That Disneyland tag line was very appropriate today. After another late night and not enough sleep, we went back to Disneyland at 8am as our ticket included one early (or “Magic”) morning. The boys did several rides, while the girls were made up as princesses at the Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique – the Crown Package which included a fairy tale princess hairstyle complete with tiara, makeup and nails done. Belle. Was. In. Heaven!! (I will post photos as soon as I work out how…) Our only problem now is Belle wants to keep her hair like that “forever”, or else go home now so she can show her friends at preschool!
Then it was Zac and Sam’s turn. We went to the Jedi Training Academy show (which they knew all about from watching it on YouTube at home), and both boys were picked from the audience to be trained as Paduans. Wearing Jedi robes, Zac got to have a light saber battle with Darth Maul, and Sam battled Darth Vader!! Both have certificates they want to take to school for news.
A couple more rides and then it was time for Grandpop’s dreams to come true. He had been talking since we arrived about this great show called ‘Benny Hill and the Hillbillies’ he saw when last here with Ross’ brother’s family (yes they actually set the stage for taking grandparents to Disneyland…), so we had a late morning tea at The Golden Horseshoe in Frontierland and watched the country/comedy/musical act. We then did the Pirates of the Caribbean ride again, and headed to Maccas for a late lunch – and free wi-fi. Yay for Internet access finally! I have now been through 166 emails, checked Facebook and know who won the Biggest Loser finale 🙂
Back to the hotel for a forced siesta, we set the alarm for late afternoon and went to California Adventure. We just missed the parade so have added it to our list for tomorrow, but enjoyed several rides without queues including Muppets 3D, a Bugs Life dodgems, and a Monsters Inc ride. I absolutely loved Radiator Springs (the movie IS in my top ten all time favourites…), but the Cars ride had broken down so that too is added to our list for tomorrow. Ross’ parents met us with Subway for dinner, which we enjoyed while watching a colour/light/water show. We had to queue for 50 minutes for the Toy Story ride, but were straight on to the Little Mermaid ride and finished off the night getting soaked on a River Rapids ride that was a highlight of the day (the ride, not the soaking!). Belle only made the height quota by the bun on top of her head from the princess hairstyle, and I wished I had videoed her fist pumping in the air and excitement at being tall enough!
Revelation to self: three days is necessary at Disneyland! And four days in Anaheim is not enough. I have had to forgo the Hollywood tour and outlet shopping I had planned to include, but the experiences we have had make that worth it!