California Adventure

 Saturday we went right back to Disney and went to California Adventure. Michelle came with us so we parked and took the shuttle and arrived about 9:30 am. When Josh and I lived in CA we used to go stay with Michelle and the three of us would go to Disneyland Friday evening and all day Saturday and then we would drive back home Sunday morning and make it in time for afternoon church. We did that at least once a month and it was so fun so it felt right to be there with Michelle and it was so fun to spend time with her. She and I were in the MTC together and prayed that we would get to serve together in country and we were so happy when we got put together. Our mission president told us it would probably be for only one transfer so we made the most of it (one of our goals was to read the Bible Dictionary together and we did) but we ended up staying together for four months and it was the best four months of my mission and we've stayed close friends now for over 20 years. 

Anyway, California Adventure has changed a lot since I was there 15 years ago and it was fun to explore. We started by going to the Avengers campus and riding the new Spiderman ride. It is just like Toy Story Mania except you shoot spider webs to catch little spider bots. I beat everyone in our group and so that was awesome. I'm not a Marvel fan so that wasn't my favorite part of the park but I can totally understand why lots of people would geek out there. Then we went to ride Soarin' and it is one of my all time favorites. It is so fun and I love the music and the smells and that feeling of flying. It was also super fun to see all the sights of California because we had just seen almost all of them in person. After that we went to Pixar Pier and did the Incredicoaster, which is such a fun roller coaster. I love that it takes off and it is just fun from beginning to end. The girls chose not to ride it and hung out with Michelle but it was Brandon's first real roller coaster and he liked it. The loop did throw him a bit but he said it was fun and would go on it again. So glad my boys at least like rides. 

 

  

   

We got tacos for lunch, walked through the Boudin bread factory that is there and got free samples, Michelle got a Ghirardelli milkshake, then we went to the Hollywood area and did the Mickey PhilarMagic show and Turtle Talk with Crush. He talked to Brandon and it was so funny and cute. We did the Beast's library where you can find out what Disney character you are most like and that was funny. Curtis was Gaston, Brandon was Wall-E, Lily and Emma were both Sally, Josh was the Genie and I was Eve (from Wall-E). We wanted to do the animation drawing class but it kept filling up so fast and we weren't quite willing to wait for 45 minutes to make sure we got a spot. 

 

 

 

Then we went and did Toy Story Mania (love the lightning lane) and got big chocolate cookies from Jack Jack's Num Nums. Then we went and rode Little Mermaid and then we went to Cars Land. It is so cool and looks just like the movie. It was one of our favorite sections and so fun to look around. We even saw Lightning McQueen. :) We waited forever for the Cars ride but it was such a fun ride and everyone loved it, even more than Test Track in EPCOT because it has a story and then you race another car at the end and it is always random as to which lane wins. It was so fun and the sun had set while we were in line so all the lights came on and it was beautiful. 

  

   

We got some dinner and treats and then Michelle took the kids shopping while Josh, Curtis and I went on Guardians of the Galaxy. I prefer it as the Tower of Terror (much creepier and fun) but the ride itself was fun even if I thought the story was dumb.  I'm so glad I can still enjoy all these rides and have so much fun on them even as I grow up and age. My picture of us on the ride was just to get the code so you can't see it super well but Josh has the real photo on his phone and it is hilarious. Some people were posing and I was just so happy and having fun but the little kid in front of us has the best look on his face. Right before the ride started the girl loading us asked if it was anyone's first time. That kid said it was his and asked if the ride was scary and she just paused because she had no idea how to answer. She said, you'll be all right and then closed the door. His face just kills me; it is so funny. 

We tried to find some fun t-shirts in the park but ended up going to Downtown Disney (which is right around the corner, everything in CA is so close and easy to get to, unlike Florida) and checking out the huge store there. Lily and Curtis ended up with shirts and Brandon got some cars since I had already gotten him a Winnie the Pooh sweatshirt and Emma had gotten her shirt the night before.  We watched a dancing fountain for a few minutes and then headed home. It was another wonderful Disney day and we were all exhausted and ready for a day of rest.