The Happiest Place on Earthica
So... I took a metric ass-ton of pictures on the trip to Disneyland for Shannon's birthday. I've therefore taken the liberty of regaling our adventures under a cut. Enjoy?
We left for SoCal on Sunday morning, all pumped up and ready to hop on some rides right then an there. Unfortunately for us, 7 hours on the road isn't very conducive to working off much excitement. The drive down was actually fairly nice, if uneventful.
Oh yeah, except for California's ritualistic annual burning so that it may rise anew from its own ashes, as a phoenix in rebirth.
We got to Shannon's uncle's house in time to have dinner with their family (all of whom, by the way, are disgustingly nice). Afterwards her aunt offered to take us to the beach for an after-meal walk/jog/hill climb. Being the health nut freak enthusiast that I am, I instantly agreed, as did the rest of our party (with some coaxing).
At the beach we got some good light exercise done, and Shannon's aunt was able to share with us her secret love: taking pictures.
And... she really loves taking pictures.
Really, really loves taking pictures.
Seriously, I don't think you understand the magnitude of how much she loves taking pictures.
These are only a scant few of all the photos she took. I think half the time we were there was spent sprinting down the beach toward the camera like high school graduates in a Ross commercial.
But it was all good. We even got a shot of us on the lifeguard tower, which I was not aware was allowed.
Dee readies Baleful Gaze.
Day two was the day of the trip to the park. We got into the park literally 20 minutes after it opened. Considering that the park opens at 8:00 a.m., the 25 minute drive, the 15 minute trek across the parking lot, and the fact that we'd stayed up well past any healthy sort of hour the night prior discussing (ironically) how we'd have to drink so much caffeine just to stay awake the whole day that we'd be able to see forever... we really should have been more tired than we were. But once you see the huge metal flowers and hear the classical Disney soundtracks playing throughout the welcoming plaza, you kind of transcend such mortal concepts.
Now don't get me wrong, there are plenty of rides at Disneyland that are sickeningly fun to go on. However, the real magic of the place lies in the environment. Every little detail is painstakingly designed and executed by what must be a team of superhuman genetically engineered architects, horticulturists, engineers, magicians, and fairy princesses. Describing it all to you would do it injustice, so I'll just let the photos speak for themselves.
...
At least I would if my CAMERA HADN'T EATED ITS BATTERIES OM NOM NOM. I took a few shots in the morning...
Us waiting for the next show at the Tiki Tiki Tiki Tiki Tiki Room.
Obligatory shot of the Princesses' Castle, or whatever it's called.
...but it wasn't until after lunch that I was able to get some new batteries. AND SPEAKING OF LUNCH, we went to this place that had some pants jizzingly good gumbo and clam chowder. Also: they had tabasco sauce in little packets.
HOW AMAZING IS THAT??
Anyway, moving right along, it was at this point that I started going a little crazy with the taking pictures of everything that caught my eye.
Just for you, James.
There were a couple times when I'd stop to look at something, but because I was the rear guard Shannon and Misti would often be halfway to our next destination by the time I was done. I think maybe I should wear one of those kiddie-leashes the next time we go.
By the way, they're starting to get fancy with their Mickey Mouse ears. Misti was the first to get a pair, and with jealous and greedy hearts Shannon and I followed suit.
There's nothing quite so fearsome as a brigade of little girls with funny hats.
Obligatory shot of the Matterhorn.
You remember that thing I said about the immersion and the attention to detail? Well here you go.
Yep, bathroom shots ahead.
Blurry because, well, frankly it's terribly weird to be taking pictures inside a bathroom full of people, so I wanted to be done with it quickly.
More shots for my collection of amusing bathroom signs.
I... kinda wanted to rub his belly. You know, for good luck.
There were so many stunning sights there, but the teacup ride is definitely one of my favorites.
Shannon in front of the... uh... Mad Hatter?
Oh. Yeah, definitely the Mad Hatter.
Hey, it's Monstro.
AAAUUUUGGGHHH, IT'S MONSTRO!!!!
Just for you, Jamie.
If you're not familiar with the It's A Small World ride, it's hard to appreciate the intricacy and sheer magnitude of its facade.
Obligatory shot of the It's A Small World sign.
At first I thought it was a unicorn, but I think it's just a horse.
You know... with this angle and lighting, happy cheery It's A Small World feels a little more... I dunno. Anyone else feel like you should be wearing a gray jumpsuit?
ABSOLUTELY NO DANCING.
This one speaks for itself.
Your guess is as good as mine.
The Haunted Mansion. We went on that fucker hella times.
