Rides

Another park-filled day today, and who knows, maybe we'll end up having another one tomorrow. The latest on the volcanic ash situation is that the Virgin website is currently estimating that our flight will be delayed until just after midnight, and there should be a further update when we get up tomorrow.

Today we started the day off in DCA and did Toy Story Mania (I won!) and then Nicky and Jake went on the Fun Wheel and played on some of the boardwalk games, winning some soft toys, whilst I went on California Screamin (which was a pretty cool coaster) and then the Maliboomer (fires you 180 feet straight up a la Dr Doom). Next up I went on Mulholland Madness (just like Primeval Whirl at AK although the car don't spin) and N&J went on the Jumpin' Jellyfish and the Golden Zephyr. Between us, we'd done a pretty good job on the Paradise Pier section of the park.

Jake was keen to do another drawing, so we headed for the Animation Academy and this time we got to draw Goofy, and I think that all three came out very well. Whilst we were in the animation area we went to Turtle Talk with Crush. Radical dude - you rock!!

By now we were ready for lunch so we grabbed some food in Bug's Land, and then went on a couple of the rides there, the Chew Chew train and the Tuck and Roll buggies (slowest dodgem in the world). Both rides really for the smaller guests, but we got to tick them off!

We were just in time for the Aladdin show, a live action abbreviated version of the movie, but done very well. Interestingly a song for Jasmine that I'd not heard before - would be interesting to know if it was an Ashman/Menken original that was cut from the movie.

We couldn't resist taking in Muppet Vision 3D, even if it did turn out to be exactly the same as in Florida, and then Nicky was persuaded, against her better judgement, to come on the Grizzly River Run with us. We all got wet, but I think that Nicky came of worst, getting absolutely soaked, but she did admit that it was fun, albeit only because the ride is next door to our hotel entrance, so we could come straight back to the room to dry out.

After a swim back at the hotel we went into the Disneyland park this evening. Had dinner at ten Blue Bayou (food ok, service rubbish, not worth the hype) and then enjoyed Haunted Mansion, It's a Small World (where the new game is to spot the Disney movie characters in the ride) and then the Storybook Land Canal Boats, before heading out of the park, retreating to the sound of fireworks.

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Lakers

Late start after a busy day and we all enjoyed a lie in this morning. Nicky and I went over to the World of Disney store in Downtown for a shop and to enjoy the benefits of 20% off before midday. We picked up some sandwiches from the bakery next door and brought them back to our room for lunch.

After lunch we went down to the pool for a while. Jake and I played ball in the pool, I hot-tubbed, Nicky had a swim and a sunbathe.

Mid afternoon we got in the car and headed for downtown LA. Finding the Staples center turned out to be really easy and we parked right across the road from it. We had a look in the Lakers store and Jake got a cap and a Bryant shirt. Nicky was very disappointed that nowhere had any Lakers foam fingers!

We had tea across the road at the ESPN Zone and after a little wander we went in and got settled in. Our seats were right at the top but we had a great view. Confusingly, even though the Staples center is the home of the Lakers, it is also home for the Clippers who they were playing, and this was a Clippers home game, so the banners, court etc were decked out the the Clippers logo. I think that the Lakers must be coasting a bit as they've already made the playoffs, so there was no Kobe tonight and the Lakers lost by 107 to 91. Still, we all enjoyed the spectacle - lots of fun and a good atmosphere.

Roads were fairly busy around the stadium so it took a while to get back, and we only made one wrong turn.

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More parks

Busy day, log day, so keeping blog brief - up early and in park for EMH - not many rides open early - went on 3 in Fantasyland - Alice, tea cups and Mr Toad - then to Indy ride - like Dinosaur at AK - I liked it - N and J didn't - went on jungle cruise - had apple slices and caramel sauce - to tomorrow land and Autopia - Nicky rammed me - claimed it was due to my sudden braking - Innoventions and the house of tomorrow - I want a 100 inch tv and a table that plays draughts - saw family of Portsmouth fans - they made fun as I was in Spurs top - got monorail to Downtown - went over Golden Gate for 2nd time in holiday - offsite to Walgreens the Dennys for lunch - had a swim - to DCA but too late for more picture drawing so back to sorcerer walkthrough - Storytellers cafe for buffet tea - N and J back to room and me back to park for more rides - did the mountain hat-trick - Big Thunder then Splash then Space - a couple of quick Buzz rides plus pirates and
back home to bed.

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Parks

Well it was probably a good thing that we had a fairly slow start this morning given how much we've ended up doing. I could claim that we decided to have a lay in because it was raining, but the truth is that we didn't notice until we'd headed out of the room.

Breakfast at the hotel (Mickey waffles and French toast) and then into DCA. First stop Soarin' which is just the same as the one in Epcot, but it was here first! Great as ever, and by the time we came out the sun had appeared. Next up was a new ride for us, the Monsters Inc, Mike and Sulley to the Rescue ride in the Hollywood Backlot area (which is a bit chaotic at the moment as the middle of the main street is boarded off whilst they install a tram). The ride involves sitting in a Monstropolis taxi going through a number of scenes summarizing the movie storyline. The room with all of the doors is great.

After this we went into the animation area and to the Animation Academy where we all got to draw Jack Skellington. I was hoping for a more classic character, but still fun. On the way out there was a Toy Story zoetrope (?) which was excellent - will be interesting to see how it comes out on the camera.

Then we went to the Sorceror's Workshop, a walkthrough exhibit with more hands on animation. In the Beast's library we all got to find out which Disney character we're most like. Apparently Jake is Woody, I'm Jiminy Cricket and Nicky is Tarzan's Jane.

