I met Mary Jo!!! ~ And I met Bobbrazeal!!

[BobBrazeal]

Looks like I've beaten Mary Jo to the punch in posting about getting together at DL yesterday. So let me start out by saying that anything good that Mary Jo has to say about me is absolutely true. Anything not good should be ignored as total fabrication.

I had a great time. What a joy. What a great day.

I hadn't been to DL in 20 or so years. Of course a lot has changed in that time. I really had a wonderful time.

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The following is inserted for Dan Murphy:

So what's with the toy castle there at DL?? When are they going to put up the real one??
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As a WDW fanatic, I was very pleased with DL and DCA. I would go back in a heartbeat. That time I went 20 years ago, I was disappointed. I don't really remember exactly why but that has kept me from going back all these years. Of course getting to WDW 2-3 times a year took up most of my vacation time anyway. I hope to get back over to DL before long. There is no need for comparison as they are different parks and each filled with the Disney magic.

Of course the most magical part was meeting Mary Jo and getting to enjoy the parks with her. Folks, as nice as she is here on the boards, she is 100 times better in person. It was like we had known each other for years and had just the best time going to all the rides and parades and fireworks. Haunted Mansion was closed for a while but we did get to go on right before Mary Jo had to go. The transformation for Nightmare Before Christmas was excellent.

Hopefully Mary Jo will have a few pictures to post soon. I have a number of pictures too but I don't have a digital camera yet so it could be a while before I can get them scanned and up here.

Mary Jo, thanks for a wonderful day!!

 

[LisaTx]

I'm so jealous! I can't wait to see pictures.

 

[WebmasterMaryJo]

<font face="Comic Sans MS"><font color=navy>(Can you believe this is the first I've been able to get on?)

*****

FUN FUN FUN!!!!

What a great day with Bob. We had no problem recognizing each other with our lime-green ribbons... well -- plus we were looking for the "Bill Gates look-a-like" and the "short-round one"

. Bob is right about having fun at the Land. It was as if we had known each other forever. Something about a shared appreciation of Disney that brings us adults together. (Plus he's so darn interesting and fun to talk to)

We met in front of the Rainforest Cafe, and from there, Bob got his pass, and into the Land we went. Of course, as soon as we entered Disneyland, we had to stop in front of the floral Mickey for a pic.

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From there we went on to Main Street. I was surprised to see that all the decorations were up. Of course, your eyes are drawn immediately to the huge Christmas tree in Town Square.

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We played on the different attractions... talking the whole time.

Oh, and Bob -- about that comment regarding our charming castle....

Bob

Hmph -- you and Dan Murphy!

*****

We hit the fun rides, and took in the great atmosphere that is so Disney. Then we hopped on over to DCA (just cuz we could! ) By this time, they had lit up the Christmas tree.

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At the DCA entrance plaza there are some shops/ eateries in a train setting. Another pleasant surprise was seeing a conductor and engineer interact. I had never seen that before.

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It was fun wandering around DCA with Bob. We went on Soaring Over CA, which was as awesome as ever, and then went on Grizzly Rapids - we only got moderately wet. (Whew, & so I had the frizzy style the rest of the night... heh) I had never been on that ride in the evening before - it was so much fun! Next was CA Screamin' - the loop coaster. It wasn't working, but looked like they almost had it going. Perfect - more time for talking while we waited. Of course, that was another fun ride, though I didn't get my head knocked like Bob did (heh - couldn't be the height issue, could it )

We ended up at the Animation Station, and it was just so pretty in the 'lobby' that we just sat there, listening to Disney music, surrounded by some awesome pics, and talked some more (and sang along to some of the songs). After that, we went to see the Electrical Parade - I just love that parade, and the music - it's so much fun!

From there, it was an easy hop back to Disneyland (just cuz we could)

They had the holiday fireworks with snow, so we waited on Main Street with a couple thousand other people. It was a fun show, and it was great to watch everyone's reactions. I had to laugh when this little girl, listening to Christmas music and watching the fireworks explode in the air said, "Well, that wasn't very peaceful!" heh

We decided to try the Haunted Mansion again, and were in luck. There was a line, but it really wasn't long at all before we were on the attraction. They've changed it so much, it's hard to see the original in there. Everytime I ride there is something new.

Well, after the Haunted Mansion I had to get going - had to get up early today. Bob decided to soak in some more of that New Orleans atmosphere.

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So, we said our goodbyes, and went our separate ways. I smiled all the way home thinking what a fun day I had with our Bob Brazeal.

 

[LisaTx]

Thanks for sharing the pictures, Mary Jo. It looks like you guys had so much fun. Isn't it so cool to meet someone for the first time and feel like you've known them forever?

 

[BobBrazeal]

Thanks, Mary Jo, for the great rundown on the evening and for posting the pictures. I'll be taking mine in tomorrow and then I'll see about getting them scanned. Sorry about the castle comment but I just thought that Dan might stop by over here and get a kick out of it.

I did stick around at New Orleans Square for a while. Such a great area. I really wish they had something more like that at WDW. Guess they do but it is PO-FQ resort rather than part of the park. I just love that French Quarter atmosphere and it was so nice to soak it in. And I had to get a picture of the Club 33 door.

I may have to start spending some more time on the Disneyland board now that I know a little more about it over there. Actually I learned a lot. I had a very knowledgable guide and got all the inside scoop on the parks. It was great, since I only had the one day, to get such a great guide to get me to all the best parts.

 

[Chris C]

Glad to see you two had a good time!

 

[oldkicker]

Very, very cool!

 

[dizneenut]

Great pics!!

 

[CarolAnnC]

Looks like you two had a blast!!!

 

[Beanie]

Wonderful pictures!!! Thanks so much for posting them, MaryJo! Glad you both had a great time!!

 

[Tartan Tigger]

Great pictures. Thanks for posting them Mary Jo.

 

[Dan Murphy]

Wish I was with you guys, sounds like you had a ball. Thanks for sharing.

 

[LisaTx]

Nice to see you here, Dan.

 

[Patrick IL.]

Great pictures of two great people Looks like alot of fun- thanks for posting them

 

[Beanie]

I had to take a 2nd look again at you guys...MaryJo, I never realized...um, how nice your hair is...

 

[WebmasterMaryJo]

<font face="Comic Sans MS"><font color=navy>I see there's been a rascal at work here!


::::taps foot::::

 

[Patrick IL.]

M.J., your hair is not like that? running for the door........

 

[Dan Murphy]

Nice hair.

 

[Beanie]

OMG Dan!! I am just about ready to fall off this chair from laughing so hard!!!

 

[Nikole]

hehehehe bad hair day MJ?