Disneyland and California Adventure

 The main attraction for the Stebbins, Clarks and Brady/Zachary was the new Star Wars land.  We had to refresh our phone twenty times in the minutes before 7am to secure our entry that day, but we got in!  It did mean that we were split off from the group, which made us feel like Robert in this picture:

We did the interactive Millennium Falcon, and my favorite of the five to seven times we did the ride was when Owen was flying the plane and all the interactive commentary we got.  I am pretty sure I was no more skilled at piloting the spaceship. (Cue Zac:  "MOM! STOP MAKING US CRASH!")

The Rise of the Resistance was outstanding--and this coming from the girl who has made it all the way through exactly zero Star Wars movies.  The live action drama was my favorite part, especially when my startled children were commanded to "stand up straight" and march in a straight line when the First Order took over our ship.  It seemed like the future of Disney rides with no visible track, the storyline, and the "ride" as an experience.

The second day, we got in the virtual queue again and visited again, this time with a sleeping Owen who woke up the minute he had to buckle.  We worried heʻd be freaked out but he was completely game.

I asked Zachary to take a photo with me after the cute one above with Kate and he gave me this:

Owen has told everyone he knows--his soccer coach, his Kindergarten teacher, the primary president, every kid in his class, and even Zac and Kateʻs piano teacher that he was going to Disneyland to ride Space Mountain.  When I heard him make this claim, I wondered how it would go down in reality.  I remember Zachary riding this the first time and his response indicating he would never ride it again.  I remembered my terror on the ride when Kate was next to me her first time, and I was right to be worried for her.  Owen.  Well, he hopped right on and wanted to go again the moment it was over.

I look a lot more scared than he does.  (He also let everyone know he was going on Space Mountain with Uncle Nic, so the second time around with Nic was extra special for him.)

Our second day at Disney, it was 94 degrees and water rides were very appealing:

We hit Guardians of the Galaxy late at night, and Owen begged to go with the whole group.  Brady and I were worried but also had enough confidence by then that Owen could handle it.  I screamed the entire time on the first round, but by round 8 with Owen the next day, I thought it was the best ride in the park.  Owen agreed.  

As the other kids took turns on Incredicoaster, which he was not tall enough to ride, he lined up again and again with me.  People looked at him with concern, wondering if this was too much for him and laughing after watching him ride it "like a boss" (his words).

A space Cosmo to remind Nic and Heidi about their foster dog, Cosmo:

Toy Story never disappoints:

The first night, the bigs ran off to do a repeat of a ride O couldnʻt do, so Nic stayed back with us and we rode Peter Pan.  I had 35 minutes to explain the entire plot to Owen while in line.

Nic and Brady sailing away to Never Never Land.

Another favorite moment: Spotting a MOUSE at Disney.  Mickey!!!!!!!

COVID shut down the parades and princess operations, but I got my princess sighting.  

Meltdown averted with his favorite: corn-on-the-cob:

Incredicoaster: love this ride and love Zacharyʻs posed photos even more:

Like son, like father:

Mahjinka and I were coaster buddies on this trip:

Day 2 also included a trip to CARS land:

You canʻt visit Disney without at least one cotton candy purchase:

Pirates!

Jungle Cruise, redone but seems almost exactly the same.

For whatever reason, we did not love the dining at Disney this time around.  Oh well!

Autopia: the ride that makes me think Owenʻs Jeep is a way better experience.  I love watching my kids drive, though, so much that I ran straight into Nic and Heidi while snapping a photo of Owen.  Someone needs to give me a citation.

"Iʻve got a permit already: I donʻt need hands on the wheel."

Splash Mountain

Kate hates this ride.  Hates it.  But, she swallowed her fear and rode it with the whole group--twice!  All the questionable content of Splash Mountain is gone, but it hasnʻt been replaced with anything so itʻs a little eerie.

Last few pictures and random observations:

-I would not go back to Disney again until the parades and shows are back.  Disney for just the rides falls a little flat for me.

-I would not go back to Disney for the food.

-I would not go back to Disney again until we have made our kids do some natural adventures first.

-I would go back to Disney over and over again because it is magic, even on a 94 degree day...with a mask on.

-Hardly anyone in California wears a mask.  

Kate packed a princess dress but opted to keep it in her luggage.  She couldnʻt imagine wearing it around her friends.  I support her decision to dress how she is comfortable but it did make me feel so sad to realize we are past that stage.  She will always be my favorite. fierce princess.

This was his first experience going when he can remember, and I was so proud of him for his approach to ride it all.  He was disappointed with the height requirements a few times but happy to do other rides instead.  I hate carnival rides but I will do them over and over for this kid.

Getting our negative COVID tests in time to fly back to Kauai was one of the highlights of the trip.  So funny.  Iʻm glad we stayed safe and still had this adventure as a family and with our friends.