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Keegan has been asking about Disneyland for the past couple of years, or at least since his friends went. We have been postponing the trip, even if I really like Disneyland.

We wanted to make sure that:
1) he would be able to go on all day without nap (with the price of the tickets, we wanted our money’s worth)
2) he would be able to wait in line without whining and complaining
3) he would be tall enough for most rides
4) and last but not least, he would be old enough to remember it

So, we settled on 6 years old. Surprisingly enough, though, he did not start asking as soon as he turned 6. In fact, he did not even asked once since his birthday.

However, we decided that we would try to plan it for one of the least popular times of the year, and we chose Superbowl Sunday and following Monday. February is also great for tickets, as Disneyland offers discounted tickets to Southern Californians during their slow times. After frantic research and planning we left on Saturday early afternoon, and headed to Anaheim Desert Inn. We did not find too much traffic, and Keegan who did not sleep, did not even complain much about the almost two hours ride.

We picked this place because it was the closest hotel to the parks’ entrance that would offer some kind of suite (as in a lockable bedroom with separate sleeping couch). It was also affordable, as it was basically an upgraded motel, had a decently priced parking, an inside pool and jacuzzi and a fireworks viewing deck. Bonus! As we settled in, we realized that Keegan was literally bouncing off the walls, so we took a quick trip to the pool. The water was not too warm, so we just relaxed in the jacuzzi. After a quick dinner, we went to the roof to watch the fireworks. Pretty awesome.

It was almost 9 by the time Keegan hit the sack, and we went to bed shortly after. He woke up a few times, finally getting up at 5.45am. We set him up with a video, and tried to catch a little more sleep. After a quick breakfast, we headed to California Adventure Park at 8am, as it opened. First stop: the Radiator Springs Racers ride fast pass. Lucky for us, some of the most popular rides have this wonderful fast pass: you get a ticket and return to the ride at a predefined time for little or no wait. There are limits on how many you can get at a time, but still they are a wonderful thing, especially for Radiator Springs Racers ride.

Don’t get fooled by what it seems like a small line: look closely at the front wheel: the wait is 80 minutes (and it is not the longest we have seen). We had to wait a few minutes in line for the pass, but we got it, for 11.50am! So we strolled around Carland, a wonderful recreation of Pixar cars’ world.

We got the chance to ride on other, less popular rides, such as Luigi’s Flying Tires or Mater Junkyard jamboree…

The morning time was really quiet, and not crowded. We also strolled around, watching the beautiful, fake scenery. It really made me want to go to Utah, to see the real stuff. Springtime, maybe?

We got to take a picture with a real size, talking Lighting McQueen.

Finally our fast pass time arrived, and we went to the most anticipated ride. It was great to breeze by the huge lines.

ready to ride

The ride was great. It starts slow, simply cruising through majestic arches and rocks, and seeing some of the main characters of the movie, talking to you. Then, you’re starting a very fast race. Guido e Luigi are wishing you luck.

It was hard to take good picture of the ride, so I went to trusty Google to find some cool ones.

It was very cool. We rushed to the fast pass station, but unfortunately, they were all sold out for the day, at 12pm! We kept on checking during the day, but the line never got shorter than 1 hour, so we did not ride again.

As we were walking through Carland, we saw Mater and McQueen driving by. Not sure if they are RC or if someone is really driving them. In either case, it is pretty cool to see them (and follow them).

Carland is not all there is to see, even if it is probably the coolest part.We went to see Paradise Pier next, a recreation of an amusement park or carnival. The most prominent part in it is a huge Ferris Wheel. Keegan wanted to ride in a swinging gondola, so we waited patiently for our turn. Once we got inside, and we started moving, Keegan realized he has not made a good choice:by swinging gondolas, they really meant swinging, as wildly moving back and forth from very high altitudes. He was terrified, and covered his eyes. I have to say I was a little scare too…but he could not complain, since he chose it.

