We packed up our car with suitcases loaded with enough clothes for 12-13 days and headed off. Our first stop was in Orem to see both Paxson Families. It was fun to spend time with our cousins. The next day, we traveled to my Parents home. It was really fun to see them so happy in their new home. It's absolutely beautiful. We had so much fun in St. George, going to the Tuachan to see the Joseph play. Thank you Mom and Dad. We really enjoyed it.
On Sunday, we went to my Parent's ward. Alexis did really well in Nursery. Ryan went with us to Sunday School. I sat with Lindsay and my Mom in RS. It was a nice meeting. That evening, we got ready to go on our big trip.
Monday, we headed out early for CA. One of our favorite trees to see were the amazing palm trees. It was fun to see the Joshua trees also. Something funny that happened, was that while driving on the outskirts of Vegas, it looked like there was only a Jack in the Box for a place to eat. I pictured us crossing a long way with no place to eat, so I told James that we should stop there to eat. He really wanted to find another place to eat later. It was around 10am or so. He went ahead and stopped at Jack in the Box for an early "to go" lunch. No sooner had we stopped than we ended up in a traffic jam for a while. Then, we had to cross the desert. He told me he was really glad we had stopped at that fast food place before going on. We had to stop several times. We ended up eating at a Dairy Queen later on. Ryan and Alexis did really well traveling for so long.
We finally arrived in Anaheim and found our motel. My Family left after we did, but beat us there. We could see them relaxing by the pool. We got settled in our room and stopped by the pool for a little while. James took Ryan around in the water. I stayed at the shallow end with Alexis. Then, we went out to eat with my Family at the Cheesecake Factory. That was super fun.
The next morning, we were so excited to go to Disney Land. Walking the mile to get there seemed like a breeze. Our first stop was a pic with Mickey Mouse. We got his autograph for both Ryan and Alexis.
The above pics show our next two rides: The Disney Monorail and The Jungle Cruise. The Monorail went all around Disney Land. We took that to get an idea of where everything was. Jungle Cruise seemed like a short line from the entrance, but standing in line was another story and I mean "whole 'nother story". We waited in line going upstairs and downstairs again. ;) It was worth it, being in the boat, seeing the animals and scenery. It was one of our favorite rides. Then, James and Ryan went through Tarzan's Jungle and on another ride. While they went off, Alexis and I stayed with my Mom. Meanwhile, Tim got lost. My Mom found him a little later, while we went on Pirates of the Carribean. That was really fun. We especially liked the romantic restaurant with candle light in the background. James and I reallly wanted to eat there, but you had to have reservations and it was pretty expensive. :) Riding up the ramp was a little scary for Ryan and I. I had to have faith that we weren't going to be going down on the other side of it. At the time, I was 6 months pregnant. So, I had to be careful what rides I went on. Not to mention, I have a phobia of heights. :)
It was time for lunch, so we looked around and James decided on some meat kabobs from a booth. I chose a cafeteria set up that served pork sandwiches with cole slaw. It was pretty good. I had never had the combination before, that I recall. From the menu, I remember expecting something else, but it wasn't bad. Pricey, but good. The Kids had a pasta dish that they were not too crazy about. After lunch, we went on a big pirate boat that Ryan was dying to get on. Unfortunately, I couldn't get any pics the first day, after Jungle Cruise, because my battery on my camera went dead. The boat ride was fabulous. We viewed downstairs. Ryan noticed a big fake fish eyeball that looked creepy. Upstairs, you could see the beautiful views with some fake Indians in the distance or a deer. There were some ducks in the water. It was a really enjoyable and relaxing ride. Then, Ryan, Alexis, and I went with my Mom, Tenille, and Adam to "It's a Small World" I absolutely fell in love with that ride. I loved all of the dolls, the detail, and use of colors and light. It was really amazing. Then, Ryan, Alexis, and I went to a show with Mickey and Minney, Ariel, and some other characters. It was full of vibrant colors and fun entertainment. Then, we went to the parade outside the castle. It started out with Elsa from "Frozen" It was a little emotional for me seeing the characters come out (by, Tammy)
Disneyland Day 1 2014 (By James)
We got up and ate breakfast and had eggs, biscuits and gravy, yogurt, pastries and juice. The walk and entrance took a little longer than we expected and we entered the park about 8:30 A.M. You have to take the stroller through a check where they look through your things for bombs and things.
Upon entering I remember the feeling of how cool it was that we were actually there. We went through the tunnel where the train passes overhead and there to greet us was Mickey, Minnie and Goofy. We stood in line and got our picture with Mickey - cool! We walked by the statue of Walt Disney and I enjoyed just looking at all the shops down the Main Street and the large and pretty quarter horses that pull people around.
We went first to Tomorrowland and went on the Monorail first. We unfortunately couldn’t go on Nemo’s submarine adventure, it was down for maintenance. The monorail was practically empty. We moved around through the park and the edge of California adventure and picked up a bunch of people at the Downtown Disney stop. It was relaxing and fun to ride on it, but I was disappointed in how little I could see of the parks from the ride with all the buildings and trees in the way.
