Even though I paid $10 to use an adjacent hotel’s wifi, I am still going to give a short entry because I am sleepy. We got in under “Magic Morning” around 9:30 and went straight to Tomorrowland where we rode Buzz Lightyear, Star Tours, and Space Mountain. I am not kidding when I say that Space Mountain is the best ride I’ve ever been on. It was freaking amazing. I’m not sure the route we took after that, but we ended up on Honey I Shrunk the Audience, Matterhorn, Big Thunder Mountain, Peter Pan (long line but better than I expected), Finding Nemo (totally not worth the hype it gets or the 30 minute wait in line), and…um…other stuff? We had lunch at the Golden Horseshoe Saloon in Frontierland and watched a performance by Billy Hill and the Hillbillies; it was funnier than I expected. We ran around some more and I don’t even remember what else we did, I am just that tired!
We crossed over into Disney’s California Adventure around 4:00 and went on the Tower of Terror and Soarin’. There was a 30-minute wait for the latter, and that late in the day I knew I wouldn’t be able to do it. I approached the line guard and explained that I have arthritis, and asked if I could use the entrance for disabled guests. Well, it turns out you need a special pass for that, and you have to get it at Guest Relations. Fastpass for the ride had just closed, but she asked how many we were (two) and said, “Well, I have two Fastpasses for right now that I can give you.” Whew! The line was still long on the inside but we cut off probably 15-20 minutes by going in the Fastpass lane. That ride was pretty impressive, too.
We had dinner at Naples in Downtown Disney, and then we headed back to Disneyland. We wanted to go on Rockin’ Space Mountain, which is a different version they only show at night, but the line was 30 minutes and I didn’t think I could do it, plus we wanted to see Fantasmic, and we wouldn’t have had time. 15 minutes would have been bearable in both senses, but not 30. So we went over to the Rivers of America area and managed to actually find a table at the Stage Door Cafe. That was a spectacular show! Nothing can compare to the daytime Space Mountain, though.
I have managed to upload all of the Disneyland pictures for the past two days, and I have been tagging, describing, and titling them. Unfortunately I have only done some and I’m so tired! (I know I keep saying that. You’ll have to excuse me, I’m tired.) Oh, I also bought some Disney pins today. I already had #4671 because I bought it on eBay for $30, but today I bought #39935, #42975, and #59296. I don’t have a lanyard, I’m not sure if I’m really trading or anything, but I liked those so I bought them.
Do they still have Space Mountain there? If so you should totally go on that too. Another awesome ride if you’re on acid (I would assume)
oops my bad I meant Splash Mountain!
I first rode Space Mountain — as Disneyland, no less — when I was seven and I’ve ridden the Disney World variation twice as an adult. I was absolutely terrified both times, and I love roller coasters. Because I can’t see, except for slight flashes of the superstructure, I’m convinced in this illogical, atavistic way that I’m going to hit my head at any moment and die. Not the kind of thing I like to think while I’m trying to enjoy myself.
Peter Pan’s Flight is my absolute favorite Fantasyland ride, not because it’s super-sophisticated, but because I always feel like a little kid again while I ride it. And I love the movie and book, so….
I don’t know what Finding Nemo is like at Disneyland, but at EPCOT it’s awesome: they’ve revamped the Living Seas (which was already cool) to add Nemo touches and it’s terrific to see the world’s largest aquarium, plus our favorite animated undersea characters.