Today’s photo is from this weekends’ NHRA National event out here in Phoenix. Being in the stands you feel the amazing power these cars have as they fly by you. This is right as the car launched and you can even see the tire beginning to deform from all that power.
Today’s photo is from Disneyland. I was liking the way the sun was looking behind the logo for Tomorrowland and got low to capture the plaque with the logo in the background.
Today’s photo is from Disney World. On our last day I had woken up early and knew I had to get out and shoot. We were staying at the Yacht Club and it’s a very pretty area. Even more so with the sun rising over the water.
Today’s photo is from Venice. Walking along one of the many bridges I came across these gondoliers hanging out. I snapped this as I was walking by.
Today’s photo was taken after I had completed the Star Wars half marathon. We visited the parks for a while and the sun was setting as I was passing by Paradise Pier. I wanted a picture as the California Screamin’ rollercoaster was passing by.
Today’s photo is from the Chicago River. We took an architectural boat cruise and towards the end we had this view of many of the skyscrapers. It was a really interesting tour and I find myself seeing buildings back home and thinking of their architectural styles.
Today’s photo is from Disney World. A month ago Disney shut off the Osborne Lights at Hollywood Studios for good. I really didn’t know what to expect the first time I saw them, but we were absolutely floored by the display. I wish I knew my last visit would be the last time I’d get to see them. Would’ve stayed a little longer to just soak it all in.
Today was a Magic Morning for DCA. Due to various events, we hadn’t been able to take advantage of MM during this trip and today was our last day. First stop was Radiator Springs Racers. Moms doesn’t ride it, so I hopped in the single rider line.
My car actually won, which is a pretty rare occurrence. There was no wait for Mater’s Junkyard Jamboree, so we went on that. One of Mom’s favorites is Mike & Sully To the Rescue and we started to head towards Hollywoodland. First though, a quick flight on Flik’s Flyers which was just opening as we walked by. 
– I’ve never noticed this outside of the Hyperion Theater before
When we got to the ride, Sully was outside and character opportunities with no line are best. We successfully got Boo back to her door before started to head out. 
– I don’t know what I was doing here
– there’s usually no line for this so it’s easy to miss the details in the queue
It was time to head out and start to get on the road for the drive home. It was time to say goodbye to Disneyland for now.
– I had to get a photo of this window at D-Street
We stopped at the concierge lounge for some snacks and drinks before loading the car for the drive home.
It was a fun, quick visit to my favorite place. I’m not sure when we’ll be back, but I’m hoping to get at least one more visit out of my AP.
Disneyland Star Wars Half Marathon Trip Report – Part 1: What Was I Thinking?
Disneyland Star Wars Half Marathon Trip Report – Part 2: I Wake the Force Up for the Fourth Time
Disneyland Star Wars Half Marathon Trip Report – Part 3: A First and a Favorite
Disneyland Star Wars Half Marathon Trip Report – Part 4: Where I Accidentally Meet Thor
Disneyland Star Wars Half Marathon Trip Report – Part 5: Remind Me Again Why I didn’t Do the 10k?
Disneyland Star Wars Half Marathon Trip Report – Part 6: Celebratory Visit to the Disney Parks
Disneyland Star Wars Half Marathon Trip Report – Part 7: A Quick Visit to DCA
I definitely needed a rest at this point. After a bit I started to get hungry, having only had 2 bananas and the snacks in the box they give you after you finish. I didn’t feel like going far, so we went downstairs to the Surfside Lounge and got some food to take back to the room. I had the chicken nachos & Moms had some wings. I didn’t take any pictures in the to-go containers, but the food was good, if not a little spicy for Moms. I ended up falling asleep for a few hours. Upon waking up, it was time to hit the parks. We used the Grand Californian to enter into DCA. Normally The Little Mermaid ride has no line, so Moms started in the queue and was shocked to see the line actually be a line. It was only about a 20 minute wait, but longer that we normally do for that. When we emerged back on land, the Golden Zephyr was open. That’s Moms favorite so we hopped in line.
The crowds were too much for Moms and she decided to head back to the room. The friends who I failed to meet up with on Friday were in DCA right now so I found out where they were at. We hung out for a bit and lamented the loss of the Aladdin musical and while waiting for the rest of their group to ride Tower of Terror, watched a bit of the Pixar Play Parade
– this marching band was playing a familiar tune
We started to make our way out by following the Parade and waving to the people still sitting on the street. The plan was to hit Disneyland for a bit before I had to meet up with Moms for a dinner reservation. Unfortunately, my foot started to bother me and I decided to head back and rest up a little bit.
We had looked into the PCH Grill the night before & it looked good. We decided that would be a good celebration dinner. It’s a buffet with an okay amount of choices. Most of the food was good. The s’mores bar with chocolate dipping sauce was definitely a winner.
– I can’t remember the name of this Star Wars mousse they had
When we had booked the room, it came with 3 fastpasses for us to use. The only thing Moms rides that takes them is Haunted Mansion Holiday and that was closed. Since this was our last night, I felt obligated to use them. My foot was feeling better, so I made my way back to Disneyland. First stop, Star Tours. It was nice seeing the Jakku scene after having some reference to the movie. I looked around the Star Tours store for a bit, not really seeing much (that I didn’t already have). They had a cool light blue dome in the Build-A-Droid section, but no body parts to match. Afterwards, I hopped in line for Hyperspace Mountain. Space Mountain is a classic, but the way they use the projections for this version really kicks it up a notch. I like riding up front to really enhance the feeling of dodging TIE Fighters. 
– Disneyland Forever was going on as I exited Star Tours
– I wasn’t really going for a serious face here I still had one FP to go and was planning to use it to ride Indy. As I entered into Frontierland, I noticed Big Thunder Mountain standing there. I couldn’t resist. As I entered the queue, one of the Disneyland cats was sitting on the rocks. Those guys seem to be out more frequently. Big Thunder was a blast as always. It wasn’t too late, but my feet was hurting again so I decided to wrap-it up for the night. 
I wanted to get the new Star Wars postcards from Wonderground Gallery before they closed and also pick up the ornaments I had seen at D-Street earlier. I got the postcards, but they had sold out of the BB-8 ornament over the weekend and I could only get the Kylo Ren. My niece’s birthday party happened the day before so I went back to World of Disney to find her a gift. Ended up getting her a Belle jewelry box and some Belle clip-on earrings. The jewelry box played “Beauty and the Beast” when you wound it and when I gave it to her, my niece kept winding it up. My sister was very thankful of my noisy gift. My watch said I walked a total of 23 miles today.
Disneyland Star Wars Half Marathon Trip Report – Part 1: What Was I Thinking?
Disneyland Star Wars Half Marathon Trip Report – Part 2: I Wake the Force Up for the Fourth Time
Disneyland Star Wars Half Marathon Trip Report – Part 3: A First and a Favorite
Disneyland Star Wars Half Marathon Trip Report – Part 4: Where I Accidentally Meet Thor
Disneyland Star Wars Half Marathon Trip Report – Part 5: Remind Me Again Why I didn’t Do the 10k?
Disneyland Star Wars Half Marathon Trip Report – Part 6: Celebratory Visit to the Disney Parks
Disneyland Star Wars Half Marathon Trip Report – Part 7: A Quick Visit to DCA
Utini! 