Due to her late night, Sydney was good and tired. Grandpa had to take Jennifer to the train so Grandma was sleeping in as well. We let Sydney go back to bed while we all headed into the park.
Some of us were planning to do the Incredicoaster but it was closed again so we all met up at Radiator Springs Racers. Again, it's not a Magic Morning ride but at least we could be the first in line for when it opened at 8:00 AM and knock that one out before the lines grew too long.
We did Web Slingers and the Incredicoaster. While not a fear, this wasn't my nor Ireland's favorite ride. I found if you keep your head pushed against the headrest in the back it's not nearly as bad. Ireland was still not a fan. Everyone else went again while we hung out with Grandma.
Grandpa was having a hard time getting a hold of Sydney so we tried calling the room. Eventually he had to get someone to open the door to make sure she was ok. The funny thing is that what happened on our last trip except that time it was Gita. Sydney was just sleeping so hard she didn't hear anything. Knowing she was safe and on her way to the parks, the rest of us enjoyed the Silly Symphony swings a couple of times, Jumpin' Jellyfish, the Golden Zephyr and The Little Mermaid where Ireland wanted her own shell. Sometimes it's nice to enjoy a ride alone! The ride paused for a while and we were stuck hearing the same thing over and over but I'm glad we did this one. We went to Soarin' which Ireland enjoyed much more! She did Aunt Whitney's airplane dance on the way in.
While Brent's parents made their way into the park to meet us, we headed to Studio Catering Co which is kind of back in a corner. It was practically empty which wasn't totally surprising since we were eating a little early. We ordered the filipino feast burrito, empanada with turkey, a Mickey Mouse pretzel and the cran-raspberry refresher. Oh my, that burrito was so GOOD! It had an eggroll in it so there was a satisfying crunch with every bite. Everything was absolutely delicious and we were able to spread out a bit and just enjoy.
Did I order a Mickey pretzel just so I could take these photos? Absolutely!!!
This was such a cute backdrop I had to snap some individuals of the girls! Sydney wasn't there yet but when she arrived I was able to get the group photo.
With everyone's ears and phones in hand, we could finally do Animation Academy as a family. While we waited for the next group we noticed some girls dressed as Mirabel, Luisa and Isabela. Seemingly out of nowhere a toddler Bruno came running and it's honestly one of the cutest Disneybounding I've ever seen at the parks! Our session was a little longer master class to draw Asha from Wish which wasn't even out yet. They showed several images of her and we got to work.
At Turtle Talk with Crush Gita asked what his middle name is and was told "The". His name is Crush The Turtle. OK!
The girls looked so cute in their striped tops, we had to stop for some photos. This one is now the screensaver on my phone:
While we went to Midway Mania...
The grandparents took Sydney to the parade, Jumpin' Jellyfish:
Silly Symphony Swings, Jessie's Critter Carousel and then they got their turn on Midway Mania.
Ireland and I planned to get ice cream from Crazy Shakes but decided to go for the much closer Ghiradelli instead. We found an inconspicuous bench and enjoyed that delicious dessert and noticed we were pretty close to Mater's.
Brent took Liesel and Gita on Grizzly River Run, Silly Symphony Swings a couple of times and then Goofy's Sky School. Ireland and I noticed they had done the Lightning Lane for Goofy's and the time slot was still available so after we did Silly Symphony we booked that as well. Brent maintains he knew we would be there but we definitely surprised Liesel and Gita.
On our last trip I really wanted to try the lobster nachos at Lamplight Lounge and our reservation was sadly during brunch hours when it's not served. I was determined to get them this time so we did an early dinner reservation instead. Because we were combining with the grandparents, we were asked to wait. We actually waited a while. The cast members kept twinkling at us and telling us it would be worth it which I just assumed because the food was so good. At long last they were ready to seat us!
We walked straight through the restaurant, through a door which led to the stairwell. For a hot second I wondered if they were going to just drag some tables and chairs and have us eat there but then they asked Sydney and Gita to help open this door.
Let's get a closer look at that:
Turns out because our group was so large, and it happened to be available, they had taken us to the secret room where celebrities and VIP's dine. The walls were covered with illustrations the Pixar artists had done of each other.
Liesel and Ireland had a lot of fun taking selfies in that little corner! I'll just post these two though.
The creme de la creme was our very own private balcony overlooking Pixar Pier! WHAAAAT?!?!!!
We made good use of that balcony! It was a perfect spot for photos.
Even the filters made it just magical.
