After my all day session on law for dummies (or legal issues for IT professionals), I walked a couple of miles to Downtown Disney. This is a commercial area between Disneyland, California Adventure and the Disneyland Hotel. It is in the area that used to be the parking lot for Disneyland.
The entrance to Disneyland is decorated with pumpkins to sort of fit the season but there was a surprising number of people. I thought school was still in session.
In this area, there were a number of restaurants serving a variety of food. Everything from New Orleans fare at the House of Blues to typical Disney fast food to high end restaurants upstairs overlooking the crowds. The temperature was very pleasant and since I didn't need to keep track of anyone else, walking through the crowds didn't really bother me much.
Several large toy shops, such as this Lego store, gave folks plenty of opportunity to part with their hard earned dollars. One day admission to the park is (hold onto something) $92.00! That's for only one days admission for one person for one park. I guess I won't be visiting Disneyland anytime in the near future. But this area, Downtown Disney, is still a nice, clean, safe area to walk around and you do need to go through a couple of security checkpoints. They search your bags and backpacks for weapons and food. I guess, bringing a sandwich for lunch isn't allowed and could be dangerous.
This sculpture outside the main Disney store is my favorite in the area. I have always been a Mickey and Minnie Mouse fan over all of the other characters that have been introduced over the years. One of the odd things were all of the adults dressed up as Disney characters. These weren't employees as they were pushing strollers and carrying backpacks and purses. Kind of weird. It reminded me of the mostly girls in Japan dressed up as anime characters. Equally odd.
All of this walking gave me 16,054 steps for the day. I am using an app on my iPhone 5S that uses the M7 motion co-processor to track steps instead of the CPU. This means that I can have the app running all day long with little if any impact on the battery. Finally a real pedometer. Supposedly Nike is coming out with a new app which does the same thing except it will be integrated with the Nike+ site. I'm looking forward to that app.
Crowds, don't like them....I am sure I wouldn't pay the admission fee these days, when my boys were little that was different. Didn't see ant souvenirs feathering Mickey and minne in a sidecar rig? :)
ReplyDeleteNo, I didn't spot any Mickey and Minnie on a sidecar rig souvenirs. But did see large crowds of people. Probably not as many as would be here in the busy seasons but plenty for me...
DeleteThat is a lot of walking, good for you.
ReplyDeleteWonder why so many people were milling around if school is in session. People with young kids maybe or on vacation. The admission is a little scary, but the sculpture is cute.
I've sort of gotten out of the habit of walking everywhere. I guess the motorcycle is unhealthy…
DeleteIt really struck me as odd that there were so many parents with kids running around the Disney area.
Richard:
ReplyDeleteI remember doing the Disneyland thing but it was a long time ago during the 70's and we parked in that large parking lot. Things must be different now but I also have no desire to see all those crowds.
Forget the $92. admission. Even $20 would be too much for me now.
Wow, you walked nearly 8 miles ! you would have left me in the dust (16,054x2.5) / (5280)
bob
Riding the Wet Coast
I've been to Disneyland many, many times though it used to be a whole lot cheaper. And the admission seems to have risen far faster than inflation. More services, I guess. The new parking lots are where a lot of the smaller, independent hotels and motels used to be.
DeleteAnd that was mostly in the evening. Today, I'll be on my feet for most of the day...
You're making good progress on the walking, Richard.
ReplyDeleteI have never actually considered counting steps, or mileage. I am just happy to get out and exercise.
I found that I am much more willing to exercise if there is some sort of feedback. For years, I have been using the Nike+ site and given a choice, I'd continue using it again once they have a better app available. Better meaning one that uses the M7 coprocessor in the iPhone to minimize battery consumption.
DeleteOne of my fondest childhood memories from the early 60's was a Family trip from MT. to Disneyland. The "Submarine", the "Auto-Rama"(basically go-carts) and the "Matterhorn" were the top end thrill rides of the day....things were a lot simpler in those days.
ReplyDeleteI think that all of those rides still exist and almost unchanged from the 60s. Maybe the cars look a little newer but the Briggs and Stratton engine and single pedal control is still there. What is different is no more ride tickets so the entrance fee is all inclusive as far as rides go.
DeletePeg and I lived in Garden Grove for a bit and made numerous evening trips to nearby Disneyland. Crowds were gone for the most part, reduced rates made we newlyweds truly feel like kids.....only fond memories of outside dining and outdoor music acts. We watched the fireworks from our patio (and from the pool).
ReplyDeleteI had an uncle, aunt and cousins in Garden Grove and I remember watching lots of fireworks shows from their backyard.
DeleteI remember a couple of decades ago my first wife and I used to buy annual passes to D-Land and it would cost us about $92.00 for one. We used to time things just right by getting into the Skybuckets and watch the 9:30pm fireworks.
ReplyDeleteNow the annual pass is $669.00 which isn't too bad if you enjoy the Disney experience. I've been there a many times and if you go often, the lines sort of become a non-issue since you aren't trying to fit everything into a day or two.
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