Well folks, I did it. I went back to Disneyland within 6 months of already going this year. It was actually a family trip that my mom earned through her Pampered Chef business this time so it's a little more justified (just like my trip in November is justified ;) ) this time than last.
The trip that my mom earned was 3 days in the park with a stay at the Grand Californian Hotel and Spa. Never having stayed in a Disney Resort Hotel (we usually stay at other hotels within walking distance of the gate), we were excited to see what it was all about.
However, after having stayed there, I can honestly say I'll keep my hotels across the street. The staff is amazing but the Grand Californian is looking a little old and tired and the room wasn't any bigger than the other hotels we normally stay in.
The Grand Californian has a little waiting area for kids in front of a TV that plays Mickey cartoons on a loop. We saw one of the other guests try and fail to sit in the mini chairs so I decided I had to give it a try, too. Conveniently, my butt still fits in a baby chair and I watched old school Mickey while I waited for my family to finish checking in.
After that, we headed straight into California Adventure, which is attached to the hotel. The first thing we rode? The Little Mermaid ride, of course! It's one of my favorite rides between either park and I admittedly ride it a handful of times every time I'm there.
After getting to the hotel and checking in, we got to the park around 9 and we wandered around for a bit before deciding we would rather be in Disneyland proper and headed across the way.
This trip was actually the first time we're all been as a family since my younger sister started college a couple of years ago, which was nice since I had someone to go on rides with and hang out with while we were in the parks.
Don't get me wrong, I love Tangled, but I was not happy that my sister and I stood in line for 20 minutes to meet Merida (to recreate my photo from 5 months ago), only to have Rapunzel come out as we got to the front of the line. It was super hot and there was what has to be the crankiest lady I've ever met behind us in line, so I wasn't having it. Plus, I missed the show at The Golden Horseshoe while we were in line and I've never seen it before.
This is the view from our room. It was actually really cool to be able to see the park (and parts of World of Color) without having to brave the heat and all the maniacs with strollers.
Day 2
The best part about staying in a Disneyland Resort hotel is Extra
Magic Hours. You get a full hour in the park before it opens to do whatever you want. Uh, way cool!
My dad and I got up early on Friday morning and hit the rides that normally have the longest lines during the day: Midway Mania and Radiator Springs Racers. Both of them we practically walked on to which I loved.
Ran into Mater on his way to work first thing in the morning ;)
When my mom and sister finally woke up, we headed over to Disneyland to get me a Dole Whip. I have a very specific list of favorite treats that I must have when at Disneyland and Dole Whips are at the top of the list which means standing in a long line and maybe or maybe not hitting the Tiki Room afterward.
ALL OF THE DOLE WHIPS 😍 The line was sooooooo long but so worth it. And I got to go into the Tiki Room through the hosts entrance because it took so long #besttikiroomvisitever
This was by far the best perk of our trip. If you have the Disney Chase Visa card, you get an exclusive character meet and greet in California Adventure. Shorter lines and a free 5x7 photo are definitely worth it! Plus, I've never seen Daisy in the parks before so this was actually a cool experience and Daisy is an excellent sassy pose coach.
Day 3
Our last day in the parks was Saturday. It was a really chill day, we had Extra Magic Hours in Disneyland that day and headed over as soon as it opened. We hit the rest of the rides we wanted to see (including Matterhorn, which is still super uncomfortable post redo, FYI) and then had lunch at Cafe Orleans.
After lunch, we went back to California Adventure because I had heard that Stitch would be at the Chase Meet and Greet area and I wanted to get a picture with him. Full disclosure: I watch Lilo and Stitch when I'm having a bad day and he's by far one of my favorite Disney characters.
After that we went back to the hotel for naps before the Pampered Chef event that would have us in a very empty California Adventure until 1 am.
Buuuut I got bored and met my sister in the park to hang out and then leave guest compliments for all the great cast members we had met on our trip.
Here's the group (sans mom) on our way to the park to start our late night adventure. I grabbed a very nice Pampered Chef staffer and asked her to please take our picture. I think they turned out quite well and this one was my favorite of all the ones she took.
We met Mike Wazowski and in fact I made a cast member let a shy little girl pose with him first because she had been waiting and our group was supposed to be the last ones to get a photo opp.
"I just can't control my happiness (or my hair)." Kelly O'Moore
Another round of Radiator Springs Racers and Midway Mania were the highlight of the night and an exclusive showing of World of Color to top it all off.
Obligatory Flik pic since he was standing all by himself in A Bugs Land on our way over to ride Tower of Terror for the second time that night. Flik needs to work on his posing.
Overall it was a good trip but I much prefer going during off season. Believe it or not, I'm going back again in November to celebrate my boyfriend finishing his paramedic training course and to see it all decorated for Christmas too.
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