The Big Kahuna Family

I am exhausted! Our trip to Disneyland was a huge success. It started Thursday afterschool when I picked up Ten, Elle, and Elle's friend "T" after school. There wasn't alot of traffic, so we made it to the Paradise Pier Hotel in just under 2 hours.

As we were checking in, the hotel manager came up to us and told us that we had been chosen to be the "Big Kahuna" family of the day. They presented us with a huge bouquet of balloons, 4 pins that are only given to the Big Kahuna family, an autographed photo of Mickey and friends, a picture frame (they took our picture with the balloons standing in front of a Goofy statue), and then the piece de resistance...they upgraded our room from a standard room with a view of the parking lot to a family suite with a view of California Adventure! Here is the view from our room at night.

After we unpacked our suitcases, we walked over to Downtown Disney to look at the shops and to eat dinner. There were alot of people milling about, which seemed strange on a Thursday night. Me, being who I am, started talking to various people and came to learn that this past Friday was "Nevada Day". Evidently that meant that the schools were closed on Friday,in Nevada. (I wonder if anyone was left in the state, or if they all decided to come to Disneyland for a 3 day weekend).

Friday morning, Joan and Rick joined us and we all ate breakfast in the living room/dining room portion of our suite. (I had thought ahead and had brought bagels, cream cheese, O.J. , and water along with paper plates, napkins and a knife). (I just can't seem to get away from being a prepared girl scout leader). We headed over to the Disneyland park, got lockers and then went straight to the new Disneyland attraction "Finding Nemo". It was a good thing that we went over there first thing in the morning because as the day wore on, the line became longer and longer and longer. I don't know about you, but I don't like waiting on long lines, even if I am at the "happiest place on earth".

We decided to take the monorail to the "Rainforest Cafe". It seems that it has become a birthday tradition when we go to Disneyland. If you've never been to this restaurant, it is quite an experience. They have gorillas and elephants that move and make noise, as well as thunder and lightening all while you are trying to eat. For dessert we ordered a volcano cake. (to see a picture of one, check out Joan's blog).

Joan and Rick left about 6:30pm. Ten, Elle, "T" and I stayed until 11:40pm. In that time, we managed to get on every ride that we wanted to get on at least once. We rode "Big Thunder Mountain" and "The Matterhorn" (pictured here) three times, "The Haunted Mansion" and "The Pirates of the Caribbean" twice.

Part of why we were able to get on so many rides, is that Disneyland has a policy that is very wheelchair friendly. There are seperate entrances for people in wheelchairs which bypass many of the long lines. Ten was in a wheelchair all day due to a sports injury. He'll be o.k. if he will just stop re-injuring his ankle.

We had a great time, and look forward to our next visit to the happiest place on earth.