Captain’s Log: Monday, 28 July 2014.
I currently have 2 Fastpasses in my pocket:
Radiator Springs Racers: Return Time 6:50 p.m.
Indiana Jones: Return Time 7:20 p.m.
6:27 p.m.—We set off for California Adventure. On the way, we pass through Adventureland once more, and I check the current return times for Indiana Jones. They’re well into the World Of Color timeframe now, so I’m glad I grabbed them earlier when I could. I just hope I can make it in time.
6:33 p.m.—Uh oh. Main Street USA is jammed up. The roads are closed to make way for the Be Happy For Vague Reasons Parade, or whatever it’s called. Sidewalks are jam-packed, slowing our progress. There’s a clear area behind the crowds for people to walk by, but it’s slow going. Now I’m worried about getting to RSR before the FP expires.
I'm exhausted just reading this.
6:35 p.m.—I have to give credit to Julie. Walt Disney had an apartment built over the fire house on Main Street and would often spend the night there. They leave a light permanently lit in his honor in the apartment window, and I completely forget to look for it. Fortunately, Julie is on the ball and gets a shot of it:
Way to go Super Mom!
6:39 p.m.—We’re back in California Adventure, making a beeline for the back of the park. We’re basically speed-walking, pushing the stroller as fast as we can, and I have to give the older kids a lot of credit for keeping up. After years of crazy vacations like this, I think they’re used to it at this point. I don’t know how many miles we’ve walked at this point throughout the day, but my legs are tired and my feet are really starting to hurt.
6:46 p.m.—We make it to Radiator Springs Racers with four minutes to spare. So, doing the rough math it took about 20 minutes to walk from the Adventureland area in Disneyland to Cars Land in California Adventure. Julie lets me go first this time, so the three big kids and I jump in the FP line. We wind our way through the queue until we reach the masses of humanity ahead of us, and now I’m worried. We’re farther back than we were in the same line during the morning. The line is moving, but I can feel the clock ticking on those Indiana Jones FP’s.
6:52 p.m.—The kids and I climb aboard our race car. Once again, they jump into the front and force me to ride in the back. I think they’re trying to tell me something.
Once again, we get the Ramone scene.
Once again, we win the race.
Once again, the ride is awesome.
you made it. I love that Sarah is taking a picture while on the ride. A TRUE DISer!
6:56 p.m.—We’re making our way through the exit, and I grab the baby from Julie. She and the kids jump in line for the child swap, and Baby Drew and I busy ourselves by taking photos of the area. Or at least, I take some photos. Baby Drew gnaws on his seatbelt.
6:59 p.m.—I find a little picnic area overlooking the ride. They have a display set up to look like a National Park viewpoint, which amuses me to no end. Another A+ for Imagineering. I have no idea how much time and energy they spent putting all of this detail on one sign, or even how many visitors actually notice it, but details like these are exactly why we love Disney parks.
7:01 p.m.—Still waiting for Julie and the kids.
7:02 p.m.—Furiously doing the math in my head. It took 20 minutes to walk over here. Now I have 18. But if I go by myself, or if it’s just me and Sarah, and if we don’t have the stroller, and if there’s no parade on Main Street…yeah, we could still make it.
7:04 p.m.—We can still…make it?
7:07 p.m.—How fast am I allowed to run in a Disney Park?
7:10 p.m.—Julie and the kids are making their way out through the exit. And I’m looking at my watch, knowing I only have 10 minutes to sprint across two theme parks to make it to Indiana Jones, and my heart sinks. I know I’m not going to make it.
Julie offers to watch everyone while Sarah and I run, but I tell her that there’s just no way we’ll get there in time. My Indiana Jones experience will have to wait for another day.
Oh...boo. That is sad.
But let’s look on the bright side here. My kids just got a fourth ride on Radiator Springs Racers in one day. And they had a blast. That’s the whole reason we’re here.
Exactly!
Good girl, Sarah. Get the picture the first time and enjoy it the second time. I LOVE Scotty's face. 
And missing out on Indiana Jones gives me an excuse to plan to come back. I just hope the ride is still there when we do!
Like an excuse is needed, but that's a good one.
7:15 p.m.—Well, now we suddenly have some time to kill. Might as well hastily arrange a photo of the kids.
And who remembers the days of $0.63 gas?
