Look Out Disneyland Here We Come Seven

I am excited to say those magic words, "I'm going to Disneyland."  No, I didn't win the Super Bowl, but I am traveling to Disneyland again.   We were last there for the first event of its kind, 'The One More Disney Day'.  This happened on Leap Day, February 29th, 2012.  

My daughter's favorite day!

Congrats to my twins!

Other than the cold after midnight, the crowds, and long wait for the attractions because no Fast Passes, the entire day was pure Disney Magic.  Upon reflection, blogging about Disneyland and Disney collectibles has the biggest enjoyment for me.  Oddly,  Disneyland holds an important place in my and my family's lives.  Well guess what, we are preparing another trip.  The last time, I found the preparation was also fun to blog about.   Well, this trip has been planned since that last trip.  There were reasons for the delay between this up-coming trip.    

First, my twins graduated from high school in 2012.  Grad Night at Disneyland is a exciting time for a graduating teenager.  For my twins there were several extra special reasons that this trip to Disneyland was rewarding.  They got to go to Disneyland alone, without parental units, and they got to show their friends the park.  How did it delay a family trip to the Magic Kingdom?  
A.) Parents knew their children needed to spread their wings. 
B.) Graduation is an important right of passage
C.) The cost of two trips and all the cost associated with being a senior.
D.) All of the above.
Yes, any money that might have been allotted for a trip to Disneyland was spent.  

We all sat down as a family and discussed when we would we all be able to go back.  The summer of 2013 was agreed upon.  Now you think that would be easy, not.  We were now four individuals.  My son went to summer session at college. My daughter moved out of her dorm and got an apartment.  Luckily and happily, I retired so my calender was completely open.  

One of the best places to stay.

So with all the possible dates we knew it had to be the end of July.  Does anyone have August 2nd on your calender I asked?  A chorus of No's followed.  "No one?" I asked.  It's our anniversary.  Won't it be a great to be there.  So that was a pivotal date.  Imagine four people each with their computer looking up what they want to do.  My wife said, "I'd like to stay at the Grand Californian."  We have stayed there several times.  The kids said, "No, we want to stay at the Disneyland Hotel because we haven't been to the new pools."

The new pool, splash time soon.

My new camera will capture the kids on the new slides.

We discussed and it was settled,  Disneyland Hotel was going to be location of our stay.  Excitement was now set free.  Disney web site was flooded with requests just from our home.  We checked the new Early Entry benefit for hotel guests. Types of rooms were investigated.  Services were thoroughly checked on.  "Hey, Honey I said they say they have cabanas that can be rented by the pool."  "They have WiFi, flat screen TVs, refrigerator, and dedicated server." "We would not have to fight for an umbrella."  

She excitedly said, "It would be so great to spend our anniversary lounging by the pool."  It was settled, we would go over to DCA and Cars Land for Early Entry then my wife and I would return to the cabana and the kids could join us later.  We'll let you know what this experience was like.

Transformation by going back in time.

When we were last there, California Adventure was a maze.  Construction walls were everywhere.  This caused miles of walking to get from one place to another.  The new Buena Vista Street was all blocked off.  The top of the building that is the Carthy Theater protrudes above the scaffolding behind the new entrance.  Cars Land was not open so we knew we had to come back to see what they did to retheme the old California Adventure that opened in February 2001.  

Look at that! Look at that! Look at that Cadillac.

Beyond the ocean's pier rose and island, a new land.

The planning is done. The date is drawing closer.  I bought a new camera to take pictures to post and share.  In 2001, I bought a MInolta DiMage 7.  It was top of the line then but technology changes fast.  Now I have a much better camera.  I have gone to Disneyland yearly since 1955.  I have seen so many improvements and changes.  I was going to share my photos and experiences on MouseWait.  However, sometimes inexperience can lead an individual astray.  So those of you that follow me or this blog will need to monitor this site for updates.

We are getting everything we need: Bags, hats, fanny packs, and everything that we nee to make our successful.  All of our items are a Disney Product, we love Disney so much we take them everywhere. The next blog post will show those Disney items that are coming with us to the Disneyland Hotel and the Magic Kingdom.  See you there friends and acquaintances.

Previous Links:
Lookout Disneyland Here We Come Six
http://www.midasgoldstouch.blogspot.com/2012/03/lookout-disneyland-here-we-come-six.html

Lookout Disneyland Here We Are
http://www.midasgoldstouch.blogspot.com/2012/03/look-out-disneyland-here-we-are.html

Lookout Disneyland Here We Are! Leahttp://www.midasgoldstouch.blogspot.com/2012/03/look-out-disneyland-here-we-are-leap.htmlp Day.


This in Education Senior Trip
http://www.midasgoldstouch.blogspot.com/2012/05/this-week-in-education-senior-trip.html