We spent 3-1/2 days in Disneyland, so rather than chronicle
the entire 3-1/2 days and 237 miles total walked (give or take a 100miles), I will
merely hit some quick highlights.
First day in the park we went early to get in line, thinking
(correctly I might add) that the park would be super crazy busy. We arrived
around 715 and people were already streaming into the park. I asked one of the
attendants if that was for Magic Morning (for you non-Disney people you can get
in before the park opens with these passes), after telling us yes it was, she
promptly handed us four Magic Morning passes. This was going to be a good trip.
The boys made us a promise that they would try every ride in
the park, minus Tower of Terror and California Screaming, this trip. We started
on Indiana Jones, Connor freaked out so Mandy took him out and I went with
Alex. We tried Thunder Mountain Railroad, Connor freaked out so we took turns
with Alex. We tried Star Tours; both boys loved it, although Connor would not
go again. Oh well, he tried it once. No matter how old you are or your kids
are, you have to do Autotopia, Jungle Cruise and the carousel in Fantasyland
(even if it’s only because your wife wants to relive Saving Mr. Banks moments.
Ok not really it is for nostalgic reasons too). Especially, when they hit that magical
56” height and can drive themselves on Autotopia. We
met Captain America. We saw Iron Man’s suits from the movies (editor’s note: I
was more excited than the boys to see the suits. My inner 10 year old boy was
in full effect seeing Iron Man and the Cap. I was actually mad I didn’t wear my
Iron Man shirt that day. Yes I have an Iron Man shirt. Don’t judge, I have a Millennium
Falcon shirt too. Wow, I am such a loser.)
There was some drama the second day. We have never ridden
Grizzly Rapids on any of our trips there; something about being soaking wet the
rest of the day is just not appealing to me. However, this is an observation
deck on the big drop that you can get relatively close and get some spray.
Think the observation deck at Niagara Falls (editor’s note: I have never been
to Niagara Falls but I’ve seen pictures and it must be close to the same thing)
but on a smaller scale. Alex and I went down there with Connor. Me being the
fantastic father I am (sarcasm font) I decided to pick up Connor so he could experience
the full effect of being sprayed. First drop no problem, “ok Papa put me down
now,” he asked. “No let’s get one more spray,” I replied. That is when the next
car/pod dropped and a wave straight out of The Perfect Storm hit Connor and I.
There were immediate tears, immediate guilt and $80 dollars and 30minutes later
Connor had new socks, shorts and a beach towel (no ever said Disney was cheap).
As I was shivering later that night at dinner at the Blue Bayou, Connor and I
could finally laugh about the experience. My shoes and socks were still not
happy with me.
Day three was only at night due to our day Angel’s game and
it was mostly Star Tours, Pirates and Thunder Mountain Railroad, more about the
Railroad a little later (crap this is turning into another long post. Oh well,
I’m on a roll baby).
Day Four was a day where we had no plans, no dinner
reservations, just what do we still want to do and let’s do it. It turned out
to literally be the best day we have ever had in the park. It was dead. A
Friday in June and it was dead. We counted that night and we were able to get
on 26 rides on various attractions (albeit I think 25 of those were between
Pirates and Thunder Railroad). We ruled
the Fast Pass. Spent the morning at California Adventure and the rest of the
day at the main Park. We were able to ride in the front of the Monorail with
the conductor
Picture taken before conductor joined train…..or was it????????
We went Goofy (see that pun) over hats:
Just had a great relaxing day that ended up being awesome.
Two more items about Disneyland and I promise I’ll be done.
I mentioned above that Connor had meltdowns over riding the “scary” rides. At
the end of day 3 he was bribed (we are not above bribery) with a Indiana Jones play
set if he would just ride Thunder Mountain at least once. We went and got our
Fast Passes, waited until it was our turn to go. The walk down was torture,
would he have another tantrum? Did he get the play set or not? The normal
chatter box that is Connor went into hyper drive: “Youknowpapathedinsaourbonesareattheveryendrightthere.Doyousee?Righttherebythelights.Aretheirreallyrattlesnakesontheride?Goats?Istheexplosionloud?”
That last sentence is verbatim and it was said in the span of 2.12seconds. When
it was our turn to get in the train, the whole world went silent. The tension
could have been cut by Captain Hooks, well hook. He insisted I ride with my arm
around him. The curtain was lifted after the first drop. He laughed and
screamed on the ride, not the hysterical I’m going to wet myself before I die
scream but pure unadulterated joy scream. When the ride was over he put two
little arms into the arm, pulled them straight down, fists clenched with a
resounding. “YES I DID IT. THAT WAS AWESOME!” He was able to overcome another
fear on the trip. Hence why we rode Thunder Mountain another 6 times. After the
last ride on Friday night, he had a moment alone by the fence of the ride to
say good-bye to his new favorite ride.
Second last thing; food in the park is beyond good. BBQ in
Frontier Land, dinner at the Blue Bayou (jambalaya), churro bites with chocolate
sauce, chocolate twist, Red’s Frozen apple drink (Red as the fire engine from
Car’s not the apple flavored beer), Mickey Cookie, Bengal BBQ, pineapple
spears, Dole Whip, Perfectly Pleasantly Punch, and finally beignets. I love the
food in the park. I could go back and just gorge the whole time.
All in all this was by far our most successful Disneyland
trip.
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