Monday June 17 2002
La La Land.....L.A., CA.
Weather: Partly sunny, daytime highs around around 80 to 90's
Total Miles To Date 4,814 miles
Money spent today:
$8 on parking
$19.50 on gas
$45 on Disneyland admission
$60 on random food, sunscreen and games at Disneyland
Total Spent today
$132.50
Total Spent To Date
$1,906.68
Woke up around 9am.
Now, here's the thing. I've been to Los Angeles tons of times, but every time I've been here it's been with family. Since I don't want to loose the flavor of what I've been doing, I've decided to play tourist. Every town I've been to, I've gone to a place that's indicative of that city.
So, the question is where do I go....
Disneyland!!!
I drove about 1 1/2 hours to get there, but it shouldn't have taken so long. Traffic in L.A. is horrible.
11am and I'm in Disneyland. Parking is a lot easier than I thought it was going to be. After you park, you get on a tram that takes you to the entrance gates.
Disneyland is the most amazing place there is and I was immediately overwhelmed. Since I can't describe every little thing I did, I will list the rides I rode on and describe those.
Tomorrowland:
I did 5 out of 10 rides here
Honey, I shrunk the audience - this was a 3-D film that was also interactive with the audience. You could actually feel things scurry past your legs. Kids came out crying. Excellent!!
Innoventions - I didn't care too much for this place. It was a building of video games and interactive exhibits. The kids dug it, I just wanted to move on.
Space Mountain - A roller coaster in the dark. The only thing you see if stars. Wow, this rocked!!
Star Tours - You sit in a space shuttle and fly from a base in Star Wars to the Planet Endor. If you don't mind motion rides with video this is great. You actually feel like you're riding in a ship and going thru the channels of the Death Star.
The American Space Experience - A exhibit that I actually remember from when I was 10. It wasn't that special, just nostalgic for me.
Frontierland:
I did 4 out of 5 rides here
Big Thunder Mountain Railroad - This was a great roller coaster similar to any runaway train ride you see at other theme parks.
The Mark Twain Riverboat - There's nothing really to this ride. It's basically an actual size steam boat that you ride around in a big circle for 15 minutes
Rafts to Tom Sawyer - You take this motorized raft to this little island where you can explore and climb and watch waterfalls. I felt like I was in a mini mini mini Grand Canyon. It was relaxing, but nothing to it.
The Golden Horseshow Stage - This was strange. I stopped here for lunch. It was typical burger place, but with a stage. While I was eating a show started and they played silly hillbilly music. It was entertaining while I ate my cheeseburger and chili fries.
Critter Country:
I did 1 of 3 rides here
Splash Mountain - a great water ride. nice and wet. I loved this.
New Orleans Square:
I did 3 out of 4 rides here
Haunted Mansion - This rules!!! I was looking forward to this more than any ride here and the payoff was what I expected. I loved this ride
Pirates of the Caribbean - I forgot about this ride. I was so glad I did because riding was so fun. This ride is actually the most non-p.c. ride there is. Tons of drunk pirates stealing, killing and auctioning off wenches. Perfect!!
The Disney Gallery - An art room filled with different pictures of 100 years with Mickey Mouse
Adventureland:
I did 3 our of 4 rides here
Enchanted Tiki Room - Very cute. Automated birds and flowers sing and entertain in a little tiki hut. The show goes on every 20 minutes and lasts about 15
Indiana Jones Adventure - This was so worth it!!! You are in a jeep and go thru this rides which has all the adventure of an Indiana Jones movie. All sorts of great stuff!!
Jungle Cruise - a little raft adventure ride. It was really really cheesy!! But it was in the shade and in the water. Very relaxing.
Main Street U.S.A.:
I did 1 of 7 rides here
Main Street Cinema - a little theatre that plays the movie Steamboat Mickey over and over and over and over....It was a very nostalgic theatre. Bonus, you're inside in the air conditioning.
at 8pm I went to the Disneyland Parade of stars. This was fun. This is what you imagine Disney to be. All the characters walking down the street.
by the way, Ariel is hot...
9:30 was the Believe...There's Magic in the Stars fireworks spectacular. This was awesome. The show lasted about 1/2 hour and was put to Disney music right in front of the castle. Just great!!!
10:30 and I then went to the final event of the night. Fantasmic. This was so cool!!. Basically a show involving water, film, lasers, actually characters, boats, pirates, peter pan, Hook, Beauty and the beast....pretty much everything. This went on for a 1/2 hour. Another just perfect Disney event.
11:30 by the time I left. I was back in bed about 1am.
What a great day!!!
C YA
notes:
none today
Total Miles Traveled Today
0 real driving, about 40 miles each way to Disneyland