Recovery at the Beach House

After exhausting days at Disney Parks, relaxing at the Beach House was just what we needed.

 Tom and my mom arrived Thursday night.  Tom is a big fan of the beach house.

 Saturday was full of family fun.  Here's Serafina, Tom and Dezi.

 We also celebrated my mom and Dezi's birthdays.

On Sunday, my best friend Tracy drove down to spend a little time with us.  It's a long drive from her new house so I really appreciated that she made the journey.

Disneland 2020

One week before our day at Disneyland, a brand new ride opened in Star Wars Land.  This has brought out the crowds and the only way to ride the new ride was to join a virtual queue.  In order to join the queue, we needed to be through the gates before opening.  This meant we were up and out early.  Here we are about to cross the streets to head to the park.  It was about 6:45am.  

Through security and in line by 7am.

I read every trick and tip I could about how to increase our chances of getting in a boarding group to ride the ride.  One Disneyland expert said to go to the train station to get up high to improve the cell reception.  Here we are looking down at the crowds that were congregating on Main Street.

You can't join the groups until official park open at 8am and when the clock struck 8, I was trying my best.  At first the app wasn't cooperating but people all around me were starting to cheer as they got into boarding groups.  But finally it worked and we were in group 80.  Group 82 and below were guaranteed to ride that day and groups above that would only be called if the first 82 groups had their turn.  We got in under the wire.  

After that stressful experience, we threw our stuff in a locker and went on to enjoy the day.  Despite the crowd we saw on Main Street, it was actually pretty quiet there in the morning.  We walked right on to Big Thunder Mountain for our first ride of the day.  We then walked right on to Small World.  

We had so much fun hitting the rides but our favorite - The Haunted Mansion - was closed for refurbishment.  Here's the kids' dramatic picture about it.

Churro donuts cheered us up.

After a very wet experience on Splash Mountain, we dried off in the sun before hitting another ride. 

Then we headed into Star Wars Land called Galaxy's Edge.  Here's what it looks like to walk in.

We met some droids.

And saw some cool ships. 

We rode the Millennium Falcon ride.

It was very cool inside.

More yummy plant-based food.  This time in Star Wars Land.

And the coolest Coke bottles you've ever seen.  

After some food and another ride on Big Thunder Mountain, our boarding group was called so we could head to the new ride - Rise of the Resistance.

The beginning of the line.  

Inside the line.

So many cool details, like these rebel uniforms.

After a pretty long wait, we were given our instructions by the Rebel leaders and BB8. 

Super cool hologram of Rey.

Headed to the Rebel transport.  

Of course we were captured by the bad guys.

Here we are in their ship.

Smiling despite being a prisoner.

It was the longest, most involved experience in Disneyland.  It was absolutely amazing and worth all the stress and early wake up.

Happy kids after the ride.

Can't really top that experience, but a Dole Whip and a visit to the Tiki Room comes close.

Night time castle shot.

Night time on Main Street.

Popped back into to Star Wars Land to pose with R2D2.

Final ride of the night- Space Mountain.

California Adventure

Thursday morning, we set out for a big day at Disney's California Adventure.  This park opened in 2001 and I visited it once before it officially opened because I was dating a guy who worked on the construction crew.  The park has gone through some huge renovations since then but a few things were still the same.  

Here we are heading to the park.    

 Waiting for the gates to open.

 In line for our first ride of the day, Soarin' Around the World.

 Serafina picked this out this jersey the night before.

 Making our way across the park.

 Second ride needed 3D glasses.  It also broke down three times, twice while we were on it.  They were short delays thankfully.

 Wall-E was a much loved movie in our house.

 The Cars movie was also a huge part of Leo's early childhood.  He watched that movie so much that the DVD would freeze up in spots.  California Adventure has "Cars Land" that recreates the movie.  It was a wonderful treat to watch my 12 year old have nostalgia.

Visiting Luigi's Tire Shop

 This is the Radiator Springs Racers ride.  We came back to this later in the day.

 Ready to ride the tractors on Mater's Junkyard Jamboree.

 Then we spotted Mater doing photos and Leo decided he needed a picture with Mater, which completely melted my heart.

 Awww.

 In the movie, the Cozy Cone is a motel.  Here it was food stands and we got some yummy pretzel bites.

 Luigi's Rollicking Roadsters dance to music and it is super cute and fun to ride.

 Then it was on to ride Guardians of the Galaxy: Mission Breakout.  The line had lots of interesting things to look at.

We even spotted Jeff Goldblum!

Serafina hated this ride (it made her cry) and Leo loved it. It was fun but too intense for me so I couldn't take him on it for a second ride.  

 The park was celebrating Lunar New Year and we got to enjoy the procession while waiting for our lunch order.

Back to Cars Land and a picture with a tractor.

 The swinging ferris wheel was fun but I didn't feel great after.

 Meeting Joy from "Inside Out" made me feel better.

 A stop into Bing Bong's Sweet Stuff also helped.

 The Churro Toffee is Instagram famous so I had to try it.  It was tasty but so sweet I couldn't have more than a couple of bites.

 Then it was time to go back to Radiator Spring Racers.

 It was super fun.

 After a pretty sunset, it was time for a little break in the hotel.

 Then back for dinner.  Plant-based crumble on nachos for me.  It was amazing but spicy.

 Serafina got to look tough with Captain Marvel.

 Then it was time for some cotton candy and the big night show.

It was a super fun and very exhausting day.