Disneyland 2015 Trip Report: Part Six

I woke up on the last day in Disneyland ready to conquer everything I hadn't accomplished that was on my "to-do" list. My mother and I were in Disneyland for rope drop that morning, and we were so excited to see that they had put the Halloween decorations out the night before. They park was looking so lovely for Fall!

There are moments in Disney that are truly magical. One of the characters I wanted to meet this trip was Peter Pan. But I hadn't taken the time to track him down. Yet, I rounded a corner in Fantasy land and poof there he was. I was super excited! I was also thrilled to show him my Never land Galleons shirt. He liked it! 

I headed over to D.C.A after a quick morning in Disneyland to try out some rides I hadn't yet got to. First on the agenda was California Screamin'.  What a fun ride. It wasn't such a big thrill that it scared the pants off me, but it was just enough to get the blood going! 

I also rode Mike & Sully to the Rescue. I loved it, it is like a classic dark ride but modernized. I'm also a big fan on Monsters Inc. And I always laugh when I think of Mike Wozawski, as my niece has a BRIGHT, green car named Wozawski!

I spent a good deal of the afternoon re-riding rides in both Disneyland & California Adventure, grabbing lunch with mom, and packing to go home the next day. I think I may have even taken a nap, so I could close down the park later.

One of the big things on my agenda was to see the Cars lighting ceremony. If you have seen the movie, you will know what I'm talking about. They recreate that exact moment every night at sunset.

So when I hit the parks that evening, I hung out in Carsland, waiting for the event to start, and in the meantime, I hung out with Tow Mater. He was pretty darn cute I have to say.  Finally, the ceremony started, and I recorded a snippet of it. I loved it! Such a simple but perfect touch.

After one final ride on Radiator Springs' Racers, I headed back to Disneyland for the final few hours. I did nothing new, I just stuck with classic attractions like Dumbo. I also had to ride Winnie the Pooh because I never will forget riding it with Adam years ago, when he turned to me and asked, "Is this Pooh's descent into madness?" 

 

Right before the park closed, I jumped on Indiana Jones' Adventure. It was a perfect way to end the night. 

 

I'll be honest I was a little sad leaving the park, knowing the vacation was done. I even took the long walk back to the hotel, instead of hopping on the monorail, soaking up the last moments.

 

 

We got up the next morning at 3:30 a.m. to catch our flight (ugh). It was a long day spent in airports, but I was so happy to get home to my boys (who were both at the airport). Although Orlando is pretty easy to get to for us,  who knows when I'll be back out to California. But hopefully I made plenty of Disneyland memories to last me awhile!

 

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Month in Review: September/October 2015

Books I've Read:

1.The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern

I was really interested when I read the plot of this book. I have always kind of been interested in the historical oddities of freak shows and circuses. The book was pretty good, but it did drag a bit in the middle for me. But it picked up again in the end. 

2. The Boys in the Boat by Daniel James Brown

This was a book club selection. It is based on the American Crew team that won gold in the 1936 Berlin Olympics. At first, I could not get into it, in fact I almost gave up on it. But eventually something hooked me,  I was impressed by the difficultly of rowing. And I loved how the story was told by focusing on the history of one of the teammates. 

3. America, You Sexy Bitch by Michael Ian Black & Meghan Mccain

This was an interesting non-fiction book. I have always been a big fan of Meghan Mccain, and Michael Ian Black is hilarious. The whole concept of the book is a democrat and republican drive around America looking for common ground in their beliefs.

4. Rosemary: The Hidden Kennedy Daughter by Kate Clifford Larson
This was my favorite read over the last two months. It is about the daughter of the Kennedy's who was intellectually disabled and later subjected to a lobotomy by her father. I always enjoy learning about the Kennedy's, and this was truly tragic tale but an interesting read. 

5. A Private Disgrace: Lizzie Borden by Daylight by Victoria Lincoln
This book is an older book, written by a lady who grew up in the same town as Lizze Borden and knew her as a child. Although some of the information in this book is so obviously outdated (Lincoln's theory was that Lizzie killed her parents because she possibly had epilepsy, made worse by being on her period). But she still gave a good "insider" account of the murders and a good overview of the case. 

