What to do when you boss says "Yes. You can take your 3 weeks of vacation at once"

[Katman1356...Jason 1,140]

Ok now to pick up where I started from earlier and hit a wrong key. :banghead:

Since the monorail was down we used our feet and headed out to the plaza between Disneyland and California Adventure. I think it is somewhere around 50 yards from the gates of one to the gates of the other but would say no more than 100 yards. This makes park hopping real easy.

The entrance was under construction when we got there so the first real thing we saw was the Golden Gate Bridge replica.

The monorail goes over this bridge. I believe that in the reconstruction of the main entrance this feature has been removed.

Some of the shops in the main entrance area.

This is a real train locomotive that Disney transformed into a bunch of shops and an Ice Cream parlor. About 2 weeks after we were there the train was removed and donated to a museum. I really like this shot though.

Moving through the Condor Flats section of the park.

A view of Grizzly River Run

More shops

and more musicians. They have a lot of groups playing at Disneyland.

We were passing all this by to ride some thing very new. It had only opened a couple of months before. The Little Mermaid ~ Ariel's Undersea Adventure. This is basically the same exact ride that will be opening in Fantasy land in a couple of months.

We liked it. It's a dark ride like but much more animatronics. Lots of bright colors and of course the music of the Little Mermaid. I think it will be a good addition to the Magic Kingdom.

Some queue pics

One picture from on the ride.

This was the entrance to the ride.

The Little Mermaid is right across from Paradise Pier.

Paradise Pier has a roller coaster known as California Screamin' It had a similar launch, I am told, to Rock'n Rollercoaster at Hollywood Studios. Silvia hasn't met a roller coaster yet she doesnt like so she headed in teh single rider line.

Using zoom I followed from a safe distance.

She loved it. While she rode I took some pictures of King Triton's Carousel and the the rest of the pier.

Some of the mountains they were building for the now open Cars Land.

I will pick this up in next post. Close to pic limit.

[doodlebug....Cherie 461]

The pictures of California Adventure are terrific! It was just in the planning stages the last time I was in California. I love that it is just a short hop from one park to the other.

[fladogfan aka Gretchen 259]

Happy to have someone to share this all with. Not everyone wants to look at trip pictures.

My Daddy was famous, at least in the family, of showing slides from our trips, so I've been trained to look at other people's photos and I love it.

Thanks Daddy!

Great to see you made it to California Adventure! My DH was still working at WDW in 2001 when CA opened and had , over the years, volunteered to 'work' press events. So when CA was due to open he was one of the lucky cast members from Florida who were sent to California for a WHOLE MONTH to help with their press event. I was able to join him for one of the weeks...felt myself getting sick while waiting at the Orlando airport ...so my week was of trying to get well and still enjoy myself. Couldn't ride fast rides because of the head cold. So glad to see your pics, the camera I used didn't work and I lost every photo. Isn't the carousel pretty? Rode soaring in CA first and was very happy it was built here in Fla also.

Oops..rambling a bit...carry on...

[Katman1356...Jason 1,140]

Continuing on we headed past where our dinner would be later that evening. Wine Country Trattoria. The food was so good there and we had the dinner package with reserved viewing area for World of Color.

Some more pics of the walls surrounding Cars land

Meet and greet with Lightening and Mater

Bugs land

Some pixar guys doing a mini parade

The Monsters Inc. dark ride. It was fun but nothing special.

Headed over to see the Muppets in 3D

From there we head back to Disneyland for a bit,,,in the next post

[Katman1356...Jason 1,140]

On our way back to Disneyland we figured we would try and ride the monorail again after our aborted attempt last time. Success!

The seats are different on this monorail and on the train in Disneyland as well. instead of sitting forwards or backwards you are seated facing out of the vehicle. So you can sit back and enjoy the scenery without getting a crick in you neck.

After getting off in tomorrowland we apparently headed for the carousel and to have Silvia try yet again.

Still no good.

We passed back up Main St. so we could check out Great Moment's with Lincoln. They have a little museum off the town square with Disney memorabilia and mementos.

The bench where he thought up Disneyland. Moved from the park where it happened.

After this we apparently ended up back in California Adventure. I am sure we did other things but I have no pictures to prove it.

The view while we were waiting to eat.

Silvia unfortunately ended up not feeling so good at this point so we decided to head back to the hotel for a little break. While she rested I headed up to the roof top deck to check out the views.

I will finish day 2 in the next post for picture purposes.

[Katman1356...Jason 1,140]

Silvia was feeling better and it was time to head back to California Adventure. We had the reserved area for World of Color so we headed over there to watch the show.

A nice moon that night

A sample of what the water screens looked like this is what was displayed at the end of the show.

Heres a link to the show

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0ElmObzUvYg

This is a newer version as I can't find a good one from when we were there. This one includes the Brave section and has the new Glow with the Show Ears. Which are way flockin cool in my opinion.

After the show we checked out the tail end of Electronica and checked out Flynn's arcade.

They had one of the prop Light Cycle's from the movie on display but you could only see it at night during Electronica.

And after that we made our way out and back to the hotel.

