Tuesday, May 27, 2008
Thursday, May 22, 2008
Day 6- Our free day... kind of...
We slept in this morning... and got down to breakfast around 9:30 or 10 am or so... we decided to go over and walk around Downtown Disney a little bit.
We went and walked through the Grand California Hotel (I think I got the name wrong... ) and it was really nice. Then we looked in some stores, the girls got to get some headbands, and we walked over to another of the Disney Hotels- this was the original Disneyland Hotel. Then we went and got some lunch at Rainforest Cafe. It's a fun place to go and eat at with all the special effects around.
Then we got into our cars just in time before a huge downpour hit. We were on the freeway and it was just crazy how much rain was coming down. And who knew how hard it would be to find a gas station close to Disneyland? We probably took 15 minutes searching for one before we found it!
Once we got gas, we then headed down to San Diego to meet up with my sister and her family.
We went and saw the little museum about the Mormon Battalion, and tried to watch a movie. One of the little boys wandered around during the movie and touched a button and stopped the movie. We figured that was enough of the movie (It was really neat, just not that interesting to a 3 year old) and went and walked around a bit. It was cold... in the 50's so I had thought that it would be too cold to go to the beach like we originally had planned, but I was then convinced by my brother in law that we should still go over there... so we went and scrambled around on some boulders overlooking the beach and the tide coming in. Then we went down to Children's beach and saw the sea lions on the sand... the kids got to play in the sand as well. It was cold and drizzling rain the entire time, but still fun. After that we said goodby to my sister and her family, and then drove over to see the San Diego Temple. Then we went on up to our hotel.
The hotel was really nice. It had two king size beds, and a pull-out sofabed as well. We had the kids all clean up and then we were all in the mood for icecream, since we had had such a large lunch. So we headed out to an icecream store. The first one we went to was closed, so we went to another one. There we all satisfied that craving for something sweet... the guy who was working there started talking to us and it turns out he is from Iran and had left the country in 78 when everyone was evacuating and trying to get out of the country... the same time my mom and sister and I evacuated probably... it was neat to talk to him and hear his story- he was 15 years old at the time and traveling for the very first time alone.
After that went back to the hotel and settled the kids in beds for the night.
We went and walked through the Grand California Hotel (I think I got the name wrong... ) and it was really nice. Then we looked in some stores, the girls got to get some headbands, and we walked over to another of the Disney Hotels- this was the original Disneyland Hotel. Then we went and got some lunch at Rainforest Cafe. It's a fun place to go and eat at with all the special effects around.
Then we got into our cars just in time before a huge downpour hit. We were on the freeway and it was just crazy how much rain was coming down. And who knew how hard it would be to find a gas station close to Disneyland? We probably took 15 minutes searching for one before we found it!
Once we got gas, we then headed down to San Diego to meet up with my sister and her family.
We went and saw the little museum about the Mormon Battalion, and tried to watch a movie. One of the little boys wandered around during the movie and touched a button and stopped the movie. We figured that was enough of the movie (It was really neat, just not that interesting to a 3 year old) and went and walked around a bit. It was cold... in the 50's so I had thought that it would be too cold to go to the beach like we originally had planned, but I was then convinced by my brother in law that we should still go over there... so we went and scrambled around on some boulders overlooking the beach and the tide coming in. Then we went down to Children's beach and saw the sea lions on the sand... the kids got to play in the sand as well. It was cold and drizzling rain the entire time, but still fun. After that we said goodby to my sister and her family, and then drove over to see the San Diego Temple. Then we went on up to our hotel.
The hotel was really nice. It had two king size beds, and a pull-out sofabed as well. We had the kids all clean up and then we were all in the mood for icecream, since we had had such a large lunch. So we headed out to an icecream store. The first one we went to was closed, so we went to another one. There we all satisfied that craving for something sweet... the guy who was working there started talking to us and it turns out he is from Iran and had left the country in 78 when everyone was evacuating and trying to get out of the country... the same time my mom and sister and I evacuated probably... it was neat to talk to him and hear his story- he was 15 years old at the time and traveling for the very first time alone.