We had just gotten off and Adam called; they had tickets for Indiana Jones, fastpass. We went over to Adventureland and were waiting for Josh and Lindsay to come, so we went on the Jungle Boat Cruise. We really liked the ride. You go on a noisy old boat and see a lot of animals that look fairly real. There are hippos and crocodiles that go up and down in the water, elephants (African and Indian), monkeys that shoot barrels, aborigines doing a fire dance and even spinning piranhas. I was amazed at how the line looked so short, but was actually quite long and we waited about a half hour to go on the ride. The lines twist around and around and goes up and down stairs and back around before you ride. There is a silly cawing bird that moves back and forth above you on the stairs. Alexis kept pointing at it and smiling. She really liked it a lot. After getting off we had a few minutes so I took Alexis up through the Tarzan tree. Mimi told us that it used to be the Swiss Family Robinson tree and they converted it. It was fun to see the giant leopard, Tarzan (as a baby and bigger), his Mom, Jane and the ropes and things. On the bottom there are a bunch of pans and chains to bang to make music and a little running brook of water. Ryan went through the tree ahead of me with Adam. Then we met Josh and Lindsay and I went on the Indiana Jones ride. It was fun talking to Adam and Tenille, Josh and Lindsay while waiting for the ride. It is kind of like going through a partially lit cave. The ride is kind of like going up and down in a jeep. There is darkness and flashing lights and spooky spikes and things. then it looks like a huge round boulder is going to smash you and I kept thinking that we were going to go backwards, but you don’t. Then suddenly you drop down beneath the rock and get away. it was cool.
We went on the Pirates of the Caribbean ride next. The wait was fairly long, thirty minutes or so. You get on a little boat and go through a bunch of pirate scenes with drinking pirates and chasing and singing pirates and fake fire, etc. I was amazed at the detail. There is a little restaurant, dimly lit, near the water inside; but it was a long wait unless you had reservations. I would take Tammy there if I went back.
We then ate lunch. Tammy ate a sandwich at the River Belle Terrace. The food was expensive as usual and not that good. I got a soup bowl at the Royal Street veranda in new Orleans Square. The clam chowder was good.
We left there and went to the Rivers of America on the edge of Frontierland. We were able to go on the sailing ship Columbia around the island. Ryan really enjoyed going on the old style pirate ship. There were cannons which fired off near the end of the ride, which were at the front of the boat. A story played during the voyage, which is smooth and peaceful. Its fun to see the animal robots along the way, a few swimming mallards and the people walking on barrels over the water at the edge of the island. You could go down below deck and see what it was like inside a ship; cramped quarters, but interesting inside.
When we left here we went back towards the center of the park. Tammy took Ryan and Alexis on the Disneyland Railroad around the park. I left with Josh, Adam and Tenille to go on the Star Tours. They had saved a fastpass for me.
We went barely in time to make it to Star Tours, but the line was really fast. You go in and are met by R2D2 and C3PO, along with a short movie playing. Just waiting in line is really an experience. You go around and up a ramp and are met by another robot, who is saying some crazy things. Then you line up in front of little elevator doors and wait to go in. When you walk in it looks like a little movie theater and you buckle in. After some quick instructions and a seat belt check the lights go dim and the screen opens up with C3PO on the side as your ship captain. You start inside some kind of ship bay inside a large space station and are then met by some kind of enemy. A picture pops up saying that you are in trouble because some empire enemy is on your ship. One time it showed an alien picture, a couple other times I went it showed a picture of someone on the ride! We met Darth Vader a couple of times and once had a big battle in the hangar with the big powerful robots that run on two legs and are shooting at you (destroyers). It is neat how the whole movie theater rocks, moves up and down and side to side to simulate the movements and shooting. After some kind of action you fly out of the hangar and have some kind of battle in the skies. There are fifty different scenarios you can go through and each is at least partially different than the others. We had a battle in the asteroid field with the bounty hunter first and there are times you go into warp speed and it is really thrilling to be pulled up so hard against your belt. It was fun listening to Josh get so animated and have so much fun during the ride. After escaping the bounty hunter we entered the ice world too, and got shot down by one of these giant machines and had an avalanche in the snow. At some point in each presentation it looks as if something will hit you in the face with the 3D. it is truly entertaining and thrilling. I really, really enjoyed the ride. And the best part was that they forgot to take my fastpass so I still had five minutes on it when I came out and ran over and went on the ride again. I was so excited because I had really wanted to have a battle with the old flying ships from the old movie and I got it! We flew around the deathstar and had a battle, then on to the ice world again. It was so exciting!
After leaving the second time I was worried about finding anyone because Tammy had the phone. I went up to the ‘It’s a small world’ ride and found her right away. Whew! The parade was starting and I really enjoyed all the music, dancing and performing. The frozen princess, Elsa, and Anna, come out first ahead to notify everyone that parade is starting. Then the parade starts a few minutes afterwards. There are a lot of characters and dancers in the parade including the Little Mermaid, Belle and the Beast, Aladdin and the monkey, Genie and Jasmine, the chimney sweepers from Mary Poppins, some tall guy on a bike, people on stilts, Mickey and Minnie, Donald Duck, Rapunzel, Simba, the Frog Princess, Goofy, Tinkerbell, Hook, Peter Pan and others.
In between here and the Star Tours ride, Tammy went with her Mom and the kids on the ‘It’s a small world’ ride. I tried to go on Space Mountain ride but the wait was an hour so I just watched the parade instead. Josh and Dave went on the ride and they said it was like the Jetstar from Lagoon, but in the dark. They didn’t like it that much.
After the parade Tammy needed to rest her feet. We walked up to the Fantasyland Theatre and got sprite and popcorn to watch the hour long production. It was a combination of live performers and animation. It was cute and different and themed that you could accomplish anything if you really put your mind to it. The main character was Mickey, but there were appearances from Louis in the Jungle Book, Sebastian the crab from the Little Mermaid, Rapunzel, the Frog Princess, Mulan, Pocahontas, lots of dancers and guys dancing in giant bubbles. It was pretty cool. Ryan and Tammy really, really liked it. Alexis was tired out from all the heat and action. She slept through the whole thing. There is a lot of room in this theatre; it is huge I don’t think it ever filled up.
After this show we went and met the family and watched the parade again. I was getting pretty tired at this point, but then I caught a second wind. Before going to the Fantasmic show we had a few minutes and I had faspasses for the Roger Rabbit ride in Mickey’s toontown so I took Ryan and Alexis on that ride. We didn’t really have to wait at all, which was nice. You are in a little two person cart which you can spin around and around as you twist and turn around the track, back and forth, half way around and then back around again. It was pretty fun but a little too jerky for Tammy to go on, being pregnant.
