Disneyland was a fun time and now it was time to head to Manhattan Beach for the rest of our California vacation.
Our morning was spent doing some shopping at Downtown Disney and then rode the bus back to the airport where Jeremy's Uncle and his friends picked us up to take us to the beach house.
The view from our floor. Hunter loved looking out and seeing Cars Land and Mickey's Fun Wheel.
Hunter shopping at Ridemakerz
Putting his dump truck together
A little help from dad
making sure it dumps
one last nap in the stroller
The beach house was awesome! Great views and very spacious. After settling in a bit we headed down for our first beach adventure. The kids LOVED it. It took Eva a few minutes to get use to the sand but then there was no stopping her. All she wanted to do was run to the water and eat the sand. Hunter loved standing in the water and having the waves get him.
We didn't stay too long at the beach and then headed back to the house to eat dinner. Not too long after dinner the kids were in bed and I wasn't too far behind them.
Our 3rd and final day in the parks. We were a little bit slower this morning because of the late night but still made it to the Disneyland by 7:15. We rode Finding Nemo and got our Indiana Jones fastpass before meeting up with the family at the Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique. Diane had made appointments for all the kids (not Eva, she is too young). While Hunter waited his turn, he said he didn't want to do it. Which was fine; he isn't a fan of sitting in a chair and having people mess with his hair. He can handle a haircut at Sports Clips as long as we go to the "regular" one. Side-note we went to a different Sports Clips once and the lady nicked him 4 or 5 times and gave an awful cut. Hunter and I both left in tears after that experience and he now calls that location the "hurt one". But at the Boutique he was still given his sword and shield and he loved having that.
Our two sweet kiddos
This is how most pictures went...place the kids and away Eva would go, while Hunter would watch her.
Our little Knight
and a good picture was captured. Notice Hunter trying to hold Eva's hand.
It was time for us to ride Indiana Jones but the ride was down... That ended up being fine b/c when a ride is down during your fastpass time, you can return at any time during the day. So we all rode Pirates of the Caribbean. Eva and Hunter both did great on the ride. It's a longer ride but there was so much for Eva to look at.
Next Jeremy and I rode Thunder Mountain while Larry hung out with the kiddos. Then we went on Mark Twains River Boat where Eva fell asleep on my back but we were able to get her back into the stroller without her waking. Next we headed back to Fantasyland because Hunter wanted to ride Dumbo. This time the wait was pretty long but we did it. Before lunch, Jeremy and I were able to ride Splash Mountain. We had a fastpass so it took almost no time to ride. Jeremy sat in front and we both got soaked. I had a quick drying shirt on but my shorts and shoes took a while. We met up with everyone at Carnation Cafe. Eva was still asleep! But she ended up waking before we ordered food. I thought the food was great! I had a vegan burger and Jeremy had a cheeseburger.
Waiting to ride Thunder Mountain
Hunter looking out on the Mark Twain Riverboat
Lots of fun!
Lunch time. I loved having this bib that Diane had bought for Eva last year.
It was perfect for keeping her outfits clean while she ate.
Waiting for our food.
It was getting pretty late in the day and we really wanted to rest back at the hotel so we could stay till closing but I also wanted Hunter to meet Captain America. So we made our way to Tomorrowland and waited in line for Captain America and Thor. Hunter was so excited!! The line went fast and Hunter had a great visit with both characters. We have video on our camcorder. But the pictures show the excitement well.
Hunter spots Captain America
Hunter and Thor
Love this picture! Hunter went up to him and gave him a hug.
Hunter is was so happy! I think this was one of Hunter's biggest smile on vacation!
Ok, now lets get back so Eva can run the hotel halls and Hunter can nap! Hunter and Jeremy were able to nap about an hour and all Eva wanted to do was bother them, so I took her out to the hallway to run. She loved it.
I can't remember what time we went back to the park. 5:00ish, maybe. Every time we passed City Hall, there was always a line so I hadn't gotten our "1st Visit Buttons", but this time the line wasn't long so I got buttons for Hunter, Eva and me. Next Jeremy and Hunter rode Autopia and Jeremy said Hunter did a good job driving.
