Disneyland Annual visit: A Bucket List entry-

At the top of my bucket list I have placed Annual Disneyland visit. The family loves Disneyland. I love Disneyland. At various times we have held annual passes and visited the Disneyland Resort multiple times for multiple days. We have not yet reached the point where we just could not stand another trip to Disneyland.

I love going with the family. I love going just with my wife, Linda. I have not yet gone to Disneyland by myself, but I suspect I shall love that just as much. With the MMC in campable shape, I can cut the cost of a visit a bit, at least a solo run. The nearest RV park to Disneyland is just a few minutes away by regular shuttle. The cost of a space there is around fifty bucks, which is much cheaper than most other accommodations.

Linda does not care much for camping, nor would she necessarily like my slow journey to and from the resort. So, a solo visit will probably only occur sometime during one of my other journeys passing near enough to Anaheim to make the visit practical. Who knows?

An annual visit can be planned for, including accommodations and flight. My parents don't understand the spending of so much money on visits to Disneyland, and I think a lot of other family and friends consider this obsession to be obsessive. I consider it a worthwhile investment in happiness and mental well-being. Those are good things, I do believe.

So, Annual Disneyland Resort visits are top of the list. If I must abandon all else, I plan to keep this one.

Why Disneyland? Why so often? I think that I enjoy the engineered environment that is truly geared to create a sense of adventure in safety, an environment intended to aid people in achieving a state of happiness. It feels good to be there. It is fun, reaching down and capturing the childlike sense of fun and giving it physical form.

This, of course, works best if you are a willing participant. I go there with that will to participate in the magic, and cooperate with the engineering. I want to have the Disney experience.

With the grandkids the right age, and having recently reread Tom Sawyer and Huckleberry Finn, I am anxious for a day on Tom Sawyer's Island. It has changed over the years, but I think for the better. It is a great place to play and imagine. A few hours of running around having island adventures could be fun.

There are also some new features which have been completed and which will be new experiences. We have been in the parks frequently enough in recent years to have watched the progress on several new features, and I enjoy watching that development.

Watching development goes a long way back, for me. I remember as a child going to Disneyland with my parents. While up in the Swiss Family Robinson Tree House (Now Tarzan's Tree House) I recall seeing some construction. That construction later became The Pirates of the Caribbean.

I saw other progress in features presented on "Walt Disney's Wonderful World of Color." Recently I have watched the development of a feature in California Adventure by that same name. I look forward to the experience.

Disneyland is a place to have fun. It is as simple as that. It is fun to be there, and I value that experience of fun in an environment engineered just for fun. That is why I want to keep going back to Disneyland Resort, year after year.

Swing Dancing and the Video Lifestyle-

In Disneyland there is a bandstand, with a nice little dance floor. On this visit and some of our previous visits we have found it a pleasant place to rest and watch the dancers in the evening. Some dancers have outfits and routines indicative of a deep commitment to dancing and the dancing lifestyle. Most wore more ordinary park visitor garb, but many of those exhibited considerable experience and skill in an art I know little about.

Knowing little did not prevent me from appreciating the skill and zeal of the dancers. One young lady sitting in front of us was literally bouncing in her chair, waiting until her partner was ready to hit the floor. They literally hit the floor running, and launched into a routine they had obviously practiced a great deal.

Children danced with each other, or with an adult companion. Two teenage young women danced together. One young lady of prodigious energy had a pair of young men attending her. They alternated time on the floor, while she danced every dance. Many dancers were adorned with gray hair, yet moved with the fluidity of perpetual youth.

Perhaps I should consider learning this art. There are worse ways of getting exercise and extending my days on the earth. A turn or two in the Magic Kingdom would not be bad at all. I may need an economy sized package of Pixie Dust to make it work.

We shall see. On to my next thought...

I collected some videos during our visit. Several on our inexpensive digital camera, and several more on my phone. Videos are a constant in our digital era. For good, and sometimes ill, videos are here to stay.

So I got to thinking. Cameras are small enough to mount on hats, or webbed head gear. Capture equipment is small enough to carry in a bag, or strap to a belt. It would be possible to capture an entire Disneyland adventure, moment by moment, in real time. Every minute. EVERY minute!

Perhaps that's not such a good idea. See you on the dance floor!

Disneyland and Bumps in the Road-

No travel adventure is without mishap. Little problems, bumps in the road. Our Disneyland adventure of last week is no exception. For me it was shaving and acid reflux.

These did not occur together, or as the result of the same particular event. I will begin with the shaving event. To save space I opted for an inexpensive battery driven electric razor. I had used it before, and it worked fine. Not an outstanding shave, but adequate. Cheap to operate, and I already owned it. So, rather than my larger plug-in razor I took the cheapo.

The first morning we are there, getting ready, I showered and then tried to shave. It began fine, but after completing the right side of my face and working the area below my lower lip and beginning to work on the left side of my face I noticed a problem. Two fine lines of blood just below my lip, about a half inch long.

I pulled the razor away, looked at it, and could see no problem. However, on examining my little wounds I also saw a red line down the left side of my face from temple to jaw. I looked more closely at the razor head, and finally found the problem. The screen had shifted and exposed a bit of the edge. A fine, sharp edge.