After that went back to the hotel and settled the kids in beds for the night.
Wednesday, May 21, 2008
Day 5- Disneyland again:
We went to Disneyland again... we got there early enough again to park in the parking lot instead of the garage. We definitly liked having two strollers the day before better than just one, so we got our strollers and then went over to Splash Mountain. This is probably ALex and Ashley's favorite ride... well that and all the other fast rides... lol! There was NO LINE, so I stayed off with Alyssa and Angela and we went on the Pooh Bear ride (because there was no line there too) while the others went on splash mountain.
Then Rich's mom took Alyssa and Angela and played with them (and I think went on the pooh bear ride again?) while the rest of us went on splash mountain (again for them, first time for me... ) because there was still NO LINE! woo hoo!! It was fun, and we didn't get too wet! :)
I tried to take a picture of the picture they take, but it didn't turn out that well... oh well...
Then we went over to Big Thunder Mountain Railroad... Rich's mom stayed out with the little girls while the rest of us rode the ride...
We could see Rich's mom and the girls watching when we got up to the front to get on the train.
Then we headed over to Fantasy land. I took the little girls on Dumbo, while the others went on Mr Toad, and SnowWhite and Peterpan?
Then Casey Jr's Circus Train:
and the Carousel again...
He's smiling this time and riding a horse! :)
We ran into the Evil Queen and Ashley got a picture... she was actually kind of nice... lol!
Then we went on the storybook boat ride... it shows all the lands where the fairytale stories take place...
and this was a great like Father like son moment... their expressions are so similar- they were just looking at stuff and looked so alike!
Toon town was next! Roger Rabbit is a pretty fun ride, and then the big people went on Gadget's go coaster... there were barely any lines so we were able to go on lots of rides!
Some fun pictures... outside in Mickey Mouses's car, and in Minnie Mouses's house.
Then we saw the princess area... you can get crowns and decorate them, and they have interactive storytelling, and pictures to color... you can get your face painted too, but we didn't do that.
Then it was lunch time... the kids really weren't in the mood for any real food, so we got them icecream. it turned into a mess, but they were happy with it... :)
Then Rich and Alex and Ashley watched the Jedi Training show, while Rich's parent's and I took Alyssa and Angela and we saw the "Honey I shrunk the audience" show.
Ashley wanted to be one of the kids choosen to participate sooo soo badly... but unfortunately she wasn't choosen. Hopefully next time she'll get that opportunity.
Then we went on Autopia... the kids love this one. I rode with Angela and she wouldn't let me steer! She kept grabbing my had and pushing it away and telling me "I'm driving!" we had quite a bummpy ride! lol!
Then we went up to the innovation area... and it was a room full of video games practically. Rich and Alex and Ashley were having fun... :) After that we rode on Buzz Lightyear, and the others went on Star Tours while Alyssa and Angela and I hung out and played games. Then Rich's mom and Alex stayed with those two while Rich, Ashley, his dad, and I went on space mountain again.
After that we went on the Disneyland Railroad around the park, and then Rich's parents took Alex and Angela with them to see the Enchanted Tiki Room show, while Rich and I went on Autopia with Ashley and Alyssa again. We then meet up and staked out a spot to watch the parade.
Alex and Ashley had a tough time being patient for the parade...
Then it finally started... I took all of these pictures with Angela sitting on my shoulders... so if they are fuzzy and blurry- that's why... :)
The parade stopped right here for the performers to dance and stuff... this float had a bubble machine on the back end... and it was shooting bubbles right at me for about 3-4 minutes... Angela was practically jumping off of my shoulders trying to catch the bubbles. I finally pulled out my sunglasses and put them on to keep the bubbles from going into my eyes!
And these are the guys that were dancing around in front of us during that stoppage of the parade...
