We just got in the door last night. We are TIRED. This is not as relaxing as a beach holiday by far, but we did have a great time!
Cody and I tried everything. Randy, (a friend of ours that joined us) was a real trooper for not having kids himself. He pretty much did everything we did except for the last couple days. He was getting burnt out from the lineups and rides and cody and me arguing (LOL) so we gave him his space.
Everynight we ended the day at the hottub pool area, wonderful! Our room was ground level and so close to the pool area, perfect. We had a courtyard by our room with trees totally lit up with white lights, it was quite a sight. The store within the hotel had some wonderful watermelon coolers so I was quite happy enjoying those by my hottub, chatting with the other holidayers about what they did for the day, while cody swam in the pool with the other kids.
Our days pretty much started with a nice breakfast at our what turned out to be fav restauraunt (mimi's??) next to the hotel. We did go for the one character breakfast at the Plaza Inn in Disney. It was fabulous, the food was buffet all you can eat and was top notch, and the characters were pretty much non stop. It was Cody's dream to pose for so many pictures with them and get their autographs.
We then did the rounds for the rides and shows and fireworks. The fireworks show that ended each day was spectacular, I've never seen anything like it. The fireworks are directed around the lit up castle which changed colors depending on the music and fireworks. I don't know about you other moms, but whenever I hear a moving disney type theme song from a movie, I feel like crying anyway, but add fireworks that are rocking your child's world upside down had me bawling. And then after the fireworks, to the lovliest version of "I'm dreaming of a white xmas", it starts to snow. From the tops of every lamppost or buildings, they sprayed fine soap suds that fell exactly like snow. Cody kept saying in his loud very child like voice, "MOM, WHY ARE YOU CRYING?" LOL I was a mess for the first couple days until I got use to all the rah rah and fantasy of the place.
We took in one night for a lavish dinner at the Blue Byou (SP?). What a neat atmosphere! It's like you are sitting outside on a large porch underneath a massive tree with lanterns while it's dark outside. You see fireflys and falling stars lighting up the night sky, hear crickets, it's incredible. The food was expensive but very good. This is the same building as Pirates of the Caribean go through (one of my very fav rides).
And oh my gosh, the rides! They are fantasies over and over again. The Tower of Terror is this elevator ride that actually free falls at some point. It was cody's ultimate much to my dismay because it scared the crap out of me! (On his third round I sent him with other wonderful people who overheard me freaking out while in line LOLOL) We also took in the California Screamer which was a high speed roller coaster that I will NEVER go on ever again even if you paid me 5 million dollars! LOL Need I say more! Screamer, yeah right... I lost my voice from all the screaming I did!
My personal favs were the ones that had water. Splash Mountain and the river raft ones were so fun. On the last day we landed some free plastic ponchos that probably could have sold for $100 if we had given them up, but no way hosay. It was great to be dry for a change!
We also took in Knott's Berry Farm and Universal. Both had their own special things about them, especially since they were both like ghost towns! No people = no lineups, it was very strange but welcome at that point. At Knotts, there's this one very old wooden coaster that I thought no big deal. Well... it was the fastest old coaster I've ever been on and I'm amazed I didn't lose my head, literally, it was so rough. But of course, so so fun! Ghost Rider I think.. but too rough to try again with my 40+ old body. Cody was very disappointed with Knott's as they had rides that were too advanced for his size, unlike Disney which only had one ride he couldn't go on, but we managed to get him refocused on other things he could do.
At Universal, they specialized in shows for the most part which were 4D, meaning, if there was water sprayed onscreen, you'd get wet, or if there was a bumpy scene, your chairs would shake. Pretty cool. They did have the Jerassic Park water ride. It's the tallest free fall built. They built it inside a building for fear that no one would go on the ride if they saw how tall the drop was. (was told this by the bus driver tour guy) We did it and it was quite a drop but water always seems to slow you down some so that's why I had the nerve to try it. We also got a tour of the back parking lot at universal and saw where they shoot Desperate Housewives outside. Oh my gosh, tv is so much more spectacular! I'm amazed they get those wonderful shots from so little.
Cody loved his first flight ever. He giggled his special laugh as we took off the first time. It was so funny, his ears started to plug up and he looks at me in alarm and Randy hands him some gum with instructions to chew and swallow. So cody grabs it and stuffs it in his mouth so fast as if he'd have heart failure if he didn't get that chewing motion in check. LOL I felt so fortunate to be a part of cody's first flight ever, it just absolutely choked me up as I've wanted to take him somewhere for a long time. I think I spent half this vacation in tears!
