Disneyland Day 2

Hi everyone,

Last night I had the best sleep I think I've had all trip! My hotel is great and it was really quiet. 

I had a sleep in and got up at 8.30, then headed back over to Disneyland to queue for the park's opening. While standing in Main Street waiting for 10am to hit, I started talking to a family standing next to me. Turns out they live right near the school I work at, and the two little girls go to the nearby primary school. They said they'll see me in three years when their eldest comes to my school! "It's A Small World"! (Sorry, I had to!)

My plan to go on Peter Pan first failed because it was closed at the start, so I instead went to Mr Toad's Wild Ride and Snow White's Scary Adventure. I love the rides here that walk you through the stories, there's so much attention to detail! 

Next I went on the King Arthur Carousel, and then the Storybookland Canal Boats. I love Fantasyland, it really does make you feel like a little kid again!!

Peter Pan opened, and with it came a huge queue. But it was one of my favourites last time, so I decided to just wait my turn. And I'm glad I did, it was magic just like it was back as a kid! From memory I'm pretty sure it was one of the first rides we went on back then. It's one of the original rides that opened here in 1955, like many others in Fantasyland. 

Next I went on Pinocchio's Daring Journey, and then it was getting really crowded in Fantasyland so I headed over to Tomorrowland and got a fastpass for Star Wars. I went on the Buzz Lightyear Astro Blasters and scored 116,000! 

Next up I went to Autopia, where you ride a car along a track. The queue was deceptive, it looked short but was pretty long! It was fun though. Afterwards I went on 'It's a Small World'. It's still set up for the holidays with slightly different props for different holiday celebrations around the world. I'm lucky because it closes for a couple of weeks on Friday to dismantle the holiday display, so I made it just in time!!

The beauty of fastpass is that once your one hour timeslot starts you can go and get a fastpass for another ride. So I went and got one for Roger Rabbit's Car-toon Spin.

Afterwards, I went on Star Tours. One of these days I really need to watch 'Star Wars'! I enjoyed it even though I don't know anything much about it. 

I had a chicken burger while watching a 'Star Wars' show and then headed to Toon Town and went on the Roger Rabbit ride and then a mini roller coaster called the Gadgets Go Coaster. Both were pretty good! Toon Town is really cute with all its little cartoon houses. 

I exited Disneyland and walked to the Hyperion Theatre inside California Adventure. In 2005 we saw a production of 'Aladdin' in here, and I remember being really distracted because I was nervous about going on the 'Hollywood Tower Hotel' afterwards. 'Aladdin' finished up last year and now 'Frozen' is playing. It's a shame they've closed the Hollywood Tower, despite my being scared it was actually pretty fun. 

The show was awesome. Because I was by myself I managed to score a seat right near the front with a kid in front of me so I could easily see. The backdrop was projected and Elsa's snow curse looked amazing as a result. Overall the props and set were just so clever. I love the music from 'Frozen' and the women playing Anna and Elsa were fantastic. If I had another day here after tomorrow I would probably see it again!!

I walked to Pacific Wharf where I had a quick tour of a mock sourdough bakery. They made bread in the shape of Mickey's face. Then I went back to California Screamin' and went on it twice in the single rider queue and avoided the one hour wait! It was really pretty because it got dark as I waited the second time around so the track was all lit up. 

After that, I left the park and went and had dinner at Denny's, a diner chain that mum and dad took us to on our trip. I had a double cheeseburger which was pretty nice, but I think Shake Shack is still my favourite. 

Once I had eaten, I headed back into California Adventure for the World of Colour show. Due to it being Winter and midweek, the fireworks and the Paint the Night parade aren't on. Surprisingly it's actually been really fun being at Disneyland alone and being able to choose everything I want to do. The only downside was the one hour wait for the show to start in the rain. I did get a front row spot though, and time passed far more quickly than I thought it would. The show went for half an hour ad was amazing. Lights, fountains, music and of course many favourite Disney character animations and music. My favourite parts were 'Under The Sea' from 'The Little Mermaid' and 'He's A Pirate' from 'Pirates of the Caribbean'. 

Up bright and early for early entry tomorrow on what is sadly my last day at Disneyland!

Love to all

Claire

Xoxox