Trekkie Dad's Road Trip Part I--Disneyland

[Trekkie Dad]

Well, it all started two weeks ago. Jimmie and I left on a road trip, and our first stop was Disneyland! Where else? I can't say things got off to a great start. We left early enough, but about halfway down I-5 we were nearly hit by an out-of-control SUV careening across the median. Jimmie was driving at the time, and she sped up to avoid it. I happened to look up at the moment to see a dust cloud (containing said SUV) heading straigt for us.

Jimmie pulled over and walked back along the road to check on the occupants, while I dialed 911 on my cell to report the incident. Even from a distance I could see the vehicle lying on its side in the lane we had just occupied.

OK enough of that. After emergency crews arrived, we continued our journey without further incident. We were too early to check in, so we had a bite at IHOP and headed into Disneyland to get our new APs. No waiting, as Main Street was pretty quiet. We did have time to ride the train around and found the crowds were well inside the park. You can tell from this pic:


By the time we finished the train ride, it was time to check in. I discovered our room at the Maingate had a rather large tub with jets--which I later filled. Here it is:


After we got checked in, we went into DCA for dinner at the Trattoria and just to hang out. We saw the Electrical Parade (videos still in the phone), and then went back to our room to rest up for the mega MiceChat meet on April 1.

More to follow.

[Spidergrrrl]

Holy cow, I'm glad you and Jimmie weren't hurt! Not the kind of excitement you want on a trip!

The tub looks very cool. Your own personal hot tub!

[Trekkie Dad]

April 1 was to be our only full day at Disneyland, and a full day it was. We got up early enough to get there for opening.
Crossing the street:


Walking along the shuttle entrance


Bag check:


See, no one in front of us:


And here we are waiting:


The crowd grows:


The gates open:


And we are in! Goofy's directing traffic:


And we head straight for Space Mountain (I'm the idiot in the back):


Then we head to the Matterhorn:

Jimmie lets me ride in front, and I aways try to get everyone to lean into the curves.

After that, it's time for Big Thunder!


Goat trick!

(cut me some slack, I'm taking pictures with my PHONE!)

Then we had breakfast before riding Indy and the Jungle Cruise. No pictures from Indy but here are a few from the cruise. First, from the queue:




Our favorite bull elephant:


We know what they are watching:


Looking back:


The jungle's "head salesman"


Jimmie got a kick out of this picture:


Still some time before the meet. This is at the hub:


DisneyFanaticBoy called and we went over to meet him by the Monorail. While we waited, who should show up but Dusty and Fishbulb! (sorry, no pics of them) But we did snap a few in the area.

This is planted to look like an undersea garden:


Before we were run off, several of us got this shot of the subs.


And of course, everyone had to see the new cave by big thunder:


Next up: The MegaMeet!

[Trekkie Dad]

Here's my first attempt at a YouTube video that I spliced together from clips on my cell phone. This was the Electrical Parade that we saw on the night of March 31:

[YOUTUBE]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O5VVGL8IEc8[/YOUTUBE]

OK, it's fixed now. Take a look

[Trekkie Dad]

Almost forgot. Right after we rode the Matterhorn, we took a spin on the teacups. Here's proof:
[YOUTUBE]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bxnx5y5Qqo8[/YOUTUBE]

[Radiobarry]

Great pics and video so far, Trekkie Dad! I was glad to have met you even for just a short time that day. Hope to talk to you more, next time!

--Barry

[kelly]

Great pictures of trip report so far trekki.. glad you and jimmie werent hurt on the way to DL

[wickeddisneygurl]

wonderful TR so far! thanx for sharing!

[TraceCub]

Wonderful TR, Trekkie!

I think you and Jimmie are so cute together!

[PrincessY]

When we lived in NorCal and drove down south, we saw a flipped over SUV on the 5 nearly every time we drove down! Glad you are safe! We will never own one of those things!

And great pictures! I am at DLR nearly every weekend and I still like seeing the pictures. What geeks we all are!

[Trekkie Dad]

Of course the meet was HUGE! And I'm sure you've already seen pictures from the many reports. But nevertheless, here's my contribution:




There was a group shot in front of the castle which I still haven't seen. Them most of us went to eat at Plaza Inn. Dusty handed out several kinds of Pocky. APs were collected. Some got fastpasses for Indy, others for Space. Somehow we split into two groups on the way to Pirates.

Here's the inimitable Penguinsoda.


We had 41 MiceChatters in this part of the line at pirates. Identifiable in this picture are Almondot, Lashbear, Dusty, Wolfy and Hollywood1939.


Tiggerfan waits patiently.


Matt Hamand (as in ham and cheese)


Fishbulb looking cool.

The boat we were in was swamped, of course, due to some careful planning of our seating arrangement.

Big Thunder was the last ride Jimmie and I had with this group. Here's DisneyFanaticBoy framed by Fishbulb and Dusty. Shortly after this, Jimmie and I split off to go back to the hub for our second meet of the day

[Fantasmico!]

Great pictures! I don't always get to see pics because of dial up but I got to see most of yours. Wishing for a DL trip very soon. Cool trip so far, glad you two survived the SUV incident.

[tiggerfan]

Great Trip Report, despite that one picture

[Radiobarry]

So short was our time together I don't even think I got to meet Jimmie. My loss! Again, hopefully next time.

--Barry

[CheriBibi]

Hi ! Great pictures Trekkie Dad !
I will be staying at the Ramada Maingate this summer and would love to hear your impressions on the hotel. The bathtub suprise looks like a fun thing to get

Thanks a lot !