And did I mention how much I love palm trees?!? Oh my gosh, I haven't been on a holiday in years and to see those trees upon landing; I can barely fathom that I was just there last night! To get out of the LA airport and feel the warmth of the air and palm trees was incredibly surreal.
It was a great vacation! But as they say, there's no place like home. When we came back to Vancouver, I could feel the crispness in the air, and it felt soooo so right. Randy even commented how much he missed the cold. Are we part eskimo or what!
I'll share some pics when I get my act together and get a card reader as I used my new digital camera for this trip.
All in all, I'm totally in the Christmas spirit with all that went on at Disney. I have never seen decorations so wild and widespread before with Christmas music playing in the streets the entire week. It truely was a fantasy come true.
I have to say I was more than a little jealous of you going to my favorite place. Your description of the various attractions brought back many happy memories!
I'm trying to convince Janis to run away with me for 10 days or so in January... and go to Disneyland of course!!
Thanks for sharing!
-grampa dan
-------------------- Dan Sawatzky Imagination Corporation Yarrow, British Columbia dan@imaginationcorporation.com http://www.imaginationcorporation.com
Being a grampa is one of the the most wonderful things in the world!!! Posts: 8738 | From: Yarrow, B.C. Canada | Registered: Nov 1998
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Like Dan, your description took me bake to those great rides, and wonderful times. Now I want to go again.
Disney Land and World are two great American inventions that make this planet more fun. Huray for the creative minds and people that make it happen.
-------------------- Joe Crumley Norman Sign Company 2200 Research Park Blvd. Norman, OK 73069 Posts: 1428 | From: 2200 Research Park Blvd. | Registered: Sep 2001
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That's awesome. My grandparents took me to Disneyworld (if that's the one in Orlando) when I was a kid and I had a great time. I am an only child and, on my dad's side, the only grandchild -- so my dad's folks, who were both retired, took me on a lot of vacations as a child.
I think I was about 7 or 8 when I went. My leg hurt so bad from walking around all day (I broke my lower leg into 4 pieces when I was 5, always gave me trouble) that my grandpa had to carry me on his shoulders for the last couple of hours we were there
Fond memories here, too.
Oh, and roller coasters -- LOVE 'em. Some friends and I have been to Cedar Point a few times, the BEST place for coasters. The place I worked in the Chicago 'burbs was just a few miles from Six Flags Great America, and my roommate up there took me as his guest to the company picnic there...nothing like riding a coaster and staying on when it ends and going again (no line at all)!
-------------------- Ryan Long Magic Light Neon Sign Co. Crawfordsville, IN Posts: 132 | From: Crawfordsville, IN | Registered: Jul 2005
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Sounds like a blast Donna! You will be amazed at how much Cody will remember for years to come. My 15 yr old still makes comments about disneyworld (he was about 5 when we went). Kids have amazing memories!
Suelynn
-------------------- "It is never too late to be what you might have been." -George Eliot
Suelynn Sedor Sedor Signs Carnduff, SK Canada Posts: 2863 | From: Carnduff, SK Canada | Registered: Nov 1998
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We went to Disney World over Halloween. Stayed for 8 days & it was great. We had been 3 times before (we try to take the kids every few years) so my wife had everything planned.
We also had the dining plan, so we did not have to pay for harly anything once we arrived. It is so much nicer having everything pre-paid before you arrive so you are not worried about money.
This was also the first year that my son was tall enough to go on all the rides - so we had a blast!
-------------------- Mike Stowe Signs Unlimited Mishawaka, IN info@pwcgraphics.com Posts: 208 | From: Mishawaka, Indiana USA | Registered: Nov 1998
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we spent all day there yesterday (and just about every other weekend) celebrating my wife's birthday. we're watching the video as we speak.
having annual passes is a blessing, but i started getting real bored until i started noticing all the wonderful signs around the park. all up and down main street are tons of original and traditional hand painted signs, and there are still many others all over the park. wagons, horse drawn carriages, the fire truck, etc...it makes it interesting. theres always something neat to look at after you've seen everything for the 50th time.
but the fireworks will forever be my favorite thing. the display (17 minutes) is AMAZING! coreographed superbly.
if you're ever there....dont overlook the little details...the details are what make the difference...
-------------------- Mitch 'MAS' Maciel 'MAS' Line Design Hawthorne, CA "MAS means more!" Posts: 16 | From: Hawthorne, CA | Registered: Sep 2004
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