Anaheim - Day 2

It's difficult to become homesick when so much of your trip reminds you of home. Today I woke up late and hand a nice leisurely morning as I listened to the rain outside. Yes. Rain. In southern California. Awesome. I took my time showering and getting ready for the day because I was not looking forward to going outside. I'm not kidding when I say it was pouring outside. And rather chilly too. It only got up to about 51 degrees in the pouring rain.

I had some errands to run in the morning, which included going to to pick up tickets for the night at Disneyland. After hanging out at the Company Team Center for a little while looking around, I headed back to the hotel to do some research on the computer.

I wanted to find the store I went to last time I was here, and forgot the name of the complex it was in. I did remember that it was next to the Crystal Cathedral, which is, aptly named, a cathedral made out of crystal. The place is called Sports Treasures and is in the Block at Orange. It's a cool little sports store, that doesn't have much by way of hockey, but what it does have is Ducks related. I didn't buy much, a t-shirt, a few coozeys, but it was fun anyway.

After that I stopped by a Del Taco for the first time. I got a free coupon for a taco at last night's Ducks game and decided to check it out. It was...eh. Nothing special. And my tacos came with fries, which I found rather odd. I ran through the rain back to my car to head up to this little mom and pop (but really only pop) sports store that I found last time. He has a lot of old stuff.

He doesn't have much Ducks stuff anymore, but I did get a rather cool Mighty Ducks rugby shirt. I was talking to the guy while looking around and he said that his sails were awful, and he probably wasn't going to renew his lease. I felt bad leaving without buying anything, and the rugby shirt was the coolest thing he had that I wanted. So I either was a good guy by helping him out, or he's has a great sales gimmick and I'm a rube. No matter - I like the shirt.

I went back to the Pond to do some shopping in peace. Everything there is ridiculously overpriced, but I found a deliciously awful bright orange Ducks sweatshirt on clearance that I just HAD to have.

I went back to my hotel to freshen up and then it was off to Disneyland! One of the girls that I met at the game last night came with me. It was nice to have a local's advice as we walked around. First it was California Adventure to kill some time before Disneyland re-opened, then it was on to the main park!

California Adventure has a cool Toy Story shoot-em up ride, as well as a fun Monsters Inc ride that I did. There's also an interesting movie montage area that has a 20 minute loop honoring all the Disney movie magic. We also checked out the resort attached to that park. Very nice. Has a lodge type feel to it. And the fact that it was so cold made it especially awesome.

We didn't stay there long before heading to Disneyland. Once inside, we did the Indiana Jones ride. You're basically in a giant jeep as you head through an underground...umm...archeological site? I'm not really sure. It was fun though. It was fast, which was fun but a shame because you wizzed past a lot of what looked to be interesting details that were put in. I may have to ride that one again. From there it was off to Pirates of the Caribbean, which never disappoints, and then, after a Churro break, to the Haunted Mansion, that is dressed up for Nightmare Before Christmas. Very awesome!

Next it was the Pinocchio ride, Small World, had to pass on Mr Toads Wild Ride as they were having issues, and a really awesome spiny car ride in Toon Town based on Roger Rabbit. You go through and spin the car like it's a teacup as you go through it. Super sweet!

Next was Tomorrowland and the Autopia, Buzz Lightyear shoot'em up, and Star Tours (which is exactly the same as in Florida...bummer).

And that was the end of the long day. I picked up my ornament on my way out and am now back at my hotel. I'm so sleepy, I think I'm gonna pass out now.

More tomorrow, including another day at Disneyland, and another Ducks game!