Back! - Disneyland May 2014

[RandomPrincess]

We had a great 10 day trip to Southern CA! We spent 4 half days at Disneyland Parks - yes half between the time change and having two preschoolers we couldn't make it more with out breakdowns - of which there was one complete breakdown by my 5 yo daughter. I will post some photos, impressions and anecdotes of the trip coming up.

Here is a picture of my kids from the real reason we flew out - to participate in my cousins wedding - Here are my kiddos as the flower girl and ring bearer.

 

[Californian Elitist]

Oh my gosh, they are so cute!!!!! Glad your homecoming was fun!

 

[RandomPrincess]

So we flew out the evening of May 17th. We had a slight delay before boarding and my DD chatted with the pilots. So they asked my kids to stop by the cockpit during boarding -

My son didn't want to leave -

 

[Californian Elitist]

So we flew out the evening of May 17th. We had a slight delay before boarding and my DD chatted with the pilots. So they asked my kids to stop by the cockpit during boarding -

My son didn't want to leave -

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That is so cool! I've always wanted to visit a cockpit.

 

[coachwnh]

Looking forward to hearing and seeing more! Im sure being in the cockpit was a thrill for your kids. Being in the wedding was probably pretty exciting, too!

 

[RandomPrincess]

Sunday was our first day at Disneyland. We weren't originally planning on going on the weekend but it was the only time we could see my cousin perform in Fantasmic. We let everyone sleep in and have a slow morning. Then we hit the park at about 1:00. My abuelita leave 20 minutes from the parks so it's an easy drive in the car pool lane the whole way.

First stop Cars Land!

We ate lunch at Flo's friendly quick and very organized line. The food was decent and the real silverware was great.


We hit Luigi's and Mater's both were lots of fun.

Mater's was the big surprise for me. The ride is really fun. It surprised me how much the trailers whip around and it's a lot of fun! Great family ride!

We had to stop and meet Red!

We made our way through Bug's Land hitting all 4 of the kiddie rides. Then it was time to head into Disneyland. We got into the park just in time to see Soundsational turn into the Main Street circle. Plenty of spots on the curb left so we had a seat. The parade is a lot of fun. We met up with my aunt and grandma at this point. We did the Princess Faire M&G next Cindy, Ariel, Aurora and Rapunzel met and greeted.

The group of us met up with my cousin and her boyfriend at Cafe Orleans.

We all had a lovely dinner on the patio. Monte Cristos are awesome! Pommes Frites are great. I personally had the Seafood Crapes - excellent. By this point it was nearly 7:30. My cousin and her boyfriend had to go back stage to get ready for the show. My aunt and grandma snagged some front row seats for Fantasmic! and my sister and I took the kids for ride around the park on the Railroad.

We loaded up on snacks to keep the kids busy for the next hour And then it was showtime! I love Fantsmic! doesn't matter the coast but there is something extra special about the DL version. Pictures aren't the best but my sister had the good camera to get HD video. Here is my cousin and her boyfriend doing their awesome job -

All that was left was shopping. My aunt and grandma bought the kids way too much stuff. Alec fell asleep in the stroller half way through the hour long shopping spree. We were home and in bed before midnight.

 

[Club Cooloholic]

Sunday was our first day at Disneyland. We weren't originally planning on going on the weekend but it was the only time we could see my cousin perform in Fantasmic. We let everyone sleep in and have a slow morning. Then we hit the park at about 1:00. My abuelita leave 20 minutes from the parks so it's an easy drive in the car pool lane the whole way.

First stop Cars Land!
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We ate lunch at Flo's friendly quick and very organized line. The food was decent and the real silverware was great.


We hit Luigi's and Mater's both were lots of fun.
View attachment 55196

Mater's was the big surprise for me. The ride is really fun. It surprised me how much the trailers whip around and it's a lot of fun! Great family ride!

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We had to stop and meet Red! View attachment 55197

We made our way through Bug's Land hitting all 4 of the kiddie rides. Then it was time to head into Disneyland. We got into the park just in time to see Soundsational turn into the Main Street circle. Plenty of spots on the curb left so we had a seat. The parade is a lot of fun. We met up with my aunt and grandma at this point. We did the Princess Faire M&G next Cindy, Ariel, Aurora and Rapunzel met and greeted.

The group of us met up with my cousin and her boyfriend at Cafe Orleans.

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We all had a lovely dinner on the patio. Monte Cristos are awesome! Pommes Frites are great. I personally had the Seafood Crapes - excellent. By this point it was nearly 7:30. My cousin and her boyfriend had to go back stage to get ready for the show. My aunt and grandma snagged some front row seats for Fantasmic! and my sister and I took the kids for ride around the park on the Railroad.

