Trip Report PandaGirl's Birthday Trip 10/04-10/07

[PandaGirl]

I got to go to Disneyland for my 32nd Birthday!!! :yea:

It was just me and my fiancee Richard. We left my boys (12 and 8) at home since they had school. And as a little birthday present (for myself), we left my little 2 year old home with Grandma. We were really looking forward to a few days of freedom from all the kids, but we found ourselves missing the kids alot.

Anyways we had a ton of fun, especially not having to do the kid switch. We spent most of our time doing things that we don't normally have the chance to when you're toting around a bunch of kids.

We arrived on Sunday October 4th.

Day 1

I want this car!!!! If the person who wins, doesn't get this car, then what do they do with it?



Every inch of this car is detailed with Disney. On the seats and the dashboard....



First we went to California Adventure and headed straight to the first shop and bought 3 vinylmations and then went to get some dinner at Taste Pilots Grill.

All the shops at DLR were having a promotion that if you spent $30 you can buy a Mickey watch (ladies or mens) for $15.95 and if you spent $50 you can buy a holiday Mickey blanket for $16.95.

We then took a walk-thru the Disney hotels. Here's some pics...




The waterfalls...









The koi ponds...







If you've never walked around the Disneyland Hotel, I highly recommend checking out the waterfalls. They are very cool.

I love this...



We decided that it was time to make our way into Disneyland.







All the Halloween decorations are very nice. Especially the flowers...



We spent some time in the Gallery. Loved this part...







Out to Main Street. In Halloween fashion...









I love walking towards the castle...



We then rode Big Thunder Mountain Railroad, Star Wars and Pirates of the Carribean. After Pirates we went back to the hotel. We got the last row and got completely soaked. There was a pool of water just hanging out with us the whole time. Not cool....

To be continued...

[Coheteboy]

Re: PandaGirl's Birthday Trip 10/04-10/07

Great stuff!

[WeWantsTheRedhead]

Re: PandaGirl's Birthday Trip 10/04-10/07

I can tell this is the beginnings of a great trip report! I want to see more pictures!! :]

[Timekeeper]

Re: PandaGirl's Birthday Trip 10/04-10/07

Love it, but post more please!!!!!!!!!!!:yea:

Timekeeper.

[RedHandedJill]

Re: PandaGirl's Birthday Trip 10/04-10/07

More, more!

[cositaluvsmickey]

Re: PandaGirl's Birthday Trip 10/04-10/07

Two :thumbup: can't wait to see more

[PandaGirl]

Re: PandaGirl's Birthday Trip 10/04-10/07

Monday October 5th

Day 2

Since Disneyland and California Adventure didn't open until 10 AM that left us plenty of time for breakfast at....



We headed into California Adventure since Disneyland's lines were crazy long...



The Halloween or should I say all the Candy Corn decorations are awesome...









Here's what me and Richard look like in case anybody was wondering...



Grapes...





We then checked out the Blue Sky Cellar...





I never noticed this before, but I have this same Mickey Mouse bobble head.










On our way over to PP we ran into the Army Men. I had never seen them in person. Totally cool...









A short video...

[ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Sk9sRHr5_Dc"]YouTube - Green Army Men at Disney's California Adventure[/ame]

On our way over to Screamin'



Some construction shots...







Richard rode Screamin' single rider...



Then we decided to go on Toy Story Midway Mania for the first time. :yea: It was awesome!!!! Love it!!!



These score are probably pretty pathetic, but I don't care. It was fun and I beat Richard. Woot!



Pretty...



Richard rode MaliBOOMer...



Then had our first ride ever on Mulholland Madness. Scary...






Then we rode Soarin'



Then headed over to Disneyland...







We were feeling the need for more vinylamtions so we went into the first shop...



While we were in line, the couple in front of us asked if we were leaving or staying and we said staying so they handed us the best thing ever...

Space Mountain Fast Passes!!!!! :thumbup:

During our whole trip, we came to find out that Space Mountain never had a line of less than 45 minutes and the fast passes were out by 3 pm.

Richard was a little bit excited for his vinylmations...



We had about an hour and half until our fast passes were good so we walked around taking in the sights...







The castle without water felt a little wrong...but still pretty...





There wasn't even any water in here...









Still needing to kill some time, we headed over to innoventions...







Finally we got on Space Mountain. Only had about a ten minute wait thanks to the kindness of strangers. We got the very last row...





My Space Mountain thoughts....

Loved it. I have a feeling though that the people in the front rows get a better sense of the ghost. Also I sat on the right side and sometimes I didn't even notice it. Still A-MAZE-ING!!!

We then left Disneyland to go to dinner at Medieval Times.

To be continued...

[PandaGirl]

Re: PandaGirl's Birthday Trip 10/04-10/07

Great stuff!

I can tell this is the beginnings of a great trip report! I want to see more pictures!! :]

Love it, but post more please!!!!!!!!!!!:yea:

Timekeeper.

More, more!

Two :thumbup: can't wait to see more

Thanks everyone! I'm glad you're enjoying my trip report. More on the way!!!

[ChessurInWonderland]

Re: PandaGirl's Birthday Trip 10/04-10/07

Cool! I went really quick Tuesday because it was my mom's b-day, too! I love bday trip reports! looks like you had fun! Love the pictures! Can't wait for the rest of the TR!

[PandaGirl]

Re: PandaGirl's Birthday Trip 10/04-10/07

Cool! I went really quick Tuesday because it was my mom's b-day, too! I love bday trip reports! looks like you had fun! Love the pictures! Can't wait for the rest of the TR!

Yeah for October 6th Birthdays!!! Happy Birthday to your mom!

:yea:

More on the way...pics are uploading....

