Disneyland 2015 Trip Report: Part Six

I woke up on the last day in Disneyland ready to conquer everything I hadn't accomplished that was on my "to-do" list. My mother and I were in Disneyland for rope drop that morning, and we were so excited to see that they had put the Halloween decorations out the night before. They park was looking so lovely for Fall!

There are moments in Disney that are truly magical. One of the characters I wanted to meet this trip was Peter Pan. But I hadn't taken the time to track him down. Yet, I rounded a corner in Fantasy land and poof there he was. I was super excited! I was also thrilled to show him my Never land Galleons shirt. He liked it! 

I headed over to D.C.A after a quick morning in Disneyland to try out some rides I hadn't yet got to. First on the agenda was California Screamin'.  What a fun ride. It wasn't such a big thrill that it scared the pants off me, but it was just enough to get the blood going! 

I also rode Mike & Sully to the Rescue. I loved it, it is like a classic dark ride but modernized. I'm also a big fan on Monsters Inc. And I always laugh when I think of Mike Wozawski, as my niece has a BRIGHT, green car named Wozawski!

I spent a good deal of the afternoon re-riding rides in both Disneyland & California Adventure, grabbing lunch with mom, and packing to go home the next day. I think I may have even taken a nap, so I could close down the park later.

One of the big things on my agenda was to see the Cars lighting ceremony. If you have seen the movie, you will know what I'm talking about. They recreate that exact moment every night at sunset.

So when I hit the parks that evening, I hung out in Carsland, waiting for the event to start, and in the meantime, I hung out with Tow Mater. He was pretty darn cute I have to say.  Finally, the ceremony started, and I recorded a snippet of it. I loved it! Such a simple but perfect touch.

After one final ride on Radiator Springs' Racers, I headed back to Disneyland for the final few hours. I did nothing new, I just stuck with classic attractions like Dumbo. I also had to ride Winnie the Pooh because I never will forget riding it with Adam years ago, when he turned to me and asked, "Is this Pooh's descent into madness?" 

 

Right before the park closed, I jumped on Indiana Jones' Adventure. It was a perfect way to end the night. 

 

I'll be honest I was a little sad leaving the park, knowing the vacation was done. I even took the long walk back to the hotel, instead of hopping on the monorail, soaking up the last moments.

 

 

We got up the next morning at 3:30 a.m. to catch our flight (ugh). It was a long day spent in airports, but I was so happy to get home to my boys (who were both at the airport). Although Orlando is pretty easy to get to for us,  who knows when I'll be back out to California. But hopefully I made plenty of Disneyland memories to last me awhile!

 

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Disneyland 2015 Trip Report: Part Five

I was so excited about day 5 of our vacation, simply because I didn't have to get up and run, nor did I have to worry about "saving my feet." I could hit the parks to my hearts content. Plus, this was also the day I would be truly exploring California Adventure for the first time. I was so excited, I got there at rope drop!

California Adventure is simply a beautiful park. I read somewhere where someone described it as a park all about atmosphere, and I agree with that. When you walk in, it feels like you stepped back in time to old school Hollywood!

First on my DCA agenda was to really spend some time in Carsland. It was definitely the aspect of the trip I was most looking forward to. And I don't think pictures or me talking about it (or anyone talking about it) can really do it justice. You have to be there. The attention to detail is crazy good! It is so charming and immersive, I just loved spending time there. 

I was so pumped to hit up Radiator Springs Racers! I even jumped in the stand by line, when I could have easily gotten on the ride quicker by doing single rider. But I wanted to check out the fun queue! The inside of the ride was excellent, as they prepare your car for the "race." And then shooting out on the track was soo fun! I ended up riding it three times! I highly suggest doing it at night as well, as it is a totally different experience! 

After exploring Carsland, I went to meet Oswald the Lucky Rabbit. Most people don't know this, but he was the predecessor to Mickey Mouse, but he was lost in some kind of business dealing, and he was just recently returned to Walt Disney! I met him a few days after his 88th birthday, so I got to wish him a Happy Belated Birthday. He was a pleasure to meet with.

I rode a few rides that morning (Soarin, The Grizzly River Run, and Ariel's Undersea Adventure), and I decided I would go and see the Frozen Sing Along. I really enjoyed it. Yes, I am a Frozen fan, though not a Frozen FIEND. It was a really cute show, and yes I sung along!! I loved when the confetti fell from the sky, and we got to belt out Let it Go!

That afternoon my mother and I took the Walk in Walt's Footsteps tour. It was a special tour, that gave the history of the park as well as Walt Disney's involvement! It was really enjoyable. We got front of the line access to some of the attractions (Small World, Alice in Wonderland, & The Railroad). We also got to tour the dream suite! We weren't allowed to take pictures (though plenty can be found online). But it was so amazing, every room had special effects, and the bathroom was a complete dream. Oh if only I could stay the night there, my life would be made. 

The tour bought us lunch at the Jolly Holiday Bakery & Cafe. Not only was it freakin' adorable (I love Mary Poppins), it was delicious. I had the freshest salad, followed by the perfectly sweet Matterhorn Macaroon. 

The last new thing I did on day 5 was to take in a showing of World of Color at D.C.A. It was wonderful. Of course, I love the water projections, but this show made me totally emotional. Though I am a big softie. But when they played the song, "Forever Young," it just got me!

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Disneyland 2015 Trip Report: Part Four

I got cleaned up from the race, and then Mom and I decided to try to get into Trader's Sam, which is a really unique bar at the Disneyland hotel! It can be hard to get into because there are limited tables, so we basically just stood around and stalked people for a seat! 

Trader's Sam is so fun though because when people order certain drinks it sets off a reaction throughout the bar. There will be a storm or a volcano will blow! So there is something going on all the time. We ordered some food (Shrimp tacos for me, Pulled Pork Sandwhich and Sweet Potato Fries for Mom). And I finally had my first alcoholic beverage of the trip, I was trying to make sure I stayed hydrated pre-race! 

I hit the parks post lunch and post nap. I managed to get in a few rides before dinner time! I rode Splash Mountain on the single rider line because it was just so blasted hot (plus it's such a classic)! And I also rode Star Tours, because let's face it, if I didn't, Adam would probably divorce me. 

We did the Fantasmic! Dining package at RiverBelle Terrace. Which allowed us priority seating for the show later that evening. Our meal was really good! It was 3 courses, and everything was wonderful. I particularly loved the apple crisp. We loved sitting right by the Rivers of America as well, watching the Columbia & Mark Twain roll by. 

  

While waiting for Fantasmic, we took a couple of rides on Pirates (man I love that ride). We also did a little shopping in AdventureLand. We both bought Tiki Birds. I hung mine on the front porch, and it is one of my favorite souvenirs.

We watched Fantasmic, and it was amazing as always. But I just didn't get any decent pictures, I really just sat back and enjoyed the show. I also caught the Disneyland Forever firework show afterwards.

One of the last things I did that day was go to the Paint the Night Parade. I ALMOST skipped it, I was so tired. But I managed to find a spot on the curb on main street. And I literally sat on the sidewalk and dozed off and on until the parade started. 

I'm so glad I stayed. That parade was a total highlight of the trip! The lights, the characters, and most of all the music, made it so worth it. I could have sat through it 50x over.

After that, I walked to the hotel to finally get some much needed sleep!

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