Happiest Homecoming on Earth

I'm going to Disneyland! I went to Disneyland! Disneyland was FANTASTIC! I was able to be there for its ACTUAL 50TH ANNIVERSARY! I stayed at teh Disneyland Hotel. I had booked a standard room (I figured I'd be looking at the parking lot) but got a corner room loverlooking the bar and pool. It had a queen bed and sliding doors/windows that open to a beatiful view and weather. One night I even ate dinner in my room with the sliding doors open. The bathroom had Disney characters in the topiary pattern wallpaper and Mickey Mouse gloved hands that held the lights by the separate vanity. There was a Tinkerbell border that glowed at night just like the light at the top of the Sierra Tower I was staying in.
I was in line for the Monorail (this is how I almost always entered and exited the park) at 6:30am and entered the park around 8:20am on the 17th. Got my "I was there . . ." pin, golden Mickey ears, and special park map/guide. Saw the "official re-dedication" at 10am in the Hub (watched it from Main Street on the JumboTrons) and was not impressed so I left (that's when I got my pin). I met up with my fellow MiceChatters at the Hub at noon (well actuallly over by the Pavillion Plaza). We officially opened Fantasyland in the name of the children of the world and run over the drawbridge. 70 of us rode the Carousel (imagine the cast member's look at that party number of . . .). Next a smaller group headed over to the Jungle Cruise but it was down so we went on Pirates of the Caribbean instead. After that it was the Haunted Mansion, another group photo, and then over to Its a Small World. We got separated between the Festival area and Small World plaza during the parade and the group got even smaller. Regrouped after IASW and rode the Teacups, then headed to Main Street Square for the real re-dedication at 4:45pm. Mickey Mouse officiated. Then it was over to Space Mountain for another group ride using our FastPasses. I finally got to meet keith-SuPeR K!, leigh-ann, Dustysage, jeffrey orl fla, disneykat, anders, DaryIF, SorcererMickey, aw shucks, TicTocDragon, and Gweryn and lots of others. I met BigPigletFan a day earlier and she was there that day too! I never got to meet up with 1stStarIC2nite.
While I was there I switched over to the Paradise Pier Hotel for the second half of my stay. It was a nice hotel. More space in my room. It had a pull-out couch and a king-size bed. I rode the glass enclosed elevator to my room. It has a more relaxed feel to it. Since I stayed here, I could Disney's California Adventure through the Grand California Hotel. I liked this since I only had to walk across the street.
Took two tours and made reservations for various special events/meals. I went on the Walk in Walt's Footsteps tour. Nancy was our tour guide and we back-doored to the Enchanted Tiki Room (saw Art Linkletter) and met Ophelia (singing orchid). We were going to ride the Ward Kimball train until it broke down. Entered Club 33 lobby and got my picutre taken in the elevator. Got a special pin and lunch in the Disney gallery balcony. I also went on the From Imagination to Celebration tour and saw the fireworks from the train station platform. Nicole was our trou guide. Brianna (MiceChatter) and her mom were also on the tour. We back-doored The Pirates of the Caribbean, Big Thunder Mountain, Buzz Lightyear's Astro Blasters, and finally rode the Ward Kimball. Got a group photo, special pin and E-ticket booklet, and a box snack including a Snow White apple. Both tours are a "history" background tour of Disneyland, with some similarities and plenty of differences. I also booked reservations for Fantasmic! desert buffet, lunch at the Blue Bayou, and lunch at Ariel's Grotto (which turned out to be a character lunch).
Disneyland rides I loved: Indiana Jones Adventure, Big Thunder Mountain, Space Mountain, Matterhorn, Spalsh Mounatin, Haunted Mansion, Pirates of the Caribbean, Jungle Cruise (now with pirahnnas).
California Adventure rides I loved: Tower of Terror, California Screamin', Grizzly River Rapids, Soarin' over California, Mouhalland Madness.

http://youtube.com/watch?v=jQM5-VLyP0U

And the parades and fireworks. How could I forget about the Walt Disney's Parade of Dreams and Remember Dreams Do Come True fireworks? I just love parades and fireworks and I loved both of these (and saw them numerous times). The fireworks just blew me out of the water. Think surround-sound with fireworks!
When I finally get it done, I will post a link here to my trip report with pictures.