Around the USA in 150 days
(Or how we toured the USA on a budget)
Disneyland
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Around the USA in 150 days(Or how we toured the USA on a budget) |
We were woken early by the boys (led by Josh) clamouring to be allowed to go upstairs for their Continental Breakfast. We vainly tried to convince them that a nice breakfast of cereal and cold milk would be better, but relented at their long faces (food was a major pre-occupation for Joshua at the time). They sounded like a small herd of elephants as they thundered up the stairs to the upper floor, and along the upper floor landing to the breakfast room. Nola and I got out of bed, dressed, and followed them to make sure they were not causing any problems.
It turns out that a Continental Breakfast, at least the local version of it, consists of piles of doughnuts (in various shapes), covered in sweet sticky icing, or sugar, jam (sorry, jelly), cream and / or chocolate. And of course, coffee. The Hispanic lady serving there spoke virtually no English and in response to our vain gestures and pleas that "one each is enough" simply patted them on the head, smiled and insisted they were the Spanish equivalent of "beautiful children"……..
The kids would have made themselves sick if we had not made them stop eating. Joshua had his first American coffee here, and instantly became hooked on it. Eventually we managed to lure them away by reminding them that today we were going to Disneyland!!!
Most motels along the strip had a shuttle bus which ran to the Disneyland entrance and back, so we all piled aboard, though we could have just as easily walked. Our tickets (for 2 days) cost a total of $184 for two adults and three children, which we thought was a real bargain!
It’s hard to believe that we are actually here. Disney’s Mickey Mouse Club was one of the first programs when TV was introduced in Perth in the late 1950’s, and we were familiar with Adventure Land, Tomorrow Land, Fantasy Land and Frontier Land having seen them countless times on the small screen, in black and white and later again in colour repeats.
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Roger Rabbit's car |
Up until a few moments before we thought that we were going to Disneyland "for the kids sake", but as we stood there looking at that familiar skyline we were instantly transported back 30 years and WE were kids again.
Right in front of you after you pass through the turnstiles is the magic railroad which travels right around Disneyland and will take to any of the famous worlds. We decided to take the railway to Fantasy Land and start from there.
One of the first things that hits you here is that everything is perfect - it feels like the place was only built yesterday, and that you are among the first guests. This fantasy-like feel is maintained by an army of maintenance people who begin work every night after Disneyland closes, working through till dawn. And of course everything (apart from food and the shooting galleries) is totally free.
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Fantasy Land! |
Fantasy Land station! There is so much to do here, where do you start? Immediately in front of us was Roger Rabbit’s car, so a photo opportunity presented itself. The next nearest attraction was "It’s a Small World" so we jumped into a boat for a ride. This was one of the most charming rides we were to have! It takes you on a journey through many different scenes, populated with characters representing the peoples of the world, all living in harmony together, while a chorus of children’s voices sings the "Small World" song. It is a simple little ride, but one that put smiles on all our faces.
We went to Storybook land and rode through the mouth of a whale, then rode Casey Junior (the train) though the storybook village, a beautifully crafted countryside of miniature scenes from children’s fairytales. These scenes are so totally realistic, down to every last detail, miniature trees and all.
We rode the Mat Hatters Teacup ride (where you whiz around in large teacups until you are dizzy), rode Dumbo the flying elephant, and the kids rode on King Arthur’s Carousel, a beautiful merry-go-round with perfect white horses, such as I have not seen since I was a kid myself. We bought baby Mickey and Minnie dolls, and had lunch at one of the many food outlets.
Food in Disneyland ranges from quick snacks you can buy (like donuts and hotdogs) to burgers, to quality restaurants, and everything between. The prices were comparable with what you would pay for the same kind of food outside.
We will elaborate on Disneyland later. For now, the highlights:
Biggest Adventure: the Jungle Cruise
Most charming ride: It's a Small World
Scariest ride: Space Mountain (have you ever ridden a roller-coaster in the dark?)
Best ride overall: Pirates of the Carribean.
(to be continued ...)
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