I am a precision instrument of speed and aerodynamics...A Disneyland Half Marathon Trip Report!

[TakeMeThere81]

Samuel was being very picky and wouldn't touch his food, so DH stayed behind with him while the other three of us went on Mark Twain Riverboat.

It was pushing 12:30 and getting hot out so we explored the upper deck and then found a comfortable, shaded and breezy spot on the second deck.

Views from our ride:

There really weren't too many people there this day, which was nice

I love the narrator, he is so classic Disney. The trip around the Rivers of America is uneventful, but interesting nonetheless and a nice break from rushing around.

(Davy Crockett Canoes was not operating this day by the way)

 

[TakeMeThere81]

When we met back with DH, Samuel had eaten almost all of his food! Apparently he did not like being left behind. Brutal, but effective. We all went on yet another ride of Big Thunder Mountain Railroad. I can't get enough of this ride!

Then we headed toward Fantasyland. We rode Pinnochio but I didn't take any pictures. That ride is the worst. My kids were all devastated at the part where they have turned into donkeys and are whimpering, I want my mom and dad...

The kids wanted to ride on The Mad Tea Party again, it was one of their favorites

This photo cracks me up. The caption should read, My mother in-law is driving me nuts and this is going to be my payback.

Feel like getting dizzy? Click the video:


After MTP, we proceeded past the other Fantasyland attractions and over to Toontown! We had so much fun exploring the nooks and crannies at Toontown. There are surprises everywhere you look, touch, etc! I especially enjoyed all of the different doorbells.

Horace Horsecollar's Gym (I met him back during the Princess Half Marathon)

Pumpin' Iron

 

[TakeMeThere81]

Unless you really feel like it...LOL

The water fountains gurgled and talked to you when you pushed them

Minnie's House was closed but cute on the outside at least!

No visit to Toontown would be complete without a tour of Mickey's House!

 

[TakeMeThere81]

Movie Props

We walked all through Mickey's house and movie barn but made our way back to Toontown through his garage. We had already met him earlier in our trip.

We skipped Gadget's Go-Coaster because it was a 20-minute wait and it is such a short ride. Aaron would have taken some convincing anyway and I just didn't feel it was worth the struggle. So we headed over to Donald's Boat instead:

Saying Hi to Aaron

DH and I just sat together for a while as the boys explored. It was quite warm so we found a shady spot. I really appreciated that there are water fountains everywhere in Toontown!

 

[TakeMeThere81]

Goofy's House was more about the play area in his backyard, which was too young for my kids, but full of fun details nonetheless

Haha! Oops!!

After Goofy's House, we skipped the Toontown City Park where Minnie was doing her meet n greet because we had already seen her. On the way out we saw Daisy near Roger Rabbit's Cartoon Spin and went to get in her line but...she was leaving so the line was closed. Missed Character Meeting #3! It just wasn't our day for characters. :-/

We skipped Roger Rabbit because I can't stand that ride. I loathe the Who Framed Roger Rabbit story. I think it's full of smut and it grosses me out with Jessica Rabbit oozing of sex, the drugged-out weasels and creepy Christopher Lloyd. In my opinion it is more geared toward adults, not kids so I don't let my kids watch it. Just a preference but it creeps me out! (Ok off my soapbox)

We were all done with Toontown. It was good fun! It was time to head to Cars Land, where we were going to spend the remainder of our last day.

I saw that our train included the Lilly Belle...awwww!

Before we exited Disneyland, DH and Mom wanted to see Great Moments with Mr. Lincoln and the kids spotted Mary Poppins, Burt and a penguin out. We jumped in line hoping we'd be able to do both, but the show was starting. So I waited out with the kids.

I hated missing Lincoln which is a show worth seeing! And what ended up happening with the Mary Poppins Characters? You guessed it...they were leaving Missed Character Meeting #4!!!

Good-Bye Mr. Penguin

So we hopped in the next line over which was just as fun: The 'Munks!

I loved how those pictures turned out. We were still waiting for the show to end so we strolled around Town Square. Goofy and Pluto were out but we had already seen them.

 

[TakeMeThere81]

We walked through the queue area of the Great Moments with Mr. Lincoln show and I was so glad we did. I would have missed some beautiful relics of Disneyland history!

Beautiful

At this point, DH was pretty beat (it was around 6pm) and he was concerned with our long haul day we had to drive the next day. So he bid farewell to Disneyland in order to get some rest. Mom and I continued on to take the kids to Cars Land for the rest of the evening

Ice Cream came first!

Then it was off to Cars Land

The sky gave me a beautiful backdrop for some pictures

Had I appreciated the beautiful sky at the time, I probably would have photographed each attraction facade, but I really didn't notice how pretty it was until after I had gotten home, viewing my pictures on the computer

The kids wanted to ride Luigi's Flyin' Tires

The Flyin' Tires were fun but like others have said, awkward. I hope the improvements help because it really is a neat idea!

We saw Red come out with very little line!

Next we got in line to ride Radiator Springs Racers. I was hoping the wait would be shorter than an hour, but it ended up being one hour exactly. Awesome ride!! I am a fast fan!

 

[TakeMeThere81]

The sun set and the lights came out!

Love this one!

Although it was pushing 7:45, we were hungry and hadn't eaten since around noon (besides ice cream). We decided to stop in at Flo's V8 Cafe! The kids thought this was so cool!! We can eat there???

