Honorary Family opens Disneyland!

This morning family members balked at the hour in which we arrived at the gates before the opening of Disneyland. We arrived at 7:45am for a 9:00 park opening. We were the first in line at one of the turnstiles. Just before they opened the gates they came over and asked if we'd like to help them open the park. How cool is that!!! Curtis and Gennie walled up just as they were selecting us. So our home family was together!

After opening the park gates we made our way to Main Street to await rope drop. Rob and I lined up to the left to get Big Thunder Mt FPs. Meanwhile the rest of the group lined up to head to Tomorrowlabd to ride Buzz. We met them after retrieving the FPs and rode Star Wars together. Then c (fell asleep will write more later.)

Great but busy day at DCA

From rope drop to getting on RSR was 47 mins. Stayed wide right as best we could. With how far back we were to begin with I felt we did good. For those with ECV they go throught the line to the ride. Strollers are easily stashed as you get to the ride. 

After our first RSR ride I went for FPs while the others ride the smaller Cars Land rides. The line for FPs was extremely long and switched back several times. But it went fast and we got tickets for 7:05pm.

We are a large group and thereforeoved very slow. But with early arrival and FPs we were still able to manage all the main rides except TSMM, GRR & mickeys fun wheel. Those will be priorities for Thursday. 

The kids and some of the grown ups did the little bumper cars in bugs land. Most of us saw It's tough to be a bug movie. For lunch we went to the Pacific Wharf area and had bread bowl soups. Very tasty and a good value. We rode Soarin with FPs and walked around to Paradise Pier and the kids rode the zephyr, swings, Goofy's and jumpin Jelly fish. For dinner we had the Mexican food back over at the wharf. Then we split a bit and we took the kids back over and the littler ones did goofy and the big ones did the swings. We all met up for our second RSR ride, then rode Screamin with FPs and last Tower of Terror with FPs. The longest line all day was the first RSR ride. And the park was the busiest I've ever experienced. So I felt for our size group and pace we did great. Made lots of good memories. 

DCA Rope Drop

We arrived at 8:03 for a 9:00 opening. We were this far back from gates.

By 8:23 there were this many behind us. 

Gates opened at 8:30. By the time we all got throught and got to rope drop we were here. 

We have all agreed that RSR is first no matter how long the wait. We will keep you posted. Going to stay to the right as best possible. 

Headed to Disney!

We left at about 10:30 am and headed west.

 First stop was In-n-Out Burger on our way out of Phoenix. In-n-Out is always a must do when we come out west!

Headed for California. 

And we arrive at Disney!

We checked in at BW Plus Park Place Inn. Checkin went smooth and we found a parking spot no problem. Room is clean and beds are comfortable. Nothing special but so far adequate and the location is perfect!

We next headed out to Downtown Disney to get a little Disney vibe going. Mom definitely needed to practice with her new cart and she was quite pleased with her rental from Deckerts! 

We stopped off and got one more ticket for tomorrow on our way. That took a bit of time. Then we headed down to Earl of Sandwich. 

We had a good time pointing out some of the new details to my parents who haven't been to DL in about 30 years. Mom had fun telling the kids that she came to DL within the first month it was opened in 1955. 

Both brothers had arrived by the time we were headed back to our rooms. One of the brothers has a theme park view room at the Grand Californian Hotel. They have invited is for dessert and WOC one night! Sounds fun!

Tomorrow will be an early morning. Good night!

AZ Family Day

Since our body clocks are still two hours ahead the kids played and watched cartoons while waiting for grandma and grandpa to get up and around. 

Once everyone was up and around, mom and I took the kids for some traditional donuts at 19th Hole Donut shop while my dad and Rob took a look at the brakes on our van. (Ended up doing the pads and having the rotors turned. Good thing they looked!)

We then went shopping for new swim suits for a couple of the kids. Here is Ashlee's, Robbie's not one to model a suit. (But if you're curious you can check it out below in the swimming photo(s). 

Then we took the boys for some haircuts at Grandpa's favorite barber shop in town. 

Back at grandma and grandpa's house the kids did a little swimming in the chilly unheated pool! 

Check out the expression on Robbie's face. It says quite a bit about the temperature of the pool!

I didn't get anymore pictures on Sunday, but grandma and Aimee made it to her meeting in the afternoon while I napped and grandpa and daddy took a couple kids to Bass Pro Shop. Then we all went to meet Curtis, Gennie and Sailor for a yummy dinner at Portollo's which is a Chicago style place with beef sandwiches, Chicago dogs and hamburgers. Good food and nice family conversation. 

I promise some Disney updates are coming soon! We head to Disneyland area today (Monday)!

Another Journey West

On Friday, March 21st we left the house at about 7:30 PM after returning to make sure we didn't leave our cat locked in our bedroom.

This photo was taken while we were waiting for Robbie and Rob to get in the car. 

We drove all night stopping only for gas and one 45 minute sleep stop. The kids did their part staying asleep!

And we made it to "Amarillo by morning".

We then trekked through New Mexico. 

And through the Mogollon Rim area down to my parents house in AZ. 

We arrived at our AZ destination at about 3:45 PM local time. 22:15 drive,sleep,gas time!

We had a nice Mexican food dinner brought in from Tia Rosa's, one of our favorite local places, and visited that evening with my parents and one of the kids' cousins.