So, cleaning up the blood and stanching the flow, I finished my ablutions and we made our way into the park. The rend on the cheek remained clear and visible for our entire visit. On a more suitable face it may have appeared dashing. Somehow, I suspect I missed that by a significant degree.

That first night I had a bit of acid reflux as a consequence of sleeping flat. I generally use a wedge pillow, along with another pillow, to elevate my head and avoid acid problems. I am using prescription medications to minimize the issue, and these generally work for me. However, I lacked a wedge pillow for my journey. They just don't pack well.

The second night was really bad. I slept poorly, and kept trying to stack up things to sleep on. I finally pulled some wedge shaped cushions from the couch in the room. I tried several configurations, and finally stuffed them under the mattress. Ahhh! That worked! It was like turning off an acid faucet.

The next two nights were much better, using this configuration.

Of course, there were some issues with feet. I broke my left foot about nine months ago, and still have some stiffness and discomfort. The right foot was badly damage many years ago, but over the years has been surprisingly serviceable. Lately a bone spur on the left heal has contributed to increasing levels of discomfort.

I had been using postal workers shoes in my work as a correctional officer for a number of years. These are the shoes I took on our journey. Not pretty, but then neither am I. They really made a difference. That, and taking frequent breaks just to sit and enjoy the parks. Rest the feet. Contemplate those rental scooters.

I figure I could condition my feet and drop some of the weight that makes them work harder by more frequent walks in the Disneyland Resort Parks. Unfortunately, four days was all we could schedule, and about all we could afford. Which brings us to the biggest bump in the road.

Having to go home.

Disneyland Scooter Posse-

They are growing in number. At one time only the infirm were scootered in the Magic Kingdom. (For those purists out there, Disneyland is also the Magic Kingdom, by prior usage.) Now they are a clan of people who recognize that hiking all over the place is hard on untrained legs.

Traveling in groups, so far none have been threatening. No gang colors, other than those affiliated with "The Mouse." A lot of evidence of The Mouse's influence, but so far no encouragement of malfeasance. Just people using technology to enhance their experience at the Disneyland Resort.

Sometimes the presence of these mobility devices provides impromptu entertainment. Linda and I were sitting on a bench in the town square on Main Street, enjoying a bit of rest and the general ambiance of Disneyland. Along came two men using scooters. Responding to background music they launched into a scooter dance, which was surprisingly good for something unrehearsed.

They circled the central area performing scooter pirouettes and other scooter dance moves, at one point joining hands and orbiting some central point of greater gravitation. Finishing with a flourish, one man gave up his scooter to a lady he called "Mom." Apparently he was just scooter sitting, and he and Dad just had a "special moment."

Scooters in a place like the Disneyland Resort do make sense. People are sometimes injured, sometimes expand in dimensions without intending to do so, and all eventually grow older. Using technology to overcome these inconveniences can make the experience of the Magic Kingdom truly magical.

I love the Disneyland Resort. At the cost of encouraging larger crowds, I encourage everyone to visit at least once. If mobility is an issue, rest assured that the Disneyland Resort provides several alternatives. For just a bit more in cost a scooter can become part of your posse, and make the visit a truly magical experience.

Four Days at the Disneyland Resort-

My wife, Linda, proposed this visit not too long ago. It never takes much to inspire a visit to the Disneyland Resort. Having annual passes, it is just a matter of transportation and money for dining. We are reasonably comfortable with less elaborate lodging, so it was the Motel 6 on Disney Way. Our previous visits determined that the shuttle system was adequate.

Our son, Matthew, drove us to the airport. We went late on a Friday night, and were in bed before the middle of the night. The next two days were early opening at the park, so we sought to be there by around eight. Breakfast at La Brea Bakery in Downtown Disney, then on to the entrance.

The week before, at home, storms rendered us without power for several days. Additional storms were a threat, and we had anticipated this being a wet visit. However, our days were generally comfortable, the parks uncrowded, and conditions were ideal for a very relaxed visit. For days we just sauntered here and there, doing whatever seemed appealing.

In a very general way Linda intended this visit to be a celebration of my retirement from the Santa Cruz County Sheriff's Office. The attached video is an impromptu gift she arranged on the spot. The cast member, I believe the name was Timothy, had been present on another visit and proved quite knowledgeable on Disney history. He works in the small store attached to Toy Story Midway Mania in California Adventure.

The day before, when we got off of the ride, she had heard him sing a birthday greeting for one of the guests. Unknown to me, she hatched a plot for a retirement song. When we got off of the ride this time she approached Timothy and asked for a retirement song. An impromptu tune, and much appreciated. It was a bit of special fun on top of a big bowl of other fun times.

Having often visited the parks, our photos this visit were a bit different. We focused largely on details and such things as seemed interesting. Part of our photo effort was to document the changes under way in both parks. Being the off-season a lot was going on. It's a Small World was still down for removal of holiday specific elements. The Rivers of America (all of that water around Tom Sawyer's Island) was empty and a lot of work was going on.

