Forever Young: A Disneyland Trip 50 Years in the Making COMPLETED 1/16/16 About This Page:

[Colexis Mom]

Love, love, love the purse and wallet! So glad you circled around and found them! Great pictures from Abe!

[Terrio]

Awesome pictures inside the lobby of Great Moments with Lincoln. I really like that Diamond celebration pin too!

[twins4me]

Sounds like you had a fabulous trip! I am just returning to the boards following a long hiatus! I've missed your trip reports! Can't wait to catch more of your adventures!

[KMB733]

Great pictures from inside Great Moments with Lincoln. I can't believe how real President Lincoln looked!! Love the purse and the wallet. Great choices!!

[wishes]

Love the purse & wallet! And your pix of Lincoln are awesome! I am always so impressed with the autotronic (sp) characters in the parks...they look so real. And if I didn't know any better, you'd think they were! Your TR is fantastic, as usual. Makes me want to plan a trip to DL myself!

[Cam22]

Originally Posted by lindawdw

Just caught up with your last couple updates. I can't believe the wait for PPF that early after opening! At least in WDW the wait is either under shade or indoors for standby but it must have been so incredibly hot waiting outside that long! I agree about waiting that long for such a short ride. I love your Vera Bradley purse and wallet and your DL pin purchase is adorable. Sorry about the incident with the CM but it does seem she was being overly sensitive. Your PP pictures that you had taken were so cute!

I do understand that most of the time cover is not essential at DL/DCA, but when it is needed, there really is no way to wait in coolness in a queue. Every time I look at our PP photos that set us back time wise for PP, I'm still glad we had them taken.

Originally Posted by cubfancolleen

That purse & wallet are adorable! I love the inside lining!

Every time I open either of them, the lining just makes me happy.

[Cam22]

Originally Posted by Colexis Mom

Love, love, love the purse and wallet! So glad you circled around and found them! Great pictures from Abe!

I was so glad that our route around the shop brought us to the newest VB bags. I love how subtle the Mickeys on the outside are, and catch folks unaware.

Originally Posted by Terrio

Awesome pictures inside the lobby of Great Moments with Lincoln. I really like that Diamond celebration pin too!

It's like a mini museum in there.

Originally Posted by twins4me

Sounds like you had a fabulous trip! I am just returning to the boards following a long hiatus! I've missed your trip reports! Can't wait to catch more of your adventures!

for reading along, Trish!

[Cam22]

Originally Posted by wishes

Love the purse & wallet! And your pix of Lincoln are awesome! I am always so impressed with the autotronic (sp) characters in the parks...they look so real. And if I didn't know any better, you'd think they were! Your TR is fantastic, as usual. Makes me want to plan a trip to DL myself!

I kept reminding myself that it wasn't really Lincoln, but he looked so real. Walt had a wonderful idea when he thought up lifelike people audio-animatronics.

Originally Posted by KMB733

Great pictures from inside Great Moments with Lincoln. I can't believe how real President Lincoln looked!! Love the purse and the wallet. Great choices!!

I felt like I was really learning from Lincoln, and wished I'd found a video of this show when I taught several of his speeches in AP Language.

[Cam22]

Sunday, October 11 -- Squeezing in more shopping, characters, and rides before this day is over.

As we made our way out of Disneyland and headed into the plaza separating the two park entrances, Luke decided he needed a restroom. Thankfully as at Disney World, Disney has built some of these right outside the park entrances. We headed for the ones near the DCA gate. I didn’t need to go, and was actually excited about the opportunity to photograph the plaza with its 60th Anniversary banners as well as the DCA entrance itself.











