Disney Magic: Day 1

Location: The Anabella Hotel, Anaheim, CA
Date: Monday, May 13, 2013
Time: 6:30 a.m.

Justin wakes up and discovers the sun is "totally all the way up in the sky!!!" and insists we all get up and get to ready to walk to Disneyland. The park didn't open until 10:00, but we were up, dressed, and had lunches packed by 8:00!

We were able to enter the park at 9:30 and walk along Main Street. The rest of the park was roped off until 10:00. When the ropes went down, it was a mad dash to the popular rides. We went directly to Tomorrow Land and were almost the first riders on Buzz Lightyear's Blasters. Our Disney adventure had finally begun!

Our next ride was Star Tours. Justin LOVED it. He laughed and shouted during the whole thing. Dave and I got queasy. As soon as it ended Justin shouted, "That was SO awesome! I want to do it again right away!"

The other big hit of the day was Jedi Training Academy. Justin was awesome and fought Darth Maul valiantly! Afterwards, we asked if he wanted to do it again, but he said he didn't want to because he was afraid of having to fight Darth Maul again. We never would have guessed watching him fight that he was actually afraid, but I can certainly understand why he would be frightened! Darth Maul was exactly like the movie character and quite realistically "bad!"

While watching the first Jedi Training Academy, Justin was so engaged he was acting out the fighting motions without even realizing it!

Autopia

Justin's turn at being a Jedi

Justin receiving his "training" light sabre

Practicing: "Duck!"

During training, the Dark Side came for a visit

Justin using his newly learned Jedi skills to fight Darth Maul

Other enjoyments of today included walking through the story of Sleeping Beauty inside the Castle, Storybook Land, Autopia, It's a Small World, Toon Town, The Haunted Mansion, and last, but certainly not least, Pirates of the Caribbean. He also rode the Carousel and met Mickey Mouse, Goofy, Pluto, and Captain Hook, and two Storm Troopers from Star Wars.

Enjoying the miniature enchantment of Storybook Land

Justin getting ready to blow up Toon Town

Enjoying Mickey's house

We finally got in to see the Main Attraction!

Goofin' around

Awwww, Pluto!

It was HOT today! This misting fan was a huge relief.

Dave, Justin, and a Storm Trooper outside Star Tours

The last thing we did before leaving for the day was to go on Star Tours again (I opted out this time). Dave and Justin were surprised to discover that it was a completely different story line this time. Justin also built his own light sabre (a.k.a. life saver). He played with it ALL the way out of Disneyland, all through Downtown Disney, all during dinner outside the terrace where we ate, and all the way back to our hotel.

Quote of the day: "Disneyland is really fun!"

We went to bed early to get ready for our early morning entrance on Day Two!