Lucky for him he was too small for the huge roller coaster (and too bad for us), but we had our thrills in Goofy Sky School, a smaller roller coaster. We even got to see some beautiful dances in honor of the lunar new year. We rode a few other carnival attractions, like the Silly Symphony Swing, or the Jumping Jellyfish, or the spinning Golden Zephyr. We even tried the mellow Ariel Undersea Adventure, a boat ride within the Little Mermaid Story.

We brought our lunch, and Keegan got his long wished for treat: cotton candy. As we were enjoying it, we happened upon one of the many water shows, paired with classic music and Goofy as the director.

We went to see Bug’s Land next, and we watched a 4D movie about being insects: it was really fun, with interesting special effects, such as water, air, huge spiders hanging from the ceiling and of course and excellent 3D. Keegan was a little scared. He enjoyed the bug bumper cars a lot more.

We strolled though Hollywoodland, the recreation of old Hollywood. Of course there are rides there too. Keegan especially enjoyed Monster Inc ride, and since there was not a long line, we got to ride it three times. My favorite part was the end, when the big female monster would inspect your car and commented on something specific. One time she said that she saw Keegan doing “googly eyes” at her, and said “cheese” as I was shooting a photo. The second time, she reproached Keegan for calling her slimy monster, saying it was not nice.

In Holliwoodland they also had the frat house from Monster University.

The big attraction in Holliwoodland, however, is the Twilight Zone Tower of Terror. It is very popular, and we could only get a fast pass for 7pm. (photo from google)

So, we strolled around some more, and we went to the Soaring Over California ride: it was a really cool simulated ride over the most iconic California destination. It was pretty awesome. Finally we settled in, as the sun went down, to watch the parade.

So very cool: characters, acrobats, music…so fun. I love parades.

After the parade, we stopped by our hotel: so convenient only having to walk 5 minutes. We put on warm clothes, and headed for dinner. After dinner, back to the park again, for our long awaited ride. As we got closer, and got in line, Keegan started to get nervous. At night, the “hotel” looked a lot scarier and spookier. (google image)

The ride is based on a Twilight Zone Episode, and starts by showing you the intro for it, in which the hotel get zapped by lightening, and the people riding in the elevator “step into a nightmare”. Fortunately we met a friendly girl that, upon request, explained Keegan exactly was what going to happen: we board an elevator, strap into our seat, then we start a ride in darkness to the top, watch a video, and get dropped twice, then pushed back up. The doors open to see the whole resort hundred of feet below us, before you get dropped down twice, pushed back up, doors open again, car starts shaking, a photo is taken and then you get dropped one more time. I am not sure this reassured him or not, but at least he knew what to expect.

If you want to get a feel for what the ride is about check out one this video taken by a rider of the Twilight Zone Tower of Terror or this video. The screaming in the darkness corresponds to when the elevator drops. Please do not call Child protective Services: we really did not know what the ride was about, and he was well tall enough for it.

Keegan was pretty scared…but did not scream much, and I guess he said the scariest part was not the drop, but the eerie, spooky video of the 60’s TV show. So he was concerned about our own hotel, hoping it was not haunted.

To calm down, we took a stroll down Carland. It was even more magical at night, with all the lights on.

Even Mater’s ride was more fun at night. The line was still about 1 hour long for Radiator Springs Racers ride, so we gave up, and rode on Monster Incs instead.

We headed back to the hotel just before the fireworks, and just as it started raining. We watched the show from the roof, under a light rain, and finally headed to bed, exhausted. I am still amazed at Keegan’s resistance. He had less than 8 hours of sleep, and we were at the park from 8am to 8.30pm (with 1.5 hour break for dinner), and he was still going. He is really the energizer bunny.

He did crash heavily when we got to the hotel. He was sleeping so soundly he did not hear Matt go out to get us, adults, some ice cream. So, I would say it was a very successful day: the crowds were moderate, we got to ride all the coolest attractions, Keegan did not complained or whine (except for cotton candy) and waited patiently if we had to wait. I guess waiting till he was 6 was a good call.

From the adults’ perspective…I really liked California Adventure: they did a great job building it and there is plenty for adults to enjoy. I would definitely come back!

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