Well we are officially moved out of our one bedroom apartment. It’s amazing what an extra 200 square feet & a more useful layout can do to your organizational skills. Well last week we picked up our new keys on Wednesday after work, moved all night Friday night, & by Saturday afternoon we were drinking margaritas at Disney’s California Adventure before riding Soarin’ Over California.

What, didn’t see that coming? Let me explain.

Chris’s sister turned 18 that Friday, so after we handed in our keys at our old place, we locked up all of our boxed up possessions into our new apartment & headed to Disneyland for a little staycation. And when I tell you it was much needed, I am not lying!

Everyone has been super busy, basically since this day right here, that we haven’t gotten together too much as a family so it was nice to go away & not have to deal with anything. Even if it is just 15 minutes down the road. I’ve never stayed in Disney’s Grand Californian so I was super pumped to be able to spend the night in Disney’s primo hotel on property.

I was actually already pretty obsessed with the lobby at the Grand Californian to the point a few times I perched myself at a small desk in the lobby to do some writing while waiting for Chris to get off of work.

We were greeted by our magical valets when we pulled up who started our weekend off right. There is self-parking or valet but self-parking is across the street & only a $10 difference so we paid the extra $10 & didn’t have to walk across the street with our luggage.

We got there a little earlier than check in time which was perfect because they had our two different rooms at opposite sides of the hotel. We were able to get two rooms together & because it was Marisa’s birthday they upgraded our rooms to a Downtown Disney view instead of a street view. (FYI, always let a hotel know if you are celebrating something. You never know what type of goodies they will have for you. If nothing, at least they will most likely upgrade your room or view.)

After checking into the room, I of coarse had to do my normal inspection. We were only there for a night but this hotel is perfect for a family doing a week vacation in SoCal. With a separated double vanity & pretty deep closet, a family could definitely get cozy here.

Whenever we went to Disney World growing up we always stayed off property. But those were the days of no internet & having to call hotels to check prices. (I know, I don’t get it either) When I was a senior in high school we stayed on property & since I have been a Disney hotel lifer. The convenience to staying on property is not even comparable. Now Disneyland is obviously much smaller than Disney World, but there is nothing easier than paying for your meals in park with your room key, or running up to your room to grab that jacket you forgot as the sun goes down. Definitely worth spending a little extra moula for the comfort.

But speaking of comfort, just a little warning: bring your own pillow. We obviously were rushing a little on the whole packing while unpacking thing so we ended up being stuck with the hotel room pillows, which were disappointing to say the least. Nothing is worse than after a long day at the park, waking up the next morning with a stiff neck.

But we did wake up to the magical sounds of Downtown Disney & were able to enjoy a complimentary cup of coffee on our patio as we watched the park goers getting ready for their day. And when you stay on property, you get an extra hour in Disney’s California Adventure park before it opens. Bonus! Especially because Radiator Springs Racers wait line is usually close to two hours. You can get a FastPass for later & jump on the ride before the park even opens for those normal folks.