Day 5 – Tuesday, June 12^th

Today was a lazy beach day.  We got up late and had breakfast.  Then we drove and drove and drove…and drove to get to laceName>VenicelaceName> laceType>BeachlaceType>.  Took about 3 hours!  We walked around there for awhile and the kids and Guy played in the ocean and in the sand.  It was chilly so I just sat and watched them.  We got to see a group of dolphins just off shore.  We were watching the birds diving into the water (strange to see) and I kept seeing what I thought was a fin where the birds would dive.  I thought it was my imagination.  They kept weaving back and forth in front of the spot we were in until they got close enough to see.  They were clear as day and looked to be not very far off the shore!  Very exciting for us!!  Joshua wouldn’t go back in the water as he could not be convinced that they were NOT sharks (though his idea of being in the water was to run from the waves that got up to his knees!)!  We were there for a few hours.  Then we headed to the Hollywood Hard Rock.  We walked around Universal Studios equivalent to Downtown Disney after we ate.  Joshua and Brittany played in the interactive fountain.  Then we headed back to the hotel to swim, shower and fall asleep watching TV. 

Day 6 – Wednesday, June 13^th

Today was our early entry day into the park.  We thought we’d get a chance to ride Finding Nemo.  We were wrong.  Droves of people were running and pushing people out of the way and it wasn’t even “real” opening time yet!  We walked over to see and the line already looked to be a few hours long.  We gave up.  Brittany and I rode laceName>SpacelaceName> laceType>MountainlaceType> while Guy and Joshua rode Astro Blasters (again) and Astro Orbiters.  We walked over to Fantasyland and rode Mad Tea Party.  The ride operator flagged us down and gave us all pins that read “Honorary Citizen of Disneyland”.  It was fun to have the pins and have everyone ask where we got them!  We also got Joshua to ride Pinocchio and Brittany and I rode Snow White.  Then, we all walked over for us to ride Big Thunder Mountain Railroad.  Joshua and Guy headed to the restroom in Critter Country where they were “dreamed”.  They received Dream Fastpass Badges.  They informed him to meet back up with Brittany and me and go to Town Hall for two more passes.  The Dream Team manager let us have two more passes!  We had Fastpasses into Indiana Jones, Astro Blasters, laceName>SplashlaceName> laceType>MountainlaceType>, Roger Rabbit’s Crazy Ride, Autopia, laceName>SpacelaceName> laceType>MountainlaceType>, and Big Thunder Mountain Railroad in Disneyland.  We also had passes for California Screamin, Soarin Over California, laceType>TowerlaceType> of laceName>TerrorlaceName>, Mullholand Madness, and Grizzly River Run.  We spent the rest of the day trading off Joshua.  Joshua and I walked all through laceName>ToonlaceName> laceType>TownlaceType> while Guy and Brittany were off for a few hours.  We also rode a few rides in Fantasyland and stopped for our beloved Churros.  We ate lunch and headed over to California Adventure to use our Fastpasses there.  While Brittany and I were off riding rides Guy got Joshua to go into laceName>BugslaceName> laceType>LandlaceType>.  He played in the sprinklers and fountains for over an hour!  Guy and Brittany rode their Fastpass rides.  We didn’t really need the fastpasses in CA Adventure but used them anyway.  Then back to Disneyland for dinner (both of our meals today were in New Orleans Square).  We all rode Pirates again.  Then Guy took Joshua back to Buzz Lightyear and Fantasyland rides while Brittany and I went off and did the rest of the Fastpasses.  We met back up and rode the Storybook Canal Boats and did some shopping before heading back to the hotel at 9:00.  Today seemed like it wasn’t crowded at all.  But we had our coveted Fastpass badges.  The lines were in fact really long but we didn’t have to wait!  We wouldn’t have been able to ride any of the big rides today.  In the morning everyone was in line for Finding Nemo (until the park actually opened) so we were able to ride most of Fantasyland and a few other rides with no wait at all.  Today was a HOT day!  We enjoyed having our Dream Fastpass Badges…1-because we didn’t have to wait in line, and 2-because we felt like celebrities...people would ask us and the ride cast members why we were special. J  We realized today (after we left CA Adventure) that Joshua could have ridden a lot of rides at California Adventure.  The map says the minimum height requirements….we found out later that that’s just if they are riding alone!  He could have ridden it all (well, most of it) with an adult!! 

Day 7 – Thursday, June 14^th

Today was beach day number 2.  We ate breakfast and headed to Newport Beach.  It was chilly so we didn’t spend a whole lot of time in the water.  Guy and Brittany built sand castles and played in the sand while Joshua and I chased (and were chased by) waves.  The “marine layer” never burned off so it was chilly and breezy.  The water was COLD!  Back in Anaheim, we were grateful to have chosen today as a non-park day because it was very hot there.  After showering and getting cleaned up, we came back to Downtown Disney to finish up our shopping and get our caricature done.  Then off to the Pirate Dinner Adventure.  We had a good time there but it was a little scary for Joshua.  We all got to cheer on our pirate during fights, songs, challenges, etc.  It was a musical with cheesy acting and stunts..but fun!  Our seats weren’t great (and we even paid for the good seats!) but we didn’t let it ruin our time.  The food was mediocre but at least we got free drinks (beer for Guy, pop for me and the kids).  We would go see the show again but we wouldn’t pay extra for the first row seats…it did us no good!      

For the final day, click this link: 

http://www.disneymouselinks.com/Forums/Topic73506-4-1.aspx

 

Mynde - All it takes is faith and trust...and something I forgot...Dust...just a little bit of Pixie Dust 

That is amazing that you couldn't ride Nemo even on Early Entry.  I sure hope those lines get shorter before our Christmas trip!

Sounds like 3 wonderful days.  Too bad the beach was so cold the second time around.

Leanne

May All Your Days Be Filled With Magic!  And your nights full of Disney Dreams!