Wednesday: Day 4

On Wednesday we found ourselves having breakfast at the Mimi's Cafe next to the hotel before heading over to California Adventure for the day. Once again we were there even before opening so that we could line up to be among the first in line for the popular Toy Story Mania ride. However, we learned that it wouldn't be opening for two more hours for reasons unknown and that really changed our plans. We weren't sure what to do first.

Because we didn't need to wait in line anymore, we decided to pose for a few pictures with the Cars cars:





This one was taken by the Disney PhotoPass photographer. It's just a screenshot.

And then we opted to go over to the Monters, Inc. ride because it was a long line when we were there last year. But we ran into Frozone on the way:


Finally in our taxi on "Mike and Sulley to the Rescue":


Met Stitch on the way out:


I think we split up around then so I could ride Tower of Terror. Easton changed his mind didn't want to go on it anymore and so he and the rest of the crew headed to Muppet Vision 3D. But my line and then ride were short enough that I made it back to them during the pre-show. Yay! After last year's terrifying 3D experiences, Easton opted out of wearing the 3D glasses but otherwise did okay.

It was getting to be close to noon so we made the dash for Toy Story Mania just opening up. There was still quite a line so we enjoyed some refreshments while we waited to hopefully avoid one of E's blood sugar meltdowns. And the hydration was good for everyone:


Little Miss Two Hats:


It was around this time that Sheree and I began calling and texting one another to coordinate our meet up. They were at a different part of California Adventure by the time we got out of Toy Story Mania so we decided to meet Woody since we saw him:

Go, Dalton, go! Gettin' braver!



Then we headed to lunch and waited on The Phamily. Here they are!!!

Sheree is completely adorable, just like I knew she would be. She was exactly how I've always pictured her, I felt like I'd known her forever. And really, I have. She's among those Februrary '05 BabyCenter mamas I've stayed close with. I don't have a picture of her husband Nguyen but he was super nice. There's nice guys like, "Oh Dave? Yeah, he's a nice guy" and then there's, "Wow...that dude seems like he'd do anything for you" kind of guy. That's how Nguyen seemed. My guys were on the antisocial side having their lunches and all but I did get to meet Princess Gabby:


And their adorable son Cameron:


We really didn't spend much time together at all as we were both on vacations with our families but it was nice to meet up all the same! I wish it would work out to spend more time with all of them one day!

After our lunches we were back on our way...but Autumn needed to eat too! So she had a bit of milk while Jason took the boys to climb on some lame ship they enjoyed:


We then braved the "swinging cars" on Mickey's Fun Wheel. I'm pretty scared of heights, what was I thinking doing a swinging car?


But I wanted to stay with my family and boy did they have fun!

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I have great picture after great picture of my guys on the ferris wheel. Adorable! Just looking at the pictures shoots that same thrill through my belly.

Apparently I put our new heavy camera away for a long time after the ferris wheel fun. Had my phone, though because at this point I think we split up again so Easton and Jason could get soaked on some 42" height required ride. Dalton and Autumn and I made ourselves feel less left out by sharing a Mickey ice cream bar:


And then we headed to do all the rides in the kiddie "It's a Bug's World" section. We had fun, though. Then Dalton ran through a bunch of sprinklers and such, merrily soaking himself in the process:


As we walked out who did we see but his favorite Chip and Dale?!?! I asked Dalton if he wanted to wait in the short line to meet them and he surprised me by saying yes. So we waited. And he went up to them ALL. BY. HIMSELF. And hugged Chip!!!


He says Dale gave him a kiss:



Look at him go! I even immediately emailed that one to Lauren and Gramoo who know about his apprehension when he comes to characters like those. They were so proud!

Easton and Jason came back at that point and E wanted a turn too:




At that point, Jason took Dalton and Autumn to the Bug's Life 3D show that Easton did NOT want to see after hating it last year. But Dalton did. Perfect time for Easton and I to head to Soarin' Over California with our FastPasses. He was adorable in line:

We took that and then he told me to take another one and pulled this:

Love that boy!

We were all lined up first in line at the door to go in to the simulation when it broke!!! So they gave us "re-admission" passes that you could use on virtually any ride (not just that one) as a "go to the head of the line" type thing. But it was time for the "Pixar Parade" we'd so been looking forward to. We held a spot along the parade route and Jason tried to run for a FastPass for Mulholland Madness for later. But he got stuck because of the parade so I was all by myself with the three kids when the parade started. As it was all our favorites (Nemo, Incredibles, Toy Story...) I had to go into SuperMom mode. Again, how I wish someone could've taken a picture. I was wearing Autumn in the Snugli, of course. Then I put Easton on my shoulders and Dalton on my hip. And we stood there. And watched the parade. Jason caught up with us at the very end but even he was singing my praises for pulling that one off. :)

E and I did the mini roller coaster afterwards and then California Adventure was closing (it closes at 6 in these off-peak seasons) so we walked over to Disneyland with our Park Hopper to have some dinner. We ended up at Cafe Orleans over near Pirates of the Carribean (apparently the S family's favorite ride as we rode it and Buzz the most!)

I finally broke out my camera again at dinner:






Jason said, "Don't you want a picture of me?"


And I so love this one of me and my girl:


After dinner and I'm not sure what else we decided to use our "go to the head of the line" pass on the very popular Finding Nemo sub ride (used to be 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea). The lines are long and slow moving with no FastPass option so that was really the perfect ride to choose with our pass. Once again we were in the park past the 8 p.m. closing and walked back to our hotel with kids that were very easy to put to bed yet again.