Disney in a Day

When we do Disneyland, we manage to get it done in a day.  We're not one of those who spend three days taking our time with the lines, rides and avoiding meltdowns.  That's for woosies. Nope we're hardcore.  Last month we managed to tack on a few extra days to my work trip and hit up Disneyland for a day.  Thankfully we went on a Tuesday so the lines weren't that bad considering it was summer vacation season.

As I mentioned the other day we started the day at California Adventure (yes we did ParkHopper One Day passes) and got our FastPass for the big ride in the new Cars Land.  This post will concentrate on everything else we did at Disney that day, but you missed the Cars Land post - go here.

Since we were already in California Adventure we figured we'd the fun rides for Drew - in other words A Bugs Life - where the rides are geared for kids 18 months and up.

After we hit about 3-4 rides - including California Soarin' which only had a wait of 15 minutes (it's typically well over an hour) we went across the open area to Disneyland.

First up, Star Tours.  It was revamped a few years ago, but neither Dave or I have been on it since the enhancements.  

Drew liked it!  For those that are familiar with it... it's still pretty jerky but it's in 3D now and it's been updated from the 80's version.  Staying in Tomorrowland we talked Drew into Space Mountain (he made the height cut-off for the first time.  Last time we were at Disney he was barely 3 and we had to do the kid-swap so Dave and I could check out the ride - which was also enhanced.

If you ask Drew what his favorite ride is at Disney, hands down he'll tell you Space Mountain.  This makes for a proud Daddy.  While in line for Space Mountain - which also happened to be the longest of the day at close to 50 minutes we heard from my friend Angie and her son Luke who were also at the park.  We met up after lunch right outside Space Mountain.

They decided they needed a little Rocket Spray.
L-R: Luke, Drew, Dave

We asked the boys what they wanted to do and we hit up It's a Small World before heading over to Toon Town for a little playing and to see the "Mouse".

L-R: Drew, Luke, Mickey Mouse

We of course had to have a family shot with Mickey

Once outside of Mickey's house the boys played a bit more before we parted ways.  We had to head back over to California Adventure for our FastPass time at Radiator Springs.

After Radiator Springs was when we started to see meltdowns.  Dave spotted Elastigirl from The Incredibles.   This is one of Drew's favorite Disney movies so we were shocked he refused - and I mean refused - to take a picture with her.

Notice how he's turned away?  He's actually whining and half crying.  That proceeded into a 30-minute bout of how angry he was with us.  We decided to do some shopping and walking in the AC - it was quite warm at this point - and see if the cooler temperature and the walking would entice Drew to nap.

Mission accomplished!
He napped for nearly 2 hours and Dave and I found some shade - back on the Disneyland side in Orleans Square and just had a few snacks.  We were then plotting our next plan of attack once Drew woke up.

Dave was talking to one of the Cast members and found out there was an area designated for one of Drew's other favorite Disney movies - Up!

Unfortunately Drew slept a bit too long for us to see the characters but we brought him over anyway to play.  He started exploring through tree houses, slides and anything fun for kids to climb on.  But then he saw a "tire swing" thing that he wanted to try.  Thankfully he made the height cut-off (barely) and he swung across a line. 

Then he continued to explore.

After about 20-30 minutes playing and letting him wake up a bit, Dave gave him the pin he picked up while he was napping.  The Grape Soda pin is a staple in the movie up, and Mr. Frederickson gives it to Russ for his Wilderness Explorer Badge.  Well since we missed the characters, Dave pretended he received the pin from Mr. Frederickson while we went out to find the stroller.  Drew was so so proud to wear that pin the rest of the day!

Since we were already in California Adventure - yes, we did a lot of back and forth walking between the parks - we hit up a few more rides including the Ferris Wheel.

Drew was a bit nervous since we picked one of the carts that moved.  The family that sat across from us was from Colorado whose home was threatened by the wildfires there.  Just a little side story..

We grabbed dinner and hit a few more rides.  At Monster's Inc. we ran into Luke and Angie again!  They were a few people behind us.  The boys hung out for a bit while the parents caught up about the day and what we thought about various rides.

 L-R: Luke, Drew
Needless to say the boys like to make faces for the camera.

We parted ways again and headed back over to Disneyland where we needed to claim our spot for fireworks.

I always love how pretty the castle looks at night lit up. 

When fireworks finished we decided to get a few more rides in.  We still hadn't done Pirates or anything in Fantasyland.

We gyped Drew of the Dumbo ride - in fact I don't think he's ever been on the ride because the line is always ridiculous.  He was happy to settle for the stand alone Dumbo for picture posing.


After the carousal Drew had had it for the day.  We tried to get a few pictures in front of the castle

Needless to say Drew was less than thrilled to take yet another picture.  I mean it was only around 11pm at this point.

So it was a great trip.  Unfortunately Disney raised their prices this Spring so it was also a costly trip.  We managed to save nearly $20/ticket by getting them through the hotel vs. the gates, but still at over $100 each it adds up!  We did pretty good once we got in the park and the only souvenirs we walked out with were 2 Disney Pins - we collect, and both were for Drew - and a silhouette cutout of Drew.  Not bad!