Day 4: Ohhh, Ahhh, Shiny! About This Page:

[Diz]

Our flight from Philadelphia went off without a hitch. We were able to get coffee (very important!) and the boys some breakfast while we waited for our flight. DS#2 and I lucked out because the third person scheduled for our side of the aisle never showed up. We had extra room on a plane that was 98% full. DH and DS#1 were jealous! It was such a beautiful flight – the Rocky Mountains! It was funny because the pilot not only pointed them out, he flew around in circles showing us them for about 10 minutes! He was so much fun! And he flew around and around the Grand Canyon. For awhile, I thought we were on a tour plane! We left Philly at 8:00 am and arrived in LAX about 10:30. It was a smooth – but long flight. It was the longest we have ever taken.

DD’s flight from Orlando was scheduled to arrive about 9:30. She was flying Delta, we had US Air. I wasn’t sure how we’d get together. But I have one smart DD. Her flight was early – landed about 9 so she had a lot of time on her hands. She picked up her luggage and then took a bus from Delta over to US Air (apparently not an easy feat!) When we arrived in baggage, she was there. First words out of her mouth: I thought it was hot in CA! She had a coat on, but was freezing! This is going to be a reoccurring sight all week!

We had decided to rent a mini-van so off we went to find a Hertz bus. Thanks to mousesavers.com, I had seen that the enrollment fee for the Emerald Club was waived so I had signed up. We arrived at Hertz, found our mini-van in the Emerald lane – showed my driver’s license and credit card…and we were off! Fast, easy – except lugging 10 pieces of luggage out of the airport-onto the bus-out of the bus-into the van. But there were five of us – and we don’t pack light!

We grabbed some local maps while at Hertz, but I had also printed out directions on line before leaving home. They were easy to follow and before we knew it, we were on I-5 heading towards the Happiest Celebration on Earth!

In planning our trip, I was told over and over again how congested it was around DL, the hotels, the restaurants, etc. I even downloaded and printed the map to show my Dfamily so no one would be surprised. Well, let me tell you – it’s nothing like we expected! We must have come off the highway onto a strange entrance because all we saw were some hotels – but mostly apartment buildings and then we were at the entrance to the Grand Californian Hotel. After being told Welcome Home, we decided to use valet so the bags were unloaded and stored – the van safe and sound and we entered the GCH lobby. Very . It has the vastness of the Wilderness Lodge, but it is not a rustic wood – but a more artistic, smooth-lined…drop dead gorgeous wood. If you expect the WL view, you’ll be disappointed – but if you enter not expecting anything – you’ll just stand there in awe! I fell in !

And then the best part of the week was about to happen – the first of many encounters with – now hold your hats! You’ll be surprised! Friendly cast members! Having 2 cast members in my Dfamily, I can say – WDW has their share of friendly cms, but DL has an entire community of them! We were so impressed with check-in (DD was in disbelief)! The lobby has cms doing everything – always cleaning – one who just walks around the lobby saying hello to people, offering insights and advice – and then of course the usual guest services – concierge staff and dvc salesman. But not one of them had a frown; not one of them was rude! It was heaven!

We checked in and were given our room keys (not chargeable – but that’s to change within the next year the cm said). The 3 adults were given a separate paper for charging privileges. (We ended up using it only a few times - it wasn't as convienent as a charging room key. We decided to buy the DL gift cards and used them instead. They were quick and easy well except the first time. Let me stop, I'm getting ahead of myself!) We were given fast passes to Aladdin, Grizzly Run and Soarin’. But our room wasn’t ready. So we decided to have some lunch and figure out what we would do for the afternoon.

Up next: Now how far is it to DD so we can grab a bite to eat?

[DopeyGirl]

Great start!!! I was just at DL in June and am excited to read about everything!!!

[Suzie]

Funny thing about California, it isn't really that hot, except down near San Diego and the ocean is FREEZING, even in August we say people in wet suits.
I can hardly wait to read more!
Suzie

[Hanners]

Can't wait to read more!

