Vacation of Visiting Friends, Part 6: Sherilyn! Day One at the Mouse's House

The 6th, and final visit on my Vacation of Visiting friends from the last 19-38 years is with my friend, Sherilyn, who I call Sheri, or simply, Bear. We've been friends since 8th grade, which was our one and only year in Junior High School. Well, technically, we originally met in 6th grade at Jill Freeman's slumber Birthday party, and we totally hit it off, but we didn't really get to know each other until we went to school with each other from 8th through 10th grade.

The thing about Sheri and I is that we laugh all the time when we're together. It doesn't take much, but we always seem to have the case of the giggles when we're together. Always have, always will. She lives down in Burbank now, and has lived in Southern Cal ever since she left Milpitas after our Sophomore year in High School. We had lots of lots of classes together. She was the friend who I always passed notes to and from in class. Somehow, we never got in trouble. Well, I suppose that's because we were good students, who didn't really ever do much to get in trouble. Sheri is very bright, and extraordinarily well-rounded: she works as an engineer, a writer, and a poet. Oh, and she's also a Roller Derby Referee. She's got it all going on.

Plus, she's terribly funny. Did I mention how much she makes me laugh?

Sheri and I drove early from Burbank down to Anaheim this morning. We're going to spend a total of two days together at Disneyland and California Adventure. Coincidentally, Terri and her family also spent the day at Disneyland today, which was wonderful! We were able to connect with them several times, went on a few rides together (a group of 8 of us!), and had lunch and dinner together. The whole thing just made my heart so happy.

Apparently, the first week of November is the perfect time to come to Disney. We never waited for more than 10 minutes to get onto any ride. The newest and most popular ride, Radiator Springs at California Adventure was, unfortunately, closed both days that we'll be here. bummer. Other than that, we were able to get onto each and every ride in record time. We rode all the major ones today in both parks, including going back to Star Tours three times (each time different) and two back-to-back rides on the Haunted Mansion, which I was thrilled to see was still decorated (through Christmas, apparently) for The Nightmare Before Christmas. I had heard that they've been doing this for several years, but never made it down to Disneyland during the Halloween season. I had always assumed that they just put a few decorations up, inside and outside the mansion. It turns out, the completely transform the entire ride! It was ridiculously cool to be on a ride so familiar, yet totally different, and not know what to expect.

Thank you again to Derek and Terri for helping us get tickets today, and for sharing your family vacation with us! We had a wonderful time together!! Looking forward to one more day of Disney tomorrow!!


Trina and Sherilyn in front of Sleeping Beauty's Castle


Connecting with the Alff Family (and friends)


Terri, with her Yoda backpack


A perfect day in Anaheim


Just one example of the short lines at the park today. This was the line wait time for Star Tours - 5 minutes. Mostly, it meant that it would take 5 minutes to walk to the front of the line.


"It's a Small World" was closed (unfortunately for us) so they could decorate it for the Holidays


The Haunted Mansion was still decorated for Halloween/Nightmare Before Christmas (lucky for us!)!


the front of the Haunted Mansion


Inside the ride - the background as you board the ride


It's Jack Skellington and Zero!


Sally, saying goodbye to us at the end of the ride


Sherilyn's cool new R2-D2 Mouse Ears


Our party of eight filled an entire row of Star Tours


our final score on the Buzz Lightyear ride


California Adventure at night, waiting for "World of Color" show.