I tried and tried to come up with a witty title for the post. But I feel like all the creativity has been sucked dry. Where has it gone? No one knows. So, my apologies if this is a boring post. Though I'm not sure how one could make Disneyland boring! (Buckle up, this is going to be long.)
To begin, here are three observations from the trip:
1) The newly refurbished It's a Small World ride was open on our trip. It still includes being "serenaded by costumed children from around the world." However, in an attempt to Disney-fy the ride, they included Stitch in the Polynesian scene. He is neither a be-costumed child nor a part of our world. Thumbs down Disney. Secondly, Ariel is now a part of our small world, and though I will make no comment on the validity of her inclusion (mainly because I like her), Disney did her wrong. This is Ariel of famed, flowing hair and amazing bangs. Disney gave her yarn for hair. Red yarn. Really, I just felt bad for her.
2) California Adventure was a bit of a let down. The magic really didn't travel over. And the park was very spread out. But it was great in that we discovered that Rich has never seen
Monsters, Inc., which I will now make him watch (we were going to watch it Saturday night, but then I found Casper on TV, and really, I could not pass up the opportunity to get a glimpse of Devon Sawa). Another great part of California Adventure was the Tower of Terror. Neither of us had been on this ride before. And literally, there was a part of me that
thought I truly was plummeting to my death during that first drop. Well played California Adventure. Well played.
3) I remember others talking about the giant turkey leg at Disneyland. We saw someone eating one and Rich got excited. We bought one. I have never watched something so disgusting as watching Rich eat this turkey leg. I am ashamed that I suggested buying one. But I still love Rich.
Okay, those are my first thoughts. Obviously this makes it sound as if we did not have a magical, exciting, wonderful time, which we did. I'm so glad that we took this trip! I loved going someplace just the two of us and being able to spend the entire weekend together. Disneyland may not be everyone's idea of a dream vacation, and it's certainly not someplace I need to go every year, but it was a perfect short vacation for the two of us. For the most part,
the weather was great. It did end up raining on Monday, but the rain actually made the day warmer and it was fun to get all bundled up and dodge rain puddles together. Plus the lines were super short. The rain also afforded us the hilarious opportunity to follow along behind the Tower of Terror staff as they led us to the ride in an orderly fashion, lest someone should slip, when the park officially opened. At one point we were asked to form a single file line and walk behind the head "bell hop." It was like 4th grade all over again! Everyone was very well behaved.
I think we made it to every ride that we wanted to go on, except the Roger Rabbit ride, as it was closed. Ps. Toon Town is sort of lame. Since the one ride was closed, I made Rich sit in a car to take his picture and then we left. That was my first, and maybe my last, visit to that land. Perhaps this area is more fun with kids? We were also able to go on the rides we really liked more than once since the park wasn't super busy. I'm not sure if I'll ever want to go to Disneyland in the heat of summer again!
On Sunday we drove down to San Diego for a change of scenery. We hit up a local
sacrament meeting and then headed over to the San Diego Zoo, where we ate lunch out of the trunk of our car. That's right, we came prepared with our own food for most of the trip. I felt like my mom:) The zoo was a lot of fun and I forget how big it is! We got to see the baby panda up close and looking cute in his tree. Apparently his life is really tiring. I was also excited to see the koalas. I did a report on Australian animals in elementary school and have been obsessed ever since. I've never seen a platypus though, so, tell me if there's one at your local zoo.
After the zoo we headed up to the San Diego temple to take some pics. Then we went to find a restaurant in Carlsbad that I remembered going to once when I was a wee child of 8. Obviously this restaurant made A LASTING IMPACT in my life, as I remembered the name and everything. Luckily, it was very easy to find, so I was able to relive my childhood.
Oh! And for those concerned about our personal safety at our discount hotel, no worries. Best deal! We only paid something like $40-50 a night, and we were so close to the Disneyland we just walked to the entrance. Also, there were no critters to be found. Though I am glad I listened to the reviews and brought our own towels. Honestly, the hotel was super easy to find, was really close to freeway entrances, was close to the parks, and didn't bother us a bit. Though at 9:25 when the Disneyland firework show begins, beware. You feel as if you are in a war zone. I've never heard such loud bangs!
Also, miracle of miracles, I stayed awake the entire drive to California! This NEVER happens, as the minute I get into a car I get very sleepy. I didn't behave so nicely on the way home though, and Rich had to drive in silence from about Bakersfield to Vegas. He's such a sweet husband he didn't even turn up the radio!
I'll stop rambling on now. But I will share our favorite three things from the trip:
1) The Buzz Lightyear ride! This is new since the last time I was there. I really liked the interactive part and I totally got more points than Rich!
2) Rich and I both really really liked the Tower of Terror (clearly) and went on this ride the most.
3) Being together without having work or school! We were able to just talk and relax together for four whole days!
Hope you all had a great President's Day weekend, too!
