New and Old Traditions...

What trip to Southern California is complete without a stop at Disneyland?

After the long drive down I-5 from Reno, we checked into what has become our go-to lodging in Anaheim, the Alpine Inn. The place is kitchy, for sure, but the rooms are newly updated and clean and under $60 per night. As a bonus, it's in close walking distance to the park. What more can you ask? We had looked at booking Disney's Grand Californian, but at $450/night, we opted not to take a loan against our 401ks.

The back of the Alpine Inn. Not fancy, but meets my requirements for cleanliness and location...

Since we didn't stay at the Grand Californian, we decided to check out the lobby to see what we were missing. Yes- it's awesome, but I'll still choose to keep my money, thanks.

We stopped over to Downtown Disney before calling it a night. Here's Jim with a giant Lego Woody in the Lego store...

Wednesday morning it was finally time for the park! Although we missed some of our traditional Disneyland favorites this trip (ie. no fireworks because it was a weeknight- boo!), we did a couple things for the first time ever, such as.... We were the very first people into the park (yes- we were there early!) That meant we got to line up right at the ropes on Main Street until they officially opened. I've waited in that morning crowd so many times in my life, but never right up front! I felt special :)

Here I am lined up at the rope...

This is the first time I've ever taken a photo of the castle without any people in front of it. That's what happens when you're at the front!

One tradition we never miss- a photo with Mickey!

We followed our RideMax plan as usual, being sure to schedule a stop while in California Adventure for Jim's Disney version of Frappucino and cookie.

We had never done this ride together and I hadn't been on it since I was young. I forgot how much I like this one... It's the Storybook Canal Boats.

This is a stock photo but it shows what the attraction is like... a boat ride through manicured miniature gardens and versions of all the storybook character's homes...

We had never done the teacups together either, but we decided we could manage it as long as we didn't spin too fast! I enjoyed a delicious Dole Pineapple Whip in the shade of the Enchanted Tiki Room...

I love Main Street U.S.A. after dark, so I tried to capture a few shots, starting off with the train station...

Traditional last stop of the night- The Blue Ribbon Bakery for mochas and cookies...

One last shot...

Here's something I'd never noticed before... A plaque with a 1955 Walt Disney quote that I love. It says "To all who come to this happy place, Welcome. Disneyland is your land. Here age relives fond memories of the past and here you may savor the challenge and the promise of the future. Disneyland is dedicated to the ideals and the dreams and the hard facts that have created America with the hope that it will be a source of joy and inspiration to all the world."

No place makes me relive fond memories of the past like Disneyland. Thanks, Walt.