Monday, October 22, 2012

A truely magical MEA break Day 1

Well who could pass up an opportunity like this.  Russ was traveling to southern California, home of Disneyland.  I could get my ticket paid for by Russ's job since he wouldn't be flying back home for the weekend.  Russ could comp both kids tickets on miles and our hotel would also be used on points.  We had a large amount already saved up from Disney Rewards Dollars even though we used a lot on our trip out to Disney World this year.  The kids were off Wednesday through Friday instead of just Thursday and Friday for MEA break.  So except for the park tickets, this would be a low cost Disney trip. 

I was a bit nervous to travel with the kids by myself, and our seats weren't all in the same row.  Trevor sat in the middle seat in front of us.  When asked though, Trevor preferred to be away from me.  HA...guess that's a test of his independence.  I was slightly worried about how much he would chat up his neighbors...and yes, he did to a business guy on the aisle, but he seemed very understanding and helpful.  Trevor for the most part just wanted to play his Nintendo DS.  Gwen was entertained by coloring, reading, and chatting with the teenage girls behind her.  They passed notes and drawings and candy through the seats.  Gwen loved it. 

We got in right on time, and because Russ checked a bag free, we didn't check any bags.  We got to the hotel around 5:30 and were in the outdoor pool by 6:00 California time.  It was a good way to burn off some energy.  I figured it wouldn't work all that well because we were not going back home to Minnesota until Sunday and that wouldn't give us time to re-adjust.  So the kids fell asleep between 8 and 9 but were up right at 6am all three mornings.  I tried to do a quick breakfast of cereal in the room and off we went to the parks.  We decided to drive and park with a rental car.  We were close enough to walk, but to walk home at night was going to be draining.  I learned where the real walking hotels are. 

We got to the parks before they opened at 9 (M-Thursday non-summer hours).  We were let in at 8:30 so I could get our photopass card to have the photographers scan when we took pictures.  Russ stood in line for the Radiator Springs Racers fastpass.  When the park opened and he got through that line, he went over to get a show pass for World of Color that night at 8:15pm.  I had a loose plan for the rides we should go on and when and we headed over to Carsland to take that all in.  It was awesome!  They have two less popular rides, one like bumper cars but on air called Luigi's flying tires and a spinner ride called Mater's Junkyard.  Next we headed to do Toy Story Mania which is identical to the ride at Disney World, but still a fun one for the kids.  Then we did Mickey's Fun Wheel where you can choose to sit in a stationary Ferris wheel car, or they have spinning carts that swing in a loop depending on where you are on the wheel.  Gwen was a bit freaked out at first, but ended up going on in a few times.  Trevor was a bit nervous at seeing the big Roller Coaster there, but when we got fast passes, he decided to give it a shot.  It starts out by slinging you up a hill...I think it gets you going from 0 to 60 in 2 seconds or something....and then runs you around and you do one loop upside down.  Thankfully it is all outside and no tunnels to throw scary thoughts into your head.  I went on it with Trevor first (it was the only ride Gwen wasn't tall enough to ride on) and he was hooked.  Especially since we got fastpasses for 4 rides instead of just 2.  Then he could go on it again...it saved him 30 minutes of waiting in line every time. 

I have a phone app that was able to give me ride wait times, and this new Cars ride is so popular that waits averaged 120 minutes while we were at the parks.  The other thing that was extremely helpful was that it was also a ride that would shut down due to animatronics issues.  So I could see when it closed.  Even though our fastpass window was for somewhere around 1:00, we didn't have to stay within the 1 hour window.  As long as we waited until the start of the window, we could go on the ride anytime later that day.  We decided it was time, and waited around 30 minutes even in the fastpass line.  The kids favorite ride at Disneyworld was Test Track, where you are in a car "testing" out car things like wheel traction, heat and cooling, suspension...etc.  Well, this is similar except they put it all in Cars theme.  You leisurely drive through Radiator Springs just like Sally and LMQ do in the movie...same music in the background.  You suprisingly come across Mack...like you do in Test Track to a honking Semi.  You go into either Luigi's to get a tire change or Ramone's to get a paint job.  Then...you race.  You quickly go through the track against another car.  The first time we went, we "won" which I'm pretty sure Trevor was thrilled about.  He said he wasn't thrilled that they used their tactics to "scare" you with Mack and Frank the Tractor but I always like how Disney does things extra Disney...Test Track really didn't have any Disney characters, and this one was all out Cars.  Maybe next time we should try to do the ride at night, if we go back during a time it gets dark earlier. 

So after RSR (Radiator Springs Racers) we went over to nearby Bugs Life rides and area.  It was much more geared towards young kids, so we went on a chew chew train (Heimlich) and looked at the clock and knew it was time to hit the Aladdin show.  They did the Beauty and the Beast show at Disney Hollywood Studios in Florida, but I would say that Aladdin was better.  It was in an enclosed theater, lots of lights, and special effects.  The genie was up-to-date on humor....talking about binders of women and all as well as the length of RSR wait lines.  This was another thing we did that Gwen said was amazing.  After Aladdin, we went on the Monster's Inc. ride and came out to find we were just in time for the Pixar parade.  Russ grabbed some popcorn and we watched it come down the street.  We didn't plan this one, and it ended up being the exact same parade as DHS in Florida.  Its cute, but not necessary if you've seen it once.

We walked over to grab Soarin' fast passes, which is another identical ride found at Epcot, but an enjoyable ride at least for the kids.  The return time started at 7pm so I wasn't sure if everyone was going to make it.  We rode one last ride:  Goofy's flight school which is like the 4 person roller coaster at Valleyfair that Gwen couldn't go on because of her height this summer.  Well, she went on this one and didn't like it.  She wasn't a fan of the drops.  Of course that is one of the best things about a roller coaster...but at least she tried it.  We decided to go to the burger and fries dining place to grab some food before walking back over to see Carsland in the dark...or I should say lit up with its neon.  Really cool...exactly like the movie.  Totally Disney.

So I went down to save a spot for us at the World of Color.  I didn't get a perfect spot, but we were able to get a decent view.  Gwen was exhausted and ready to fall asleep, but the music and animation were enough to keep her awake.  So she made it until 10:30 MN time that night. 

Throughout the day, we had many pictures taken...the kids got their autograph books first thing and got Donald, and Woody signatures.  We have pictures taken from the Carsland sign, Neon'ed Radiator Springs, the ride photo from RSR, with Donald, Lightning McQueen, Flik from Bugs Life, Red from Cars, Woody, Jake, Handy Manny, and the rollercoaster ride California Screamin'.  When we asked Gwen what her favorite part of the day was, she said it was when Mr. Potato Head talked to her.  They had an animated MPH outside of Toy Story Mania.  Somewhere there was a camera to show who was looking or talking to the character.  Soon after Gwen said hi...MPH said to her:  Hi!  Girl in the white!  I see you!  Who is your favorite character?  She said "You Mr. Potato Head".  He says, "aww...thank you.  You are so sweet."  She was amazed that he talked to her.  Gotta love that Disney Magic! 

More to come from days 2 and 3!

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