We walked out behind the parade and then went to a neat movie about the history of Disneyland. By then the park was closed and it was a madhouse getting to a shuttle. The kids were in melt-down mode and starving... so we opted for fast food... Taco Bell. Alyssa fell asleep in the car on the way over and was so tired she never woke up when we got her out of her carseat and took her into Taco Bell. I wound up holding her on my lap sleeping while we all ate.
Then on the way back to the hotel she had an accident in her carseat, so that night I got to wash out a carseat in a hotel bathroom for the second time of the trip... fun fun!
Then Rich's mom took Alyssa and Angela and played with them (and I think went on the pooh bear ride again?) while the rest of us went on splash mountain (again for them, first time for me... ) because there was still NO LINE! woo hoo!! It was fun, and we didn't get too wet! :)
I tried to take a picture of the picture they take, but it didn't turn out that well... oh well...
Then we went over to Big Thunder Mountain Railroad... Rich's mom stayed out with the little girls while the rest of us rode the ride...
We could see Rich's mom and the girls watching when we got up to the front to get on the train.
Then we headed over to Fantasy land. I took the little girls on Dumbo, while the others went on Mr Toad, and SnowWhite and Peterpan?
Then Casey Jr's Circus Train:
and the Carousel again...
He's smiling this time and riding a horse! :)
We ran into the Evil Queen and Ashley got a picture... she was actually kind of nice... lol!
Then we went on the storybook boat ride... it shows all the lands where the fairytale stories take place...
and this was a great like Father like son moment... their expressions are so similar- they were just looking at stuff and looked so alike!
Toon town was next! Roger Rabbit is a pretty fun ride, and then the big people went on Gadget's go coaster... there were barely any lines so we were able to go on lots of rides!
Some fun pictures... outside in Mickey Mouses's car, and in Minnie Mouses's house.
Then we saw the princess area... you can get crowns and decorate them, and they have interactive storytelling, and pictures to color... you can get your face painted too, but we didn't do that.
Then it was lunch time... the kids really weren't in the mood for any real food, so we got them icecream. it turned into a mess, but they were happy with it... :)
Then Rich and Alex and Ashley watched the Jedi Training show, while Rich's parent's and I took Alyssa and Angela and we saw the "Honey I shrunk the audience" show.
Ashley wanted to be one of the kids choosen to participate sooo soo badly... but unfortunately she wasn't choosen. Hopefully next time she'll get that opportunity.
Then we went on Autopia... the kids love this one. I rode with Angela and she wouldn't let me steer! She kept grabbing my had and pushing it away and telling me "I'm driving!" we had quite a bummpy ride! lol!
Then we went up to the innovation area... and it was a room full of video games practically. Rich and Alex and Ashley were having fun... :) After that we rode on Buzz Lightyear, and the others went on Star Tours while Alyssa and Angela and I hung out and played games. Then Rich's mom and Alex stayed with those two while Rich, Ashley, his dad, and I went on space mountain again.
After that we went on the Disneyland Railroad around the park, and then Rich's parents took Alex and Angela with them to see the Enchanted Tiki Room show, while Rich and I went on Autopia with Ashley and Alyssa again. We then meet up and staked out a spot to watch the parade.
Alex and Ashley had a tough time being patient for the parade...
Then it finally started... I took all of these pictures with Angela sitting on my shoulders... so if they are fuzzy and blurry- that's why... :)
The parade stopped right here for the performers to dance and stuff... this float had a bubble machine on the back end... and it was shooting bubbles right at me for about 3-4 minutes... Angela was practically jumping off of my shoulders trying to catch the bubbles. I finally pulled out my sunglasses and put them on to keep the bubbles from going into my eyes!
And these are the guys that were dancing around in front of us during that stoppage of the parade...