California Adventure was also the site of many changes. Adding the Red Cars trolly system to the front of the park. The new water show installation still going on in the lagoon. The massive addition of Cars Land (based on the Pixar movie, Cars) was not visible except from elevated positions.

It was a lot of fun. Linda bought a lot of things for various family members. It is one of her ways of enjoying the park when we travel without the rest of the family. The shops are fun to visit, especially with so few people in the parks. I got a few more pins for my collection. My Disneyland hat is almost full of pins, and I think I may need to assess the future direction of my collecting. It is a fun hobby associated with Disneyland Resort visits, but can easily get out of hand.

The most fun was getting away with my wife, Linda. I am never convinced that she grasps how much I value her. Though I have moments of clarity and can often be articulate, that is one area of communication in which I always feel I fail.

So, Linda, before all of those who read these words, or might read them in the future, I say, "thank you." Thank you for this extended weekend in a very special place. Thank you for being my wife for over thirty years. I love you, and appreciate you more than I can truly express.

Thank you.

Discount Disneyland-

Our family does a lot of Disneyland. As a consequence, we have learned a little about visiting the Magic Kingdom. We enjoy sharing what we have learned, as do many Disneyland fans. Here are a few notes on saving money on your visit.

First, annual passes. This is the second year in which we have used annual passes in anticipation of more than one visit within a year. If you anticipate visiting for more than five days in any given year the annual pass becomes an economical option. The five day pass can often be upgraded to the Deluxe Annual pass for just a handful of dollars.

Distance from home to the Disneyland Resort can be a factor in making this decision. Our travel distance is 400 miles, which can be made in one day. The proximity makes the annual pass a good option for our family. The Deluxe pass has some blackout days, days on which the pass does not allow free entry. Those days may be purchased as discounted day passes. The Premium Annual Pass has no blackout days.

Obviously, if you live at a greater distance frequent visits can become much more expensive and require greater planning. There are a number of multi-day pass options. For a first time visit I would recommend no fewer than three days at the Disneyland Resort. This will allow you the time necessary to learn how to navigate the parks and use the many customer conveniences offered, such as the Fast Pass.

Prices change over time, as do the rules applying to day-pass-to-annual-pass upgrades. Check the official Disneyland Resort site for the particulars at around the time you are planning a visit, or stop by the Annual Pass center inside Disneyland Park for additional information while you are there.

Second, food. There are a lot of dining options within the Disneyland Resort itself. At present it is best to assume a minimum of $11 per adult, for the purpose of estimating. There are a few places within the resort that are a bit cheaper, but those are rare and the $11 estimate is a good starting point for thinking about the cost of dining.

There are some very nice restaurants within the resort that offer finer dining, at a somewhat higher price per person. If money is no problem and quality is important, there are some very good options within the Disneyland Resort. Again, consult their web site for additional information.

Just outside the park are some other options. An IHOP, a Denney’s, and a MacDonald’s are all within easy walking distance. They do, however, have a bit of price padding in their menus, and so might not provide significant savings relative to the distance you would have to walk. They do, however, remain good options.

Though it is a bit of a walk, the Anaheim GardenWalk mall is a very nice option. This is a new shopping and dining destination not terribly far from the Disneyland Resort. It is an attractive mall, with a number of dining options for the vacationing family.

The Anaheim Garden Walk is on the Anaheim Resort Transit (ART) system that performs shuttle services for some of the area hotels. ART is a great alternative to walking, and quite affordable.

Our third point is motel accommodations. Most of the motels and hotels around the Disneyland Resort have web sites, and can be easily searched out on the Internet. If you have a preferred motel chain that would be a great beginning to your search. Many chains have a system that allows you to earn discounts or free days. Having a favorite is a good place to begin.

The quality of accommodation varies greatly. The Disneyland Resort has three different hotels within its own system, at three different levels of cost. None are particularly inexpensive, but they are worth visiting on the Internet to see what the options might be. The benefit of on-site accommodations would be the ability to take a break from park activities to rest in the middle of a busy day. A nap in the room and an hour by the pool can be very refreshing in an otherwise very active day.

The ART shuttle system, along with other shuttle options, can make taking a similar break practical even if your budget drives you a few blocks from the action. Our last visit was with the Motel 6 on Disney Way. The ART shuttle was timely and prompt, and made planning any break during the day easy and practical.

Some nearby motels and hotels have themes to make them more attractive. Some have on site spa options, or fine dining options, and even convention facilities. Most of these are not necessary for families on a budget, but knowing about them can be helpful should you future needs change. It is important for the sake of planning to know the particular needs and desires of your entire party.

Remember, time taken in planning can greatly improve your use of time within the Disneyland Resort, reduce frustration, and expand your enjoyment of this wonderful family destination.

Disneyland After 80-

We have just completed a visit to Disneyland. We visit Disneyland often. It is a family obsession, and one we share and encourage. For us, it is truly The Happiest Place on Earth. Having something in which we all share is precious, and we consider Walt Disney’s creation a genuine contribution to our family.

This visit was special. Often the journey is an epic journey. The extended family caravans the four hundred miles from our home in Felton, California, and establishes a camp at some motel or another for a week or so. This journey was just myself, my wife Linda, and her mother, Alta. The visit to the Magic Kingdom was especially for Alta.

