Two Sundays ago we went to Wendy’s for a nice leisurely afternoon dinner. Our very unusual streak of June rainstorms continued and we enjoyed the cool weather and deep green mountain scenery. The kids hung out with Kevin on the deck.
After the little downpour Noah’s sign appeared from the clouds. Wendy has the most picturesque view.
Saffy and I took a walk over to the ski lift and around the posh resort neighborhood.
Wendy and Karen had to leave at noon to catch their flight, so we headed over to DCA to catch a few more rides before they left. We all got in line for Soarin’ Over California, but Saffy wasn’t so sure she wanted to go on it. She was fine until they pulled her out of line to check her height and then she flipped out. She was NOT going to let that guy measure her. So I took her out and we found something a little less intimidating for her to ride on.
Disney stock photo of Soarin’ Over California
We met up again over at the Paradise Pier section to go on the new Toy Story ride, Midway Mania.
Mr. Potato Head was really cool, he asked Saffron who her favorite Toy Story character was. She told him it was Buzz; he was only slightly indignant that it wasn’t him.
The ride was great fun! You get 3-D glasses and you ride through a colorful Toy Story setup with big screens where you shoot darts at balloons, ring toss at the little green aliens all in 3-D. It was really entertaining; we all loved it.
Saffy went on King Tritan’s Carousel and then we all went on Heimlich’s Chew Chew train over in Bugs Land. Of course we couldn’t miss the Mission Tortilla factory tour (they have free samples you know – very tasty.) Then we took a tour of the sour dough bread bakery, they only gave us a little stingy sample, but I went over to the store at the end and bought a fresh loaf and we all shared it. It was only 5$ which is a quite a bargain for Disneyland, and it was oh so good.
It was as very warm day so Karen and Wendy decided they didn’t mind getting wet, so Miles and I went over to Grizzly River Rapids with them. We put all of our cell phones and cameras in a zip lock bag and we got strapped in. It’s like your basic raft ride, just on steroids. It is themed really well, and it has some really steep drops. We got completely soaked! But it felt nice since it was such a warm sunny day. We said goodbye to Wendy and Karen and then checked out the Blue Sky Cellar which had models and sketches of the upcoming extreme makeover of California Adventure. The Cars Land addition and the Little Mermaid ride look really amazing.
We headed back to the hotel and I had a nice nap. Ian and Saffron shared a Disneyland lollipop stick. We were happy that we still had a day and a half left before we had to go home.
Today Kevin took matters into his own hands and organized a birthday party for himself. Sometimes a mans gotta do what a mans gotta to do. He invited us over for a nice spaghetti dinner at Grandma and Grandpa’s .
Brian and Dejah came, and so did Nate, Lindsay and baby Craig. Kevin can still blow out the candles with one breath. Karen and Wendy were here as well.
Lisette, Ian, and Saffron with spaghetti.
Marsha was here and so was photophobic Connie. Scott came up for the long weekend and took the role of executive pasta chef. We had a great time.
Our favorite hotel to stay at is the Anaheim Desert Inn and Suites, which is right across the street from Disneyland. The rooms are nice, the price is great, and most of all, it’s a short easy walk to the main entrance. It’s perfect for catching an early afternoon nap. After our siesta today we headed over to Disney’s California Dentures. We took Karen and Wendy over to the Hollywood Tower Hotel, which is our second favorite hotel. We would stay there but the elevators are too unpredictable, and Lisette is scared we will get sucked into a vortex or something. Where does she get such silly ideas? She must watch too many old TV shows from the early 60’s. No more late night Twilight Zone episodes for her!
We stayed and the California Misadventure park to catch the Pixar Play Parade. It was pretty entertaining, and Melinda saved us a great spot at the start of the parade route, since she stayed behind with Saffy who doesn’t appreciate creepy old hotels.
We headed back to Disneyland and enjoyed the lights come on Main Street USA.
I missed going on Big Thunder Mountain yesterday, so we got in line for it again tonight. Lisette, Miles, and Ian really love Big Thunder, and it’s especially fun at night when the tunnels are all dark.
Melinda again saved us a great spot to view Fantasmic! I didn’t get very good pictures, but it was a great show. It had Mickey, fireworks, movie clips projected on water screens, barges with princesses and screeching monkeys (on separate barges). Although, thinking about it, it might be more entertaining to put the screeching monkeys on the same barge with the princesses. Hmm… Oh yeah, it also had Peter Pan fighting Hook on a pirate ship, a giant fire breathing dragon, witches, fire on the water, and a grand finale with all the Disney characters waving from the Mark Twain. Oh yeah, more fireworks. Pretty fun stuff.
Today (Tuesday February 3rd) we woke up bright and early and crossed the drawbridge, passed through Sleeping Beauty’s Castle to Fantasyland.
Saffy refused to go on Peter Pan’s Flight once she saw King Arthur’s Carousel, so I went with our eager equestrian while everyone else flew over the rooftops of London to Neverland. Saffy and I had the whole carousel to ourselves, so she selected the special stallion the princesses always ride.
We all met up again and took our magic feathers and soared in the sky with Dumbo. Wendy and Ian led the way and Miles and Melinda followed.
Saffron and Ian knocked on the White Rabbit’s cottage, but he was late for something. Ian and I spun madly out of control at the hatter’s party, while the girls took a more relaxing cup of tea.
Wendy and Karen took Lisette, Miles, and Ian through the Storybook Canal and enjoyed the Lilliputian villages. Melinda, Saffy and took a ride on “the little train who could”; Casey Junior’s Circus Train.
After a wild ride with Toad we headed to Toon Town for a crazy spin with Roger Rabbit.
After exploring Mickey Mouse’s house and Donald Duck’s Boat we took the train over to New Orleans Square to catch some hot jazz, and then we made our way to Adventureland to brave the dangers of the Jungle Cruise.
Whew! What a morning! Back to the hotel for some chow and a little R&R.
