Cars Land 2013

Last time we came here in Disneyland, the Cars Land was still under construction and Kenzo was left home because he got sick a day before the flight. This time was perfect for Kenzo as he is a bit bigger and his favourite, Disney Cars, is now open.

* Banners that made Kenzo stop and stare ;)

We decided to do Disney only for this vacation and secure ourselves with a 4 Day One Park Per Day Ticket which turned out cheaper than the 3 Day Park Hopper. We got them through West Jet wherein we got a package together with the flight and hotel. We divided our 5 days stay to 1 day solely for spending time with our friends, 2 days for Disneyland and 2 days for California Adventure.

Travelling with kids means there will always be things that will happen that is out of the plan. Such as the case on this trip. Kenzo was not himself when we went to Cars Land and we knew that something was amiss. We decided to get a hotel doctor to see him which cost more than his whole trip's total :(. It was effective though and he was okay by next day and the culprit was his ear got congested during the plane's take off and his cold aggravated the situation which resulted to a fever as well. We are still keeping our fingers crossed that one of our travel insurance will cover a part or if we are lucky, the whole cost of it.

Kenzo was not himself the first day of our California Adventure but he still managed to go closer for a peek at some his favourite cars...

* Little Fan getting starstruck

* This is a replica of a scene background in Cars Movie :)

* Must take a picture here... Poor Kenzo looks ready to sleep

... the medicine finally got to him and he slept while we explored more of the Cars Land and more with Kimi...

* Getting Goofy with the Cones...

As for the last day, Kenzo was himself again and we were back to running after him as we went back to California Adventure for our second to the last day in L.A.

Since our little guy is in tiptop shape (almost), we decided to go for the rides and took our time to fall in line and get our pictures taken with the Cars...

We did the magic morning this time and go for the Tow Mater Ride... Mater's Junkyard Jamboree. It spins like the tea cup ride but way cooler with your own Tow Mater. Kenzo was so happy and screaming gleefully throughout the ride, so did Kimi. It was well worth the wait...

* Mater's Junkyard Jamboree

* Kimi and me as partners for the Tow Ride

We used up the time taking pictures all the way to the front of the line...

* Kimi and Kenzo

* Kenzo with Kimi

After the ride, it was Tow Mater doing pictorial near the Cozy Cone Motel...

* More pictures while in line

* Tow Mater :)

* Kimi was Here...

* ... so was Kenzo :-)

... there was a commotion and sirens which meant that RED was nearby!

* Here we go again...

* A picture near RED which I saw from Cars Movie

* and more pictures

One of the popular ride was the Luigi's Flying Tire which was really looooooong... We got there early so we started lining up

* A picture outside

* Cars Memorabilia inside the Luigi's Flying Tire 

which also serves as a line up guide

There was a mock up Flying Tire for pictorial purposes near the line going into the real ride...

* Family Cheese!

* Kimi and Hubby :)

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CALIFORNIA ADVENTURE

Anaheim, California

June 2013

My Memory of Disney 80's

My first trip to Disney World (Florida) was back in 1985. 

I was 5 then, and we were a family of 4 (we are a family of 5 now). 

That was our first trip as a family, and it was never repeated until last March, 2011 

when I came home to Manila and went to Singapore. 

That was my birthday wish which hubby readily gave me. 

He actually took his vacation leave 

and stayed home just to let me go home for our family getaway. 

Thank you again hubby! 

Back to the topic on hand,

my memory of that first Disney trip was very vague. 

I don't know if that memory were truly memories

or was it something I've watched from the video 

(...that video recorder used to be called betamax then)

my dad recorded during that trip.

Whatever it was, two things I remember from that trip

The Dumbo Ride and the attraction called, It's a Small World.

I was eager to let Kimi try both rides 

just so she can have that same experience that I had as a girl.

She enjoyed both rides immensely.

* DUMBO THE FLYING ELEPHANT *

* Dumbo shaped shrub

* Ready to fly

* Mommy and Kimi

* IT's A SMALL WORLD *

I was choosing over watching the night show Fantasmic 

in the evening on Sunday straight from San Diego 

or going on Monday in time for the opening of It's a Small World

which was the first day 

because it was under construction for the first two days we came to Disney... 

