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View Full Version : First Timers to Disneyland - Day 4 Part 1



Magic Smiles
10-12-2009, 04:58 PM
Saturday was the day that we had decided would be the day away from the parks. We only had a 6-day park pass so had to pick one day and figured that this would probably be the busiest at the parks.

I had decided to let DH and DS sleep in longer as it was already 9:00 am, so got myself ready and headed down to the pool area. We had been on vacation for almost 2 weeks at this point and I had not spent any time relaxing by a pool yet, so today was to be the day. I headed down to White Water Snacks, grabbed my breakfast, a Buttermilk Biscuit Sandwich and a large coffee http://i904.photobucket.com/albums/ac250/Newbie1534/P1040257web.jpg and headed into the pool area to secure the perfect lounger http://i904.photobucket.com/albums/ac250/Newbie1534/P1040258web.jpgin the sun. I thought for sure that there would be other bathing beauties around the pool, but it was pretty much dead. This was great for me and after eating my breakfast, which was way TOO big for me I grabbed the opportunity to snap a few photos of the pool and surrounding area. http://i904.photobucket.com/albums/ac250/Newbie1534/P1040266web.jpg
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http://i904.photobucket.com/albums/ac250/Newbie1534/P1040277web.jpgRelaxing back on my lounger I just laid in the sun, watching every now and then this little boy who appeared to be around 7. He was such a good kid and kept himself amused while his father pretty much slept. A few more people slowly made their way down to the pool area and hunger once again crept up on me, so I headed back to White Water Snacks for a fruit plate. This was yummy! Can’t believe that I have no photo of it. By now it was after Noon and since neither DH nor DS had come looking for me I decided to head back up to the room to see if they were up yet. To my surprise they were both up and almost ready.

My original plan for today had been a cruise to Catalina Island, but no one other than myself seemed to be excited about this idea so it was discarded. Instead I managed to convince them to drive to Newport Beach – I was a huge fan of The OC when it was on. Note to self – Beaches in California in the summer are PACKED! If you are headed to the beach on a weekend, don’t wait until the afternoon. It took us forever to find a parking spot and then it was a spot for only 20 minutes. Long enough for me to walk to the beach, http://i904.photobucket.com/albums/ac250/Newbie1534/P8152265web.jpg stick my toe in the once again very COLD Pacific Ocean, http://i904.photobucket.com/albums/ac250/Newbie1534/P8152277web.jpg snap a few shots http://i904.photobucket.com/albums/ac250/Newbie1534/P1040280web.jpg
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http://i904.photobucket.com/albums/ac250/Newbie1534/P1040287web.jpg and head back to the car. I was pretty disappointed about this, but c’est la vie. I was again surprised at just how cold the water is in the Pacific Ocean. I think of California and I think hot sunny weather and warm water beaches. When we went to Santa Monica earlier in our trip I had found that the water was freezing, but for some reason I had hoped it would be warmer here in Newport Beach, but it wasn’t. We drove around the Newport Beach area for a while and I have decided that I would love to spend some time in this area. If I could rent one of the homes along the beach for a week, it would be so wonderful. http://i904.photobucket.com/albums/ac250/Newbie1534/P1040292web.jpg There seemed to be so many little shops to browse in and what is up with this place? http://i904.photobucket.com/albums/ac250/Newbie1534/P8152286web.jpg I will just have to try it out sometime.

We headed back to The Grand Californian. I have to say that I just love our GPS! Since I really hadn’t taken any photos of the hotel I decided to take a few now. http://i904.photobucket.com/albums/ac250/Newbie1534/P8152243web.jpg
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http://i904.photobucket.com/albums/ac250/Newbie1534/P8152239web.jpg http://i904.photobucket.com/albums/ac250/Newbie1534/P8152238web.jpg These Birds of Paradise http://i904.photobucket.com/albums/ac250/Newbie1534/P8152297web.jpg seem to be everywhere and back home we have to pay a small fortune for one of these flowers. After a quick freshen up in the room we once again headed out. This time to Downtown Disney and off to see what was out the other entrance to the park. To have a quick glimpse of the hotels not on site. http://i904.photobucket.com/albums/ac250/Newbie1534/P1040308web.jpg
http://i904.photobucket.com/albums/ac250/Newbie1534/P1040310web.jpg I think I am now a Disney Resort snob and just can’t imagine not staying on-site ever. Not that there appeared to be anything wrong with the Good Neighbour Hotels.

Continued on Day 4 Part 2

tinkwest
10-14-2009, 12:00 PM
Once again I have to say that your pictures are gorgeous! :photo:

Sorry you didn't get to spend as much time at the beach as you wanted. The water never really gets warm even on the hottest day of the summer. :surfing:

Magic Smiles
10-14-2009, 04:36 PM
Thanks for the comments. Sometimes I think that I am wasting my time writing these trip reports as I really can't tell if anyone is interested in them or not. But I will continue as it gives me a chance to relive my terrific vacation:mickey:

2Epcot
10-16-2009, 11:01 AM
Nice trip report and pictures ... Thanks for posting.

pdrlkr
10-25-2009, 09:15 AM
Thanks for the Report! :balloon:

thejens
10-27-2009, 09:52 PM
I am often a silent lurker. I am really enjoying your report! Thanks for sharing!