The previous evening Maria's luggage had still not arrived; but the woman at the hotel reception said bags were often delivered in the middle of the night. So heading down around 6am (another near sleepless night for me had passed) to reception I was particularly happy to find Maria's suitcase there. Back in the hotel room I contacted Alamo (our car rental firm) and discovered that if we didn't have a credit card (almost a crime here in the US - I saw an
advert on the TV yesterday that implied paying by cash (it was for food) was somehow wrong) that we could pay a large amount up front. So that dictated a new approach (that still informs our approach to the US even now 2 weeks later) - I called The Commonwealth (yet again) and had the withdrawal limit raised on the keycard, and withdrew "hefty" sums across the next 3 days.
All that sorted and with buoyed optimism we headed off to California Adventure Park - the "sister" park of classic Disneyland, and literally just across the way. We knew little of California Adventure Park other than some things Jenny and Scott had told us -
the names of good rides, etc.
As for the previous day we found that the park was not at all crowded and were once again able to enjoy all the "top" rides with minimum waits. We did Soar (our first ride) - wonderful, Grizzly River Run (the white water rafting ride in which we all got very wet - we did it twice and the kids 3 times) - exhilarating, the Tower of Terror (Grant evetually getting the courage to go on) - adrenaline pumping ... but the most popular region of the park for the family was Paradise Pier. Here was found California Screamin the high-speed roller-coaster that launches you off with immediate speed. This was the family's favourite ride and a ride we
revisited again and again. It was interesting observing the change in Grant (who did not join us the first time on the ride and took some convincing to give it a try), who by the last rides, was aware of where the camera was and thus assumed a suitable pose, as well as doing most of the trip with hands raised. On the other hand Zoe seemed unphased by any of the rides - certainly excited, but never frightened. The Maliboomer - a vertical tower where you are launched 60 metres straight up - was also ridden by all and was quite hair-raising (literally - at the peak of the ascent the seats then plumet, so you feel yourself momentarily leave the seat as you continue with the upwards momentum), while Mulholland Madness was not a favourite, and the kids rode the
Orange Stinger over and over again.
We all agreed that the rides in California Adventure Park were particularly thrilling and though often stripped of the window dressing back-story or theme of the Disneyland rides, could not be beaten for the sheer "physical experience".
By the park's 6pm closing time we were all again very tired, and should have taken this as a warning sign. However aware that we were to set off for a long road-trip in just over 2 day's time, but had
no maps or other detailed knowledge of roads and where we were going; we decided to take a trip to the "nearby" Target to pickup a road atlas and a couple of other things.
Nearby as in 5-blocks, but 5 massive LA blocks - nescetating a cab or hire car (our case) for the trip. By the time we were there the kids were so exhausted that Grant was lying on the floor of Target all-but refusing to move. We got the atlas (which has proved invaluable), but it would have been better not to have gone out. Once again we fell back on Maccers from next door to the hotel, with the kids needing to be awoken to eat by the time I was back (being "across the
road" from Disneyland this Macdonalds has the longest waits I've ever experienced as many people exiting the parks use it to pick up an "easy" meal). All in all a great day, though it finished poorly.
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