After riding Nemo, anything else was going to be very easy. Lines were short because everyone was in line for Nemo. My back was horrible by this time, and I needed a break with easy rides. That was not in the stars though, because Alex wanted to ride laceName w:st="on">SpacelaceName> laceType w:st="on">MountainlaceType>. We had warned him that it was a roller coaster in the dark, but he still wanted to try it.
So, Andy and Alex went to Space Mountain since it was only a 10 minute wait and I purchased Alex’s birthday gift from Disneyland (the Starspeeder 3000 with pilot Rex for $20.00), then relaxed with a diet coke outside the exit. When they were done, Alex immediately told me he doesn’t want to ride laceName w:st="on">SpacelaceName> laceType w:st="on">MountainlaceType> again. Andy informed me that he screamed his way through the ride. laceName w:st="on">SpacelaceName> laceType w:st="on">MountainlaceType> was a failure, but my brave little boy did what he told us before leaving he was going to do. He tried EVERY ride (except those he had ridden before and did not like). Figaro stayed with me while the boys rode. She was a bit scared to go on the coaster.
Next up Alex wanted to ride one of his favorites to make up for the horrors of laceName w:st="on">SpacelaceName> laceType w:st="on">MountainlaceType>. Again, I had to decline since his choice was Star Tours. While they were riding I checked out the times for Jedi Training, and saw that a show was coming up rather quickly. I scoped out the stage and realized the best place to eat lunch and watch the show was going to be on the Nemo side. I figured Alex would not want to be in the show and would just want to watch.
When my boys finished the ride on Star Tours we headed over to Tomorrowland Terrace and sat in the chosen area. Andy went for food. He had a cheeseburger which he said was very good. I had a spicy chicken sandwich that wasn’t spicy at all, and Alex had chicken tenders that he only took one bite out of before declining more.
Jedi Training started shortly after getting the food, and our seat was right up against the stage edge. People kept getting between our table and the stage rails which really upset me because they blocked Alex’s view. I got Alex to switch seats just in time for Darth Maul to come out and scare the living daylights out of him. Poor kid! He did not like that scary man. Lol He did like Darth Vadar though, and unfortunately his back was to us most of the time. The show was enjoyable, even for those of us just watching. Seeing Darth Vadar and the Storm Troopers in real life was very nice indeed. Figaro had a great seat on the table and really enjoyed the show. As much as Alex loves Star Wars, I don’t think he will actually get up to do that for a while yet because he is too shy.
After the laceName w:st="on">JedilaceName> laceName w:st="on">TraininglaceName> laceType w:st="on">AcademylaceType> we decided to check out laceName w:st="on">TomlaceName> laceName w:st="on">SawyerlaceName> laceType w:st="on">IslandlaceType> and the Pirate’s Lair. For the first time in years we had to wait in line to board a raft to the island! Once we got there, it was crowded, and we ended up getting lost. Andy and Alex went one way, and I went the other way. I was a lost adult. At the same time there was a lost toddler girl that the Pirates were trying to help find. I joined the search. I heard she was found, but don’t know where she was. Problem with that island is that there are many places to hide.
Our time on the Pirates Lair was pretty short because we wanted to get back to the hotel for the Bronco’s/Raiders game. We had to wait in line to leave the island, and intended to go back to explore the rest of the island later. (we never made it back, so will have to hit that island again next trip) Andy and Alex were going to head back immediately while I stopped at Star Traders to pick up my purchase from earlier so that Alex could play with it during the game. It took forever for me to hobble across Disneyland and then to the Monorail. I had missed the whole first quarter by the time I got to the hotel.
At this point, I was craving fudge from Marceline’s in Downtown Disney. I had a 15% off coupon from our last trip and decided now would be a good time to go since Andy was watching the game, and I really had no interest since we were at Disneyland (yes, I am a HUGE Bronco fan and watch all the games, but the lure of Disneyland is much to strong to keep me sitting still lol).
Marceline’s is just two doors down from the Grand Californian’s entrance into Downtown Disney, so we made it there quickly. I picked up the fudges of the month (orange/vanilla swirl and chocolate mint) as well as a pack of Goofy lollipops for Alex and our traditional Taffy. In addition I picked up some toffee, which Andy and I love.
