Sunday, December 18, 2011

The alarm woke us at the appointed time and we showered, ate from our ample collection of food and by 7:15 we were standing in line at the front gate.  Then, magically, the gates opened and we power walked down main street only to find the rope up separating us from our first destination…..Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom.  At 8, the rope dropped and the power walk resumed.  We rode Indy twice and that was a real wake up call.  Then, another power walk over to Big Thunder Mt. and twice around again.  The “wildest ride in the wilderness” wasn’t enough so we went to the Haunted Mansion, which is totally redecorated for Christmas with a “Nightmare before Christmas” theme.  It was wonderful!  Then, back to Indy for the 3^rd time.  Now we were getting hollow and it was time for breakfast.

Stupid Shoes #1

So we went to the Plaza Café for the Minnie and Me breakfast.  It is costly, but worth it…….Capt. Hook, Eeore, Pooh, Minnie and other assorted characters joined us while we chowed down on Mickey waffles and omlettes.  Ahhhhh!  What a joy to sit and relax and sip coffee and rest our feet and tired bodies. 

Revived, we went to Tomorrowland and Max, Ru and I went to Space Mountain.  Max hadn’t been there since he was 14 and it was a lot darker, faster and scarier than he remembered.  So much fun!  Then it was across the park to Splash Mt. and the Pooh ride and finally on the train to rest our feet and go back to Main St.  and home.  

Waiting for Space Mt.

On the train

The big tree

No really---not stupid shoes---stupid with NO shoes.

Max and I collapsed and Ruben went swimming while Emily watched.  This is the key to effective Disneyland touring.  You have simply got to get out of the park and take a mid afternoon rest.  There are plenty of people who haven’t gotten that message and you can see those crying, overwhelmed children and surly exhausted parents all over the park after about 2:00.  Just a short afternoon break makes all the difference.  By 5, we were ready to have an early dinner and head back for more fun.

More of the adventure later.  And thanks to Em for her mobile posts!

K

Sat. December 17, 2011

We got up early and had a quick breakfast at the Super 8 and hit the road with Emily driving.  The miles quickly went by and we stopped for brunch at the Denny’s at Lodi.  Then back in the car with K driving for more and more miles.  We stopped for a break near Coalinga.  The hiway patrol was having every truck pull over there and all were being inspected.  Obviously they were suspicious that something was being smuggled, but we didn’t ask any questions.  Max drove like a bat out of you know where all the way to the grapevine.  After a fill up, Emily (brave Emily) drove up and over the grapevine and into the depths of LA.

There all rapid forward progress ceased.  While we never actually stopped for long, it was mile after mile of 15-20 MPH.  We got a good look at the freeway scenery while waiting for a chance to go faster.  Finally, just before Anaheim, the traffic spread out and we were soon turning onto Harbor Blvd. and our Hotel.

The Tropicana is a true Oasis.  It is located directly across the street from the Disneyland entrance.  Believe me, after a day in the park, you want the fewest steps between DL and your hotel that you can get.  We were placed on the second floor with a view of space mountain.  The hotel is in the shape of a U with parking and a pool and hot tub in the middle.  There are always more cars than spaces, but I guess they got wise in the time between now and our last visit, because they actually had valet’s to tame the chaos.  My guess is that fighting for parking spaces turned ugly and they decided it was cheaper to hire a valet than pay a defense lawyer.  (Isn’t there a law against having more rooms than parking available?)

After getting unpacked, we were totally in need of food and rest.  We walked down Harbor to Millies…..a good respite.  We all ordered salads in preparation for the junk food of the next week and had a nice dinner.  Then it was back to the hotel to relax and have an early bedtime.  The alarm was set for 6:30 and it didn’t take much for everyone to fall asleep.

Poolside Reading

We are taking a midday break, the young and older were getting whiny-Em

Pool at the Tropicana

So far today we have gone on Indiana Jones Adventure three times, Big thunder mountain railroad (coaster) twice, space mountain, splash mountain, had breakfast with Minnie Mouse, and toured the haunted holiday mansion. AWESOME.

Character Breakfast

At the gate

Fireworks

This is the view of the Disneyland fireworks as seen from the Tropicana across the street.