Carrying on around the park we had a look around the Golden State area which is a bit like Monterey Bay (!) and had a look at the bakery tour and the tortilla factory, enjoying the free samples in both. Wandering into Paradise Pier we played on some of the boardwalk games - Jake won a Woody toy, and then went on the Fun Wheel (a non swinging version).

By this point we were ready for lunch so we went back over to the bakery. I had clam chowder I. A bread bowl -again! One more ride after lunch and Jake and I went on the Grizzly River Run, a raft ride similar to Kali River Rapids at Animal Kingdom. We both loved it - Jake's first time on a ride like this - and we both got soaked! The good news was that the ride is really close to the entrance directly into our hotel, and so we could come back to the room to change into some dry clothes.

After a pitstop we were back out to explore the rest of Downtown and went to the cinema to see the Wimpy Kid movie which was good fun. There's a monorail station in Downtown so we hopped on after the movie and off in Tomorrowland, and straight into the queue for the Nemo submarines. These were quite like the Nemo ride in Epcot with a mixture of underwater stuff and screens with Nemo characters.

Next we decided to give Captain EO a try. Mixed feelings about this one - great that it has been brought back as a tribute to MJ, but it was made in 1986 and to be totally honest it hasn't aged all that well. It was nice that MJ got a cheer when he first appeared on screen, but a shame that a few bits got unintended laughs.

After a slice of pizza for tea we snuck into Buzz for a quick bit of target practice. Modesty forbids me from saying who got the highest score. The fireworks were just a couple of minutes later so we were able to watch them, although we didn't get the best vantage point and ended up with some of them being behind a tree. May try to get a more Main Street vantage point in the next few days.

Back to hotel and off to bed now. Plan is to get cracking again early tomorrow as there's an extra magic hour first thing.

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Arrived Disneyland

Well we've arrived in LA and at the Grand Californian hotel at Disneyland. We started off this morning (seems like ages ago) in Santa Barbara and had our hotel breakfast before checking out and getting on the road. We drove through Malibu (past the Two and Half Men house apparently!) and into Santa Monica where we stopped for a trip to the pier to play some arcade games and have a corn dog.

Getting back on the road we made a point of driving up Santa Monica boulevard but it really wasn't anything to write home about - even though I am! I blame Sheryl Crow for getting our hopes up - maybe it gets better further up towards the city centre.

LA roads are large as expected. Several times on the way to Disneyland we counted 7 lanes across our side of the road. Got close to Disney with no problems but then had to stop to study the map to find our way to the hotel.

Grand Californian is a very nice hotel. A bit reminiscent of the Wilderness Lodge at WDW. After we'd checked in and unpacked we went for an explore around the parks, which really are on the doorstep of the hotel. We went straight into DCA using the entrance from the hotel and had a little look around there before heading across to the Disneyland park. We arrived just in time for the Celebrate parade on Main Street.

Very strange being in the California version of the park. Everything seems familiar and unfamiliar all at the same time. Lots of recognizable rides and attractions, but no quite in the "right" (Florida!) locations. And as the guidebooks and websites had warned, the castle is really small!

Enjoyed a good look around the park. Fairly busy, but we are hopeful that it will be quieter over the next few days. Didn't go on any rides apart from doing a circuit on the train before heading back to the hotel. Had dinner at the hotel food court.

Big plans for parks and rides tomorrow.

PS - won't be a Chelsea v Spurs cup final after all. So much for top four and last four. Now fifth and out!

PPS - yes, now enjoying blogging from iPad with big screen and big keyboard!

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Santa Barbara

Santa Barbara today, and almost as exciting as anything else is the news that the iPad is up and running. We found an Apple store in Santa Barbara today and they very kindly plugged my iPad into one of their macs so that the setup could be completed. I'm now up and running properly!

Anyway, the day started off in Grover Beach and after a quick breakfast at the hotel we got on the road. Decided to stick to the freeway today rather than the more windy Highway 1 and so we arrived in Santa Barbara by about eleven in the morning. We dropped our bags at the hotel and went for a wander. Checked out the pier and then Jake and I had a game of ball on the beach. Then it was up State Street into the main part of town. Had lunch at Joe's cafe and then did the walking tour around some of the town's historic sights. This included the courthouse where we went up the tower to enjoy the views of the town.

Walking back down the main street (State Street) we noticed the Apple store and a plan was hatched. Got the electric tram back to the front and came back to the hotel for a while. When we went back into town we got the tram back up as far as the Apple store where as well as getting the iPad set up we all got new covers and cases.

Had pizza for dinner and we're all pretty tired after another fun day.

Next stop LA and Disneyland!

Grover Beach

So, we thought we'd taken a lot of photos yesterday ...

Started the day off checking out of the Clement in Monterey. Took the scenic route down 17 mile drive past lots of flash houses, the lone cypress and Pebble Beach. We stopped off at the golf course. Much excitement as Nicky found a bottle of Morgan Chardonnay (we'll put an ice bucket to good use at some point in the next few days) and I got a Pebble Beach 2010 US Open baseball cap. May be getting ahead of myself in golf majors but couldn't miss the opportunity.

Driving down Highway 1 was just spectacular. Highlights were Bixby Bridge, Big Sur (where we stopped for lunch) and then a whole beach full of elephant seals. Truly amazing.

Stopped off in Pizmo Beach for an ice cream and then came to find our hotel (at the second attempt). The Holiday Inn Express isn't quite up to Intercontinental Clement standards (e.g. No zen garden in the room !!!) but it's fine for an overnight stop.

Just had dinner next door at the AJ Spurs steakhouse. Had steak and a beer with "all the fixins" - which turn out to be soup, beans, salad, bread, potatoes and rice. Quite full up now!