Before adventuring off to Grizzly River Rapids, we chose to do some more shopping. So we entered Elias and Co., where Luke spotted something right away, another purse. He commented to me that he knew I’d just bought a purse, but he had seen one he wanted me to see. It was a cute tiny purse in red and yellow colorblock to resemble Mickey’s shorts. Initially, I was just going to look at it because I could tell it might be a great park bag for days when I didn’t want to carry much more than my cell phone. Then I noticed it was only $24.95, so just looking turned into buying. Then somehow we gravitated toward the toys, Luke’s usual souvenirs. We quickly began to collect several items he had noticed earlier in the trip. First were a couple of Racers, Wicket and BB8. I grabbed a Star Wars set of antenna toppers to add to my extensive collection back home. We found a trading pin for Disney’s California Adventure with both Mickey and Pluto that we felt would be a good companion pin to our one for Disneyland. For several days, maybe for every day of the trip, I had mentioned every time I saw the bubble blowers that I’d really wanted one, but felt a little silly buying myself a toy. But today the silly feelings left, and I picked up a Buzz Bubble Blower, which we assume may no longer be available at the parks because it is a gun-shaped toy. As we were checking out I finally saw a reusable bag I liked, and it was even part of the 60th Anniversary collection. I asked if we could just have everything put inside of it instead of getting yet another plastic bag. So as the CM rang up all our goodies, another CM placed them in the bag.











Luke now asked if we could return to Cars Land, specifically Sarge’s Surplus Hut, another toy store. He had seen several cars that he wanted to add to his Star Wars collection. One was the Pittys as Ewoks and the other was the Pittys as Jawas. He also found Lightning McQueen as Luke Skywalker and even a Radiator Springs Racers car. We again spent some time looking at the Cars Land model that is set up in this shop before actually checking out.








Aren't these the cleverest cash registers.

When we first walked into Cars land, we noticed that Mater was out for photo ops. Unfortunately, as we made to enter the line, a CM let us know that the line was now closed. Bummer! Now a while later as we came out of Sarge’s we caught Lightning McQueen traveling down the road. I got a quick photo as we realized that he was coming out for photo ops. We followed him to the queue that was now forming. Luke was happy as Lightning is his favorite. While we waited in the queue, Luke borrowed the camera to take a few photos. Soon enough it was our turn to meet the coolest race car anywhere.






PhotoPass Photos:






Another ride on Radiator Springs Racers was out of the question as we did not have a FastPass and the standby line was well over an hour. So I asked Luke if he’d like to ride California Screamin’ one more time. I think he was a little incredulous that I didn’t mind waiting for him. I was actually hoping to get a photo of him in the car right before take ride launches. We made our way over to Paradise Pier, and Luke entered the single rider queue, which we had missed on our previous park day because we had come from the opposite direction. I headed back over to the pier where I waited. I sent me a series of texts, so I didn’t have to stand out in the sun the entire time. I knew exactly when he was next in line, and then he even texted the color of the train he was in. In the end I got several really good shots of him waiting for the countdown to reach zero. Once his train had rocketed off, I took a few more pictures of the ride area until Luke rejoined me.












Now with nothing other than Grizzly River Rapids to do at DCA, we headed to Grizzly Peak to discover that unfortunately the ride was down. So we weren’t going to get to ride it this trip. But now since we know there will be a next time that can just be something we do then. With everything accomplished that we had wanted to do at DCA, it was time to cross back over to Disneyland for a ride on Splash Mountain. Our plan now was to ride the Disneyland Railroad over to Frontierland, and that actually worked out quite nicely as we only had to wait a few minutes to board and be on our way.





Once in Frontierland we debarked, made our way passed the Haunted Mansion, and then down to Splash Mountain. I was becoming a bit more anxious about riding this one, so I tried to keep myself occupied taking photos of the queue.









I told Luke once we reached the gates before entering our log that he would have to ride in front of me. I wanted to be able to grab a hold of him if I panicked and I also wanted him to block my few of the drop.



Additionally, I was afraid I would not be able to keep a tight grip on the camera as I was more worried about keeping a tight grip on myself. Because of that, I asked Luke to take the camera. He did willingly, putting the strap around his neck so he could take some photos on the ride. I’m glad he did because he got some really good ones for my scrapbook pages. I enjoyed this ride for the most part, though neither of us remembered the WDW version having two smaller hills. Both of these at DL got Luke and me quite wet well before the huge drop. As our log ascended the big hill, I thought to myself (or so I thought, but Luke later told me I said it out loud), “Why did I ever think I could do this ride?!” We reached the top, and I foolishly looked out and over. The moment I realized how steep that drop was I let out a blood curdling scream that except for one small gasp for air lasted all the way down. My throat was slightly sore after that.














