HV Nationals - DISNEYLAND!!!

And then finally, after almost a week of hotel living, dance classes and competition, solo travel, meals of varying quality, hours of driving...it was the day we'd been waiting for....Disneyland Day!!! 

Woohoo!  We got up early and were at the bus stop in front of the hotel at 7:20am.  The kids were ready to go! 

We made it through security and the ticket line.  We were on Main Street before the park officially opened.  

We lined up at Adventureland to head straight to one of our favorite rides and how we wanted to start the day, the Haunted Mansion.  The park officially opened at 8am, the rope dropped letting us into Adventureland, and almost immediately we realized this was going to be unlike our past two trips.  People were running...in Disneyland...grown men...running.  Um, okay.  We walked calmly to the Haunted Mansion and were excited to be some of the first people on it, but then we were turned away because it wasn't actually open yet.  They were having a technical issue, but we decided that the ghosts must not be awake yet. 

We were not going to be discouraged.  We headed to Indiana Jones instead and walked right on the ride.  Serafina got to be the "driver". 

Followed that up with another favorite, Big Thunder Mountain. 

Haunted Mansion was back up and running. Yay!  It was actually the kids first time on the classic ride.  In 2016, we were there in October when it was the Nightmare Before Christmas theme, and in 2020, it was closed for refurbishment. Of course, they'll loved the classic version.  But when we rode it again in the evening, it broke down three times while we were on it.  

Time for a Mickey-shaped beignet break. 

Always got to do It's a Small World.  Early in the day, there is never a line and we walk right on. 

Front row on our boat.  I got scolded for reaching my arm out to take this selfie.  Arms and legs in the boat at all times! 

The Disney photographer got some good Excalibur sword pictures for us. 

Mr. Toad's Wild Ride?  Don't mind if we do! 

Technically it's called Galaxy's Edge, but we can't help but call it Star Wars Land. 

The kids wanted to try the Blue Milk served there. 

Guess what?  They didn't like the Blue Milk.  You can tell by Serafina's face in this picture she had no interest in drinking that thing.  Since Tom wasn't with us, it was my job to not let it go to waste.  I actually started liking it towards the end, but I couldn't convince the kids to try it again. 

Ah, Dole Whip is much preferred.  Definitely one of the top treats at Disneyland. 

Serafina tried one of the giant pickles based on Sunny's recommendation.  She was a fan. 

Back to Star Wars Land. So much cool detail around every corner.  

Disney pro photographer shot. 

In line to ride the Millennium Falcon. 

Leo got to be the pilot and Serafina was a gunner.  I was in the back as the Engineer with my eyes closed the entire time.  I took Dramamine in the morning, but that ride is still too much for me.  But, I just can't resist it. 

Leo loves a Star Wars Land photo op! 

Um, she had to get a Mickey pretzel while wearing her pretzel ears, duh! 

We took a late afternoon break in the room, which included a nap.  Oh wow, that was the key to making it through the evening.  It was cooler temps and we had renewed energy.  Churros also help with evening energy. 

A beautiful sunset drive on Autopia. 

We spent the night revisiting some of our favorite rides, including Space Mountain.  Here's our ride photo where the kids look cool as cucumbers and I look simply terrified.  

We were exhausted, but there was one more important activity - The Main Street Electrical Parade.  I really wanted to see it and we actually scored a perfect spot near Small World.  We were tired but ready to be entertained.  

The parade didn't start until 10:45pm.  Here's a shot of the moon over the Matterhorn. 

Serafina was exhausted, so she held down our parade spot while Leo and I boogied over to Star Wars Land for a last minute souvenir.  Serafina didn't want us to be gone long, but Star Wars Land looks really cool at night, so when I spotted a Disney photographer, I had to get some pictures.  Huge bonus was this cool special effect the photographer added in.  

And then the event I had been waiting for all day, the Main Street Electrical Parade!  It was just as magical as I remembered.  The music brought back memories and it was the perfect ending to a great day.  

