Happy New Year Trip

[Cholula]

Great pics! Thanks for sharing!

Add me to the club of people who won't do Tower of Terror. Major props to you for that.

 

[DizNee Luver]

JC was loving BugsLand from the looks of the pictures!!! We've never gone to the Bug's movie........It would creep me out.....

 

[RI Disney Star]

Great pics! Thanks for sharing!

Add me to the club of people who won't do Tower of Terror. Major props to you for that.

Thanks. I've been very slow posting the pics. I'm going to try to get more done this weekend.

 

[RI Disney Star]

JC was loving BugsLand from the looks of the pictures!!! We've never gone to the Bug's movie........It would creep me out.....

He loved Bugsland. Especially the bumper cars. The Bugs movie was a little creepy. I don't think I'll do it again.

 

[RI Disney Star]

As we walked out of the Bugs show, it was 5:00 and they were setting up for the Pixar Parade. We found a spot in front of the entrance to Cars Land. While Jessica and JC saved our spot, I went into Cars Land and got us a couple of coffees at Flo’s. Went back and took my seat. We also had to deal with people who came as the parade got to us and tried to push their children to the front. I felt bad for the kids but we had been sitting there over 30 minutes.

I liked this parade better than the one at WDW. The characters were doing more than just marching and dancing. The movies represented were different and I believe the DL parade was much longer than WDW.

Monster's University...I haven't seen this movie yet.






Finding Nemo




Incredibles


Bug's Life....Doesn't that look like fun on the teeter totter!




Toy Story Army Man


Mr. Potato Head...one of my favorites




To Infinity....and beyond!




Cars...Mater

 

[RI Disney Star]

After the parade I thought for sure Radiator Springs would be inundated with people. Where were they? Not in Carsland. First we went to Mater’s Junkyard Jamboree. Walked on. Jessica and JC rode together and I rode by myself. When we got off we went around and rode again. We just had to wait for the ride in between to finish. JC and I rode together and Jessica rode alone this time.





Lightning McQueen was out so we got in line. JC was so excited.



Next up, Luigi’s Flying Tires. This ride was so much fun. We were able to get it going pretty good and while most tires were down at one end all stuck together we were at the other end flying.



Random shots of Cars Land

 

[RI Disney Star]

We walked over to Paradise Pier.

JC always closes his eyes when the flash is on.







I had to talk JC into going on King Triton’s Carousel. Backstory….we have two Looff Carousel’s within 10 miles of my house. They both have the original Wurlitzer Organs which are very very loud. Loud noises bother JC. He’s not a big fan of carousels. So I get him to go on but he would only sit on the bench. It’s not as loud but he still did not like it.

Look at that face!


I, on the other hand, love carousels. After my ride with JC I went on by myself.


Next we went over to Mickey’s Fun Wheel. We wanted to ride both the moving and stationary cars. We rode the stationary seats first because we figured if we rode the moving ones and JC didn’t like it we wouldn’t be able to get him on again.

Here we are in the car.


The view from the top.


When we got off the line for the moving cars was too long and the park was closing so we headed back to the hotel. We stopped at the PCH Grill at the Paradise Pier Hotel and ordered a pizza. JC and I went to the room while Jessica waited for it. It was okay, nothing to write home about. Again I didn't take pictures of food.

By 9:30 I was in snoozeland. Actually as soon as my head hit the pillow I was asleep. It was a very good day.

After writing about the day I can’t believe we accomplished all that we did. We were definitely exhausted.

Goodnight.

 

[mumto2]

One week until our trip, and your posts have us SOOOOOOO excited!

Thank you!

 

[RI Disney Star]

One week until our trip, and your posts have us SOOOOOOO excited!

Thank you!

Your welcome! I so excited for you!

I'm posting more now and I'll work on more tonight. I'm hoping to finish this soon since it has been almost 1 month since we got home.

 

[DizNee Luver]

I can't tell from the expression on JC's face.....but did he like the "Wheel of Death" (Mickey's Fun Wheel)??? There's no way I'd get on that one.....ESPECIALLY the moving ones!!

