Just Got Happier!

editor's note: During this past summer, Disney California Adventure Park reopened to the masses with an entirely new theme and fantastic showplaces in the new Buena Vista Street entrance and an entirely new Land based on the Disney*Pixar hit, 'Cars'. At the time, the Days staff was on a self-induced vacation, and didn't attend the Grand reOpening on June 15th, or so we thought. Amy snuck this little ditty by us and I discovered it just the other day while getting some ideas of my own in order. While it is a few months old at this month, it still seems completely apropos for many reasons. Truth be told, the magic and feeling in this article is something I STILL feel each and every time I walk into the new envisionment of my Park. Since its opening, when I've spent time at The Parks, most of it HAS in fact been at the new Disney California Adventure Park. Amy did an absolutely fantastic job of capturing the feel of being there for the very first time and how it made her feel, which is something that's as strong in ME now as it was the first time I went and stood in the middle of Route 66 in Cars Land in complete and total awe. Hopefully, it's a feeling I'll never lose, and I'd be willing to bet many of you feel the same way yourselves still. In spite of the crowds, if you ever get to enjoy one of these opening Days for yourself, we hope this article will convince you to do so. So without further ado... Enjoy!

The Disneyland Resort has been buzzing with summer excitement as Disney California Adventure Park relaunched itself with a new image with the addition of Cars Land and Buena Vista Street, and Disneyland Park reopened the Matterhorn Bobsleds with all new sleds for the first time in decades and all new expanded seating at one of Disneyland's most popular restaurants, Carnation Cafe.

June 15th was the big day, and as much as I said I wasn't going to go anywhere near The Resort that day, I just couldn't stay away. That Friday night I met my dad for dinner at the Fullerton Best Buy Truck Squad (best food trucks on the planet, I kid you not), and decided that I was just going to "swing by" to see what things looked like. I knew full well that it was going to be a chaotic mess, but I couldn't not go! So off I went...

...and it was awesome!

From the moment I walked through the turnstiles, I couldn't stop smiling. There was a huge, permanent grin across my face the entire time. As I made my way down Buena Vista Street, just taking everything in, I couldn't help but think about how beautiful every little detail was. I was there alone, so I didn't have anyone to process things with, and in an effort to "live in the moment" and enjoy my first time there, I didn't bring a camera (maybe for the first time in history!). I didn't even use my cell phone except to snap one photo of a friend that I saw performing on Buena Vista Street. The only thing I could do was wander and smile!

I eventually made my way from Buena Vista Street towards Route 66 and my timing could not have been more perfect. As I anticipated, the street was packed with a wall of people but I made my way through the masses and looked at everything as I made my way to the middle of Cars Land. It was in that magical moment (do we expect nothing less?) that 'Sha-boom' started playing throughout the street, and slowly, one by one, the neon signs turned on from one end of Route 66 to the other, just like in the movie! It was absolutely perfect; the glow of the neon warmed my heart that night. Have I mentioned yet that I could not stop smiling?

I've been in Disney California Adventure Park many times since then (and with cameras this time!), and it's just as magical now as it was then, but I'd be lying if I said there wasn't a little something extra about that first time; I think my Days in the Park cohorts would agree with me there (even though they were pansies and stayed away on Day 1). If you haven't had a chance to experience it for yourself, what are you waiting for? A whole new world is calling; the all-new Disney California Adventure Park is ready for you. Just be prepared to work those cheek muscles the entire time you're there!

"Almost" Wordless Wedensday - Thanksgiving Edition!

Well, it's that time of the week again! Time to bust out with some randomness and throw out a few of our favorite slices of the Disneyland Resort over the past week. As always, we like to present our pictures on the fly, which means we don't carry around a big DSLR or anything like that, we just point and click with our cells. This batch came out extremely well, we think, because Chad was rocking his new iPhone 4S! You be the judge, though!

By now you're probably either staring at the clock ready to be off of work, or on your way traveling somewhere, but we wanted to say a "Happy Thanksgiving" to all of you out there. We're truly thankful for those of you who have followed us over the last couple of years, and we look forward to many more with you. Now, go eat!

Flo's is pretty darn cool in the best of times, but add in some Christmas decor... Epic!!!

Up close and personal with a tow truck

"I can't talk now! I'm racin'!!!"

Ripping it up at the Mad T Party

Alice belting out "Just A Girl" at the Mad T Party

Jack Skellington hanging out and interacting with Guests above New Orleans Square

Lightning takes a leisurely Sunday drive through Radiator Springs

"Let me out!"

One of the REALLY good reasons we live in Southern California...

Now THAT'S a Christmas decoration!

"Almost Wordless Wednesday" - Days in the Park Style!

It's been far too long, so without further ado, let the randomness commence!

I tell 'em not to cause any trouble, and this is what I get for my efforts!

We all go a little mad sometimes...

"I can fix it!"

Through the looking glass I spy...

They get our attractions, and we get their restaurants. Score!

Sarge's gets all patriotic for Veteran's Day!

Come on down to Flo's! I recommend the turkey dinner with a side of corn and mashed taters! Nom Nom!!

Just in case you ever wondered what garland made of air filters, wreaths made of tires, and snowflakes made out of wrenches would look like

Tonight we're gonna party like it's 12:40am!

Ah, another sleeping photo... and yes, Amy sleeps with both eyes open and her tongue hanging out of her mouth

Dude, where's my car?!?

This is what happens when you drink one too many egg nogs...

My man card might be gone, but I'm the one with the cute Lady Pillow Pet. Neener!

Cars Land is Almost Here...

...and we have the commercial to prove it!


As a couple of Disneyland fiends who could not be more excited to see Cars Land finally land at Disney California Adventure Park, this did nothing to calm us down.

It's only 36 days away!  Where will you be when it hits?!