To be continued. I have to upload day 3 still.

[Southern Blessings 4]

Loving all these pics from California!

[stefa70 205]

I love that Mickey ferris wheel, but it looks extra cool at night.

I wonder how big Mickeys head is? They should tell you those random facts. :)

[Nicki aka Rebelstand 272]

Obviously I am way late on this one. I've been waiting until my internet access got better. So here are some random thoughts, sorry there was so much these are the things that stick out

1. Durn Virginia sign. I can't tell you how many times we drove in and out of VA in the last 4 months and not ONCE did I manage to get a picture of the sign. I think it hides.

2. You missed the Big Texan. Well I have eaten there and the food is good but I didn't try for the 72oz. It's only free if you finish it in an hour.

3. Could that Arizona state sign be any smaller?

4. You have taken me through a NP I had not seen. Petrified Forest... thanks!

5. Love the panda!!

6. polar bears are fun to watch swim

7. The hyena has some weird beauty to it

8. G O R I L L A - sorry couldn't help myself

9. Love all the sunrise/sunset photos

10. The Spanish Mission Chapel reminds me alot of the one at San Marcos.

11. The difference in the teacups is huge.

12. The Castle Pic was awesome

13. Love the Characters at the Breakfast!

14. I love the toon town. To be honest wasn't really a fan at WDW but I'd like to take a gander at DL.

15. Tink was definitely a girl.

16. Peter Pan looked to actually be a guy.

17. That parade looks awesom.

18. Monorail looks good on the outside

I have to stop now and go eat... will you write my next TR?

[Katman1356...Jason 1,140]

Loving all these pics from California!

It was so much fun there. While Disney World will always be home Disneyland will definitely be a place we go back to.

I love that Mickey ferris wheel, but it looks extra cool at night.

I wonder how big Mickeys head is? They should tell you those random facts. :)

I am sure someone on here will take a swag at how big that Mickey head is. I tried doing a quick search on the web and couldnt find the answer.

[Katman1356...Jason 1,140]

Obviously I am way late on this one. I've been waiting until my internet access got better. So here are some random thoughts, sorry there was so much these are the things that stick out

Glad you made it! I will try and respond to all of your thoughts.

1. Durn Virginia sign. I can't tell you how many times we drove in and out of VA in the last 4 months and not ONCE did I manage to get a picture of the sign. I think it hides.

We have been through there lots of times in the last 4 years. I am pretty sure I have it in one folder or another on this computer.

2. You missed the Big Texan. Well I have eaten there and the food is good but I didn't try for the 72oz. It's only free if you finish it in an hour.

Yeah I had heard about the one hour requirement. Sorry as much as I like steak 4.5 lbs is just scary.

3. Could that Arizona state sign be any smaller?

We missed California's because it was half the size.

4. You have taken me through a NP I had not seen. Petrified Forest... thanks!

You are quite welcome. Hopefully some of our other ones will be new for you as well.

5. Love the panda!!

They have webcams at the San Diego Zoo so you can watch the panda's, polar bear, and elephants I believe.

6. polar bears are fun to watch swim

Yeah they are.

7. The hyena has some weird beauty to it

They are so under appreciated.

8. G O R I L L A - sorry couldn't help myself

Did I spell it wrong? Now I have to go check.

9. Love all the sunrise/sunset photos

That's one of the nice things about camping as I am sure you know. The sunrises and sunsets over different places makes them all unique.

10. The Spanish Mission Chapel reminds me alot of the one at San Marcos.

Cool

11. The difference in the teacups is huge.

I like them in DL better. The open air feel is awesome when riding.

12. The Castle Pic was awesome

When I printed them I couldn't for the life of me figure out which way was up.

13. Love the Characters at the Breakfast!

It was so fun seeing some of the different ones. I love the Fab 5 as much as anybody but it's nice to see someone else sometimes.

14. I love the toon town. To be honest wasn't really a fan at WDW but I'd like to take a gander at DL.

It really is well themed and I only captured 1/10th of it. So much for little ones to explore there. I didn't want to get in their way.

15. Tink was definitely a girl.

Yes she was.

16. Peter Pan looked to actually be a guy.

He was a lot of fun. Him and Hook have a fight scene set to the music and complete with sword clashing noises and they were right on.

17. That parade looks awesom.

That is hands down one of my favorite parade ever. The sound, music, and colors are just awesome.

18. Monorail looks good on the outside

I really like the look of those shiny monorails but they are not designed to move as many people as Disney World's.

I have to stop now and go eat... will you write my next TR?

Maybe...but it will cost you.

[Katman1356...Jason 1,140]

For those that are interested here is a link to the videos and live webcams at the San Diego Zoo

http://www.sandiegozoo.org/videos/

[Heidi-meetsTCD@TSM 5]

It was so much fun there. While Disney World will always be home Disneyland will definitely be a place we go back to.

Totally agree with this statement!!!! It is exactly how we feel as well!!!!

Great update Jason!!!!

[doodlebug....Cherie 461]

Love, love, love the nightime pictures!!