Ride Photo -- Luke looks like the only one truly enjoying himself. After I looked down, I ducked for cover.


With nothing else on our DL agenda and the crowds still large and our clothes sopping wet, we decided that it was time to head back to our villa at the Grand California so we could freshen up before our evening dinner at Carthay Circle. Since these would be our last moments in Disneyland, we walked slowly back to the front of the park, absorbing as much atmosphere as possible. It took a parting photo of the train parked over the tunnel, and then we were saying good-bye to a whole new Disney love.





NEXT: Dinner at Carthay Circle with Heather

[Cam22]

Sunday, October 11 -- Squeezing in more shopping, characters, and rides before this day is over.

As we made our way out of Disneyland and headed into the plaza separating the two park entrances, Luke decided he needed a restroom. Thankfully as at Disney World, Disney has built some of these right outside the park entrances. We headed for the ones near the DCA gate. I didn’t need to go, and was actually excited about the opportunity to photograph the plaza with its 60th Anniversary banners as well as the DCA entrance itself.











Before adventuring off to Grizzly River Rapids, we chose to do some more shopping. So we entered Elias and Co., where Luke spotted something right away, another purse. He commented to me that he knew I’d just bought a purse, but he had seen one he wanted me to see. It was a cute tiny purse in red and yellow colorblock to resemble Mickey’s shorts. Initially, I was just going to look at it because I could tell it might be a great park bag for days when I didn’t want to carry much more than my cell phone. Then I noticed it was only $24.95, so just looking turned into buying. Then somehow we gravitated toward the toys, Luke’s usual souvenirs. We quickly began to collect several items he had noticed earlier in the trip. First were a couple of Racers, Wicket and BB8. I grabbed a Star Wars set of antenna toppers to add to my extensive collection back home. We found a trading pin for Disney’s California Adventure with both Mickey and Pluto that we felt would be a good companion pin to our one for Disneyland. For several days, maybe for every day of the trip, I had mentioned every time I saw the bubble blowers that I’d really wanted one, but felt a little silly buying myself a toy. But today the silly feelings left, and I picked up a Buzz Bubble Blower, which we assume may no longer be available at the parks because it is a gun-shaped toy. As we were checking out I finally saw a reusable bag I liked, and it was even part of the 60th Anniversary collection. I asked if we could just have everything put inside of it instead of getting yet another plastic bag. So as the CM rang up all our goodies, another CM placed them in the bag.











Luke now asked if we could return to Cars Land, specifically Sarge’s Surplus Hut, another toy store. He had seen several cars that he wanted to add to his Star Wars collection. One was the Pittys as Ewoks and the other was the Pittys as Jawas. He also found Lightning McQueen as Luke Skywalker and even a Radiator Springs Racers car. We again spent some time looking at the Cars Land model that is set up in this shop before actually checking out.








Aren't these the cleverest cash registers.

When we first walked into Cars land, we noticed that Mater was out for photo ops. Unfortunately, as we made to enter the line, a CM let us know that the line was now closed. Bummer! Now a while later as we came out of Sarge’s we caught Lightning McQueen traveling down the road. I got a quick photo as we realized that he was coming out for photo ops. We followed him to the queue that was now forming. Luke was happy as Lightning is his favorite. While we waited in the queue, Luke borrowed the camera to take a few photos. Soon enough it was our turn to meet the coolest race car anywhere.






PhotoPass Photos:






Another ride on Radiator Springs Racers was out of the question as we did not have a FastPass and the standby line was well over an hour. So I asked Luke if he’d like to ride California Screamin’ one more time. I think he was a little incredulous that I didn’t mind waiting for him. I was actually hoping to get a photo of him in the car right before take ride launches. We made our way over to Paradise Pier, and Luke entered the single rider queue, which we had missed on our previous park day because we had come from the opposite direction. I headed back over to the pier where I waited. I sent me a series of texts, so I didn’t have to stand out in the sun the entire time. I knew exactly when he was next in line, and then he even texted the color of the train he was in. In the end I got several really good shots of him waiting for the countdown to reach zero. Once his train had rocketed off, I took a few more pictures of the ride area until Luke rejoined me.












