The Hardys

Wednesday, February 2, 2011

LEGOLAND

We got up early, had a quick breakfast then met the Greyline bus and headed to Carlsbad to Legoland. It was a full day of exploring the park but we didn't quite see it all. We started with Dinoland with large sculptors of Dinosaurs completely made with little Lego's. Duplo Village was a great playground. Fun Town is where the kids got to go to driving school and drive their own little Lego cars. Pirate Shores the kids rode on a boat ride, a log ride and Owen's favorite the Private Ships with working water guns. Castle Hill Ashley found a throne to sit in. Then our favorite land was Miniland, with complete little versions of Los Vegas, New York, the white house and more. With moving cars, boats and more. We didn't make it to Imagination Zone which looked fun but did do a little shopping at the gift shop before our bus picked us up. Was a fun day full of Legos.

Owen and Alysha in Dinoland

Ashley driving a little blue car in driving school

Alysha and Owen driving red cars in driving school.

The boat ride in Pirate Shores

The log ride that Mike chicken out from going on with them.

The Pirate Ships with working water guns to shoot people walking by the ride.

Close up of the kids spraying water on everyone.

Owen found one of the water guns on the side and got people on the ride wet.

Ashley on her throne.

Owen, Alysha and a lego dragon.

Miniland, Owen watching the pirate show at the mini Treasure Island Hotel.

Miniland, lego New York

Alsyha showing us the little working vehicles driving down the street.

Owen skipper of one of the little lego boats.

Captain Alysha, in Miniland.

Tuesday, February 1, 2011

Anahiem to San Diego

We got up early and packed up all of our stuff and headed to catch the Anahiem Resort Transportation Bus (ART) that took us to the Amtrak station. We enjoyed a two hour relaxing ride on the Amtrak with spacious seating and beautiful views of the ocean and beaches. Once we were in San Diego our hotel sent a shuttle to pick us up then we let the kids go use the pool. Once we were able to drag the kids out of the pool we headed to Mission Beach to play. We got there just before sunset which was very pretty. After dark we headed back to the hotel, picked up some food and got a pay per view movie "Mega Mind" to watch. It was a nice slower paced day.

Waiting for the Amtrak.

Kids with the Amtrak train.

Kids enjoying the comfy ride.

Boys having a good time.

Enjoying the view of the ocean.

Mike and Ashley on Mission Beach.

Ashley with her feet in the sand.

Alysha at Mission Beach.

Owen playing in the sand.

Kids and the sunset.

Owen and the birds enjoying the sunset.

Mike and the sunset.

Monday, January 31, 2011

Disneyland Day 3

Our last day in Disneyland we explored more of California Adventure. We started the day in Paradise Pier where Ashley went on her first BIG roller coaster California Screaming with Mike and Alysha. She thought it was scary but ended up going on it again later in the day. Owen and I went on King Triton's Carousel and got Woody's autograph while they were on the roller coaster. We went on Mickey's Fun Wheel which was a bit more exciting than a normal Ferris Wheel with a nice view of the park. We did some shopping then headed over to ride the swings and another ride on the Jumpin' Jellyfish. We also did Soarin' Over California again then had lunch at the Pilot's Grill. After lunch we headed to Hollywood Pictures and watched the Muppet Vision in 3D. Which was really more like 4D since we got wet and bubbles fell on us from the ceiling. Then we hit the Monsters, Inc ride and did some Turtle Talk with Crush. Our last stop in Hollywood Pictures was to watch Playhouse Disney Live, which was more fun then just watching Mickey's Clubhouse on the Disney Channel.

Once we had a quick snack we headed back to Disneyland and hit the Big Thunder Mountain Railroad for another ride. Then we went to check out all the cool new ideas for the future at Innoventions. Where we got to play with new technology for our homes and lives. You could easily spend hours in there playing with new gadgets and fun games. The kids had been bugging to ride on the Monorail that we had been seeing gliding above us for the past few days so we boarded it in TomorrowLand not really sure where it ended up. It was a quick trip through Disneyland and California Adventure then stopped in Downtown Disney. We took a short walk and reentered California Adventure for the evening. Where we rode a few rides in Paradise Pier again while they were all lit up for the night then decided to head back to our hotel before the crowds started coming in for the World of Color light show.

Enjoying Mickey's Fun Wheel.

Mickey's Fun Wheel.

Autographs and photos with Woody and Sargent

In front of Paradise Pier

Ashley after a ride on the swings.

Jumpin' Jellyfish.

Muppets in 3D

Owen's favorite animal on King Triton's Carousel. The pink seal that he pet the whole ride.

Mickey's Fun Wheel again in the evening with all the lights below.

Sunday, January 30, 2011

Disneyland Day 2

Our second day at Disneyland was Ashley's 8th birthday. We had a few presents for her to open at our hotel in the morning. Then we headed to the gate with our Magic Morning passes to get into the park one hour before regular park hours. We got to see Mickey, Goofy, Donald, Chip n' Dale and Pluto all on Main Street where we got their autographs and photos with each of them. Then we headed to FantasyLand and rode on Dumbo the Flying Elephant, Alice in Wonderland, King Arthur Carousel, Mr. Toad's Wild Ride, Snow White's Scary Adventure and the Mad Tea Party twice. We then went to see the Princesses at Disney Princess Fantasy Faire where the girls got more autographs and photos. Last but not least we went to Mickey's Toon Town and rode on Roger Rabbit's Car Toon Spin then checked out Chip n' Dale's tree house, Goofy's Playhouse and Donald's Boat. We decided to ride the Disneyland Railroad back to the front of the park so we could cross over to California Adventure. While we were in line for the train we met another little princess who was celebrating her birthday, turning 4. The birthday girls were so cute we asked if we could take their pictures together.

Once we got into California Adventure we picked up a FastPass for Soarin' Over California then walked to Paradise Pier where we went to lunch at Ariel's Grotto for Ashley's character lunch with the princesses. We had a wonderful lunch and got more autographs and photos with the princesses. Followed by a little jewelry box birthday cake and we all sang Ashley happy birthday.

After lunch we went on Soarin' Over California which was like actually flying with feet dangling over different parts of California - very cool. The kids had been bugging to use the pool at the hotel so we took a break and went swimming while it was still warm and sunny. One very nice thing about staying in a hotel only one block from the entrance. Afterwards we went back to California Adventure and explored A Bug's Land, where we felt like we were as little as bugs. By the time we were almost done with Bug's Land it was starting to get dark and everything really started to look cool. We wandered over to Hollywood Pictures and went on the Tower of Terror. It was like riding in an haunted elevator that drops from the top to the bottom of the tower then back up and down again. Not sure if I would do that one again. After our tummy tickling ride we picked up our World of Color picnic and found a table to eat at. We had a little time left so we rode the Jumpin Jellyfish and the Golden Zephyr. Then we found a place as close to the front of deck as we could to watch the World of Color water and light show. It was a really cool show but a little to crowded and was hard for the kids to see. It was a great day and a wonderful birthday for Ashley.

All the Disney employees throughout the day told Ashley happy birthday and we ended up calling her Princess Hollywood since she picked out big Hollywood style sunglasses. One employee asked her what princess she was since she wasn't wearing a traditional Disney princess costume. We told her that she was an original Princess Hollywood. She said she would keep an eye out for her movie in the future.