Disneyland - Part Deux (3 of 3)
Our last park day was in Disneyland. While it was predicted to be the nicest day of our trip, it was the rainiest and coolest (however, it was still just a good drizzle and in the 60s, and I really can't begrudge California a little rain).
We took the Monorail from Downtown Disney to Tomorrowland Station, where Josh and Van got in line for Space Mountain (only ~20 minutes or so since the park wasn't yet open to the public again). Wes and I hung out and waited, and soon they came walking out... a little slower than when they walked in. Van said, "I almost threw up, Mom." He looked a little green, but I'm proud of him for being brave enough to try it in the first place.
Van shook off the coaster and he and Wes made a bee line for Astro Blasters. Josh and I were on the hunt for coffee yet. As our gang headed to Toontown to visit Mickey and friends at their houses, we passed It's a Small World. The boys expressed interest and Josh and I figured they should experience it at least once - sure, why not. I have to say, they have updated it to include some of the more recent movie characters (Lilo & Stitch, Woody & Jessie) but it was still a ride of dolls singing the same song in different languages... over and over and over. The boys thought it was cool!
Okay, this is where Josh and I split up and tag-team this coffee search. I took the boys on to Toontown and he headed to Main Street because apparently that is where the ONLY coffee cart in the whole damn park is. Godspeed, Josh.
The boys loved Mickey's house! Everything was just their size and the tour ended in Mickey's private screening room playing clips from some of his classics. Then came the mouse himself! Now, I remember Van meeting Mickey when he was 4, he was quite timid and I had to get in the picture with him... not Wesley! The kid ran up to Mickey and gave him a big hug, as did Van. They were pretty siked. Not to the level they were for Buzz, but this was a close second place.
The boys led us around the park for the morning, riding what they loved from Thursday and trying a few new ones. We had a really nice lunch in New Orleans Square at Orleans Cafe - a sit down restaurant with a great patio and view of the crowds and the riverboat. Josh got the gumbo which was pretty great and I had the Monte Cristo which was awesome! A little spendy for park lunch but so worth it - it was nice to sit and decompress for a bit. After a couple more rides it was evident that the weekend's pace was taking its toll on the boys and they needed more than a sit-down lunch. We went back to our room (Dole Whip in hands!) just as the rain came in - perfect timing!
And rain it did! I was a little worried our park time was over already, but it stopped for good by 3, we put on warmer clothes and got back to business.
More rides, but we never felt rushed or that we HAD to get to this or that. It was nice. When the sun went down (we think it did, the clouds were still overhead) it was time for Fantasmic! - the "other" nighttime show at Disneyland. It was SO much better than I thought it would be. Fireworks, water spouts, characters - good & bad, fire, lights, boats, dragons - it had everything! When it was over we were still able to catch some of the classic fireworks show as we walked quickly to Pirates for our last ride of the weekend.
While these posts may seem like we spent a lot of time running around (and we did), that's not what any of us remember most. What I remember most was smiling... a lot!, thinking that you really can't help but smile here!
People make fun of parents at these parks, "Why is Dad always in a bad mood?" but I don't think Josh and I ever were! The boys were smiling and that's all we cared about. The service we had everywhere was impeccable, and even with the less-than-ideal weather I don't recall anyone being disappointed.
I know it'll be a few years before we can do this again, but then it will be with family and that is something all four of us are really looking forward to - sharing these smiles. <3
Van shook off the coaster and he and Wes made a bee line for Astro Blasters. Josh and I were on the hunt for coffee yet. As our gang headed to Toontown to visit Mickey and friends at their houses, we passed It's a Small World. The boys expressed interest and Josh and I figured they should experience it at least once - sure, why not. I have to say, they have updated it to include some of the more recent movie characters (Lilo & Stitch, Woody & Jessie) but it was still a ride of dolls singing the same song in different languages... over and over and over. The boys thought it was cool!
Okay, this is where Josh and I split up and tag-team this coffee search. I took the boys on to Toontown and he headed to Main Street because apparently that is where the ONLY coffee cart in the whole damn park is. Godspeed, Josh.
The boys loved Mickey's house! Everything was just their size and the tour ended in Mickey's private screening room playing clips from some of his classics. Then came the mouse himself! Now, I remember Van meeting Mickey when he was 4, he was quite timid and I had to get in the picture with him... not Wesley! The kid ran up to Mickey and gave him a big hug, as did Van. They were pretty siked. Not to the level they were for Buzz, but this was a close second place.
The boys led us around the park for the morning, riding what they loved from Thursday and trying a few new ones. We had a really nice lunch in New Orleans Square at Orleans Cafe - a sit down restaurant with a great patio and view of the crowds and the riverboat. Josh got the gumbo which was pretty great and I had the Monte Cristo which was awesome! A little spendy for park lunch but so worth it - it was nice to sit and decompress for a bit. After a couple more rides it was evident that the weekend's pace was taking its toll on the boys and they needed more than a sit-down lunch. We went back to our room (Dole Whip in hands!) just as the rain came in - perfect timing!
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| Monte Cristo & Dole Whip float - yum!! |
And rain it did! I was a little worried our park time was over already, but it stopped for good by 3, we put on warmer clothes and got back to business.
More rides, but we never felt rushed or that we HAD to get to this or that. It was nice. When the sun went down (we think it did, the clouds were still overhead) it was time for Fantasmic! - the "other" nighttime show at Disneyland. It was SO much better than I thought it would be. Fireworks, water spouts, characters - good & bad, fire, lights, boats, dragons - it had everything! When it was over we were still able to catch some of the classic fireworks show as we walked quickly to Pirates for our last ride of the weekend.
People make fun of parents at these parks, "Why is Dad always in a bad mood?" but I don't think Josh and I ever were! The boys were smiling and that's all we cared about. The service we had everywhere was impeccable, and even with the less-than-ideal weather I don't recall anyone being disappointed.
I know it'll be a few years before we can do this again, but then it will be with family and that is something all four of us are really looking forward to - sharing these smiles. <3
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