May 4, 2007 – Day 1
The day before we left, Andy decided to go golfing. Just hitting the driving range, and unfortunately, he did something to his back. He was in a great deal of pain for the start of our trip. It was hard for him to bend over, sit down, and things like that so we were a bit concerned on the way to our airport. Things went fine there and we were efficiently dispatched and on our way.
We landed safely at the John Wayne airport, collected our luggage, and headed out to the taxi stand. Before getting in the taxi, we verified the rate would be somewhere between $35 and $36. Exactly what we expected because of past taxi rides. Unfortunately, when we got to the Paradise Pier Hotel, the meter was around $47.00!! Of course we paid it, but not happily.
Andy and Alex ran to the store for beer while I check us into the Hotel. At the front desk, I mentioned the taxi issue, and they gave us a coupon for the return to the airport that guarantees a $34 rate. I was happy again!
I asked for 3 room keys when I checked in, and that was no problem. Alex wanted a key, and he got one. I went up to the room, called the bell desk, and the luggage was in the room before Andy and Alex made it back. It only took them about 5 minutes after my call to deliver the bags. Shortly after they were delivered, Andy and Alex came in and we put a few things away, set up the computer and after Alex said “let’s go to Disneyland” we finally left a few minutes later.
While making the walk through the Grand Californian, I called Kevin (mrtoad) to let him know we made it, and were on our way. We made a quick stop at World of Disney for our lanyards and an autograph book.
As we approached security Alex blurted out “they changed the colors”! I swear, this child notices everything! The security checkpoints were orange in December. On this trip, they were green. We had no issues getting through security.
It was close to 4pm, and there were no lines to get into Disneyland. We went in through the left tunnel, and the Magic began. First stop was for Buzz fastpasses, then on to Dumbo.
We had an issue at Dumbo. The line was long. We stupidly mentioned to Alex that sometimes the lines would be too long and we would not be able to ride. He never let us forget that and many times during the trip, he wouldn’t ride something because the line was too long. (Too long for him, not for us – for him 10 minutes looked like a long line. Lol)
Anyway, back to the story now. It was at Dumbo where we met up with Kevin. We all talked for a few minutes, introduced him to our very shy Alex and then Andy and Alex joined the queue for Dumbo. Kevin and I went for a Buzz Fastpass for him. Andy and Alex were in line for 20 minutes, and we just barely missed seeing them ride. They were getting off when we got back. I was upset to have missed Alex’s first ride, but quickly got over that – there would be many more rides.
Next up was Small World which had a huge wait of 5 minutes! Alex was excited that Kevin was going with us – he was beginning to warm up to Kevin quickly, since Kevin let Alex be the keeper of his Buzz Fastpass! Small World was nice and cool, and I immediately noticed a change at the entrance. I wasn’t sure though, but the next day Alex did tell us that it was new! Kevin and I talked through the whole ride. We thought we were being quiet – Andy told us afterwards we weren’t!
Once we exited the boats after our trip around the world, we headed to Buzz, using our fastpasses. The wait for us was only 5 minutes. Alex was the dictator of who would ride with whom for this whole trip. Kevin and I rode together and Andy and Alex rode together. Kevin showed me where all the triangles were so riding with him was a huge advantage for me, and in the end, it really paid off score wise. (more on this later).
Finally, it was time for a new ride for Alex. He has been wanted to ride Star Tours for a few weeks now. We were not sure he would like it, but he wanted it so it was done. Alex loved the ‘robots’ in the queue (none of us had the heart to tell him they were droids, not robots). For Alex’s first trip to the moon of Endor, we were in the front row. After properly belting ourselves in we sat back to relax, and watch Alex to make sure he was okay. No need to watch him though, because Alex simply loved this attraction! It is not one of my favorites, even with the motion sickness patch on, but I did ride it a few times this trip.
After Star Tours, we headed for California Adventure. We grabbed Soarin’ fastpasses and went right back out to White Water Snacks for dinner. I had the French dip, Andy the cheeseburger, Alex the kids hot dog munch meal, and Kevin a grilled chicken sandwich. Andy and I also enjoyed a beer with dinner. The food, as always was very good, and plentiful. Once we had dispensed with dinner, we again entered California Adventure.
