Have a wonderful time!  Aren't you glad the heat wave broke?!?.  When we were there it was just starting and was miserable.  Now it should be cooler, but it will be hot so be sure to stay hydrated.

Tonight is going to be the longest night of your life! lol

I am so glad you were able to use our information and appreciate it.  The fastpass info should really help you!

Leanne

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

We decided to get in a couple of trips before my AP expires.  I live in Arizona so a three day weekend to Disneyland is possible.  I needed to do this on somehat of a budget so I got on Priceline to bid for a hotel.  I got the Candlewood Suites for $50.00 a night.  This hotel is not close to Disney so we decided to take a taxi to the park, which turned out to be nice but shot my hotel deal out the window.  The hotel is ok, has somewhat of a full size kitchen, which made snacks and breakfasts easy and cheap.

Because I am a Disneyland freak and enjoy Disneyland mornings, I was at the park ready to go before the park opened on Friday Morning.  I am so glad we did this because Friday morning was so enjoyable and peaceful.  We practically had the entire park done by noon, and had fastpasses galore.  By noon we headed over to California Adventure for the Lightning and Mater meet and greet. OH BOY!!! This was soooo cool, my son is 4 and totally obsessed with Cars.  Lightning and Mater drive themselves out (of course) and hang out in front of the water at California Adventure, you can go right up to them, touch them, and totally check them out.  My son was so excited about these guys that we went to all the meet and greets for the rest of the day, by the second meet and greet the Rust-eze crew knew my sons name, cool.  After the Cars pre-parade (not as cool as the meet and greet) we headed back to Disneyland.

Friday night at Disneyland was busy, everbody getting ready for fireworks and parades, we used our fastpasses from the morning (they do work after the time is up!!!) We also went ahead and did Pirates, the line scared us but the line went fast and of course was worth it, very neat changes, but also kept it the same.  We ended our day with the Fireworks and headed back to the hotel. 

We decided to sleep in since we were so worn out and satisfied from Friday, we got to the Park about 11:00 AM on Saturday morning.  I was quickly reminded why I like to get there early, boy people everywhere.  I had to buy a block-out day ticket so I stood in line for the ticket, the one good thing that comes from block-out day tickets is that the AP and the blockout day ticket work for fastpasses.

Saturday I headed straight over to get some fastpasses at Disneyland while Grandma took my son to  Lightning and Mater to say good-byes.  I met up with them just as Lightning and Mater where going, we hung out a little at California Adventure and then went to Dinseyland.  We did things like Tom Sawyers' Island, less populated things this day, it was nice. We ended this day with Fantasmic.  I have never taken the time to see Fantasmic, I know, I'm sorry.  I am so glad I did.  My son only knew Mickey Mouse as the guy that lives with Buzz and Woody, but after Fantasmic, he thinks Mickey is COOL.  Some parts of Fantasmic scared him but we justed covered his eyes and he was fine until the part was over.  The fireworks on Saturday were cancelled, I hate seeing this, man people hang out for a good seat and then cancelled last minute, I just hate that.  We ended our day by riding the Fast Train, AKA Thunder Mountain, three times in a row, and eating ice cream on Main Street. 

Sunday Morning before heading home I had reservations at Goofy's Kitchen.  We got there a little early but they took us right away.  We sat at the first table by the Cast Member door, our server warned us that we would see many Charaters go by, but promised us they would eventually stop at our table.  We saw Goofy, Balou, Mad Hatter, Sleeping Beauty, Donald Duck, Chip, Dale and Max go by.  We had Pluto, The Monkey from Lion King (sorry forgot his name) and Alice actually stop by our table.  I was a little disappointed only getting 3 photos with Characters but I got to tell you Alice made our breakfast, she was so cute to my little boy, she spoke with him about 10-15 minutes about all kinds of different things, we are teasing him that Alice is his girlfriend, and he doesn't seem to care.  I realized that all the Characters going by were making other moms and boys happy just like Alice did for us, so I just forgot about getting more pictures and enjoyed breakfast.  This ended up to be a good way of seeing some of Disneyland without having to go the the Park, glad we did it.

We headed back home Sunday afternoon and would do this fun filled trip every weekend if possible.  Thanks for all your help in preparing.  Without this website I would have missed Lightning, Mater and some Fastpasses. THANKS!!!!!

I am so glad you had a great time!

You write a wonderful trip report, can we post it on our website?  I would also love a review of your hotel if you wouldn't mind, but don't feel pressured into doing that.  I ask everyone for a review! lol

So how did your son like Thunder Mountain?  I am guessing he loved it since you did it so much, but want to double check.

As for Goofy's Kitchen, you got the worst possible seats, the ones we had our past trip.  I hate sitting there because the characters rarely make it to your table.  I am so glad you had Alice to make it good for you.  She is a wonderful character each and every time we see her as well!

I am so glad you finally got to see Fantasmic! and enjoyed it.

I am also happy our fastpass tips payed off for you.

When you have pics you can put them in our new photo area, as we would all love to see them, as would other visitors to our site.  Especially the ones of Mater in Lightning McQueen which are such rare photos because they are only at California Adventure for a short time.  I know Alex would love to see those pics (especially since I just redecorated the bulk of his room to a Cars theme that he loves).

Thanks so much for posting your trip report!

Leanne

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

I just got the pics up on the website, sorry it took so long. 

My son loves Thunder Mountain and has since he was tall enough, I do have to cover his eyes in the caves.  The last couple of trips, Space Mountain has been #1 favorite ride for him.

If you want go ahead and post the trip report on the website, no problem. I can do a hotel report also. 

I was planning a trip mid-September to Disneyland again, but I might have to cancel.  I have a hotel at Best Western Park Place Inn, have you ever stayed there?  This is my favorite, I like it better than Paradise Pier, bummed that I might have to cancel but I am hanging in until the last minute to cancel just in case.

One thing I wanted to mention in the trip report but forgot, I noticed they moved the Disneyland stroller rental outside of the Disneyland entrance.  I didn't need a stroller this trip, but have in the past and I thought this was a great idea.

Anyway, have a great night, Keri.