Carsland and a 4 year old daredevil

Last weekend we took the best little family vacation thus far.

We've been lucky enough to visit Disneyland several times before, but this time took the cake.

This time, there was CARSland.

Radiator Springs had come to life.

We found a good deal on a hotel room and decided to make a two day trip on Sunday & Monday.

Carsland had opened up to the public two days before....I had hear horrible crowd stories about the day before and we really questioned even going at all....

BUT. I'm so glad we did.  I don't know how, but we didn't even feel the crowds.

Yes, there were crazy wait times for some of the new rides, and by crazy, I mean INSANE.

Who is waiting 5 HOURS to ride some racing car ride (albeit, some AMAZINGLY cool ride), but not this gal.

Radiator racers posted wait times of 350 minutes while Luigi's Tires held this all weekend long.

We stuck to a 30 minute wait at Mater's Jamboree (very fun) and just enjoyed exploring a very REAL looking Radiator Springs.

My little car lover was in total heaven.

He would yell, "wook, it's Fwo's cafe!!!"

So exciting.

It would be like me meeting Adele and getting to have lunch with her.

  

We stood in line to get a quick picture with Red (who's eyes moved and shot water out of it's hose)

We did not wait in line to get pictures with Mater like that other little boy's mom did.

Time is money at Disney.

Nope, settled for a quick walk by pic and called it good.

   

Although we spent a good amount of time in Carsland, we did A LOT of other great rides while we were there.  Both Andy and I think we could finally put together a guide for Disneyland now....we finally figured out most of the hidden tricks to avoid the wait.

Here is a glimpse of what we were able to do in two days at Disney (on a weekend in June, nonetheless)

Carsland walkthrough

Mater's Jamboree

Character greet w/Red

Bugsland It's Tough to be a Bug show

Francis Ladybug Boogie

Flik's Flyers

Aladdin Musical

california Scream' (Andy and I rode this 3 times separately)

Aladdin Musical

Little Mermaid twice

Jumpin Jellyfish

Golden Zephyr

King Arthur's Carousel

Mickey's Fun Wheel

Goofy's Flying School coaster (Addison rode this 7 times, no lie)

World of Color show

Pixar Parade

Silly Symphony Swings

Star Tours ride

Buzz Lightyear

Sleeping Beauty castle walk through

Pirates of the Carribean

Thunder Mountain Railroad (Addison rode 3 times)

Space Mountain (4) and yes, Addison rode it!

Dumbo

Circus Train

Splash Mountain (daring 4 year old did it again!)

Astro Orbiter

and more....

obnoxious list, but that's why it was so great....we were able to do SOOO much!

And....we never waited longer than 30 minutes.....many times we walked STRAIGHT TO THE FRONT of the line!

How?

Fastpasses, of course, but

We finally learned about the RIDER EXCHANGE PASS.

It totally changed how we do Disney now.

Other improvements since our last visit:

Our kids were troopers....

going from 9am until 10pm two days in a row

Addison is a daredevil.

She rode more rollercoasters than I did and screamed "faster!" on Space Mountain!

Graham was happy as a clam to stand 30 minutes in line to ride "Casey's Circus Train".

He was being a typical two year old, hanging on the rail for the umpteenth time, and I heard myself say, "Graham, you do that again...we're getting out of line!!"....but what I really meant to say was ...

PLEASE. Do that again.  So we can get out of this crazy line to ride a dinky little train that crams parents in cage of circus train.  Unfortunately, he listened to exactly what I told him.

Carsland really came alive at night....my favorite part!

Finally checking into the hotel at 11pm on the first night....enjoying their promised chocolate chip cookie!