Forever Young: A Disneyland Trip 50 Years in the Making COMPLETED 1/16/16 - Page 7 - PassPorter - A Community of Walt Disney World, Disneyland, Disney Cruise Line, and General Travel Forums
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There are other changes as well.
Why? Well, the world has changed. And change with it, we must. The lyrics to "We Go On" for IllumiNations say it best:
We go on to the joy and through the tears
We go on to discover new frontiers
Moving on with the current of the years.
We go on
Moving forward now as one
Moving on with a spirit born to run
Ever on with each rising sun.
To a new day, we go on.
It's time to move on and move forward.
PassPorter is a small business, and for many years it supported our family. But the world changed, print books took a backseat to the Internet, and for a long time now it has been unable to make ends meet. We've had to find new ways to support our family, which means new careers and less and less time available to devote to our first baby, PassPorter.
But eventually, we must move on and move forward. It is the right thing to do.
So we are retiring this newsletter, as we simply cannot keep up with it. Many thanks to Mouse Fan Travel who supported it all these years, to All Ears and MousePlanet who helped us with news, to our many article contributors, and -- most importantly -- to Sara Varney who edited our newsletter so wonderfully for years and years.
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If you miss us, you can still find some of us online. Sara started a new blog at DisneyParkPrincess.com -- I strongly urge you to visit and get on her mailing list. She IS the Disney park princess and knows Disney backward and forward. And I am blogging as well at JenniferMaker.com, which is a little craft blog I started a couple of years ago to make ends meet. You can see and hear me in my craft show at https://www.youtube.com/c/jennifermaker . Many PassPorter readers and fans are on Facebook, in groups they formed like the PassPorter Trip Reports and PassPorter Crafting Challenge (if you join, just let them know you read about it in the newsletter). And some of our most devoted community members started a forum of their own at Pixie Dust Lane and all are invited over.
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My husband and I feel the same way about DVC - one of our very best decisions! I love your room! I was not able to get GC for our upcoming trip there. We are headed out for the races and apparently so are many other DVC members because it was completely booked. Next time...
Rethinking transportation now from SNA. The last time we took a cab to the airport as it is so close to DL. This time I think I will look into the Disneyland Express, esp. if DL Hotel is the first stop as that is where we are staying.
Your room was gorgeous! Can't wait to read more of your adventures.
Our first dining adventure is coming right up.
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Originally Posted by pamcarey
Your room looks fabulous!
It was such a warm inviting place to return home to each night.
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Originally Posted by Amy L
My husband and I feel the same way about DVC - one of our very best decisions! I love your room! I was not able to get GC for our upcoming trip there. We are headed out for the races and apparently so are many other DVC members because it was completely booked. Next time...
Rethinking transportation now from SNA. The last time we took a cab to the airport as it is so close to DL. This time I think I will look into the Disneyland Express, esp. if DL Hotel is the first stop as that is where we are staying.
With GC being the only DVC option at DLR it does fill up quickly. Luke tried for four days before being able to get us a room for our entire stay. It also as fewer villas available than most Disney World DVC resorts.
Disneyland Express does all the paperwork at DLH, so it is the first stop coming in, but the last stop going out.
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Tuesday, October 6 – Shopping, Dining, Shopping, Exploring (and I’m already loving this place)
At first we were just walking and taking in all the shopping options in the Downtown Disney District. We have over an hour until our dinner ADR. Once we reached the World of Disney, we went inside. At this point, I could tell I was on sensory overload. I flitted from one display to another with Luke catching my attention every now and then for something he knew I would like. While I was flitting, he got directions to Tortilla Jo’s. Good thing, too, as we were walking in the opposite direction. We pretty much covered the entire store, noting items we wanted to come back for later.
Back outside we retraced our steps, still noting the various shops. It was still about 20 minutes until our ADR time, but we were thirsty and hungry, so we decided to check in early. I took a few photos as a table was being prepared.
Light Fixture
I even stepped outside to get the sign.
I went to take a vertical shot and just as I clicked the camera, some guy opened the door. Then I realized that guy was calling my name. Luke wanted me to know our table was ready.
In just a moment, we were seated at a booth near the front. Our drink order was taken by a young female server. I got a diet Coke, but Luke selected a Spicy Mamacita Margarita. I had one sip and it did have a kick. He loved it.
No photo of the diet Coke as I'm sure you all know what those look like.
For my entrée, I knew I didn’t want anything heavy, so I opted for TJ’s Caesar salad with Grilled Chicken. I really enjoyed the chipotle Caesar dressing, which had just the right amount of heat to it, at least for me. There was a nice bit of crunchiness with tortilla strips and pepitas (pumpkin seeds), and the rich cotja cheese scrumptious. Luke chose Jo’s Carnitas, citrus braised pork with refried beans, Mexican rice and corn tortillas. Soon after we ordered our entrees, chips and salsa arrived. We love how salsas are never the same from restaurant to restaurant. Tortilla Jo’s was a medium spicy hot and quite delicious.
