markarkaymat
09-21-2005, 09:47 PM
If DD happens to wake up, this might get cut short...
The Travelers: DF (65), DM (54), DH (30), DD (15mos), & me (27).
We decided to take my DD to Disneyland for her first time and what better time than the 50th celebration. We had already planned a trip to MI to visit family friends and decided if we were going to go all the way to MI from HI then we should stop off at Disneyland. So we went to MI first, which was GREAT but too short (I shortened our time in MI to expand our time in Disneyland)...
09/13/05 - We arrived at LAX from DTW at about 3ish. We went over to National to get our car. I had originally got a full size for 187 but we decided to get the collision insurance which bumped it up to 250 for 7 days. When we were in the process of filling out our paperwork I asked the person helping us if they always had vans in their Emerald Club Aisle (or whatever it is actually called). She mentioned that they usually do but not always. I told her that I was hesitant about just doing the Aisle thing because I didn't want to get stuck with an Intermediate but then am kicking myself since they had vans. She offered it to us for the same rate. That was a nice way to start our vacation, 250 for a van for a week. We drove over to Carousel Inn & Suites. Although I had a lot of problems confirming my reservations with the hotel (I booked through Travelocity and spent a little over a month trying to get my reservations confirmed) we checked in with no problems. We paid $60/night for a room with 2 queen beds. Add in the free continental breakfast, fridge and microwave and what a deal that was. Although I admit that we only took advantage of the free breakfast once or twice. The hotel lobby was very nice, the room was clean. My only complaint upon arrival was that the AC did smell moldy making the whole room smell moldy, which we got used to after a few days (although now that I have a cold I am thinking I should have requested a room change). We were able to hear people walking around outside and also the kids upstairs running or jumping around in their room. We dropped off our bags and went to the Disney character Warehouse. I got the 10% off coupon online and was quite anxious to start my Disney shopping. The bargain hunter in me took over and I didn't buy as much as I thought I would. Especially since I stacked codes and got stuff on Disney Direct. Next we headed to Mimi's Cafe for dinner. My DM went to her sister's house so it was only DF, DH, DD (who was sleeping) and me. DF & I shared the meat loaf (which they so kindly split up and served on 2 separate plates) and DH had the BBQ chopped salad (which I had a fair share of). The meat loaf was a little salty but the bread and salad were good. Being warned of the large portions we did not end up with much leftovers. We went back to the room to settle in and get a good night's sleep for Disneyland.
09/14/05 - We got up early (my DM stayed the night at my Aunt's house and met up with us before we left for Disneyland). We ate breakfast at Mimi's Cafe. The service was great!! The fresh squeezed orange juice was SO delicious! I shared an omelette with DH (I don't remember which one it was but it had broccoli in it), DF had bacon and eggs (standard breakfast fare but when you add in the free muffin, too much for him to eat), and DD ate Mimi mouse Pancakes. I was most impressed by DD's meal. For only $3.99 she had 2 pancakes shaped like Mickey oops I mean Mimi Mouse, fresh fruits (a slice each of watermelon, cantalope, honeydew melon, and orange), and warm milk. After breakfast we headed to Disneyland. We got there a few minutes after opening. We headed straight to Dumbo. DD seemed to enjoy it but I don't think she really grasped the concept of being on a "ride". We took her to Peter Pan (since I wanted to avoid the long lines in the sun as suggested somewhere). She didn't seem to enjoy this ride at all. She cried after we got off the ride, I figured she was scared from the ride but it just occurred to me that she might have actually cried about having to get off. We then rode the Carousel since it was right there. She loved this and did cry because I took her off. We headed over to Blue Bayou to make our 11:30 lunch reservations. We were too early to check in so DH ran over to Splash Mountain to get Fastpasses for us while DD walked around. We checked in and got a waterside table. I had never knew about the Blue Bayou, hadn't even noticed it when I rode Pirates years ago (even my DF didn't remember there being a restaurant). We ordered the Calamari (it was the best Calamari I have had yet!!) to start with. DH ordered the Chicken Caesar salad (it was so so), DF had the Jambalaya (it was SO good but not so spicy, although I am half korean so it might account for the lack of "heat" to it for me), DM ordered the gumbo soup, DD had the chicken