Day 7. April 19th (Tuesday)
We got up early Tuesday morning and grabbed breakfast on-the-go at La Brea Bakery Express (muffins & a croissant). We were relieved to make it to the Disneyland entrance before Rope Drop. It was an Extra Magic Hour morning there, and we wanted to get a jump start on the crowds.
We were second in line at our turnstile and so excited head into the park!
We were held at the rope for a bit, where we enjoyed the view.
[URL=http://s1166.photobucket.com/user/disMom7/media/disneyland%202016/IMG_0653_zpsyel16s1f.jpg.html][/URL]
We had decided to divide and conquer for the start of the day, as our boys had different ride priorities. Sam and I hurried to Hyperspace Mountain, his new favorite ride, first.
[URL=http://s1166.photobucket.com/user/disMom7/media/disneyland%202016/DLPCA_SPACEMOUNTAINRIDE_20160419_383567564852_zpsdzwyb5te.jpg.html][/URL]
He and I tried two other new rides that the twins were not interested in next: Astro Orbiter and Mr. Toad’s Wild Ride.
[URL=http://s1166.photobucket.com/user/disMom7/media/disneyland%202016/IMG_0660_zpsuu3b4ltq.jpg.html][/URL]
I remember riding Mr. Toad at Walt Disney World, but since that ride closed long ago (in 1998), I enjoyed being able to ride it on the west coast. I took a ton of pictures, because I wanted to show them to a sister of mine who has been bitter about the ride in Florida closing. (She even refuses to ride the Winnie the Pooh ride that replaced it, in protest.)
[URL=http://s1166.photobucket.com/user/disMom7/media/disneyland%202016/IMG_0664_zpshorfzdmf.jpg.html][/URL]
[URL=http://s1166.photobucket.com/user/disMom7/media/disneyland%202016/IMG_0666crp_zpsecl4yqec.jpg.html][/URL]
[URL=http://s1166.photobucket.com/user/disMom7/media/disneyland%202016/IMG_0667_zpssny9byxv.jpg.html][/URL]
While we were busy, Jeff and the twins rode the Finding Nemo Submarine Voyage, Buzz Lightyear Astro Blasters, and It’s a Small World.
We connected by phone and met back up at Casey Jr. Circus Train.
[URL=http://s1166.photobucket.com/user/disMom7/media/disneyland%202016/IMG_0669_zpsamwax21t.jpg.html][/URL]
Then, more splitting up ensued, so that Sam and Jeff could go for a ride on the Indiana Jones Adventure. Unfortunately it was down, so they tried Pirates of the Caribbean instead. The rest of us got in line to meet Rapunzel, but as we were waiting in the long line, realized that we had made a mistake and gotten in the line for Merida instead! Oh, well. She was sweet anyway.
[URL=http://s1166.photobucket.com/user/disMom7/media/disneyland%202016/DLPCA_FANTASYFAIREATMOCHAR_20160419_383245178782_zps49ii5uyy.jpg.html][/URL]
Breakfast with "Minnie & friends" at the Plaza Inn was next on the agenda.
[URL=http://s1166.photobucket.com/user/disMom7/media/disneyland%202016/IMG_0675_zpsq4djytjx.jpg.html][/URL]
We had a reservation for 10am. Crazily enough, once again, I ran an errand before sitting down with my family. Right after we checked in, a Disney photographer took a family picture of us in front of the restaurant.
[URL=http://s1166.photobucket.com/user/disMom7/media/disneyland%202016/EVNTPLAZAINN_TABLE004_20160419_383909804072_zpstkbq49ko.jpg.html][/URL]
We usually do not buy the pictures, but this time I couldn’t resist, because I was giddy with excitement about our first trip to amazing Disneyland. As the boys and Jeff were waiting for a table to be ready, I grabbed the opportunity to sprint out of there to get FastPasses for Hyperspace Mountain and Star Tours.
I loved that we met such an eclectic mix of characters at the breakfast.
