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Who: Jane in AZ, Jeff (DH) and Ellory (3 yr old DD), BOTH grandmas!!
When: June 6, 7, 8
Where: Disneyland and California Adventure
There is nothing like the drive across the desert from Phoenix to Anaheim! Windmills, Palm Springs, Quartsize.....if you haven't
experienced it, you should! We all loaded into the "family van" after work and pulled into the Best Western Park Place Inn (THE closest
hotel to the DL park entrances) at 10PM. Note: Any "video" entertainment in the car is grea for the kiddies. DD LOVED having a
TV in the car and it really made the time go by fast for her. (Adults...bring the remote!! It's easier and safer than climbing over
the seat to adjust the volume, rewind.....)
Saturday morning: We were at the gate 30 minutes before they opened at 8AM!! It was well worth it!! Before the gates open, the Disneyland band comes out and plays a few Disney tunes, then once the gates open, characters greet you as you enter. We bypassed the "meet and greet" to go right to Fantasyland. We walked on everything!!! It was really great......the crowds didn't arrive until noon. From there we headed to California Adventure......CM's at Disneyland suggested that even though "Super Soap Weekend" was going on at DCA, the crowds were for the soap "meet and greet", not the rides. They were right.
We ate at Ariel Grotto, a real gem. You get great characters (Minnie, Pluto, Goofy, Chip, Dale, AND Ariel) and good food and a decent
price. The kids love the conga line that the characters have every 30 minutes or so.
The nice thing about the Disneyland resort is that the parks are soooo close! We were able to sit at the Pacific Wharf and eat dinner
while watching the Electrical Parade (a secret seating "find" that few know about) then make it to Main Street for the fireworks. I have
to admit- I've seen the fireworks shows at all the parks and by far, the current firework show at Disneyland is the best I've seen!! I
love the Mickey in the sky!
We went back to the hotel after the shows and all slept soundly:)
Sunday was spend trying to ride a few more rides, seeing the Aladdin show (wonderful!!), PlayHouse Disney, then heading back to Arizona.
Below are a few tips and highlights:
**Use "Single Rider" whenever possible. (Indiana Jones, Soarin' Over California...)
**If staying "off property" stay in the 1500 block to be able to walk to the parks and avoid shuttles.
**Spend mid-day at DCA, as Disneyland is most crowded then.
** When DL opened we headed to Fantasyland......CHARACTERS WERE RIDING RIDES WITH THE GUESTS!!! Alice, Mad Hatter, White Rabbit, and Tweedle Dee rode the Carousel ALONG WITH THE DISNEYLAND BAND!!!! Head to Fantasyland for this once in a lifetime experience!!
That's about it....if you want details, let me know. We are headed back next week to celebrate DD's 4th birthday (another trip report to
follow......."Party with Pat E. Cake, Mickey, and Minnie" time!!)
Jane in AZ
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