adventures in disneyland. | THE KLACKNERS

3.26.2014

adventures in disneyland.

while i was out in california visiting my brother and sister-in-law, i was surprised with a day at disneyland! i had never been and had not been to disneyworld since i was four years old, so it had been quite a while since i had experienced the disney magic in person when i could actually appreciate it. ;) walking into disneyland was so magical. i know, it sounds crazy, but it's true! it's like stepping into a distant, happy land. there were so many colors, and glorious disney music was playing as we walked up to the gates. i may or may not have had to fight back tears of excitement.





sometimes the brother and his wife accidentally wear matching shorts and i make major fun of them.

as we walked in, all i could think about was Saving Mr. Banks when walt disney takes p.l. travers to disneyland for the first time. it was such a happy moment! we picked the perfect day to go, too. it was the first friday of march, so no spring breakers yet!  there were either no lines or just a short wait. i think the longest we waited was for 30 minutes on a couple of rides. because we were able to get through the lines so quickly, we had time to enjoy disneyland AND california adventure!


so let's talk about a few of my favorite rides! i'm really not a huge roller coaster person, not because i don't like them, they just give me a very unfortunate headache and i feel dizzy for days. the good news is, disney is for little kids and big kids too, so their rides aren't that crazy. just crazy fun ;)  i took some advil about halfway through the day to keep the headache at bay and i was fine!

the indiana jones ride was one of my faves in disneyland! it's so stressful and exciting all at the same time. i only screamed a couple times. whew.

i loved the buzz lightyear and toy story rides...mostly because they are like arcade games. you just sit in your seat and shoot at things! haha! plus, you get to wear super stylin' 3D glasses.



california adventure was so much fun! it's designed like how california would have looked when walt disney arrived. i loved the architecture and the whole feel of the place.





we stopped in california adventure and had a delicious lunch before heading off to catch some more rides! if you ever go to disneyland, you have to experience california screamin' if only for the very beginning. you know how most rollercoasters go very slowly at the start as you go up the steep incline? uh no. california screamin' shoots you out like a bullet from the get go. it was HILARIOUS watching people's faces go from happy as they sat there waiting to terrified when they are shot down the tracks.


i think it's safe to say that one of my top 3 favorite rides was soarin' over california. it's a simulator with an imax screen. you buckle up in your seat and are taken about 70 above the ground. the simulator takes you through different california landscapes and each one comes with an associated scent. like oranges for an orange grove or salt water for an ocean scene.  you feel like you're hand gliding over california and it was amazing. i almost cried it was so beautiful. i could've gone a couple more times at least!! it was our last ride of the day and the perfect end to a day at disney.

the best friend loves disney just as much as i do, and i told her that we are going to go together someday. i'd also really love to go back to disneyworld now that i'm old enough to remember and appreciate it! the new and improved harry potter world will be open this summer!! road trip, anyone? :)

so have you had a disney experience? what were your favorite parts??

Robyn Black said...

how fun!!! and even better that there was hardly any wait times!!! :) i've never been to disneyland before, but for sure wanna go sometime!!


one of those pictures from California Adventure hit me with a flashback from a Full House episode! i can't pinpoint it but it just reminds me so much of one of the shows!


and i am definitely saving up money to go to harry potter world!!!!! my sister went the summer it first opened and i've been jealous ever since! but i am gonna make it there one day!

Amy said...

oh my gosh! looks like so much fun!
if i'm ever around california i want to hit up disneyland. i've been to disneyworld...three times? i last went as a 14 year old. and girl universal studios = love. i think me + you + beth need to plan a trip to harrypotter world. :) :)

agodfashionedlife said...

I worked at Disney and love all of it! So glad you had a fantastic first visit!


http://agodfashionedlife.com

Amy Dawn Bishop said...

Oh my gosh- the matching shorts! Love it! :)
This makes me really want to go to Disneyland! Bucket List!
Glad you had such a good time!
http://www.lovelydoesit.com

Annie Mac said...

Those shorts were no accident :)

Christina Main said...

I mean, that place is LITERALLY the best. <3

Elizabeth Mayberry said...

wonderful!!

Elizabeth Mayberry said...

and yes! we will go together!!! AHH

Caitlin | The Siren's Tale said...

Yay for happy days at Disney! I've never been to Disney in CA, but went to Disney in FL frequently as a kid. The Toy Story ride is so. much. fun. I love shooting at all the little targets and flipping the seat around whichever way you want! Such a fun place.

Amanda Jaynes said...

So fun! We were just there yesterday. Indiana Jones always has been and always will be my favorite!

Megan McIlvaine said...

ah! so fun! the part where the huge rolling boulder comes and then you drop real fast scared me! haha :) but i loved it.

Megan McIlvaine said...

haha yes! the toy story ride is the greatest! i'm not going to lie...my arm was a little sore after that one. haha!

Megan McIlvaine said...

i am so excited!!!!

Megan McIlvaine said...

for reals. next time i head to disneyland, you and your hubs should come!! how much fun would that be??

Megan McIlvaine said...

haha! y'all are so patriotic.

Megan McIlvaine said...

you must go!! at least once :) it was seriously so much fun!

Megan McIlvaine said...

say what! what did you do at disney??

Megan McIlvaine said...

yessssssssss. you must!!
i'm seriously hoping to go to harry potter world this summer once the renovation is done! it would be amazing if we all went. haha!

Megan McIlvaine said...

oh girl, you have got to get yourself to disney at least once!
hahaha. that is amazing. full house!

Megan McIlvaine said...

ahhhh california screamin'! haha that is so great!
and yes, i loved the vibe of disneyland. i love how small it actually is compare to disneyworld, but they have SO much stuff crammed in there.
you won't regret soarin' over california. give it a try if you're there in november! :)

agodfashionedlife said...

I worked in the Emporium at the Magic Kingdom!

Karissa Eclarinal said...

love this post and all the pictures! i haven't been to disney since california adventure first opened up...so about 13 years ago when I was 11! of course, pirates of the carribean and haunted mansion will always be a favorite.


my sister actually works at disney & i'm sure it would be so much more enjoyable with her as my tour guide! :) glad you enjoyed yourself!

Megan McIlvaine said...

oh my gosh...i bet it would be so fun to work there! you should definitely go again!!

Megan McIlvaine said...

dreams do come true! we're actually planning a disney trip together! ;)

Elizabeth Mayberry said...

YESSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS


Oak + Oats

sincerely_myngan said...

Oh wow, sounds like you had a fantastic day at Disney and California Adventures.


I have been to all three attractions and I must say that Disneyland is hands down my favorite. It's a totally different vibe from Disney World but with all the same pizazz as Disneyland. I totally agree with you about having to experience California Screamin' at least once. I went their with my best friend (Spring Break '10) and she suggested that to be our first ride. You described my facial expression to a T because I went from being blissfully happy to terrified in seconds. I do need to hop on Soarin' over California next time I go. Hopefully we'll go in November.

Karissa Eclarinal said...

Yes she loves going to work everyday!! So jealous. I'm going to try and visit out there sometime this year! Can't wait!