[PandaGirl]

Re: PandaGirl's Birthday Trip 10/04-10/07

Tuesday October 6th :yea:

My Birthday!!!! :yea:

Day 3

I wanted to make the most out of today so we got up early and headed to the park at 9 AM even though Disneyland or California Adventure didn't open until 10 AM. I was thinking that we'd atleast be able to get into Disneyland around 9:30 so that I could go to City Hall to get my Fun Card.

In all my Birthday preparations I guess I overlooked the fact that Tuesday is a Magic Morning so they weren't letting anybody into Disneyland.

So once again we headed into California Adventure. I got my first Happy Birthday once they scanned my AP. :thumbup: I went into Guest Relations to get my Fun Card and Birthday button. The Fun Card was great but let me tell you, wearing that button made me feel like royalty. Everybody, even guests, would say Happy Birthday Michelle! It was so much fun.

Our first shot for the day. Thank You Photo Pass People!!!



Since the park wasn't officially open, we headed over to Soarin'. Which I was surprised to see that there was already a group coming off the ride...





We then went to ride the Zephyr...











Cool looking light thingys...



I kept trying to get a good shot of the hills of the Little Mermaid ride...











We headed over to our new favorite ride...Toy Story...









OK our scores were a little better than last time...I still beat Richard even though we switched sides.



I had so much fun on Space Mountain the day before I told Richard that I would ride Screamin' with him the next day. I was so scared, but I did it...



We got the second row! I had fun though. I even managed to throw up some peace signs...



We then took a walk around to the other side...









We went to the tortilla factory. And for a birthday surprise we got corn tortillas. :yea:



Cute little pin shop...



We rode GRR since there was only a 5 minute wait...



Such pretty flowers...









Made our way over to Disneyland...









Saw the band coming...





We knew we should get over to Space Mountain and get Fast Passes right away. It was around noon and our fast passes weren't good until 4:05 pm. Not bad. Only bad thing...we couldn't get another fast pass until 2:05.

We then went to HISTA since Richard hadn't seen it yet. He loved it.






More birthday fun to come...

[Aidee]

Re: PandaGirl's Birthday Trip 10/04-10/07

Nice TR! In the video that little boys name was Aidan that's my name! Happy Birthday!!!

[PandaGirl]

Re: PandaGirl's Birthday Trip 10/04-10/07

Tuesday October 6th :yea:

My Birthday!!!! :yea:

Day 3 continued...

We then rode the train over to NOS. Our goal to check out the new Haunted Mansion.















We then headed over to Cafe Orleans and made reservations for 3:30 pm. We had almost 2 hours until we could eat so we rode BTMRR, got fast passes for Splash and rode Star Wars.

While we were waiting to eat...







While we waited for our food we admired some of our purchases...



After our early dinner we cashed in our fast passes...

First Splash...



Why do I always have to sit behind the tall guy?



Now onto Space...





I managed to keep my hands up the whole time. Yes that's a big step for me.

After Space we rode the Matterhorn, got a Dole Whip and went to the Tiki Room, then sat down and waited for the fireworks.

It's so hard for me to get a night time shot of the castle...





Some Fireworks shots. Loved it!!!!











To avoid the massive crowds, we walked over to Space Mountain to check out it's light show.







I then proceeded to spend my fun card. I got 3 more vinylmations, some lollipops, a hat, a ring and a holiday mickey blanket.

With that ended my birthday at Disneyland.

One more quick day to come...

[PandaGirl]

Re: PandaGirl's Birthday Trip 10/04-10/07

Nice TR! In the video that little boys name was Aidan that's my name! Happy Birthday!!!

That's awesome! Thanks!

[PandaGirl]

Re: PandaGirl's Birthday Trip 10/04-10/07

Wednesday October 7th

Day 4

Last Day

Before we get on the road back to AZ we had to get one more quick Disney fix.

We headed straight into California Adventure and into Soarin' This time we didn't get to ride until about 10:15 am. We wanted to go on Toy Story but the line was a 30 min. wait already and we decided that we didn't have the time so Richard did Single Rider for Screamin' instead...

I took pics...











I had been wondering if this was possible. It's not as good as when the mickey was on Screamin' but it's not bad...







We bought some last minute souvenirs and headed out.

Overall, another great trip to Disneyland. Loved all the Halloween touches. My favorites, Space Mountain and the Fireworks.

THE END

[micromind]

Re: PandaGirl's Birthday Trip 10/04-10/07

Excellent TR! Makes me wish I was there.

Even though I'm a 52 year old guy, I like the flowers too. I live in the desert, and the only 'flowers' around here are sagebrush. Nice to see some real ones!

I'm sort of like you, I don't really like the wild rides. Sometimes the kids will convince me to go on one of them, it's OK I guess, but I'd rather enjoy all the detail on the slow rides.

Sounds like you two really enjoyed yourselves! That's what DL is all about. Sometimes it's nice to be without the kids, but I know what you mean by 'missing them'.

DL sort of takes on a different personality when it's just adults. It's just as much fun, but in a slightly different way.

Must be part of the magic everyone keeps talking about. lol.

Rob

[royaldisneyfan]

Re: PandaGirl's Birthday Trip 10/04-10/07

Awesome TR PandaGirl! Happy belated Birthday too! Hope you had a good one!

[DonDuck]

Re: PandaGirl's Birthday Trip 10/04-10/07

Great TR! Happy belated B-day!

[Mac Daddy]

Re: PandaGirl's Birthday Trip 10/04-10/07

Pandagirl - Thanks for this great trip report! Thanks for sharing all of these great photos with us!!

[ScottG]

Re: PandaGirl's Birthday Trip 10/04-10/07

Fantastic TR - you covered everything perfectly!
So there was no water in the moat around the castle? Whats up with that?