After the parade we headed back to the Rivers of America (the lake) to save a seat for the Fantasmic show that evening. Surprisingly, most of the best seats were already saved and people were waiting by 7 P.M. for the show that started at dark. We did find a spot right on the edge of the waterfront by where the ferry leaves to go to the island during the day. You really had to be vigilant to keep your saved seats from being taken. We used the stroller to block off an area for all of us to sit in for the show. Most of the party and Tammy wanted baked potatoes and went down to the Harbour Galley food stand. Ryan and I wanted fish and chips (so did Tammy), so I went to the Golden Horseshoe and got two orders of that to share. It cost about 25 bucks with the drinks, but the fish was good. We waited and chatted and ate by the lake until dark and then watched Fantasmic. We enjoyed the show, which starts with Mickey facing his fears and then overcoming them. There is a huge snake (Kah) from the Jungle Book and a giant fire breathing dragon and images projected onto spraying water fountains from the lake. Then the pirate ship Columbia, which we rode earlier in the day, came out with Peter Pan and Hook having a duel on ropes up high by the sail and lots of pirates sword fighting. One pirate swung on a rope from one end of the ship to the other, which was pretty neat. Also the small ferry boats used to get people to the island during the day came out with dancing glow in the dark monkeys and Beauty and the Beast dancing on the other one. Then at the end the Tom Sawyer steamship comes out full of characters including Chip N Dale, the Frog Princess, the Beast, Jasmine from Aladdin, Cinderella and lots of others. shortly after the show ends there are fireworks which you can see coming over from the Fantasyland castle area. Then there is a mass exodus of people with most tired out for the day and leaving the park. We were tired and Ryan was really tired so we headed back, but Disneyland is open until midnight!
Rides we went on/Other attractions
Rides
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James
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Tammy
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Ryan
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Alexis
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Monorail (Disneyland Monorail)
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X
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X
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X
|
X
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Jungle Boat Cruise
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X
|
X
|
X
|
X
|
Indiana Jones Adventure
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X
| |||
Pirates of the Caribbean
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X
|
X
|
X
|
X
|
Sailing Ship Columbia
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X
|
X
|
X
|
X
|
Star Tours
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X
| |||
Roger Rabbit Cartoon Spin
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X
|
X
|
X
| |
Disneyland Railroad
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X
|
X
|
X
| |
It’s a Small World
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X
|
X
|
X
| |
Tarzan Tree
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X
|
X
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X
|
X
|
Fantasyland Theatre
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X
|
X
|
X
|
X
|
Fantasmic Light Show/Fireworks
|
X
|
X
|
X
|
X
|
Meet Mickey
|
X
|
X
|
X
|
X
|
Eating: River Belle Terrace, Royal Street Veranda, Harbour Galley, The Golden Horshoe, Bengal Barbeque (drinks), Trouhador Tavern (popcorn and drinks for the movie)
Disneyland Day 2 California Adventure 2014 (By James)
Today was our magic morning, where you get into the park an hour before everybody else. Ryan and I got up early, inhaled some eggs, muffins and juice and walked quickly to the park. We were near the first of the line and the first in our party to get there, but they wouldn’t let us in. I guess there was a misunderstanding that the magic morning only applies to the north, or Disneyland side of the park, or they let in the other resorts before the neighbor motels.
I left Ryan with Mimi and Adam and went to see if Tammy needed help. She wanted to take her time eating breakfast so I went back just after opening time at eight o’clock. I went straight towards Cars Land and waited in line for about ten minutes to get a fastpass for the Radiator Springs Racers ride. Then I headed to that ride and found Ryan just coming off the ride with Mimi. Tenille offered to go with Ryan on another ride so that I could use my fastpass but Ryan told her that he wanted to be with his Dad so he came with me. We went back and waited in the regular line for about an hour to get on the Cars Ride together. I enjoyed all the old memorabilia and detail along the way while waiting in line. On route you can hear the cars racing above you as you travel under the bridge. Then you come to the bubbling Radiator Springs, where Ryan threw in a few pennies. As you travel through some open buildings there are lots of old radiator caps, prices listed for all the old types of cars including the Dusenburg, old license plates from Route 66 states and a wall partially made out of various colored bottles, etc. I liked the red texture that looked just like the rocks in the Cars movie and the cactus right before starting the ride.
The cars have nine seats, three per row, and are of various colors. We rode front seat of a red car, just like Lightning McQueen! As we started the ride we rode up around a corner through the rocks and then I had my most magical moment of the trip. You pull up by the waterfall, the car slows down and the music from the movie plays. I was so happy that I got emotional and almost cried. It was so cool! After passing the waterfall we started to speed up and then slowed down quickly as we were met around another corner by the Sheriff, who told us to slow down. Then we saw Mater, tipped a tractor and had to hurry to get out of the way of the monster machine. Then we headed into town where we saw Sarge and the Hippie, Granny and the Firetruck watering flowers. Then you go to Luigi’s shop, get your tires changed and get cheered on by Guido. After talking to Doc and seeing Sally its off to the races. You go around some big curves and up and down some small hills. And we won the race! We were greeted at the end by Mater. It was truly awesome!
After leaving we went to Mater’s Junkyard Jamboree, where you get flung around behind a tractor. Ryan laughed and giggled and we hooted and hollered the whole time. That laugh and smile was worth a million bucks and the trip! Upon leaving Mater tells you to take your junk because he knows how important junk is. It made us both laugh.
The whole look and feel of the place was just incredible, just like the Cars movie. There was the Hippie shop, Flo’s V8 Cafe, the Cozy cone and Luigi’s tires with the leaning tower of tires. Ryan wanted to visit the shop by the Cars ride so we stopped in and he bought a Lightning McQueen, he just couldn’t resist.