You can't see it, but the sign inside it says "Reservations Accepted/Ghost Relations Department, Disneyland/Please do not apply in person."
New Orleans square looks so cool.
Outside The Golden Horseshoe, which according to the map has "magnificent ice cream creations."
Inside The Golden Horseshoe, where we had a dinner of mozarella sticks, ice cream, and french fries.
WE ALL SCREAM FOR ICE CREAAAAAAAAAAM!!
Deliciously racist.
Captain Morgan + Pirates of the Caribbean. Your eyeballs cannot repel pirateness of this magnitude!
Just for you, Rob.
Nightfall saw us going into the shops of Main Street while we waited for the fireworks and light shows.
I know it's a real term, but it still tickles me.
Don't ask me why I found "Mickey's Kingdom Cookies" so hillarious.
Nowhere in the park were the terms "staff", "employee", or "ride operator" ever used. By the way, this was in the candy shop.
It was really pretty seeing a bunch of blinking lights bobbing through the park at night.
Waiting for the fireworks show to begin.
Main Street lights at night.
The only good shot of the show that I got.
"Bitches, WHAT? I'm waiting for muthafuckin' FANTASMIC!"
This should be made into a macro. Probably one with Pedobear.
Shannon got me right as I was about to say something. Yeah, sexy.
...I like street lamps.
After the shows it was about 40 minutes before closing, so we decided to get in one more ride on Pirates of the Caribbean and then head out.
We wanted to get another picture in front of the sign like the first one, but a cast member offered to take the picture for us and kinda threw us off guard. We couldn't decide in time whether or not we were doing Captain Morgain again, so it's sort of "GAP kid meets a flamingo."
We wanted the obligatory shot in front of the Walt Disney statue, but interestingly enough there was no lighting on the statue itself. You can still kinda see it though. Looming in the shadows. Hovering just beyond the threshold of sight. Waiting for one small misstep.
Metal balloons? WHAT IS THIS DEVILRY??
I wanted the last shot to be a really cool one of the California Adventures sign with all the lights and stuff, but it's a bit on the noiric side. Which is cool, but... not really the feeling Disney Corp. probably wants to give that park. Though really, that would most likely make it a helluva lot better.
Annnd... That's it. Everything after that was just a blur of sore calves and exhastion. I'm pretty sure I'm gonna have "When You Wish Upon A Star" stuck in my head for a week, but it's totally worth it.
We left for SoCal on Sunday morning, all pumped up and ready to hop on some rides right then an there. Unfortunately for us, 7 hours on the road isn't very conducive to working off much excitement. The drive down was actually fairly nice, if uneventful.
Oh yeah, except for California's ritualistic annual burning so that it may rise anew from its own ashes, as a phoenix in rebirth.
We got to Shannon's uncle's house in time to have dinner with their family (all of whom, by the way, are disgustingly nice). Afterwards her aunt offered to take us to the beach for an after-meal walk/jog/hill climb. Being the health nut freak enthusiast that I am, I instantly agreed, as did the rest of our party (with some coaxing).
At the beach we got some good light exercise done, and Shannon's aunt was able to share with us her secret love: taking pictures.
And... she really loves taking pictures.
Really, really loves taking pictures.
Seriously, I don't think you understand the magnitude of how much she loves taking pictures.
These are only a scant few of all the photos she took. I think half the time we were there was spent sprinting down the beach toward the camera like high school graduates in a Ross commercial.
But it was all good. We even got a shot of us on the lifeguard tower, which I was not aware was allowed.
Dee readies Baleful Gaze.
Day two was the day of the trip to the park. We got into the park literally 20 minutes after it opened. Considering that the park opens at 8:00 a.m., the 25 minute drive, the 15 minute trek across the parking lot, and the fact that we'd stayed up well past any healthy sort of hour the night prior discussing (ironically) how we'd have to drink so much caffeine just to stay awake the whole day that we'd be able to see forever... we really should have been more tired than we were. But once you see the huge metal flowers and hear the classical Disney soundtracks playing throughout the welcoming plaza, you kind of transcend such mortal concepts.
Now don't get me wrong, there are plenty of rides at Disneyland that are sickeningly fun to go on. However, the real magic of the place lies in the environment. Every little detail is painstakingly designed and executed by what must be a team of superhuman genetically engineered architects, horticulturists, engineers, magicians, and fairy princesses. Describing it all to you would do it injustice, so I'll just let the photos speak for themselves.
...
At least I would if my CAMERA HADN'T EATED ITS BATTERIES OM NOM NOM. I took a few shots in the morning...
