#Back2Cali - Disneyland Trip Report

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Tue, 05/08/2012 - 10:13

Kristen K.

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#Back2Cali - Disneyland Trip Report

It's here, it's here, the day is finally here!

I thought that I would sleep until 5am this morning and then get up, get the kids up and get ready to go. No, no I was so excited that I woke up at 3:30am! So, I got some work done and thought I would drop you all a quick note before leaving for the airport.

Our car comes at 6:30am CST to take us to the airport, and our flight leaves at 10:30am CST, and we should be to Disneyland by about 2 pm PST this afternoon! I'm so excited!! I'll do my best to post pictures along the way, but I doubt I'll be as good at it as JeffC. I still have to figure out how to post from my phone.

Who's Going? Me, Tori (daughter 19), Kirk (son 17), Katie (daughter 12 going on 30) Where are we going? Disneyland!! Where are we staying? Grand Californian Resort & Spa 4 Nights, Disneyland Hotel 1 Night Tickets? 3 Day Parkhoppers Events? Tori's Birthday, she turns 19 tomorrow!

Tori and Kirk were born in California, but we left when Tori was just 3 years old, so they don't remember Disneyland at all. All the kids are super excited for their "first trip"!

Disneyland is actually my favorite of all the Disney Parks that I've been too. There's something about the intimacy that makes me feel even more connected to the magic. It's the original, and even though it's been through amazing changes over the years, it still has that spirit of innovation. I love the little pink castle, and over grown Adventureland. Did you know that the jungle Walt created for it has actually established it's own eco-system?

Okay, I need to get moving to be sure that everyone is ready by the time the car gets here. Talk to you all soon!

Tue, 05/08/2012 - 11:30

JoAnn C

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Have a great time!

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Tue, 05/08/2012 - 12:36

Kris1971

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Safe travels!

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Tue, 05/08/2012 - 12:40

Mase

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So awesome to get a trip report from Disneyland! Take loads of pictures!!! And have a great time with your kin!

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- 2013 Trip Report!
- My Int3ractiv3 Trip R3port '12 - CLICK HERE!
[url='http://www.wdwforgrownups.com/forum/pick-mases-dinner-disney']- My Interactive Trip Report '11[/url]

Tue, 05/08/2012 - 15:01

Jessi5989

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Me and Tori have the same birthday!

Tue, 05/08/2012 - 16:34

Breaufam

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yay Kristen, so excited for you all. You're in my home state and about 45 minutes away from my home. I hope your trip is filled with all the magic Disney has to offer. Birthday wishes to your daughter as well. Can't wait for pics and trip report.

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Tue, 05/08/2012 - 16:23

MrHub

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Have a Magical time!

Tue, 05/08/2012 - 23:40

Molitva

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Have a safe and wonderful trip!!

I can't wait for updates And happy b-day, Tori!

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Wed, 05/09/2012 - 00:32

Jess

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Can't wait to hear all about it and happy birthday to your daughter

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Wed, 05/09/2012 - 01:01

Kristen K.

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So, I can't figure out how to post from my phone. But I'll update as much as possible.

We're here and it's so AMAZING!! The room is simply to die for. I have pictures uploading to Flickr now, so they'll be up pretty soon. We'll be able to watch World of Color from our balcony tonight!

Here are a few pictures from lunch at Trader Sam's Enchanted Tiki Bar. So much fun!!

Wed, 05/09/2012 - 01:03

Jess

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Ohhh that place looks really fun and that food looks delicious

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Wed, 05/09/2012 - 01:10

scrappy

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Wow, that place does look like fun!

Wed, 05/09/2012 - 01:31

Mase

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What all is in this picture....

My life depends on it...

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- 2013 Trip Report!
- My Int3ractiv3 Trip R3port '12 - CLICK HERE!
[url='http://www.wdwforgrownups.com/forum/pick-mases-dinner-disney']- My Interactive Trip Report '11[/url]

Wed, 05/09/2012 - 03:35

Kristen K.

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That is (from front to back)

Pu Pu Platter - Tamarind-glazed Island Pork 'Wings', Sweet and Spicy Asian Wings, Panko-crusted Chinese Long Beans, Green Papaya Slaw, and Sriracha Aioli. $15.99

Kalua Pork Flatbread - with Pulled Pork, Red Onion, Cilantro, Barbecue Sauce, and Mozzarella. $8.99

Panko-Crusted Chinese Long Beans - Served with Sriracha Aioli. $7.99

We also ordered these:

Chicken-Lettuce Wraps - with Sauteed Chicken, Hoisin Ginger Sauce, and crispy Lettuce Cups. $9.99

We absolutely DEVOURED everything, it was so good. We were sort of luke-warm on the cocktails that we had though.

Wed, 05/09/2012 - 03:39

Kristen K.

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After lunch at Trader Sam's we went to Haagen-Daz for Free Cone day! That's my son Kirk in the Blue, and my daughter Tori in the Purple with the pony tail.

Wed, 05/09/2012 - 03:45

Kristen K.

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My family thought this sign, posted at the edge of Downtown Disney was a RIOT!