Every hour or two either Mater or Lightning comes out and drives around a little and greets the kids down on the main drag. We were waiting in line to meet him at one point but Ryan decided he wanted to go on the Luigi’s flying tires ride instead. Air comes up underneath and pushes the tire, but you don’t move much, can’t steer and barely bump into anyone. Ryan still liked it.
After this we finally found Tammy and Alexis. I got a fastpass from Adam and we went over to the Twilight Zone Tower of Terror. It was not what I expected. It starts with a nice introduction from the Twilight Zone and you strap your seats in what looks like a small room. Then it goes dark, you move backwards, then you drop very quickly a few stories. Then you shoot up a few stories and a window opens looking out on Disneyland and California Adventure. You repeat this a couple times and it definitely gives you a rush.
After this ride I met Tammy again and we got drinks back at the Cozy Cone in Cars Land. She took Ryan to the theatre, “It’s tough to be bug.” They were in Bugs Land. She said they sat on logs and wore 3-D glasses and it looked like bugs were coming out of the wall and spiders (black widows) out of the ceiling. There were also smells, colored gases and water sprays coming out. She also took Ryan and Alexis on Heimlich’s Chew Chew Train. She said it was smooth to ride and cute, riding in a green caterpillar, going through a watermelon and around.
From here we went to the Pacific Wharf to eat lunch. We ate at the Cocina Cucamonga Mexican Grill and had burritos. Some ladies in Mexican attire came out and sang and played instruments while we were eating. We weren’t very excited about the food in the wharf, but wish we would have made it to the Ghirardelli treat shop.
After lunch I went fastpass on the California Screamin coaster. It was fun but not very scary. You start out going very quickly and then the usual coaster stuff with one loop. It was very smooth and safe. The best part was the quick start.
Tammy wanted to go next to Aladdin, the musical at the Hyperion theatre in Hollywood Land. We got there five minutes late and got locked out so we went to Muppet Vision 3D. We thought the 3D was cool and it was kind of funny, though a little was slightly crude. In one part it looks like you are going to get poked right in the eye, which is cool.
From here I took the kids on Monster’s Inc. It had the same high quality as the other rides and was smooth for the kids. We had never seen the movie before so the stuff inside didn’t mean as much to us.
We then went back to Buena Vista Street and got ice cream at Clarabelle’s Hand Scooped Ice Cream shop. It was yummy and expensive, like everything there. Tammy then took Alexis and went back and watched Aladdin and said that she really liked it.
I took Ryan and we met Adam at Condor Flats and went on the Soarin over California ride. There are three rows of seats, which then lift vertically and move in front of a round screen. Then there is video footage pieces going down over the ocean and other places around California. There are orange smells when you fly over the orange trees and breezes. It is smooth and relaxing but feels kind of real. It is pretty cool. We went on it twice but just missed most of the parade unfortunately. I wished we would have made it back in time for this. Tammy and Alexis missed it too, coming back late from Aladdin.
Here I met with Adam and Josh to go on the Car’s ride again. This time we went on a partially alternate path and instead of getting the tires changed we went through Ramone’s paint shop and met him and Flo. Then we went fast around the track but didn’t race anyone. We thought that was weird but they said it happens sometimes.
Next we went on the Little Mermaid - Ariel’s Undersea Adventure - with most of the family. We all really liked the ride and the line goes very quickly. Tammy’s family went to eat but we weren’t hungry yet so we went around the Paradise Pier. I took Ryan on Mickey’s Fun Wheel (Ferris Wheel). There are carts that move and stationary carts. The line was much quicker with the stationary carts so we went in that line. I really loved the view, it was quite relaxing. You could see California Adventure very well and a million tall palm trees as far as you could see. It was really neat.
We then went to King Triton’s Carousel. Tammy sat on the bench and I stood by Alexis. Ryan picked out a whale to ride and was very happy to get the one he wanted.
We then went back to the Little Mermaid and went on it twice. Tammy took a lot of pictures and Ryan lost his flip flop at the beginning of the elevator and they had to stop the ride for a minute to get us all on the ride again.
After this we walked by the waterfalls on Grizzly Peak and stopped at Condor Flats, Taste Pilots Grill, to eat hamburgers. They weren’t the best but we were starving and glad for anything. We then rushed back to get a spot at the pier and waited a long time for the World of Color Light Show. I had forgotten to get my ticket earlier but they let us in together. We really got crowded around and the show finally started but Ryan was dead asleep and wouldn’t wake up this time. Then Alexis started balling with a dirty diaper and we had to take her to the bathroom and leave the show early.
The park closed at ten p.m. and we went back then, getting back at about 11 p.m. Adam was very helpful in carrying Ryan much of the way back, and Ryan is getting big!
Rides/Attractions
Rides/Attractions
|
James
|
Tammy
|
Ryan
|
Alexis
|
Radiator Springs Racers
|
X X
|
X X
| ||
Mater’s Junkyard Jamboree
|
X
|
X
| ||
Luigi’s Flying Tires
|
X
|
X
| ||
The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror
|
X
| |||
Monsters Inc.
|
X
|
X
|
X
| |
California Screamin
|
X
| |||
King Triton’s Carousel
|
X
|
X
|
X
|
X
|
Mickey’s Funwheel
|
X
|
X
| ||
The Little Mermaid
|
X X X
|
X X X
|
X X X
|
X X X
|
Soarin over California
|
X X
|
X X
| ||
Heimlich’s Chew Chew Train
|
X
|
X
|
X
| |
Its Tough to be a Bug 3D theatre
|
X
|
X
|
X
| |
Muppet Vision 3D theatre
|
X
|
X
|
X
|
X
|
World of Color Water Show
|
X
|
X
|
X
|
X
|
Aladdin Hyperion Theatre
|
X
|
X
|
Eating: Cozy Cone (drinks), Clarabelle’s Hand Scooped Ice Cream, Cocina Cucamonga Mexican Grill, Taste Pilots Grill
My Favorite Rides
- Radiator Springs Racers
- Mater’s Junkyard Jamboree
- The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror
- Soarin over California
- The Little Mermaid
- Mickey’s Fun Wheel
- King Triton’s Carousel
- California Screamin
- Luigi’s Flying Tires
- Monsters Inc.
