Originally Posted By Rivkah86 Disneyland- the place where dreams come true.... where I found myself visiting for 4.25 days and having the best time ever! I set out from the Oakland airport around 7p.m. on Saturday night; I had gotten off work, went home to get my luggage, and took the Bart across the bay. Check-in was a breeze, and the flight was very smooth. After arriving in John Wayne Airport (SNA) around 8:30, I picked up my baggage and met mom and dad who came to pick me up right outside the terminal. It was wonderful to see them again! Luke was waiting in DL already, so mom and dad dropped me off at the park around 9, and there I met Luke at the petrified tree tunk on the rivers of america. We were buddies again! and we traipsed off to ride the Haunted Mansion, Winnie the Pooh, POTC, and grab some grub from Pinnochio's Hause. We finally got back to the hotel- the Hilton- at one or so in the morning. So on Sunday, the next morning, Luke and I woke early and got to DL, starting our day off with breakfast on the porch on main st., some shopping, and the Mattahorn. This was the day I bought Yoda. Well, actually, it was a yoda back-pack. He looks like he's hanging onto your shoulders, like when Luke Skywalker carries him around on Degoba while in training. I got some wicked awesome pics of us trying him on in Star Traders before purchasing him. And all throughout the day, and the entire trip thereafter, people either started blantently, whispered, ooed and awed, laughed, did double-takes, and/or asked me where I got him and what it set me back. Lots of people mistook him for an ugly baby on my back, while others knew it to be The Jedi Master right away. One thing was for sure- whenever I took him on a wild ride with me (a la Mattahorn) and had him sit in my lap, people gawked and stared! It was great We ended up riding a couple of fantasyland rides, and when mom and dad showed up, we hit IASW, Innoventions, and had lunch. Dinner that night was at Ariel's Grotto since the Blue Bayou was majorly packed out. It was delicious as usual, and we made sure to ride Soarin' together. Luke and I headed back to Disneyland for the latter part of the evening, and mom and dad retired early (too tired to keep up!) We hit BTMRR, The Jungle Cruise, and Mr. Toad's wild ride. This was the evening that it started to rain... I was totally unprepared as the clouds came rolling in during dinner. The wind was very blustery, and when we finally did make it over to DL, it was already raining lightly. Which was an extra bummer, because I was wearing my suede boots However, Luke and I topped off the night with a ride on the astro-orbiter (our tradition) and had a heck of a time with the rain whipping us in the face as we flew around in circles. But it was fun, it was fun. (Luke, I hope your knee didn't suffer too much!) Ok, so that night, we skipped over puddles, dodged the fleeing crowds of people dissapointed that the fireworks were cancelled, and got back to the hotel around one again. Then came Monday morning... Luke had it off from school (President's day!) and we got up early yet again, leaving mom and dad to catch us on the flip side. So we went back and forth between both parks, and I checked into the Days Inn (since the fam left this day and I would be staying alone from here on out). Luke and I had quite the "adventure" trying to figure out where it was located (on foot!) We had lunch together at Mimi's cafe, and then they had to leave. Boo hoo! Well, I set off on my own and made the best of it. I had dinner at the French Market in New Orleans, rode Indie, and watched the fireworks from adventureland. The park closed pretty early this night, and so I made it back to the hotel around 11. The next morning was tuesday, and I was alone for its entirety. I hit just about every ride this day, including Pinnochio, Peter Pan, Casey Jr., Star Tours, Autopia, Space Mt., Buzz, Jungle Cruise, and some DCA rides, Soarin', the animation studio, ToT, Screamin', and spent some time watching the people on Grizzly get soaked by the geisers. And I also did alot of browing in the shops, and a good hour or so in the Penny Arcade- got my fortune read, watched some picture shows, and listened to the Wulitzer machine (puttin' on the ritz and a polka waltz) That night, I had lunch in Fantasia Gardens- turkey leg, and dinner was something... I can't really remember now. The park closed at nine this night, so I got some extra sleep. Wednesday was to be my last... after checking out of my hotel, I spent the morning out right with breakfast on the poarch on main st. Then, some of the Mickey shorts in the