Tuesday, September 28th
We checked out of our hotel room at Days Inn (you know, the one I double paid for because I'm an idiot!) We left around 9am and followed the directions provided to us by Louise, our navigation gal. Every time she told us to go right or left Nolan would proclaim "No! Disneyland!" He was excited to say the least. After talking about it for so long I think he began to doubt this "Disneyland" even existed! We were able to check into the Fairfield Inn at 9:30am (they rock) and were showered with extras until we felt like royalty. If you ever book a trip, book through Disney Travel Company...seriously we were spoiled with free parking, free in room movie, free pizza hut pizza with drinks, free Disney lanyard, pin and morning madness. We went up to our room (#409) and settled in. Shortly after we met up with my mom and Arne, went to McD's for a quick bite and we were on our way to DISNEYLAND!!!! The walk to the gates is awesome, just a block down and through a little walk way and we are at the bag check area. We went through the gates and immediately saw characters and then hopped on the train and rode it to Tomorrowland. Nolan spotted the cars in Autopia and insisted that be his first ride. He got to drive and even got his driver's license. The kid's smile could not have been bigger!! After that we ventured next door to the Finding Nemo ride. It was absolutely incredible, and honestly a little scary but Nolan loved it and wanted to do it again! At that point it was time for lunch so we grabbed a bite to eat and Nolan was looking mighty sleepy. We attempted the Buzz Lightyear ride after lunch and Nolan freaked out and said it was too loud and scary, so we promptly hightailed it back to the train and back to the exit. We noticed that they were stamping hands at the exit, but assumed with the 5 day pass we didn't need a stamp...we found out later we assumed VERY wrong and if we re-entered the park that day we would use up another day on our pass...so we were locked out of the park for the day. We went back to our room to let Nolan nap (which took quite some time and a LOT of convincing, but he finally gave in!!) For dinner we found ourselves at a rather funky, but yummy buffet down the way. Strange combinations were consumed, however happy bellies prevailed. We decided since we were shut out of the parks, we would discover Downtown Disney and all it had to offer. The sun was setting (and the temperature dropping...THANK GOODNESS) and all the twinkling lights were just beautiful. Sounds of different musical acts filled the air and shops tempted us and called our names. We found ourselves in Build-A-Bear Workshop and discovered they have a Build-A-Dinosaur shop, so we just had to do it. Nolan is now the proud owner of "Rexie" but is so in love with the box that Rexie came in, that he rarely comes out to play. Rexie also roars and Nolan is still not sure if that is cool or scary. Went we got to the end of Downtown Disney there was a fun band and Nolan danced by shaking his cute booty...it was hilarious. Nolan spent that night in a big bed, but even with 5 pillows as a barricade, he hopped over them and fell out of bed around 2am with a HUGE thud (he grabbed a pillow on the way down, just didn't land on it).
Wednesday, September 29th
We had a low-key start to the day with a breakfast of bagels, cream cheese and super yummy coffee (Nolan had milk). We got an early start because we had a date with Toon Town. We entered the gates at 9:35am, however Disneyland doesn't actually open until 10...so we met Pluto and looked around the Main Street area (and waited in line like cattle) until we got the go ahead to enter the park. It was honestly magical! We made our way to the back of the park and showed our special passes that got us into Toon Town an hour earlier to participate in the opening events and become honorary citizens of Toon Town. The ceremony was SO fun and afterwards we walked through Mickey and Donald's houses and Nolan rode his first ever roller coaster. He LOVED it!!! He is my adrenaline junkie! :) It was then time to meet up with Grandma and Grandpa in California Adventure! We spent most of the day in the park, riding Soaring (LOVED IT) meeting Lightening and Mater, seeing a Playhouse Disney show, eating lunch, riding all the rides in Bugs Life, sending Daddy and Grandpa on the Tower of Terror and California Screaming, meeting Woody and an Army Man, riding the ferris wheel (where my mom screamed SOOOOOOO loud we were all rolling with laughter!), talking to a turtle, a Monster's Inc Ride, the Pixar Parade and MORE rides in Bugs Life. By this time we were all wiped! We tried to take Nolan to the 3D Bug's Life Movie. He LOVED it when the butterflies flew at it, but flipped out shortly after that and begged to leave. So we made the trek back to the hotel, ordered our free pizza and movie and enjoyed a quiet evening in our beautiful (and air conditioned) room. Tomorrow is my birthday and will be filled with fun I'm sure...stay tuned! :)
