Doing an unexpectedly big hike the day before tackling Disneyland with a 3-day park hopper pass might not be the best strategy. Nevertheless, we were up and ready early Monday morning.
We drove our car and did the $25 all-day valet parking at Tony Romas right by the park entrance. It was very convenient, and all the other parking is the same amount, so if you can’t take a free shuttle, I think that’s a pretty good way to do it.
Day 1: Disneyland
We got into the park and went right to Adventureland for a quick Jungle Cruise, Indiana Jones ride, and then walked right onto Pirates of the Caribbean, and then a quick tour of the Haunted Mansion. By then the crowds had arrived and the wait times started to grow. So we stopped by the Mint Julep bar and got some Mickey-shaped Beignets.
If there was a theme for our Disneyland visit this year, it would be beignets. This was the first of many, many stops to procure these treats.
The other possible theme was MaxPasses. This upgrade was recommended by a few friends who had recently visited Disneyland. We became quick converts. We used the Disneyland app on our phones to purchase the ($15/person!) upgrade, but then we were able to book Fastpasses right from our phones. In addition to the FastPasses, it also allowed us to get pictures from all of the park photographers and the ones from the rides too.
Day 2: California Adventures
Tuesday the park opened a little later and closed a bit earlier, but we still put in a full day of fun.
We started off early doing the Incredi-Coaster, but that may not have been the best strategy, because it seemed to rattle Manina a little bit more than the rest of us. It didn’t stop the kids though. We rode a bunch of rides all morning long, and then finally got to sit down to watch the Frozen play, which was a nice diversion and place to rest our weary legs.
Nobody could beat me at the Toy Story Midway Mania game, no matter how they tried to arrange the seating to their advantage. It reminded me a lot of Jake trying in vain to beat me at the same game during our last trip.
That evening, we headed back into Disneyland. Drew got upset and ran away for a brief time, which caused some unnecessary commotion, but we got everyone together again. We enjoyed even more beignets and then capped the night off with a final Pirates of the Caribbean ride, where Megan got in trouble for trying to stand up in her boat. Rabble-rouser.
Day 3: The rain arrives
We were all pretty wiped out by Wednesday, but headed back into the park to hit the highlight rides again and to cross other things off our individual to-do lists. Claire got to try her “Grey Stuff” from the Red Rose Cafe, Katelyn got her popcorn, and I’m pretty sure we also ate more beignets.
We didn’t do the MaxPasses on Wednesday, and that worked out OK. We were all more than a little tired, and the rains kept the crowds away. Thankfully, we had found some ponchos and were able to brave the storm.
We were selective on our rides, and were absolutely tuckered out by about dinnertime. We put in about 10 miles of walking each day in the park, so no wonder we were all exhausted. We left around 6pm and eventually found a Chick-Fil-A to fill our bellies and reminisce on a great Disneyland visit.
But, we weren’t heading home yet. Next stop was San Diego.
MightyJohnsons 
Elder G’Pa Mike loves watching the fun this little family has. Maybe we’ll go with you for better parking next time. All of my, “just take those kids up to the front of the line”, days are done, I’m afraid. We’ll just go ‘cause we like being with you. How about that?
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