Okay, I've returned to finish up.
Tuesday dawned and I was refreshed. I headed over to
Disneyland at around 8ish so I could make rope drop, forgetting that it was a magic morning so there would be no fun at the entrance, sad. But we went in at about 8:30 and I sat on the bench in the hub closest to Main Street. I was the first person there, then was joined by a couple with their twin sons who appeared to be between 2 and 3 and a lady who goes to DLR every morning of the year for her daily walk. What a great way to start your day, huh?
The twins were adorable, one was dressed in a Pooh costume and the other Tigger, and although it was obvious they couldn't read, they were both intently studying park maps. After a few minutes of chatting a group of high school seniors approached us. I assumed they were on an organized senior ditch day, they were all wearing matching t-shirts and it was not a grad night. There were about a half dozen of them and they were incredibly polite. They explained to the parents of the twin boys that they were on a scavenger hunt, and one of the items they had to get was a picture with characters. They thought that it would be so much more awesome to have a picture with the twins dressed as character and would the parents mind? They didn't mind at all and a lovely photo was taken both for the seniors and one for the parents. Those kids had better have won that scavenger hunt, just for the "Aaaaaw" factor of that picture. I would have taken one as well, but they weren't my kids, so it might have been a bit creepy.
When the CM dropped the rope we all strolled into the park and I got sidelined by a duck and her ducklings. This may have been the mama duck to the stray I had seen the day before. In fact, this might have been him, it seems he was always getting left behind.
He managed to make it to join his family after a few confused moments though.
So FINALLY I made it to the Storybook Land Canal Boats. It's my favorite ride! I stood in line with Princess Jessica, who was visiting from Canada with her parents to celebrate her birthday. She was darling and her parents were lovely, we chatted in line and then shared a boat. I could post dozens of pictures from that ride, but I'll spare you.
I took a short break near the Matterhorn gain. I just love looking at it now. I think it looks so much prettier now that they've scraped away all of the layers of excess paint. It looks like the real Matterhorn during the spring thaw now.
Then I headed to the monorail. I LOVE the new monorails! Not only do they have a new Cars overlay, they have new voices! Manny, Mona and Mandy. I think I rode in Mona, but I can't recall. Maybe someone else knows which is which?
I bopped around DTD for a bit and bought a bigger bag because I had lots to carry now that I had picked up presents for those I left at home. That was fun, but now it was after 10 and I didn't want to miss out on California Adventure, so I made a beeline for the entrance. Don't ask me why I didn't take a picture of it, I have no idea.
The last time I visited the Little Mermaid ride was under construction, so that's the first place I went. It was so cute!
Ursula is one of my favorite villains. She's on some of my checks, even.
Then I headed for the boardwalks and the Silly Symphony Swings.
I'd never visited A Bug's Land before either, last time I had my teen daughters with me and they were not interested. So I checked it out. I rode Heimlich's Chew Chew Train, but nothing else. I did stop and smell the flowers here, though.
I did some more walking, which really was the best part of this trip. I really enjoyed just wandering around with no set destination. It was so liberating! I walked past the Carthay Circle Theater where a CM was painting the facade, he caught me taking pictures, so I yelled "Smile!" and he became one of a very few on purpose human subjects for the trip.
I went to the Animation Studios and visited the zoetrope, which is one of my favorite exhibits. I skipped the drawing class and Turtle Talk, though, I just wasn't feeling it.
But then it was time for Aladdin! Oh yeah!
I was sad that they no longer fly the carpet around the theater. I spoke to a CM after and he said that he knows it's not going to happen but he catches himself looking up anyway. It's been down since September when one of the support lines snapped, but he said they're working on a safe fix and hopefully it will be back. It makes for a slightly odd middle of the show.
But Genie was awesome, and made up for it.
By the end of the show it was time for lunch for sure. I headed back to the boardwalk area, but couldn't find anything that sounded good. Until I walked past the Pacific Wharf Cafe. They had broccoli soup in a sourdough bowl! I know, I had it Sunday night at Columbia Harbor House. But that wasn't sourdough! This one included cauliflower and carrots and onions... it just looked amazing. So even though it was a super warm day, I had the broccoli and cheese soup. I was not disappointed, it was delicious. And the bread was fabulous.
I sat at the only table left that had any shade, I almost felt bad because it was a long table that could seat 6 or more. But I figured why should I sit in the sun and be uncomfortable just because I'm alone? And a few minutes later a man and a couple of kids walked up looking for a place to sit while mom went to get lunch. Dad suggested they sit "here", and the kids were all freaked out, "but Dad, there's a lady sitting there!" He told them that maybe they could ask me nicely if they could join me, which they did, and of course I agreed. They were lovely lunch companions, when the mom showed up with food we chatted about her kids and mine and how I was enjoying the solo trip, she was jealous. Then I bade them all farewell to brave the Toy Story Midway Mania line.
It was long.
I loved this scene at the end, which they don't have at the one in WDW.
I visited the exploration trail after getting myself a soda and a cotton candy, which was lovely, but I'm not so fond of those bouncy bridges. I wandered while I snacked, and realized that I could have seen just about everything there by travelling an hour north or south from my home, I live between Mt. Shasta and Mt. Lassen.
I walked over by the theater again and got to check out the Mad T Party setup in progress, it looks pretty neat.
And then my camera battery died. I rode Screamin' a couple of times, had a couple of breaks, did some more wandering, played some midway games and all around enjoyed myself. Then I realized that I had pretty much seen all that I cared to see at DCA. So I went back to the Magic Kingdom. I love it there.
I hopped on Alice in Wonderland, watched the Soundsational parade from the Teacups, and then I did it. It's a Small World had no line. So I walked on. I sat in a row all to myself, right in front of Stacey and her parents. Oh. My. She was cute. And so excited! She was around 2ish, and jumped up every time she saw a character she recognized. After a bit I joined in with her and pointed out Mushu and Lilo and Stitch. We had a lovely time, her parents were very nice, but the wonder in her eyes was the most fun thing in the world to watch. I wished I still had batteries in the darned camera. Before I go again I need to buy a backup, charging overnight just didn't cut it this time.
So I was pretty much done by this point. It was nearly dark and starting to cool off. I wandered back to New Orleans Square, considered getting in line for Pirates, but ultimately decided that I was really just tired. I headed back to the train and got on for my last trip around the park. The train was at capacity. I have never seen it that full in my life, there was literally no room at all. At Toon Town a few people got off, but not many. I was at the end of a row, but there was no one to my left when they said that it was full again after just handful of the very long line had boarded. The next group in the queue was just a dad and his small son, I told the CM that there was room for one and scooted over, Dad gratefully boarded with the boy in his lap. He told me that the train is his son's absolute favorite ride, because of the dinosaurs. So when that scene came up we oohed and aahed over them all. Again, the wonder in that little boy's eyes made my night. It was really special.
I slowly walked out of the park and back to my room. It was really an amazing trip and I loved every moment of it. If anyone is on the fence about touring alone, I have to encourage it. It was awesome.
