Cast Life

While I worked in Bend and cleaned out the rest of the stuff from the house, Susan and Jenn started working at Disney World. They went through Traditions, the basic Disney orientation, and began training in their work locations. 

Jennifer was assigned to work full time at the Emporium in the Magic Kingdom, while Susan received part time at the Flame Tree BBQ in Animal Kingdom.

When they weren't working they spent some time in the parks, including checking out the Festival of Holidays at Epcot. 

But they worked a lot, picking up shifts when they could. Tonight they both worked PAC (Parade Audience Control) for the NYE fireworks at the Magic Kingdom.

Moving to Florida

A few months ago, Susan, Jennifer, and I decided to leave Oregon and move to Florida. We put the house on the market and two weeks ago, we packed up a moving truck and two cars and headed out. We headed east to Burns then turned south and drove through Nevada to Las Vegas. Then we turned east onto I-40 and continued east until we reached Mississippi, then proceeded southeast to Winter Garden. 

We pretty much drove all day for five days, stopping only to eat and get gas and sleep. This was the eleventh time I had driven across the country. We unloaded everything into our rental house and turned in the moving truck.

After a couple of days to unpack and rest, we spent Saturday at the two Universal parks. We went into Islands of Adventure and made our way back to the Harry Potter area, then took the train to Diagon Alley. After looking around there we went back to IOA and made our way out. 

On Monday, my last night, we enjoyed dinner at Boma at Animal Kindgom Lodge, then stayed the night in a villa there. Yesterday I took the Magical Express to the airport and flew back to Oregon.

Pinnacles National Park

We left San Diego Monday morning and headed north to San Luis Obispo, where we had dinner with friends. The next day we slept in, then continued up 101 to a KOA near Prunedale. Wednesday morning we drove east to Pinnacles National Park. The road was narrow and windy enough that I was glad I didn't try to camp in the park.

We checked out the Visitor Center and hiked up a trail, and the kids finished the Junior Ranger program. Then headed back to our trailer for the night. Pinnacles used to be a National Monument and just recently became a National Park, so there's not a whole lot there unless you are a dedicated hiker.

Yesterday we drove back to Oregon.

Cabrillo National Monument

Our last day in San Diego was spent at Cabrillo National Monument. Located on a peninsula west of downtown, it commemorates the landing of Juan Rodriguez Cabrillo at San Diego Bay, which began the European exploration and eventual settlement of the West Coast. 

It also contains an old light house, and a former army building which hosts an exhibit that tells the military history of Point Loma.

There are also great views of San Diego Bay.

Sea World San Diego

Friday morning we drove down to the San Diego KOA and dropped the trailer, then headed to Sea World, where we enjoyed the dolphin show and their Christmas decorations. Susan and I used the Platinum Passes we bought while in San Antonio in September.

We returned yesterday to enjoy more shows, animal exhibits, and some attractions. Bryan flew down and joined us, along with some friends. I enjoyed the views from the skytower. The kids especially enjoyed Manta, the park's family roller coaster. 

We bought the All Day Dining deal, so we stopped often for food, and that kept us pretty busy from park open to close. 

Disneyland Resort

We spent Wednesday at Disneyland park. We enjoyed seeing the Christmas decorations and experiencing some of our favorite attractions.  

We rode the train, and, as in January, I tried to take photos of the future Star Wars land.

Thursday night we attended a Disney Vacation Club Moonlight Magic event at California Adventure. DVC members got exclusive use of the park after regular park hours. We weren't too impressed. It was pretty crowded and not very well organized, although we enjoyed a free meal and free snacks.

I wanted to check out the new Incredicoaster overlay of California Screaming, but the line was very long all night.

Universal Hollywood

On Tuesday we headed down to Southern California. We stopped at Universal Hollywood and enjoyed the tram tour, the Special Effects show, and a few other attractions.

I was a little disappointed that the Hollywood version of the Mummy roller coaster wasn't as good the one in Orlando, but we enjoyed looking around the Harry Potter area and seeing the new Kung Fu Panda show.  

I would have liked to have gone on the Jurassic Park ride, but it was being updated into Jurassic World. In the afternoon we drove further south to a campground in Anaheim, near Disneyland.