We walked out behind the parade and then went to a neat movie about the history of Disneyland. By then the park was closed and it was a madhouse getting to a shuttle. The kids were in melt-down mode and starving... so we opted for fast food... Taco Bell. Alyssa fell asleep in the car on the way over and was so tired she never woke up when we got her out of her carseat and took her into Taco Bell. I wound up holding her on my lap sleeping while we all ate.
Then on the way back to the hotel she had an accident in her carseat, so that night I got to wash out a carseat in a hotel bathroom for the second time of the trip... fun fun!
Tuesday, May 20, 2008
Day 4- California Adventure
California Adventure opens an hour after Disneyland opens... so we didn't have to get up as early. We got ready, had breakfast and then headed over to the park. The kids were happy because we got to park inside the parking garage today, even if it wasn't the top floor where they wanted to park! It was a lot cooler this day, and we brought the jackets along for all the kids.
The day before we had gotten one stroller for the two little girls to take turns in, well we decided after a few hours that day, that the next day we would get two! They just want to be carried, and our backs didn't want to carry them around all day long like we had the day before!
First we went over to Soarin over California. The line wasn't too bad so Rich, his parents and Ashley went and rode it, instead of getting the fast pass they had planned on getting. Alex and I don't particularly like the ride so we were content to stay out with the little girls and we didn't even swap afterward to ride it.
Then we headed around to go on the raft ride- Grizzly River rapids. It was closed with some problems though, so we continued on to the roller coaster ride "Screaming over California" It is the coaster that has the mickey mouse head in the middle with the loop... it's a fun coaster. Alyssa and Angela surprised me and went off with Rich's mom without any complaining so I was able to ride the ride with Rich and his dad and Alex and Ashley.
After that we walked along the boardwalk area and rode some rides and got some lunch... the kids played in a fun little play area after lunch:
Then we went and rode some more of the rides along the boardwalk area. Alyssa tried the small rollercoaster, and found out she didn't like it too much. :( Then we split up and Rich's parents took Angela with them to go see a show, and Rich, Alex, Ashley, Alyssa and I went and rode on the raft ride. It was a lot of fun, but you get really really wet!! Alyssa surprised us by wanting to go on it, but she did pretty good. She got a little scared, but at the end told us she liked it. :)
After that we went to Playhouse Disney Live! and then split up again and Rich's parents took Alex with them to an animation thing, while Rich and I took the girls to see the Muppet 3D show (Alex does not like 3D shows at all). As we came out we caught the end of the pixar parade... we then ended our night over in the bug area... and rode all the little kiddie "bug" rides...
The park was closing then (it closes 2 hours before Disneyland), so we left and tried to figure out where to eat for dinner. We had thought it would be neat to go to the Rainforest Cafe, but when we called they wouldn't take reservations, and the wait would be 45min to an hour... everyone was hungry and we didn't want to wait that long. Rich's mom had seen an advertisement for an International Buffet close to the Hotel, so we decided to go there. We've been to other Buffet's that were asian in nature and usually there is plenty there as well for picky eaters (the kids and I) so we thought this place would be similar. This Buffet was much more international in flavor than the other buffet's we've been to. Lots of unique dishes and seafood and other stuff. The kids ate french fries and mashed potato's and gravy and strawberries and cantelope and jello and icecream. That pretty much was all that they would even try that was on the buffet. I was happy with the few things that I'm comfortable with. Fried rice, and orange chicken and a few other things... it definitly was a unique restaurant though... :)
Then it was back to the hotel for some sleep.
The day before we had gotten one stroller for the two little girls to take turns in, well we decided after a few hours that day, that the next day we would get two! They just want to be carried, and our backs didn't want to carry them around all day long like we had the day before!
First we went over to Soarin over California. The line wasn't too bad so Rich, his parents and Ashley went and rode it, instead of getting the fast pass they had planned on getting. Alex and I don't particularly like the ride so we were content to stay out with the little girls and we didn't even swap afterward to ride it.
