Hello Disneyland!

When we plan for Fall Break, it seems we either go to Chicago or Disneyland.  We have been to Chicago twice over fall break, and three times to Disneyland.  You would think we would not choose Disneyland since everyone else is going, but surprisingly this year, the crowds were not bad at all.  In fact, several times we found ourselves pretty much walking on to rides.  Here are Bryce and Adam after Adam's first ride on California Screamin'.  You can see he is ready for more (and he got more later).

Call us crazy, but one of our first rides on Monday morning was Grizzly Run - and yes you will get wet.  But it was situated right outside the entrance of our hotel, and we got early entry for staying in the Grand Californian, so we just had to ride it!  But Michelle came equipped with ponchos (which only she and Adam wore because Dan and Bryce were too manly to wear ponchos - stay tuned for a wet picture later).

Adam was anxious to ride the Tower of Terror (meaning it was at the top of his list of rides to hit first).  This is a snapshot of us on the ride from the picture the park takes.  We don't look too bad for having gone up and down the elevator shaft a few times.  Adam held up well, but did not clamor to ride it again.

There is a new book out about the "hidden Mickeys" all around Disneyland.  So we were on the lookout for hidden Mickey's everywhere we went.  We even spotted one in the carpet pattern of our hotel room (Adam is pointing to it). 

You've heard the expression "a kid in a candy store"?  Well, a similar expression for Bryce and Adam would be "two boys in a Lego store".  Since we were right at Downtown Disney, we spent time in the Lego store.  The boys love to make things with Legos - not necessarily the kits - but build all sorts of contraptions.  Their favorite thing to build is vehicles of any kind.  At the Lego store they have bins of loose Lego pieces and you can fill a container with whatever your little heart desires.  The selection this time had axles, wheels and tires - and even windshields.  Can you tell they are excited?

After our break in Downtown Disney, we went back in California Adventure for another quick ride on California Screamin'.  Michelle decided once was enough, but Adam jumped at the chance for another thrill.  Bryce had figured out where the camera was and tried to pose for his photo.

California Adventure closes a few hours before Disneyland, so we headed over to Disneyland for a few rides and found our way to the Autopia cars.  As we were about to head for the Monorail and back to the room, we noticed the line for Finding Nemo was almost nonexistent (which evidently is very unusual) so we zipped onto the submarines.  Dan and Michelle remembered the submarine ride of decades ago (yes, we are old) and Bryce and Adam got to enjoy the updated version featuring Nemo.  We were all well entertained. 

As we were leaving the fireworks show began and we had a fabulous view of the show.  No one does fireworks like Disneyland.  With the Monorail stopping close by our hotel, we had an easy exit from Disneyland before any lines formed after the show.

Our next day was spent in Disneyland, starting with the Matterhorn.  We coerced Adam into riding once, but he was adamant that was his last.  But again, the lines were short, so Bryce and Dan hopped on to try the ride on the opposite side and compare the rides. 

Adam was happy to be a spectator rather than a participant of the repeat ride on the Matterhorn.

Two happy boys back at the Autopia cars.

Michelle and Bryce as we are leaving the Autopia cars.

Our one group shot.

We headed over to Frontierland/Adventureland/New Orleans Square.  After hitting the "big rides" we were ready for a little break and stopped by the Golden Horseshoe.  They are always a great spot for a good snack and a little rest, and if you are lucky you will hit a show while you are there.  We not only caught a show, Dan was "lucky" enough to be in the show!  (He is in the dark shirt and the red hat).  It would take too long to explain the show, but it was hilarious as three men from Arizona answered questions while blindfolded to see which one would be picked to marry the mayor's "pretty" daughter.  When it came to the mayor's daughter, let's just say there were no women on stage - that should give you the picture.  What a fun memory.

A fun thing we had never checked out was the retiring of the colors.  With Bryce being in marching band, we thought he would enjoy seeing Disney's version of a marching band.  The band came down Main Street to the flag pole playing patriotic tunes.  They had a short speech, played snippets of all the armed services songs, and then lowered the flag.  It was well worth seeing.

This is more of the retiring of the colors.  Disney certainly goes all out for decorating for Halloween.

Disneyland was closing early for a Halloween party.  We had amazingly done everything we had planned on, so we hopped on the Monorail to head back to the hotel.  Adam had expressed an interest in sitting up front on the Monorail with the driver, so that's where we rode for the one-way trip to Downtown Disney.  We learned all kinds of fun facts about the Monorail from the driver during the ride. 

After a bite to eat and some shopping we went back to our room.  We wondered if we would be able to see the fireworks from our balcony since it faced the park, and sure enough, we had a terrific view.

The next day it was time to check out, but we had until 11 am, so we packed up with plans to go back into California Adventure - for a few more adventures.  Before the gates opened, Dan ran down to Downtown Disney to take our picture as we stood on the balcony to our room.  Can you see us up high?

Here is a closer view.  Can you spot us now?

This is the hotel entrance into California Adventure.  With a happy Adam ready to ride a couple more rides.

Dan and the boys opted for another couple runs on Grizzly Run.  Michelle stayed dry and kept an eye out for them on the bridge overhead to catch a picture.  This is their raft coming around through the water geysers.

Can you tell how wet they are?  This time Adam joined the "men" and went without a poncho.



A drenched Adam and Dan with Grizzly Peak in the background.  Luckily we were able to go back to the room and change before hitting the road for Arizona.  It was a great visit to the Magic Kingdom.  We are already planning our next visit to see all the new construction completed.