We get back to the hotel and break out the Taffy. I sure miss the way they used to do it: you would pick the flavor and pay by the scoop. We ended up getting only 3 flavors: Grape, Banana and Lime. Not our favorites. I talked Alex into tasting the fudge (he doesn’t try to many new things) and he LOVED it.
Once the Broncos pulled out the win (thanks Jason!) we went to California Adventure and grabbed fast passes for Soarin’ on the way to Monster’s Inc. Roz spoke to Andy about his having a camera and hoped he got her good side. Lol
At this point, I can’t remember what Andy was doing because we did break apart while Alex and I headed over to watch what remained of the Block Party Bash. We didn’t see the whole thing, but had a ton of fun with what we did have. The Dancer’s really tried to get Alex up to dance, but he refused. One particular dancer gave him a ball anyway and he was thrilled. Then as we were waiting to follow the parade to the back gates, another dancer brought him another ball!
Andy caught up with us as we were following the parade, and video taped the final dance in front of the doors. He also got a great picture of all of the balls flying over the fence once they left. We got yet another ball there for a total of three balls. Two balls for Alex and one for me.
We decided on Pizza for dinner since Alex said he would eat it, so headed toward Pizza Oom Mow Mow. They no longer have the surf board shaped pizza, and instead it is just large slices. The kid’s pizza looks like it is on an English muffin which is why we just get Alex a slice of cheese pizza. He didn’t eat much, to our disdain.
After eating Alex wanted to play on the SS Rustworthy, so we did that until he had to go potty. Then we did Mulholland Madness while Andy tried out the swinging gondola on the Sun Wheel. He informed me that it wasn’t bad, and I might like doing it, so we decided we would try it later. (we never made it back, so that leaves something new for me next trip.) Once Andy joined us again he and Alex did Mulholland Madness while I iced my back. Then the boys talked me into the Zephyr. Yep, I did it and with my motion sickness patch didn’t have any problem. It is a lot like Dumbo only you don’t control how it goes up and down. The Zephyr goes up higher depending on how fast it turns. We flew out over the lagoon and it was kind of neat.
Once that ride was over we closed out our evening at California Adventure with Soarin’ and had a wonderful flight over the hills and valley’s of California.
Surprise, surprise, Alex wanted to ride Pirates next so we decided to do that since Andy and I love the ride – we never turn him down for Pirates! Of course, he is in a stroller so to him it doesn’t matter if we go back and forth, so of course his next request is Small World. When we get there I realize something I am not used to seeing. ToonTown was open! No fireworks, so it was open until the park closed. We did Small World and then headed to ToonTown.
Roger Rabbit was a complete walk-on, so we did that first. Then we walked around as Andy video taped everything. Alex played in Goofy’s Playground for a bit, on Donald’s boat for a bit and then it was off to Minnie’s House. No crowds at all, it was wonderful. Alex spent about 15 minutes in there before we went into Mickey’s House. He actually went pretty quickly through the house. When we got to the area where they show the old videos, a cast member stuck her head out and asked if we wanted to see Mickey. What?? Mickey was there! So, we went in to spend quality time with Mickey. It was amazing to watch him interact with Alex, and we got it all on video. Alex was devastated we didn’t have the autograph book with us, but we didn’t expect Mickey to be there. They even danced together. It was so cute! Then our time was interrupted by someone, so we had to say goodbye.
After Mickey’s house we did Gadget’s Go Coaster. Again, no line but the train was full. After our quick ride on the mini coaster we all started yelling ‘again, again’ and they let us all go again without exiting the train. It was fun, but Alex thought he could do that each time he rode Gadgets, and it didn’t work the next day. Lol
We left ToonTown after that and headed to Buzz Lightyear and the Star Tours. Since this was our last night, it was the night to shop. Alex fell asleep in World of Disney so Andy took him back to the hotel. No sooner had Andy left that I remembered he had the money. Poor Andy, he had to come back. I got out of their cheaply though. I only bought 2 antenna balls (one a candy corn with Mickey Ears and I am a candy corn addict) and 2 key chains. I also got Pirate Keys for Alex (and realized later ‘these are not a toy’ so he has to be sure to keep them out of his mouth), a Mickey Mouse Clock for Alex as a birthday gift from his cousins, and a Tink cup for my sister-in-law, who was watching our doggies.
When I got back to the hotel, it was time to pack. Since we never took the time this trip to unpack, that was pretty easy work. I went to bed shortly after.
Up next, our last day, and Alex’s birthday at Disneyland.