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!

Disneyland Withdrawals

It has been such a long time since I posted anything.  I am having serious Disneyland withdrawals.  I follow these sites call "Disneyland Live" and "Mousewait" so I can try to experience what I am missing.  My girls think I am nuts for doing so but it makes me feel like I am there when I am not.

We have 2  1/2 more months until our family vacation at the resort.  I am counting down the days.  Really looking forward to Kyle's sister and her husband and 2 kids coming to visit us.  Visiting Disneyland with kids brings back the magic.  My niece was so cute last time we were there.  She was 5 and we did the birthday cupcake decorating.  They gave her a button that said "Happy Birthday Hailey!"  Everywhere we went, the cast would say "Happy Birthday Hailey",  by the end of the day she looked at her mom and said " How do they all know it is my birthday?"  It was priceless.

There is a lot of construction going on with California Adventure,  the Cars ride is set to open June of 2012.  Will have to plan our next visit after that.

Have a magical day!

Happy Birthday Disneyland!

I have not made time to write lately but yesterday was a big day for Disneyland.  56 years old!  It is one year younger than me.  

Things have changed dramatically for the park since the 1955 opening.  I love watching the old footage of Walt on opening day welcoming everyone to the park.  I found a vintage picture of Snow White and the 7 dwarfs on line and it brought back memories of my first time going to Disneyland when I was about 8.  I was so afraid of the characters, I wouldn't even get autographs.  Those who know me now won't believe that but it is true.  Dopey came over to greet me and I was so scared, I ran away and hid behind my parents, he ran after me and tripped over his long robe costume and fell down.  He couldn't get up and the employees had to help him.  I felt so bad but was still scared.  In 2009 on one of my visits, I finally got to have my picture taken with Dopey and I apologized to him.  He hugged me and all is forgiven.  Disneyland brings out the child in all of us.


Have a magical day!

Northern California deserves discounts too!

  I am a bit perturbed today as I just looked at this Tweet from Disneyland.   I have asked them many times why we Disney people up in Northern California don't get discounts.  I never get answers so I tweeted them back today with that same question.  We shall see if I hear something back.

As a Northern California resident, we have the expense of driving or flying to Southern California and paying for a hotel.  Can't they show us some "love" as well?  

 

I will let you know if I hear back.....but don't hold your breath.

Having not so magical of a day today.

 

 

Disneyland Disneyland News

SoCal Residents: Check out this great new Disneyland Resort Summer Ticket Deal, 3 Days for $139! http://bit.ly/jif0Ol

Time to head to the Disneyland Resort

The weather here in Sacramento has been terrible and rainy.  I keep checking the weather in Anaheim and it is sunny and warm.  Perfect time to get out of town and head to Disneyland. 

On Friday they celebrated the "grand opening" of the new Little Mermaid ride in California Adventure park.  From the pictures they showed of all the strollers parked outside of the ride, it looks like it is a big hit.  The lines have been long and I don't see that they have a "fast pass" for this ride so get there early.

In Disneyland they also celebrated the "grand re-opening" of Star Tours.  This has been highly anticipated and every time you ride it is a different experience.  Can't wait to try it out in December.  The lines have been long for this new ride as well, but they have "fast passes" and I recommend getting one early.

There is still a lot of construction going on at California Adventure park but it wouldn't deter me from having a good time down there.  Goofy's Sky School is scheduled to open soon and they are re doing the Mission Tortilla Factory into a Ghirardelli chocolate store...yummy!

So if you want some "sun and fun" , head down to the Disneyland resort.  They also opened the new Monorail pool at the Disneyland hotel.  The slides look like they are great for small kids.

Have a magical day!