Ryan’s Favorite Rides - “All of them!”
Best Thrill Appeal Rides
- Radiator Springs Racers
- The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror
- California Screamin
- Mater’s Junkyard Jamboree
- Soarin over California
- Mickey’s Funwheel (moving car)
Most popular California Adventure rides (by estimated length of lines and wait times)
- Radiator Springs Racers
- Grizzly River Run
- Twilight Zone Tower of Terror
- Toy Story
- Goofy’s Sky School
- Soarin over California
- Mater’s Junkyard Jamboree
- Monsters Inc
- Mickey’s Funwheel
- California Screamin
Shortest lines and wait times: King Triton’s Carousel and Little Mermaid
Most Magic Appeal: Radiator Springs Racers!
Disneyland Day 3 2014 (By James)
For Day three we could decide which half of the park to go to. Most of our party wanted to go back to California Adventure and Josh and Lindsay were still deciding. (They ended up going to California Adventure after all so it was just our little family this time.) There was a great deal we wanted to do in the Disneyland side of the park, which is more geared towards little kids I think. We liked the food better also and wanted to go to Fantasyland with the kids. The first day I didn’t even see most of that part of the park. I felt like we had done Ryan’s part the day before and needed to do Alexis’ and Tammy’s part better.
We got a late start and entered the park about 9:30 A.M. We went straight to Fantasyland and went on the Storybook Land Canal Boats ride. Tammy wanted to go on the smooth sailing boat and Ryan really wanted to go through the belly of the whale so we started here. I was surprised at how much I liked the ride but I really liked it. It hit a high number two in magic appeal for me on the trip, and the most magical on the Disneyland side of the park. The boat driver tells a story as you go down the river and there are tiny buildings, farms and trees, everything in a miniature world. You go past Gepetto's cottage from Pinocchio, the seven dwarves cottage, a tiny castle, the castle from the Little Mermaid and Aladdin’s palace, among others. They said that some of the trees were one hundred and fifty years old and only grew at most one inch a year. Everything was one hundred percent perfectly manicured. It was amazing and truly magical!
From here we went back towards the Rivers of America because I wanted to get a fastpass for Ryan and I for Thunder Mountain Railroad. We got the fastpasses and immediately the Mark Twain Riverboat ride opened up so we went on that without any real wait time. This one is a true steam ship and is large and white with three levels and a few places to sit, like the cabin on top. I enjoyed watching the large spinning propeller on the back which paddled the ship forward and the steam coming out. The story of course was different than when we went on the Columbia ship; was more hick and silly and more focused on the wildlife around the path (which is the same path that the Columbia ship follows). We walked around all the levels of the ship but stayed on top for most of the ride.
Tammy then went to the Royal Theatre to watch a play on Rapunzel. You have to go early because the play theatre is small and then if you leave they won’t let you back in again. Alexis was too wired up to sit and watch, so I took her out for while and Tammy and Ryan watched the play. I think she liked it, but not as much as Aladdin or the Mickey play, which were better productions. I went to get fastpasses for Splash Mountain, which by 10:30 A.M. were already for 4 P.M. in the afternoon - crazy!
When the play was over Ryan and I went to Thunder Mountain Railroad. With the fastpass we didn’t have to really wait at all. It is a coaster which curves a lot as you go in , around, up and down the mountain. I liked it quite a bit. It bordered on being too fast for Ryan, but he did ok. (He was a little scared and held on to me tightly.) I thought the dinosaur bones in the wall were cool at the bottom of the ride.
After this we went to the Golden Horseshoe to eat. We had fish and chips and Tammy had a chicken salad. Alexis spilled one pop all over - what a mess! The staff was nice and helpful in quickly cleaning it up. We were eating when the scheduled entertainment came out. A guy came out and played some rockin saloon music on the piano. Then a tall black lady came out in a frilly dress and did some singing, dancing and kicking while getting the crowd going.
After lunch we went back to Fantasyland. We stood in line at Royal Hall for about fifteen minutes to see the princesses. Each was very nice and friendly and talked to the kids and got a few pictures with them. This was a very special moment for Tammy and Alexis. Tammy got a bit emotional and I was glad we could do it. Snow White came first. She tried her best to imitate the high voice we know in the movie and was short and all decked out also. She called Ryan her Little Prince and he blushed and smiled in approval. She then talked to Alexis. Then we saw Cinderella and she gave a little more attention to Alexis. Then we saw Ariel from the Little Mermaid. She was enthusiastic and very cute with the kids, giving Ryan a high five, calling him a sailor and being very good with Alexis. I was very glad we could do this.
After this we walked through the big castle and went to the ride ‘It’s a Small World’. You get on a boat and go through a big castle filled with rooms of dancing dolls. Each room has different cultures from different places around the world. All the dolls look the same except the shades of color and the clothes they wear. The dances are different each time. All the decorations are quite exquisite. Tammy and Mimi really like this ride a lot. The It’s a Small World song plays over and over throughout the ride. Wait time was about thirty minutes.
After this Tammy’s feet were getting pretty tired. I waited in line to catch the train across the park to redeem my fastpass at Splash Mountain. Then right before I could get on, the train stopped and made everyone get out for the parade. Tammy wanted pictures so we watched the parade for the third time. After the parade everyone rushed to the theatre, which was still half empty. Ryan and Tammy wanted to watch the Mickey show again, but Alexis was restless.
