Today we woke up a litter later, because after 2 days of more than 12 hours in the parks everything just hurts. After the morning ritual we took the car and drove towards the Disneyland Resort. We spoke with Gina & Glenn on Whatsapp and they would also be in the park today.

As we arrived at the parking garage of the Resort it was way more busy as the last 2 days but after a short while we arrived at our parking space and went to the parks with the tram. As soon as we arrived at Downtown Disney we noticed that a lot of people were wearing red t-shirts today. Reason for this…… Today was Gay Day at Disneyland Resort!!!

We met Gina & Glenn at the partner statue and it was good to see each other again after their wedding in March this year. Because we did most of the attractions on Thursday we decided to do the attractions with Gina & Glenn which they have not in Orlando or are different since it is their first time in Los Angeles to. We started with the Enchanted Tiki Room and then Pirates of the Caribbean. Because Gina is deaf she got a “disability pass” at City Hall for “a party of 4”. This means we were allowed to enter all the attraction through the Fastpass Lane or exit. That was really great on this day, because most of the waiting times were over 75 minutes. So we did Haunted Mansion Holiday (120 minutes waiting and we had 5 minutes), Splash Mountain (85 minutes waiting and for us 10 minutes). Not to bad if I say so myself. We also did Space Mountain, Star Tours and Submarine Voyage. And all with just a minimum waiting line, but we saw that the park was really full today.

Unfortunately Gina & Glenn had to leave at 04:00h because they had dinner reservations outside the Resort. As we walked to the exit we did a Photopass Photo with the 4 of us.

As Gina & Glenn left, we watched the Soundsational Parade at Town Square and visited Mr. Lincoln at Great Moments with Mr. Lincoln.

At was getting later and we went looking for a place to have dinner tonight. Because it was so busy we ended up at Hungry Bear restaurant where it was quit and we sat here for a while. After dinner we bought a sweater for Sander because it was getting pretty chilly outside and tonight we wanted both Fantasmic! and the Fireworks, a long night ahead of us. We also discovered the shop where you can buy the Photopass-packages and we bought the Photopass+ package which also contains on-ride photos. We went to Space Mountain and Splash Mountain to get our on-ride photos from today.

And the. The big waiting and searching for a good spot was going to begin. We had decides to see the firework at 09:30h and Fantasmic! at 10:30h. As we arrived in front of the castle every spot had been filled so it was difficult to find a spot with a good view at the castle, but we found one. The advantage of such a small castle is that the firework as all above the castle. After 30 minutes waiting the show began. It started with the Wished music and it ended with the Wishes music. And everything in between……… was just great with the comments of Julie Andrews.

Then the big challenge began. Moving the whole crowd from the hub in front of the castle to Frontierland for the 10:30h show of Fantasmic! A little chaotic it was, but after a short time we had a spot on the bridge in front of Pirates of the Caribbean. In front of us were some people from San Francisco and they had Vinylmations. As soon as Sander noticed they had a Dumbo Vinylmation which they had double, and he asked if he could buy it from him because I am a Dumbo-fan. And as a surprise the guy just gave it to me, really nice.

We waited for the show to begin and I must say, I like the Orlando-version of Fantasmic! better. But it was as usual in Disney a great show.

Then there was only one thing left for today. Leave the park, get with the tram to de car and drive to the hotel.

This morning we woke up and told each other this day is the reason for this vacation and this is also the day we looked forward too for a year. We managed to get a late checkout (14:00) in the Indigo hotel which fitted almost perfect to the time we should be in the church (15:30).

Since we still wake up early due to the jet-lag we had some time left today. Danielle thought that shopping would be a great way to spend the morning and we went to Woodbridge Centre. She wanted to buy slipper as an exchange for the black heels she had brought with her. But first we needed a breakfast and we ended up at the Starbucks. Danielle found a nice pair of slippers which fitted perfectly to her dress.

After successful shopping we went back to the hotel to change from jeans to dress/suit. After changing we packed the suitcases in our car and went towards the church in Staten Island. The church is new and looks great. It is the most beautiful church I’ve ever seen.

The wedding mass was nice and somewhat different them we are used to from in the Netherlands. There was a live singer and the participants are participating more. The priest even made some jokes. After somewhat over a hour the mass was over and it was time to congratulate the newly weds. Then we needed to rush to the hotel to be on time on the party location which was in the Venetian in Garfield New Jersey.

There was a lot of traffic on the road but in roundabout 45 minutes we arrived at the Holliday Inn. And we were just in time for the latest shuttle towards the The Vemetian which meant we could both drink some alcohol! When we arrived we both were blown away. Such a nice location. In between the other 240 guests we soon found a table with Richy and Denise (the people we celebrate thanksgiving with in 2009). The food served at the cocktail party was delicious, they were serving a huge amount number of really big shrimps. Rumors go that there is no shrimp left in the oceans near New York City.I also had a short look at the location and made some pictures with my iPhone.

Soon the 2nd part was starting and we were sitting on table number 20. With other friends from Glenn. The dining room was even more beautiful then the other areas of the location. The food served was very tastedful and contained Sushi, Burgers, Chinese style food, Italian food and probably lost more but it was too much to try everything. You all know I’m a big eater and I’ve seen some food coming together but this topped everything. And the things I tried were really delicious.

And where there is dinner there is also a dessert. And I didn’t make any pictures of this part since I was blown away. It seemed to be even more then the main course. There were a white chocolate fountain, milk chocolate fountain, wafer makers, popcorn machine, cotton candy, cocktail glasses with different kinds of pudding, chocolate mouse, cake, fruit covered in chocolate, fruit. Can you remember the picture of the strawberry we had at Magic Kingdom in 2009, the one bigger then a golf-bal? Today I should have brought a honk-bal because the strawberry were bigger and more tasteful.

And in between the eating there was a lot of dancing going on. And yes there was some alcohol too. They actually had some interesting beers like Guinness and Corona! There were cocktails and shots without limits. And the following guy, Sully “took one for the team”

I think this picture says it all. We had an awesome experience and if they ask us to come to the party again we would definitely do it! The two families and the friends of both Glenn and Gina are great we’ve met a lot of nice and interesting people.

And the. A couple readers asked after pictures from the dress. I would first try to describe it. Gina was the shining star of the day. Her dress was American made and that was something you could see by all the shining stones on the dress.

And then there was also the groom.

Glenn, Gina it was a pleasure to be part of this wonderful day. We can’t thank you enough for inviting us. I’m looking forward to the anniversary party’s already! 😉 Thanks for making us part of the beginning of your future together.