breast/mash/broccoli, and I ordered the Prime Rib. The Prime Rib was so so to me, I like straight horseradish, not the creamy style so I swapped with DF which was good since DF likes his meat and I thought the Jambalaya was the best entree ordered. DD couldn't sit still even though we had her favorite (broccoli) for her to eat. We tried to hurry through the meal. Dan was a great server but was sent on break leaving us with a replacement that hardly came around. DD doesn't like jello so DH ate her jello dessert. We found BB to be a nice break from the hustle and bustle (even though it wasn't too crowded) but I don't think we'd go there again. DH rather save the money and eat at Mimi's but I definitely think it is something you should experience at least once. More than once if you love the Pirates. After lunch we headed back to the room for a break. DD absolutely cannot rest while in the park, too much going on. DF & DM took DD back to the room while DH and I went to Downtown Disney. DH only allowed me to look around first (I am a compulsive shopper) which was good. We found some star wars character lego key chains which we got for my DB & DH. DH & I went back to the room and we all headed back to Disneyland. DH & I used the Splash Fastpasses. DM & DF took DD to small world. DD seemed to like it (that's what DM said but I think DM liked it more, at first anyway). DF spent most of his time watching the stroller because he was convinced that strollers get stolen more than they actually do. The whole time he watched the strollers none ever got stolen (how he remember who belongs to what stroller is beyond me because he often asks me the same question over and over again). DH and I also rode Buzz Astroblasters, DH favorite ride. DH scored about 47000 and I scored about 43000, not bad on our first try....right? We met up with my parents and strolled through Disneyland. We went back to the hotel and DH made a McDs run for us (had to try to collect all the toys and cards).
Dh just brought back Subway for dinner...continue tomorrow I hope...
The Travelers: DF (65), DM (54), DH (30), DD (15mos), & me (27).
We decided to take my DD to Disneyland for her first time and what better time than the 50th celebration. We had already planned a trip to MI to visit family friends and decided if we were going to go all the way to MI from HI then we should stop off at Disneyland. So we went to MI first, which was GREAT but too short (I shortened our time in MI to expand our time in Disneyland)...
09/13/05 - We arrived at LAX from DTW at about 3ish. We went over to National to get our car. I had originally got a full size for 187 but we decided to get the collision insurance which bumped it up to 250 for 7 days. When we were in the process of filling out our paperwork I asked the person helping us if they always had vans in their Emerald Club Aisle (or whatever it is actually called). She mentioned that they usually do but not always. I told her that I was hesitant about just doing the Aisle thing because I didn't want to get stuck with an Intermediate but then am kicking myself since they had vans. She offered it to us for the same rate. That was a nice way to start our vacation, 250 for a van for a week. We drove over to Carousel Inn & Suites. Although I had a lot of problems confirming my reservations with the hotel (I booked through Travelocity and spent a little over a month trying to get my reservations confirmed) we checked in with no problems. We paid $60/night for a room with 2 queen beds. Add in the free continental breakfast, fridge and microwave and what a deal that was. Although I admit that we only took advantage of the free breakfast once or twice. The hotel lobby was very nice, the room was clean. My only complaint upon arrival was that the AC did smell moldy making the whole room smell moldy, which we got used to after a few days (although now that I have a cold I am thinking I should have requested a room change). We were able to hear people walking around outside and also the kids upstairs running or jumping around in their room. We dropped off our bags and went to the Disney character Warehouse. I got the 10% off coupon online and was quite anxious to start my Disney shopping. The bargain hunter in me took over and I didn't buy as much as I thought I would. Especially since I stacked codes and got stuff on Disney Direct. Next we headed to Mimi's Cafe for dinner. My DM went to her sister's house so it was only DF, DH, DD (who was sleeping) and me. DF & I shared the meat loaf (which they so kindly split up and served on 2 separate plates) and DH had the BBQ chopped salad (which I had a fair share of). The meat loaf was a little salty but the bread and salad were good. Being warned of the large portions we did not end up with much leftovers. We went back to the room to settle in and get a good night's sleep for Disneyland.