Now with nothing other than Grizzly River Rapids to do at DCA, we headed to Grizzly Peak to discover that unfortunately the ride was down. So we weren’t going to get to ride it this trip. But now since we know there will be a next time that can just be something we do then. With everything accomplished that we had wanted to do at DCA, it was time to cross back over to Disneyland for a ride on Splash Mountain. Our plan now was to ride the Disneyland Railroad over to Frontierland, and that actually worked out quite nicely as we only had to wait a few minutes to board and be on our way.





Once in Frontierland we debarked, made our way passed the Haunted Mansion, and then down to Splash Mountain. I was becoming a bit more anxious about riding this one, so I tried to keep myself occupied taking photos of the queue.









I told Luke once we reached the gates before entering our log that he would have to ride in front of me. I wanted to be able to grab a hold of him if I panicked and I also wanted him to block my few of the drop.



Additionally, I was afraid I would not be able to keep a tight grip on the camera as I was more worried about keeping a tight grip on myself. Because of that, I asked Luke to take the camera. He did willingly, putting the strap around his neck so he could take some photos on the ride. I’m glad he did because he got some really good ones for my scrapbook pages. I enjoyed this ride for the most part, though neither of us remembered the WDW version having two smaller hills. Both of these at DL got Luke and me quite wet well before the huge drop. As our log ascended the big hill, I thought to myself (or so I thought, but Luke later told me I said it out loud), “Why did I ever think I could do this ride?!” We reached the top, and I foolishly looked out and over. The moment I realized how steep that drop was I let out a blood curdling scream that except for one small gasp for air lasted all the way down. My throat was slightly sore after that.














Ride Photo -- Luke looks like the only one truly enjoying himself. After I looked down, I ducked for cover.


With nothing else on our DL agenda and the crowds still large and our clothes sopping wet, we decided that it was time to head back to our villa at the Grand California so we could freshen up before our evening dinner at Carthay Circle. Since these would be our last moments in Disneyland, we walked slowly back to the front of the park, absorbing as much atmosphere as possible. It took a parting photo of the train parked over the tunnel, and then we were saying good-bye to a whole new Disney love.





NEXT: Dinner at Carthay Circle with Heather

[DMA]

I love all your purchases! Very cute purse...and the shopping bag is the best! I've never seen any at WDW! Maybe I'm just not looking in the right places.
I do have two, however, that a friend bought for me when he visited Disneyland Paris. using them!

I'm glad you braved Splash Mountain! Interesting that the log is a single seat version and the ones at WDW are double.

[Cam22]

Originally Posted by DMA

I love all your purchases! Very cute purse...and the shopping bag is the best! I've never seen any at WDW! Maybe I'm just not looking in the right places.
I do have two, however, that a friend bought for me when he visited Disneyland Paris. using them!

I'm glad you braved Splash Mountain! Interesting that the log is a single seat version and the ones at WDW are double.

I have some reusable bags from WDW, but they are all from special events, like Star Wars Weekends and Flower & Garden Festival. I'm know at Target as the "Disney bag lady." :rofl2

Luke told me in the queue that the logs were single seaters, so that is why I asked him to ride in front.

[cubfancolleen]

You can see how wet Luke already was in the ride picture! I love Splash Mountain, and I think I like the DL version best. Maybe because it was the first I rode?
That purse is so cute!!! And it was so sweet of Luke to point it out to you. You did a great job on the shopping there.

[chezp]

You can't be getting towards the end of this trip already? Where has the time gone? This is a sign of a good trip report, as I feel as if you've only just arrived. Sorry you didn't get to ride Grizzly River Rapids - but on your next visit... I'm still rooting for December of next year....

[lindawdw]

I loved all your purchases! It sounds like the perfect last day in the Parks The WDW version of SM has you sitting side by side versus the one in DL which is in a row which is great if you really need to hold on to someone! I can't believe your TR is coming to an end soon. I hope you're going to start a PTR for the F&G Festival trip!