Disneyland

Disneyland and Universal Studios 2023.

July 4th

The trip to Disneyland was very much the idea of Mika. We had planned a two-night camping trip at Ohanapecosh campground near Mount Rainier National Park for the time off from work I had scheduled, but that was not meant to be. After some convincing, I’m sure; I received a call at work on July 4th. I was surprised to hear Christy saying, with some reluctance, okay, let's book the Disneyland trip. Within the next two to three hours, we had flights, lodging, and park tickets for the three of us. Camping was now canceled.

July 7th 2023

Next was how to tell Mika about the trip. We wanted not to be a surprise, but we also needed to say to her so we could make arrangements to be ready to go. We devised the idea to make a wrapped present that Mika would unwrap. Christy did a great job crafting a box that included cutouts of Disney characters and the words Disneyland. The plan went well, and she was excited and surprised when she opened the gift.

July 11th

Today is the day we board our 6:00 am flight from Seattle to Orange County, California. We booked a night in Seatac due to the early flight time. Mika was groggy at 3:15 am but was quickly ready to head to the airport. This was Mika's third trip by air, but her first during daylight hours, so she was excited to see what the world looked like from above. Our flight went well, and we arrived on time, landing at about 8:50 am. By 9:45 am, we had taken a Lift ride share from the airport to the IHG Holiday Inn Express in Anaheim. We picked this hotel because of the close location to Disneyland Park, complimentary breakfast, and of course, the pool. We had hopes of a room being ready, but there was not. The hotel could take our luggage, and we were off to Disneyland for our first day. By 10:00 am, we were in line waiting to enter the park. By 10:43, we were on our first ride, the tea cups.

From there, we spent a lot of time walking around the park. Mika got to drive a car, see princesses, ghosts in the Haunted Mansion, a paddle boat, and Tom Sawyers Island. We were all taken a bit back by the sheer number of people.

By this time, it was about 1:45 pm, and we were all exhausted. We made our way back to the Hotel, and the phrase “carry me” from Mika was born as the phrase of the trip.

When we returned to the hotel, we visited the pool, where we were happy to see we were all by ourselves. After the crowds of the park and our long day, this was very welcomed. After our swim, we went to the adjoining hotel restaurant, where Mika quickly fell asleep in Christy's arms at the table. It was now about 5:00 pm, and most would think this would end the night, but no. We made our way once more to the park to try to view the new Disney light show One World, but we arrived a little late, and we were not able to find a place to see very well, and the crowds were so much that it became overwhelming. We made it on the Little Mermaid ride, so Mika was happy. By 9:30 pm, we were back at the hotel and in bed.

July 12th

At 9:00 am, we ate breakfast and were getting ready for a big day at the park. We made the 10 min walk to the park and started with Cinderella’s castle. We got into the line for Peter Pan's adventure, and about 30 mins later, we made it inside. Next was It’s a Small World, then we met Ariel from the live-action Little Mermaid movie that just came out. After that, we were on to Tune Town. This is where we got in line for Micky and Minnie’s Runaway Railway. We were in line for about 30 mins when all the lights came on, and we were directed to exit the ride. The ride had been closed due to a mechanical problem, but they gave us a pass to return without waiting in line. While we waited, Mika and I met Mickey Mouse and explored his house. Mika went on her first roller coaster, called Chip and Dales Gadget’s Go Coaster, something she said she had to do before we went. She said it was her favorite part. The ride was only 43 seconds, but it was fun.

By 2:45 pm, Micky and Minnie’s Runaway Railway was working again, and we could get right on without waiting. It was one of the newer rides that did not seem to be on a track and had really cool graphics and movements of the cars. We would later see this same type of ride with the new Star Wars ride, but more on that in a minute.

From Tune Town, we boarded the Disneyland railway and made our way around the park to again go to the Haunted Mansion at the adamant request of Mika. It was then a continued whirlwind of Jungle Cruise, Winnie the Pooh, and finally, the land of Star Wars.

As we entered the Star Wars section, it was impressive with the landscape changing and staff dressed in characters from the movies. The first ride we got in line for was Star Wars Rise of the Resistance. The sign stated a 180-minute wait, but we were only in line for about 100 minutes. During the wait, you are taken through a cave-like queue with interesting props from the Star Wars movies; some you can even touch. There was even a water fountain to refill water bottles and immense fans to help cool you off.

Once we got to the ride itself, it was pretty impressive. You really got the feeling of entering a different world, and how we were moved from place to place helped trick my mind into believing it was true. This was all before you got on the ride itself. When we finally sat down, we were once again on an independent cart that was zipping us back and forth, up and down, through an environment that did feel and look like the inside of a spacecraft in outer space. Overall both Mika and I said it was worth the wait, but again, it did not feel like a traditional queue due to the interactive nature of the time we had even before the “ride.”

It was almost 6:00 pm, and we were getting hungry. I had been looking forward to themed dining since we started, so the Star Wars “Docking Bay 7: Food and Cargo was a great option. Before we entered, Mika got a chance to meet Rey Skywalker and have a conversation with her. She asked Mika if she would be a pilot, and Mika said she couldn’t drive yet. It was a fun encounter.

