Travel

Disneyland

Let’s start today’s adventures with a bit of advice. If you ever find yourself staying at the Fairfield Marriott across from Disneyland, it is well worth the $5 delivery charge to have Panera deliver breakfast to your room. This is how most days should start!

After breakfast, we walk to Disneyland. For my friends planning a Disneyland trip, remember “Disneyland Blocks” are measured by an entirely different scale! Keep that in mind when making reservations. We were about ½ a block from the crosswalk to the park, but in normal measurements that would about 2 blocks. Still, I can’t complain about this walk even a little.

It had been many, many years since I had been to Disneyland and a lot had changed. I knew that. I knew Spring Break would be busy (it always was) but WOWSERS! The crowds are crazy! Good thing we’re here shortly after opening and plan on being here all day – we’re going to need that time.

Once inside the park, we stop for the mandatory picture in front of the giant Mickey below the train station and then we hop on the Omnibus. We went up to the upper level of the bus so the kids could get a good look around. The very first character we see in the town square? Cruella! I love villains and I’m so excited so I do the only logical thing: I waved & screamed. What did she do? Ignore me in true villain fashion! Rude, but not totally unexpected. Ha ha!

First stop, Star Tours. The line is long, but we know it’s not going to get any shorter as the day goes on and the crowds get bigger. Honestly though, the line moved pretty fast and it was only a 45 minute wait. Other than the kids’ excitement, the thing that makes the wait easier is the props. They’ve done such a good job creating a completely immersive waiting queue with lots to see. I learned something new about myself on the ride (bear in mind, it’s been several years since I’ve ridden it, but I’ve ridden it loads of times previously)...I get motion sick. That was a new thing! Thankfully we exit into Star Trader so I can take my time getting my legs underneath me while the kids are looking at everything there is to see. So much Star Wars stuff!

We spend some time exploring Tomorrowland. The line to Space Mountain was crazy long so we make the decision to check back on that one. We found all sorts of Star Wars props and a treasure trove of Iron Man Tech & suits inside Innoventions. We met Thor and Taylor tried to take Mjolnir from him, but he kindly explained he wasn’t yet worthy to wield his hammer. (Not for lack of trying though!) We also went to space and fought an invasion with Buzz Lightyear at the Astro Blasters.

After all the space & super hero adventures, we needed fuel. On the way to get food we pass Pixie Hollow, but for some reason my boys don’t want to stand in line to meet Tink. Weird, huh? At last, there it is. Hidden in the shadow of the Matterhorn, we find Edelweiss Snacks. Any real Disney lover can sniff out a Turkey Leg and we did just that. Turkey Legs, Chimichangas & Slushies in hand, we find a table tucked away along the riverway and enjoy lunch & plan out the rest of our day.

After lunch, Dad goes back to the hotel to rest & do schoolwork (he was taking college classes online and, unfortunately, this is NOT his Spring Break). We’ll meet back up later.

The boys and I trek over to Small World and join a crazy long line! It’s quite a wait but one thing that’s great about that ride is that a lot of people get on it at once so even though the line is long, it moves fairly quickly. Disney is infamous for their hidden characters (I believe my kids call them “Easter Eggs”) and Small World is jam-packed with them. Among others, we found Aladdin riding a flying carpet, the 3 Caballeros in Mexico, Ariel and Flounder with the mermaids, Nemo under the sea, Timon & Pumba, Lilo & Stitch surfing and Woody, Bullseye & Jessie. We had so much fun looking for them! When you’re in there next see how many you can find.

As we’re exiting Small World, we walk out into what can only be described as utter chaos. The crowd was massive & unmoving so I climbed up on a bench to see over it and see what was going on. What was happening is Mickey’s Soundsational Parade was headed down the road right towards us! Purely unplanned, but awesome surprise. We take a seat on the wall behind the bench I climbed up on and watch the parade and enjoy the floats, characters and music.

After the parade, we’re off to Toontown. Without aging myself too much, let’s just say I remember when Toontown opened. Ha ha! It’s just as silly today as it was then and the kids have a blast riding everything they can – even Gadget’s Go-Coaster. Those two kiddos stood in that line for an hour, but wanted to do it all over again as soon as they got off! The highlight of Toontown was probably getting to meet Mickey. We hadn’t been able to get buttons saying “First Trip” because the line was so long at all of the official places so Taylor made sure to let Mickey know all about it. The sweet cast member working with Mickey told us to stop at the cart just outside the entrance to Toontown and tell them Mickey sent us and they’d hook us up. Sure enough, they did.

By this time it’s dark and they’re prepping for the nighttime shows. A quick whirl on the teacups, a picture in front of the castle and we start wading through the crowds of people waiting for the parade to start. Cast member to the rescue again! I swear, Disney cast members are the best. They look for people who look like they could need a little guidance and swoop in to help. A sweet guy sweeping stopped us to chat and suggested we wait for the second parade of the night because it’s much less crowded. He said most people watch the first one, wait for the fireworks and leave not realizing there’s a second parade shortly after the fireworks. What? How did I not know that? So at his urging, we head to the Enchanted Tiki Room to watch the show and get away from the crowd.

{Side note: I didn’t realize it then, but I do now – probably because Disney World makes a bigger deal about it. If you have a cast member that offers excellent service, let someone know. They get recognized for going above and beyond! You can do it via social media, email guest relations, leave a note at your Disney hotel or Guest Services in the parks.}

While we’re waiting in the outside queue for the show to start, I am explaining the glory of Dole Whips to my kids who have never had one. I want them to try one but they’re hesitant. What does the man working the booth do? He gives them free ones. Yes, really. Absolutely unexpected, but so super sweet of him. What did the kids think? One wasn’t too much of a fan (his palette has improved over the years) and the other one thought it was okay. I always love the Tiki Room. It’s one of those timeless treasures that reminds me of my childhood and so many fun trips. I’m grateful to be sharing this with my kids.

With the parade in full swing, we sneak back to the front of the parks weaving in and out of people and stores in search of food. We find a tiny table right by the exit to eat at. As we’re eating, in comes Dad back in time for the nighttime festivities.

The fireworks start and we work our way towards the Town Center and watch. Disney has always been incredibly innovative when it comes to nighttime light displays and this is no different. The fireworks and music are amazing, but then they bring out the lasers. It was so freaking cool to be standing in town center watching the laser projections moving up and down the buildings! Honestly, I don’t think we could have picked a better spot to watch this.

Just like the cast member told me, the fireworks end and the people flocked towards the exit. We just stood to the side and let them leave!

Once the madness has died down, we load up on soda, churros, popcorn and I surprise the kids with a couple of light up light sabers. Patience pays off: we manage to grab the park bench out in front of the Disney Theater (the one that shows Great Moments in History with Mr. Lincoln) for the parade. The staging area for the parade is just around the corner from us so once it starts, we’re very nearly first in line to see it.

I grew up watching the Main Street Electrical Parade and I never thought a parade could top it. I was wrong. I will always love that parade, but the Paint The Night Parade was phenomenal! There aren’t words to describe how magical it is – even Disney outdid themselves on this one. So many characters and movies represented, new ones and old ones alike. Being that close to the sidelines, you get the character interaction that only makes it even better. And, years later, I love that I now have a teenage boy I can still tease about that night Anna blew him a kiss! Will I ever stop teasing him about it? Probably not. It’s in the mom-code.

We’re all exhausted and ready for bed. As soon as the parade is over, we head back to the hotel and crash out for the night. I’m sure glad we didn’t try and cram everything into one day!

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