Disney...What can I say???

so going to the happiest place on earth doesn't come without it's fair share of stress, but that was only a small part of the day.

Let's just say.... after planning to go to Disneyland in the heart of Southern California...it seems that I have left everything to do until the last minute.  So now rushing to get to the park to meet Erin, I am running late after doing last minute errands and laundry.

So now it's 10:30....I should have left already.  I get to the park at 11:10 and call Erin....she said that the small parking lot is closed and that I should head to the parking structure.  I go the way that I usually do when going to the structure....what do you know?  That entrance is closed.....have to enter on the other side.

  So know I have to leave and go all the way around and try to enter once again.  Finally in the structure I hand the cast member my annual pass so that I don't have to pay for parking.  Now after parking and grabbing my belongings I head to the tram.  I get over to the World of Disney in Downtown and call Erin to let her know I have finally arrived.  It's now 11:30.  I find Erin/Erin finds me.

Wait! Hold on! OMG! Where is it?

I check every pocket.  Oh No! Somewhere between the tram and World of Disney (about 30 feet), I have now lost my pass.  The saga continues.  We walk over to the to the bag check area, I ask where a lost pass would be turned in.  Directed to guest services for a temporary pass or to lost and found to check for the pass.

....

wasting precious ride time....decided to go to Guest Services and pay the $20 to get the temporary.  Not sure what happened, the wonderful lady at the counter gave me the temporary pass for free.  So now it's about noon.  Got into the park and Erin just keeps walking, she turns around to see me still at the gate. Oh, they have to punch in my pass#.....it doesn't scan.  Now in the park we walk down Main Street and over to Tomorrowland (must be everyone's favorite part of the park, that's the way I always go when I lead......unless you have children).  First stop....Space Mountain.  Awesome as always.  I think it is Disney ultimate.  The line wasn't too long, but for some reason there was no A/C until we hit the shuttle area.

Leaving the ride we went off towards Nemo....the line still too long.  In my mind...doesn't everyone remember the old submarine ride? how much better can it really be?.  So continuing to the Matterhorn....another long line.  Now some real conversation going...a question is asked...a statement is made.  Now we are aware...we are hungry...we back track to Red Rocket's Pizza Port right beside Space Mountain.  We both had the same.  Fusilli with chicken and Alfredo.  Not bad....actually my favorite thing to eat when at the park as a meal.  This time a little greasier than I remember in the past.

So now....our bellies full.  Off to the rest of the park....the rest of the rides.  Next, one of Erin's favorites.

...Pirates of the Caribbean.  She told me of some of her adventures while in a very short line.  While on the ride the announcer kept telling me that pictures can not be taken with a flash.  Sometimes it was on purpose, just to see if it would keep happening, other times it was on accident....I promise.

We went to the Haunted Mansion next....I got a couple of good pictures before getting on the ride.  and after getting off, we went over to visit Erin's favorite character....Winnie the Pooh, himself.  He was out in all his glory....the bees buzzing around the honey and the hive.  Took some pictures.

My camera died right at that point.  I was lucky, I was able to take Erin and Pooh, but not Erin and the donkey.

  Changed my batteries and the camera worked again.  Boy was I glad that it was only the batteries. or was it?

We walked down to Main Street USA and before I could take very many more pictures my camera was dead once again.  So I resided to the fact that I was not going to have any more photo memories of this trip other than the ones in my mind.

On the way over to California Adventure.... we stopped in Disneyana, a store of memorabilia which Erin frequents to build her collection.  She showed me a couple pieces that she has and a few she hopes to acquire.

Continuing to walk out of Disneyland and over to California Adventure.... we are in after a brief stop at the entrance....since I lost my pass they have to key in my pass numbers and verify that it is me.

  After getting through, we take some pictures...no sorry, Erin takes some pictures....my camera still without working batteries (i hope).  We head over to Screamin....the rollercoaster.  I haven't ever been on it.  As we pass through Erin tells me a little about the changes that have happened since my last entrance.  She really knows her Disney stuff.  You would think that she was still living in Southern California and visits the D-Parks every day. 

We get on the coaster and get some artsy pics taken while in motion.  Definately have to recommend the coaster...it is a must do.  We passed Erin's favorite ice cream while on the way to the ride, so we decide to have some after getting off versus feeding it to everyone while on the ride.  Oh no...the place is closed, wait....it was open when we passed it the first time.  So I go and ask as there is still someone inside.  The cast member says that the machines are broken so they had to close early.

Last stop.....before leaving....Soarin'.

We had to do an old favorite.  For anyone who has not been or has not been through the whole state of California need to ride.  Sit in the middle front for the best flight.

We left the park, each promising that we would return shortly to have more great times.