cinema, rode Space one last time, BTMRR again, Autopia, and the Tiki Room. I got myself a Dole Whip, and lo and behold... found a bathroom I never knew existed in the pre-show area/ Tiki gardens. It's only two stalls, but it was so cool! I mean, I thougt I knew where all the guest restrooms were in DL, but boy, that was awesome to discover something new like that... I love it when that happens A cute little story: when they say at the end of the show that "We gonna make you all... DISAPEAR!", this little boy turned to his mom as we were walking out and said, "Did we really disapear?" (my heart just melted!) And his mom said, "Yes, we are disapearing right now." Then I hightailed it to meet dad at the Carnation Cafe for lunch. See, he has a second office up in Irvine, so he was in the area and decided to meet me for lunch. It was such a good one too! We split a banna split for dessert... which was amazing.... and rode Buzz together before he had to leave. So I decided to end my trip with a little DCA. See, I really love the Aladdin Musical Spectacular at the Hyperion Theater, and the only day it was showing during my stay was Wednesday, so I caught the 4:05 showing. Before the show, I did Soarin' one last time and got some souveniers for the girls. The show was wonderful, as always, and there was another sweet little incident that happened here: I was sitting in the Orchestra, right behind this mother and daughter (near to the front of the stage) and Prince Ali comes by on his elephant. Well, as he passes by the family in front of me, he spots a birthday pin on the little girls shirt, and mouths, "Happy Birthday" and points right at her. She turned to her mom, with a mile-wide smile that just lit up her face. She was waaaay excited. And that was wonderful to see.. Diseny magic at its best. So I grabbed and hotdog and hot tea to go (for early dinner), practically ran back to my hotel (since the show ran late, and the lines for food took an ungodly amount of time, and since I had to cross the bridge over the I-5 to get to my hotel, I didn't get there until 6). So I get a taxi/ shuttle to pick me up, and after fighting some weekday evening traffic, make it to SNA by 6:30. I just made it through the checkpoints and got in line for my 7:20 flight back home. Sarah and Rachel were there to pick me up in Oakland- the little dears. So that was my trip.. .it was much more than a blast. It was too long since my last trip down, and I am already planning my next. I took some pics... and I'll post a link at the end so you can see them. Hope you had a good time reading my report. Thanks! And have a magical day <a href="http://tinyurl.com/2f5hcl" target="_blank">http://tinyurl.com/2f5hcl</a>
Originally Posted By chickendumpling Sounds like a good time to me! Thanks for sharing it. Loved the part about Prince Ali mouthing "happy birthday" to the little girl. Adorable! And the pictures of you and Yoda on the rides? Great stuff!
Originally Posted By RAM1984 Well, you obviously had a great trip. I hope you told Luke and your parents hi from us. We had a really great trip as well; but sure missed our clones who could not make it this time. My trip report will be up in a day or two. (And maybe I can get my daughter to teach me how to post my pictures.)
Originally Posted By RAM1984 Just looked at your pictures. Why am I not surprised that you are wearing the same ears that I was wearing for our whole trip? (Great minds think alike don't they?) Aren't they a riot. I bought Pooh and Aristocats ones for my granddaughters.
Originally Posted By Rivkah86 I know, when I saw those, I knew I HAD to get 'em. Glad to hear you enjoyed your trip, and can't wait to read your report!
Originally Posted By liveforvacations Great trip report and fabulous pictures! I absolutley love the "Partners" picture! Really, really love it! You have inspired me to take more interesting pictures the next time I am there.
Originally Posted By Pollyana Great report, and the pictures were fantastic....I get to go in only 6 days!
Originally Posted By 4Disnee What a wonderful report and I loved the photos they are great! Thanks for sharing your trip I enjoyed it!
Originally Posted By Waistcoated Rabbit Great report! and I loved your pictures! I realllly neeed a yoda backpack! I saw them last year and I almost had a heart attack lol. Next time I'm at DL I willl purchase one! Oh I Will!
Originally Posted By TheParsec I Really like that Yoda Backpack! We went there last july and I didn't see that. We are planning to go this december, I have to get one! I like that picture of you on space mountain with yoda.. The Parsec!
