Disneyland, Day 2

Thank goodness for the two-hour time difference between Texas and California. We had no trouble waking up in time to get ready for early entry on Saturday, our second day at Disneyland.

One of the newest rides at both parks is Finding Nemo Submarine Voyage, which took the place of the old sub rides. The wait is notoriously long, as the ride allows just 900 or so guests through an hour, and the ride lasts 13 minutes. To ride without spending hours in line, you need to be among the first in line. So, we were the actual first people in line for the whole day.

While we were waiting at the gate, a cast member asked the family next to us if they would open the park. Of course, they said yes. Cooper, who is the boldest member of our family of four, asked what they were doing and then asked if we could join, too. The family was nice enough to share their honor, and the cast member agreed.

The eight of us entered before anyone else and led the countdown from 10 to 1. Then we screamed, "Let the magic begin!" What an exciting way to start the day.

We rushed to Tomorrowland and grabbed the first Nemo sub. Honestly, it was a good ride but I'm glad we didn't wait in the heat for it -- it wasn't that spectacular.

That morning we also rode (sometimes with Steve):
Mad Tea Party
King Arthur Carrousel
Jungle Cruise
Pirates of the Caribbean
Tarzan's Treehouse
Indiana Jones Adventure (just me and Cooper -- it was his favorite ride of the weekend)

Then we ate breakfast at the Plaza Inn. This was the long awaited breakfast with Minnie and friends. If you ask Katie how breakfast with Minnie was, she'll tell you, "Well, she didn't eat with me. She just loved on me." I hadn't explained in advance that the characters wouldn't sit down and dine with us, an important detail when you're 2. Nevertheless, we all enjoyed the meal and hugs.


After breakfast we went to the Golden Horseshoe to enjoy Billy Hill and the Hillbillies, an amusing country music/fiddling/comedy show.


Our next stop was California Adventure. Katie loved Monsters Inc. from the day before and wanted to show Daddy. We also fit in the Muppet Vision 3-D movie, fun at a Bug's Land and Soarin' Over California. Cooper and I braved the Grizzly River Run and got soaked -- perfect timing before heading back to our hotel.

After naps all around, we went swimming in the hotel pools, enjoyed a special dinner at Catal in Downtown Disney and settled in for an entertaining story time at the hotel. It didn't take long for Steve and the kids to fall asleep, and I ventured back out to the parks for souvenir shopping.

More photos from our fun day are here.