Michael and Ramona go to Disneyland

Wednesday, January 21, 2026

We overslept. Keith woke up at 7:09, roughly an hour later than the planned time to get up. We thought we had four alarms set. Apparently, we did not. We scurried and were out the door in 15 minutes, on the shuttle bus in ten more, and standing in California Adventure at 7:55 waiting for the rope to drop.

The crowd ahead of us surged at 8:00. Daniel and Amanda were in front and headed to a quick ride on Radiator Springs. We calmly walked behind everyone as they ALL turned to go To Radiator Springs. We alone headed to Toy Story Mania. We were there first. It was not open.

Darn.

We came to ride and play (it’s a game it’s a ride. It’s a ride, it’s a game) so we waited. We stood. We wandered. We played with a giant stone ball sitting on water. After a bit, we went on the prize carousel (yes, we rope dropped the carousel). Woody came out. It was great to see him just walking around, interacting with people. I looked around for Benjamin. Obviously, he was hiding behind a tree.

Daniel and Amanda joined us. Five minutes later TSM opened. We played. Benjamin did better than the rest of us, but we all did well. Benjamin played so hard his muscles were a bit crampy and he couldn’t straighten his fingers. He did not care. TSM is his happiest place.

We went on the ferris wheel of doom. Bwahahahaha

We did webslingers with arms already tired from TSM. Hilarious.

I had an absolutely wonderful salad at Flo’s. Wow.

We dropped in on the Guardians and soared over the world.

At some point, I called Amanda “Ramona”. At another point, I called Daniel “Michael”. Those are their names now. I say a lot of things that are ridiculous. I am pretty hilarious.

We single ridered Radiator Springs. I rode with a group that had three special people. They wanted to ride in front – and so they should! – and the man wanted to drive. He drove the whole ride with an imaginary steering wheel. When we started racing around the track, he drove faster. His joy just FILLED ME UP! I was so lucky to get to ride with them!

We shopped for a moment. We have to shop more.

After some more TSM we hopped over to Disneyland.

Great ride on Indiana Jones followed by a recently refurbished Big Thunder. OoOoOo it was so good. So smooth and they blew us up in the mine shaft.

We ate garlic butter pretzels with bratwurst and pizza flop-overs. We voted the brats were HAVE AGAIN and the flops were I don’t need that again, but I’d have that again.

Benjamin experienced Mick and Min’s runaway train for the first time and Michael and Ramona tried out Toad for the first time. They were shocked that the ride ended with them dead and in hell. We said, “Well, obviously. What else is there?”

Small World is still Christmasified and it is stunning. The regular song mixes it up with carols and that is GREAT. All of the rooms were terrific. I need to go again tomorrow.

Benjin did the Matterhorn for the first time and I had such a great ride – I got myself anchored in in just the right way and was solid the whole ride.

Keith and I showed the kids the way of the Tropical Hideaway – Dole Whip with a view of the Jungle boats and the opportunity to hangs spoon on your nose. I do not like spoons. I am not good at spoons. These spoons were quite deep and hurt to eat off of. Keith had a flatter spoon from an earlier meal that worked better – and he still could hang it on his nose.

So many best parts of Snow White

We did the Jungle Cruise and Pirates (inexplicably called the Jungle Book and Cry Baby by me) to end the evening – before jumping on the train for a last ride around the park.

Here are some pictures of random happiness