I was able to take Alexis to Mickey’s Toon Town to play on the little kids stuff for a half hour or so while Tammy and Ryan watched the Mickey movie. We went through Goofy’s Playhouse and it was very busy with many little kids. Alexis didn’t want to stay there but wanted to keep going. I let her run through Donald’s Boat and around the waterfall and she played a bit in the boat. Then we walked up to the Chip N Dale Treehouse. It is cute and narrow and small. We climbed the stairs to the top and looked out, as we did in Donald’s Boat. By the treehouse are some fun things to climb on and Alexis played here for a minute.
Then we went to Mickey’s house. I loved the cartoonish plastic furniture; it made it all so real. Alexis loved climbing on the furniture and had to try each piece out. Part way through the house there is a silly little yard scene with carrots that make a popping sound and then go underground. They disappear one by one until they are all gone. Then a mischievous laughing rabbit sticks his head up and laughs and quickly disappears again. Alexis would laugh and giggle and watched this several times. It was a joy just to watch her laugh. She would try to climb the picket fence to grab the rabbit. Mickey greets you at the end of the house but the line was long and we had seen Mickey the first day so we backtracked out of the house. Just as we came out they closed Minnie’s house so we couldn’t go in - darn! We headed back, jumping on a plastic car or two on the way back. It was nice to have a little one on one time with baby Alexis.
From here we walked a short distance to Fantasyland to go on as many things as we could. We walked through the Sleeping Beauty castle. It was narrow, dark and simple, but quick. Then we went on Pinocchio’s Daring Journey. It is an old ride but we fit as a small family. Tammy was worried about it being too bumpy for the baby but it was pretty calm. It was short, but fun.
From here we went to Snow White’s Scary Adventure. The wait was a little longer but not bad. It was similar to Pinocchio’s ride, being old and a little jerky with cars to sit in with a bar over your lap. It was a bit more jerky than Pinocchio’s ride but benign and good for kids and quick.
By this time we were getting hungry so we went to the Village Haus Restaurant, which is quite large inside and looks kind of like an old German restaurant/tavern and a bit dim lit inside. I loved the atmosphere with the old wooden look and the murals of Pinocchio and the seven dwarves. The kids ate pizza, Tammy had a burger and I ate a chicken sandwich. It was interesting, but good. I think it was accidentally here that we spilled water on the phone and ruined it. Ryan had to go pee several times, I think he drank too much pop. Between rides and bathroom trips we next made it to the King Arthur Carousel. Ryan and I went first and Ryan picked the horse he wanted to ride. The wait was ten minutes or less, which was nice. Tammy and Alexis soon joined us and watched us go around. Then they wanted to go so we went again.
After leaving we noticed a short line for the Casey Jr. Circus Train. Soon we rode it together and it takes the high road around where we earlier rode the boat in the Storybook Land Canal boats. I could barely fit through the door of the cabin Ryan picked. We sat across from some girls who took our picture. I’m glad they did when Tammy asked them. We had a special bonding on this ride.
By this time we were ready for the Fantasmic show. We rode the Disneyland Train again past the Grand Canyon with wildlife and the moving dinosaurs to New Orleans square. It was getting dark by this time and Tammy stopped at a concession stand and bought a bubble gun for Ryan and a multi-colored lighted wand for Alexis. they enjoyed playing with them in the dark. Tammy’s feet were getting really tired so the train ride was good for her to put them up and give them a rest. On the way we had to stop Ryan with his gun for a minute because he sprayed bubbles in some guys ear in front of us. It was pretty funny, but obnoxious.
At New Orleans Square the crowds had already amassed for the show. We stopped at River Belle Terrace and bought drinks with the hopes that we could find a seat on the balcony overlooking the lake. Seats had been saved for hours but a really nice lady saw us looking and offered us two seats she had saved for someone in need. We felt very blessed and fortunate. We watched the show (Fantasmic) from a different viewpoint, which was not quite as good as at the waterfront, but much more comfortable having a seat! Ryan played with another little boy during the show. When it was over we watched the fireworks for a little bit and headed to the bathroom in Adventureland while they were still firing off.
We decided we wanted to stay clear until midnight to make the most of our last day. Tammy shopped in the Adventureland shop while Ryan and I went on the Jungle Boat Cruise in the dark. The wait time was short this time and it was fun to see the ride in the dark, with lighted spots, dark stretches and especially cool-looking fake fire around the dancing aborigines. We sat in the front of the boat this time and the river guide was a really interesting comedian. Ryan fell asleep halfway through the ride and I had to help him off the boat half asleep. Then he woke up suddenly and caught a second wind.
We joined Tammy in the shop and Ryan and I pressed a bunch of pennies for fifty cents each for our scrapbooks. Then we made a plan. Ryan and I would head to Tomorrowland while Tammy would shop with Alexis at the Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique in Fantasyland. Then we would meet and head back at midnight or so.
Ryan and I went straight for Autopia. There were still fastpasses for Star Tours for 11:30 P.M., so we got two of them. Then we thought we would have to wait forty-five minutes for Autopia but it was only about a twenty-five minute wait. We got in an old car and I had to drive it to be able to push the gas pedal. They were fun, noisy, slow and ghetto old cars. We bumped the guy in front of us once, but tried not to as you aren’t supposed to. We were fast racing around other cars until the end, when we got passed. It took a while to unload and then our fastpasses were good for Star Tours. We waited about fifteen minutes to get in. I was worried how Ryan would be on the ride. I didn’t want to scare him, but he loved it! We went in the underwater world of Naboo and got attacked by a giant fish! It was absolutely the best possible scenario for Ryan. I was so happy.
Upon leaving it was five minutes until midnight. We ran into Astro Blasters of Buzz Light Year and were on the last ride. We blasted away our laser guns at weird space aliens and earned thousands of points. It was crazy and fun. We exited and all the rides were closing up at midnight.