Isn't CarsLand amazing!!! Love when it's all lit up at night!!

 

[RI Disney Star]

The beauty of being from the east coast, I was up really early. I had set my alarm for 6 but woke up at 5. I stayed in bed until 5:30, then got up and took a shower, made coffee in the room and woke up Jessica. JC woke up early on his own. Tip about the coffee…they have the packets with the spoon, sugar, powdered cream and a napkin. I hate the powdered cream. Every time I bought a coffee in the parks (and I drink a lot of coffee) I slipped a few of the creamers in my pocket for the room.

California Adventure had early morning hours at 8. We planned on getting breakfast in the park so we had some snacks left over from the plane (crackers, granola bars, etc.) so we ate a little of that in the room and then headed out.

When we got to the park the first thing we wanted to do was get Radiator Springs fp’s. They don’t start distributing them until 9 and we didn’t want to wait so off we went to Toy Story Mania. Got there and the ride was down. They weren’t sure how long it would be down. Jessica wanted to ride Screamin’ and the wait time was 10 minutes so she got in line and JC and I went to watch her come out. JC is not tall enough for Screamin’ and I don’t do roller coasters so she went alone. When she got done, she went back on again.

She's the one waving in both pictures.




After she got off the second time we could see that toy story wasn't running yet so we decided to head over to the other rides. I said to her it would be funny if they opened Toy Story as we were walking by. Well…as we were walking by she went up to the CM and he told her it would be up any minute and while she was standing there a CM opened the door and gave the thumbs up. So we get in line and are in a car in 30 seconds. What timing.





Next up was Mickey’s Fun Wheel. We wanted to ride the moving cars but the ride wasn’t opening until 9 and it was just a little past 8:30. So we kept moving.

We walked right on Silly Symphony Swings. Jessica and JC rode the tandem swing and I rode the single swing next to them. When the ride was over they announced if anyone wanted to stay on they could. Jessica didn’t want to ride again so I got in her place and JC and I rode again.

The pictures up in the air didn't come out, this was the best I could do.


Then came Jumpin’ Jellyfish. Jessica and JC rode and then JC and I rode it. No lines whatsoever.





Goofy’s Sky School had a 5 minute wait. Jessica and JC rode it twice. JC loved it. This picture isn’t very good because of the trees but here it is.




On to the Zephyr. Again no wait.



Arial’s Undersea Adventure was next. We got in line and it took about 3 minutes. The inside was beautiful.













It was only 10:00. I can’t believe we did all this in 2 hours. Random shots of Paradise Pier.








We then started heading out of CA. Walking past the entrance to CarsLand there was a photopass photographer at the snowman car. We stopped and took pictures, JC refused to get in them. He was in the stroller and I think he was just too tired to get out.



Mickey was also out on Buena Vista Street in his dapper outfit.



We then headed to DL.

 

[RI Disney Star]

I can't tell from the expression on JC's face.....but did he like the "Wheel of Death" (Mickey's Fun Wheel)??? There's no way I'd get on that one.....ESPECIALLY the moving ones!!

Isn't CarsLand amazing!!! Love when it's all lit up at night!!

He was okay with it. He didn't say he hated it and every ride that he hated he was sure to let us know. His eyes are closed because of the flash. No matter how hard we tried to get him to keep his eyes open, he still wouldn't. We just gave up and took the eyes closed pictures.

I loved CarsLand both at night with all the lights and during the day.

 

[RI Disney Star]

First up was breakfast. We ate at the Jolly Holiday Bakery Café. It was 10:30 and the sign said they only served breakfast until 10:30 but when we went in they were still serving it. I got a croissant scrambled egg sandwich, fresh fruit and coffee. JC had a blueberry muffin and a juice box. I don’t remember what Jessica had, it was a lunch item though. Everything was good.

After eating we headed over to Tomorrowland. We got FP’s for Star Tours, and then rode Buzz Lightyear Astro Blasters.





