Matt's 2019, Spring Dapper Day Trip for Char's 10th Birthday with Napa Rose/Club 33!!

whoever · Apr 22, 2019

This is Charlotte's 10th Birthday Celebration Solo trip. For those who don't know this Disney Family, we take each girl on their own solo trip to The Disneyland Resort for their 10th Birthday. If you haven't read my previous TRs, you should probably do so now. We never hold back and have an ABSOLUTE BLAST on every trip. NO SISTERS!!! We start in Phoenix, where Amy's little sister flew in to watch the other two girls while we were on our trip. She took the other two to school, and we left the house shortly thereafter...sorta.

4/11/2019...7:53 AM... We FINALLY left... after numerous we forgot this, we forgot that, let's take one more potty break, etc....

Charlotte folded both of the second row captain's chairs so she'd have a mini-living room to stretch out in waaaaay back in the 3rd row of the Axiom.

A quick mile and a half on surface streets, and we jumped on the I10, and headed West!!

Traffic in Downtown Phoenix where we call home was surprisingly light!

We settled in, and made for the last fuel stop in AZ, where we always fuel, bathroom, and food, before we enter CA!!

Amy occupied herself with sewing Char's Stitch Ears for the coming Sunday.

9:43 AM, we hit Ehrenberg and the Flying J where we always fuel. This is a common sight with a 6000#, 450HP luxobarge which we affectionately call the Axiom after WALL-E.

12.78 gallons refilled after the 148 mile trip didn't bode well due to the substantial headwind we were running against (11.6MPG running on 91 octane). I try NEVER to fuel in CA due to their ridiculous fuel prices largely due to the tax, but we'd figure it out. At 9:52, we were back on the road, fueled, dead insects cleaned off the windshield, and some food in our stomachs. Imagine my joy when I found that the headwind we had faced all the way from Phoenix, quickly dropped off, and I was able to post some respectable fuel economy.

Feeling happy that we were getting closer..

Nearing Indo and the wind farms..

After we got off the 10, and onto the 60 by Hinda, I noticed that I'd NEVER seen those hills that green. Here's to hoping CA has a mild fire season.

FINALLY, we are getting close!!!

I'll never get used to the site of Guardians... BLECH.

Char is back awake and getting excited!!

Oh how I wish they had just demolished Paradise Pier Hotel and put the third gate which would be a combined Star Wars/Marvel land on that property... could have connected it with tunnels...

Here was our turn. Been a few trips since we've stayed at our CA home, Disney's Grand Californian Hotel and Spa.

We gave our name, and pulled straight through. It was oddly not busy.

We relatively quickly valeted and put our 12 bags (yes, 12 items, for 3 people for 4 days) on the Bell cart, and made our way inside... so happy to finally be home. I couldn't help one look back at that favorite porte-cochère I love so much.

whoever · Apr 23, 2019

After our arrival at 12:52PM, being in the vehicle for just a hair under five hours with precious chance to stretch our legs, it was GREAT to be out of the vehicle. Amy and Char went to the ladies room to freshen up while I went to the front desk to check in. I requested a room over Napa Rose, which is our favorite location, but being that we were on convention rates (easily 50% rack rate) for Dapper Day, it wasn't in the cards despite much shuffling by my reception host. Despite that set back, we were granted immediate access to our room, 4223. We've stayed close to that room before, the last time, on Amy and my solo trip for her 35th birthday, but we've never stayed at the Grand post-remodel as our last few trips have been at the Disneyland Hotel.

Thoughts on the new rooms... Given I own EVERY piece of furniture and/or fixtures including the paintings out of the old rooms and call it home every day when I walk into my master suite, I was a little hesitant to check out the new rooms despite having seeing them before. Here's the good, the bad, and the ugly... The good...they are brighter. They have whole-room lighting with a tray ceiling and bathroom mirror. They are very light furnishings compared to the old. The entry way/bathroom is faux wood to eliminate the sticky carpet from stroller parking with bubble wands. The bad... The room is CRAMPED. There's NO ROOM for anything. While the sleeper sofa is nice, we felt starved for space with only 3 people even stashing luggage below the beds. The UGLY... The closet got smaller somehow... practically ZERO SPACE for hanging. The fridge is useless as all get-out for anything not a 12-oz can of soda. Zero depth, minimal height, and weak shelves and no freezer. No tub is a lose IMHO. Shower is nice, however.

While I own all the framed art from the old rooms, I really liked this stuff too.

The Keurig is an improvement. The TINY fridge is a detriment. The only 2-non-decaf K-cups per day... FAIL.

USB charging ports and extra outlets are a plus.

