We arrived into Anaheim (right on time) early Thursday afternoon, and spent the afternoon re-acquainting ourselves with Disneyland. Connections worked exceptionally well - we arrived at Anaheim station about 1:05 pm, took a taxi to our hotel (the Anaheim Inn) right across the street from Disneyland, checked in, and were inside Disneyland by 2:00 pm! Friday morning, we headed into new territory for us - California Adventure, which sits right next to Disneyland. We watched fireworks over Disneyland Friday night. Saturday we "park hopped", watched the Main Street Electrical Parade and saw another great fireworks display. Early Sunday morning, we boarded the train and headed home on the Coast Starlight again.
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| You have to look closely, but there I am in the front seat of the California Screamin' roller coaster. Mo is noticeably absent. | The Paradise Pier area of California Adventure. The Sun Wheel is Disney's take-off on the Ferris Wheel. An image of Mickey's head is unmistakable in California Screamin' | You get one inversion on California Screamin', which makes it a little tame compared to some of the really extreme coasters out there...but it was plenty for me. | The Maliboomer propels you to the top of the twin towers, then drops you back down. I passed on this one. |
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| New roller coasters make use of magnetic propulsion instead of the traditional chain and sprocket. This means you can experience hard acceleration as well as all the ups, downs, twists and turns. The magnetic motors are clearly visible on the track ahead of the cars. | A closer look at the inversion loop. This was really fun! | I loved this roller coaster! Couldn't talk Mo into it, but I rode it three times before calling it a day. | Here the magnetic motors are hurling the 'coaster to a start. You can hear the 60-cycle growl of the magnetic coils when the car is ready for "launch". This really kicks you back in your seat! |
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| We were entertained by some Kenyan acrobats on the plaza. That's low on the limbo poles! | Rafting on the Grizzly River. We opted not to do this when we saw how wet people were when they returned! | Look carefully at the "rock" formation, and you can make out a Grizzly head. | |
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| Cool your Jets outside of Soaring over California. | A new feature (for us, anyway) was Disney's "Fast Pass". You use your bar-coded entry pass to get a ticket for an attraction at some future time. When you return at the appointed time, you zip to the head of the "standby" line. | A replica of the California Zephyr greets you at the main gate. | That's Engine Ears Toys in the Zephyr observation car. |
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| Disneyland's Matterhorn is distinctly visible underneath the Golden Gate. | There's a Hollywood back lot area. | We watched a 45-minute Aladdin musical with wonderful special effects. | |
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| California Adventure at night looks pretty sharp. | The Main Street Electrical Parade was brought back to California Adventure when Disney was flooded with complaints after its cancellation in Disneyland. I really enjoy this parade! | OK, here is one picture taken from the train. Passing bright green fields as we zip along at track speed (79 mph) near Paso Robles. | My Favorite Goofy. I'm pretty sure Mo didn't know what I picked for the background. |
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| I forced Mo to get this brightly-colored "dog sweater" in Solvang. | And she picked out this "dog vest" in Solvang, too. |