The Trip . . .
Well, this is not a complete rendition, but it'll do.
Having decided to fly out to California rather than drive, we arranged for Super Shuttle to pick us up at 6:00PM to take us to our 8:40PM flight. Getting to the airport, we checked our stuff through - there was a lot - and shuffled off to the gate. Please bear in mind that the entire day, Jeffrey was saying "I can't wait until . . . " for everything. He couldn't wait to get to the airport, get on the plane, get in the air, get to the hotel, etc. Never mind the fact that they stuck us on a plane that could have fit into our house, he and Zack loved every minute of it.
Having landed in Orange County, we taxied to our gate at LAX, and greased ourselves to get off the plane. We took the rental shuttle to go get our car, and we rented a minivan, piled everything into the back and hit the freeway towards Anaheim. Upon arriving at the hotel - Doubletree on Harbor Blvd. - I looked at the clock and noticed that the entire trip from door to door took exactly the amount of time it would have taken us to drive. So feh.
Charlie immediately took to the suite by tripping over his sleeper and banging his head against the corner of the wall. For the rest of the trip he had a nice mark on his head reminiscent of the Harry Potter scar.
The Day One Assault got Jeffrey and I on the Matterhorn while everyone else went to the teacups and then onto Small World. While in line at the Matterhorn we stood directly behind someone we learned also went to Jeffrey's school. As we got through the ride rather quickly - it was a Weekday - we caught up to everyone else at Small World. This ride, unfortunately, has proved to be one of Zack's favorites as he stood up in the middle of the boat to get a good look around at everything. Charlie grabbed a hold of my thumb and PJ's shirt and looked at everything skeptically. The rest of the day had the perennial favorites and a trip to the gift shop. We packed up around 7:00 and went back to the hotel.
Day Two was a split assault where PJ, Jeffrey, Charlie and I went to Sea World, while my folks and Zack went to Disney and California Adventure. I'm told that Zack really liked the Bear in the Big Blue House Show. So much so, that he almost got away from my folks and made it up on the stage. So they had a good day.
We, on the other hand went and got wet.
We arrived at the park just in time for the Shamu show, and the only seats left were right down front. So we went and got splashed by an orca. Jeffrey enjoyed this, Charlie did not. I didn't blame Charlie too much as the water was rather cold. We followed this up with a trip past the seals and sea lions which we go to feed at feeding time. PJ tried to get a picture of Jeffrey holding a fish above a sea lion, we don't know how it turned out.
We also went to the Shark encounter where they move you through a plexiglass tube surrounded by all kinds of sharks. Jeffrey was enthralled. After lunch, we went to the Dolphin show and the penguin exhibit, and then Jeffrey decided he wanted to ride the Atlantis ride. This ride was a combination roller coaster and plume ride that really made no pretense about the amount of water in your immediate future. In fact, on the first drop, they poured it on us. And splashed it on us. So when we got off, we were sufficiently wet. Jeffrey turned around and saw one of his classmates from last year was on the same car as us, so we said hi and chatted for a bit with them. Then as we were getting ready to leave, we saw that the line was non-existent, so Jeffrey said "Let's do it again." Utilizing the parental logic available to me, and reaching the conclusion that I was already at absolute wet, I agreed.
After finding the stingrays - which you could touch - PJ told me of her taking Charlie to the otter exhibit and this being the first real thing he showed an interest in, even smiling for. So she bought him a little stuffed otter. He loves it. So Jeffrey and I went on another ride that effectively eliminated any dry spots I might have had, and we got ready to drive back to Anaheim. Using phenomenal foresight as a parent, we packed dry clothes for Jeffrey to change into for the ride home. This foresight was so amazing it effectively blocked out the packing of any dry clothes for myself for the ride home. I did however bring my jacket, so I stripped my shirt and wore my jacket home.
On the way back on the 5, there was a check point that I didn't remember being on the freeway. Between San Diego and Carlsbad, they had signs posted about being prepared to stop for all cars. While PJ and I ruminated about whether or not this might be an immigration checkpoint, sure enough, two men got out of a car to our left, and ran across the freeway into the shrubs and trees on the right. Welcome to America.
Day Three assault had us hit most of the character rides - Peter Pan, Mr. Toad, Pooh, Snow White, etc. But we did, however, make it on to Space Mountain. Jeffrey was a little nervous about the ride at first and he wanted to ride with me. PJ and Zack rode together. The nice people at the ride put Zack and PJ up front, and Jeffrey and I behind. During the ride, PJ and I were a bit concerned how Zack would respond to all of this. Turns out we needn't have worried because he took it all like a trooper. We even purchased the picture. I'll scan it later.
All in all - a fine trip - a tiring trip to be sure, but fine nonetheless. We've enjoyed the Disney experience both times we've gone, and I expect we'll have more in the future.