Want this...

Charlotte claiming her space despite changing her mind later..

Like the new sconces over the beds, but like mine better. These are individually switched vs. the old ones being on a circuit.

Love the Dale inlay to the wood.

And how it extends into the Chip on the mural.

I'd have that in my home...

They were loving it.

New Vanity. I was tempted to ask if they'd sell that Mickey Stool

New Shower/commode.

I LOVE this over the commode. Really need that...

The flooring is a basket-weave in Travertine. I installed that in the girl's bathroom but, in Carrera. It was almost like we were in our own house.

The diminutive closet..

The views out of the front of the hotel are lackluster to say the least. I hate this view most of all, but saving easily $400/night, who could complain. The trees have gotten pretty large in the nearly 20 years since they were planted.

Jaina · Apr 23, 2019

I can't believe how green those hills are! I'm hoping they are still as beautiful when we go out this next weekend! So looking forward to it, and to some nice-looking weather! And wow, you guys make good time! Looking forward to that, too, someday. It usually takes us more like 6 1/2 - 7 between having too many small children and having bad luck with accidents shutting down the road... Excited to hear how it all went!

FlameGirl · Apr 23, 2019

whoever said:
The bad... The room is CRAMPED. There's NO ROOM for anything. While the sleeper sofa is nice, we felt starved for space with only 3 people even stashing luggage below the beds.

That... really is cramped. Do all of the remodeled rooms have the sleeper sofa? That's a bummer. Your family is super cute and I appreciate all of the details you put into your trip reports. Cheers! :goodvibes

whoever · Apr 23, 2019

Jaina said:
I can't believe how green those hills are! I'm hoping they are still as beautiful when we go out this next weekend! So looking forward to it, and to some nice-looking weather! And wow, you guys make good time! Looking forward to that, too, someday. It usually takes us more like 6 1/2 - 7 between having too many small children and having bad luck with accidents shutting down the road... Excited to hear how it all went!

We had amazing luck on this trip. Under 5 hours both ways, which never happens at least going there, and seldom coming home. Traffic was great both coming and going. Crowds were super light as you'll see as I get into the report, and the weather was PERFECT!! I couldn't have asked for more favorable conditions honestly on all those aspects.

whoever · Apr 23, 2019

FlameGirl said:
That... really is cramped. Do all of the remodeled rooms have the sleeper sofa? That's a bummer. Your family is super cute and I appreciate all of the details you put into your trip reports. Cheers!

It's their solution to eliminating the bunk beds, so I would guess nearly all the rooms have them unless you just get the King room. I'm honestly not a fan, but since I bought all the furniture/headboards from the old rooms, I get to live in 2001-2018 Grand Californian every day at home, LOL.

momtohms · Apr 23, 2019

Yay! I’m totally here for this! I really enjoy your reports and pics

How fun to do a trip with each of your girls too, that’s definitely something I would love to do with mine.

Love all the pics of the room! I’ll be staying there for the first time this summer, and can’t wait. That’s such a bummer they’ve skimped on the storage space though!

whoever · Apr 23, 2019

At ten to two, we left the room, did a quick reconnaissance of the Acorn Gift Shop at the Grand, and headed into the park. Security checkpoint was super light, so we breezed right through, despite me having to get wanded due to my belt buckle. Security would be super inconsistent throughout the trip, some guards digging through everything, others doing cursory glances and moving on. Behavioral profiling training would go a long way here.

As we were walking past World of Disney, a CM was at the doors with the egg picture props. We took a quick pic, entered WoD, and proceeded to pick up an egg hunt kit. We also found our first egg of the weekend. Sadly, we wouldn't find time to do either of the egg hunts we purchased as we ran out of time. Doh..

Ten minutes later, we were headed to Disneyland. It was super light lines, and we took pictures for our pics, and headed in.

I had heard they were going to remove the ICONIC Adventureland Sign, so I made sure to get one last pic... it would be removed a mere couple days after our departure... so sad. Insert SWL rant here:

Our first stop wasn't an attraction, but a dining destination... I HAD to check out the Tropical Hideaway!!

I LOVE the theming!!

I ended up ordering a Bulgogi Beef Bao ($5.99), some dipping sauce (at $0.59 extra charge I might add, which was NOT communicated to me when I picked the sauce up), a Loaded Whip with Pineapple/Raspberry instead of the Pineapple/Orange ($7.99), and a few of the Parrot Sporks ($2.99 each). When we had entered, Amy had headed over to Bengal BBQ and grabbed a Bengal Beef Skewer ($5.49), a Safari Skewer ($4.99), a Jungle Julep ($5.49), and a Lemonade Slush ($5.99)

First up, the loaded Whip, which was Pineapple and Raspberry Swirl, Exotic Fruit, Crystallized Hibiscus, presented with some Pocky sticks. As far as the Tropical Hideaway went, this was the star.

