"When I got my first television set, I stopped caring so much about having close relationships." -Andy Warhol

Showing posts with label Disneyland. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Disneyland. Show all posts

10.09.2010

The First Day

We started our first day with what has become a new tradition: Breakfast at the park.

The best corner table at the Gibson Girl.
Misha always has a cinnamon twist and a fruit parfait. I tried the pumpkin raisin muffin. Delicious. There's something quite enjoyable about sitting at a table on Main Street looking out a window and watching everyone run like mad to a ride while we have a leisurely breakfast.

The main event for the day was of course Mickey's Halloween Party. There were quite a few Captain Jacks. Lots of Mad Hatters. A few Green Army Men. Even four or five "Where's Waldo"s. But only one Carl and Ellie:
Leaving the hotel, ready for adventure.
There's something a little nerve racking about walking out of your hotel room wearing goggles. You would think they would boost your confidence, make you feel ready for what the world throws at you. Not so much. Especially when your dad can't stop laughing at you. Regardless, we forged ahead and it turned out that the costumes were a great success. Almost all of the cast members got it immediately, and when other guests figured it out, it was great to see their reactions.

While I pushed for my dad to be Davy Crockett, it didn't come to be. However, I thought their costumes were great. They were well received and met quite a few other Mouseketeers while trick-or-treating.

They look the part, don't they?
The party was great at Disneyland. It was meant to be there. Great decorations, great music, great atmosphere. Lots of fun people all running around like fools in their costumes. It was a fantastic time.

With goggles we fear no ghosts.
New High Score!
Just before midnight.
It was a long walk to the hotel at the end of the night. Not because we were tired, but because we were hauling approximately 12 pounds of candy. I think we recouped our losses from what we spent on the tickets.
Misha worked hard for that pile of candy in her adventure book.

The spoils of a great Halloween party.
It was a good day.

10.17.2009

Disneyland: Halloween 2009



So we decided that the only way to celebrate Halloween this year (and escape careers and homework) was to head out to Disneyland. Frankly the only way to properly celebrate/avoid anything is to head out to Disneyland, but that's a different topic. The really great part is that our friends actually agreed with our train of thought which helped us find a ride to California (thanks again Bodie and Tina!).
The ride down was jammed packed with adventure:
These are looks of fear, not joy and excitement. Space Mountain was haunted, you see. McKinnen vowed to never go again. At least this trip.

It seems that most everyone else avoids water lines when it rains. Doesn't make sense to me, but so be it. As a result we rode Splash an unprecedented three times without getting off the ride!

My life is now complete.
Misha satisfies her lead foot.
Liam enjoys the views of Fantasyland.
At 5 pm, my shoes are not yet dry.
I carved these myself.
I'm still not sure what Mickey was for Halloween, but I'm digging the costume.
The best way to start the morning is on Dumbo. I have yet to find anyone, other that Curt, to disagree with me.

This is the Tea Cup for those with iron stomachs or no common sense.
This one's a little more tame.
This one doesn't move at all. Smart choice Boey.
Is this what the future Disneyland holds for me?
Costumes in Disneyland. Need I say more?



We're in the back row, if you can't spot us.

Mailing postcards from the park has become one of my favorite traditions.





