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Saturday, November 16
We began our drive from Northern California around seven in the morning. My husband decided he wanted to take a different route than usual, which made the trip down more leisurely than usual.
Near Hollister, we stopped by Casa de Fruta. (My husband's uncle drives throughout the state regularly on business and he recommended it.) First, we had a late breakfast at the coffee shop. Afterward, we checked out some of the other offerings there, such as the Casa de Sweets (the complex also includes a fruit stand, gift shop, small train, wine shop, and petting zoo). It was kind of funny going into this store because I kept noticing all of these Disney things! In the entrance were several cute (but expensive) fountains for sale. Our favorite was the one with Mickey and Minnie sharing
an umbrella. Inside, the music initially playing was from one of the "Disney Classics" albums and we found yet more Disneyana along one wall.
We then hit the road again. Since we had a late breakfast, we decided upon a late lunch as well. Keith's request was that we dine in Pismo Beach.
In Pismo Beach, we found a restaurant along the water called Shore Cliff. We had an excellent view of the ocean and could also see the nearby Shore Cliff Lodge, where a wedding was taking place at the same time. After lunch, we took the long winding staircase down to the water. We took pictures, collected some shells and driftwood, and just enjoyed the natural beauty.
We continued along our way again, only stopping for one more brief detour. I had commented at seeing an exit sign with an unusual street name, Santa Claus Lane. Keith told me he thought that he'd heard somewhere that it was actually named for a large Santa Claus figure. Maybe it was too dark by then or this figure never existed, but, alas, we could not find Santa Claus.
Eventually, we arrived in the L.A. area. Despite it not being a weekday commute time, the traffic was awful. We kept listening to the traffic
reports and never did find out why the traffic was so bad. At the point when Anaheim should have been a half drive away, we ended up in traffic much, much longer. I told my husband all I wanted was to arrive in time to check in at the hotel and catch the evening holiday fireworks.
Finally, we arrived at Paradise Pier Hotel. We were there just long enough to check in, drop off the luggage, and use the restroom, but I did notice the décor in that time. I knew that the downstairs decoration was changed over when the hotel changed its name, but I think the rooms still maintain their original look from the Pacific days. This was actually fine by me, as I had really liked how the first floor looked previously. (The artwork featured reproductions of classic works with Disney characters worked in.)
There's no tram to the parks, but, if the valet staff is not too busy, they drive guests to Downtown Disney. To save time, we checked to see if this was possible. Keith ended up getting in quite a conversation with our driver. (It ends up that the cast member's dad lives in the same part of town that we do!)
From Downtown Disney, we had our choice of walking the rest of the way to Disneyland or taking the Monorail in. Since we were going to meet up with Doobie and Rebekah from Laughing Place at Coke Corner on Main Street, we decided it was better to walk it. On our way through a mobbed Downtown Disney (or, rather, Keith practically running and dragging me in tow!), we were passed by two teenage girls who commented to each other as they sped by us that we must also have been going to see fireworks, too. (The timeframe was that tight and we were walking that fast.)
Eventually, we made it to the gates and could hear the fireworks just starting. Keith zig zagged through the stores and sidewalk until we made it to Coke Corner and found Doobie and Rebekah. While I missed part of the show, I saw enough to see that it had been changed slightly from last year.
When the fireworks ended, we had time to properly greet Doobie and Rebekah. Rebekah's siblings were there, too, as well as the Nurmis. It was nice to finally be able to put the faces to a couple of folks whose posts I have followed for so long.
We chatted for a while about our respective drives to Southern California and so on before the group migrated over to Naples Ristorante back at Downtown Disney. (I was so ready for some dinner by then!) We had a great time. Among other things, Doobie amused us with his hummingbird impression and Keith pretended to try to embarrass Rebekah's sister Rachel by asking for butter. (It was not the correct Italian way to eat the bread, she told him. : ))
After much visiting over dinner, it was time for everyone to head out. It was late and I was definitely ready for bed!
Sunday, November 17
On this day, we took the Monorail into Disneyland, although we first had to wait for the next Monorail to arrive into the station, Monorail Purple, and evacuate. It wasn't as dire as it sounds. The passengers disembarked and then Monorail Purple was sent back off to be checked out. We then were able to board the next one instead. While waiting for the a-okay to leave the station, a CM chatted with everyone in the tail cone. It came up that a lot of the Monorail folks, when finding out that a guest is from Sacramento, ask about Citrus Heights, where one of the Monorail CMs is originally from. (We
also got a recommendation to try out a pumpkin spice cookie a local bakery makes.)
Once inside the park, our first stop was Small World Holiday. I am continually amazed at how "busy" inside this attraction gets, whether it's holiday time or not. I especially liked the addition of pine smell to the giant Christmas tree around the U.K.
We then caught the train (and had the opportunity to hear the new spiel) to New Orleans Square. They seemed to be having sound problems as we could still hear the Primeval World music when we were at the Main Street Station!
Once in New Orleans Square, we picked up Fastpasses for Haunted Mansion Holiday. I suggested that we visit the Gallery to check out the new Haunted Mansion exhibit while we waited for the window to open. We actually had to wait about five minutes for it to open, so we got to talking to another passholder. We passed the time by talking about the cell phone antenna toppers and Disneyland Resort versus Walt Disney World. (He said that he was going to WDW for the first time in February, so we shared our impressions based on my previous four trips and my husband's three.)
Once inside the Gallery, we saw what must have been one of the AP preview groups for the new Walk in Walt's Footsteps tour since they were eating lunch out in the courtyard. I enjoyed wandering from each of the rooms, as well checking out the new Haunted Mansion Holiday merchandise available. (I picked up a t-shirt with a front and back design that features the "Merry/Scary Christmas" banner and many of the characters. I was attracted
to the bright and varied colors on it, and it glows in the dark, too.)
By the time, I finished making my purchase, our Fastpass window was open. It was fun to compare this year's version to last year's. I am hoping somebody will take a photograph once all 13 weeks of gifts in the boarding area are open as I'd love to see what surprises are to be found in the boxes that are currently closed. On this initial ridethrough, I found myself missing the original HMH score, though I did recognize the parts that resemble the film's soundtrack (i.e. "Kidnap the Sandy Claws," "What's This?") I liked how the vampire bear is now sparking from chewing on the Christmas lights as he sits in a haunted tree, among other new changes.
Part One, Part Two
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