Alta is 83 years old, and the epic journey has become difficult. Four generations, many of whom are young children, makes for a lot of various needs and interests. At 83 years, it is hard to maintain the energy to keep up with little children. So, a special trip was planned to conform to Alta’s particular interests and needs.

Now, before you assume saintliness on the part of my wife and myself, it must be recognized that we find any excuse for a visit to Disneyland to be adequate and undeniable. We were in the Magic Kingdom just a couple of months ago, and Linda will be there with much of the family again next month. While there might have been an element of generosity on our part, it is largely just another reason to go to Disneyland.

We flew down from San Jose, California. San Jose is the closest suitable airport to Felton, less than an hour away. The wait for the flight was another hour or so, and the flight itself is about an hour. We are up to three travel hours so far. Add the half-hour shuttle ride from the airport to the motel, and we are at about three and a half hours of travel time.

The road trip is usually twice that, with a large clan in an SUV or minivan. Since nobody on this trip was young, the flying thing was a very good decision. We fly Southwest Airlines, which generally has provided the most reasonable air fares. Not having to haul small children and a ton of kid stuff makes this flying option a strong choice for the older adults.

Our motel of choice this trip was the Motel 6 on Disney Way. It is more than a walk away from the park, and we usually opt for a motel closer. However, we were experimenting with budget this trip, and wanted to try out the shuttle services and experience the quality of the Motel 6.

The motel was clean, and the beds were good. The orange and cream color scheme was a bit much, but we use the motels as a camp more than a destination. The bathroom was adequate, but lacked proper doors. Dual closet doors seemed to be the choice in this motel construction for the bathroom doors. They closed with difficulty, and did not lock.

The lack of a vanity outside of the bathroom enclosure was a small problem, preventing multiple people from getting ready at the same time. There was also no refrigerator or microwave, and no complimentary in-room coffee. No hair dryer, either. They did have a nice enough pool, though that was not a priority for this trip.

A lobby coffee service was provided, free, and near to the shuttle stop point just outside of the lobby. So, get ready, stop in the lobby for coffee (or tea or chocolate) and head outside to wait for the shuttle. The Anaheim Resort Transit service runs every twenty minutes, and proved prompt and clean and comfortable. The drivers were friendly and helpful. Each bus has a rack of information pamphlets on board, and the system is easy to learn and use.

If you wanted to visit another hotel or restaurant along the various routes a map is provided, and use of other routes than the one for your own motel is encouraged. We purchased a three day pass, at a price of $10 each. That is a savings over the $4 daily fee. It can be used on the whole ART system all day for every day the pass is active. A five day pass was also available, and children’s passes were discounted for additional savings.

The ART bus delivered us to one of the shuttle stops inside the Disneyland Resort entrance. A short walk takes you to the entry plaza, between the two parks and Downtown Disney. We always go to Disneyland first, and it is our custom to enter the park under the left underpass beneath the train.

Seeing the train station above, the flower image of Mickey Mouse, and walking through that underpass always makes me feel like I am coming home. Then the Main Street Plaza opens up before you, and it is Disneyland!

We strolled down Main Street at a leisurely pace, appropriate to a geriatric citizen of the Magic Kingdom. Alta remains healthy, but even the healthiest older citizen must take an appropriate pace. This pace was planned, and encouraged. The sights, the sounds, the scents, it is all part of the experience and need not be rushed.

Another custom in our family is to go first to Adventureland after strolling down Main Street. This we did. We passed by the iconic Tiki Room, an attraction that failed to attract this visit. Instead we began with a night ride on the Jungle Cruise. Though little changed since our childhood visits (my wife and I being only slightly older than the park) this ride is a classic in every sense of the word.

Generations of young people have operated this ride, delivering the corny jokes with various degrees of success. This night it was nicely done, and we enjoyed the journey as we always have.

Next was a walk through the balance of Adventureland, and then down to the waters of The Rivers of America. The entrance to Pirates of the Caribbean is right there, and so on we went. I believe this is the ride I have most ridden in all of my visits to Disneyland, and it never grows old. It is suitable for older family members, easy to get onto and out of. The enhancements of recent years have truly enhanced the ride, and it remains a wonderful experience.

Pirates lets you out into New Orleans Square. Over the course of our one evening plus two days visit we gravitated to New Orleans Square often. It is a great place to get a meal, a snack, or a beverage and just enjoy being in the park. Many great sitting spots, lots of fine people watching, and good shade for those sunny and hot parts of the day.

That first evening we made our way to Critter Country, and The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh. Keeping in mind suitability for older family members, this is a gentle ride, very nicely done, and quite appealing to the youngest and the oldest members of the party. Following the ride you exit right to the entrance to a candy shop and other theme stores, and a character visiting plaza right in front of Splash Mountain.

Alta wanted to sit, and encouraged Linda and I to go on Splash Mountain. The line was short, at about twenty five minutes, so we agreed. Off we went to ride our log through the Brer Rabbit theme adventure. We had done this ride before, and did not expect any surprises. It is charming and fun, and generally just a bit wet.

