The Grand Californian

Woo hoo – we got the AP rate for our stay at the Grand Californian for our December trip. We’re building the anticipation. First, we stayed at Paradise Pier in May, next we’re scheduled for the Disneyland Hotel in September, and now for the ultimate Disneyland resort experience – the Grand Californian!

While I stayed at the Disneyland Hotel years ago, this will be the first time Rich and I have stayed there together. It’ll be interesting to see what we think. But if it doesn’t live up to our Disney resort experience expectations, it’s exciting to know we have the GC booked.

Napa Rose and Christmas will be the focus of the GC trip in December, while the Neverland pool, catching up on Fantasyland rides, and the Angels baseball game will be the focus of the September Disneyland Hotel trip.

EOS in Vegas

Neon Lights of Earl of Sandwich

We had been anticipating going to lunch at Earl of Sandwich for some time because we used to go there quite frequently when we lived near Walt Disney World. But here it’s located inside Planet Hollywood just off Dessert Passage Shopping, with walking access from Las Vegas Blvd.

From the parking garage, you have to wind through Dessert Passage and, for some reason, we kept getting lost. The first time we toured this property, it seemed so easy to find Earl of Sandwich. Eventually, we asked a blackjack dealer for directions. LOL!

EOS was as popular as ever (located across from the sports book) and the sandwiches were just as delicious. Even the potato salad was as yummy as it should be (unlike the last time we had it at WDW). What we both must admit, though, it that it was a bit disorienting hearing the clanging of slot machines while we ate our sandwiches instead of being surrounded by Disney guests and Mickey Mouse and the gang. Hey, Mickey, we’re not in Florida anymore.

But we did notice a Dessert Passage customer service rep riding up and down the aisles on a Segway. BTW, if you’d like to see a Las Vegas policeman on a Segway, check out this YouTube video:

Sleeping Beauty Castle to Reopen?

The Passporter boards led me to the LA Times article which led me to Micechat - all with rumors that the Sleeping Beauty Castle walk through is going to re-open at Disneyland! Woo hoo!

Growing up near Disneyland, I never even knew about the walk through, which, according to Yesterland, opened in 1957. It was only when I traveled to Disneyland from San Francisco that my traveling partner pointed it out to me.

So then when I first heard about a restaurant inside Cinderella Castle at Disney World, I had to eat there. This was before these character meals were so prevalent and it was easy to get a table.

BTW, if you go over to the Yesterland site, check out the facts about the castles at other Disney parks. And you may just want to see what else Yesterday has – it’s a great place to revisit the Disneyland of the past.

A Disney Morning

As a freelance writer working from my home office, I can get awfully lonely after Rich drives off to work. So the first thing I do once I carry my coffee to my upstairs office is turn on Live 365 and play my favorite Disney radio station for the day.

I tend to hop between Intercot, Park Hopper, and Radio Buena Vista, although I prefer the first two when I’m alone because they’re more  interactive with Resort announcements. I actually look forward to the commercials.

Right now Intercot is playing the music from Dreams Come True from the Disneyland 50th Anniversary CD. It’s a great way to start the day. And blogging about it on the two4Disney blog warms up my writing juices before having to face real writing. LOL.

I’ll leave you now playing African Dawn – Hapa Duniana from Kiliminjaro Safaris at Animal Kingdom. No, wait, Pirates is playing. What would a morning be without listening to Pirates of the Caribbean? Okay, time to get to work. Yo ho yo ho a writer’s life for me.

So how do you start your morning, Disney-style?

Birthday Dinner

Sea Scallops Gratinées, Steak Classique with maítre d’hôtel butter,  Pomme Frites, Profiteroles, and Champagne, lights, water and music. Sound like a fabulous birthday celebration at Bistro de Paris in Epcot followed by Illuminations?

It was even better. Mona Ami Gabi in Paris Las Vegas, patio dining with a front-row seat for the Bellagio fountain show. It was the culmination of my birthday celebration, starting with our Disneyland trip in May.

PS – You can read the details on The Perfect Evening.