After a week in Las Vegas and its incredible sprawl, it was a great relief to once again head into the desert. The trip from LV to Victorville, CA (just beyond Barstow) crosses the Mojave and reminds one of how arduous travel in these parts was before the speed and comfort of the modern auto. But enough of that; next stop—Disneyland!
Early December is off-season for Disney. The Anaheim area motels and restaurants are less than half full, and cheap room rates are the norm. We chose an older property one block from the main gate. In the summer or during school vacation weeks, the place is probably a nightmare; during our stay it was as quiet as could be. In the Magic Kingdom the lines were short and it was easy to move around. The only advantage of the slow periods, however, is the lack of crowds; prices in the theme parks do not change. Favorite ride: Pirates of the Caribbean.