Disney Day 1

We left foggy blustery San Francisco behind us, stashing all excess luggage in the vehicle and heading to SFO for a 10 a.m. flight to L.A. Despite all flying’s hassles I think all of us are glad we didn’t end up on another 10 hrs drive down to Anaheim. By the time I got there, it definitely wouldn’t have been The Happiest Place on Earth.

All went reasonably smoothly - thanks CRJ900! The plane ride was fine, and the boys got through TSA security without any hitches. Alex was a bit puzzled about the officer wanding over his chest and coming up with some strange beeping…secret pace-maker? Implant from Mom & Dad? Tracking device? It remains a mystery.

With only carry-on bags we made a dash for the exits….right into another line-up to wait for our shuttle bus. Hurry up and wait seems to be the name of the game everywhere! Finally the Big White Bus came to take us away, away to Disneyland, to Disneyland. The Cars movie kept the boys entertained for the whole 45min ride south (yet another screen to look at!)

Too bad we couldn’t get into our room until 4^{; the} luggage went into storage and we headed across the road to Disneyland. We are, literally right across the road from the park gates, which is a good thing for the in-and-out back to the hotel.

The hotel is definitely a bit lower on the budget scale, but there is breakfast (sort-of), and the beds are clean and comfortable. Good enough!

After the WORST PIZZA EVER for lunch (thanks a lot, Evan!) we spent the next few hours getting the lay of Disneyland. Norbert and I split off to take in some of the tamer rides, leaving the boys to get their kicks on Space Mountain, Tower of Terror, etc. We got a Fastpass (the way to go for the big-ticket rides) for Indiana Jones, and returned to by-pass the looooonnnnnngggg outside line-up - so long, suckers! Little did we know that once you entered the ride, there was yet another long line snaking through to where you actually get ON the ride itself! They’ve really got this line-up thing down to an art here. The ride was thrill-packed enough for us, but I was expecting more drops and swoops - not looking forward to them, just expecting them. I think if I’d waited the whole 1 ½ hrs in line up for it, I would have felt kind of ripped off…

Took a nice long break in the afternoon, and the boys had had enough, they decided. They spent some good hours in the pool, and we watched the fireworks from across the road as we walked down to pick up food supplies.

Day 2 at California Adventure awaits.