We then met up with the rest of the family and had Hunter and Eva eat with them while Jeremy and I rode Indiana Jones. We thought the ride was pretty good but seemed short. On our way back to meet up with the family we stopped to get a Dole Whip. Though Jeremy has been to Disneyland several times, he had never had the famous Dole Whip. He wasn't excited to wait in the line until I told him we weren't standing in that line. I had read a tip that said the side of the bar that faces the main route has a really long line, so go to the other side for a much shorter line. Totally worked! We got a float and a soft serve. Both were very tasty!
G-ma and Eva
After meeting up with the family, we went to Fantasyland to ride a few more rides before watching the awesome fireworks show. Eva loved watching all the fireworks and Hunter liked it too but it was too loud for him. Then we made our way back to Tomorrowland for a few more rides and for Jeremy and I to ride Space Mountain. After Space Mountain, we could see some of the Paint the Night Parade while Jeremy and Hunter rode just a few more rides. Then it was time for our last castle picture and then we headed back to the hotel around midnight.
We had a lot planned for this day so we made sure to all be up early and ready for entry into California Adventure at 7:00. The kids woke pretty easily and we were able to get out the door fairly quickly. We first went to the entrance into California Adventure that is at a neighboring hotel, but the line was really long and the people still had to go through bag checks so we went to the front of the park where we had our bags checked and then waited for the gates to open to be let in.
ready to go!
Our plan was to get fastpasses to meet Anna and Elsa, then Olaf and then Radiator Springs Racers. From what I had read, if you can get to Anna and Elsa first thing you can usually walk right in to see them without getting a fastpass. Luckily that worked for us and we waited just a couple minutes to see them. They were so nice and even Eva liked meeting them until it was time for a picture... The girls talked to Eva about her Frozen dress and talked to Hunter about Olaf.
Eva checking out Anna and Elsa
Why is Hunter crawling on the floor?
and the whole family is in the picture...sure, why not.
Someday it will just be the kids in pictures with the characters.
We passed the rest of the family after we saw Anna and Elsa and told them our plan was to get Olaf fastpasses and then we could wait in line for RSR. I had seen on facebook that most of the time you can't pull fastpasses for RSR until close to 8:00 but the line starts forming when the park opens. I wasn't aware that the Olaf fp did the same. So, we didn't get the Olaf fp and sadly the way the day went, we never made it back to Hollywood Land to see him or a few other things that was on our list (Disney Jr. Live and the Monsters, Inc ride).
While standing in line for the RSR fastpass, Jeremy and Hunter rode Mater's Junkyard Jamboree. By then the rest of the family was done seeing Anna and Elsa and we stood inline together. Diane had breakfast reservations for us back at the hotel at 8:00 so, Shannon stayed in line and pulled everyones fastpass while we all walked back to the hotel for breakfast.
G-ma with her granddaughters
I thought the breakfast was great. It was a buffet with a lot to choose from for all to enjoy. A lot of different characters came to the table and all the kids enjoyed that except Eva. Again, she liked them from across the room but when they got closer she threw her head down (which wasn't so good when she was in her highchair and her head hit the table)
Why is Eva smiling? I placed her without her knowing what was behind her. She never saw Mickey...
Until it was time for a group photo. Then Eva was back to hiding.
Minnie Mouse
Pluto
Diane with her birthday ears!
After breakfast everyone headed back to the parks to ride Radiator Springs Racers. While we were walking there, I pulled fastpasses for Jeremy and Hunter to ride Soarin' Over California together. While we rode RSR, Jeremy's dad sat with Eva while she slept in the stroller. He had rode the ride the night before so he didn't mind sitting it out.
Hunter sat in the front middle seat between Jeremy and me. He was having fun on the ride, pointing out everything he saw. There was a point at the end of the ride, when you race and go fast that Hunter had his head down, both Jeremy and I thought "uh, oh". But he was fine, I just think that was the first time he had ever experienced his stomach dropping and didn't know what to do;-)
Getting ready to ride
Tip from the the photo person...put the smallest person in the back middle to be seen...