As I held Ryan’s hand and walked out of Tomorrowland, Ryan turned to me and said, “Dad, you know what the best part of all this is?” I replied, ‘What?’, and he said, “Being with you.” It brought tears to my eyes, what a great adventure it had been!
We went past the Walt Disney statue and found Tammy and Alexis and headed back. Before leaving, Ryan and I went to the wishing fountain and threw in a few pennies and heard the cool sound each time. We liked watching the fish fountain that squirted water out of its mouth and the seven dwarves and animal statues illuminated in the dark. By this time everyone was heading back. Tammy had found her Elsa doll from Frozen and finished shopping. The walk back took a long time and we were tired. We had to stop for a while and rest Tammy’s feet. We were glad to make it back safely to the motel room by about one in the morning.
We were happy to sleep in. The next day would be our trip to the ocean and then back out of California to Las Vegas.
Rides/Attractions
|
James
|
Tammy
|
Ryan
|
Alexis
|
Storybook Land Canal Boats
|
X
|
X
|
X
|
X
|
It’s a Small World
|
X
|
X
|
X
|
X
|
Mark Twain Riverboat
|
X
|
X
|
X
|
X
|
Thunder Mountain Railroad
|
X
|
X
| ||
Star Tours
|
X
|
X
| ||
Autopia
|
X
|
X
| ||
Jungle Boat Cruise
|
X
|
X
| ||
Casey Junior Circus Train
|
X
|
X
|
X
|
X
|
King Arthur’s Carousel
|
X X
|
X
|
X X
|
X
|
Sword in the Stone
|
X
|
X
|
X
|
X
|
Pinocchios Daring Journey
|
X
|
X
|
X
|
X
|
Snow White’s Scary Adventure
|
X
|
X
|
X
|
X
|
Disneyland Railroad
|
X X
|
X X
|
X X
|
X X
|
Goofy’s Playhouse
|
X
|
X
| ||
Donald’s Boat
|
X
|
X
| ||
Chip N Dale Treehouse
|
X
|
X
| ||
Mickey’s House
|
X
|
X
| ||
Royal Hall
|
X
|
X
|
X
|
X
|
Royal Theatre
|
X
|
X
|
X
| |
Golden Horseshoe Entertainment
|
X
|
X
|
X
|
X
|
Walt Disney Statue
|
X
|
X
|
X
|
X
|
Buzz Light Year Astro Blasters
|
X
|
X
| ||
Sleeping Beauty Castle
|
X
|
X
|
X
|
X
|
Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique
|
X
|
X
| ||
Wishing Fountain
|
X
|
X
| ||
Fantasmic Show
|
X
|
X
|
X
|
X
|
Parade
|
X
|
X
|
X
|
X
|
Eating: Cozy Cone (drinks), Cocina Cucamonga Mexican Grill, Clarabelle’s Hand Scooped Ice Cream, Taste Pilot’s Grill
Thrill Appeal Rides Disneyland
- Star Tours
- Thunder Mountain Railroad
- Indiana Jones Adventure
- Roger Rabbit Car Toon Spin
- Buzz Light Year Astro Blasters
Magic Appeal: Storyland Canal Boats! Really Disneyland is so magical all the way around!
Disneyland Most Popular Rides and Estimated Wait Times Aug. 2014
Most Popular Rides with estimated wait times (By James)
Rides
|
2 hr
|
1 hr
|
45 min
|
30 min
|
15 min
|
5-10 min
|
No wait time
|
Frozen - meet Elsa and Anna
|
X
| ||||||
Space Mountain
|
X
| ||||||
Matterhorn Bobsleds
|
X
| ||||||
Splash Mountain
|
X
| ||||||
Indiana Jones Adventure
|
X
| ||||||
Star Tours
|
X
| ||||||
Peter Pan
|
X
| ||||||
Thunder Mountain Railroad
|
X
| ||||||
Jungle Mountain Boat Cruise
|
X
| ||||||
Pirates of the Caribbean
|
X
| ||||||
Storybook Canal Boats
|
X
| ||||||
Autopia
|
X
| ||||||
It’s a Small World
|
X
| ||||||
Buzz Light Year Astro Blasters
|
X
| ||||||
Winnie the Pooh
|
X
| ||||||
Roger Rabbit Car Toon Spin
|
X
| ||||||
Mr. Toad’s Wild Ride
|
X
| ||||||
Gadget’s Go Coaster
|
X
| ||||||
Meet Mickey and Minnie
|
X
| ||||||
Dumbo’s Flying Elephants
|
X
| ||||||
Jungle Boat Cruise at night
|
X
| ||||||
Buzz Light Year Astro Blasters at night
|
X
| ||||||
Royal Hall
|
X
| ||||||
Snow White’s Scary Adventure
|
X
| ||||||
Disneyland Monorail
|
X
| ||||||
Sailing Ship Columbia
|
X
| ||||||
Mark Twain Riverboat
|
X
| ||||||
Casey Jr. Circus Train
|
X
| ||||||
King Arthur Carousel
|
X
| ||||||
Pinocchio’s Daring Journey
|
X
| ||||||
Disneyland Railroad
|
X
| ||||||
Tarzan Treehouse
|
X
| ||||||
Sleeping Beauty Castle
|
X
| ||||||
Goofy’s Playhouse
|
X
| ||||||
Donald’s Boat
|
X
| ||||||
Chip N Dale Treehouse
|
X
| ||||||
Wishing Fountain
|
X
| ||||||
Walt Disney Statue
|
X
|
Thrill Appeal Rides Disneyland
- Star Tours
- Thunder Mountain Railroad
- Indiana Jones Adventure
- Roger Rabbit Car Toon Spin
- Buzz Light Year Astro Blasters
Disneyland Favorite Memories with Ryan and Alexis
Favorite memories with Ryan
- The last evening at Disneyland when it was midnight and we had just finished our last ride, I was holding Ryan’s and and we were walking back to find Tammy and Ryan said, “Dad, you know what the best part of all this is?” I asked, ‘What?’ and he said “Being with you.” Then he said “When we get home let’s go fishing, ok?” ‘We will, I promise”, I said.
