The drive down last Wed. got pretty scary over the Grapevine – raining so hard the wipers could hardly keep up, but Ken kept steady hands on the wheel and we arrived safely. We debated about going into the park that day, or getting an extra night at the hotel and going in on Sunday instead, but we decided to take our chances with
the weather, and headed into the park Wed. afternoon. Great decision! It must have rained earlier in the day, because the park was so empty! We did a bunch of rides: Big Thunder Mountain Railroad, Pirates of theCaribbean, Haunted Mansion, Indiana Jones, Astro Blasters, Finding Nemo, Snow White, Pinnocchio, Matterhorn, Space Mountain and Toy Story Mania. Whew! Most of those we walked onto the ride – no lines! We figured it was Ken’s karmic reward for the horrendous drive!
Disneyland at Christmas is beautiful – the decorations are amazing. We didn’t get a Christmas tree at home this year because we’d be in Disneyland, and I hoped the decorations there would make up for it – they did.
We had so much fun on the rides – I do love roller coasters, my new fav being California Screamin’ in Calif. Adventure. It’s FAST! But I did discover a ride I really don’t like – Tower of Terror. It’s a big elevator in a “haunted hotel” that takes you up and then drops suddenly – then zips up and down at various times, various distances. Yeah. Not so much. Ken and I rode it a few years ago when we went for my birthday, and I recalled not being a huge fan, but figured I’d give it a try. As soon as I buckled in, I knew I didn’t want to do it. Too late. I was a bit teary when I got off. Learn something new every day, right?
We did our “penance” and rode It’s a Small World, which is different at Christmas. It, too, is decorated inside and out, and they sing Christmas songs as well as the standard tune. So maybe not quite as annoying as usual.
We had reservations to see World of Color on Christmas night – a new show in Calif. Adventure of water, light and sound. Just as the show began, it started to rain. No big deal – pull out the ponchos! But 5 min. into the show, the sound stopped. Then the water stopped, all the park lights came back on, and they announced that, due to technical problems, the show would not continue. Big disappointment – esp. for L., who had seen it over the summer with friends, and REALLY wanted us to see it. But that’s the way it goes – no guarantees. Like everything else in this life. You pay your money, you take your chances.
This one paid off, overall. I cherished the time away with my family, and had several sappy Mommy moments. My girls singing Disney tunes along with the CD in the car. Screaming our heads off together on the rides. Getting into the Disney mode and showing patience and kindness to strangers. Laughing together at all the sappy jokes on the Jungle Cruise. Watching my daughters getting into their pics with Darth Vader, the Jedi Master, and Darth Maul.
Blessings to all in 2011 – here’s a couple of New Year’s toasts:
“We spend January 1 walking through our lives, room by room, drawing up a list of work to be done, cracks to be patched. Maybe this year, to balance the list, we ought to walk through the rooms of our lives... not looking for flaws, but for potential.” ~Ellen Goodman
“Be always at war with your vices, at peace with your neighbors, and let each new year find you a better man (person).” ~Benjamin Franklin
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