[URL=http://s1166.photobucket.com/user/disMom7/media/disneyland%202016/IMG_0680_zps8oisp5fd.jpg.html][/URL]
[URL=http://s1166.photobucket.com/user/disMom7/media/disneyland%202016/DSC04317_zpstq45rhte.jpg.html][/URL]
[URL=http://s1166.photobucket.com/user/disMom7/media/disneyland%202016/DSC04327_zpsbymoc02m.jpg.html][/URL]
[URL=http://s1166.photobucket.com/user/disMom7/media/disneyland%202016/IMG_0693_zpsthmbmoz9.jpg.html][/URL]
[URL=http://s1166.photobucket.com/user/disMom7/media/disneyland%202016/IMG_0701_zpsl7dtsbph.jpg.html][/URL]
Specifically, we met Chip, Gideon, Dale, Minnie, Gepetto, Eeyore, Captain Hook, and Tigger. We enjoyed a lot of interaction from them and found the food to be as good as at the lunch we had previously enjoyed there.
[URL=http://s1166.photobucket.com/user/disMom7/media/disneyland%202016/IMG_0689_zpsprffrlc4.jpg.html][/URL]
The Mickey waffles were the best part, of course. Here's my breakfast.
[URL=http://s1166.photobucket.com/user/disMom7/media/disneyland%202016/IMG_0690_zpssr6tkrnl.jpg.html][/URL]
The FP windows were open when we finished eating, so Jeff and Sam rode Hyperspace Mountain while I took the twins to Star Tours.
[URL=http://s1166.photobucket.com/user/disMom7/media/disneyland%202016/IMG_0710_zpseghbgalp.jpg.html][/URL]
We then got in line together to meet Kylo Ren. He was deadly serious. I had wanted to see Chewbacca as well, but the group was not up for it after already waiting a long time for Kylo Ren.
[URL=http://s1166.photobucket.com/user/disMom7/media/disneyland%202016/DLPCA_DARKSIDE2CHAR_20160419_383245178485_zpssksajgwk.jpg.html][/URL]
[URL=http://s1166.photobucket.com/user/disMom7/media/disneyland%202016/DLPCA_DARKSIDE2CHAR_20160419_383245178788_zpsuxyxptfx.jpg.html][/URL]
We crossed over to the other side of the park, pausing near the castle for some family photos. The photographer was great, very friendly and really took his time with us, taking many pictures. He took a couple normal photos, a fun magic shot with balloons, and, interestingly, a series of kind of quirky posed photos. A few of them are below.
[URL=http://s1166.photobucket.com/user/disMom7/media/disneyland%202016/DLPCA_PARTNERSICON1NC_20160419_383245178757_zpsgk9q6avi.jpg.html][/URL]
[URL=http://s1166.photobucket.com/user/disMom7/media/disneyland%202016/DLPCA_PARTNERSICON1NC_20160419_383245178475_zpsngthksjk.jpg.html][/URL]
[URL=http://s1166.photobucket.com/user/disMom7/media/disneyland%202016/DLPCA_PARTNERSICON1NC_20160419_383245178496_zpslqllysrk.jpg.html][/URL]
[URL=http://s1166.photobucket.com/user/disMom7/media/disneyland%202016/DLPCA_PARTNERSICON1NC_20160419_383245178783_zpsgg6bfvmf.jpg.html][/URL]
Then, we rode Pirates of the Caribbean and swung by the Pieces of Eight store for a sword for Benji and some chocolate coins for everyone. I saw this in the store called "Le Bat en Rouge," and wish I'd bought them! (When I tried later on my last day, the shop closed early so I couldn't buy it.)
[URL=http://s1166.photobucket.com/user/disMom7/media/disneyland%202016/IMG_0721_zpsksx87koq.jpg.html][/URL]
And this is where I made a mistake: going to the Enchanted Tiki Room. Some will not agree with my reaction to this, so I apologize in advance. I really do love nostalgia in general and Disney history very much, so I thought I had to do it. I am sure I have seen the show in Walt Disney World, but it had been ages and I didn’t really remember it. Also, my children have never seen it, so I managed to recruit one willing partner – Kevin – and said goodbye to the others who would be riding Star Tours. Kevin and I picked up the obligatory Dole Whips on the way into the show, his the traditional and mine a “float.” We found seats in the Tiki Room, vintage Disney all around us and in our hands, and waited for the show to begin...