- On Day 2 in Cars Land of California Adventure I had left Ryan with Mimi and Adam for a few minutes and was late coming back into the park after checking on Tammy and Alexis. Tenille offered to go with Ryan so that I could fastpass the Cars ride and Ryan came to me and looked at Tenille and said, “I wanna be with my Dad.” We went together on the Cars ride and then on Mater’s tractors ride. He laughed so much and loved it all. It was so good to see him have so much fun.
- When we went on the Star Tours ride Ryan handled it so well. He didn’t get scared and he liked it. I was hoping we would go in the underwater world of Naboo and we did! We went in a submarine spaceship with fish around. Then a giant fish bit our ship, shook it and we shocked it and it let us go. Ryan was so excited! If there was the perfect scenario on the ride I could pick for Ryan it was the one!
- Ryan loved going on the pirate ship Columbia and the Mark Twain riverboat.
- When I took Ryan on the Cars ride everything worked out perfectly. We got to go in a red car like Lightning! We won the race! It couldn’t have worked out better!
- Ryan is a social guy. As I took him up on the Mickey Mouse Ferris Wheel in California Adventure he was chatting up a storm with some british people. I enjoyed watching him make them smile, ask them questions and respond to theirs.
- Each time we went on the Merry go round rides we were the first in line. This was so perfect because each time Ryan got to pick the exact character he wanted to ride and would run and get it each time! One time he got the large whale. He saw the one he wanted and bolted through the gate to get it. Awesome.
- When we left early Ryan was such a trooper. He ate so fast and kept up with me so well, really hurrying along. He never complained, even when he was exhausted on the way back.
- Ryan really loved the bubble gun that Tammy bought him. He played with it and giggled with glee as he sprayed me and everyone else with a stream of bubbles. He put his gun behind a guy’s ears on the train and blew bubbles all over him; almost got me in trouble!
- It wasn’t easy to get Ryan to eat, but three things he would eat: fries, fish sticks and pizza. Thank goodness for the golden horseshoe eatery.
- When we went on the train ride Ryan got so excited when we went through the dinosaur room. He kept saying, “The dinosaurs are alive! They are alive!”
- Ryan really lit up when we met Mickey. It was a good thing to start out with.
- When Tammy was shopping in the Fantasyland boutique I took Ryan over to the wishing well. We threw in some pennies and it would make cool noises each time.
- I enjoyed putting Ryan on my back and taking him around the pool when we went swimming. The beach was also very fun. He would run behind me into the water as the tide receded and then run back up the beach to escape it as it rushed back. He always wanted to do whatever I was doing.
- Playing soccer at the children’s museum in St. George was so much fun. Ryan laughed so hard, we all did! And especially so when all those soccer balls came flying at us very fast at once on the big screen and we really had to dance.
- I enjoyed watching Ryan eat all of my salmon at the cheesecake factory. He loved it!
- I went on many rides together with Ryan. On Thunder Mountain railroad he got a little scared and stuck close to me. On Astro blasters he blasted away a million times, rode by me in autopia in the red car and laughed a million laughs at maters tractors. It was all very fun.
Favorite memories with Alexis
- On Day 3 of Disneyland we took Alexis to see the princesses. She was shy and so happy and interested at the same time. Then when the princesses called her to them she ran without any more hesitation and you could just read the joy on her face. I was glad we did this, it was worth a lot.
- On Day 3 of Disneyland Tammy and Ryan watched the Mickey show again in the theatre. I took Alexis up to Mickey’s Toontown and let her just run around and play in donald’s Boat, Chip N’ Dale Treehouse and Mickey’s House. She climbed up on all the cartoon-looking plastic furniture and had a great time. In the middle of Mickey’s house there was a row of carrots in a garden scene. There were funny noises as each carrot popped and pulled under the ground out of view. Then after all the carrots were gone a silly looking rabbit popped his head up above the ground and laughed a mischievous laugh, then went underground again. Alexis absolutely loved this! She would smile, laugh and laugh and try to touch the rabbit and point at it. We watched it several times, over and over with the same result. I just really enjoyed watching her have such a great time.
- While waiting in line for the Jungle boat ride there was a silly cawing mechanical bird with a large beak. Alexis loved this bird. she would smile and point at it and keep looking at it. She loved it.
- Each day there was some point where Alexis was worn out and would just sleep. One time was on Day 1 when we watched the Mickey play. She slept the whole time and I just held her as she rested her little head on my shoulder. It's fun being a Dad.
- The last night Tammy bought Alexis a wand that flashed lights in various colors. She loved swinging it around and watching all the colors.
- Alexis wants to be so big and do everything on her own. At the Golden Horseshoe she decided to take care of her thirst on her own with a large sprite and spilled it all over the floor. The staff were helpful in cleaning it up - oops! She always let me know when she wanted my pop to drink after that!
- When Tammy watched the Rapunzel play, Alexis could not be still and finally I had to take her out. It was another chance for Dad and daughter to go take a walk together.
- Alexis had to run all over the Mark Twain steamship. She had to get out her energy.
- In several lines Alexis kept it interesting. She would twist and try to get away from me. She would squeeze my face, pull my hair or take off my glasses as a tease game. She would throw things on the ground in the hopes that I would put her down to get it. She would laugh and grab everything in sight, including a few times, other people in line. Never a dull moment!
- We had fun playing the banging pans at the end of the Tarzan tree on Day 1.
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