Originally Posted By familyguy Today is our last day in the parks, so it will mostly consist of checking off the last priorities from our mental to do list, and visiting the things we'd like to experience again. We started off at Disneyland for rope drop. Because of the fact that we missed Matterhorn the first day, that's where we're headed first today. Jumped right on that and everyone loved it. I'm not a huge fan of the new ride vehicles because I like every opportunity I can to get my beautiful wife to sit on my lap. (I was going to say I like every opportunity to get my wife between my legs and realized that would sound kinda bad) After that, believe it or not, one of the other priorities for my 14 year old was Autopia. Now that he's 14 he's really taken an interest in cars. I always give him a hard time about how we used to just bang back and forth on the guard rail when he used to drive when he was younger and now that he's older he wanted to redeem himself. He did a good job of it! Now it was the 11 year old, who happens to be very short like his father, that had a hard time pressing the gas pedal. They are kinda hard to push. So he was having a hard time staying moving. I think he wished he had gone with an adult. Then we were over to Start Tours, and that is definitely one I can skip due to motion sickness. That one usually gets me pretty bad, so I took my little princess over to Buzz Lightyear. She just liked seeing all the lights and colors. I didn't even put the blaster in her hand. She liked all the visuals. After that it was Pirates, Splash Mountain, and then Indiana Jones and Jungle Cruise again just in time to finish those and grab a bite to eat at Bengal BBQ. I love this place and have to eat there every time. My wife and I will usually get one of each skewer and a bag of Doritos and share that. I like it more than she does but I think it's because meat on a stick is kind of a man thing. lol She likes it, but is not as excited about it as I am. Now another surprising priority was heading over to Innoventions so that my 11 year old could see the Iron Man suits. He was super excited for this and so we had to make it happen. Went in, saw the suits and left. Could have waited in long lines to meet Captain America, but we weren't interested. After this we headed over to Main Street to do a little looking around and shopping. Some of the kiddos picked up souvenirs and clothing items. By this time, after the last 3 days in the parks...early morning and late nights, I started losing a little steam...but that's why there's a Starbucks on Main Street! I grabbed a Venti iced coffee and was ready to head over to DCA! My wife and little one headed back to the hotel to rest while the rest of us brave souls trooped over to catch the Aladdin show, which was a priority for my brother. We always like seeing the show and this time was no exception. We really liked it and had a chance to rest a bit. Then we did things like Monster's Inc., Muppet Vision 3D, grabbed a beer at the beer cart and went over to ride Little Mermaid. We figured we'd dip back to the rapids and low and behold, it was open!!! They said it was a soft opening so it could go down at any minute, but we got in line and were on in about 15 minutes. The whole group was so happy that this was open because we love riding it so much! My wife, who is not a fan of getting wet, stayed off with the little one. While in the area, the kids all ran around the Redwood Creek Challenge Trail. I had to take my little princess up and down the rock slide so many times...she loved it. "one more gen". Next we moved on to experience some of the Paradise Pier offerings such as Goofy's Flight SChool, Silly Symphony Swings, rode the Zephyr with my little one and before we knew it, it was time for dinner. We decided to try something new to us and tried Boardwalk Pizza and Pasta. We were actually pretty impressed! I had spaghetti and my wife had a chicken pasta with a creamy pesto sauce and the kids all had pizzas. Everyone thoroughly enjoyed. I imagine we will be back! After this everyone wanted to head for Screamin again, so we did. Bad idea for me. I usually do fine with that ride, but this time, maybe because it was so quickly after we ate, I really got motion sick. I was feeling pretty off balance and just not so great after that. Tried to bounce back as we visited Bug's Land and all took on some of the smaller rides with my princess, but I just wasn't able to come back. I noticed that tough to be a bug was back and not the dreaded preview for Meleficent, so I wanted to see that for sure! So we did and it was GREAT! There was some added effects that I really enjoyed, but mostly I just always love that show. My little niece who was scared of the Haunted Mansion was a little freaked out. haha! I love how that show gets scary for a few moments. It's awesome. Anyway...after this I couldn't press on, sadly. I felt like I really needed to go lie down due to motion sickness. I was pretty bummed being that this was our last day in the parks, but I didn't want to hinder the rest of the group. So I went back alone and the rest of the group pressed on! They headed back to Disneyland and rode the Storybook Land Canal boats at night (I was jealous), the tea cups, It's a Small World and took another round on Big Thunder! I was so glad that they were able to press on and continue the fun and adventure without me. I'll say this...while eating dinner in DCA, the sadness started to set in. I started thinking about the fact that this was our last day and it always makes me a little sad. It actually seems that the more days I spend there, the worse the sadness is because I get so comfortable there and then it's time to go back to reality...and for me..that meant some stressful circumstances I had to go home to. I was once again so thankful for the time I got to spend with my family, and even my brother and nieces. I always feel like if I am given the grace to have a "death bed" when I die, these will be the times I will have most fondly in my heart on that bed. I will remember the times we spent in this wonderful place all together and will weep tears of joy as I prepare to meet my Maker...the One who so graciously entrusted me with these beautiful people to spend my life with. I'm thankful that Disneyland has provided us the opportunity to be together as a family in a place we love and doing things we all enjoy. If God gave Walt Disney the imagination to create something as incredible as Disneyland to be enjoyed here on this fallen earth, what things must He have in store for us in Heaven? I trust that the best is yet to come!
Originally Posted By CuriousConstance "Now another surprising priority was heading over to Innoventions so that my 11 year old could see the Iron Man suits. He was super excited for this and so we had to make it happen." Totally forgot about these suits, now I'm super excited because my son is going to LOVE this!
Originally Posted By familyguy Yes...my guy was stoked and wanted a picture taken with every single suit.
Originally Posted By CuriousConstance Did he try out the virtual suit? I can just see the power trip now that my 6 year old will get when he tries that out. lol
Originally Posted By iamsally What a great last day. Motion sickness is a real drag. So sorry for that. Your synopsis of Disney and Disneyland is wonderful. My sentiments exactly.
Originally Posted By darcy-becker I'm not a guy and I love meat on a stick. Bengal BBQ is always a priority for me too.
Originally Posted By koolaidmom i love bengal too!!! What a wonderful last day. I too will have lots of fond memories of my family at Disneyland. i think that is what keeps us coming back. THanks for helping us all feel like we were there with you. You did a great job of letting us know what you did on your trip.
Originally Posted By Mickeymouseclub Enjoyed your trip report. I will probably cry on my deathbed over never seeing Disneyland again... Since you mentioned the Redwood Creek Challenge , Have they re-opened the zip line yet? It was closed off last holiday week in December and I worried it might not ever re-open. Thanks
Originally Posted By iamsally >>>I will probably cry on my deathbed over never seeing Disneyland again...<<< I remember my mom saying, "I am so sad to realize that I will never go to Disneyland again." when she was no longer able to travel. (We did take her when she was 77.) My kids joke about wheeling me in on my deathbed. Well, they may not be joking, actually.
Originally Posted By Rivkah86 Loved your trip report! Thank you for sharing all the fun details, it makes for a highly enjoyable read.
