Day 3

SN and I started our day early and headed out straight to Disneyland. We arrived a little after 9am and deliberated if we should have come earlier instead. The park ticket we hold allowed us to enter an hour earlier before the park actually opens to the public and we were kinda regretting for not doing so. We decided to go get fastpasses for some of the rides but noticed that the lines weren't too long yet so we went ahead and stood in line. We rode on the Indiana Jones Adventure first, Pirates of the Caribbean next, and Big Thunder Mountain Railroad last. Boy...I can keep going on those rides over and over again if I had the time!

Next we ventured into Fantasyland and went to stand in line for the Peter Pan's Flight. It was quite a wait! Our turn finally comes "and off we go"! The ride takes you on a magical journey through the moonlit skies above London and on to Neverland. The pirate galleon looking seat that you're on is suspended from a track above, which really does give the sensation of flying through the scenes that are below.

After that, we walk across to the otherside for Pinocchio's Daring Journey. This was a cute but dark ride which follows the adventures of Pinocchio had in the movie and that brought back many fond memories. It was fun to ride them both. YES they are kiddie rides, but when you are in Disneyland you are no longer an adult when you pass through the gate!

We then proceeded towards the Matterhorn Bobsled ride. SN was contemplating if she should go on it and I definitely didn't want to ride it on my own for the very first time. So after much persuasion from me, SN said she will ride it with me. Yay! There was a long line; in fact there was two lines - one on the Tomorrowland side and one on the Fantasyland side (where we were). We boarded onto a bobsled and we speed up, down, and through Matterhorn Mountain. This one bumps you around a little bit. Overall it was a wild, fun, fast and exciting! It became my favorite ride and I tell y'all the Matterhorn Bobsled is a must ride!! Once the ride ended, we got to see Mickey Mouse climb the Matterhorn Mountain. Goofy and Minnie Mouse were there as well!

It was now about 12:55pm and I am feeling hungry and hot. SN called around to find out where everyone was and what they were doing. We decided to meet up, head out to Ikea and grab lunch along the way. We don't have one yet in Honolulu, but I've been to the one back home in Malaysia. We snacked on hot-dogs & ice-cream at the exit bistro before the shopping galore began. Holy cow...this place is huge! Two levels, each the size of a football field. They had some pretty cool stuff; in a variety of styles, fabrics and colors. The prices are good. Really "reasonable & cheap" good. I managed to buy some "stuff" that would fit into my luggage to bring back home to Honolulu! After spending a good two hours there, we headed back to hotel and bought some take-out chinese food to chow on.

After some much needed rest and sustenance, we set out to Disneyland again at about 6pm. SN and I decided to check out "World of Disney" at Downtown Disney - a shopping, dining and entertainment complex to buy some last-minute Disney themed merchandise as souvenirs. 45 minuters later, we met up with the rest of the group at the California Adventure Park and went to the "Soarin' Over California" ride. We didn't stay too long in there and settled on going inside Disneyland. We were set on going onto the monorail once entering the park and instead of walking there, SH said we should take the train or better known as the steam-powered locamotive towards Tomorrowland. As we waited for it, the fireworks show started and we were able to see a little of the beginning again before we boarded the train. We ended the night by watching Fantasmic! It's a mesmerizing mixture of lasers, flames, lights, water and special effects show as well as some scenes from many of your Disney favorites. The whole extravaganza ends with the Mark Twain acting as ferry boat for Steamboat Willie and a crew of tons of disney characters. A definite must see!