We left our hotel at 6:45 to make it to the gates by 8. I once again had hubby drop us off at the Guest Drop Off on Harbor drive and grabbed us a place in front of the right side of the gates to wait for the park to open.
The kids were so excited to ride Racers, but when the park opened at 8 am we learned that it would not be in operation until 11! I had sent Jason to grab a Fastpass when they let us in the gates, so he was able to get one for a little past 11 (they didn’t even start the return times until after 11) and join us in Cars Land. While we waited on him, I took the kids on Luigi’s. Emily rode in her own tire and it was funny to watch her try to navigate it.
When Jason joined us, we decided to go try to ride Monsters Inc. The ride had been long every other time we had tried (due to the Monster’s University movie). When we got to the ride, Sully was greeting outside, so we got to take a picture with him before going on the ride.
The kids loved it and it got us excited for the release of the new movie. Emily still talks about how fun it was to be part of the movie. And Roz made everyone laugh out loud when she commented on my glasses at the end. You never know what Roz might say!
We then spent some time in A Bug’s Land and rode most of the attractions with no wait. We made it on the Flik’s Flyers, Francis’ Ladybug Boogie, Heimlich’s chew Chew Train and Tuck and Roll’s Drive ’em Buggies within 25 minutes. I think my kids were a little too old for the rides here, but they still loved them and we were on a mission to ride everything at both parks that aren’t found at Walt Disney World.
We then made our way towards Cars Land. We stumbled upon Red the Firetruck who sang Happy Birthday to me when he spotted the button. The kids laughed at that!
We stopped for snacks at the Cozy Cone before heading on through to the Boardwalk (if you are there in the morning, you have to try to breakfast cone, it’s awesome!).
At the Boardwalk, we rode Zephyr again which is such a wonderful and smooth ride. And then I got to ride the Symphony Swings with the kids. It was fun but I see why my husband said you can’t ride that more than once in a row.
Jason and the kids decided to ride Mickey’s Fun Wheel (I’m scared of heights) while I walked around and took pictures of the Boardwalk.
After they rode with him, they hung out with me while he went to ride California Screamin’ through the Single Riders Line. We met Jessie and then rode King Triton’s Carousel.
Jason joined us and told us that it was a fabulous rollercoaster and that he was able to walk right on using the Single Rider Line. He took the kids on another go around on the carousel.
We walked around the Boardwalk and grabbed a good spot to watch Goofy’s Water Symphony (which was awesome!) and then we met Duffy. The kids asked him to show us his Mickey stamp on his rump and when he complied the kids just laughed and laughed.
We jumped into the queue for Ariel’s Undersea Adventure (less than a 2 minute wait) and then finally it was time to ride the Racers again.
We would have been happy to ride the Racers over and over again. It is by far the best ride that I have ever ridden at any of the Disney Theme Parks. We were in the car that won and that really excited the kids.
Next we hopped over to Disneyland Park to eat at the Blue Bayou. We had to wait about 20 minutes to be seated but it was worth it (yes we had a reservation). The atmosphere was so beautiful and peaceful (a great break from the heat and crowds). The kids enjoyed the food and my husband and I declared it the best food of the trip.
After the nice break, we headed back to California Adventure. Disneyland Park was just entirely too crowded and we knew there were some things we wanted to do at C.A. that wouldn’t have long lines.
When we got back to the park, we grabbed a Fastpass to Grizzly River Run and grabbed a seat to see Minnie and the Fly Girls. It was such a cute show and it really captivated the kids and the grown ups. I remember this lovely young girl who walked up and she had so much awe and joy on her face. My favorite part of our Disney trips is seeing the joy through a child’s eyes.
After the show, we met Minnie in front of the airplane there in Condor Flats. She was dressed in her super cute flying outfit. It’s always exciting to meet her in a new outfit.
We were able to jump in line for the Disney Junior show right as the doors opened and got a great seat in the middle of the theater. The kids have always loved Disney Junior and they loved all the new additions to the show (Sophia the First and Jake and the Neverland Pirates).
Next we redeemed our pass to ride Soarin’ Over California before we changed into our bathing suits and sandals to ride Grizzly River Run.
They have free lockers that you can reserve right near the ride, so our gear stayed nice and dry during the ride. When we got on the raft, the girl I had seen at the Minnie Fly Girl’s show was on our raft. Emily and her became instant friends and Jacob held onto my hand and that girl’s mother’s hand throughout the entire ride.
It was soooooo fun! Oh my goodness I got so wet! The kids barely got wet and they had on their bathing suits. It was such a fun ride and a great way to cool off on a hot day. We wished we had more than one Fastpass for this one.
Since the kids were in their bathing suits, we took them over to the splash areas in Bug’s Land and let them play for almost an hour. They had such a great time and claimed this to be one of their favorite moments of the trip.
After they had enough, we headed out of the park and grabbed Subway for dinner.
To recap, here is everything we did on Tuesday:
- Dad gets a Fastpass for racers
- Luigis
- Meet sully
- Monsters inc
- Buckets
- Lady bugs
- Bumper cars
- Train
- Meet red
- Snacks at cozy
- Zephyr
- Swings
- kids and jason ride Mickey’s Fun Wheel
- Meet jessie
- Carousel
- Jason rides California Screamin’ through single rider line
- Carousel
- See goofys water show
- Meet Duffy
- Ride Ariel
- Racers
- Blue Bayou at 1 pm
- Return to California Adventure
- Fast pass grisly
- See Minnie’s show
- Meet Minnie
- See Disney junior
- Ride soarin
- Ride Grizzly River Run
- Play in fountains in bugs land
Catch up on all of my Disneyland Trip Reports.
Tara says
What did you order at Blue Bayou? We’re thinking of eating there when we go. It looks beautiful.
Kristin from Couponing to Disney says
I think I got a chicken dish. I know it all looked good!
Shawna says
Love to read your posts! Keep ’em coming!