Having decided to fly out to California rather than drive, we arranged for Super Shuttle to pick us up at 6:00PM to take us to our 8:40PM flight. Getting to the airport, we checked our stuff through - there was a lot - and shuffled off to the gate. Please bear in mind that the entire day, Jeffrey was saying "I can't wait until . . . " for everything. He couldn't wait to get to the airport, get on the plane, get in the air, get to the hotel, etc. Never mind the fact that they stuck us on a plane that could have fit into our house, he and Zack loved every minute of it.
Having landed in Orange County, we taxied to our gate at LAX, and greased ourselves to get off the plane. We took the rental shuttle to go get our car, and we rented a minivan, piled everything into the back and hit the freeway towards Anaheim. Upon arriving at the hotel - Doubletree on Harbor Blvd. - I looked at the clock and noticed that the entire trip from door to door took exactly the amount of time it would have taken us to drive. So feh.
Charlie immediately took to the suite by tripping over his sleeper and banging his head against the corner of the wall. For the rest of the trip he had a nice mark on his head reminiscent of the Harry Potter scar.
The Day One Assault got Jeffrey and I on the Matterhorn while everyone else went to the teacups and then onto Small World. While in line at the Matterhorn we stood directly behind someone we learned also went to Jeffrey's school. As we got through the ride rather quickly - it was a Weekday - we caught up to everyone else at Small World. This ride, unfortunately, has proved to be one of Zack's favorites as he stood up in the middle of the boat to get a good look around at everything. Charlie grabbed a hold of my thumb and PJ's shirt and looked at everything skeptically. The rest of the day had the perennial favorites and a trip to the gift shop. We packed up around 7:00 and went back to the hotel.
Day Two was a split assault where PJ, Jeffrey, Charlie and I went to Sea World, while my folks and Zack went to Disney and California Adventure. I'm told that Zack really liked the Bear in the Big Blue House Show. So much so, that he almost got away from my folks and made it up on the stage. So they had a good day.
We, on the other hand went and got wet.
We arrived at the park just in time for the Shamu show, and the only seats left were right down front. So we went and got splashed by an orca. Jeffrey enjoyed this, Charlie did not. I didn't blame Charlie too much as the water was rather cold. We followed this up with a trip past the seals and sea lions which we go to feed at feeding time. PJ tried to get a picture of Jeffrey holding a fish above a sea lion, we don't know how it turned out.
We also went to the Shark encounter where they move you through a plexiglass tube surrounded by all kinds of sharks. Jeffrey was enthralled. After lunch, we went to the Dolphin show and the penguin exhibit, and then Jeffrey decided he wanted to ride the Atlantis ride. This ride was a combination roller coaster and plume ride that really made no pretense about the amount of water in your immediate future. In fact, on the first drop, they poured it on us. And splashed it on us. So when we got off, we were sufficiently wet. Jeffrey turned around and saw one of his classmates from last year was on the same car as us, so we said hi and chatted for a bit with them. Then as we were getting ready to leave, we saw that the line was non-existent, so Jeffrey said "Let's do it again." Utilizing the parental logic available to me, and reaching the conclusion that I was already at absolute wet, I agreed.
After finding the stingrays - which you could touch - PJ told me of her taking Charlie to the otter exhibit and this being the first real thing he showed an interest in, even smiling for. So she bought him a little stuffed otter. He loves it. So Jeffrey and I went on another ride that effectively eliminated any dry spots I might have had, and we got ready to drive back to Anaheim. Using phenomenal foresight as a parent, we packed dry clothes for Jeffrey to change into for the ride home. This foresight was so amazing it effectively blocked out the packing of any dry clothes for myself for the ride home. I did however bring my jacket, so I stripped my shirt and wore my jacket home.
On the way back on the 5, there was a check point that I didn't remember being on the freeway. Between San Diego and Carlsbad, they had signs posted about being prepared to stop for all cars. While PJ and I ruminated about whether or not this might be an immigration checkpoint, sure enough, two men got out of a car to our left, and ran across the freeway into the shrubs and trees on the right. Welcome to America.
Day Three assault had us hit most of the character rides - Peter Pan, Mr. Toad, Pooh, Snow White, etc. But we did, however, make it on to Space Mountain. Jeffrey was a little nervous about the ride at first and he wanted to ride with me. PJ and Zack rode together. The nice people at the ride put Zack and PJ up front, and Jeffrey and I behind. During the ride, PJ and I were a bit concerned how Zack would respond to all of this. Turns out we needn't have worried because he took it all like a trooper. We even purchased the picture. I'll scan it later.
All in all - a fine trip - a tiring trip to be sure, but fine nonetheless. We've enjoyed the Disney experience both times we've gone, and I expect we'll have more in the future.