Day 3

Day 3

We got up early on the third day. As a guest of the resort, you are invited to enter the park 1 hour before it opens to the public. I would suggest to use the monorail train as your way in early. Trust me- it means less hassle. And less stress at Disneyland is a very good thing.
However, 7am is early for someone like me (and the girls) to be up, dressed, awake, fed and ready to ride! So after some hootin and hollerin, we were on the train and in the park by 7:30am. It turned out to be a very good day as far as the crowds go. It wasn't that packed at all and we rode almost every ride that the happiest place on Earth could offer. Space Mountain was first on the list. We loved it. It turns out the my little Megan is googoo for roller coaster rides. I'm sort of a baby. I don't like things that go in circles, upside down or drops you. Therefore, I skipped The Hollywood Tower of Terror and California Screamin. But hey, I did LOVE Disney's #1 must do and newest attraction: Indiana Jones and the Temple of the Forbidden Eye. DAMN if it wasn't the coolest ride I've ever been on!!!!
Why? Simply put...the effects. Even standing in line was fun. Skulls that watch you, a well with a rope that says don't pull (so of course you do), rooms with amazing artwork on the ceiling, and a movie that tells you what you might encounter on the ride...and that's just standing in line!
The ride itself is a big greenish brown jeep. Four seats across, four rows deep. Both times we rode this ride, we were in the front row. Very awesome. The first time, Michael got to sit in the drivers seat. The second time, I got to drive. You don't actually drive, but it feels like you do.
The jeep makes engine sounds and rumbles all around. You go through dark caverns and big cavernous spaces where fire rises up around you. However the coolest part is when Harrison Ford is dangling from a rope and wants to land in the jeep. But oh, watch out! Here comes a big round boulder! First we back up a little, then we charge it! Just before we hit, our jeep goes down hill, under the rock. Man, is that cool!!!
Love that ride....LOVE IT!
Okay, where was I? Rides...there is one more I've got to tell you about. Disney has been working on a ride for Monster's Inc. It doesn't open until next month. However, we got in for a sneak preview. It's more of a kids ride. You get in this little taxi and it takes you all around Monstropolis. I was able to take several pictures of the characters along the way. They are much bigger in person than they appear in the photo.
For lunch we had reservations at Ariel's Grotto, which is located in California Adventure. It's another character restaurant. Except this one is not a buffet and the characters are mostly princesses. That was fun. It was a beautiful day and we sat outside right next to the water. Both Megan and Katie did not like the food they ordered. Katie thought the chicken pot pie tasted more like clam soup and Megan complained that her mac & cheese smelled like fish. No problem. Within minutes their lunches were replaced with burgers and fries. Everyone was so friendly and willing to make us happy. Just say the word!
Now I could be wrong- but I think this was the day that we saw the muppet show 3D. That was pretty neat. The theater was beautiful. And in the balcony was those two old guys that always gave Kermit a hard time. In the back, next to the projector was the Swedish chef. He had a cannon! The show really went all out to make you feel like you were really there. At the end, parts of the walls even crumbled and Megan asked "how are they going to fix that?"

By that evening, we were all very tired. We had not gone back to the room even once. We didn't even eat dinner. I was so full still from lunch. Michael went out later and bought warm salty pretzels & popcorn. We watched the fireworks from our room and I was in bed by 8:30.

And that was the end of Day 3.

*footnote: I can't wait until I'm done writing about this trip!!