So it was, until that final plunge of fifty feet down the log flume. We hit the bottom and were shocked to see a wall of water coming at us. The little splash we had expected had become a tidal wave of white that engulfed everyone in the log. We dripped our way through the cute ending of the ride and out to where Alta waited.

Showing her our moist persons, she related a tale of a young man who came off of the ride ahead of us who felt compelled to tell her the same story. Water, water, everywhere! My clothes retained something of this humidity the following day. Apparently a bit more splash had been added to Splash Mountain!

Disneyland fans may have noticed that we bypassed the Haunted Mansion on our way to Critter Country. This was not by intent. The Haunted Mansion was closed for holiday refit, preparing for the coming Holiday Season. Indeed, there were nicely constructed construction barriers throughout both Disneyland Park and California Adventure Park. The resort is a busy place for construction, with many added features to come next year!

Having had our moist adventure in Critter Country, we decided to make it an evening. With travel and a late beginning in Disneyland, we wanted to get some rest and be fresh for the next two days of adventure. So, back through the crowds assembling for Fantasmic! and on through Main Street to find our shuttle.

For any readers unfamiliar with the construction of Disneyland Main Street, it is possible to make your way up or down Main Street not only along the street, but through the various buildings. Passages between the buildings allow for this travel, which is also a shopping adventure. The journey need not be the same every time.

On the following day we made our way to the park, had another leisurely stroll down Main Street, and this time we entered Frontierland through the Frontierland gate. Even here was a bit of construction, hidden by nicely done barriers. It looked to me like a Pin Collectors Corner was being prepared.

Not familiar with Pin Collecting? Over the past several years custom pins celebrating virtually everything Disney have been created and sold in the parks. I am among the collectors, though I am more of a dabbler than a serious collector. Many bring their pin portfolios to the park just to trade. It does allow one to buy relatively inexpensive souvenirs that are fun to collect, trade and share, and very pleasant to look at as well.

We made our way through the various shops in Frontierland, and found the time for a visit to the Golden Horseshoe Saloon to see Billy Hill and the Hillbillies. The Golden Horseshoe Saloon serves great snacks, is a cool place to rest, and the show is a lot of fun. Our return to The Golden Horseshoe was at one in the afternoon. Time to see more of the park.

Another family tradition is to enter Fantasyland for the first time each visit only through the Castle main gate, and so we did. The line for Peter Pan’s Flight was relatively short, so we got in line for this classic ride. It is really a fine attraction that has been maintained and upgraded over the years without diminishing the original high quality of the experience. It is a testimony to the quality of this experience that the line for Peter Pan is almost always quite long.

One huge, burly fellow complimented me on my Tower of Terror t-shirt. He was wearing one also, which he said he had gotten at the park in Florida. I later overheard this huge man telling another person in line how he budgeted each year for annual passes and additions to his Disney t-shirt collection. This fellow looked like he might bite the heads off of nails for a hobby, and here he is a major Disney fan. Fabulous!

The Storybook Land boat ride and Casey Junior train were also closed for repair and upgrades. The Mad Tea Party ride, however, was quite up and running. Without comment Linda lead her mother into the line. When she realized where we were Alta was a bit concerned. I was required to promise not to spin the tea cups.

There is an art to spinning tea cups. The proper grip, the correct flexing of the wrist during rotations, the incorporation of the weight of the upper body in the spinning actions. Quite involved. Apparently my oldest son had taken my lessons to heart and demonstrated them to Alta during some previous visit.

No spinning! I agreed, and we went for a sedate tea-cup ride. Toward the end she finally said I could spin it a little, but the ride was then coming to a halt and our time for tea had ended. The lack of spin did not detract from the colors and sounds of this attraction. It is one of my favorite places in the park, even without spinning our way to the edge of madness.

I also love the Alice in Wonderland ride, but the line is often prohibitively long. It was so in this case, so we continued on to... It’s A Small World! Refurbished and updated, this ride is still interminably long and terrifyingly cheerful. Now, however, the endless cheer can be broken up by trying to spot the added characters from various Disney feature films.

During the ride one lady recruited us to be extras in her filmography of her children’s first visit to Disneyland. We smiled and waved for the camera several times, destined to be the “who are those people?” people in her vacation photos.

On to a quick tour of Toontown. I love Toontown, but it lacks shade and the sun was often responsible for sapping Alta’s energy. We kept this visit short, sticking with the nice gift shop that happens to be shady and air conditioned. I have to imagine that Roger Rabbit’s Car
Toon Spin was just not quite the right choice of attraction for Alta, so we headed back toward Frontierland and The Golden Horseshoe Saloon.

Now, a note on benches. Disneyland has a lot of benches, and strolling and sitting is a viable option. Not every location has shade, however, and the shaded benches are often occupied. So, a journey for an older family member has to have a bit of planning. Keep your eyes open, and watch for good sitting options. Keep in mind that various parts of the park will have shade at one time and not another.

Two items from the past that would be a good option for anyone visiting the park would be folding fans and parasols. I noticed several very nice fans, and one parasol that was a real work of art. If you are not a hat person, it would be wise to look into items such as these that suited you personal style.