7:20 p.m.—The Indiana Jones FastPass quietly expires in my pocket, and I die a little inside.
7:21 p.m.—We decide to hang out in Cars Land for a bit. I’d remembered Magdalene mentioning a small ceremony that takes place here at dusk every night, so we wander the shops for a bit hoping to catch it.
7:42 p.m.—There’s no fanfare, announcement, or any hint of a show. The speakers simply start playing “Sh-Boom” by The Chords, which you may remember from the movie when the residents decide to light up Radiator Springs for the evening. At the same time, all of the neon starts to flicker to life up and down the street. It’s understated and magical at the same time.
More great pictures.
7:46 p.m.—I’m glad we got the chance to see that. We have about an hour to kill before we’re supposed to be in line for World Of Color, so we start wandering a bit. Maybe there’s some other attraction we can squeeze in before heading to the show.
7:52 p.m.—Looks like we have a winner. Grizzly River Run has a 20-minute wait posted. I’m hoping it’s one of those conservative wait times where the line is actually shorter, but in any case, the kids can at least get one ride out of it. Because I am a kind, good-hearted, caring husband, I volunteer to take Baby Drew while Julie rides with the kids. Also, I’m kind of hoping she gets soaked. Because that would be funny.
7:54 p.m.—Once again, Baby Drew and I wander and take some photos in the last light of dusk.
8:22 p.m.—Seems like the line moved a little slower than I was hoping, so there’s no chance for a second ride. But that’s ok. Julie and the kids really enjoyed the rapids, although none of them are dripping wet. Maybe that’s why they’re still happy. We gather our stuff, head for a pit stop, and then go to the line-up area for World Of Color.
Looks like a fun ride and great photos, Mark.
8:37 p.m.—The line formed well before the 8:45 p.m. time shown on the WOC ticket. We try to find the end of it, and then jump into the queue.
8:45 p.m.—The Cast Members pull the ropes and allow us to file into the Blue viewing area. Because I am a) an obsessive vacation planner, and b) a DISboard member (wait, I guess those are pretty much the same thing), I had researched
this thread about the World Of Color viewing area and process. It had this handy-dandy map showing where I could expect to stand for the Blue viewing area:
I’d hoped to angle for one of those upper-central sections while everyone else filed down along the water. So imagine my surprise when I find that all of those upper-central areas are roped off, and everyone with a Blue ticket is forced into the narrow walkway space along the water.
Here are those nice viewing areas along the gardens:
And here is the area where we are sent:
I guess this is as good a time as any to say it: the viewing experience for World of Color is awful. I don’t mean the show itself—the show is an enjoyable spectacle. But in order to see it (without paying the freight for an expensive dining package with reserved viewing areas), we are forced to stand for an hour in this cramped space with approximately a 1’ x 1’ area of personal space you can call your own. We try to sit down a few times and can barely carve out a spot to do so.
Worse, the Cast Members come along and tell people not to press on the ropes—those are reserved areas!—in fact, could everyone squeeze in towards the water, please?
I look back incredulously. Just where the %#$@ are we supposed to go, exactly?? Heaven forbid I push the ropes into these completely empty spaces reserved for no one.
This does NOT sound like fun at all. And the poor kids can't see as well. 
The park offers a wi-fi connection and an online game you can play to pass the time. If you win the game, you get to control the lights on the Mickey Wheel of Death for 30 seconds or so. We never won, but it helped to pass the time for a spell.
9:22 p.m.—We’re bored, cramped, and irritable. And we’ve found another problem with the viewing area while staring at the lights on the Wheel of Death. The walkway we’re standing on is flat. So unless you’re 6’4” tall, you will not get a clear view of the show.
I am not 6’4”. I’m 5’11”. So I can do reasonably well. But my kids are not 6’4”. Not even close. They’ll be lucky to even see half of the show. And I’d love to put them on my shoulders, but they’ve long grown past the size where that’s possible (and I forgot to take my steroids that morning). But even if I could, then I’d be blocking the view of everyone behind me, and I like to be considerate of others.
I will find later that some other parents don’t worry about that whole “being considerate” thing.
Unfortunately, these days you find that everywhere. And now add the "selfie stick".
