I'm finally finished writing about our 1st day at Disneyland Resort. Now let's see how long it takes me to get the rest of the days written. ;p
Monday morning started out bright and early. We checked out of our cheap motel, and drove down the block to the Grand Californian to check in. Then we walked through Downtown Disney to go wait in line to get into Disneyland. We got there early enough to be one of the first groups in line at the gates. Our plan for that morning was to walk quickly to the Nemo Subs, and get those out of the way first thing. When the line was short. We were not willing to wait in an hour or more line for any ride.
Well our plans were foiled. Dan and the kids headed to Nemo, once we got in the park. While I headed to Space Mountain to get fastpasses for later. When I got out from there, and started walking to go to Nemo, Dan and the kids were waiting. The ride was broke down, and they didn't know when it would be up and working again. Sierra especially was disappointed. We told her, we would try to go on the ride on Thursday when we had one of our Magic Morning days, (which means we get in the park an hour earlier than anyone else). Since we were staying at the Grand Californian, we received this perk everyday it was offered. So we got it Tuesday, and Thursday.
Since we couldn't do Nemo right away, instead we went on the Astro Orbitor, then Star Tours, Buzz Lightyear Astro Blasters, and after that on Autopia. Then we were going to use our fastpasses for Space Mountain. The kids told us they wanted to go on it, but once we were there and came down to the time to ride it, they chickened out. Actually a few of the rides we had planned on going on that day, we ended up not riding because the kids changed their minds. Just a wee bit frustrating. lol
Anyway after Autopia, since we had a little free time before the Star Wars Jedi Training Academy show, we walked back to Main Street to watch the Disneyland 50 years show, with Steve Martin & Donald Duck.
This was a very cute movie. And it was neat to see all the old rides, and what Disneyland looked like in its early years. Plus Donald is my favorite Fab 5 character. So I pretty much like anything that has him in it.
When the show was over, we decided to ride on the omnibus down Main street. This is the first time we've ever rode on one of the Main St. vehicles.
At our drop off spot by the castle, we decided to get pictures with the "Partners" statue, and couple other statues of our favorite characters. This was another first for us.
Then we headed back to Tomorrowland for the Jedi Training. We brought Dallin's jedi robe to wear, so he could possibly be one of the kids picked to be in the show.
Well it worked, he was one of the kids chosen! He had such a good time. The jedi's taught them how to use the light saber. And then Darth Vader and Darth Maul showed up, with a couple storm troopers!
Dallin got to fight Darth Vader, and then the Jedi Master had him use the force to blast the storm troopers. After the fight, all the kids were declared Padiwans and given a certificate for a job well done.
When the Jedi training was over, we headed to Fantasyland to go to the Princess Fantasy Faire, so Sierra could have a turn becoming a princess. She dressed up in her favorite Cinderella costume, and got ready for the Coronation Ceremony.
Everyone learned how to bow and curtsy, like a prince and princess, and then the Disney princesses came out. We got to see Princess Aurora, Snow White, and Sierra's favorite; Cinderella!
Everyone learned how to dance like a princess, or prince. Then at the end the ladies in waiting brought out maypoles, for everyone to dance around. Sierra had such a good time.
Once Sierra was officially a princess, it was time for lunch. We had priority seating reservations for Carnation Cafe, on Main Street. This is one of our favorite places at Disneyland to eat. The kids both enjoyed their peanut butter painter's palette. While Dan had the chicken croissant sandwich, and I had my favorite turkey sandwich, on pretzel bread with a cup of baked potato soup. Delish!
After lunch we were going to go and ride Big Thunder Mountain Railroad, but that was another ride the kids changed their minds on. So instead we went into the Golden Horseshoe, to watch the Billy Hill and the Hillbillies show. We had planned on doing that on Thursday, but since we had time this worked out for us. This show is so funny. We watch it every year. If you haven't ever taken the time to see them perform, you need to. It is a very entertaining time. And as a bonus you get out of the heat for an hour.
When that show was over, we decided to look in some of the stores on Main Street to see what goodies they had for us to buy. The kids wanted Mickey and Minnie Ears as their souvenir for the trip. While in the Emporium, we heard the Fire Station Band playing outside, so we went out to watch them. Who should we see with the band? Chip and Dale. We love Chip and Dale! They were creating mischief as usual.
