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!

Disney Day 3

Today was our early morning admission to Disneyland that came with our tickets.  We spent most of our day at Disneyland but park hopped to do Cars and our other favorite things at Californina Adventure.  Byron and I have collected stretch pennies as souvenirs for many years....like 20 plus.  They are great souvenirs because they are small and easy to store, affordable and they bring back lots of great memories.  Disneyland has LOTS of stretch penny machines. We got a 3 page map detailing their locations in the 2 parks. Ella had a lot of fun spotting them and then helping Byron and I decide which one to get.  She was very clear that these weren't her souvenirs.  These were Mom and Dad's. She had her eye on other things.  We had her wait until our last day to finalize her purchases.

Ella is all about Minnie today!

We spent the morning in Fantasyland.  I don't think I have ever seen so many strollers.  This was really the only time we spent in this part of the park.  Ella really loved Peter Pan's flight. 

Ella also loved Tarzan's tree house.

One of Ella's excellent photos!

Minnie and Ella

This is my favorite "Disney Moment" of our trip.  Ella just happened to be right by the secret staging area for characters.  Minnie came out, Ella showed her shirt to Minnie and then Minnie wrapped her in this hug and kissed her on the head.  At the time, Byron told me that he had tried to get a picture but didn't think he got one.  I am so glad he did.  I know it's not a quality photo but I LOVE it!!

One of the problems with going in the off-season is that some of the rides are closed.  We missed out on Splash Mountain, Thunder Moutain Railroad and the show "Aladdin".  We did get to see Mickey and the Magic Map which is a broadway type storytelling/singing show.  It was excellent!  You can ask Byron about Captain EO.  Let's just say seeing it once was more than enough for him.  I didn't think it was that bad.....Michael Jackson meets outer space.

We got to ride Cars twice today!

We even won one of our races!

Remember I said how much I love amusement parks at night....so much fun!

I really like Tower of Terror.  Ella didn't want to ride it again and I didn't want to ride it alone.  It messed with Byron's back so he was out.  We convinced......(well bribed) Ella to ride it with me.  This picture is really what it was....me having the time of my life and Ella hoping she won't die!  She got a Belle pin for avoiding death.  Since we have been home, she has confided in me that she really did like that ride and hopes that we can go on it again together someday!  Yea....start saving your money!

Our Favorite Things Today

Byron:  Corn Dog, Mickey and the Magic Map, Riding Cars in the Dark

Lisa:  Minnie & Ella, Mickey and the Magic Map, Riding Cars Twice, Riding Tower of Terror with Ella

Ella:  Peter Pan's Flight, Soarin' over CA, Swings, Cars

Disney Day 2

We spent the morning at Disneyland.  As we were entering the park, there were an unusual amount of crying children and frustrated parents.  I thought, "This isn't the Happiest Place on Earth".  I was glad Ella was a bit older and we had smiles on our faces for another day of fun.

One thing on Ella's must see list was Sleeping Beauty's Castle.

Ella was not interested in waiting in any lines to see the princesses.  We decided in advance to do the lunch with the princesses and we all enjoyed it.  Each princess came to every table and talked to each attending princess.  They gave autographs too.  It was really fun and the food was excellent!  Elsa and Anna (from Frozen) weren't at this lunch.  They were at another location with a wait of at least 2 hours with no guarantee of actually seeing them.  I even tried to look in a window just to get a peek.....nope...they were secluded until their newness wears off....maybe in a couple of years????  We thought for sure they would be in the parade....nope again!

Ariel

Snow White

Aurora

Cinderella

Our family favorite....Belle!  She was really cute with Ella.  Ella was the only girl in a Belle dress and Belle noticed.  Ella was eager to tell her that she is her favorite princess.  They chatted about libraries and books.  

Princesses all around!!

This picture is just one of the many evidences of a Dad spending time with his daughter! 

We enjoyed the Matterhorn Bobsleds, Space Mountain, Pirates, Astro Blasters and lots of other things.

Our Favorite Things Today

Byron:  Seeing Ella and Belle together at the Princess lunch, Grizzly River Run complete with ponchos

Lisa:  Matterhorn Bobsleds, Space Mountain, and the Princess lunch

Ella:  Mattherhorn Bobsleds (except for the Yetty's), Pirates of Carribean, and the Princess lunch

Disney California Adventure Day 1

I generally like to arrive at an amusement park prior to opening and leave when it closes. I'm sure this comes from my childhood memories of going to Lagoon.  I love to ride the rides in the dark with all the festive lights on!  I knew this wasn't going to work for 4 days at the Disney parks.....so the compromise was to get there close to opening and then when Byron and Ella said they were done....we would be done.  It worked out well and I was tired when they said they were ready to go.  It was nice that we went during off season and the park hours were shorter anyway.

We told Ella that she needed to try most rides at least once.  She was tall enough for everything anyway.  You never know what ride might be your new favorite.  (None of us wanted to ride Mickey's Fun Wheel).  She did great and we might have bribed her for a second ride with Mom on Tower of Terror!  We rode the rides with little to no wait.

The Silly Symphony Swings was one of Ella's favorite rides!  I think she rode it at least 12 times......I can't do continuous circles.  I took a video of Byron and Ella riding and when I watched it I got sick.  At first Ella wanted the double swing, but by the end of the week she was in her own swing, arms outstretched, wind blowing through her hair and loving life with good sport Byron near by.

We got a good spot for the Pixar Parade.

The Incredibles

Toy Story

The animals on the carousel were beautiful and when there is no line at all and you have a minute....you ride whatever you see, even if it is a Merry Go Round.

We really enjoyed the World of Color show, but I wouldn't suggest doing it at the end of a long first day.  There was a lot of standing and waiting prior to it starting.  It really was Excellent!!

People pay a lot of money for photo packages.  I know these aren't quality photos but it is fun to have them.

California Screamin' was an excellent roller coaster.  It is one of the longest and smoothest roller coasters I have been on.  Ella did not like it...she probably would have gone on it again if it didn't go upside down.  Byron and I figured out the single rider line and rode it several times during the week without having to wait.

Favorite Things Today

Byron--CA Screamin', Toy Story Mania, World of Color

Lisa--CA Screamin', Tower of Terror, Soarin' over CA, World of Color

Ella--Silly Symphony Swings, Goofy's Sky School, and Soarin' over CA

Soarin' over CA was Ella's favorite ride at Disney California Adventure.  At first she did not want to ride it, (probably still scared from Screamin') but this one was worth trying because she LOVED it!!  We rode it at least 10 times.