Hello All,

The Christmas season is over and I finally have time to write about our family trip to
Disneyland.  

 We spent 4 nights at the Grand Californian before Christmas.  It was awesome!  My parents hadn't been in many years and my nephew, Justin, hadn't been since he was 15.  He is now 31.  We also had Renee, Tyler , Hailey and Kari's boyfriend, Nick with us.  It was a fun adventure for the 11 of us.

The weather was fabulous and the parks were so festive.  

 The security guard took our picture all together in front of the new Carthay Theatre.  
 It was so special having our whole family together at my favorite place.  The parks were crowded but we made the best of it.  The fast pass system is awesome and we were able to ride the new Radiator Springs Racers 5 times.  Carsland is so much fun.

Kari was our family photographer and made sure we didn't miss any fun moments.  Now we have all these special memories to treasure.

Hope you all have a magical day and can get down to visit my favorite place soon.

Joanne

47 More Days!

I haven't been in the mood to write much lately.  This has been a very tough year for our family.

Our family had decided to take a break and do Disneyland every 2 years.  So we were not planning 
a trip this year.  In April we lost a very dear friend, suddenly.  It was heartbreaking and reminded me that we need to live each day to the fullest.

I got on the phone and immediately called the DVC and made our reservations for December. I called my sister in law who lives in Georgia to see if she and her family would come out again this year.  She said "yes" and that made my day.  We are surprising her 8 year old, she has no idea.  

This year will be special too because we are bringing my parents, who are in their 80's.  My dad is in a scooter and can't walk so he hasn't been to the parks in about 7 years.  I am excited for them to be with our whole family and enjoy the Christmas spirit at the "Happiest Place on Earth."  My dad is excited to go on that ride that takes him over the Golden Gate Bridge (Soarin) and to have a glass of wine in that bar in the Grand Californian.   Life will be good and it will be a special time with all of us together.

Made some lunch reservations at the new Carthay Circle Restaurant.....looking forward to that.
 Can't wait to get my  80 + mom back on Tower of Terror.  She was so proud of herself for riding it last time.

So 47 day to go and ready for some fabulous memories and happy times.  God knows we need them.

Have a Magical Day!
Joanne  
 

Disneyland with my friend 2012

I recently returned from a 3 day trip to my favorite place.  My friend has been asking me to go and the timing was never right.  It really wasn't right this time either but I said "yes".  She and her husband were staying at the Villa's at the Grand Californian and they had an extra room.  They were getting ready to sail to Hawaii on the Disney Wonder for 15 days and decided to go to Disneyland a few days early. 

I had a great time.  They surprised me and took me to lunch at Club 33.  It was so yummy.  The next day we met up with some of their friends and had lunch at the Blue Bayou.  One of their friends is a long time Disney employee who draws Donald Duck.  Very nice people.  They were all sailing together on the ship.

It was back to reality on day 3 and I flew home.  I sure enjoyed my mini vacation at my favorite place.

Have a Magical Day!

Missing Disneyland this Weekend

I have really been missing Disneyland lately...... I know I was just there in December.  Disneyland is my "glass of wine"...since I don't drink.  It takes me to my happy place.

I was asked to go down with some friends this weekend.  Their son is playing college basketball and has two games in the Los Angeles area this weekend.  They are planning on spending Saturday at the "Happiest Place on Earth" and invited myself and my daughter to join them.  I was so excited until I started pricing flights......I think because I wasn't buying a 7 day advanced tickets, the prices were ridiculous.  $365.00 round trip from Sacramento.....crazy....I could go to New York for that.  That is what my friends paid for 2 tickets.  So my "spur of the moment" trip isn't happening and I am depressed.  It would have been fun to watch the basketball games and spend a day at my favorite place.  

I will have to be there in my dreams.

Have a magical day!

Disneyland at Christmas was Magical!

Hello Friends,

Arrived back last week from 4 days and nights at my favorite place.  Of course because it was the week before Christmas, it was very crowded.  But this time everything "clicked".  We got checked into our Villa at 11:30 am,  that is a record!  We were in California Adventure by noon having a nice lunch at the Wharf.

The highlight of our trip was having lunch with my husband, his sister and her husband at Club 33 on Monday.  We got there early for our reservation and when I told the hostess that it was our first time,  she made us all buttons with our names on them that said "First Time."  We took the small elevator up to the second floor and were seated in a beautiful dining room.  The whole place was bigger than I expected.  It was pretty crowded and probably sat around 50 people in the room we were in.  Our waitress Terrie Jo was exceptional.  She has worked at Club 33 for 29 years.  Wow!  The meal consisted of a salad/seafood bar,  the main course and a delicious dessert bar.  Kyle and Renee had Filet Mignon and Hardy and I had the "free range" chicken.  Everything was fabulous.  I can't even describe how good the chocolate creme brule was.  I had two, there were small  :)  We went out on the balcony after lunch and took some pictures and video.  We were able to look out at New Orleans Square.  I purchased a Club 33 Holiday collector pin for myself.  I can't thank the friends that made this happen for us enough.  It was truly a magical experience.

There is something about going to Disneyland with small kids......they say the darndest things.  It was late and we were heading back to the hotel.  The kids decided to go on the Grizzly River Run since the hotel entrance is right there.  They got soaked.  My 7 yr old niece said " I am having a terrible time."  She was so tired and wet.  She was much better after a hot shower and dry pajamas. 

We had a wonderful time with our family.  We are so Blessed! 

Wishing you all a magical day and a happy, healthy, prosperous 2012!

11 More Days!

Monday the 5th was Walt Disney's birthday.  I can't help but think what a different world it would be if we didn't have Disneyland and all things Disney.  I am so happy that he was born.

My family is looking forward to our vacation in 11 more days.  Restaurant reservations are booked.  Schedules are printed out.  No refurbishment's .....Yeah!  Suitcase is almost packed.  We are going to have a wonderful time at the "happiest place on earth."

I  will be sure to post as soon as we get back to report on our Club 33 experience.

Have a magical day!

I soon will be able to check one thing off of my "bucket list"!

This hasn't been the best year for our family, too much stress but I am not going to dwell on that.  Trying to stay positive and be thankful for our good health.

Yesterday I got some great news.  I have always dreamed about going to Club 33 in Disneyland.  For those of you that don't know what it is.  It was started by Walt Disney back in May of 1967.  Sadly he never saw it completed because he died 5 months earlier.  Some say it was named after it's address... 33 Royal Street and some say after the original 33 investors that Walt courted to invest in his theme park.  They serve lunch and dinner there and only "members" and their guests can get in.  There is a waiting list to join and an expensive annual fee. 

One of my dear friends, is also friends with a member and has been trying to get me into the club for years.  Timing has always been off.  But we met some very nice people on a recent cruise who we "clicked" with.  Their company has a membership in Club 33.  They said to give them our dates and they will try to get us a lunch reservation.  We will be visiting Disneyland in December with my husband's sister and her family.  We got the call yesterday that they got us lunch reservations for 4 of us at the "Club".  I can't tell you how excited I am.  Of course, my kids don't want to go, they volunteered to stay with their young cousins so my husband, sister and brother in law and I could go.   I think my kids are tired of me having my picture taken in front of the door every time we visit the park.  This is a dream come true and I am so thankful to these wonderful people that made it come true. Less than two months until we visit the "Happiest Place on Earth!"

I will definitely post after my Club 33 experience. 

Have a Magical Day!