The One with the Disneyland Date

Back in August we babysat our friend's kids for 8 hours while just the two of them went to Disneyland. Tonight we got to go to Disneyland for 8 hours while they watched our kids! Talk about a fun trade-off! I honestly can't remember the last time just Chris and I went to Disneyland - it's been over two years. I didn't want to take ANYTHING except my phone and Disneyland pass, so the following photos were documented through my trusty phone.

On the tram! Apparently I need to learn to look at the camera part instead of the screen, lol.

Our plan of attack was to go to Disney's California Adventure first to go on Radiator Springs Racers - last time we went to DCA the line just to get a fast pass warranted a fast pass line... We saw that the wait was 90 minutes for Tower of Terror and Radiator Springs Racers was about 60 minutes, so we went and got fast passes for Tower of Terror first then headed over to Radiator Springs Racers.

The Single Rider line at Radiator Springs Racers was only 20 minutes so we went with that option. SO WORTH THE SHORTER WAIT!  We ended up in the same car so it was all good. And the ride? AWESOME! Two hours waiting in line awesome? I don't know about that, I don't know if anything that is 2 minutes long is worth waiting 2 hours for. But anyway, super fun, I'm so glad we got to go on it before we move!

As we were walking out the ride shut down! Sad! Thanking my lucky stars we got to go on it and complete the ride before it broke down. Poor people who had been waiting so long in line...
Then we went over to California Screamin' - my favorite roller coaster at Disneyland! It goes upside down! It said the wait was 25 minutes - not too shabby. 45 minutes later... We definitely should have done the Single Rider option again, those people were in-n-out in no time! The picture that the ride captures of us was totally blown out from the sun. I should have snapped it anyway, just for memories' sake, but alas, I did not. 
At this point it was 5pm and we were famished! I wanted to eat at The Blue Bayou inside Pirates of the Caribbean, but you have to make reservations three months in advance, and it's very expensive. We've been to our favorite places many times and I wanted to try something new, and most importantly, be waited upon so it felt more like a real date. I remember reading about Storytellers Cafe on Marlene's blog and how it's a secret gem inside Disney's Grand Californian Hotel & Spa, so we went there for dinner. Oh. My. Goodness. It was sooooo good! The cornbread rolls were delicious. My chicken sandwich on garlic bread with caramelized onions and tomatoes was divine. And the french fries were top notch. I highly recommend Storytellers Cafe! 
After dinner we ran over to Disneyland!

We got a fast pass for Indiana Jones, saw that Big Thunder Mountain Railroad was closed, so was Space Mountain (double bummer!) so we waited in line for the Matterhorn. Chris is excited to see the real Matterhorn with his own two eyes hopefully soon!

These wooden railings were painted INSIDE the shapes! That's intense! And so pretty!

At last our passes for Indiana Jones were valid so we booked it over there. We were about 20 people away from getting on when it broke down! Nooooo! So close yet so far! BUT, good things come to those who wait because it was only closed for about 15 minutes and then it opened up and we got to go on the ride. It's one of, if not my most, favorite ride at Disneyland. Baby duck crossing! We saw at least three different flocks. So cute. And the pinkest tree I've ever seen! Our fast passes for Tower of Terror had just expired, but we hoped they'd still let us on, so we said goodbye to Disneyland and once again walked into Disney's California Adventure.

I don't know why I go on this ride, the feeling of falling is sooooo scary, but I love it so! It's a conundrum. 

After Tower of Terror we wanted to go on one final ride - Goofy's Flight School. It's the first time we've been able to go on it since it's been remodeled and since we've had kids and it was FUN!! Such a great way to end the night.

Just a few more weeks to pack in as many trips to Disneyland as possible!