Anyway, we got back to the Golden Horseshoe and enjoyed the show, along with the cool and a snack. We wandered again for several hours, until our reserved dinner time at The Blue Bayou Restaurant in New Orleans Square.

This is not a budget dining option. Dinner, especially. I had the Jambalaya, with shrimp, Mahi Mahi, ham and sausage. It was preceded by a Chicken Gumbo. Both were fantastic. I only regret that I am no longer young enough to eat so much. It was fabulous, but I had to stop before I hurt myself. I am growing wiser in this, but it is hard to leave so much goodness still on the plate.

The Blue Bayou is situated in the entry scene of The Pirates of the Caribbean ride. It is evening in the swamp, with boats and cabins and houseboats in view and the sounds of the swamp echoing across the waters. If you can stretch your budget I recommend this restaurant. Lunch is also very good, and much cheaper. Still pricey, but cheaper than dinner.

We eventually made our way to Tomorrowland. This has continued to be our least favorite part of Disneyland, though it is growing more interesting in recent years. We visited Innoventions, which has been redone and much improved. We also visited Honey, I Shrunk the Audience. The lines for other attractions were a bit long, though we slipped into Star Tours when the line was just ten minutes long.

Space Mountain was also closed for upgrades and (?) holiday retrofit. I have no idea what holiday theme might be added to Space Mountain. However, for a geriatric tour of Disneyland it was not terribly missed.

As evening came on we found our way to the head of Main Street, and camped one of the benches up by the Train Station. Again we found the nicest benches reserved for some special group. However, the space just behind the reserved area remained open. So, we watched people, drank hot chocolate, and enjoyed the ambiance of Main Street for a couple of hours until it was time for fireworks.

Just before the fireworks began we moved to stand behind the reserved section. I made some comment about the “special people,” which was picked up by other less special people. For just a moment I was concerned that it would escalate and cause the special people in the reserved section to react, but it died down and the fireworks began.

Following the always satisfying display of pyrotechnics we did another little walk back toward the Rivers of America, and then Main Street yet again. Then off to the motel for the night.

Our final day we started in California Adventure. We went straight to Soarin’ Over California, an amazing flight simulation that engages sight, sound and smell, as well as physical motion and wind in your hair. That done, we had breakfast at a little bakery near the entrance of the park. Baker’s Field Bakery in a building that looks like a vintage passenger train.

We then headed to the Boardwalk part of the park, to visit the Toy Story Mania! Here we capitalized on the age of our special guest, seeking some alternative to standing in line for thirty or forty minutes. The accommodating folk managing the ride created a special fast pass to bring us onto the ride with minimal waiting. To be fair to the other people waiting in line the time was set far enough away to be equal to a wait in line.

So, we found Alta a shady spot where she could watch the people, and Linda and I went to try our hands at some boardwalk games. Rolling balls, squirt guns, things like that. We even won a little Timothy Mouse (from Dumbo) stuffed animal. Cool!

The last few minutes before our ride we went into the store associated with Toy Story Mania! There we met Danny. He was a cast member working in the store, and a treasure trove of Disney history. He had an abundance of anecdotes to share.

Toy Story Mania! is a boardwalk game ride. You ride in cars that have strange guns mounted in front of the riders. You pull the string at the back of the gun to fire darts, rings, balls and pies at targets placed within the game. It is a very fun ride. Alta wanted to do it again to try to beat he score of 14,000. She does not generally care for games, so that is a high recommendation for this attraction.

Next was Mickey’s Fun Wheel. This is a Ferris wheel that has cars that remain at the rim of the wheel and others that slide around on tracks within the wheel. We opted for the rim cars, as the ride goes higher but is more sedate. The sliding cars are a bit exciting, and might not be best included on a geriatric tour.

Alta enjoyed the view, and also enjoyed riding the Zephyr that was around the corner. We then went to the Pacific Wharf Café for lunch. Sour dough clam chowder bowls made from bread baked in the demonstration bakery on premises. We visited the demonstration bakery, and the tortilla factory next door.

Then off to see It’s Tough to be a Bug, a multidimensional experience featured in the Bug’s Land part of the park. If you haven’t experienced this, you should try ti fit it into any visit. If you have, be sure to try and get someone who hasn’t experienced the attraction to join you. It is good for a lot of laughs!

Our time was running short, so we were off to Downtown Disney. We shopped in the World of Disney store, in what seemed like the largest collection of Disney related fare just about anywhere. We visited the Grand Californian hotel lobby, which is quite impressive. It is also a great place to rest a weary party member. Great ambiance, comfortable furniture. I suspect one could snatch a nap in one of those comfy chairs and not be noticed. I may try that, someday.

We returned to Disneyland for our last few hours in the Disneyland Resort. Just wandering, sitting, riding a boat on the Rivers of America. A little last minute shopping. More people watching. Alta rested at the River Belle Terrace while Linda and I took advantage to short lines at the Indiana Jones Adventure.

Another bowl of Dole Pineapple Whip. We love that stuff. Then to Main Street Plaza for a last glance at the park, and off to the shuttle and another flight home.