There was a ledge for the drinks- we drank a few of those as well.
Upon hearing the Kardashians had been here we reenacted a viral scene from their show (I think Gita does a fantastic job!).
Animators who had eaten there had drawn on the coasters which they had framed. We actually got our own set of coasters that I'm hoping to frame! While it wasn't intended, the light in the background looks like the Pixar light.
OK, let's talk about the food. We finally feasted on the lobster nachos which were absolutely delicious!
I mean just look at that!
However, if I went back to Lamplight and ate just one thing, it would be the potato skins. The flavors on this dish were just incredible!
We also tried the salmon poke which I wanted to like more than I did.
The mini donuts were also a big hit- here are the pan dulce with the champurrado dipping sauce- YUM!
Throughout the evening we got to watch people being launched on the Incredicoaster. Every now and again a few would notice us and wave. We loved doing the countdown with Dash.
It was just am incredible, magical experience that only Disney can create!
Before heading back into the park we stopped by their restroom. Liesel wanted a picture so I told her to pick a quote that spoke to her. This is the one that caught her eye.
Once on the outside, we noticed the private balcony that we had walked right by all day.
That dinner at Lamplight Lounge is one I hope I never forget. It really was just incredible!
With the temperatures cooling, Brent ran back to the hotel for warmer clothes for everyone. Liesel, Gita and I went on Guardians while Ireland did Silly Symphony Swings and met us in the gift shop.
Ireland was ready to head back to the hotel and gave Liesel her Magic Band. This was the beginning of the night Liesel lived her best life at DCA. Now that she had changed into her jeans and hoodie, Liesel went back on Guardians using Ireland's band for a Lightning Lane while Gita and I headed over to the Incredicoaster. She couldn't find anything she wanted at the Guardians gift shop so she went to the Web Supplier's store and found a fantastic sweater. She stopped by Luigi's where she was able to snag the red car which matched her hoodie and nails.
Sydney had yet to conquer her fear of the Incredicoaster and with the sun setting on our last day in DCA, all her sisters were adamant she take care of that little To Do item. Brent, Gita and Grandpa graciously took her and she came skipping off the ride exclaiming she loved it! The loop de loop she was so worried about was not the scary ordeal she thought it would be. The wait was only 15 minutes so she asked to go again so they did. The wait time was still just 15 minutes so she gleefully asked to go again but Brent and Gita had a Lightning Lane reservation at Monster's Inc. Mike & Sully to the Rescue! Grandpa would have to take her for a third time and the poor guy was looking more and more tired and disheveled. Meanwhile Liesel was meandering her way over from Cars Land just enjoying the sites and really living her best life.
Gita is an amazing runner and as they headed to Mike & Sully's she would get ahead and yell at Brent that she was faster than he was so he'd speed up. On her way to meet us at the Incredicoaster, Liesel saw them running through the park. She made it to the Incredicoaster to join Sydney and Grandpa who had graciously agreed to go for a 3rd time with Sydney. Afterwards she showed me the sweater she had purchased and she suddenly seemed so grown up to me.
Once Gita and Brent came back from Mike & Sully's, they did the Incredicoaster one more time which is about when the first showing of World of Color began. I hung out on a bench waiting to meet up with them.
We all went to Soarin one last time.
By this point the grandparents and Sydney were ready to call it quits but not before she gave Liesel her Magic Band. Sydney got to ride on Grandma's lap on the scooter all the way back to the hotel which she loved! Brent and I took Gita on her 1:1 to Mater's and Luigi's.
I had already seen World of Color with Liesel and with the temperature dropping and my foot throbbing, Gita gave me a pass. We took a couple of photos before I headed back to the hotel. I ducked in to World of Color to casually do some more shopping on my way back.
Meanwhile, armed with her Magic Bands (ha-PUN!) Liesel was able to book two concurrent Lightning Lanes from 8:35 - 9:45. One was for Web Slingers and the other was for Guardians.
Confident she could make both, that's exactly what Liesel did and she had the time of her life. As she got off of Guardians, Brent called her because World of Color was starting. As she walked over to meet him, she snapped a few more photos.
At this point I honestly think we could drop Liesel off in the parks completely alone and she would have an absolute blast. She knows the parks pretty well by now, she has her favorite rides and she's a savvy shopper. The three of them enjoyed World of Color from the reserved seats which gave a better view than we'd had a couple nights prior. As they headed out of DCA, these three said goodbye to the park and snapped a few final photos now that it was empty of crowds.
It was just a fantastic day full of so many memories!
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