Then we headed around to go on the raft ride- Grizzly River rapids. It was closed with some problems though, so we continued on to the roller coaster ride "Screaming over California" It is the coaster that has the mickey mouse head in the middle with the loop... it's a fun coaster. Alyssa and Angela surprised me and went off with Rich's mom without any complaining so I was able to ride the ride with Rich and his dad and Alex and Ashley.
After that we walked along the boardwalk area and rode some rides and got some lunch... the kids played in a fun little play area after lunch:
Then we went and rode some more of the rides along the boardwalk area. Alyssa tried the small rollercoaster, and found out she didn't like it too much. :( Then we split up and Rich's parents took Angela with them to go see a show, and Rich, Alex, Ashley, Alyssa and I went and rode on the raft ride. It was a lot of fun, but you get really really wet!! Alyssa surprised us by wanting to go on it, but she did pretty good. She got a little scared, but at the end told us she liked it. :)
After that we went to Playhouse Disney Live! and then split up again and Rich's parents took Alex with them to an animation thing, while Rich and I took the girls to see the Muppet 3D show (Alex does not like 3D shows at all). As we came out we caught the end of the pixar parade... we then ended our night over in the bug area... and rode all the little kiddie "bug" rides...
The park was closing then (it closes 2 hours before Disneyland), so we left and tried to figure out where to eat for dinner. We had thought it would be neat to go to the Rainforest Cafe, but when we called they wouldn't take reservations, and the wait would be 45min to an hour... everyone was hungry and we didn't want to wait that long. Rich's mom had seen an advertisement for an International Buffet close to the Hotel, so we decided to go there. We've been to other Buffet's that were asian in nature and usually there is plenty there as well for picky eaters (the kids and I) so we thought this place would be similar. This Buffet was much more international in flavor than the other buffet's we've been to. Lots of unique dishes and seafood and other stuff. The kids ate french fries and mashed potato's and gravy and strawberries and cantelope and jello and icecream. That pretty much was all that they would even try that was on the buffet. I was happy with the few things that I'm comfortable with. Fried rice, and orange chicken and a few other things... it definitly was a unique restaurant though... :)
Then it was back to the hotel for some sleep.
Monday, May 19, 2008
Day 3- Disneyland:
We got up bright and early to meet Rich's parents down at the breakfast area around 7:30am. They had flown in the night before and were staying at the same hotel. It turns out that they were staying right down the hall from us, so they just stopped at our door that morning instead of meeting us downstairs.
After we filled up on our breakfasts we hopped into the car and drove over to Disneyland.
We were early enough that we parked in the parking lot next to the parking garage... then took the shuttle over to Downtown Disney and the entrance. Once inside we got a stroller for the little girls to share and went and stood in the line on mainstreet waiting for the park to officially open. It was hot that day... the last day of a heat wave that the area had been experiencing.
The first thing we did was go to the Finding Nemo ride. We stood in line for a while... maybe 45 min to an hour? but the line was twice as long every other time we walked past the ride, so our line wasn't that bad. They were shooting a commercial or "infomercial" or something about the ride right next to the line que so we got to watch them take some takes of it while were were waiting. The ride is in little submarines. You walk down a little spiral staircase and there is a bench in the center with seats on either side so it's basically two lines of people sitting backs together (with a seatback and flotation cushions between the seat backs) facing the portholes- there is one porthole per seat. It was a cute ride, but there is a little bit of a scary part. Alex and Alyssa were a little scared during the shark scene, but I think they enjoyed the rest of the ride.
Then we went and rode the Matterhorn. I stayed with the little girls while Rich, Alex, Ashley and Rich's parents went on the ride. Then Disney has this great system called "child swap" so instead of me waiting in the line and everyone else having to wait for the entire line wait... I just showed the little paper that I got from the cast member when they got in line... and I got to go in through the exit and had a 2 minute wait instead!