Waving at the cars zooming by
Next up, Jeremy and Hunter went to ride Soarin' but for some reason at the last minute Hunter told Jeremy he didn't want to. I have no clue where that came from because he LOVED it the night before. So we went back and waited to meet up with the rest of the family. We rode a few rides and met Woody and Buzz Lightyear.
Eva walking with her harness
Buzz came out right after we had our visit with Woody.
Would have been awesome to have gotten a picture of both of them. But at least Hunter was able to say hi :-)
Drew and Jeremy riding Screamin
Second ride and they were ready to have their picture taken
By this time, it was close to 1:00 and we needed to get back to the hotel so the kids could eat lunch/rest/run around because there was a dinner reservation at 3:15 in Disneyland. They both ate well and did their bathroom business (which worked out everyday and I'm thankful for that!) Hunter rested a few minutes with Jeremy but then we needed to get back to meet up with everyone.
While walking to Aladdin's Oasis in Adventureland Hunter and Eva both fell asleep. Once everyone met up, Diane was able to change the reservations to 6:30. While the kids slept Jeremy and I went to the Haunted Mansion with his dad, Shannon and Wyatt. The wait was a little long but it seemed to go quickly. After Haunted Mansion we met back up with Diane. Eva was awake and then Hunter woke a few minutes later. We rode the Jungle Cruise next. Eva loved seeing the animals and Hunter thought it was pretty cool we were in a boat:-)
Sleepy Kiddos
and a very sleepy kiddo
Next up was Tiki Room. It was on my list of to do's but I had no clue how much Eva was going to LOVE it. She was starting to get restless being out of her stroller and wanting to walk around but once the show started all she could do was look/point at the birds, dance and squeal with excitement. I had tears because it was one of the sweetest things to see her enjoy it so much. And of course Hunter was dancing along to the music and enjoyed it as well. Wish I had video of the both of them.
For dinner we ate at Aladdin's Oasis. It was part of a fastpass plan for Fantasmic. When we were getting our food, one of the workers said hi to me and asked if I remembered who she was. I was blank, no clue. Then she said she sat next to Hunter on Soarin' last night. Oh yes, then I remembered! I then told her how he wouldn't ride it again today and she was surprised to hear that b/c of how much fun he had on it. But so fun, that she remembered Hunter and me. The cast members are so nice:-)
Fantasmic! started at 9:00 so we figured out where we needed to be. The fastpasses gives you a color code and based on the color is where you are seated. Though it is kind of mess to figure out b/c so many people are trying to figure it out at the same time, we did get a good seat. We waited for a while for the show to start but once it started, it didn't disappoint. Pretty cool to watch, though the fireworks and some of the music was too loud for Hunter. This is the first time we really noticed it bothering him. It was pretty loud.
One cool thing about where we were sitting is that we could watch the Disneyland Forever fireworks show right after Fantastic!. The not so cool thing was a few minutes after the fireworks started, it stopped and couldn't continue due to technical difficulties. Bummer. We then made our way to Fantasyland to get seats for the Paint the Night parade. Since there was some time before the parade was to start, Jeremy and I went to ride Matterhorn but we decided not too because the line was really long so we went to Buzz Lightyears Astro Blasters. Then we went back to our parade seats and since there still was some time, Jeremy took Hunter to the Buzz Lightyear ride. Again, Hunter loved it and Jeremy said he actually did really well with his blaster.
Once the parade started both kids were loving it! Just dancing away and waving as the floats went by. Hunter was very excited to see Mack and Lighting McQueen and then to see Buzz and Woody. Eva loved seeing the princesses and really lit up when she saw Anna and Elsa. If Disney releases a soundtrack to any of the parades, I will be sure to buy it because of how much the kids loved the music.
waiting for the parade to start.
After the parade we rode a few more rides. Jeremy and Hunter ended the night on the Star Wars ride. Jeremy said that when the ride started, Hunter asked if they were in outer space:-) While they were doing that, Sleeping Eva and I took pictures in front of the castle. We started walking back to the hotel around 12:30. It was a late night but so much fun.
