Our California Adventure Days 5-7

Day 5:
This was our "day off" and we used it to sleep in! Everyone needed it and we all took advantage of it! When we finally got mobile, we headed to the IHOP for breakie/brunch. I had eaten there years ago but for my pancake loving kids, this was there first time. Neither the kids nor Brian knew what they wanted after looking at the menu...it all seemed so yummy! I was happy because I had built this place up for them and I was worried they would be disappointed but that didn't happen...they loved it!!
After a hearty (and expensive $92...juice refills are not free...lol) meal, we headed off on foot to check out the neighborhood. Found a Target but with our dollar just about as good as the US, sadly, no real deals. A few things but for the most part, I'd pay the same here. Back to the pool for a swim before heading off to the Medieval Dinner and Tournament.




This place was pretty cool.
As you arrive, you are given a crown to wear in a particular color and the color of your crown is the section you sit in and the Knight you cheer for. Turns out we got the green knight...he's the bad guy!!
You eat the entire meal with you hands!! We had baby dragon (half a chicken), ribs, baked potato, soup and garlic bread and a warm pastry for dessert. While you are eating, the knights compete in various activities such as jousting and they battle each other...sparks were flying as their weapons clanged together.
Even though I was reluctant about this during the planning stages of our trip, I'm so glad we went. All 8 of us had a fabulous time!

Day 6: Legoland
This was a must on the boys' to do list while in Southern Cali...they are lego maniacs and this was the pace for them. The stuff we saw built out of lego was mind boggling!!
Of course we had to do some shopping in the souvenir store here!!

We ate the most delicious treats here. They are called Granny Apple Fries...granny smith apples, cut into french fry like strips, deep fried and rolled in cinnamon sugar. To make them even better, they serve them with real whipped cream. OMG...worth every calorie!!!



driving home, I managed to capture the California sunset





When we got back, my Mom came over to our hotel and stayed with the kids so we could have a night off.
We knew exactly what we wanted to do with it...we went out to the Bubba Gump Shrimp Co. for dinner. This restaurant is filled with Forrest Gump memorabilia and the food is amazing! If you ever get the chance to eat at one...go for it!! We bought the glasses our drinks came in and Bri got a t-shirt that says "stupid is as stupid does"...it was fabulous to have a night out...just us while we were there. Thanks Mom...love ya!!

Day 7: Magic Morning at Disneyland

So with our park hopper pass, we were entitled to an early entry...one hour before the gates open up to the rest of the public. Today, that meant we could get in at 8...so after a 6:30am start, we arrived at the main gates to find this:


Once in, people were running straight to the Finding Nemo sub ride. It's a new attraction and does not have a fast pass. During the day, this line up can be 2+ hours long...can you imagine standing in line that long for a ride? Guess that's why people were going there on the magic morning. two of our boys really wanted to go on it so e followed the crowd and by the time we got there, the worker said the wait was already an hour! Are you kidding me? Brian did not want to wait that long but since the boys really wanted to go, we thought n hour was better than 2+! Turns out it only took us 30 minutes to be sitting onthe sub. It was hard to get pics in the dark and no flash photography is allowed. The boys that wanted to go on this ride really liked it but the other 2 and Brian did not. They were very happy that it did not take us any longer to get on it that it did!!
We met Buzz Lightyear today ad went on his Astro Blasters ride...that's good family fun!!

We left Disneyland and headed off to the Downtown Disney District to check things out.
Shopped a bit at the World of Disney Store...check out the inside:


Stopped in at the Lego store

and then headed for lunch at the Rain Forrest cafe. This place is amazing. The animals come to life every 15 minutes and every half hour there is a rainstorm with thunder and lightning (Gavin did not like that part).

check out these bar stools


We rode the monorail back to Disneyland and went on the Jungle Cruise in the daylight. There is much more to see but I'm still glad we went in the dark too.
Carsyn lost a tooth today...he's hoping TinkerBell will come take it!!
We went back to the hotel for afternoon naps an when Mom came to meet us, she was alone. Bud wasn't feeling well so she was going to stay with him. Carsyn and Gavin were pretty tired and asked if they could stay with Grandma instead of returning to Disneyland with the rest of us.
We made it back in time to catch the Disney Parade of Dreams

Without the youngest 2 we were able to move a bit quicker through the park. Briand Zack went on Big Thunder Mountain railroad and then we all walked right on the Pirates and the Haunted Mansion...again! The 3 guys went on Indiana Jones and I waited an hour for them to do that. It was nice just to sit and take it all in...saw the fireworks again and just relished the moment that we were really here.
Grabbed some subs on the way back to the room where we found Grandma and the boys snoozin'!!