Originally Posted By VernaL My little sister Evie has her 60th birthday coming up. We were chatting and she told me that it would be fun to go to Disneyland together. Just her and me. I mentioned it to Lou and he said I deserved a break away from the grandkids. (We are taking care of my daughter’s eight grandkids because she got herself in trouble last year.) His sister Lois was coming out to visit and maybe she could help out with the kids. I talked to Lois on the phone and she said it wasn’t a problem. Lois works as a teacher in one of them military academies so I know she would be comfortable around a lot of kids. So Evie gassed up her Buick and early one morning we took off for Disneyland. We popped in some Elvis tapes in the tape player. She’s got a 1971 convertible. It’s a big car and we felt like a couple high school girls driving down the freeway in our sunglasses with the wind whipping around our hair. We followed the signs and got off the freeway and sure enough there was Disneyland! Only problem is that it was midnight so it was closed. And then we couldn’t find the paper with the name of the motel we were staying at. All I knew from reading on the LP was that it was across the street. So we stopped at one of the hotels and I went in and asked if they had a reservation for us. They didn’t so we went to the next one and they didn’t. On the fourth try we found our motel. Whew! I’ll be more careful next time. Our room was decent enough for the price. Not as nice as the Hojos though. We turned on the TV and unpacked and then went to bed. We got up early and headed out the door. Now I was a bit confused from my trip where we stayed at the Hojos. At that place you walk out to the street and make a left and before you know it you get to Disneyland. Well, we made a left but didn’t realize we should have made a right. We started walking and walking. But then we saw that everyone was going the other way. So we asked and a nice family got us turned around and before you know it we were going into Disneyland. First we had to buy our tickets. Boy are they ever expensive. I would love to bring the grandkids back but its going to take awhile to save up for that. Eight kids plus Lou and me is a heck of a lot a money. I did buy Evie her hopper ticket. It was her birthday gift. Now I normally would not spend $116 on a birthday gift for Evie but I owed her because she watched the kids last summer when my son Steve took me to Disneyland. A hopper ticket in case you don’t know lets you go into Disneyland and the California Park next door. Now the California Park is lots of fun and I really like it but my favorite is Disneyland. And don’t get the hopper ticket confused with the quickpass ticket. Those are tickets you get at machines so that you can ride the ride later. I don’t quite understand it but it’s supposed to be a good thing. Evie had never been to Disneyland and she was as excited as I was. We walked in and there was music playing. We walked down the street and pretty soon we seen the castle. But before the castle there is a statue of Walt Disney and Mickey Mouse. And Evie said Doesn’t Walt look like he could be the brother of Dixon Hicks down at the hardware store? And I said Yes and when we get home we’ll have to ask Dixon if Walt is a relative. I have always felt that Walt was a handsome man. Now Dixon is a handsome man too its just that he has a big mole up over his left eye and every now and then he gets a twitch up there and the mole starts moving back and forth and you can’t take your eyes off of it and I guess that’s why we sometimes overlook the fact that Dixon is a handsome man because all you can look at is that twitching mole of his. Anyways I told Evie that I read on the internet that Walt was buried under the statue. Evie asked where the grave marker was so we asked this man who was standing around taking pictures and he told us we were mistaken. Walt isn’t buried under the statue, he’s buried over on Disney Island. He said there’s a graveyard over there and everything so we decided to go over later on. Well it turns out we never made it over there after all. It’s a crazy thing about Disneyland. You go in that place and you just go crazy doing stuff and forgetting other stuff. Oh well. Next we went into the castle. You should have seen Evies eyes sparkle. We were like two little kids hopping on all the different rides. They are all made up after the different fairy tales. There’s Snow White and Dumbo and Peter Pan and Cinderella and a whole bunch more. We rode them all. Then we went over to Little World and rode that. I think that’s my favorite ride. I just love all those singing dolls from all around the world and its such a catchy tune. And its nice and cool in there after being out in the hot sun and it’s a long ride too. Takes about a half hour. After that we went on the fairy tale boat ride. Now this could be a scary ride for the little ones because they drive the boat right into this huge ugly looking mouth of a whale. Now Evie asks me How the heck are we gonna get