A quick first-class hop over the desert, two nights at the Grand Californian, and a 3-Day Park Hopper between Disney California Adventure and Disneyland Park. Just TJ and Charlotte, chasing rides and fireworks and one very good castle photo.
✈️ Friday – Wheels Up & California Adventure
We left Phoenix mid-morning on American flight 3171, lifting off at 11:04 AM and touching down in Orange County by 12:31 PM — a quick hour-and-a-half over the desert, and Charlotte got to ride up front in first class (unicorn water bottle riding shotgun).
Bags grabbed and straight into the car, sunroof open, both of us grinning — that we’re-actually-doing-this feeling kicking in on the ride from the airport.
We checked into Disney’s Grand Californian Hotel & Spa, our home for the next two nights. The craftsman lobby with its giant stone fireplace is a little bit of magic on its own — and the hotel has its own gateway straight into Disney California Adventure. No tram, no fuss, just walk right in.
With our 3-Day Park Hoppers in hand, we spent the afternoon at California Adventure — a spin on the swings with the whole park wheeling by underneath us…
…and then got good and soaked on Grizzly River Run. Worth every drop.
As the light went soft and the string lights flickered on, we slowed down for a bit, then caught one more ride as the park lit up for the night.
🏰 Saturday – Disneyland Park, Top to Bottom
We fueled up first — a quiet Starbucks run before the gates opened.
Then straight for the mountain: the Matterhorn Bobsleds, Charlotte’s pick, rattling down before the crowds rolled in.
A spin through Fantasyland took us down the rabbit hole on Alice in Wonderland, all glowing color and oversized leaves.
By midday the sky opened up to blue, and we made the walk toward Sleeping Beauty Castle. Charlotte stopped, threw up a pair of heart hands, and that was the photo of the trip.
🎆 Sunday – One More Day & The Flight Home
Last day, and we squeezed everything we could out of it. At the gates early and straight for the dark — Space Mountain at rope drop, hands up the whole way.
After the morning rush we found a shady bench back in Frontierland, caught our breath, and just watched the park go by for a while. Some of the best moments are the still ones.
Lunchtime brought one of the trip’s best surprises — a face-to-face with Chip over at Storytellers Cafe back at the Grand Californian. He was very interested in the camera.
Late afternoon we said goodbye to the parks, grabbed the bags, and made our way to John Wayne Airport. American flight 2685 lifted off at 7:43 PM and had us back on the ground in Phoenix by 9:08 PM.
📌 One Last Souvenir
A week later, the trip’s last little treasure found its home: the new pins went up on the 3D-printed Stitch board back at the house — Stitch, Angel, Duffy, and a tiny Tigger, all earned the hard way (lots of trading).
Two parks, two nights, a hundred little moments — and one very happy (and very tired) seven-year-old. Already counting down to the next one.
“See ya real soon.”