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March 25, 2013

Next: Disney CA Adventure Part 2 (Vaca #13)

Disney’s California Adventure, Part 1 (Vaca #12)

Dear Diary,

So this entry brings us to Wednesday, about mid-way through our trip. I left off in the last vacation entry with Disneyland. This day we headed to California Adventure. I had never been to this park before. It was a first for all three of us (me, my Dad and I). And, if I really think about it, Carsland at California Adventure is what put the wheels in motion to plan this entire trip to California for spring break.

I took "what I wore" pictures in the morning so I’ll start with those…

This is a bit hard to make out but I have a Cinderella carriage charm that was given to me as a birthday present when I was a teen. I worked at the Hello Kitty Store at the mall from about 15 to 19 years old. My co-workers there gave it to me. I really only wear it to Disney now but it’s still special for me and I love it.

I wore my hidden Mickey flower earrings that were a souvenir I purchased the day prior at Disneyland… Can you see the Mickey in the center?

VERY Disney…. Almost too much for even me….

I made this bracelet last year before our spring break cruise. We had a Disney day in Florida during that trip.

The Switchflops…. and my chubby piggies….

side view….

When I think back my Dad’s enthusiasm about the parks was cute. Enthusiasm and my Dad aren’t words that necessarily go hand in hand. But when we first entered Disneyland he was excited to see Goofy right away. Here he was excited about this car. I think he was just excited in general and needed to direct it at something. Anyway a cute picture of Reagan and my Dad with this car on Buena Vista Street as you enter California Adventure….. (I like how it looks like Reagan is telling my Dad a secret and how my Dad leisurely has his hand on Reagan’s shoulder)

A cool Five and Dime along Buena Vista Street.

Reagan is a Phineas and Ferb fan. He was excited to see the Perry the Platapus hat….

We turned off of Buena Vista into Hollywood Land onto this street….

Off the Page – I believe this was higher end Disney art… Like paintings, prints, statues. We browsed there later in the evening…

While in Hollywood Land we watched a very cool 4-D preview of OZ The Great and Powerful. I’m totally blown away by how they can take over just about every sense with some of these shows and rides… I’m excited to see this movie but I’m pretty sure we’ll wait and get the DVD…. maybe a family gift at Christmas. We’ll see…. Or maybe I’ll be extra cheap and just Redbox or Library it.

These chairs were something else my Dad showed a bit of enthusiasm over…

These were in the Mad Tea Party area….

More Mad Tea Party scenes / sets…. My assumption is that on some nights this area turns into a club type area for teens, twenty somethings, etc. There is live music, lighting, dancing.

A cute Kellog’s prop in the area…

And a quaint looking market…

I was completely smitten with the tile work on this corner…

Can you see how there are mugs and everything set into it?

I’d love to do a tile project like these!

The Hyperion Theatre…

Hollywood Tower…

LOVE vintage Disney like this…

Still in Hollywood Land…. Disney Animation Studios. We circled back here in the evening for a cool show.

Time for a ride! We entered the park about 9:30 but it didn’t technically open until 10. All of the above was just taking in the sights before it was truly open…
First we rode Mike and Sulley to the Rescue, a Monsters Inc themed ride… It was pretty cute!

I adore all the props along the way as you wait in line to board these rides. This one we walked right onto but I still took time to photograph a few of the scenes in line…

Hop in!

We’re headed to Downtown Monstropolis…

There’s Sulley with the little girl he’s trying to protect!

More scenes along the way…

Looking at these makes me want to watch this movie again…

As I am taking these the car is moving and spinning while I’m taking pics like a crazy girl. You can see the movement in this next one…

I like this one with all the doors to the kid’s bedrooms…

Towards the end…

This is the type of taxi vehicle we were riding in…

We next walked back up towards Buena Vista street and then across into Condor Flats. Along the way the trolly came. There were Newsie type cast members singing from it…

And this loveable guy was in the back!

Entering Condor Flats…

It’s all aviation themed…

We rode Soarin’ Over California here. I didn’t know what to expect with this ride. There is something similar in Disney Hollywood Studios in Florida but when Reagan and I were there he was too little to ride. We skipped it. There it is Soarin’ Over Florida. Anyway… We all thought this ride was very cool. You feel like you’re hang gliding and you soar over all the classic California scenery like the Redwoods, the orange grovew, the Golden Gate Bridge, the beaches. Completely Amazing! And it is in 4-D. We were blown away again and again during this trip. This ride was no exception… There is no photographing the acutal ride. You just get the sign. And that gorgeous blue sky that is quintessential California.

A Condor Flat’s billboard…

It was along side this little aircraft….

Also along the side of this aircraft was one of the day’s highlights…

Minnie!
I think this is a nice group picture of us…

Leaving Condor Flats the environment changes a bit to a Redwood Forest / camp type feel…

This next statue was near the Grizzley Rapids….. which Reagan is saving until he is 8….. *grins*

The Grand Californian Hotel border’s this edge of the park. In several places the hotel overlooks the park. This was the case in Downtown Disney, too. The hotel overlooked the streets of Downtown Disney. Pretty cool to have a balcony like that to people watch from.

We next explored Redwood Creek. This was a spin off from the movie Up. Remember how the little boyscoutish boy was technically a Wilderness Explorer?

Studying the map and looking adorable in his ears!

This section is a bit like Tarzan’s Treehouse or Tom Sawyer’s Island… you just explore and play at your leisure…

Kids are given a map. They find different spots and complete challenges along the way. At each location they "earn a badge". By the end you become a Wilderness Explorer.
Reagan with his map…

I want you to take a moment to picture me comically trying to cross this netting in my dress as quickly as I can so that no one below sees my panties. Not my finest moment…
Reagan was plenty cute and composed while making his crossing though…

Smokey the Bear is a strong childhood memory for me….

Down the log slide…

Another view of the Grizzley Bear Rapids. I believe this is the conveyor that brings the rafts up to the top. ??

So, I should probably stop here for now. I’ll pick up in my next entry with the Paradise Pier area.

Happy Tuesday!

daisypath happy birthday tickers

My Library at LibraryThing

NurseMom

March 26, 2013

Lessoff

LOL at the netting story. im sure that happens a lot more than you think it does. 🙂 we did soarin at epcot in flordia, it was the only ride that we got the fast pass to. and it was seriously a 2 hour wait. bobby was a tad bit freaked out cause the ride pulls you up at the beginning and we were on the 2nd row from the top. but once he realized that you didnt actually move other than sideto side he was cool with it.

You looked really pretty in your outfit…but I could never wear a dress and flip flops and be comfortable in a theme park. I would be in jeans, t shirt and sneakers. I would be anxious that my dress wouldnt cover me and I need good shoe support if I am going to be walking.

Love the picture with Minnie. And oh my at crossing the netting–I wouldn’t even think of something like that. I’d probably just take my time until I hear someone laughing below–maybe it is a good thing I can’t wear dresses! haha