outta this fish? And we both look at each other and laugh because all we can think of is the behind of the whale and it just doesn’t seem right to be pooped out of a whale. It just doesn’t seem like something Disney would do. Well not to worry. Instead the boat driver told us Pinnochio built a fire inside the fish and he sneezed so hard he blew his butt completely off. Now this doesn’t seem like something Disney would do but you gotta trust the boat driver is telling the truth. So anyways, once you get through the whale it gets real cute. They built all these little houses for all the fairy tale characters. The boat driver points them out. All the trees and plants are little too. Real cute ride. Takes about 20 minutes. Next we went to Cartoonland. This is a really good place to take your little ones. Lots of cute little things for them to play on. We went on the ride that makes you feel like you are in a cartoon. It’s not Bugs Bunny but it might be his brother, I can’t remember. The grandkids had the movie on one day but I was busy with the ironing and didn’t really get to watch it that close. Anyway, you ride in these little taxi cabs and you spin around and trust me its real cute. By now we were real hungry so I told Evie we should go eat somewhere by the river so we wandered over to the western part of Disneyland. We found a saloon and went inside and had some lunch. Then we watched the show. It was a show with four guys who sing hilarious songs and play guitars and fiddles. Now what is funny is that all of them are named Billy Hill. We tired to figure out how they all came together. Evie thought maybe Walt just went through the phone book and called all the Billy Hills listed and asked if they sang and wanted to join the band. I kind of thought maybe they ran a ad in the newspaper asking for anyone name Billy Hill to come down and audition. We wondered if when they passed out the paychecks if they ever got mixed up. I suppose maybe they all made the same amount of money so it wouldn’t matter. We really liked this show so we went back and saw it two more times. We even met one of the Billys in between shows. After that we went on lots of rides. I wanted to ride the Pirates ride but it was closed down. In fact the whole area was all filled up with huge benches for a movie showing the next day. We couldn’t even go over to Disney Island because they have a big movie screen up over there for the show the next day. We asked around about getting tickets but couldn’t find them anywhere. We went on the Splash Mountain and the Haunted House and the Pooh Bear ride and the Wild West Train roller coaster ride. We wandered around and the next thing you know we were back in the Fairy Tale Land so we went around and rode the some of our favorites. I like the Peter Pan. Evie liked Alice in Wonderland. Oh and we road the Tea Cups too. Then we went to Futureworldland. We rode the Buzz Lightening ride which is real cute. You get these little laser guns and you shoot at everything to earn points. I beat out Evie on this. I got 2,100 points and she got less than 1,000. Afterward you can go look at your pitcher they take. We looked really silly. We wanted to buy it but a little girl told us that you can’t but you can email them to yourself. Well, we didn’t remember what my email address was so we missed out on that. I really like this part of the park. We road the Star Trek ride and the Space Mountain roller coaster. It seems like all the popular rides at Disneyland are named after a mountain. If they want a popular ride all they have to do is put the word Mountain after it and people will stand in line for it. We went on the little cars you drive too. And then we went into the Inventions building. This place is nice and cool and there’s lots of stuff to look at but there aren’t any rides to do so I don’t recommend it unless you’re getting hot and need to cool off. By now it was dinner time so we went over to this restaurant across from Walt and we both had a fried chicken dinner. They don’t skimp on food and we had our fill. Evie said the chicken was good but not as good as mine. That made me smile. We were too full for dessert so thought maybe later we would get us some ice cream. We wandered out and the street was packed full of people. Wall to wall everywhere. What’s going? on we asked and a nice man said people were getting ready for the fireworks. Well I had plum forgot about the fireworks and I told Evie we had to stay and watch them. Which we did. I saw them last summer with my son Steve and they were wonderful. Evie was impressed. They have music and voices and singing to go along with the fireworks and they’re all tied to the different rides in the park. After the fireworks we stood in line at the ice cream shop. I tell you this line took longer than the ones for any of the Mountain rides. But the ice cream was good and we ate it while we walked back to our motel. The next morning we got up bright and early which is actually normal for me. You see they opened the park at 6:30 am because they were