Friday, May 19, 2017

Disneyland 2017 Trip - Day 1

Hi, how's it going?

At the beginning of this month Todd and I took a trip to Disneyland for a relaxing, no-hassles vacation.  We had been looking for a quick getaway, and the various Disneyland crowd calendars showed that the beginning of May would be a good time to go, so we went.

Waiting for our plane at DFW Airport.  Not this one though.  Right airline, wrong plane.
Hello Los Angeles, you dirty, dirty diamond

We arrived at LAX and since we had just missed the Disneyland Express bus (which departs hourly), we grabbed at bite to eat at Earl of Sandwich, or as Todd calls it, Sandwich of Earl.  I don't know what he sees in that place, but he was like a slobbering dog at the thought of eating there.  I think it's just ok, but it made for a fine airport lunch.

On the Disneyland Express bus leaving LAX
Still leaving LAX...
...and now we're off the bus and taking pictures of it because it died.
Luckily it died at the last possible covered spot at the airport, and not on the freeways of L.A.  Another bus was dispatched and 20 minutes later we were on our way.

The bus delay put us in the beginning of rush hour traffic, so it took about an hour to get from LAX to Disneyland.  Not too bad, all things considered, and we had no agenda for the day so we weren't stressed.

We stayed this time in the Grand Californian hotel which is adjacent to Downtown Disney and is styled to the Arts and Crafts movement.  Disney was offering a great rate for this hotel as it's currently undergoing renovations to update the rooms.  They don't start construction work until 9am each day, and we never heard or saw them working while we were there, so it wasn't a problem for us.

The lobby of the Grand Californian Hotel.  

We got checked in then headed to the Guest Services desk.  I had done some research in advance of the trip and saw that there was a "power walk" offered each morning (see below from Disney's website).  I was very interested and signed up at Guest Services for the next morning.  Turns out the morning walk was one of the highlights of the trip!  More on that later.

Get Up & Go Power Walk

Rise and shine! Enjoy this very FAST-paced 2-mile power walk through Disney California Adventure Park before it comes to life. Kindly note these requirements: 
  • This is a special offer for Guests staying at the Hotels of the Disneyland Resort.
  • Beginning promptly at 6:00 AM, this group power walk requires all Guests to be able to keep a 15-minute mile pace and is not recommended for those with knee, hip or joint limitations.
  • Athletic shoes are required.
  • The minimum age to participate is 14 years (17 and under must be accompanied by a guardian).
  • Strollers and cameras are not permitted.     
  • This activity may be subject to cancellation due to inclement weather.
Sign-ups are required.
To reserve your space, sign up at the Guest Services desk in the main lobby of any of the 3 Disneyland Park Resort Hotels. There is no fee to participate. Activity time and availability are subject to change without notice.

Our great room.
I'd have preferred a king bed, but it was ok.  This way we had one bed for naps covered in sunscreen and the other stayed clean for sleeping.  Plus I wouldn't have traded the room location for anything.
Let's go out on the balcony, shall we?

Our 4th floor room overlooks the California Adventure theme park, but feels more like a cabin in the woods.  Stepping through the sliding glass door we look out through the branches of a stand of pine trees and just glimpse parts of a path inside the park with people walking by.  The trees are budding and pine cones and needles litter the ground far below the window.  Nearby we can hear raucous and joyful sounds of rushing water, screams and laughter from the Grizzly River Run rapids ride but can't see the ride through the trees.  Amazingly, all the sound is blocked once the balcony door slides closed and we're back in the room.






Our room is also right above what I'll call the back entrance to the California Adventure park.  Away from the main gate, it's an exclusive entry point for use only by guests staying on property.  Our proximity makes it super convenient to get in and out of the park and our hotel.  

The view to the left.  In the lower left corner is the restricted entry point.
In the distance we can see the checkered roof of the Soarin' Around the World ride, beyond that the top of the Main Street Depot at the entrance to Disneyland, and beyond that Space Mountain.
Scooting to the right of the balcony we can just make out through the trees the jaws of Grizzly Peak
Looking back into the room
Bathroom

We got unpacked and refreshed then headed over to Trader Sam's at the Disneyland Hotel for dinner/drinks.

Todd is chillaxin'
There I am
The view from our table.  Musicians played music, a breeze blew, the tiki torches...torched.  I love this place.







My Tiki Tiki Tiki Tiki Tiki Rum:  Reserve rum, cream of coconut, pineapple and orange juices dusted with cinnamon and nutmeg.  Yes I'll have another.
Ordered with a Hawaiian cheeseburger (cheeseburger with a grilled pineapple ring - delicious) and sweet potato fries.
Todd's Piranha Pool:  Strawberry vodka blended with pineapple juice, cream of coconut, strawberry puree,  and Blue Curacao
Night falls at the Enchanted Tiki Bar
Happy enough with 2 drinks and a belly full of cheeseburger
Todd is extra chillaxed now
After dinner we strolled around Downtown Disney.  It was Monday the 1st, and the AMC there was having a premiere of Guardians of the Galaxy 2 on Thursday the 4th at 10pm, so we bought tickets.

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