I will say that Disneyland in the summer isn't my favorite.  It wasn't so much the hot temperatures (there are ways to avoid the heat, like the always amazing Tiki Room), but rather the extreme crowds.  Also, everyone seemed a little ruder than past visits.  I don't know if that's because summer visitors are different or post-pandemic people have forgotten their manners, but we experienced some less than stellar behavior by grown adults.  Serafina pointed out that we have visited in every season except spring, so we should plan for that next time.  I'm a fan of that plan.  

And finally, after over a week away and a long drive home on Wednesday, July 13th, we were finally home.  I missed my dog and my dog missed me. 

HV Nationals - Black Tap

In Downtown Disney there is a restaurant, Black Tap, that serves huge (expensive) burgers and beer.  But what they are famous for are their over-the-top milkshakes with full slices of cake and other ridiculousness on top.  They definitely look like something created just for an Instagram post, but we decided we needed to try for ourselves.  

On Sunday, Serafina had a full schedule of dance classes, but still had energy to head over to Downtown Disney to try out the famous "Crazyshakes".  We weren't interested in trying to eat a full meal there and then ordering a giant milkshake.  We timed it for in-between lunch and dinner.  I opted for the fried pickles instead of a milkshake, and I don't regret that decision at all.  They were delicious. 

 

Here are some happy kids with their crazy milkshakes. 

Leo ordered the Brooklyn Blackout shake that came with two full brownies on top. 

Serafina got the Cakeshake with a full slice of funfetti cake on top. 

After plenty of photos, they disassembled their shakes enough to actually consume them.  Serafina's cake slice was pretty cold so she saved it to eat after dinner when it was room temperature and a much better texture. 

Leo took off his brownies before drinking the shake, but managed to eat/drink almost all of it. 

Both kids let me share a bit of the shakes and toppings.  I was skeptical and assumed it was going to be a gimmick, but they were actually delicious.  The shakes were perfect consistency and flavor.  Leo's brownies were top notch.  I was super impressed and wouldn't hesitate recommending the place if someone has a hankering for a very Instagrammable treat. 

Of course, we couldn't have a trip to Downtown Disney without some shopping.  Leo didn't buy these even though he looked adorable. 

Serafina's 12th Birthday!

I can't believe my little baby is 12 today.  She is so smart and strong and resilient.  She wasn't too thrilled about having to spend the day at school on her birthday, but that's the way it goes sometimes.  To make up for it a little, I only made her go to one of her two dance classes this afternoon.  Instead of dancing, she opened presents, like this "The Office" version of UNO.  We played a round with Nana before dinner. 

After dinner we had cake. She wanted a cake from the same bakery that we got my birthday cake. It was a Neapolitan mousse cake, so it had chocolate and vanilla cake inside with chocolate and strawberry mousse.  It was very delicious. 

Birthday girl.!

With dad. 

With Nana. 

Twelve candles, plus one to grow on. 

She wanted one of the adorable Disney mini backpacks we saw on our trip to Disneyland back in January 2020.  Of course, we aren't headed to Disneyland any time soon, but I was able to find a perfect one online.  Leo and I had a wacky mall adventure picking it up from the store it was shipped to in a mall a little ways from our house that we almost never visit.  It was worth it, because she was really thrilled with the bag and it's super high quality.  I kind of want one for myself now. 

The other big item on her list was roller skates.  She outgrew her old skates a while ago (but they fit me perfectly), so we did some research and found a pair of high quality skate that should work well for her.  When we were trying to pick the color, the purple option was perfect.  She had just gotten her nails done in pretty much the exact same color.  When she opened them, she was thrilled and her manicure was still holding up to match the skates. 

They fit really well and she's excited about them.  Here she is trying them on while on the phone with her bestie Maya. 

She's almost as tall as her dad with the skates on! 

Overall, she had a good birthday.  She did say that going to school on her birthday was "boring", but that we did a good job making up for it in the afternoon and evening.  She'll be celebrating more in the next week or so. 

 

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.