going to close them early for the big Pirates movie. They had red carpets down the street and kids was all camped out. I guess later that night a whole bunch of movie stars came in. We wandered around and just hopped on anything we saw. There is a boat trip down the jungle river and you see all sorts of animals along the way. There was also a singing bird show. And a crazy ride that I can’t remember the name of. They made a movie out of it. Anyways you are on these jeeps and you’re driving like crazy. I won’t tell you the details because that would spoil the fun for you but this is a ride that will scare you to death and also make you laugh like crazy. We liked it so much that after we got off we went and got back in line to ride it again. We had some breakfast outside on a patio which was nice. Then we left Disneyland and went to where they have the People Mover. Rode that all the way over to where they park the cars. They have these huge long elevator stairs that are the longest I have ever seen in my life. You can take them all the way to the top of the building and then look out and see the sites for miles. We rode them back down and rode the People Move back. Then we headed over to California Park. We ended up spending the whole day here and just wore ourselves out. This place has lots of stuff to do. There is a real cute new ride that’s all about Monsters. In fact I think that’s what they call it. Then there is the talking turtle. It’s not a ride but its real cute anyway. If you have little ones make sure you see the turtle show. There is also the Disneyland Horror Hotel. I had been on this one before but I didn’t tell Evie anything about it. You go way up to the top in an elevator and then it falls down and then it goes up and down. Keeps doing that. Scares the heck out of you but in fun way. There’s a carnival area too. Huge roller coaster that turns you upside down in a circle. And lots of other rides. I don’t care much for the ones that just spin you around in circle but Evie wanted to do them all anyway. I guess our $116 hopper tickets really paid for themselves. Can you imagine if they charged for all the individual rides? It would have cost us a fortune. Anyways they have these games you can play too. Evie won herself a huge stuffed pig. I mean it was huge. But we didn’t want to carry the thing around all day and she didn’t want no stuffed pig when she got home and I couldn’t take him because then I’d have to get seven other things for the rest of the grandkids so we saw a little boy walking along and Evie says, Hey kid you want my pig? And his eyes got real big and he says Yes. And now the pig has a home. We found a little bar where they server liquor. I’m not much of a drinker myself but it was refreshing to have a cold beer on a nice warm day. Then we went on the river rafting ride and got soaking wet. Had to walk around sloshing about for awhile but we eventually dried out. The weather was really nice that day. There’s the flying ride too where you take off and soar over all sorts of sights. That became one of our favorites and we went on it two more times that day. We also saw a couple of shows. There was one about California history and the Aladdin show. If you have to pick between the two you can’t go wrong with the Aladdin show. There is also a Muppets show and a Bug Show. At both of those you get special glasses to wear. Makes things pop right out at you. Real cute shows both of them. When it got dark there was an electricity parade. All sorts of floats lit up with thousands of light bulbs. Honestly you just have to see this parade. We laughed because we didn’t see no extension cords anywhere to keep them lit so we figured they were all run on batteries. I imagine that Duracell company makes quite a penny off the Disney company every time they run that parade. I think it was after the parade we went and had us corn dogs for dinner. Pretty tasty and I highly recommend them. By that time we had done everything at least once and some of them twice so we just did a few more of our favorites before the loudspeaker came on telling us it was time to go home. We walked back to our motel and crawled into bed. There was big group of kids in the room next door having a party and carrying on but we were just too tired to care and we both fell sound asleep. The next day we had to pack up and check out early for our long drive home. On the way Evie told me that this was one of the best trips she has ever had and that she really enjoyed my company. We were just like two teenagers most of the time. Anyways, that’s my story. I told Lou that it was a shame I been to Disneyland twice and had no pictures to show so he got me one of them disposable cameras. I’m not very good with it but here they are: <a href="http://albums.photo.epson.com/j/ViewPhoto?u=4396835&a=32230806&p=74443845" target="_blank">http://albums.photo.epson.com/ j/ViewPhoto?u=4396835&a=32230806&p=74443845</a>
Originally Posted By trekkeruss ROTFLMAO! I am glad you two had such a great time at the Disneylandworld park.