So, the third day was spend on a Monday am so that we can do the It's a Small World.

* It's a Small World from outside

* Sign of the Small World

* Geometric Landscapes

* Daddy and Kimi awaiting outside

 * Ride is about to begin

I videod the whole experience

1 * 2

* 1/2 video

* 2/2 video

* Nice Tree shapes

* * * * *

IT's A SMALL WORLD

Fantasyland, Disneyland Park

Anaheim, California

U.S.A.

Sea World's Shamu

Weekend at San Diego was a weekend I was looking forward. 

It was a mini slumber party with my college friends with hubby and kids. 

We had to go straight to Sea World though in time for our reservation for a private show via Dine in with Shamu.

* Souvenir Shop: Whales for sale

* Kimi gets a hug from papa

* Kiddos wait for their turn at the rides

* Group pic with Shamu

* Little Travelers try to figure out the map

* Huge Aquarium, Little Kids

* Killer whales inside the aquarium

Our reservation for the private show was 1:30pm. Dine in with Shamu was a really once in a lifetime experience wherein you eat at the ringside of the stage wherein Shamu actually performs while you enjoy the food and a big change of getting a shot of Shamu at the ledge beside your seat. 

There were some seats though that is not on the ring side and is like a second row. You can't choose the seats for it is pre-arranged as soon as you bought the tickets online so we had our fingers crossed and got the best seat, if I say so myself, in the house. 

* Really close with Shamu

* More shots... 

* * * * *

DINE IN WITH SHAMU

SEA WORLD

San Diego, California

U.S.A.

Downtown L.A.

I celebrated the first part of the day of hubby's birthday with my other Honey, Honey. :)

 Hubby agreed to stay home to bond with Kimi and get some much needed rest for the weekend's activity.

Honey took off a day's work and took the public transportation with me to experience Downtown L.A.

* Grauman's Chinese Theatre

We tried to get a shot of the Hollywood as the background but it was too small and focuses either on us or the sign. We decided to focus on us he he!

* Mel and Honey.... and the miniscule Holywood sign

Our itinerary was to walk and see Kodak Theatre...

* Kodak Theatre

Honey's crush in college. They also share the same birthday

I didn't expect to see Snow White here...

....and the finale, fresh from the shooting of Breaking Dawn

* Wax of Robert Pattison

It was time for lunch and decided on Rolling Stone

* Spicy steamed Clams and Mussels

* Creamy Orochiette

* Cowboy Bone in Ribeye

* My Date, Honey :)

It was a great afternoon of catching up and bonding under the afternoon sun. It was like being transformed back to the time when we were college students waiting for our cars to pick us up and we just talk about anything under the sun. 

Thanks Honey for the wonderful lunch 

and taking time for a great afternoon bonding.

* * * * *

DOWNTOWN LOS ANGELES

California, U.S.A.

Universal Studio's Character

Before going to Universal Studio, I didn't realize that they have a lot of mascots under their studio.

I was pleasantly surprised to find a lot of familiar characters when we went there with Kimi. Even Kimi got excited over the characters that she found in the studio.

* Shrek

She knows Shrek from the movie she recently watched that was a Halloween Specials. Good timing Mommy.

* Spongbob

She recognized this character from the cartoon channels but I don't let her watch this cartoon.

* Curious George

This one she actually watches at home.

* The Simpsons

She is not familiar with this family but she was more than happy to take a shot with them especially since Maggie Simpson sort of gone maternal with her.

* Mommy Maggie with Kimi

* Dora

This is a no brainer. Kimi adores Dora...Si? SI!

She was a bit disappointed that Diego was not around.

* Hmm... Woody woodpecker?

I don't know who they are but if it's Woody Woodpecker why are there two of them?

Same with this guys. Just so cute decided to take a picture with them too.

* * * * *

UNIVERSAL STUDIO

Los Angeles, California

U.S.A.