After that we went to fantasyland. The carousel, Dumbo, Mr Toad's wild ride, and Peter Pan.
we have our traditional pout face on Alex, we get at least one picture of it on each trip... he didn't want to ride the carousel, so he sat on the bench on it instead of on a horse...
Then we went on Space Mountain, and had some lunch. The ride has been redone in the past few years and it's much smoother than it used to be... they did a great job revamping it!
After lunch we rode on the Pirates of the Caribean, and went up in Tarzan's treehouse. The kids always have fun with the stuff at the end they can play with.
We also went on the Jungle Cruise, and then it was time to ride Indian Jones... a favorite of most of the Adults, and Ashley! Alyssa and Angela and I hung out and took some pictures while we were waiting for the others to go on the ride.
I think they took some more pictures while I went on the ride too... :)
After that fast paced ride, we went on the riverboat for a cruise around the lake/river???
Then we went and rode Big Thunder Mountain Railroad... that's a fun coaster too! Alyssa and Angela and I went to the picture spot and took some pictures while the others were on the coaster.
We were starving and got some dinner for everyone, and then we only had a little bit of time left. We went on the Alice in Wonderland ride and Angela fell asleep on my shoulder in line... so she slept through the ride...
and then we ended the night with a spin on the teacups...
and it was dark by the time we left the park:
After we filled up on our breakfasts we hopped into the car and drove over to Disneyland.
We were early enough that we parked in the parking lot next to the parking garage... then took the shuttle over to Downtown Disney and the entrance. Once inside we got a stroller for the little girls to share and went and stood in the line on mainstreet waiting for the park to officially open. It was hot that day... the last day of a heat wave that the area had been experiencing.
The first thing we did was go to the Finding Nemo ride. We stood in line for a while... maybe 45 min to an hour? but the line was twice as long every other time we walked past the ride, so our line wasn't that bad. They were shooting a commercial or "infomercial" or something about the ride right next to the line que so we got to watch them take some takes of it while were were waiting. The ride is in little submarines. You walk down a little spiral staircase and there is a bench in the center with seats on either side so it's basically two lines of people sitting backs together (with a seatback and flotation cushions between the seat backs) facing the portholes- there is one porthole per seat. It was a cute ride, but there is a little bit of a scary part. Alex and Alyssa were a little scared during the shark scene, but I think they enjoyed the rest of the ride.
Then we went and rode the Matterhorn. I stayed with the little girls while Rich, Alex, Ashley and Rich's parents went on the ride. Then Disney has this great system called "child swap" so instead of me waiting in the line and everyone else having to wait for the entire line wait... I just showed the little paper that I got from the cast member when they got in line... and I got to go in through the exit and had a 2 minute wait instead!
After that we went to fantasyland. The carousel, Dumbo, Mr Toad's wild ride, and Peter Pan.
we have our traditional pout face on Alex, we get at least one picture of it on each trip... he didn't want to ride the carousel, so he sat on the bench on it instead of on a horse...
Then we went on Space Mountain, and had some lunch. The ride has been redone in the past few years and it's much smoother than it used to be... they did a great job revamping it!
After lunch we rode on the Pirates of the Caribean, and went up in Tarzan's treehouse. The kids always have fun with the stuff at the end they can play with.
We also went on the Jungle Cruise, and then it was time to ride Indian Jones... a favorite of most of the Adults, and Ashley! Alyssa and Angela and I hung out and took some pictures while we were waiting for the others to go on the ride.
I think they took some more pictures while I went on the ride too... :)
After that fast paced ride, we went on the riverboat for a cruise around the lake/river???
Then we went and rode Big Thunder Mountain Railroad... that's a fun coaster too! Alyssa and Angela and I went to the picture spot and took some pictures while the others were on the coaster.
We were starving and got some dinner for everyone, and then we only had a little bit of time left. We went on the Alice in Wonderland ride and Angela fell asleep on my shoulder in line... so she slept through the ride...
and then we ended the night with a spin on the teacups...
and it was dark by the time we left the park:
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