… but that’s not even where this story starts …

On March 7, I went to Disneyland with Michelle for her birthday … because, you know … it’s Disneyland. And she got in free on her birthday.

Both good reasons.

Michelle (being crazy Michelle) wanted to get there right when the doors opened … which would have had us getting up at about 5a. …
… so that didn’t happen.

We ended up getting down to Disneyland around 8a or so (I think) … and we were using her GPS (since I don’t really drive to Disneyland on a regular basis and couldn’t give her directions) … the problem with this is … her GPS doesn’t know where the parking lots are. So pretty much when we turned into the Disney complex (it’s like its own town) the GPS got confused.

And so did we.

Pulled into one parking lot and paid $ to park … but there were no actual parking spots visible (not a full lot so much as NOT A PARKING LOT) … drove a little further and got directions from some woman w/ a REALLY thick accent. Drove a little further (laughing at our incompetence by this time) .. found what appeared to be a lot where some poor kid felt like he had to reassure us that, yes, you have found Disneyland. No, you’re not in the wrong spot, just follow this little drive.

Ok. Great. following the road/drive/parkinglot path … following … following…. why are we the only ones in this lane? why does it look like we’re driving INTO the parking garage exit? Seriously, though, why are we the only ones in this lane????

Finally. … found another car. … going the same place we were … parked with no further drama.

Although, by this time, Michelle had realized she forgot to print the confirmation# she needed to get her free ticket. awesome….

SO! As we are walking to the ticket booth, she pulls out her phone (which is minutes away from losing power, by the way), BUYS internet access for the first time, and logs onto her email so she can write down the conf# (luckily for her, I am like my mother and was carrying a little notebook and pen) … and then the phone died.

it was all very dramatic.

So, by this time, we were finally in the park – and Michelle has this whole elaborate plan of how we can ride as many rides as possible … power walking through the park, even if that means we have to divide and conquer, weaving between strollers and old people. Fast-pass, ride, fast-pass, ride, double back, ride, fast-pass, fast-pass, ride.

elaborate.

So, we ride Space Mtn. Fantastic as usual …

On to the teacups – which, by the way, I never get to ride because Andrew is a big baby. …. super fun to ride this time around ….

Power walking through fantasyland, I made Michelle stop and take a picture of me … especially because we were talking about how Disneyland now has all these fun photo-op’s set up around the park but I never get to take advantage of them because there are always kids climbing all over….

ironically, we never actually went on this ride….

I think we got to ride about 5 rides total before lunch….. Space Mtn, Teacups, Thunder Mtn, Pirates and Haunted Mansion (I think) … then off to lunch.

I did not just have onion rings for lunch. Never you fear.

After eating we went on Splash Mountain. I was hesitant. I saw a lot of really wet people walking around and I did not really want to get wet. Michelle thought it would be fun, though.

What does she know?

We got into a Splash Mtn log with a cute rockabilly couple who claimed to LOVE Splash Mtn. I sat in the front, with Michelle behind me….

I don’t know if they altered the ride somehow, or if I was just in a heavier boat than usual … but Michelle and I got drenched. Every time the log went down a drop – there were probably 5 – we went below the water line and water cam pouring over the sides onto our legs. We screamed. Loudly. That was COLD water.

The first drop, I tried ducking down and putting my jacket over my face to keep from getting too wet — but the water just landed on top of my head and went down the back of my neck.

I kept thinking, that was just a fluke, we couldn’t possible get that wet again …

over and over.

I kid you not, I hurt my voice from all the screaming with surprise.

These next 2 pics give you an idea. In order to really see HOW wet we are, look for the dry patches …

So, once we were both dripping wet, there was not much else we could do. Believe me. It’s not like we were going to go on Indiana Jones – underground – or Star Tours – inside – when we really needed the sun to warm us up (like you wouldn’t believe).

Basically, Splash Mtn ruined Michelle’s plans of going on as many rides as possible. We spent the next 3ish hours people watching. …. which was still fantastic.

I think all our people-watching deserves its own post at a later date.

Michelle really wanted to get herself a hat, and we found this bizarre hat/scarf/pockets in one of the hat stores. Really weird….

After several hours, we were in California Adventure, and we ended up waiting 45 min for the new Toy Story ride.

Totally worth it.

I LOVED it.

It’s like the Buzz Lightyear ride in Disneyland – where you ’shoot’ things as in an arcade game, and get points. But somehow easier. … and super fun.

I’ll just say I was winning until about 3/4t
hs through the ride. … then Michelle blew me away:

We did a few more fun things in CA Adventure before going back to Disneyland:

We DID NOT go on the Grizzly Bear Run – for good reason.

OH! I almost forgot. In case you didn’t know, the ad theme this year for Disneyland is “What will you celebrate?” … so since it was Michelle’s bday she got a pin (I also got a pin saying I was celebrating) … we saw a ton of birthday people that day … and an anniversary … and something else that I forget now…

I took this next pic so I could demonstrate the main reason why I think Disneyland is amazing: the attention to detail.

Look at this logo for Monstropolis Motors. So well thought out. 2 Ms, kinda looks like a scary monster, really decent branding for this fictional company at the VERY BOTTOM (and small) of a poster for a fictional product just in the section of the ride where you wait in line.

Attention to detail. I’m telling you.

The new Monsters, Inc. ride was fun too … . similar to Pinocchio or Snow White rides … where you’re in a little car and ride through scenes of the plot of the movie….

But what is fun … Roz at the end of the ride …. our car stopped and this animatronic said something to the effect of, “We have a birthday, huh? Everyone sing.” and proceeded to sing “Happy Birthday” (out-of-tune) to Michelle…..

The Cast Member who watched over our car-loading noticed Michelle’s Birthday pin and … .lickety-split – the character from the movie is singing to her.

Attention to detail.

(more decor for “What are you celebrating?”)

Throughout the rest of our Disneyland day we ate some more junkfood (coffee, cookies, cotton candy, etc) and did some more shopping (Michelle bought me a lovely blue scarf) ….

Highlight of Michelle’s day, I think, was when she went to pay for a jacket she was buying …. happened to glance behind her.

Tom DeLonge.

of Blink 182 – who Michelle used to be OBSESSED with in High School….. unfortunately she can’t really tell him that.

So, while she is paralyzed with …. adoration? I dunno … trying to think of something to say to him … . his kids start poking her legs with their new toy swords. Awesome.

So they laughed about that together ….

… and then it was over.

I told her she should have asked him, “What are you celebrating?” …. nice lead in to, “Well, it’s my birthday, if you want to give me your phone number.” …

no?

We ended up leaving the park around… 8p? I don’t really remember … and got home around the time Andrew got off work…

then we all 3 piled in the car to go to Simi Valley. For pastrami.

The best pastrami sandwiches I’ve had. $6.99 for a big huge one that will last 2 meals….

Michelle bought 4 (to take back to Phx with her)….

The end. Super fun – full day.