Us waiting for the next show at the Tiki Tiki Tiki Tiki Tiki Room.
Obligatory shot of the Princesses' Castle, or whatever it's called.
...but it wasn't until after lunch that I was able to get some new batteries. AND SPEAKING OF LUNCH, we went to this place that had some pants jizzingly good gumbo and clam chowder. Also: they had tabasco sauce in little packets.
HOW AMAZING IS THAT??
Anyway, moving right along, it was at this point that I started going a little crazy with the taking pictures of everything that caught my eye.
Just for you, James.
There were a couple times when I'd stop to look at something, but because I was the rear guard Shannon and Misti would often be halfway to our next destination by the time I was done. I think maybe I should wear one of those kiddie-leashes the next time we go.
By the way, they're starting to get fancy with their Mickey Mouse ears. Misti was the first to get a pair, and with jealous and greedy hearts Shannon and I followed suit.
There's nothing quite so fearsome as a brigade of little girls with funny hats.
Obligatory shot of the Matterhorn.
You remember that thing I said about the immersion and the attention to detail? Well here you go.
Yep, bathroom shots ahead.
Blurry because, well, frankly it's terribly weird to be taking pictures inside a bathroom full of people, so I wanted to be done with it quickly.
More shots for my collection of amusing bathroom signs.
I... kinda wanted to rub his belly. You know, for good luck.
There were so many stunning sights there, but the teacup ride is definitely one of my favorites.
Shannon in front of the... uh... Mad Hatter?
Oh. Yeah, definitely the Mad Hatter.
Hey, it's Monstro.
AAAUUUUGGGHHH, IT'S MONSTRO!!!!
Just for you, Jamie.
If you're not familiar with the It's A Small World ride, it's hard to appreciate the intricacy and sheer magnitude of its facade.
Obligatory shot of the It's A Small World sign.
At first I thought it was a unicorn, but I think it's just a horse.
You know... with this angle and lighting, happy cheery It's A Small World feels a little more... I dunno. Anyone else feel like you should be wearing a gray jumpsuit?
ABSOLUTELY NO DANCING.
This one speaks for itself.
Your guess is as good as mine.
The Haunted Mansion. We went on that fucker hella times.
You can't see it, but the sign inside it says "Reservations Accepted/Ghost Relations Department, Disneyland/Please do not apply in person."
New Orleans square looks so cool.
Outside The Golden Horseshoe, which according to the map has "magnificent ice cream creations."
Inside The Golden Horseshoe, where we had a dinner of mozarella sticks, ice cream, and french fries.
WE ALL SCREAM FOR ICE CREAAAAAAAAAAM!!
Deliciously racist.
Captain Morgan + Pirates of the Caribbean. Your eyeballs cannot repel pirateness of this magnitude!
Just for you, Rob.
Nightfall saw us going into the shops of Main Street while we waited for the fireworks and light shows.
I know it's a real term, but it still tickles me.
Don't ask me why I found "Mickey's Kingdom Cookies" so hillarious.
Nowhere in the park were the terms "staff", "employee", or "ride operator" ever used. By the way, this was in the candy shop.
It was really pretty seeing a bunch of blinking lights bobbing through the park at night.
Waiting for the fireworks show to begin.
Main Street lights at night.
The only good shot of the show that I got.
"Bitches, WHAT? I'm waiting for muthafuckin' FANTASMIC!"
This should be made into a macro. Probably one with Pedobear.
Shannon got me right as I was about to say something. Yeah, sexy.
...I like street lamps.
After the shows it was about 40 minutes before closing, so we decided to get in one more ride on Pirates of the Caribbean and then head out.
We wanted to get another picture in front of the sign like the first one, but a cast member offered to take the picture for us and kinda threw us off guard. We couldn't decide in time whether or not we were doing Captain Morgain again, so it's sort of "GAP kid meets a flamingo."
We wanted the obligatory shot in front of the Walt Disney statue, but interestingly enough there was no lighting on the statue itself. You can still kinda see it though. Looming in the shadows. Hovering just beyond the threshold of sight. Waiting for one small misstep.
Metal balloons? WHAT IS THIS DEVILRY??
I wanted the last shot to be a really cool one of the California Adventures sign with all the lights and stuff, but it's a bit on the noiric side. Which is cool, but... not really the feeling Disney Corp. probably wants to give that park. Though really, that would most likely make it a helluva lot better.
Annnd... That's it. Everything after that was just a blur of sore calves and exhastion. I'm pretty sure I'm gonna have "When You Wish Upon A Star" stuck in my head for a week, but it's totally worth it.