Disneyland

Up at 6:00 a.m. because we were headed to Disneyland!

We started our day at California Adventure, Soarin' was our first ride.

It had been a while for most of these five teenagers, 

and they were excited to remember some of their favorite rides.

The new Galaxy Quest in the old Tower of Terror was a favorite.

Incredicoaster (new name for California Screamin') was fun, but you know, the Tesla is faster ;-)

Toy Story, Ferris Wheel, Goofy Swings, Mighty Mouse (whatever its called at Disney) and then lunch. 

Got synced up so we could try for the Star Wars reservation and was able to get it. 

(You've got to be fast... reservations are filled within ten seconds!)

A friend told us about single rider on Cars Ride so we were able to ride without the long 60 minute wait.

Back to Tower of Terror, um, Galaxy Quest two times in a row before switching to Disneyland at 1:00.

Next time we know to do single rider for Space Mountain, but it was still fun even after a long line.

Then Pirates of the Caribbean.

Star Wars land was super cool. Only wish there were more characters dressed up like star wars walking around. Would have created even more ambiance.

The boys were really excited to try blue milk. (I thought it was gross. They liked it.)

On the Smuggler's ride, Dan and I were in a "ship" with a little girl and her brother.

We were first in line and assigned as Pilots, the two kids as Gunners.

I turned and asked the kids, "Do you want to be pilots or gunners?"

"We'd really love to be pilots!"

"Great, let's switch!" 

They let out the biggest squeals and asked, "Are you sure?!"

Of course we were and how awesome that we got to make these kids' day!

Gratefully we were in the back because as it turned out, I had to close my eyes half the time because its a ride where the ship moves while you watch a video. The kind that makes me so sick.

Rise of the Resistance was another cool ride/experience. But its also the video kind.

Makes Pirates and Indiana Jones that much more special making these huge sets for the rides.

Wish Resistance would have been more like that,

Splash Mountain (single rider -- thankfully didn't get wet!), dinner, 

Skipped Haunted Mansion because it had an hour wait.

Getting a photo was almost as good.

Indiana Jones, Jungle Cruise. Matterhorn broke while we were in line.

Back to Space Mountain, but their single rider line was closed, so we skipped.

Tea cups (which Dan and I skipped, obviously.)

Walk through the castle area and then we were done.

We were all exhausted after two busy days and the boys who wore Converse had sore feet.

We all did -- even though I wore my running shoes. 20,000 steps is a lot for anyone!

Also didn't expect to be with the boys all day, but they were happy to stick together, 

which made it extra fun for Dan and me.

Fun memory this morning:

Pulling into the parking lot this morning put a tear in my eye as Dan and I both remembered the time we brought four-year-old Courtney and two-year-old Marty and at the end of the night, on our way out of the park, probably in this very parking lot, fireworks filled the sky and four-year-old Courtney shouted, 

"My wish came true! When I made a wish in Minnie Mouse's wishing well, I wished for fireworks!"

We pulled over, of course and watched the show from our car. 

Fireworks weren't scheduled for a Wednesday night in February. 

And yet... Disneyland is the place where wishes come true!