“Here you leave today and enter the world of yesterday, tomorrow, and fantasy.”  Walt Disney

The day was finally here – it’s what we’d been waiting for. We were headed for Disneyland, the happiest place on earth and it truly is the happiest place on earth – even at that early hour of the morning (even our grumpy risers were moderately chirpy). We met downstairs of the lobby at 7.30am and made our way to the park. It was the quickest we have moved as a group as the excitement was clearly noticeable. After a quick team meeting, it was straight down Main Street and over to Space Mountain for what has become tradition to start each day at theme parks, our team ride. Space Mountain is a fast paced roller coaster……. in the dark! There was a lot of screaming and laughing on this little beauty – you should have seen the ride photographs, they really tell the story (a very, very funny story).

Once we all recovered and shared a laugh over the finish line photographs it was off to explore the park. It was huge, enormous, gigantic – and we loved it. We had til 1.00pm to enjoy all of the attractions and rides of Disneyland so it was go, go, go. There was lots of running around and then lots of standing around as we patiently (?) waited in line. Rides that were particular favourites included Star Wars, Splash Mountain, Matterhorn Bobsleds, Indiana Jones and Pirates of the Caribbean. Splash Mountain was particularly popular but whoever was unlucky enough to sit in the front two seats immediately regretted going on the ride as they were came off the ride absolutely drenched (hands up who was in the front….).

At 1.00pm we gathered in the square and then headed over to California Adventure Park – now that got the kids going. This was ride city (adrenalin pumping rides). To get things going we started off on the Incredicoaster – that was a real heart starter. I’m not sure if upside down was necessary but man, did it give us some laughs (and naturally, more screams). After laughing at some more ride photographs we then dispersed to divide and conquer. Some braved the hour (or two) queue at Cars, but a favourite of all seemed to be Guardians of the Galaxy and its stomach dropping ride (I think I left my stomach somewhere around the 160 foot mark!).

We headed back to Disneyland (footnote: the two parks are directly across from each other) to watch the 6.00pm parade. While some of the crew weren’t terribly excited about the thought of watching a parade, the boys definitely got interested once the princesses started waving at them. They were also very animated when Santa came out, waving and calling out and terribly excited when he noticed them, a special hats off to Oscar who managed to catch Santa’s kiss that he blew to the boys (hold onto that, it will sell well on eBay).

We still hadn’t had enough, so after the parade, our group split with some staying in Disneyland and others venturing back to California Adventure to cram in as many rides as possible. We all came back together at 9.00pm to get ready for the Disneyland fireworks, but unfortunately the weather was not in our favour and they were cancelled. That failed to dampen the enthusiasm of our Disneyland faithful as our poppets decreed that just meant more time for more rides. Finally, after 15 hours at the happiest place on earth, our weary travellers called it quits (that’s because it shut) – I’m sure they will remember their time in Disneyland for years to come.

Here’s an interesting fact. Our band of intrepid travellers were that enamoured with all the rides and activities, they didn’t actually spend much time shopping. A rare feat indeed!

Now it’s time for a quick sleep, before we do it all again at Universal Studios tomorrow. Bring it on!

Disneyland Fun Facts

• The plants in Tomorrowland are all edible
• Disneyland originally opened with only 18 attractions – and 14 of them are still around
• The Matterhorn has a basketball court – rumour has it a half court basketball structure sits at the top of the mountain where employees go to shoot during breaks
• Disneyland was built in just one year
• Over 2.8 million churros are sold there every year
• A flight restriction has been placed over the park – no aircrafts are allowed to fly within a three mile radius

California Adventure Park Fun Facts

• California Adventure was built in Disneyland’s old parking lot
• Guardians of the Galaxy is 183 feet tall and the tallest ride at the Disneyland Resort
• California Screamin’ reaches a top speed of 55 mils per hour – it is also the eighth longest roller coaster in the world.
• Radiator Springs Racers is the most expensive ride built by a theme park – it is estimated to have cost $200 million.

The Flag!

Before we get onto the newly crowned flag recipient, special mention must go to Oscar, who is the first person to actually have the flag confiscated. He must have looked very menacing walking into Disneyland with the Aussie flag. Sadly. it ended up in the bin (even after he tried to hide it in a backpack). Our little flag was placed in the bin by the happiest security guards on earth (at the happiest place on earth), but it’s not all doom and gloom, luckily we are prepared and have a spare. Ha, ha Disneyland.

Very lucky indeed for our newly crowned recipient, Stuart – imagine being the winner of the flag, without a flag, that just wouldn’t be right! Stuart is the winner of the flag after showing his support for gender equality. Not one for discriminating the fairer sex (can we call them that any more??), Stuart’s gender-based revolution happened at the NCAA Basketball game we watched yesterday. It seems, Stuart was a little over-awed with all the goings on at the College game, so much so, that he may have not been paying close enough attention to the signs for the toilets. Keen to use the restroom before heading to his seat, he darted into the toilet walkway, only to be altered with a loud “Stuart, that’s the ladies” as he made his way through the doorway – that bellow, might have also raised the attention of all the ladies standing in line who may have ushered him off in the correct direction. (Personally, as the blog writer I would have preferred them to let him proceed all the way in before the notification. Now that would have made for some good story-retelling. Next time, next time).