The Magic Kingdom
Six weeks ago we received a free pass to both of Disneyland's parks that was good until Nov. 15. I eyed it with suspicion but when I looked it up and realized this one day pass was worth about $80, I put it in a safe place. I was going to go on Election Day but it was close to 100 degrees on that day. Luckily, the temperature has fallen and so off we went today. I talked Mom into coming along.
It's been probably since the mid 1990s since I was there; Indiana Jones had just opened. California Adventure was still a parking lot, so I was curious. $40/day curious but not $80/day. Anyway, we came, we saw, we've got barking dogs so the place really hasn't changed much. *g*
We decided on a low key day so we just hit a few musts. First, we took the tram ride from the parking lot. Very smooth and timely. Say what you will about Disney but they KNOW how to move people about in the most efficient way possible. And they've got great trees and flowers.
Next, we hit the Tiki Room because Bunny said it was not to be missed. This is classice Disney. Animatronic parrots, flowers and tiki poles singing happy bland songs. The best part was the sudden thunder/lightning that made me jump. And it was cool inside. *g*
Next, Pirates of the Caribbean! Only a 10 min wait, didn't get wet, and spotted all three Capt Jacks. It's still as funnily guesome as always. They did have this one bit where Davy Jones was projected on what looked like a sheet of fog or something. I was fully expecting some tactile sense as we floated through it but there was nothing. Cool effect. Great ride.
We did the fast pass thing at Haunted Mansion, which means we sat on our butts people watching for the 45 minutes we would have been waiting in line. The mansion was all decked out in the Nightmare Before Christmas stuff and it was delightful. Fun and imaginative, too. Festive. Another Jack though...so many Jacks in the stuff I like....
We were unable to get a seat at the Blue Bayou but had lunch (French Onion soup and their famous Monte Cristo sandwiches) at the Orleans Cafe. We were given a coin that had Jack Skellington on it.
From there, we took the train to Tomorrowland and rode Space Mountain. Niiiice! Love the updating to it. So fast and smooth, too. We got back on the train to go to the front of the park. I'd forgotten the train went past the Grand Canyon and a bunch of dinosaurs. I haven't seen those since I was a little nipper!
We sat for a while and appreciated Main Street with all the Christmas decorations and lights and honkin' big tree before we motivated over to California Adventure. There's not much there I wanted to do, but I did want to walk the place over and examine the structures. I was impressed even though it was night by then. They hit so many icons of the state, so many distinctive areas to be enjoyed. I did see something I coveted: a Pirates of the Caribbean Monoply game, but it was too expensive for a game I'd never play. :::sigh:::
In other news, Brindle keeps coming in with scratches on his face. I think he's sneaking over to eat the neighbor's cat food and getting thumped for it. Then he feels icky because he's allergic to the food and he comes to stay inside for a 4-5 days until he feels better. And to quote the shampoo bottle, "repeat."
Yesterday, I went into the North Forty to clean out another branch that that darn eucalyptus shed. At least I could do this one myself though I left the main branch up there as it was too heavy to carry or drag down to the street.
It's been probably since the mid 1990s since I was there; Indiana Jones had just opened. California Adventure was still a parking lot, so I was curious. $40/day curious but not $80/day. Anyway, we came, we saw, we've got barking dogs so the place really hasn't changed much. *g*
We decided on a low key day so we just hit a few musts. First, we took the tram ride from the parking lot. Very smooth and timely. Say what you will about Disney but they KNOW how to move people about in the most efficient way possible. And they've got great trees and flowers.
Next, we hit the Tiki Room because Bunny said it was not to be missed. This is classice Disney. Animatronic parrots, flowers and tiki poles singing happy bland songs. The best part was the sudden thunder/lightning that made me jump. And it was cool inside. *g*
Next, Pirates of the Caribbean! Only a 10 min wait, didn't get wet, and spotted all three Capt Jacks. It's still as funnily guesome as always. They did have this one bit where Davy Jones was projected on what looked like a sheet of fog or something. I was fully expecting some tactile sense as we floated through it but there was nothing. Cool effect. Great ride.
We did the fast pass thing at Haunted Mansion, which means we sat on our butts people watching for the 45 minutes we would have been waiting in line. The mansion was all decked out in the Nightmare Before Christmas stuff and it was delightful. Fun and imaginative, too. Festive. Another Jack though...so many Jacks in the stuff I like....
We were unable to get a seat at the Blue Bayou but had lunch (French Onion soup and their famous Monte Cristo sandwiches) at the Orleans Cafe. We were given a coin that had Jack Skellington on it.
From there, we took the train to Tomorrowland and rode Space Mountain. Niiiice! Love the updating to it. So fast and smooth, too. We got back on the train to go to the front of the park. I'd forgotten the train went past the Grand Canyon and a bunch of dinosaurs. I haven't seen those since I was a little nipper!
We sat for a while and appreciated Main Street with all the Christmas decorations and lights and honkin' big tree before we motivated over to California Adventure. There's not much there I wanted to do, but I did want to walk the place over and examine the structures. I was impressed even though it was night by then. They hit so many icons of the state, so many distinctive areas to be enjoyed. I did see something I coveted: a Pirates of the Caribbean Monoply game, but it was too expensive for a game I'd never play. :::sigh:::
In other news, Brindle keeps coming in with scratches on his face. I think he's sneaking over to eat the neighbor's cat food and getting thumped for it. Then he feels icky because he's allergic to the food and he comes to stay inside for a 4-5 days until he feels better. And to quote the shampoo bottle, "repeat."
Yesterday, I went into the North Forty to clean out another branch that that darn eucalyptus shed. At least I could do this one myself though I left the main branch up there as it was too heavy to carry or drag down to the street.