Disneyland Day 4

Our last day in the parks!  Our magic hour started at SEVEN AM.  Greg and I were the only willing participants on this day :)  We got up at 6, were downstairs in line with coffee at 6:30, and were able to fit SO much in during this time.

We started off with running to Radiator Springs Racers, stopping for a few picture along the way, then ran to the Tower of Terror, then Screamin, and finally Toy Story!  We then grabbed fast passes for Radiator Springs Racers again.  We had taken my mom and Ben's tickets into the park to get them fast passes too and learned that unless they have scanned you into the park, you aren't able to get fast passes with those park tickets!  Luckily, the cast member working the station overrode it and printed them for me anyway, but something good to know for next time.  We grabbed coffee and headed back to get mom and Ben and went back to Cars Land to race!  And when we were finished, I was able to score another set of Fast Passes to Radiator Springs (aka our favorite ride) for that night when it was dark out and Cars Land was lit up.

I had wanted to let Ben decide how he wanted to spend his last day, so off to Fantasyland we went next.  We rode some rides there, then went to tomorrowland for Autotopia and Buzz (and lunch), and to Adventureland to hit up the Tiki Room.  Since the parks were open later that night (midnight), we knew a mid-day break was in order, so we relaxed at the pool and in the room for awhile.

When we were ready to go again, we had dinner in Downtown Disney at Ralph Brennan's Jazz Kitchen and had some great New Orlean's Style food.  Then to Disneyland for more Fantasyland fun :)

We just happened to catch most of the parade as we were leaving Disneyland, which was really fun. 

We then went to Cars Land and we finally got to see it at night - which is even more incredible than during the day.  Disney did such a great job!

After riding the rides there, my mom and Ben were ready to head back to the room.  Greg and I dropped them off, had some food and drinks and then caught the fireworks on our way back to Disneyland.  We had time to ride Pirates and Indiana Jones (we had fast passes for this one) and then headed back to the room.  We had walked a half marathon by this point (which I did in flip flops for some reason - I have no idea how my feet weren't hurting more than they were) and we were done.

Going to Disneyland at this time of year was a great decision!  The crowds were low and we never waiting in a line longer than 30 minutes.  Being strategic with Fast Passes is the way to go for sure. 

Review of Disney's Grand Californian:

It is by far the nicest hotel in the area, and you pay for it.  I absolutely loved the proximity to the parks, the magic hour, the customer service, the immaculate condition they keep the hotel, the beds were amazingly comfortable, the room service/turn down service was great, and the special touches they put on things (like the Disney music being played on the piano and the little leather rocking chairs in front of a TV playing classic Disney cartoons) is adorable.

Would I stay there again?  I think so...but I wouldn't spring for any kind of room upgrade.  We had paid for the premium view (looking towards the park), that ended up being a view of trees - that were next to the park.  I mean, technically we had a "park view", but you wouldn't know it.  Luckily the hotel agreed that the trees had become overgrown and refunded us the difference in cost from the park view vs. the garden view.  We hardly spent any time in the room anyway - and we spent even less time at the pool (which was great, but we didn't use it enough for that to factor in).  I would maybe like to try one of the other Disney hotels and use the extra savings to go towards all the money we spent on food in the parks - but still get the advantage of the magic hour.

We are all happy to be home, but so many amazing memories were made and I am excited go again (in a couple years) :)

Rides Rode:

Radiator Springs Racers (X3)

Hollywood Tower of Terror

California Screamin

Toy Story Midway Mania

Mater's Junkyared Jamboree

Luigi's Rollickin' Roadsters

Autotopia

Buzz Lightyear Astro Blasters

Alice in Wonderland

Mad Tea Party

Storyland Canal Boats

Enchanted Tiki Room

Tarzan's Treehouse

Astro Orbiter

Indiana Jones

Pirates of the Caribbean

Food Ate:

Chicken Sandwich, Cheeseburger, Turkey Sandwich at Galactic Grill (Tomorrowland)

A big Disneyland sucker (for Ben)

Frozen chocolate banana and ice-cream cookie sandwich

Pasta Bolognese and salad (and wine and mojitos) at Wine Country Trattoria

Jambalaya, salad and a sampler platter at Ralph Brennan 's Jazz Kitchen in Downtown Disney

Cotton Candy

Personal Pizza (for Ben) at Whitewater Snacks

Miles walked: 13.46