a bad experience at this restaruant or, at this hotel in general.

We have always got the best of service when we stayed at the PPH. The housekeeping staff are some of the best I have ever encounteded anywhere. The hotel is more for couples and families with teenage kids, its very laid back atmosphere. As for the lack of theming you mentioned I have to disagree. Most of the hotel is a beach Disney theme, the lobby is a lobby but the rest is very much Disney. This is one of our favorite hotels and after the bad experience we had at the DLH, it will be the PPH for us always when we stay on property.

loobyoxlip · 05-08-2005, 06:57 PM

[ QUOTE ]
As for the lack of theming you mentioned I have to disagree. Most of the hotel is a beach Disney theme, the lobby is a lobby but the rest is very much Disney.

[/ QUOTE ]

Really? Cool - that's good to know. The lobby just seemed kind of 'cold' to me. Being it's the least expensive on site resort, we might stay here one day.

Tara O'Hara · 05-08-2005, 07:22 PM

Tina what an awesome breakfast you guys had and great Buzz pictures!

It sounds like you guys are having a blast! Get it?!?!?

snoozy · 05-08-2005, 08:20 PM

[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
As for the lack of theming you mentioned I have to disagree. Most of the hotel is a beach Disney theme, the lobby is a lobby but the rest is very much Disney.

[/ QUOTE ]

Really? Cool - that's good to know. The lobby just seemed kind of 'cold' to me. Being it's the least expensive on site resort, we might stay here one day.

[/ QUOTE ]

Tina, if you do decide to stay there make sure you request a room with a park view, it is awesome, especially at night. Plus you can watch the Electrical Parade from your room, very cool.

Tink and co. · 05-08-2005, 09:52 PM

It sounds like a great day so far! We're definately going there on our November trip!

Fantasmic! kid · 05-08-2005, 10:45 PM

[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
As for the lack of theming you mentioned I have to disagree. Most of the hotel is a beach Disney theme, the lobby is a lobby but the rest is very much Disney.

[/ QUOTE ]

Really? Cool - that's good to know. The lobby just seemed kind of 'cold' to me. Being it's the least expensive on site resort, we might stay here one day.

[/ QUOTE ]

Tina, if you do decide to stay there make sure you request a room with a park view, it is awesome, especially at night. Plus you can watch the Electrical Parade from your room, very cool.

[/ QUOTE ]

And now Block Party Bash too!

And then of course there was the good ol' days when we could watch LuminAria from it as well......