"Arg Matey!"

Before we left for Disneyland, we checked out all kinds of photos and videos on the Web, and got the kids super pumped about all the rides. And, when our travel package arrived with our tickets, it included a commemorative map of the park to celebrate the 50th anniversary (showing what the park looked like then on one side, and what it looks like now on the other). So we went over the map in great detail, planning which rides we wanted to RUN STRAIGHT TO as soon as we got there, and which ones we would ride OVER AND OVER ('cause they were our favorites!)... Through all this - the one ride that was consistently tops with the kids (and us) was PIRATES OF THE CARIBBEAN.

So imagine our dismay, when we got to the park and were met with a sign noting which rides were not working that day which listed only one ride out of commission: Pirates Of The Caribbean.

Boo Hoo.

We came to learn that the ride was down for an extended period of time so that it could be upgraded with new features from the Pirates movie (including a rumored addition of a Johnny Deep / Jack Sparrow animatronics character). It will reopen June 26th. I wish we could go - and who knows, maybe we will!

Even though the ride was closed, the Pirates shop was still open, and we had a lot of fun picking out piratey stuff for the boys, including: a onsie for Mazzy with a scull and cross bones on the front and the words "Poop Deck" on the butt; A set of keys (like the dog has in his mouth on the ride) for our pups to carry around; a giant pirate hat, hook, and ride themed T-shirt for Ryder; and the pièce de résistance - an authentic Captain Jack Sparrow costume for Landin.

Last Note: To make up for the fact that we missed the ride, we will dress the kids up in their costumes and teach them to sing "Yo Ho, Yo Ho, A Pirates Life for Me!" Here is a link to the lyrics for the song (in case you were wondering).

"Arg!"