California Adventures

We love, Disneyland, but California Adventure is right up there. I love that the walkways are so much bigger so the park doesn't feel as crowded and stressful. I love the Pier with the water and the San Francisco-type buildings. I love Hollywood Street with the Animation Academy and (now with kids) the Disney Junior show. I also LOVE the new CARS LAND!

We stopped by Monster's University Campus

Waiting for Santa this "security guard" came out and Henry just started talking to him and asking why he wore gloves. He was really fun and told them all about his important keys, etc. The kids were very interested.

Ty wasn't so sure about Santa.

Another carousel, one of Ty's favorites.

Hailey and Katherine are cuties.

Anywhere there was a rail, Ty loved to be playing on it.

Party hard, rest hard.

We spent a lot of time in Russel's Scout Camp area.

One night we went back to the park a little later than normal and randomly saw a Rock Concert. Ty was amazed. He was dancing around and just transfixed.

I went on Tower of Terror twice. It had been several years since I'd been on it, so I was so scared because I didn't know what happened, but it was so fun! Below is Kristen, Mindy, and me.

In the back center of this picture is Thomas and Henry (left) and Jonas and TJ (right). Poor Henry who is 3 didn't know what he was in for. He was terrified.

Tim and I enjoyed the Pixar Parade better than the Christmas Parade at Disneyland.

By far, we were most excited to see the new Cars Land. It did not disappoint. It looked just like the movie!

There were a few different entrances with cute signs.

I especially liked that it was decked out for the holidays. Town square.

The Cozy Cone

Check out this Christmas tree literally on the yard of the Cozy Cone. Tim heard a girl stop with her boyfriend and say, "Oh wow, a Christmas tree out of witches hats, how creative!" Haha!

Of course, Flo's V8 Cafe. We shared a meal here and it was delicious! I definitely recommend it.

I love the detail of the shops

Luigi's leaning tower of tires was actually the entrance to a ride where you sit on this huge tire looking seat and are blown up by air from the ground. You lean side to side to move and play bumper cars! We did it with most of the family.

I made the kid's shirts but we never got a good picture of them :(

The bumper tires:

And, of course, we saw some of the locals:

Lightening McQueen

And Mater

 

 (sorry it's so dark)

The picture below was taken in a gift shop. Ty had found a stuffed Lightning McQueen and Mater and was down on the floor trying to drive them. It was so cute.

Okay, so these pictuers above and below aren't in California, but outside of the Lego Store in Downtown Disney. I thought it was pretty amazing. They are made out of LEGOS!

And to finish our wonderful trip out, this was Ty on the entire flight home.

It's always sad to say goodbye, but we had a perfect time!

Thankful for DISNEYLAND!

 

(Don't mind our squinty eyes above...the sun was SO BRIGHT)

That's right, my family went to Disneyland for Thanksgiving again this year. Both my dad and sister have time shares at a condo there, so we saved up all year and flew down to California for some perfect weather and cousin time. It was super packed the first day we were there, but then we realized it was 100% worth it to wake up early and be at the park for when it opened. Probably 50% of our rides were done during the first 2 hours. Later on, we could relax and go to less popular rides or use fast passes when it was busy.

We spent 3 days at Disneyland (and 2 in California Adventure). Ty wore his cute army hat for the first 1/2 day with his "First time" button and then lost it :( the button looked cute before he lost it.

Ty and Grandpa Tom

 Ty, Me, and Hailey had fun on Dumbo!

 The trains were some of Ty's favorite rides. Take a look at his smile below.

 Ty learned to say "boat" on the trip and had fun seeing all of them float past.

 The kids loved Tom Sawyer Island.

 

We found this area where they were doing a "Jingle Jamboree" in a corner of the park. The "Hill Billy Band" was a lot of fun (see Ty dancing in the video below) and we were visited by the Country Bears, Mrs Claus, Minnie, Goofy, and Pluto.

 

 Ty really liked his map of Disneyland and laid down in the middle of the area. A lot of the characters thought it was funny and tried to help him plan his trip!

Ty Dancing

 

 

 Ty colored a post card (we need to find and send still)

 

Ty was braver than his mommy and went on the teacups. He had fun because his cousins were laughing.

 He didn't like Pirates as much. He pretty much cuddled with us the whole time...twice.

 Kate and Jonas

 The fire truck in the Fire Station

  

The carousel was another favorite of Ty's

 

 Probably Ty's favorite thing about Disneyland:

Playing in the water.

 One of the better deals at the park: our $4 Mickey Pretzel

 Gotta love the Toon Town photo ops

 Buff Guy Ty

Disneyland truly is a magical place. We were so blessed to be able to go.