Day Two in Disneyland! Today our focus was on the other side of the park and it was just as magical. I love that about Disneyland. Every land is just perfect in its own unique way.
The Dash
We had a lot less rides on our list of wants this day – but they all had much longer waits, which we knew going in. At the top of our list was to experience Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge! I am the only member of our little clan that is not totally Star Wars obsessed so this was a big deal! We knew it was going to be crazy. But we mapped our what we thought was the best route to get there. We were right in the middle of the park when it opened and we speed walked to Galaxy’s Edge!
Our hope was to hop on Rise of the Resistance but it was not to be! We were absolutely shocked. Once we entered Galaxy’s Edge the line just kept going and going and going…and going. We couldn’t find the end! The end was finally in the tunnel on the other side of the “land”! It was madness!
We decided that that was just plain crazy and we immediately got on the Millennium Falcon: Smuggler’s Run. It was so much fun! Everyone loved being in their different “roles” as pilots, gunners, or engineers. It was a blast!
Critter Country
We left Galaxy’s Edge and decided we would just watch the times for the ride throughout the day and headed to Critter Country. Splash Mountain is closed right now so the main attraction is definitely The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh and it was easily the ride we rode on the MOST our entire trip. Winnie the Pooh is Jacob’s all-time-favorite character and it was just the sweetest to watch him completely content.
It was also perfect that the ride was almost never busy so the kids could just hop on again and again. PLUS it was actually a pretty quiet part of the park. It’s kind of tucked back in it’s own little area and so it was our go-to place when we needed a quiet moment with Lydia. We went back several times!
The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh – oh how we love you!
New Orleans Square
Next up was New Orleans Square! This was a big hit I think with all of the adults, and the kids were “one and done” as they put it! We loved experiencing:
- Pirates of the Caribbean
- Haunted Mansion
moment to remember
Haunted Mansion. Ben VERY unhappy in the stretching room – we looked like we were terrorizing our kids. He decided it was “okay” at the end. Me worried that Lydia was scared the first half of the ride so I started singing “I Am a Child of God” softly in her ear, she quiets, and when we turn into a mirror I discover she is completely asleep.
Adventureland
This land was a winner all around! We rode on everything we could (Tarzan’s Treehouse was closed), so we rode:
- Walt Disney’s Enchanted Tiki Room
- Jungle Cruise
- Indiana Jones Adventure
moments to remember
Tiki Room. Jacob and Sarah were totally into it. Ben liked everything but “the drums”! Lydia fell asleep.
Jungle Cruise. One of Jacob’s favorites. Animals + Calm = His Jam.
Indiana Jones Adventure. Sarah totally up for anything!
Fantasyland
We went back to Fantasyland again just because we could! We hit the Mad Tea Party which was a first for all of us!
Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge
Towards the middle of the afternoon we got our chance to ride Rise of the Resistance! We honestly didn’t know what to expect but it BLEW past all of our expectations. It wasn’t just a ride but an incredible EXPERIENCE. Every single one of us LOVED it! Mark was 100% in his element and was whooping and hollering right along with the resistance. It was awesome.
Food
We ate lunch in Adventureland at the Bengal Barbecue. The food was yummy but it was a little cutthroat to find a seat! It was probably the most chaotic place we ate at. The treats for the day were HUGE! We went over to Pooh’s Corner in Critter Country and Mark got a slushy, Jacob got a giant Mickey pineapple cookie, Sarah got a Tigger Tail, Benjamin got some lollipops, and I got a snickerdoodle cookie. I think Mark was the only one who could finish his entire treat!
For dinner, we ate at the Hungry Bear Restaurant. Plus side was that they had a kids menu, but for the prices it is definitely worth just getting an adult item and splitting it.
Details
dining
- Bengal Barbecue in Adventureland
- Treats at Pooh’s Corner in Critter Country
- Hungry Bear Restaurant in Critter Country
From the photos and your writing this must have been an incredibly fun time. Disneyland has really changed from the last time I was there. I think space mountain was the latest and greatest ride. That dates me. The kids are growing and changing. So cute. Seems like Lydia did pretty well and that makes my heart happy. I want to know how come your Mom is the only one sporting a Minnie Mouse tee-shirt, big hair bow, and mouse ears. She is great!
Haha, Mom really was the one with the most MINNIE spirit! This probably ages me, but I felt like I needed to sit down after Space Mountain! It really was such a wonderful trip 💛