We went to Jedi Training hoping JC would volunteer but he was back in his shy mode so he wouldn’t. We even asked him after seeing it if we went back would he do it and he said no. It was cute, all the kids loved it.







Then we went on Astro Orbitor





Time for Star Tours. JC was the rebel spy. Unfortunately it scared him. When Darth Vader stopped the ship looking for the rebel spy, it really scared him. Good thing we went to the Jedi Training before this or JC would have freaked out there.



It was getting close to 1:00, time for naps. We headed back to the hotel and I pretty much fell right into bed and slept until 3:00. I was having a problem with my feet at this point (I have neuropathy in my feet due to the chemo drugs). I took a couple of Tylenols and rubbed Aveeno lotion on them. This made them better. I was never without lotion on my feet from this point forward.

 

[RI Disney Star]

After our naps, off we went back to CA. On our walk by Grizzly River Run we see a cat. Everyone that knows me knows that I am the biggest cat lover of them all. I currently have 3 cats. The cat was up the hill so we couldn’t get to her but I tried to get her to come down but she was having nothing of that.



On our way to RSR, Mater was out so we got in line. They came around and said he might be leaving before we got up there but luckily that didn’t happen.



Of course we had to stop at Flo’s and take a picture.


Finally we make it to RSR. I was a little afraid of going too fast but I ended up loving it. I’m curious if Test Track is similar to this. I’ve always been afraid to try Test Track for the same reason. And oh yeah, our car won the race…woohoo!



JC at the tire Christmas tree


The only thing left in CA that we hadn’t done yet was Monster’s Inc. We headed over there, walked right on. It’s a cute ride, JC loved it.







JC was just loving this ride.








We pretty much did everything we wanted so it was time to say goodbye to CA. On our walk out the cat was down at the fence. I stuck my finger in to pat her, she wouldn’t let me. When I kept my finger still she rubbed up against it. One of the highlights of my day.



Walking back to the hotel.

 

[RI Disney Star]

Time for JC’s birthday dinner. We made reservations at PH Grill at our hotel. Again, I know I’m not a good disser since I didn’t get any food pictures. I had the Surfside Grilled Chicken Breast, Jessica had the Santa Maria Tri-Tip Steak and JC had the Mickey's Cheesy Macaroni. Everything was delicious. That kid would eat mac and cheese every day if he could.

For dessert, we had the pirate treasure chest cake made for JC. It really is just a giant rectangular cupcake but it was enough. It was a little dry. We didn’t eat it at the table, brought it back to the room and ate it later that night. JC had a pirate headband to wear. All the wait staff came out with the cake and sang Zippidy Doo Dah. JC got shy and hid behind Jessica’s chair but he eventually came out to blow out the candle.













After dinner we went back to the room, cleaned up and headed over to DL.

We headed towards Adventureland. First stop…Jingle Cruise. We had about a 10 minute wait here. It was dark out which made for a really spooky ride. JC got a little bit afraid at some parts but he ended up liking it.





Don't you love the Santa Sweater Vest!








JC was too small for the Indiana Jones Adventure so we skipped it.

Then we went to New Orleans Square and on Pirates of the Caribbean. We probably waited 15-20 minutes. This is so different than the one at WDW. I loved this one so much more. I’m surprised that I didn’t take any pictures here.

Continuing on we went to Critter Corner and on The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh. We walked right on this one. JC loved this ride.







We then walked back through New Orleans Square. Haunted Mansion was closed but I took some photos of the outside.







We got on the train back and rode around to the entrance. By this time the park was closing so we headed back to the hotel, had some of the cake, and went straight to bed.

 

[DizNee Luver]

More great pictures!! Isn't CarsLand awesome....especially at night!

I love PCH Grill......we usually eat dinner there on every trip. Love that JC was having fun posing with the different props out.

 

[RI Disney Star]

More great pictures!! Isn't CarsLand awesome....especially at night!

I love PCH Grill......we usually eat dinner there on every trip. Love that JC was having fun posing with the different props out.

