A Walk in Walt’s Footsteps

One of the most spectacular things I have done in my lifetime.

For my first visit to Disneyland in 17 years, it was truly a magical one.

It started with a car service arriving in the morning to pick me up.  No one likes making the drive down the 5 freeway at any time of day and a car service picking you up means one is driving you home as well when your tired and your feet hurt and you just want to relax.  Yes the day is starting out very well.

I arrived at the Grand Californian Hotel and entered a ballroom filled with TV’s showing the Epic Mickey 2:The Power of Two video game that we were there to learn more about.  I can’t go in to detail about that yet, but I will at a later date.  Let’s just say there was some major game playing happening.

Shelby and Desiree checking out the new Epic Mickey 2: The Power of 2

A wonderful lunch was provided complete with a mashed potato bar.  I was in heaven.

The lovely Shelby Barone with her first (of many) plates of food.

and desserts I can’t forget about the desserts!

The rainbow cupcakes were delish!

After lunch we were escorted in to Disneyland where we met up with our private tour guide Kortney

Isn’t she adorable!? Fun fact: Did you know the names on the doors and windows of Main Street are like “end credits”? They are an homage to those important in Walt Disney’s life.

Our first stop was the ever popular and always fun Walt Disney’s Enchanted Tiki Room (go ahead start sing “In the tiki tiki tiki tiki tiki room…..”)

I think these are the same birds that were here 15 years ago

Next up was the biggest attraction on opening day, the Jungle Cruise.  Yes, they are still using the same jokes from back then as well.

Three of my favorite ladies, Caryn Bailey, Shelby Barone and Kirsten Erickson

The next stop is one that will stay with me for the rest of my life….Walt’s apartment.  There was a feeling as you walked in the door, an essence if you will, something made you feel happier while you were there.  Nopictures were allowed, but I do have some of the professional video that was taken and as soon as I figure out how to edit it down from the 30+ minutes I will share it with you.

Because I am old or more realistically because I am fat I was already tired from all of the walking, but my tiredness was soon to be rewarded with an exclusive opportunty…we were going to walk all the way to the back of the park at a quick pace without stopping to go somewhere that very few people ever get to go.  Club 33.    We all know I am not a Disneyphile so I only recently heard of Club 33, I knew it was exclusive but then I looked it up on WIkipedia and found out just how exclusive it is – “Corporate members pay an initiation fee of $27,500, and individual members pay $10,000 in addition to annual dues, which are about $6,100 or $3,500, respectively.”  YIKES!

This is just the menu, trust me when I say I took a picture of every morsel of food that crossed my lips.

In order to help work off this amazing meal we were escorted to a private VIP section in front of the castle to watch the fireworks.

A special Halloween version of fireworks with all the Villians taking part

By now I received a text from my driver saying he was here and waiting for me (I know right?!) but there was an open option to those who wanted to trek all the way back to New Orleans Square to go to the Haunted Mansion.  Yes I had blisters, yes my knee was swollen like crazy and yes, I chose to make the trek.

There is a loooong story behind this photo. Let’s just say although this post is not sponsored by Poise, it should be.

It was a long day, a wonderful day, an Epic day for sure.  Thanks Disney.

I was not compensated for this post, I received everything I mentioned above and some more stuff in a goody bag.  All opinions and jokes are my own.