The Beef Bao, which was Beef, Sweet Chilies, and Potatoes, stuck to the paper bag they served it in, and was pretty much devoid of flavor. It really needed that up charged dipping sauce they nickel and dime you for. HARD PASS, Disney!!!

Next up was the Safari Skewer, which is just Bacon-wrapped Asparagus, was a huge hit. Not sure if I would prefer this or the Pork Belly Skewer for an extra buck, but it was GREAT! For the drinks, The Piranha Lemonade Slushy (Mango and Pineapple Lemonade with Lychee and Pomegranate Popping Pearls) was the star of the beverages. Would LOVE this again. The Jungle Julep (refreshing Slush of Pineapple, Orange, Grape, and Lemon Juices), I could quite frankly do without. It was decent, but not worth the price IMHO.

Charlotte loves the Beef Skewers, sans sauce, and she was amply satiated by the dessert, drinks, and beef.

I loved the props and tie-in to the Jungle Cruise.....

.... which was our first attraction of the trip!!

Love me some Schweitzer Falls.

Surviving a trip from a bad place to be-headed, we enjoyed the view of the Hideaway from the bote (intentional misspelling)!!!

whoever · Apr 23, 2019

momtohms said:
Yay! I’m totally here for this! I really enjoy your reports and pics How fun to do a trip with each of your girls too, that’s definitely something I would love to do with mine.

Love all the pics of the room! I’ll be staying there for the first time this summer, and can’t wait. That’s such a bummer they’ve skimped on the storage space though!

You'll love it, I'm sure. It's still my favorite property of the DLR (does Paradise Pier even count?). I just love that hotel, so beautifully themed.

whoever · Apr 23, 2019

Now, safely back from the rivers of adventure, we made our way to what is normally our FIRST attraction of every trip.... who can guess?
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Pirates, of course!!! This was my first trip on Pirates after all the extensive re-Imagineering of several of the show scenes.

These two are VERY intently pondering their next moves.

The Red Head painting was practically non-visible with the lighting so low

He moved his magnifying glass. You used to see his toothy grin, now it shows his eyes to the passing skiff.

And the contents of his table have been rearranged and replaced with new items..

I didn't notice any changes in the treasure room.

Let me say HOW UNFATHOMLY HAPPY I was to see the mist screen and Davy Jones gone for good. The new show scene is perfection of practical effects which pays homage to the original intent of the attraction.

The next new/updates show scene, I'm pretty sore about. I'm sure I'll catch flak for this, but I really don't care. I hate when they change things for PC reasons and not because it fits into the story line as originally imagined. Disney wasn't endorsing human trafficking or rape, they were just depicting what pirates did... really bad things. As a Disney shareholder, I'm sure not one penny was lost to me or the other owners out of outrage about a show scene that's been around for over 50 years unchanged. What's next, changing the iconic theme song?

Yo ho, yo ho, a pirate's life for me
We pillage, we plunder, we rifle, and loot
Drink up, me 'earties, yo ho
We kidnap and ravage and don't give a hoot
Drink up me 'earties, yo ho

Yo ho, yo ho, a pirate's life for me
We extort, we pilfer, we filch, and sack
Drink up, me 'earties, yo ho
Maraud and embezzle, and even high-jack
Drink up, me 'earties, yo ho

Yo ho, yo ho, a pirate's life for me
We kindle and char, inflame and ignite
Drink up, me 'earties, yo ho
We burn up the city, we're really a fright
Drink up, me 'earties, yo ho

We're rascals, scoundrels, villans, and knaves
Drink up, me 'earties, yo ho
We're devils and black sheep, really bad eggs
Drink up, me 'earties, yo ho
Yo ho, yo ho, a pirate's life for me

We're beggars and blighters, ne'er-do-well cads
Drink up, me 'earties, yo ho
Aye, but we're loved by our mommies and dads
Drink up, me 'earties, yo ho

The whole of the attraction was pretty low lighting compared to past trips.

Jack was EXTRA drunk today.

After we returned from our voyage of the damned, we returned safely to port, and made our way through Pieces of Eight, and settled in the court for 21 Royal.

