Alright! Ive had an oddly busy week, but I finally have some free time to catch up on this adventure.
When we last left off, my mom and I had just finished dinner at Storytellers Café which was DELICIOUS (yes, so delicious it deserves all caps) and I got a glowing ice cube which amused far more than a glowing ice cube should amuse a 21 year old. But I never said I was very mature
Next stop,
Disneyland!
I love, love, love walking in to the main plaza area between Disneyland and California Adventure. I love how the music changes from the pop music of Downtown Disney to classic Disney favorites. It always feels so exciting.
And that feeling you get when you walk on to Main Street for the first time? I dont even know how to begin to describe it. I dont know if this makes sense, but I feel like I can truly be myself. At Disneyland, I feel like me. Ive struggled with feeling comfortable with myself my whole, and at Disneyland, its like I dont have to hide who I am. I can just be myself, and its okay.
Have I mentioned I love Disneyland lately?
Um, anyway, Ill try not to be so soppy from now on.
We walked to the times board, and the longest line was Peter Pan with 25 minutes. Cant beat that.
I decided that since this was one of the shortest wait times Ive seen for the subs, wed go on that first. I hadnt been on them since 2007, and every time I go to Disneyland, Im like, I should really go on the subs again. Ill walk over there with the full intention of getting in line, and then I see the long line, and yeah, it never happens.
But hey, 15 minutes? I can do that.
Although we had to make quick stop to get Space Mountain fast passes first. Very important.
So we waited, and soon enough, we boarded a submarine to journey on an underwater adventure.
Okay, I have to confess something here. I just realized last week, when I read something about it, that theres a show building for the submarines. Which, of course, makes total sense now, but Im kind of embarrassed that I didnt know this sooner. I mean, you would think, I would notice that the subs go in this building, but I dont know. I always assumed it was for a brief part of the ride. Needless to say, I felt really stupid after reading that.
As for the ride itself, I like it. I dont love it, but I really enjoy it. I do love how they do the projections, I think thats so cool. But not so cool that I would wait more than 15 minutes for it.
By the time we got off the ride, our fast passes were ready to be used. Space Mountain is my favorite ride at Disneyland, so its essential I ride it at least once.
Oh, side story! When I went to Disneyland in June of 2009 with my friend, we rode Space Mountain 7 times. Which is pretty great, but it gets better. 5 out of those 7 times, we got the front row, and we never even asked for it. It was awesome. Of course, since then, I think Ive gone it at least 10 or 15 times, and Ive only gotten the front row once. I think all my front row good luck got used up on that one trip.
After taking an exhilarating journey through space, we decided to get spots for Magical. I think it was around 8:30, and we were able to get spots in, I dont know what to call it, the part right in front of the castle but back against the fence that goes around the Partners statue area, ever so slightly to the left of center. Fantastic spots, really. This is a horrible picture, but it gives you an idea of where we were.
My mom, being the wonderful mom that she is, let me go over to Frontierland while she held our spots. What was in Frontierland? Vinylmation, of course!
I had said I was going just to look, but I could not resist the call of blind boxes any longer. I caved and bought one Muppets and one Urban 4. Heres what I got (the picture was taken the next day).
While I was over there, my mom called and asked me to buy a towel, which I thought was really weird, until she explained she wanted it to sit on.
Word of advice, there are no towels in Frontierland. At least none that I could find.
So I had to take venture over to Adventureland, where I found a Jack Skellington towel, which was perfect since I love the Nightmare Before Christmas, but admittedly, I was puzzled by why there was the Jack Skellington towel in Adventureland. It just doesnt seem to fit in the theme, you know? Maybe Im over thinking it
Yeah, thats probably it. But Im not complaining, because I was thinking I might have to walk all the way to Critter Country and get a Splash Mountain towel or something.
Anyway, towel in hand, I returned, and we sat on our towel and waited for about 30 or 40 minutes for Magical to start.
Magical is one of those things that I initially didnt like, but grew on me. I first saw it on the June 2009 trip I mentioned, and the first night, I didnt watch but I could hear it, and I hated it. The second night, still didnt watch it, but the music was a little less annoying to me. Finally, the last night, my friend and I decided to watch it, and I loved it. Its the Dumbo puppet, guys. I love that thing. Its so cute and fantastic and amazing.
I have to admit, as much as I love Magical now, I still think its a little random. Its like, hey, lets take some less popular Disney movies, add in a crying princess or two, and call it Magical! But I do love the music at the beginning and end, and the Dumbo puppet, so it all evens out.
Random Fact because Im a Broadway Geek: You know the main female singer in Magical? Thats Eden Espinosa, whos played Elphaba in Wicked, Maureen in Rent, and Brooklyn in BKLYN (which yes, wasnt the best musical, but I saw it, so Im going to through it in there). Im a Broadway geek, so I think its cool...
Okay, question. In the section where we were sitting, everyone sat down for the fireworks. Is that typical? I thought everyone would stand up once it started, but everyone stayed sitting. It was nice, since Im short, and it was easier to see that way, but I was surprised.
Yes, I know, Ive talked enough. Pictures!
After Magical, we walked over to Indiana Jones, and walked on. I cant remember if Ive mentioned it or not, but this is my moms favorite ride.
Even Adventureland, which is normally gridlocked, was empty!
We were about to head back to room, since I wanted to go to bed somewhat early since Id be getting up earlier than normal for breakfast at PCH Grill, but I got distracted by Jungle Cruise, another ride I havent been on in years. Our skipper was alright, not the best, not the worst, slightly above average, Id say.
We were tempted to stay a little longer since it was so empty and the lines we so short, but we had gotten up early by our standards, and as I mentioned, we were going to have another early morning the next day. With the full intention of going straight to our room, we left Disneyland.
And got distracted by D-Street.
I wanted to trade some Vinylmation, but alas, they had stopped for the night. We ended up talking to a very nice cast member for quite some time about World of Color, and the best way to see it.
After that, we went to our room. For real this time.