First we RAN to Nemo's Submarine Voyage, apparently the lines get quite lengthy so we were trying to beat the crowd. Thanks to the "aquarium" setting on the camera I got some cool pics here!
And for everyone who is thinking "Emily went UNDERWATER and SURVIVED??" let me say yes, I did. The worst part was when they let bubbles loose outside the porthole things to make you think you were going deeper. When that stopped and I could see out again, it wasn't terrible. It was cool, but I didn't feel the need to try and and ride it again. :)
After the submarine we all hit It's a Small World. And let me say that I do not understand why adults hate this ride. It's super cute, especially when they have it all done up for the holidays!
Penguins in sombreros. How can that not make you happy!
I liked the super-excessively-bedazzled Nemo and Dory!
Pretty dream catchers!
Awwwww.... how sweet.
Now over to California Adventure. They were still building this part when I was at Disneyland last, so it was fun to see it (mostly) completed! Here we literally ran (again) to the Toy Story ride.
I've never been very fond of Toy Story, so I wasn't thrilled about going on this ride. I didn't understand that it was a shooting gallery and that it was freaking awesome... although the mile-and-a-half walk through the line is NOT cool!
I had to take a picture to prove that I beat Courtney. :) And in my defense, I didn't realize until about halfway through the ride that it was tracking your accuracy or I would have been a bit more careful!
Another PhotoPass pic. One of my favorites!
This is Abby (Madson's granddaughter), Breelin, and Madson. How cute are they, all holding hands!
Goofy. What a hottie.
I found this sign hilarious. :)
I thought this wall was freaking awesome. I love how they just stuck random things in it, like silverware, mugs, a duck head, a baby shoe, marbles, etc. Fun stuff!
We also got preferred seating for an Aladdin show. We got there and were first in line, then had to wait like 45 minutes for them to let us in. Marlee decided to be Madson's buddy while we were waiting. :)
I like the Aladdin story, so I figured the show would be fun. It was SO entertaining! The effects were so cool, I liked the cave entrance here. It was massive!
The dude playing the genie (bottom left) was HYSTERICAL. He kept throwing modern references into his lines (i.e. John & Kate, Lady Gaga, "put a ring on it," etc.). I wish I would have recorded some of it.
Our "preferred seating" apparently meant "sit next to where the giant elephant walks through."
At the end after Jafar becomes a genie, I couldn't figure out how they were going to make him turn into a snake. The actor disappeared, and then all of a sudden this giant snake head shot up in the air. It was cool! (please excuse the heads... the wheelchair section was across the aisle in front of us and everyone sitting there was very tall!)
Happily ever after.
PhotoPass rocks!
After Aladdin we hit the Tower of Terror/Twilight Zone ride. One word: amazing. It rocked my world. I wanted to take it home with me so I could ride it over and over again.
I found out after the ride that they take your picture at one point. I was gripping Courtney's and Michalene's hands so tightly, apparently I was also grinding my elbow into Michalene's arm. The moment was so funny I had to buy the picture!
- Please also notice that Madson is LOVING this, he warned us ahead of time that he wanted to ride with us "first timers," even more so since we were going to be "screamers." And oh man did I scream my lungs out!
- This was also Abby's first time (she's sitting behind me). Even though you can only see 1/3 of her face you can tell she is terrified! (as is the lady on the front row in the levi jacket; Courtney said she was in tears after the ride ended!)
- And someone please back me up on this... the dude in the back row with his hands up - does he not look like Kris Allen???
Back to Disneyland. They started their Christmas celebrations the day we got there, so everything was decked out in holiday style. I loved their decorations!
I realize this picture is totally blurry but I still think it's pretty cool!
It's a Small World lit up at night. Excessively pink, but I like it!
Courtney and Breelin trying to pull the sword out of the stone! (don't worry, they were unsuccessful. England does not have two new co-queens :D)
A final picture in front of the flower Mickey.
We were the last 4 of our group to give up and go back to the hotel... How pretty is the castle at night!
It was a fun trip, I'm glad I got to go. However, I did bring home two souvenirs that I wish I hadn't - ouch!