[DawnDenise]

Can't wait to read more!! I am soaking up all the info I can on DL!!

[PrincessSharon]

Great start! Your report is taking me back to my DL trip last month. Hurry back with more, please!

[dsnytina]

Wonderful beginning!
Can't wait to hear all about your adventure!
Tina

[Minnie Lor]

Ok, you snagged me. I wasn't going to read because I've never been and am not planning on going to DL but this is too good. More please

[MKBaughan]

I leave in 16 days, so I am waiting on bated breath for the rest!

[Colexis Mom]

Great start Diz More please

[Diz]

Day 1: Part 2

I’ll try not to split my days up anymore – but this first day was such a day of new beginnings. I was looking forward to going to DL for the very first time. I wanted to soak it all in. I’ll have to do 3 Parts because of my ramblings – sorry!

We were sitting in the absolutely amazing lobby of the GCH deciding where to go and eat lunch when DD and I looked at each other and said – the gift shop! That’s right, there’s nothing more bonding than a mother and daughter shopping! We went in the store – it is small, but it has some really nice treasures. Need a wedding ring? For $1,500 you can buy a Jose Hess Collection piece – gold band with a Mickey icon in diamonds. Absolutely gorgeous! Lots of GCH merchandise and 50th Anniversary items. Even though it was a very small place, there were always at least 3 cms on duty to help – and help they did. They were always ready to answer questions and give advice. We didn’t buy anything this round – but when you have no room, it makes it easier to say let’s wait.

We were new to this GCH and thought, just how far is it to DD so we can grab a bite to eat? We didn’t even have to ask a cm for directions – the hotel is guest friendly. There were signs leading you to CA, DL, DD and more! Just look up and you’re guided along the way. Now if I was going to DD from the WL it would take at least 20 minutes to drive there. From GCH to DD, it took us about 2 minutes to walk! Now, we’re talking! Shopping at our finger tips! The World of Disney right outside our hotel door! What more can you ask for?! (Well to be a millionaire would be nice!)

If there was one word I would use to describe DD, it would have to be festive. The first thing you notice is music – everywhere! It’s piped in, but it keeps you upbeat. It’s now about 1 pm and we were hungry. We thought of Rainforest Café, but decided we wanted to try something different. It is after all our first meal in CA. We walked from one end of DD to the other – saw the DL Hotel, Paradise Pier, a huge ESPN Zone. The guys wanted to go there, but we swayed them away to try something new. We decided on Mexican. We are, after all so very close to Mexico! (Closest we’ve ever been at least!) So we go into Tortilla Jo’s. And real Mexican culinary fare it was. The tortillas were hand-made right before your very eyes at the tortilla station. This isn’t a place you can go and get appetizers at a cheaper price. The appetizers cost around $8-$10 each. You had regular menu items for that cost. The most expensive item was $18.50 for the catch of the day. My Dteens tried Picadillo Tacos (beef and potatoes) 2 for $7.50; Carne Asada Tacos (grilled steak) 2 for $7.50 – but they weren’t overly impressed and DS#1 absolutely hated his so I shared with him; DH tried a rib platter $14.50 that he thought was out of this world; I had a steak fajita $16.50 that was delicious. Just a note: This is not a quick place so don’t go if you’re rushed. The food is cooked to order, not sitting out under warming lights waiting to be placed on plates. The service was interesting. Those on staff this day looked like Cabana boys. Lots of smiles and I thought at any given moment they were going to dance and sing. It was a good lunch – lots of food, but my Dteens weren’t impressed. I guess in a few years when they can drink margaritas they’ll want to give it another try.

Now came decision time. Which park would we go to first? Of course, the original – DL! We decided to go and get a feel for the place and then we’d go back to see our room later.

