Our Disneyland Vacation, Part 1

Okay, I know some of you are thinking Disneyland,
what's the big deal???

I've been to some interesting places.

I've lived in Turkey, and quite a few states
in the good ol' USA.
I've vacationed in Jamaica, Cayman Islands, Mexico,
Italy, Greece, England and Canada.

So, when Pook asked me where I wanted to go
for my birthday-anywhere in the world that we
could get to and back within 9 days-
of course I said DISNEYLAND!

Uh Duh! lol

I hadn't been there for a few years, and I
had a hankerin' for the happiest place on earth!

So, we took off in the car and I couldn't wait to
get there.

Pookie had made reservations at The Grand Californian Hotel
and Spa, right there at the park.
We usually stay at the Disneyland Hotel,
but we hadn't visited since the new changes,
which added The California Adventure park,
Downtown Disney and the new hotel.

We had trouble with my camera and I lost
quite a few great pics. So the pics are from
mine, from Dh's camera and some I found
online so you could get a true feel for the place.


We arrived on the last day of "Gay Days"
One of my closest friends, Mike, is gay, so I had
Pookie pose for this picture outside the conference
room at the hotel.


















When you check in, you are in the most gorgeous lobby!

It is decorated in the Arts & Crafts style and no detail
was overlooked.


















The floor is done in the
most intricate mosaic tile work
I've ever seen.
It was stunning!























When we got to the room, we were pleasantly
surprised.

We had a beautiful suite with a park view.
This picture doesn't do it justice.



The room was wonderful and the bathroom was great.
They supplied us with
the most heavenly smelling shampoo, lotions, etc.
Mouthwash too.
I'd never seen mouthwash in a hotel before!
(It takes so little to thrill me...lol)



The location was convienient too. You could walk right out of the
hotel and you were at the entrance to both parks. Or, take the
monorail right into Disneyland. On the way to the monorail you
walk thru all the great cafes, restaurants and shopping
at Downtown Disney.
I was in heaven!







After we got settled we walked out to Downtown Disney and did
a little shopping.
The Pookster is enamored with pirates and says "ARRRRRRR"
any chance he gets..lol




















Usually he's a quiet guy, but place him next
to a pirate and he can be a real
knucklehead. :0)






Some more of Downtown Disney, on our way to the monorail.


























The Downtown Disney shopping area is just as pretty at night.


















We were blessed with perfect weather,
day and night.
Not very crowded either.
I guess it pays to be born in October, eh?
:0)


I'm going to stop here as it's after midnight
and I'm pooped.
I'll post the rest of the trip tomorrow.

Hugs, Gayle