Day 1 Operation D-laNd

When we arrived at The Residence Inn by Marriott, we fell in love immediately.

Call me an old fogey, but it seems to me that these days very few things are complimentary.

That was not the case with our hotel!

Each morning, they offered an extensive free breakfast for all guests and Monday-Thursday, a free dinner complete with a soda fountain.

The lobby had free hot chocolate 24 hours.

We enjoyed a luxurious 2 bedroom, 2 bathroom suite with a full kitchen and two dining tables.

The children’s room had bunk beds, dressers, chairs and a TV- adding to the other 2 TV’s  located throughout our temporary home.

Every day we came home to newly made beds, fresh towels and clean dishes.

We partook of their cheap parking and rode their shuttle to and from the park.  Other than that, we did very little driving since the hotel was surrounded by all of our favorite restaurants and a few stores.  We even did a little shopping at their souvenir store!

Although we avoided the chilly looking pools, Danny and the kids did brave the big hot tub one night.

Apparently, I should write a travel brochure for this place!  But I’m serious, when it comes to traveling with a family, I cannot say enough about how much we appreciated the countless amenities we were offered by this place! 

 

 

Right after we arrived, we got checked in for a nap and then took a walk down to Red Robin since we figured our picky children would not enjoy the potato bar offered by the hotel.  Then we headed to the hot tub and then bed to catch a few short hours of rest before we attempted our “Magic Morning.”

Baby E slept amazingly well and after a breathing treatment, so did the princess.

It was the eldest who came barreling down the hallway and jumped in bed with us after having a nightmare that disrupted our sleep this night.  Aye yigh yigh!

 

 

We had an amazingly smooth morning, even though we got there much later than we’d hoped. 

By about 10:00 in the AM we had actually achieved most of the important attractions, including Peter Pan, Indiana Jones, Tarzan’s Tree, Pirates of the Caribbean, Winnie the Pooh, Splash Mountain, Haunted Mansion and Tiki Room.  We had also run into Jasmine and Aladdin and Tigger and Eeyore.

So we stopped to enjoy overpriced cinnamon rolls and hot chocolate that Daddy did not even like!

 

 

I posted Splash Mountain pics first so that I can account for the flat, nasty hairdo in the subsequent photos.  And no, I was not wet from the big drop, rather from the annoying teen girls who got in a water fight on the ride and soaked me in the process.  Kids these days  . .

(You can’t see M cuz he slid down and bonked his face on the seat.  Bad Mom!!)

 

 

 

These kids were so good.

Poor E was still a bit lethargic still from his lingering illness and after his first experience on a dark ride with loud noises and flashing lights, he clammed right up.

He put his head on our shoulder and muttered “bye-bye” and “all done” until each ride was over.

I’ve yet to have a brave toddler who loves Disneyland!

He was also quite frightened of the characters until about the 3rd or 4th ones when he learned they were there for hugging.

Then he began running up to them with his arms outstretched.  So cute!

 

For lunch we headed to our fav- Café Orleans for some Pomes Frites (parmesan fries) and a couple Monte Cristos (fried grilled ham and cheese dusted with powdered sugar and dipped in jelly)

Health nuts, yes we are!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

We tried to leave right after lunch, but as per usual, got held up by the parade.

Little E perked up a little to see some of his favorite characters in it- though you can’t exactly derive this from the pictures!

I love this picture of her waving to her idol!

 

My husband was a little snap happy-which is way weird for him

 

 

 

Paused on the way out for some pics in front of Mickey, wearing our Mickey garb Daddy bought us for Christmas.

Don’t worry, we were ambitious the first day, but took way less pics the following days!

 

After a 4 hour slumber and free BBQ at the hotel, we dressed up warmly for a night of fun in the park.

Good thing the kids had these hats for the cold nights in Cali since they pretty much have not worn them since with our strangely mild winter back home!

 

That night we took no camera, but our phones

And, of course, we ran into the big man himself.

Don’t mind our creepy eyes!

 

 

 

Big M: Loved Pirates, Hated Indiana, and was thrilled to get autographs.

Princess C: Braver than M.  Doesn’t love drops on Caribbean though.  Specializes in the “Disneyland” song and dance.

Baby E: Disliked most of the rides but made a big breakthrough when he hugged Mickey.