Entering DL, we reminded ourselves that everyone said the place is small so don’t think we’re at WDW. When you enter the turnstiles, you look up, slightly to see the railroad station. Yup, it’s small. In front was a flower arrangement for the 50th with a standing Mickey and a circle of flowers making a 50 on the ground. It was gorgeous! We looked up at the train entering the station and was surprised to see that the seating was like that of the Animal Kingdom’s Wildlife Express Train to Conservation Station. You face forward! Strange. It only surprised me because Walt loved trains so much!

Well enough dilly dallying – I have to see Main Street! We enter under the train on the right side and my first thought – where’s Tonys! The rocking chairs on the porch?! Oh that’s right, we’re not at WDW! We go onto Main Street and say, where’s the castle? Just kidding. We look up Main Street and there it is, Sleeping Beauty’s abode. Elegantly decorated with crowns for the 50th. And yes, small. All week I would look up Main Street and move my eyes to the sky to see the castle and at first all I’d see is clouds. I’d adjust my gaze down and finally there it was. It became rather funny because even though my mind said look low, my eyes always over shot!

First difference besides Tony’s missing was the activity! The crowd was light, but there was the Barbershop Quartet singing their tunes – the double decker bus, the fire-type mini-truck were out to transport you to the castle area. On slow days at WDW, you’re lucky if you see anything special on Main Street. Here at DL, it was bustling with live entertainment all over the place!

Second difference and a huge one! At WDW you have lines and lines of characters around the circle near City Hall - standing, waiting to give you a smile, a picture and an autograph. Not at DL! I started walking and all of a sudden, Dick Van Dyke, the chimney sweep, came running in front of me, holding onto a little guy's hand. They were on a mission! Then I turn and there's Mary Poppins, umbrella in one hand and a little girl on the other - strolling down the lane. Talk about fun! You never know who is going to run past you! It is like a charater party all over the park! This was just the start of a week filled with characters popping up in the most unusual places and times! I never knew who would be walking beside me!

We strolled up Main Street, but stopped ourselves from shopping. We stopped and looked at the castle. DS#2 was still upset we couldn’t eat dinner there. We walked around the castle, not through. We wanted to view Matterhorn – a must do ride for us all. We continue to just look around when my Dkids said, what are we going to ride first? We ended up back near It’s a Small World and their eyes filled with horror! Yup, mom chose It’s a Small World. After the ride DS#1 said, I can’t believe you chose this for our first ride at DL, shaking his head the whole time saying it! LOL! But the ride was the same, but different. Longer. The wait was normal, about 5 minutes. My Dkids decided they liked it better than WDW. DH hates the whole song thing so his vote doesn’t count.

Our next stop was back to Matterhorn. The wait was about 5 minutes again. DD and DS#2 sat up front, then DS#1, DH and I rode alone – but all of us were together on the same bobsled for our very first ride, which was . It is a bumpy ride! It is very though. We could feel the old-time DL magic begin to start!

For all of us who to plan, you’ll understand when I say – I had plans in mind for today; but so far, we went with the flow! I really didn’t think we would ride any rides this first day. I thought we’d spend the time around the hotel resting after our trip. So for tonight, I had planned something special! I wanted our first night to come off with a bang. So after Matterhorn, it was time to head back to GCH. We needed showers and to change.

My Dkids couldn't help but go through the stores on the way back down Main Street. What impressed me was the name on the store was the item sold inside. If it said watchmaker, there were watches inside. If it said penny arcade, there were penny games inside. That was very

Up Next: Just how many ticket stations are there at DL?!

[beths3]

more please!!

Beth

[Colexis Mom]

Another great update

[Fantasmic! kid]

Wow, I really like the way you write this! (and the way you are doing your visit too!)

Out of curiosity, which side of the Matterhorn did you take? Did you take the Fantasyland side (the side that's more scenic), or the Tomarrowland side (the side that's more like a thrill ride)?

[snoozy]

Great report so far, waiting for more