09/14/05 - We got up early (my DM stayed the night at my Aunt's house and met up with us before we left for Disneyland). We ate breakfast at Mimi's Cafe. The service was great!! The fresh squeezed orange juice was SO delicious! I shared an omelette with DH (I don't remember which one it was but it had broccoli in it), DF had bacon and eggs (standard breakfast fare but when you add in the free muffin, too much for him to eat), and DD ate Mimi mouse Pancakes. I was most impressed by DD's meal. For only $3.99 she had 2 pancakes shaped like Mickey oops I mean Mimi Mouse, fresh fruits (a slice each of watermelon, cantalope, honeydew melon, and orange), and warm milk. After breakfast we headed to Disneyland. We got there a few minutes after opening. We headed straight to Dumbo. DD seemed to enjoy it but I don't think she really grasped the concept of being on a "ride". We took her to Peter Pan (since I wanted to avoid the long lines in the sun as suggested somewhere). She didn't seem to enjoy this ride at all. She cried after we got off the ride, I figured she was scared from the ride but it just occurred to me that she might have actually cried about having to get off. We then rode the Carousel since it was right there. She loved this and did cry because I took her off. We headed over to Blue Bayou to make our 11:30 lunch reservations. We were too early to check in so DH ran over to Splash Mountain to get Fastpasses for us while DD walked around. We checked in and got a waterside table. I had never knew about the Blue Bayou, hadn't even noticed it when I rode Pirates years ago (even my DF didn't remember there being a restaurant). We ordered the Calamari (it was the best Calamari I have had yet!!) to start with. DH ordered the Chicken Caesar salad (it was so so), DF had the Jambalaya (it was SO good but not so spicy, although I am half korean so it might account for the lack of "heat" to it for me), DM ordered the gumbo soup, DD had the chicken breast/mash/broccoli, and I ordered the Prime Rib. The Prime Rib was so so to me, I like straight horseradish, not the creamy style so I swapped with DF which was good since DF likes his meat and I thought the Jambalaya was the best entree ordered. DD couldn't sit still even though we had her favorite (broccoli) for her to eat. We tried to hurry through the meal. Dan was a great server but was sent on break leaving us with a replacement that hardly came around. DD doesn't like jello so DH ate her jello dessert. We found BB to be a nice break from the hustle and bustle (even though it wasn't too crowded) but I don't think we'd go there again. DH rather save the money and eat at Mimi's but I definitely think it is something you should experience at least once. More than once if you love the Pirates. After lunch we headed back to the room for a break. DD absolutely cannot rest while in the park, too much going on. DF & DM took DD back to the room while DH and I went to Downtown Disney. DH only allowed me to look around first (I am a compulsive shopper) which was good. We found some star wars character lego key chains which we got for my DB & DH. DH & I went back to the room and we all headed back to Disneyland. DH & I used the Splash Fastpasses. DM & DF took DD to small world. DD seemed to like it (that's what DM said but I think DM liked it more, at first anyway). DF spent most of his time watching the stroller because he was convinced that strollers get stolen more than they actually do. The whole time he watched the strollers none ever got stolen (how he remember who belongs to what stroller is beyond me because he often asks me the same question over and over again). DH and I also rode Buzz Astroblasters, DH favorite ride. DH scored about 47000 and I scored about 43000, not bad on our first try....right? We met up with my parents and strolled through Disneyland. We went back to the hotel and DH made a McDs run for us (had to try to collect all the toys and cards).
Dh just brought back Subway for dinner...continue tomorrow I hope...