We loaded up on snacks to keep the kids busy for the next hour And then it was showtime! I love Fantsmic! doesn't matter the coast but there is something extra special about the DL version. Pictures aren't the best but my sister had the good camera to get HD video. Here is my cousin and her boyfriend doing their awesome job -

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All that was left was shopping. My aunt and grandma bought the kids way too much stuff. Alec fell asleep in the stroller half way through the hour long shopping spree. We were home and in bed before midnight.

We did not get to meet Red! Every time we lined up, we were told he was leaving in a few and McQueen would be coming(who we already met), lucky you!

 

[RandomPrincess]

We did not get to meet Red! Every time we lined up, we were told he was leaving in a few and McQueen would be coming(who we already met), lucky you!

They didn't have Red meeting at the same spot in front of the Cozy Cone as Mater and McQueen. Red was on the path near the Luigi exit between Cars Land and Bug's Land. We saw him there exclusively during our visits to Cars Land maybe they changed the M&G location.

 

[Californian Elitist]

Very cool that your cousin's in Fantasmic!.

 

[JillC LI]

Sounds great! I'm getting ready to post a mini Trip Report myself shortly.

 

[TP2000]

Red the fire truck shows up at the Cozy Cone only during parade times, because Lightning and Mater are in the Pixar Play Parade every day.

Of course, I think there's several versions of each vehicle, but they can't have Lightning driving down the parade route and then have folks walk into Cars Land after the parade and see Lightning again parked at the Cozy Cone Motel.

 

[RandomPrincess]

Second day we didn't go to the parks. We met up with another set of cousins and another aunt. In the olden days we used to hit Tijuana on every trip we would shop for touristy things. Hit the grocery store to stock up on snacks and food you couldn't get in the states and have hours long lunch at our favorite restaurant. Unfortunately the world has changed so we did the next best thing and headed to LA to Olvera Street.

We stopped on the way in Santa Ana for some tortas and tacos. My kids got to try horchata and agua de jamaica for the first time. I got my torta de milensa - yum! The rest of the family had various tacos.

They had a Panaderia (Mexican bakery) next door so we got the kids some treats as well.

Once we got to Olvera Street we watched the Aztec dancers for a bit

Then it was shopping time. I came to buy a few little dresses and maybe a guaunabana shirt for my kids but I didn't see anything I really liked. I did end up getting a sundress for myself. Lot's of Mexican candies and snack foods were also purchased.

Who needs a stroller when you have bigger cousins -

We had an early dinner at El Paseo -

Then it was time to go home-

Tomorrow was our day to get up early and hit Radiator Springs Racers!

 

[Magenta Panther]

We had a great 10 day trip to Southern CA! We spent 4 half days at Disneyland Parks - yes half between the time change and having two preschoolers we couldn't make it more with out breakdowns - of which there was one complete breakdown by my 5 yo daughter. I will post some photos, impressions and anecdotes of the trip coming up.

Here is a picture of my kids from the real reason we flew out - to participate in my cousins wedding - Here are my kiddos as the flower girl and ring bearer.

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AAAAAAWWWW they are so cute!

 

[RandomPrincess]

Tuesday was the Big Day - Radiator Springs Racers!

We got to the park right as it opened and my sister went ahead to get FPs while I took the kids to explore Carsland some more.

Mater's again!

Got off Mater's and we saw that Mater was coming to the Cozy Cone so we got back in line. The PP photographers were about to switch so the new photographer grabbed us while we were in line and took a few shots with the Cozy Cone Sign.

Then DS got to meet Mater - My son needed to give Mater a hug as well.

Then it was FP time! This is where this start to go wrong. My DS that measured at home was right at 40 inches with shoes so we knew it was iffy. Apparently I can't measure so he was a finger too short. Thankfully he was to tired to care or really know what was going on. We decided to switch him to his sneakers and see if it made a difference. We measured him at the Jumping Jellyfish and guess what he was at least 2 inches to short there. Put the sandals back on and he was 2.5 inches to short. Apparently the two 40 inches rides do not have the same heigh measure lines whatever. I distracted DS with Toy Story Mania while my sister took my DD on Radiator Springs.

No picture on ride as DD was two short to be seen through the windshield. My sister was going to take DS on more line while DD rode again with me. DD was telling how fun the ride was and it was fast around the corners just like Test Track.

So we are headed back and we make it to the bridge out of Paradise Pier by Ariel's Grotto when DD when something clicks in DD's head and she DOES NOT want to ride RSR again. It's scary, loud and has to many big hills. I sit on the bench to try to talk to her. You just said you loved it and how fun it was etc. DD has the biggest emotional breakdown of her life crying hysterically etc. I calm her down but there is no way she is getting near the ride. I look at DD and realize she is exhausted and the whole day will just be whining, crying and more breakdowns anytime she doesn't get her way. So I text my sister and tell her to meet me at the park entrance we are going home. We were in the park for 3 hours - lol. My DS wasn't upset either. He was exhausted as well. They both slept int he car on the way back and we spent a quiet day at home and early to bed. Tomorrow we were meeting some more family in Disneyland.