At some point after our entrees arrived our server changed to a middle aged man named Jose. We would discover during the week that this happens regularly as California law requires breaks for wait staff. Jose and the young woman were both very good at refilling our drinks and chips and salsa. Guess what, I even took photos plus a sweet lady who was exiting with her family saw me photographing our dishes and asked if we’d like a photo together.
She actually took three photos because she wanted to be sure my eyes were opened. Lately, I've gotten bad about shutting them.
My Caesar salad
Luke's Carnitas
Every dish was well prepared. I could not finish mine though as it was a huge serving. I did get a take-out box, thinking I might have it for lunch one day. I’ll just let you know that that never happened. Our server brought Luke a birthday ice cream complete with a candle and several servers sung to him. Cool ending to a wonderful meal. Since we love Mexican food, we would definitely return here on a future trip.
After dinner we strolled all of this end of DTD, even exploring the lobby of the Disneyland Hotel.
Cheryl, I saw these macaroons and immediately thought of you. They look so perfect for fall.
As we walked back, we selected several shops, starting with the Lego Store and then Disney Vault 28, D-Street, Sanuk, and Wonder Ground (an art gallery) that all went on our list to check out at some point.
While it was still light, I wanted a photo of the Beauty and Beast Lego display.
Exiting DTD, we entered the Disneyland Hotel property. I loved this 60th Anniversary display right as you entered the property.
Isn't this the coolest pool slide?
I almost felt I'd return to Epcot for the Flower & Garden Festival.
Disneyland Hotel lobby and its 60th Anniversary display
We spent a bit of time taking in all the photos in another area of the lobby before checking out the gift shop for good measure.
NEXT: My first glimpse of Disneyland and Disney’s California Adventure
Your dinner looked yummy! And how nice of the passer-by to offer to take your picture!
It's very cool that everything at DL is so close together. We have never been there so it's hard to picture how compact it is. But just the fact that everything is within walking distance is amazing.
Your dinner looked yummy! And how nice of the passer-by to offer to take your picture!
It's very cool that everything at DL is so close together. We have never been there so it's hard to picture how compact it is. But just the fact that everything is within walking distance is amazing.
She really was a sweetheart as we have very few photos of us together unless it is PhotoPass. I thought I had an idea, but it's compactness was a marvel to me once I saw it with my own eyes.
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Originally Posted by cubfancolleen
Dinner looked delicious! I like spicy margaritas, so would have liked Luke's selection.
Luke had a spicy margarita at La Hacienda at Epcot and has loved them ever since.
Dinner looked quite good as from the outside of the restaurant it looked like nothing special from the marquee! Seems like the food was good as I was a bit surprised as the place looked like something you'd get with a typical chain eatery. But glad the food and drinks were quite good! Lukes dish looks quite good as I love carnitas. Some of the best I've had is at LaTaqueria at Citi Field where the Mets play, where I go to games often! Great food there. The refried beans look good too as I love those! I make good ones myself!
How was the ambiance in LA last week with the Dodgers playing the Mets in the National League Division Series? I'm a huge Mets fan and am just curious!
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October 6, 2017-Enjoying an amazing dinner at Victoria & Albert's with PP's Dot and Drew
My TR from my most recent trip is now underway. Includes: Universal Studios Florida, Disney World and Sea World Orlando Trifecta TR -Updated December 10th! TR is now COMPLETED!
Wonderful photos bringing it all back to me! I just LOVE the Disneyland Hotel lobby. It's like a fun mini-museum. Isn't it just so cool that within just a few steps from your hotel you can be in either park or in Downtown Disney? I could never picture exactly how it worked until I got there, even though I pored over maps and descriptions!
Forever Young: A Disneyland Trip 50 Years in the Making Updated 10/20
Your Caesar salad looks delish!! I love how Lego Lumiere and Cogsworth are peeking out behind Belle and Beast! So cute! I never made it inside the Disneyland Hotel, although we did walk through the grounds. We intended to make it back there, but never did so I'm glad to see your pictures.
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I love your room! I was not able to get GC for our upcoming trip there. We are headed out for the races and apparently so are many other DVC members because it was completely booked. Next time... 
Our first dining adventure is coming right up. 
Seems like the food was good as I was a bit surprised as the place looked like something you'd get with a typical chain eatery. But glad the food and drinks were quite good! 
Some of the best I've had is at LaTaqueria at Citi Field where the Mets play, where I go to games often! 
PassPorter Guide Author
Now where the heck were they just a few short weeks earlier when we were there? 
so I'm glad to see your pictures.
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