When Chip and Dale left, we had another star pop out and say hi to everyone. Goofy! He did a little dance number, to the music playing, for all of us. Then said goodbye, and went on his way. Then do doo do doo, who should appear but Cruela Deville in all her wicked glory. She was really funny. She made a guy out of the audience come in front of everyone and model her new coat and hat. And then she made him do a dance for the audience. Too funny.
When that show was over, we headed back down Main Street, to "Coke Corner" because it was almost time for musical chairs with Alice and the Mad Hatter. Last year it was just Alice playing with the kids, but this time we got Alice, and Tweedle Dee & Dum, while the Mad Hatter supervised the game.
Dallin played, but Sierra got shy and didn't want to. It was a blast to watch. The Mad Hatter is a hoot. Dallin ended up being one of the two winners, who got to clean up the chairs as the prizes for "winning". LOL
After the game, we just decided to lounge around at our table under the shade, and enjoy the atmosphere. We were in the perfect spot to watch the Parade of Dreams, and we felt like getting some ice cream. So this worked out perfectly. The kids shared a bowl of chocolate ice cream, Dan had some sort of chocolate chip cookie sundae, and I had a yummy, yummy strawberry sundae in a waffle bowl.
The parade was enjoyable as always, and it was nice watching it while sitting in real chairs rather than on the ground. I read that this year is the last year for this parade, and they will have a new one in 2009.
After that we attempted to get the kids to go on Thunder Mountain, but still no luck. So Dan took the kids to the "shooting" range in Frontierland (another first for us). While I sat on the bench and rested, again.. (we did a lot of resting the first day with so many planned rides cut from our schedule. lol).
Once that was finished, we walked to New Orleans Square for our dinner reservation at the Blue Bayou. This is the restaurant that is inside the Pirates of the Caribbean ride. We got waterside seating again, so we got to watch the boats in the ride go by. I was still so full from lunch and snacks though, that I only had a roll and crab cake appetizers. The kids got one thing of Mac and Cheese that they split, and Dan got salmon.
When we were finished with dinner, we decided to walk back to the Grand Californian to our room, for a little rest and to change shoes & get coats for the kids just in case. I really love this Disney hotel. We've stayed there every year we've been to Disneyland resort. It is pricey, but in our opinion it is worth it.
Once we had our little recuperation, we walked back to Disneyland again. We then went on Jungle Cruise. This is was one of Sierra's favorite rides this year. It think she went on it three times during our trip.
Then Dallin decided to be brave. He and I went on Pirates of the Caribbean together. Dan didn't go, because Sierra wanted nothing to do with that ride. No matter what we said to try and convince her, it was a definitive "NO!".
I was proud of Dallin for getting up the courage to go with me. We sat in the very front of the boat, and got a little wet on the couple of falls they have. Dallin did really well. I could tell he was nervous, but he stayed brave and watched everything. Afterward, he said he really liked the ride. One time seemed to be enough for him though. The rest of the trip, he wasn't interested in going on it again.
When we got out of Pirates, I think we went to ride Winnie the Pooh in Critter Country. I am not positive though, because we rode that ride so many times, it has all become a blur in my memory.
Then Sierra and I headed back to Tomorrowland to ride Buzz again, with our fastpasses. Dan and Dallin had to go back to the hotel again before the fireworks. So they weren't able to ride Buzz with us. So instead, Sierra and I rode it two times in a row. The second time, I think my score was over 100,000. Go me! lol
After that we met Dan and Dallin by the Frontierland entrance. And headed to Plaza Gardens, where we though we could get excellent seats for watching the fireworks. That turned out to be a bust. And now we know why not a lot of people sit back there. We saw the castle fireworks & light stuff really well, and Tinker Bell too. But the fireworks in the sky were blocked out, for the most part, by the trees. You wouldn't think that would be the case, but it is. So a warning for anyone that thinks that might be a good spot. It isn't.
Once the fireworks were over, we decided to call it a night and headed back to our room. We had a really really early morning the next day.
