Wrapping up our first trip to Disneyland

Our third and final day was back at Disneyland. And it ended up being a particularly ride-filled day. Not because we wanted to pack in as many rides as possible but because the lines are a lot shorter if you get there when the park opens.

Pirates of the Caribbean was our first ride because we wanted to get it in and it doesn’t have a fast pass. We basically walked on. And the California version definitely wins out over the Florida version. Our son liked it, other than the two drops at the beginning.

Then we went to the Winnie the Pooh ride, which our son specifically requested. Which was cute and fun and not as jerky as the Florida version but the real treat was that Winnie the Pooh and Tigger were just outside it with no line. Doodle got over his shyness and hugged both of them.

On the way back, the line was short for Haunted Mansion so we got that in again.

Then, while Mommy and Doodle went on the Teacups and Mr Toad again, I went on the Matterhorn. I knew it was the first rollercoaster at Disneyland so I really wanted to try it. Not bad but very jerky and not that different than a regular roller coaster. 

After that, we went almost all of the dark rides in Fantasy Land that we hadn’t been in. Pinocchio, Alice in Wonderland, Snow White and even the walk through of Sleeping Beauty’s Castle. I’d say they were all a bit dated, technologically, but still cute and charming. I’d go on any of them again, as long as the lines were short. (Which is why we didn’t go on Peter Pan)

The ride that was not fun that we got in was Storybook Land Canal Boats. The aisles in the line were very tight and cramped. And, other than getting to sail into Monstro the Whale’s mouth, it was simply not very good. You ride in a boat to see miniature replicas of buildings from the movies. No characters, just  architecture. If you didn’t have the narrator telling you what the buildings were, I don’t know if I’d recognize most of them. It was like a boat ride by a miniature golf course.

Somewhere in all that, we ate at the Rose Inn, which was the Beauty and the Beast-themed restaurant. The beef poutine and cauliflower sandwich were tasty and doodle ate his way through the kids meal.

Then Mommy and Daddy took turns riding Space Mountain. Personally, I thought that the seats were much more comfortable than the Florida version and and the ride was smoother. Radiator Springs Racers was still better but Space Mountain is a classic.

By then, our time at Disneyland was wrapping up and we needed to get to the airport. We got in one last ride at the teacups and Buzz Lightyear Astro Blasters and headed out. Good rides to end on since we’ve enjoyed them at both Florida and California.

Disneyland is a different place than Disney World. Florida is like going to another country. Disneyland is still the same country, just a couple of very good amusement parks.