The Hardys: Disneyland Day 2

Our second day at Disneyland was Ashley's 8th birthday. We had a few presents for her to open at our hotel in the morning. Then we headed to the gate with our Magic Morning passes to get into the park one hour before regular park hours. We got to see Mickey, Goofy, Donald, Chip n' Dale and Pluto all on Main Street where we got their autographs and photos with each of them. Then we headed to FantasyLand and rode on Dumbo the Flying Elephant, Alice in Wonderland, King Arthur Carousel, Mr. Toad's Wild Ride, Snow White's Scary Adventure and the Mad Tea Party twice. We then went to see the Princesses at Disney Princess Fantasy Faire where the girls got more autographs and photos. Last but not least we went to Mickey's Toon Town and rode on Roger Rabbit's Car Toon Spin then checked out Chip n' Dale's tree house, Goofy's Playhouse and Donald's Boat. We decided to ride the Disneyland Railroad back to the front of the park so we could cross over to California Adventure. While we were in line for the train we met another little princess who was celebrating her birthday, turning 4. The birthday girls were so cute we asked if we could take their pictures together.

Once we got into California Adventure we picked up a FastPass for Soarin' Over California then walked to Paradise Pier where we went to lunch at Ariel's Grotto for Ashley's character lunch with the princesses. We had a wonderful lunch and got more autographs and photos with the princesses. Followed by a little jewelry box birthday cake and we all sang Ashley happy birthday.

After lunch we went on Soarin' Over California which was like actually flying with feet dangling over different parts of California - very cool. The kids had been bugging to use the pool at the hotel so we took a break and went swimming while it was still warm and sunny. One very nice thing about staying in a hotel only one block from the entrance. Afterwards we went back to California Adventure and explored A Bug's Land, where we felt like we were as little as bugs. By the time we were almost done with Bug's Land it was starting to get dark and everything really started to look cool. We wandered over to Hollywood Pictures and went on the Tower of Terror. It was like riding in an haunted elevator that drops from the top to the bottom of the tower then back up and down again. Not sure if I would do that one again. After our tummy tickling ride we picked up our World of Color picnic and found a table to eat at. We had a little time left so we rode the Jumpin Jellyfish and the Golden Zephyr. Then we found a place as close to the front of deck as we could to watch the World of Color water and light show. It was a really cool show but a little to crowded and was hard for the kids to see. It was a great day and a wonderful birthday for Ashley.

All the Disney employees throughout the day told Ashley happy birthday and we ended up calling her Princess Hollywood since she picked out big Hollywood style sunglasses. One employee asked her what princess she was since she wasn't wearing a traditional Disney princess costume. We told her that she was an original Princess Hollywood. She said she would keep an eye out for her movie in the future.