Well, I am a bad person. Apparently I have to admit it now. I did not care for the Dole Whip or the show at all. Kevin felt the same. To be honest, I spent a fair amount of the show looking past the feathered performers and eying the EXIT sign on the other side of the room, contemplating the logistics of making a quick escape. The problem was that we were in the middle of a bench and would be disturbing others if we left prematurely. Reluctantly, I admitted defeat and just tried to think of happy thoughts to distract me. I do think the main song is kind of cute and a classic, so that helped. Anyway, when the show ended, we threw away what remained of our Dole Whips and moved on. I know we are in the minority. We just didn’t “get it.” I am honestly glad we tried it and can certainly see why it would be groundbreaking at the time and a crowd-pleaser. And I would add that I am glad Disney has kept it around for others to enjoy. Even though it isn't "my thing," I'd be sad to see it taken away.
Next, we met up with the others, told them of our experience, and switched gears: Hyperspace Mountain for Sam and me and the Main Street Cinema for Jeff and the twins. To rest their feet and bask in the air conditioning.
We saw Great moments with Mr. Lincoln, which was fantastic! It was interesting to hear a couple of songs I've known from Disney World: "Two Brothers" & "Golden Dream."
[URL=http://s1166.photobucket.com/user/disMom7/media/disneyland%202016/IMG_0732_zpsgwnoo7gf.jpg.html][/URL]
We stopped at the nearby Disneyana store to look at art we were considering. This was cool but kinda strange.
[URL=http://s1166.photobucket.com/user/disMom7/media/disneyland%202016/IMG_0743_zpsiue6hlos.jpg.html][/URL]
After that, it was time for a snack on the way to the 5pm Tangled show, something we were especially excited to see. I got a Mickey rice krispie treat from the Candy Palace.
[URL=http://s1166.photobucket.com/user/disMom7/media/disneyland%202016/IMG_0751_zpsg7txv1yr.jpg.html][/URL]
At Gibson Girl Ice Cream Parlor, Sam and Jeff ordered root beer floats and Benji got a rainbow sherbet cone. Kevin got a Mickey pretzel at Coke Corner. Funny that we went to so many separate places, but everyone loved their snacks and it was pretty easy because they were close together. The show was a ton of fun. We loved the style of storytelling. Super silly.
[URL=http://s1166.photobucket.com/user/disMom7/media/disneyland%202016/IMG_0749_zpsug64ohs8.jpg.html][/URL]
[URL=http://s1166.photobucket.com/user/disMom7/media/disneyland%202016/IMG_0754_zpsgxumtbx9.jpg.html][/URL]
[URL=http://s1166.photobucket.com/user/disMom7/media/disneyland%202016/IMG_0759_zpsmpipuzsl.jpg.html][/URL]
We enjoyed the Winnie the Pooh ride, noticing some differences like the bouncy honeypot ride vehicles. We stopped at Pooh Corner afterward and bought a Chip’n’Dale lanyard for Kevin, who had lost the lanyard he had gotten on out last trip. We also looked at the pretty case of treats.
[URL=http://s1166.photobucket.com/user/disMom7/media/disneyland%202016/IMG_0764_zpsmcsbetcl.jpg.html][/URL]
Sam rode Big Thunder with Jeff, while I took the twins shopping and to the shooting arcade. Then, we switched places so I could ride Big Thunder with Sam and the others did some more shooting and explored Tarzan’s Treehouse.
[URL=http://s1166.photobucket.com/user/disMom7/media/disneyland%202016/IMG_0773_zpsundt2l7h.jpg.html][/URL]
We found spots to watch the evening parade on Main Street, near the penny arcade. We took turns grabbing food to eat while we waited. I chose well: the Jolly Holiday Combo (grilled cheese sandwich and tomato basil soup).
[URL=http://s1166.photobucket.com/user/disMom7/media/disneyland%202016/IMG_0778_zpssrtxwxug.jpg.html][/URL]
We also got a couple of salads, Grilled Chicken & Sun-Dried Tomato Caesar Salad from Jolly Holiday and a couple of slices of pizza from Village Haus. We enjoyed seeing Paint the Night and the fireworks again, this time from a different perspective, but it was not nearly as good as the seating near Small World. It was just so nice to have relaxing, uncrowded, unobstructed front row seats at that location. At Main Street, it was the old game of people cramming in close behind just before the show and then squeezing ahead of others where possible. Not a fan of that, but still a HUGE fan of Disneyland nighttime shows. Spectacular. We left the park tired, but happy, and looking forward to visiting California Adventure bright and early the next day.