I was really impressed with the menu. It was good ol' home-cooking yet still so healthy. Mom and I shared the hot turkey with mashed potatoes and gravy and cole slaw. The kids each had the turkey and cheese sandwich with apples and carrots in a Lightning McQueen lunch box

It was just enough food. I didn't want to be waddling out of there miserable.

 

[TakeMeThere81]

I have had trouble photographing night shots but I have to say the neon was very photogenic!

While photographing Sarge's, I noticed Mater's Junkyard Jamboree was officially roped off, meaning the park was now closed. We made the sad choice to start making our way out :-(

We took our time though, obviously in no hurry to say good-bye. It was so sad to leave Cars Land behind, it had been an amazing experience for us! You have no idea how wonderful to watch my kids' dreams come true as they experienced the real Radiator Springs. It meant so much to me. And I was sad that our older son wasn't there. He's not quite as crazy about Cars, since he is 12 (almost 13) now, but I know it would have meant a lot to him too. He'll be with us next time for sure!

The kids stopped really quick at Oswald's to try on the cute conductor Mickey Ears.

Outside the gates of California Adventure, I stopped my kids for a minute as I drew them both into a great big bear hug. Did you have a wonderful time guys? I asked them. The best!! They both said. Don't worry, we'll be back. I said. We took a quiet moment taking in the atmosphere one last time.

And here it is...*sniff sniff* my last look at the Disneyland Resort:

We got up bright and early the next morning and drove up to Redding, CA, then the next day we were home, but full of bright new memories.

 

[Californian Elitist]

It sounds like you all had a really wonderful trip! I really love your pictures! While reading your report, it felt like I was there. I think it's because of your photos but it really did feel like I was at Disneyland! Amazing report!

 

[fractal]

Loving the TR while catching up - we spotted Rancho del Zocalo on our last day and it looked like a great spot to eat!

Pictures are great!

 

[TakeMeThere81]

It sounds like you all had a really wonderful trip! I really love your pictures! While reading your report, it felt like I was there. I think it's because of your photos but it really did feel like I was at Disneyland! Amazing report!

Thank you for your comments! I could tell you are a So Cal girl Lucky you! It truly was a wonderful trip. My kids and myself are all back in school and fully emersed in fall things...but our youngest often tells me that while at school he felt "Disneyland-sick" (as opposed to homesick). I told DH that is the evidence that it truly was an unforgettable trip and our kids will remember it always We don't have any future Disney trips planned...I just started nursing school. DH and I agreed that when I graduate, we should celebrate by finally going to Hawaii. Maybe we will stay at Aulani!

Loving the TR while catching up - we spotted Rancho del Zocalo on our last day and it looked like a great spot to eat!

Pictures are great!

Thanks!! It was yummy...improved from when we have eaten there before. In fact I would say Disney Parks as a whole have really improved their eateries in the past few years thank goodness!!

 

[Californian Elitist]

Thank you for your comments! I could tell you are a So Cal girl Lucky you! It truly was a wonderful trip. My kids and myself are all back in school and fully emersed in fall things...but our youngest often tells me that while at school he felt "Disneyland-sick" (as opposed to homesick). I told DH that is the evidence that it truly was an unforgettable trip and our kids will remember it always We don't have any future Disney trips planned...I just started nursing school. DH and I agreed that when I graduate, we should celebrate by finally going to Hawaii. Maybe we will stay at Aulani!

Yes, I am! I know exactly how you guys feel. I'm in college and when school starts back, I don't really have time to do a lot of things, including Disneyland. School comes first, though! Good luck with med school and Hawaii/Aulani sounds like a great idea to me!

I have two comments about your boys. They are so cute, and Samuel looks exacty like your DH, and Aaron looks exactly like you! It's scary, you guys are twins! A very adorable family!

 

[fractal]

Great night pics of CarsLand!

 

[TakeMeThere81]

Yes, I am! I know exactly how you guys feel. I'm in college and when school starts back, I don't really have time to do a lot of things, including Disneyland. School comes first, though! Good luck with med school and Hawaii/Aulani sounds like a great idea to me!

I have two comments about your boys. They are so cute, and Samuel looks exacty like your DH, and Aaron looks exactly like you! It's scary, you guys are twins! A very adorable family!

Thanks! I randomly ran across the bookmark I made of my thread, and saw your post!

Great night pics of CarsLand!

Thank You!! They are definitely a treasure as it was our first time at Cars Land!

 

[javy2004]

very awesome trip report i went labor day weekend (aug 30- Sep 2) and it was such a great time to go and fun for me as it was for you and your family. congrats on the run, my gf and I slept in having gotten to our hotel at midnight the night before and it was all over and done by the time we were going to the parks that day. it was cool seeing all that they did for the 1/2 marathon. i hope to be able to run one at DLR or WDW sometime in the future. and congrats on your time with all those M&G you did throughout.

Pinocchio truly is the worst, i laughed pretty hard when you wrote that. as far as WoC, i won't see the first showing if there are multiple showings (i'll skip it altogether if there is only one showing, i'm 6' and i have a hard time viewing it when its super crowded. i was fortunate enough to catch a late showing with my gf and we had a great view. i didn't think it would be possible for her at 5'1" ). although Star Tours has 54 possible ride sequences, there are 4 sequences with 2,3,3 and 3 different scenes. after 6 rides i've seen all but one scene of the ride. i recommend many more rides on your next trip

so again congrats on the 1/2 marathon, the medal looks pretty awesome. you and your family looked like you were all loving life in your pics (except for the one of your son after he got jabbed that is) and it really makes me miss the park that started it all