Final Disney Day

Today was our day to do our favorite things and hit a couple things that we hadn't done yet.  The first thing was to get fast passes for Cars again, then I asked Ella what she wanted to do and in her cutest way she told me she had seen some kiddie rides in California Adventure (Flick's Fun Fair) that she would like to check out.  So we did. Byron did most of them with her (more circle rides) while I made another trip to Tower of Terror. We liked California Adventure a lot and enjoyed our favorite things over and over again.

We got an instant color show with Goofy as director!

We enjoyed another Cars run!

We had our eye on a pastry place during the week!  It was the perfect touch to our lunch. Byron got a cinnamon roll.  I got this wonderful cheesecake topped velvety chocolate bar and Ella got a brownie.  They were all excellent!  

Tarzan's treehouse made the favorite list.

We watched two presentations of Disney stories.  These were told in Vaudeville style.  One was Rapunzel and the other one was Beauty and the Beast.  Rapunzel was first and we were at the back.  When Ella found out that Beauty and the Beast was going to be the second one, she insisted on getting there early so she could have a good seat.  Well she got a good one.......front row, right in the middle.  Byron and I were content to be further back on a bench.

By late afternoon, Byron said he had offically hit the Disney wall.  This was the most crowded day for us. We found him a cafe spot in a good location where he could people watch, have some snacks and yes....maybe read, until it was time for the fireworks.

There was a presentation about Abraham Lincoln that we enjoyed.

Today was also the day for Ella to decide on what souvenirs she really wanted to take home.  She had brought her own money and prior to coming she had also earned some other money to make some purchases.  Byron got an Eyeore pin.  My souvenirs were the stretch pennies, but Byron thought I should have something else.  He got me a little Mickey pendant with a garnet (January's birthstone).  Our trip was in January, Ella turned 8 in January and with the ears and the face on Mickey...symbolizing 3......and 3 being our family's lucky number.....it was the perfect souvenir.  Thanks Byron, you always seem to get it right!! We also got an ornament for our Christmas tree.  Ella settled on a keychain, a hat and a pocketbook.  I was watching her come out of the store with the pocketbook from afar.  She was so cute carrying it!  She has taken very good care of the pocketbook.

We had a good spot to watch the Disneyland Light Parade and then the fireworks.  They were excellent. Initially Byron wasn't too worried about seeing Tinkerbell in the fireworks but afterward told us that Tinkerbell flying around was his favorite part of the fireworks. The fireworks were done in true Disney style with music and coordination of fireworks....for example the words "anything your heart desires" were coordinated with a firework in the shape of a heart!  There were wishing stars, planets and beautiful displays of color.  It really was super fun!! 

Our Favorite Things Today

Byron:  Cinnamon Roll, Beauty and the Beast, Fireworks

Lisa:  Ella enjoying the kiddie rides, Cheesecake Treat, Storytime, Parade and Fireworks

Ella:  Soarin' over CA, Tarzan, and Cars...."oh and everything else"

Our Disney portion of our trip had come to an end.  I was probably the most sentimental about that fact, but that isn't surprising.  We had a great time!  It wasn't until after we were home that I asked Byron if he would consider doing a Disney trip again.  He surprised me by saying that he would consider it again, but not for a few years!!  Ella, you may get to ride the tea cups with Dad again!