Disneyland

[footprintsinconc]

We just got back yesterday from our first time to Disneyland (CA).

My kids loved it there. Infact, we too had lots of fun. I was expecting the place to be totally geared towards the kids, but we (grown ups) too had a blast. It truely exceeded my expectations.

My daughter just loved the princess theme area. She really enjoyed the program where they were teaching kids how to act like princess and knights. She was thrilled when she met them. Zainab is eight. After meeting them, as she was going through the sale area setup right next to the princess stage, she whispered to me "this is fun, but you know what, too bad they aren't real" .

My son was a little disappointed when he didnt see Lightening McQueen there. He was real easy to scare. At any of the rides, if it was dark, with music that seemed scary, he would want to get out. At about half the rides, he would cry and say he didnt want to go on the rides, but after we were through with the ride, he would say "i liked this ride". so overall he too enjoyed the place.

After our third day, my son and daughter dead tired and wanted to go home. Here are some pictures:

[JoeyGee]

I'm glad you had a good time. LOML and I are big Disney fans and love going to Disney World in Florida. We took our kids (6, 3 and 15 mo) last year about this time for the first time and they loved it.

The real highlight was when my daughter wasn't feeling well and we were about to leave, she saw Jasmine walking by and screamed "Jasmine!". Jasmine stopped and took her by the hand and walked to where her appearance was set up. She sat and talked with Sydney for 5-10 minutes. She loved it.

DW does have Lightning McQueen and Mater, but they are LOUD (fake engine noise). They are basically cars close to actual size, and they just park them in the middle of an open area, and it's just chaos around them. Forget about getting a picture with just your kids next to them.

I agree, there is always plenty for the "grown up kids" to do, also.

[Tom Slick]

Disneyland is great, it does truly run on magic. Glad to hear a good time was had by all.

[cgallery]

Disney (both CA and FL) is a blast. Been to CA once and FL about (embarrassed to admit it) six times, staying mostly on the grounds. My older daughter is now 17 and is less interested in rides so wants to go elsewhere (the 12 year old hates her for that).

The first time we went to DW and took a stroller with the oldest daughter down Main St., and she saw the castle, well, we had to pick her jaw up off the ground (she was about five at the time).

Excellent memories. Some day we will have grand kids and look forward to taking them.

[docrowan]

Omar,

Glad to hear you had a great time. We love going to DisneyWorld, and are fortunate enough to have been able to go every year since my little girl was two years old. My parents live about an hour from Orlando and we spend a week with them every year.

If you decide to go back, I highly recommend you read The Unofficial Guide to Disney World. Or I should say my wife would recommend it - she's the head of our Disney World business.

[Ed62]

You can get addicted to that place. You're almost guaranteed a good time there.

Ed

[TB Roye]

Back in the Early 60's when I lived in So Cal Disneyland used have special nights for adults. Dixeland Night, Big Band night, Datenight. where you and a date could go for a set price and ride all rides as much as you would like. They had bands to dance to all the place. It was great place to go on a date and have an evening of safe fun. Don't know if the still do it. Last time I went was 30 years ago when our boys were young. Might go this year with the grand kids.

Tom

[JR]

It looks like you had a great time, Omar! I personally think Disneyland is a little too adult oriented. I guess that's just me.

In SoCal it's common to go to Disneyland the night you graduate from high school. It's something that just about all the "cluques" seem to agree on as a fun activity. There aren't too many things in ths world that can unite a high school community like that!

JR

[cabinetman]

I've been to Disney World a few times. Definitely not cheap. But, what I was taken back with was the detail and quality of the construction of the buildings, facades, and period oriented structures. Top notch.
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[footprintsinconc]

cabman, i totally agree with the amount of attention is given to detail. it really makes you feel great, nothing is halfasx. my favorite was the "pirates of the caribbean", excellent workmanship and detail work. it was really neat to see wood planks, that had smothering edges in certain areas and glowing red.

[rjwaldren]

We took my daughter to DL last year for her 3rd birthday... We used to live 10 min up Harbor Blvd but hadn't been in probably 10 years, it's a whole different experience with kids.

We where there for 3 days, the first night when we check-in in we rushed her over and got onto MainSt just as the fireworks started...Can't beat that for a first experience. The next day we had lunch with the Princesses in Ariel's Grotto, where she made everyone of them explain why Sleeping Beauty wasn't there. They were all prepared though, apparently she had a prior engage ment with Prince Charming.

She was afraid of nothing - well, she still holds a grudge against granddad for taking her on the Matterhorn. Mater and Lightening McQueen were on the Cal Adv. side of the park, but like it was said earlier - it looked like a rugby scrum around them.

[cgallery]

I've been to Disney World a few times. Definitely not cheap. But, what I was taken back with was the detail and quality of the construction of the buildings, facades, and period oriented structures. Top notch.
.

One day while eating some lunch in the Magic Kingdom and observing how nicely put together the inside of even the restaurant was, I became distracted by a man that was clearly having a problem with his wife. She was clearly embarrassed as he kept raising his voice and throwing the items on his food tray around. I don't know what set him off but he just wasn't a happy camper.

We had just sat down and apparently the display had started a minute or two earlier. All eyes were on this couple (and their child) and you could tell people really were feeling sorry for the wife and kid (you don't take your wife and kids on vacation and belittle them).

Anyway, within a minute or two of sitting own, I noticed that a beautifully panelled wall had a hidden door in it. I noticed because it opened up, and three men in suits came out of it. They walked ten feet to the couples table and asked the couple and their kid to follow them back into the hidden passage.

It was kinda neat. I've always thought about that couple. I hope they were able to calm the guy down and that they were able to enjoy the rest of their vacation.

[cabinetman]

Anyway, within a minute or two of sitting own, I noticed that a beautifully panelled wall had a hidden door in it. I noticed because it opened up, and three men in suits came out of it. They walked ten feet to the couples table and asked the couple and their kid to follow them back into the hidden passage.

I wonder if they were ever seen again. Ah-ha, the Jimmy Hoffa mystery solved!
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