This day we were LASER focused on California Adventure! We went in with high energy and the day had some great moments but a lot of things just didn’t seem to work out for us!
Cars Land
We started the day by heading straight to Radiator Springs in Cars Land! This was probably Benjamin’s most anticipated place. We were hoping to get on the Radiator Springs Racers but it was temporarily closed. But we jumped on:
- Mater’s Junkyard Jamboree
- Luigi’s Joy to the Whirl
These rides are very similar and full of spinning! Ben was giggling the whole time!
Paradise Gardens Park
We were hoping Radiator Springs Racers would open while we were lingering in Cars Land, but it didn’t. So we headed over to Paradise Gardens Park. Here we rode:
- The Little Mermaid – Ariel’s Undersea Adventure
- Golden Zephyr
- Jumpin’ Jellyfish
- Goofy’s Sky School
We hardly had to wait for any of the rides and we thought we were just CRUISING through!
moment to remember
Goofy’s Sky School. Mark, Jacob, Sarah, and I rode this ride and it was so fun to be just the four of us. I was a little nervous – it was a little more adventurous than I usually go for. But oh my goodness, we all laughed and squealed the whole time!
Pixar Pier
This is where our party split up a little. We rode on:
- Pixar Pal-A-Round
- Jessie’s Critter Carousel
- Incredicoaster
moments to remember
Pixar Pal-A-Round. If there is a ride that takes me WAY out of my comfort zone, it is a Ferris Wheel. I do not find them enjoyable. Last time we came to Disneyland, California Adventure had just opened and we went on this same Ferris Wheel and there are pictures documenting my horror. I basically cried and was miserable. This is not just a normal Ferris Wheel – but one that SWINGS! I don’t know if this existed before and we just didn’t do it, but they have NON-SWINGING ones now. And you can bet, the only way I was getting on was on a non-swinging cart. So Mark, Jacob, Sarah, Benjamin, and Gramps went on the swinging cart – while Grandpa, Grandma, Grammy, Lydia, and I went on the non-swinging. I survived.
Incredicoaster. Jacob really wanted to try the BIG roller coaster. He asked a lot of questions about how the seats were and the straps (he really was interested in what they were made out of). He always keeps me on my toes. But I was so proud to watch him go ride with Mark and Gramps. He was so excited when he came back and loved it.
Grizzly Peak
This is where things kind of went downhill. We ate lunch at the Pacific Wharf and then split up again. Grandpa, Grandma, Mark, Jacob, Sarah, Benjamin, and I went to ride Soarin’. The line was already long, but then when we had only been in the line a couple minutes, they announced that they were only running at half capacity. The line took a VERY long time! It is super fun, and I wish there was some way Lydia could go on it, but the line kind of drained us.
We then met up with my parents and Lydia. We got some milkshakes to try and cool down a little. Lydia was feeling tired and my parents offered to take her back to the hotel with them. So they went back mid-afternoon.
Hollywood Land
Radiator Racers was finally open but the line was INSANE! So we walked back across the park to try and do the Monsters, Inc. Mike & Sulley to the Rescue ride. When we got there, it was CLOSED! We couldn’t believe our bad luck.
We walked across the way and did Mickey’s PhilharMagic show. This was actually a really fun 3-D show that we all enjoyed. The Monster’s Inc ride opened up again and we were again trapped in a lot longer line than we anticipated though.
Afterwards, we tried to go on Radiator Springs Racers AGAIN and it was closed. We went and did the Sorcerer’s Workshop which ended up being so fun. They have a room of the Beast’s Library (from Beauty and the Beast) and I loved it. Here we each answered some questions and it told us which Disney character we were most liked. Everyone’s was pretty spot on!
- Mark –> Gaston {I say foul on this one though, Mark definitely didn’t answer his last question honestly!}
- Elise –> Rapunzel
- Jacob –> Marlin (from Finding Nemo – this is SO true)
- Sarah –> Sally (from Cars)
- Benjamin –> Mickey
- Grandpa –> Peter Pan
- Grandma –> Cinderella
I think my favorite part was before it told you which character you were like, it described you and the descriptions were so perfect. I wish we had gotten a picture of all of them.
- Sarah = You are creative, sensitive and noble. You always go the extra mile to help others to find new roads to a better life.
- Elise = You are patient and devoted. You are kind, even when you’re tangled up. You will gladly come down from your tower for someone in need.
- Grandma = You are compassionate, hardworking and warm-hearted. You are charming and generous. You are the princess of any ball.
- Grandpa = You are independent and adventurous. You are quick to fly toward danger. You face any challenge with a grin.
We sat around trying to decide what to do and finally decided that it was silly to stay just to stay. So Grandpa and Grandma went one way and our family went back to Disneyland to try and do some shopping on Main Street. It was absolute madness! We got a few things, walked over to CVS for dinner again, and picked up our angel girl from Gramps and Grammy.
Details
dining
- Pacific Wharf Cafe at Pacific Wharf for lunch
- Flo’s V8 Cafe for milkshakes
