FlyingBelle
DIS Veteran
- Joined
- Jun 14, 2006
My intent is to keep this really straightforward and hopefully useful. Sorry to say, I'm just not very humorous, so the pressure to post an entertaining trip report is too much!
Background: I'm a lifelong Disney fan, an airline employee, and a wife and mom from the Chicago area. I used to only vacation in Walt Disney World, but about 8 years ago my sister moved to California, so we started making our way to Disneyland. The first time I walked down Main Street in Anaheim I kept looking for the castle, but couldn't see it because of the Christmas tree. When we finally saw it I couldn't stop laughing because it was so small! I just wasn't prepared for that. But I've come to really love Disneyland over the years.
My husband is a stay-at-home dad (by choice). I'm the planner, but he's always asking for the next Disney trip and puts in his requests early and often! I have two kids: DS is 6 and a huge Star Wars fan. DD just turned 10 and still loves all things princesses (especially Ariel). DD also has an intellectual disability, so while she may look like the average kid, there is a lot going on in that little brain of hers that causes her anxiety and confusion. She's a sweet kid and a lot of fun. And there is our new addition to the family, an 8 month old Cavapoo puppy named Ginger. Unfortunately she had to stay home at the puppy hotel this trip.
The reason for our trip? As the title says, DD turned 10 earlier this week. We asked her what she wanted to do for this milestone bday - DisneyWorld? Cruise? Wisconsin Dells? Tampa/Clearwater to see the dolphins Hope & Winter? Her choice... to visit with cousins and go to Disneyland the day after her birthday!
I won't spend time talking about the days leading up to Disneyland, since that was mostly spent with my sister and her family, but we were looking forward to spending time in Disneyland!
Our goals:
1) DS wanted to fight Darth Vader (He did it years ago in Disney World, and hasn't wanted to since, but this time it was on his must-do list!)
2) I wanted to ride the Matterhorn (on my Disney bucket list), and see Fantasmic!
3) DD wanted to meet Moana
4) Hubby wanted to eat at Earl of Sandwich and do whatever we wanted to do
Arrival:
My sister drove us to the drop-off area on Harbor Blvd. about 8:10am and we did the 1 block walk up to the Disneyland entrance. Since we were leaving the next day for Chicago (really early am), we had all our backpacks and stuff from the week. We were able to get through bag check pretty easily (although I felt bad for the folks in line behind us since we had so many bags) and we made our way to the lockers to the left of the Disneyland entrance.
The lockers were easy to use, it just wasn't clear how to select a locker, until we started on the screen and it pre-selected a locker for us based on size. We were able to secure the largest size locker, which fit our large duffel bag and 4 small-ish backpacks. You can select your own code, and can go back into the locker as many times as needed throughout the day.
We had purchased our 1-day pass on the Disneyland app, so we were all set. It was an early entrance day that opened at 8am, but we wouldn't be able to get in until 9am. People were already lining up, but we decided to grab a bite to eat at Brea Bakery. About 8:45am we went to line up, and just 5 minutes later they started letting everyone into the park. NOTE: those that were lined up next to the early entry lines were able to hop over to the line as it converted over to all entry. We were a little to far away to do that, but it still only took us a few minutes to get in. Since we purchased our ticket on the app, they took a quick photo of us and issued us a paper ticket.
Next up... We're in!
Background: I'm a lifelong Disney fan, an airline employee, and a wife and mom from the Chicago area. I used to only vacation in Walt Disney World, but about 8 years ago my sister moved to California, so we started making our way to Disneyland. The first time I walked down Main Street in Anaheim I kept looking for the castle, but couldn't see it because of the Christmas tree. When we finally saw it I couldn't stop laughing because it was so small! I just wasn't prepared for that. But I've come to really love Disneyland over the years.
My husband is a stay-at-home dad (by choice). I'm the planner, but he's always asking for the next Disney trip and puts in his requests early and often! I have two kids: DS is 6 and a huge Star Wars fan. DD just turned 10 and still loves all things princesses (especially Ariel). DD also has an intellectual disability, so while she may look like the average kid, there is a lot going on in that little brain of hers that causes her anxiety and confusion. She's a sweet kid and a lot of fun. And there is our new addition to the family, an 8 month old Cavapoo puppy named Ginger. Unfortunately she had to stay home at the puppy hotel this trip.
The reason for our trip? As the title says, DD turned 10 earlier this week. We asked her what she wanted to do for this milestone bday - DisneyWorld? Cruise? Wisconsin Dells? Tampa/Clearwater to see the dolphins Hope & Winter? Her choice... to visit with cousins and go to Disneyland the day after her birthday!
I won't spend time talking about the days leading up to Disneyland, since that was mostly spent with my sister and her family, but we were looking forward to spending time in Disneyland!
Our goals:
1) DS wanted to fight Darth Vader (He did it years ago in Disney World, and hasn't wanted to since, but this time it was on his must-do list!)
2) I wanted to ride the Matterhorn (on my Disney bucket list), and see Fantasmic!
3) DD wanted to meet Moana
4) Hubby wanted to eat at Earl of Sandwich and do whatever we wanted to do
Arrival:
My sister drove us to the drop-off area on Harbor Blvd. about 8:10am and we did the 1 block walk up to the Disneyland entrance. Since we were leaving the next day for Chicago (really early am), we had all our backpacks and stuff from the week. We were able to get through bag check pretty easily (although I felt bad for the folks in line behind us since we had so many bags) and we made our way to the lockers to the left of the Disneyland entrance.
The lockers were easy to use, it just wasn't clear how to select a locker, until we started on the screen and it pre-selected a locker for us based on size. We were able to secure the largest size locker, which fit our large duffel bag and 4 small-ish backpacks. You can select your own code, and can go back into the locker as many times as needed throughout the day.
We had purchased our 1-day pass on the Disneyland app, so we were all set. It was an early entrance day that opened at 8am, but we wouldn't be able to get in until 9am. People were already lining up, but we decided to grab a bite to eat at Brea Bakery. About 8:45am we went to line up, and just 5 minutes later they started letting everyone into the park. NOTE: those that were lined up next to the early entry lines were able to hop over to the line as it converted over to all entry. We were a little to far away to do that, but it still only took us a few minutes to get in. Since we purchased our ticket on the app, they took a quick photo of us and issued us a paper ticket.
Next up... We're in!