Vacation Part 3: California Adventure

Day 2 of our trip began with an early wake-up to head over to the Disneyland Hotel for a character breakfast at Goofy's Kitchen. We had reservations at 7am and needed to pack our stuff and get checked out before we went over there.  Dylan woke up very chipper and pleasant as he must have slept like a rock!

There was an old Autopia car in the lobby

We were greeted by none other than Pluto and took pictures with him.  Goofy appeared to show us our table and Dylan ran right up to him for a hug and held his hand as we walked to our seats.

Our entire group L to R: Erik, Katrina, Rob, Trina, Kayla, Dylan,  Nolan,
Kennedy, Landon (on floor), me, Joe, Katie and Brandon

Love for Pluto

Best Pal, Goofy, and Dylan

Goofy took a shine to Dylan and helped him with his napkin bib

All  the kids with Pluto

We were the first group in the entire restaurant so once the characters started coming out, they came right over to our table.  Dale was first and we also saw Rafiki from Lion King, Chip, Snow White, Sleeping Beauty and Baloo from Jungle Book.  The food was excellent and there was not only breakfast food but tons of desserts, salads, etc.  It was a really great way to meet lots of the characters since in the parks, you have to find them at special stations and wait in line during certain hours when they are there.

Goofy with Kennedy

Landon did not like the characters

Dylan with Dale

Kennedy talking to Snow White

They brought cupcakes for all the birthday kids

After breakfast, it wasn't time for California Adventure to open yet, so we went back to Disneyland to try to get on some of the big rides we didn't get to because of the long lines the day before.  We chose Star Tours since the wait was only 20 minutes.  As we got out of the ride, they exit you out through a Star Wars gift shop and Nolan and Dylan but spotted the Create Your Own Light Saber station and the Dads were soon busy at work putting them together.  Satisfied with their sabers, we decided it was time to head over to California Adventure because they open the gates prior to 10am and we could get in line even if the rides weren't open yet.  We immediately got in line for Soaring Over California because I guess it's one of the best rides there and the line gets long very quickly.  That ride was incredible and I think my favorite of the trip. 

Even though it was barely 10:45 by then, Dylan was already showing signs of crankiness.  We tried to distract him by getting in line to see the life-size Lightning McQueen and Mater which worked for about 3 minutes until he started throwing a fit again because he wanted a toy.

Can you tell it was bright?

Dylan was more interested in looking at Lightning than the camera

I told him that he just got the Light Saber and couldn't get another toy but Joe, sensing another imminent temper tantrum, walked him over to the closest vendor and let him pick out a Woody doll from Toy Story.  I'm glad he did, because it warded off a meltdown for a little bit, and I emphasize LITTLE bit.

He actually asked me to take a picture of him hugging Woody

We walked towards the boardwalk but stopped to get pictures with Mickey Mouse as it was the first we'd seen of him and the line to see him was pretty short still. 

As the rest of the group had headed to get in line for Toy Story, Joe and I made the smart decision to not try and wait in the 60 minute line with Dylan already cranky and convinced him to lie down with Woody in the stroller.  It was difficult because he had heard everyone talking about going on the Toy Story ride and of course wanted to go on it too but we knew he would not last in that line.  He was sooo tired and had gone past the point of pleasant and Joe had to bribe him with an icee to calm him into staying in the stroller but within a few minutes of walking around with his icee in hand, he was out.

Joe and I took the opportunity to walk around and browse the cute boardwalk shops since neither of us had been to California Adventure before.  It was over an hour before we saw the rest of the group emerge from the Toy Story ride.  I was a little disappointed that we were unable to go on it, especially since I knew Dylan would have loved it and they all said it's one of the best rides there, but we'll definitely know to make it a priority next time.  We had gotten Fast Passes earlier for California Screamin', the big roller coaster, and it was close to the Return Time.  Joe decided that since he had gone on Indiana Jones the day before, he'd let me do the roller coaster which was great because I love them!  After some ice cream, we headed over to see the interactive movie, A Bug's World which was in 3D.  

With his Bug glasses on

It was getting to be mid-afternoon by then and we continued into the Bug Land where all the little kids rides were so the adults could have a little break.  Katrina and I took Dylan, Kayla and Nolan on a couple of the smaller rides.

Spinning Lady Bug ride

Bumper Bugs

Kayla

Nolan and Katrina

Once the group had re-assembled, we headed to the Grizzly River Run where we had also gotten Fast Passes for.  Since the height requirement was 42", Dylan didn't make the cut and I waited with him and Katie, Brandon and their kids while the rest of the group went.  When they came out, Katie, Brandon and I took our turn.  The day was getting long and you could tell everyone was pooped.  We decided to do the new Little Mermaid attraction since it had recently just opened but once we got there, it was closed for maintenance. 

Dylan with his Light Saber

By this time, it was close to 4pm and we were tired and made the decision to call it a day at the park.  Nolan had wanted to make a remote-controlled car at one of the shops in Downtown Disney (the shopping center outside the park) so Joe, Dylan and I grabbed some snacks and sat down for awhile while he made his car and some of the other shopped a bit.  I was just glad to sit down for awhile.  

Around 5:00 we walked back to our car at the hotel and headed back to Palm Springs.  On the way out of Anaheim, we stopped at Carl Jr's for dinner.  We encountered heavy traffic for about and hour and a half due to a motorcycle accident and didn't make it back to Palm Springs to check into our hotel til around 8:30.  

I was very glad we visited Disney, there were some fun parts, and obviously some frustrating parts.  I know when we go again, it will not be during Spring Break.  And we will plan for 3 days between the parks to not feel pressured to rush and can get to all the rides we want to.  I was sad that we didn't do some of my favorites like the Tiki Room, Tea Cups, Peter Pan, etc.  It was just too busy to try to get to all of them and have to spend the time waiting in line.  And with Dylan, it was a lot for him. He'll be a lot easier to take once he's older.  He still talks about it.  Yesterday he was recalling the Jungle Cruise and how he saw hippos, alligators and monkeys.  Hopefully he'll remember it for awhile.