When we entered the food bay, I was pleased to be able to walk right in. All of the food and decorum is Star Wars themed. I ordered Batuuan Beef and Crispy Topato Stir-fry. Which is

Smoky Braised Beef glazed in Tamarind Sauce. It was served with Stir Fried Mushrooms and Vegetables, Crispy Herb Yucca, Pickled Onions, and Cilantro. It was delicious. Mika went with her regular for this trip Chicken strips called Fried Chicken Tip Yip Youngling Meal. Which was Crispy Chicken served with House-made Macaroni & Cheese and Roasted Vegetables served with a choice of Small Lowfat Milk or Small DASANI® Water. She was courageous and ate it without the sauce. For dessert, we shared Outpost Puffs, which are Chocolate Pastry filled with Guajillo Chocolate Mousse finished with Thai Tea Panna Cotta, Spiced Pineapple, and Confectionary Debris. Mika initially said yuck until I said it was chocolate, and then she tried it and finished them off. For the two of us to eat, it was only about $40.00, which is pretty reasonable at Disneyland prices.

After we ate, it was time to move to the next Star Wars ride. Millennium Falcon: Smugglers Run. I did not do any research before entering this ride, and if I had, I would not have taken a 5-year-old on it. It was not that it was scary or anything. It was that it was more of an interactive experience than she was able to keep up with. As a rider, you must follow the story's action and push buttons on the controls to perform tasks for the good of the Resistance and the others in your ship. Luckily we had some very kind crew mates that had been on the ride several times before and were good sports.

After this, Mika had had enough of the Star Wars world, so we were on our way. Mika, who may spend a little too much time watching YouTube, had seen a sword you can pull on to see if you can pull it out—the Sword in the Stone. So we made our way there. She tried and was sad that she was not “strong” enough to pull the cord from the stone. We did a few more rides in this area, including Snow White. Mika loved that the wicked Queen would pull back the curtains in the upper window of the castle.

It was close to 9:00 pm, almost 12 hours from when we started the day. We had one last decision to make: stay and see the fireworks at the Disney castle with 50,000 other people; that’s how many the internet says visit Disneyland daily or get back to the hotel before 10:00 pm when the pool closes. The choice was up to Mika. Lucky for me, she loves the pool, and we were off.

We returned to the hotel, checked in with Christy, and went down to the pool, where we stayed until it closed for the night.

July 13th

Universal Studios Hollywood.

Mika and I were the only ones to keep going with an additional day at Universal Studios Hollywood. The main attraction for both Mika and me was the Super Nintendo World. She had recently seen the movie, and YouTube videos were a great advertisement.

Our day began with a Lyft ride from Anaheim to Hollywood, which took about an hour and a half, even though it was only 32 miles. The traffic made me grateful for my 15-minute commute each day.

We arrived and made our way into the park. The Super Nintendo World is in the lower lot, so we went down the many escalators that take you down. The view was excellent, and the area looked interesting.

When we made it down to Mario World, we got Mika a power-up band so she could play the games in Super Nintendo World. I later regretted that decision due to the long lines to use the power-up bands, and we could have saved $40 for what we did.

The main ride is Mario Cart: Bowsers Challenge. We knew it would be a long line, so we just got in it and started waiting. Just like Disney, they did an outstanding job keeping you interested as you are forced to weave back and forth through what seems to be an endless cue from room to room inside and outside.

You finally reach the last building, which is inside Bowser's castle. The set is excellent, with lots to look at and interact with.

Mario Cart The ride is a four-person per cart ride, but you feel like you are on your own because of the augmented reality visor and lens that you have on your face. The cart does have a restraint, and you get pushed from sis to side often as the ride moves, but even Mika, as small as she is, had a secure seat.

The ride was fun, with different characters appearing with the augmented reality headset. If you have ever played the Mario Cart game, it was similar. I don’t think either Mika or I particularly did a great job, points-wise, but it was fun.

After the ride, we walked around Super Nintendo World a bit and then went to the other rides.

In hindsight, we started with the scarier rides, maybe more frightening than Mika was ready for. That being acknowledged, the next ride we did was Jurassic World. It is a boat ride with a significant drop and many scary dinosaurs. We did not get soaked like some riders, but it freaked Mika out a little.

The next was Transformers, again maybe too much action and being tossed around in a cart with big screens around you that, to a five-year-old, look super real.

We needed to slow down by this point, so we took the studio tour. You know, the one with Jaws. Mika was not very interested in the history or visiting the back lots and sets where movies are made, but I found it fascinating. There were some new additions in the last 30-plus years since I last visited, and the imax style video screens were impressive.

Mika was glad this was over, and we walked through more of the park. But at this point, Mika did not want to go to any additional rides or areas. The hotel pool was calling her name. So we called a Lyft and spent another hour and a half riding back to our hotel, Mommy, and the pool.

July 14th

Today we slept in, had breakfast at the hotel, and Mika and I spent hours in the pool and hot tub. We even got Christy to come down and eat lunch with us poolside.

July 15th

The flight home. We woke up early and called our Lyft to the airport. We arrived early and were okay with getting through security. We found a Starbucks and a McDonald's, and we were set. Until our flight was delayed. Then canceled, but then revived with a new airplane. The issue was a single light bulb that was causing other problems down the line. In the end, it was a few hour delay, but we got home with plenty of time to drive and be back in Yakima mid-day.

What an adventure.