We had a great time at Disneyland over the weekend! My son and I left for Anaheim after his soccer game on Saturday. The drive was okay, but it rained on and off so it took us longer to get to DL than I was hoping. But we got there about 2:30PM. Fortunately it had stopped raining. When we checked into the Disneyland Hotel, I asked the registration desk if there was anything special I could do for my son since it was his birthday. The cast member told me that they would deliver something special to our room later and also gave my son a birthday button with his name on it. Then we went to our room to drop off our luggage. We met my parents and sister at the Grand Californian lounge and then headed over to DCA. It was the opening weekend for Halloweentime and both parks are decorated and looking very festive! DCA had a very cute Candy Corn theme with Candy Corn Acres in laceName>SunshinelaceName> laceType>PlazalaceType>. We got fast passes for Soarin’ Over California and then we went to Redwood Creek Challenge Trail. My dad ran around with my son while my mom, sister, and I talked. It was nice to see my sister again because we don’t get to see her very often since she’s living in San Diego nowadays. We then went to ride Soarin’; I never get tired of that ride.

We had reservations at Goofy’s Kitchen. When we got there, we had some pictures taken with Pluto and we ended up buying the photo packages they sell. We were seated at a pretty good table and the waitress tied some balloons to my son’s chair. We had a great time with the characters! Goofy came over first and then Dale came over. My son had already opened his presents and my husband and I had gotten him the first volume of DVDs for Chip and Dale’s Rescue Rangers and Tale Spin. My son has been recording the episodes on our DVR. Anyway, my son showed Dale the DVDs and Dale got really excited. He ran over to Goofy and to show him the DVDs. Well, Goofy got offended and they got into a little “argument.” It was so funny! Later Chip came over to the table and he also got excited about the DVDs. He wrote a message on our paper table cloth asking if my son wanted him to sign the DVD box. One of the CMs tracked down a marker for him and he signed Chip n’ Dale on the box! It was so cool! It was definitely a birthday party my son will remember.

After dinner, we went back up to our room to put our stuff away and when we walked in, there was a bunch of balloons hovering above the writing table and a “special delivery” envelope lying on the bed. In the envelope was an autographed picture of Goofy. My son was so excited! It was such a great surprise!

My parents decided to go back to their hotel so my sister, my son, and I went over to DL. The park is decorated with jack o’ lanterns and a huge Mickey pumpkin at Main St. We decided to see what the Finding Nemo ride was like, but the line was too long. So then we decided to go on the Buzz Lightyear ride. Then we went to the Indiana Jones ride. The Haunted Mansion Holiday is opened so we also went on that during Fantasmic; no waiting! And then we went to the Pooh ride. It was getting late and close to park closing so we decided to try the Finding Nemo ride one more time. The wait was only 30 minutes; one of the CMs said that it was the shortest wait time yet for Finding Nemo. It’s such a cool ride! It’s amazing how they did it. The only disappointment we had was they cancelled the fireworks, which didn’t surprise me considering the weather.

The next morning we had a nice simple breakfast at the Coffee House at the Disneyland Hotel and then checked out. Then we met my parents in DL. We went to Woody’s Halloween Round Up, which was a lot of fun. There were crafts and cookies to decorate, as well as live music. Jessie and Bullseye were on stage singing along. Then we went to the Pirates ride. And then we went to lunch. We ate at the Carnation Café and the waitress brought my son a sundae and sang happy birthday to him. We weren’t expecting that but he was wearing his birthday button. It’s so nice because every time we saw a CM, they would wish my son a happy birthday. It was also funny because some of the DL guests walking by us also took the time to wish my son a happy birthday!

Then we went on Autopia; it was only the second time I’ve ridden that ride because I was never really interested in it. But my son got me on it and it’s kind of fun. My son also requested that we ride the Riverboat before we left the park. So we did that and I got some great pictures of the Pirates’ Lair from the boat.

Then it was time to leave so we could drive back to the desert. My son and I decided to stop in Ontario for dinner and he chose the Olive Garden. We also stopped by Krispy Kreme and got some fresh, out of the oven doughnuts! We had a great trip and my son really enjoyed himself.

Lisa  

Lisa  

Totally Tigger

Aren't Chip and Dale a hoot, especially when they interact with each other and other characters.  What a priceless memory for your son, and he is old enough to remember it too!

Like you, I can never get enough of Soarin - as long as I have my patch.  I learned trip before last or so that if I don't have my patch on, even Soarin' makes me sick

While we were there a few weeks ago, they did have some of the Halloween decoration up in Sunshine Plaza.  Alex, who loves windmills was thrilled to see a candy corn windmill.  I am a candy corn freak so I enjoyed the big one in the Plaza. 

Maybe we can do a birthday trip for Alex again next year, but do it one week later.

Leanne

May All Your Days Be Filled With Magic!  And your nights full of Disney Dreams!

Elaine  

We like to go to the Chip and Dale's breakfast at the Storyteller's Cafe sometimes. We had New Years Day brunch there last year; it was so fun and not very crowded.  

Lisa  

Lisa  

Totally Tigger