Wed, 05/09/2012 - 11:14

Molitva

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Kristen K. wrote:

My family thought this sign, posted at the edge of Downtown Disney was a RIOT!

LOL I lived in LA for 2 years and just recently moved. I freaked out the first time I moved into my apartment and saw the same language on a sign by our mailboxes. I frantically googled whether or not I'd be able to have kids ever Oh California!

PS Trader Sams looks ahhhmazzzzzing! Why didn't I go there?

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Wed, 05/09/2012 - 14:57

Jessi5989

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Tell Tori I said Happy Birthday!!!

Wed, 05/09/2012 - 15:08

Kristen K.

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She says Thank you!

Wed, 05/09/2012 - 15:29

MrHub

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That Trader Sam's would go so good around the Poly! Ah, I would if that is the new restaurant that might be going in?

Wed, 05/09/2012 - 22:44

Kristen K.

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One for us... to share with you!

Wed, 05/09/2012 - 22:59

Disney Dreams

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Yay! You're in my part of the world! Welcome to gorgeous So. Cal. I trust you are enjoying the weather.

Looks like you're off to a great start: GC, Trader Sam's, Birthday fun, and a Dole Whip. Perfect! Make sure you have Tori stop in at City Hall and ask a CM there for her birthday phone call.

Kristen K. wrote:

It's here, it's here, the day is finally here!
Disneyland is actually my favorite of all the Disney Parks that I've been too. There's something about the intimacy that makes me feel even more connected to the magic. It's the original, and even though it's been through amazing changes over the years, it still has that spirit of innovation....

So true. Some say it's due to it being the only Park Walt actual worked on through to the point of opening. I don't know if that's it, but there is definitely "something" about Disneyland.

Oh, and the sign. Yeah. Welcome to California.

Enjoy!

- Dreams

Wed, 05/09/2012 - 22:57

Kristen K.

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We're having a great time, I'm exhausted though! We stopped back at the room (we'll Katie and I did) so that I could take a nap. We'll be headed back out and to California Adventure in a little bit. Here are just a couple more pictures.

Thu, 05/10/2012 - 02:47

Jess

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What is with that sign? What does that mean? And loving the pictures....where are you at in the last pictures that you posted...it looks so cool

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Thu, 05/10/2012 - 05:52

Kristen K.

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Those pictures are of New Orleans Square. In Disneyland that's home to Pirates of the Caribbean, several Restaurants, Club 33, the Dream Suite, the raft to Tom Sawyer's Island, and the Haunted Mansion, as well as some fantastic shopping. It's one of my favorite areas. The shopping is really unique, and it's home to the Aribas Bros, and well as the Disneyland Givenchy shop. Really a lovely area.

We ate lunch at Rancho del Zocalo, which is one of my favorite Disneyland Counter Serves. I'll post some picture of that in the morning. For now I'm headed to bed!

Fri, 05/11/2012 - 02:26

Kristen K.

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We rested today and hung out at the Hotel. I had coffee with the charming Amanda Ficili from the Disney Moms Panel this morning before she headed off on a press tour of Cars Land. I have got to get myself on a press list one of these days! Sounded like she was going to have a great day.

My day was more laid back and looked like this:

Source: Uploaded by user via Kristen on Pinterest

And this:
Source: Uploaded by user via Kristen on Pinterest

We shopped a little bit and I was able to pick up a limited edition Steam Punk Vinylmation set for my room mate. I hope he loves it! I had seen them online last year but couldn't find it in Florida. I was tickled to find it at DStreet here.

We'll be headed out for a really late dinner soon. We're headed to ralph Brennan's Jazz Kitchen for the dueling pianos night! Woot! Bring on the Jazz and Hurricanes!

Fri, 05/11/2012 - 02:31

Kris1971

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Awesome trip report. Its so cool to get the Disneyland perspective!

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Fri, 05/11/2012 - 02:33

Kristen K.

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Oh! Here are those Rancho del Zocalo pictures I promised!

This is a counter service restaurant in Frontierland, and one of my favorites. The food is pretty good, very filling, and it only cost $46 for 4 entree platters and an order of chips and salsa.

Fri, 05/11/2012 - 02:40

Jess

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Yummy....I love mexican

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Fri, 05/11/2012 - 06:07

Kristen K.

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Okay, so I'm either in the running for the worst mom, or best mom ever, not sure.

I took my kids to the Rock-n-Roll Dueling Piano Night in the Bar at Ralph Brennan's Jazz Kitchen tonight. Oh my god, best money ever spent! We sang and laughed and made requests and cheered and had a crazy amount of fun!! The food was NOT as good as I remembered it, the service sucked, but the guys at the piano (and a hurricane) made it so sweet! LoL... Traveling with Teens Tip: Take them to a Disney bar LOL!!!!

Because it was her Birthday the guys called Tori up on stage to assist them. She held the harmonica while the guy played 'Piano Man', the fact that she didn't know the song and when to hold the harmonica up was HILARIOUS! There's totally video... I'll try and get it up in the morning.