6. The Walk by  Philippe Petit
I recently saw the movie, The Walk, about Petit's real life high wire walk across the world trade center. I wanted to know the whole story. I really loved the passion he demonstrated for his high wire walk and everything that went into preparing for the walk! This read like a classic, heist tale. Such a good read. 

Movies I've Watched:

1. The Walk
I went and saw this movie with my mother a while back. I really loved it! We saw it in 3D, which really made the experience so intense. I felt like I was walking across the World Trade Center and often felt sick to my stomach! I also liked it because it felt like a love letter to the WTC, without having to bring out the heartbreak of 9-11. 

TV Show Watched:

1. Fargo
Adam and I are both really into this season of Fargo. That show is intense, funny, and intriguing. We look forward to watching it every week. Plus, Kirsten Dunst and Matt Damon are playing their roles perfectly. 

2. Below Deck
One of my favorite reality shows ever! I find the links the crew members go to meet their clients needs amazing. And some of the rich customers are so entitled! Captain Lee is definitely my favorite. This show almost makes me want to work on a yacht to earn some of those massive cash tips!

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Disneyland 2015: Digital Scrapbooking Pages Part 5

These pages cover day five of my Disneyland 2015 trip. Including D.C.A., Carsland, Radiator Springs Racers, Frozen Singalong, Meeting Oswald, Walk in Walt's Footsteps tour, and lunch at the Jolly Holiday Bakery. You can read about this day here.

Materials Used:

Project Mouse
Cars Rule 
Supercalifragilisticespealdicious
Icy Blast 
Frozen Die Cuts
Frozen Backgrounds



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Disneyland 2015 Trip Report: Part Five

I was so excited about day 5 of our vacation, simply because I didn't have to get up and run, nor did I have to worry about "saving my feet." I could hit the parks to my hearts content. Plus, this was also the day I would be truly exploring California Adventure for the first time. I was so excited, I got there at rope drop!

California Adventure is simply a beautiful park. I read somewhere where someone described it as a park all about atmosphere, and I agree with that. When you walk in, it feels like you stepped back in time to old school Hollywood!

First on my DCA agenda was to really spend some time in Carsland. It was definitely the aspect of the trip I was most looking forward to. And I don't think pictures or me talking about it (or anyone talking about it) can really do it justice. You have to be there. The attention to detail is crazy good! It is so charming and immersive, I just loved spending time there. 

I was so pumped to hit up Radiator Springs Racers! I even jumped in the stand by line, when I could have easily gotten on the ride quicker by doing single rider. But I wanted to check out the fun queue! The inside of the ride was excellent, as they prepare your car for the "race." And then shooting out on the track was soo fun! I ended up riding it three times! I highly suggest doing it at night as well, as it is a totally different experience! 

After exploring Carsland, I went to meet Oswald the Lucky Rabbit. Most people don't know this, but he was the predecessor to Mickey Mouse, but he was lost in some kind of business dealing, and he was just recently returned to Walt Disney! I met him a few days after his 88th birthday, so I got to wish him a Happy Belated Birthday. He was a pleasure to meet with.

I rode a few rides that morning (Soarin, The Grizzly River Run, and Ariel's Undersea Adventure), and I decided I would go and see the Frozen Sing Along. I really enjoyed it. Yes, I am a Frozen fan, though not a Frozen FIEND. It was a really cute show, and yes I sung along!! I loved when the confetti fell from the sky, and we got to belt out Let it Go!

That afternoon my mother and I took the Walk in Walt's Footsteps tour. It was a special tour, that gave the history of the park as well as Walt Disney's involvement! It was really enjoyable. We got front of the line access to some of the attractions (Small World, Alice in Wonderland, & The Railroad). We also got to tour the dream suite! We weren't allowed to take pictures (though plenty can be found online). But it was so amazing, every room had special effects, and the bathroom was a complete dream. Oh if only I could stay the night there, my life would be made. 

The tour bought us lunch at the Jolly Holiday Bakery & Cafe. Not only was it freakin' adorable (I love Mary Poppins), it was delicious. I had the freshest salad, followed by the perfectly sweet Matterhorn Macaroon. 

The last new thing I did on day 5 was to take in a showing of World of Color at D.C.A. It was wonderful. Of course, I love the water projections, but this show made me totally emotional. Though I am a big softie. But when they played the song, "Forever Young," it just got me!

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