Back from "Christmas Carol" train in Portland, OR

[Grumpy'sWife4Ever]

We drove out this morning with our two boys, opting to leave the "princess" of our family home due to heat and reports of possible long waits. As it was, we arrived at 10:30am and were on board the train by 11:30! Even at that early hour they had lots of fans and water stations in place, just in case the line got hot! Quite nice of them!! I felt particularly sorry for the costumed carolers, in their long coats and hooped skirts....Not a job I'd opt for in July, but they were smiling all the same and they sounded wonderful!!

We really, really enjoyed both the train walk-thru and the 3D trailer afterward..... I was SO blown away by the animation and digital 3D that I have already decided that when we go we are going to see it in full effect, no matter what! Knowing such an amazing version exists, I just couldn't enjoy watching it in plain 2D..... However, my DS 8 was a bit freaked out by the whole ghost/Jacob Marley thing and he decided he will wait for the DVD.....

Here are just a few pics, probably the same ol' that has been posted by others before me, but you'll humor me, right??

Snow in July!!

Our boys with the ol' Scrooge himself!

Just a couple from inside.....

We had a fabulous time, if you get the opportunity to see it, I say don't miss it!

 

[M4travels]

So glad you had a good time! We wanted to see it when it was here in L.A. but time just got away.

 

[50sjayne]

Hey--sorry we missed you, we we're there about 10 after 9. I knew you said you wouldn't be in till later.. It was supposed to be so hot that day, I really wanted to get there early. I forgot my camera of course and had to take pics with my phone. Oh well maybe this will motivate me to find out how to get them off the camera...
darn it we were there at the same time- I paid for the full time on a parking meter-and hour and a half and was a few minutes late getting to the car. I did look at the line in vain, looking for green Mickey heads but alas, none to be found. Truth be told I was in a hurry to get to the car so I wouldn't get a ticket so I didn't look well. I thought about trying to repark but my son wanted to go to Powells before the Baghdad and I figured I wouldn't find a spot anywhere close to the station. I wanted to look at the booths too and sign up for stuff darn it. When we were in line for the preview z100 took a picture of some girls and me I guess- I haven't looked it up, yet they said the pic would be up on the website though. I forgot my Mickey heads again. I figured that out walking the riverwalk by our hotel (gorgeous) about 9:30 pm was so bummed. Got to the hotel though, had my son look up the nearest Home depot and I jumped in the car ran into Home depot located Mickeyheads instantly, asked the girl at the paint counter if they sold green string by any chance, of course they did, but I ended up with twine instead. Needed some twine for possible impulse garage sale purchases anyway. Asked at the front desk if they possibly had a hole puncher and they punched them right up for me ;-) Oh the lady at the paint counter gave me some Mickey stickers too ;-) So after all that didn't see a single lgmh there I think because of the mickey head cut outs in the garbage can at the hotel though the maid folded the towels into the cutest elephant that day-- it was truly awesome, we took pics. Lol.
I hope you guys were able to enjoy some other things in Portland too. We did Powells, Laser Beatles at OMSI, (great show this time--really different stuff)
saw Transformers 2 at the old Roseway theater, one of my favorite theaters in Portland. They just did a remodel of it and it's showing 1st runs now, new comfy seats and airconditioning a plus. We ate at Burgerville a few times, the one on MLK is the best, but there's an old one in Vancouver that was fun- a drive-in with music blasting on the speakers and the old neon. Bought our illegal fireworks at Black Jacks--(well illegal in Oregon) and went to see an Omnimax show at OMSI the last day--Oceans, which inspired me to go home the coast route. I should explain my airconditioning in my car does not work lol, so driving home I5 in 90+ weather wasn't going to work for me. It was a hot drive on 99 though jeez. I saw a lot of stuff I hadn't seen before though, it's a pretty drive and now I know where the old tigard theater is and the Newberg drive-in. There's a lot of wineries in that area too *bonus*. We also passed the evergreen air museum where the spruce goose is. I'd love to see that again some day. Saw it once when it was parked by the Queen Mary. Of course the coast was lovely and cool. We ate at the Izzy's in Newport--the one by the lighthouse that has a spectacular view. All in all a fantastic trip. And Daisy survived lol. She of course refused to drink formula out of her dish all day every day (formula, tuna, canned food) so husband just dosed her up with the ba ba at night and of course she was a perfect angel and slept all night for him.

I will add I got a little teary in line waiting for the train--it was sooo-- Disney. Made me miss Disneyland....