Once back, we used our fastpasses for Soarin’ where Alex was Kevin’s tour guide, showing him the windmills, and of course ‘red’ Small World. He was very excited to point these out to Kevin! After Soarin we all did Monster’s Inc. I was once again chosen to ride with Kevin. This time, at the end Roz didn’t talk to anyone in our vehicle, she just made a random statement.
By this time, it was getting close the time to meet up with David (the_Dude) and his family. Kevin left us to ride laceType w:st="on">TowerlaceType> of laceName w:st="on">TerrorlaceName> while we headed toward the meeting spot. Enter new ride #2 for Alex. The three of us went on Jumpin’ Jellyfish. This time, I was the chosen one, and got to ride with Alex. After one ride, I went to find David, while Alex and Andy rode again – the first time Alex has wanted to ride the same attraction two times in a row! We were surprised, and pleased.
I pulled out my phone to call David as I was leaving the ride, but quickly realized the phone was not needed, they were right there! I went over to introduce myself and we talked a few minutes before the arrival of Kevin. He was introduced and then Andy and Alex arrived. Finally all introductions were done and Alex decided to be shy with their 3.5 year-old son. It was okay though, we all enjoyed talking together, getting to know one another and just having fun. When the Electric Parade started we all watched together.
Once the parade ended, we all decided to head over to Disneyland for the fireworks. I gave David some ear plugs for his son, and we quickly entered the park. We were able to go about half-way down Main Street, so we had a wonderful view! Alex was very upset, and didn’t want to watch. We told him that this is the one thing Mommy and Daddy wanted to watch, and so we were staying. The fireworks and the music started, which I thought would calm Alex down since he knows the music, but it didn’t. Alex did get his wish though as the fireworks stopped about half-way through because of wind.
At this point, David and his family headed back to the hotel while the rest of us went to laceName w:st="on">HauntedlaceName> laceType w:st="on">MansionlaceType>. I was again chosen to ride with Kevin. Andy and Alex were in the Doom Buggy right next to us, and occasionally we could hear Alex pointing something out to Kevin. It was so cute. We all noticed the Stage Coach in the Ballroom scene, and none of us remembered seeing it before, so think it might be new.
As we exited laceName w:st="on">HauntedlaceName> laceType w:st="on">MansionlaceType>, we decided to head to the hotel since we had Early Entry the next day. We split with Kevin and that point and he stayed a while longer.
Once back in the hotel we found several things in our room. Karen at Vacation Planning had arranged a Honeymoon turndown for us. When we walked in we saw one bed had rose petals set out in the shape of a large heart. In the center, the petals spelled out LOVE and there was also a single red rose. I did take a picture of this as it was simply beautiful!
Also delivered that night were the Mickey Mouse Rice Krispy Treats and the Pirate Basket we had ordered. Of course, the basket was for Andy from Alex for Andy’s birthday. The sole intent was to give Alex something to play with in his playtime with Daddy. It’s a good thing that was our intention, because Alex commandeered the basket and claimed it for his! Inside were a puzzle, a Captain Jack figurine, the Black Pearl, a sword, a hook, shackles and more. The basket itself was a rectangular shape made out of wood. We could have purchased all of the items in the basket cheaper than the cost of the basket, but to have it there when we arrived back at the hotel for the night was worth every penny.
The end of day one is quickly approaching. Andy’s back, while very painful, did hold out, and we made the most of it.
We all went to bed around midnight, and when I lay down I felt a familiar pain in my left shin. The same thing happened in December, but after several days. I was shocked to feel the pain so early in the trip.
Some special things for Day 1:
- Seeing Kevin again after all these years.
- Meeting David and his family
- The honeymoon turndown
- Alex’s reaction to the Pirate Basket
- Walking into Disneyland for the first time this trip!
- Leaving Disneyland, knowing we had 4 more days.
Day one is now officially over. Mickey Mouse Dreams for all!