Highlights? Well, seeing Alta serenaded by the lead of The Firehouse Five Plus Two was a big one. Three nights of Dole Pineapple Whip might be another. Finding some great sitting spots in Disneyland just for enjoying being there was priceless.

It doesn’t hurt to take your time in the Happiest Place on Earth! Old or young, whoever you might be, give the Magic Kingdom a try.

There is no place I would rather be.

Our Snow Globe Event-

I just posted my latest short story, Snow Globe Terrorist, over on my short story blog.

shortstoriesbymlockridge.blogspot.com

This is based on a real experience on our way home from Disneyland. My wife wanted to purchase an Alice in Wonderland tea pot for her mother. So, we popped into the store on Main Street in Disneyland on our way out on our final day. While there my wife spots a snow globe that she takes a liking to. Pirates of the Caribbean. Just a little last minute something.

So, off to the airport and the lines and security and all of that. Linda, my wife, has had her knees replaced and so has to be separately scanned prior to all flights. Profiling is not permitted. The fact that she is extremely unlikely to be a terrorist and that knee bombs have not yet come into vogue had no influence on this procedure. It is something we just put up with.

I am in line getting our carry on stuff. Or I would be doing so if it wasn't being held up by the x-ray operator. A second officer is called over and we go to a table and he apologetically begins poking through our stuff. He finds the target, which proves to be a heavily wrapped snow globe.

Yep. Clearly marked on the underside of the snow globe, in rather small print, is a notice stating that snow globes do not make very good carry on baggage. In fact, they are banned. I don't recall ever reading of a snow globe terrorist taking out a plane with a snow globe, but none-the-less our snow globe is destined for the landfill.

My wife is not giving up on this. Though we lost our snow globe we are going back to Disneyland in seven weeks. Not a special trip to spite the terrorists. It was a planned second trip. While there she plans on buying another of those dangerous items, and putting it in her checked luggage.

Take that, you damned snow globe terrorists!

Disneyland-

We went last week. My wife Linda flew down, and I went with my kids and grandkids, Beth, Dave, Madelyn, Wyatt, and Lucas. The drive down was ok, and the grandkids traveled just fine. They do rather well in the car, and so we got in at The Desert Inn and Suites in pretty good shape. Linda had arrived a bit earlier and was already in the park.

Things were moved quickly to the room and we got ready to spend the evening in the park. Stroller, kids, water, clothes. This. That. We're walking now. Even the trek to the entrance is magical. Anticipation. The music. Familiar sights, a peek at this ride or that from over the berm. The security check. The line. The musical chime as they scan entrance tickets.

This is our second year of annual passes. If you plan on a stay of more than three days or a return within the year the annual pass is a good investment.

We always enter under the left arch as you face the train station and the Mickey image in flowers on the bank of the berm. Linda was waiting as we entered, and suddenly we were on Main Street.

This visit was surprisingly uncrowded. That being said there were still many rides with waits over an hour. We took our time over the course of the visit. Three full days, plus the first evening of our arrival and part of the day on the day of our departure.

Even so, my 56 years was telling. I grew footsore and weary each day, and we resolved to do less and less each day as the visit progressed. The "gotta do it all" anxiety affected the first evening and the first day. After that we relaxed, knowing we were coming back again and again throughout the year.

I find that the Magic Kingdom is even more magical when you can share it with children. Having this grandchild or that in tow for various rides made them new again. I don't do Dumbo unless accompanied by a child. I enjoy it every time I have a little pilot along.

We ate pretty well this trip. Our focus was not so much on buying Disney trinkets this trip, so the money could go more toward food. The chicken dinner at the Plaza Inn was our first meal. We split four meals among four adults and three children, with a few items added, and had more than enough to eat. Unless you are very hungry splitting meals here can save some money, and the meals are pretty good.

They also have pasta and pot roast meals, along with salads and deserts.

We had brunch at Goofy's Kitchen to celebrate Madelyn's eighth birthday. Though this is not a particularly inexpensive experience it is really fun with the kids. The brunch buffet has some very nice foods for adults, and a vast array of playful foods for the kids. Peanut butter and jelly pizza, cup cakes, and many other things to please the playful palate.

I enjoyed smoked salmon, Pancetta, smoked cheeses, bacon, Eggs Benedict, scrambled eggs with black olives, bacon, fried plantains, fruit salad, bacon, coffee, some more cheese, and bacon. I wasn't hungry until around seven that evening.

We did the Blue Bayou the next day for a late lunch. This restaurant is inside the beginning section of the Pirates of the Caribbean ride, and features the illusion of being on a big patio in the bayou at night. I always get the Monte Cristo sandwich, since they do it so well.

Years ago we went and I ate my Monte Cristo, and left over bits from several other family members. Apparently it is not just my feet that have become less adventurous over time. I could just barely finish my meal. Oh, but it was good!

Several meals were catch-as-catch-can. Hungry? Grab something. Two times we just started the day with the free breakfast from the motel. Twice, however, we did breakfast at the LaBrea Bakery Cafe. The meals are still less than ten bucks, and quite good. The location is nice, at the head of Downtown Disney and near enough to the entrances to both parks to enjoy the sights and sounds.