[Katman1356...Jason 1,140]

Ok only 2 posts left for Disneyland and then we start heading back east.

We had just a half a day left at Disneyland. We headed over to have breakfast in the park. But no characters this time. Just a fun breakfast by the Rivers of America.

We ate at the River Bell Terrace. Outside seating looking over the Rivers of America. This is a quick service place but it had a fun breakfast plate that Silvia didnt know about.

Silvia had that and I had one also. But I also got...

While we were eating the Mark Twain came by. This was our view from the terrace.

After breakfast we headed back down Main st. We wanted to browse the shops and see some more sights while it was quiet.

We decided to take the train for a loop around the park as we had not done that yet and we wanted to see the dioramas.

Disneyland will be finished in the next post.

[Katman1356...Jason 1,140]

Train ride around Disneyland Continued

Dioramas!

We headed over to California Adventure to check out a couple fo shops over there and grab a couple of souvenirs we had seen.

The Green Army Men were looking for new recruits.

And then we headed out. :-(

And that bring our time at Disneyland to an end. It was time to head east. We were heading to place that to me seemed a lot like Disneyland. Over the top, great for separating your money and lots of interesting sites to see. Vegas here we come!

in the next post anyway.

[Nicki aka Rebelstand 272]

No the Gorilla reference was from Tarzan when Clayton say "G O R I L L A" very clearly hoping Tarzan would get it...

[Katman1356...Jason 1,140]

That's It! I knew I knew it from something.

[fladogfan aka Gretchen 259]

Add me to the list of needs to go to DL and CA, I would love to see the World of Color show in person.

That was so pretty, clever, interesting and ....how do they DO THAT?!!!!

[stefa70 205]

I'm sad to see you leaving DL, but I'm excited for Vegas!!! Talk about sensory overload! :doodebug:

[Southern Blessings 4]

Darn, leaving Disney already. Sad, but can't wait to read about Vegas!

[doodlebug....Cherie 461]

But I thought what happens in Vegas, stays in Vegas? :rofl3:

[Katman1356...Jason 1,140]

Add me to the list of needs to go to DL and CA, I would love to see the World of Color show in person.

That was so pretty, clever, interesting and ....how do they DO THAT?!!!!

Agreed. I would love to know how they do the water screens so well and synchronizing everything.

I'm sad to see you leaving DL, but I'm excited for Vegas!!! Talk about sensory overload! :doodebug:

Vegas was a fun time. Better still i only lost $1 there.

Darn, leaving Disney already. Sad, but can't wait to read about Vegas!

Coming right up!

But I thought what happens in Vegas, stays in Vegas? :rofl3:

Hmmmm...That gives me an idea. Stay Tuned!

[Katman1356...Jason 1,140]

So since Doodle reminded me what happens in Vegas stays in Vegas I have decided to change the names to protect the innocent... :rofl3:...

So Kevin and Christina headed off to Vegas...

Just kidding.

We headed up I15 to Vegas. I had heard that on a certain stretch of highway if you paid attention you could see the San Andreas Fault. Here it is.

Cool huh. I was prepared the whole time we were in California but I never got to hit play on my phone.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wbQ4m-NqeF8

It's not to long of a drive from Disneyland to Vegas so I here we go.

Crossing into NV

And here we are entering Vegas. Did I mention there isn't a lot to see on the drive to Vegas either. About 4 hours I think and we were pulling into town. This was a first visit for me. Silvia..I mean Christina...had been there before on a trip with her Mom. I know who goes to Vegas and brings there Mom. Mom brought her actually. She was just the only one willing to go with her. They had a great time though. We were staying in Bally's right on the strip. I got a great price on a Deluxe suite for $70. This was across the street from the Bellagio and next to Paris, Paris and on the other side of that was Planet Hollywood. We wound up spending the bulk of our time there.

We also got some good eats that might be familiar.

So entering Vegas.

Our room.

This also included an in floor jacuzzi tub and was about the size of our house. It was nice to have one more night of luxury before back into the tent we would go.

The view from our room at night.

Inside Paris, Paris

For those unaware there is a replica of the Eifel Tower sticking out of the building and they made the legs appear, or possibly they actually are, to come through the casino.

And believe it or not thats all the pictures we have of Vegas. Since it was my first time there I wanted to eat at a Vegas buffet and see a Vegas show. Silvia was game for that. We had dinner at the Spice Market Buffet at Planet Hollywood. Tons of food to choose from and it was all really good. We also saw a show but that's all I will say about that. Something that happen in Vegas really do stay in Vegas...and if she sees this trip report and hears that I said any more than that I am dead.

We were only staying in Vegas one night so the next morning we made one more trip over to Planet Hollywood. We had slept in so it was closer to lunch witch worked out for us. Did you know there is an Earl of Sandwich in Vegas. I did. and thats where we had lunch before hitting the road.

Up next the Hoover Dam. If you have issues looking down from a big height you may want to look away.

[Nicki aka Rebelstand 272]

I can't wait to see the Hoover Dam. We missed it since we went to the North Rim of the Grand Canyon instead of the south..... waiting... waiting.... ok, i'll be patient