Thank you. Carsland was awesome. At night it was so pretty.

We had so much fun at PCH Grill that night. JC loved the whole experience except when they brought the cake. I don't think I mentioned it before but they also gave him one of the Buzz Lightyear light up figure that they put in the lemonade. He even brought it back into DL that night and walked up to a CM and showed it to him. That is totally out of character of him, but he really came out of his shell at DL.

 

[RI Disney Star]

Today again we were up early. Never did get used to Pacific Time. We ate breakfast at the Surfside Lounge in our hotel. Mickey waffles all around. It was my first Mickey waffle. It was really good. Again, no pictures.

Disneyland had early entry this morning so we headed over there. It was our final day and we would be spending the entire day here.



First we headed over to Space Mountain. The standby line was 10 minutes so Jessica and JC went in. I don’t do roller coasters. It actually took 25 minutes before they came out. I just sat by the fountain and people watched. JC did not like this one.



We then headed over to the Matterhorn. Again Jessica and JC got in line. While they were waiting I went on It’s a Small World. I walked right on, our boat was not even full. That was amazing. All the Christmas decorations were just gorgeous. The three of us went on this later so I’ll post pictures then.

Up next…the Tea Cups. This is my absolutely most favorite ride. It goes back to when I was 9 years old. My family back then traveled cross country in a trailer. I don’t remember too much about going to Disneyland but I do remember going on the Tea Cups with my mother. It probably sticks in my mind because my Mom hated going around so we couldn’t spin it. Of course I spin it like crazy. JC and I went on them. Did I mention that Jessica doesn’t like the rides that go around. She sat this one out. We had so much fun.







We got off the ride and Jessica was taking a selfie. I photobombed her.


We then went on Alice in Wonderland. It was a cute ride. JC loved it.





Across from Alice in Wonderland is the Storybook Land Canal Boats. The line was a little long but we got in it. It was probably about a 15 minute wait. I didn’t like that they squeezed us into the boat. It was way too crowded.





Toad Hall


The old Windmill


Prince Eric’s Castle


Agrabah


Alice’s Village


Pinocchio’s Village


Cinderella’s Village


Snow white’s Cottage


When we got off the boat Alice and the Mad Hatter were out. It was a very small line so we got in line. They didn’t have a photographer with them so I only have pictures of Jessica and JC with them.





Dumbo was next. It was a 5 minute wait on this ride. Of course Dumbo is the best.





Did I mention how much I love carousels. I was bound and determined to get JC to love them too. Remember on King Triton’s Carrousel he didn’t want to do it and would only go on the bench. And he wasn’t happy at that. Well, I convinced him to go on King Arthur’s Carrousel. He said he would go on if we sat on the bench. As we were heading to the bench he all of a sudden went to a horse. He rode it but I had to stand next to him and hold on to him. Little did he know that halfway through I let him go. Before the ride ended I showed him that he was sitting all by himself. When it was over he decided that he wanted to ride again and I could ride the horse next to him. YAY!!!!! So around we go and get back on. Both times were walk ons.

I even got to ride Julie Andrew’s horse Jingles!






Next up: Mickey and the Magical Map and Toontown!

 

[DizNee Luver]

Totally worth getting up early to hit Fantasyland.....that part of the park is always busy....but if you can do it first thing, you'll get to experience a lot before it gets too bad.

Yay for Jingles!!!! Usually people push & shove to get that horse!!

Well it's good you & your daughter like different types of rides....it lets JC try everything!

 

[RI Disney Star]

Totally worth getting up early to hit Fantasyland.....that part of the park is always busy....but if you can do it first thing, you'll get to experience a lot before it gets too bad.

Yay for Jingles!!!! Usually people push & shove to get that horse!!

Well it's good you & your daughter like different types of rides....it lets JC try everything!

It was definitely worth it getting up early.

The carrousel was probably about half full, so no pushing and shoving. Nobody else even tried to get that horse, I just walked up to it. It was fun!