Disneyland California

We arrived bright and early to the Disneyland hotel where we were staying in the Adventure tower. It was my first time staying at the hotel and it is beautiful! The light up headboard is a nice touch (which is pictured below). We went straight over to the main park and to the Matterhorn as I've never been on it as well as the Finding Nemo Submarines. The highlight in that park for me is just walking around and admiring it as its so beautiful and well kept and was extremely fun to take the boyfriend as he'd never been before.

A few other firsts for me was Indiana Jones and the new Iron Man tech exhibition in Tomorrowland (which was fun to see the suits!). We then went over to California Adventure and went straight over to Cars Land which was amazing! They have made it so well and looks stunning at night with the neons! We went for dinner at the Cathay Circle restaurant which is based on the building that had the Snow White premier in 1937. The interior was beautiful, with amazing cocktails!! Would definitely recommend the restaurant and as an added bonus you receive priority viewing for World of Color if you had 2 courses so we managed to have an amazing view without getting there early for Fast passes.

Straight after dinner we headed to World of Color which was amazing! The songs were perfect, so glad they did Wall e! Its hard to explain if you haven't seen it but would definitely make the trip to see it again. After park close we headed back to our hotel and visit Trader Sam's which is a bar I have been looking forward to for years! Its like stepping inside the Enchanted Tiki Room but with a bar and tasty cocktails are the entertainment inside of animatronic birds! I highly recommend the "Tiki Tiki Tiki Tiki Tiki Rum" which consists of Rum, coconut and pineapple (my favourites!)

The second day we went and re did all our favourites like the Haunted Mansion and California Screaming along with more dole whip and our favourite Chilli cheese dogs (which aren't as good as the Casey's ones in Florida!). We also managed to get the last Fast passes for Radiator Springs racers so was a lovely finish to the trip!

As always Disneyland never disappoints and with the lovely Cars Land addition and the Fantasy Faire for princess loving girls I can't wait to go back!

Los Angeles

The first part of our trip to the States was Los Angeles, we stayed at the beautiful Roosevelt hotel on Hollywood blvd. After a long flight we picked up our Mustang and drove through LA, unfortunately the weather wasn't great but we headed down the walk of fame to explore.

On Saturday we headed to Venice beach and to Santa Monica for some shopping. I. He evening we went to Bar Marmont, which is in the famous Chateau Marmont hotel for some cocktails. After we headed to the Rainbow room for some drinking! The next night we went to the Staples center to see the Lakers vs Spurs game which was my first sporting event! It was amazing! Not sure how the players concentrate with all that music and commotion but it was an amazing evening!

Lisa x

April Vacation

So my April vacation plans have changed! Originally the boyfriend & I were off to Tokyo but as the weather wasn't looking as hot as I like my holidays we are postponing that trip to June/ July! We are still going to a Disney park..... California! The boyfriend has never been to the West Coast of the States and I'm excited to be tour guide around LA, Anaheim and then onto Las Vegas!

We have rented a convertible (the only way to travel in California?!) and are staying at the legendary Roosevelt hotel on Hollywood Blvd where Marilyn Monroe lived for a few years. We've got tickets to the LA Lakers game on Sunday, my first ever sports game! Then we are staying the Disneyland Hotel for 2 nights with dinner reservations already booked at The Cathay Circle Restaurant at California Adventure.

I'm so excited to finally see World of Color!!! After watching it so many times on Youtube I feel I will be able to sing along! Also excited that Disney has announced there will an Iron Man exhibit in Tomorrowland for April! Anyway there will be lots of running around and buying Disney merchandise!

After California we are making the 4 hour drive to Las Vegas to stay at The Wynn hotel for 3 nights of drinking and exploring! I hope this time I can finally make it to The Peppermill and Frankie's Tiki Room!

We are off on Friday and very excited!!

Lisa x

Haunted Mansion Merchandise

As my friends and family know, I ADORE the Haunted Mansion, its by far my favourite Attraction (and Phantom Manor at DLP). So you can imagine my happiness when I read on the Disney Parks Blog that they are doing new merchandise! I love the parks themed merchandise especially when they look as cool as these!

Naturally, I want them all! The boyfriend and I are currently looking for our first house together and already decided that the dining room will be Haunted Mansion themed so what better excuse to get the whole lot! He has already surprised me with this beauty from the collection:

and I can't wait to collect them all! Also cannot wait to see if I can pick up some different items from Tokyo Disneyland when we visit in April!

Update: 

Disneyland Paris' Twitter has confirmed they are planning similar merchandise for Phantom Manor!

Feburary

Have had a couple of busy months of trips to Chicago, Los Angeles, Abuja and 2 trips to Las Vegas (with another next week). Been lovely to be back in the states and catch up on some much needed shopping! I have been finding my job rather fun, its very long and tiring at times with working weird hours and crossing lots of times zones its not the easiest of career choices, but I am loving it so far!

Hoping to get some more sunny trips like Abuja last week (praying for a Rio de Janeiro!). The boyfriend and I are looking forward to our trip to Tokyo in April for our birthdays, we've just started planning our time there and most looking forward to Tokyo Disneyland! Still planning on staying at the Tokyo Disneysea Hotel which looks fantastic!

Lisa x

Tokyo

Just got back from a rather quick trip to Tokyo! It was my first time there and its safe to say I fell in love! The food, the people and especially the shopping was amazing! I can't wait to go back, which I am in April with my boyfriend for both our birthdays!

Literally only had 30 hours there so got as little sleep as possible and went to explore the Nihonbashi district which included 4 malls and amazing restaurants. Found this great Japanese restaurant at the mall and had a spicy prawn noodle soup which I cant wait to have again. I also managed to track down the Disney store which was incredible, so much better than the European ones! It had so much more adult items and got some great stuff! I was also surprised to see how much Alice in wonderland stuff they had in most stores, so of course I stocked up!

Also as we weren't in Tokyo that long we were flown back in Club world which is definitely the way to travel! Amazing food and a flat bed? I'm flying that way again!

Can't wait to return in April and been researching the Disneyland hotels, thinking of staying at the Disneyland Sea Hotel which is the hotel where you actually stay in the park!

Lisa x

Euro Disneyland Stock

An original Euro Disneyland stock Certificate when they went public in 1987. Another thoughtful Christmas present from the boyfriend :)