This week, we’re joined by Cousin Heather for a California combo trip—starting on the Santa Monica Pier, visiting friends at USC, and wrapping with a magical stay at Disney’s Grand Californian. Heather and family park-hopped between Disneyland and California Adventure, and celebrated early Halloween at the Oogie Boogie Bash (their Huey, Dewey, Louie + Uncle Scrooge tee-and-cap “costumes” were a hit!).
✨ Featuring in This Episode
Resort & Logistics
* Grand Californian two-bedroom villa (freshly refurbished, 3 bathrooms, special park entrance, easy Downtown Disney access)
* Mid-trip serenity: no buses needed, midday breaks, and… room service wins
* Pro tip: Good Neighbor Hotels can be a great, walkable value when you’re not at a Disney hotel
Dining & Treats
* Craftsman Grill (massive individual pizzas; salmon salad = standout; nachos = skip)
* Storytellers Café character breakfast (Mickey’s autumn-themed feast, gluten-free Mickey waffles)
* Aunt Cass Café in San Fransokyo (mac & cheese bread bowl, Baymax sourdough)
* Popcorn parade fuel… plus a $40 Stitch popcorn bucket trophy
Disneyland Day Highlights
* Haunted Mansion Holiday overlay (Nightmare Before Christmas)—a must-see; they rode three times
* New-to-them favorites: Tiana’s Bayou Adventure, Indiana Jones Adventure
* Classic fun & strategy: rope drop Peter Pan (family tradition), Multi-Pass outage turned pixie dust (Guest Services issued extra LLs)
California Adventure & Oogie Boogie Bash
* Incredicoaster thrill (one and done for Mom!), Soarin’, Toy Story Midway Mania, Monsters, Inc.
* Villain-forward entertainment: Frightfully Fun Parade, interactive treat trails (Oogie Boogie, Maleficent), immersive Villains Grove
* Notes from the crew: Guardians: Mission BREAKOUT! felt more “up-down jostle” than Tower of Terror
Mom Moments & Tips
* Teen strategy: start together, split by interests, regroup later
* Emotional favorite: holding hands with her now-16-year-old on Peter Pan, keeping a family tradition alive
* Weather & comfort: warm, dry days; light layers at night
It’s a heartfelt, practical guide to doing Disneyland the easy way—walkable, well-timed, and packed with seasonal magic.
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