Disney Day #4-California Adventure

 California Adventure day two is underway and the line up of rides we wanted to do is long. We decided to bite the bullet and buy the Genie pass since the lines were longer from the get go. I think it ended up being a great decision. We still watched the app and rode the rides with the lowest lines but when there wasn't one we used our Genie passes.

Again the characters were seen from a distance but at least we got to see them.

This ride was one of the longest lines the entire first day we were there so we were happy to use the Genie on this.

On this trip we really hit the jackpot for the coaster. We rode it more times than any other ride in either of the parks. 

While I rode the coaster with the girls Matt took Liam to ride the Spiderman ride and he loved it!

I think my overall best ride was Soarin Over the World. I love the sounds, smells, and sites. I would go back just to ride that ride over and over. It's crazy how quickly the days go by but how exhausting it can be with the heat and all the walking but despite all of that it is still fun. The crowds were harder this time. Just so many people and the lines so long. If we go again when Liam turns 7 I think we'll plan on buying the Genie pass for everyday. It didn't fix everything but it helped with the lines. Im so grateful we can do things like this. Im thankful for the jobs that allow us to do things like this  and spend time as a family. 

Disney Day #3-Disneyland

 When we got to Disney this morning it was already hot but we found some of the rides that had shade to stand in and waited. What we thought would be short line ended up being so long because the ride broke down. We just weren't having great luck with lines and the heat this trip. There have been so many people everywhere we go and that hasn't been the case in years past. It was been super frustrating for all of us but were making the best of it.

This trip I did a lot more research about foods and what people love to try and we did a lot more of that than we have in the past. This was one of their macaroons. I was hoping they would have the raspberry one but no such luck. They also had a grilled cheese and tomato soup that they do gluten free that we tried and it was delicious.

We also tried a coconut macron shaped like a mountain

Today when Matt and I traded out to ride Indiana Jones Liam and I went to ride the steam boat. I don't think we have ever ridden it on our trips before. One of the times it was broken or being remodeled but it was a fun thing to do while they rode the ride and we saw Tianna from Princess and the Frog.

After the steam boat we went to ride Thunder Mountain and it was broke down so we hopped in line to see Mirabell from Encanto. After we got in line a worker blocked off the line. I felt so bad as so many kids were turned away. I guess they are limiting character visits to 20 families and then they cut it off. One family was trying to explain to the worker that this was their 3rd time trying to see her and that it was their last day at the park. I asked the worker if I could claim them and they could stand by us in line. He said that we my decision so we added them to our group it felt like the right thing to do.

All the girls wanted to drive and Liam did to but he was to short. So that's probably while even when the ride isn't broken it takes forever because everyone rides alone. 

Matt took Liam on Jungle Cruise while I rode with the girls on Indiana Jones

Then we got the chance to ride the 2nd Star Wars ride that was broke down the day before. It was also well done and made me less sick than the one before so that was a win for me.

We wanted a picture with the pumpkin but every time we tried there were a ton of people but we decided we wanted to make it work so we  stood further away and then a couple offered to take our picture and we returned the favor. It was another good but long day.

Disney Day #2-California Adventure

 As we waited in line to get in the gate we watched the lines and saw that Incredicoaster had virtually no line. I was one of the couple rides that Liam couldn't ride along with Goofy's Sky School and Grizzly Rapids. But I was happy to go once and call it good. We lucked out and they let Emy ride even though she was right on the line and you can barely see her in the pictures because she is so short. They rode it a handful of times before the lines got longer and we moved on.

They had performers doing music from Cocoa that was fun to watch. The show was about 20 minutes. 

It was hot so we made sure to keep everyone as hydrated as possible but it was hard at time. So we also took the opportunity to do some of the shows inside where there was air conditioning.

We didn't see many characters and the ones we did see you could only watch from a platform and they didn't sign anything or do individual pictures so when we saw this guy...I don't even know who he is but we got his signature.

Little mermaid carousel had become toy story themed so we rode it while the big kids rode Incredicoaster. 

This is the platform we saw the characters on...Covid has really ruined some things.

The Guardians of the Galaxy was probably one of the hardest rides for me and something I don't care to do again but we all tried it once. PS Liam hated it also

The Cars rides are always a favorite

We didn't go to World of Color hoping we could avoid some of the crowds and get shorter lines. It didn't work as well as we hoped but it helped a little.

All the Halloween decor as up

Day 2 complete...We have found that 2 days at each park is a good option for us. We ride everything the first day in each park and then the second day we ride our favorites.