Day three of our Disney adventure we decided to split into a few groups. We had lots of rain that day and while in most parks you'd expect to see fewer guests, that is not the case at Disney. People pay so much for that trip that they are determined to get their money's worth rain or shine. We had some big kids who explored California Adventure without grown ups. They got fast passes for Tower of Terror, when they went on it, the Bellhop asked them, "What's the deal with you kids?" When they told him they were cousins, he asked where they were from. Of course, some were from Utah, some from California, and some from Washington. When he heard that, he accused, "Oh, so you brought the rain." Then in a creepy, sing-song voice he said, "Its raining. Its pouring. You should have ridden Soarin'" From there they went straight to California Screamin. They reported that they went on California Screamin' a whole bunch. They kept getting in the single rider line and didn't have to wait very long at all. They also tortured themselves with another trip on Mickey's Fun Wheel. Some of the kids wanted to buy souvenirs so they explored gift shops for a while, too, much to my big boys chagrin.
I got to take the little boys to Mickey's Toon Town with Kari and her little girls and Adrienne, her mom and Briggs. They had lots of fun being free to run around and play with all the things they cared to.
We even got to wave to Goofy as he headed to his house to meet some new friends.
We went on Roger Rabbit's Car Toon Spin and were underwhelmed. Seriously, what's the deal with Roger Rabbit? Horrible. After Toon Town we went to Tomorrowland. We got really wet, but we had a nice time nonetheless.
Kari ended up offering to take the little boys for a little while so I could meet up with Ethan, Levi, Lincoln, and Eliza. Richy and some of his kids went to join her. We started out in California Adventure and ran into the big kids. Bryant and Jonas were eager to come with us because we had promised to buy souvenirs for the kids sometime that day. But first we had to ride another favorite, Soarin' Over California! It was fun to have big kids that wanted to ride fun things with us.
I had heard that some of the food in Disneyland was amazing, including the corn dog. So we decided to try it. Honestly, it was just ok. But it was huge. Frighteningly so.
We met up with Richy and Kari and their family later. Richy borrowed my jacket. He's kinda weird. But we love him.
Ethan spoiled me (and then all of us) when he were near the end of our day and headed to The Tiki Room with Pineapple Whips!!! Now that's a Disney food that I can get into in a big way. Just before taking this picture below I stood up and said, "OK, everyone over here!" And the entire room full of people stopped talking and turned to look at me. We all laughed. After I took the picture I said out loud to the whole room, "And a one and a two..." It was funny.
Shopping for souvenirs with 12 kids is kind of crazy, if you can imagine. Richy's kids found what they wanted throughout the trip so they weren't shopping so much as playing. My kids, however, were as fickle as could be trying to decide what they actually wanted.
Bryant, Jonas, and Levi all chose to get lightsabers. Bolton and Eliza chose these adorable stuffed animals.
And Abraham chose a pirate sword. When he bought it he turned to Porter in his best pirate voice and stance, said, "Argh! I'm a dentist!"
And just like that our time in Disneyland was over. I hope its a trip that my kids will treasure in their memories forever. Spending time with their cousins was just as magical as the park.