Another notable meal was the Big Thunder Ranch Barbecue. All you can eat, very good food, and a fun environment. Plus, entertainment! Cowboy musicians and performers entertain as you eat, engaging the kids and the adult audience. They even pulled up on stage six Marines who were being deployed to Afghanistan, and honored them while incorporating them into the fun.

That was not an inexpensive meal, but pound per dollar I think we reduced the actual cost. I recommend it if your budget can allow. This is one experience we have passed up in the past, but probably will become a part of future visits. Good food. Entertainment. All you can eat. Disneyland! Can it get any better?

With some judicious planning we managed to get to a lot of the rides when the lines were under thirty minutes long. Some were down for repair and improvement, but only a few. It is hard not to have fun, even if you don't chose to ride all of the rides. Beth is currently pregnant, and so could only ride some of the rides, but she still had a great time.

The newest attraction is in California Adventure. The new attraction is deep in the park, at the boardwalk. Toy Story Mania! We had to visit the area several times before the lines got short enough. Our first visit was a 40 minute wait, but well worth it. The second time we waited less than thirty minutes! This fun ride incorporates several rider participation games, and is housed in a very attractive boardwalk beach style building. Don't forget to spend a little time with the Mr. Potato Head barker out front, and enjoy the art and style while in line.

We did three full days, plus two partial days. The weather was very nice, though the later part of each day grew a bit hot. The lines and crowds were manageable, and there were very few negatives in this particular visit.

Our suite in the Dessert Inn was a two queen main room, a fold out sofa bed front room, and one bath. We traded mattresses from one of the beds to the sofa bed, as it was really not pleasant to sleep on otherwise. However, we saved a bit using this suite rather than the four queen bed suite. That suite would have had the added benefit of another bathroom, but we made this suite work.

One option for those choosing a suite like this would be an inexpensive air bed mattress for the sofa bed. It could be placed along a wall when the sofa bed was folded, allowing the space to be used as a living room as well as a bedroom. That would be easier than swapping the mattresses, and some such air beds are not particularly expensive.

During one of the fireworks displays we saw a man step off of a curb and take a fall. The fireworks require reduced lighting, as do the evening parades. It is a good idea not to move very much during these times, unless you are familiar with where you are walking. A spill like that could ruin the vacation for a family member.

Strollers are a good idea, even if the kids aren't actually stroller sized. They provide a place to rest for a fatiguing child and a place to put stuff in general. Bring your own and rent any extras you may need. Adults might consider renting a wheelchair for the same purpose for adults who may fatigue easily.

Our next trip is just Linda and I, plus her mother Alta. This will be a slow paced visit, less focused on rides than on the experience. Alta does not yet feel the need for walkers or wheelchairs, but those who must choose between such accommodations or not visiting the park should consider them. The park is fun even if you are not riding many rides, but all of that walking can be tiring.

I would love to visit the park with my parents, but that raises an issue that could make some visitors uncomfortable. There are only a few smoking areas within the two parks, and that will mean smokers will have to plan their travels within the park to allow them to smoke when the need arises. When your mobility is limited and you are also a smoker the fun day in the park could become a form of torture.

That brings up another recommendation. Become familiar with the general locations of rest rooms prior to visiting the park. This can be particularly important should you have, say, issues at the time of your visit to the Disneyland Resort. I once visited another amusement park in another state with a, uh, condition. It was not much fun.

Well, that's enough for now. We had a great visit, and our annual passes insure we will have several more this year.

Walt Disney-

I have enormous admiration for Walt Disney. This admiration is informed by a strong sense of gratitude. I know enough about the man to know that he was far from perfect. I probably wouldn't want to have worked directly for the man. I can, however, admire him from afar.

He dreamed big dreams, and did big things. I can participate in a lot of what he did. I love Disneyland, because it captures a certain magic of which Walt was a master. It is an "other" kind of place, somewhere outside the normal realms. I like that place, and go there as often as I can. Granted sufficient resources I would visit some of his other creations, as well.

I have watched most of his movies, and grew up with his television shows as a significant part of my life. Granted, some of his works leave me a little flat, and much of what I experience is actually the product of a creative culture mastered by Disney. It is, however, a creative culture that was born of his creative force.

Where that culture has wandered a bit from the essence of Walt, it is being remade in a form that is more essentially Disney. A great example of that is the reformation of the California Adventure theme park. It will be interesting to see just how well the reformation imprints the essence of Disney on a creation gone awry.

While I love Walt Disney and his creations, I also enjoy the fact that the whole of the world is not just a Disney theme park. Indeed, the contrast is part of what makes going back to Disneyland quite special. Like any good story, like any good magic trick, Disneyland requires a suspension of non-belief. It is engineered to make that suspension easy, and rewarding.

I will always recall the time I returned to the park after an absence of only two months or so. It was the year the family all had annual passes, and we were going as often as we could. I walked in the gate, handed the gentleman at the counter my pass, and heard him say, "welcome back."

When I stepped onto Main Street, I felt like I had come home from a distant land.

I liked that feeling. Thank you, Walt.