May 9, 2025

California (Disneyland) Dreamin’

 

Taking advantage of a Disneyland photo op,
in front of Sleeping Beauty Castle.
January 31, 2025

Disneyland Bound

My family really likes Disney!  I guess, I was the one who started it. :o)
When each of my four kiddos had a third birthday, a trip to
Walt Disney World was planned and executed around the time of their big event.
These were modest, yet memorable trips, that planted a Mickey Moused-shaped seed in their young hearts, that has endured to this day.

John Wayne Airport

So it was, with great enthusiasm, that I joined my daughter and her family on a”recent” trip to Disneyland!  And flying into California’s Orange County, John Wayne Airport,
was an added bonus, as I am classic movie fan, and enjoy John Wayne’s (comedy) films.

John Wayne’s massive statue stands guard over the Orange County Airport.

To read an earlier post on John Wayne’s birthplace, click here.

In-N-Out Burger

In-N-Out Burger in Santa Ana, California

Equally as thrilling, upon our arrival, was our visit to the renowned West Coast eatery,
In-N-Out Burger. Not only was our food delicious, but I enjoyed meeting the delightful  employee, Paula.  During our chat, Paula shared with me that In-N-Out Burger places Bible verses on their paper products. She also provided me with a hat for our selfie.

In-N-Out Burger was delicious!

I enjoyed meeting the delightful employee, Paula.

In-N-Out Burger places Bible verses on their paper products.

“Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding.”
Proverbs 3:5

Two fun facts about In-N-Out Burger

Upon researching In-N-Out Burger for this post, I found a couple of fun nuggets of trivia.

1. This eating establishment, started in 1948, was the first drive-thru hamburger stand in California,

2. In-N-Out Burger founder, Harry Snyder, was a big  fan of the movie,
It’s a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World. (As am I!)

SPOLER ALERT!
The following paragraph exposes major plot points in this film.
It’s a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World features a madcap race to find buried treasure, culminating in its discovery under palm trees planted in the form of the big letter, “W”.
Harry considered each and every one of his In-N-Out Burger a true “treasure”.
With this in mind, he had palm trees planted in the form of a “W”,
situated in front of most In-N-Out Burger locations, since 1972.

It’s the big W, I tell ya! It’s the big W!
                                                                                                           Lennie Pike / Jonathan Winters

It’s a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World is a classic screwball comedy,
released in 1963.
This photo is in the public domain in the United States.

To read more about In-N-Out Burger on the company’s web site,
click here.

Disneyland and California Adventure!

Pictures, I have pictures!
Please join me for a photo montage of my delightful 2025 trip to the two parks of Disneyland.

The Fun

Disneyland 

The beautiful Sleeping Beauty Castle serves as the iconic entrance
into Disneyland’s Fantasyland.

Peter Pan’s Flight
is one of my favorite Disney rides at the park.
I especially enjoy “flying” above London.
|
A fun aside-
Years ago, when visiting this ride at Walt Disney World, and my youngest was little,
he accidentally dropped his “blankie” on top of London!
Fortunately, a Disney cast member was able to retrieve it for us.

Mr. Toad’s Wild Ride is a favorite from my youth.

The Pearly Band, from the film, Mary Poppins,
plays on the streets of Fantasyland.

A bit later, The Pearly Band, along with Mary Poppins and Bert, are spotted on the ornate King Arthur Carrousel.

This carrousel is over 100 years old, and was one of the original rides when Disneyland first opened in 1955.
Read more about the carrousel’s history, here.

Dumbo the Flying Elephant has been a Disneyland favorite
since the park first opened in 1955.

Unfortunately, It’s a Small World, one of my favorite rides, was closed for renovation.
Fortunately, the It’s a Small World gift shop was still open,
and allowed me the opportunity to purchase a few fun, ride-related, souvenirs.

There is so much to love about this ride including,
the brilliant colors, Mary Blair’s whimsical touch, and the Sherman Brother’s catchy tune.
I first rode on this ride at the 1964-1965 New York World’s Fair!
Read about this ride’s creation, here.

The Main Street Magic Shop is easy to overlook,
but this is a fun place to stop in for a quick magic trick,
and see Steve Martin‘s photo on the wall.
Martin used to work here as a teen.

I was blown away by the colorful and fanciful Mickey’s Toontown,
and enjoyed experiencing Mickey and Minnie’s Runaway Railway for the first time.

Look who I happened upon, on my way to Mickey’s Toontown;
the Genie from the movie, Aladdin!

A parade of Disney characters drive by at the front of the park.

I also had the privilege of meeting Disney’s big stars,
Mickey and Minnie Mouse!