8.24.2009

Fun Bus: Disneyland

So, one morning I was bored at work (not unusual) and I sent an email to Bodie saying that I wanted to go to Disneyland and didn't want to wait until October for the vacation we've been planning. How do we get to the park for one day? He responded by reminding me of conversations we had had years before. The Fun Bus idea was reborn in that moment. Could it be done? Would we find enough lunatics to fill a bus? On August 21st at 6:30 pm, we found ourselves standing in a parking with 54 said lunatics. Nearly six weeks of phone calls to bus charters, Disneyland, and everyone we have ever known in our lives came together in one beautiful, glorious weekend. We met at my work's parking lot and all was running smoothly until the bus was late and people were missing. With luck however, our plan came together quickly as the bus finally arrived (and the last few people) and everyone lined up to allow us to check them in one at a time and board the bus in an organized manner. Actually, now that I think about it, we boarded Southwest airline style: Like a herd of wild animals. If you look closely, you can see me running to the bus to try and manage the loading of Disney-crazed individuals. You can also see when I give up trying.
We told everyone that the bus would be like a hotel. We could sleep, in grand comfort, on the way down and arrive at the park totally rested and prepared for a wonderful, magical day. Just because we told everyone that doesn't mean it actually happened. Most of the night was a blurry mess of confusing stops and frightening truck stop bathrooms. Ahh, overnight bus travel.
Upon arrival, we instructed everyone to run as quickly as possible to their favorite rides. This was to help everyone make the most of their day. As a plus, it allowed Misha, my parents, and myself to enjoy a quiet breakfast of cinnamon rolls, cinnamon twists, parfait, and orange creme drinks in an empty Main Street Cafe.
You would think that with 54 passengers we would run into everyone multiple times. You would be wrong. It turns out that Disneyland is a big place. It has a lot of stuff, you see. We first saw Danielle and Timothy in line for the Jungle Cruise. They were already laughing. Note the smiles. It was still early morning adrenaline rush.
Misha, my parents, and I boarded Splash Mountain early in the morning. There's nothing like soggy jeans to lend a feeling of magic to Disneyland. It's like you're in Splash Mountain all day long!
We ran into half of the Hurst party midday. I'm still not sure where the other half is. I imagine that they're still in line for Finding Nemo.
The Bailey party understood that the quickest way to happiness comes in the form of mouse ears. They discovered another happiness booster later...
We saw three members of the Donkin family in line at Buzz Lightyear (the third runs too fast to catch on film). They were a little easier to spot, thanks to their awesome custom made t-shirts. Jealous. That's all I can say.
The Smith family was found in the old west at Big Thunder Mountain. This was the first time that McKinnen, their oldest, was in charge of the ride selection. Well done McKinnen, well done.
The Bowler group had two (I believe) members who had never been to Disneyland. We found them in the afternoon in Fantasyland, still running strong. They reported afterwords that they had been on every ride on their list. Very impressive.
A few members of the Wilson party chilled out with Churros near the Matterhorn Bobsleds. Mmm, Churros. It's the Pixie Dust that makes them taste waaay better than any other Churro on the planet.
The other half of the Bailey plan for Magical Disneyland Memories: Mickey Mouse Balloons. Unfortunately the photo doesn't show it, but the white Mickey balloon had colored lights inside. Awesome! We continued to enjoy it's glowing wonder on the ride home.
More members of the Donkin pary were still shopping hard near 11 pm. I understand that Fish (on the left) had been working all summer to get to Disneyland with her friend. Glad you two could come!
I chose to end my day admiring the beautiful gardens and floral arrangements on Main Street. Disneyland does such a fantastic job maintaining their park and grounds. I am really amazed at how well attende.....snghhhh.....snghhhh....snghhhh....
I don't think that any of us remember much of the ride home. Oddly, it was even blurry when we were asleep. Frankly, I'm still not sure that we ever actually went to the park. I guess it could have been a sleep deprived hallucination...
I can't thank everyone who came enough for all their help in getting us to Disneyland, especially Le Bus for their great drivers. It was a wild, crazy, exhausting, and fantastic trip that I will not soon forget. I hope that everyone else had as much fun as I did. Maybe someday in the future we can do it again. By future, I mean two weeks from today. Who's in?

5.25.2009

Disneyland: Long Overdue (trip and report)

Curt, this one's for you:

Misha's lead foot is satisfied on the Autopia.



New found dessert: Frozen Orange Sorbe. Oh man.

Misha scouts for Indians...


while Deacon enjoys his favorite ride: The Dirt.



Misha's birthday at the Blue Bayou.




You don't see this everyday. Well...I do.


Cinnamon Twist + Fruit Parfait + Main Street= Good Breakfast.


Deacon enjoys the Pixar Parade.


McKinnen conquered the Tower, with little Terror I might add.

Gotta like Toy Story!

Let me on!


Lily is in there somewhere.

Misha would score higher if she wore her glasses.


The trip is now complete.

It was the oddest thing. During our entire trip, the line for Pirates of the Carribean was never longer than 5 minutes.

And even then, there was never anyone in line:

I guess no one was interested.