Originally Posted By chickendumpling Verna! I loved your report! (as always) You always have such a *unique* way of touring the park and you always make me smile. I'm glad you gals had such a good time. Thanks for your pictures. I really enjoyed them.
Originally Posted By chickendumpling Oh! And btw, you took those pictures with a disposable camera? They came out great!
Originally Posted By trekkeruss That must have been a special disposable camera to take 37 pics. Hahaha. I love the captions.
Originally Posted By Pixie Glitter Oh, Verna! I just love your trip reports!! And how wonderful to see some pictures. I was in Disneyland the same time you were; I'm so sorry we didn't run into each other. :-(
Originally Posted By gaydsnywitch Great report. You didn't run into Japtain Cack and his horde of wenches, did you? I hear they were there about the same time.
Originally Posted By quincytoo ^^^^^Hey I was one of those wenches!!!....but I didn't give him a B .... oh never mind .. As always, GREAT Trip report Verna...I was down at Disneyland at the same time and wish we could have met... I am wondering where you stayed??? That might not have been "kids" having a party..... UMM You see ....that Saturday night my wild and wacky roommates had a date at Tortilla Jo's and quite a few shots of Cabo Wabowere consumed ....umm by the meal's end California Adventure Park was certainly not an option..so they headed back to the room. I (being the responible one of the bunch) drove with one of my favourite nieces to get her and her drunk cousin's (every family has one right??)belongings out of their hotel room, by the time we got back to our hotel room suite the party was WILD!!!! The gang had raided the mini fridge and all of the Bartle & James Wine Coolers (Verna you would like these, they go down easy but man oh man they can cause wild behaviour) and beer were gone!!! I, was tired and fell asleep just after two of my roommates fell asleep, Boy were we tired cause after our head hit the pillows we heard NOTHING from our roommates, even through I know they were being noisy and all. Until the next morning when I awoke to the sound of jack hammers going off in my head. Turns out cabo Wabo has some nasty side effects.....
Originally Posted By Pollyana Great report Verna. You do have your own special way with words and it is really very funny. Your pictures were great too, but I would have like to see one of you and your sister. I will be leaving in 5 days. DL here I come!
Originally Posted By safari1 you do have a way with words Verna, I only wish I could be as articulate and expressive as you are!! Keep up the good work with the trip reports and pics!
Originally Posted By 4Disnee What a wonderful trip report I giggled the whole time. It sounds like you had a wonderful trip and it was very well deserved. Thank you so much for sharing and I loved your photos.
Originally Posted By Pollyana Verna just to help you decide where Walt is buried, we went to Forestlawn Glendale, and found the Disney Family Plot. I was very disappointed in it's current condition but we did find it. When we go back to CA., in 4 days, I plan on taking flowers back to the famiy site. I know rumors are floating about where Walt is at rest and it keeps us thinking about all the possibilities.
Originally Posted By wonderingalice <<Then we left Disneyland and went to where they have the People Mover. Rode that all the way over to where they park the cars.>> *LMAO* Oh Verna... I do love you!!
Originally Posted By wonderingalice Great photos of the fireworks, too! Almost as good as being there! *LMAO*
Originally Posted By Stacers76 I can truly say I have a whole new appreciation of a Whale's butt now. )
Originally Posted By Lisann22 Good to see you post VernaL - love those trip reports. You should have emailed you were going to be there!!! You are much to shy. ;>
Originally Posted By Ursula You have the best ever trip reports. Next time, I hope we can meet up. I think the Billy Hills are all related, since I was told they just kept on naming the boys after grandpa William. How they get Billy outa William, well, that's the part I don't get.