Disney California Adventure

My photo-taking leveled off, I’m afraid,
as I was having too much fun to be snapping photos.
However, our experiences included many rides and much food, enjoying each other’s company, and watching a parade in celebration of Chinese New Year.

The California Adventure’s (Pixar Pal-A-Round) Ferris Wheel at Pixar Pier,
happily dominates the landscape.

Star Wars-Galaxy’s Edge was just like stepping into a “Star Wars“ film!

   

It was fun to encounter “Star Wars”, The Mandalorian, Ahsoka, and R2-D2.

Okay, I’d be lying if I claimed to be well-versed about all things
“Marvel Cinematic Universe”
(although, I have seen a few Spiderman movies),
but the Avenger’s Campus was impressive.

Although, I enjoyed meeting the mysterious Dr. Strange,
I knew very little about his role in the “Marvel Cinematic Universe” 

The optical illusion, near the Dr. Strange’s Ancient Sanctum, is as mind boggling, as it is fun.
These flat “illusion tiles” transform when a photo is taken.

I spied this sweet scene between Spiderman and a young fan.

Run Disney

Cheering on the early morning, half marathon runners,
including my daughter, as they near the finish.
February 2, 2025

The Food

Technically, I could have put this all under the “Fun” heading, as Disney food IS fun!

Disneyland

Food options abound!

One of my all-time favorite Disneyland treats, found at The Mint Julep Bar,
are the New Orleans-style, Mickey-shaped beignets.
Thank you to my fellow Disneyland travelers for indulging me!!!

 

Another Disney favorite of mine, is their famous pineapple Dole Whip;
the perfect treat for a warm Disneyland day.

Not all of my meals were of the snack variety, as was the case with this tasty, quick service dish from Bengal Barbecue.
I especially enjoyed that bacon-wrapped asparagus.

Disney California Adventure

My second time trying a churro (the first time, many years ago, was not so great).  This one was fresh from the frying pot at Señor Buzz Churros,
and delicious!

Hey, if you serve corn dogs, it might as well be from a place called
Corn Dog Castle.  Right?
This one hit the spot.

I think that Cars Land of California Adventure is my favorite area.

I love the theming, complete with 1950’s rock music,
and retro “sets”!

You have got to go the Popcone (at the Cozy Cone Motel) to buy popcorn!

    

I am a major fan of their dill pickle popcorn!

Dill pickle popcorn-YUM!

There is always room for ice cream!
Ghirardelli’s sundaes are wonderful!

Again, proof that my meals consisted of more than sugary and fatty snacks. :o)
This clam chowder, served in a fresh sourdough bread bowl, was delectable!
One of the offerings at The Pacific Wharf Cafe.

 More Disney (and Chowder) Posts!

Walt Disney World

Disney Memories 😮)–Here.

Rick Springfield and Floating Cars….Another Glorious Visit to Walt Downey World!–Here

A (Sticky) Taste of Walt Disney World–Here

Disney Food and Wine Festival (Eating Around Walt Disney World…)–Here

Disney World Family Reunion (Annette’s Big Family Vacation Scrapbook…)-Here

Disney World Recipe (Walt Disney World Really Cooks)–Here,

(Discovering New Fun At Walt Disney World, Part 1) –Here ,  

(Discovering New Fun At Walt Disney World, Part 2)-Here

(Dole whip Mama…)-Here

 Disneyland and Disney Studios 

Disneyland (A New Stove and Disney Peanut Butter Cookies)–Here

Disney Studios(My Birthday with Disney)–Here

Disneyland and Disney Studios (A Girl’s Disney Weekend)–Here

Chowder

Chowder!-Here

Lobsters, and Clam Chowder, and Birthday Cakes, Oh My!-Here

Thank you for reading I’m Annette!
May your days be blessed, and your taste buds happy!

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Radio Signals
I invite you to “tune in” to, A Song and A Prayer, a radio program that I host.”:o)
It is now streaming!

I am part of the radio station team at,
WSJF 92.7.

A Song and A Prayer
The program times, and how to listen, are below.

Tuesdays and Thursdays-8:30 pm
Fridays-10 pm
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Sundays-3:30 pm

All times are listed in Eastern Standard Time.

Use the free app Live 365,
or go to the website.
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Disney Planning

My daughter is a Magic Maker® for Off to Neverland Travel.
She is extremely Disney knowledgeable and an
“Authorized Disney Vacation Planner” for any of the Disney destinations,
and Disney vacation locations, and cruises.
Vacation planning services are totally FREE!

Contact me, here, for more information.

Wonderful Disneyland memories remain,
along with these colorful Disneyland souvenirs in the form of
these two Starbuck Disney mugs.