Shrine Dance/Broomball

 

Friday we checked out of our room at the Disneyland Resort, and after a few hours in the park, headed up to Los Angeles for the annual Shrine Dance.

It was held at the Shrine Auditorium next to the USC campus, and DeMolay, Rainbow, and Job's Daughters from all over Southern California were there.

After the dance we drove out to El Segundo where the kids played broomball.

While Susan and I drove back from California, Bryan and Jennifer flew back to Oregon and attended the reception of the Grand Worthy Associate Advisor. This morning Jennifer returned to Salem for the Grand Initiaition.

Buena Vista Street

 

We started today in Disneyland, riding Matterhorn and Small World, and took pictures with Merida. Then we headed over to California Adventure to take our VISA picture with Stitch. 

After that we explored the shops of Buena Vista Street. Disney did a nice job of improving the look of the entry shops when they changed from Sunshine Plaza to Buena Vista Street. Just before noon, we went over to the DVC preview area at the Disneyland Hotel, to check out the models for the Aulani resort. We had lunch at House of Blues, then the kids went for a swim.

In the evening we went back into DCA and rode the Little Mermaid and Mater's Jamboree. We watched the neon lights come on in Carsland, then waited a little over an hour to ride Radiator Springs Racers after dark.

We finished with a ride on Soaring, then went up to the hotel's overlook to watch World of Color.

Carsland

This morning we began our day at California Adventure, checking out the new area, Carsland. We rode Radiator Springs Racers, then Luigi tires.  

Radiator Springs is definitely a great ride, a combination of dark ride and thrill ride, with lots of details. It similar to Test Track at Epcot, but better.

The tire ride is a fun little ride. We then headed over to Hollywood, where we had our picture taken with Stitch. After lunch at the Pacific Wharf, we went to the Pier to ride Midway Mania. We then headed back to the room, and the kids went for a swim.

After an early dinner, we headed into Disneyland, where we rode Buzz, Peter Pan, Haunted Mansion, Pirates, and Jungle Cruise. Disneyland was all decked out for Halloween.

Disneyland Hotel

We began our second day at the Disneyland Resort with a DVC member event at the Disneyland Hotel. Disney has pretty much completed updating the hotel, and it looks pretty nice. We then went into DCA and rode Midway Mania and walked through Carsland. We met some friends for lunch. 

We thought about trying the new Tangaroa Terrace at the Disneyland Hotel, but decided we wanted something a little nicer than counter service. 

None of the other DLH restaurants are open for lunch, so we ate at the ESPN Zone. Across the way, the old Compass Bookstore was being converted to an Earl of Sandwich restaurant.

Afterwards we walked around the hotels. I was glad to see that, even though they removed the waterfalls in front of the DLH's old Bonita Tower, they added a new one, even if it is quite a bit smaller.

We hung out in the room until dinner, then finished the day by going back into DCA to watch World of Color.

Disneyland

Friday night, Bryan passed his Eagle Scout board of review. On Saturday we got up early and drove down to California, and had dinner with my parents. This morning we drove over the grapevine and into Southern California.

While Susan and I checked into the Grand Californian Hotel and did some grocery shopping, Bryan and Jennifer went into the parks to meet friends. We had a one-bedroom villa on the second floor, with a view of the Paradise Pier section of California Adventure.

GWAR

Yesterday we drove to Eastern Oregon for the reception of the Grand Worthy Advisor of Oregon Rainbow. It was held at the High School Gymnasium in Union, and had a rodeo theme. Above, Jennifer waits to be introduced with the other Grand Officers.

Bryan sat in the east with the heads of other statewide groups, and presented a gift to the GWA from Oregon DeMolay.