Disneyland Day 2

We started out the day waking up the kids bright and early so we could get started and have as much time as possible at the park. This went so well once again and after getting the kids dressed and ready we took some pictures in the hall before leaving the hotel. 

The early magic hour was for California adventure so our plan was to head straight to Cars Land and ride Radiator Springs as well as check out all there was to do elsewhere. Here is Miss Hollywood waiting to get inside the park:

First things first....Cars Land. This was probably my favorite part of all of Disney Land. It is pretty incredible how much it truly looks like you are in the Cars movie. I couldn't even take pictures to do it justice but here are a few. Hudson and Hadley were in awe as this was the first part of the park they had even seen.

While I went to check on fast passes Matt, Hadley, Papa, and Hudson rode on their first ride, Mater's Junkyard Jamboree. We knew Hudson was 1 inch too short to ride on Radiator Springs racers so as much as we wanted to head there first, it made more sense to at least distract him with a couple rides and then Matt, Hadley, and I would sneak off to Radiator Springs.  These are some of my favorite pictures. It shows the true joy on the kids faces. I got a turn to ride with Hadley as well and I may have had just as much fun!

Next we rode on Luigi's Flying tires which wasn't quite as much fun but the kids still loved it.

Hudson and Papa continued to jump back and forth between these two rides while Matt, Hadley, and I headed over to Radiator Springs. We jumped in a short line (which was very unusual) and made it on within about 10 minutes. We didn't know exactly what to expect but I had heard so many things about this ride that I knew it would be good. Well, it surpassed ALL expectations! It was probably my favorite ride I have ever been on. It was also fun that the ride seats 3 people on one row so Matt, Hadley, and I were all able to sit together on her first big ride.

Hadley and Matt decided to ride Radiator Springs a couple more times so while they got back in line I traded out with Papa and he went to join them. Mama, Hudson, and I headed over to "A Bug's Land" where all the rides are made for kids smaller than 40". It was perfect for us to distract him a little longer. We rode on Flik's flyers (a bug that swings you up in the air) which is the pictured below and Hudson screamed the entire time saying, "This is SO fun!!!" We also rode bumper cars and a train before getting the call to meet back up with the other three.

Mama, Hudson, and I met them back over at Cars Land just in time to see Lightning McQueen and Mater pull in for pictures! It was perfect timing and we were the first ones there because typically the line is so long to see them. Hadley and Hudson weren't sure what to think of Lightning McQueen. They definitely wanted us in the pictures as well because it scared them a little when he would talk and rev his engine. But after he drove away and Mater pulled in they were a lot more excited. In fact, Hudson was upset when they drove away and even had to chase after Lightning McQueen with daddy so that he could tell him bye one more time!

After we felt like we had spent enough time at CarsLand we wanted to check out Paradise Pier. This is where the big ferris wheel is as well as two big roller coasters. But what we were most excited about was the Toy Story area. As we were crossing into Paradise Pier we saw Donald signing autographs and taking pictures. We quickly jumped into another short line and the kids got ready with their books. This is the part that I had no idea how Hudson would react. He has always been scared of characters in the past and I was just hoping to be able to get ANY pictures of him. But we got a surprising reaction. Both of the kids were in awe. They were all smiles when they handed him their books and they couldn't wait to have a picture. They talked and talked with not a bit of shyness. It was so fun to watch!

We jumped on the carosel as we entered Paradise Pier and it gave Matt and I a little time to figure out where to go next. It doesn't matter how many times the kids have ridden on a carosel, it seems like they never get tired of them!

We decided to hit up Toy Story Mania next because the lines are typically long and we had heard so much about it. Mama stayed out and held all our stuff while the other five of us jumped in line. This was a little bit longer and we, thankfully, had some food (and Papa) to keep us entertained.

Getting closer to the beginning and we got our 3-d glasses. Hudson and Hadley still had no idea what to expect but as we started seeing all the toy story characters the excitement continued to build.

So no pictures of the actual ride but it was a blast. You have a competition with others as you try to shoot all the characters, bullseyes, and whatever else they throw at you. Such a fun ride and probably Hudson's favorite!

And then....the buying began. Disneyland did a great job at making you exit the ride through the Toy Story store. We ended up with a couple more toys than we began with and it was only the beginning of a shopping spree the continued throughout our vacation. Its just so hard to say no when they are being so sweet and good for us! And I can definitely say that Daddy was the sucker on this trip...

After many more rides later we thought it may be a good idea to go back to the room and rest a little bit. Hudson still had all sorts of energy and was dragging Papa down the pier. As we were walking back we were surprised by the Toy Story soldiers doing a skit and march around the park. Both of the kids got quite a kick out of watching them. 

Back in the room and resting with lunch and their new toys. Hadley opted for her first of many stuffed animals on the way back to the room. It was the cat from Aristocats (which none of us have even seen).  Hadley is a stuffed animal nut like her momma and she would have turned down every single toy in Disneyland if she could continue to get more stuffed animals. After a short rest and some full bellies it was back into the park to ride more rides and get some autographs.

We rode a few more rides and then decided to head out of California Adventure and over to Disneyland to watch the parade and ride the train. On our way over we saw Goofy and Pluto to add to our autograph collection.

While Mama got a spot for the parade we jumped in line for the train. It wasn't a long wait but the train was not quite the excitement we expected. In fact, we were all a little bored until the very end when we entered a dinosaur land that Hudson couldn't get enough of! I guess in the end that made it totally worth it.

*Hadley said she was tired and sweet Hudson said he would rub her shoulders for her.

The two reasons I am getting to spend my Mother's Day at Disneyland! I love these kids more than I could have ever imagined and feel so lucky God chose me to be their mother.

After the train ride we met up with Mama to watch the parade. With more snacks and drinks in hand it felt nice to sit and relax and watch the parade of princesses and characters go by. Hadley loved how often they made eye contact and waved right at her. Hudson was just in awe and could not take his eyes off all the commotion.

After the parade finished up and we rode a few more rides we decided it may be a good time to call it quits for the day in the park. The kids were exhausted and hungry but still doing excellent. We went back into downtown Disney to a wonderful pizza restaurant and the kids ate so well again. It was even more fun when a balloon animal artist came by and made the kids balloons. He was pretty incredible at all he knew how to make. Hudson asked for a dinosaur with teeth and Hadley asked for a princess crown. Both turned out so cute and the kids were pretty proud!

With full bellies, it was back to the hotel and time for a little swimming. Hadley immediately made new friends each time we swam and it was hard for her to even sit still for a picture. Hudson, on the otherhand stayed right by us and just giggled the entire time!

What an awesome first day at the park. I can't think of a better way to spend Mother's Day!!! I couldn't wait to see what the next days would hold.