Travel Tales: Los Angeles 2006, Part Two

Day two in Los Angeles started early, as we wanted to drive forty-five minutes to Disneyland. We were very excited because, as we kept saying, none of us had ever "been to the land" before (we've been to Disney WORLD many times, respectively).

So, after getting dressed and eating breakfast (toast and peanut butter!), we headed out to the car, only to find a PARKING TICKET! We were about 10 minutes too late to move the car, and because of it, now had an extra $45 expense on our hands. However, we were a little too excited to think about it for too long, so we tucked it into the glove compartment and piled into the car, headed for Freeway 405.

Our bad luck was not over for the morning. The closest freeway entrance to us turned out to be CLOSED that day! We had to follow alongside the freeway until we found the next entrance. As we got onto the freeway, I couldn't help thinking of the line from 'Clueless' when Dion is learning to drive and Murray says, "Yo, you're gettin' on the freeway!" and the trio procede to scream their way through until the next exit! I have to say though that driving around was fine, except for the confusing area where the exit ramp seemed to be on BOTH sides of the highway (turned out the HOV lane was on one side and all other traffic was on the other).

We finally made it and parked the car (on the Goofy level in Secion D7 - we saved the parking stub), and then got our tickets and a park map. It happened to be Disneyland's 50th anniversary that year, so everything was very festive. We had to take a tram to the park, and we highly entertained with the fact that they referred to the employees as cast members, and how even when they were warning you about something they use sugary sweet voices, prompting me to say to Kara and Emily, "If you do not comply, one of our cast members will be happy to pound you to a bloody pulp."

Our first stop was Peter Pan's flight, one that we all agreed was an excellent ride from our experiences with it at Disney World. The lines were long but it wasn't too hot out so waiting wasn't too bad.

We spent the rest of the day just experienced Disneyland's attractions. We headed to the Pirates of the Caribbean ride, the Haunted Mansion, It's a Small World, the Alice in Wonderland Ride, the Teacups, and we even caught a parade on our way to the Bobsled ride. After we had seen everything, we got some ice cream and did a little shopping, where I found some fabulous hats (but, alas, did not purchase any of them). We headed out, a little tired, and ready to meet Jordan for dinner.

First, however, we had to head to Wal-Mart to pick up some blankets. Though Kara and Emily had brought some very funny portable sleeping bag things, we needed something else as it got chilly at night in the dorm Jordan was staying in. We got the things we needed - while they were coincidentally playing "Down in the Boondocks" in the store - and headed back.

Dinner was at the Olive Garden, where Jordan somehow managed to drop-kick the little thing that lights up when it's time to head to your table! It was the highlight of the night!