Day 6 was my favorite day. Not because California Adventure is better than Disneyland, Sea World, or the beach but just because of how the entire day felt. It was cooler and we wore our sweatshirts but it wasn't rainy. The pace of the day just flowed so perfectly, we laughed all day, we felt that Disney magic non-stop....continually being WOWED and thrilled. Heart-bursting happiness all day long.
We started the day by heading to Angel Stadium and it was a treat! Jason has been a fan his entire life and in turn, his little family are all Angels fans too. It would have been AWESOME to go during the season and catch a game but visiting the stadium and fan shop was the next best thing. It was fun to see all the cool stuff in the fan shop and we all made pressed pennies to remember our visit.
We spent the rest of the day at Disney's California Adventure.
We started out on "Soarin over California" which was great...it kinda seemed like more of an adult adventure but Grady really wanted to go again.
We loved Cars Land. I thought it would be just an area with Cars rides, but no, they re-created the town of Radiator Springs and it was so fun! I was quite amazed at the lengths they went to to make you feel like you were in the same town that is shown in the movie. Jason and I noticed many things that impressed us....places they could have taken shortcuts or done something much cheaper. We became well aware of the fact that Disney doesn't do things that way....they are not looking for shortcuts or ways to do things cheaply. They are looking to add wow and magic to everything they do.
We were at the Cozy Cone when Mater drove in. It was fun, he was shouting out every bumpkin thing you can imagine and teasing the people. Loved it that the Disney staff is happy to take pictures for you....they asked us for different faces and took quite a few shots for us....never making you feel rushed. They laughed so much at our "funny face" picture and told us it was the best picture of the day. Maybe they say that to everyone, but in any case....they want to make you feel great and they succeed!
Mater stayed for a few minutes and then McQueen showed up.
Getting ready to go into the "It's Tough to be a Bug" 3D show. I loved this so much....I'm so glad we didn't miss it! It was the perfect length. Maybe it was that magic happy dust I mentioned earlier, but I laughed so hard all the way through this thing. I didn't know anything about it and it was such a funny surprise....the kids and Jason loved it too. So creative and completely impressive.
Their faces were right in the sun but I got a quick picture of Jason and Austin just before "3-2-1 SCREAM!" on California Screamin. Can't believe how fast this roller coaster is!
I really wasn't planning on taking a stroller for Grady since he is 4 but thankfully several people told me I'd really want one for him. At the last minute my cute friend Kyrsten let me borrow her umbrella stroller. I'm so glad we had it! It was so nice to have a place to put things and Grady could sit down and read the map for a bit and rest. It was a lifesaver!
The Toy Story Midway Mania was closed for some of the day but happily, it opened up later and we got to go.
Jumpin Jellyfish
Loved the old-time carnival atmosphere of Paradise Pier.
Playing at Fillmore's groovy house
The longest line we encountered was for the Cars Radiator Springs Racers. The fast-passes were gone very early so we waited about 40 minutes for this ride....which I'm told is not bad at all since this is a newer and very popular ride. The line was great and didn't feel long because there are so many interesting things to look at and read.....Disney knows how to design a line that doesn't make you feel like you are waiting. The ride was easily worth the wait to us....it was fast and fun!
The line goes through this little building that is embedded on all sides with antique motor oil bottles....the sun shines through them and casts colorful light all through the room.
Luigi's Flying Tires. This ride is less thrilling than some but quite interesting. You get into a big tire which turns into a hovercraft when air comes out of the ground. You steer your tire by leaning in different directions. It seemed to us that it was probably pretty expensive to build and operate....pretty cool.
I love Cars....it is my favorite Pixar movie.
The boys at the Stanley fountain.
The whole red rock backdrop of Cars Land was spectacular....the scale was huge and amazing. Jason and I really studied the handcrafted "rock" that was used. Someone used some incredible artistry to create this. All the gorgeous desert plants were fabulous. Cars Land was meticulous in detail and it was a real privilege to see it.
**SIGH!!** Good Grief....Disney knows how to do a parade! The kids were GLUED to every movement. The music, lights, dancing, showers of bubbles, and completely animated actors who are giving it everything they have! It was like being in a kids dream. Jerrett said when it was over, "I wish that parade didn't ever end!"
Mike and Sully
Incredibles
Nemo & Friends
Toy Story
Dancing Buzz Girls
We were happy to see Mater again.
Slinky Dog
Potato Head
Ham, Woody, and Jessie
Flick and Princess Atta swinging high through billions of bubbles.
Heimlich
I love how Jerrett can't close his mouth! It was so much fun watching them.
Sunset was magic
Hunting each other down on the potato bug bumper cars.
Mater's Junkyard Jamboree
We had to go back to Cars Land in the evening when all the lights came on....just as cool as it is in the movie. "The Cutest Little Town in Carburetor County" indeed!
Goin' Tractor Tippin with Mater! :)
Bugs Land was cute at night too....walking under a canopy of huge glowing green clover does make you feel like a bug! Heimlich's Chew Chew Train was fun because as he eats through different foods, there are scents released into the air and you smell whatever he is munching on. Jason teased that this was his favorite ride. :)
Getting ready to go on Toy Story Midway Mania....it was a blast. A ride with carnival midway games built in...even better than the Buzz one in Disneyland.
Our kids "took the dare" and did the the Tower of Terror. There we are in the back row holding our scared kids tight as Austin looks quite horrified! They actually all said it was fun but that they didn't want to go again! They were proud to get stickers on their shirts that said, "I TOOK THE DARE". It was so intense and I got scared for a minute that it was actually doing something it wasn't supposed to do! :) BEST RIDE EVER and the premise is so spooky & fun! I so look forward to going on it again one day!
We ended our unforgettable day by seeing some of the World of Colors show.....water, light, fire, music, and Disney characters projected onto a big wall of mist. Incredible.