Guess who's going to be upstairs here in October? Da Boss!!!

karly101 · Apr 24, 2019

Just wanted to say following your trip report - looking forward to living vicariously through it for your club 33 experience

whoever · Apr 24, 2019

karly101 said:
Just wanted to say following your trip report - looking forward to living vicariously through it for your club 33 experience

Our trip to the club isn't until the evening of Day 3, so buckle up because it's gonna be a bit.

deejdigsdis · Apr 24, 2019

Enjoying your report and wonderful pictures! And I'm with you on POTC. Wish they would have left it alone.

whoever · Apr 24, 2019

deejdigsdis said:
Enjoying your report and wonderful pictures! And I'm with you on POTC. Wish they would have left it alone.

I'm all for change if it makes sense, but I have heartburn over touching Walt's vision. I have no qualms about changing at World/Paris, but don't screw up Disneyland.

Jaina · Apr 24, 2019

The Tropical Hideaway looks pretty cool. We're going to have to grab some snacks there! And I'm interested to see the changes to POTC and how I feel about them. I already know I'm unimpressed at the loss of the redhead scene... We've never done the Jungle Cruise early in the day like that. We did once do it after dark (a few trips ago) when they were waving people in because there was no line, and it was actually pretty fun.

momtohms · Apr 24, 2019

whoever said:
You'll love it, I'm sure. It's still my favorite property of the DLR (does Paradise Pier even count?). I just love that hotel, so beautifully themed.

I’m sure I will too! We did PPH on our 2015 trip (which was our first trip as a family), but then we did DLH in 2017 and PPH just doesn’t compare anymore. Haha! DH and my kids won’t be with me this summer to see how GCH works for the family, but I am
pretty sure I will be convincing him that we all have to stay at GCH on our next family trip. I’m already predicting it will be my fave

whoever · Apr 24, 2019

momtohms said:
I’m sure I will too! We did PPH on our 2015 trip (which was our first trip as a family), but then we did DLH in 2017 and PPH just doesn’t compare anymore. Haha! DH and my kids won’t be with me this summer to see how GCH works for the family, but I am
pretty sure I will be convincing him that we all have to stay at GCH on our next family trip. I’m already predicting it will be my fave

We made the mistake of staying at the GCH for our first family stay.... everything else was tainted after that LOL. We do love the DLH too, just in different ways. The pools/cabanas far eclipse the Grand's.

CO2CA · Apr 24, 2019

Following. Love the detailed pictures!

One of these days I'll finally write a trip report. I take so many pictures and have a pretty good memory, but just never have enough time to sit down and write between classes and work! Maybe I'll do one for when we're there on Star Wars opening day... I'm sure they make a great memory look back years later.

whoever · Apr 24, 2019

Being as the exit of Pirates dumps you firmly in New Orleans Square, we chose to take on the second E-ticket the land had to offer... but not before a stroll through Magnoia Park. This is one of the best attractions of the park(s), but not on any map you will find. Magnolia park is simply AMAZING, and evokes the feeling of being in a southern city PERFECTLY.

And is the perfect queue for the Haunted Mansion. I'd love this suit of armor in my home... it could clean and mop

I love the guest register. What I WOULDN'Tgive to take a look at it.

When they said swinging wake, they really meant swinging...

This portrait looks ANGRY

I was RIGHT!!

Who is playing that piano?

Clearly this gentleman!

Surviving becoming the 1000th Ghost, we emerged, and headed North along the Rivers of America. Imagine my dismay to see the Galaxy's edge showing it's ugly face along the river.

While waiting, I watched a canoe launch. If you've never seen or experienced it, it's a LITERAL experiment in communication gone wrong. Nobody but the initiated can paddle, and everybody just blindly dips on the wrong stroke. This sort of imersive experience and the comic relief are what separates DLR from the sub-standard parks. DLR as long as it has these type of imersive features will always remain the industry leader.

whoever · Apr 24, 2019

Being in NOS, on Charlotte's Birthday, she clearly only eats Steak and Sugar... So Sugar it is. Beignets were bountiful

Amy HATES when I take her picture eating something... I keep doing it. I expect it in divorce proceedings some day.

At Least Char is happy.

The Sailing Ship Columbia was looking Majestic as we walked by

Char and Amy.. happy on the sugar rush..

We grabbed some Thunder FP on our way through. I being me, and never letting well enough alone, examined the sign and determined they hadn't actually shot it organically with bullets, but had instead, fashioned a punch which had the tear marks machined into it and just used in 180* increments. I would have personally shot it with varying calibers for authenticity.

We ventured over to Indy, and got in queue. This queue NEEDS TIME.... I'm kinda pissed people are rushed through it, as besides Rodger Rabbit Cartoon Spin, it is HANDS DOWN THE BEST QUEUE on property.