Oh when the kids FaceTimed with my husband back home my DD told my husband how great RSRs was and it was awesome! I was ready to have a Mommy tantrum when I heard that , but I just let it go.

 

[JillC LI]

Sorry about the height issue. That's a bummer.

 

[RandomPrincess]

Sorry about the height issue. That's a bummer.

It happens.

 

[RandomPrincess]

Wednesday was much smoother. Kids went to bed early we let them sleep in no need to rush. We got to the parks around 9:30 and heading to Tomorrowland. First stop was Autopia, second stop was Autopia and then FPs were acquired for later 3rd round of Autopia later. I know people alway say get rid of Autopia or the Speed way in WDW but kid love it!

After our second round an Autopia (my son is a much better driver them my DD by the way). It was Superhero time! Inoventions and Captain American start at 11:00 and Thor starts at 11:30. My kids love the Disneyland Explorer App and they have been telling me what attractions they want to see for months. DS was dying to meet Captain America and DD was all about seeing the Iron Man suits even though they have seen ZERO super hero movies. My children's knowledge of Marvel comes from a Superheros opposites board book and Lego marvel Superheros webisodes that the have merged into 20 minutes and have on Netflix.

First stop was Cap - Many people we distracted by the Iron Man display you have to walk through to get to Cap so we go at good spot in line. You do not see Cap at all before your turn to see him you turn a corner and it's your turn. DS was jumping up and down he was soooooo excited. The CM in charge of the line was chatting with him and she was very sweet. Then it was our turn DS ran around the corner and immediately burst into tears. He was hysterical. I took him to the side and DD met with Cap.

This is the closest DS would get after calming down (you can actually see the tear marks on his shirt) - I guess this is not what he was expecting maybe he thought he would be a Lego mini fig.

My sister got in line for Thor while the kids and I checked out the Iron Man suits.

The Thor line is different there are two sections of line only one person need to wait in the first line but when you move across the hall (about 30 people at a time) the whole party must be there and no new people can join you. Then the whole group moves into the Gallery you get 2-3 minutes to look around then suddenly there is fog flashing rainbow lights and Anthony Hopkins as Odin explaining about crossing the bi-frost. Then you are moved into the Throne room and Thor greets everyone. They pick a little kid to try to pick up Thor's hammer, he can't Thor helps him lift it then everyone takes pictures. Thor got a high five but no pictures from DS.

After this is was lunch time and we were headed in CA to meet different new aunt and cousin for lunch.

 

[RandomPrincess]

Sorry for the delay to continue -

We headed into DCA and met my aunt and cousin for lunch in the Pacific Wharf area we all had Boudin's for lunch nothing better then a sourdough bread bowl. Then we hit the Little Mermaid ride. This was a first for us as we had skipped it during our WDW trip. I thought it was a cute traditional dark ride.
we headed across the park to Monster's Inc My cousin is an Irish dancer and my DD just started doing Irish this past year so they were practicing there stps as we made our way through the park.

We stopped for a group picture along the way -

This is where I had my first ever run in with a scooter. There is about 3/4 feet between us and the photo pass camera set up on a tripod. After our photo we were all standing in front of Walt getting our card back form the photographer when a we hear a scooter horn beeping and and a young lady of a scooter drove right into my aunt. She never said a word just backed up went around us and kept going. Thankfully no one was hurt.

After Monster's it was time for them to head out we headed back into DL to hit a couple more rides. As we headed back to TL to hit Buzz I noticed that Space Mountain was open! It wasn't on the schedule to open until he weekend so we quickly got FPs the line was over an hour but the FP return time was only 30 minutes away. As soon as we were done with Buzz, Lily and I hit space for her first time on - This is right before boarding. Not to excited but she was brave and went on. She didn't like it too much though but no tears or anything.

While we did that my sister took my Alec on the rockets.

It was only 10 minutes until Jedi training academy so we headed over to check it out.

Cute sign for the stroller parking.

Both the kids enjoyed the show. Neither wanted to participate though. Alec loves Darth Vader! He was soooooo excited when he came out. We were there on a low crowd day so every child that want to be picked got to participate.

Just happy to be there.

It was time to head out on the way out we passed Pixie Hollow and Lily asked to take a picture so we had one last stop to make after all.

We saw Iridessa and Tinker Bell - Notice my son has no problem meeting fairies

Looks like we left the parks right on time -

We had a nice relaxing evening and got a good nights rest the next day was our final day at DL and the kids still had a few things on their to do lists, Anna and Elsa, Fantasyland, Toon Town and TSI were still on the list.

 

[Californian Elitist]

Your kids are just plain adorable. Seriously.

 

[RandomPrincess]

Your kids are just plain adorable. Seriously.

Thanks! I think they are pretty cute.