DISNEYLAND!!!!
I was a little apprehensive about spending that much money to go to a theme park. I went to Disneyland when I was a sophomore in High School and had about as much fun as I do at the doctor's office (and no, the doctor's office is not my happiest place on earth.) I knew lots of this had to do with the company and the fact that I got pretty sick in the park and on the way home, but there was still a part of me who attributed it to the fact that I'm not really an "amusement park person." But the girls did make it sound like fun, so I decided to give the park one more chance.
Well, I'm certainly glad that I did. It was a blast!!! We had such a good time and I only thought I was going to die once, which is really quite an achievement.
The first morning we got there before the park opened. It was pretty fun to be in line with that many people and participate in the countdown.
Considering that it was Thanksgiving, the weather wasn't bad at all. Sweatshirts were all that were necessary (except after we got wet, but that's a different story.)
I don't remember what Disneyland normally looks like, but at Christmas time, it's awesome. This was the first year that they had snow on Sleeping Beauty's castle and it was gorgeous.
Their decorations are seriously intense.
I do think I took the most pictures of the entire trip on the safari ride. I know, I'm a goof.
I also decided that I like roller coasters, they just have to be fifty years old, like Big Thunder Mountain.
Dad wanted to go on the Mark Twain. It was pretty fun, considering the name. :)
The Haunted Mansion was all decked out for Christmas. I guess every year they change everything out to follow a "Nightmare Before Christmas" theme. It was fun. Lot's of really bright colors.
We also took a little trek into Pooh country. I wanted Dad to get a picture with Eeyore, but there was a pretty long line.
Mom and Dad were the first to go on the ride. They thought it was so cute that we all went on it again.
This is my favorite picture of all the ones I took at Disneyland. Someday when I'm decorating a kid's room (probably one of Roni and Coleman's :) ) I'm going to theme it around this picture.
I'm sure many people don't understand the significance of a Pooh Stix bridge, but thankfully, our family does!
We eventually made our way over to California Adventure Park. It was the first time I had been there and it's pretty fun.
Two of Alita's favorite rides of "all time" are in California Adventure park. Well, one of them is a white-water rafting ride. She really wanted to go on it again, so we all stupidly agreed. We got DRENCHED!!! It was ridiculous. Dad and I had it the worst. He complained for the next three hours that his sock was wet (he didn't wear water-proof shoes.) :)
We made it up to him by going on the Soaring Over California ride. That was his and my favorite ride. It is totally awesome.
We also had to stop for some photo ops. :)
This is my Beatles pose. Pretty cute, eh?
If you look closely, you can see that Mom and Dad are standing in front of the El Capitan.
This is Alita's favorite ride of all time, which still baffles both Mom and me. This ride is the most terrifying thing I've ever done in my life, and I once had to use an Elder's bathroom on the mission. And just to clarify for all of you who think that terror is fun, when you stop breathing for an extended period of time, bruise your sister's leg because you are holding on so tight, and being unable to walk for a period of time after the ride was finished is not my idea of a good time.
We finished up the night with a ride on Sleeping Beauty's carousel.
Sleeping Beauty's castle was beautiful at night when the lights and snow were all lit up.
We had such a great time. I didn't take pictures the next day, decided that my camera is too heavy. :) Thanks to the girls for getting us all to go. Thanks to Mom and Dad for agreeing to come and thanks to me for such fantastic pictures of a fantastic vacation. :)
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