Disneyland for 2 days

After our long road trip, we arrived in Anaheim, CA at 11 p.m., exhausted. Reservations were made previously on the internet for the Hotel Menage. I was worried, since there seemed to be very few pictures of what to expect and, well, the name of the hotel made me a little leery. The reason we booked 2 nights here was because of location - less than 1/2 mile from Disneyland. The hotel did have a pretty bar next to the out door pool and inside, which we didn't take advantage of, and a restaurant called K'ya, which we also didn't use because the food in the pictures looked minimal on the plate but had a big price tag. Here is a sample of the menu:

APPETIZER
SamplePlatter
a creation of selected menu and appetizer specials (priced per person, minimum 2pp)................................$12
ahipoke
papaya, wasabi tobiko, avocado with spicy soy vinaigrette...............................................................$13
seared spicy garlic & herb shrimp
papaya salsa and chardonnay-lemongrass butter............................................................................$12
grilled petitlamb chops
asian slaw, spicy hoison-coconut glaze............................................................................................$13
flash fried calamari
sweet & spicy thai glaze, bean sprouts, carrots, peanuts, cilantro and green onions..........................$9
mauistylebbq beef ribs
sesame-soy marinated and flame broiled.........................................................................................$11
pacific lobster& grilled portabello mushroom
caramelized onions, tomato fondeu and garlic basil sauce................................................................$11
entrees
hibachisalmon
wok’d vegetables, white rice, spicy coconut sauce...........................................................................$18
Mahmahi
macadamia nut crust, lehua-honey butter sauce..............................................................................$19
sesamcrusted ahi
(seared rare) brown rice, sauteed spinach, mushrooms and onions. soy-mirin butter, unagi drizzle................$19
d seascallops
sautéed arugula, mushrooms and onions, mashed potatoes, chive-white truffle butter.....................$28
grilled chicken & garlic-herb shrimp
red thai curry sauce, white rice, wok’d vegetables..........................................................................$21
duck leg confit
sautéed arugula, onion, wild mushrooms, black truffle sauce..........................................................$19
d flatiron steak
gorgonzola cheese gratin, carmelized onions..................................................................................$21
grilled filetmignon tournedoS
asparagus, portobello mushroom, tear drop tomato, port wine sauce..............................................$34
roasted pork primerib
chilled apple sauce, calvados glaze.................................................................................................$22
1/2 lb. kobebeef burger
lettuce, tomato, onion, swiss and cheddar.......................................................................................$14
hunan braised beef shortribs
white rice, wok’d vegetables, carmelized pineapple.........................................................................$19

Disneyland was a blast and we managed to fit "all" the big rides in between 2 days. I don't think we really rushed either. The lines were reasonable and everyone that goes to Disneyland seems to always be smiling.

Have you ever noticed anywhere else where all the people seem to be having a nice time? I find this quite shocking and really enjoyed the whole environment!

One of the water rides required sharing a large innertube with several other people, which happened to be 3 adorable, young children and their parents. The two young boys, about 8 and 10, were happily telling us how they have been on this particular ride at least 3 times today when

the Dad chimed in that he was sure it had been 4 times. Then they asked us where we were from. Long story shorter, we all found out that we live about 45 minutes from each other. We live in Port Orchard, WA and they live in Olympia, WA. What a small world =D!

I talked Larry and Ashley into going on a rollercoaster, I couldn't believe they actually have a rollercoaster now, and I think the wait for this ride was the only negative in the whole trip. We waited in the heat, about 85 degrees I would say, for almost 40 mintes. The time at the beginning of the ride said 20 minute wait so that was pretty deceiving. Then, the ride itself was

over almost as quickly as it started. Disneyland is so good about their rides being elaborate and

the minimal wait being so worth it; I guess we were either just spoiled or surprised that this particular ride was short. If I was at an amusement park or 6 Flags, I would have expected this sort of thing. Funny, yes?

We all had a total blast and none of us was looking forward to leaving. In fact, we were contemplating ditching our reservations at the Westmark in San Francisco for the week, to see about staying in Anaheim. All in all, sadly we left the beautiful (and Immaculate) Disney park and left for our 6 1/2 hour roadtrip that Monday afternoon. We actually arrived in San Francisco about midnight that evening.

I have got to learn to schedule road trips better BUT I really didn't want to box the family into a tight time schedule. After this roadtrip, I learned time schedules are necessary sometimes.

I almost forgot. The nightly fireworks! What a huge and awe-striking event! How Disney can put this kind of show on every night is beyond me but we were all glad they do. The variations of colors and rhythm for shooting the different displays, letting time elapse for the smoke to

clear, then shooting several more, within seconds of each other, was not only-mesmerizing but a true art all in itself. We stood on our hotel balcony in comfort, to watch and take pictures.