9:45 p.m.—At last, the show starts, much to our relief. As I mentioned, the show itself is a fine spectacle. The dancing water, lights, music, lasers, and movie projections keep us captivated throughout. At least, what I could see through the other heads and kids sitting on parents’ shoulders. We all agree that the best part was when they utilized Pirates of the Caribbean in the show. This is because 1) the Pirates movie score is some of the best movie music written in the last several years, and 2) pyrotechnics.
10:16 p.m.—The show ends, and they broadcast a helpful announcement that the park is closed. Please make your way towards the exit, and drop a few hundred dollars in the gift shops on the way out. Thank you.
And most of us do end up dropping money on the way out. 
10:28 p.m.—Our Disneyland day is drawing to a close. We’re tired, extremely sore, thirsty, exhausted from going hard since 6:00 a.m. California Adventure is closed, but Disneyland is still open until midnight. We reach the plaza between the parks and have a decision to make: head to the hotel? Or back into Disneyland for more rides?
Looking at our list of rides we had wanted to hit, we realize that there are two rides in Disneyland that aren’t in Florida: the Matterhorn Bobsleds and Indiana Jones. And we haven’t ridden either one yet!
The kids look at us with pleading, yet tired eyes. Yes, they’re exhausted. But…
“I really wanted to ride the Matterhorn,” says Sarah. The boys agree.
Julie and I make eye contact. She grips the handle of the stroller tightly. I roll my head and crack my neck muscles. Then I reach for our park hoppers.
Start walking, kids. We’re riding the Matterhorn.
10:42 p.m.—Disneyland is still going strong, judging by the crowds. We head straight for the mountain. Thankfully, it appears to be operational. On the downside: it’s a 30-minute wait.
10:43 p.m.—No matter. We’re sticking it out. Julie feels bad for me having missed out on both Indiana Jones and Grizzly River Run. Because she is a caring, generous, selfless and kind wife, she offers to take the baby and let me have the ride this time.
Nice one Julie!
10:57 p.m.—Getting closer.
11:03 p.m.—We’ve reached the last few switchbacks before the loading area. And Dave is starting to crash and burn.
He's practically in tears. I ask him what's wrong, and he seems afraid of the ride. "I'm afraid I'm too tired, and I'm going to have nightmares," he says. This is surprisingly clear thinking for a kid who's up way past his bedtime. I see Julie hanging out near the gates and get her attention. She signals for me to send Dave over. I flag down a Cast Member who graciously helps Dave weave his way through the line and over to Julie.
11:07 p.m.--Sarah, Scotty and I climb aboard! I had read reports saying the Matterhorn was very rickety and jerky, not smooth at all. And they were right.
But that makes it fun!
I don't know what the ride is like during the day, but it was pretty cool at night. Spooky caves mixed with occasional glimpses of the park, lit up for the night. Oh, and a yeti.
We all had a great time with it. And I'm glad we finally got the chance to ride.
Since you missed Indy, I'm glad you got this one. And bless David...he was exhausted.
11:14 p.m.--Given Dave's meltdown, we agree it's time to pack it in for the night. By the time we reach the gate to leave Disneyland, it's...
11:30 p.m.--We've been in the parks since 8:00 a.m. We're all beat. My feet are still killing me.
But I'd say it was totally worth it!
The kids had a great time. We packed in as much as we possibly could. We didn't hit everything on our list, but we got quite a bit of it done. And threw in a few other experiences, too. I'd say we maxed it out, especially given the heat and crowds.
I'm really proud of the kids. We pushed them really, really hard. And they stuck with us through the whole day. No complaints, either, up until Dave's breakdown at the very end. These guys really travel well.
I'm thrilled that we got to experience the original Disney park. I'm thrilled we got to see Cars Land and the rest of California Adventure. And I'm thrilled we could finish out our trip this way, rather than ending in the Mojave Desert. It's been a long, hot, exhausting day, but also a memorable one.
And thank you once again, Alison, for giving us this day.
Coming Up Next: Our final day. We explore a little bit more of the Disneyland area. And then, a new super-food. One that may either be evidence of Divine influence on earth...or may just kill me. Or quite possibly both.
And the kids did fantastic for being at the parks for over 12 hours! What you guys did is considered the 'Dumbo-or-Die-in-a-Day' Plan
!
Just ride Dinosaur with your eyes closed and imagine Indy. As you said, gives you another reason to return someday. You know, on your way to Hawaii or something. 
