Disneyland (Sept 11-14, 2021)

/ Nicole Wangler

Disneyland has been a favorite to just about any and everyone who visits the park. For those who are reoccurring visitors, it brings a sense of nostalgia. Earlier that year, I proposed the idea of doing a redux Disney trip because the last time we went in 2019 (it was for dad’s 70th birthday) I developed a nasty yeast infection a day or two before the trip. So it was a miserable and uncomfortable flight and trip in general. So this trip is definitely a redux trip for me, as well as seeing the new lands that was developed in between 2019 and 2021.

Day 1: departure

The day we depart for our trip makes me question my mom’s authority to book the trip. Why? She booked us to fly out on the 20th anniversary of 9/11. What the heck is she thinking?? But at the airport, it was very mellow and I thanked the TSA agents for their service in protecting our country. I originally thought I would fly out of PDX and meet them at John Wayne Airport in Orange County. But while I was having breakfast and enjoying a mimosa for the first time since I turned 21, I recognized my parents at the airport walking north from the terminal, so I yelled at them and they joined me for breakfast. Quite the surprise!

When we arrived to our hotel, we got some time to kill before checking in, so we walked over to Denny’s to have lunch and it was interesting. Around that time of year, college football season is going and my own mother was driving me bonkers with getting updates on the Oregon Duck game that day, AND SHE WAS TRYING TO WATCH THE GAME AT A RESTARAUNT IN JOHN WAYNE!! Like seriously, I can’t take this woman anywhere. But we celebrated the ducks win with some lunch and Modelo beer.

After getting settled into our own separate rooms (room for me, room for de padres), I took a little nap before meeting up with them at Downtown Disney for dinner. I don’t go to Downtown Disney often when I visit and I don’t recall the last time I went there, probably when I was little. Aside from dinner, we didn’t do much in Downtown Disney. As we resorted to our room and while I was editing the day’s vlog, I heard this big BOOM outside the room. It was fireworks! So I ran next door to my parents and we watched the fireworks from our balcony walkway.

Day one

    *TRAVELER TIP* When visiting Disneyland (or any theme park) make sure you have a day backpack that includes a fully charged charging block, sunblock, extra cash, and vaseline for the beautiful girls that don’t have a thigh gap. It’s better to be safe and prepared than to be sorry and unprepared

    Day 2: California Adventure and Star Wars Land

    The next morning after breakfast, we went over to California Adventure and rode our favorite rides like Soarin, Grizzly River Run, and the Cars ride. While in the Grizzly Peak area of the park, it gave me massive nostalgia. When I was about 7-9, me and my parents stayed at the Grand Californian Resort and that’s where I first braved the the waterslide. So there’s a reason to be nostalgic. As for the Grizzly River Run, I got soaked, as so was my butt. While in that area, I checked out Kenai’s Cave, which I discovered in a TikTok video not long before the trip, in the Redwood Creek Trail to see what my “totem” was. It was a bear and it means love and bravery. I wonder if that can parallel to what was going on in my life?

    As we’re walking towards Disneyland for our ride queue, we passed by Avengers Campus and boy did I have my fan girl moment! Especially when the Wakandan soldiers came out. My parents being my parents have no idea who they are but they thought it was cool.

    When I got to Star Wars Land, I was already split up from my parents, which I was totally fine with it, and had some lunch. I tried out their Rontu Wrap, it’s basically a hot dog with coleslaw in a pita wrap. It’s ok, I’m not a huge fan of hot dogs, but this one has a bite to it. The real reason to go to Star Wards Land is for the Rise of the Resistance ride. This ride is probably one of the best rides out there! As a film student (in 2021) I get emerged into the world of the movie. In this instance, it’s real and that blows my mind.

    After the ride, we split off again, they went on some classic rides and I went on some classic rides like Dumbo and the Carousel before resorting back to my room to give my achy feet a break. After a couple hours, I met up with my parents for dinner. After dinner, we went over to ride the Indiana Jones ride, Pirates, and one other I don’t remember. At the end of the night, dad treated us with some dole whip.

    Day 3: Disneyland and Avengers Campus

    On day 3, I woke up really late and had to meet up with my parents for breakfast, who already finished their breakfast. As for my morning tea, I took it to-go to Disneyland. While in the park, we revisited the Indy ride, rode Jungle Cruise, Splash Mountain, Space Mountain, and Star Tours. While waiting for us to get on Splash Mountain, mom was being a cry baby about getting all wet and wined about being in the front. During the wait, I was laughing my butt off. And when we get closer to our turn, my mom was wining about being in the front and getting her hair wet. Well…she was second to the front, I was in the front which I don’t mind. The thing about Splash Mountain is the second drop is where we get soaking wet, not the big steep drop. But the good thing is we were cool for a good few hours since it was a hot day. After Star Tours, me and my parents split up to go on other rides. I went on the Matterhorn, which is one of those rides where I would get bruises. On my way to the end of Main Street to hopefully meet up with my parents, I got myself one of those footlong churros, and boy are they good! Since my parents we’re held up, I went ahead and took a B line to Avengers campus. The first thing I tried while I was there was the schwarma wrap and that was better than the Rontu wrap. It’s spicy but the tahini sauce makes it much more flavorsome and lowers down the spice. While enjoying a cocktail at Pym’s Kitchen, met Iron Man, who threw some shade at my Captain America shirt, and Captain Marvel, as well as getting the front row seating to the Wakandan soldiers show. After that, I met up with my parents in Cars land and we just walked back to our rooms for a nap.

    After the nap, we returned to Avengers campus for the web-slinging ride. To be honest, Rise of the Resistance is much better. After having my second Schwarma wrap, my parents had one too, we rode on our favorite rides again for the last time for the trip.

    Day 3

    Day 4: returning home

    After waking up tired with no tea in my room, I gave into making coffee as I get ready and pack up to go home. Luckily, I got myself a chai latte at the airport. The flight home was smooth and arrived with the orange late summer sun in Portland. After saying goodbye to my parents at the airport, I took the MAX train home and got greeted by my cat Juniper. I was happy to see her but she was “yelling” at me like “where were you woman?!” But soon she’s all over me. The rest of the night, I unpacked my stuff and get ready for tomorrow’s gig, and just chilled out.

    Day 4

    30 day challenge advice Amtrak animals Avengers Campus blog challenge Central Oregon Christian christmas Columbia Gorge Day Trip Disneyland drawing faith fall family fanfic favorite movie flying flying scene getting married get to know me iceberg right ahead Latourell Falls male best friend mental health mental health battle Montana Netflix nostalgia Pearl Harbor poem Portland OR review rose and jack significant other Star Wars Land support of others swimming thanksgiving titanic Travel war writing challenge WWII

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